sopandbass
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2004
- Messages
- 324
This was one of the best vacations our family has ever taken!
Our Family Steve (DH), Isabel (DD4) and Sharon (Myself)
We had anxiously awaited this cruise for almost a year. We were scheduled to set sail in January of 2004 but Isabel became ill 2 hours before we were scheduled to leave for the airport. We called that morning and the Disney representative was so kind and sympathetic on the phone that she helped us through our disappointment. She rescheduled the trip for January 8, 2005 because that would give us a year to figure out when we could go again. We had been upgraded for the 2004 cruise from an outside room on Deck 2 to one of the metal verandah rooms on Deck 5 aft that Barb and Tony love so much. We were thrilled about that. But as we looked at our new reservation for 2005, we realized that she had upgraded us to a mid-ship Verandah room on Deck 6. Sweet! So, we decided to keep the reservation.
In the meantime, Isabel recovered and a few weeks after our originally scheduled trip, asked when we would be getting on the boat. Those big brown eyes got to me and I booked a 4-day cruise on the Wonder in April which we LOVED. It made us even more excited about our upcoming week-long trip!
On Friday, January 7, we flew from Detroit to Orlando via Northwest so that we could be on one of the first buses to the port on Saturday morning. We stayed at the Clarion Hotel near the Airport they had a shuttle that runs every half hour or so. The shuttle picked us up right next to the Disney Cruise buses that were transporting people to the Wonder on Friday. The room was clean and fresh (we had stayed there in April) and they have a nice outdoor pool which Steve and Isabel used while I ordered some Chinese food to be delivered for dinner. It made for a stress-free evening as we dreamed about finally making our way to the Magic.
We woke up around 7:30am, had plenty of time to get ready, have some complimentary continental breakfast and head out to the hotel shuttle around 9am. We got there just as one shuttle heading to the airport was filled and so we had to wait for the next shuttle, which would be by shortly. Oh, poor us, having to sit in the warm sunshine in January for 20 minutes. It was so relaxing to sit outside, take a deep breath without having your lungs freeze and needing a sun visor! All you southerners probably think were crazy but what a great way to wait.
We were soon on the shuttle which pulled up right next to a Disney Cruise bus. Steve hopped out and got our bags together so Isabel and I could wait outside while he would got in line for the transfer bus inside the airport terminal but as soon as we got out of the shuttle, the Disney bus driver asked to see our reservation booklets/tickets and she told us we could get right on the bus. The system was so effortless that we thought surely we must have missed a step or two! About 5 minutes later, we were on our way to Port Canaveral!
The bus ride was comfortable and quick, especially since they play the video that shows things about the ship and the trip ahead. Steve had filled out most of the forms that would be needed at the port terminal but I took a couple of minutes and filled out the rest of the forms while we were riding. Soon, we saw the Magic in the distance and could hear the excitement building as the other passengers spotted the ship.
As we pulled toward the terminal, I noticed that many people were standing in groups outside, along the drive. Then, instead of heading toward the terminal, we pulled into the parking lot, where we saw two other buses waiting as well. After we parked, a Disney representative told us that there was a security problem at the terminal and it was being taken care of quickly and that we should be able to get going by 11:30. We were free to get out of the bus and stretch our legs but we stayed on and it seemed like we were moving in no time. Now, a security problem might give one pause but Disney handles everything so well, I was confident that everything would be just fine, which it was.
The lines through the metal detector, up the escalator and through the check-in line (we got to use the Castaway Club line, which was significantly shorter) were a breeze. And now, since you can register your children for the Oceaneer program right there at the terminal, that was a snap too. I headed over to register Isabel and she barely had time to catch up to me after having her picture taken with Goofy at the ship model because the line moved so quickly. In the meantime, Steve got in line to board. I turned around while Isabel was getting her wristband and the line to board was already moving. We ran to catch up with Steve (thanks to all those nice folks who let us barge through to get in line with him) and I hardly had time to get my I.D. out for boarding. It was fabulous no waiting whatsoever!!! We were in Parrot Cay having lunch before I even had a chance to catch my breath but our Welcome Aboard photo turned out really well and I got to watch Isabels face as they announced our family as we entered the Magic.
