I'm giving up Black Friday for a Disney Cruise! A DCL PTR/TR - 1/28 NEW PTR!!!
- Thread starter Happydog
- Start date
eandesmom
I'm with Beast
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- Jan 5, 2009
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- 14,172
I am pretty sure it was only once on the Wonder for the farewell show, that will be my next update too.
Well the car rental can work quite quickly. It has worked great for us twice now at the port.That is on departure though. However we did rent a car for all of us to get back to the airport and the shuttle worked well on departure, but we were not rushing to get to WDW!!!
Right now I'm leaning towards 2 nights at WDW...if flight prices keep trending as they are, it is by far the best deal and I've pre-sold Jeff on it already so it would remove the need to rush. It's crazy, for the price for 5 of us to take the transfer, I can have a mini van for 2 days. So I will probably stick with the mini van and just return it to the car care center. If we did that it would give us one pool/resort day (and a day for Jeff to do some seaplane stuff in Orlando he'd like to anyway with the manufacturers of his kit) and then one full park day the next and then a nice lazy morning before departing.We will see, it all hinges on the flights.
My DFIL and DMIL bought it and some other booze at World Market there in Cocoa Beach before boarding... it was a prosecco I believe, I was leary about it to be honest, but it was actually quite nice. And our assistant server knew it was coming, and had an ice bucket ready for us!
Good to know it's there, I need to figure out where to do our grocery shopping for Vero. A magnum for 4? NO PROBLEM!
World Market has some decent wines at decent prices. It isn't that close to us but I've had ok luck there.
Happydog
DIS Veteran
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- Mar 10, 2007
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- 4,937
So as I mentioned after the show we headed back to the cabin to take care of our luggage and get the boys in bed.
After a little, I headed upstairs to the lobby, to see the final character meet and greet farewell!
I didn't get any autographs, obviously, but I just snapped photos of the characters. All the fab 5 were there, all the princesses, characters from the shows, on three levels in the lobby atrium. It was dizzying!
During the show I was in front of Daisy and Donald, and the Mickey Captain statue blocked my view of Minnie and Mickey!! BUT I tried to get most everyone on the stairs... this is where they sang a farewell song and ended the show...
The captain sent them off one at a time, and of course Stitch was hiding and didn't want to go!!!!
The whole atrium was filled with a wonderful song and a burst of confetti... and then, it was over. I have to confess even I stooped down to get a handful of confetti... there was that much!! It was really a special ending. So I went to the shops, got a few more things, and then walked back towards the lobby on my way down the stairs... the remaing confetti all vacumed and swept away as if it never happened...
What a beautiful space and tree...
So I headed back downstairs, and hit the hay! It had been an amazing day, a busy but very satisfying vacation. I truly felt we had a family vacation to remember!!!
MORE coming up!!! Disembarkation, last thoughts, misc. pictures, future cruises and a NEW PTR!!!!!
After a little, I headed upstairs to the lobby, to see the final character meet and greet farewell!
I didn't get any autographs, obviously, but I just snapped photos of the characters. All the fab 5 were there, all the princesses, characters from the shows, on three levels in the lobby atrium. It was dizzying!
During the show I was in front of Daisy and Donald, and the Mickey Captain statue blocked my view of Minnie and Mickey!! BUT I tried to get most everyone on the stairs... this is where they sang a farewell song and ended the show...
The captain sent them off one at a time, and of course Stitch was hiding and didn't want to go!!!!
The whole atrium was filled with a wonderful song and a burst of confetti... and then, it was over. I have to confess even I stooped down to get a handful of confetti... there was that much!! It was really a special ending. So I went to the shops, got a few more things, and then walked back towards the lobby on my way down the stairs... the remaing confetti all vacumed and swept away as if it never happened...
What a beautiful space and tree...
So I headed back downstairs, and hit the hay! It had been an amazing day, a busy but very satisfying vacation. I truly felt we had a family vacation to remember!!!
MORE coming up!!! Disembarkation, last thoughts, misc. pictures, future cruises and a NEW PTR!!!!!
gallmcduck
Gallmcduck
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2009
- Messages
- 663
Beautifully decorated atruim, we sailed in early Nov and the ship had a lovely tree quite like the one in your photos, I don't remeber the decorations being so nice. Fab ending to what sounded a wonderful trip 
Summer ptr
Summer ptr
manntra
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2007
- Messages
- 2,367
Beautiful Christmas decorations on CC. 
