Excuse me, you'll need to see security. What has Mickeystoontown done? Update 3/25x2

[elder]

New furniture! Awesome! We sold our house in 3 days, just signed all official papers, moved all our stuff out, and are currently living with parents until our new house is built! It may be a long 4 months!

Can't wait til you post another update!

 

[RobertLC]

Hey ya'll! I'm sorry that I haven't gotten a new installment posted. I've been busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest.

We finally got our living room all situated....all new furniture, new television and some accessories to sit around and hang on the wall. It's been years since we've had new furniture and I'm excited to have an all "new" room.

The garden is still producing so I've been busy making homemade salsa, canning string beans and eating so many tomatoes and cantaloupe that I could bust. John's daddy sent us about 100 ears of fresh corn in the midst of my putting up the other produce.

I've also booked our 2013 Walt Disney World vacation! To say that I suffered from sticker shock is an understatement. I 'bout passed out when I saw the grand total. Mama is right on the edge of the booking cliff.....she's waiting to see what her eye doctor tells her Friday before booking. It's possible that she'll have to have eye surgery and, if that's the case, she may not go because of cost issues. And, if Mama books, then my sister and her husband may be going with us. No matter what, John, Hunter and I will be back at the Caribbean Beach Resort for 11 days/10 nights next May.

Okay, so enough about the excuses of why I haven't updated. The bossman is in court right now so let me see if I can get something written up. TTFN!

When did you book for? We booked last week for May 22-27.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Aft? Forward? Starboard? Where the heck do we go?

I consider myself one of the premier planners when it comes to all things Disney but I quickly realized that this cruising business was a whole different Disney ballgame. Muster drill was at...was at...I don’t remember but I knew that it was mandatory and I didn’t want to be late. So, after checking out our room, taking the pictures, lazing around in the porthole and smelling the smell, we figured we’d go look for our assigned muster drill area.

Before heading out, we all consulted the handy dandy notice on the back of our door, memorized our assigned lettered area and we were off. Off to see the Muster Drill wizard but there was no yellow brick road so we got turned around. I spotted a ship map near the stairway and called John and Hunter over to have a look-see. Aft? Forward? Starboard? Gosh dog it! Seems, I didn’t do enough homework so I wasn’t sure what Aft meant, where the heck Forward was and did Starboard mean a place to gaze at the night sky? Oh Lordy! I hope this wasn’t a sign of things to come!

Hunter pointed to a set of sliding glass doors so out we went and...ta da...we were right where we were supposed to be in the first place. Way to go 15 year old Hunter! Well, we were there but where was everybody else? A quick check of my watch told me that we were 15 minutes early so we decided to take a stroll but not a long stroll ‘cause we didn’t want to get turned around a/k/a lost. We strolled to one end of the deck and then back again. By this time, there were a few people coming in so we decided to stick to our designated area and wait for the drill to start. Hum? What to do? What to do? How ‘bout I take a picture of a life preserver? Okay.

People continued to stream in and, soon, there were people everywhere. The poor castmembers were walking around holding up signs and wearing the lifevests. I know that they had to be hot and sweaty with those big things around their necks. We were instructed to start forming short lines one behind another and to smoosh together as tightly as we could. At first, everybody was apologizing for bumping into you or elbowing you but after a while, they just quit apologizing. There was no way around it. If you’re claustrophobic or are one who likes your personal space, then a muster drill ain’t the place for you.

Once we were in place, the castmembers told us that one person in each party would need to get out their room key so that it could be scanned and a head count could be made. This process went pretty smoothly despite the fact that some didn’t show their cards and the castmembers had to shout out the “missing” parties’ names. After that was done, the castmembers gave a demonstration of how the lifevests would work, explained that the horns would blow in an emergency, when we were leaving port, etc. etc. etc. One of the castmembers was super nice and told us that if we saw her on the ship at any time, to stop her and tell her that section (I can’t remember what section we were in.) was the best and she’d give them us a prize. The little girls standing near us were all into that and were telling their mother and grandmother that they were going to watch for her so they’d get a prize.

After the drill, the castmembers told us we were free to leave. The sail away party would be starting soon so we decided to go find a spot to watch. Aft? Forward? Starboard? Not again! We made our way to the upper deck and walked around and around and I took pictures:

I guess now’s as good a time as any to mention my fear of heights. For those of you who know me through previous pre and trip reports, ya’ll know that I’m scared of heights. Actually scared isn’t the right word. Terrified would be more appropriate. I worried about how I would handle the heights on the cruise ship. I’m delighted to tell you that I did very very well. Not once did I get that tingly wingly, I’m gonna fall to my death feeling while we were outside (on the inside was a bit of another story but I’ll save that for later).

We continued our walk around the deck trying to find an opening for us to wiggle into and finally found it. Here’s the view.

