DISBoarders in the House Raise it UP!! Whoop Whoop!!!

[JDBlair]

First, I would like to thank everyone from the DIS! I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Without the DIS and the wonderful people on the DIS, contributing, sharing, explaining, etc., my family’s first DCL vacation would not have been the success it was! Thank you!!!

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Today was my first day of vacation (Whoop Whoop! ) so this is where I will start my TR! After all my reading on the DIS and learning from the experiences of those who have gone before me and written TR’s, I knew I’d need a day of packing!! This packing job would be like no other packing job I have ever done before. Usually, I pack the kids and me the night before a trip in 1-2 suitcases while DH packs himself in his own suitcase. This time, however, I would need to pack all 4 of us in to 6 suitcases, mixing our belongings in to all the suitcases. I explained my plan to DH many times months and months before the cruise. We would all have a little of something in each suitcase just in case a suitcase is lost in transit to the ship. I worked the weekend before the cruise doing endless loads of laundry to make sure every clothing item in the house was washed. I was successful by Tuesday evening until, to my horror, DH produced an entirely new load of laundry for washing. I freaked out. He tried to calm me by saying I shouldn’t worry, he’d do his own laundry and besides, he packs himself. What??? Has he not been listening to me and my plan for months and months? I explain the plan again, this time in a pitch that probably only the neighbor’s dogs could hear. DH decided, for whatever reason, to argue with me (was the sweat dripping off my brow not a clue to him that I was on the verge of breakdown? ) that my plan was silly, our bags wouldn’t be lost and again, he’d pack his own bag. So, I explain, again, the plan and remind him of Murphy's Law and ask if he thinks if Delta does lose one of our bags if they'll fly their happy butts out to us on a helicopter to deliver said bag? The smart man that DH is, he resolves that he will not win this argument and I grab the laundry to throw it in the wash!

Wednesday night, I started stacking folded clothes on the kitchen table that would need to make their way in to the suitcases. I wrote lists to keep me organized! This really helped me keep things straight in my head. Did I get socks for DD? Yes, they’re checked off on the list. Does DS have something to sleep in? Yes, check. Really, really, really kept me focused and kept the anxiety level down.

So, Thursday, we wake up to get DD off to day care and DS off to school. I needed them out of my way to attack the Packing Challenge of 2007! I had been collecting items “needed for the cruise” for months and storing them in a plastic tote in the bedroom. DH had repeatedly told me there was no way I was going to fit all of that and all of our clothes in to 6 suitcases. What? Does he not know I am the Tetris Master? Oh he of little faith!

The continuation of stacking of clothes on the kitchen table commenced once the kids were to their designated centers and I could focus. I worked for about 2 hours that morning adding things to the stacks and stacks on the table. In my wisdom , I had a dental appointment scheduled that morning (to avoid missing more time from work) and needed to leave the house around 10 for my 10:30 appointment. Around 8:30, I was starving and suggested DH and I break for breakfast. We headed off to Einsteins to enjoy bagels and coffee. While in line for our bagels, I did the “I’m on Vacation Happy Dance!” Yes, people stared but I didn’t care. They were jealous. They’d do the “I’m on Vacation Happy Dance” too if they were on vacation!

After full tummies, I dropped DH off at home and rushed to the dentist. I was assured my dental appointment “wouldn’t hurt” but no one told me the worst of it. When I checked in, I immediately explained I was on vacation and leaving for a cruise in the morning and had a lot to do. The receptionist smiled but probably called me bad names in her head. Soon, I was in the dental chair and as they affixed my “bib” to me, I explained, again, I was leaving for a cruise in the AM and had lots to do! I was hoping my constant reminders would encourage them to work faster. Very long story short, every time they asked how I was, I replied with, “I have a lot to do at home.” I was at the dentist for 2 hours!!!

On my way home, I called DH in a panic. He told me not to worry. Is he deaf, I was already, clearly worrying! I had lots to do and just spent 2 hours in the dental chair!!! I burst through the front door, ready to move all items collected on the kitchen table, couches and plastic totes in to the 6 opened, empty, and waiting suitcases. Before we started, I looked at all the clothes and the lists and remembered the tip about taking 1/2 of the clothing and not packing it. But which half? DH assisted in the attack, aka Packing Challenge of 2007, and one hour later, we were done. I looked around the room, empty. Table. Empty! Under the table. Empty. Plastic tote full of “things needed for the cruise”. Empty! Checked the lists, everything was checked. Odd. That was a little too easy! Who’s ready for lunch?

DH and I went for lunch. I felt like things were just too easy, I had to be missing something but what? Everything fit in the cases, everything was checked off the lists, the plastic tote was empty, spaces were left in the cases for the toiletry bags. Strange. Could it have been that easy???

Apparently, it was. It was that easy. I was convinced we’d get in to the vacation and realize we’d forgotten something. But that was never the case. We had it all. Everything fit and all bags weighed under the industry standards for the airlines. Wow. I am the Tetris Master!!!

