DISNEY DREAM 3-night (Nov. 17-20, 2011) - CHRISTMAS PICS GALORE! - Completed 12/6!

[KevieKev05]

URGH! Those Beasts!!! Each and every cruise should count, ESPECIALLY if it cost more p/day!

Agreed! A cruise is a cruise!

Great review thanks for sharing...

Thank you!

I love your trip reports!

Thanks!!

I never went in the Quiet Cove...it's beautiful.
I'll have to get some pictures there next time.
You got some great pictures on CC and around the ship.

Yes...it's quite cozy and relaxing! We enjoyed drinking our coffee and chatting with the Cast Members.

Awesome pics! Castaway Cay looks so relaxing

I was peaking at the menu at Enchanted Cove and noticed on the "Vegetarian" menu that their selections included fish. My DS29 is a vegetarian and doesn't eat fish - I was thinking that vegetarians don't or is that vegans? Just curious! (we went to WDW in 2010 and he had the hardest time trying to explain to chefs that he doesn't eat any meat, fish or poultry which includes anything with eggs such as mayonnaise.) I was planning on a family cruise in Spring 2013 so I was concerned he wouldn't have many selections. Does anybody know if he can make certain requests with the chefs on the cruise? Thanks!

I'm not familiar with how the vegetarian menus or dietary requests work, but I'm sure if you talk with the servers and/or chefs, they would be accommodating!

Everytime I read someone's trip report and see the pictures they got, I realize even with all the pictures I take, I still miss some really great shots that other folks think of getting. You have inspired me. It never ceases to amaze me how the simplest thing can be magnificent, if framed in the right light and context.

Thanks for sharing with us.

I can't wait to go back again and get similar shots on the Fantasy.

I sure miss the Dream!

Wow...thank you for such kind words! I also get a lot of my photography ideas from others. Some people have such great eyes!

5 times in a row on AquaDuck with no wait...impressive!!!

Oh, those treats at Cove Cafe look so heavenly...yum!

How did you like Believe, and were the crowds noticably smaller during the matinee performance?

Hate that this is coming to your final night.

And would you believe we didn't have any of those treats?! I'm not making that same mistake TWICE! I'll touch on "Disney's Believe" and the crowds in my next installment.

What marvelous pictures of the aft. I have been trying so hard to find some good ones to pinpoint my stateroom, and I should have remembered to check your previous Dream TRs.

The water on CC looks so gorgeous!

You're going to be back on the Dream in a few days!!!

Thank you...I've seen people ask from time to time on the boards about good aft pictures, so that's why I took 'em! And yes, I can't believe we'll be on the Dream again in just a few more days! Can't wait!

I hope to have the final (boo!) installment posted in the next day or two!

 

[KevieKev05]

DAY 3 - November 19th, 2011 - Castaway Cay (Part 6)

Once the doors opened, we made our way to “our” seats! As the minutes passed, we realized that coming to the matinee showing was a GREAT idea. I’ve never seen the theatre so empty for a show! However, we soon found out that we attracted people to us even though the WHOLE theatre was there for them. People sat right next to, in front of, and behind us. I don’t mind, but when there are PLENTY of open seats, must you sit right on top of others, haha?! And even though I follow ALL the rules for taking pictures, I’d prefer not to have someone right next to me as I don’t want to distract them in any way.

Anyway, at 4:00, Rachel came onto the stage and spoke to us one last time. I, as I often do, started to tune out all the talking.

All I want is for the show to start each and every night. I don’t want a run down of everything that has happened or will happen. I understand why it’s done, but still, haha. However, once she got to the Pirate Party, my ears perked up (I wanted to know how it turned out since it was windy and we didn’t attend). She thanked those who made it out and said she was happy they got the fireworks out before they moved the party inside due to rain. WHAT?! It actually rained, too?! Who knew, haha?

And so, after her whole spiel (including thanking all the various departments on the ship and going over the debarkation process), the show finally started. It’s a good show. I wasn’t the biggest fan the first time I saw it, but by my second and third showing, it isn’t too bad. There are a few good scenes and a few not-so-good ones as well. I always love the “Princess and the Frog” segment, though...so full of energy! Enough talking...how about some pictures?!

 

[KevieKev05]

DAY 3 - November 19th, 2011 - Castaway Cay (Part 7)

 

[KevieKev05]

DAY 3 - November 19th, 2011 - Castaway Cay (Part 8)

 

[KevieKev05]

DAY 3 - November 19th, 2011 - Castaway Cay (Part 9)

Once the show ended, we fought our way out of the theatre. Just kidding! It was the smoothest exit out of the theatre we’ve ever encountered! We decided to make our way up to the top deck to try and catch the sunset and our departure from Castaway Cay.

