June 18th, Family Vacation Cruise

[b00kw0rm429]

I will start by noting a few things that were helpful-things I needed/didn't need and then begin my report in a few days, when I arrive home from my LONG vacation!

Need:
-All the things you would normally take on a vacation! (Clothing, toiletries, suncreen (LOTS), cameras, etc)

-Loved having the downy wrinkle release. Very much a time saver! Great for cotton t-shirts, shorts, etc.

-picture mats for autographs. Was great not to have to carry autograph book and hold up the picture line with characters.

Didn't need: (these were some suggested items that I didn't really need.)

-Over the door shoe holder-there was plenty of storage for the four of us. Lots of shelves and drawers. Disney really makes great use of all of their space.

-Highlighter- Unless you really plan on packing in the onboard activities, you will have no trouble keeping track of the one or two things you are interested in.

-Cooler with alcohol-really didn't drink like I thought we would. We were so tired after the late seating, we were in bed by 11 or 12 and were busy most of the day. We may have had a few more drinks had we brought beer in cans or plastic. I was very content with a drink of the day (or two!). This would be depend on your driking habits, though, I suppose! It was a pain to roll it all over with us. Of course it had a case of water and a case of beer! It was a bit heavy!

I'll add to my list as I think of things...stayed tuned for more info! Including the biggest surprise of all-right in the terminal before boarding!

 

[pperfectmom]

Looking forward to the TR!

 

[KatInHat]

Thanks for sharing. I'll be looking for the tr. Could you please post a link here when you begin. Thanks

 

[Duckyiam71]

-picture mats for autographs. Was great not to have to carry autograph book and hold up the picture line with characters.

What is this? I have never heard of it. I hate carrying autograph books. My DSs are getting older so they can carry, but if this easier that is great!

 

[b00kw0rm429]

Ducky,
Walmart has $6 photo mats where the frames are. Pick one up and leave it at guest services with sharpies. The characters will sign it.

Onto the first part of the journey!

Cast members:
Laura (me)
Patrick
Keegan-12
Aidan-7

We live in NW PA so the journey started on the Tuesday before for us. We loaded the car (Honda Civic) with all of the supplies a family of four would need for a 2 week plus vacation. It was quite a squeeze to get in. We decided to save the $1000 or more dollars and drive since we are teachers and had the extra time...at least until we decided to sell our house and spent the week prior (and the week since returning) getting ready for a realtor. The trip to Georgia, where we would meet up with 5 other family members took about 14 hours. Portable DVD players, computers and books kept the natives calm (relatively speaking) for the majority of the trip. We left at 7 am and arrived around 9 pm that night. We spent the next day resting up and sitting beside a great public pool at St. Simon's Island, Georgia.

Thursday we loaded two cars and began the final leg of the journey to Port Canaveral. We were scheduled to stay at the Country Inn and Suites. It was a nice, clean place and fabulous for families. My only complaint was that the parking and shuttle was supposed to go with the room and we were charged an extra $20. Still a great deal, but no amount of complaint would get them to fix it. We booked our room on Priceline for $49 so we couldn't complain much. We spent the evening by the pool and went for Pizza at a local place (can't remember the name) which was at best mediocre for our meal. Amazingly we all slept although I awoke at 6 am and headed to the end of the hall for a first glimpse of the ship! We had scheduled our shuttle for 11 am so I snoozed a bit more and woke the family around 8 for breakfast. The included breakfast was quite substantial! Eggs (powdered-YUCK!), waffles (yum), bacon, potatoes, cereal, muffins and bread. We gathered in the lobby at the proper time and met with our driver Dwayne and his wife (can't remember her name) but both were extremely nice and got us to the port quickly.

