We set the alarm for 7:00 so we could take our time getting dressed and doing the final packing. We were told we needed to be out of our cabin by 8:30. The ship was already parked at the dock, but we hadnt heard them announcing departures yet.
We said our final goodbye to cabin 8000 around 7:45 and went up to Cove Café for DHs free coffee. Somehow he ordered exactly the right number to fill his coffee card and leave him with one for free.
Sad that the cruise is over. (DS is pretending to cry)
We wandered across deck 9, where the crew was prepping the pool areas for the next batch cruisers, and went down to Shutters to pick up our last photo. It still wasnt quite time for breakfast so we went out onto deck 4 where we watched the crew take off the big bins of luggage and put on palates of oranges, potatoes and other supplies.
Breakfast was at Animators Palate at 8:15. Around 8:30 we heard them call the first groups to disembark.
We certainly hope this is true.
We finished eating and were discussing where to go until our group was called when they called our group. (around 9:15) We hugged our servers goodbye one more time and went down to deck 3 to disembark.
The exit line was really short. After you wind down the ramp and enter the building they scan your KTTW cards for the final time. (sniff, sniff) Then there are tables set up where people can collect items they werent allowed to have in their luggage or carry-ons. Things like knives purchased in ports. But there were also about a ½ dozen clothing irons. (Does anyone know why you cant carry an iron in your luggage?) Then there was a lost and found table. We hoped the lost stuffed animals found their young owners.
Next came the Declaration Line. It took about 15 minutes to get through. Just around the corner from that cast members were directing people to their luggage. (Dont forget which character tag you have) We found the Tinkerbell section quickly and our luggage too. There were lots of luggage carts available so we grabbed two and loaded up. One last short check point and we were back in the main building wed entered one week ago.
Waiting for the parking garage elevator. (This was the last photo I took as we had packed the cameras in the trunk for the ride home)
At this point I made a comment to DH about how quick and easy disembarking had been. Oops! Id invoked Murphys Law so something was bound to go wrong. It didnt take long to learn what. When we got to the car the battery was dead. The Vincy Parking attendants were really helpful and brought a jumper box. It turned out the battery was soooo dead that the jumper box couldnt even start the car. He politely ran off to borrow a rental car which easily got it started. We thanked and tipped him for his assistance and he helped us get us checked out of the garage and on our way.
There was only about a 30 minute wait crossing the border back into the US.
We stopped at a favorite sushi place for a late lunch and were at my mom-in-laws to pick up the dog around 3:00. If youre ever sad from leaving a vacation I hope youre coming home to a dog. He totally cheered us up.
After we gave mom a brief summary of the cruise we began the last leg of our journey. We pulled in our driveway around 4:00.
It was an excellent trip and its been really fun reliving it here. Thank you all for your compliments, encouraging comments and questions and I hope you all get to experience the magic of a
Disney cruise for yourself soon.
Coming in further posts... All about the dining with food photos, Navigator scans and other cruise papers, and perhaps more.
Don't take this the wrong way, but you leaving was one of the best laughs. As soon as you were gone JC said. "I thought they'd never leave." Then something about a wet blanket being lifted off the room and now we'd be able to have some real fun. Then about 5 minutes later a new couple came in and he said "It's about time." and thanked them for taking time out of their busy schedule to join us.
That is hilarious especially since DH and I deliberately sat on the side by the door (the one by the bar) so we could just slip out Looks like my plan to slip out discreetly didn't work out but at least it gave him a joke. 
Like you, we tried the portable charger from Di Vinci and it didn't work. Luckily a nice woman who was also from the cruise from WA helped us and gave it a jump start (thanks so much if you happen to be a Disboarder and read this). Dead batteries must have been a common theme that day. There was another family there that just got a jump start right before and then were having trouble with their car alarm. 
I really enjoyed it! We leave for our disney alaska cruise vacation in 2 weeks and are so excited. 
I loved all of your pictures....you have a lovely family! I especially loved the "where's Perry" photos...very cute. Have a magical day!
