Dream a Little Dream With Me - 4/3 Final two posts!!!! Hope to see you real soon!

[Happydog]

This is a very exciting TR for me to write

I just got off the Disney Dream! - a cruise that we booked last February when we were on the Wonder taking a short cruise, just DH and I. I hadn’t really been watching the time tick away, but after Christmas it really hit home that we were going to be onboard the new ship in a few short months!

Let me say I have totally enjoyed the past DCL adventures we have had, but this one was AMAZING! We are not avid cruisers, in fact we have never taken our kids!, but I think this last cruise, and the next few we now have planned, is the beginning of a “beautiful friend SHIP…” Yeah, yeah, sorry for the corny joke! Still am giddy after all the fun we had!

SO… let the fun begin! First, the lowdown and the trip details:

Feb 19th Arrive at MCO, one day car rental, and an overnight at BLT – MK view!

Feb 20th Check out of BLT, and head down to Port Canaveral for our adventure aboard the Disney Dream!

Feb 20th – 24th A four night cruise!!! Nassau, Castaway Cay and 2 day/nights at sea.

Feb 24th return home, rested, and tan…

SO, I am Happy Dog on the DIS, just by way of introductions! For those of you who don’t know me, I am a mom of two boys, and my DH is a great guy, who actually enjoys himself at Disney – he is not a “head over heels no where BUT Disney” kind of guy, but he appreciates the amazing attention to detail, the entertainment value, the showmanship involved, and he enjoys eating… He also recognizes that our kids LOVE going. So it has become a great family place for us. We are fortunate enough to vacation many other places, too, so we have been able to find balance. He also loves a good deal when it comes to Disney, and we have had our share of luck that way, these February cruises included!

Here is DH at Castaway Cay… You will see lots of him in this TR, but less of me, so here I am, on embarkation day!, sitting in the chair of all chairs…. Cinderella’s!!!!

This mosaic is a replica of those in Cinderella’s castle at the Magic Kingdom…there are two onboard. I have photos of both (the other is on the opposite side of the ship’s lobby which has a blue chair for the prince I guess!)

DH and I justified this cruise as our “scouting” mission… ... last year we had booked TWO cruises, this one we just returned from, AND a family cruise in June, the 5 night cruise with two stops at Castaway Cay! Since we would be on the Dream, we wanted to check things out ahead of time. If you want to follow our Summer plans, which is 5 nights on the Dream and 5 nights at Disney's Vero Beach, see the link below in my signature, or click, HERE.

I have tons of photos, both from our pre-cruise fun and the ship. I am setting up my TR by the day, and will focus on some of the highlights and features of the ship that I think my fellow DISer pals would want to know…
I will also give you a list of “tips” that I came up with, just observing others, and my own recommendations based on our experience this time.

Without a doubt, I love Disney, and Disney makes it really easy to love Disney Cruise Line!!!!

Hope you will join me!

 

[Native NYer]

Yay!!! You started!!!

 

[Happydog]

Yay!!! You started!!!

YEP! I sure did! This is going to be a fun TR to write!!!! More later! Gotta take advantage of the 60 degree weather!!! Boys are outgrowing the house today

 

[Native NYer]

YEP! I sure did! This is going to be a fun TR to write!!!! More later! Gotta take advantage of the 60 degree weather!!! Boys are outgrowing the house today

I can't wait!!!
I'll be back later to read some more. About to take a walk/run by the bay.

 

[Happydog]

I can't wait!!!
I'll be back later to read some more. About to take a walk/run by the bay.

Great! And you are first! SO YAY for that, too! Enjoy being outside!

 

[KayW]

We were on the same trip. Can't wait to hear about your adventure!

 

[teachermommy78]

Subbing! You are the first diser I've followed since jointing the board from PTR to TR! It's so much fun seeing the whole journey!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I'm here HD!! So, so, so excited to hear about this trip!

You look absolutely pretty as a princess sitting in Cinderella's chair

 

[MrsKP]

looking forward to your report and photos

 

[Mom2CJ&Kitty]

Subbing! Can't wait to hear more!!

 

[lovegrumpy]

Yea you started. Can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[Disneymoon09]

very excited to follow along!

 

[Dugette]

I'm here and anxious to hear all about the Dream!

 

[Wadekind]

subbing

 

[dddisrunner]

I'm onboard too Ive been anxiously waiting for this TR! WELCOME HOME!

 

[stace208]

Great start! Can't wait to read more!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Here!
Even with a houseful watching the Oscars!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Faithful reader here... can't wait for more

 

[Happydog]

So on Saturday morning, we made our way out of the house and off to the Airport! The wake up call came early, I must confess – especially after being up until 2am the night before!!

But as you all know, excitement can get the best of you, and so I bounded out of bed at 5:30. Yes, read that correctly, THREE and a ½ hours of sleep!!! Well, into the shower, and out of the shower I got, and then busied myself with the final packing of toiletries, things I didn't want to wrinkle too much, etc. DH followed suit, and lugged the suitcases down to the car. I ran around frantically watering my plants (my Mother in Law is not one to do so! LOL!) and finishing the notes I typed for her while she watched the boys for the time we were away.

We were on the road at 7am, and headed over to my brother in law’s house. He had graciously offered to take us to the airport. We transferred cars (leaving ours parked at his house) and he chauffeured us to the airport. Once checked in and through security, we had time to wait -- so we grabbed some tasty breakfast burritos, lattes, and some seats! Boarding began soon after, with a very high wind – my DH was sweating bullets in anticipation – he HATES bumpy rides on airplanes (doesn’t seem to mind them if they are in a theme park, so I really have little sympathy!!! ) As it turned out, take off was not an issue at all, and the ride to Orlando uneventful! We both dozed. Gotta love the noise cancelling headphones! Before we knew it, we were landing!

