If we can DREAM it, we can do it! ..... another 30 day vacation Update 02/07

[englishrose47]

Can't wait till I am experiencing all of this myself!!! The escort I talked to told me to make magnets for the dorrs as it makes it soooo much easier to find , especially for out GUYS!!!

 

[annmarieda]

That is a very pretty view out of your balcony

How fun that you got to have a dismeet.

 

[dizneeat]

Lovely photos Karin, the veranda looks so inviting

We just love the view from the veranda! And we put it to good use! We spend a lot of time out there.

Can't wait till I am experiencing all of this myself!!! The escort I talked to told me to make magnets for the dorrs as it makes it soooo much easier to find , especially for out GUYS!!!

Rosie, you are going to love your cruise!
Door magnets are a fun thing to do. Just print on magnetic paper and cut it out, that way there is no space between the magnet and the door and they are not falling off that easily.

That is a very pretty view out of your balcony

How fun that you got to have a dismeet.

We just love the veranda! That was my biggest downfall. Since we intended to cruise only once in a lifetime we went "all" out and booked a veranda room on the top deck - can't go back to anything else now.

There usually is a cruise DIS meet on the first day and since we had a delivery to make to Miss Angelina, we just "needed" to go there.

 

[MEK]

I am so looking forward to a drink on my verandah in just over 7 months. It still feels so far away, but considering I booked it about 6 months ago - its really not bad.

Love your view. Love the pictures pulling out of port. Love that you have a Mickey glove.

 

[WDisneyMom]

I need that WPE breakfast!!

Ahhhh, your pictures on the Dream bring back so many memories!

 

[heaven2dc]

Love your photos of the ship! I really want to take a Disney cruise one day - you are definitely an inspiration to start saving for one (your pics are gorgeous!) Thanks so much for sharing each adventure with us

 

[dizneeat]

I am so looking forward to a drink on my verandah in just over 7 months. It still feels so far away, but considering I booked it about 6 months ago - its really not bad.

Love your view. Love the pictures pulling out of port. Love that you have a Mickey glove.

You are so going to love being on the DREAM. Are you doing a 3 night or a 4 night? Well, it doesn't matter, it is always too short.

Time will fly by and you will be on your cruise before you know it, Mary Ellen. We also book our cruises years in advance and reading and planning makes time go by fast.

I need that WPE breakfast!!

Ahhhh, your pictures on the Dream bring back so many memories!

They discontinued the pocket - but they still have the pizza and the Cornflake Toast. Yummy options!

More pictures of the DREAM coming up ...... we stayed on for 9 nights.

Love your photos of the ship! I really want to take a Disney cruise one day - you are definitely an inspiration to start saving for one (your pics are gorgeous!) Thanks so much for sharing each adventure with us

Thank you so much for your kind words!
You really should consider trying a Disney cruise. Back in 2009 before we took our first cruise we were SURE we were not cruise people. We wanted to do a once in a lifetime cruise/experience and were instantly hooked. It is a very relaxing way to take a vacation.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 14, August 24

It’s the DREAM - Part 3

Time just seemed to fly by and it was soon time to get ready for dinner. Since we knew we would see Zan at dinner, we took some chocolate with us and headed downstairs to the Enchanted Garden.
They had just started taking people to their tables and there was a bit of a line, but it did not take long until it was our turn. Zan’s first comment when he saw us, was, “Where’s my Milka?” and it cracked him up that we had indeed brought some chocolate with us.
We all had to hug, which got us some really funny looks from the people around us and then we were informed that we indeed had a table for two and that he would change our server team so we would have someone special since our favourite servers Ana and her husband Matija were on vacation.
We were led to our table and our server came over to greet us. Funnily enough he was from Hungary, so from a neighbouring country to Austria. He made his recommendations and left us to have a look and find something we would like. The assistant server took our drinks order and was quick to return with two Diet Cokes. On our table we found our bread selection for the day,

