samc
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2005
- Messages
- 481
Our group was made up of several of my family members in 4 different cabins. Primary players include me, DH and DS6. This is our first cruise!! Let me start off by saying that I compulsively planned this trip for a VERY long time and thought I had it all figured out...but life has a way of changing things, anyway here goes...
Sunday July 31
DH, DS and my DNephew had spent the night at the Dolphin (wonderful hotel BTW). We got up and ready, ate breakfast at Tubbis and were wandering around the lobby waiting for the rest of the family to arrive...at this point my DFather called and wanted us to meet them at their hotel at DTD. **side note-against my better judgement (I should have spoken up) it was decided that there was no reason to leave for the port until 11:00**
Well, after a few miscommunications and misunderstandings we are still waiting at 12:00 for some of the family...in hind-sight the group in my car should have just left and met them all later at the port. DH had a spa appt scheduled for 2:00, I tried to call DCL but since I had made the ressie on-line it couldn't be cancelled by phone and all spa appts had to be cancelled 2 hours prior which wasn't going to happen...we will be charged 50% of cost. I also call Budget to let them know I will be bringing my rental in a little later than stated return time...we end up being charged about $20 extra. When we finally reach the port it's a little after 1:00. DF and I head to Budget to return our cars, at this point I gave DH all of our paperwork and asked him to get us checked-in...this doesn't happen. After one missed turn and a long line at budget we return to the port and find a HUGE check-in line. Everyone else is ready to board except me, DH, DS, DF and DMom. For some unclear reason DS is have a meltdown, DH is telling me I need to fill out more forms and as I am about to start crying too, my DBro, DSis and DNephew - the ones who didn't care about going on this cruise, who rolled their eyes at my research and planning, who didn't just lose $100 because we were late getting here - they're boarding the ship without me!!!
I got our papers in order...turns out they were all there and filled-out completely...sent DH and DS to watch TV and I got in line. Somewhere in this confusion my DBro had decided to take all our carry-on bags with him, including my camera...no pictures of the ship model or the big Mickey ear entrance for us. Also we get the worst possible rotation for us - PTTA - our Palo ressie was for the last night...while I didn't are that much about Animator's Palette...the rest of our group, especially DS really wanted to see it. When I made the Palo ressie, the 4 night cruises were repeatiang third and fourth night so I thought we'd be safe...oh well, one of my cousins is going to try to change it for me-THANK YOU. At about 2:30 we finally board...I had to laugh and probably should have purchased our embarkation photo just for the memory of how stressed we looked!!!. I don't even remember if anyone announced us or not. DF and DM along with my DAunt and some cousins start to go to Parrot Cay but it's closed for lunch so we head to BBB...all I want to do is find my carry-ons...miraculously DBro appeared at the entrance to BBB. DS and I don't care about food we just want to get to that Mickey Pool!!!. We head to deck 6 but DBro can't remeber his cabin number and we end up trying his KTTW card in several wrong doors...if I had my carry-on I could tell you which cabin was his...I also told him that the door signs I made which he had laughed at so hard would be the first thing taken out of said carry-on and slapped on his door immediately preventing any further cabin confusion. Eventually a very nice cabin steward helped us find it. DS and I reach our cabin (6506 - loved it), change into swim-suits and go to the Mickey pool. As I'm sitting there in the warm sun watching him have fun, the stress of the morning is quickly evaporating away!!! DH appears and since it's about time for the life-boat drill we drag DS out of the pool and back to our cabin. **side-note-DH was very sweet about missing his massage, also the gift basket DS received from the perfect gift was...'perfect'-thanks to Shirley**
. The life boat drill was hot, crowded and took longer than I was expecting but not as painful as my morning had been...plus atleast we're on the boat!!! We went to the sail-away party for a while...the sound of those horns was magical...but DS was begging to go back to the Mickey pool, since he and I hadn't eaten since breakfast we got some ice-cream and pizza (yum)...also got pics with Capt Hook and Mr. Smee. DH wanders off but assures me he will meet us in the cabin in time for Hercules...this doesn't happen. Now, I'm starting to realize that everything is NOT going to go my way and I need to relax...so DS watches Hercules on the TV while I unpack and this turned out to be a blessing...we both needed a little down-time. DH returns and we get ready for dinner at PC...late dinner 8:30.
