PoohJen
<font color=green>Willing to share a Mickey Bar?<b
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2004
- Messages
- 3,045
Disney Wonder 4 day cruise - Feb 28 - March 4, 2010
Hello! Ready for a little virtual escape? I hope this takes you there!
I had just gotten back from a long-awaited trip on the Magic in August, when the "Kids Sail Free" promo came out. What can I say, it hit me while I was still vulnerable! We're booked for the Dream in August 2011...but wouldn't a little Wonder to tide us over til then be great?!
A few phone calls later, and we were booked, along with my travel mates:
Me (40-ish), DS17, and DS twins 13 and my DMom
DSis (40-ish), DBIL, and DNiece 3
and DIS Friends Hannosmom, her DH, and their DIS DD ChiChiHoney
It was a looonngg six months waiting for our cruise. (but not as long as the usual 18 -24 months we usually wait!) While the rest of us were seasoned Disney Cruisers, this would be the first for DSis and her family. What fun to be able to share the excitement of their first cruise!
A brief pre-trip report:
In the weeks and days leading up to the cruise, I fed my DCL addiction by religiously studying online Navigators and menus, dreaming of each day of relaxing bliss on the Wonder. I made some cool embarkation day tshirts for our party, with the help of the talented Dissers on the Disney Magnets/Door Signs thread. We used this design on black t-shirts:
I worked tirelessly on some awesome doorsigns, especially wanting to surprise my first time cruiser family members!
We attempted the Priceline hotel bid for the Country Inn & Suites about 3 or so weeks before the cruise, but alas, it seems the Priceline inventory was sold out. A great deal if you can get it - but don't wait too long!
Friday I could hardly wait for the work day to end. I hurried home and repacked all our bags (although I had been packing for a few weeks, I didn't quite finish). I was pleased with my efficiency - a duffel for DS17, who would be sharing a cabin w/ my Sis, and two large suitcases for the twins and me. And a small suitcase to get us through til our departure on Sunday!
This was DS17's winter break. The twins had unexcused absence, but I let the school know ahead of time nonetheless. Alas, DH is a school teacher himself, and could not join us. For the money though, he insisted the twins come too! Did I mention the trip cost me $400 for the 3 boys and me thanks to the Kids Sail Free promotion?!!! (plus tax and tips). The Cat 12 cabin reservation was $800 (Mom paid half), and as I said, DSis graciously had DS17 in her cabin. I just couldn't pass that up!
Finally we load up the car, kiss DH goodbye, and hit the road. We get to the end of the driveway and pull over - did I bring the passports??? I know I did...but check again just in case. Check! And we're off again...to the end of the block. Then we turn around for something - DS's iPod? Finally, we're on the road, clear weather, and make good time for about 8 hours of our 13 hour drive.
We stop near Savannah to get a hotel (usually, DH and I drive through the night, but since I was by myself, I figured it best to get some sleep).
I didn't sleep too well. Too excited? Perhaps it was because of the raucous family in the next room? (for heaven's sake, it's 3 am! put those kids to bed!).
Up early the next morning, the boys fill up at the continental breakfast, and we're soon on the road again! We stop in St. Augustine at the outlets, and finally pull into my inlaws home in Vierra around 2 pm. They live just 40 minutes south of Port Canaveral. My parents are wintering about 45 minutes further south, and they and my Sister's family came to join us for a pizza dinner. Just 15 hours til the Port opens!!!
We all arrive at the Port around 9:45; I dropped the bags and boys by the curb and had to wait a few minutes for the lot to open to park. Alot of folks still exiting the ship and waiting for rides. Soon we're all inside the terminal, it was completely empty and awesome! The terminal is where the trip always begins for me!
We immediately ask about an upgrade, but the ship is sold out. Later, knowing from experience, we ask again. A Cat 6 was then available, but we decided to save our $$ and suck it up in steerage.
