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

[MEK]

What a lovely last day at sea. How wonderful that you got to see all the princesses come out. The little girls on the cruise must have been in heaven.

I've really enjoyed your cruise TR. I know I will eventually go on a cruise and its nice to get educated in such a fun way.

 

[manntra]

What a wonderful last full day
Beautiful, beautiful artwork!!
Love that Alice portrait!! How cool!!
Awww the Princess'!! I can't imagine being a little girl or having a little girl...must be so thrilling!!

Tracy

 

[Happydog]

SO after a very pleasant afternoon it was time to get downstairs and pack a little, so I wasn’t trying to do too much at the end of the night. DH came down and took a shower, and while he was doing that, I started some preliminary packing….

This was probably the longest I had spent in the room!

While I was packing up I continued to get distracted by the porthole! And all the “visitors” who came by. I finally got my camera out and started snapping photos…

Here are the pics I took, keep in mind this is only HALF of what we saw over the course of the four nights, but the most in an hour…

Keep in mind, I also saw Flick from BUGS, Lightening McQueen, Peter Pan and Tink, Mickey and Minnie, in an airplane!, Dory and the Stingray with his "school", and a few others.... it was really delightful.

So after about an hour, which included packing showering and getting ready for the evening, DH and I then decided to catch a movie, which in this case, was Gnomeo and Juliet. It was one of the films they were playing on the ship, which had just come out in theaters as well, so it was fun to see!

We headed down to deck 4 booked our new cruises WOOT! WOOT! and then DH grabbed two frozen lattes while I went out on deck to look around. I happened to stumble upon TWO friendly faces…

The next thing I knew, they started coming at me and the CM said "lets get a picture of you all!" I had to laugh, and there I was taking a photo with Daisy and Donald!!! It was really windy and my hair was still damp and blowing all over the place, but they look really cute! It was fun… It was a little blury and I tried to sharpen the image, but either way it was just a fun surprise!

I didn’t realize how short these characters are! I don’t regularly take photos with them, but on the cruises I have noticed how accessible the characters are. I hope my own kids have fun doing the same thing this cruise. They have never been really “character meet and greet” kids… we’ll see.


DH and I sat out on deck, enjoyed our frozen lattes, for a little bit (I got these two of the sun as it was starting to set)

MORE in the next POST!!!

 

[Happydog]

As we were sitting there enjoying the view, I remembered that I wanted to get arcade cards for the kids, so DH went to the movie theater to get us some seats, and I zipped up the elevator to get the cards, and took these along the way… The Nemo's area was closed at that point, but it was cute to see For some reason it looked like they had closed it early?

Arcade cards in hand, I scurried back down to the theater, coming in on the last trailer for, you guessed it, PIRATES.... If you have not seen that trailer, google it, TOTALLY worth it, and I can't wait to see Johnny Depp, err, the MOVIE. So the movie we were there to see was cute! I am glad we were able to see it! Cute story line, and loved the Literary parallel, I could see English teachers having a lot of fun with excerpts from this movie!!!

I made DH take this photos so you can see the size of these portholes!!! He was not amused LOL!

And then we dashed in directly to see the last musical stage show “Believe” It was AMAZING… it wasn’t the same as the show they had on the Wonder… the technology and the stage craft was INCREDIBLE, the performances fabulous, it was really a great end, and leaves you with really great Disney warm fuzzies... If anyone ever DOUBTS that they will continue to have Disney vacations, they only need to see a show like that to make them book another vacation or cruise instantly. Gosh they are good at keeping their customer base. BUT that is another story all together.

After, we headed to dinner at the Royal Palace. It was a another great way to end the cruise… dinner was wonderful – the food didn’t disappoint! Service was good, our team was really nice, even though we hadn't spent too much time with them, we still tipped them well at the end of that night (for the whole cruise). And at dinner, we enjoyed a bottle of sparkling wine … The “Fairy Tale Cuvee” which was quite good! Just a few photos I took...

As we were leaving the restaurant the lobby "farewell" show was gearing up… so we decided to stick around and watch… We browsed in the shops a little (again) waiting for it to start…

And, that was it!

We headed back to the room, ONE more time, and sleep it was time for! My final post has a lot of photos I took just around the ship while we were waiting to disembark. I will share those in my next update along with my souvenirs!

 

[Charleston Princess]

This is what happens when I am not on the DIS all week -- four updates!

Love the Dooney and Bourke bags! I really like them!

What a fun brunch chatting with the waiters about your spring break trip!