After we feasted on shrimp and delicious salads, Steve went for Palo and spa reservations and Isabel and I went on the search for hair braiding reservations. I ended up asking someone in the spa and they told me to go to Deck 11. Um wrong. We ended up at The Stack and after seeing a bunch of teens there, I knew that couldnt be the right place my daughter wanted braiding not piercing. Actually, after we got into our room and looked at our Navigator, we read that hair braiding reservations would be scheduled between 5:30 and 6:30 near the Walt Disney Theater (we had decided to have the braiding done on the ship instead of in a port).
We got into our room at 1:30pm and Isabel was greeted by one of Shirleys spectacular baskets from The Perfect Gift! It was packed full of all things princess! Isabel was just delighted. Shirley was SO friendly and thoughtful when taking the order. The basket was much more than I ever expected so I highly recommend getting your gift baskets from her!!!
Steve was able to get Palo reservations for Monday evening, which was our first choice. He ran into a little snag with spa reservations because he wanted a Deep Tissue massage on Sunday, which is a Day at Sea. He was told that they reserve the appointment times on Sea Days for their Signature Services. So, he had to wait until a port day to book his massage and my reflexology (he chose Wednesday St. Thomas because we hadnt planned on getting off the ship that day anyway). He was able to book a Travelers Tension session (half body massage/half foot massage) for me later that evening.
When we went on the Wonder in April, Isabel was an inch too short to go on the Mickeys Water Slide so she was anxious and excited to get going when we got to the room. We had packed swimsuits in our carry-on, so she changed (she went into the bathroom in our stateroom, looked around and said, Wow, such a small bathroom for such a big hotel!) and we headed directly to the Mickey pool, where I watched her bravely get in line and zoom down the slide. She looked a little dazed as she came out of the slide the first time (she had thought shed wear her water wings but they were not allowed) but she quickly regained her composure and went many, many more times during the trip.
After watching the momentous sploosh, I headed to Guest Services and got our tickets for Tea with Wendy. It was soon time for the lifeboat drill and we headed to our assembly station we forgot that by being some of the first people there, wed have to stand around for a while but it wasnt that bad except for Isabel who wanted to get to the Sail Away party asap. By the time we got up on Deck 9, the party was in full swing and we had a blast we pulled out so smoothly that we didnt realize we were moving until we looked out from the deck.
We had Early Seating, so we had to hurry back to the room and get ready for dinner. We ate at Animators Palate the first evening and met our tables mates a delightful family from outside Boston Lori, Mike, Alyssa (another 4-year-old girl yay!), Vanessa (their cute little baby) and Nicky, Loris friend from college. In less than 10 minutes, Isabel and Alyssa wanted to sit next to each other and had already made plans to go to the Oceaneer Club together after dinner. Our Server was Inyo and our Asst. Server was Aswald they were great.
Dinner was yummy I had Duck & Goat Cheese Flatbread, Gazpacho and the Veal Chop. Steve had Baked Tomato, Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing and the Cheese Cannelloni. I promise I wont list each nights dinner choices but we really enjoyed the food that evening maybe it was just being on a cruise that made it so wonderful but nonetheless, it was great.
Isabel, in her complete Minnie Mouse ensemble, and Alyssa held hands on the way to the Oceaneer Club after dinner and stayed there for a Luau with Stitch. I headed to Vista Spa for my body and foot massage. I highly recommend this treatment because its a GREAT way to start your vacation (I also spent time in the Rainforest and there were only 2 other people using it) and you get a discount on the price on that first day (and I believe on port days if they arent booked up). I know you just got on the ship and you want to spend time unpacking and settling in and exploring but think of how much more enjoyable your unpacking and settling in and exploring will be after youre relaxed and walking on clouds!
When I returned from the Spa, Isabel had already returned from the club. Steve told me that when she got back into our stateroom after the frenzied Luau, she said, Ah, peace and quiet!. We ordered a fruit bowl and some cookies from room service Isabel zonked out before I finished the phone call. Just a note the fruit bowl is like a fruit basket 2 apples, a kiwi, a pear, an orange, tons of grapes and a banana. Im glad I only ordered one!
What a wonderful first day of the cruise! We slept like rocks.