A little background on that: On our first 2 Magic cruises, we were able to get Cat 6 verandahs at prices we were happy with. On our last two cruises, we saved some money by reserving Cat 10s, which were just fine! Because we are a family of five, we usually need to book 2 connecting rooms, so I never could take my chances with the Cat 12 roulette. This cruise was an unexpected surprise, which we were doing on the cheap, so we took our chances with the Cat 12. No big upgrade in our cards, alas, Sis and I each received Cat 11s (no Cat 12s sleep 4). True, I was initially disappointed, having so often read on the boards about folks getting free upgrades (to categories I paid full price for), but in the end, we enjoyed our cabins just fine! Even without the split bathroom, we had no space issues (well, Sis' cabin had no steamer trunk, so I think she lacked a little needed storage space).
We settled ourselves in, DNiece age 3 watching cartoons and taking everything in. The boys found a quiet spot and settled in for a card game. Our friends Hannosmom Linda and clan arrived shortly thereafter, having taken Disney transportation from the airport hotel. Linda has sailed many DCL cruises too, so I was surprised that - like me - she still likes to get to the Port early! It really gets the trip started, looking at the ship's replica, posing with the Characters, going out on the balcony for a view of the ship.
DNiece greeting Mickey:
The terminal filled up QUICKLY. We were second on line to greet Mickey, walking over as soon as he came out. The Mickey picture line soon went all the way to the end of the terminal! I noticed very long character lines all week...I guess longer in part because there are fewer days (opportunities) than on a 7 day Magic, and also because the ship was so full. Often, though, it is a matter of timing - I did see some lines very short at locations other than the main atrium, like in front of the Disney theatre- perhaps just when they were setting up? Sis and niece were fortunate to run into a Princess in the hall and were granted a photo op.
Soon it was time to board. We had our #2 cards, the #1s reserved for the concierge and platinum club members. Before noon, we were walking thru the Mickey ears, ready to embark!!!
Next up... chilly embarkation:
What a winter we had here in southern Virginia - just like everywhere else in the country in the days leading up to the cruise. Temperatures weren't looking too good for our sailing, but hey, it was going to be warmer than here!
Hello! Ready for a little virtual escape? I hope this takes you there!
I had just gotten back from a long-awaited trip on the Magic in August, when the "Kids Sail Free" promo came out. What can I say, it hit me while I was still vulnerable! We're booked for the Dream in August 2011...but wouldn't a little Wonder to tide us over til then be great?!
A few phone calls later, and we were booked, along with my travel mates:
Me (40-ish), DS17, and DS twins 13 and my DMom
DSis (40-ish), DBIL, and DNiece 3
and DIS Friends Hannosmom, her DH, and their DIS DD ChiChiHoney
It was a looonngg six months waiting for our cruise. (but not as long as the usual 18 -24 months we usually wait!) While the rest of us were seasoned Disney Cruisers, this would be the first for DSis and her family. What fun to be able to share the excitement of their first cruise!
A brief pre-trip report:
In the weeks and days leading up to the cruise, I fed my DCL addiction by religiously studying online Navigators and menus, dreaming of each day of relaxing bliss on the Wonder. I made some cool embarkation day tshirts for our party, with the help of the talented Dissers on the Disney Magnets/Door Signs thread. We used this design on black t-shirts:
I worked tirelessly on some awesome doorsigns, especially wanting to surprise my first time cruiser family members!
We attempted the Priceline hotel bid for the Country Inn & Suites about 3 or so weeks before the cruise, but alas, it seems the Priceline inventory was sold out. A great deal if you can get it - but don't wait too long!
Friday I could hardly wait for the work day to end. I hurried home and repacked all our bags (although I had been packing for a few weeks, I didn't quite finish). I was pleased with my efficiency - a duffel for DS17, who would be sharing a cabin w/ my Sis, and two large suitcases for the twins and me. And a small suitcase to get us through til our departure on Sunday!
This was DS17's winter break. The twins had unexcused absence, but I let the school know ahead of time nonetheless. Alas, DH is a school teacher himself, and could not join us. For the money though, he insisted the twins come too! Did I mention the trip cost me $400 for the 3 boys and me thanks to the Kids Sail Free promotion?!!! (plus tax and tips). The Cat 12 cabin reservation was $800 (Mom paid half), and as I said, DSis graciously had DS17 in her cabin. I just couldn't pass that up!
