An anniversary cruise of ‘magic’al proportions - 10/20/2007

[disgrits]

Great report Heather! Beautiful pics. I wish we would have had more time to get to know y'all. The time went by too fast, didn't it? Well, how 'bout KK2?

Once again, great trippie!

 

[Karen Mouse]

Brilliant trippie Heather - loved all your outfits too! - your suitcase must have been a big one

 

[GOS]

OH MY GOD! - HOW DID YOU GET THIS ALL TYPED SO QUICK

I'm in awe! - it took me days (and many hours on photobucket)

I cant believe you got in on here so quick. I'm only half way through but its brilliant!

Karen - I type it up in word first and then do a cut and paste job. I also do a lot of journalling whilst on holiday, so I don;t have to remember anything. I use the final version for my scrapbooking.

I was surprised how easy it was to use photobucket, if a bit slow at times.

 

[GOS]

Fantastic job Heather!! I have to tell you that you looked amazing in all those beautiful outfits you brought along. One was prettier than the next.

I absolutely love, love, love James' cheeks!! (The ones of his face, of course!).

I'm glad you enjoyed the DIStag game. I agree, we received so many fantastic gifts didn't we? I need to find out from Bev where she bought her bags from. I was looking all summer long for something exactly like those. Of course, it probably won't do me much good unless she bought them in the states somewhere.

Is Rick working on the video segment of the trippie? His first one was great.

Thanks Nancy - yes I liked the photo of James.

You could PM Dave (thefatman) and ask him to ask Bev. I think they were a UK purchase though.

Rick is working on his video, though it's slow going at the moment. He lost for inspiration.

Can you PM me with your link to your photo of all the DISTag goodies. I would like to put it in my scrapbook, when I start it.

Thanks

 

[GOS]

Fabulous report Heather Loved all the photos!! Can't wait for Rick's video

I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to chat with you more while on the cruise (I think I feel that way about all the KKers, not enough time!) although I did see you around quite a bit.

I know how you feel, but at least we did manage to have a brief chat in Cozumel.

Great report Heather! Beautiful pics. I wish we would have had more time to get to know y'all. The time went by too fast, didn't it? Well, how 'bout KK2?

Bit to far in advance to think about...but would be nice.

Brilliant trippie Heather - loved all your outfits too! - your suitcase must have been a big one

Thank you Karen...I take far too much.

Heather

 

[cntkg1]

Thanks Nancy - yes I liked the photo of James.

You could PM Dave (thefatman) and ask him to ask Bev. I think they were a UK purchase though.

Rick is working on his video, though it's slow going at the moment. He lost for inspiration.

Can you PM me with your link to your photo of all the DISTag goodies. I would like to put it in my scrapbook, when I start it.

Thanks

Ask and you shall receive.

 

[Dyerneeds]

amazing report heather. loooking forward to the video.
we were fortunate enough to see you quite a bit on the cruise and we miss you guys.
thanks for the button trade. whenever i see that button, ill think of you guys.
underdog(aka cinnamike) and tart girl(aka robin)

 

[MinnMick01]

Preamble

This trip is an additional holiday for us. We were in Alaska in May, but when in 2006 Bev and Dave asked us to join them on a cruise to celebrate their 25th anniversary, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity for another cruise, this time on the Disney Magic.

The cast for this trip was Me – Heather and Rick, my DH. Dave and Bev, plus Nicola and James, their children. Also joining the cast were Bev’s Mum and Dad, Sheila and Harry (Frank, as we know him!) – this will be their first cruise.

I had been talking with a group of people on The DIS for well over a year, ever since we booked the cruise. This was Dave’s fault for pointing out that there were people already booked and chatting – 16 months in advance. A number of arrangements for the cruise had been agreed – such as DIS Tagging – and this will become evident later on in the report.

Dave and Bev were to leave a week in advance of the cruise and were staying at Board Walk Villas and we met up with them a week before the start of their trip just to finalise arrangements.

So on with the trip report:

Day minus 1, Wednesday 17th October 2007.

Our trip starts at 5.30pm with the usual journey to London Gatwick for Virgin’s twilight check-in. The trip took about 1hr, which wasn’t bad in rush hour. Check-in was quite busy, but the whole process only took about 30 minutes and parking cost £2.20. The trip home only took 30 minutes and as we neared home, we stopped for something for dinner. Chicken shish kebabs – yum.