 

[jajomo0118]

 

[CruisinEars]

Ohhh, great start. Can't wait to hear/read more. My dh would have the same argument about packing as yours did. He always packs for himself and me for the kids and me.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Great start!! Can't wait for more!!

 

[JDBlair]

The alarm promptly signaled at 2:45 am that it was time to wake up. Not sure why I had an alarm. I didn’t sleep a wink that night. I tossed and turned and turned and tossed. I was that Walt Disney World commercial where the family is too excited to sleep. I couldn’t believe it was finally here. My Dream Come True Vacation was here. I fell in love with the Magic when I saw her in port in Nassau in March 2000. I had never had a desire to cruise until I saw her. And now, it was my turn. Our turn. I was going on my Dream Vacation with the 3 people in this world that matter the most to me and we were going to have a great time!

DH and I dressed quickly and assembled the toiletry bags-the final additions to the suitcases! DD bounced right out of bed when I asked, “Are you ready to go on the Mickey Mouse boat?” We were all dressed, car loaded and on the road in no time. It was mighty dark in Phoenix at 3:15 am and there was more traffic on the road than I thought there’d be. I asked out loud, “Why aren’t these people in bed?” We made it to the airport about 3:45 am, ahead of schedule!! DH dropped the bags, me and the kids at the terminal and went to park the car. This is easier than all 4 of us parking the car and attempting to board the shuttle together-we made that mistake on our first vacation and I’m sure other passengers laughed at the pathetic sight we were loading all of us, car seats, strollers, etc on the shuttle. Pathetic. Our flight was at 6 am and I was a little surprised to find that none of the airline counters were open. Sky Harbor is a pretty big and busy airport and I thought they had flights 24 hours a day but I guess I was wrong? So, we waited with our bags while waiting for DH to park and catch the shuttle back to the terminal and watched the line for Delta grow longer. The other airlines counters opened and quickly emptied their lines and we watched our Delta line grow and grow. I sent DS to stand in line because DH had phoned and said he was on the shuttle en route to the terminal When DH met up with us, the counter still wasn’t open, the line was longer and I was starting to panic. We’ll skip the long, anxiety-filled story here and get to the point that the Delta counter opened at 4:20 am, I was pacing and unhappy and kept assuring DH and family I’d be fine after we got through security.

Security lines at Sky Harbor prove to be long! Very long. And I have stood in many of these long security lines listening to people panic that their flights leave in 20 minutes, 10 minutes and sometimes less time than that. And I always think, “Why didn’t you get to the airport with plenty of time? It says to get here 2 hours before a flight; there is a reason for that.” But that doesn’t stop me from freaking out while we’re in line with 90 minutes to spare! I also know that each kid has a DVD player that will have to come out of their cases to pass through security, DH has a lap top, jewelry has to be removed, shoes removed, etc. It takes us a little bit of time to get a family of 4 through security and then to regroup on the other side. But the Vacation Gods were smiling on us and we passed through security in about 15 minutes and were soon in the line for Starbucks.

The Starbucks line took longer than security, but I wasn’t panicking or pacing! I was totally calm. We were through the stressful part and now I could just enjoy it! I didn’t have time to finish my mocha before we were boarding the plane and the sun still wasn’t up by the time we flew east.

Our flight routed through Atlanta where we had a 2.5 hour layover. This was fine with us, it allowed DD time to run and burn off energy and a chance to eat. Also, we had never flown through ATL before so we didn’t know how long of a layover one really needs to comfortably get from one gate to another. I was rather impressed with the ATL airport. It was bright and clean. We got a kick out of riding the little train thing there. The “Recharging Stations” located at the gates are genius!! In Sky Harbor, you have to scour about looking for some place to plug in and that is a pain when you have a toddler that needs to disengage their brain with some Disney movie!! So, the kids charged their electronics, DD watched a movie, we ate chicken for lunch and were soon boarding our flight to Orlando!! Whoop Whoop!!! The plane we flew from ATL to Orlando was HUGE compared to the flight we had from Phoenix to Atlanta and that made little sense to us since the flight from Phoenix was longer. But whatever. We were on vacation!

Comparison of the size of plane we flew from PHX to ATL on and the plane we flew from ATL to Orlando!

We arrived in Orlando, safe and sound and as soon as we were off the plane and in the little walkway between the plane and terminal, we were griping about the icky, wet heat! Nasty!!! A lot can be said for the “dry heat” we have here in Phoenix and we were very happy when we were back in the building, out of the wet, icky, heat! Orlando airport was BUSY! We made our way to another “train” and felt sorry for those getting off the train wearing their Disney World memorabilia and walking to their departing flight. My mind quickly raced to that scene being us in a few days but I would not allow myself to go there. Live in the moment! We were on vacation. Is there time for a Happy Dance? No , train was here and I had to hold on.

