sopandbass
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2004
- Messages
- 324
Day Seven
I dread writing about our day at Castaway Cay because as reality sets in and I write about the last day of our great vacation, I guess I have to admit that its really over. Im in denial and as long as my sunburn is still peeling, I have that right.
We had placed the door card out the previous evening to order continental breakfast for this morning. They called to tell us it was on the way at 8:30 very prompt and wonderful service throughout the cruise from stateroom dining (thats sounds so much fancier than room service, dont you agree?). We had bagels, cereal, fruit (the fruit basket/bowl again), pastries and beverages. It was so nice to have it there as we got ready for our day at CC. We watched out our balcony as the ship docked and we were ready to go. On our first Disney cruise, we had waited a bit to get off the ship (but still be in time for the character pics along the way) and there was no crowd whatsoever but then again we were on Deck 2 and perhaps we hadnt realized the back-up that happens on the steps. This time, we ran smack-dab into the crowd waiting on the steps.
There was no point in trying the elevators so we just inched our way down with everyone else. Actually, it probably only took 15 minutes but everyone is anxious because theyre afraid they wont get an umbrella or hammock, I guess, so not too many people looked happy.
Anyway, after a little while, we were getting our pics taken with Chip and Dale at the Post Office and making our way to the tram. We decided to rent a float and then we walked onto the Family Beach. Now, it looked pretty crowded but not too far from where they began, we found two lounge chairs, a smaller chair and shade from an umbrella and made camp. Isabel (DD4) was anxious to get into the water so, after we all slathered ourselves with sunscreen, she and Steve (DH) made their way to the waters edge. Now, cold is a very relative term. I watched some people stick their toe in the water and run back to their chairs, shaking their heads. But were from Michigan and have gone swimming in the Great Lakes where the water never REALLY warms up all that much except for 2 days in August. Steve did make a face when he hit that critical depth for guys but soon, they were floating and playing around in the water, just like dozens of others. The sun was shining and it was a nice day. They did cancel several excursions, however, so I felt sorry for people who had planned those. There were a few people snorkeling, too.
At 11am, Isabel and I headed over to the boat rentals area to fly the kite she had decorated the day before. We had a little success but she lost interest after a few minutes at least we can say we did it. We headed back for a little more swimming before lunch. I had a Konk Kooler and Steve had a Pina Colada I liked mine better than his.
We decided to go eat at the picnic tables up near Cookies - last time, Steve brought food out to the beach. We went right around 12:30 and there were lots of stations open with no lines. I tried the ribs this time they were pretty good and had lobster burgers and corn on the cob. Steve found Caesar Salad someplace and had a huge hamburger that looked great. Isabel enjoyed a hotdog and corn, also. She was finished quickly and wanted to head over to Scuttles Cove for Ariels Bubble Adventure (or something like that) and Water Play (she remembered that from our trip in April). I wasnt finished eating (well, actually Steve wasnt either) but Steve took her over to the kids area and then came back and finished. We had cookie dough soft serve ice cream it was also nice. Then we headed back to the beach to just sit and relax.
During lunch, there was a DJ who kept trying to get people to dance and the music was pretty loud. It was fun, though, to see folks of all generations doing YMCA. Its fascinating to think about what brings us all together sometimes, isnt it?
As I sat in my comfy chair, enjoying the beautiful weather, I realized that the end of our vacation was near. It didnt ruin anything its just a little sad. Thats the one thing I liked better about the 4-day cruise you have a day at sea after Castaway Cay.
Before I had time to do too much contemplating, we were one our way to get Isabel, head back to the ship and get her showered and ready for rehearsal for the kids show. Just before 4pm, she went to rehearsal and I started getting things in order to pack. Then we headed to the theatre to get a seat for the show. The Debarkation Presentation was still taking place, so there were lines of people waiting for the show. We didnt attend the Debarkation Presentation because it plays continuously all evening on the TV so we knew if we had questions, we could watch it later.
The doors opened and the mad parental rush began. We got seats pretty close and they happened to be on the same side that Isabel entered from so that was nice. I must say that Disney does a great job putting together the video that they show its really sweet. And, as much as I try to stay away from sentimentality, it is very fun to watch the kids enter, this time in their graduation mortar boards. In April, Isabel complained after the show that they simply did not have enough rehearsal time can you tell we like theatre? This time, she just went with the flow and enjoyed herself. The whole thing is really great for the kids and for the parents.