We meet up with my family for dinner...since there are 11 of us we have 2 tables together for just our group. Our servers are John from India and Sutas from Thailand...they were fabulous!!! I had a shrimp appetizer, grouper for dinner and chocolate walnut cake-all were delicious. I don't remember what the others ate but everyone seemed to enjoy their food. DS had mac-n-cheese every night but for some reason wouldn't order dessert (who's kid is this??) except on the last night and I practically made him. After dinner we did a little shopping, got the captain's choice pins and went to bed. **side-note-the only time I felt the ship moving was while un-packing and during dinner (gulf stream I guess) and it wasn't anything close to being sea-sick...our cabin was very far forward and I was worried about that but it really wasn't bad at all. Also DS received some type of oragami everynight during dinner from Sutas and towel animals each night from our cabin steward (can't recall name)...he was thrilled!!
Monday August 1, Nassau
I got up early and went down the hall to my parents cabin (they had a veranda) to watch the ship approach Nassau. My DAunt was staying in their cabin too and this cruise was really about her...she had told us several months earlier that a cruise was one of her life-long dreams...she was 92 at the time...we decided then and there that we had to try to make that dream come true...we'll be celebrating her 94th birthday while on board. I got some great pictures of her on the veranda...she looked so happy!!! We ate breakfast outside at BBB...DS had chocolate mickey waffles...life doesn't get any better than this!! DS and DH also got to play a little ping-pong.
DH, DS, DNephew and I had planned to feed the sting-rays today at Blackbeards Cay. DBro had decided to join us and was able to sign up at the last minute...of course DBro couldn't find his ID and DNephew insisted he didn't have any excursion tickets in his cabin...at the last minute it all worked out though. IMHO Nassau isn't worth the time...if it hadn't been for DS really wanting to feed those stingrays I wouldn't have gotten off the boat...DBro and DN had a bad experience I'll try to describe below. BUT our excursion was very enjoyable. After getting off the ship you board a large catamaran and head out to Blackbeard's island...the ride takes about 30-45 minutes and it was quite hot. They have a separate lagoon area for the stingrays and one for swimming etc. It felt really weird at first but we thoroughly enjoyed the 'feeding'. Lunch was pretty good (better than I expected)...a choice of hotdog or hamburger, chips, drinks and a big cookie. The island also has a gift shop, first aid center, bathroom facilities and lots of lounge chairs on the beach. For the price I was very pleased!!!.
We got back on the ship and went straight to the pool...we got character pics and autographs with Daisy and Pluto at the Goofy pool...ice-cream, cookies and brownies for a snack at the Mickey pool. Ran into DF and DBro...DF had been over to Atlantis and DBro and DN wanted to go also...now I was never given the entire story but it seems that they were put into a car that they thought was a cab but wasn't and driven to some very questionable parts of town before ever reaching a casino...they managed to get back to port without anything serious happening...they were both visible shaken by the experience but didn't want to provide any details...probably because DBro didn't want to get into trouble with DSis (DN is her son).
DS was really excited that they were showing 'Sky High' on board but since it was scheduled for 11:00 I insisted that he try to take a little nap. While we were laying down we heard a very loud thud (loud like I thought we had been hit with a torpedo loud) and saw something fly past our port-hole!! We couldn't see anything so we went to DM's veranda but all we could see there was a lot of people looking into the water and some small bits of debris floating by. DH couldn't stand not knowing so while we went back to our nap he snooped around and found out that a platform used for washing the outside of the windows had come free, hit the side of the ship not too far above our window and then fell into the water...luckily no one was on it at the time!!