It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t that great either. You’ll see over the next few pictures how the crowd started to get bigger and bigger. The people around us started to push further and further into us to the point that I felt like I was back at the muster drill. Oh and most of the following pictures are zoomed in.

By the time the Sail Away Party was over, we were sweating! The sun was really beaming down by then. We decided to go find a good place to stand near the railing so we could watch the ship as it departed the dock. It was almost time to hit the open water!

**Up next: Is that a.....? Look over there! Isn't that a sign of good luck?

 

[mickeystoontown]

That is so exciting. Doing a room completely over is such a lift, isn't it?

It sure is! Every time I walk through the living room, I think "I love the makeover!"

Can you come to my house when you are done. Our garden is starting to come in and there are onions hanging out all over my back porch. Not to mention the piles of squash that I can barely give away.

Sure I can. It'll be a while before I get there because I have onions that I need to dig up too and I think the butter beans need picking this evening. Do you freeze your squash?



UGH to the sticker shock. Statements like that make me happy for my DVC. I haven't priced out a trip in awhile and I guess I should be glad. I know the last time I bought AP's I just about

I hope Mama is able to book right along with you. 10 nights sounds awesome!

I wish we had bought into DVC way back when. It's still something we are pondering.

Replies in red.

That sounds like it could be a awesome family trip.

I know! I hope it all works out!

New furniture! Awesome! We sold our house in 3 days, just signed all official papers, moved all our stuff out, and are currently living with parents until our new house is built! It may be a long 4 months!

Can't wait til you post another update!

I can sympathize with you. We lived with my mother for 8 months while we built our log house. That was before Hunter was born but having three people in one bedroom was the pits!

When did you book for? We booked last week for May 22-27.

Hey...our dates overlapse! Our travel dates are May 22nd to June 1st!

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

Finally got caught up as been away since June 9th. Thanks for all this as it sure is not what I remember from Love Boat. LOL

Been trying to get the wife to do this but she is so ascared of the water I know it will never happen. Eager to read and see more.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Finally got caught up as been away since June 9th. Thanks for all this as it sure is not what I remember from Love Boat. LOL

Been trying to get the wife to do this but she is so ascared of the water I know it will never happen. Eager to read and see more.

Glad to have ya back! Nope, the Dream certainly isn't the Love Boat.

If your wife is scared of the water, you'll not want to mention some of the installments that are to come. I give actual water depth that would make her

 

[MissLiz]

Great update, Lisa!!!

Congrats on the makeover! I'm so jealous. Most of the furniture in our living room came with the house. It's nice...but not really my style. I just can't bring myself to buy the stuff I really want and I don't want to settle. I'm such a cheapskate.

And you booked next year's vacation?!??! Great job! As of right now, we will not be heading to WDW in 2013. For a girl who has gone (at least) once a year for the past 7 years, this is driving me nuts. But! We have our Disney cruise in April, my nephew's wedding in May, and my 40th birthday in August. We are looking to head to Disney's resort in Hawaii for that, so we'll still get a lot of Disney...just not at the World.

Great pictures of the ship! I'm so excited to go on our cruise!!!!

I'm glad you didn't feel the heights on the ship. I usually get nervous the first day and want to keep the girls away from the sides, etc, but then I get better. Then it turns into reverse heights problems. It scares the bejeebers out of me to be right down by the water. I know, I know. I'm a crazy nutjob...and I've come to terms with that.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great update, Lisa!!!

Congrats on the makeover! I'm so jealous. Most of the furniture in our living room came with the house. It's nice...but not really my style. I just can't bring myself to buy the stuff I really want and I don't want to settle. I'm such a cheapskate.

And you booked next year's vacation?!??! Great job! As of right now, we will not be heading to WDW in 2013. For a girl who has gone (at least) once a year for the past 7 years, this is driving me nuts. But! We have our Disney cruise in April, my nephew's wedding in May, and my 40th birthday in August. We are looking to head to Disney's resort in Hawaii for that, so we'll still get a lot of Disney...just not at the World.

Great pictures of the ship! I'm so excited to go on our cruise!!!!

I'm glad you didn't feel the heights on the ship. I usually get nervous the first day and want to keep the girls away from the sides, etc, but then I get better. Then it turns into reverse heights problems. It scares the bejeebers out of me to be right down by the water. I know, I know. I'm a crazy nutjob...and I've come to terms with that.

Nah, you're not a cheapskate, just frugal. At least that's what I tell myself that I am. We've waited a long time for new furniture and had the money saved up to do it right.

Well, if you're not going to Walt Disney World, at least you're still getting to go on other trips.

I usually do the same thing...tell everybody to stand back from the staircases, overlooks, etc. but I did really well.

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Lisa. We've never done a cruise (and have decided pretty much we never will), but I wouldn't know what Aft, Forward, or Starboard are either. Our youngest said the only place he ever knew for sure where it was on his cruises was the bar.