I thought the Orlando airport was a little confusing but probably because I hadn’t been there before and it was so busy. We found our way to the baggage claim area and waiting for us at the bottom of the escalator was a man from FL Tours with a sign, “Blair”. He showed us where to go for our luggage but it appears our luggage got to FL before us because it was not on the carrousel but already off to the side. The hot pink ribbons I attached to the bags made them very easy to pick out and we soon had all 6 suitcases and were making our way to the car. DH had insisted he would not drive on this vacation and I’d have to arrange for a town car to get us to our hotel. I tried to talk him out of this by explaining a car service would be more expensive but he wouldn’t budge-he refused to drive. He also told me I have never rented a car before, he has, and it's a lot of hassle. I took his word for it! (Sometimes I listen to him! There, it's in writing now!) So, I decided to surprise him with a limo! A town car would have been a tight fit for the 4 of us and our carry-ons and our luggage and I felt that after a long day of flying, we’d like to stretch out for the 45 minute drive to the hotel! The family was very excited when they discovered the car we were standing next to was actually our car and I had arranged this surprise. I’m sneaky like that. They were full of smiles and giggles. And just as I expected, DH stretched out! I had also arranged a grocery stop and we got water (a DIS tip that DH didn’t understand but I knew he would later come to appreciate), snacks (we were starving) a 6 pack for the hotel and a couple of bottles of alcohol for the cruise.

We had reservations at Country Inn and Suites in Port Canaveral and after the grocery stop, we were on our way. The limo had a DVD player in it and DH put a movie on for DD. This didn’t hold her attention too much as we were all talking and laughing and snacking. At one point, DD asks, “When are we going to be out of all these bushes?” DH and I busted out laughing. Guess she’s not use to seeing so much “green” in Phoenix!

The ride to the hotel was long enough to enjoy the limo ride but not so long that we were asking, “When will we be there?” We soon arrived at Country Inn and Suites, took photos with the car and were making our way in for check in.

The girl that checked us in to CI&S never once greeted us. We walked up to the counter and she looked at us like we were aliens. I told her why we were there because she honestly looked like she needed to be told! I don’t think she said one word to us until she told us the room number and then, I think that was the only word she said. Oh well. I was too amp’d that we were there, the Magic would be very close in a very hours and I was on vacation. No time for the dance, I needed to get these weary travelers in to the pool!!

After we toured our hotel room, a very nice, roomy, kids’ suite, we all suited up and headed to the pool. A nice, big, heated pool greeted us and we had it all to ourselves for about ½ an hour! That pool water felt so goooood after a long hard day of traveling and we were one happy family to be in it, splashing about. I sat under the waterfall in the hot tub and let it beat down on my neck and shoulders. Heaven! I was in heaven! We enjoyed the pool until it started filling up with some other guests and children that didn’t seem to notice we were also in the pool as they kicked DD in the face swimming about. Since their parents seemed oblivious to the matter , we gathered our belongings and made our way back to the room. We were starving any way. Ordered pizza and arranged for bed. Coming from the west to the east, we lost 3 hours of time but since we’d been up since 2:45, we were tired any way. It wasn’t too late when we were all fed, showered and tucked in to our beds. The kids really loved their little area with the twin bed and bunk bed. They had their own TV in there which had cable and a DVD player. This was really nice to give us all some separation and down time. And the price of this room was very, very reasonable. I highly recommend it for anyone traveling with children!!! The room was also very clean!!! (I read a lot about CI&S on the DIS and the word “clean” was used often to describe it and that was one of the main reasons I booked here. It lived up to my expectations! The DIS had not failed me!!)

Prior to the pool and before bed, I contacted Checkered Cab to arrange transportation to the cruise terminal in the AM. Remember the pathetic story about our first vacation and trying to board the airport shuttle? Lesson learned. Us + Shuttles = Pathetic. So, while the Checkered Cab “limo” service was about twice what we’d pay for a shuttle, the hassle-freeness of the situation was worth its weight in gold. So, I arranged with Checkered Cab for a 10 am pick-up time on Saturday

The 6 pack DH and I consumed helped knock me out or I would have had another night of tossing and turning and turning and tossing. I was certainly excited for Saturday, to board the Magic! The alarms were set for a decent wake up time in the AM (7, I think it was)! We all settled in just fine and soon were a snoring group of travelers.

 

[JDBlair]

It’s here, It’s Here, It’s HERE!!!!!!!!!!! When the alarm sounds, I know that less than 5 miles from where I am laying in bed, the Magic is “home”, waiting for us to board her!! Getting the kids up wasn’t too hard, everyone was excited. DD is a girl after my own heart though. She has shared so much with me in the anticipation of this cruise!! DH and DS are “men” so they can’t show too much excitement but I could tell they were pretty excited because they were not dragging their feet in any way!!

