It Truly was the Nightmare at Thanksgiving Disney Trip!- update 4/5 pg 10

[DisMomAmy]

Fun update! I love reading cruise updates because we've never done one. I can understand you feeling a little bit lost. After going to Disney so many times & knowing things like the back of your hand, the ship must have been tricky! That's how I felt when we went to NY last summer.

Funny DVC story!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Fun update! I love reading cruise updates because we've never done one. I can understand you feeling a little bit lost. After going to Disney so many times & knowing things like the back of your hand, the ship must have been tricky! That's how I felt when we went to NY last summer.

Funny DVC story!

If you think the DVC story is funny, just wait until you hear about the room I lost. I was ready to jump overboard during that dilemma.

Cruising was fun. I wish we had done longer but it was enough to get our feet wet so to speak and know that I want to do more. Our tentative plans is to do a 7-day cruise in 2014. I would like to squeeze one in this year but the boys are set on Disneyland.

NY is on my trip bucket list, but I want to go at Thanksgiving and see the parade. Hopefully some day I can make it happen.

 

[eandesmom]

Fun update Erica! I love seeing real boarding pictures, where there are actually crowds and numbers being called. As you know, NOT our experience. I can absolutely see how easy it would be to have a hard time finding your room. Even when you know where it is it is SO easy to get turned around!

I was impressed with the Cabanas lunch, much more so than the breakfast and I'm not a buffet person either. Very sorry the Muster Drill dude was snarky, that's uncool and uncalled for. Sounds like the Aquaduck line wasn't too bad, that's great! I don't think you had a dumb moment and as you can see, they knew you were DVC by your magnet. They track us I tell you! I actually called DCL to have it noted on the ressie and was told that they don't do that themselves...but somehow DVC "knows". I was still happy to see my magnet too. It's the little things.

And I agree with Jeremy, Belle IS pretty!

 

[Poolrat]

How was the marathon? I admire runners. Not sure how you do it but wish I could get motivated to run. I have tried couch to 5K many times but always slack into it. A friend and I are going to try it full force in spring. We are hoping to succeed as we want to run a 5K in the fall in Cincinnati.

I did the 1/2 and well I can say I finished. Which honestly was my goal. It was very warm and the getting up at 3 am well is a another thing. All in all I am glad I did it and I am proud I made it.

I have heard it from others but if I can do it anyone can do it. I am SO not a runner. Once it gets a bit warmer and not icy, I will get back out there.

Thank you. I was overwhelmed and so out of my element. I literally lost our room this night. It was more like my mind. I have a really dumb moment with all that. It will be in my next post.

I call that turning off your brain. I tend to do that when entering Disney and usually need to turn my brain up a bit to function.

Once at POP I went to the room took a picture of the room number then ent down to get a fridge swap ( when you needed to ) the CM was just going to bring it to the room but I had no idea what the room number was. Realized later I had a picture and had to use that. LOL

I felt a little out of it at DL. Took a bit to get my bearings.

 

[MeMom]

One of my favorite water features. I want this set up in my yard.

I bet it is amazing to see your ship looming large as you arrive. Our librarian cruises (non-Disney) a lot, and she said, "Your Disney ships make the other ships look like nothing." She says she's always jealous. She'll never cruise Disney, though. It's not really her style.

Looking forward to more 'fun in the sun' pictures.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

WOW, the boat is just so BIG! Your pictures really showed how large it is! I can't wait to see more! I know nothing about cruises, so it will be fun to see your pics and hear about it!

 

[MEK]

I love this picture. So cool!

Your pictures of DTD are gorgeous! I just love the Christmas decorations! So pretty!

I don't think you had a dumb moment at all. I have to remember to tell my TA that I am a DVC member. I didn't book through Disney, so I'm not sure how they actually get that information.

I didn't know you got boarding times ahead of time. We are actually planning on getting to the port on the later side. Our theory is everyone will be loaded and we are meeting are friends who are driving from Charleston that day. Can't wait.

Really looking forward to reading more about your cruise!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I haven't been on a cruise before... and so I love reading about them as well... I get to live vicariously and decide if we should do one...

