Mousefest Cruise (DCL, Pop Century) 12/6-12/13

[Donald_Quackers]

Mousefest ‘08
Solo DCL and WDW trip
Donald_Quackers
About Me

A 35 year old Disney fan (though not as big as my sister), living near Chicago, and working as a Help Desk Analyst. I need this trip to relieve my stress.

Departed: 12/06/08
4 Night Cruise: 12/07/08 – 12/11/08
Cat 6 Stateroom

Pre-trip report

This trip began planning in April; when I finally decided enough was enough and I needed to go on my first cruise. I had always decided that my first cruise was going to be a Disney cruise. I made my booking through Debbie of Magical Journeys, and then my flight and hotel arrangements through Expedia and Hyatt, respectively.

Bought a passporter (paperback), used that to prepare this after booking, and then decided to get a deluxe version and gave the other to my sister. My plans are as follows:

• Fly out of Midway 12/6 to MCO, pick up luggage and check into the Hyatt
• Take DCL transfers to the Port from the Hyatt
• Enjoy the cruise
• Take DCL transfers to Pop Century from Port
• Enjoy MVMCP and other Mousefest events

I’ve already got my carry on prepared, and most of my bag packed, with exception of some of the last minute necessities.

 

[Donald_Quackers]

December 6, 2008

Well, it’s time to head out for Mousefest! I get my luggage in the car, and my DM and friend come with to say goodbye. At least the driving isn’t too bad, considering it snowed this morning.

I decide to upgrade to business class as I’m checking my luggage in at the airport, and proceeding through security has no problems.

One uneventful flight later and I’m touching down in Orlando on time. Check in at the Hyatt was done (the woman was having trouble with my last name, but most people do) and got my instructions on what to do with my bags tomorrow morning. The room is nice, I picked a King bed room (just me), had a shower, and ate dinner at the McD’s in the food court downstairs. Also checked out the pool area. All-in-all, a very nice hotel! Found out that I left my sunglasses at home, but I’m ok with that, as they were pretty expensive. I just get a cheap pair somewhere and call it even.

Time to rest for the big day tomorrow in getting to Port Canaveral!

 

[Donald_Quackers]

December 7, 2008

I get up around 7am (like the commercials – I’m too excited to sleep), head down and have some breakfast. I make sure that I have what I’ll need in my carry-ons, my luggage is tagged and by the door. At 9am, I go down to the hotel lobby and check in for the transport to the port. After we were led through the airport to the DME/DCL area. It seems like we waited a long time, and I saw 4-5 DCL buses go with no movement in our line.

We finally get onboard the bus and are on our way to the port. The driver (wish I could remember his name) was very funny. Check in at the terminal went extremely smoothly, got my picture with Pluto and Captain Mickey by the ship model, and met Dave and Jennifer Marx!

I get on the ship and wound up in BBB for lunch. Had some roast beef, tilapia, and shrimp. Yummy! I then go outside to find the wind causing it to be pretty chilly. I explore around, watched a bit of Cars on the Ariel view TV, then went to check out my stateroom. Very nice room, nothing wrong that I could find, and the verandah was more spacious than I expected it to be. After exploring the ship some more, I headed back for the muster drill. I was in Animators Palate for my lifeboat station (room 6630).

After the drill, I return the vest to my stateroom to find my luggage being delivered. I just get it into my room and then head up for the celebration. I was completely floored the first time I heard the horn…wow! After we started to move, I looked for CM’s waving to us, but there was surprisingly noone there. I move to 10 forward, watching the ships progress from the port, and they played the horn again! What a day!

I go back to my room to unpack and get ready for The Golden Mickeys tonight. Fantastic show! I hit up the bingo in wavebands (got really close, too!), then dinner tonight is Parrot Cay (my rotation was PTTA). Excellent servers, good food and drinks. My tablemates were comfortable to be around. I head back to my room and wind up dozing off on the couch for a bit, before heading to Wavebands again for Disco Legends. I was pooped at this point, so off to bed I go and next, Nassau and a Dolphin encounter!!

 

[Donald_Quackers]

December 8, 2008

Woke up around 7 to us being about 5 nautical miles out of Nassau. After going to breakfast in Triton’s, I go up to deck 10 and watch as the ship spins around to dock. I then get ready to go for my dolphin encounter. I meet the guides in Studio Sea, get all checked in, and then we are off!

Got some snaps of the ship before I get to where I can’t see her, and get onto the ferry that would take me to the Blue Lagoon island. The ride was cold and uneventful. After getting there and viewing the instructions provided, we went and put our stuff in lockers, then went to meet the dolphins. Boy, was the water cold! I didn’t let it bug me, and I eventually got to meet the dolphin, it kissed me on the cheek, then we went around again pet it and then hug it. After all that, we get to dance with the dolphin!

I purchase a 5x7 photo of the encounter, then I hop on the available boat back to the ship. When I get back, I head for Pinnochio’s pizzeria for some grub, and grab a drink from the station. A quick shower later, and I was swimming in the quiet cove pool, and enjoyed the hot tub…mmmm.

