Deb T.
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 17, 1999
- Messages
- 3,531
I showered, threw on some comfy casual clothes, then stopped by the drink station and Pluto's before heading down to Diversions for the 4pm DVC Member Celebration. I love to snack, and I was craving nachos, but they are non-existent on the Disney ships... almost. 
There are a couple of strategies you can do to create your own nacho magic. 
First of all, Pluto's has melted cheddar cheese readily available and they also offer tacos on the menu. Perfect! Go to the condiment bar next to Pluto's and pick up a small cup (like the little ice cream cups). Then get in line and, when it's your turn, ask them to fill the cup with cheese. Tell them you also want a plain taco shell (if you want just chips & cheese) or if you want nachos w/beef you can also ask for a regular taco (or two, or three... the sky's the limit! ). Then go back to the condiment bar and get tomatoes and lettuce to add to your concoction. Unfortunately, their taco shells are not light and crispy, but they're fine enough to satisfy a nacho craving. Plan B is to stop by Diversions before going to Pluto's because they sometimes have regular nacho chips, but not the melted cheese.
I strolled into Diversions and immediately saw Cindy and her family!
And they'd even saved a seat for me! I was honored that Zachary switched seats to sit beside me and so I chatted with my young friend about his day at CC. 
Cindy's DH was surprised to see my nachos and inquired about where I found them. Seems he REALLY likes nachos and tacos too, as was evident in Cindy's TR.
On my past cruises, DVC used to freely hand out special collector pins, luggage tags, and other little surprises when you entered Diversions, plus they always had enough of the nicer prizes to give to each family in attendance during a trivia game. This time, there weren't any little "welcome to the celebration" gifts but that could be because most DVC members had already received a bag hanging from their Fish Extender upon embarkation with hats, the Captain's Log, and a Welcome Home magnet. So, we all entered the drawing where you answered DVC trivia questions for prizes. It's a friendly game where anyone and everyone can help you with the answer so, as long as your name is drawn, you are guaranteed to win an awesome prize! Cindy had her eye on a soft beach pillow that she had wanted for quite some time and I would have loved one of the beach towels! Sure enough, Cindy's name was drawn and she was thrilled that a pillow was still available! Yea! My own little cheering section continued to hope my name would be drawn in time to snag a towel, but my name never ended up being drawn at all. In fact, after looking around the room, we all concluded that I was the only one who was leaving without a prize!
We shrugged it off as my continued bad luck "alone" theme of this cruise. Oh well, at least I was going to have dinner with all my new friends to look forward to!!! Believe me, that was a treat enough in itself!
I headed up to my cabin and spent about an hour on my verandah watching as we sadly sailed away from CC. Let me say here that I did not have any issues with smokers near my verandah, thank goodness! But I felt really bad for Cindy and Ness2289 because they both did, which is REALLY unfortunate because unwanted cigarette smoke would definitely ruin any enjoyment out there. With that said, I can't even begin to express how relaxing and peaceful it was to just sit on the verandah, listening as the waves lap softly up against the ship. The view of nothing but ocean as far as the eye can see is an awe-inspiring sight. I stepped back into the cabin long enough to grab a pillow out of the cabinet above the television and call for a wake-up time for 5:30pm because I knew as soon as I settled down in a lounge chair back outside on my verandah, the gentle rocking of the ship was going to lull me into a nice little nap... and it did!!
I left the sliding door open just a crack so I'd hear the wake-up phone call. Time to get ready for dinner! Even though it was "dress up" night, Cindy and I had talked earlier about just going casually, which I much prefer anyway. However, after a quick inventory of my limited clean wardrobe, I realized I had to stick with my original "dressier" clothing for the evening since I'd packed very lightly for the trip and we were down to the last night of the cruise. Darn!