How nice someone thought to cover your books! You know the book lover in me wants to know what you were reading.

The pictures that move are really neat -- makes me think of the ones in Hogwarts. LOL!

You know, I never would have thought that there would be Disney characters in the portholes. Ha ha ha! Disney thinks of everything!

The picture with Donald and Daisy is adorable! Your hair is getting long!

Yes, there is a lot of excitement at our house over the new Pirates movie! Can't wait!!!

 

[Happydog]

What a lovely last day at sea. How wonderful that you got to see all the princesses come out. The little girls on the cruise must have been in heaven.

I've really enjoyed your cruise TR. I know I will eventually go on a cruise and its nice to get educated in such a fun way.

It was very cute! I don't get to see that very often, and with boys, not a chance!

I am glad you are! I like writing them, I realize other people are probably much more detailed and informative and practical, we sort of travel the way we travel, and probably miss stuff, or do things differently than others would, but maybe that is why reading TRs is fun. You take what you can or want from each!

What a wonderful last full day
Beautiful, beautiful artwork!!
Love that Alice portrait!! How cool!!
Awww the Princess'!! I can't imagine being a little girl or having a little girl...must be so thrilling!!

Tracy

The ship is FILLED with it -- like the Wonder and Magic, but still it is so neat to see. I am going to spend more time looking at it this summer...

It was neat to watch Alice's painting come to life!

They were in Princess Heaven!!!!

 

[Happydog]

This is what happens when I am not on the DIS all week -- four updates!

Love the Dooney and Bourke bags! I really like them!

What a fun brunch chatting with the waiters about your spring break trip!

How nice someone thought to cover your books! You know the book lover in me wants to know what you were reading.

The pictures that move are really neat -- makes me think of the ones in Hogwarts. LOL!

You know, I never would have thought that there would be Disney characters in the portholes. Ha ha ha! Disney thinks of everything!

The picture with Donald and Daisy is adorable! Your hair is getting long!

Yes, there is a lot of excitement at our house over the new Pirates movie! Can't wait!!!

HA! Yes I was wondering where you have been!!!! Life certainly can get in the way of DISing!!!!

I was catching up myself last night!!! I did a big update on my PTR too!

It is maybe a little longer, I had just gotten it cut and done the week before, actually!, Usually at Disney it is UP! off my neck! I may cut it at the shoulder before Spring Break.

Hogwarts! YES! Good connection!!! The just start talking/moving, and do catch you off guard like in HP!

OH HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW LEGOS FOR PIRATES??!! AND THE NEW LEGO Wii game??!! THAT is part of my trip surprise bday bag fun for the summer most certainly!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

HA! Yes I was wondering where you have been!!!! Life certainly can get in the way of DISing!!!!

Too much so, sometimes!

I was catching up myself last night!!! I did a big update on my PTR too!

Headed over there next!!!

It is maybe a little longer, I had just gotten it cut and done the week before, actually!, Usually at Disney it is UP! off my neck! I may cut it at the shoulder before Spring Break.

I always wear my hair up at Disney, too! It's just too hot to do otherwise.

OH HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW LEGOS FOR PIRATES??!! AND THE NEW LEGO Wii game??!! THAT is part of my trip surprise bday bag fun for the summer most certainly!!!

Really??? Must head over to the Lego site to see all that fun! You know, I can't help but theme our trips, so I am going with a pirate theme for the beach trip. That was one of my selling points to Connor -- there were actual pirates that used to hang out along the coast. We will be exploring an old fort and lighthouse just for him. So, needless to say, I am going to be gathering some pirate-themed stuff...

Oh, and have you bought bathing suits from Athleta before? Are they pretty true to size? I am treating myself for this trip with a new suit -- I found one I like over there, but I have never bought anything from them before...

 

[Happydog]

Really??? Must head over to the Lego site to see all that fun! You know, I can't help but theme our trips, so I am going with a pirate theme for the beach trip. That was one of my selling points to Connor -- there were actual pirates that used to hang out along the coast. We will be exploring an old fort and lighthouse just for him. So, needless to say, I am going to be gathering some pirate-themed stuff...

Oh, and have you bought bathing suits from Athleta before? Are they pretty true to size? I am treating myself for this trip with a new suit -- I found one I like over there, but I have never bought anything from them before...

Wait wait wait! Where did I miss "the Beach" ??!! Is that added to your disney vacation or later? When??!! Where??!!! Give me the details!