Lovely photos... the ship really does look lovely and very well appointed...

I love your anecdote about tearing about when you were getting closer to the shop with your boys... I think that that actually awesome... it means that you are sensitive and appreciate things...

Ummm... yes I'd say that Jeremy looks happy with Belle...

 

[Txshadow]

I'm reading along here and enjoying it all. My heart goes out to you with the threat of violence against your son. We had a shooting at my sons college campus this week and we had a few terrifying hours waiting to hear he and his friends were all OK.

 

[lsenquiz]

Following along. We are doing a Park/Cruise/Park trip in September.

 

[reelmom]

Joining in. I am so sorry that Jeremy and your family had to go through that at school. It makes me sick to my stomach and mad all at the same time. I am glad you didn't step down and hopefully, things are improving. We have never been on a cruise. We had one booked for this summer but I chickened out and cancelled. I am totally scared of being surrounded by water.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Fun update Erica! I love seeing real boarding pictures, where there are actually crowds and numbers being called. As you know, NOT our experience. I can absolutely see how easy it would be to have a hard time finding your room. Even when you know where it is it is SO easy to get turned around!

I was impressed with the Cabanas lunch, much more so than the breakfast and I'm not a buffet person either. Very sorry the Muster Drill dude was snarky, that's uncool and uncalled for. Sounds like the Aquaduck line wasn't too bad, that's great! I don't think you had a dumb moment and as you can see, they knew you were DVC by your magnet. They track us I tell you! I actually called DCL to have it noted on the ressie and was told that they don't do that themselves...but somehow DVC "knows". I was still happy to see my magnet too. It's the little things.

And I agree with Jeremy, Belle IS pretty!

Cynthia, just wait until the story about the room! It is quite a doozy!!!

I agree, I liked lunch better than breakfast at Cabanas. I really enjoyed our breakfast at Royal Palace. The aquaduck line was never very long the entire cruise except for when we were docked in the Bahamas.

Belle was a pretty Belle!

I did the 1/2 and well I can say I finished. Which honestly was my goal. It was very warm and the getting up at 3 am well is a another thing. All in all I am glad I did it and I am proud I made it.

I have heard it from others but if I can do it anyone can do it. I am SO not a runner. Once it gets a bit warmer and not icy, I will get back out there.



I call that turning off your brain. I tend to do that when entering Disney and usually need to turn my brain up a bit to function.

Once at POP I went to the room took a picture of the room number then ent down to get a fridge swap ( when you needed to ) the CM was just going to bring it to the room but I had no idea what the room number was. Realized later I had a picture and had to use that. LOL

I felt a little out of it at DL. Took a bit to get my bearings.

Wish I had remember that I took a picture of the room number on my camera as it would have helped when I lost the room! I just don't think when I am aggravated and quite honestly getting paniced.

DL is a definitely a go for us this year. I am starting to plan as we speak. Sure hoping you will share some pictures with us!

One of my favorite water features. I want this set up in my yard.

I bet it is amazing to see your ship looming large as you arrive. Our librarian cruises (non-Disney) a lot, and she said, "Your Disney ships make the other ships look like nothing." She says she's always jealous. She'll never cruise Disney, though. It's not really her style.

Looking forward to more 'fun in the sun' pictures.

It is a pretty water feature. I don't have the creativity to do anything on a small scale like that in my back yard.

The Disney ships are huge! I was surprised at the difference in size when up to the other ships. Not sure that I could do another cruise line. We don't gamble so the casinos wouldn't be a draw for us that are on other ships.

WOW, the boat is just so BIG! Your pictures really showed how large it is! I can't wait to see more! I know nothing about cruises, so it will be fun to see your pics and hear about it!

It is huge and lots of fun! I loved cruising. Update coming tomorrow.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I love this picture. So cool!

Your pictures of DTD are gorgeous! I just love the Christmas decorations! So pretty!

I don't think you had a dumb moment at all. I have to remember to tell my TA that I am a DVC member. I didn't book through Disney, so I'm not sure how they actually get that information.