Multi Grain Loaf and Country Current Bread, with

chickpea-garlic puree, which we nibbled on until our server returned to take our order and quickly brought out our starters. Tom ordered the

Ahi Tuna and Avocado Tower, with crispy noodles and wasabi dressing for his starter while I had my heart set on the

North Atlantic Lobster Ravioli, with roasted garlic and sweet basil in a light tomato broth. They were both wonderful and once we had finished them we were served some soup. Tom had the

Curried Carrot and Apple Soup, garnished with yogurt drizzle and croutons, while I went for the

Cream of Green Asparagus soup they offered. They were both silky and tasty and we both enjoyed them very much. Then it was time for the main course. Our server had asked us for any preferences and told us that he was going to surprise us. So for Tom he brought out

a huge slice of Prime rib over double baked potatoes and red wine jus, while he brought out the

Pan-seared Sea Bass, with a sweet pea risotto with a sweet chili glaze. And while we had had no say in what we would eat, he nailed it the first time around.
Both dishes were absolutely wonderful. Once we were done and everyone was handed a dessert menu, he just blinked at us and told us that since he had done well with the main course, he would surprise us with dessert as well.
When he came back he loaded our table with sweet treats. He brought us the

Steamed Lemon Buttermilk Pudding, with citrus reduction,

the Banana Foster Sundae, Rum glazed bananas, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and caramel sauce AND

the Sweet Temptations, a trio of

Sacher cake,

strawberry cheesecake, and

a small Lemon Meringue Pie.
We did our best to conquer them all, but did not really succeed. Before we left Zan came by our table and asked if we had liked our servers and if everything had been okay. Then it was time for us to wobble back to our stateroom.
When we arrived the Fish Extender was loaded with gifts,

which we took inside. Oana had turned down both our beds and left some more gifts.

Some chocolates, a box from DVC

and our extra gifts from DCL for being gold castaway club members

and our Cabana wristbands for the next day.

We had a feast opening all our goodies before we grabbed a beverage from the fridge and headed outside onto the veranda. Sitting there, in the light breeze we talked about that day’s events and a little later we were so tired, we HAD TO go to bed.

To be continued ............

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

The food all looks great, especially the soup! That fish extender gift was so original and cute! What an imagination on that cruiser. If only for a quarter of that talent. I can hardly wait to read about the cabana experience. I wanted a cabana so bad on our Fantasy cruise last May, but we booked the cruise at 60 days out on an ridiculous Guaranteed verandah, and they were all gone. But it was still a wonderful beach day, so I'm cool with it. Hopefully you will have some free time to get to the next update. BTW, are you on Spring Break now? In NYC were on break from 3/22-4/3...thankfully we didn't lose any of these days to Sandy. For our normal 8 day winter break in February, we got only 1 day off..we had to pay the week back that the kids were out of school due to Sandy. The kids are already in school until June 27th, so I guess its better then tacking those payback days to the end of the school year. I would surely lose my mind if they had to attend into July. Rant over. Awesome update.

 

[jenseib]

Yum!!!!!!

 

[MEK]

Yum!!!!!!

I think Jen just took the words right out of my mouth!

Cute FE gifts!

 

[dizneeat]

The food all looks great, especially the soup! That fish extender gift was so original and cute! What an imagination on that cruiser. If only for a quarter of that talent. I can hardly wait to read about the cabana experience. I wanted a cabana so bad on our Fantasy cruise last May, but we booked the cruise at 60 days out on an ridiculous Guaranteed verandah, and they were all gone. But it was still a wonderful beach day, so I'm cool with it. Hopefully you will have some free time to get to the next update. BTW, are you on Spring Break now? In NYC were on break from 3/22-4/3...thankfully we didn't lose any of these days to Sandy. For our normal 8 day winter break in February, we got only 1 day off..we had to pay the week back that the kids were out of school due to Sandy. The kids are already in school until June 27th, so I guess its better then tacking those payback days to the end of the school year. I would surely lose my mind if they had to attend into July. Rant over. Awesome update.