Dinner tonight was in Animator's Palette. Upon entering, I sought out my new favorite head waiter, Simone, to give him a very nice tip even though he was not the head waiter assigned to our area. It would be safe to say that Simone reaped the benefits of Ali's tips, too. Both Cindy and I were eager to watch Ness2289 and her DD's reactions to Animator's Palette's awesome "show"! Cindy made sure they were seated in the optimal spot at our table for the best view since her own little prince already knew what to expect. It was fun for all of us as the little princess of our table frequently called out the changes in the pictures on the walls. So cute!!! The meal was good - all three of us ladies ordered the exact same entree - the filet minion! Nothing on the dessert menu tempted me, so I gave nice tips to my new server, Alfredo, and assistant server, Catherine, and excused myself to try my unlucky hand at Jackpot Bingo.
I should have known bingo was going to be a waste of $50, but I thought it would at least be fun. And, a gal's luck is bound to change sometime, huh? So, here's my first tip about playing bingo... bring someone to help punch your cards!!!! The first 3 games were easy enough because you only had to look over 6 (or 3) cards at a time. I'd opted for six because it was a better "value". But, on the last game - the one for all the marbles - I'd also purchased the extra "bargain set" of three cards for "more chances to win". Honestly, for this game, I could not keep up!
They kept calling the numbers out in rapid-fire succession and to win you had to cover your entire card. I was really scrambling and finally had to swallow my pride to ask if they could slow down just a little bit, much to the evident chagrin of everyone else in the room. So, they started doing a few Q&A's between every few numbers which helped tremendously. Of course, I didn't win, but thank goodness it wasn't because I'd missed a number or two along the way.
After ceremoniously filing my used bingo cards in the closest circular file, I quickly headed to the Walt Disney Theatre to watch Disney Dreams. If you've read Dreamfinder2's TR, then you know how sentimental a person can get watching this show. I've seen it six times... and I've cried all six times. Well, technically, I've cried 7 times because I cried TWICE this night. Tell me THAT's not embarrassing for a lady sitting all by herself in a packed theater! Of course, good 'ole Tinkerbell literally sets the stage by flitting all around the curtain and the front of the theater while you're waiting for the show to start. We've all just spent a long glorious day on, indisputably, paradise on earth. And it can't be ignored any longer that this is the last night of an amazing vacation (even if you've embarked all alone). Mix all of those emotions in with this great show and you've got one emotional evening, folks! I strategically sat toward the center of the second level, in the second row right behind a little girl dressed in a princess outfit (complete with wand) who's parents sat on either side of her, giving me a clear and unobstructed view of the entire stage. The show starts and I'm immediately immersed in the fantasy, as usual. However, I find I'm slightly distracted several times as I notice that the little girl's very big and muscular father keeps looking down at his little princess to savor her reaction at all the right moments. The little one is totally enrapt, leaning way forward in her seat, and not missing a single minute of the show, and the father is obviously in tune enough to recognize all the scenes that his daughter would love. About half-way through, the tiny tot begins to get sleepy and crawls onto her mother's lap, but the father continues to be getting as much out of her enjoyment as he is from watching the show himself. But then, when the first rendition of "When You Wish Upon A Star" started, the loving father and kind husband reached over across his daughter's empty seat to gently rub his wife's arm, to which she responded by reaching out to grasp his hand - and they stayed like this, hands clasped with arms stretched across the seat in front of me, for the rest of the show. And I thought to myself, "THIS is what Disney is all about!" And of course, I cried. As if that and the pixie dusting of the ship isn't enough, I also always cry when Mickey and Minnie come out to thunderous applause. Yup, the main mouse gets me every time!
There are a couple of strategies you can do to create your own nacho magic. First of all, Pluto's has melted cheddar cheese readily available and they also offer tacos on the menu. Perfect! Go to the condiment bar next to Pluto's and pick up a small cup (like the little ice cream cups). Then get in line and, when it's your turn, ask them to fill the cup with cheese. Tell them you also want a plain taco shell (if you want just chips & cheese) or if you want nachos w/beef you can also ask for a regular taco (or two, or three... the sky's the limit! ). Then go back to the condiment bar and get tomatoes and lettuce to add to your concoction. Unfortunately, their taco shells are not light and crispy, but they're fine enough to satisfy a nacho craving. Plan B is to stop by Diversions before going to Pluto's because they sometimes have regular nacho chips, but not the melted cheese. I strolled into Diversions and immediately saw Cindy and her family!
