It's hot, it's crowded, it's raining........BUT.....THE MAGIC LIVES ON! ** pictures *

[live4christp1]

Day 3 - Chapter 3 - Splash Mtn. x2 followed by lets walk across the park as many times as possible.

When DS & I exited BTMTRR the parade had just finished up so DD & DH met us at Splash Mtn. DS decides that he wants to ride it with me and DH so up to the FP line we go to request a rider swap. DS insists that I should go first since it's my birthday......gotta love him. In not to terribly long of a wait we are boarding our log......we got the front seat (great!).

Splash Mtn. is the best water flume ride I have ever been on. I love the themeing (is that a word?) and you never really realize how high up you have made it until you peek out over that drop. We got so wet!!!!!!!

Off the ride and away to find DH & DD who were playing (or so we thought) at the playground under the bridge. DD is sound asleep in the stroller. DH said she played maybe 5 minutes, climbed in the stroller and was out. So of DS & DH go to ride Splash Mtn. When they exit, I thought we got wet but compared to what they got on that trip......we just got sprinkled on.

Time is slipping quickly away. We decided to skip Haunted Mansion so we only passed through Liberty Square on our way to Fantasyland. Grab a FP for Pooh as DD is dying to ride and go over to do Philarmagic. My favorite of each parks 3D or (4D) films. I love this and could watch it over and over.

Next its over to Snow White's Scary Adventure and then our Pooh ride. We checked out Peter Pan but the wait was pretty long. Decide to head over to Tomorrowland ......have to get in a trip on Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. Also do Stitch while here.....talked DD into going (she's never done this one before). Personally I think this attraction is really lame and don't care for it at all but DS likes it......and I get to sit down in air conditioning so I'll tolerate it. After Stitch it's over to Laugh Floor to hang with the Monsters.

Space Mtn and TTA are down. Consider COP but kids want to go back to Fantasyland and we are almost out of time. We head over and do Peter Pan although the wait was about 50 minutes . After Peter Pan we have just enough time to go on Philarmagic one more time before we need to head toward Main Street for Wishes.

There is no Spectromagic tonight.

Coming Soon - Hot dogs, cinnamon rolls, firewords, flying fairies, tears, shopping & will we ever make it back to SOG.....refer back to Day 3 Chapter 1.

 

[live4christp1]

Sadly my photopass pictures have expired.

My CD should arrive any day now though and I'll be sure to post lots of pictures!

 

[live4christp1]

Day 3, Chapter 4 - Hot dogs, cinnamon rolls, firewords, flying fairies, tears, shopping & will we ever make it back to SOG.....refer back to Day 3 Chapter 1.

With another viewing of Philarmagic under our belt, we head toward Main Street to find a spot for Wishes. Wow! There are a lot of people!!!!! I never imagined it would be so crowded......what with no Spectromagic, no EMH......

We find a space along the sidewalk, knowing once they shut off the lights we will step out into the street to watch fireworks. We are right down from Caseys and of course the kids start with "I'm hungry". Off to Caseys to grab two hot dogs, drinks & fries. There are lots of people with the same idea. Entering the shortest line to the far right I am still in for a bit of a wait as the lady at the register has no idea what she wants, then she can't find her money......you know......usual complaints we read here on the DIS.

Finally I return to DH and the kids with food in hand and deposit it into the hungry little hands. Then DH says, another cinnamon roll would be good. So again I set out to find food for the weary and hungry. As I wait in the line at the bakery I am getting kind of anxious, it is fast approaching fireworks time and the cinnamon rolls are disappearing quickly. Finally it's my turn to order. I decide that ordering 3 would be a good idea (one for us to share tonight and two for breakfast in the morning). They have two but I'm assured they have more in the back.....so I wait.......and wait.......and wait some more. Finally someone emerges with the promised tray of rolls, packaged and off to the cashier.

Make it back to DH and the kids right as the lights go out. The hot dogs and fries are gone. We step to the street to enjoy the most amazing fireworks show I have ever seen. Really didn't think Tink would fly tonight do to the afternoon storms and it had remained overcast throughout the day with hearing some thunder in the distance on many occasions. However, we were in for a surprise and Tink did indeed fly. No matter how many times I see this fireworks show, it still brings tears to my eyes and my kids are always looking for them so they can say, "mom's crying again". The fireworks end and the massive crowd rushes like fleeing from a stampede.

Of course I still have a $75 gift card to spend so off to the shops we go. We spent a good bit of time here and ended up with a new Mickey purse for me, two picture albums, and the Wishes soundtrack CD.......seems like I purchased one other thing but for the life of me I can't remember. Think I ended up owing $3 and change so thanks Disney for the gift! As I am collecting my bags DH is getting the ponchos out and covering the kids, reporting to me that it is raining AGAIN!!!!!!

