DREAMS really do come true! 1/30 4-day Cruise Report with Tons of Photos! Video done!

[Kurby]

you're not done are you???

please tell me you have more pics to post.

i think i'll cry if you're done

 

[HallsInTheKingdom]

Cass, Thanks for sharing! Love to see and hear all the new nuances of this DREAM ship. I am on day 3 of reading through this thread and I had to comment on your Cabanna's Lunch Day At Sea.

OMG SUSHI ROLLS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to reading on. Great work so far.

 

[Timon]

you're not done are you???

please tell me you have more pics to post.

i think i'll cry if you're done

I still have a few more chapters....just been busy with some other stuff lately

Cass, Thanks for sharing! Love to see and hear all the new nuances of this DREAM ship. I am on day 3 of reading through this thread and I had to comment on your Cabanna's Lunch Day At Sea.

OMG SUSHI ROLLS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to reading on. Great work so far.

Thanks Yeah, I was so impressed with the variety they had in Cabanas

 

[Timon]

Castaway Cay Part 1

The last time I had been to Castaway Cay was in October 2009 so I hadn't seen any of the new changes that Disney had made in order to make room for the extra passengers the Dream would be carrying. To say the least, I was super impressed!

I had read about some things online...Pelican Plunge, Spring-a-Leak and the private cabanas, Cookies Too...but I didn't know that there was a whole new beach!!! WOW!!!

They did a great job and although our ship wasn't full (2700) I didn't see any crowds anywhere!! I'm used to the super crowded family beach and then large crowds at Cookies but this trip was very different!

I wanted to see all the new things so instead of just enjoying a nice relaxing day at the beach, I made sure to experience and photograph/video all the new offerings. Actually, I original had planned to bring my book that I started on the flight down and catch a few hours in the shade at Serenity Bay but two things happened that changed those plans...

1-We were told that they were able to get their hands on a Private Cabana for us to check out, which was only available between 10:30 am and 1:00pm and since this would be the only time I would ever be able to see them, it was important for me to get there!

2-As soon as I got on the island, I came down with a bad case of the guilties...this was where I REALLY started to miss my family. Here I was on the new Dream, now I was stepping onto the gorgeous Castaway Cay...all without my daughter and husband. I walked past the first beach where I saw all these little girls playing in the sand and water and my heart just started aching.

This is where I realized that I don't just LOVE Disney because I love Disney, I love it soooo much because I can share it with Rob and Kira. Without them, I just didn't feel right about it all. I could definitely feel a huge emptiness inside me and I decided just to do what I came for and get back to the ship ASAP!

We took our time getting off, we had breakfast at RP and I think we stepped off the ship at about 9:30am.

Have to admit, it was the BEST weather (for my liking!) I've ever had at CC. It was warm but not hot. Normally I am sweating throughout my whole Disney vacation (we normally go in October) and it was nice not to feel like I am about to pass out

My first priority was to experience Pelican Plunge. Honestly, because I knew it was for older kids, I didn't know very much about it. I didn't take the time to research it because it didn't apply to me. But now that I will be talking to clients who will want to know about it, I wanted to do it and speak from experience!

I had no idea just how far out you had to swim to get to it! As I passed by the CM, he asked me if I was a good swimmer, which I am, but yeah...you really need to be a pretty good swimmer to enjoy these babies!

The first thing that struck me was how FREEZING cold the water was!! Normally it's cool in October but never cold. Well, this was the first time I ever questioned whether or not I wanted to swim at CC LOL! Of course, I wanted to do this so I plunged right in to get it over with as once I started swimming, it was all good.

It wasn't too deep on the way out but it was quite a bit deeper where the slides dump you out! I did both of them and the covered one is much faster! They were both very fun and I loved every minute of it. Kira won't be doing these for a very long time

If it wasn't for trying to hit the Cabana right at 10:30, I would have gone a few more times on each one. The only thing I didn't like about them (and it's a personal thing) is the salt water up my nose..blech lol!