And they'd even saved a seat for me! I was honored that Zachary switched seats to sit beside me and so I chatted with my young friend about his day at CC. Cindy's DH was surprised to see my nachos and inquired about where I found them. Seems he REALLY likes nachos and tacos too, as was evident in Cindy's TR. On my past cruises, DVC used to freely hand out special collector pins, luggage tags, and other little surprises when you entered Diversions, plus they always had enough of the nicer prizes to give to each family in attendance during a trivia game. This time, there weren't any little "welcome to the celebration" gifts but that could be because most DVC members had already received a bag hanging from their Fish Extender upon embarkation with hats, the Captain's Log, and a Welcome Home magnet. So, we all entered the drawing where you answered DVC trivia questions for prizes. It's a friendly game where anyone and everyone can help you with the answer so, as long as your name is drawn, you are guaranteed to win an awesome prize! Cindy had her eye on a soft beach pillow that she had wanted for quite some time and I would have loved one of the beach towels! Sure enough, Cindy's name was drawn and she was thrilled that a pillow was still available! Yea! My own little cheering section continued to hope my name would be drawn in time to snag a towel, but my name never ended up being drawn at all. In fact, after looking around the room, we all concluded that I was the only one who was leaving without a prize!
We shrugged it off as my continued bad luck "alone" theme of this cruise. Oh well, at least I was going to have dinner with all my new friends to look forward to!!! Believe me, that was a treat enough in itself! I headed up to my cabin and spent about an hour on my verandah watching as we sadly sailed away from CC. Let me say here that I did not have any issues with smokers near my verandah, thank goodness! But I felt really bad for Cindy and Ness2289 because they both did, which is REALLY unfortunate because unwanted cigarette smoke would definitely ruin any enjoyment out there. With that said, I can't even begin to express how relaxing and peaceful it was to just sit on the verandah, listening as the waves lap softly up against the ship. The view of nothing but ocean as far as the eye can see is an awe-inspiring sight. I stepped back into the cabin long enough to grab a pillow out of the cabinet above the television and call for a wake-up time for 5:30pm because I knew as soon as I settled down in a lounge chair back outside on my verandah, the gentle rocking of the ship was going to lull me into a nice little nap... and it did!!
I left the sliding door open just a crack so I'd hear the wake-up phone call. Time to get ready for dinner! Even though it was "dress up" night, Cindy and I had talked earlier about just going casually, which I much prefer anyway. However, after a quick inventory of my limited clean wardrobe, I realized I had to stick with my original "dressier" clothing for the evening since I'd packed very lightly for the trip and we were down to the last night of the cruise. Darn!
Dinner tonight was in Animator's Palette. Upon entering, I sought out my new favorite head waiter, Simone, to give him a very nice tip even though he was not the head waiter assigned to our area. It would be safe to say that Simone reaped the benefits of Ali's tips, too.
Both Cindy and I were eager to watch Ness2289 and her DD's reactions to Animator's Palette's awesome "show"! Cindy made sure they were seated in the optimal spot at our table for the best view since her own little prince already knew what to expect. It was fun for all of us as the little princess of our table frequently called out the changes in the pictures on the walls. So cute!!! The meal was good - all three of us ladies ordered the exact same entree - the filet minion! Nothing on the dessert menu tempted me, so I gave nice tips to my new server, Alfredo, and assistant server, Catherine, and excused myself to try my unlucky hand at Jackpot Bingo. I should have known bingo was going to be a waste of $50, but I thought it would at least be fun. And, a gal's luck is bound to change sometime, huh? So, here's my first tip about playing bingo... bring someone to help punch your cards!!!! The first 3 games were easy enough because you only had to look over 6 (or 3) cards at a time. I'd opted for six because it was a better "value". But, on the last game - the one for all the marbles - I'd also purchased the extra "bargain set" of three cards for "more chances to win". Honestly, for this game, I could not keep up!
