Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Cruise, Oct 30th,2010 Magical Western NewTR link 4/10

[podsnel]

LMAO!



Thanks I'm not sure if we will make it over there but we'll see. This is our first convention at the MCO Hyatt and I don't know how easy it will be for coming and going (parking, etc. The Swan/Dolphin was a true PITA, we had to pay for parking each time we left and entered the parking lot. thank GOD we could walk to the Boardwalk!!!) Anyway if we can come and go for her breaks like lunch it will cut into our day too much. We'll see. I know we will got to DTD. I need some Ghiardelli and some tea from the new tea shop, plus we want to try out Pollo Campero.



Guess what? There are two!!!! They aren't quite as good but what a hoot to look through and see the kids all younger and me all skinnier before I started eating my way through multiple cruises per year. LOL!!!

Bot are form the Wonder, a 4 night and a 3 night (not B2B, several months apart!)

The links are in my signature, but I know on some monitors the bottom of my sig can't all be seen, so since you left an open invitation, here ya go:


First TR (The Very Merry Unbirthday Cruise, Wonder March 2007)

Second TR (The Adventures of Mom's Booty Wonder October 2007)

Third TR (that has 3 names, but you remember this one) (Back to the Island/Double Dip Delight/Cruising with a Baby Magic 2008)...

...and the current one which I will post here for anyone who wants to read about your adventures from my perspective..LOL: I'm not sure all of your adoring fans know that you're the star of my TR too!

Well, I don't know about that, but I know everyone would enjoy it- it's an EXCELLENT TR!!

Video Killed the TR Star: A Little Halloween Magic

Thanks for all the links!! I don't think I've read them, so I'm looking forward to it!

Oh that is great, Yeah Judy just told me "they" were trying to fill the room, I assumed they was you. That's great...although they probably had to bring in someone just to work for ya'll. Bet they got some good tips though!!

Nope- not me. I had the room if we had enough people, but only 6 of us had ressies, so I had to give it up. I was hoping people would tell me they had gotten into Palo at our meet (and then I could have gotten it back), but no one did. It's great it all worked out- it was nice to talk with everyone at Brunch.

Oh don't feel guilty!!! You did great! They don't exactly make it easy on ya to get that room!!!!

Yep, we are not huge fans of PC ourselves. I do feel like starting in Animator's is really starting off the cruise dining experience in grand style! It's just so Disney. I don;t get tired of it, and I can't wait to see what they've done to the place on the Dream and Fantasy!!!)

Me too!! I hear Animators is supposed to be even more amazing! And I loved this rotation. I think I'll always request it.

We have now gotten our rotations 2 out of the 3 times we've asked for a specific one. The '08 cruise was all kinds of messed up because they did not follow the regular rotations due to a few reasons. But even so, we still did not get what we asked for that time. It was no problem to change in RBarD upon boarding!

I am way too anal to not know exactly where I am going to be when. Maybe one of these days we'll be able to fly by the seat of our pants on a cruise but that will probably be when pigs fly. Til then I will be planning it all out and making my requests. LOL!

Yes, it does make it difficult to plan for Palo, etc, without knowing your rotation. That is going to be even MORE important on the Dream with the new restaurant- since we've all never been there before!

We haven't seen a flake of snow since 1998...unless you count the stuff blowing over Main St at MVMCP, which I think is actually soap!

Snow in Florida is just WRONG!!!

Happy New year!
Thanks so much, I loved reading about all your adventures and your pics are great!!!

Hi there! Happy New Year to you, too! Thanks, and I hope you'll come back to read the rest!

 

[podsnel]

We had signed up for the 2:30 Martini Tasting in Sessions, which we KNEW would be awesome because we had done it on the last cruise. FWIW, our options that day for drinking lessons were:

12:30 Sessions, Wine Tasting
2:30 Diversions, Beer Tasting
2:30 Sessions, Martini Tasting
4:00 Sessions, Tequila & Margarita Tasting
10:30 pm Cove Cafe, Cognac Tasting

We actually were hoping to do a different class this time, as we feel we can pretty much teach a martini class, due to our intensive study of the subject matter, but we were signed up for some Nooki in the DCL room of Naughty mud love at 3:30, so we had to take a pass on learning how to drink tequila. Not that we aren't already best buddies with our girl, Rita, but, I digress... Anywho...on to Sessions- oh- and sorry about the picture quality. My Olympus waterproof camera was dying....