Isn't cruise food just so wonderful? Unfortunately there is too much of it sometimes.
As for the FE - we were really lucky with all the gifts we got. People outdid themselves.
I really hope that you will be able to get a Cabana on one of your next cruises.
I am so glad we are platinum and book really early (we are stuck with my holiday timetable, so that makes it easy) so that we can book them right when the window opens. It is pure luxury, but we just LOVE to have our own private little retreat.

I AM on my Easter break. And I am trying to catch up on everything around here. Things have been a bit out of hand and I am "kind of" behind on everything.
Wow! That is horrible that you have to catch up on your snow days. I mean with all the snow you had this year it was just too hard to get to places.
We don't have snow days as such and I have only ever seen our school closed one day when a storm came through.
So you are off on June 27? We don't stop until July 5! But then we have a lot of (catholic) holidays and some window days until then.

Yum!!!!!!

I think Jen just took the words right out of my mouth!

Cute FE gifts!

Mary Ellen, you are going to love the never ending food on the DREAM. It amazes me that we find time to do something else other than eat.

FEs are so much fun! We got lots of great gifts!
And sneaking around the ship handing them out is equal fun.

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

My two boys, while Honor Roll students, would lose it if they had to go to school through July 5th! WoW, that's a long school year! We don't get the catholic days off, but we do get Jewish holidays. Super Storm Sandy was a hurricane that hit the eastern part of the world, specifically my town Staten Island. Thankfully we we spared, only pool and very small roof damage, but was without power for 4 days. Mayor Bloomberg gave us day to day school closures, but it totaled 7 school days. In the last 5 years my oldest has been in the NYC Public school system, we were given only 1 excused snow day off!!! While we had snow this year, several times, it's been manageable. In fact, it snowed yesterday!?!? Craziness. Anyway, can not wait to read more. I so enjoy your reports

 

[wiigirl]

Just caught up on your TR! Great pics!

 

[KatMark]

Karin, all I am going to say is that my Fiber One 90 calorie bar is NOT doing it after reading your latest update.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

So you are off on June 27? We don't stop until July 5! But then we have a lot of (catholic) holidays and some window days until then.

Lots of Cathilic holidays?! Except for the snow, I'd love to live in Austria! I attended Catholic schools as did my children and back then we enjoyed many religious holidays (now Catholic schools do not close for as many religious hoidays). I was out of school late by May when living in the South and the first week of June in CA and most other areas of the U.S.. Mia and Toby were out around June 11th. I cannot imagine July 5th every year! Of course, here it would feel especially terrible since July 4th is a national holiday. Will you be off next week as well? Or only Holy Week?

What a wonderful update, Karin! Look at all that food! Love the Banana dessert with Mickey sticking out of the top!

The FEs are quite clever! I can see why it is so much fun - Rosie and I were having a grand time searching for ideas.

Plus the DVC chocolates (cute!) and your DCL Gold Castaway Member gift! What fun to return to your room and find all those goodies!!

 

[WDisneyMom]

My reply was lost!

Great update!! The food on the Dream is amazing, isn't it?!! you will never go hungry crusing with Disney!

Loved your fishextender gifts, very creative cruisers!! it was so much fun when we particpated in our FE in 2011.

Sounds like you had a perfect and relaxing day

 

[HowieHowie]

Karin...Rachel & I are also off for Spring break/Passover/Easter week. We had Passover at my house last night and Rachel & I were up Sun/Mon until the wee hours of the morning preparing, we almost saw the sun come up. Rachel did all the cooking & baking while I cleaned up. We had 15 people over. Now she & I can relax for the next 7 days.

Love your door decorations, great job Tom!! Cute fish extender gifts too. I'm drooling over the food pictures and I am still full from all the food and leftovers I just ate. Rachel & I loved the lobster ravoili, Scott not so much, Rachel just had to eat his. Of course, love your pictures, brings back memories. One day when we cruise again, I'll have to convince Howie to get a veranda.

