We depart our house at 8:55am, drive out to the Western Beltway in Winter Garden, then turnpike, then beeline it over to Port Canaveral.
In about an hour, We see our first glance of the smokestacks and then see the full ship as we go over the causeway bridge. We turn off for the North Terminals and then into the drive for Disney Cruise Lines.
It is now 10:10, We are stopped by security, and they say we are too early. But we are allowed to wait in the day lot. There are just 3 cars there and we wait until around 10:40am, looking up at the boat, the kids looking in every car to make sure other kids are going to be on the ship. At this time there are around 15 cars in the day lot. Then they allow us to cross over into the terminal. We show our ID to security and then a DCL rep checks us on the manifest. She is giving so much information that the line is really backing up behind us, but we are just so excited we are taking it all in. We then pull around and pull up to the drop off. A porter helps us with the bags out of the car, DW and the boys get out and go into the terminal. I drive over and park in the parking lot. I walk over to the terminal, having to show my ID again, go through Security and everything is okay.
DW and the boys are waiting for me at the top of the escalator. We have our documents checked, I missed 1 signature on a Bahamas immigration form, then we are off to the check in line. Just 3 people in front of us. Check in went very quick and smooth.
The boys are over looking at the model of the ship. DS10 had 1 goal in mind, to make a friend, and he makes plenty during the 3 days. DW and I walked over to the line, and we were about the 10th family in line. At 11:05am it was filling up fast. DW goes out and videos the boys in the terminal. They have met some friends and are very excited. I take the boys outside and film them in front of the boat on the observation deck. I get back in line while the boys play with their new friends. Goofy walks out of the gangway and all the kids go crazy. DW leaves the line to go take pictures of the boys and goofy, we even got pictures of the new friends.
As 11:50am approaches there is a lot of activity at the Mickey Ears, and the doorway opens up. The concierge gets loaded on, and then it is time for us to go. We have our keys to the world swiped and then picture time. Then it is time for us to cross the gangway. We are greeted and asked our last name, but nothing is said. I am thinking "Oh great, we walked on at a bad time and she couldn't say our name. But as we are 10 feet away, They say welcome aboard to our Family. DW Said did you hear that! She wasn't expecting it since she doesn't research as much as me. We are herded down the corridor towards Parrot Cay. We are given the choice of eating outside or inside, and we chose inside, so we went into Parrot Cay. We were sat at a table for 8, with a nice family from New York.. I was so scared on the trip that we would be seated next to strange people, that I requested a single table. After sitting with the nice New York Family, I don't think it would have been a problem. We are close to the window so we get to see the port and all the people just arriving for check in. I had some beef stew and salad and a sampling of desserts, I was just too excited to eat. The kids did enjoy the kid buffet. The Iced Tea hits you pretty bad at first, but you get used to it.
After lunch it is off to Deck 9. We take the elevator and we do not know why but DW got rather sick from riding in it. We walk out and there is hardly anyone in the pool. Lots of chairs avaialable. The kids go play at Mickey pool and go down the slide a lot of times. DW is sitting in the shade. I head down to register the kids for the Clubs. I fill out the form and 'Luis' tells me about the rules and activities and gives us our beeper. I cant get the wristband, since the kids are not there. I then walk to Wavebands to make Palo reservations, and I had 6:30pm Thursday night. It is now 1:30, so I decide to climb down to Deck 2 and check out the cabin. There is a lot of luggage in the hallway, and I find the cabin and slide my KTTW card and open the door. Our luggage was already there, that felt good knowing that I didn't have to wait for. It looks small at first glance, but it really is okay since there are 2 sinks and a separate shower/toilet. The sofa makes it not so cramped, since there is that extra floor space. We had a Deck 2 category 10, so the bed was all the way to the wall, but not facing the door like Cat 11. I just spend a few minutes, changed into my swimsuit, since the rest of the family is up on deck9.
