Nov 4, 04 "wonder-ful"

[PURTYPAT1]

CAST
MYSELF
DML
DD 10

LEFT OUT OF NY LGA IN A "VERY FULL" FLIGHT.

ARRIVED 3 HOURS LATER IN MCO. WENT TO NATIONAL TO PICK UP OUR RENT A CAR. FROM THE ADVICE OF MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS, I USED PRICE LINE, & GOT A CAR FOR 17.00 A DAY 22.00 WITH TAX.

I HAD MADE RESERVATIONS, WITH THE RADISSON, & USED THE CODE FROM MOUSESAVERS. PAID 89.00 FOR THE NIGHT. ARRIVED AT THE RADISSON WITH IN A HOUR FROM THE AIRPORT.
FYI IF YOU ARRIVE AT NIGHT, CHANCES ARE YOU WILL BE UPGRADED, WHICH WE WERE TO A SUITE. MY DD DOVE INTO THE JACUZZI IN OUR ROOM & UNWINDED. DML LOVED
THE TWO KING SIZE BEDS, ALONG WITH A SMALL KITCHENETTE.

WE WENT TO THE LOBBY, & TO MY DISMAY "NO BUFFET" IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE, & NO PRACTICAL SELECTIONS FOR A FAMILY DINNER.

WE FOUND AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT NEXT DOOR CALLED "KELSEY'S PIZZA" ALL I CAN SAY IS ~GO THERE~ IT WAS PERFECT. GREAT PRICES ALSO.

DML WENT TO SLEEP, & I HEADED TO THE POOL AREA WITH DD. MET DIZMA FROM THE BOARDS, ALONG WITH HER DH DS & DD. "SMALL WORLD" OUR GIRLS GOT ALONG GREAT ALONG
WITH DIZMA & MYSELF. WE ALL HAD PLANS TO MEET THE FOLLOWING DAY.

THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I WOKE UP & LOOKED OUT MY WINDOW TO SEE "THE WONDER" HOW EXCITED WERE WE.

HAD BREAKFAST BUFFET AT THE RADISSON. STAFF WAS A BIT DISORGANIZED, BUT IT WAS A GREAT BREAKFAST, & LOT'S OF SELECTION. DML TREATED, DON'T KNOW THE PRICE.

WE WERE BOOKED ON THE 10:00 AM SHUTTLE. THANK GOD FOR DIZMA'S HUSBAND, FOR HE FILLED ME IN, THAT YOU NEED TO PARK IN THE "CRUISE ONLY AREA" YOU MUST PARK THERE, IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON LEAVING YOUR RENT A CAR THERE WHILE CRUISING.
THE HOTEL STAFF NEVER TOLD ME.


WE ALL HAD GOOSE BUMPS WHEN WE SAW THE WONDER.
WE ARRIVED EARLY, & SIGN IN WAS VERY EASY. WE MET MANY PEOPLE WHILE WAITING TO GO IN. IT SEEMS LIKE
"ALL OF NJ" WAS GOING ON THE BOAT. THEY LET US IN ABOUT 12:00 PM.

WE WENT UP STAIRS TO BEACH BLANKET & ATE OUTSIDE. HOW BEAUTIFUL. WE ATE SHRIMP, CHICKEN, SALADS, & SO MUCH MORE. YOU ALL MUST TRY THE "CREAM PUFFS" I NORMALLY DON'T
LIKE THEM, BUT THESE WERE UNBELIEVABLE.

THANKS TO THE BOARDS, WE HAD OUR SWIM SUITS ON. DIZMA & FAMILY, PLUS MINE, & WE PRACTICALLY HAD THE MICKEY POOL & SLIDE TO OURSELVES, FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

THE SAIL AWAY PARTY WAS SO MUCH FUN. WE WERE UPSTAIRS, THEN DOWNSTAIRS TO DANCE & PARTY. WE WENT BACK UP, & THE BOAT STARTED TO SAIL AWAY. IT WAS LIKE A DREAM. MY DD BOUGHT HER BUBBLES, & HAD A BLAST WITH
THEM.

