How 7 Days with DCL Trumps 5 Trips to WDW~ Fantasy Eastern Caribbean, Oct 4-11

[oopsiDAISY]

Okay, anyone readY for an important oopsiDAISY announcement? How many of you have read the riveting story of the Disney-fication of our Non-Disney Vacation? Hmmmmm? Have you not? Well, then you will have no clue how fun this announcement is...get down to my siggy, and click on the little linky!! Take your time, those of us who have already experienced that fun will wait...









Is everyone ready now???

This October we will be doing a sequal to that trip!!!!! We are headed back to Orlando with my parents for a week of fun in the sun, and lots of Disney-fication. We plan to spend a day in the parks, spend a day at DTD, go to another Chipmunk Campfire at Ft. Wilderness, have a day at a waterpark, a day at the beach. We are doing it all again!!! We had not planned to do any sort of Disney related vacation this year. But then, we all got to looking at the photos from that trip, and remeniscing about the fun we had. Dad told us that was by far the best vacation he and my mom had ever had (and they have been to Hawaii, cruised to Alaska, been to Acapulco and Cozumel, Mexico....they have traveled!). Then this past Wednesday, I decided to post a photo from that trip onto Lisa Mickeytoontown's #wishiwereindisneywednesday page. My mom saw it and commented...."we need to go baaaaack", and that was IT. We were done for. She and I got to chatting and decided to pitch the idea to our hubbies. Dad agreed right away, but I knew I would have to catch Brian at just the right moment. I mentioned it to him Wednesday night. He said, "you need another Mickey fix, don't you?" Yes, he knows me well. He thought over it for a few days, and this morning gave us the green light.

WE ARE GOING BACK TO DISNEY IN OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cheekypoppins]

I wish i could say i was going in October too but nope whomp whomp whomp (insert sad face)

 

[disny_luvr]

Can you believe I never had the chicken fingers on the two Disney cruises I was on. I'll have to change that later this year. The Midship Detective game is so fun but it takes forever. We actually played and finished three games on our last cruise. That's probably why I didn't get to spend too much time in the adult area; I was always playing that dang game.

I am so, so glad that you are returning to Orlando and Disney later this year! I remember seeing the post you referenced above on FB. I know you guys will have a great time and we'll have another TR to read.

 

[CaseFace5]

Yay your getting a Disney fix!!! How very exciting for you! I bet you can hardly wait! I only have 29 days to get and I am bursting at the seems! Very excited for you and the family!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

I wish i could say i was going in October too but nope whomp whomp whomp (insert sad face)

One of these days we will actually meet in person, my friend....one of these days.

Can you believe I never had the chicken fingers on the two Disney cruises I was on. I'll have to change that later this year. The Midship Detective game is so fun but it takes forever. We actually played and finished three games on our last cruise. That's probably why I didn't get to spend too much time in the adult area; I was always playing that dang game.

I am so, so glad that you are returning to Orlando and Disney later this year! I remember seeing the post you referenced above on FB. I know you guys will have a great time and we'll have another TR to read.

Those chicken fingers really are good, definitely try them next time! We just lost interest in the game. I think we were all getting hungry, and just ready to be going our separate ways....and probably tired from running up and down stairs.

I am so excited to be going back...and can you believe Disney is about to hike ticket prices AGAIN?!?? For this trip we have a CM friend who will be able to let us in...but this will surely complicate planning for our anniversary trip to the parks next year. OY...they get us hooked, and then we are just sunk because we need a fix.

Yay your getting a Disney fix!!! How very exciting for you! I bet you can hardly wait! I only have 29 days to get and I am bursting at the seems! Very excited for you and the family!

And I am so excited for you, Casey!! Just love our happy place!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

We left off with lunch in the Adults Only area. I never did go in the pool. Brian was always doing homework when we were in that area, and I never wanted to go in by myself...in fact, I never went in a pool at all on the ship. Probably wise...

It was beginning to get hot on the deck, so we grabbed our stuff and headed into Cove Cafe. Brian got started on homework, and I began to read a book I had checked out at the library just for this trip. I wasn't very far into it when I realized I had read it before. That was SO disappointing! I tried reading it again, and just could not get into it. I began to feel drowsy in the cool and quiet cafe, so I decided to just head up to the room for a nap. Brian stayed to finish a paper he was writing.

After a nice nap, I got my stuff together to go back to hang out with Brian.... and he came back to the room just as I was walking out. He and I decided to try out the lounge district. We stopped in at O'Gill's to catch the end of the Houston/Dallas football game. We both love football, and had missed it immensely since we had decided as a family to ditch the dish in favor of Hulu and Netflix. We are not fans of either team playing, but enjoyed just getting to watch football..any football. After hanging out at O'Gill's for a while we went and got Gabe from Oceaneer's club, and started getting ready for dinner. This was one of the two nights we were REALLY looking forward to...Formal Night!!! We were excited for a chance to dress up really nice. Dinner on this night was going to be in Enchanted Garden. We went downstairs a bit early for the Captain's Reception before dinner. That atrium was PACKED!!! People were standing in lines everywhere for photo ops. They had several stations in different locations with different backdrops to choose. Our family chose to have our formal night photo taken on the staircase...but you must wait until the end of the post to see that one.