Dinner tonight was in Triton's. We just missed getting autographs with sailor Mickey and Minnie...then as we were heading for Donald and Daisy's line they left. We took a terrible picture of the 3 of us at one of the back-drops, then Belle came out and I think DS was desperate for any character at that point so we got in line for her...not that Belle isn't a worthy character but DS usually gets embarrassed with the Princesses. For dinner I had the shrimp medley appetizer, garden salad, rigatoni and 2 desserts...white chocolate dome and creme brulee...all good except the pasta was only OK. Excellent service again from John and Sutas. After dinner we did some some shopping and then saw Sky High in the Walt Disney theatre...cute movie...DS loved it. **side note-we missed the show again tonight, it was the variety act but by now I am in full relaxed cruising mode and not obsessing over everything we miss...just concentrating on enjoying what we don't. Also...FYI, earlier today I called to cancel another spa treatment well before 2 hrs prior...this is what I had been told when I spoke to DCL about our spa treatments yesterday...one of us misunderstood...this spa treatment had to be cancelled atleast 24 hrs prior...but after speaking to the manager and explaining it all I wasn't charged anything for this one**.
Tuesday August 2, Castaway Cay
Got up early again, room service brought coffee which I took to DM's veranda to enjoy with my DAunt. Since we were on the starboard side we had a great view of castaway cay as we approached and docked. Ate breakfast again outside at BBB. Castaway was a lot of fun, but it was very hot and wore us out fast. DS got some great pics with Donald and Mickey and the 3 of us had a nice picture taken on the beach. We quickly got our snorkeling gear and set up camp..snorkeling was our only planned activity for the day. DH, DS and I searched that lagoon forever before we finally found the Mickey statue...I had to find it, I was on a mission. Then we had lunch...it was good but nothing great except the ice-cream and cookies!! Then DH and DS built a sand castle while I found an abandoned hammock...I made quite a few people LOL as I flipped over and landed on my head in the sand during my first attempt to get in the darn thing!!
. DH needed a break so I took DS over the the kids club area...we had registered him but up until this point he was very hesitant to try it. I knew he would eventually have to go while we ate at Palo and I wanted him to get used to it...when we got there he still wouldn't go in without me so together we walked to the dig site and played there for a while. It was about 4:00 before we got back to the ship...this was a mistake...DS really could have used some rest but I refused to miss tonight's show - The Golden Mickeys. We met up with some of the family there and ended up with great seats...center stage only a few rows back. This show was my favorite and DS loved it!! SHOW SPOILER - after the show DS asked me who had actually won the golden mickey? According to the children they interviewed before the show he thought Minnie got the most votes...he also asked me why people were lined up outside the theatre...I told him that they had early dinner and were waiting to see the show now...he then said, why would they have the show again since everybody already knows who won?...I was baffled...sometimes I forget how literal six years old can be but I was touched by his
innosense (sp)
Next, we changed into our pirate clothes
. DH had made a fuss about having to dress up but when the time came he played along great!! I wanted to get to dinner early tonight so we could get character pics. We were just in time for pirate mickey!!!. Then we had a group pic made on the steps outside Triton's. BTW...my cousin hadn't been able to change our Palo dinner ressie but they could accomodate us for brunch on the sea day...so that's what we decided to do. The pirate dinner was great...my favorite! I had crab cakes, mango soup, and the seafood/pasta. Tonight instead of dessert we had a birthday cake for my DAunt. It was beautiful and delicious!! Our servers were again amazing and so attentive and sweet to my DAunt!! After dinner we headed up the pirate party...we got there kind of late and DS and I ended up losing DH and most of the family. The party was pretty fun, but it was hot and there wasn't anywhere decent left to sit or to stand and see the stage...DS was so exhausted that he was in a daze. I thought the fireworks were really cool though and although we had just finished dinner I could resist the dessert buffet-yummy!! Tonight DS wanted to try sleeping on the pull-down berth and DH had asked the room steward to prepare it...big hit with DS.