THAT NIGHT, WE HAD DINNER AT THE PARROT
CAY. THE FOOD WAS VERY GOOD. OUR ASSISTANT SERVER WAS UNBELIEVABLE. HER NAME WAS CORENA FROM ROMANIA SHE KINDA REMINDED ME OF PENELOPE CRUZ.
SHE WAS VERY GOOD WITH MY DD. OUR WAITER WAS NOT SO GOOD. OUR TABLE MATES WERE VERY NICE. THEY WERE NOT HAPPY, WITH OUR WAITER EITHER. THIS WAITER I DON'T THINK WILL LAST WITH DISNEY.

WE WENT TO THE HERCULES THAT NIGHT, WHICH WE ALL LOVED.
WE THEN FLEW A KITE UPSTAIRS, & HAD A BLAST.

NASSAU DAY. HOW EXCITING TO SEE HOW BLUE THE WATER IS.
WE BOOK ROMANTIC PACKAGE & HAD PLANS FOR OUR MASSAGES IN THE AFTERNOON. THE SHIP WAS VERY LATE LETTING EVERYONE OFF. WE WERE ABLE TO LEAVE LATE MORN. LEFT THE SHIP & WENT SHOPPING IN NASSAU. MY DML LOVES TO SHOP. I HAD PLANS TO GO TO CABLE BEACH WITH MY DD, BUT WAS AFRAID TO LEAVE DML BY HER SELF IN NASSAU. ON THIS BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY WE SHOPPED.

ONCE BACK IN THE SHIP, DD WENT ITO THE KIDS CLUB, & MET ANOTHER LITTLE FRIEND NAMED BETH. THEY GOT ALONG GREAT.

DML & MYSELF WENT TO THE SPA FOR OUR MASSAGES. IT WAS WONDERFUL. "GO TREAT YOURSELF"
THANKS TO THE BOARDS, WE WROTE "NO SALES PITCH PLEASE" & IT WORKED.

PICKED DD UP FROM KIDS CLUB, & WENT TO SEE THE "INCREDIBLES" IT WAS GREAT & WE LOVED IT.

TONIGHT WE ATE A POLO'S. EXCELLENT FOOD. LOVED OUR WAITER. HE WAS FRIENDLY & FROM ITALY, WE HAD GREAT SERVICE. HE EVEN FOUND OUR BOTTLE OF WINE FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE. CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE WAS HEAVEN.

OFF TO GOLDEN MICKEYS. AWESOME. DD CONVINCED ME
TO SEE "THE INCREDIBLES" AGAIN WITH HER & BETH AT MIDNIGHT.

NEXT MORN, WE ARRIVED AT CC ISLAND. IT WAS RAINING LIGHTLY. I GOT UP EARLY, AT 7AM & WENT UPSTAIRS FOR COFFEE & TO WATCH FROM THE DECK. THE STAFF, TOLD ME IF THE WAVES ARE TOO HIGH, THE CAPTAIN WOULD TURN AROUND & LEAVE. THE WAVES WERE FINE. HAD BREAKFAST IN OUR ROOMS, WHICH WAS SO GOOD.

WE PUT ON OUR SWIMSUITS, & VENTURED OUT TO CC ISLAND. IT WAS STILL RAINING LIGHTLY, BUT IT DIDN'T STOP MANY FAMILIES FROM HAVING FUN. RAN INTO DIZMA & FAMILY AGAIN. THE GIRLS HAD A BLAST SWIMMING OUT TO THE BARGE ALONG WITH THE OTHER KIDS. I HAD THE BEST DRINK EVER ON CC ISLAND. YOU GET TO KEEP THE CUP. LUNCH WAS AWESOME THERE, THOUGH WE WERE STILL FULL FROM BREAKFAST. MY DD FOUND A FAMILY OF HERMIT CRABS, & WAS IN HER GLORY. IT TOOK LOT'S OF EXPLAINING, WHY SHE COULDN'T TAKE ANY HOME!!!

