All I Got Was A Lousy T-Shirt. . .(SleepyD's WetnWild Shower Fan Club -16 Feb 07)

[LCTsMom]

Hey, now that's a heck of a fun idea! When do they usually set the dates? We are definitely looking at another cruise in 2008, though we're primarily considering the 4-day Wonder this time around. But, we'd certainly be amenable to suggestions.
!

I have heard rumblings that summer 2008 dates could be announced any time now. Some say it will be by the end of this year, some say early next year.

I second that! But we have to bring RoyalVizier, Oybolshoi and GrumpyDude too - it will be the longest and funniest report in DIS history

I'm all for that!

Note to the remainder of the population... that would NOT be the cruise to book if you're looking for rest and relaxation. There would be antics and meyhem beyond your wildest dreams with all of us on one cruise.

No tub or verandah door would be safe!

Bring on the next installment!

The more the merrier! It sounds like it would be a BLAST!

 

[pppiglet]

Gee, my computer goes down for a few days and you're still not having your first dinner. Glad I didn't miss too much, but had to catch up on 4 pages!

My DH has been called a maroon by me for years. You could take us on your next cruise and write about him!

 

[UtahMama]

Dog!
Man you're making me want to cruise!
The shows, the decor/art, the shopping (yay!), and the FOOD!
How much did you gain? Sorry, that's personal....
I would have to diet before and after.
Keep it up! Spare no detail! Well I guess if your willing to share about your
bathtub adventures, there's no sacred topics! I like that about you!

 

[Holly&Joesmommy]

I just found your TR tonight , been reading for........ well lets just say FOURTEEN PAGES, and I have laughed so hard I had to take a break to wipe the tears
DH is tryin to sleep, but I keep waking him shhhh!

THanks for the journey,...can't wait for more

 

[sleepydog25]

Day 2: What Are the Odds?​

I thought about providing a brief recap to this point for those just joining the thread. Then I realized, I do nothing briefly, and you would be better served to just read the past episodes on your own when you have time. . .lots and lots of time. Without further adieu, on to the story, already in progress. . .​

Finally, our seating for Animator's Palate arrived. We were greeted by the usual sanitizing squad (sans Guido) then promptly escorted to our table where we waited with great anticipation for the meal and the dinner show. As mentioned previously (for all you regular cruisers, please allow that some who are reading this installment have yet to go on a cruise, so bear with me), dining on board a Disney cruise ship is done on a rotational basis. You are assigned a particular restaurant each night, and your servers follow you around. . .as do the other people seated at your table. When we sat at Table 52, we had no idea with whom we would be dining nor, obviously, who our servers would be.


The latter answer came quickly as we were warmly welcomed by Chintana (Thailand) and Joacir (Brazil). One of the larger aspects I enjoyed about cruising was the opportunity to meet folks from outside the U.S., especially the crew members. Both Chintana and Joacir were friendly and appropriately chatty as they introduced themselves and wished us happy dining over the next three nights. Naturally, we informed them that we’d be skipping tomorrow night’s scheduled meal at Parrot’s Carrot Grotto Cay Cove in order to dine at Palo. I detected no sense of sadness or disappointment, and I owed it to the fact that word of our early arrival faux pas had reached them. Chintana then told us that we would be joined by two other couples.



No sooner had she uttered those words when one of those couples magically appeared. At first glance, they seemed pleasant, friendly, and experienced. As we began to talk, we found out that Ann and Randy had, indeed, cruised before. Soon after, the typical small talk questions and answer session began: what do you do? where are you from? do you have kids? What do you think of the bathtub in your room? Etc., etc. And here’s what we learned: Ann and Randy lived in a small town less than two hours from us. Both of them are docs (she, ophthamologist; he, veterinarian). They had Palo reservations for the next night, too. And. One of Ann’s partners had actually gone to med school with Doc! We had planned this trip for months, traveled 10 hours, boarded a cruise ship bound for the Bahamas, switched our dinner ressies around, and we wind up dining with folks sharing common interests and almost in our neighborhood! Too funny. Best of all, they were extremely nice and great conversationalists—traits not to be overlooked if you wind up sharing dinner with them throughout a cruise. For the record, the other couple didn’t show up that evening--more about them later, however.



