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

[podsnel]

I love your TR- and I really, REALLY hope the Grump becomes a believer!!

Your meal from the EG looked delicious- I am really looking forward to it now (not that I wasn't before! ).

 

[SoonerGirl]

Hi Michelle, Sorry I had fallen so woefully behind on your TR. I have spent most of this week so far trying to catch up on everyone's TRs. I am loving your TR and now totally dying to go on the Dream. It looks absolutely gorgeous!

Nice to hear that you didn't get seasick even though you did feel the motion of the boat. Both my husband and I get motion sickness so we have been a bit reluctant to go on one. Plus our little one obviously gets so much enjoyment out of the parks right now, why change things if we don't have to....yet.

By the way, did I miss a picture of you D&B bag? I am debating if I want to bring my D&B bag next week when we got to Orlando, considering I will only be at Mk for one day (and even though probably won't be using the bag there). Hmmmm.

Seriously love this TR so far and all th new information. Love the family photos by the way. They are perfect!

I am so far behind on the DIS right now, I haven't really had a chance to be on much at all since before we left for Charleston! I'm hoping to get caught up today, but we'll see...

I didn't feel the motion of the boat at all after that first day. I was so very relieved that I didn't get sick, that was my only fear about sailing. You guys might think about trying a shorter 3 night cruise coupled with a visit to WDW. That way if the motion does bother you you aren't stuck on the boat for 7 days AND you'll have time for your DD to enjoy the parks. I think she'd love the cruise though too. You wouldn't know it by my pictures, but there are lots of characters out and about that she could visit with.

No picture of the D&B........

I was thinking just the same thing!!!

Hi Michelle! I just checked with Baylor and you are right about the names, Mario and P Tar.
I can't remember where Petar was from though, maybe Croatia?

That night at dinner, wasn't that just bizzaro? Funny bordering on get me out of here!!!!!
Anyway it was so good to have you to laugh with when we walked out of the dining room!

Yes, P Tar, poor P Tar, he was just a little overwhelmed I think....

It hit that 'get me outta here' stage pretty quickly didn't it?

Officially caught up now!! I love that you were able to do so much on the first day. For some reason, I thought you would really just have time to board, eat dinner and hit the sack but you did a LOT!

That show looks fantastic and dinner yummy. sounds like the boys made themselves right at home

We still had a lot of day left after we boarded, not a wasted day at all!

The shows were all really good as were our dinners!

The boys wasted no time making themselves at home. After 22 hours in the car and several days in close quarters they were ready to be rid of us for awhile

Yeay! I am so glad you loved Charleston! I miss my hometown! Do we get pictures from the trip? PLEASE!

Those sea scallops look amazing and how odd/funny about the servers! I can see where that would get old after awhile! Okay, had to laugh about Jared's enjoyment of his Mickey bar. I am sure Connor would look the same!

Charleston was great! I thought about you a few times while we were there. When we did the carriage tour our guide told us that he was born in Charleston, but that he couldn't say he was from Charleston because that required that your family go back several generations, and his did not. I wondered then if you were from Charleston or if you just grew up there.

I will definitely post my Charleston pictures on FB, hopefully in the next day or two, not sure if I'll put them up here or not. Maybe if enough people want me to I will.

That wasn't the last Mickey bar Jared enjoyed!

I love your TR- and I really, REALLY hope the Grump becomes a believer!!

Your meal from the EG looked delicious- I am really looking forward to it now (not that I wasn't before! ).

Thank you!!!

All of our dinners were really good - you're gonna love 'em!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I slept like a rock that first night, better than I have in a long time and much better than I do in a hotel room. The bed was very comfortable, I think that coupled with the slight rocking of the ship just put me out. I was fully refreshed and ready for our first full cruise day. As I roused myself out of bed I heard the voices of little boys yelling out 'land ho'......... My boys were still soundly sleeping, so I stepped out onto the verandah to see what all the fuss was about. The kids in the cabin next to ours were fully enjoying letting everyone know that land was indeed approaching. I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures before jumping into the shower and getting ready for our first big excursion.

We grabbed a quick breakfast in Cabanas. I think this was my plate

Don's

Justin's (sorry, he started eating before I was able to grab a picture)

I don't have a picture of Jared's, but odds are it was just a plate covered with hash browns and doughnuts anyway.

Breakfast was just okay, not very flavorful, but it served it's purpose. After we finished our meal we made our way to the Buena Vista Theater where we were supposed to meet for our excursion. There we were told what to expect throughout the day and were giving a sticker to wear that let everyone know what group we were with and we also received wrist bands that linked us to our particular excursion. It took a little while to get everyone all set and ready to go, but eventually we filed out, like a big game of follow the leader. It was a little bit of a walk to get to the boat that would take us out to Blue Lagoon Island.

Not sure where I took this picture of the boys, but it had to have been while we were waiting to board the boat

The boat had two levels and we chose to sit on the top and I was able to grab an outside seat so that I could take some pictures.

Leaving the dock:

Going past the Dream:

Atlantis. I'd love to see this someday, maybe next cruise.....

Continued in the next post

 

[SoonerGirl]

Blue Lagoon Island: So pretty!!

Once we arrived we all split off into groups depending upon which excursion you were participating in. We were doing the dolphin encounter, but they also had a dolphin swim, a sea lion encounter or you could just be enjoying a day at their beach. Before we could start the encounter we first had to go to school. They educated us about dolphins and their behaviors first, then we went down to the docks where we would have our encounter. There were lockers next to the docks where you could leave your things. After stowing our belonging and towels (we got these as we were leaving the ship - no need to bring your own unless you just want to), they split us into two groups and had us take a seat around the perimeter of the encounter area.