We set the alarm to be up early enough to go to breakfast when it opened. Wanted to beat the rush, so to speak. (I can’t remember what time this is, I want to say 7:00 or 7:30!) We make our way to the free breakfast and are pleasantly surprised with the spread. Cereal, bagels, fruit, etc. It wasn’t a “gourmet” breakfast and it was your typical fare that you’d probably have at home. We were very happy with it but also knew we could eat as soon as we were on the ship! We didn’t spend too long eating and after breakfast, I wanted to take a walk around the property. I had thought you could see the Magic from the hotel but the trees are in the way. Darn that greenery in Florida! Can’t they cut it down?? It was hot outside and the “men” were griping and it started to sprinkle a little so we went back in to our room. I noticed the luggage carts in the hotel lobby had been missing since the night before and this was distressing because we used the luggage cart to get to our room and really needed them to get our stuff out. (I figured people snagged them the night before and were keeping them in their rooms to have them for their departure in the morning. Those luggage carts never reappeared before we left so I think we’re good with my theory!)

While the kids and DH watched TV, I packed our carry-on bag (made sure to put the swim suits in there – an awesome tip from the DIS), affixed the DCL tags to the suitcases, packed the case of bottled water in the extra duffle bag we brought and made sure I had all our documents and passports. The week prior to our cruise, a member of our Meet Thread was keeping us updated and posted on the storms developing in the Atlantic. I was very freaked out we wouldn’t be able to board but there didn’t seem to be a threat of that and the news didn’t mention any hurricanes. So, I was feeling good!! Excited. Happy. Anxious. Eager. READY!!!

At 9:45, Checkered Cab called my cell and said they were outside, waiting. They were early. But like I just said, I was READY and we were rushing out the door. Another limo ride and DS starts asking if we’re rich! Yes, son, we’ve been keeping this big secret from you! I was like a dog in a car rushing from one window inside the limo to the other, not sure which side the surprise would be on and going absolutely mad. And then, I saw it and I think I screamed louder than DD! The Magic!!! She was there, phew! (Remember, with the storm threats, I wasn’t sure if she’d make it back to the port and I was going with Murphy’s Law! But again, Vacation Gods-they were keeping Murphy at bay!)

The driver dropped us off and soon, we were in line to wait for a porter to take our bags. Almost as soon as we got in line, someone walks up to me and says she doesn’t know if she should hug me. At first I was confused and thinking, “Okay, I’ll take a hug, we can share the love right now!” But then I soon realized it was my friend from the DIS!!! Christa (jajomo0118)!!! We, of course, hugged and squealed. Hilarious they were just 2 people ahead of us in line. Christa and I introduce our families to one other and everyone sizes each other up to make sure we’re not sailing with crazy people!

It took a few moments for the porter to collect our bags, there was only one porter working out there at this time. (It’s 10 am, by the way!) Just as soon as we’re in line for security, DD announces she has to use the bathroom. So, we get through security, up the escalator, I instruct DH to take her to the bathroom and I’ll get in line to check in. First, DCL escorts me to a small desk where a man checks I have my documents in order. He seems surprised that I do! Even my Bahama slips are filled out. He smiles as though to say, “You have learned well, young Skywalker!” I give a full teeth smile back and say, “I’m on the DIS!!” and nod profusely! He points me in the direction of the line. The very SHORT line, I might add. I think it was 3 families deep. That’s right, 3 families deep. I see DH return from the restroom with DD and yell at him to go check her in to the children’s club, I already registered her on line. (Another DIS tip – you’re seeing a pattern here, right? I did my research!) As a good husband, he does as he’s told. It’s now my turn for the next available CM to check me in and I’m handed my boarding pass. I glance down and see “3” and do a very small Happy Dance right there. 3 is one of my favorite numbers! I am beaming. I am excited. I am proud. I check in like a breeze and meet up with DH just as he finishes checking DD in to the clubs.

The terminal is empty. There are maybe 50 people in it? We chat with Christa and her family, look outside at the ship, look at the model in the terminal, go to the restroom (at DD’s repeated request –no one else’s), and sit with our bags (they were heavy). It does not take long at all for the terminal to fill up and boy did it get busy in there and CROWDED!! DD made her 5th trip to the restroom and on our way there, discovers Goofy and wants to see him. She is a big Goofy fan thanks to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Channel! So, after we restroom, we get in line for Goofy. One CM explains to the back of the line that Goofy will be leaving soon but will be replaced by Mickey, it pays to listen when CM’s talk! As soon as it’s DD’s turn to photo-op with Goofy, she gets scared. The photographer was awesome. She encouraged DD to greet Goofy and really eased her in to it; the photographer took her time and made it sweet. I was nervous people in line were going to start rioting because the photographer was being so nice and patient about DD and easing her in to it but I didn’t hear any complaints or feel anything thrown at me. They snap a couple of photos (my camera was with DH who was waiting with our bags-I thought we were just going to the restroom) and the final photo of DD with Goofy is her kissing Goofy’s nose! Too precious. And I knew it’d be my first photo purchased at Shutters! We rush to retrieve the camera from DH and return to the line for Mickey. I’m smart because as soon as Mickey comes out, that line tripled in length! The line moved pretty quickly and DH snapped pictures of DD and I with Mickey and then of just DD with Mickey alone. DD squeezed Mickey so hard, you could just tell she was so happy to meet him! About the time we returned to our bags, floating in the clouds because we’d just met Goofy and Mickey, they started boarding and the terminal got even busier!!

