Heat, Humidity, and Our Favorite Disney Dog Was a Thug! LINK TO NEW PTR!!

[RGirl]

Our First Fantasy Characters Cont.​

Once I finished unpacking, I dragged Willow away from the TV to go meet Tiana who was scheduled to be out on the Deck 4 balcony overlooking the atrium at 7:15. On the way, Willow wanted a porthole picture - I can never get a good one!

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This area is Shutters - you can find a book of your pictures here and decide what you want to buy. You can also purchase a CD, etc.

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We were first in line to meet Tiana! (The cruise character lines can get VERY long - it definitely pays to get there early when you can.)

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We noted that Goofy was due in the atrium at 7:45, so we headed down there next. We were pretty early, so we hung out for a bit. The atmosphere in the lobby at this time of the evening is a lot of fun, so you don’t feel like you are just waiting around or anything. There was music:

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Entertainers wandering around to let people know about some upcoming entertainment in another area of the ship.

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The Royal Court restaurant is just off the atrium.

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And, of course, it is just great to look around!

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Willow really wanted to be first in line again, and we were pretty sure we could tell where they would be setting up for Goofy, so we hung around that area. And Willow was successful in her attempt to be first.

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Up Next: Dining with DCL

 

[shan23877]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those borders! Beautiful pictures with the characters!

That tiara light fixture is gorgeous. Maddie has a weird thing for chandeliers, and I know she'd go crazy if she saw that.

I sense that we're getting close to meal time... I'm looking forward to finding out if your servers were as memorable as last time, and all about the food!

 

[JulieODC]

I am dying to do a Disney cruise!! And, your pictures aren't making that feeling any less -- looks like a beautiful ship!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

the girls were looking over my shoulder when I read your update. all I heard the whole time was "awesome!" "wow!" "I want to go on the cruise!" we are super excited!

I love all the pictures of the chandeliers! they are SO pretty!

your character meets look awesome! you had a great tiana! and i LOVE the porthole picture--that is so cute!

 

[freckles04]

Loving your cruise TR so far! Makes me want to go on one!!!

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[DisneyJo]

Loving all your character meets so far and the porthole photo is cute

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

Awwww, first in line twice!!! She is so cute in her sundresses!!!

I love that chandelier too. They really put so much detail into the whole ship!!! Looks lovely

 

[dizneeat]

Yeah, luggage arrived!

You did not miss much by missing the first show. We saw it on the first part of our B2B and it was more or less the "Clayton" show. Very lenghty.

Being in line for the characters and being first is so awesome! You got some great pics!

Speaking of pics .... I am scanning yours to see if we accidentially walked into them.

 

[RGirl]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those borders! Beautiful pictures with the characters!

Thanks! I was VERY pleased with the quality of the photos from the DCL photographers.

That tiara light fixture is gorgeous. Maddie has a weird thing for chandeliers, and I know she'd go crazy if she saw that.

Maybe you should show her….

I sense that we're getting close to meal time... I'm looking forward to finding out if your servers were as memorable as last time, and all about the food!

Food is coming up next!

I am dying to do a Disney cruise!! And, your pictures aren't making that feeling any less -- looks like a beautiful ship!

You should do it!!! But beware - you become almost immediately addicted and just keep seeking out your next DCL cruise.

the girls were looking over my shoulder when I read your update. all I heard the whole time was "awesome!" "wow!" "I want to go on the cruise!" we are super excited!

That is fantastic! Cruising with DCL really is just about the best vacation ever.

I love all the pictures of the chandeliers! they are SO pretty!

The light fixtures on the Fantasy are really beautiful - definitely worth taking some time to enjoy them.

your character meets look awesome! you had a great tiana! and i LOVE the porthole picture--that is so cute!

Tiana was lovely - EVERY time we met her. We really had great character meets on the ship, and I just loved the quality of the photos we got.

Loving your cruise TR so far! Makes me want to go on one!!!

You should! I cannot say enough good things about DCL!

 

[RGirl]

Great update!

Thanks!

Loving all your character meets so far and the porthole photo is cute

Oh, thanks! I feel like I will spend a significant part of every cruise trying to get that elusive perfect porthole picture.

Awwww, first in line twice!!! She is so cute in her sundresses!!!

Thanks! She sure does love those dresses - I'm thinking I will need to make some new ones for next summer.

I love that chandelier too. They really put so much detail into the whole ship!!! Looks lovely

The decor and details are truly amazing. I love just wandering around looking at everything.

Yeah, luggage arrived!

That's always a good feeling, isn't it?

You did not miss much by missing the first show. We saw it on the first part of our B2B and it was more or less the "Clayton" show. Very lenghty.

Glad to hear it! We just have a really hard time getting to a show on the first night - we missed the first show on the Wonder too.

Being in line for the characters and being first is so awesome! You got some great pics!

Thanks! I was so pleased with the quality of the pictures that the DCL photographers took. They all turned out really nice.

Speaking of pics .... I am scanning yours to see if we accidentially walked into them.

I keep finding myself doing the same thing with your pics, Karin!!!!

 

[courtneybelle]

I found your TR from Ali's and I just wanted to let you know that I am here and loving it so far! I just got to your dinner at Artist Point but will hopefully catch up sometime in the next week. Willow is absolutely adorable and takes some great photos! I am excited to catch up and hear about the cruise!

