Okay, I'm determined to do this trip report because I got so much out of reading everyone else's while I was planning our trip. I can't believe it's over and we have some great (and some not so great) memories.
Cast Members:
me, DH, DD9, DD9 in one cabin and MIL, SIL, DNiece6, DNephew9 in another stateroom across from us right off the aft elevators.
We did WDW for 2 nights prior to the cruise. We had been in 2006 w/MIL but other 3 hadn't been. It was maybe a little too short of a stay but we hit the major stuff for DN6 to experience the "magic". We took the DCL bus on Thurs to the port from POFQ. It picked us up by 11:30-11:45. We had a nice ride to the port and arrived about 1:00 pm. We got through the check in process pretty quick. It helped having all the forms filled out ahead of time. It was so nice not having to deal with any of the luggage, just our carry ons. We were told when we boarded that the staterooms just became available so that was a plus we dropped everything off and made our way to Beach Blanket Buffet for lunch. I thought the food was good there, lots to choose from and all very tasty. I forgot to say that we went to get the pagers for the kids club on deck 5 before eating. It was so much less crowded than the line in the terminal. A cast member gave me this hint so if it's a long line in the terminl just go to deck 5 forward to get the pagers/wristbands. We let the kids play in the very crowded pools for a few minutes before the safety drill. I will say I was so overwhelmed by the mass of people I was a little worried that this total koas would flank our entire trip. I was just exausted and it was sooo hot, records temps of course when we are there!!
Anyway, time for safety drill. We had to go to deck 4 for ours but it really wasn't bad. It got a little hot in the jackets but it was over in about 15-20 minutes. It was off to the sail away party!!! Since our family's cabin was across the hall we had different muster stations. We were to meet on deck 9. We got there first and I tell you I thought it was going to be a mob seen but we got to be right up by the stage and had plenty of room around us. I wonder of the heat didn't keep some people from joining in. I'm telling you it was HOT! It was fun and boy those CM's can dance, the sweat was pouring off of them, poor souls!
My girls and I danced while DH saved a table for his mom and SIL who we never did find. Another tip if going with extended family. Be flexible and understand it's really hard to stay together in crowds or meet when there are events going on. My in laws were always getting bent out of shape because they couldn't find us. We just moved at different paces. We like to go, go , go. They moved like snails and had to think about everything for like 15 minutes before they moved. That's not how we operate, especially on a vacation with so much to do.
Anyway, I've got lots of stories about my inlaws but I'll refrain from sharing too much on this trip report and stick to details. We went back to our cabin to get ready for the first show, Golden Mickey's. Let me just say, these shows are not to be missed. They are nothing short of Broadway productions. They kept all the kids in our group fully engrossed and that's no small task. The ship was really rolling that night and I was a little glad I took a Bonine that morning. I didn't feel sick in the stomach so much as my head was feeling weird. Either way I was glad I took it. For the record, I took it the next morning just because I thought I should, but I don't think I needed it and didn't take it again. I 'm glad I didn't medicate my kids, they were fine and thought the movement was cool. If you are on the fence about medication and you haven't had a bout of motion sickness before, I think you will be fine. THere is about 45 min to 1 hour between the show and the late dinner seating, 8:15. WE just killed time by going to the lounge that was playing music or walked on deck 4. Dinner was at Animator's Palate and our servers were Madlen and Jose. They were great. Madle knew all the kids names before they sat down, even my twins. She was so sweet and very well versed on everything Disney. She gave us so much information. My girls were really sad they will not see her again. I' ve said before the food was so, so. It was a little fancy but that is not my issue. I thought that quality and taste were lacking. That night I ended up getting a great app (can't remember but maybe some type of bruchetta?), a so, so salad and a pasta dish that I could have made myself from a jar--not impressive at all. But again, I didn't care we were having a nice time and the best part...I didn't have to cook it, serve it or clean it up!!!! That's priceless!
We were pooped and knew we had to get up for the dolphin encounter the next day so we strolled a little and then went to bed.
I have to go make dinner now....I really could go for that lack luster pasta dish right about now!!!
Be back soon for day 2!
Cast Members:
me, DH, DD9, DD9 in one cabin and MIL, SIL, DNiece6, DNephew9 in another stateroom across from us right off the aft elevators.