Thanks to an announcement by Clayton, I found that Jim Shore was aboard. I’m going to have to pick something up for my DS and have it signed on the at sea day. Then, I enjoyed Toy Story – The Musical, and then some bingo before dress up dinner at Triton’s.

After Triton’s, I go back to my room to change and then go see Jeff Civilico in Wavebands for the adult show. Quite hilarious! Took a stroll up on deck 10, then called it a night before the next port of call, Castaway Cay! Woo hoo!!!

 

[Donald_Quackers]

December 9, 2008

I get up around 7:30 to some vibrations of the ship and see that we’re in the process of docking at Castaway Cay! I head up to BBB for some breakfast with a view, when the Captain announces that the docking was aborted due to currents and winds working against us. They try again at 9:15, but was thwarted again, so this became our day at sea in hopes of more favorable weather tomorrow. It was a beautiful day, I went to see Bolt in the Walt Disney theater (that they moved due to the sea day). After that, I go to Treasure Ketch and pick up a gift for my sister to be signed by Jim Shore (I was shocked to find he was on board). After having some lunch from Pluto’s Dog House, I sit and relax in the quiet cove area to some live music (they were good!)

I then go to the galley tour, which was very interesting, and then rested in my stateroom until the Jim Shore signing, which I couldn’t help but purchase another piece for myself and got it signed. I’m glad I’m going to Pop Century after this, cause I don’t know how I’d get them home afterward. I go back to my room again to rest, and then I saw Jeff Civilico in the Walt Disney theater.

Got my picture with Chip and Dale, Pirate Mickey, and Pirate Goofy (happened across him in shutters), and headed for Diversions, where I met my tablemates and played a round of Wii bowling before dinner. They helped me get a picture of me by the Ariel statue in the atrium before going in for the pirate dinner. Some good food later, and then I headed up to the party. Met Duck_Addict up on deck 10, and the party was a blast! Fireworks at sea were also very cool. I was pooped at this time, so I head to my room for a good night’s sleep and to prep for Castaway Cay.

 

[Donald_Quackers]

December 10, 2008

I wake up to a beautiful sunrise and start preparing for the day. I then notice that the ship is turning, and we’re docking at Castaway cay! I hit up BBB for breakfast again, then I get ready for my first excursion, Castaway Ray’s Stingray Encounter. This was very fun, and I got to do some snorkeling. I got some great pictures with my camera and waterproof container. Then, it was back to the ship (forgot my goggles) for the watercraft adventure. The water was very choppy, but I managed to make it to the first sandbar they took us to, then it looked like we were going to go somewhere else, but a few people fell off, and I think that they decided to stop halfway through because of waters. It was very cool running along the ship and the flying Dutchman, but boy were my arms and legs tired. When I commented to one of the guides how wild it was, he said he was watching me and said that he’s seen worse, where people would go out toward the ship, then turn right around. I took that as an impressive compliment and looked at my legs/arms as a badge of honor.

After that, I head to serenity bay, grab a burger, cookie and drink for lunch, then grabbed some ice cream for dessert, and rested on a lounger for a nap before going to do some quick shopping at she sells… before going back to the ship.

Once I get back on the ship, I take my purchases back, and get my customs forms ready, and attend the customs presentation at 4pm, after which I go up top to watch us depart Castaway Cay, and to hear the horn again. I catch a little Finding Nemo on the Ariel View TV, then go to get ready to see Disney Dreams…which was totally fantastic and got a standing ovation (from most of the audience, anyway).

After dinner in Animators Palate (cool show, BTW), I was thinking about seeing the going away show in the atrium, but decided to go start packing, and it was good I did so, cause I only had 10 minutes left when I was done to get my luggage out (including making sure I had something out to wear tomorrow). I got the rest of the stuff packed and head to bed. Were debarking from Deck 3 tomorrow, so it sounds like they fixed the gangway.

 

[Donald_Quackers]

December 11, 2008

I grab my stuff (computer, carry-on, and bags of stuff), and head for Animator’s Palate to have breakfast. My tablemates apparently had breakfast early, cause I was the only one to show up. After a nice meal, I go to debark the ship. It turns out that they only had half of the gangway fixed, the other part wasn’t complete yet.

I head downstairs for my luggage and got a porter to assist me. I went through customs with no problems and checked in for my transport to my resort. Tipped the porter and got on the bus. Luckily for me, the bus went to Riverside then Pop Century. I check into the resort, my room was ready and got my luggage to my room through the rain.

I got settled, then went to have some lunch at the food court, picked up a poncho, and went to the MK, as I was late for the meet in the Contemporary. I met up with some ‘festers at the dole whip meet, after riding the train around the park. I then hit up space mountain and the TTA, then Mickey’s Philharmagic after getting my wristband for MVMCP. I pick up what my sister was looking for, a blanket with a picture of Cinderella’s castle lit up, and a Donald hoodie for me. I had a hankerin’ for another mountain ride, so I went to ride Big Thunder, and rode the train back to the front to pick up something quick to eat at Casey’s corner. I go to see Mickey’s Philharmagic again and pick up another blanket for my sister before I go to the Holiday Wishes meet.

Whew!! What a day! Tomorrow, a 3-in-1!

