Mini trip report and photos, 2/5/05 Eastern

[praisehisname]

Well, I had very good intentions about doing a detailed trip report--I even sat down halfway through the week and started typing it up. But there was just so much going on, I gave up! Let me just say that this was an awesome trip. We gave the trip to my mom and dad as an early anniversary gift--they have never been on a cruise but have always dreamed of doing it. We offered to send them alone, but they wanted to come with us! My grandmother died 2 weeks before we left, and it looked like my parents might cancel, but they decided to come anyway. It was a real healing time for my mom (it was her mom who died), as she didn't have to do anything for anyone else, and everyone did everything for HER! Plus she got to see the kids having so much fun!

We had done the 4 day last year, but this was our first 7 day. LOVED it!!! The kids hated the clubs last year, but promised to give them a try this year. They all 3 loved them and we hardly saw them all week! Lee got his money's worth just at Scoops, and by the end of the week Hilda knew him by name. I had bought Wal-Mart cards for the kids to give out to the club counselors, but Lee chose to give one of his to Hilda! Sarah found out that she loved eating with the club, so the last 3 nights she didn't join us for dinner.

The BEST, BEST thing we did (that we learned from this board) was to bring the shoe holder for over the bathroom door. We had 2 connecting cabins, but we still couldn't have stayed neat and organized without the shoe holder. It was wonderful!

One thing I wish I had done was to bring a dry erase board for our door. We did have the magnetic door sign, but I needed something for Lee (10) to let me know where he was during the day.

We took pillowcases and they were delivered to our room after dinner on Friday. Turned out great!

Went to the matinee of Disney Dreams. They stopped the show 5 minutes from the end because someone in the back of the theatre had had a seizure. I saw them take the person out on a stretcher, but I never heard what happened after that. They finished the show then, but I couldn't stop thinking about that person and their family. I pray that everything is OK.

Please feel free to ask any questions. I'm still trying to process it all, but will answer any that I can. We rebooked for 9/16/06 (2 Castaway Cay days)!!

Denise

http://community.webshots.com/user/praishisname

 

[E&BMom]

Glad to hear you had a great time. Thanks for the tips too. The pictures were great!!!!!!

 

[suzannef]

Denise
Glad to hear you had such a great time. Your pictures were great, your kids looked like they were having a blast. I was wondering how long your girls left the braids in and if they damaged their hair when they came out? Also if they thought it was worth it and they would do it again(meaning how painful it was not how much it cost.)I also noticed your daughter wearing a coat in one of the dinner pictures. Did you find it really cold in dining rooms? I hate air conditioning and only turn on the central air if its 90 and humid. Living in central New york I don't use air much.lol
tia
Suzanne

 

[bratray]

wonderful pics, everyone looked like they were having a blast
i really liked the pics of food- its great to see portion sizes and how the food is presented!

how did you like the tea? i have REAS and booked PALO, brunch and tea- did you get a chance to enjoy all 3? if so which was your favourite?

thanks for taking the time to post!

 

[praisehisname]

Denise
Glad to hear you had such a great time. Your pictures were great, your kids looked like they were having a blast. I was wondering how long your girls left the braids in and if they damaged their hair when they came out? Also if they thought it was worth it and they would do it again(meaning how painful it was not how much it cost.)I also noticed your daughter wearing a coat in one of the dinner pictures. Did you find it really cold in dining rooms? I hate air conditioning and only turn on the central air if its 90 and humid. Living in central New york I don't use air much.lol
tia
Suzanne

My 6yodd still has her braids in; she was also the one who cried the whole way through the process! I kept asking her if she wanted to stop, but she really wanted them. My 8yodd had me take them out two days ago. Both of them said they would definitely NOT do it again. Not so much for the pain, as for the fact that it took up 30 minutes of valuable beach time!

I found the restaurants to be on the cool side. However, something must have been wrong with the ship's a/c because the hallways were unbearably hot. So the restaurants were a welcome coolness!

Thanks for the comments on the pictures!

Denise

 

[praisehisname]

how did you like the tea? i have REAS and booked PALO, brunch and tea- did you get a chance to enjoy all 3? if so which was your favourite?

thanks for taking the time to post!

Loved, loved, loved the tea!!! It was just me and my mom and the food was delicious. We asked to be put on a waiting list to come back again, but our name didn't make it to the top of the list. $5 is a steal, I would do it again in a hearbeat!

All four of us grownups did the brunch and dinner (on different days). I had really high expectations about the brunch because of reading this board. I did love it (especially the stollen and jam), but I think I enjoyed the dinner more. I would do the brunch again, though.

Denise

 

[suzannef]

Denise
Thanks so much for the quick reply. I have 3 girls 5,7, and9 and I just think your daughters look sooo cute with the face framing braids but I appreciate your honesty and think we'll pass on it. They don't enjoy getting their very long hair done and would much rather be playing on the beach. Ponytails it is!!!!
Thanks again
Suzanne

 

[jennat]

Please enlighten me on the pillowcases. Who do you give them to? Anything I should know? Thanks

 

[praisehisname]

I folded up the pillowcases and put them in a ziplock baggie with several different colors of sharpie markers. The first night on our way to dinner, we dropped them off at Guest Services. They acted like it was no big deal and they were used to seeing it. When we got back from dinner on the last night, the pillowcases were signed and on our bed. They had used all the different colors of markers and they were beautiful! We did one for each kid and even did one just for me and my husband!

I got the plain white pillowcases from Target and ironed on disney clip art. I also put each child's name and the date of our cruise on them.

Denise

 

[Francisca64]

Hi Denise!
Just back from the Western yesterday and books the Sept 16, 06 cruise as well for my fiance and me. We too had a wonderful time (my son and I went this time) and the weather was fantastic.

Glad to hear you had a good time...see you in September!!

Francisca & Scott