One accidental error we made this time is that we happened to be near a stairwell right after the show and they were moving the kids from the theatre area back to the Oceaneer Club, where parents could then sign out the kids. Isabel saw me and ran over to me I had to tell her to get back in line and go with other kids. I think she was just tired from the long day at the beach and all the excitement of the show but she had a mini-meltdown. I promised her that I would come get her as soon as I could so I made my way to the line outside the OC, joining it somewhere around the midship elevators. We all stood there for a while the kids werent all back yet. We watched some kids make their way to the OC through the passageway from the Oceaneer Lab and then they started to let parents in. I found Isabel, who didnt seem too traumatized as she watched Lion King II. They open up two exits because so many people are trying to get their kids right after the show, so we joined the line that exited by Flounders Reef. It took a while to check out and Steve joined us in line.
We had a few moments until dinner so we sat on the poof outside the Buena Vista Theatre (critical error they were selling refreshments for the movies and Isabel wanted something then and there). We somehow avoided another meltdown and hurried to dinner in Animators Palate. It was Best Of Dining this evening I think in our house, its called Left Overs
although I had the bourbon and maple-glazed pork tenderloin and if I had served that at home, we might not have had any leftovers because it was absolutely yummy, and thats really saying something because by the last night of a cruise, I dont know about you, but Ive had enough food. Somehow, Steve managed to eat all his seafood pasta, which also looked great. It was fun watching the flaming Baked Alaskas paraded by. It was sad, though, because thats really the signal that no one will be putting my napkin on my lap for me in the foreseeable future.
Isabel wanted to go to the OC for one last frolic and I wanted to get everything packed up before Til We Meet Again. We went back and got her at about 9:45, turned in our pager and headed to the Atrium to see what kind of lines were forming. We were sitting in the chairs right by Guest Services and noticed people were starting to line up near the steps to Lumieres so Steve wandered over that way and got behind someone who was waiting. By the time Isabel and I joined him, this man who was also in line told me that we were too far to the left and the line was behind him. I assured him calmly that we werent trying to cut in line and he could certainly go before us and he suddenly burst into a speech about how sick he was of people being rude and how hed had enough of people trying to cut in line this week. Clearly, he was having a rough time. So, in my best soothing voice, I asked if he knew if this was the line for Cinderella and he calmed down a little and then explained that his daughter hadnt seen any characters this week that she ran, crying after Cinderella one night down some hallway. We had the opposite experience we saw characters everywhere, so I felt sorry for him. There are always schedules of character appearances in the Navigators he said they were always leaving when his family saw them. Anyway, I hope his little girl got plenty and photos and autographs that evening.
Isabel was in her glory. We got tons of pics and autographs she really wanted Ann Marie and Belle and she saw them plus at least 10 others. We went up a level to watch all the characters on the steps and we were right at the top of one of the stairways so she could really say good-bye to them! And then she ran down the steps to collect Mickey-shaped confetti after it was over. We had fun.
Steve and Isabel headed back to the room and I went to Shutters to get the rest of our pictures I bought the 10 pack and that was just about right for us. By the time I got back to the room, Isabel was a little weepy, realizing that this was our final night on the ship.
The next day, we took our time because our flight didnt leave until 7pm. We had reserved a day room at the airport Hyatt but we werent in a big rush to leave the ship. We stayed in our room until the last possible moment, ate at Topsiders at the last possible moment, meandered off the ship at our leisure. Isabel was crying full tilt by then many adults looked at her and told her they felt the same way she did.
We had waited long enough that the porter didnt have too many bags to look through to find ours. We gave her our forms and they waved us out the side door where we went right to the Northwest counter and checked our big bags through. As it happened, we got on the same bus with our tablemates so Isabel got to sit with her friend Alyssa on the way back to the airport. Everyone was pretty quiet on the bus I think we were all either sad or exhausted. But what a great vacation!!!
Thanks for reading my report. Ive learned so many useful tips from these boards I hope something you read might help you next time or might bring back a memory or two.
