Memories of the DREAM come true .. 08/09 All 30 days done!

[annmarieda]

That is so nice of you to give the doughnuts away. I am sure they were appreciated. MMM, they are ever so yummy when warm.

 

[jecskc]

I sooo can't wait until you get on the Dream !! I just love seeing photos of it. I can't wait 'til we go in April !! 87 more days !!

 

[englishrose47]

What a wonderful gesture to give the guards and CMs a dozen donuts !!You are sooooo sweet !!

 

[dizneeat]

Wow, your dinner looks good!

It is so nice that you get Krispy Kreme for the guards. I'm sure not many people think to do something like that. I'm sure they didn't last long at all in the CM room.

The dinner was really wonderful! A wonderful end to the first part of our vacation!

The doughnuts for the guards are a fun thing. I always comment on how welcome these guards or let's just say every castmember makes us and seldom do they get any kind of recognition, so while sitting at KK and munching our doughnuts we came up with the idea of getting some for the guards as well.
Ever since it is our tradition to do so before we check out!

That is so sweet and such a great idea to get the CM's doughnuts!

You guys are some of the most thoughtful people ever!

It's fun to surprise them, Abby! Their faces more than "pay" for the box of doughnuts!

That is so nice of you to give the doughnuts away. I am sure they were appreciated. MMM, they are ever so yummy when warm.

It's just a little bit of giving back the magic. It is so fun to see the surprised faces, makes it so worth while!

I sooo can't wait until you get on the Dream !! I just love seeing photos of it. I can't wait 'til we go in April !! 87 more days !!

There should be lots of photos of the DREAM until you leave. We stayed on for three cruises as you know and there were plenty of photo ops!
And we are going back in just 40 short days - can't wait to see her again in just a little over 5 weeks!

What a wonderful gesture to give the guards and CMs a dozen donuts !!You are sooooo sweet !!

We always do that, Rosie! It's so fun to sprinkle a bit of pixie dust towards the cast members - they love it too!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 9, August 21

Falling in love with the DREAM - Part 1

It was time for part two of our trip, our back to back to back cruises on the Disney Dream.
Tom made some coffee and we had one last breakfast of coffee and Krispy Kreme doughnuts on the balcony

before we packed up all of our left over belongings. We then hauled everything downstairs and tried to fit it in the car.
Well, some things needed to go in the back seat, but that was okay. Around 9am we got in the car

and left our resort to drive over to Downtown Disney. That early in the morning there were lots of parking spaces to choose from and we parked right closest to where Wolfgang Puck's Express is.
Got out of the car and sped over to the restaurant. There were a few people outside and a Cast Member standing in the doorway

and since we didn't know what was happening we walked up and asked.
They were not opening until 9.30 on a Sunday, so we had a little time to spare and still a few snack credits to use up, so we walked over to Goofy's Candy Company an picked a few bags of candy.

After strolling through a few more shop we decided it was time to head back to Wolfgang's.
They were now open and there was already a line up to the counter. We spent our last Counter Service credit on our breakfast, picked up our two Diet Cokes, then went to find a table and waited for our breakfast to arrive. Again, Tom had ordered

Wolfgang's Breakfast Pocket, Scrambled eggs, Peppers, Niman Ranch Bacon, onions, mushrooms, mozzarella and cheddar cheese baked into Wolfgang's pizza dough and served with breakfast potatoes. I was boring too and ordered my favourite,

the Smoked Bacon Pizza, scrambled eggs, tomatoes, mozzarella and cheddar cheese and Ranch Dressing. While we sat and munched our breakfast we talked about the adventures that were ahead of us, cruising on the Disney Dream. Once we had finished our breakfast, we walked back to the car, put the new purchases into one of our bags and started our drive towards Port Canaveral.
It didn't take long and we were cruising along on the highway and soon we were close to the port. It was really exciting to see the ship in the distance and the excitement grew the closer we got.

Once we had made our way to the port we drove towards the baggage drop off and after showing our cruise documents and passports we were directed towards the drop off zone.
We both got out of the car, took the top down for easier access to the back seat where some of our luggage was and there were porters right on hand, as well as security with dogs who checked our luggage and then took it into the storage room.
We left the top down and drove back out onto the road that leads into Cape Canaveral. After a very short drive we had made it to our destination, the Hertz rental car, car return.
We parked the car, took out the hand luggage we still had left and got the paperwork done. The shuttle had just left, so we had a few minutes until we were ready to go back to the port.
Some other passengers arrived and we all waited and once the shuttle arrived we made sure our hand luggage was stowed securely, then climbed into the car and sat in the very back row of the shuttle. Our first stop was for Royal Norwegian and two men got off, then we were off to Disney Cruise Line.

To be continued ..........

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I'm really looking forward to hearing all about part two of your trip.

 

[podsnel]

Yay!!! We're getting on the ship!! So excited!!!!

 

[dizneeat]

I'm really looking forward to hearing all about part two of your trip.

You won't be disappointed, we had a heck of a time on board the DREAM!

Yay!!! We're getting on the ship!! So excited!!!!

