EmmasGrammy
<font color=blue>To everyone else brave enough to
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,370
Our cast of characters; DH Mike (47) ME (47) & DGD Emma (3)
Thur. June 17th we left for Pittsburgh airport @ 7:00 a.m. Airport security lines were HORRIBLE!!! It was the longest line we waited in all week!! Got to our gate and boarded with 2 minutes to spare. Whew!! Good flight with no problems!!
Arrived at MCO and waited in the second longest line of the week to board the Disney bus to our resort. There needs to be some changes made with the transfers operation!! Very disorganized!!
Just a short ride and we were at CBR checking in. Even after 3 phone calls and a note on our reservation, we were NOT assigned to the prefered building we had requested. Instead we were assigned to the village of Jamaica building #44. The room was great, alot like the rooms at CSR. We were close to the "quiet pool" and the beach and playground. The bus stop to the parks was just across a parking lot. Not bad at all!! The walk to the food court was alittle longer (about 10 min.) but we only treked over there twice. The resort is so large it has it's own internal resort bus!! I think we would stay here again.
We spent our 1st evening at Epcot. Mission Space was awesome!! Had dinner in Mexico @San Angel (Emma cried the entire meal until she feel asleep! She was "freaked out" by the volcano. Plus it was a long travel day!!)
Day 2 we went to Magic Kingdom!! Breakfast @ CP was wonderful! Spent LOTS of time in Fantasy Land. Loved Philharmagic and the Winnie the Pooh ride!! Took a break @ noon to nap and refresh, and then back to the park for dinner @ The Plaza Restaurant. It was okay, but I'm not dying to go back.
Day 3 we went to the Studios. Had breakfast @ the ABC Commissary. It was alright, nothing great! Enjoyed The Little Mermaid and Playhouse Disney plus a few more rides and headed to the resort for an afternoon swim and rest. Went back to the Studios to see the Stars & Motorcars parade (very well done) and enjoyed dinner @ The Sci-Fi Dine In. We called it an early evening so we could pack up for the cruise on Sunday.
Day 4 we had our bags ready for the DCL pick up @ 8:00 a.m. We decided to head for the Animal Kingdom since we were already up and too excited to sleep anymore. Emma loved the Safari ride and seeing all the animals. We got our first visit with the Big Cheese, Mickey at Camp Minnie Mickey. That made the early morning all worth while. We boarded the DCL bus @ 12:30 p.m. There were 6 bus loads of cruisers at the Animal Kingdom that day!! WOW!!!
The bus ride was great, and the video they show really peeked our excitement! (Like we really needed that!!) As we reached the first bridge and caught a glimpse of the Wonder, tears filled my eyes. The squeals of all the children on the bus warmed my heart!! We were finally here!!!
Following the tips from this board, we had put on our swim suits under our park clothes that morning. Since we had "pre-registered" at the resort with the land/sea package, it was a short hop through the security and we were in the terminal hugging Capt Mickey and taking our embarkation photos. We were through the Mickey Ears and being announced into the Atrium about 1:45 p.m. WOW and Double WOW!!! It is breath taking!! I could hardly walk, with the tears in my eyes blinding my steps!!
Our cabin was ready and we made a quick stop to drop off our day bags. Emma was delighted by the lovely basket from Shirley's. It truly was the "Perfect Gift" (Thanks so much Shirley). I was also delighted to find our lovely gift of a tray of sweets and a cold bottle of Asti awaiting us. I still don't know how it got there and guest services said "no charge" so it was a wonderful surprise! We dropped off our pillow cases @ guest services to be autographed. Our dinner rotation was PTAP and we head to the lunch buffet @ Parrot Cay. We swam in a very uncrowded Mickey Pool, attended the safety drill and got ready for our dinner. We met our "wonder"ful serving team of Christian from Chili and Hank from Jamaica. They were super!!! Michelle from Austrilia was the Head server. She was very friendly and visited with us at each meal. Our table mates turned out to be our hometown neighbors who live about 1/2 mile from us and she was one of our daughter's school teacher. ( It truly is a small world!) We registered Emma for the Oceaneer's Club (where she spent a total of 20 min. the entire cruise) and headed for the Hercules Show. It was great!!