We got up top, and noticed it was getting kind of cloudy out and we wouldn’t be able to see quite the sunset I was expecting. It was still pretty, though!

Cast Members on the dock waving goodbye to us:

Goodbye Castaway Cay!

 

[KevieKev05]

DAY 3 - November 19th, 2011 - Castaway Cay (Part 10)

As we made our way all the way forward, we noticed we could easily see into the concierge area!

Castaway Cay in the distance:

After enjoying the views, we went back down to atrium and through the shops yet again! I took pictures of the “Golden Mickey” ornament I bought the day prior:

And then more random shop pictures:

Once we were finished with looking around, we went back to our room to get ready for dinner. At about 7:50, we were making our way back downstairs again. While walking around, I took pictures of all the menus.

Those with a sharp eye and a good memory might notice something different on the Enchanted Garden menu from the picture I took earlier in the day. When I first took a picture of the menu, it was a “Spinach and Raspberry Salad” listed on the menu. On the menu I just took a picture of, it’s a “Baby Spinach Salad.” How weird?! James only noticed because he wanted to get the Spinach and Raspberry salad.

Anyway, we were let into the restaurant at 8:15 and we were directed to our table. We were the first to arrive again, so we grab a couple of seats. As we were sitting down, we noticed these seats were DIRECTLY in those little lights they shine to illuminate the restaurant. We’ve experienced sitting in these lights before and it gets SUPER hot. So, we went to the other side of the table. While waiting for our tablemates, I took a couple of pictures.

 

[KevieKev05]

DAY 3 - November 19th, 2011 - Castaway Cay (Part 11)

Once everyone was seated, we had our drink orders taken (YAY!) and food orders taken shortly thereafter. I ordered the lobster ravioli for an appetizer and the prime rib for an entree. Both were okay...nothing too exciting. I can’t remember what James got for an appetizer and/or soup/salad, but I know he got the prime rib as well. He said his prime rib was good, which is a better response than what I gave. I tried two desserts this evening. One was a warm lemon pudding (interesting is all I can say about it) and the other was the banana foster sundae (just average). I believe James got the sundae as well, and felt the same way. By 9:30-9:45, we were finishing up and leaving the restaurant (not before the head server came around collecting his tip, and then we said goodbye to our servers and handed them their tip). We got the spiel about breakfast the following morning, but we didn’t plan on attending.

We then went back to our room to change and get our luggage set out.

Once we did that, we went back to the atrium to wait for the character farewell. It started a little after 10:15. It begins with the characters being introduced:

After introduced, the characters make their way to certain areas in the atrium to begin their meet and greet. This is how we remembered it from before. However, after Mickey was introduced, the princesses entered from the sides on deck 3! That was new to us.

Feeling the same as we did on our previous Dream cruises (not impressed with the farewell), we left before the end when the characters all meet on the staircase and say goodbye. Also, we didn’t want to wait 20 minutes while the characters did their meet and greets.

So, we went back to our room where we proceeded to order room service! We both were still a little hungry, so I gave room service a call. What started out as a cheese plate and a fruit bowl turned into those two things PLUS a cheeseburger and fries and the “big island cookie”! I couldn’t stop myself, haha. It came within 15 minutes and we devoured it. We ate it ALL! Wow! Once we were thoroughly stuffed, we set our wake up call, continued watching whatever movie we were watching, and started to fall asleep....

 

[KevieKev05]

DAY 4 - November 20th, 2011 - Port Canaveral

I was up just in time for our wake up call at 7:20. I stepped out onto the verandah and saw this:

Ugh...I guess we didn’t turn around and go back to Castaway Cay!

We showered and then went upstairs to Cabanas for a quick breakfast. Within 10 minutes, we were back in our room gathering our things and heading out. We went down to the lobby and walked right off the ship (at about 8:05).

They swiped our Key to the World Cards for the last time and we made our way to the luggage holding area. We quickly found our luggage and then entered the line to proceed through Customs. It was long, but moved fast. In about 5 minutes or so, we were through and making our way outside of the terminal.

James called the Park & Cruise people and they told us where to go to catch the shuttle back. We made our way to the pick up point, and within 5 minutes, they were pulling up! We got our things loaded, waited for a few more people, and we were on our way in another 5 minutes. Once back at the Park & Cruise, we unloaded, tipped the driver, and got in our car and left! Just like that, the vacation was over!