 

[Donald_Quackers]

December 12, 2008

Well, I’m glad I picked up that hoodie, as things got chilly here. I get dressed, hit up the food court for breakfast and then a bus to AK for the Everest meet. I didn’t get there in time for a fastpass, but I rode anyway as the standby wasn’t too bad. That is a fantastic ride, even though the Yeti wasn’t working. That was really the only ride I was interested in getting on at AK, so I grab a bus to DHS, and met another Mousefester in line.

We get separated at the bag line, but I’m going for the Star Tours meet (got there on time for a change!) after seeing that the fastpasses for Toy Story mania were all given out and the line was 70 minutes, so I pass for the meet and decide to go back after the meet. It was 80 minutes by the time I got back to it, so I enjoy the line and the ride (didn’t score so well), and then head to RNRC to find the standby line at 70 minutes and no single rider line. I tried to get a FP from two separate machines with no luck, even after having a CM help, so she gave me a FP that I could immediately use. After a great ride, I then decide to have dinner, walk around a bit before heading back to find the standby in a better mood, but then a lot of people in yellow sweatsuits hit the FP line, causing a long delay in standby. It was time for the Osbourne Lights meet by the time I get out, and I go enjoy the spectacle before heading to Epcot.

I couldn’t have a trip without a monorail ride, so I go to the TTC and hitch a ride to Epcot. After a ride on the new SSE, I then go to the illuminations meet, have an apple strudel, and then to The American Adventure.

It’s tough to stay awake, so it’s time for bed – I have to pack tomorrow morning…sigh.

 

[Donald_Quackers]

December 13, 2008

I get up and get ready to go. After packing, I take them to luggage assistance for them to hold until I have to go to the airport. I then meet some mousefesters in the food court for breakfast, and they gave me a ride to Epcot, where we met to ride Soarin’. I had a hankerin’ for Test Track before heading over for the Mega Mouse Meet, where I got my Cruise Passporter signed by Dave Marx, and bought a book by Dave Koenig, where he signed it. I stuck around for about an hour checking everything out, then my stomach reminded me that it was hungry.

I wanted some fish and chips, so I head back into Epcot (it was on the way, anyway), grabbed some in the U.K., and enjoyed a set of off-kilter before going back to Pop to catch my bus to the airport.

Well, that’s my trip, I had a fantastic time and the cruise was even more than I could have ever expected. I’m sure I’ll be doing another in the future!

Here’s a link to my album of photos to my trip on Picasa (I hope this is ok!)

http://picasaweb.google.com/duke2106/DisneyCruisePhotosDec08#

 

[nzdisneymom]

Sounds like you had a great first cruise experience - glad you got to dock successfully at Castaway Cay - it would've stunk to be so close yet so far. I'd love to go to Mousefest some day. I'm off to look at your pics.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Wow - your pictures are really good. Loved looking through them. We're sailing on Saturday so it was nice to see the terminal and Castaway Cay and all their decorations! And even on the Wonder - we know the Magic will have similar - can't wait to see her all decked out... and experience the holiday-related festivities.

Loved your door - and the others you also had pictures of.

 

[ESN]

Thanks for the great report!

Quick question - On our prior trip - the buses left from the Hyatt directly - they did not schlep us to through the airport to ME departure site - Has this changed?

 

[Donald_Quackers]

It must have, because we had to go through the airport to the DME/DCL section on the transportation level of the airport.

 

[ESN]

Interesting - This may sway us against using DCL transfers ---

We can save money by going to a cheaper hotel than Hyatt and getting a town car - The phone reps at DCL deny that the bus transfer has changed -- but sounds like it has!

Thanks for the help!

 

[Donald_Quackers]

I had no complaints against doing this, although getting the bus from the Hyatt directly would have been more convenient.

One more thing, once we got down there, they did say they were running short on busses that day...I don't know if that had anything to do with it.

 

[jenseib]

wonderful report. I am so hoping to do this cruise sometime soon.
Love your pictures as well. And I was tired jsut reading all you did!

 

[Perdie]

Thanks for sharing your trip!!! Sounds like you had a great time

 

[jharrowell]

Cool pics,

Sounds like we crossed paths a few times on the Wonder.

We went up to 10 forward when we pulled out of Port Canaveral and we were on the late PTTA rotation (though we did go to Palo's our first night so missed Parrot Cay).

Glad you got a good server though, our table was less than impressed with our team and were noticably quiet when they asked you to "shout if you think you had the best servers" on the last night.

Saying that though, we were a "problem" table with three vegetarians, one who didn't eat egg and another one who couldn't handle spicy food, a diabetic, and a gluten intolerant person...

 

[Donald_Quackers]

We had a table for 8, but there were only 4 of us. A nice couple from Arizona who had recently been married, another person (forgot where she was from), and me.

Especially on the last night when the couple treated the table to a bottle of wine!

I can't wait to start making plans for another trip (though going to wait till my niece is out of training diapers, as she would definitely not want to stay in the fountain play area).

 

[jenseib]

Thanks for sharing your trip!!! Sounds like you had a great time

Your signtaure is so funny!