We were almost the last to enter, and we took our seats.

Soon the minitinis were making their appearance-

Drink up!!

We tried a classic Gin Martini,(it's a classic- the classics are always a favorite) which when you were about half way finished was topped off with olive juice, so you could try it as a dirty martini; an Appletini (definitely a favorite), a Pomegranate Tini (always my favorite) and finally a Chocolate Tini (ok- maybe this ones my favorite...it's so hard to decide!!! HICCUP!)

They came around with some refills, if you were interested...

Hmm...looks like that pomegranate tini really WAS our favorite! Drinking lessons are so fun!! Always good to increase your knowledge at the bar!! I believe this was $15 per person, and we felt it was really worth it (again). But we didn't have time to chit-chat, we had a date with the DCL room of naughty mud-love....aka, the Secret Rasul treatment in the Vista Spa.

The secret Rasul, which is $89 for UP TO THREE GUESTS is basically this- you are escorted to the locker rooms where you change into bathrobes and spa flops. A spa attendant takes you to the Rasul room and shows you the bowls of mud and other elemis products, then explains the correct order to use everything for the ultimate detoxifying experience. She leaves, you lock the door, and then...it's time for some naughty mud love!! Which, of course, is greatly enhanced by the fact that if you were smart, you just came from drinking class and polished off 5 or so minitinis. Here are some pics of the treatment room from our last cruise-

I will say, this was different than the last time. It used to be that the second room behind the glass door was a steam room- it was very, very hot in there, and you had to be careful, if you sat down, to put a towel on the seats so you didn't burn your tushie. However...no more hot steam. Just a room with more showers. Which I found really disappointing, since the steam is what opens up your pores to absorb all the mud and gunk you have smeared all over yourselves. The other different thing? Last time, ALL of their products were in the room- you know, all of that really expensive Elemis goop, that you had unlimited access to for the treatment. This time, just the regular line- no high end stuff (although when I commented on this, the attendant did say she would be happy to bring me whatever I wanted, but I had nothing to name, so we just stayed with what we were given).

The treatment time is 50 minutes, for one, two OR THREE people. Well, even with JUST TWO of us in there, we were done in the 50 minutes...but no knock on the door. So we stayed some more. And some more. And when we finally opened the door and left- I think we had had almost a double session. Gosh, we were awfully CLEAN after all that showering!! I think they forgot to let us out, or maybe we were just the last treatment of the day- but whatever the reason, we certainly got our $89 worth. When I bumped into the attendant on the way to change, I asked about the steam- she said they discontinued that part of the experience not too long ago. But if I wanted to, I could go into the Rainforest Room to have the steam experience...on THEM. Well, ya don't have to ask me twice!! I LOVE that Rainforest room!! Again, here are some pics from our previous cruise-

Aaahhhh...the steam was GREAT for my sinuses, which had been bothering me. I was completely alone the whole time I was in there- maybe because now the only way to come into the RF room is by ponying up some $$. It used to be that any spa treatment would allow you access for the day. And last cruise, we had the REAS package which included unlimited access for the cruise. No more REAS package, and a higher entrance fee means an empty RF room, I guess. Oh well- I certainly enjoyed my time there this cruise as well as the last, and had been planning to book it on the next sea day- but now, she saved me a dime! Thanks spa girl!

Next up- back to the room for room service and getting ready- it's Formal Night on the Magic!

 

[tinkmom2]

My oldest DD never wanted to come out of her Oceneer's club. But I think she had a crush on one of our fellow Disers sons lol! We could never find her so on our cruise she missed out on meeting all the characters by ourselves Now on this next cruise on the Dream she will have her own tween club...I might have to drag her out of there kicking and screaming lol!

I heard they are not offering the Exotic Rasul on the Dream. I don't know if that has changed? It looks like fun. We cancelled ours last time and opted for the rain forest room day pass.

The Martini tasting looks like something I want to do!

 

[podsnel]

My oldest DD never wanted to come out of her Oceneer's club. But I think she had a crush on one of our fellow Disers sons lol! We could never find her so on our cruise she missed out on meeting all the characters by ourselves Now on this next cruise on the Dream she will have her own tween club...I might have to drag her out of there kicking and screaming lol!

