A year without Disney? Who am I kidding?!(a PTR) LINK TO TR!

[DisMomAmy]

I can't wait! I always like to relax on vacation and I think this will be perfect. I have a hard time relaxing in WDW because there is so much to do so I know the cruise will be the perfect way to still experience the magic of Disney while relaxing!

I'm glad you said that about Tampa. My biggest thing is to find a car rental company that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg, I think we are just going to keep the car the entire week as we'll need it a total of 5 times. It just makes sense. I don't want to pick up the car, drop it off, pick it up, etc.

Check out the discount codes on the mousesavers website. We love using Alamo because you can pre-register online & just walk up to any car in your category when you get there.

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I've finally posted a When, Where, and Why for this trip and I've added it to my very first post of the thread. Instead of scrolling to click, just click HERE!

I have lots of planning to do and I need to get a roughly laid out itinerary so I can change my dining reservations! Plus my sister and I leave on Friday for our mini-getaway to WDW!!! (Don't worry, I plan on doing a TR inside this PTR for that trip.) Plus, DH and I are going to TN next month to stay in a cabin for the weekend for our 2nd anniversary. Phew! Then summer is here and I'll be extremely busy between transporting the kids I babysit for from one activity to another and the summer reading program at the library where I work! I'll have a few weeks to settle down after the summer before we leave for our big trip and I am so looking forward to that already!

Be sure to keep coming on by my PTR. I'll have lots of fun updates along the way such as Fish Extender ideas, MNSSHP t-shirt ideas, Dining Choices, Universal Planning, and of course I still need to finish the cruise TR and I'll have my girls' weekend TR to do, too!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Just to let you know, your link isn't correct

I hope you guys have a lovely time on your weekend! Wish I was going!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Just to let you know, your link isn't correct

I hope you guys have a lovely time on your weekend! Wish I was going!

Problem solved! Usually I check but I was running late and had to get to the girls' school! Thanks for letting me know.

I hope we have a great time, too. A bit worried about crowds, however...

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'm glad you tried snorkeling! I hope you enjoyed it!

Reading about relaxing in the sun makes me sleepy...

 

[Nermel9]

Your "when, where and why" for this trip look awesome! I'd love to do a Disney cruise right in the middle of my vacation! And I actually considered staying at the Dolphin or Swan this October, to be near Epcot, but it annoys me that I can't do the dining plan!

Your pictures from the cruise are so amazing...I really need to go on one someday!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I'm glad you tried snorkeling! I hope you enjoyed it!

Reading about relaxing in the sun makes me sleepy...

I semi-enjoyed it. I can now say that I've done it and I don't think I'd do it again.

The sun was so bright most of the time so I found myself putting my swim suit cover-up over my face and I always fell asleep!

Your "when, where and why" for this trip look awesome! I'd love to do a Disney cruise right in the middle of my vacation! And I actually considered staying at the Dolphin or Swan this October, to be near Epcot, but it annoys me that I can't do the dining plan!

Your pictures from the cruise are so amazing...I really need to go on one someday!

Thanks! They do look pretty good if I do say so myself! If I really wanted the DDP, I wouldn't stay at Swan/Dolphin either BUT I doubt Free Dining is going to be announced and even if it is I ran the numbers and it just doesn't make sense for us to have it. I like appetizers and we can share dessert.

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I will be leaving bright (well, technically dark) and EARLY tomorrow AM to go to Disney World with my sister for our Girls' Weekend!

As of today, the weather predictions are LITTLE chance for rain and lots of warm sunshine! YAY! However, I'm praying that the storms and rain coming through Chicago tomorrow don't put us behind! *fingers crossed*

At this time tomorrow night we'll be watching Wishes!

See Ya Real Soon!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Travel safely! If I give you my cell number, can you text me pics?

 

[Nermel9]

Have a great trip!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I hope you made it out safely! Have a great weekend!!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

How exciting about the cruise! I wouldn't have been able to pass up that deal, either.

Don't worry about the drive over from Tampa - it's super easy. I've done it many times since my dad lives there and it's literally 45 minutes. Plus, the Tampa airport is such a breeze. It isn't very busy so you can get in and out of there a lot quicker than at MCO.

I hope you are having lots of fun on your girls' trip! I can't wait to hear about it when you get back!

 

[Joyciemc]

Have so so so so much fun!!!

Can't wait to hear about it when you get back!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Travel safely! If I give you my cell number, can you text me pics?

Just got your PM today, we got back late last night!

Have a great trip!

Thanks! It was a great but VERY tiring trip!

I hope you made it out safely! Have a great weekend!!

We made it out safely, although I wasn't so sure for a while with the "awesome" turbulence we had on the way down!

How exciting about the cruise! I wouldn't have been able to pass up that deal, either.

Don't worry about the drive over from Tampa - it's super easy. I've done it many times since my dad lives there and it's literally 45 minutes. Plus, the Tampa airport is such a breeze. It isn't very busy so you can get in and out of there a lot quicker than at MCO.

I hope you are having lots of fun on your girls' trip! I can't wait to hear about it when you get back!

We're VERY excited about the Disney cruise. Greg and I love to relax on vacation so it will be perfect to end our Disney trip with a Disney Cruise!

I'm glad to hear a couple of people find it easy to fly in and out of Tampa.

Have so so so so much fun!!!

Can't wait to hear about it when you get back!

We had SO much fun and got SO much done, despite the crowds! I hope it was magical for my sister!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Just got your PM today, we got back late last night!

