November 5th 2011 Eastern on the Magic

[Mulanrocks]

Good Afternoon All!
Time for pictures and a tiny tiny trip report, but mainly pictures: We flew out tuesday, it was the girls first plane ride, Kids and planes......two hours is a long time to sit still. But disney magical express was there to wisk us off to the Polynesian resort.

We got there in time to watch the fireworks at MK from the balcony. Then off to bed.
Day 1: MK.

By the way i hate the "dragon" (crane) I miss the old days when it was never allowed during the day.
First thing we did in the morning was to go meet the boss.
(picture stolen from breakfast at Ohauna's because the girls were in all the others)

The girls are now quite sure that mickey and minnie mouse are their very best friends.
We also made a stop by crystal palace (crappy food, good characters) to say hi to winnie the pooh and friends.

We filled the day with rides,
Favorite ride for the girls Small World and the carousel

We rode those several times.
And ended the night with the electric parade and fireworks.

Day 2: First stop Animal Kingdom

Took in the lion king show

and safari

where we got to see the brand new baby elephant, playing and rolling. So Cute!
Then back to MK to finish up all the rides we missed the day before. Including dumbo! Short lines made the days much easier, the weather was super hot though.

Day 3: Epcot (which happened to be opening day of food and wine, stupid working vacation that wine sure looked good)
The girls favorite ride: NEMO

Not kidding when i say it was their FAVORITE, i think its all we heard about after they did it. We rode it like 5 times.
By the end off all that everyone was exhausted so sleeping in and going to breakfast at ohauna's was fantastic.
Best food all trip:

Not only does it look good, it tastes awesome!
That was our very busy fun packed trip, the girls woke up from nap yesterday and told me they are ready to go vacation again.........I think we adults need some more recovery first. Yay for cruise, i get to relax!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Great photos. It makes me get so excited to go to WDW for a week before the cruise.

Sounds like everyone had a great time.

I hate the dragon too. I wish they would put up all the lights at night, then move it away during the day. It really takes away from any castle photos people want to take.

The lights are usually awesome once they're done.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Kathy,

we do not have an assigned time in our documents either.

I figured they know who will be riding their buses and how often they arrive, so I assume we will be given a time on the bus that will fit in with their arrival time.
But this is all new to me too. Last time we cruised you arrived when ever you wanted to. Guess we shall see what happens.

Kathy

 

[flygrl]

Awesome photo's! I can't wait to go on the cruise!!! Time is going to fly...
I don't have port times on my documents either... Our times is 11:30a.
Well almost done work, Sean has cubs tonight and Meghan has sparks, a busy night running around.
Have a great night if I don't get on again tonight.
Tanya

 

[Agent555]

Kathy,

we do not have an assigned time in our documents either.

I figured they know who will be riding their buses and how often they arrive, so I assume we will be given a time on the bus that will fit in with their arrival time.
But this is all new to me too. Last time we cruised you arrived when ever you wanted to. Guess we shall see what happens.

Kathy

I called Disney about this! Since you are staying at a Disney property before the cruise you can arrive at the port anytime you like! For me that is ASAP!! I want to get a good number because they dont let us check in at the airport due to being "international". So I hope to be on the first bus from MCO to PC!!!

 

[LovesToRun]

Kathy,

we do not have an assigned time in our documents either.

I figured they know who will be riding their buses and how often they arrive, so I assume we will be given a time on the bus that will fit in with their arrival time.
But this is all new to me too. Last time we cruised you arrived when ever you wanted to. Guess we shall see what happens.

Kathy

This is exactly the same for us. Last time we cruised, it was January of this year, and we could show up anytime we wanted.

But, I did email my TA a few weeks ago about the port arrival times, and she said she and her family just went on the Dream last month, and they had a port arrival time of 1:30 when they checked in online, but they got to the port at 11:45 AM, and she said they let them into the port and let them checkin no problem when they arrived, and there was never even a mention of their port arrival checkin time.

So, you're right.... guess we'll see what happens!

And, Alyssa, great photos!!! Looks like you had a really great time at WDW! When we stayed at the Polynesian, we also had a room that faced Magic Kingdom so we could see the fireworks from our balcony! Was so neat!! We actually got "pixie dust" on that trip because we had booked the lowest category room at the Polynesian because 1) we figured we'd hardly be in our room, so we didn't see a point in spending the extra money to get a view of Magic Kingdom, and 2) almost always when we travel and stay in a hotel, I usually book the lowest category (or cheapest room), and then when we check in, I always ask for an upgrade, and often I get a free upgrade! It really works for hotels, but most people just don't think to ask. Well, when we checked into the Polynesian, I asked if they had any higher category rooms available they could upgrade us to (without charge), and the lady went back to talk to her manager, and she came back and said we were in luck, and they upgraded us to a Theme Park room!!!! Couldn't believe it, and was SO grateful and gave a really nice comment card to the front desk. Anyway, so that is how we ended up in a room with a view of Magic Kingdom. It doesn't work every time, but I always ask when we check into hotels!! And, sometimes I do book the higher category rooms at hotels because I really want to make sure we get that particular room and not rely on a possible upgrade.