**I hope you enjoyed reading the trip report! I finished it just in time...we leave in two days for another Dream cruise! I’m not sure if I’ll do another trip report or not. If I do, I don’t imagine it will have as many pictures as I pretty much photographed EVERYTHING on this cruise, haha. Thanks for reading and please continue to comment and ask questions! **

 

[LuvEeyore]

Kevin,
I love your pictures and report. Thanks again for doing this report. I do understand not wanting to hear the cruise director talk before the shows. I understand at the 1st show, the se ya real soon character showing and deck parties but the shows...is it really necessary?

 

[Pinkocto]

Thanks so much for sharing! I loved seeing the ship dolled up for Christmas!
So do you guys prefer breakfast at Cabanas the last morning or breakfast in the restaurants? Is it the food offerings or the servers that sway you?

You're taking your parents this weekend right?

 

[KevieKev05]

Kevin,
I love your pictures and report. Thanks again for doing this report. I do understand not wanting to hear the cruise director talk before the shows. I understand at the 1st show, the se ya real soon character showing and deck parties but the shows...is it really necessary?

Precisely! Thanks for understanding!

Thanks so much for sharing! I loved seeing the ship dolled up for Christmas!
So do you guys prefer breakfast at Cabanas the last morning or breakfast in the restaurants? Is it the food offerings or the servers that sway you?

You're taking your parents this weekend right?

We typically go to our assigned dining room for debarkation breakfast. However (for this cruise), we didn't have the desire to be formally served by our waitstaff, nor the desire to make small talk with our tablemates. It takes more time and at that point, the cruise is over so we're just ready to move on. We found Cabanas to be perfect for our needs. We grabbed precisely what we wanted, ate it in peace, and were on our way VERY fast. All at our pace! Plus, we didn't lug our carry-on luggage up to Cabanas. We basically "snuck" out of our room so that our room steward didn't start cleaning it. We just swung back by the room to pick it up after we ate (since it took all of 10 minutes). If we went to the dining rooms, we would've had to take our luggage with us (since it would've taken a good 30 minutes and the room steward would've started cleaning our room).

And, yes, Mom & Dad will be joining us for the cruise!

 

[Pinkocto]

Safe travels tomorrow, I hope you have a fabulous trip!

I'm sorry your waitstaff were not as fabulous as on previous cruises, I hope this next cruise you luck out better

 

[jenseib]

This was a fabulous report...thank you so much for sharing...And have fun this weekend!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Access denied! Your photos are apparently too popular to be viewed ... it looks like. Boo Photobucket! Boo!

 

[jenseib]

Access denied! Your photos are apparently too popular to be viewed ... it looks like. Boo Photobucket! Boo!

Good thing I read earlier today. LOL! he'll need to go pro,....his pictures are so good

 

[KevieKev05]

Access denied! Your photos are apparently too popular to be viewed ... it looks like. Boo Photobucket! Boo!

Seriously?! How frustrating! I actually have a Pro account, so this shouldn't happen. I have an inquiry in to them, but a response could take up to 48 hours. Here's hoping it gets fixed soon!

 

[KevieKev05]

Alright, friends! Photobucket fixed the mistake...my pictures can now be seen again! Yay!

 

[Shell54]

Yay! Your photos are back. I've been enjoying your TR. It's interesting how many Dream items are on sale in the shops..deep discounts too. A shopper could have a great time As always I enjoyed your photos & commentary..great TR.

 

[jenseib]

Seriously?! How frustrating! I actually have a Pro account, so this shouldn't happen. I have an inquiry in to them, but a response could take up to 48 hours. Here's hoping it gets fixed soon!

Oh man...what a pain, glad they got it fixed

 

[kmedina]

You're going to love it! I absolutely love that show! I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but boy do I enjoy it!

I really did love the Golden Mickey's show. My husband liked Believe better. We both agree that Villians Tonight is the worst of the three. They were all good though, so even the worst was not bad. Animator's Palate was my favorite of the three restaurants as well, for ambiance and food. You got some great shots. I am uploading our shots now (my husband took most of the pictures), and our shots pale in comparison to yours. He is better at manual mode than I am, but was not interested in bringing the camera to any of the shows. It turned out to be a bummer during the Golden Mickey's when my son was picked to be a Dwarf. He did get some lousy cell phone video, but that is all she wrote on that.

Were you on the 12-08-11 Dream cruise as well? That is the one we were on. Wasn't the weather lovely? Three days is just not enough time to explore the ship. There are a few places you took pictures of that we never even saw. Next time, we need to do the four or five day one. I enjoyed your trip report very much. Thank you.