Could the Dream Turn the Grump into a Believer? Charleston Update 10/13

[mermaid&cinderella]

Loving your review

 

[petals]

Yay you got to the Dream!

Also your boys are so not to old for characters I'm older and got pics with many characters last year

 

[micandminforever]

Great start on your cruise report, the room looks you have a good bit of space. I look forward to the pictures from the veranda once you are out to sea. Sorry about the ear problem, but it sounds like the medicine did the trick.

 

[hardingk]

Glad you got Jared's ear check out in time! I know how he felt! Also gald you got to enjoy Boma for breakfast! Yum!!

So we are cabin 6568! Only a few down from you! We can't wait!!!

 

[jenjolt]

YAY you made it onto the boat! WOOT WOOT!! I love your pictures!!!!

Thank goodness you were able to get Jared's ear checked out and it was going to be okay!!!!

I am going to love reading about your cruise and reliving it through your pictures!!!!! Can't wait for more!!

 

[Poolrat]

YAY You are crusin'!!!!!!


The dream looks so .... well dreamy.

Glad Jared's ear got checked out and diagnosed before the ship.

 

[SoonerGirl]

GREAT START!!! Loved that you finally got on the boat!!

Took me long enough, huh?

Okay major kudos to dad for taking poor Jared to get that ear looked at, he would have been miserable!! And I am glad that everyone was thrilled to get on board!!! FUN for you!!!

He's a good daddy, even if he is a Disney Grump

Even Don was excited to cruise

Hey, my guys wont take pics with characters but barely, and never pose when I want them to, unless serious bribery is involved, so age and not wanting to take pics with characters is a little more understandable... though it may be they get back into it when they are less inclined to think it isn't "cool"!!!

This is the first time they have been like that, not sure what brought it on

I hope you enjoyed your lunch, we sure did! Matt agreed the crab was "okay" we had different crab claws in February, not sure why, they were the shorter bright red claws, it might be that it was a different season, not sure... anyhow those were better... That DOTD makes it all better!!!

Yes, lots of good options at Cabanas! Outside of the crab, we all enjoyed our lunch, very tasty options

I was so excited to get my first DOTD, I can't even tell you

Your cabin looks GREAT! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Someone took magnets off your door!!!! BOOOO!!!! I cannot believe that!!!! Well, that stinks!

Loved, loved the cabin! Not sure I could ever cruise again without a verandah though now....

Not very magical, someone walking off with our magnets

Looking forward to hearing about the story with the kids club, AND can't wait to hear about Palos dinner and brunch review....

can't wait to see more!!!!

Not much of a story to tell with the kids club, he was just totally uninterested

Thanks for the update I have been waiting for you to come aboard. We leave tomorrow, I can't believe it's finally here, I have just a few more things to pack (mostly all the shoes)

I know, sorry it took me so long to get here. Not a lot of help for you, but I can tell you that you will love the Dream - it was awesome!

I had a suitcase that was only filled with shoes.......

Yikes. Good thing you got that ear checked out! I can't believe someone would take your magnets! What is wrong with people??

I am really enjoying hearing about the cruise and seeing the pictures. It's definitely on my someday list. And how cool that you get to cruise with friends.

We are used to Jared and his ear problems. Truth be know, we shouldn't have waited so long to get it checked out, we should have known from past experience that it wasn't going to get better.

I used to say I would never cruise, but now that I've been on one, I can't imagine not going back. When you finally make it on that cruise ship, you will be hooked!

Sailing with Wigd and crew was a real treat!

Poor Jarred! Glad you got his ear checked and he starts to feel better.

Great start to the cruise! I'm so excited for mine and I've still got forever to go.
Looking forward to more!

Did I know you were going on a cruise? I'm not sure how I missed that! Or if I did know, I'm not sure how I forgot! That ticker seems to move so slowly when you are really excited for something too, doesn't it?