THAT NIGHT WE ATE AT ANIMATOR'S PALATE. OUR WAITER WENT FROM BAD TO WORSE. MY TABLE MATES WERE NOT HAPPY AT ALL WITH HIM. MY DML, KEPT ASKING FOR COFFEE. HE NEVER BOUGHT IT. DD REALLY WANTED DESSERT. HE NEVER BOUGHT IT OUT. WE FINALLY ASKED THE
ASSISTANT CORENA. SHE SERVED BOTH THE COFFEE & DESSERT. I TIPPED
THE WAITER 20.00 FOR ME & 20.00 FOR MY DD. HE REALLY DIDN'T DESERVE IT.
I TIPPED CORENA 17.00 FOR MY DD & SAME FOR MYSELF. I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE OTHER WAY AROUND. I DON'T THINK
MY DML WAS A GENEROUS. SHE WAS MAD. SHE FILLED OUT THE CARD THAT HE WAS NOT EXCELLENT.

MY DD WAS THRILLED TO SEE THE MONKEY MADE OUT TOWELS IN THE ROOM.I CAN STILL HEAR HER GIGGLE WITH DELIGHT.
OUR CABIN ASSISTANT, WAS SO NICE. DD & MYSELF TIPPED HIM DOUBLE FOR HE REALLY WORKED HARD IN KEEPING OUR ROOM TIDY.


THE LAST SHOW, WHICH WAS IN MY OPINION WAS"BROADWAY MATERIAL" DISNEY DREAMS.

DD WAS IN "CELEBRATE THE JOURNEY" WHICH WE WERE SO PROUD.

WE WENT TO WHO WANTS TO BE A MOUSERTEER.

DD WAS THRILLED TO PICK UP HER PILLOW CASE SIGNED BY THE DISNEY CAST. DML LOVED TO MEET ALL OF THE DISNEY CAST & TAKE PHOTO'S THE LAST NIGHT.

THE FOLLOWING MORNING WE WENT FOR BREAKFAST, UPSTAIRS, SINCE WE LOVED THE BUFFET CHOICES. WE SAW OUR POLO WAITER SERVING & I THOUGHT IT WAS NICE OF HIM TO COME SAY HI TO US.

LEAVING THE SHIP WAS SO EASY. NO ONE ASKED US TO FOR ANYTHING.
WE JUST WALKED OFF, VERY SAD. WE WALKED TO THE TENT & MET OUR
RADISSON SHUTTLE & OFF WE WENT TO OUR RENT A CAR.

OUR FLIGHT TO NY WAS LEAVING AT 5 PM SO WE WENT TO DISNEY VILLAGE
SO MY DML COULD SHOP. THEY HAVE A GREAT LEGO AREA FOR DD TO
PLAY. FLIGHT HOME WENT SMOOTHLY, & UNEVENTFUL.

THERE WAS SO MUCH,THAT WE DID, THAT I LEFT OUT.
THERE WAS SO MUCH TO DO, IN SUCH LITTLE TIME.

WE DID BOOK AGAIN. NEXT YEAR, THIS TIME WITH MY DSL & FAMILY.

ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO ASK.

 

[jdm]

Thanks for posting, I really enjoyed it. I thought I had read somewhere on the boards that they didn't do pillowcase signings anymore? Did you just leave it with guest services when you got there and pick it up just before you left? I think DGD would love this.

Sorry, you had a lousy server. I bet it does make a difference on the whole experience. I think you probably could have switched the tips around based on what kind of service you had. The suggested amounts are just that, suggested.... I think.

We are going in Feb and it was great reading a Wonder report.

Thanks again,
Jenn

 

[PURTYPAT1]

HI JEN,

THANKS FOR THE "THUMBS UP" I WAS SO NERVOUS ABOUT LISTING THIS REPORT, I DIDN'T THINK ANYONE WOULD WANT TO READ MY REPORT, BUT I HAVE READ SO MANY OVER THESE PAST MONTHS, I WANTED TO GIVE BACK.