We had boarding pass #3, as I already mentioned, and it was no time before we were posing for our pre-boarding family photo. I didn’t realize it was such a short walk from the terminal to the ship! When DH and I sailed RC a couple of years ago, it was quite a hike from the terminal to the ship. So, I had to rush to get my camera out to have it ready for our announcement. I absolutely caught the video clip of us being announced on the ship and that is one of the highlights of my trip. But I didn’t have time to cry or do a Happy Dance because I had to get to Rockin’ Bar D for PALO Ressies!!

 

[JDBlair]

Christa!!!

Ohhh, great start. Can't wait to hear/read more. My dh would have the same argument about packing as yours did. He always packs for himself and me for the kids and me.

Thank you!! I appreciate that DH usually packs himself, one less thing for me to do. But this was entirely different and I'm glad he saw things my way! Not that Delta lost our bags but just in case!

Great start!! Can't wait for more!!

Hi Neighbor!! Hope you enjoy it!

 

[granmaz]

I'm loving this, thank you!!! I'm with you with all the packing stress and panic, and all the stresses and excitement of the journey. I understand!!!

 

[ibela]

I can't believe DD got kicked in the face in the pool!!!!

 

[MagicMe]

Really enjoying your TR! Can't wait for more!

 

[JDBlair]

I'm loving this, thank you!!! I'm with you with all the packing stress and panic, and all the stresses and excitement of the journey. I understand!!!

You're welcome. Thank you for reading. I know many of us here can understand the Packing Challenge! But thankfully, we have a pot of gold (DCL!) waiting for us to reward us for all our hard work!!!

I can't believe DD got kicked in the face in the pool!!!!

I know!!! It didn't bother me so much that she was kicked but that the kid didn't say sorry and that his parents didn't even say anything about it. The pool at CI&S is huge. There was no reason for these few kids to immediately come in and start dominating the entire pool. I feel like the adults in their party should have told them to stay on one side of the pool, it was big enough for that to happen. I'm just glad DH didn't witness this kick! I did tell him about it and he loudly commented on it and the adults with the kids still didn't look up from their discussion. None of the adults in that party were in the pool, just the kids, and they clearly were not paying attention to the children in their care.

Really enjoying your TR! Can't wait for more!

Thank you!!! I'm really enjoying writing it. I will absolutely post more tonight!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hey Jackie !
Enjoying your TR so far ! Wow...so sorry your daughter got kicked. Hope she was ok. I appreciate your comments on CI&S. I strongly considered staying there the night before the cruise and I see it's a possibility for the future (well....except for that rude lady at check-in. Why do people have to be that way ).

Keep it comin' !

 

[JDBlair]

I told DH he and the kids could go to Deck 9 while I rushed to Rockin’ D but they tagged along with me. No worries, probably best this way since we may have lost each other. There were about 6 people in front of me at Rockin’ D and my family waited patiently. They knew what was good for them! I had stressed (to them and anyone else I have come in contact with for the past 2 months) how important it was that I get Palo Brunch and change the night of Palo dinner. And besides, they were on vacation and had nowhere else to be! I scored brunch for Thursday (Whoop Whoop!) and changed dinner to Wednesday night. I was a little hesitant about a back-to-back sort of deal but my original Palo dinner ressies were Friday and I didn’t want our last night on the ship to be in Palo so Wednesday would work fine.

Mission Completion (Little Einstein’s reference there for all you Disney Channel fans) and we went back to the hall to regroup and figure out where to go from there. Took pictures of the kids in the portholes and it’s a good thing I did because we never made it back that way as a family for the rest of the week. Found the forward elevators and decided to go on up to Deck 9. First we stumbled on to the Quite Cove pool. Ooo, Ahh! Walked past the Goofy pool. Neat! The minute DD saw the Mickey pool, she wanted to go in. She has been very excited to go in the Mickey pool and ride down the slide but we needed to eat first. Priorities! And the carry-on bags we had were heavy! So, we make our way through the buffet line at Topsiders and a very nice CM helps me with the tray I have for DD and myself, I didn’t even have to ask! Talk about Customer Service. They see a need and they fulfill it, no questions asked! I love Disney! We find a spot outside, aft, and start grubbing. A very thoughtful CM with a tray full of frozen yummies comes our way and yes, we will take 2! DH and I slap high-fives and congratulate each other for being on vacation. I am snapping pictures left and right because I don’t want to miss a moment. As I snap a picture of DH and DS eating lunch, a playful CM poses in the background. I thought it was a funny shot and certainly sets the tone of what being on this ship is really like!