The port was a little disappointing, only because of all of the construction, but the ship was beautiful. I had heard many people call it small, but it looked way big enough to me! We showed our IDs and paperwork outside (HOT!) and headed in. We had our paperwork printed and were completely prepared (that's a first) unlike our family members (DH's sister, hubby, two kids and Nana) We headed to the desk while they sorted out what they needed. Check in was simple. Pictures for the KTTW cards, forms signed (Have we been i'll?-Define ill as traveling always gives me stomach issues so I fudged that one a bit! I knew I wasn't "ill" but didn't want to take the chance of being confined to a cabin!) As we exited the desk a a woman named Mariska approached us and asked if we were from Florida (no) and would we like to be the FAMILY OF THE DAY!! I had heard of that happening but with 2000 plus people on board the chance were like 1 in 1000 or some such thing! How magical and filled with perks...More later!

 

[Señor DonDuck]

Signing up. Congrats on being selected for family of the day! Can't wait to hear more.

 

[AquaDuck1]

I want to hear more about the "family of the day"......

 

[b00kw0rm429]

I'll attempt to post pictures later, but someone may have to help me because I had no luck in previous posts!

As for Family of the Day...It was awesome, magical and a bit embarrassing all rolled into one! Once we had agreed, we were led to the section where the concierge guests sit. There were comfy couches, tables and chairs etc...we were asked if we needed anything and we declined. There were about 3 people "standing guard" over us! They were very friendly, I felt like we had a "staff" with us! It was kind of funny! I snuck off for a minute to let the rest of the family know where we had disappeared to. I felt a little bad, but when I had said, "We are traveling with other family members," they didn't say, "Well go get them!" Rather they said, "Do you need a minute to let them know?" (SEE YA, FAMILY! We were teasingly referred to as "The First Family" for the rest of the cruise.) They did impress upon us that time was of the essence and as soon as the ship was clear, we would be escorted onboard. Mariska "line jumped" us to the front of the kids club lines and took care of all of that for us. We were then escorted to the front of the "Captain Mickey" picture line (so sorry if we "cut" you!) and Goofy came out as well. Apparently everyone else only got one character...and Mickey left with us! I have a great picture of him walking arm in arm with my 12 year old.

We sat in the "special" section again and they brought my daughter, Aidan, some coloring sheets and we were presented with a Magic Moments certificate! Soon Mariska received a call and was told to board us. WOOOHOOO! So we stood in the big Mickey ears in the terminal as the words, "Please give a warm welcome to the Family of the Day...All the way from North East, PA....the Fordyce Family! A bit embarassing, but fun and on we went...Pictures in front of a map on the way up and finally there it was!! The gangplank! We were introduced again at the entrance of the ship and then escorted to lunch at Parrot Cay (pronounced "key"...who knew?!") where we had the pick of the buffet as the first diners! Next up...the travels of the "First Family"!

 

[2littlegirls]

can't wait to hear more!

 

[Fastpaks]

I'll attempt to post pictures later, but someone may have to help me because I had no luck in previous posts!

Easiest way, is probably Photobucket. Make an account. Upload. Then click a picture you want, there should be an option that has Image code: Copy and past it here.

The option panel/square looks like this:

You done. You can option still share but keep your albums private. Good luck.

 

[b00kw0rm429]

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

Ducky,
Walmart has $6 photo mats where the frames are. Pick one up and leave it at guest services with sharpies. The characters will sign it.

I can understand the idea of getting picture mats instead of using an autograph book, but what I don't understand get is leaving them at guest services to be signed. Really, ANYONE can scribble the name "Cinderella" or whatever name in absence so what is the point?

 

[Stinkerbe11]

Signing on, sounds like it was a great trip!

 

[TheThomsLuvDisney]

Subbing in, can't wait to here more!

 

[pamcarey]

Can't wait for more!

 

[svcutler]

You left us hanging here..... I wanted to know about the rest of your trip

 

[princesspiglet]

I can understand the idea of getting picture mats instead of using an autograph book, but what I don't understand get is leaving them at guest services to be signed. Really, ANYONE can scribble the name "Cinderella" or whatever name in absence so what is the point?

That's the thing with Disney. You have to be the character to sign the autograph. The CM goes through months of training to be able to write their autograph (as the character) and if you pay close attention to them, all Mickey's, all Minnies' etc are the exact same signature. Therefore, no one could just scribble the characters name in their absence. Disney does not allow that.

 

[tiarasandcrowns]

Tell us more.....