 

[englishrose47]

I missed your update and I just loved the pix of the food !!!I have been reading the Dream menus and one of my chices was definitely the lobster raviolis and now I know I made the right choice !!I also may try the soup too, as for entres I loved both and had definitely been eyeing the sea bass but then that prime rib looks mighty good !! The Banana foster dessert also had peaked my interest !!!!

 

[dizneeat]

My two boys, while Honor Roll students, would lose it if they had to go to school through July 5th! WoW, that's a long school year! We don't get the catholic days off, but we do get Jewish holidays. Super Storm Sandy was a hurricane that hit the eastern part of the world, specifically my town Staten Island. Thankfully we we spared, only pool and very small roof damage, but was without power for 4 days. Mayor Bloomberg gave us day to day school closures, but it totaled 7 school days. In the last 5 years my oldest has been in the NYC Public school system, we were given only 1 excused snow day off!!! While we had snow this year, several times, it's been manageable. In fact, it snowed yesterday!?!? Craziness. Anyway, can not wait to read more. I so enjoy your reports

Guess, school start and end are what you are used to. And I don't think our students don't fare too bad. We only go back in mid September, have at least 4 extra days in the fall, 2 weeks for Christmas, then a week for half term, Easter is another 11 days and then there are 4 catholic holidays which fall either on a Thursday (which gives us Friday off as well) or a Monday (which gives us Tuesday off as well)
So going into July pretty much makes sense.
I remember Sandy hitting NY and NJ. I have several friends there who were really hard hit. What I still don't get is that you have to count natural disaster days as "snow days" (or whatever they are called). If something like that would happen here (we had lots of floods in lower Austria) it would not impact the school schedule.

And I know your feeling about the snow - same here. We had really pretty spring weather about two weeks ago, this week we have gone back to really cold and snow. I am so sick of it. I NEED some sun and warmer weather.

Just caught up on your TR! Great pics!

Thank you!

Karin, all I am going to say is that my Fiber One 90 calorie bar is NOT doing it after reading your latest update.

Fiber One versus cruise food ....... hm, I guess Fiber One looses!

Lots of Cathilic holidays?! Except for the snow, I'd love to live in Austria! I attended Catholic schools as did my children and back then we enjoyed many religious holidays (now Catholic schools do not close for as many religious hoidays). I was out of school late by May when living in the South and the first week of June in CA and most other areas of the U.S.. Mia and Toby were out around June 11th. I cannot imagine July 5th every year! Of course, here it would feel especially terrible since July 4th is a national holiday. Will you be off next week as well? Or only Holy Week?

What a wonderful update, Karin! Look at all that food! Love the Banana dessert with Mickey sticking out of the top!

The FEs are quite clever! I can see why it is so much fun - Rosie and I were having a grand time searching for ideas.

Plus the DVC chocolates (cute!) and your DCL Gold Castaway Member gift! What fun to return to your room and find all those goodies!!

All school here observe the Catholic holidays.
And as I said in previous response. I don't think July 5 is all that bad to end the school year. I can see your reasoning with July 4, but that does not concern Austria.
Our pupils have a lot of time off and enjoy the many breaks in between more than ending soon. We also get 9 weeks off in the summer and I would NOT want to go back to school in August. Yikes, far too soon. Ours go back in mid September and it is the perfect time frame.

Since you asked about Easter break - we are off for 11 days starting a week before Easter. We go back to school on Wednesday next week. But not for long as May 1 is a holiday here and our school used two of our individual days off for April 29 and 30! So this means a nice long weekend which we will use to go to DLRP.

Oh, and the DVC box did not have chocolates - they came from our stateroom host. The DVC box had lanyards and a voucher for a pin.

DCL is pretty generous with its gifts. We love the backpack(s) we have been given and the writing cards are cute! And the luggage straps make it pretty easy to pick out or luggage at any airport other than MCO!