Many CM’s come our way offering the water package and we decline, explaining we already have water. That’s when the light goes on over DH’s head because he sees how much DCL is charging for a case of water, he knows what we paid for our case of water ($5) and he is happy! He probably fell more in love with me that day and thanked God for the DIS! I bet he did!

We don’t eat too much because one tip I read (on the DIS, nowhere else!) is to be careful about what you eat the first day until you know how the seas will affect you. The kids have never cruised and the jury was out on whether or not DH and I get motion sickness. So, I tried to take it light and easy and encouraged the family to do the same. DD was bouncing up and down and wanted to go in the pool so I changed her in to her suit and we made our way to the Mickey Pool. An absolute smart tip is packing your suits in your carry-on because there are a lot of kids lined around the edge of the pool looking on with envy because their parents didn’t know to pack their suits! Only DD got in to her suit but taking advantage of an empty Mickey pool is something to not be passed up (I learned this reading TR’s!)! It wasn’t too long before they opened the slide and she was rushing down it. You knew, in that moment, her little dream was fulfilled. I would have given her a high-five if she had stood still long enough. As soon as she’d come down the slide, she’d rush to get back in line. Can’t blame her when the line is less than 5 kids deep at any given moment, “Ride like the wind, Bullseye!!” (Toy Story reference, just in case you aren’t sure!!)

We sat there awhile, watching her slide and watching the deck get busier and busier. DS asked me to walk him over to the Stack so we did a little field trip. He was greeted by a very friendly and welcoming CM who explained how things worked there and the activities they had planned, I kind of stayed near the stairs so it didn’t seem like his “Mommy” was intruding, even though he asked me to be there, nobody else had to know! She encouraged him to attend and get involved, showed him a Navigator and gave him one. Welcomed him to stay but there were only a couple of kids in there and he wasn’t ready to stay so he left with me but on the way out, told me he was going to the activity she mentioned. I was really impressed with how welcoming she was and inviting. Definitely did not have a laid back approach and that is good, sometimes teen-agers need a little push, at least my teen-ager!

It was about this time we could get in to our room and we were more than ready to dump our carry-ons. So, off to the room we went!! A couple of our suitcases were already there! We were in room 2606 and I would totally book this room again. Right off the aft elevators/staircase, great location!! Our room was so much bigger than I thought it would be and the port hole was huge!!! No complaints at all. I ordered baskets from The Perfect Gift for all 3 of them but the cards were signed by characters so I didn’t take credit. DD showed the most excitement over the baskets but remember what I told you about men, they have some sort of code about showing excitement. They made comments like, “Cool” and stuff like that. I knew they’d be more excited about their treats as the week went on! DH tried to thank me for the basket and I said, “You need to send your thanks to Mickey and Minnie, signature on the card. I know not of what you thank me for!!”

We didn’t stay in the room for too long. From here we went and checked out some things; Studio Sea and Oceaneer’s Club. I wish I was a kid to play in this club! I am just in awe of how much detail Disney puts in to everything, even the things they don’t have to, for example, the girls bathroom in the Club. It is so cute!!!! I even took a picture of it! You may be asking yourself why I was in the girls bathroom but remember all the restroom visits in the terminal? The most important thing DD needed to know about the Club is where the restroom was so it was the first place we showed her!

I believe this is also the afternoon we made a stop at Guest Services. I dropped off our photo mats for signatures (a DIS tip!) and needed to pass along a message to the manager at Guest Services. Someone posted on the DIS asking a favor of anyone sailing in the future couple of weeks and the favor was to pass along a message to Jonathan, a manager at Guest Services. I agreed to pass along the message, as long as it didn’t make me Jonathan’s Enemy #1, because it sounded cute and a way for 2 friends to say hello in a distant way! When I relayed the message, Jonathan, the manager, just grinned ear to ear and thanked me – stating it had made his entire day! It made me feel good as I am sure it isn’t often those employed at Guest Services have their day made!

We then went up to Deck 4 and overlooked the atrium. We watched as people were announced on the ship and DD and I clapped and “Whoo hoo’d” for them. DS didn’t understand why we were doing this for strangers but my question was, “Why not?” We only did this for a moment or two and then we walked around a bit outside on Deck 4. The comfy chairs I have read about were not out, then it occurred to me they were put away for the Boat Drill. Darn, and I told myself I would need to remember to return to Deck 4 to sit in the highly talked about comfy chairs!

3 pm rolled around pretty quickly and it was time for the DIS meet in the Promenade lounge. It is always great to finally put names with faces and meet the people you have been planning your vacation with for the past year! GrumpyGramps made us all door signs and those were super cute!! DisBoarders (our group name) ducked in and out introducing themselves and saying hello! But the meet was short because, as we all know, there is the Mandatory Boat Drill!

