One Way Trip to Canada, Eh? FINAL THOUGHTS 08/10

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Thanks for following along everyone, even if I am slow to finish this report!

i know it seems like it has been a year since you started it.

 

[nenner1]

I love random - it's so much fun! Thanks for the compliment.

You're welcome!

Yes, being from Tampa, you would find it cold.

Well, yeah. I do still wear shorts though even down into the 40's.

We had lt. jackets on and it was fine. You have to remember it was still snowing at home, so it felt a little warmish to us.

Ah true. Snow! Ack!

How was your vacation? You went to WDW, right? I need to catch up too!

Well, we were technically on property but no parks. We were there for Sav's Dance Nationals and her schedule was pretty full. She had something going on every single day and most days had multiple routines. So our day was pretty much Breakfast at 7 AM ---->dance--->pool---->dance----->pool--->dance---->dinner at 10 PM. It's quite hectic. But a lot of fun, especially for the girls. We did make to to DTD and to Celebration (kindof) for fireworks. We were late and ended up watching from the parking lot of the Disney Institute with about 100 other people. We could actually see Celebrations's show in one direction and Downtown Orlando's in the other, that was pretty cool!

 

[glennbo123]

The castle looked amazing. That "look up" was really something!

I'm sorry that the gardens were disappointing, but your pictures of it look great...especially that bay. If you're ever near Philly, you should come check out Longwood Gardens, which is just down the road from me.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

You're welcome!

Well, yeah. I do still wear shorts though even down into the 40's.



Ah true. Snow! Ack!




Well, we were technically on property but no parks. We were there for Sav's Dance Nationals and her schedule was pretty full. She had something going on every single day and most days had multiple routines. So our day was pretty much Breakfast at 7 AM ---->dance--->pool---->dance----->pool--->dance---->dinner at 10 PM. It's quite hectic. But a lot of fun, especially for the girls. We did make to to DTD and to Celebration (kindof) for fireworks. We were late and ended up watching from the parking lot of the Disney Institute with about 100 other people. We could actually see Celebrations's show in one direction and Downtown Orlando's in the other, that was pretty cool!

Wow - I don't think I could take being in the world and not going to the parks! The fireworks sounds like a nice experience! Glad you got to do at least that!

The castle looked amazing. That "look up" was really something!

I'm sorry that the gardens were disappointing, but your pictures of it look great...especially that bay. If you're ever near Philly, you should come check out Longwood Gardens, which is just down the road from me.

Longwood looks great - You'll have to remind me if I'm ever out that way!

 

[bbangel]

For those seeing the resemblence of the Buchart Gardens to the Canada Pavillion in WDW - you are right - they were part of the inspiration!

 

[nenner1]

Wow - I don't think I could take being in the world and not going to the parks! The fireworks sounds like a nice experience! Glad you got to do at least that!

Yeah it was *really* hard! But we were so busy we probably couldn't have squeezed in any reasonable park time anyway. Although I was jonesing to bust into Typhoon Lagoon the day we stopped by DTD!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

i know it seems like it has been a year since you started it.

Oh Mr Pot - you who had a child grow up and start college since your trip you are stiill writing about would say this to me?

For those seeing the resemblence of the Buchart Gardens to the Canada Pavillion in WDW - you are right - they were part of the inspiration!

Thanks! I was guessing that would be - Buchart Gardens are so famous!

Yeah it was *really* hard! But we were so busy we probably couldn't have squeezed in any reasonable park time anyway. Although I was jonesing to bust into Typhoon Lagoon the day we stopped by DTD!

I could just see you - "It's right across the street - right over there...!"

 

[YukiPhnx]

Haha, the exchange rate sounds bad for Americans, but it's AWESOME for Canadians!!!! I love it!!!

It's only worth it if I shop in the States though because stores up here STILL charge the old exchange rate, which is ridiculous. Good thing I live so close to the border.

Wow, so you only had one day in Canada? Well, Victoria IS pretty. That's a very nice bay, but I've seen better

Mmmmm, lobster dinner. That's a really nice picture from Tritons!

Is the character breakfast still a buffet? Is that a Goofy hat I see someone with?

Awwww, tips envelopes....It feels too soon!

I love the lounge and dances areas. They're really cool to look at.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Haha, the exchange rate sounds bad for Americans, but it's AWESOME for Canadians!!!! I love it!!!

It's only worth it if I shop in the States though because stores up here STILL charge the old exchange rate, which is ridiculous. Good thing I live so close to the border.

Wow, so you only had one day in Canada? Well, Victoria IS pretty. That's a very nice bay, but I've seen better

Mmmmm, lobster dinner. That's a really nice picture from Tritons!

Is the character breakfast still a buffet? Is that a Goofy hat I see someone with?

Awwww, tips envelopes....It feels too soon!

I love the lounge and dances areas. They're really cool to look at.

YUKI! How is your Summer going?

I know the exchange rate is a welcome change for you! I guess it gives you more reasons to come across the border!

We had a short day in Victoria, then Disembarked in Vancouver. We had a day there, but it was kind of a bust, as you'll see....

I'll bet you have seen some pretty sites up there!

Thanks for the compliment!

The Character breakfast is a sit down meal - and yes, someone got a napkin folded into a goofy hat at the table behind us!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Oh Mr Pot - you who had a child grow up and start college since your trip you are stiill writing about would say this to me?

well he might have another birthday before its done.


just kidding, i have a september finish date in mind.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Hmmm...in a way the exchange rate is good for you too! Well, good for the economy because we're spending a lot more money in your country!