Back home and kebabs eaten, we sit back and watch some TV. I complete the customs and visa waiver forms. The last few phone calls are made and we’re in bed by 10.00pm. Marion Cabs will be coming to pick us up at 5.30am.

Day 1, Thursday 18th October 2007.

OK, our trip officially starts here and our friend Marion arrives at 5.25am. I had a restless night sleep, but as usual Rick has slept soundly. The trip to Gatwick only takes 40 minutes as there was no traffic on the road.

We fast track through passport control and then once in the departure lounge we have our usual breakfast in McDonalds. Shopping done – Rick bought himself some aftershave Joop GO! and I treat myself to some Benefit Make-up. Magazines, water and chocs purchased, we sit down to wait for the flight to be called.

We have seats on the early 10.45am flight and we only have to wait 1hr 20mins before the gate is announced and we’re on our way. We’re not waiting long at the gate and they call us to board – hooray. Our seats are up top in Premium Economy and as we take our seats we are offered a drink. I’m cheeky enough to ask for a cup of tea, which they kindly make for me!
The plane pushes back on time, but takes another 25 minutes before we are finally in the air. The captain reports that the flight is due to take about 8hrs 30 minutes – ETA 7.50pm GMT or 2.50pm in Orlando.

We fly over Southampton and the views are spectacular – we can see all of the Isle of White.

Rick and I watch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix whilst lunch is being served. Pots of Chocolate Gü for dessert – yummy – I even get given another one by the Steward as he finds a spare. Whilst Rick sleeps off lunch, I watch the Waitress and then Pirates 3. Ice cream is served later on in the afternoon and then a light tea of sandwiches is served 90 minutes before we land. There are some beautiful views of Washington DC as we fly down the coast of America.

As we approach Florida we encounter some turbulence and the Captain asks us to fasten our seat belts.

We land at MCO 5 minutes ahead of time – the whole process of clearing immigration, customs, and collecting the car takes about 1hr and we are on the road by 3.50pm and making our way to Boardwalk Villas, where we are due to stay for 2 nights. On the way I ring home to let everyone know that we have arrived safely. We arrive at Boardwalk and once checked in we make our way to our room. Bev and Dave have arranged for us to have a Boardwalk View – and WOW, what a view. Thanks Guys. We call bell services and have to wait 30 minutes for our luggage to arrive.

As we only have this evening to do some shopping, we don’t hang around. We are in the car and heading back towards John Young Parkway to find ABC Liquor store – we want to buy some Rosa Regale to take on board for a celebration drink. 3 bottles purchased (we would’ve bought more if we could’ve got it home to the UK as this wine is simply superb), we head back towards the 192/535 and Super Target and Walmart.

Essential supplies purchased (but no Christmas goodies – way too early), we are back in our room by 8.30pm. Time to catch up with Bev, Dave, et all as we need to make arrangements for tomorrow’s Segway tour. I also need a cup of tea and room 1040 is where the tea is at!

Finally at 10.30pm we call it a night, we are both very tired. We’ve both been up nearly 24hrs, although Rick did get some sleep on the plane.

Loving it. Except we did not get food that looked liked that. We got this little shiny bag that had a pretzel trail mix in it. Much rather have your food.

 

[MinnMick01]

Day 2, Friday 19th October 2007.

Happy Birthday Dave. Yes, its 4.30am and I’m awake!! By 5.10am I can’t stay in bed any longer so I’m up and making a drink. Coffee and power bagel in bed, I’m writing my journal and watching the Weather Channel. As we landed yesterday the heavens opened and the forecast is highs of 88°F with possible thunderstorms in the afternoon. I am waiting for an update on the Caribbean weather for the week ahead.

At 7.00am as we are ready to start our day and we have 30 minutes to spare, we go for a walk round the Boardwalk and take some pictures. We bump into our friend from the DiBB – Phil, on the way round to the Bakery, who is joining us on the Segway tour today. The tour starts today at 8.30am, but we have to check in at Guest Services by 8.15am. Everyone arrives on time and we head over to the International Gateway, but we have to wait 15minutes until the gates open.