 

[SoonerGirl]

Oh my! I was giddy when I saw you had posted your first cruise update! Does that make me a nerd...

I was giddy writing it, so I guess I'm a nerd too Reliving it is fun, but it's given me an itch......I've been pricing cruises all day!

Glad you liked breakfast at Boma. I've heard nothing but good things about it. I hope we can try it out someday. It looked really good!

Breakfast was really good! I considered canceling the ADR before the trip and doing the Cape May character breakfast instead. I'm really glad we stuck with Boma.

I hate to hear that Jared had to make a run to the clinic for ear problems. Having medical issues on vacation is the pits. I'm so glad you had it taken care of quickly and it didn't ruin your trip. And you got really lucky going to that walk-in clinic. Around here, we have to sit in those places all day long before we get seen by a doctor. And I have been in that position MANY times myself with an ear infection.... no fun! In fact, I have so many problems with ear infections that I did a little research to see if there was by chance a doctor on the ship and to my surprise, there is! From what I have read, all cruises have a doctor onboard. That made me feel a lot better because with all the water activities we will be doing, it is likely that I may need to see him!

Do you ever put drying drops in your ears after being in the water. It really works well if you are diligent about using it. Unfortunately we weren't in the days leading up to our trip.

I felt sad for you that your boys didn't want a picture with Mickey.

Me too

Looks like a great start to the cruise though! Loved the cabin! Did the boys have any luck getting on the Aquaduck? I'm wondering if that's a good time to try to get on, but some say it is super crowded then.

I cannot wait for the next update!

I think they rode it that afternoon, I'm going to have to ask them what they did for sure before I write my next update - hopefully they will remember! I was really bad about my trip journal once we got on board - as in, I didn't write in it - at all......

Oh no on Jared's ear getting worse. I'm glad you were able to get it checked out and get some medicine for it.

I love the pics of your Boma breakfast! All the food looks soo yummy!

Wow the dream looks amazing! Love the pics with Mickey as well as the family shot.

Your cabin looks very relaxing and I can't believe people (or kids) took your magnets from the door!

We were really happy that there was a place close by that we could take him too, and also that it wasn't too busy!

The Dream WAS amazing I'm itching to go back!

I think the magnet that I found down the hall on someone else's door was probably just older kids thinking they were being funny. I'm afraid someone just wanted the other one, that very well could have been an adult

Yeah! Your on board! so glad to hear that Jareds ear healed up. That must have hurt!!!!

Your scaring me with the kids club! I thought it was awesome! Well it bett be because my boys WILL be going there next summer on our cruise!!!

Yay, we're on board!!

Don't be scared of the kids club, it was Jared, not the club. He wouldn't even give it a try. I think if he had had someone his own age that he knew to go in with, he would have enjoyed it. We made a mistake by not doing the open house in the clubs on the first day. Honestly, I forgot that they even had an open house The boys had a ton of fun anyway, even without going to the clubs - the sports deck was their haven!

Great start to the cruise part of your trip.

I am so glad you enjoyed Boma for breakfast. It has become a must do along with Crystal Palace for us each trip (and, obviously, a sure thing since we are staying at AKL).

I'm so sorry about Jared's ear, but glad Don was able to take him somewhere and get him antibiotics before you boarded the ship.

Wow....that is a lot of people to board the boat.

Your cabin looks lovely and quite roomy for the four of you.

How sad that the boys think they are too old for character pictures. Tell them that Mr. Schultz and I are both in our 50's and we still get in line for pictures with characters.

Boma breakfast was delish!

It didn't take the antiboitics long to kick in thank goodness! Jared was good as new very quickly!

The boys have never been anti character pictures before, not sure what made them go that route this trip. Everytime we saw someone and I asked if we could get in line, they walked the other way

So glad to hear you liked Boma. I am hoping to find a way to fit it in (for breakfast) on our trip!

Swimmer's ear is such a bummer but so glad it felt better quickly enough to not ruin your vacation

Boma is good for dinner too! Everytime we walked through the lobby we could smell that food, made us hungry every time!