Wednesday August 3, Sea Day
We were all so tired but I didn't want to waste any time sleeping on our last day. Our Palo brunch was scheduled for 10:30 so we decided to skip breakfast for the adults and just get room service for DS before going to the oceaneer's club. In the meantime Palo called and changed our ressie to 11:30, so we went up to BBB and got a light breakfast and more chocolate Mickey waffles for DS. DH and DS played some more ping-pong and then it was time to get ready. DH and I decided it would be easier for only 1 of us to take DS to the club and it turned out to be me...he was very timid going in but didn't cry or anything...I hung back and watched for a few minutes and after I was sure he was ok I left. I had a little time so I took the opportunity to go to GS and take care of our tips. Palo was just as fabulous as everybody described...I only regret that we weren't able to do dinner. I especially enjoyed the shrimp, crab legs and the desserts, in addition to the buffet we also ordered off the menu...I had the pasta and it was delicious. Our server here was Carina from S. Africa and she was great. We gave DAunt a scrapbook that DM and I had made with pics from her life with several blank pages in the back for us to fill with cruise photos. I thought she was going to start crying. Carina also brought her a special dessert on a plate with 'happy 94th birthday' written in chocolate. Palo was a great experience...I'm glad we did it but we were there almost 3 hours and this was a little too much for me since it was our last day!!
I couldn't believe my pager hadn't gone off yet and DH and I toyed with idea of letting DS stay until it did but neither of us were sure if he was really having fun or just didn't want to interrupt our meal...he knew that he could page us if he really needed us but that he had to give us a chance to finish eating if possible. When we got to the club they were watching a movie and at first he didn't want to leave but before we got to the door he came up behind us...so we played at both the Goofy and Mickey pools and got to watch the ice-carving demonstration. Then DH really wanted to go to bingo...he was just sure we would win...since he had let DS and I choose everything we did and this had been his only request so far I couldn't let him down
. DS and I really didn't want to go but DH didn't want to go alone and it turned out to be a lot of fun...'shake em up sugar' became DS favorite thing to say for several day thereafter...and we didn't win any money.
I had totally forgotten about having our bags packed by 11:00 and since we hadn't been done with dinner all week before 10:30 I scrambled around and got them together in time for DS and I to make it to Disney Dreams...another very cute show! DS and I also went to pin-trading with the crew...we both got some great pins. Dinner tonight was in Animator's Palette. The restaurant itself was amazing but the food wasn't all that. I got the seafood wrap, butternut squash soup (best part of the meal), canneloni and double fudge chocolate cake. This was the one night DS got dessert...a Mickey bar...it came with sprinkles and marshmellow...DS was amazed that John and Sutas knew that his favorite things to put on ice-cream are sprinkles and marshmellows!!
After dinner we purchased our pics in shutters...I got the 10 pic special, it was about $85....did some more shopping and very slowly made our way back to the cabin for bed. We got of dinner so late that we totally missed the 'till we meet again' party. **side note-I ended up liking late dinner vs early dinner but 8:30 is too late.
Thursday August 4
I can't believe this trip is over!! It went by sooooo fast. We had breakfast in Animator's Palette and said good-bye to our servers. Disembarkation was extremely easy! One of my cousins had left her car at the port so she took DF and I to Budget to get our cars...experienced another long line and wait here...but for the money I still think this was the way to go...one day rental from CC to MCO about $35...one day rental from DTD to CC about $28 - this was before the charges were added for being late.
Well that's it...I hope it wasn't too long or boring...let me know if any of you have any questions. Tomorrow I hope to add final thoughts and things I'll do differently next time...I hope I get a next time....this was a wonderful trip and the vacation of a lifetime for us!!!