Well, now you have my number

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Okay, I need to finish this cruise TR soon so I can start on the Disney Girls’ Weekend! Here we go…

Cruise TR, Day 5​

This was our second full day on the cruise. I woke up feeling refreshed, and if I remember correctly just a bit before the alarm went off. We had to get going fairly quickly as we had a couples massage scheduled for 8am! We had located the spa the day before so we knew where to go. Once we checked in we were given questionnaires and then waited just a few moments before we were called back. Each therapist asked us our stress level so they knew how much pressure to use, which was nice as I had read that they don’t use very much pressure at all. Let me tell you, I was CRINGING at some points because of the pressure. She obviously said at the end that I had some muscle tension. Ya think?! Jeesh! It was nice that they didn’t harass us to buy products at the end like I had read on countless reports over on the cruise boards. Overall, was it worth the money? Eh… Was it relaxing? Yes! Definitely. However, Greg and I are getting another couples massage on our trip to Tennessee at the end of the month for our anniversary and it is $100 less and it includes chocolate fondue, a fruit and cheese tray, an aromatherapy bath, and a scented shower. However, that’s Tennessee, this was a cruise ship in the Bahamas. It’s almost like comparing apples to oranges. Anyway…

After our massages we went up to the Windjammer and had some breakfast. It was pretty crowded and we had a hard time finding a table but we got lucky and a couple was getting up from a two-top table right as we walked by. We took turns getting food and then went back to the room to get ready before we headed off the ship to shop in Nassau!

We weren’t off the ship for very long. We picked up some alcohol and a few souvenirs. You are pretty much harassed as soon as you get off the ship for hair braiding, taxis, etc. Once you get passed that you can walk along the streets in downtown and shop without being bothered much. We did decide to head over to the straw market and we lasted there for maybe 15 minutes before we had enough. I had enough of “Honey!” “Lady in the white shirt!” “What do you want? Everyting is on sale today!” (Yes I spelled everything that way on purpose.)

We stopped so Greg could get a beer and I could get a Goombay Punch and we made our way back to the ship. However, that is when I realized that I didn’t have my ID! Ahhh! They were checking both your ID AND Passport to get back on the dock. I was so nervous! Worst case, they wouldn’t let me through but they’d let Greg through (he had both) and he would have to go get mine and come back. Not so bad except I really didn’t want to be left alone even in a public place for an extended period of time. So we made our way to the employee and we handed him over Greg’s two documents and my one. He let us through no problem! PHEW! I was so happy!

After getting back on the ship (with our alcohol IN HAND I may add-security was too concerned with someone else and I’m sure he wasn’t watching the screen-we never did open it I may add), we headed to the pool area and spent some time there while it was crowded.

I’m sure we had lunch at some point and got showered for the evening, too. We played some chess before dinner and then went to see the show. We then stayed for the Love & Marriage game show which was HILARIOUS! Wow! We went over to catch a bit of Trivia in another lounge after that and then went over to watch people play this outrageous game. I can’t recall the name of it but it involved guys dressing in women’s clothing and a bunch of other wild things. It was all in good fun and we definitely had a good laugh!

After that they had a huge food buffet near the pool and we had some amazing steak and some yummy desserts. Probably one of the best meals of the cruise! We called it a night after that. We wanted to be refreshed for our last day on the cruise, our day at sea!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I'm here, I promise. I've been pretty much lurking on the DIS since I got home last Monday. I had laundry to catch up on and cleaning and just getting back on track. Not just because of the trip but because having 2 jobs is a lot of work and to keep a house clean, cook, run errands, etc. is a lot to add on to that. Which, I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir but still! It IS a lot! So I had fallen behind (read: gotten lazy) and wanted to catch up. I was off today but I work both jobs the next 3 days and then Friday I'm off to a conference ALL day and I work Saturday, too! Phew! More money for Disney, right?!

Greg and I (well, mostly Greg actually) decided to add a night onto our trip. So we'll be arrive on September 29 instead of the 30 giving us the entire day on Friday now in Disney! Tonight at dinner Greg also said, "We're seeing Fantasmic right?" Me: "Um, yeaaaah? Okay." Greg: "Well, I know that we missed it last time because you didn't know I wanted to see it. I want you to take pictures with your awesome camera." Okay, Greg! I'll plan Fantasmic for you. Back to the drawing board I go! I want to have the outline completed ASAP because there are plenty of other trip related things to work on such as Touring Plans, outfits for MNSSHP and Pirate night, etc. Also, my ticker for our trip says 4 months! You know, just an entire SEASON to get through.

 

[DisMomAmy]

All caught up... Sounds like a great cruise day! I'm glad you made it back on the ship without any trouble.

You're a busy lady! But I like how you think of it as extra vacation money.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I completely understand getting behind here! Just a few days away seems to take forever to get caught up - and especially after a trip! That's such a busy time!

And speaking of which - I am all caught up on the cruise updates! I love the Nassau pictures! Especially Atlantis - I've stayed there twice and it is my absolute favorite hotel in the world. So beautiful!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

All caught up... Sounds like a great cruise day! I'm glad you made it back on the ship without any trouble.

You're a busy lady! But I like how you think of it as extra vacation money.

I was so relieved to get through! I still get butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it!

I completely understand getting behind here! Just a few days away seems to take forever to get caught up - and especially after a trip! That's such a busy time!

And speaking of which - I am all caught up on the cruise updates! I love the Nassau pictures! Especially Atlantis - I've stayed there twice and it is my absolute favorite hotel in the world. So beautiful!

Thanks for understanding.

That is really neat that you got to stay at Atlantis! I would love to see their pool/waterpark area!