So ponchos in place we exit the building to guess what?????? NO rain! He says, "I promise it was pouring just a minute ago." We make our way to the Monorail ramp.....going to the express side as we no the secret that this one stops at TTC also. However, there are either lots of other people who know this secret or lots of people trying to get to their monorail resort. We wait a minute and notice the boat ramps have almost no one waiting. So I mention we could ride a boat to the Polynesian or Grand Floridian and hope on the monorail there back to TTC.

Well, remember that we couldn't figure out how to get into the TTC parking area this morning????? It's about to get really interesting.

DH remarks well the Polynesian is right across from Shades of Green, we can go there and walk, I cut through their parking lot walking back. This brings a little uneasy feeling to my stomach but he insists it will be okay. So off we go to board the boat to the Polynesian. Boat ride is uneventful, aside from the fact that DD doesn't want to ride the boat and makes sure we are well aware of that. "When you are a grown up you can choose.....but right now you do as you're told."

We exit the boat at the Polynesian and walk around through the garden toward the main building (it's very pretty at night with all the torches). DH is in a hurry though so we have to speed look. We get around to the front and DH says we need to go this way through the parking lot. Okay. Now I think it would have been a better idea to just follow the sidewalk down and I'm almost sure there should be a walk way or path or cross walk or something across the road......but we will never know the answer to that question. Across the parking lot we go.....to emerge at the road leading out of the parking lots......lots of traffic, two kids, lots of bags, no sidewalk and we are going to need to walk down a ways and cross the road. So, I make a decision that it's not a good idea and I am not pushing a stroller down that busy road at 11:00 PM at night. The kids and I turn around and head back across the parking lot and take a seat. Leaving DH to go get the van and come back and pick us up. That was rather mean of me, I know but I was really concerned about safety in my defense......and if DH would just stop and ask a question every now and then like "hey, how do we get in the parking lot from here?" we wouldn't be in this situation in the first place.

Finally he arrives to collect us and we return to SOG. We need to get packed up and everyone cleaned up and in bed......we leave tomorrow morning for Port Canaveral and our first cruise on the Disney Wonder.

Next issue: Day 4, chapter 1 - Cruising with the Mouse!

 

[live4christp1]

Day 4, Chapter 1 – Port Canaveral here we come!!!!!

The drive to the port is about an hour so we are up about 7:30. Get everyone ready, pack up last few items and head to the front desk to checkout. Leave a package at the guest services desk for one of DH’s buddies from BCT/AIT and his family who are arriving the next day for their first ever visit to the world. Shades of Green was such a beautiful resort, I really hate that we didn’t have more time to spend here.

The Disney Wonder as we approach the port.

The drive to the port is uneventful and shortly after 10:00 DH is dropping us and the bags at the curb to check in. There was already a pretty good line but after they got most of the stations open it went pretty quickly. We got in the #4 boarding pass window. After taking care of that and getting our photo’s taken I head over to register the kids for the their clubs. Captain Mickey made an appearance while I was in line so DH takes the kids for photos with him. While standing in line a overhear a lady in front of me telling another lady in line about the DIS and all the great information on here. So when they finish their conversation we started talking.....I think it was WelovetheMouse - Hi friend!!! Am I correct??? It is so cool to meet people from the DIS while on Disney vacations!!!! Gives me a little encouragement that I'm not so strange after all to be so obsessed with Disney. The kids return to the line with me and get their arm bands. DH had stepped outside to take pictures of the ship and struck up a conversation with one of the CM’s there. A really nice man, I think his name was Hal, he bumped us up to #2 boarding…..YEAH!!!!!!

Minnie Mouse has arrived for pictures so we get in line and see Minnie as a family and before we know it they are calling us to board. I didn’t note the exact time but I’m thinking it was about noon. We step into the atrium as we are announced and WOW!!!!!! It is just beautiful!!!!! Everyone is welcoming us aboard and directing us to were we can find lunch. Now I had planned on going to Parrot Cay for lunch today but the CM DH had been talking to said the buffet was excellent so we head up to Beach Blanket. There are very few people here, I think we were maybe the 4th or 5th table seated. So many wonderful choices of delicious food. There was a delicious chilled soup of some sort each day and I really enjoyed those. We have a wonderful window seat and enjoy our meal, after having handed out the appropriate motion sickness medication to everyone of course. DH goes for some dessert and returns and find that we are seated next to one of our DIS meet/FE exchange friends! Hi Natalie (aka goofydad99) and family!!!!! The kids are eager to get to the pool so we finish up and head out to the Mickey pool.