Sunday July 31
DH, DS and my DNephew had spent the night at the Dolphin (wonderful hotel BTW). We got up and ready, ate breakfast at Tubbis and were wandering around the lobby waiting for the rest of the family to arrive...at this point my DFather called and wanted us to meet them at their hotel at DTD. **side note-against my better judgement (I should have spoken up) it was decided that there was no reason to leave for the port until 11:00**
Well, after a few miscommunications and misunderstandings we are still waiting at 12:00 for some of the family...in hind-sight the group in my car should have just left and met them all later at the port. DH had a spa appt scheduled for 2:00, I tried to call DCL but since I had made the ressie on-line it couldn't be cancelled by phone and all spa appts had to be cancelled 2 hours prior which wasn't going to happen...we will be charged 50% of cost. I also call Budget to let them know I will be bringing my rental in a little later than stated return time...we end up being charged about $20 extra. When we finally reach the port it's a little after 1:00. DF and I head to Budget to return our cars, at this point I gave DH all of our paperwork and asked him to get us checked-in...this doesn't happen. After one missed turn and a long line at budget we return to the port and find a HUGE check-in line. Everyone else is ready to board except me, DH, DS, DF and DMom. For some unclear reason DS is have a meltdown, DH is telling me I need to fill out more forms and as I am about to start crying too, my DBro, DSis and DNephew - the ones who didn't care about going on this cruise, who rolled their eyes at my research and planning, who didn't just lose $100 because we were late getting here - they're boarding the ship without me!!!
I got our papers in order...turns out they were all there and filled-out completely...sent DH and DS to watch TV and I got in line. Somewhere in this confusion my DBro had decided to take all our carry-on bags with him, including my camera...no pictures of the ship model or the big Mickey ear entrance for us. Also we get the worst possible rotation for us - PTTA - our Palo ressie was for the last night...while I didn't are that much about Animator's Palette...the rest of our group, especially DS really wanted to see it. When I made the Palo ressie, the 4 night cruises were repeatiang third and fourth night so I thought we'd be safe...oh well, one of my cousins is going to try to change it for me-THANK YOU. At about 2:30 we finally board...I had to laugh and probably should have purchased our embarkation photo just for the memory of how stressed we looked!!!. I don't even remember if anyone announced us or not. DF and DM along with my DAunt and some cousins start to go to Parrot Cay but it's closed for lunch so we head to BBB...all I want to do is find my carry-ons...miraculously DBro appeared at the entrance to BBB. DS and I don't care about food we just want to get to that Mickey Pool!!!. We head to deck 6 but DBro can't remeber his cabin number and we end up trying his KTTW card in several wrong doors...if I had my carry-on I could tell you which cabin was his...I also told him that the door signs I made which he had laughed at so hard would be the first thing taken out of said carry-on and slapped on his door immediately preventing any further cabin confusion. Eventually a very nice cabin steward helped us find it. DS and I reach our cabin (6506 - loved it), change into swim-suits and go to the Mickey pool. As I'm sitting there in the warm sun watching him have fun, the stress of the morning is quickly evaporating away!!! DH appears and since it's about time for the life-boat drill we drag DS out of the pool and back to our cabin. **side-note-DH was very sweet about missing his massage, also the gift basket DS received from the perfect gift was...'perfect'-thanks to Shirley**
. The life boat drill was hot, crowded and took longer than I was expecting but not as painful as my morning had been...plus atleast we're on the boat!!! We went to the sail-away party for a while...the sound of those horns was magical...but DS was begging to go back to the Mickey pool, since he and I hadn't eaten since breakfast we got some ice-cream and pizza (yum)...also got pics with Capt Hook and Mr. Smee. DH wanders off but assures me he will meet us in the cabin in time for Hercules...this doesn't happen. Now, I'm starting to realize that everything is NOT going to go my way and I need to relax...so DS watches Hercules on the TV while I unpack and this turned out to be a blessing...we both needed a little down-time. DH returns and we get ready for dinner at PC...late dinner 8:30.We meet up with my family for dinner...since there are 11 of us we have 2 tables together for just our group. Our servers are John from India and Sutas from Thailand...they were fabulous!!! I had a shrimp appetizer, grouper for dinner and chocolate walnut cake-all were delicious. I don't remember what the others ate but everyone seemed to enjoy their food. DS had mac-n-cheese every night but for some reason wouldn't order dessert (who's kid is this??) except on the last night and I practically made him. After dinner we did a little shopping, got the captain's choice pins and went to bed. **side-note-the only time I felt the ship moving was while un-packing and during dinner (gulf stream I guess) and it wasn't anything close to being sea-sick...our cabin was very far forward and I was worried about that but it really wasn't bad at all. Also DS received some type of oragami everynight during dinner from Sutas and towel animals each night from our cabin steward (can't recall name)...he was thrilled!!