We’ve all done the boat drill so no point in really reporting on it. It was relatively painless but the siren sounding really made my stomach flip flop and heart jump to my throat. I had flashbacks to the Titanic movie that I quickly had to dismiss and think about something else. I also noticed that not many people do as they’re told by leaving their life vests on until they’ve reached their staterooms. Only DD would pose for the obligatory photo while in her vest. Men! I guess that bright orange just wasn’t their color!!

We tossed the vests back in to the closet and rushed, rushed, rushed to Deck 9 for Adventures Away. DH didn’t want to be in the thick of things so we found a spot on Deck 10 overlooking the stage. I think he could tell I was disappointed in this location and encouraged DD and I to go to Deck 9, he didn’t have to recommend this twice. We were off, down the stairs and “in the thick of things” in no time. We danced and danced but that icky, wet Florida heat did not make this a pleasant experience. I pushed off the “grumpiness” I was feeling about this and reminded myself I had nightmares about missing this party and wasn’t going to let some stupid, icky, wet heat ruin it for me. So, I pushed through with Disney spirit and sweated my booty off. Hey, if those characters can get up there and boogie, I can boogie, too! (But it was hard, it really was hot and nasty and my heart went out to those CM’s like you would not believe! God bless them for keeping the spirit and starting our vacation off right!) I knew the characters would make an appearance, just as I saw them coming down the stairs, I pushed DD up on to my shoulders. Oh brother, this made the hot, icky heat worse as I am now adding 40 pounds of pressure literally to my head and shoulders. But at least she could see and I knew it’d be over soon-Disney spirit and Pixie Dust. She was so excited to see her favorite characters and would slap me on the top of my head to announce who she was seeing. I smile up at DH and to my horror, noticed he did not have a camera in his hands. I motion to him to take pictures and he snaps away.

(You can find me in this picture by looking towards the middle. Behind me, there aren't very many people around, I'm wearing sunglasses and have an excited, 40 pound child on my shoulders!)
Then, the horn blows. It was loud. But it was one of the sweetest sounds I have ever heard. DH and DS had joined us on Deck 9 by this time and DH brought me a soda because he figured I’d have to be dying of thirst having had DD on my shoulders. That was extremely thoughtful and greatly appreciated because I was very thirsty!!

The party was over and we rushed up to Deck 10 to watch the Magic pull out in to the open sea. It was windy!!!!!!!!!! But we found that if you duck down by the plexiglass=no wind! Problem solved. DD and I yelled good-bye to everything we could think of. Good-bye Florida, home, our bed, work, friends, family, silly guy in the small row boat , trash on the beach, fishy’s we couldn’t see – you get the idea!

Time to eat!!

Before we enter the restaurant, we are handed our hand wipey thing and DS exclaims, "My kind of a ship! Sweet!!" DS is obsessed about washing his hands and other people washing their hands. Knowing that DCL was going to force people to wash their hands probably made his entire vacation! (My kids are strange, what can I say?? But at least his hands are clean!!)

We had the 6 pm rotation, which I had requested, and we were linked with 2 families from the DIS! Christa, whom we previously met, and Irene (Ibela) and her family! Our dinner this evening was in Lumiere’s. We were lead to our table and as soon as I saw our tablemates were already seated, I yell out, “DISBoarders in the house raise it UP! Whoop Whoop!” Everyone laughed and thus the ice was broken. Whoop Whoop!

I know you are going to ask what I ate but honestly, I don’t remember. I did take pictures. When Christa and I whipped out our cameras to take pictures of these meals, our families had to start in with the jokes and teasing us. They don’t necessarily understand the DIS, I think you have to be a DISer to truly appreciate it. But Christa and I did explain such pictures would make us GODS on the DIS! They laughed but I can tell you, as the week progressed, they would remind us to take pictures of the food and then ask how many “posts” we would get in response to the particular picture. Ah…they can be convinced to come over to the dark side!!!

The most memorable part of our meal was DS tried the escargot. He ate 2 of them but that was enough. This kid is a plain cheeseburger kind of kid so for him to try this dish was very impressive. He didn’t like it, per se, but at least he can answer, if he is ever asked, “No, I do not care for escargot” with a clear conscience. How many of us can say that?? Let’s talk about yummy tastes in our mouths. The soufflé I had that evening was about the best dessert I have ever had!!! So yummy!!!! I ordered 2 desserts, because the DIS told me I could , but the crème brulle paled in comparison to this soufflé!

During dinner and by the time dinner was over, you could feel that this ship was rocking!!!!! I believe Christa’s children were really affected by this and had little to no appetite. I kept checking in with my family and everyone seemed fine. From dinner, we went to see “All Aboard” and if you didn’t notice the rocking yet, you noticed it now. The theater was not very full and you could hear people around us talking about “so-and-so went back to the room” and “so-and-so was sick”. DD needed to visit the restroom repeatedly and every time we were in there, someone was sick or rushing in to be sick or got sick in the hallway. Walking up the stairs from the theater to the restroom was quite the challenge and left DD and I exclaiming, “Whoa!!!” (with giggles) as we’d be forced from one side of the aisle to the other, people bracing themselves for us to land in their laps. We would laugh, apologize and keep moving. We visited the restroom a few times (maybe DD is going to grow up and write TR’s about the restrooms she visits in her life!) and after the first couple of visits, I grab a couple of the barf bags to keep with me “just in case”. A poor little girl got sick all the way from the theater to the restroom and I didn’t know if I felt worse for her, her Dad or the CM who had to clean it up! I continually checked in with the family but all seemed to be going well.