I headed to get the luggage, while DH got the car sorted out. We had decided to rent a car for one day, with a pickup at MCO and a drop off at Port Canaveral. It was incredibly reasonable! Especially since the DCL resort pickup for the two of us was more than the car! DH also likes to be in control of how and when he gets places, so he has never been fond of Magic Express. Regardless, I couldn’t argue b/c I was very anxious about getting to the terminal early. So with our car rental secured, our luggage in hand, we headed to DISNEY!

I always love that gate view!

We pulled up to The Contemporary to check in. We arrived at 11:30ish – I know it was before noon! Apparently our room was ready! Score! So we got a great parking space in the Bay Lake Tower’s parking lot, and headed up to the 8th floor, to our MK view studio! I know it was only for one night, but I was looking forward to it, especially since we were not going to the parks.

So we slid our KTW into the door and…

Wait.

There must be a mistake.

I peeked in and seeing luggage, and an unmade bed, and shut the door double quick! So with that surprise, we headed BACK to the BLT lobby, and spoke to the CM there. She called, and unfortunately they had made a mistake, but now our room wouldn’t be ready before 3 or so. We were asked to return to the desk at the Contemporary. So we took the path BACK over, and we got a new room # and the promise of a text when it was ready. They also threw in a $50.00 credit for good measure and the trouble -- GEE, you know I wasn't going to complain about the room not being ready??!! I was too busy thinking about how I could use it!!!

This all taken care of, we headed outside, dumped out luggage in the car, save our swim suits, and ducked into the changing rooms at the Contemporary pool… Suits on, we walked straight to the pool bar! And with a drink in hand, headed to the quiet pool, where they have cabanas, the pool that is out past the marina. It was a lovely way to while away a few hours, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely! I just adored feeling the sun on my face after such awful weather the past few months!

View from my lounge chair…

So at about 3:00 our phone buzzed with a room #, and shortly after DH and headed up to our room with our luggage.

While hanging out at the pool, DH asked me what we were doing for dinner. I said "California Grill. We have a ressie there at 8pm." He sat a little while longer, then piped up with, “so you know we are not going to make it without eating until 8pm… “ I said, “uh huh”…(I had visions of pizza at the Contempo Cafe or one of their scrumptious sandwiches!) He came back with “Hey, I know what we can do!” (I was thinking DTD of course, but no, that was not his plan) “Okay, and?” I asked. His expert, well rehearsed reply ... “We have just enough time for a cocktail and some fabulous crab nachos – I hear Blue Zoo calling…”

In case you don’t know, my DH is not one to mess around with food. If he knows he likes it, he will eat it; again and again. And this is especially true at Disney. Hence, we have eaten more than our fair share of Lobster Rolls during the F & W (while on the Dining plan he was beside himself that they were considered a “snack credit”) While at Disney this past summer we ate at Narcoossee’s TWICE, and Le Cellier TWICE, and not to be outdone, when we were at Disney after Thanksgiving for a few days, we hit the bar at Todd English’s Blue Zoo TWICE for a half order of Crab Nachos and some killer drinks.

Well, he didn’t have to twist my arm too much… By 5 we were in the car and on our way...

More BLUE Zoo, Cali Grill, and a view of WISHES coming up!!!

 

[Happydog]

So to continue....here are a few photos of the Blue Zoo. I took these without a flash. DH HATES food porn photos and hates it when I use a flash. It is really dark in the Blue Zoo. Even at 5pm!! But the photo I took of the nachos looked NASTY, so I can’t share it I guarantee you will NOT be disappointed if you go. Have an order for me! But only get a half order for two to share… it is PLENTY and they are really rich.

So, satiated and "happy" we strolled around the boardwalk for a short bit, then headed back to BLT to enjoy the Top of the World Lounge! That was our next big goal that evening. At this point I just kissed my plans to go to DTD goodbye. That wasn’t happening!!!

Here are some shots from our room balcony!

MK view is amazing, but I am not sure I could stomach the extra price it takes to get it every time. We have stayed at BLT before (just this past summer) and had a view of the marina on the bottom floor. I frankly loved that room. This was amazing too, but I know it takes more points than the others.

Even though I didn't get to go to DTD, I am glad we just ended up spending the time together, reading, and hanging out. We had been so busy the few weeks prior to the trip, it was nice not to have to rush off to the next thing… Unless that “thing” happens to be a date at the “Top of the World”!!! So here we are up in the lounge. We each ordered a drink. I had something with “muddled” raspberries, and he had the Agave margarita…

I LOVE this chandelier. It is amazing to look at. I don't know if it has anything to do with the muddled rasberries making me a wee bit muddled , but I really think ALL the light fixtures at BLT are incredible. So creative and so pretty.


I think we sat there for close to an hour. We were mostly finished with our cocktails, but getting close to our Dinner reservation, so our server transferred our drinks into plastic cups, and we walked across the sky bridge and up to the Cali Grill desk. I was really glad we had reservations. I made them months ago, mind you, but it was very busy, and they were not accepting walkups – even in the lounge area! So up we went, and it was JUST in time for Wishes! SO we went outside, but as soon as we went outside our table buzzer lit up! We turned around and when we went to be seated we found out that we were sitting with a spectacular view of Wishes after all, so we chose to sit at the table and enjoy the view!!! Sorry for the glare on the glass, but obviously the view was much better than my camera suggests!

Our server gave us time to see the show, then came back for our orders. We finished our drinks, and DH and I split a flatbread, then each had sushi. We also had dessert! Something banana, I can’t remember!

For only being at Disney that half a day, I have to say it was a very FULL day! We had a great evening, and headed back to the resort room, where visions of stateroom doors danced in our heads!

Next up: A quiet morning with a beautiful sunrise, AND a Disney cruise send off!!!