I go back up and DW is still not feeling very well. (She has always gotten motion sick very easy) She has a green apple and I get her a ginger ale (Not available for free.) from Plutos. I video the kids and then DS10 and I go over to Goofy Pool, just 2 other kids in there now. We swim for a bit, hop into the hot tub, not very hot, but then again it was 92 degrees outside. I just wanted to say I did it. We get some snacks such as nachos and cheese and cheese fries. DS6 gets a non-alcoholic version of the Drink of the Day, Bahama Mama. He doesnt like it, but does like the souvenir cup it came in. DS10 wants one, but decides to wait and try tomorrows drink.
It is getting close to 3:30 now so we head back down to the cabin to prepare for the lifeboat drill. We get there and start to unpack. The boys put on their life jackets and we do as well, at 3:50 we head up the back stairs to Animators Palette, we are in Muster station Q. We get to sit and they check off cabins. Then they play the announcement, reassuring us that an emergency would be an unlikely event. Then they announce that our vacation can begin. We all head down to our cabins, drop off the life jackets and then head up to deck 10 to get a good spot for Sail Away. DS10 wants to be at the bow of the boat, and DS6 wants to see the party. DS6 stays for 2 songs and decides he wants to be on the top deck too. It was very hot on Deck 9 while the boat was not moving.
We watch the dock workers drop the lines and we see manatees in the water. We sail out and hear the great Wonder Horn. We pass Grills Restaurant, we have eaten there and watched the ships sail out before, so it was nice to see it from the boat side now. We then take the kids back to Plutos on Deck 9 for dinner, since We have Palos reservations. They eat hot dogs and chicken strips. As the kids are eating, I call my Mom in Maryland and have the kids talk to her. She said she watched the boat go out on the web cam. DW goes back down to get ready for dinner and I bring the kids down a little later. At 6:20 we head up to wait in line to check the kids. We split up, DW takes DS6 to the club and I take DS10 to the lab, so we can get out fast. The Lab was ready for Check in and DS10 went on in. The Club wasnt ready until exactly 6:30. But that was okay since when I made the Palo Reservations, they said it would be okay if we were late. DS6 gets signed into the club and doesnt even look back
as he goes to wash his hands, since they squirt soap immediately as they enter.
We head up to Palo and get a great seat in Nicos section against the back window. The sun was very warm and I had to take my jacket off. We wore dark clothes and Nico took away the white cloth napkins and provided dark cloth napkins as not to mess up our clothes. We started off with buffalo Mozzarella/Tomato Salad and DW had a salad. We both had the Filet, DW had it with Gargonzola cheese and I had Wine sauce. We had the Chocolate Souffle and light white chocolate dessert. The meal was excellent. We then walked outside for a few minutes enjoying the glassy water.
We went to go get the boys, but they both wanted to stay. Discussing with the boys on whether they wanted to come or not made us arrive just in time for the Hercules show. Cara the Cruise Director started the show with some announcements and then hercules started, about 10 minutes into the show. DS6 had us paged, and I went to get him. He was crying, he actually wanted to leave the first time, but didnt know it. I took him back to the show. He enjoyed the show alot. We then went out and got DS10 and we all walked up on Deck for a while. It was really spooky since it was completely dark, looking over the bow. The Fantasy was sailing in front of us, and other than the stars that was the only light. We went back down to our cabin and the boys didnt like sleeping in their bunks, so DW slept in the bottom bunk, and both boys slept with me in the bed. We fell asleep watching Scooby Doo 2 on the Movie at Sea Channel.
Notes:
-The boat is so beautiful and very clean. Even the public restrooms on the decks were exceptionally nice.
-Every Crew/Cast Member goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. Not once did we pass someone that didn't say hello or ask how you are.
-The Fast Paced Disney Music that they play on the pool decks by Goofy and Mickey pool just adds so much to the excitement.
-The elevator made my wife motion sick, so we stayed off of it for the rest of the trip and she was fine. Since we used the stairs, we had alot of desserts with no worries.
-If you can Board the ship As early as you can. It was nice feeling like you had the boat to yourself. Even though it never felt crowded.
-Even all the other guests were very friendly and in very good moods for the trip. All the kids were well behaved.
