DVC Firsts - BCV, MNSSHP, '09 Members Cruise, Kidani

[El&Asmom]

Thank you for the awesome report. Isn't funny how kids always unload when you are in a hurry, strapped into a carseat, or are late somewhere?
Loved the DCL pictures. Can't wait to see more, and be there in Jan.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm here, I'm here! GREAT start. I love your BCV pictures. We stayed there last December and loved it. Such a neat resort.

Your son's costume is too cute! At first I thought he was maybe a Jedi from Star Wars. But he makes an adorable little pirate.

I am so jealous you got to go on the cruise!! Can't wait to hear more.

 

[BigDogHU75]

I'm here, I'm here! GREAT start. I love your BCV pictures. We stayed there last December and loved it. Such a neat resort.

Your son's costume is too cute! At first I thought he was maybe a Jedi from Star Wars. But he makes an adorable little pirate.

I am so jealous you got to go on the cruise!! Can't wait to hear more.

Welcome to my TR. I never thought about DS possibly being a Jedi. Now that I think about it you are right. The look we (or should I say I) was going for was Captain Jack Sparrow but DS is not into the hats/wig thing.

The cruise was WONDERful. I will have another installment tonight ... hopefully.

 

[BigDogHU75]

Thank you for the awesome report. Isn't funny how kids always unload when you are in a hurry, strapped into a carseat, or are late somewhere?
Loved the DCL pictures. Can't wait to see more, and be there in Jan.

Tell me about it! DS has an uncanny knack for doing that, especially since we were/are trying to potty train him. Sometimes he wins the battle.
Where will you be sailing to in Jan.?

 

[El&Asmom]

Tell me about it! DS has an uncanny knack for doing that, especially since we were/are trying to potty train him. Sometimes he wins the battle.
Where will you be sailing to in Jan.?

Yep, we were late getting ready for school today. I let dd3 sleep as LATE as possible before waking her to take dd1 to school. Guess what, full blow out! Thankfully we were still on time for school.

We'll be on a three nighter on the Wonder. We have three dds so we always thought it would be a while before we shelled out the $ on a cruise for 5 people. We are going to WDW in Jan since I have a conference in Orlando. My DMom and DDad will be with us in a 2bd at Kidani. I saw the "Kids sail free" promo and viola, we can put one of the kids in their room, and the 5 of us sail for under $1000! I'm really excited, and hope the weather is nice enough to swim at Castaway Cay at that time of year.

Can't wait for the next installment.

 

[goterps1986]

Great report! In reference to cat 8 versus 9, I was wondering about that myself. We have been in 9 but was wondering if there was an advantage to being in cat 8 higher up on the ship? Any input would be great for future reference. Look forward to reading the rest of your report.

 

[BoosGram]

Great report! In reference to cat 8 versus 9, I was wondering about that myself. We have been in 9 but was wondering if there was an advantage to being in cat 8 higher up on the ship? Any input would be great for future reference. Look forward to reading the rest of your report.

We've been on decks 2, 5, 6, and 7. We've been midship and aft, port and starboard. Deck 8 is the "fancy" one since the suites are all up there, but I have to say we've liked everywhere we've stayed (I personally really liked deck 5 aft). The members' cruise that we shared w/Marsha and her family was our deck 2 experience and our first experience w/not having a veranda. Our only problem w/that was that we kept getting up late since there's no sunlight to wake you up! (What do you mean set the alarm!!??? It's vacation!). Also as Marsha pointed out, the higher you go in the ship, the more expensive the room. For me, it's so not worth it; most of the cabins are pretty much the same outside of the window/veranda status (more or less the exceptions are the cat 12, 11, 3, 2, 1, and handicapped cabins).

Marsha, your report so far is fabulous. You took pictures of so many things and they bring back a lot of great memories. Thank you so much for doing this report. It'll be great to hear about Kidani since we haven't been there yet.

 

[BoosGram]

Oh, I almost forgot that some cruisers say that the lower you are in the ship, the less you feel the movement, so those prone to mal de mer might be better off in the lower cabins. (We take Bonine before boarding and every morning while on board, so I am happy to say no seasickness for us...and that includes the 30-40' waves we encountered last year.)

 

[BigDogHU75]

Great report! In reference to cat 8 versus 9, I was wondering about that myself. We have been in 9 but was wondering if there was an advantage to being in cat 8 higher up on the ship? Any input would be great for future reference. Look forward to reading the rest of your report.

I have stayed on decks 5 & 7. I liked both of the rooms. I really likes having the big porthole. I haven't stayed in a category 9 so I can't compare. We were supposed to stay on deck 1 or 2 but were upgraded for our honeymoon to deck 5.