I heard they are not offering the Exotic Rasul on the Dream. I don't know if that has changed? It looks like fun. We cancelled ours last time and opted for the rain forest room day pass.

The Martini tasting looks like something I want to do!

You probably will have to drag her out kicking and screaming this next time- last cruise, Timmy was in and out of the lab- there were lots of times he just didn't want to be in there. THIS time, in Edge, he was JUST as bad as Tyler- weeks later, he was complaining we made him miss all the best parts in there because we kept dragging him out for stupid stuff like Grand Cayman and Cozumel! And all those movies we made him watch- except, we never watched any movies because he would never come out of there! Funny how their version is slightly, umm, different sometimes.

If they are not offering the Rasul on the Dream it must be that they didn't want to give up the space for it- although the booking of that room is probably pretty consistent, the profit margin isn't so great (compared to what they can charge for a villa, etc). That room must be a HUGE PITA to clean up, too- mud EVERWHERE, lol!!

 

[Cheryl726]

Sounds like a great relaxing day-love sea days! I'm so disappointed the exotic rasul won't be offered on the Dream. I didn't know much about it when we were on the Wonder and now that I've read a lot it sounds so good. Wish it was on the Dream!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Ah, the naughty mud room. It doesn't make much sense to eliminate the steam room, wait until you are all cleaned up and then offer the RFR. Although, I guess it would be a nice relaxing addition to your "treatment."

It is hard to use those "ordinary" products on your skin when you are used to truly premium Swiss products We had the "good" ones when we were there, but I was very disappointed and wished I had just brought my own down there. If we book it in April, I will be sure to bring my own stuff.

Looks like another "Fabulous day at sea" as cruise director Brett would say.

 

[TheThomsLuvDisney]

Great update!

We had read so many fabulous things about the Rasul that on our next trip on the Disney Dream (in 27 days )we were going to book it. Well, the Dream and Fantasy are not going to offer this package at all . We were told that the Rasul treatment never had enough bookings so it would not be worth it to create the space on the new ships. On our 5 previous Magic cruises, I had never even heard about the Rasul experience, it wasn't until we got hooked on these boards that we discovered what we had been missing. Maybe DCL should have advertised it a little more, I would bet the bookings would have increased!!!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Great day at sea, Ellen!
Even though I miss a little Palo in there!

The Martini Tasting is fun, isn't it? Next time, try the Wine Tasting - they offer some real good stuff! We will definitely do some more "tastings" - we have 11 days to kill!

 

[dvc4life]

Happy New Year Ellen!


Loved this last update. Looks so relaxing. Lounging by the pool, having a DOTD, taking pictures. Ahhhhhhhhh.

We will have to look into doing the Martini tasting again. We really enjoyed it the last time we did it. I would also like to do the wine one again.

And it looks like you had a very fun spa experience again. Woo Hoo! Something we have yet to try.

 

[podsnel]

Sounds like a great relaxing day-love sea days! I'm so disappointed the exotic rasul won't be offered on the Dream. I didn't know much about it when we were on the Wonder and now that I've read a lot it sounds so good. Wish it was on the Dream!

It's a great thing, that Rasul- it is offered on other cruise lines, too, not just Disney.

Ah, the naughty mud room. It doesn't make much sense to eliminate the steam room, wait until you are all cleaned up and then offer the RFR. Although, I guess it would be a nice relaxing addition to your "treatment."

It is hard to use those "ordinary" products on your skin when you are used to truly premium Swiss products We had the "good" ones when we were there, but I was very disappointed and wished I had just brought my own down there. If we book it in April, I will be sure to bring my own stuff.

Looks like another "Fabulous day at sea" as cruise director Brett would say.

WHAT????? No arbonne travel kit??? Hang your head in shame, missy!

Great update!

We had read so many fabulous things about the Rasul that on our next trip on the Disney Dream (in 27 days )we were going to book it. Well, the Dream and Fantasy are not going to offer this package at all . We were told that the Rasul treatment never had enough bookings so it would not be worth it to create the space on the new ships. On our 5 previous Magic cruises, I had never even heard about the Rasul experience, it wasn't until we got hooked on these boards that we discovered what we had been missing. Maybe DCL should have advertised it a little more, I would bet the bookings would have increased!!!!!