You are going to love cruising on the DREAM, Ellen - such a beautiful ship, wonderful food and lots of nice places to sit and relax (and enjoy a drink or two!)!

 

[annmarieda]

I too am getting excited to hear about part two. As I read each of your updates, the idea of a cruise intrigues me more and more...

 

[dizneeat]

I too am getting excited to hear about part two. As I read each of your updates, the idea of a cruise intrigues me more and more...

I love excitement for new adventures ...... and believe me, had you asked me about cruising a few years ago I would have loved it off, but we really have fallen in love with it. Such a relaxed way to travel.

 

[KatMark]

Will I never learn? I always come to your thread when I've not eaten lunch yet or when I have an appointment and will be getting home later for dinner.

And, of course, you really had to make it all the worse by putting pictures of Krispy Kreme in the latest update.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 9, August 21

Falling in love with the DREAM - Part 2

Our first stop was for Royal Norwegian and two men got off, then we were off to Disney Cruise Line. They let us get off right in front of the first check point.
We showed our passports, were crossed off the list and off we went. There was quite a line for security and just when we wanted to get in line, someone waved us over to the other side, where literally no one was in line.
So we sailed through the security check and were up the elevator and in the terminal. The lines were quite long, both for Castaway Club and regular check in so we asked where to go.
As we were international guests we were sent towards a totally different line and were stunned. There was NO one in line and a Cast Member waved us over immediately.
I told him that we hadn't known there was a FastPass lane for check in as well. We all had a good laugh and again in very little time we had our Cruise IDs in hand and were sent towards the entrance as our boarding number had already been called and we were allowed to board.
We quickly took our luggage and got going. There was a very excited family with little kids ahead of us and we kept talking about the cruise and how it was their first cruise and they couldn't wait to get on board.

We all had our pictures taken and then were announce when we set foot on the Dream. The Atrium was breathtaking and we stood in awe and looked around us. While we were still looking a Cast Member approached us and told us that lunch was now being served and we could either go to Cabanas or the Enchanted Garden.
We chose the Enchanted Garden since we know we would be seated and our drinks served and the buffet is about the same as at Cabanas. Down we went to Deck 2, were handed a wipe, wiped our hands and got in line to be seated. We checked in at the restaurant and a host took us to our table, a nice tucked away 4 top.
We stowed all our belongings against the wall and walked up to the buffet. They told us that both lines had the same items and we chose the side with the shorter line. Since we were wearing the custom made T--shirts we had gotten from Jennifer, we got a lot of attention, so much attention that the server who handed out the plates at the buffet, thought we needed a special plate and handed us the kids plate. Okay, fine with me!
The buffet was plentiful and well stocked and we filled our plates with lots of goodies.

While we were still enjoying the food a server came by to offer the drink of the day, the Bahama Mama.

Needless to say we needed one. There's nothing like kicking off your cruise with a "spirited" drink. Neither of us felt like dessert, and since they were about to open the hallways to the staterooms we wrapped up our meals, took the rest of our drinks with us and walked to the elevator.
Up to the 10th deck we went and low and behold the gangway was already open and our stateroom only 2 cabins down.
Tom scanned the key and we were able to open the door and were surprised again.
One of the surprises was the Welcome Back gift from Disney Cruise Line, which we expected to be in the room.

The other gift was unexpected and very sweet. Our friends Stefy and Dave had sent us a sailaway present.

There was a garland,

a hanging decoration

and a standing decoration

and a wonderful cake,

all with plates, silverware and napkins.

We were stunned and very grateful about the thoughtfulness of our friends. Once we had gotten over the initial "shock" of so many surprises we went to check out the stateroom.

To be continued ..........

 

[dizneeat]

Will I never learn? I always come to your thread when I've not eaten lunch yet or when I have an appointment and will be getting home later for dinner.

And, of course, you really had to make it all the worse by putting pictures of Krispy Kreme in the latest update.

I knew SOMEONE will fall for all the food I post! And just as a little warning ..... there is LOTS of yummy cruise food ahead, together with some really fun experiences during the rest of our travels.

 

[englishrose47]

Loved all thepix !!Karin I am bound and determined to hit WPE for breakfast . You have done it again !!Last year it was Olivia's and now I have to do WPE !! Can't wait for more pix of the Cruise !! How sweet of Stefy to send that Welcome aboard gift!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Love the photos, of course, Karin, but what a thoughtful and sweet surprise from Stefy and Save! So festive and something yummy too!!

Can't wait for the next chapter!

(p.s. I have a countdown!!!!)

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Oh, what a lovely surprise you had waiting for you.

 

[dizneeat]

Loved all thepix !!Karin I am bound and determined to hit WPE for breakfast . You have done it again !!Last year it was Olivia's and now I have to do WPE !! Can't wait for more pix of the Cruise !! How sweet of Stefy to send that Welcome aboard gift!!

I am glad you like the photos, Rosie! And I am happy to hear that you are going to give WPE a try for breakfast.
The gift from Stefy was a total surprise and it was so sweet of her and Dave!
Lots more photos of our cruise coming up shortly.

Love the photos, of course, Karin, but what a thoughtful and sweet surprise from Stefy and Save! So festive and something yummy too!!

