One Is Not Enough! Back-2-Back on the Magic-12/1 & 12/8 (Updated 1/4: Transition Day)

[fairfax]

Congratulations on being upgraded!! How exciting!!

 

[CraftyMouse]

Pre-Trip Report: Episode VII...The Final Chapter

Yup, we're finally here. It's the day before we leave. My countdown clock says we're at T Minus 21 Hours, 1 Minute, 20 Seconds and Counting!

I did pretty well getting everything taken care of. Today I just have to clean the fridge, do a bit of laundry and pack up the car. Then it's off to the airport bright and early tomorrow morning. Well, actually it won't be bright until well after we arrive at the airport, but it will be early! Our flight is at 6:30 so we'll be heading out around 4:00am! Won't be pretty, but we'll be on our way.

We fly into Tampa (it saved us almost $200 over flying into MCO). Our plan is to have lunch at the Earl of Sandwich tomorrow and possibly stop by the Wilderness Lodge to see the decorations. Then we'll pick up the two Grandpas at MCO and head to the port. We're staying at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Cocoa Beach and then it's off to the port the next morning.

I promise, promise, promise to write a full trip report when I get home, complete with lots of pictures.

Okay, sing along if you know the tune (and how can you not know the tune!)...

Now it's time to say goodbye
To the whole DIS family.
M...I...C...
See You on 12/16!
K...E...Y...
Why? Because we're going cruisin' with the Mouse!
M...O...U...S...E...

 

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

Have a fantastic trip, Can't wait to hear all about the Eastern half- we had our first cruise on the Wonder Nov18 and plan to do the Eastern in Summer 2009 or maybe their special iteneraries.

 

[lunsusie]

Here's wishing you fair winds and calm seas. Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[sandybobandy]

Hope you are having a FANTASTIC trip! Can't wait to read all about it!

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

I hope you have a magical time! Can't wait to hear all about it !

 

[purplepeg]

Hope you are having an awesome time. Can't wait to read all about it

 

[podsnel]

Lucky, lucky you!! I hope you are all having an AMAZING cruise with calm seas and gorgeous weather. Can't WAIT to read about it! We'll all be patient, having the time of our lives at home...

 

[CraftyMouse]

Trip Report: Preface

We're back! We got home around 11:30pm last night! I have now emptied all of the suitcases, made it about half way through the laundry and have downloaded all of my photos.

The trip report will be coming over the next few days but, for now, here are some highlight "teasers"...

Smooth seas on the Western but rockin' and rollin' on the Eastern.
A dolphin swim that was just amazing!
Ducky Williams was onboard for our second week!
The best serving team of all time!
Ocean Quest & The Stack kidnapped our children for two weeks.
Alone Time at the Spa...aaahhhh!
DD15 bonds with our Server, Luis.
Cruise Staffer Natalie and I stalk each other for two weeks.
I came back 6.5 pounds heavier...but it was soooooo worth it!

Hmmm...there was something else...now what was it? Oh yes...I remember...and it's realllllly good...but I'm going to make you wait! Don't worry though, I won't make you wait too long!

See You Real Soon!

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

can't wait to hear all about it!!!!

Hurry back wanna know what your not telling us yet LOL

 

[DisneyZell]

I am so jealous of your back to back. Can't wait to hear all about it. And, you made it back just in time for the big storm! We are still trying to dig our way out of the snow. I'm not sure what part of New England you live in, but here in Southern New Hampshire, we got a ton of snow!

 

[CraftyMouse]

I am so jealous of your back to back. Can't wait to hear all about it. And, you made it back just in time for the big storm! We are still trying to dig our way out of the snow. I'm not sure what part of New England you live in, but here in Southern New Hampshire, we got a ton of snow!

We are in CT and got a lot of snow too. I have to say though, that I love it! It's like instant Christmas. You just don't get that holiday feeling in the Caribbean!

 

[CraftyMouse]

The Trip of a Lifetime: Chapter 1 (Pre-Cruise Day)

The day was finally here! I woke up at 3:00am to start getting ready. By 4:00 we were out the door. Travel to Providence was painless and we were at the airport by 4:45. We had 8 bags and the airport was already busy so we used curbside check-in…well worth the $16 + tip that it cost me. We grabbed a quick breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts and waited for our flight to be called.