 

[RGirl]

Dining with DCL​

Saturday, August 17, 2013
Port Canaveral
Sunrise: 6:53AM
Sunset: 7:59PM
Evening Attire: Cruise Casual
All Aboard: 3:45PM
Saturday: Overcast, High 81 degrees
Sunday: Overcast, High 82 degrees

After we said hello to Goofy - we were so glad that he decided to join us on the cruise after our fun times with him at WDW - we made a quick trip back to the room to drop off the autograph books and get ready for dinner.

DD made sure that we tried for another porthole photo.

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I’m not sure where this was, but isn’t it cute? All the art onboard was so neat.

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Soon we were at Royal Court for dinner where we met our server team for the first time. I feel bad that I can’t remember our main server’s name. Our assistant server was Daniel. They were both very nice and provided very good service - we had no complaints at all. Unfortunately, we had had a service experience on the Wonder that was just above-and-beyond, so these nice guys just couldn’t quite live up to that experience. But don’t get me wrong - they did a very nice job. As soon as they introduced themselves, our main server wished us a happy Family Day - I guess my travel agent must have noted our cruise reservation or something. So sweet!

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Don’t you love the bread basket???

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Our service team made gluten-free dining very easy - they were able to accommodate me tonight and then took my order at the end of every meal for the next night so that I would be able to choose just about anything on the menu.

Daniel brought out gluten-free bread right away.

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So pretty in here!

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Willow was in a big rush to go to the club - at late dining, the counselors stop by to pick up any kids who want to leave the restaurant and go to the club while parents are still eating, and she was very eager to do that. So our servers made sure to bring her food out more quickly than mine. She started with the fruit and was thrilled when Daniel cut up her melon for her.

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And then she began an affair with DCL mac and cheese like you won’t believe. (Willow does not eat processed mac and cheese at home at all - I do make real mac and cheese for her now and then but I don’t buy the boxed stuff - but she apparently REALLY likes it, at least DCL’s version )

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For my starter, I had the Iced Lobster and Jumbo Shrimp - white and green asparagus, micro greens, and lemon-dill dressing with horseradish cream. It was quite tasty!

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I also ordered a salad. One of the best things about DCL dining is that the portions are actually appropriate rather than huge - you can really order a few courses and not want to throw yourself overboard from being over-stuffed. This was the Avocado-Citrus Salad with iceberg and radicchio leaves and orange vinaigrette.

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For my entree, I had the Aged Grilled Beef Tenderloin topped with Garlic Shrimp - sauteed snow peas and marquis potatoes with a Cognac reduction.

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At 9:15, the club counselors came by, and Willow was out of the restaurant like a shot. I was left looking at this.

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I did not mind - I knew she was having fun, and I was ready for a little time to myself to read, enjoy a glass of wine, not rush anywhere. Awww - heavenly.

There were no gluten-free desserts on the menu, I don’t think, but my lovely servers made sure I did not go without and brought me an absolutely delicious gluten-free cookie sundae!

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What did I do next???

Up Next: Some Late Night Doings

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Love the picture of the empty chair! I sort of envisioned it spinning around and a cloud of dust following her out the door!

That picture of Mickey and Donald is too cute! I am in love with the cruise ships already!

Our kids love that horrible boxed mac and cheese too. My mom never made it for me so I think that's why I started buying it for the girls. Now they're addicted...sigh!

Your salad and entree look really good! I'm not usually that into the food pics but these look very yummy!

 

[shan23877]

I'm so hungry now!

Great photos of what sounds like a great meal! Loving the empty chair photo.

I think you're porthole pics are lovely!

Where did you go??? I need to know what you did with your kid free time!

I should not post when I'm so tired...

 

[Jackiemarie21]

All caught up! It nice that you can get a CD with all the pics.Back in 2007 when we went on our cruise you had to purchase them all separately. I wish I had them all!

Looks like you had wonderful service in the dining room. Its funny that Willow wanted to ditch you for the club. After the go go go of WDW I am sure it was nice to have some time to rest and relax!

 

[chattadisser]

Yumm! Your dinner looks delicious! I had to laugh at the shot of the empty chair, glad to know she was excited to get to the kids club.

Oh and to be able to eat dessert in peace and not have to share with anyone. I wonder if I could get a cruise this weekend???

Quick question: Is there a pre-order for the CD on the cruise or just buy it on board?
Christine

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Character meets on the ship!!
Your meal looks wonderful. It's the seafood that would get me!! I would love an entire week of filets and lobster tails.
Loved Willows porthole photos.
Everything on the ship looks so beautiful.

 

[jedijill]

I love the empty chair picture! I can just imagine Willow ditching you!

Jill in CO

 

[IheartDDuck]

Okay, getting caught up after the trip!

Hahaha! Willow asking Minnie where the bathroom was. I think I might do that with a character!

Leave it to Yeti to be a troublemaker.

I worked at Six Flags for the first six years of my working life, in the rides department as a lead and supervisor, and guests CONSTANTLY get upset with you like it's your fault that the ride is malfunctioning or having technical difficulties. People can be really ridiculous.

We always had a harsher line jumping policy at Six Flags. Disney is much more lax. We were always told to eject any line jumpers, regardless of if someone else was "holding" their place in line.

Wow, she really was out of character? Pocahontas wouldn't be worried about getting ant bites. It's called "your job" to stand out there and take photos. LOL.

Pasta isn't okay with gluten because of the........sauce.......okay then!

I'm with you. I'll take a crappy character meal at Disney over most meals at home any day.

Woah! That cinnamon roll really was the size of Willow's head!

I'm interested in hearing about Disneyland.

This makes me want to take a cruise so bad! It's the one thing that I just haven't done yet.