I never would have known about it were it not for the DIS either. It's a STEAL- especially, I would imagine, if you split the $89 three ways! (That just really cracks me up- Disney.... the company that brought you Mary Poppins and three-ways....). They should have advertised it more- we were actually able to book it twice- but ended up cancelling the second one.

Great day at sea, Ellen!
Even though I miss a little Palo in there!

The Martini Tasting is fun, isn't it? Next time, try the Wine Tasting - they offer some real good stuff! We will definitely do some more "tastings" - we have 11 days to kill!

Hey Karin! I would have done the wine tasting- but it was a little too early in the day, I think it might have put us to sleep (actually, that's what Pods said it would do when I suggested it to him on the next sea day). I'll give it a shot the next time, though! In 11 days, you can do ALL the tastings! I'm planning to do the wine tasting when we cruise this summer on RCCL- but it will be twice as expensive, and I don't think they offer any tastings other than the wine one, which seems crazy to me.

Happy New Year Ellen!


Loved this last update. Looks so relaxing. Lounging by the pool, having a DOTD, taking pictures. Ahhhhhhhhh.

We will have to look into doing the Martini tasting again. We really enjoyed it the last time we did it. I would also like to do the wine one again.

And it looks like you had a very fun spa experience again. Woo Hoo! Something we have yet to try.

Happy New Year, Chris! Yes, please go do that Rasul on your next cruise- before they take it away (not that we know they are, but you can never tell....).

 

[livingis2me]

Hey Ellen,
Great report so far!

It must be nice to be able to spend so much time in the adult pool. Looks relaxing. Oh well, maybe next time.

Somehow we never made it to Topsiders for lunch on this cruise. I'm not so sure what I ate on sea days. But I kind of wish I'd had a lunch or two there.

I took the kids to Parrot Cay for breakfast on this day and they had the sandwiches too. They sure were good! Luckily, I took the time to hit the gym before breakfast so I didn't feel too bad about eating 2 of them.

Ron

 

[podsnel]

Upon leaving the Vista Spa,

I ran into young Tim, who was coming from an afternoon snack at Pluto's-

I myself, was going back to the cabin to order a little room service. For some reason, I had a FEROCIOUS appetite!! I placed an order, and less than 30 minutes later, a knock at my door delivered this-

Tuna salad on a jumbo brioche and a pot of coffee-

I meant to just have a couple of bites...but the thing was so darn good, I polished that sucker right off!! I have to say, the room service food was much, MUCH improved over the last cruise (FYI- I passed on ordering the All Hands on Deck cheese plate because it was so pitiful last cruise. BIG MISTAKE!! I saw a pic on Dizneeat's TR, and it looks AWESOME!!! I wish I would have gotten one!). We had a little down time, and then we got ready for Formal Night. All my men had tuxes, which of COURSE they were all SOOOO excited to wear! Well, Timmy was, at least. And Pods did it without complaint. But Tyler? Tyler wearing a tuxedo is purely out of love for his Mom- or the threat of imminent destruction if he doesn't PUT THAT MONKEY SUIT ON NOW!

Aww....Timmy was able to wear tyler's tux from the 2008 cruise, although in reality he could have used a size bigger (he is really tall). For Tyler, i ordered a new one off of Ebay (which is where I got the last ones)- they have brand new tuxedos for about $30. Totally worth it, especially when he can wear this again in August TWICE on our 9 night RCCL cruise (oh, he's gonna LOVE that! ). Once we were all dressed and ready, it was time to head down to have our picture taken!

First we posed on front of Mickey-

Then waited to pose in front of the fake ship-

I find this VERY funny- he is EXACTLY an 11 year old boy in a monkey suit!

And we saw Pluto run into Shutter's to check out his latest photos-

But we didn't buy those ship pics. Pods had the boys pose with me-

Awww....

