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

[RGirl]

Our Final Hours at BWI
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We woke up at about 7:30 on our last morning at the BWI. Bell services called a little before 8:00 to make sure that we were ready for them to take our bags away. We were, and they were soon at our door and taking everything out of the room. I would have liked to have gone back to sleep for a bit, but Willow was not too keen on that plan. By 8:30, we were headed downstairs to the Boardwalk Bakery for some coffee and some goodies (remember - still have 5 snack credits left!) for Miss Willow.

As you can see, Miss Willow was rarin’ to go. (I think she was super-excited to get on the Fantasy - her dream vacation of all dream vacations).

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Willow picked out several treats at the Bakery (although we still left 2 snack credits on the table - oh well!). And we headed back to our room to enjoy a balcony breakfast together.

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Here are the gluten-free cupcakes from Babycakes that we had purchased the night before. I had part of one for breakfast with the intent to enjoy the rest on the cruise. I wasn’t really that impressed - we have a local shop that actually makes lighter, tastier gluten-free cupcakes. Anyway, the remainder of these sat in our fridge in the stateroom until I threw them out on our last day.

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Willow enjoyed part of a cinnamon roll for breakfast, and we packed up her two other goodies to take on the ship. Not sure that she ever did eat either of them.

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I told her the cinnamon roll was as big as her head, and she proceeded to prove me right!

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After breakfast, we just hung out for a while, watching Stacey (Miss Willow) and reading (me!). I took a shower, and I’m thinking this must have been going on while I was doing that:

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Up Next: Our Final Hours at BWI Cont.

 

[RGirl]

Our Final Hours at BWI Cont.​

After some relaxing time in our room, at about 10:40 (check-out was at 11), we decided to head down to the Belle Vue Lounge - the designated meeting spot for those taking the Disney cruise transfer bus. As you can see, Miss Willow was still super-excited and still enjoying that huge lollipop she had bought.

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I really like the look and feel of the Belle Vue Lounge - in the mornings, they have some continental breakfast-type stuff out, and they serve cocktails there in the evening. If I had been smarter and had made this a more relaxing vacation, we totally could have enjoyed a half hour or so here chatting and sipping a beverage in the evenings. Next time, I guess!

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Willow decided to watch a movie while we waited, and I once again enjoyed a book.

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Before long, the DCL representative arrived. I chatted with him a bit - he had a lot of stories about security on the ships; apparently, he works on the ships as well sometimes. At about 11:45, he took our group over to the Convention Center (I think ) area so that we could wait inside in the A/C for the bus, which was a few minutes late.

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Willow was still pretty excited!

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We were on the bus just before noon and watching the adorable video about Mickey and friends packing up to go on a cruise. (There is a scene in which Chip ‘n’ Dale pack their suitcases with acorns. At some point that day or the next, I said something like, “I’m pretty sure Chip ‘n’ Dale are on the ship.” And Willow said, “Oh YES!! I know they are - I saw them packing their bags. )

They also showed a plethora of Pluto videos, so Miss Willow was pretty thrilled!

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Up Next: Boarding the Fantasy

 

[dizneeat]

Yeah, you are on your way to the Fantasy!!! Hurry up ...... we are waiting for you there.

I don't blame you for not eating your cupcakes. There is too much food on these ships to need any "backup".
I had to seeing the photo of Miss Willow holding the cinnamon roll against her head. It IS as big as here head.

I never knew how the process worked if you took the DCL bus to the port. Seems pretty smooth to me.

 

[Jackiemarie21]

I hope Willow had a wonderful Birthday!

Looks like your last few hours at WDW productive. We skipped DTD this last trip, it was the first time I ever did not go there in all of my trips to WDW. I thought I would really miss it, but I didn't at all!

I am looking forward to hearing about your cruise. We did one on our honeymoon almost 7 years ago and it was so impressive! I went on a carnival cruise the next year and felt so cheated because I kept comparing it to the Disney cruise. They ruined all other cruises for me!

 

[hstrickland]

Next up was Goofy’s Candy Company to use some of those 22 snack credits!

This made me laugh!!! Been there, done that! We brought our snacks back and used them at night after dinner. The kids got to pick a treat if they ate all their food







And sorry I'm late wishing Miss Willow a very Happy Birthday!!! Hope she had a fabulous day!!!






Can't wait to see all the Fantasy pictures!!!! Very exciting!!

Have a great weekend!
Heather

 

[shan23877]

Well I'm excited that you made it to DTD, but of course it was too hot to enjoy it. One of these days!

Yay for grabbing some GF treats (even though they were no good)and yay for using some snack credits at Goofy's! We've never been in there believe it or not!

I'm getting very excited to hear about the cruise!