We partook of the free booze the Captain had to offer on this night. They had a "kiddie champaigne" for the kids...and it was GROSS. Basically apple juice with sprite and a cherry in it. None of our kids were impressed. Brian and I enjoyed the complimentary glass of wine while we waiting to have our photo taken. After getting our picture taken we headed down to the restaurant. We were still a bit early, so we took the time to take some snapshots of us all "gussied up."





We made our way into the dining room. Napkin art of the night:



Bread service on this night:


Multi-Grain and Country Currant Rolls with Chickpea and Garlic Puree'

Very Tasty. I love the roll and the dip was pretty much Garlic Hummus. The sweetness of the currant roll with the garlicy hummus was a great combination.

When we got to our table on this night Sawak asked Gabe if he had a girlfriend. When Gabe said no, Sawak swiflty said, "Well when you find a cute one, give her this!" ..and he gave Gabe a "Just Married" badge like they give in the parks!!!

Our table mates showed up after bread service came...and the were indeed "fashionably" late.





It was just so cool seeing everyone dressed up. We were on the same dining rotation as some of our FB cruise friends, and we all took the time to ooooh and awwww over each other.

Now it was time to let the feasting begin...again!


Applewood Smoked Bacon Wild Mushroom Tart with Creamy Leeks

This was not mine, so I have no review. I am not a fan of mushrooms. My appetizer of choice was this:


North Atlantic Lobster Ravioli with Roasted Garlic and Sweet Basil in a Tomato Broth

This was fantastic. I definitely became a fan of Lobster Ravioli on this trip! The Ravioli at Fishlips had been served wtih a cream sauce, this one with a light broth. Both were simply delicious.

Brian's appetizer choice:


Ahi Tuna and Avacado Tower with Crispy Noodles and Wasabi Dreassing

I tried a taste of this as well, for reporting purposes. It was very tasty, but I was happy with my own choice.


We had a bit of time before our soup and salad course was served, so the kiddos decided to have a photo op in the restaurant.



Then it was time for more food... Brian's salad:


Romaine Wedge...we can all tell what this is, so I won't bother with posting the flowery description.

My salad of choice was:


Spinach and Raspberry Salad tossed with Pine Nuts, Crumbled Gorganzola and a Raspberry Vinaigrette

This was okay... Gorganzola is a bit tangier than I prefer, i typically use feta for these sweeter salads when I make them at home. Other than that, good salad. Time to move on to entree's. I believe this was Jillian's (she loves fish of all sorts):


Pan Seared Sea Bass with Fava Bean and and Pea Risotto, sliced Fennel and a Dill-Chive Reisling Wine Sauce

I went with the Prime Rib:


Slow Roasted Prime Rib Carved and served with Thyme-roasted Vegetables, Double Baked Potato, Natural Jus and Horseradish

This was all really good. Nothing special or unique about it, but still quite delicous. Brian's entree is next:


Carmelized Sea Scallops with Roasted Asparagus, Sun-Dried Tomato Cous-Cous, Carmalized Leeks and Red Wine Veal Jus

Again, Brian is not a fan of odd grains or pastas, so he did not eat the Cous-Cous. But, he did enjoy the Scallops.

Between entree's and desserts, there was a bit of a wait again. This was fine with us, it gave our food time to settle. We also took a moment to get Jillian's photo in front of the fountain:



Then it was on to the sweet stuff. I chose:


Warm Sticky Date Pudding served with Butterscotch Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream and Philo Crunch

YUM! It was good. I didn't eat much, since we were obviously full from the other courses, but I at least wanted to try it. No regrets.

On this night Jillian discovered Sweet Temptations (something on the dessert menu every night).


On the Sweet Temptations plate this night were: Sacher Torte, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Esterha'zy Cake (Almond Meringue soaked in Merischino Liqeur)

Little E went for her customary Mickey's Premium:


I don't remember what Gabe got, but he was chowing down too!