It was the Captain's Welcome Reception on this evening, so we gladly indulged in a complimentary Appletini (they were passing appletinis and mai tais, I think). Then we posed with Captain Thord-

Once again dazzled by his stunning personality. Ummm...just a hunch, but I don't think meet & greets are this guy's thang, if you know what I mean. He does one HECK of a job steering the Magic, and really, I guess that's what counts! We did not pose with the Big Cheese this time, because we had a GREAT pic from our last cruise, for one thing- for another, the line was CRAZEEEEEEE long! And those boys had had quite enough- besides, it was just about time to get in the Lumiere's line- we wanted to be sure to be seated promptly, so we could get out of dinner on time. Tonight was the adult show of Alfred & Seymour...no WAY were we missing THAT!

Up next- the Prince & Princess dinner in Lumiere's!

 

[englishrose47]

Great Tux's !!!You of course look stunning !!!! That Room Service food looked awesome !!!!
By the way I started my ptr !!!!

 

[podsnel]

Hey Ellen,
Great report so far!

It must be nice to be able to spend so much time in the adult pool. Looks relaxing. Oh well, maybe next time.

OMG, Ron!! You two had your hands SO FULL!! We were there, paid our dues- we have earned the adult pool! One day (unfortunately, sooner than you think) you will too!

Somehow we never made it to Topsiders for lunch on this cruise. I'm not so sure what I ate on sea days. But I kind of wish I'd had a lunch or two there.

It's funny- you have all these "must-do's" but it is just impossible to get to everything. I had wanted to eat lunch & breakfast in the MDR one day....I hit a breakfast buffet at PC one morning, but never made the lunch. Oh well. We were off doing better things, I guess.

I took the kids to Parrot Cay for breakfast on this day and they had the sandwiches too. They sure were good! Luckily, I took the time to hit the gym before breakfast so I didn't feel too bad about eating 2 of them.

Ron

That was the only time I saw those sammys- don't blame you a BIT for havin two! They were yummy!

Great Tux's !!!You of course look stunning !!!! That Room Service food looked awesome !!!!
By the way I started my ptr !!!!

Thanks Rosie! And Great! Do you have a link?

 

[dizneeat]

Great photos, Ellen! One good looking family! I love those formal night photos! Do you mean the captain comes out to have his picture taken with your family?
Maybe we SHOULD take the 7 night Eastern after all!

Guess we will order more from room service in the summer! That sandwich you had looks HUGE and YUM!

 

[ortholablady]

You all look great! Love your dress and the boys are too cute in the tuxes. I don't know when boys start to understand the whole dress up thing. I have to explain to my Tim every time he wears a tux or suit that he can't wear his low cut white socks with black shoes and black pants. Maybe when there's a girl in the picture. A couple of girls have gotten my picky eater son to try some different foods he'd never try if I offered them to him.

 

[podsnel]

Great photos, Ellen! One good looking family! I love those formal night photos! Do you mean the captain comes out to have his picture taken with your family?
Maybe we SHOULD take the 7 night Eastern after all!

Guess we will order more from room service in the summer! That sandwich you had looks HUGE and YUM!

Yes- the Captain is there for a loooooooong time not smiling for the camera! There are alot of things on the 7 night that aren't on the 3 & 4 night cruises, I think- tea at Palo is another one- but that's only offered on sea days.
Were you thinking of doing a 7day?

I like having the late dinner seating, because I really like getting room service in the afternoon (well, that's one of many reasons, I guess). And it really was GOOD! I nearly ordered it a second time, but I wanted to try something else. That I didn't get to try....really....but that's another story for another day...

You all look great! Love your dress and the boys are too cute in the tuxes. I don't know when boys start to understand the whole dress up thing. I have to explain to my Tim every time he wears a tux or suit that he can't wear his low cut white socks with black shoes and black pants. Maybe when there's a girl in the picture. A couple of girls have gotten my picky eater son to try some different foods he'd never try if I offered them to him.

Thanks- I have mixed emotions about that dress...but thanks! Very funny about your Tim- I have to explain the dark sock thing to my kids all the time! They just don't get it!!

 

[Cheryl726]

Nice formal night pics!

 

[Mysteria]

Happy New Year Ellen! Still lovin' the report.

"signed up for some Nooki in the DCL room of Naughty mud love"

Now there is a tag if I ever saw one! Thanks for adding it too. Might hlep get Den on at that cruise sooner rather than later.

 

[dvc4life]

Great formal night photos Ellen. You and your guys look so great. And what is up with Captain Thord? We have a picture with him and it looks just the same. I don't think he has a different expression.