 

[DisneyJo]

Happy Birthday from the UK Willow xx​

I love all the snacks you got, even on the regular DDP we have tons left over so I can't imagine what the Deluxe is like!!!

I love the selfies from Willow

It's so cute how excited she is for the cruise!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

the cruise! i'm so excited! I can't wait until we get to ride the bus with the round windows!!!

I love the picture of willow with the cinnamon roll. I was just thinking "that's as big as her!" and then she's holding it up! no wonder she couldn't eat it all!

it's funny the things that happen when you're in the shower, isn't it? the other morning I told Hannah to get dressed for school while I was in the shower, but when I came out she had "accidentally" wandered into the living room and was watching tv. kids....

 

[bugsmama11]

Hello! I've been reading your TR for the last few days and I'm so excited for our trip in May now...can't wait to hear all about your cruise!

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

WHEW!!!!! I just read from the beginning!!! There was so much I wanted to comment on, but alas, (someday I will remember to take notes when I read through a TR.......

My mom actually suggested that I read this sometime this fall, but I "fell off" the boards for awhile. I am so excited that I finally came back and read through though....I am just LOVING reliving your trip with you!!

Willow is just adorable. She reminds me so much of my youngest. Evie is 4 and she would wear a princess dress EVERY day if she could.....she also likes wearing her older sister's dresses since they are longer on her!!! Luckily Audrey doesn't really mind her borrowing her clothes....yet The Cinderella dress from the Happily Ever After dinner is actually the dress that Evie picked out for her BBB. (we are just doing the cheaper package and bringing the dresses) Or might opt out of the whole thing and just get their hair done at the barbershop instead???? Anyway, that dress has been in the closet for the last year.....I cannot let her see it because she would want to wear it every day until we go and it is WHITE!!!! So hidden it will stay until our trip. I loved seeing it on Willow though, it is so pretty!!

Wow, I just realized that was really long, sorry!!

I have one question about the autograph book pages. I am making some for our trip, but they are smaller....about 5x7 size. How big was the place for the characters to sign on yours? I want to make sure I leave enough space for them but I would like to decorate the pages some.

Hope you all have a great time tonight with the sleepover and a GREAT trip....can't wait to hear about it!!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Great update!! Willow does look soooooooooo excited. I would be too. What better way to recover from a busy park week than to relax for a while on a cruise!!

And a very (belated) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! to Miss Willow. Hope she had a wonderful and magical day!!!

 

[RGirl]

Yeah, you are on your way to the Fantasy!!! Hurry up ...... we are waiting for you there.

We're coming, we're coming! Don't leave without us!

I don't blame you for not eating your cupcakes. There is too much food on these ships to need any "backup".

Very true - we really enjoyed the cruise dining this trip.

I had to seeing the photo of Miss Willow holding the cinnamon roll against her head. It IS as big as here head.

It really was!

I never knew how the process worked if you took the DCL bus to the port. Seems pretty smooth to me.

It worked very well. You arrive pretty late, but that just means you don't have to wait to board, and no waiting for the staterooms to be ready. I would definitely do it that way again - very convenient.

I hope Willow had a wonderful Birthday!

Thank you! She sure did!

Looks like your last few hours at WDW productive. We skipped DTD this last trip, it was the first time I ever did not go there in all of my trips to WDW. I thought I would really miss it, but I didn't at all!

I think we'll try DTD again sometime, but honestly, I don't need more temptations to spend money!

I am looking forward to hearing about your cruise. We did one on our honeymoon almost 7 years ago and it was so impressive! I went on a carnival cruise the next year and felt so cheated because I kept comparing it to the Disney cruise. They ruined all other cruises for me!

Oh, yeah, I can't imagine cruising with any other line at this point. We just enjoy DCL so very much.

This made me laugh!!! Been there, done that! We brought our snacks back and used them at night after dinner. The kids got to pick a treat if they ate all their food

It was actually kind of nice to have the bags of candy in the stateroom for a little sweet treat now and then. And Willow picked out big princess cookies to take back to a couple of her friends.

And sorry I'm late wishing Miss Willow a very Happy Birthday!!! Hope she had a fabulous day!!!

You weren't late at all - her actual birthday was yesterday; we've just been celebrating it for several days. Thank you!!!

Can't wait to see all the Fantasy pictures!!!! Very exciting!!

I'm really excited to move onto the DCL portion of the TR - it was a lot more relaxing than the first half of our vacation.

 

[RGirl]

Well I'm excited that you made it to DTD, but of course it was too hot to enjoy it. One of these days!

We had fun, but we were ready to go after our brief shopping endeavors.

Yay for grabbing some GF treats (even though they were no good)and yay for using some snack credits at Goofy's! We've never been in there believe it or not!

They weren't terrible - just not the greatest. Maybe the refrigeration? Goofy's was a very handy way to burn up those SCs.