Day 2 to come:
George
In about an hour, We see our first glance of the smokestacks and then see the full ship as we go over the causeway bridge. We turn off for the North Terminals and then into the drive for Disney Cruise Lines.
It is now 10:10, We are stopped by security, and they say we are too early. But we are allowed to wait in the day lot. There are just 3 cars there and we wait until around 10:40am, looking up at the boat, the kids looking in every car to make sure other kids are going to be on the ship. At this time there are around 15 cars in the day lot. Then they allow us to cross over into the terminal. We show our ID to security and then a DCL rep checks us on the manifest. She is giving so much information that the line is really backing up behind us, but we are just so excited we are taking it all in. We then pull around and pull up to the drop off. A porter helps us with the bags out of the car, DW and the boys get out and go into the terminal. I drive over and park in the parking lot. I walk over to the terminal, having to show my ID again, go through Security and everything is okay.
DW and the boys are waiting for me at the top of the escalator. We have our documents checked, I missed 1 signature on a Bahamas immigration form, then we are off to the check in line. Just 3 people in front of us. Check in went very quick and smooth.
The boys are over looking at the model of the ship. DS10 had 1 goal in mind, to make a friend, and he makes plenty during the 3 days. DW and I walked over to the line, and we were about the 10th family in line. At 11:05am it was filling up fast. DW goes out and videos the boys in the terminal. They have met some friends and are very excited. I take the boys outside and film them in front of the boat on the observation deck. I get back in line while the boys play with their new friends. Goofy walks out of the gangway and all the kids go crazy. DW leaves the line to go take pictures of the boys and goofy, we even got pictures of the new friends.
As 11:50am approaches there is a lot of activity at the Mickey Ears, and the doorway opens up. The concierge gets loaded on, and then it is time for us to go. We have our keys to the world swiped and then picture time. Then it is time for us to cross the gangway. We are greeted and asked our last name, but nothing is said. I am thinking "Oh great, we walked on at a bad time and she couldn't say our name. But as we are 10 feet away, They say welcome aboard to our Family. DW Said did you hear that! She wasn't expecting it since she doesn't research as much as me. We are herded down the corridor towards Parrot Cay. We are given the choice of eating outside or inside, and we chose inside, so we went into Parrot Cay. We were sat at a table for 8, with a nice family from New York.. I was so scared on the trip that we would be seated next to strange people, that I requested a single table. After sitting with the nice New York Family, I don't think it would have been a problem. We are close to the window so we get to see the port and all the people just arriving for check in. I had some beef stew and salad and a sampling of desserts, I was just too excited to eat. The kids did enjoy the kid buffet. The Iced Tea hits you pretty bad at first, but you get used to it.
After lunch it is off to Deck 9. We take the elevator and we do not know why but DW got rather sick from riding in it. We walk out and there is hardly anyone in the pool. Lots of chairs avaialable. The kids go play at Mickey pool and go down the slide a lot of times. DW is sitting in the shade. I head down to register the kids for the Clubs. I fill out the form and 'Luis' tells me about the rules and activities and gives us our beeper. I cant get the wristband, since the kids are not there. I then walk to Wavebands to make Palo reservations, and I had 6:30pm Thursday night. It is now 1:30, so I decide to climb down to Deck 2 and check out the cabin. There is a lot of luggage in the hallway, and I find the cabin and slide my KTTW card and open the door. Our luggage was already there, that felt good knowing that I didn't have to wait for. It looks small at first glance, but it really is okay since there are 2 sinks and a separate shower/toilet. The sofa makes it not so cramped, since there is that extra floor space. We had a Deck 2 category 10, so the bed was all the way to the wall, but not facing the door like Cat 11. I just spend a few minutes, changed into my swimsuit, since the rest of the family is up on deck9.