I didn't know you got boarding times ahead of time. We are actually planning on getting to the port on the later side. Our theory is everyone will be loaded and we are meeting are friends who are driving from Charleston that day. Can't wait.

Really looking forward to reading more about your cruise!

I am not sure how they know about the DVC either. I know that when I booked the night at BLT, I had to call member services and they asked me what we were doing between the 2 reservations. It may have been noted that way. I know I never told the cruise line as I only talked to them once. Some of that Disney Magic I guess!

It may have actually been called port arrival times instead of boarding times. Seemed very useless to me as it had no bearing for when we boarded the ship. You will have to let me know how it works when you check in online. We are planning a 7 night cruise next year so I am curious to see what the real purpose is.

Update coming tomorrow!

I haven't been on a cruise before... and so I love reading about them as well... I get to live vicariously and decide if we should do one...

Lovely photos... the ship really does look lovely and very well appointed...

I love your anecdote about tearing about when you were getting closer to the shop with your boys... I think that that actually awesome... it means that you are sensitive and appreciate things...

Ummm... yes I'd say that Jeremy looks happy with Belle...

I can already tell you that you need to go!!! You would love it.

It is a lovely ship. So much prettier than the others at dock.

Thanks for the nice compliment. You are such a sweetie!

I'm reading along here and enjoying it all. My heart goes out to you with the threat of violence against your son. We had a shooting at my sons college campus this week and we had a few terrifying hours waiting to hear he and his friends were all OK.

Oh no, I read about the one in Texas. Could not imagine going through those hours of waiting. My heart goes out to you.

Following along. We are doing a Park/Cruise/Park trip in September.

Oh, how fun! Are you going on the Dream? We do the parks at the end of our trip.

 

[wiigirl]

Joining in....great pics!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Joining in. I am so sorry that Jeremy and your family had to go through that at school. It makes me sick to my stomach and mad all at the same time. I am glad you didn't step down and hopefully, things are improving. We have never been on a cruise. We had one booked for this summer but I chickened out and cancelled. I am totally scared of being surrounded by water.

Welcome! Glad to have you here! I didn't think I would like the thought of being surrounded by water but we actually never noticed it as there wasn't a day at sea on the 3 day cruises. With that said, I think it would have been great to had the day at sea! It so pretty when you are docked to look out and see miles of ocean. So relaxing and carefree.

Things have gotten a lot better for Jeremy. Thank you for your concern!

 

[merbobear]

Sounds like a great first day so far, though your hints for the upcoming posts are kind of daunting! lol hope that it worked out to be a fun time and your room wasn't lost for too long.

With the check in times, this is my guess: They give you a check in time, but if you are early, they will let you in early. If there is a huge influx of guests at an earlier time, they will probably check in the guests who are "supposed" to be there early first, but if it's not busy, then they won't make you sit there and wait for hours. They probably give different check in times as a means of crowd control.

Now, that is just a guess! I've never cruised on DCL before. I can't believe the CM was rude during the muster drill, what a lousy attitude to start out a vacation with, but glad that it seemed like his supervisors were handling him. Hopefully he didn't negatively impact anyone's cruise!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Joining in....great pics!

Welcome! Glad you are here.

Sounds like a great first day so far, though your hints for the upcoming posts are kind of daunting! lol hope that it worked out to be a fun time and your room wasn't lost for too long.

With the check in times, this is my guess: They give you a check in time, but if you are early, they will let you in early. If there is a huge influx of guests at an earlier time, they will probably check in the guests who are "supposed" to be there early first, but if it's not busy, then they won't make you sit there and wait for hours. They probably give different check in times as a means of crowd control.

Now, that is just a guess! I've never cruised on DCL before. I can't believe the CM was rude during the muster drill, what a lousy attitude to start out a vacation with, but glad that it seemed like his supervisors were handling him. Hopefully he didn't negatively impact anyone's cruise!

I think it was a crowd control factor as well and would be curious to see what it is like if you are there real early when the port opens.

Update is coming with the lost room!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

So, at the end of my last update, Tom and I were watching the Sail Away Party and Jeremy was sailing high on the aquaduck.