I'm getting very excited to hear about the cruise!

Happy Birthday from the UK Willow xx​

Thank you so much! Willow really enjoyed all the DIS birthday wishes.

I love all the snacks you got, even on the regular DDP we have tons left over so I can't imagine what the Deluxe is like!!!

The snack situation was overwhelming!

I love the selfies from Willow

I'm guessing we'll soon be seeing some Disneyland selfless!

It's so cute how excited she is for the cruise!

She had been dreaming of a vacation on the Fantasy from the first time she heard about the ship. She loved the Wonder, but she was SO into the idea of the Fantasy.

the cruise! i'm so excited! I can't wait until we get to ride the bus with the round windows!!!

That is EXACTLY how I was feeling!!!

I love the picture of willow with the cinnamon roll. I was just thinking "that's as big as her!" and then she's holding it up! no wonder she couldn't eat it all!

That thing was enormous!

it's funny the things that happen when you're in the shower, isn't it? the other morning I told Hannah to get dressed for school while I was in the shower, but when I came out she had "accidentally" wandered into the living room and was watching tv. kids....

Kids! They sure keep us on our toes, don't they?

Hello! I've been reading your TR for the last few days and I'm so excited for our trip in May now...can't wait to hear all about your cruise!

Hey there! Thanks so much for reading along! It's great to have you here. I hope you will continue to join in the fun!

 

[RGirl]

WHEW!!!!! I just read from the beginning!!! There was so much I wanted to comment on, but alas, (someday I will remember to take notes when I read through a TR.......

Hello! Thanks so much for joining in!!! I can't believe you made it through the whole thing.

My mom actually suggested that I read this sometime this fall, but I "fell off" the boards for awhile. I am so excited that I finally came back and read through though....I am just LOVING reliving your trip with you!!

Awww - thank you so much! I'm glad that you have joined in.

Willow is just adorable. She reminds me so much of my youngest. Evie is 4 and she would wear a princess dress EVERY day if she could.....she also likes wearing her older sister's dresses since they are longer on her!!! Luckily Audrey doesn't really mind her borrowing her clothes....yet The Cinderella dress from the Happily Ever After dinner is actually the dress that Evie picked out for her BBB. (we are just doing the cheaper package and bringing the dresses) Or might opt out of the whole thing and just get their hair done at the barbershop instead???? Anyway, that dress has been in the closet for the last year.....I cannot let her see it because she would want to wear it every day until we go and it is WHITE!!!! So hidden it will stay until our trip. I loved seeing it on Willow though, it is so pretty!!

She is going to look amazing in that dress all BBB'ed! What a great idea!

I have one question about the autograph book pages. I am making some for our trip, but they are smaller....about 5x7 size. How big was the place for the characters to sign on yours? I want to make sure I leave enough space for them but I would like to decorate the pages some.

Okay - I just went to check because I couldn't remember. I made the signature piece 4 1/2-by-6 inches. It was a good size for signatures, but I am sure that the characters will do fine with a smaller size as well. How fun that you are doing your own! I hope your children are not as autograph-obsessed as mine. That little job turned into a HUGE production.

Hope you all have a great time tonight with the sleepover and a GREAT trip....can't wait to hear about it!!

Thanks! Decoy birthday party went great, and we are super-excited to start our trip!

Great update!! Willow does look soooooooooo excited. I would be too. What better way to recover from a busy park week than to relax for a while on a cruise!!

And a very (belated) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! to Miss Willow. Hope she had a wonderful and magical day!!!

Thank you!!! She had a great birthday!

 

[RGirl]

**** Quick-Real-Life Update ****
Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes for Miss Willow! She had a great birthday. The decoy movie night "party" with her BFF morphed into her first sleep-over ever, so she really did think that was the birthday surprise.

Needless to say, we are both now VERY excited to be leaving for Disneyland in just over one day!!!!!

But first, on with this TR…...​

Boarding the Fantasy​

As mentioned in my previous update, we were on the bus to Port Canaveral just before noon. At 1:12, we got our first sight of the Fantasy!!!! We were so excited - I can’t even tell you!

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Shortly thereafter, we were pulling into the port. Isn’t she pretty???

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We were held on the bus for a bit as the port was pretty crowded, but we were in line to check in just a few minutes after 1:30. As we were now members of the Castaway Club (you become a member once you have cruised with DCL once and work your way up the levels the more you cruise), we were able to use that check-in line. I actually think it may be longer than the regular one.

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See that ear-shaped tunnel over there? Soon we would be going through it!

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While I waited in line, Miss Willow went to take a look at the model ship.

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The line looked long, but it took no time at all. We wandered over to see what the line was like for kids’ club check-in.

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It was way too long considering that we could just take care of it on the ship. So, by 1:48, we were walking through here!