Monday August 1, Nassau
I got up early and went down the hall to my parents cabin (they had a veranda) to watch the ship approach Nassau. My DAunt was staying in their cabin too and this cruise was really about her...she had told us several months earlier that a cruise was one of her life-long dreams...she was 92 at the time...we decided then and there that we had to try to make that dream come true...we'll be celebrating her 94th birthday while on board. I got some great pictures of her on the veranda...she looked so happy!!! We ate breakfast outside at BBB...DS had chocolate mickey waffles...life doesn't get any better than this!! DS and DH also got to play a little ping-pong.
DH, DS, DNephew and I had planned to feed the sting-rays today at Blackbeards Cay. DBro had decided to join us and was able to sign up at the last minute...of course DBro couldn't find his ID and DNephew insisted he didn't have any excursion tickets in his cabin...at the last minute it all worked out though. IMHO Nassau isn't worth the time...if it hadn't been for DS really wanting to feed those stingrays I wouldn't have gotten off the boat...DBro and DN had a bad experience I'll try to describe below. BUT our excursion was very enjoyable. After getting off the ship you board a large catamaran and head out to Blackbeard's island...the ride takes about 30-45 minutes and it was quite hot. They have a separate lagoon area for the stingrays and one for swimming etc. It felt really weird at first but we thoroughly enjoyed the 'feeding'. Lunch was pretty good (better than I expected)...a choice of hotdog or hamburger, chips, drinks and a big cookie. The island also has a gift shop, first aid center, bathroom facilities and lots of lounge chairs on the beach. For the price I was very pleased!!!.
We got back on the ship and went straight to the pool...we got character pics and autographs with Daisy and Pluto at the Goofy pool...ice-cream, cookies and brownies for a snack at the Mickey pool. Ran into DF and DBro...DF had been over to Atlantis and DBro and DN wanted to go also...now I was never given the entire story but it seems that they were put into a car that they thought was a cab but wasn't and driven to some very questionable parts of town before ever reaching a casino...they managed to get back to port without anything serious happening...they were both visible shaken by the experience but didn't want to provide any details...probably because DBro didn't want to get into trouble with DSis (DN is her son).
DS was really excited that they were showing 'Sky High' on board but since it was scheduled for 11:00 I insisted that he try to take a little nap. While we were laying down we heard a very loud thud (loud like I thought we had been hit with a torpedo loud) and saw something fly past our port-hole!! We couldn't see anything so we went to DM's veranda but all we could see there was a lot of people looking into the water and some small bits of debris floating by. DH couldn't stand not knowing so while we went back to our nap he snooped around and found out that a platform used for washing the outside of the windows had come free, hit the side of the ship not too far above our window and then fell into the water...luckily no one was on it at the time!!