Day 5 (our 2nd cruise day) was Nassau day. We chose to stay onboard and after breakfast @ Beach Blanket Buffet, we swam and explored the ship. Emma was too little for the Mickey slide (you have to be 4) and I was too big (I'm just alittle over 14). SHUCKS!!! We went to family kite making class (very cool!) and after a little nap we dressed for Triton's Formal Dinner. It was fabulous. I tried duck for the 1st (and last) time. We went to see Mark Nizer the juggler. He was amazing and quite funny!!
Day 6 (our 3rd day at sea) was Castaway Cay day. Believe EVERYTHING you have heard of how "wonder"ful this place is!! I am NOT a beach person, and I HATE bugs and anything creepy and crawly. I never saw one bug and the place is spotless!! Got a big mouthful of the salty Atlantic YUCK and I "freaked out" alittle when some fish came swimming passed me. I swear it was a great white shark!! But DH Mike says it was a 7" ocean perch. I don't care what it was, I was done in the water!! Emma and I built sand castles way far away from the water. We enjoyed the BBQ at Cookies. YUMMY!!! The swimming and the sun did us all in and we headed for the ship for a shower and a nap. Mike headed to the theater to see the prem-EAR of "Around the World in 80 Days". He says the critics are wrong, it was fantastic movie!! He can't wait until it's out in video!! Our dinner at Animator's Palate was amazing! Emma had a hard time eating because she was so intent on the color changing pictures. Mike and Emma opted out of the Golden Mickeys show. I thought it was great! Of course I cried!! Went back to the cabin to pick up my "dates" and we danced like fools at the sail away celebration. We could not stay awake long enough to enjoy the midnight buffet. What a day!!!
Day 7 was our sea day. We spent lots of time at the Mickey Pool (are ya seeing a pattern here? Emma loved the Mickey pool. She could swim without her "floaties" on!) We went to towel folding class and a culinary show. Emma and I went to the Oceaneer's Lab and made Flubber. Yuck!! We took in the matinee showing of Disney Dreams. WOW!!!! Bring the kleenex. I think it was the best of the shows!! Even Emma cried. (We must be related!!) Had our last meal with our wonderful servers Christian and Hank, and we all cried as Emma gave them their tips and final hugs and kisses!! We picked up our photos at Shutters and our pillow cases @ guest services and headed to the cabin to pack up! How SAD!!! I cried all the way through the Farewell Show and when the CM's sang and signed the "Now it's time to say good-bye to all our company..." I was blubbering!!! I shook off the pixie dust all the way back to the cabin and cried myself to sleep!
Day 8 D-Day!! Our breakfast assigned time was 6:45 a.m. YAWN!!! We ate hurriedly and said final good-byes to our table mates and the staff. We were off the ship by 8:00 a.m. and at the airport by 9:30 a.m. Our return flight had a 45 min. delay so we grabbed lunch and chilled out for a while. Flight home was perfect and it was wonderful to be hugging my DD, SIL and our month old DGD Sophie Grace!!!
This is my short list of disappointments:
1. I didn't see any fellow DISers in the parks nor on the ship!
2. The gift shop and Shutters have too limited hours (6-11 p.m.) for the size of the shops. They were so crowded that I felt clastrophobic!! (But I did managed to spend toooo much $$$$$ at both places!)
3. The farewell Show is scheduled too late (10:00 p.m.) for the little ones. There were so many tired, grumpy,crying children (my DGD included) that it sorta ruined the "magic".
All in all, I can safely say it was the most memorable vacation I have ever had. (Besides the May Day Falls trip!!) I can hardly wait for the big Panama Canal cruise in August 2005!!
Sorry this is so long!! I wanted to keep it all in one thread. If anyone has any questions I'd be more than happy to answer them!! Thanks to all of you for all the helps and tips!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!