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Soon we saw this sign, and we were just getting more excited!

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Ugh - I can’t even tell you. As much as we love WDW and as excited as we were to go there, there is nothing like the excitement of boarding a DCL ship!

I had pre-purchased the photo CD for the cruise, so we stopped to get a picture before boarding. (The photo package on the ships is very different from PP at WDW. These are professional photographers, and you definitely pay professional prices. I bit the bullet this time and bought the whole package - CD and prints - and I did it ahead of time so that I would feel compelled to get the pictures taken. Having already paid all that money, there was no way that I was going to fall down on the job of getting the pics taken, right??? We shall see…..)

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After getting our picture taken, we boarded the beautiful ship. I didn’t take pics at this point, because I was hauling all of our bags and stuff. I knew I would be taking plenty of pictures throughout the week. Because we had boarded pretty late, the staterooms were already open, so we decided not to mess with the lunch buffet and instead head right to our room to get rid of all of the stuff we were packing around. We were in our room by 2:00. And we had some nice gifts from DCL and from our travel agent!

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My favorite part of the stateroom:

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The stateroom was beautiful. I think a little smaller than on the Wonder, but very nice and plenty of room for the two of us. The best thing about DCL staterooms is the abundance of storage. We had two weeks worth of STUFF with us, and we had no problem finding space for everything. Willow was a little disappointed that she didn’t have a bunk bed option like she had had on the Wonder, but she got over it pretty quickly.

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Rather than head out to the buffets at Cabanas or Enchanted Garden for lunch, we decided to order from room service! There is no charge for room service on the DCL ships (other than tipping), and we were determined to take advantage of this option this time. We were tired after a week at WDW in August, and chilling out in our beautiful stateroom with some tasty food sounded good to us! It’s amazing really - all these people boarding the ship, finding their staterooms, packing the buffets, etc., and there are still CMs running all over with trays of room service food as soon as the staterooms open. Service on DCL ships is the best service anywhere that I have ever been. It is one of the things that makes cruising with DCL one of the best vacations imaginable.

Anyway, we ordered a caesar salad, a fruit plate, and a cheese plate. It arrived quickly and was totally yummy.

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No sign of our bags yet, but we continued to relax in the stateroom for a little longer. We also checked out our dining rotation. When you sail with DCL, you are assigned a dining rotation, which tells you which restaurant you will be eating in on which nights; you have a two-person serving team who will be with you at whatever restaurant you are assigned on any given night. You also have a choice between early and late dining - I believe early dining is at 6:15; late is at 8:15. On the Wonder, we had early dining, and I decided to try late dining this time because of the time change and because we always felt rushed to get ready for dinner on the Wonder. Late dining worked out very well for us, and I think we would do that again. Anyway, our dining rotation had us in Royal Court on this first night, which I thought was fitting - it is the more fancy looking, princessy restaurant, so it seemed just right for our first night.

Up Next: A Little Exploring

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[shan23877]

Looking at your pictures of the ship and I think "and that's when we lost contact" I'm such a geek.

Honestly I'm so excited to read about your cruise adventures and see all the pics! You make cruising sound heavenly. I'm definitely thinking we may have to do it some day soon!

Yay room service! I want a cheese plate right now!

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

YAY!!! The cruise....I will just have to live vicariously through you on this one. I doubt I will EVER go on a cruise as I have terrible motion sickness But it looks wonderful already!!!

The autograph books.......I can already see that I probably should have just bought them... Don't get me wrong, they are fun and they will be a great keepsake, but I am going to be investing WAAAAAAAY too much time in these things. I did get all of the chipboards covered in paper this weekend though and started actually putting the pages in order. We'll see how it goes

Have a great time at disneyland. Ride Mr. Toads for me, it's my fave!!!!

 

[chattadisser]

Happy belated birthday to the Queen of Selfies...Miss Willow!

I'm excited the hear about your DL trip but I'm also excited to hear about the cruise. We have booked a 4 day cruise in October on the Wonder. We've never cruised before so this is our dipping-our-toes-in-the-water trip. I'm sure we will love it, I haven't heard anyone not like their DCL trip. I may need to go back and re-read your TR on the Wonder just for the pictures.

Have fun in DL! I'm sure the DL Pulto is much better behaved than his counterpart!

Christine

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Can't wait to hear all about your cruise. Your room does look "roomie"! The only cruise I have been on was a Carnival cruise to the Bahamas and I was not overly impressed. My DH is a diabetic, and he never wants to cruise since he thinks it's all about eating! Guess I will have to try this one with my DD (or go solo).

The balcony looks really nice. Can't say I would have a problem enjoying a little rest and relaxation out there watching the ocean flow by!

And AAAAAAAAAAH!!! You leave tomorrow!!! Have a great time!! Can't wait to hear all about it!