Dinner tonight was in Triton's. We just missed getting autographs with sailor Mickey and Minnie...then as we were heading for Donald and Daisy's line they left. We took a terrible picture of the 3 of us at one of the back-drops, then Belle came out and I think DS was desperate for any character at that point so we got in line for her...not that Belle isn't a worthy character but DS usually gets embarrassed with the Princesses. For dinner I had the shrimp medley appetizer, garden salad, rigatoni and 2 desserts...white chocolate dome and creme brulee...all good except the pasta was only OK. Excellent service again from John and Sutas. After dinner we did some some shopping and then saw Sky High in the Walt Disney theatre...cute movie...DS loved it. **side note-we missed the show again tonight, it was the variety act but by now I am in full relaxed cruising mode and not obsessing over everything we miss...just concentrating on enjoying what we don't. Also...FYI, earlier today I called to cancel another spa treatment well before 2 hrs prior...this is what I had been told when I spoke to DCL about our spa treatments yesterday...one of us misunderstood...this spa treatment had to be cancelled atleast 24 hrs prior...but after speaking to the manager and explaining it all I wasn't charged anything for this one**.
Tuesday August 2, Castaway Cay
Got up early again, room service brought coffee which I took to DM's veranda to enjoy with my DAunt. Since we were on the starboard side we had a great view of castaway cay as we approached and docked. Ate breakfast again outside at BBB. Castaway was a lot of fun, but it was very hot and wore us out fast. DS got some great pics with Donald and Mickey and the 3 of us had a nice picture taken on the beach. We quickly got our snorkeling gear and set up camp..snorkeling was our only planned activity for the day. DH, DS and I searched that lagoon forever before we finally found the Mickey statue...I had to find it, I was on a mission. Then we had lunch...it was good but nothing great except the ice-cream and cookies!! Then DH and DS built a sand castle while I found an abandoned hammock...I made quite a few people LOL as I flipped over and landed on my head in the sand during my first attempt to get in the darn thing!!
. DH needed a break so I took DS over the the kids club area...we had registered him but up until this point he was very hesitant to try it. I knew he would eventually have to go while we ate at Palo and I wanted him to get used to it...when we got there he still wouldn't go in without me so together we walked to the dig site and played there for a while. It was about 4:00 before we got back to the ship...this was a mistake...DS really could have used some rest but I refused to miss tonight's show - The Golden Mickeys. We met up with some of the family there and ended up with great seats...center stage only a few rows back. This show was my favorite and DS loved it!! SHOW SPOILER - after the show DS asked me who had actually won the golden mickey? According to the children they interviewed before the show he thought Minnie got the most votes...he also asked me why people were lined up outside the theatre...I told him that they had early dinner and were waiting to see the show now...he then said, why would they have the show again since everybody already knows who won?...I was baffled...sometimes I forget how literal six years old can be but I was touched by his innosense (sp)
Next, we changed into our pirate clothes
. DH had made a fuss about having to dress up but when the time came he played along great!! I wanted to get to dinner early tonight so we could get character pics. We were just in time for pirate mickey!!!. Then we had a group pic made on the steps outside Triton's. BTW...my cousin hadn't been able to change our Palo dinner ressie but they could accomodate us for brunch on the sea day...so that's what we decided to do. The pirate dinner was great...my favorite! I had crab cakes, mango soup, and the seafood/pasta. Tonight instead of dessert we had a birthday cake for my DAunt. It was beautiful and delicious!! Our servers were again amazing and so attentive and sweet to my DAunt!! After dinner we headed up the pirate party...we got there kind of late and DS and I ended up losing DH and most of the family. The party was pretty fun, but it was hot and there wasn't anywhere decent left to sit or to stand and see the stage...DS was so exhausted that he was in a daze. I thought the fireworks were really cool though and although we had just finished dinner I could resist the dessert buffet-yummy!! Tonight DS wanted to try sleeping on the pull-down berth and DH had asked the room steward to prepare it...big hit with DS.Wednesday August 3, Sea Day
We were all so tired but I didn't want to waste any time sleeping on our last day. Our Palo brunch was scheduled for 10:30 so we decided to skip breakfast for the adults and just get room service for DS before going to the oceaneer's club. In the meantime Palo called and changed our ressie to 11:30, so we went up to BBB and got a light breakfast and more chocolate Mickey waffles for DS. DH and DS played some more ping-pong and then it was time to get ready. DH and I decided it would be easier for only 1 of us to take DS to the club and it turned out to be me...he was very timid going in but didn't cry or anything...I hung back and watched for a few minutes and after I was sure he was ok I left. I had a little time so I took the opportunity to go to GS and take care of our tips. Palo was just as fabulous as everybody described...I only regret that we weren't able to do dinner. I especially enjoyed the shrimp, crab legs and the desserts, in addition to the buffet we also ordered off the menu...I had the pasta and it was delicious. Our server here was Carina from S. Africa and she was great. We gave DAunt a scrapbook that DM and I had made with pics from her life with several blank pages in the back for us to fill with cruise photos. I thought she was going to start crying. Carina also brought her a special dessert on a plate with 'happy 94th birthday' written in chocolate. Palo was a great experience...I'm glad we did it but we were there almost 3 hours and this was a little too much for me since it was our last day!!