They kept calling the numbers out in rapid-fire succession and to win you had to cover your entire card. I was really scrambling and finally had to swallow my pride to ask if they could slow down just a little bit, much to the evident chagrin of everyone else in the room. So, they started doing a few Q&A's between every few numbers which helped tremendously. Of course, I didn't win, but thank goodness it wasn't because I'd missed a number or two along the way. After ceremoniously filing my used bingo cards in the closest circular file, I quickly headed to the Walt Disney Theatre to watch Disney Dreams. If you've read Dreamfinder2's TR, then you know how sentimental a person can get watching this show. I've seen it six times... and I've cried all six times. Well, technically, I've cried 7 times because I cried TWICE this night. Tell me THAT's not embarrassing for a lady sitting all by herself in a packed theater! Of course, good 'ole Tinkerbell literally sets the stage by flitting all around the curtain and the front of the theater while you're waiting for the show to start. We've all just spent a long glorious day on, indisputably, paradise on earth. And it can't be ignored any longer that this is the last night of an amazing vacation (even if you've embarked all alone). Mix all of those emotions in with this great show and you've got one emotional evening, folks! I strategically sat toward the center of the second level, in the second row right behind a little girl dressed in a princess outfit (complete with wand) who's parents sat on either side of her, giving me a clear and unobstructed view of the entire stage. The show starts and I'm immediately immersed in the fantasy, as usual. However, I find I'm slightly distracted several times as I notice that the little girl's very big and muscular father keeps looking down at his little princess to savor her reaction at all the right moments. The little one is totally enrapt, leaning way forward in her seat, and not missing a single minute of the show, and the father is obviously in tune enough to recognize all the scenes that his daughter would love. About half-way through, the tiny tot begins to get sleepy and crawls onto her mother's lap, but the father continues to be getting as much out of her enjoyment as he is from watching the show himself. But then, when the first rendition of "When You Wish Upon A Star" started, the loving father and kind husband reached over across his daughter's empty seat to gently rub his wife's arm, to which she responded by reaching out to grasp his hand - and they stayed like this, hands clasped with arms stretched across the seat in front of me, for the rest of the show. And I thought to myself, "THIS is what Disney is all about!" And of course, I cried. As if that and the pixie dusting of the ship isn't enough, I also always cry when Mickey and Minnie come out to thunderous applause. Yup, the main mouse gets me every time!
I think Ness2289 was headed for one last look through Shutters. I had planned to catch WonderQuest2, but decided instead to search out a little cheese & crackers snack to take back to my cabin to munch on while packing. 
I turned on Bee Movie and watched the last 2/3s as I organized (more like squashed!) everything into a roll-aboard suitcase and my new 
, and briefly considered sleeping on the verandah that night. Good thing I didn't because I woke up around 2am to thunder and lightening out there! Now wouldn't that have been a fitting end to my bad luck cruise! 
Absolutely gorgeous! It felt great to soak up the warmth!
You can't help but be envious of all the guests who are en route to board the ship... my ship!... and stay in my cabin... and sit out on my verandah... and have a perfectly wonderful time as I just did. Even after 11 nights on the Magic in the Mediterranean last July, not one of us (me, DH, DD25, DS24) was ready to step foot off the ship on the last day! The whole experience is just so MAGICAL!
There was a bit of a line for customs, but it moved very quickly. I was one of the last persons herded onto an airport-bound bus, so nearly every seat was already taken. I was ushered to sit next to a teenage boy. Sorry kid. He kept to himself with his iPod headphones and slept against the window as I stayed in my own space in the aisle seat. As soon as I settled in, I heard a familiar voice calling my name again! Ness2289! 
She and her DD were across the aisle and one row back! In all the confusion of searching for empty seats, I hadn't even noticed who was sitting in the occupied ones! It was great to see them again! 
I'll be happy to answer any questions!
But it was so much fun to turn the boys loose with the camera -- I saw parts of the ship through their eyes that I hadn't seen before. Including this one: 