Great photos of the Sail Away Party...even if you did have to zoom. It looks like so much fun.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great update, Lisa. We've never done a cruise (and have decided pretty much we never will), but I wouldn't know what Aft, Forward, or Starboard are either. Our youngest said the only place he ever knew for sure where it was on his cruises was the bar.

Great photos of the Sail Away Party...even if you did have to zoom. It looks like so much fun.

Kathy, I'm thinking that we won't be cruising again unless it's to take Mama on an Alaskan cruise. I am sure that I could just sit and watch the scenery and be happy on an Alaskan cruise.

I didn't even think about researching what different part of the ships were called. I don't think we could have even found our way to the bar had we wanted to. That's not to say that we didn't stumble upon a couple while looking for something else.

 

[deedeew80]

Hi Lisa! Great update!! That sure was a crowd! Hope it was a fun show!

Lucky girl for having the next trip booked already!!! Hope your momma gets to go! And your sister & husband also!! Love having big family group trips!!!

Can't wait to read more about the cruise!!!

 

[natebenma]

for your life update and your trip report update!

Congrats on the new furniture! Last year we got new family room furniture to replace the couch and chair my husband and I got with our very first tax refund ever... so they were due to be replaced. Then we got two kittens.

I am so excited to hear that you booked next year's trip!!! I know you will work your magic between now and then and save a whole heap of $$$

Well, Lisa, I can't say you are selling me on a cruise... Stinky room? Disappointing food? Crowds at the muster and sail away!

We have been on a few cruises (never Disney) and always have a good time, but it is not our favorite type of trip. One was a family reunion cruise with 42 members of my family. But I prefer to be at my destination (like a tropical island, or DW)

Look foward to hearing more!!! I know things will get better once you hit the open seas, and start arriving at ports and eating in the amazing dining rooms.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Awesome update Lisa! Yeah, unless you can quote something wonderfully magical on the ship, I still say a cruise is DEFINITELY not for me. Those crowds! OMG!! And it's not like you can jump in the water (ocean) to get away from them. I would even be claustrophobic in your cabin. Yeah, I just can't do it!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hi Lisa! Great update!! That sure was a crowd! Hope it was a fun show!

Lucky girl for having the next trip booked already!!! Hope your momma gets to go! And your sister & husband also!! Love having big family group trips!!!

Can't wait to read more about the cruise!!!

The show was fun but we were pretty crowded in so I was a bit distracted.

I am already looking forward to our 2013 trip since we feel like we were rushed with this past one. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Mama, my sister and bro-in-law will tag along.

 

[rndmr2]

Got caught up today. I haven't been reading many TR's the past few days since I had to work the weekend, but I am off today and just finished up my paperwork from last night. Now I am free until 5pm tomorrow.

Congrats on the new furniture! We really need new furniture in our living room, we have the $$ just haven't gotten our acts together to go out and look for it... That's great you booked your trip for next year already! Hope your Mama and sister and BIL can all go too, it's fun with a large group as long as everyone gets along.

Great pics of your Cabin, it was a really nice one, too bad about the yucky smell. That was a great porthole!

That Muster Drill sounded about the same as other ones I have been to. Be thankful they have changed somewhat because you used to have to wear the life vests throughout thew whole thing! (talk about hot and stuffy!)

During that Sail Away party you got a pic of the ship we are going to be on next year!! We are going on the Norwegian Gem in Nov 2013! Can't wait, I have been on a few cruises but not on that line so I am looking forward to trying something new.

Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!

 

[Urugami]

Wow... I thought we built some big ships. That thing is huge. And the Norwegian ship, too. sheesh.
We put more guns on ours, though...

Great installment, Lisa. And remember... 'Forward' goes to the 'Bow', which is the pointy end of the ship
Did you see any flying fish? I used to love looking for those.

 

[adisneymama]

Yay you are on the ship! Happy Birthday to Hunter! Sailaway party is fun but you are right it is hot! Can't wait to read more.

 

[tiffer66]

Looks like fun, except for the heat and crowds!! My DH and I have been on two cruises, both with NCL. We would love to take one with our 6 kiddoes, but the cost may be rather prohibitive!!

 

[MEK]

To answer your question, we don't freeze our squash. We do freeze just about everything else. Occasionally we freeze zucchini for zucchini bread. Mostly I take the surplus to work and everyone gets real excited about it. Most of my coworkers don't have a garden, so fresh stuff is a treat. Especially, free fresh stuff.

Glad you warned me about the muster drill and the tight quarters.

The Sail Away Party always looks like so much fun. Glad you fear of heights did not bother you on the boat.

Looking forward to more!

 

[RobertLC]

Hey...our dates overlapse! Our travel dates are May 22nd to June 1st!

We'll be at POFQ!

Maybe we'll unknowingly cross paths!