Peace.
I dread writing about our day at Castaway Cay because as reality sets in and I write about the last day of our great vacation, I guess I have to admit that its really over. Im in denial and as long as my sunburn is still peeling, I have that right.
We had placed the door card out the previous evening to order continental breakfast for this morning. They called to tell us it was on the way at 8:30 very prompt and wonderful service throughout the cruise from stateroom dining (thats sounds so much fancier than room service, dont you agree?). We had bagels, cereal, fruit (the fruit basket/bowl again), pastries and beverages. It was so nice to have it there as we got ready for our day at CC. We watched out our balcony as the ship docked and we were ready to go. On our first Disney cruise, we had waited a bit to get off the ship (but still be in time for the character pics along the way) and there was no crowd whatsoever but then again we were on Deck 2 and perhaps we hadnt realized the back-up that happens on the steps. This time, we ran smack-dab into the crowd waiting on the steps.
There was no point in trying the elevators so we just inched our way down with everyone else. Actually, it probably only took 15 minutes but everyone is anxious because theyre afraid they wont get an umbrella or hammock, I guess, so not too many people looked happy.Anyway, after a little while, we were getting our pics taken with Chip and Dale at the Post Office and making our way to the tram. We decided to rent a float and then we walked onto the Family Beach. Now, it looked pretty crowded but not too far from where they began, we found two lounge chairs, a smaller chair and shade from an umbrella and made camp. Isabel (DD4) was anxious to get into the water so, after we all slathered ourselves with sunscreen, she and Steve (DH) made their way to the waters edge. Now, cold is a very relative term. I watched some people stick their toe in the water and run back to their chairs, shaking their heads. But were from Michigan and have gone swimming in the Great Lakes where the water never REALLY warms up all that much except for 2 days in August. Steve did make a face when he hit that critical depth for guys but soon, they were floating and playing around in the water, just like dozens of others. The sun was shining and it was a nice day. They did cancel several excursions, however, so I felt sorry for people who had planned those. There were a few people snorkeling, too.
At 11am, Isabel and I headed over to the boat rentals area to fly the kite she had decorated the day before. We had a little success but she lost interest after a few minutes at least we can say we did it. We headed back for a little more swimming before lunch. I had a Konk Kooler and Steve had a Pina Colada I liked mine better than his.
We decided to go eat at the picnic tables up near Cookies - last time, Steve brought food out to the beach. We went right around 12:30 and there were lots of stations open with no lines. I tried the ribs this time they were pretty good and had lobster burgers and corn on the cob. Steve found Caesar Salad someplace and had a huge hamburger that looked great. Isabel enjoyed a hotdog and corn, also. She was finished quickly and wanted to head over to Scuttles Cove for Ariels Bubble Adventure (or something like that) and Water Play (she remembered that from our trip in April). I wasnt finished eating (well, actually Steve wasnt either) but Steve took her over to the kids area and then came back and finished. We had cookie dough soft serve ice cream it was also nice. Then we headed back to the beach to just sit and relax.
During lunch, there was a DJ who kept trying to get people to dance and the music was pretty loud. It was fun, though, to see folks of all generations doing YMCA. Its fascinating to think about what brings us all together sometimes, isnt it?
As I sat in my comfy chair, enjoying the beautiful weather, I realized that the end of our vacation was near. It didnt ruin anything its just a little sad. Thats the one thing I liked better about the 4-day cruise you have a day at sea after Castaway Cay.
Before I had time to do too much contemplating, we were one our way to get Isabel, head back to the ship and get her showered and ready for rehearsal for the kids show. Just before 4pm, she went to rehearsal and I started getting things in order to pack. Then we headed to the theatre to get a seat for the show. The Debarkation Presentation was still taking place, so there were lines of people waiting for the show. We didnt attend the Debarkation Presentation because it plays continuously all evening on the TV so we knew if we had questions, we could watch it later.
The doors opened and the mad parental rush began. We got seats pretty close and they happened to be on the same side that Isabel entered from so that was nice. I must say that Disney does a great job putting together the video that they show its really sweet. And, as much as I try to stay away from sentimentality, it is very fun to watch the kids enter, this time in their graduation mortar boards. In April, Isabel complained after the show that they simply did not have enough rehearsal time can you tell we like theatre? This time, she just went with the flow and enjoyed herself. The whole thing is really great for the kids and for the parents.