RE Athleta, I have not purchased a suit from them, but I have been very pleased with my purchases throughout. They do offer free shipping back, I believe, on returns... I think you should be safe with their stuff. I do think they make good quality suits, I have heard, and the reviews always suggest that (they are made for activities, after all, not just beach-ing )

Fun to get those purchases for yourself now and then, right? I just bought a bunch of shorts, and such for the boys, sheesh!! Thank goodness I can pass them down one to the other!

Oh! AND the legos are not on the site yet -- just google Pirates of the Carribbean lego sets, and you can see them!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Wait wait wait! Where did I miss "the Beach" ??!! Is that added to your disney vacation or later? When??!! Where??!!! Give me the details!

Head over to my PTR -- the sad news is on there. Really, I am trying to be upbeat about it. It's a vacation, we will have fun, it's someplace new...

RE Athleta, I have not purchased a suit from them, but I have been very pleased with my purchases throughout. They do offer free shipping back, I believe, on returns... I think you should be safe with their stuff. I do think they make good quality suits, I have heard, and the reviews always suggest that (they are made for activities, after all, not just beach-ing )

I think I am going to try one -- I have the hardest time deciding on bathing suits.

Fun to get those purchases for yourself now and then, right? I just bought a bunch of shorts, and such for the boys, sheesh!! Thank goodness I can pass them down one to the other!

Speaking of...Chelsea needs new shorts, otherwise we will be calling her Daisy Duke soon...that girl is all legs right now!

Oh! AND the legos are not on the site yet -- just google Pirates of the Carribbean lego sets, and you can see them!!

I did! So cute!!! Did you see the new Pirates games on the Lego site -- there is one called the Pirate Code -- it may need to come live at our house. LOL!

 

[Happydog]

Head over to my PTR -- the sad news is on there. Really, I am trying to be upbeat about it. It's a vacation, we will have fun, it's someplace new...

OF course I got that news as soon as I saw on FB, but hey, I wrote up my thoughts on your PTR, so I won't repeat them, but you have lots to be upbeat about I think and yes you will have great fun and it is some place new, and we get to go with you!!! I'll be counting on you for that!!!

I think I am going to try one -- I have the hardest time deciding on bathing suits.

Oh go for it! You probably can fit into anything Ms. Minnie! I have too many measurments to contend with I have to try them on to make sure everything is accounted for and I don't embarrass myself

Which pattern? They have a really pretty batik type print, very fun stuff... I like their tankinis, too cute!

Speaking of...Chelsea needs new shorts, otherwise we will be calling her Daisy Duke soon...that girl is all legs right now!

Well, I hear that is the style on the beach these days... of course Charles will have to beat away the young fellows on the beach with a tiki torch, but he'll need something to do anyhow So on second thought, yes, get her some bermudas...

I did! So cute!!! Did you see the new Pirates games on the Lego site -- there is one called the Pirate Code -- it may need to come live at our house. LOL!

I saw that one too!!!! I agree it looked cute! Fun! AND perfect for a game to take to the beach I might add!!! Sigh, somehow I don't think a lego version of Captain Jack Sparrow will generate quite the same visceral response out of me ....

 

[Charleston Princess]

OF course I got that news as soon as I saw on FB, but hey, I wrote up my thoughts on your PTR, so I won't repeat them, but you have lots to be upbeat about I think and yes you will have great fun and it is some place new, and we get to go with you!!! I'll be counting on you for that!!!

I have become conditioned to take tons of pictures for trip reports, so you know I will have to have an outlet for them.

Oh go for it! You probably can fit into anything Ms. Minnie! I have too many measurments to contend with I have to try them on to make sure everything is accounted for and I don't embarrass myself

Which pattern? They have a really pretty batik type print, very fun stuff... I like their tankinis, too cute!

The tankini is the style I like the best -- there is a paisley print which also comes in a chocolate brown color that I like.

Well, I hear that is the style on the beach these days... of course Charles will have to beat away the young fellows on the beach with a tiki torch, but he'll need something to do anyhow So on second thought, yes, get her some bermudas...

The image of Charles fending off boys with a tiki torch makes me laugh out loud!

I saw that one too!!!! I agree it looked cute! Fun! AND perfect for a game to take to the beach I might add!!! Sigh, somehow I don't think a lego version of Captain Jack Sparrow will generate quite the same visceral response out of me ....