Lynda
Thur. June 17th we left for Pittsburgh airport @ 7:00 a.m. Airport security lines were HORRIBLE!!! It was the longest line we waited in all week!! Got to our gate and boarded with 2 minutes to spare. Whew!! Good flight with no problems!!
Arrived at MCO and waited in the second longest line of the week to board the Disney bus to our resort. There needs to be some changes made with the transfers operation!! Very disorganized!!
Just a short ride and we were at CBR checking in. Even after 3 phone calls and a note on our reservation, we were NOT assigned to the prefered building we had requested. Instead we were assigned to the village of Jamaica building #44. The room was great, alot like the rooms at CSR. We were close to the "quiet pool" and the beach and playground. The bus stop to the parks was just across a parking lot. Not bad at all!! The walk to the food court was alittle longer (about 10 min.) but we only treked over there twice. The resort is so large it has it's own internal resort bus!! I think we would stay here again.
We spent our 1st evening at Epcot. Mission Space was awesome!! Had dinner in Mexico @San Angel (Emma cried the entire meal until she feel asleep! She was "freaked out" by the volcano. Plus it was a long travel day!!)
Day 2 we went to Magic Kingdom!! Breakfast @ CP was wonderful! Spent LOTS of time in Fantasy Land. Loved Philharmagic and the Winnie the Pooh ride!! Took a break @ noon to nap and refresh, and then back to the park for dinner @ The Plaza Restaurant. It was okay, but I'm not dying to go back.
Day 3 we went to the Studios. Had breakfast @ the ABC Commissary. It was alright, nothing great! Enjoyed The Little Mermaid and Playhouse Disney plus a few more rides and headed to the resort for an afternoon swim and rest. Went back to the Studios to see the Stars & Motorcars parade (very well done) and enjoyed dinner @ The Sci-Fi Dine In. We called it an early evening so we could pack up for the cruise on Sunday.
Day 4 we had our bags ready for the DCL pick up @ 8:00 a.m. We decided to head for the Animal Kingdom since we were already up and too excited to sleep anymore. Emma loved the Safari ride and seeing all the animals. We got our first visit with the Big Cheese, Mickey at Camp Minnie Mickey. That made the early morning all worth while. We boarded the DCL bus @ 12:30 p.m. There were 6 bus loads of cruisers at the Animal Kingdom that day!! WOW!!!
The bus ride was great, and the video they show really peeked our excitement! (Like we really needed that!!) As we reached the first bridge and caught a glimpse of the Wonder, tears filled my eyes. The squeals of all the children on the bus warmed my heart!! We were finally here!!!
Following the tips from this board, we had put on our swim suits under our park clothes that morning. Since we had "pre-registered" at the resort with the land/sea package, it was a short hop through the security and we were in the terminal hugging Capt Mickey and taking our embarkation photos. We were through the Mickey Ears and being announced into the Atrium about 1:45 p.m. WOW and Double WOW!!! It is breath taking!! I could hardly walk, with the tears in my eyes blinding my steps!!
Our cabin was ready and we made a quick stop to drop off our day bags. Emma was delighted by the lovely basket from Shirley's. It truly was the "Perfect Gift" (Thanks so much Shirley). I was also delighted to find our lovely gift of a tray of sweets and a cold bottle of Asti awaiting us. I still don't know how it got there and guest services said "no charge" so it was a wonderful surprise! We dropped off our pillow cases @ guest services to be autographed. Our dinner rotation was PTAP and we head to the lunch buffet @ Parrot Cay. We swam in a very uncrowded Mickey Pool, attended the safety drill and got ready for our dinner. We met our "wonder"ful serving team of Christian from Chili and Hank from Jamaica. They were super!!! Michelle from Austrilia was the Head server. She was very friendly and visited with us at each meal. Our table mates turned out to be our hometown neighbors who live about 1/2 mile from us and she was one of our daughter's school teacher. ( It truly is a small world!) We registered Emma for the Oceaneer's Club (where she spent a total of 20 min. the entire cruise) and headed for the Hercules Show. It was great!!