Here's some general photos of CC...I will post the Cabanas and Serenity Bay in their own chapters.

They had water out for the 5K runners

 

[Timon]

Castaway Cay Part 2

 

[Timon]

Castaway Cay Part 3

Back to the ship by 12pm....that is a record LOL!!!

 

[Timon]

Serenity Bay

We took the tram over to SB just to be able to take photos and video...we spent all of 5 minutes there I think and then took the tram back

Another record

 

[Timon]

Private Cabanas Part 1

When I first heard about the private cabanas, I just thought they were a total waste of time and another way for DCL to suck more money out from it's passengers. I mean $499 That's crazy!!

But after seeing one for myself, I totally would get one if I had the money

All but one of these babies were rented for the day and I can see why! Apparently they book up fast so if you want one, make sure to reserve one as soon as you get on the ship! You can't do it online, at least not yet anyway.

There is a check-in area for the Private Cabanas right as you get off of the tram and they even have a little golf cart to take you to your cabana!

Your family name is written on the Cabana # (nice touch DCL!) and it is stocked with things like water, pop,chips, fresh fruit and cold towels inside the fridge LOL! There was even sand toys for the kids.

You can make a call and get more of these things, it's like having concierge service for the day.

It was a long walk down to #15 though!

I love that they have their own little beach area.

I can see some people totally loving these but for the average joe, it's too pricey and not worth it.

Here's some pics...

 

[mmmears]

Another amazing update! Thank you for taking the time to take so many detailed photos -- I really appreciate it. The cabanas do look nice, but we had such a wonderful day at CC without one (they weren't there then) that I don't know that it would be worth the money for me...

 

[Timon]

Private Cabanas Part 2

 

[Darkrobe]

AHHHH.. i want that Day and Night Vinylmation set!!
who's going on a cruise soon?

Yeah, I wanted those too after I seen them. How do they look on your shelf?

 

[Darkrobe]

That's one my favourite photos Babe, thanks for thinking of us!

Private Cabanas Part 1

When I first heard about the private cabanas, I just thought they were a total waste of time and another way for DCL to suck more money out from it's passengers. I mean $499 That's crazy!!

But after seeing one for myself, I totally would get one if I had the money

For $500, you should get a Deed for the Day from Disney as a keepsake, at least you'll have something to show for it.
Yup, for 8hrs you had your own piece of Castaway Cay!

 

[Timon]

Yeah, I wanted those too after I seen them. How do they look on your shelf?

I sent Mike & Robin the Donald Duck ones not the Day and Night ones

Sheeesh, those D & N vinyls are getting me into so much trouble

Peace and Love

 

[Timon]

That's one my favourite photos Babe, thanks for thinking of us!

Every second of every day babe

 

[Kurby]

ok - so i don't understand something.

you can be 38" to ride the fast slides at CC but you have to be 48" to ride the much slower slide on the ship???

am i missing something about the slide on the ship? why do you have to be 10 inches taller to ride it?

 

[Cajun28]

Castaway Cay Part 3

Aw Sha, that's sweet!

One thing though, Cajun is spelled with a C, not a K......oh....wait...you were probably talking about Kira, huh?.....Nevermind

Seriously, Cass, your pictures of Castaway Cay are fantastic, thanks for sharing!

 

[bombygriz]

ok - so i don't understand something.

you can be 38" to ride the fast slides at CC but you have to be 48" to ride the much slower slide on the ship???

am i missing something about the slide on the ship? why do you have to be 10 inches taller to ride it?

If you're 38" you have to ride with a life jacket. On the AquaDuck I suspect that they didn't want to deal with those.

 

[LuvEeyore]

Loved your report...started reading at about 6p.m. and read until now!! Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to hear more!!

 

[PizzieDuster]

Is it wrong that my favorite part is the pick of the lady with the black cover up walking away ........ Great story! I would have ran in front of her - but I'm immature like that....

 

[Karen Mouse]

Another fab installment Cass

Tell me theres still more!????