As we talked, the hubbub surrounding dinner continued apace. The service was excellent, and the food delicious. Doc had the bacon-wrapped filet mignon with a Caesar salad while I dined on veal chops w/risotto and stuffed baked tomatoes. Both were good to very good; alas, we failed to take pics, so you’ll just have use your imagination. For dessert, Doc got a chocolate concoction of some sort, and I had the peanut butter & chocolate pie—an excellent choice! Somehow, some way, the servers know you. . .or at least think they do. The only other time we had eaten on the ship was at lunch earlier that day during which time I had tried the coffee on board and found it, well, lacking. It wasn’t bad, just not what I’d call real good, either. Doc had hot tea. As Joacir cleared our dishes, Chintana said, “So, you (looking at me) like tea and your wife enjoys coffee.” Close. She seemed confused when we corrected her, especially when I said I didn’t want coffee but Doc did. And when she brought out the coffee, she triumphantly added, “And you (looking at Doc) like cream and sugar.” Not quite, as Doc drinks her coffee black. That really threw Chintana for a loop. Still, I was left wondering how she knew what she did and if she had my social security and PIN numbers, too. . .



Of course, the big treat about Animator’s Palate is the dinner show. If you’ve seen the piece about it on TV and read about it on the DIS boards, you know that the restaurant starts out in stark black and white. Here’s a shot from our table.

SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVE YET TO EXPERIENCE THIS RESTAURANT! SKIP AHEAD TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH, PLEASE! REPEAT, DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO ANIMATOR’S PALATE! SKIP AHEAD!! You can’t say I didn’t warn you. During the course of the meal, the walls “change” to color, the overall hue of the room alternates depending upon the course being served (the music being played cues the servers), and various screens around the restaurant play snippets of Disney movies and cartoons. So, if you’re still with me, here’s what I thought—it was just okay. It’s a great concept, and it was fun watching the screens play the bits and pieces of animation. But. It just wasn’t all that for us. Perhaps we had come to expect more based on the TV special and glowing reviews on the boards. Perhaps we were just tired from all the excitement. Perhaps I was saddened by the lack of a good cup o’ joe. Whatever the reasons, we were underwhelmed. Yes, it was unique, and we’re glad we saw the show, but it didn’t meet our expectations. However, if you haven’t been to AP and you ignored my advice and read this paragraph anyway, we still recommend you go and see for yourself. And, I might add, this was the only disappointment we had the entire cruise, and it was minor at that.




After the show, the room is left looking like this.

We left feeling a bit tired, though full, and it’s no wonder given that it was already past 10 p.m. We said good night to our servers and table guests and found ourselves walking toward the gift shops again. Though crowded, they were nothing like before, and we made some mental notes of things to buy on another day.



Not wanting to end this magical day, our steps led us to the Cadillac Lounge with Bobby Hamilton playing a baby grand and singing the blues, some jazz, and some big band era favorites. There were only a few people inside, and despite having just finished a large meal with dessert, we opted for an after dinner drink. Doc had a chocolate martini while I, on the other hand, in keeping with the theme of the place and the cruise, tried a most excellent drink called the ’53 Coco Cadillac. It is a cold, martini-ish drink that hints at coconut and pineapple. Very nice. We enjoyed our brief stay at the Cadillac Lounge, but soon the bed was calling our names. On the way to our room, we passed by the mural below.

Doc used this mural (which covers the wall behind the midship elevators for, I believe, three decks) to orient herself for which side of the ship we were on. On either side of Ariel (and not shown) are Flounder and Sebastian. According to Doc, we were on the Flounder side. Me? I just looked which way the ship was pointing. Call me crazy.


Upon arriving at our room around 11, the first of three night time creatures visited our room. Zip and Doo had been joined by Terry the Dog.

How appropriate that a dog is our first towel animal, eh? He looks like a pet for the X-Men. And he has friends! Eeek! Mutant mini bears!!