The show was very cute, funny and I was in awe of the CM’s being able to maintain their composure with the ship rocking in such a way. Even the theater curtain was swaying to and fro. Good times!!! After the show, we stopped in to the very empty Mickey’s Mates. A CM seemed bewildered we were there and asked if we were all feeling okay. We exclaimed we were, aside from not being able to maintain our balance.

We walked back to our room and the worst part was smelling “sickness” in every hallway all the way back to our room. Those poor CM’s!!! DS went off to join the teens for whatever teens do in the Stack (apparently, it’s Top Secret and we’ll get to that later). The rest of us went to bed. I don’t think our heads hit the pillows before we were fast asleep!

 

[MiaSRN62]

We walked back to our room and the worst part was smelling “sickness” in every hallway all the way back to our room. Those poor CM’s!!!

Ohhh....boy.....what a doozy that first night was.......

BTW, I had never seen the bathroom in the kids' clubs. Even when my kids were involved in the Oceaneer's Lab a few years ago. Thanks so much for posting that. It is really cute.

PS: Jackie....I can spot you in the crowd ! Cute pic !

 

[JDBlair]

Hey Jackie !
Enjoying your TR so far ! Wow...so sorry your daughter got kicked. Hope she was ok. I appreciate your comments on CI&S. I strongly considered staying there the night before the cruise and I see it's a possibility for the future (well....except for that rude lady at check-in. Why do people have to be that way ).

Keep it comin' !

Thanks for reading it!! I'm glad you're enjoying it!!!
DD was okay - she has a tough head.
It's not that the lady at CI&S was rude as much as she just didn't seem "all there". DH and I joked she was either at the end of her shift or . Maybe she was tired of talking??

Ohhh....boy.....what a doozy that first night was.......

BTW, I had never seen the bathroom in the kids' clubs. Even when my kids were involved in the Oceaneer's Lab a few years ago. Thanks so much for posting that. It is really cute.

PS: Jackie....I can spot you in the crowd ! Cute pic !

I'm glad you appreciate the picture of the bathroom. I really thought it was cute!!! Here is a picture of the stall area, it is equally as cute!!

You must be good at Finding Waldo, too!!

 

[jajomo0118]

I love that you are doing all the work...lol...

I just sit back and read..... ...you do rock...

and i do have some wonderful "character breakfast" pictures of you... ...that i will be posting soon

 

[JDBlair]

I love that you are doing all the work...lol...

I just sit back and read..... ...you do rock...

and i do have some wonderful "character breakfast" pictures of you... ...that i will be posting soon

You need to write a TR because you have an entirely different perspective to the cruise. I will read it if you write it!

Why do you hate me?? (But thanks for saying I rock!!) Do we not remember that I rushed to character breakfast because we overslept? I think I came to breakfast in my pj's!!! But we're not to that part in my TR just yet!!

You better start posting those food pics on the food thread. I just posted my first one!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Loving the detail and the pictures.

I could almost feel the humidity, but you know us Zonies, anything above 10% is sticky! Out of curiousity, what did you have "Mickey and Minnie" put in the gift baskets?

 

[JDBlair]

Loving the detail and the pictures.

I could almost feel the humidity, but you know us Zonies, anything above 10% is sticky! Out of curiousity, what did you have "Mickey and Minnie" put in the gift baskets?

Zonies!! I've never heard us referred to in that way but I'm going to start using that!!! I think I'm going to take DH to Florida every summer so he can come home and appreciate our dry heat.

In the baskets, they had a ton of sand toys (DH and DS happily handed theirs over to DD!) and a big box of "movie" candy (DH had Reese's pieces and DS had Skittles). They also had some fruit snacks, peanut crackers, smaller pieces of candy and things like that. There was quite a bit. In the base of their baskets, DH had 4 cans of Dr. Pepper and DS had 4 cans of Coke. DD's basket had the same candy and snacks (her movie candy was Nerds) but her drinks were 2 bottles of water and 2 juice packets. I wasn't sure how much of this food they would eat since you figure you'll eat so much on the ship. But they ate everything. The juice came in handy when we'd be sitting in the room or before bed. (Saved me trips to Deck 9, that's for sure.) The men used their soda for movies and lounging around the room.

Now that we're home, DD can use the sand toys to play with her Play Doh!

 

[CruisinEars]

Still here and reading. You are a very enjoyable writer. Looking forward to the next installment. Btw, I spotted you in the crowd too.