One accidental error we made this time is that we happened to be near a stairwell right after the show and they were moving the kids from the theatre area back to the Oceaneer Club, where parents could then sign out the kids. Isabel saw me and ran over to me I had to tell her to get back in line and go with other kids. I think she was just tired from the long day at the beach and all the excitement of the show but she had a mini-meltdown. I promised her that I would come get her as soon as I could so I made my way to the line outside the OC, joining it somewhere around the midship elevators. We all stood there for a while the kids werent all back yet. We watched some kids make their way to the OC through the passageway from the Oceaneer Lab and then they started to let parents in. I found Isabel, who didnt seem too traumatized as she watched Lion King II. They open up two exits because so many people are trying to get their kids right after the show, so we joined the line that exited by Flounders Reef. It took a while to check out and Steve joined us in line.
We had a few moments until dinner so we sat on the poof outside the Buena Vista Theatre (critical error they were selling refreshments for the movies and Isabel wanted something then and there). We somehow avoided another meltdown and hurried to dinner in Animators Palate. It was Best Of Dining this evening I think in our house, its called Left Overs
although I had the bourbon and maple-glazed pork tenderloin and if I had served that at home, we might not have had any leftovers because it was absolutely yummy, and thats really saying something because by the last night of a cruise, I dont know about you, but Ive had enough food. Somehow, Steve managed to eat all his seafood pasta, which also looked great. It was fun watching the flaming Baked Alaskas paraded by. It was sad, though, because thats really the signal that no one will be putting my napkin on my lap for me in the foreseeable future.Isabel wanted to go to the OC for one last frolic and I wanted to get everything packed up before Til We Meet Again. We went back and got her at about 9:45, turned in our pager and headed to the Atrium to see what kind of lines were forming. We were sitting in the chairs right by Guest Services and noticed people were starting to line up near the steps to Lumieres so Steve wandered over that way and got behind someone who was waiting. By the time Isabel and I joined him, this man who was also in line told me that we were too far to the left and the line was behind him. I assured him calmly that we werent trying to cut in line and he could certainly go before us and he suddenly burst into a speech about how sick he was of people being rude and how hed had enough of people trying to cut in line this week. Clearly, he was having a rough time. So, in my best soothing voice, I asked if he knew if this was the line for Cinderella and he calmed down a little and then explained that his daughter hadnt seen any characters this week that she ran, crying after Cinderella one night down some hallway. We had the opposite experience we saw characters everywhere, so I felt sorry for him. There are always schedules of character appearances in the Navigators he said they were always leaving when his family saw them. Anyway, I hope his little girl got plenty and photos and autographs that evening.
Isabel was in her glory. We got tons of pics and autographs she really wanted Ann Marie and Belle and she saw them plus at least 10 others. We went up a level to watch all the characters on the steps and we were right at the top of one of the stairways so she could really say good-bye to them! And then she ran down the steps to collect Mickey-shaped confetti after it was over. We had fun.
Steve and Isabel headed back to the room and I went to Shutters to get the rest of our pictures I bought the 10 pack and that was just about right for us. By the time I got back to the room, Isabel was a little weepy, realizing that this was our final night on the ship.
The next day, we took our time because our flight didnt leave until 7pm. We had reserved a day room at the airport Hyatt but we werent in a big rush to leave the ship. We stayed in our room until the last possible moment, ate at Topsiders at the last possible moment, meandered off the ship at our leisure. Isabel was crying full tilt by then many adults looked at her and told her they felt the same way she did.
We had waited long enough that the porter didnt have too many bags to look through to find ours. We gave her our forms and they waved us out the side door where we went right to the Northwest counter and checked our big bags through. As it happened, we got on the same bus with our tablemates so Isabel got to sit with her friend Alyssa on the way back to the airport. Everyone was pretty quiet on the bus I think we were all either sad or exhausted. But what a great vacation!!!
Thanks for reading my report. Ive learned so many useful tips from these boards I hope something you read might help you next time or might bring back a memory or two.
Peace.