YES, THEY STILL DO THE PILLOW CASE. I BOUGHT MY DD TO CUSTOMER SERVICE, & THEY TOOK NO QUESTIONS ASKED. WE ARE GOING TO FRAME IT.

NEXT YEAR, I AM GOING TO REQUEST A SERVER. I HAVE READ ABOUT SO MANY GREAT ONES, THAT BOND WITH THE CHILDREN.

OTHER THAN, THAT, IT REALLY WAS PERFECT.

THANKS FOR THE "FEEDBACK JEN"

PATRICIA

 

[jahut2002]

hi patty,
we had the same great time on our trip on 11/4. My 15 ds actually wants to go on another cruise...only longer. I finally picked a good trip. I'm looking at summer 2006. He was a hard sell...tired of Disney...he had a blast in the teen club with my other 2 -13 yr. olds. I'd see them once in awhile during their scavenger hunts and at night for dinner. I spent some time in the Rainforest Spa after returning from our stingray swim and cc. I was so bummed that it rained it had to do something to make me feel better. The spa was great.
Our waiter was great....he learned the kids names immediately and he enjoyed playing around.
You can't return from a disney cruise saying they offered no activities. there was so much to do. my kids also saw the movie at 12:00AM. I was in bed. Loved the shows and sitting on my balcony by myself.
My only regret was that it was too short...but this was our first and a good test. I put the patch on and never felt a thing. Can't wait to go on a longer cruise. I'm sold. We went to the Beach club for 2 days on our return and did Disney and it was not as exciting as previous years. With teens, the cruise is the way to go. I got chills when I heard the smoke stacks or horns(whatever you call them) play 'When you wish upon a star" as we were docking in Nassau. The kids on the other boats were probably thinking...why can't we be on that one. And I loved the men at the docks waving good-bye with their white mickey hands on. Only Disney can add the magic. Hope everyone had a great time and good luck to all future cruisers. ENJOY!!!! Janet H.

 

[cozit]

Thanks for the report!

I *do* have a quick question, please... The 'club' that does the family shows (like Mouseketeer) in the evenings... is there *any* smoking in there at all? I know that one of them, I think on rt. 66, doesn't allow it until after 9 or something, then does... but didn't catch the name of the place from the CM who was helping me out.

Reason I'm wondering is that I've an allergy to tobacco smoke, and if it's allowed at all won't be going even off times... and it'd help my planning that first day to figure out what's off my list no matter what.

Thanks!

 

[PattiPB]

Thanks for the great report PurtyPat!!!

My DD is 10 also, and I've been wondering if she'll enjoy the Lab next month. Can't wait to find out! Too bad you didn't make Cable Beach...that's my tentative plan for Nassau day.

Thanks for taking the time to write it!

 

[Dizma]

.....had a great time, and we are addicted. So nice to meet Purty and Tsoubb and wife. Still checking mail and doing wash after 10 days away. I'll try to post report later. -Dizma
P.S. Rebooked 7 days for next year.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

HI jahut2002,

TELL ME ABOUT THE RAIN FOREST SPA, WHAT DO YOU DO IN THERE?

GLAD YOUR BOYS HAD A GOOD TIME. DID YOU REBOOK FOR NEXT YEAR?

MY ONLY REGRET IS THAT WE ALL DIDN'T HAVE A MEET. I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO ARRANGE THIS. I WILL HAVE TO ASK VERANDAH MAN FOR ADVICE FOR NEXT YEAR'S CRUISE MEET.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI cozit,

I AM NOT SURE ABOUT SMOKING IN THE WHO WANTS TO BE A MOUSEKETEER CLUB. YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL DISNEY & ASK.

I DON'T LIKE SMOKE MYSELF, & ONLY ONCE DID I SEE SOMEONE SMOKING AROUND THE POOL AREA, & DID HEAR A CM ASK HIM TO PUT IT OUT.