We did WDW for 2 nights prior to the cruise. We had been in 2006 w/MIL but other 3 hadn't been. It was maybe a little too short of a stay but we hit the major stuff for DN6 to experience the "magic". We took the DCL bus on Thurs to the port from POFQ. It picked us up by 11:30-11:45. We had a nice ride to the port and arrived about 1:00 pm. We got through the check in process pretty quick. It helped having all the forms filled out ahead of time. It was so nice not having to deal with any of the luggage, just our carry ons. We were told when we boarded that the staterooms just became available so that was a plus we dropped everything off and made our way to Beach Blanket Buffet for lunch. I thought the food was good there, lots to choose from and all very tasty. I forgot to say that we went to get the pagers for the kids club on deck 5 before eating. It was so much less crowded than the line in the terminal. A cast member gave me this hint so if it's a long line in the terminl just go to deck 5 forward to get the pagers/wristbands. We let the kids play in the very crowded pools for a few minutes before the safety drill. I will say I was so overwhelmed by the mass of people I was a little worried that this total koas would flank our entire trip. I was just exausted and it was sooo hot, records temps of course when we are there!!
Anyway, time for safety drill. We had to go to deck 4 for ours but it really wasn't bad. It got a little hot in the jackets but it was over in about 15-20 minutes. It was off to the sail away party!!! Since our family's cabin was across the hall we had different muster stations. We were to meet on deck 9. We got there first and I tell you I thought it was going to be a mob seen but we got to be right up by the stage and had plenty of room around us. I wonder of the heat didn't keep some people from joining in. I'm telling you it was HOT! It was fun and boy those CM's can dance, the sweat was pouring off of them, poor souls!
My girls and I danced while DH saved a table for his mom and SIL who we never did find. Another tip if going with extended family. Be flexible and understand it's really hard to stay together in crowds or meet when there are events going on. My in laws were always getting bent out of shape because they couldn't find us. We just moved at different paces. We like to go, go , go. They moved like snails and had to think about everything for like 15 minutes before they moved. That's not how we operate, especially on a vacation with so much to do.
Anyway, I've got lots of stories about my inlaws but I'll refrain from sharing too much on this trip report and stick to details. We went back to our cabin to get ready for the first show, Golden Mickey's. Let me just say, these shows are not to be missed. They are nothing short of Broadway productions. They kept all the kids in our group fully engrossed and that's no small task. The ship was really rolling that night and I was a little glad I took a Bonine that morning. I didn't feel sick in the stomach so much as my head was feeling weird. Either way I was glad I took it. For the record, I took it the next morning just because I thought I should, but I don't think I needed it and didn't take it again. I 'm glad I didn't medicate my kids, they were fine and thought the movement was cool. If you are on the fence about medication and you haven't had a bout of motion sickness before, I think you will be fine. THere is about 45 min to 1 hour between the show and the late dinner seating, 8:15. WE just killed time by going to the lounge that was playing music or walked on deck 4. Dinner was at Animator's Palate and our servers were Madlen and Jose. They were great. Madle knew all the kids names before they sat down, even my twins. She was so sweet and very well versed on everything Disney. She gave us so much information. My girls were really sad they will not see her again. I' ve said before the food was so, so. It was a little fancy but that is not my issue. I thought that quality and taste were lacking. That night I ended up getting a great app (can't remember but maybe some type of bruchetta?), a so, so salad and a pasta dish that I could have made myself from a jar--not impressive at all. But again, I didn't care we were having a nice time and the best part...I didn't have to cook it, serve it or clean it up!!!! That's priceless!
We were pooped and knew we had to get up for the dolphin encounter the next day so we strolled a little and then went to bed.
I have to go make dinner now....I really could go for that lack luster pasta dish right about now!!!
Be back soon for day 2!
Our cruise isn't until next year, so I have plenty of time to think about it. But, I'm definitely leaning towards the late dining. I figure DD would really enjoy the shows more than the dinners, so I'd rather have her wide awake for that. She can always go to the Club if she doesn't want to sit in the dining room.
We'd never pay reg price flights for all 4 of us for only 3 nts. He's knows I cry to have them go to waste so I'd prob. go w/o him if he didn't want to go. lol!
I can just imagine that! 