We've been on decks 2, 5, 6, and 7. We've been midship and aft, port and starboard. Deck 8 is the "fancy" one since the suites are all up there, but I have to say we've liked everywhere we've stayed (I personally really liked deck 5 aft). The members' cruise that we shared w/Marsha and her family was our deck 2 experience and our first experience w/not having a veranda. Our only problem w/that was that we kept getting up late since there's no sunlight to wake you up! (What do you mean set the alarm!!??? It's vacation!). Also as Marsha pointed out, the higher you go in the ship, the more expensive the room. For me, it's so not worth it; most of the cabins are pretty much the same outside of the window/veranda status (more or less the exceptions are the cat 12, 11, 3, 2, 1, and handicapped cabins).

Marsha, your report so far is fabulous. You took pictures of so many things and they bring back a lot of great memories. Thank you so much for doing this report. It'll be great to hear about Kidani since we haven't been there yet.

Joanne, thank you for also answering goterps's question. I have only been on two cruises so I do not have that good of a reference point.

I am glad that my report is bringing back good memories.

Oh, I almost forgot that some cruisers say that the lower you are in the ship, the less you feel the movement, so those prone to mal de mer might be better off in the lower cabins. (We take Bonine before boarding and every morning while on board, so I am happy to say no seasickness for us...and that includes the 30-40' waves we encountered last year.)

OMG! I could not even imagine 30-40' waves. I am sure I would have been I have not experienced beign seasick and I do not want to.

 

[BigDogHU75]

Yep, we were late getting ready for school today. I let dd3 sleep as LATE as possible before waking her to take dd1 to school. Guess what, full blow out! Thankfully we were still on time for school.

I have had that happen too and it is usually when I am running late for work.

We'll be on a three nighter on the Wonder. We have three dds so we always thought it would be a while before we shelled out the $ on a cruise for 5 people. We are going to WDW in Jan since I have a conference in Orlando. My DMom and DDad will be with us in a 2bd at Kidani. I saw the "Kids sail free" promo and viola, we can put one of the kids in their room, and the 5 of us sail for under $1000! I'm really excited, and hope the weather is nice enough to swim at Castaway Cay at that time of year.

Can't wait for the next installment.

That is so wonderful! I am sure you will have a blast.

 

[BigDogHU75]

We did not stay too long in the room since we were hungry. When we arrived back at Parrot Cay, we put our name on the list and were called in less than five minutes. The food was so good. I was too hungry to take pictures of the food. But, everything that I had was delicious. After eating, I did manage to take some pictures, especially since DS was feeling better now that he had some food in him.

After a very good lunch, we headed to the DIS Meet in the Promenade Lounge. It was good seeing more of the people that I had chatted with online. Plus, there were “door prizes” of which I won one and prizes for the game we played on our thread. Some of the photos are mine and some are from WDWLVR.

 

[BigDogHU75]

After the DIS meet, we headed back to the room since it was nearing the time for the safety drill. While waiting, we reviewed the Navigator and the other information.

Soon it was time for the safety drill.

Once we were all accounted for, the crew member allowed our family to leave since DS was having another meltdown. As soon as we got back to the room, I put DS on the sofa and he went to sleep in an instant. That meant there would be no sail away party for us. I must admit that DH did say I could go. I really wanted to go and be with my DIS friends since we had been doing our own sail away party online every week (we watched the Wonder sail away on Sundays) but I was exhausted too. I just sat on the sofa with DS and looked out the window and snapped some pictures.

Plus, I decorated our door.

By the time I was done, it was time for dinner. We had early seating. We would dine at Triton’s.

 

[BigDogHU75]

DS was sleeping so soundly I hated to wake him. DH & I changed into our clothes and then woke DS up so that I could change him into his dinner clothes. DS was not happy. The only thing that would soothe his was his blanket which he very rarely wants to take with him but this evening he wanted it. So, we allowed him to bring it.

I did not take too many pictures since we were trying to keep DS entertained. Here is the only one I took of Tritons.

There were crayons on the table which DS enjoyed. Plus, there was another little boy at the table. I was thankful that we were seated with a couple who understood. Come to find out the couple at our table used to live in our area and the little boy attended the same daycare that DS had just started. It is truly a small world. Or, is it just Disney?

We met our server, Arnel, and our assistant server, Deniza, who were wonderful. They were very attentive to our needs, including the children. The head server, Ali, was also wonderful and made sure all of our needs were being met.

We perused the menu (I do not have copies of the kid menus) …

and placed our order.

While waiting for our food, we enjoyed the warm French country bread with an olive spread. DH is a bread lover so he particularly enjoyed the bread selection every evening.
For the appetizer I ordered the chilled jumbo shrimp which was very good. I am a seafood lover. DH is not so he ordered the applewood smoked bacon and wild mushroom tart which he enjoyed. For my soup/salad, I ordered the tomato and basil soup which was good. I am not a soup person, except for when I am sick, but I enjoyed this soup

DH ordered the “Chef Louis” French Onion Soup with Gruyere Cheese Crouton. He thoroughly enjoyed it.