Our Family Steve (DH), Isabel (DD4) and Sharon (Myself)
We had anxiously awaited this cruise for almost a year. We were scheduled to set sail in January of 2004 but Isabel became ill 2 hours before we were scheduled to leave for the airport. We called that morning and the Disney representative was so kind and sympathetic on the phone that she helped us through our disappointment. She rescheduled the trip for January 8, 2005 because that would give us a year to figure out when we could go again. We had been upgraded for the 2004 cruise from an outside room on Deck 2 to one of the metal verandah rooms on Deck 5 aft that Barb and Tony love so much. We were thrilled about that. But as we looked at our new reservation for 2005, we realized that she had upgraded us to a mid-ship Verandah room on Deck 6. Sweet! So, we decided to keep the reservation.
In the meantime, Isabel recovered and a few weeks after our originally scheduled trip, asked when we would be getting on the boat. Those big brown eyes got to me and I booked a 4-day cruise on the Wonder in April which we LOVED. It made us even more excited about our upcoming week-long trip!
On Friday, January 7, we flew from Detroit to Orlando via Northwest so that we could be on one of the first buses to the port on Saturday morning. We stayed at the Clarion Hotel near the Airport they had a shuttle that runs every half hour or so. The shuttle picked us up right next to the Disney Cruise buses that were transporting people to the Wonder on Friday. The room was clean and fresh (we had stayed there in April) and they have a nice outdoor pool which Steve and Isabel used while I ordered some Chinese food to be delivered for dinner. It made for a stress-free evening as we dreamed about finally making our way to the Magic.
We woke up around 7:30am, had plenty of time to get ready, have some complimentary continental breakfast and head out to the hotel shuttle around 9am. We got there just as one shuttle heading to the airport was filled and so we had to wait for the next shuttle, which would be by shortly. Oh, poor us, having to sit in the warm sunshine in January for 20 minutes. It was so relaxing to sit outside, take a deep breath without having your lungs freeze and needing a sun visor! All you southerners probably think were crazy but what a great way to wait.
We were soon on the shuttle which pulled up right next to a Disney Cruise bus. Steve hopped out and got our bags together so Isabel and I could wait outside while he would got in line for the transfer bus inside the airport terminal but as soon as we got out of the shuttle, the Disney bus driver asked to see our reservation booklets/tickets and she told us we could get right on the bus. The system was so effortless that we thought surely we must have missed a step or two! About 5 minutes later, we were on our way to Port Canaveral!
The bus ride was comfortable and quick, especially since they play the video that shows things about the ship and the trip ahead. Steve had filled out most of the forms that would be needed at the port terminal but I took a couple of minutes and filled out the rest of the forms while we were riding. Soon, we saw the Magic in the distance and could hear the excitement building as the other passengers spotted the ship.
As we pulled toward the terminal, I noticed that many people were standing in groups outside, along the drive. Then, instead of heading toward the terminal, we pulled into the parking lot, where we saw two other buses waiting as well. After we parked, a Disney representative told us that there was a security problem at the terminal and it was being taken care of quickly and that we should be able to get going by 11:30. We were free to get out of the bus and stretch our legs but we stayed on and it seemed like we were moving in no time. Now, a security problem might give one pause but Disney handles everything so well, I was confident that everything would be just fine, which it was.
The lines through the metal detector, up the escalator and through the check-in line (we got to use the Castaway Club line, which was significantly shorter) were a breeze. And now, since you can register your children for the Oceaneer program right there at the terminal, that was a snap too. I headed over to register Isabel and she barely had time to catch up to me after having her picture taken with Goofy at the ship model because the line moved so quickly. In the meantime, Steve got in line to board. I turned around while Isabel was getting her wristband and the line to board was already moving. We ran to catch up with Steve (thanks to all those nice folks who let us barge through to get in line with him) and I hardly had time to get my I.D. out for boarding. It was fabulous no waiting whatsoever!!! We were in Parrot Cay having lunch before I even had a chance to catch my breath but our Welcome Aboard photo turned out really well and I got to watch Isabels face as they announced our family as we entered the Magic.