Rick and I have done this tour before and thoroughly enjoyed it. It comprises of 45 minutes training to make sure you can handle the Segway before they let you loose on the World Showcase, which starts at China and finishes in France. We all have a really good time and we even talk about doing the Fort Wilderness Segway tour. Everyone heads back to Boardwalk and after making arrangements to meet up for dinner later, Rick and I head back to our room, collect hats, sunglasses from the car, etc., for a day in Epcot.

It is extremely hot and humid and as we haven’t eaten anything substantial today we have a toasted Panini at the Boardwalk Bakery. It’s OK, but not great. After seeing what is on offer at Food and Wine, I think we should’ve waited. Into Epcot, via International Gateway again and we head straight for Soarin’. There’s a 75minute wait, so we don’t bother. On our way out we spot Liz and Dave, but there on their way down into The Land, so we don’t try and catch up with them. So the decision to head on round to The Living Seas with Nemo and Friends is made and we join the queue – this one is not so bad…just 20 minutes. The revamped ride is very good and reminds me of the newly opened Nemo ride at Disneyland. Whilst here, we wait for the next Turtle Talk show, which is extremely clever. Crush (from Finding Nemo) talks to the children in the audience and addresses them by name once they are introduced. I will now have to try and work out how it is done.

Once out of The Seas (mine, mine, mine) we make our way over to Mouse Gear to see if there is anything I can’t live without, but unfortunately I’m disappointed on this occasion. A quick hat stop on our way round to the World Showcase – this time I find a rather natty Figment Chapeau, but a bit warm for these sunny climes.

The sky looks very threatening, so we call it a day and head back to our room, have to meet everyone in Bev and Dave’s room at 6.00pm, so after I’ve purchased a few items from the gift shop on the Broadway, I spend a quiet hour writing postcards on the balcony and drink my tea whilst Rick has a quick nap.

Dinner tonight is a celebration for Dave’s birthday and it’s become a bit of a tradition to go to Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary. There’s quite a group of us going – 14 – and before we leave the hotel we toast all the birthdays and anniversaries with a glass of sparkling wine. It’s a bit of a catch up for Rick and I as we haven’t see Bev and Phil and their children for 3 years and Mike and Vie for 4 years.

We leave for the restaurant at about 6.40pm as the table is booked for 7.50pm. We catch the bus to the Magic Kingdom and then take the short walk round to the hotel. We arrive in plenty of time and we have our photo taken. The photographer manages to get us all in. The food is lovely – especially the Parmesan mashed potatoes, the company is excellent, even if we do have to sit on two separate tables, but we do get to sit together in the end. The characters come round at least three times…in the end all you want to do is eat your dinner!

We are the last guests to leave at 10.45pm and the bus journey back takes about 30 minutes and we finally say goodbye to Mike and Vie and Phil, Bev, Molly and Kate at the lifts. It’s time for bed and I’m exhausted.

The weather today was in the high 80’s – very humid with a shower in the afternoon.

I love the chairs from Chef Mickey's, I must find me some of those. I want them.

 

[GOS]

Loving it. Except we did not get food that looked liked that. We got this little shiny bag that had a pretzel trail mix in it. Much rather have your food.

How long was your flight? We had over 9hrs in the air!

 

[GOS]

amazing report heather. loooking forward to the video.
we were fortunate enough to see you quite a bit on the cruise and we miss you guys.
thanks for the button trade. whenever i see that button, ill think of you guys.
underdog(aka cinnamike) and tart girl(aka robin)

Thanks Mike...it was good meeting up with the two of you. Perhaps, I can get Rick interested in KK2? He needs to get started on the video though, otherwise everyone will loose interest.

 

[frdeb1999]

What a wonderful TR and the pics were great!

 

[Scouter]

Heather, loved your trip report!
Your photos are excellent, amazing!
Do you have some superior/professional camera? What do you use?

 

[GOS]

Heather, loved your trip report!
Your photos are excellent, amazing!
Do you have some superior/professional camera? What do you use?

We used run of the mill cameras:

A panasonic Lumix FZ5 with Leica lens
A Casio Excilim S770

The underwater camera one was a Pentax Optio W20.

 

[Dyerneeds]

Thanks Mike...it was good meeting up with the two of you. Perhaps, I can get Rick interested in KK2? He needs to get started on the video though, otherwise everyone will loose interest.

come on rick.!!!!
we demand that video!!!
we need our dcl fix and we need it bad!!!