Finally we load up the car, kiss DH goodbye, and hit the road. We get to the end of the driveway and pull over - did I bring the passports??? I know I did...but check again just in case. Check! And we're off again...to the end of the block. Then we turn around for something - DS's iPod? Finally, we're on the road, clear weather, and make good time for about 8 hours of our 13 hour drive.
We stop near Savannah to get a hotel (usually, DH and I drive through the night, but since I was by myself, I figured it best to get some sleep).I didn't sleep too well. Too excited? Perhaps it was because of the raucous family in the next room? (for heaven's sake, it's 3 am! put those kids to bed!).
Up early the next morning, the boys fill up at the continental breakfast, and we're soon on the road again! We stop in St. Augustine at the outlets, and finally pull into my inlaws home in Vierra around 2 pm. They live just 40 minutes south of Port Canaveral. My parents are wintering about 45 minutes further south, and they and my Sister's family came to join us for a pizza dinner. Just 15 hours til the Port opens!!!
We all arrive at the Port around 9:45; I dropped the bags and boys by the curb and had to wait a few minutes for the lot to open to park. Alot of folks still exiting the ship and waiting for rides. Soon we're all inside the terminal, it was completely empty and awesome! The terminal is where the trip always begins for me!
We immediately ask about an upgrade, but the ship is sold out. Later, knowing from experience, we ask again. A Cat 6 was then available, but we decided to save our $$ and suck it up in steerage.
A little background on that: On our first 2 Magic cruises, we were able to get Cat 6 verandahs at prices we were happy with. On our last two cruises, we saved some money by reserving Cat 10s, which were just fine! Because we are a family of five, we usually need to book 2 connecting rooms, so I never could take my chances with the Cat 12 roulette. This cruise was an unexpected surprise, which we were doing on the cheap, so we took our chances with the Cat 12. No big upgrade in our cards, alas, Sis and I each received Cat 11s (no Cat 12s sleep 4). True, I was initially disappointed, having so often read on the boards about folks getting free upgrades (to categories I paid full price for), but in the end, we enjoyed our cabins just fine!
Even without the split bathroom, we had no space issues (well, Sis' cabin had no steamer trunk, so I think she lacked a little needed storage space).We settled ourselves in, DNiece age 3 watching cartoons and taking everything in. The boys found a quiet spot and settled in for a card game. Our friends Hannosmom Linda and clan arrived shortly thereafter, having taken Disney transportation from the airport hotel. Linda has sailed many DCL cruises too, so I was surprised that - like me - she still likes to get to the Port early! It really gets the trip started, looking at the ship's replica, posing with the Characters, going out on the balcony for a view of the ship.
DNiece greeting Mickey:
The terminal filled up QUICKLY. We were second on line to greet Mickey, walking over as soon as he came out. The Mickey picture line soon went all the way to the end of the terminal! I noticed very long character lines all week...I guess longer in part because there are fewer days (opportunities) than on a 7 day Magic, and also because the ship was so full. Often, though, it is a matter of timing - I did see some lines very short at locations other than the main atrium, like in front of the Disney theatre- perhaps just when they were setting up? Sis and niece were fortunate to run into a Princess in the hall and were granted a photo op.
Soon it was time to board. We had our #2 cards, the #1s reserved for the concierge and platinum club members. Before noon, we were walking thru the Mickey ears, ready to embark!!!
Next up... chilly embarkation:
What a winter we had here in southern Virginia - just like everywhere else in the country in the days leading up to the cruise. Temperatures weren't looking too good for our sailing, but hey, it was going to be warmer than here!
I think I just like to drag it out to the next cruise...which isn't for another 18 months or so!
Alas, this phone recorder was not so cooperative...no matter, time to run to the side of the ship and wave goodbye to the Mickey Hand-wavers at the terminal!