Even though we’d been to WDW three times before and HHI once, this was our very first towel animal! After admiring the handiwork, we slipped out onto the verandah and stared up at the moon and stars. It doesn’t get much finer than to feel the wind in your hair, the smell of sea spray, and the gloriously lit sky above while on a cruise. A wonderful first day had come to a close.


Tomorrow: Self-Indulgement 101

 

[Blythep]

Wow, thanks so much Dog!! I am enjoying your TR so much. It is really preparing me for our cruise in May. DH and I are renewing our vows and our teenage boys will be with us, but your discriptions are so great. In looking at my countdown on my wall at work, I realize that I still have almost 230 days until we sail. Thanks again for the great report!!

 

[FatherForce]

I noticed you didn't mention that that was your SECOND trip to the Cadillac lounge that evening.

 

[Bethipooh4]

Totally off topic....

I LOVE the little bouncing pumpkins....And how do you get one?

But what the heck is being boo'ed??

 

[curlybop]

That is so neat about the table mates. Who would've thought it turned out that way? I'm just waiting to hear about the addtl people who didn't show up that night.

 

[Holly&Joesmommy]

Totally off topic....

I LOVE the little bouncing pumpkins....And how do you get one?

But what the heck is being boo'ed??

DITTO! I've been seeing them and they are so cute,...
I WANT ONE!

GREat report today, but I hope you get the rest done by Thurs : ,... cause I leave for our 7 day eastern , and I would hate to have to wait 9 days before I could finish this tale!

 

[Blythep]

Totally off topic....

I LOVE the little bouncing pumpkins....And how do you get one?

But what the heck is being boo'ed??

Bethipooh4 - check your PM - You have been boo'd!!

 

[Jennifer48]

Its nice that you were seated for dinner with two other couples. When my DBF and I went back in April, they seated us with a family of 3 with a young daughter (I believe she was 8). Granted she was the cutest girl and so much fun to listen to the cruise experience in her eyes, still, adult company would have been fun too!

 

[Bethipooh4]

Awesome trip installment as usual, makes me want to cruise again....
One small thing is keeping us from it....MONEY!!!!

 

[pppiglet]

I have to agree with the Sleepydog....AP was a letdown for us too after all the hype on the boards. We were expecting a lot more.

 

[Disneygrl36]

Wax on sleepydog, wax on..........
I can't wait to feel the breeze in my hair too!!

After admiring the handiwork, we slipped out onto the verandah and stared up at the moon and stars. It doesn’t get much finer than to feel the wind in your hair, the smell of sea spray, and the gloriously lit sky above while on a cruise. A wonderful first day had come to a close.

 

[Amlee]

I'm loving the report!!

It's strange how small of a world it is. On my Sept cruise one of our table mates works with a girl that was part of a group, that I went to Fiji with last year. I went to the theater one day and there stood a lady I went to Scotland with in March. None of us knew the other would be on the cruise.

 

[sheridac]

The latter answer came quickly as we were warmly welcomed by Chintana ([/font]Thailand) and Joacir (Brazil).

WHAT??!! You made those names up, didn't you?? Come on. You know you did. 'Fess up!!!!

 

[pppiglet]

WHAT??!! You made those names up, didn't you?? Come on. You know you did. 'Fess up!!!!

Now THAT'S funny! I was thinking when I read who his waiters were that those were the weirdest names I had ever seen on the DIS!

 

[MagicMe]

Actually, we had Chintana and Joe (we just called him Joe) on our trip in August. We loved her!!! We tried to smuggle her home (she should have fit in one of the bigger suitcases!)

They had our table and one smaller table with three people. Our table had 15 people . She did an excellent job and always surprised us as to how much she remembered about us and what we liked!

Another excellent installment - glad we made it through the first day!!! Two more days to go!

 

[sleepydog25]

"Don't you think it would look a bit weird for me to be sipping a cabernet at 6 a.m.? "

Might take the heat off me for writing about my 8AM WL Showerbeer.

Good point. Mine is weird. Yours is frightful.

For some reason this cruise report is now consuming my life.

Odd. I was thinkin the same thing.