This is where the night got fun. Sawak decided that this night would be the night to celebrate Gabe's 21st birthday. He had the whole "gang" come out to sing:



Gabe was so confused, then he started eating it up! It was so much fun. When I asked all to pose for a photo, this happened:



A special dessert was brought as well:


I have finally hit a snag with the new Disboard changes... how the heck do you edit photos in and out??? See how it posted the picture of Little E twice...cannot figure out how to fix it!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

After leaving dinner we took the time for just a few more photos:





Upon returning to our room, this beautiful creature was waiting for us:



BUT... the night was not over yet! We changed into something comfortable and headed back downstairs. We went to see the Aladdin stage show. It was so phenomenal!!! It was truly a fantastic show. Sadly, this is the only stage show we made it to on the cruise. But, if we had to pick one, I am glad we chose Aladdin. After the show, we let the girls stay out a bit later, so they headed to their clubs. Brian, Gabe and I headed back to the room. Gabe got ready for bed...and then did this:


He had saved his "birthday" dessert for later. It was a wonderful end to a fabulous day. We all headed to be shortly after, because the next day we were in for an early meet and greet with some special folks....And to close out the post, our Formal Night photos:

 

[mickeystoontown]

With the dang new improvements to the Dis, I'm even more behind than ever. I miss my email notifications! Anyway, before I read the lastest report update, I wanted to say WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO! on booking another trip to Disney! It always feels good knowing that there's a Disney trip on the books. Now, I'm going back to read.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Ya'll look so good in your gussied up clothes. You clean up well! Seriously, you all look so pretty and handsome. Dinner looks amazing except for your prime rib. I am not a fan of rare meat though so take my opinion with a grain of salt. We only saw one show during our cruise and I was kicking myself for not seeing them all because the one that we did see was so good.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

With the dang new improvements to the Dis, I'm even more behind than ever. I miss my email notifications! Anyway, before I read the lastest report update, I wanted to say WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO! on booking another trip to Disney! It always feels good knowing that there's a Disney trip on the books. Now, I'm going back to read.

you can still get them just double check that it's set up for it apparently older threads you have to manually set them, I also find if you post on it as well it reset the email for it as well.

 

[CaseFace5]

Love the pictures of your formal night! That last one of the whole family came out so nice!

The food looks so good! Glad you all had some much fun dressing up and ohh-ing and Ahh-ing all over each other.

Also that celebration for Gabe? Priceless! So awesome that you had a great attendant to have such a good time!

 

[KatMark]

Yay...some wonderful updates. It's getting close to lunch time and you have made me very hungry. I would like an order of Brian's scallops right now, please.

What beautiful formal night photos!!! They are terrific.

And you are going back for a trip in October? I remember how much you all loved the last one. I could not click on any link. What are your dates in October? Mark and I will be there in October.

 

[disny_luvr]

Great formal night pics! Oh my goodness, doesn't the lobby get crazy packed before dinner?!?!?! We opted to get a formal night family photo in front of the Christmas tree but next trip I'm getting one on the staircase.

 

[MC0810]

What a great photo in front of the stairs. Our family has 10 people..is there a way to make a reservation for a family photo?

 

[Pixiedust530]

So....ummmmm.....better late than never, right? I've finally made it back to the DIS after a 4-5 month hiatus! Wow, things sure have changed around here.

Anyway, I'm all caught up with your TR. Boy, do I want to go on a Disney Cruise now. I knew it was on my bucket list, but holy cow it looks AMAZING!!! I guess when I am ready to plan this adventure I will be picking your brain!

Just a few comments....

• What a good looking family all gussied up on formal night. Love it!
• Your room is definitely more spacious than I would have imagined.
• Everything on the ship looks just beautiful...and I know your pics have only just begun.
• YEY for another Disney-fication trip. We too have an October trip planned to Disney. A whole week coming up. Maybe we can arrange a Dis-meet if our dates and plans overlap
• Can't wait to read more about the cruise!

Until next time.....
Stephanie

 

[Pluto0809]

Yeah, so glad you guys get some Disney magic this year! Mine is going to be limited to the time we spent at DTD last week.

I am still really enjoying your cruise TR! I'm pretty sure I'm going to try to get Jim on one sometime in 2017. Of course right now he is saying we aren't going to travel together again for a while because Remy got stressed at the doggie spa and had diarrhea when we got home. I'm going to have to work on him for a while.

You guys look so nice in your formal wear! I guess I will have to buy a dress if we go since I really don't own any. Jim does have a couple of suits but who know what they look like because they haven't been out of the closet for years.

 

[petals]

I'm back (I cannot find anyone's trip report I was following any more. Can't handle change!) Love your formal night photos, you all look fab... btw I think to remove the picture you hit edit and figure out what img code that picture is and just highlight and delete.

 

[Chicago Mo]

OM GOOOOOOODNEESSSS!

Look how fabulous you all look!!! I just adore it all!!! I LOve that you were able to go up to the adults only room for your coffee and look out to the ocean. I am just loving this report!!!

I hope all is going well with the adoption too..

 

[DnA2010]

Really enjoying your report, you families look like they are having a great time, love all the yummy food porn too!

 

[Texan]

Hey Connie! You know what they say - better late than never - so enjoying your cruise report - I knew you would love it! Have never done a Disney cruise, but 5 other cruises. Looks like you are hooked! Will be following along on your amazing first cruise. Carol