After we feasted on shrimp and delicious salads, Steve went for Palo and spa reservations and Isabel and I went on the search for hair braiding reservations. I ended up asking someone in the spa and they told me to go to Deck 11. Um wrong. We ended up at The Stack and after seeing a bunch of teens there, I knew that couldnt be the right place my daughter wanted braiding not piercing. Actually, after we got into our room and looked at our Navigator, we read that hair braiding reservations would be scheduled between 5:30 and 6:30 near the Walt Disney Theater (we had decided to have the braiding done on the ship instead of in a port).
We got into our room at 1:30pm and Isabel was greeted by one of Shirleys spectacular baskets from The Perfect Gift! It was packed full of all things princess! Isabel was just delighted. Shirley was SO friendly and thoughtful when taking the order. The basket was much more than I ever expected so I highly recommend getting your gift baskets from her!!!
Steve was able to get Palo reservations for Monday evening, which was our first choice. He ran into a little snag with spa reservations because he wanted a Deep Tissue massage on Sunday, which is a Day at Sea. He was told that they reserve the appointment times on Sea Days for their Signature Services. So, he had to wait until a port day to book his massage and my reflexology (he chose Wednesday St. Thomas because we hadnt planned on getting off the ship that day anyway). He was able to book a Travelers Tension session (half body massage/half foot massage) for me later that evening.
When we went on the Wonder in April, Isabel was an inch too short to go on the Mickeys Water Slide so she was anxious and excited to get going when we got to the room. We had packed swimsuits in our carry-on, so she changed (she went into the bathroom in our stateroom, looked around and said, Wow, such a small bathroom for such a big hotel!) and we headed directly to the Mickey pool, where I watched her bravely get in line and zoom down the slide. She looked a little dazed as she came out of the slide the first time (she had thought shed wear her water wings but they were not allowed) but she quickly regained her composure and went many, many more times during the trip.
After watching the momentous sploosh, I headed to Guest Services and got our tickets for Tea with Wendy. It was soon time for the lifeboat drill and we headed to our assembly station we forgot that by being some of the first people there, wed have to stand around for a while but it wasnt that bad except for Isabel who wanted to get to the Sail Away party asap. By the time we got up on Deck 9, the party was in full swing and we had a blast we pulled out so smoothly that we didnt realize we were moving until we looked out from the deck.
We had Early Seating, so we had to hurry back to the room and get ready for dinner. We ate at Animators Palate the first evening and met our tables mates a delightful family from outside Boston Lori, Mike, Alyssa (another 4-year-old girl yay!), Vanessa (their cute little baby) and Nicky, Loris friend from college. In less than 10 minutes, Isabel and Alyssa wanted to sit next to each other and had already made plans to go to the Oceaneer Club together after dinner. Our Server was Inyo and our Asst. Server was Aswald they were great.
Dinner was yummy I had Duck & Goat Cheese Flatbread, Gazpacho and the Veal Chop. Steve had Baked Tomato, Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing and the Cheese Cannelloni. I promise I wont list each nights dinner choices but we really enjoyed the food that evening maybe it was just being on a cruise that made it so wonderful but nonetheless, it was great.
Isabel, in her complete Minnie Mouse ensemble, and Alyssa held hands on the way to the Oceaneer Club after dinner and stayed there for a Luau with Stitch. I headed to Vista Spa for my body and foot massage. I highly recommend this treatment because its a GREAT way to start your vacation (I also spent time in the Rainforest and there were only 2 other people using it) and you get a discount on the price on that first day (and I believe on port days if they arent booked up). I know you just got on the ship and you want to spend time unpacking and settling in and exploring but think of how much more enjoyable your unpacking and settling in and exploring will be after youre relaxed and walking on clouds!
When I returned from the Spa, Isabel had already returned from the club. Steve told me that when she got back into our stateroom after the frenzied Luau, she said, Ah, peace and quiet!. We ordered a fruit bowl and some cookies from room service Isabel zonked out before I finished the phone call. Just a note the fruit bowl is like a fruit basket 2 apples, a kiwi, a pear, an orange, tons of grapes and a banana. Im glad I only ordered one!
What a wonderful first day of the cruise! We slept like rocks.
Nancy
) and if they don't make it back, then it's okay! We're land Disney experts but know nothing about the cruises so appreciate the info.