Yeah, the Lego version of Captain Jack would just not be quite the same. Speaking of, Charles finally watched the third Pirates movie with us last night. He hadn't seen it yet, and I pointed out he probably would want to before the fourth one comes out in two months.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Wow! I never would have thought that those portholes had Disney characters interacting in them. How cute! Jeremy would love that. Now you got me rethinking whether or not to do a balcony or an inside stateroom. Too many decisions to make!!!

Love the picture with Donald and Daisy!

I have really enjoyed following your trip.

Erika

 

[manntra]

The portholes are so groovy!! I can see why those staterooms have become so popular!
Cute picture of you and the ducks!!
Oh I have seen the trailer for Pirates Mmm mmm mmm!!

Tracy

 

[eandesmom]

That porthole is SOOOO cool!

RE Athleta, I have not purchased a suit from them, but I have been very pleased with my purchases throughout. They do offer free shipping back, I believe, on returns... I think you should be safe with their stuff. I do think they make good quality suits, I have heard, and the reviews always suggest that (they are made for activities, after all, not just beach-ing )

hijacking here. I have several Athleta suits, in fact it's all I own now. I bought one in the fall on clearance, liked it so much I snapped up a bunch more separates at dirt cheap prices. I want to say I put together something like 5 different suits going mix and match for around $100! I am super short waisted and have a really hard time with one pieces (I did try theirs but the same issue) but their separates are fabulous for the uh "more mature" woman. LOL. It's funny, if you read the reviews there are a lot that are from 40-50 year old women buying the 2 piece separates and raving about them. The coverage is outstanding and the quality is great. I guess all I mean is they aren't designed for teens and it shows, in a really good way.

Granted I don't have a full season's wear out of them yet but did test drive each one back in Palm Springs in November and was really happy with them (so was Jeff). LOL!

 

[Charleston Princess]

hijacking here. I have several Athleta suits, in fact it's all I own now. I bought one in the fall on clearance, liked it so much I snapped up a bunch more separates at dirt cheap prices. I want to say I put together something like 5 different suits going mix and match for around $100! I am super short waisted and have a really hard time with one pieces (I did try theirs but the same issue) but their separates are fabulous for the uh "more mature" woman. LOL. It's funny, if you read the reviews there are a lot that are from 40-50 year old women buying the 2 piece separates and raving about them. The coverage is outstanding and the quality is great. I guess all I mean is they aren't designed for teens and it shows, in a really good way.

Granted I don't have a full season's wear out of them yet but did test drive each one back in Palm Springs in November and was really happy with them (so was Jeff). LOL!

Thanks, Cynthia! I am super short waisted, too, so I am very pleased to hear your rave reviews!

 

[SoonerGirl]

That porthole is so cool! Wonder if I could talk someone with an inside stateroom into letting me hang out and watch it for awhile?

I am hoping that the show Believe will have the effect you are talking about on Don.......

I am SO excited for Pirates 4 to come out, I may have watched the trailer once or twice, or maybe even a few more times than that I am thinking that it will probably be one of the movies showing on the ship when we sail, but I don't think I can wait that long to see it after it comes out.

 

[eandesmom]

Thanks, Cynthia! I am super short waisted, too, so I am very pleased to hear your rave reviews!

I'd give them a try, I'm thrilled with them!

As an fyi, I have better luck with the low tide bottoms. I've tried all 3 cuts and those work best on me due to the short waist.

 

[lillygator]

great report - I love the porthole!! How cool!

 

[mrskcich]

Oh sure! I like writing TRs, and hope others enjoy reading them

It has been great fun!

Thank you so much for your TR!!!! I have learned so much and now, I have a few questions...if you don't mind!! I read your entire TR and wrote down questions so I wouldn't forget them. We are taking our first DCL cruise on the Dream, Feb 12, 2012 with my 4 kids...DS 14, DD 12, DD 6, DD 3. We have cruised on Carnival ships before, my kids have never been. So, here are my questions....

What was the temperature like? Was the water cold? I'm afraid with it being Feb that it will be too chilly to swim (even though your pics of Castaway Cay showed plenty of people enjoying the water).

Online it says men should wear a jacket and women a dress/skirt for dinner. Are they finicky about this? What is suitable attire for the rotation dining for me and my kids?

At Castaway Cay, is the BBQ and other food included in the cruise or do we pay for that? What about the plunge slide thing at Castaway Cay...is that included?

The coffee shop you spoke highly of...is that included??

I want to make sure I know what is included and what I need to expect to pay for. I very much enjoyed reading your TR and look forward to reading more of your WD experiences.


Thank so much for your help!!!!