They really do it up well and I love the "festooned" (surprised you didn't use it this time 
) tram!!
LOVE your wristlet!!!
You must have quite the nice little collection of D&B now 
Looking forward to the next HD adventure
I will be waiting for the bat signal!!
Tracy
They really do it up well and I love the "festooned" (surprised you didn't use it this time ) tram!! LOVE your wristlet!!!
You must have quite the nice little collection of D&B now Looking forward to the next HD adventure
I will be waiting for the bat signal!! Tracy
Happydog
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2007
- Messages
- 4,937
Well, folks. I won't bore you with all the depressing details but yes, we got up on disembarkation day, I took a shower, we went up for breakfast, we went down to our state room and gave our tips envelopes to our AWESOME attendant, and then we went up to Shutters so I could collect my photos... I took this quick pic of the boys on our way out... funny that I never had a chance to get this shot on the cruise. I would have loved their photo but each time we thought about it there was a line to get a professional snap taken, or we were coming or going somewhere else... I guess if you are really too busy having fun, not getting every "traditional" photo is okay
Of course Mickey wanted to say good bye, too...
YES you will see us again REAL SOON!!!!
So out to the rental car shuttle we went, and though there was a line, it didn't take too much time. We got our rental car, and headed out of the port area.... here are those photos...
Good Bye Terminal!!! Good Bye Magic!!!
Lucky for us, NASA was launching that day, a mars rover, apparently, and we were able to get a quick photo or two... here is what we saw from the road, as we drove by.... never mind the excess of cars pulled over, who basically pulled back onto the road after he launch, but we were well past them at that point -- I was worried we were going to get stuck in traffic hell, but we were lucky to just miss it!
Once at the airport, my kids got their one and only thrill ride this trip … LOL!!!
And while we waited at the airport, they watched a dvd and we all had lunch, and waited for our plane (our inlaws were with us on this flight home) pardon the plates!!!
A tired little boy...
Because we came home on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we had a day and a half to get back into the swing of things, which was much needed after being away for a week!
I realize that on this trip I actually had three cameras: my bigger Canon, my small waterproof Fuji point and shoot, and my phone camera. So as I was looking for the end of the trip pictures to include here, I found some that didn’t make it into the TR in the right post, so I am just adding or all.
Most of these are from St. Marteen. Look at how vast and still the water looks! This is the celebrity Eclipse... it is an interesting ship, it is like a big floating rectangle!
Random totally empty hall near the shops... I think I liked how empty and shiny it was
Inside the ship, this is on the promenade deck -- where you can walk through to see some of the mechanics of it all.
SO....
What is next for the Happy Dog Clan??!!
Well here are the highlights/plans so far...
FEBRUARY, President's day WEEKEND!!! Dh and I head down for our cruise-weekend getaway, with ONE night at the Animal Kingdom Jambo House the day before the cruise... Since I have an AP, I am really excited to go to a park, or two that day... I will have to see what I can cram into my day! We then are on The Dream for four nights... yippee!!! We are now officially gold members in the Castaway Club, so I am looking forward to getting a new color lanyard!!! LOL!!!
JUNE/JULY, TEN days in WDW, with just me and the Boys the first five nights, and DH arriving for the second half, which includes the 4th of July!!! We are at Beach Club Villas in a studio for three nights, then off we go to Wilderness Lodge Villas in a 2 bedroom for seven nights!! Really looking forward to this trip with my family, and the fact that I will be down there to visit with some great DISer friends and family!!!
The three cruises we booked are for these dates... we are still going back and forth with the November dates, the dates are excellent for our school calendar, and the price was very good, Thanksgiving again was really high, but we should have booked it earlier than later. This one is a 7 night on the Fantasy, departs November 3rd I believe it is. Eastern Caribbean again, BUT no St. Marteen, instead it goes to San Juan. The SECOND cruise we booked was for President's day weekend again. However, we are considering making that a 7 night cruise for all of us... we are just worried about the 4 days of missed school... 4 nights is just too short for me when cruising with the kids... but that is what we have right now for all four of us. The THIRD CRUISE is a summer cruise, July 6th, Western Caribbean... this is the one I really am interested in, because I have never been to the Mexican Riviera. I really want to take a cruise on the Fantasy, and expect us to work with one or two of these for sure, and perhaps canceling the third one. We are VERY excite about the new released itineraries for the Wonder and the Magic. However, there is only one Med cruise we are interested in, the 12 night including Turkey... the issue however, is of course cost and airfare... And I am leary about going back on the Magic for that many days.