Awww.....too bad about Van-city....But still can't wait to hear about it!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

That's true, Yuki! Thanks for helping our economy!

Update written - just too late to post now - TOMORROW!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We headed back to the ship, sadly realizing this was our last night. I got the packing almost complete, and we got ready for dinner. We had a little time, so we stopped by shutters to finish purchasing our pictures. We ordered Christmas cards of the semi-formal night, and chose a portfolio for our boarding pic. You could choose 2 stock photos to go on the cover and inside, so I chose the whole gang in formalwear, and under the GG pic.

I had read on the DIS that there are some portholes on Deck 4 where you can actually peer in to the Animator's kitchen and see them preparing the food.

So I walked a little forward of the shuffleboard area, where the portholes get a little smaller, and started looking in - yes! I could see the chefs, all dressed in chefs coats and hats, setting up appy plates for dinner!

When we got to our table in AP, we found these lovely boot napkins

Tonight was the Till We Meet Again menu – I brought my own wine to dinner, and for appy, I think we both had the Artichoke, Spinach and Jalepeno dip with pita triangles.

For main course, Jim had the Seafood Linguini Pasta,

And I had the Yachtsman Steakhouse centercut Beef Tenderloin with Williams Potatoes – DELICIOUS!!!

We had a nice time with our tablemates and had some last minute well wishes and discussions of who had rebooked, post cruise plans, etc.

When it was time for dessert, I remembered that I had wanted to have a Mickey Bar on this cruise, but I also wanted to try the chocolate decadence – so Jim ordered the Mickey Bar AND the Baked Alaska, and I ordered the chocolate sin.
I only have a pic of the Mickey Bar.

Here are the servers waiting for the star of the show tonight – the BAKED ALASKA!

Jim already had his, but they like to parade the real flaming deal around the room to the applause of impressed dining room guests:

Note the shock and awe on this lady's face!

Then the Parade of Nations:

Hmmm, this is not an attempt to be creative - I think I pushed the shutter button when I set the camera down

Twice.

Our Table one last time:

I was so frustrated, because it didn't flash the first two times, and Luis seemed to be in a big hurry tonight, so I didn't like him having to take so much time to take the shot.

Our servers: Angel and Luis

We decided since our train didn’t leave until 5pm the next night, we wouldn’t rush to the breakfast in AP the next morning, so we said our sad farewells . We really enjoyed all of our tablemates, and it has been fun to follow them on Facebook since then!

CONT NEXT POST:

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We gave our servers their tip envelopes and bid them good-bye also.

We headed back to the cabin to change and finish packing and put the bags outside. Jim found Michael our steward and gave him his tip. I poured my last glass of wine, and we headed out to the show – tonight it was the farewell show, “Remember the Magic, A Final Farewell.” It was a great performance as usual:

After the show, we took one more spin through the shops. I was thinking this hat would go with Jim's Uggs

Then headed to the lobby to see “Till We Meet Again” with the characters

We watched from Deck 4, and it was kind of fun to see - I couldn't seem to get the right shots - The characters came out of the Studio Sea door and then made it down the staircases on each side - while they played a sad farewell song and then they posed for pictures and autographs with guests.

At this point I see we should have read our navigators. We were tired, and felt like the party was over so we went to bed. It seems there was a rousing fun time in WaveBands with Pub Night – a comedy, drag, singing and dancing spoof reviewing the cruise as a farewell with the cast and guests. I didn’t know about this one before, so next time I will have it on our agenda for sure! **(Thanks Julia!)**


NEXT: DO THEY EAT IN VANCOUVER?

 

[DMMarla07860]

At this point I see we should have read our navigators. We were tired, and felt like the party was over so we went to bed. It seems there was a rousing fun time in WaveBands with Pub Night – a comedy, drag, singing and dancing spoof reviewing the cruise as a farewell with the cast and guests. I didn’t know about this one before, so next time I will have it on our agenda for sure! **(Thanks Julia!)**

no prob

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Stefy posted this on her Disneymoon PTR and I just had to share it here! A fun video of the crew doing, "Time of My Life" all around the ship:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmsgsobpenk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[dizneeat]

Good news:
There were two updates today!

Bad news:
Your cruise is coming to an end!

Love your farewell dinner and it looks like you had really nice tablemates. Did you ask to sit with them or was it luck of the draw?

I always want to have a Mickey Bar on the cruise as well, and never got one - something I want to tackle maybe this summer!

And I had to LOL too, when you said you browsed the shops after dinner - we do the same thing!

And another one ........ you are NOT alone, I always just glance over the Navigator and miss most of the fun! But there is so much to do and see that I really never get around to read it before the next day's one arrives!

I made our FE for this summer's cruise yesterday - 5 hours of work and now I am pretty pleased with it. I am going to post it on our pre-trip report, but I need to show Tom first.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

And I had the Yachtsman Steakhouse centercut Beef Tenderloin with Williams Potatoes – DELICIOUS!!!

if they brought out a portion that size for me, i would say make it two...

but i bet with the appetizers and such it was a good amount.

 

[glennbo123]

Sorry to see your cruise coming to an end.

Love the "shock and awe" picture.

 

[bbangel]

Do they eat in Vancouver? Sometimes even I wonder Especially since I don't consider sushi food.