I couldn't believe my pager hadn't gone off yet and DH and I toyed with idea of letting DS stay until it did but neither of us were sure if he was really having fun or just didn't want to interrupt our meal...he knew that he could page us if he really needed us but that he had to give us a chance to finish eating if possible. When we got to the club they were watching a movie and at first he didn't want to leave but before we got to the door he came up behind us...so we played at both the Goofy and Mickey pools and got to watch the ice-carving demonstration. Then DH really wanted to go to bingo...he was just sure we would win...since he had let DS and I choose everything we did and this had been his only request so far I couldn't let him down
. DS and I really didn't want to go but DH didn't want to go alone and it turned out to be a lot of fun...'shake em up sugar' became DS favorite thing to say for several day thereafter...and we didn't win any money.I had totally forgotten about having our bags packed by 11:00 and since we hadn't been done with dinner all week before 10:30 I scrambled around and got them together in time for DS and I to make it to Disney Dreams...another very cute show! DS and I also went to pin-trading with the crew...we both got some great pins. Dinner tonight was in Animator's Palette. The restaurant itself was amazing but the food wasn't all that. I got the seafood wrap, butternut squash soup (best part of the meal), canneloni and double fudge chocolate cake. This was the one night DS got dessert...a Mickey bar...it came with sprinkles and marshmellow...DS was amazed that John and Sutas knew that his favorite things to put on ice-cream are sprinkles and marshmellows!!
After dinner we purchased our pics in shutters...I got the 10 pic special, it was about $85....did some more shopping and very slowly made our way back to the cabin for bed. We got of dinner so late that we totally missed the 'till we meet again' party. **side note-I ended up liking late dinner vs early dinner but 8:30 is too late.
Thursday August 4
I can't believe this trip is over!! It went by sooooo fast. We had breakfast in Animator's Palette and said good-bye to our servers. Disembarkation was extremely easy! One of my cousins had left her car at the port so she took DF and I to Budget to get our cars...experienced another long line and wait here...but for the money I still think this was the way to go...one day rental from CC to MCO about $35...one day rental from DTD to CC about $28 - this was before the charges were added for being late.
Well that's it...I hope it wasn't too long or boring...let me know if any of you have any questions. Tomorrow I hope to add final thoughts and things I'll do differently next time...I hope I get a next time....this was a wonderful trip and the vacation of a lifetime for us!!!
I really enjoyed reading your trip report! Greast job at putting in what you would do versus what you wouldn't do again. I rented from Budget 2 weeks ago on our cruise and didn't really have any major problems with them, other than going over the 75 mile retriction and not having to refuel. DH took a different turn and we didn't think we had gone 75.....wrong 78! So needless to say I wasn't all that happy when I had to pay what Budget charges for gas. Although the car wasn't on empty it ended up costing me what the gas would have. Next time.....I will def. fill up no matter what.THanks again for the wonderful trip report! I am glad your family was able to help your dear aunt celebrate her 94th! Happy belated Birthday dear aunt!!