WE are planning a December 2012 trip to WDW, and we will be mostly going to "that other park" ... However, because I very much want to go to Disney for Christmas, the November Cruise may be the one we move...It may be we look at fall of 2013, then, perhaps Thanksgiving again, b/c Thanksgiving 2013 is still doable price-wise for us... We are already starting to lay the groundwork for Christmas, I know we will see a little of the New Fantasyland this summer, but by December, I know they will have much more!
SO, there you have it! OUR MAGICal Thanksgiving Cruise. I sure hope you enjoyed reading along!!! I loved writing it!!!!
Here we are sending you off!!! This was my Shutter's photo I purchased, I didn't like the food in the photo, but framed it is hard to notice -- I had to take a photo of a photo -- ONE day I will take these to work and scan them there! maybe next trip!!! I have one of the Boys, too... but I am saving it for the PTR!!! If you like to read about plotting and planning for a Disney vacation for Adults AND Kids, then please COME join in my PTR and read along for some fun!!!
There I will be including a mini-TR of our adult getaway cruise, so come check it out! I will be adding the link here when I get it set up, so be on the look out tomorrow!
TWENTY FOUR DAYS before our Dream Escape!!! I can't WAIT!!!!
Of course Mickey wanted to say good bye, too...
YES you will see us again REAL SOON!!!!
So out to the rental car shuttle we went, and though there was a line, it didn't take too much time. We got our rental car, and headed out of the port area.... here are those photos...
Good Bye Terminal!!! Good Bye Magic!!!
Lucky for us, NASA was launching that day, a mars rover, apparently, and we were able to get a quick photo or two... here is what we saw from the road, as we drove by.... never mind the excess of cars pulled over, who basically pulled back onto the road after he launch, but we were well past them at that point -- I was worried we were going to get stuck in traffic hell, but we were lucky to just miss it!
Once at the airport, my kids got their one and only thrill ride this trip … LOL!!!
And while we waited at the airport, they watched a dvd and we all had lunch, and waited for our plane (our inlaws were with us on this flight home) pardon the plates!!!
A tired little boy...
Because we came home on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we had a day and a half to get back into the swing of things, which was much needed after being away for a week!
I realize that on this trip I actually had three cameras: my bigger Canon, my small waterproof Fuji point and shoot, and my phone camera. So as I was looking for the end of the trip pictures to include here, I found some that didn’t make it into the TR in the right post, so I am just adding or all.
Most of these are from St. Marteen. Look at how vast and still the water looks! This is the celebrity Eclipse... it is an interesting ship, it is like a big floating rectangle!
Random totally empty hall near the shops... I think I liked how empty and shiny it was
Inside the ship, this is on the promenade deck -- where you can walk through to see some of the mechanics of it all.
SO....
What is next for the Happy Dog Clan??!!
Well here are the highlights/plans so far...
FEBRUARY, President's day WEEKEND!!! Dh and I head down for our cruise-weekend getaway, with ONE night at the Animal Kingdom Jambo House the day before the cruise... Since I have an AP, I am really excited to go to a park, or two that day... I will have to see what I can cram into my day! We then are on The Dream for four nights... yippee!!! We are now officially gold members in the Castaway Club, so I am looking forward to getting a new color lanyard!!! LOL!!!
JUNE/JULY, TEN days in WDW, with just me and the Boys the first five nights, and DH arriving for the second half, which includes the 4th of July!!! We are at Beach Club Villas in a studio for three nights, then off we go to Wilderness Lodge Villas in a 2 bedroom for seven nights!! Really looking forward to this trip with my family, and the fact that I will be down there to visit with some great DISer friends and family!!!
The three cruises we booked are for these dates... we are still going back and forth with the November dates, the dates are excellent for our school calendar, and the price was very good, Thanksgiving again was really high, but we should have booked it earlier than later. This one is a 7 night on the Fantasy, departs November 3rd I believe it is. Eastern Caribbean again, BUT no St. Marteen, instead it goes to San Juan. The SECOND cruise we booked was for President's day weekend again. However, we are considering making that a 7 night cruise for all of us... we are just worried about the 4 days of missed school... 4 nights is just too short for me when cruising with the kids... but that is what we have right now for all four of us. The THIRD CRUISE is a summer cruise, July 6th, Western Caribbean... this is the one I really am interested in, because I have never been to the Mexican Riviera. I really want to take a cruise on the Fantasy, and expect us to work with one or two of these for sure, and perhaps canceling the third one. We are VERY excite about the new released itineraries for the Wonder and the Magic. However, there is only one Med cruise we are interested in, the 12 night including Turkey... the issue however, is of course cost and airfare... And I am leary about going back on the Magic for that many days.