Can't wait for the next chapter!

(p.s. I have a countdown!!!!)

Stefy and Dave are the sweetest people! I hope you have seen their wedding photos, such a cute couple!
I did see your countdown WHEN are you going exactly, WHERE are you going to stay, WHO are you going with? Lots of questions ...... I am nosey!

Oh, what a lovely surprise you had waiting for you.

It was a wonderful surprise ..... and it was totally unexpected!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 9, August 21

Falling in love with the DREAM - Part 3

Once we had gotten over the initial "shock" of so many surprises we went to check out the stateroom. The layout is similar to the staterooms on the Disney Wonder, but there were definitely new touches.

We enjoyed the Veranda for a while and the view of the terminal building. And after emptying our carry ons and stowing them away we were ready to head out again. We got as far as the door.

Most of our luggage had arrived by then and we hauled everything inside and put the contents on hangers and on the shelves. The suitcases fit under the bed and when we were finally done and headed outside we had decided on checking out where our assembly station for the safety drill was. And we were glad we did.
We got lost twice on the way there and when we finally had found it we were surprised that we belonged to the lucky ones who were to assemble on the inside, in the Buena Vista Theatre.
We still had a little time left so we wandered the ship,

having a look at the atrium from above and then we were finally just a little early for the safety drill.

They were already seating people and since you do not have to bring your life jacket, we just stayed and waited for the drill. The room filled up fast, everyone got scanned, they called out the last missing rooms and finally we got advised on what to do in case of an emergency.
We learned that we were in "Station F with our new friend Jeff". Everyone had a good laugh, but the station stuck.
When the drill was over we had a hard time getting back to our deck again - the ship was packed and the elevators were swamped. We used the stairs and slowly climbed up to deck 10 where our stateroom was. We both grabbed our cameras and walked up another deck to watch the Sailaway party.
Deck 11 was crowded, so we walked up to deck 12 and found a spot at the opposite side of the stage.

People were handed streamers and everyone waved and had a fun time. It was a different party to the one we had done on the Wonder and while it was nice, it was the only time we would watch it on all three cruises.
There were a lot of characters involved and one thing that was funny though was that they never closed the pool.
There were people having fun in the pool while all around people were dancing and waving their streamers. It truly was a funny scene to watch. Since both decks were still very crowded, we decided to try and get to our stateroom to watch us sailing out. It took us some time, but we made it just in time for one of the most fun experiences sailing out.

When we approached Jetty Park we commented on how full the park was and laughed about the fact that there even was a police car out there.

to pass the policecar, the policeman got into the car and turned on the lights and the sirens.

It was such a fun thing to witness. And once the sirens were turned off there was an answer from Captain Henry, using two of the ship's horns tunes.

Everyone was cheering by then and it made our way out to sea extra special.

To be continued ..........

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Lots more photos of our cruise coming up shortly.

Stefy and Dave are the sweetest people! I hope you have seen their wedding photos, such a cute couple!
I did see your countdown WHEN are you going exactly, WHERE are you going to stay, WHO are you going with? Lots of questions ...... I am nosey!

For more photos!
Yes!! I have seen their wedding photos - they are such a cute couple..and what a fabulous wedding!

When: November 14 -19 (5 ngts) 2012 (possibly - meaning it it truly happens..fingers crossed!)
Where: We're booked at GF SL last I heard, but think that will be changed to WL CL later today. Less $$, but fabulous CL from what I've heard - my first and probably last CL stay, so it will be fun!
With: Some delightful DISers on the Resort Changers Thread. I change in my head before making a ressie, once made change only if a great deal comes out and can upgrade..but the RCers change several times a day sometimes! Our RC Queen and host of the new thread booked our RC Birthday Celebration Trip (mostly mine, but we have 2 others with early Dec birthdays too!) I think 8 have expressed wanting to come, but there is a core group of 4 or 5 of us very likely to go - our Queen already booked her return air!!!

 

[dizneeat]

For more photos!
Yes!! I have seen their wedding photos - they are such a cute couple..and what a fabulous wedding!

When: November 14 -19 (5 ngts) 2012 (possibly - meaning it it truly happens..fingers crossed!)
Where: We're booked at GF SL last I heard, but think that will be changed to WL CL later today. Less $$, but fabulous CL from what I've heard - my first and probably last CL stay, so it will be fun!
With: Some delightful DISers on the Resort Changers Thread. I change in my head before making a ressie, once made change only if a great deal comes out and can upgrade..but the RCers change several times a day sometimes! Our RC Queen and host of the new thread booked our RC Birthday Celebration Trip (mostly mine, but we have 2 others with early Dec birthdays too!) I think 8 have expressed wanting to come, but there is a core group of 4 or 5 of us very likely to go - our Queen already booked her return air!!!

That's fabulous news, Christine!!!

And as far as changing resorts goes - when I still booked with an Austrian TA you had to decide before you booked - no changing then. But now, since I do it myself and am on the DISboards a lot I have learned that changing resort is a sport I can really enjoy!
WL CL sounds great - we are doing our first CL stay at the Contemporary this summer - I'll let you know how we liked it!