We are used to swimmer's ear around here unfortunately

 

[SoonerGirl]

Loving your review

Thank you!

Yay you got to the Dream!

Also your boys are so not to old for characters I'm older and got pics with many characters last year

I don't think they are too old either, they've never been like that before either - dont' know what their problem was!

Great start on your cruise report, the room looks you have a good bit of space. I look forward to the pictures from the veranda once you are out to sea. Sorry about the ear problem, but it sounds like the medicine did the trick.

The stateroom was plently roomy, especially with the balcony, I loved sitting out there are watching the ocean go by! I didn't take many pictures though, only when we were coming into or leaving port, then it was just a few. Not sure why I didn't take more!

Glad you got Jared's ear check out in time! I know how he felt! Also gald you got to enjoy Boma for breakfast! Yum!!

So we are cabin 6568! Only a few down from you! We can't wait!!!

It was a good location, I think you'll be happy there!

YAY you made it onto the boat! WOOT WOOT!! I love your pictures!!!!

Thank goodness you were able to get Jared's ear checked out and it was going to be okay!!!!

I am going to love reading about your cruise and reliving it through your pictures!!!!! Can't wait for more!!

Stinks you couldn't sail with us too Wish we could go next summer when you guys are, but there is just no way - we were in the dog house all summer long with Justin missing baseball, next year he'll be varsity too and missing would be a HUGE no, no!

YAY You are crusin'!!!!!!


The dream looks so .... well dreamy.

Glad Jared's ear got checked out and diagnosed before the ship.

Yes, very dreamy

HEY PAT, WHAT'S YOUR SECRET???!!!

 

[firecracker725]

Boo on the ear trouble. Thank goodness for walk-in clinics.

My two year old spiked a high fever in the middle of our WDW trip, and we ended up taking her to the Walgreens Take Care Clinic on Vineland/Apopka Rd. Not only did they have a NP who saw us almost immediately, but they filled her prescriptions too. We were in and out of there in about an hour, and she even felt well enough to conquer Epcot that evening.

 

[brookelizabeth]

you are on board!!!! I cannot wait to hear all about it!

You have me convinced we need to do a couple "no parks" nights before a cruise sometime. It sounds so relaxing and wonderful.


And yes, PAT I WANT TO KNOW YOUR SECRET TOO!

 

[Poolrat]

Yes, very dreamy

HEY PAT, WHAT'S YOUR SECRET???!!!

Here is my Hint.

If ear troubles are frequent - a few drops of rubbing alcohol after every swim helps get teh water out. I am sure you know that.

Also a pediatrician told me a hair dryer on low also help dry the ear out to prevent infection.

I hate water in my ears so I Q-tip even after a shower and everytime I am in the water. I should have stock in Q-tip.
But I have had only 2 ear infections, one bad and one I caught before it was a real bother.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I love your update on the Dream. It's likely to be the closest I'll ever get to cruising....

Glad that you got help for Jared's ear and to read that it took 24 hours to clear up.

Can't wait for the next update...

 

[Charleston Princess]

Thank goodness you decided to have Jared's ear looked at -- the alternative could have been horrible!

Love all the pictures in the terminal and onboard! You must have been so excited!!!

I know what you mean about the kids saying they are too old for character pics. It is sad. Great pictures with Mickey, though!!!

So, neither of the boys did the clubs? I wonder whether Chelsea and Connor would be at all interested in them if we ever manage to cruise.

The cabin looks so neat!!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

My ENT told me to put the alcohol drops in my ears too. And also, if you feel water in there that won't come out, sometimes just adding more water will make it all come out. I know that sounds too simple, but if alcohol isn't available, this does work.