WE are planning a December 2012 trip to WDW, and we will be mostly going to "that other park" ... However, because I very much want to go to Disney for Christmas, the November Cruise may be the one we move...It may be we look at fall of 2013, then, perhaps Thanksgiving again, b/c Thanksgiving 2013 is still doable price-wise for us... We are already starting to lay the groundwork for Christmas, I know we will see a little of the New Fantasyland this summer, but by December, I know they will have much more!
SO, there you have it! OUR MAGICal Thanksgiving Cruise. I sure hope you enjoyed reading along!!! I loved writing it!!!!
Here we are sending you off!!! This was my Shutter's photo I purchased, I didn't like the food in the photo, but framed it is hard to notice -- I had to take a photo of a photo -- ONE day I will take these to work and scan them there! maybe next trip!!! I have one of the Boys, too... but I am saving it for the PTR!!! If you like to read about plotting and planning for a Disney vacation for Adults AND Kids, then please COME join in my PTR and read along for some fun!!!
There I will be including a mini-TR of our adult getaway cruise, so come check it out! I will be adding the link here when I get it set up, so be on the look out tomorrow!
TWENTY FOUR DAYS before our Dream Escape!!! I can't WAIT!!!!
manntra
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2007
- Messages
- 2,367
"I think I liked it because it was so empty and shiny!" You and I have the same camera eye!!!! Blue sky pictures....empty and shiny!! Totally what would have been going through my mind!!
Cool that you were able to see the rover take off
Love all of your upcoming plans and congratulations on your gold member status!!
Tracy
You and I have the same camera eye!!!! Blue sky pictures....empty and shiny!! Totally what would have been going through my mind!!Cool that you were able to see the rover take off
Love all of your upcoming plans and congratulations on your gold member status!!
Tracy
jeremysdisneymom
DIS Veteran
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- Jan 3, 2008
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- 1,956
Really enjoyed your trip! Looking forward to the next one.
Charleston Princess
DIS Legend
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- Jan 28, 2008
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- 21,444
Great ending and I love reading about all of your upcoming plans! You really have a lot of Disney fun lined up over the next couple of years!
Love the family photo at the very end -- very cute!
Alrighty, when are you starting your PTR?
Love the family photo at the very end -- very cute!
Alrighty, when are you starting your PTR?
kimpossible
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2004
- Messages
- 1,575
Nice job! We are on the Thanksgiving 2013 cruise. I am hoping you post your adults only Presidents Day cruise. We are considering taking an adults only 3 night Memorial weekend for our anniversary.
Happydog
DIS Veteran
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- Mar 10, 2007
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- 4,937
great updates from CC
your photos are wonderful and the boys look like they are having a great time
40% of that purse? it would have been a crime not to buy it
Thank you!! We had a wonderful time -- and 40% of all that D & B, I really didn't need it, but that little wristlet, I had to have it!!!!
Good to know it's there, I need to figure out where to do our grocery shopping for Vero. A magnum for 4? NO PROBLEM!
World Market has some decent wines at decent prices. It isn't that close to us but I've had ok luck there.
Oh, are you going to Vero Beach??!! Wow! Good for you! Sounds like our itinerary from last year
There is a big PUBLIX I think it is, with a good liquor store RIGHT next door just around the corner from Disney's VB...Beautifully decorated atruim, we sailed in early Nov and the ship had a lovely tree quite like the one in your photos, I don't remeber the decorations being so nice. Fab ending to what sounded a wonderful trip
Summer ptr
Thanks! The ship was beautifully decorated, they do neat christmas activities too, after Thanksgiving, apparently. BUT the decorations were enough to get me in the mood!
Summer PTR coming up!!!!
Yes -- they do Christmas well!!!!
Beautiful Christmas decorations on CC.
LOVE your wristlet!!!
Looking forward to the next HD adventure
Tracy
JUST for you, I will be sure to use the word FESTOONED on the next TR...