Soon we are joined by our new friends and the kids all enjoy the pool while the parents talk and soak up the wonderful sunshine. The older kids decide they want to check out the Goofy family pool so the dad’s head over with those while Natalie and I talk a while longer. Soon it’s time to go check out our room so we all say goodbye and plan to meet up with the other DISers a little later. Chip and Dale are walking around the deck as we leave so we stop for a quick picture! Don’t know who the extra kid in the photo is but she wanted in the picture, I’ve covered her face so as not to offend anyone by posting a picture without permission.

We are in room #2524. This sailing was booked under the kids sail free promotion (what a great deal that was and what finally gave us the opportunity to take our first cruise!) so I had originally booked the lowest category because we didn’t plan to spend much time in the room anyway. We got upgraded to a category 9 before sailing which was an outside room with large porthole window. The room was beautiful. The bathrooms are rather small though (more like two side by side porta-potties, one having a shower/tub & sink, the other a toilet & sink). We had a hard time getting used to having to step up or down into them for some reason. We loved our room though. It was very beautiful and just like the pictures we had looked at here on the DIS. Part of our luggage had arrived, we were still waiting on two bags (our FE exchange stuff – please don’t let it be lost). We arranged the stuff a little in the room and rested for a few minutes before heading back up to the Mickey pool to meet up with our other DIS friends.

Stay tuned for : MiNi – DIS meet, safety drills, Deck party, room service and sleeping at dinner.

 

[8caliace]

Day 3, Chapter 1
We Celebrate my birthday Magic Kingdom style!!!!!!

[/B]

I had to ask about the t-shirts you and your family are wearing. I can make out that it is Mickey saluting, but not the words. Are these t-shirts that you bought, or that you made yourself? As a miltary member myself, I really like the items with Mickey saluting. Thanks.

 

[live4christp1]

I had to ask about the t-shirts you and your family are wearing. I can make out that it is Mickey saluting, but not the words. Are these t-shirts that you bought, or that you made yourself? As a miltary member myself, I really like the items with Mickey saluting. Thanks.

Someone over on the DISign board made them (the design) and customized them for us. They then send you a link and you print them and iron them on or if you can find someone to screen print them that's even better.

The top part says God Bless America and then each shirt was personlized for each individual. DH's read "Army National Guard 230th Sustainment Brigade", while the remaining read "Proud wife/son/daughter of an Army National Guardsman".

I'll go find the link and also post some close ups of the design's. There are a lot of wonderfully talented people on that board that do such great work and all just for the joy of it and to spread the magic!!!! The kids had personalized shirts for almost every day.

Here's the link to that thread. Lots of other great designs there as well.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2117759

 

[live4christp1]

Here are the designs in case they didn't pull up on the other thread.

 

[live4christp1]

DAY 4, CHAPTER 2 - MiNi – DIS meet, safety drills, Deck party, room service and sleeping at dinner

Back on deck by the Mickey pool we are in search of fellow DIS members that we have been chatting on the Cruise Board with. I’ve struggled with my list of names from our FE exchange and our meet thread trying to remember everyone who was there but my brain is not so cooperative. If I leave you out please forgive me, it’s not intentional and if you’ll post me I’ll make sure and add you to my report. Here’s a shout out to all those I know (or am pretty sure of) were at the meet. Hey Jenn (Jenn 52), Ami (jamdkvan), Natalie (goofydad99), Lisa (44disney), Andrea (astempel), I’m almost positive there were others but it got very confusing with all the DIS names versus real names. We also got to meet our next door neighbor in the hallway, she’s another DISer – Hi Andrea (Sneadae). We had a nice time chatting with each other and talking about how excited we were to be on the cruise, etc. It was nice to get to know some others who love all things Disney as much as we do!!!!!

I’m not certain but I think we started getting a slight sprinkle while meeting and I think that’s the rain we had for this day. This day is such a blur though I might be mistaken. Soon we all need to go retrieve our floatation devices and report to our stations so we say our goodbyes and hope to see each other again. We did find out before departing that several of us have the same dining rotation/time!!!!!

Stop by room and make sure everyone is properly outfitted with their new bright orange accessories and head off to our station. The room number is located on each life jacket and they check us off as we enter the theater. Now I was kind of concerned that this was going to be a long process, especially after passing a lady in the hallway who was stating quiet sternly to those accompanying her that “she was not going to the safety drill.” So soon we are on our way back to the room.

Drop of life vests and head up on deck for the Sail Away celebration. This was high energy and loads of fun. We run into our new friends goofydad99 & family again on deck. The kids loved dancing along with the cast and characters. Soon we are underway – next stop Nassau Bahamas. Party ends and we say goodbye again to our friends…..sadly we don’t have the same dining rotation but hope to meet up again.

Back at the room the kids want to order French fries & Mickey bars : from room service so we order and are told it will be about 30 minutes. DH volunteers to stay and wait (nap) while the kids and I head up to check out the clubs real quick.