Only wish it was that easy to get upgraded on Disney Cruises!!

Kathy

 

[NC2WDW]

One thing I find so interesting (and I know none of you have heard me before, but when you meet me you will ), but when we go on vacation where people do not know me or know where I live, I get asked at least a couple times if I'm Canadian! I always find that so funny they ask that, but I've been told I sound Canadian in how I speak! But, when I hear Canadians, I think I sound nothing like them!! There are so many Canadians who live here in Seattle, and I can pick out a Canadian accent really fast, but I really don't think I sound anything like that.

So, anyway, just a funny thing... I speak fast, but really clear, and I've been told that is part of why I sound Canadian, but I don't associate people who speak fast with how Canadian's speak... i will say that the Alaska accent does sound sort of close to a Canadian accent, but I haven't lived in Alaska since 1990, so I think I sound like a Washingtonian, whatever that sounds like!!

So, what about all of you.... do the Canadian's here in this group have obvious Canadian accents, and for the rest of you, do you have accents that give away which state/US region you are from??

Kathy

I am very deep south. Even people who were born and raised in the same area, say I speak more southern than they. So look out and laugh if you want, I can't help it. When DH goes out of town for work, to Pittsburgh, for example, all the ladies tell him they like his accent. We grew up within 5 miles of each other and went to the same high school (yes we are high school sweet hearts) so you'll get that southern accent from all 4 of us.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Jenny,
Thanks for calling. Thats good to know about the bus arrivals. I figured after we paid their price for the bus they wouldnt make us stand outside and wait.

Tonight the winter storm is arriving and its really nasty outside. High winds are coming tonight, hopefully we wont loose power. If you dont see me posting as usual, you will know why.

Kathy

 

[wtgilligan]

Pittsburgh!! I know Pittsburgh, what does DH do there?

But here is the thing, I am not staying at a Disney resort before the cruise and our Documents have no arrival time but the website says 11:30, which is what we signed up for.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Who has a question of the day for tomorrow??

We've had some really good ones so far.


Kathy

 

[NC2WDW]

Pittsburgh!! I know Pittsburgh, what does DH do there?

But here is the thing, I am not staying at a Disney resort before the cruise and our Documents have no arrival time but the website says 11:30, which is what we signed up for.

DH has visited Pittsburgh 4 or 5 times for training at the Emerson plant. Knowing Pittsburgh, you are probably familiar.

Also our port arrival is 11:30. I'm kind of surprised since this is our 1st DCL cruise.

 

[NC2WDW]

When and/or how did you first fall in love with Disney?

My answer:
Born in the late 70's, my life was influxed by Disney greatly. I think Bambi was the first movie I saw in the theater. Went to DisneyWorld my 1st time as a teen with high school band, but it wasn't until we took our kids in 2008, that I was hooked. At the time DD was 6 and DS was 2 and both of them had tears in their eyes watching Wishes fireworks show. So did DH and myself, that's when we knew! That was the best Thanksgiving ever!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

When and/or how did you first fall in love with Disney?

Watching Wonderful world of Disney on TV as a kid. Then dreaming of going to Disneyland but coming from a poor family I knew it could never be, but when I was 14 my mom and dad took me to Disneyland. We only had one day but it was awesome!! She had been saving for a few years to get there. We had to sleep in the car but it was so worth it.

Then we took our youngest 2 kids and one grandaughter and went to WDW and that was it, I had been hooked before but after that trip everyone was hooked.

The cruise line just added to the addiction

Kathy

 

[LovesToRun]

When and/or how did you first fall in love with Disney?

My answer:
Born in the late 70's, my life was influxed by Disney greatly. I think Bambi was the first movie I saw in the theater. Went to DisneyWorld my 1st time as a teen with high school band, but it wasn't until we took our kids in 2008, that I was hooked. At the time DD was 6 and DS was 2 and both of them had tears in their eyes watching Wishes fireworks show. So did DH and myself, that's when we knew! That was the best Thanksgiving ever!

I found love late in life. As a kid, we went to Disneyland several times, but for me, it was all about the rides. I never was a big Disney fan (liked Disney movies, but not because they were Disney, but because the movies were good). Went to WDW first time in college, and it just seemed overwhelming to me because of how big it was, so didn't leave feeling like I can't wait to go back.

My brother (who lives in Washington) and his wife are BIG BIG Disney fans... I'm talking they have all the Disney paraphanalia, every Disney movie ever made, etc. etc. They went to WDW several times and kept telling me I should go back, but never really had the desire.

Then, my brother and his wife about 5 years ago went on a Disney Cruise. They came back telling me and DH that we HAVE to do a Disney Cruise. DH and I were not interested.... we just imagined it like a condensed version of WDW on the ocean where you can never get away from Disney Characters, it's a small world, etc. We did enjoy visiting Disneyland, but weren't sure we wanted to spend 24/7 in a Disney atmosphere at sea where you can't escape. But, my brother told me that half of the time on the Disney ship, you don't even know you're on a Disney ship. But, I kept thinking they are Disney fanatics, so it's hard for me to really know how to interpret that since we weren't Disney fanatics.