And yes, they really really know how to do Christmas. Makes me smile all over!
I have THREE wristlets, yes! But honestly that is all I can do, can't justify the price for a big one, makes no sense for me... BUT I love them! The wristlets have been great, because they work well at the park, if we are running to a nice dinner, and on the cruises they have been GREAT.
PTR link COMING UP!!!
"I think I liked it because it was so empty and shiny!"
Cool that you were able to see the rover take off
Love all of your upcoming plans and congratulations on your gold member status!!
Tracy
YES.... I know I know ... look, once I start "sampling" beverages it is all over.
Oh I know GOLD member!!! Thank goodness. If I got another pair of metal beverage containers that said "castaway club" on them, I wouldn't know what to do with myself!!! I am trying to think of some crafty project for my silver club lanyards....
Plans are still forming, but summer is all set!!!
Happydog
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2007
- Messages
- 4,937
Thanks!! I am enjoying yours too!!!
Thank you!!!! I am looking forward to starting it. Oh! I just did !!!
Thanks for sharing your cruise with us
Your two boys are so handsome.
Thanks for reading and POSTING!!!! I am glad to know I have some readers -- I just have fun writing them to be honest!!! they are sweet guys, get into everything but we have fun! We did have a fantastic time, and I can't wait to do it again!
Great ending and I love reading about all of your upcoming plans! You really have a lot of Disney fun lined up over the next couple of years!
Love the family photo at the very end -- very cute!
Alrighty, when are you starting your PTR?
THANK YOU CP!!! Well, we have most of it lined up, rough plans, but summer is all set!!!! That and February!
That PTR is ...... already posted!!!
I keep looking at that cruise, we are on the first week in November, but with the Christmas plans I think we will me moving it somewhere... not sure quite yet! OH I will post that getaway don't worry! I have one from last year, btw, but this coming trip will be in my Summer PTR... so you can see it there!
Happydog
DIS Veteran
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- 4,937
Hi everyone!!! Well, I hope you have enjoyed this cruise TR, and reading along with me, but I have a NEW PTR for our 4th of July summer trip, and if you enjoyed reading this 7 night cruise TR, my new PTR will also include a mini TR on our President's Day Adult Getaway Trip -- one night at AKL and 4 nights on the Disney Dream!
Here it is:
OPERATION FOURTH A 4th of July Disney Extravaganza
Hope you come on over!
See you Real SOON!!!
Here it is:
OPERATION FOURTH A 4th of July Disney Extravaganza
Hope you come on over!
See you Real SOON!!!
wigdoutdismom
Disney Driven in every way.
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2008
- Messages
- 8,082
Hi everyone!!! Well, I hope you have enjoyed this cruise TR, and reading along with me, but I have a NEW PTR for our 4th of July summer trip, and if you enjoyed reading this 7 night cruise TR, my new PTR will also include a mini TR on our President's Day Adult Getaway Trip -- one night at AKL and 4 nights on the Disney Dream!
Here it is:
OPERATION FOURTH A 4th of July Disney Extravaganza
Hope you come on over!
See you Real SOON!!!
I was just there! I've been watching and waiting all week long!!!!!
2xcited2sleep
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2008
- Messages
- 11,198
Great wrap-up!! I tell you, you have just about sold me on the cruise experience! 
Loved following along with you on this trip and looking forward to the next one! How fun to have plans for so many future trips in the works. I like to do that too...makes leaving (somewhat) less painful and gets me through some crazy work weeks- always counting down to the next one!!
Loved following along with you on this trip and looking forward to the next one! How fun to have plans for so many future trips in the works. I like to do that too...makes leaving (somewhat) less painful and gets me through some crazy work weeks- always counting down to the next one!!
gallmcduck
Gallmcduck
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2009
- Messages
- 663
Hi everyone!!! Well, I hope you have enjoyed this cruise TR, and reading along with me, but I have a NEW PTR for our 4th of July summer trip, and if you enjoyed reading this 7 night cruise TR, my new PTR will also include a mini TR on our President's Day Adult Getaway Trip -- one night at AKL and 4 nights on the Disney Dream!
Here it is:
OPERATION FOURTH A 4th of July Disney Extravaganza
Hope you come on over!
See you Real SOON!!!
Heading right over, great wrap up to your TR and reading all about your future plans. The shutter picture is really good, very natural
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