Here is some pictures from the sail away party. It was really cute and lots of fun.

A picture of the funnel during the show.

My attempt at trying to get Jeremy on the aqua duck. Oh well, at least you can see how the water flows!

I think this picture says it all. He was having the time of his life!!!

The horn sounded. I think I have it recorded on my phone. I will check and download it and post if I do.

And before we knew it, we were off!

Bye, bye, Port! See you in 3 days!

One of him after we left port (still on the aquaduck).

It wasn't long after we left port that the Captain came on the speaker and announced that we would be hitting rough water. They were actually giving out free dramamine at customer service if anyone needed. Wow, I didn't realize Disney did anything free so that should have been a sign of what was to come.

It was at this point that Tom and I got split up. He was going to head back to the room and get ready for dinner. I was going to let Jeremy ride the aquaduck a few more times and then meet up with him. I should note that we had no way of communicating with one another. Cell phones were locked up in the safe (or at least we thought. Remember that----that leads to another nightmare 3 days down the road!!!). Plus, we had not figured out the Wave phones yet so NO communication.

Jeremy and I head to the room a little later. Room 5051. We get off on the 5th floor and follow the signs, but lo and behold, there is no Room 5051 to be found. Uh I knew there had to be as I was just in it earlier.
We keep finding 5050, 5052, 5054, but no 5051. To make matters worse, the boat is rocking! I mean ROCKING to the point you have to hold the handrail to stand up. I get motion sick easy and did NOT take anything before we left port. I finally get a CM at the Port Adventures area to help me and she couldn't find it either. She actually sent me toward the aft side of the ship as she thought it was down that way. We head there and NO, no room 5051. I was about to pull my hair out at this point. Between the rocking, sick feeling that was brewing in me and the stress of being totally lost, I really would have jumped overboard if I could have found the outside! I stop in the Oceaneer Lab and a nice CM says she will help me find it. Guess what! She couldn't find 5051 either. So, she ask what type of room it is. I tell her it is an Inside Stateroom. She leads me down another hall where a bunch of other rooms are. Bingo---it was starting to look familiar. I told her we should be easy to find as we have a DVC magnet and at the DVC reception they told us we were the only members on the 5th floor. Well, if you paid close attention to my last post you know what happened.


Well,





did you?






Nope,





I wasn't in room 5051. I was in 5015!!!! Yep, when we got to that hallway I knew I was right where I needed to be and then it dawned on me about the big blooper I had made! The CM was super nice and enjoyed the laugh with me. I was just glad there was no room 5051 and I had tried to get in it. That would have been even worse!

Up Next:

Will this rocking boat ever stop?
Will I be able to enjoy the cruise?
Oh the powers of a magic green apple!

 

[soldiersmom]

Oh, my, I was panicking along with you on the "great room search"!

I am really enjoying your report, as it includes two of the things on my bucket list: DVC and the Aqua Duck! My husband and I took a Disney cruise for our 20th anniversary and loved it so much, but we haven't gotten to do another one. My sister- and brother-in-law are on one at this very moment (for their 30th anniversary), and I can't wait to hear how they liked it. They have never been to DisneyWorld and (obviously) never took their kids. (I consider this neglect, bordering on abuse, and have told them so

Anyway, so glad you all got through the "ickies" before the trip and are having a good time--I could just see Jeremy's joy on the Aqua Duck! And I'm totally with you on the crying thing...brings back memories of me standing watching the MK opening show with tears streaming out from under my sunglasses. You are so blessed to have a husband who loves Disney! Mine just tolerates it, but is very generous to bless my wishes to go. We are taking our granddaughter in March and I am BEYOND excited!

 

[Kat in GA]

Thanks so much for sending me the message that you had started a new trip report!

I can't believe all the stress you had before you left. It's crazy that the school reacted that way. Especially in this day and age of zero tolerance and kindergartners getting suspended for bringing bubble guns to school. Here is a time when you need that and you don't get it. Good for you for fighting!

I am looking forward to hearing more about your cruise