DS’s dinner came out with the soup. He liked his dinner.

For the main course, I ordered the Three-Cheese Lobster Macaroni. It was okay. I wish it had a little more lobster and seasoning.

DH ordered the Grilled Farm-Raised Chicken Breast. Now, DH is a finicky eater. He does not like anything on the bone (due to a childhood trauma) which is just crazy to me. But, he tried the chicken breast and liked it except for the bone. He ate around it the best he could.

Now for the best part of the meal – DESSERT.
DS had a Mickey bar

I had the crème brulee.

DH had the soufflé with vanilla sauce.

The desserts were delicious!

After dinner, we headed to see the Golden Mickeys. The show was very good. DS enjoyed it. He sat through the whole show.
When we got back to the room, our fish extender had some gifts.

We emptied it and went into our room where we were greeted by this towel creature and Disney Files magazines.

Inside the magazine was a card with a few questions on it. Once you answered the questions, you can place it in the basket outside of the DVC Members clubhouse which entered you into a drawing where you could win 1 of 3 $500 gift cards. I did not win but someone on the ’09 Members cruise thread did.

For the rest of the night we relaxed in our room. DH ordered room service, a cheeseburger and fries and a chocolate chip cookie. I order the cake of the day which was a chocolate cake. We had a restful and relaxing evening. DS slept soundly through the night and so did his parents.

 

[goterps1986]

Thanks everyone for the responses on cat 8 vs. 9. That's a big help.
And this report is awesome!

 

[Crystal_27]

You are such a good DISer!! Not only are you providing a great trip report with wonderful personal pictures, you are providing the Navigators and pictures of the food. BRAVO, I say!!

It is amazing to me, though, how different the food selections are on the Wonder versus the Magic. I would have loved the option of the vanilla souffle. YUM!

 

[dvc4life]

Another great report Marsha! You are doing a wonderful job with the photos and explaining everything. I'm reliving it all over.

 

[Tinks "SS"]

LOVE, LOVE your TR! So enjoying the cruise part. Your DS is adorable and i just have to laugh cause my 7 yo is finally getting out of the habits of meltdowns when he is very tired. now he is just so whiny. Can't wait to hear more!! ( maybe a few days though, computer is getting ready to go to shop before DH throws it out of the window).

 

[FaithTrustnPixieDust]

Hi Marsha!!!

Great job on the report! I am really enjoying reading through it and reliving the experience.

And so far we are only on SSMC09 Day 1. So much more to see and do...can't wait!!!

Will be checking back in for Day 2.

Lisa

 

[BigDogHU75]

Thanks everyone for the responses on cat 8 vs. 9. That's a big help.
And this report is awesome!

You are such a good DISer!! Not only are you providing a great trip report with wonderful personal pictures, you are providing the Navigators and pictures of the food. BRAVO, I say!!

Thank you. I just said to myself "What would I want to see in a report."

It is amazing to me, though, how different the food selections are on the Wonder versus the Magic. I would have loved the option of the vanilla souffle. YUM!
The souffle was definitely yummy from what little I got to taste.

Another great report Marsha! You are doing a wonderful job with the photos and explaining everything. I'm reliving it all over.

LOVE, LOVE your TR! So enjoying the cruise part. Your DS is adorable and i just have to laugh cause my 7 yo is finally getting out of the habits of meltdowns when he is very tired. now he is just so whiny. Can't wait to hear more!! ( maybe a few days though, computer is getting ready to go to shop before DH throws it out of the window).
Please don't tell me that the meltdowns will last that long. He has a meltdown when he is either tired or hungry. I keep a bag full of snacks to prevent the hungry meltdown.

Hi Marsha!!!

Great job on the report! I am really enjoying reading through it and reliving the experience.

And so far we are only on SSMC09 Day 1. So much more to see and do...can't wait!!!

Will be checking back in for Day 2.

Lisa

Hi Lisa. Thank you for stopping by.

Thank you all for reading my report. I am glad you are enjoying it. I will be posting another update soon. My scanner was having some issues so DH had to fix it and I have had a sinus headache for the past two days. I'm getting to go to my doctor now.

 

[BoosGram]

Thank you all for reading my report. I am glad you are enjoying it. I will be posting another update soon. My scanner was having some issues so DH had to fix it and I have had a sinus headache for the past two days. I'm getting to go to my doctor now.

Marsha, I hope you're feeling better by now. Sinus infections can be horrible and having a 2yo around doesn't make it any easier.