Day 5 (our 2nd cruise day) was Nassau day. We chose to stay onboard and after breakfast @ Beach Blanket Buffet, we swam and explored the ship. Emma was too little for the Mickey slide (you have to be 4) and I was too big (I'm just alittle over 14). SHUCKS!!! We went to family kite making class (very cool!) and after a little nap we dressed for Triton's Formal Dinner. It was fabulous. I tried duck for the 1st (and last) time. We went to see Mark Nizer the juggler. He was amazing and quite funny!!
Day 6 (our 3rd day at sea) was Castaway Cay day. Believe EVERYTHING you have heard of how "wonder"ful this place is!! I am NOT a beach person, and I HATE bugs and anything creepy and crawly. I never saw one bug and the place is spotless!! Got a big mouthful of the salty Atlantic YUCK and I "freaked out" alittle when some fish came swimming passed me. I swear it was a great white shark!! But DH Mike says it was a 7" ocean perch. I don't care what it was, I was done in the water!! Emma and I built sand castles way far away from the water. We enjoyed the BBQ at Cookies. YUMMY!!! The swimming and the sun did us all in and we headed for the ship for a shower and a nap. Mike headed to the theater to see the prem-EAR of "Around the World in 80 Days". He says the critics are wrong, it was fantastic movie!! He can't wait until it's out in video!! Our dinner at Animator's Palate was amazing! Emma had a hard time eating because she was so intent on the color changing pictures. Mike and Emma opted out of the Golden Mickeys show. I thought it was great! Of course I cried!! Went back to the cabin to pick up my "dates" and we danced like fools at the sail away celebration. We could not stay awake long enough to enjoy the midnight buffet. What a day!!!
Day 7 was our sea day. We spent lots of time at the Mickey Pool (are ya seeing a pattern here? Emma loved the Mickey pool. She could swim without her "floaties" on!) We went to towel folding class and a culinary show. Emma and I went to the Oceaneer's Lab and made Flubber. Yuck!! We took in the matinee showing of Disney Dreams. WOW!!!! Bring the kleenex. I think it was the best of the shows!! Even Emma cried. (We must be related!!) Had our last meal with our wonderful servers Christian and Hank, and we all cried as Emma gave them their tips and final hugs and kisses!! We picked up our photos at Shutters and our pillow cases @ guest services and headed to the cabin to pack up! How SAD!!! I cried all the way through the Farewell Show and when the CM's sang and signed the "Now it's time to say good-bye to all our company..." I was blubbering!!! I shook off the pixie dust all the way back to the cabin and cried myself to sleep!
Day 8 D-Day!! Our breakfast assigned time was 6:45 a.m. YAWN!!! We ate hurriedly and said final good-byes to our table mates and the staff. We were off the ship by 8:00 a.m. and at the airport by 9:30 a.m. Our return flight had a 45 min. delay so we grabbed lunch and chilled out for a while. Flight home was perfect and it was wonderful to be hugging my DD, SIL and our month old DGD Sophie Grace!!!
This is my short list of disappointments:
1. I didn't see any fellow DISers in the parks nor on the ship!
2. The gift shop and Shutters have too limited hours (6-11 p.m.) for the size of the shops. They were so crowded that I felt clastrophobic!! (But I did managed to spend toooo much $$$$$ at both places!)
3. The farewell Show is scheduled too late (10:00 p.m.) for the little ones. There were so many tired, grumpy,crying children (my DGD included) that it sorta ruined the "magic".
All in all, I can safely say it was the most memorable vacation I have ever had. (Besides the May Day Falls trip!!) I can hardly wait for the big Panama Canal cruise in August 2005!!
Sorry this is so long!! I wanted to keep it all in one thread. If anyone has any questions I'd be more than happy to answer them!! Thanks to all of you for all the helps and tips!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!
Lynda
I'm glad to hear that they are still signing pillowcases. I thought I recently read a post here that said they stopped this service. My daughters will be thrilled to get them. 