I go back up and DW is still not feeling very well. (She has always gotten motion sick very easy) She has a green apple and I get her a ginger ale (Not available for free.) from Plutos. I video the kids and then DS10 and I go over to Goofy Pool, just 2 other kids in there now. We swim for a bit, hop into the hot tub, not very hot, but then again it was 92 degrees outside. I just wanted to say I did it. We get some snacks such as nachos and cheese and cheese fries. DS6 gets a non-alcoholic version of the Drink of the Day, Bahama Mama. He doesnt like it, but does like the souvenir cup it came in. DS10 wants one, but decides to wait and try tomorrows drink.
It is getting close to 3:30 now so we head back down to the cabin to prepare for the lifeboat drill. We get there and start to unpack. The boys put on their life jackets and we do as well, at 3:50 we head up the back stairs to Animators Palette, we are in Muster station Q. We get to sit and they check off cabins. Then they play the announcement, reassuring us that an emergency would be an unlikely event. Then they announce that our vacation can begin. We all head down to our cabins, drop off the life jackets and then head up to deck 10 to get a good spot for Sail Away. DS10 wants to be at the bow of the boat, and DS6 wants to see the party. DS6 stays for 2 songs and decides he wants to be on the top deck too. It was very hot on Deck 9 while the boat was not moving.
We watch the dock workers drop the lines and we see manatees in the water. We sail out and hear the great Wonder Horn. We pass Grills Restaurant, we have eaten there and watched the ships sail out before, so it was nice to see it from the boat side now. We then take the kids back to Plutos on Deck 9 for dinner, since We have Palos reservations. They eat hot dogs and chicken strips. As the kids are eating, I call my Mom in Maryland and have the kids talk to her. She said she watched the boat go out on the web cam. DW goes back down to get ready for dinner and I bring the kids down a little later. At 6:20 we head up to wait in line to check the kids. We split up, DW takes DS6 to the club and I take DS10 to the lab, so we can get out fast. The Lab was ready for Check in and DS10 went on in. The Club wasnt ready until exactly 6:30. But that was okay since when I made the Palo Reservations, they said it would be okay if we were late. DS6 gets signed into the club and doesnt even look back
as he goes to wash his hands, since they squirt soap immediately as they enter. We head up to Palo and get a great seat in Nicos section against the back window. The sun was very warm and I had to take my jacket off. We wore dark clothes and Nico took away the white cloth napkins and provided dark cloth napkins as not to mess up our clothes. We started off with buffalo Mozzarella/Tomato Salad and DW had a salad. We both had the Filet, DW had it with Gargonzola cheese and I had Wine sauce. We had the Chocolate Souffle and light white chocolate dessert. The meal was excellent. We then walked outside for a few minutes enjoying the glassy water.
We went to go get the boys, but they both wanted to stay. Discussing with the boys on whether they wanted to come or not made us arrive just in time for the Hercules show. Cara the Cruise Director started the show with some announcements and then hercules started, about 10 minutes into the show. DS6 had us paged, and I went to get him. He was crying, he actually wanted to leave the first time, but didnt know it. I took him back to the show. He enjoyed the show alot. We then went out and got DS10 and we all walked up on Deck for a while. It was really spooky since it was completely dark, looking over the bow. The Fantasy was sailing in front of us, and other than the stars that was the only light. We went back down to our cabin and the boys didnt like sleeping in their bunks, so DW slept in the bottom bunk, and both boys slept with me in the bed. We fell asleep watching Scooby Doo 2 on the Movie at Sea Channel.
Notes:
-The boat is so beautiful and very clean. Even the public restrooms on the decks were exceptionally nice.
-Every Crew/Cast Member goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. Not once did we pass someone that didn't say hello or ask how you are.
-The Fast Paced Disney Music that they play on the pool decks by Goofy and Mickey pool just adds so much to the excitement.
-The elevator made my wife motion sick, so we stayed off of it for the rest of the trip and she was fine. Since we used the stairs, we had alot of desserts with no worries.
-If you can Board the ship As early as you can. It was nice feeling like you had the boat to yourself. Even though it never felt crowded.
-Even all the other guests were very friendly and in very good moods for the trip. All the kids were well behaved.
Day 2 to come:
George
and myself) are taking are first ever cruise on the Wonder, leaving on August 19th (also 3 night). 