LOOKING FORWARD TO READING YOUR REPORT.

HAVE FUN

PATRICIA
------------------------------------------------
HI PATTIB,

MY DAUGHTER LOVED THE LAB, SHE LOVED WHEN THEY FLUBBER, THE BEST.
NEXT YEAR, WE ARE GOING TO CABLE BEACH (WEATHER PERMITTING)
THANKS FOR THE THUMBS UP. 2 WEEKS TO GO, YOU MUST BE SO EXCITED.
LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR REPORT ALSO.

PATRICIA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HI Dizma

I AM SO GLAD WE MET. JENNA IS STILL TALKING ABOUT KARLY. I AM GOING TO PM YOU. HOW WAS THE REST OF YOUR TRIP? I WISH I WAS GOING ON THE 7 DAY NEXT YEAR. WE REBOOKED AGAIN FOR THE 3 DAY FOR NEXT YEAR. WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD IN 2/05 FOR A WEEK.

WAS UNIVERSAL CROWED?

CAN'T WAIT TO READ YOUR REPORT.

PATRICIA

 

[jahut2002]

hi patty,
the cost was 30.00 for the 3 days....you could go in anytime. I went in after our time on the beach in Nassau and CC since I had my bathing suit on and I needed some relaxing time. When you go in they give you a basket with flip flops and a robe. You have your bathing suit on...the spa is co-ed. you pick the sauna rooms you want to sit in. I think there were 3. One was pretty hot....I sat in that one and then showered and sat in a more mild one. then \relaxed on one of the lounges in the middle of the room. Could not believe how relaxing it was. Could not wait to go back the next day. When is your next one? We could go on the 3 day next NOv. but I think i may try to do a 7 day summer 2006. it would have been nice to meet some of you. I probably saw ;you because we also were on at 12:00; went to lunch and then sat by the pool....not the Mickey pool. I was also bummed about CC and the rain, but we made the best of it. Just got pics back. My son took underwater pics and was able to snorkle to Mickey underwater and got him. Pretty cool! Janet

 

[PURTYPAT1]

HI jahut2002,

I THINK I NEED THE RAIN FOREST SPA "NOW" STRENGHT FOR THE 25

LOL

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

[sista]

What a great trip report! We are just starting to think about a cruise (we never have been on one) and these reports certainly are swaying us.

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

Great Report. I love reading the "Wonder" trip reports, we are going in May!!
How would I "request a server"? Can I do that when we board the ship? I have 2 five yr. olds, and I really would love one of the great servers I have heard about. Thanks for the info.!!!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

THANK YOU "SISTA" FOR THE THUMBS UP, IT MEANS A LOT TO ME.


THIS WAS OUR FIRST CRUISE ALSO. THANKS TO THE BOARDS, I LEARNED SO MUCH. I NORMALLY WOULDN'T HAVE WRITTEN A REPORT, BUT I FELT LIKE I RECEIVED SO MUCH "BOARD KNOWLEGE", THAT THIS WAS MY WAY TO GIVE BACK THANKS

WE REBOOKED & WE ARE GOING NEXT NOV 2005



HI LUVINDISCRUISER

YOU BET ON MY UPCOMING NOV CRUISE, I AM GOING TO REQUEST A SERVER. I DIDN'T THIS TIME, & REALLY REGRET IT. I DON'T JUDGE. I AM VERY SYMPATHTIC SINCE I , PUT MY SELF THRU COLLEGE AS A SERVER FOR 4 YEARS IN THE NEW YORK AREA I UNDERSTAND THIS AREA MORE THAN MOST & OVER TIP. OUR DISNEY SERVER WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

YES, YOU CAN REQUEST, WHEN YOU GET ON THE SHIP.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO ASK.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL

PATRICIA

 

[sista]

I do have one question - if you could be so kind...what made you pick November? Is it the great weather? I wouldn't even know what month to pick - definately not during summer.