But I'm one of those weird people that get ear infections regularly even if I don't feel water in there. My ENT told me that I get them because I use Q tips to get the water out after I shower! He said that the inner ear is very sensitive and even something soft like a Q tip can cause little cuts in the ear canal that can get infected very easily. I hate to admit it, but I think he is right. I used to get 3-4 ear infections a year (I am not joking! ) and since he told me that, I have tried (notice I said tried) to stop using Q tips, and I'm only getting about 1 a year now or less. Now I just try not to let the water run directly into my ears in the shower (yes, this is quite a challenge) and I try to just use a towel the wipe the water away when I get out. I have to admit though that the Q tip habit is VERY hard to break and sometimes I just cannot help myself!

Sorry to ramble on, but maybe something here will help Jared.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Boo on the ear trouble. Thank goodness for walk-in clinics.

My two year old spiked a high fever in the middle of our WDW trip, and we ended up taking her to the Walgreens Take Care Clinic on Vineland/Apopka Rd. Not only did they have a NP who saw us almost immediately, but they filled her prescriptions too. We were in and out of there in about an hour, and she even felt well enough to conquer Epcot that evening.

Well if your child has to get sick on vacation you can only hope for quick service at a clinic and a quick recovery - sounds like you had both! I didn't even know that Walgreens had a clinic, that's a good piece of information

you are on board!!!! I cannot wait to hear all about it!

You have me convinced we need to do a couple "no parks" nights before a cruise sometime. It sounds so relaxing and wonderful.


And yes, PAT I WANT TO KNOW YOUR SECRET TOO!

I was kind of sad to be so close and not go to the parks, but really we didn't actually miss them. We had a great time just taking it easy those 2 days! It inspired me to slow down on future trips, I just hope I can get Don back to show him that I've learned the error of my ways

Here is my Hint.

If ear troubles are frequent - a few drops of rubbing alcohol after every swim helps get teh water out. I am sure you know that.

Also a pediatrician told me a hair dryer on low also help dry the ear out to prevent infection.

I hate water in my ears so I Q-tip even after a shower and everytime I am in the water. I should have stock in Q-tip.
But I have had only 2 ear infections, one bad and one I caught before it was a real bother.

Yay for your secret I am insanely jealous!!

Yep, we do the drops, we just weren't as good about staying on top of it before we left for vacation. We have a pool in the backyard and the kids swim almost everyday, sometimes when we are busy (like when we're getting ready to leave on vacation) we forget to do the drops. It sure came back to bite us!

I'm a Q-tip addicit too

I love your update on the Dream. It's likely to be the closest I'll ever get to cruising....

Glad that you got help for Jared's ear and to read that it took 24 hours to clear up.

Can't wait for the next update...

I didn't think I would ever cruise either, but I did. You may very well take one someday too

Thank goodness you decided to have Jared's ear looked at -- the alternative could have been horrible!

Love all the pictures in the terminal and onboard! You must have been so excited!!!

I know what you mean about the kids saying they are too old for character pics. It is sad. Great pictures with Mickey, though!!!

So, neither of the boys did the clubs? I wonder whether Chelsea and Connor would be at all interested in them if we ever manage to cruise.

The cabin looks so neat!!!

Nope, neither one did the clubs. Jared made one poor attempt (that will be coming up, but not until our 'at sea' day) and Justin never even found the entrance to the Vibe until our last day. I don't think he looked very hard though, he played lots of basketball - he was totally in his element up on the sports deck! I think Baylor went to the Edge a couple of times, maybe Anita will give some info on that club when she gets to that point in their TR.

My ENT told me to put the alcohol drops in my ears too. And also, if you feel water in there that won't come out, sometimes just adding more water will make it all come out. I know that sounds too simple, but if alcohol isn't available, this does work.