His webpage is: http://www.chihuly.com/

In case anyone missed it the first time around.

I have heard rumblings that summer 2008 dates could be announced any time now. Some say it will be by the end of this year, some say early next year.

Have I mentioned we got our Castaway Club papers and IDs yesterday?

Dog!
Man you're making me want to cruise!
The shows, the decor/art, the shopping (yay!), and the FOOD!
How much did you gain? Sorry, that's personal....
I would have to diet before and after.
Keep it up! Spare no detail! Well I guess if your willing to share about your
bathtub adventures, there's no sacred topics! I like that about you!

What's not to like? Come to the dark side, Uma. . . I think my weight gain was minimal seeing as it was offset by the tub o' death and other such incidents. And, yes, I will spare no detail. You probably noticed that already, huh?

I just found your TR tonight , been reading for........ well lets just say FOURTEEN PAGES, and I have laughed so hard I had to take a break to wipe the tears
DH is tryin to sleep, but I keep waking him

Welcome aboard! Is it only 14? Geez, it seems so much shorter than that! And, spouses are made to be awakened with trivial stuff. Just ask Doc. As for leaving--in what is it, 8 days now?--see my answer to Blythep below.

Wow, thanks so much Dog!! I am enjoying your TR so much. It is really preparing me for our cruise in May. DH and I are renewing our vows and our teenage boys will be with us, but your discriptions are so great. In looking at my countdown on my wall at work, I realize that I still have almost 230 days until we sail. Thanks again for the great report!!

230 days, you say? Cool. I should be done by then. Stick around, 'cuz there will be even more tips as we go.

I noticed you didn't mention that that was your SECOND trip to the Cadillac lounge that evening.

Third.

That is so neat about the table mates. Who would've thought it turned out that way? I'm just waiting to hear about the addtl people who didn't show up that night.

It was quite ironic we went to those lengths to hunt down an old classmate of Doc's. As for the other couple, it's a few pages away, say, next month?

Its nice that you were seated for dinner with two other couples. When my DBF and I went back in April, they seated us with a family of 3 with a young daughter (I believe she was 8). Granted she was the cutest girl and so much fun to listen to the cruise experience in her eyes, still, adult company would have been fun too!

That was our thinking, but we didn't know if we might not be with kids for the two nights we did the rotation, which would have been just fine. Hence, one reason we opted for Palo which we'll definitely do again since it was so enjoyable. But, that's jumping ahead, isn't it?

Wax on sleepydog, wax on..........
I can't wait to feel the breeze in my hair too!!

Let's not forget to wax off. . . There were several moments like that, and I hope to capture just a little of them in my writing. Thanks!

I'm loving the report!!

It's strange how small of a world it is. On my Sept cruise one of our table mates works with a girl that was part of a group, that I went to Fiji with last year. I went to the theater one day and there stood a lady I went to Scotland with in March. None of us knew the other would be on the cruise

Thank you! I'm loving writing it. And some day, in a different forum and thread, I will have to relate one of the best of those "small world" stories that happened to my dad some 30 years ago. It's a truly wonderful anecdote.

Awesome trip installment as usual, makes me want to cruise again....
One small thing is keeping us from it....MONEY!!!!

There's always the option a life of crime to pay for your cruises. Just a thought.

shermanic=WHAT??!! You made those names up, didn't you?? Come on. You know you did. 'Fess up!!!!

pppigletto=Now THAT'S funny! I was thinking when I read who his waiters were that those were the weirdest names I had ever seen on the DIS!

Actually, we had Chintana and Joe (we just called him Joe) on our trip in August. We loved her!!! We tried to smuggle her home (she should have fit in one of the bigger suitcases!)

They had our table and one smaller table with three people. Our table had 15 people . She did an excellent job and always surprised us as to how much she remembered about us and what we liked!

Another excellent installment - glad we made it through the first day!!! Two more days to go!

Ha!! Proof that a fertile imagination is no substitute for the truth! Two more days and lots more adventures.

Thanks for the compliments, one and all! I'm working on the next installment. . .promise. . .I'm hurrying. . .