Our flight took off on time and we made our connection in Charlotte. We landed in Tampa at 11:30. What a BEAUTIFUL airport! We flew into Tampa because it was $45 per ticket cheaper and I’d gladly do it again. DH and the kids waited for the luggage while I went to get the car. Not 15 minutes later I was picking them up curbside! Simple and easy, just the way I like it.

We had some time before picking up the grandfathers at MCO so we made a detour to WDW. First we stopped at the Wilderness Lodge to see the holiday decorations which were gorgeous, as always. While there I began my vacation eating with my absolutely favorite dessert at WDW…the vanilla cupcake with white frosting and sprinkles. Yes, I know, you’re saying “But Crafty…it’s just a cupcake.”, but I tell you that it’s not. It is dessert perfection! Mmmmmm. I did save my lovely cupcake for after lunch though.

Not the best photo of us. We were really tired...plus it is a bit fuzzy.

From the WL we headed to Downtown Disney. DS12’s one souvenir request was a Donald Duck watch and we were all more than ready for some lunch. We figured we could take care of both things at DtD. We had sandwiches at The Earl of Sandwich, which is one of our favorite food spots at WDW. After lunch we stopped off at the World of Disney to get DS’s watch. He found one that he liked and, after a bit of browsing, we made our purchase and were off.

We still had some time before heading to the airport so we stopped off at Publix to pick up some bottles of wine to enjoy onboard the Magic. That done we were off to MCO. With 6 people we had decided to rent two minivans. One we had picked up in Tampa and the other we were to pick up in Orlando. Well…Thrifty doesn’t make that easy if you are not taking the airport shuttle. We drove to the Thrifty location and there was no way to drive into the facility. There was an entrance for long-term parking, an entrance for returning cars and a gated entrance for the Thrifty shuttle. That was it. So, I dropped DH and DS off near the shuttle van entrance and they walked from there.

DD15 and I were then off to the port. Originally we had planned to stop off at WalMart for toiletries and other essentials before checking-in at our hotel, but we were both tired and decided to head to the hotel right away. We figured we could stop at WalMart after dinner instead. We easily found the Comfort Inn and Suites in Cocoa Beach and check-in was painless. DD and I headed to the room to wait for the guys. The rooms were nothing fancy but very clean and comfortable. While we were waiting for the guys I put the beautiful green luggage tags onto our suitcases. Yippee!

The guys arrived about 45 minutes later and we decided to head across the street to IHOP for dinner. One thing I love is having breakfast for dinner and that’s what I did. With a belly full of pancakes, hash browns and sausage I left IHOP a very happy girl. DD and I headed to WalMart and picked up our toiletries for the trip. Then it was back to the hotel. I was sure it must be about 10:00 but when I looked at the clock it said 7:04. What? How could that be? We climbed into bed and watched some TV but I think we were all fast asleep by 8:30!

Up Next: Adventures Away!

Oh, and for those who just can't take the suspense I'll give you a little hint about my secret...it has to do with a certain game that is played onboard and a whole lot of money you can win by playing it!

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

What a great Pre Cruise day but wow such a long day!!!!


Oohhh i think i have an idea on what happens but hurry back so I can know for sure !!

 

[donmil723]

Loving your trip report!

It's getting me even more excited for our next DCL cruise - 2/28/09!!! Hey, it'll be here before we know it, right?????

 

[Gerweniel]

Hi there and welcome home! I didn't know you had a pre-trippie. Count me in for the rest of the ride!
PS - the tea was terrific! Thanks.

 

[fairfax]

Welcome back! I'm looking forward to hearing more about your fabulous cruise.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Oooohhhhh. I hope it won't take you two weeks to post your whole trip report - I'm loving living vicariously through you. What an amazing experience!

 

[CraftyMouse]

More trip report is coming! I have all of my photos downloaded but have to scan in the ones we purchased. Once I do that I"ll put the next installment up!

 

[jns]

Thanks for sharing
great report

looking forward to reading more