The kids clubs are amazing…….wish I could be a kid and go to the kid club. They look around in each one for a couple of minutes then we headed back to the room. I was really afraid I’d have a hard time finding my way around on the ship…..I can get really lost in a hospital, but the ship was a breeze and everything is labeled nicely. Room service has arrived and the kids devour the fries & ice cream. DH naps a while longer while the kids enjoy watching the Disney cartoons before grabbing a shower and getting changed for dinner, I run over to the laundry to iron clothes.

Soon we are on our way to dinner at Parrot Cay/early seating. We had requested a table for 4 and our request has been granted. We are seated and soon meet our server Ralph and assistant Agnelo. Let me just say up front, these guys did an outstanding job and took amazingly good care of us. The meal here at Parrot Cay ended up probably being my favorite, it was delicious. I had the chicken tender appetizer, it wasn’t very pretty to look at but it was really good. DH had the crab dip (can’t remember exact name) and enjoyed it as well. The kids ordered chicken tenders & fries. While waiting for the food to arrive poor DD fell asleep. DH & I both ordered the beef entrée and it was excellent, cooked just as requested, yum!!!!! DS finished up and headed off to the club, didn’t want to stick around for dessert. DD soon followed after once she finished her meal (DH walked her up) and I was the only one to enjoy the conga line and limbo through the dining room. Ralph (our server) was kind of disappointed that the kids left before this but that’s one thing I had not read about here on the DIS, had not clue that this was even going to happen. DH returned and he and I enjoyed a nice quiet dessert. We are beyond stuffed and decide to walk around the ship some before going to the Golden Mickey’s.

Next up – “game show shenanigans, the red carpet, Golden Mickey’s & premiere of UP in 3-D at 12:01 AM.”

 

[live4christp1]

Update coming soon.

 

[live4christp1]

Day 4, Chapter 3 - The "red carpet", Golden Mickey's, Match Your Mate & UP....zzzzzzz

We explored the boat for a while before going over to pick up the kids to go to the Golden Mickey's. Stopped to get DD first. Then over to get DS. He was having so much fun in the club he was torn between what to do and decided he'd stay at club instead of going to the Golden Mickey's. So off we head - minus DS. Upon approaching they pull DD aside to interview her on the red carpet. Now she is really shy and normally won't dream of speaking to someone she doesn't know but with anything Disney it's different....that magic just draws her out of her shell and I was surprised, she answered all the questions she was asked and was just beaming from ear to ear.

Into the theater and grab some seats....wow.....we are early and it's already filling up. The show was good and we liked it but if we go again and it's still one of the nightly shows we wouldn't go again. The red carpet was the highlight.

After the Golden Mickey's we take DD back to kids club and DH and I head over to Match your Mate. This was fun to watch and the couples were so funny. The couple that won that night was the last couple picked. They picked a newlywed couple and then a couple together for a long time....then he asked for any other couple that want to play they had to impress him. So he went through the few that raised their hands and I can't remember what all they did but the couple who got the spot.....when he got to them they just jumped up and ran onstage and took the seats... They ended up the winners! Congrats to them!!!!

Okay, off to pick up the kids again and then over to see the premiere of Up in 3-D. Let me tell you.....I was crying within the first 15 minutes of this movie. We lost my mom early this year.....she had cancer and became bed ridden toward the end......it just reminded me so of her and my dad (except they had kids). Now my dad is a widower.......I was a mess. As the story moved on though I dozed.....it's well after midnight remember......I think DS was the only one to stay awake through the entire thing.....this kid is the energizer bunny.

Finally.......after a very busy day we make it back to the room, teeth brush, pajamas, bed........I think DD did wake up enough back at the room to eat one of the chocolates left by our room steward Herbert and check out the towel turtle he made us.

Next up Nassau Bahamas, carriage ride, shopping, change of plans...........

 

[WeLoveTheMouse]

We had the same reaction to UP. My dad died a year and a half ago and me and my DD7 cried several times during the movie. Of course it did not help that it was between midnight and 2 and we were absolutely exhausted from a fun day.

I am enjoying remembering along with you. I never took the time to write it all out. It was all such a whirlwind.

 

[live4christp1]

We had the same reaction to UP. My dad died a year and a half ago and me and my DD7 cried several times during the movie. Of course it did not help that it was between midnight and 2 and we were absolutely exhausted from a fun day.

I am enjoying remembering along with you. I never took the time to write it all out. It was all such a whirlwind.

Thanks! I've got to find time to add some more pictures soon. I just hate doing it from home....our dial up is so slow to load anything like that. Maybe I just need to take the day off and spend it at one of our local coffee shops that has free wi-fi......

Sorry for the loss of your dad. I don't remember a lot about the movie and have yet to see it again but the first part really had me all choked up....and the last part, I did wake up enough to watch the end.....but the end was a happy cry.