Justin, Jared & Baylor waiting to begin

Soon the dolphins started swimming through the area

Once our trainer was ready he had our dolphin, Andy, go around and say hi to everyone by giving us all a good splash

Then we went into the water, one family at a time, for a photo. Wow! That water was cold! And the deck that you stood on was a little slimy and it rocked a little so it was really hard to balance. We all made it though and got settled in for our photo op. One member was chosen to be 'kissed'. Justin got the honors in our group

Wigd and her gang were up just after us, so I snapped this picture of them. I think it turned out really cute!

A little bit of showing off before we got started

We all went back to our seats and then the trainer had us come into the water in groups of about 10. Anita and I were in different groups which worked out perfectly because I could take pictures of them and then they returned the favor and took pictures of us while we were in the water.

First you get a chance to 'pet' the dolphin

Then came the dancing

I love Marc's expression here - so much fun!

Next it was feeding time

More rub downs

And finally, hugs and kisses

Continued in the next post

 

[SoonerGirl]

Andy had to do a little more showing off

Then it was our turn.

We were in the last group and it was running a big long so they brought in a second dolphin. His name was Clarence and he was still learning so the head trainer came in to work with him.

Our dancing. I had Clarence and he just didn't get up out of the water as well as Andy, he also kept drifting backwards so he was hard to 'dance' with!

Time to eat!

I feel compelled to mention something here. In the next few pictures I look like I have the biggest bubble butt - I swear the skirt on my suit was floating up, I know I have extra weight, but it's not THAT big

Here I was getting splashed and Don thought it was quite funny

Feeling their teeth

Hugs and kisses goodbye

Andy had one more opportunity to show off before we left the area

What a fantastic experience! It was really one of the highlights of the trip for all 4 of us, something we'll never forget for sure!

 

[jenbear123]

Love the scenery shots. Looks like an amazing encounter with the dolphins. Glad you had a great time

 

[Happy Elf]

Great picture of the boys together!

Loved hearing about your dolphin experience! Looks like so much fun! I told DH when/if we ever cruise I would like to do that!

 

[Disneygrl36]

OMG Michelle. Blue Lagoon looks gorgeous & the dolphin pictures are making me so excited for my turn in just a little over 2 months. We are doing the dolphin swim! I can't wait now!

 

[KatMark]

What a great update, Michelle. The scenery shots as you were pulling up to land are terrific.

And the dolphin encounter! I have told Mark if we do no other excursion on our cruise in 2013, I want to do the Dolphin Encounter. Those pictures are terrific and you can tell how you were all enjoying it.

 

[ariel1025]

WOW! I am in total jealous mode over your encounter with the dolphins It looks like a great, great time!! And how perfect that you and Anita got to take pictures of each other

 

[klacey1]

What a fun experience! Your pictures are just wonderful-- that's great that you were really able to document the whole thing!

 

[photographymom517]

Beautiful pictures on the way to the island!!!

The dolphin encounter looks so neat!!! I knew that you were able to be in the water with them, but I had no idea you could hug them, pet them, AND feed them!!! It really looks like your entire family as well as Anita's really enjoyed it!!!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Nice photos of your family & Anita's. The dolphins appeared to be having a good time also.

BTW, I have a skirted suit of that type & the skirt floats & makes the bubble butt! So I know you ain't lyin'!

 

[stace208]

Love the dolphin encounter pictures!! Such a wonderful experience! I showed Ellie and she is sold-YEA!

It was great that you and Anita were in different groups for picture taking purposes!!

 

[Poolrat]

What a great day for a dolphin encounter. It is great you were able to document the whole thing by being in different groups.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I am wiping the tears away, I've been laughing so hard at our pictures from the dolphin encounter!!!
Some of those expressions are priceless!!!

I guess I should have told you to deflate your suit, but honestly I didn't notice a thing!!!

It was the best day! We were just talking about it today and were saying maybe Atlantis next year...

 

[PrincessInOz]

Dophins!

For that encounter alone, I think I might be willing to put up with seasickness all the way there and all the way back.

I love dolphins and your pictures are fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

 

[PirateKate]

That shore excursion looks so awesome! I love how you all got to spend so much time with the dolphins. Great pictures!

 

[DisneyBoundinDec]

love the dolphins!!! I am laughing so hard about your bubble butt comment all my skirt bathing suits and a few of my short ones do that.. my kids call me bubble butt all the time in the pool! Its so annoying.. I have to release the bubble all the time and then of course the laugh because I am "farting in the pool!"

Great pictures!! that looks like it was a lot of fun!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Charleston was great! I thought about you a few times while we were there. When we did the carriage tour our guide told us that he was born in Charleston, but that he couldn't say he was from Charleston because that required that your family go back several generations, and his did not. I wondered then if you were from Charleston or if you just grew up there.

I will definitely post my Charleston pictures on FB, hopefully in the next day or two, not sure if I'll put them up here or not. Maybe if enough people want me to I will.

I would love to say that I am from Charleston, but sadly, I just grew up there. Both my parents are from the Midwest -- well, my dad is from Nebraska, and my mom is from Arkansas.

I will keep a lookout for the Charleston pictures wherever you decide to post them.

Your dolphin encounter is SO COOL!!! I love how they seem like just big dogs -- hamming it up for everyone!