But I'm one of those weird people that get ear infections regularly even if I don't feel water in there. My ENT told me that I get them because I use Q tips to get the water out after I shower! He said that the inner ear is very sensitive and even something soft like a Q tip can cause little cuts in the ear canal that can get infected very easily. I hate to admit it, but I think he is right. I used to get 3-4 ear infections a year (I am not joking! ) and since he told me that, I have tried (notice I said tried) to stop using Q tips, and I'm only getting about 1 a year now or less. Now I just try not to let the water run directly into my ears in the shower (yes, this is quite a challenge) and I try to just use a towel the wipe the water away when I get out. I have to admit though that the Q tip habit is VERY hard to break and sometimes I just cannot help myself!

Sorry to ramble on, but maybe something here will help Jared.

Interesting to hear that about Q-tips! I absolutely hate it when I get out of the shower and don't have a q-tip available to dry out my ears - I might go into withdrawls if a doctor told me I had to stop using them

 

[DisneyBoundinDec]

Yay, we're on board!!

Don't be scared of the kids club, it was Jared, not the club. He wouldn't even give it a try. I think if he had had someone his own age that he knew to go in with, he would have enjoyed it. We made a mistake by not doing the open house in the clubs on the first day. Honestly, I forgot that they even had an open house The boys had a ton of fun anyway, even without going to the clubs - the sports deck was their haven!

whew! your kids are older too.. mine are 8 and 4, and while I love hanging out with them on vacation.. I REALLY want someone else to entertain them too for a while!!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Yeah we are on the ship! about the boys being too old to take pictures with characters. I am wayyyyyyyyyy older than they are & I still love getting my picture made with Mickey & Minnie.
I always seem to forget to take pictures the first few hours on board too guess it's just too exciting.
Yeah for Palo brunch & dinner.
Cabana ?---we didn't spring for one for just the 2 of us, but you needed to add the other family to yours, you couldn't just ask them to come hang out without them being on the ressie?

P.S. I made our blue lagoon ressies!

 

[SoonerGirl]

whew! your kids are older too.. mine are 8 and 4, and while I love hanging out with them on vacation.. I REALLY want someone else to entertain them too for a while!!

Yeah, their ages make a difference. I felt very comfortable with Justin being 15, just putting him in charge and letting them go off on their own. If they were younger and needed the supervision, I would have insisted that they go to the kids clubs

Yeah we are on the ship! about the boys being too old to take pictures with characters. I am wayyyyyyyyyy older than they are & I still love getting my picture made with Mickey & Minnie.
I always seem to forget to take pictures the first few hours on board too guess it's just too exciting.
Yeah for Palo brunch & dinner.
Cabana ?---we didn't spring for one for just the 2 of us, but you needed to add the other family to yours, you couldn't just ask them to come hang out without them being on the ressie?

P.S. I made our blue lagoon ressies!

I'm hoping the no character pictures thing is a phase that they will grow out of.....

On the cabana, no, you can't go into that area without a wristband, so we couldn't have just asked them to come down and hang out with us. They also limit the number of people that you can have in one cabana. The reservation is good for up to 6 people, but you can add up to 10 for $50 extra per person.

I think you'll be happy with Blue Lagoon, we loved it! I've got a few pictures to share when we get to that point

 

[petals]

If ear troubles are frequent - a few drops of rubbing alcohol after every swim helps get teh water out. I am sure you know that.

Also a pediatrician told me a hair dryer on low also help dry the ear out to prevent infection.

I hate water in my ears so I Q-tip even after a shower and everytime I am in the water. I should have stock in Q-tip.
But I have had only 2 ear infections, one bad and one I caught before it was a real bother.

One of my ears blocked up about two summers ago and couldn't hear properly for ages my doctor didn't know why and sent me to ear specialist who told me to take sudofed and blow out my ear every so often..

Last year when flying to Orlando we learnt not to leave home without the sudofed because when we were landing i got a huge pain in my ear and was in tears by the time we stopped in Atlanta Ear trouble is not good!

I don't think they are too old either, they've never been like that before either - dont' know what their problem was!

but character interactions are the best! Tell them Mickey won't let them on the rollercoasters or in the pool if they don't get their pictures with him