THEN, a good friend of mine who I would say is more like us.... definitely enjoys going to Disneyland, enjoys Disney movies, but is not obsessed with Disney went on a Disney cruise with her family. She came back just RAVING about it and said it was true... that you don't feel like you're bombarded with Disney, but it's just an amazing experience.

So, 3 years ago, DH and I decided to give it a try.... we LOVE to travel, and have been on other cruiselines, so we knew we'd like cruising. So, I used the same TA my friend used (whom I love as a TA!!), and I called her and was literally on the phone with her for like 30 minutes asking her every single possible question I could think of about the ship to make sure we weren't spending money on a vacation that by day 2 we were going to start banging our heads against the walls! She totally convinced me we'd love it, so we took a leap of faith, and booked the cruise!!

THEN, DH had some extra vacation time, so we decided to go ALL out and we not only booked a 7-day Western, BUT we booked 1 week at WDW before the cruise!! So, we literally went from "not sure" to "let's just do the ultimate Disney vacation!" Our kids were super excited, so our kids were a huge motivating factor for DH and I, but DH and I went into the vacation seriously with the expectations that we will have no desire to do a Disney vacation again for like 10 years after being around Disney for 2 weeks straight.

Well, it was love at first sight, and totally opposite of what we expected!!

My experience at WDW was TOTALLY different than when I was in college! Maybe it was becasue I was with my DH and kids (when I went in college, I wasn't married, nor had kids). I just loved every single second of it, and so did our kids and DH!

Then, we got on the Disney Magic and LITERALLY by the evening of first getting on the ship, I told DH I absolutely want to book another cruise without a doubt! I was SOOOOOOOO in love with Disney Cruiselines!! DH loved it, too, and the kids were already asking before we got off the ship when we are coming back!

Well, the rest is history.... here we are 3 years later and about to complete our 4th and 5th Disney Cruises by the end of this year, and 100% for sure there will be many more Disney Cruises in our future. And, as for WDW, we've been to WDW twice now in 3 years, and would LOOOOOVE to go back, but we won't make it to WDW in November... maybe a different trip.

And, as for the Disney Characters, still not super into them (like I'm not one to stand in line to get signatures, nor are my kids) BUT I think they are really fun seeing walking around the ship, and they do make me smile, and it's really fun for me to see my kid's reactions when they see the characters!!! I love all of the Disney shows they do in the Walt Disney Theater, too.... Oh, and our whole family loves all the hidden Mickeys!! We're always trying to find them.

So, that is my long drawn out Disney love story...

 

[Daniellenbella]

We also have an 11:30 port arrival time. We aren't staying at WDW or using DCL transfers. It's not listed in our Docs either. I agree that it's strange that they wouldn't list them.

As for getting hooked....I have been to WDW many times, more than I can count off the top of my head. My dad wants to be the "Disney Dad" so he is always taking or sending us. I wasn't really into it until we brought Isabella for the first time when she was 20 months old. It was so magical for HER that it made it more magical for me. DH also just loves the way her face lights up when we are there. We've taken her 3 times. So this year when we were planning it again, I thought I'd ask DH if we could do a slight change of pace and try the cruise.

 

[Daniellenbella]

Somehow I ended up with a duplicate post. Ignore me, I didn't know how to delete one.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Good morning all,

45 degrees and it dumped rain hard all night, cant wait to be warm on the islands Thats why we like to cruise in the winter, it gives us a nice break from the cold.

We got our online check in all completed and printed off yesterday. YEAH!!!
One step closer to this cruise!!!


Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Kathy,
I was going to send our wind/rain storm your way but it looks like its turning off towards Idaho instead. So sorry I can' share my nasty storm this time. Hopefully next time I can send it your way. No need for me to keep this all to myself I am such a generous person.

Kathy

 

[wtgilligan]

I would say I fell in love with Disney in college, I guess? At one point my girlfriend (now my wife) and I went with another friend for a week down there. Stayed with her grandparents. She has always loved Disney and so this is more for her.

Pray our anniversary gift gets here before then. I ordered her a Pearl Necklace as an Anniversary Gift. I am going to give it to her early for formal night but the scheduled arrival date is 10/30.......It is going to be close. We leave to drive to Florida on 11/1.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

I would say I fell in love with Disney in college, I guess? At one point my girlfriend (now my wife) and I went with another friend for a week down there. Stayed with her grandparents. She has always loved Disney and so this is more for her.

Pray our anniversary gift gets here before then. I ordered her a Pearl Necklace as an Anniversary Gift. I am going to give it to her early for formal night but the scheduled arrival date is 10/30.......It is going to be close. We leave to drive to Florida on 11/1.

WOW!! You are cutting that close, better have a backup plan??

Kathy