Parrotheader
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2002
- Messages
- 178
This covers the 7-day land/sea vacation of Keith and Holly from Birmingham, AL as told by Keith (Parrotheader.) Were both 26 with kids still a couple years away. Holly had previously been to Disney World twice (one trip she was too young to remember) and Keith had been 5 times. We're BOTH cruise rookies. Pictures of our trip can also be found at:
http://www.luckie.net/disney/
Day 9 Time to go home.
Sunday, June 2
Once again, we woke up (bright and early) as the ships motion slowed down for docking. We showered and got ready for our breakfast for the second seating. We explored the ship just a bit more and took a few last pictures before heading off to breakfast. We were sad, but at this point resigned to the fact that it was time to get back to reality. The fact that Hollys a teacher and still has her whole summer to look forward to made it even easier for her which was nice since shes by nature more worrisome and stress prone than myself.
We actually ate in our assigned restaurant this time (we usually had lunch at Topsiders) so we could see our server team one more time. We ate light and just hung around until we felt it was ok to leave. Technically according to the debriefing meeting the previous afternoon, I think we were supposed to wait until roughly 8:30-8:45, but we finished breakfast quickly and decided to head on out around 8:20. We BREEZED through debarkation and were in the parking lot with our bags 5 minutes after wed left Parrots Cay. Wow! In fact, I was a bit disturbed by how easily we passed through customs who didnt even look at ANYTHING, ourselves included.
Back on the highway and we were at Orlando International in no time. We were about 2.25 hours early for our flight and it was a busy day, but we still had plenty of time to kill after going through the lines of security. We had lunch and then caught our flight to Charlotte. Once again, we had another two hour layover (this is what happens when you book your flight 5 months in advance and the airlines change your flights about 5 times during the interim.) So we killed time by looking through some of the photos on my digital camera and reading. We also called my parents to make sure theyd be there to pick us up in Birmingham.
We caught the flight home and after an hour we were back home in Birmingham around 5:00. We went out to dinner with our parents and then it was back to the house where our dog Tucker was there waiting for us (our parents took care of him the week we were away in case you missed the first part.) Its amazing how much easier he made it to come home.
Our film was immediately sent off for development the next day and I was viewing my digital camera photos on one of my computers within 5 minutes of being in the house. The film came back later that week and I started scanning the next weekend. It took a couple days to get the 400+ pictures organized and culled into a reasonable number. I then set about building a web site to share the pictures with our friends and family (as well as for our own memories.)
It was a great trip and we had a WONDERFUL time. Wed definitely like to do it again some time soon and would highly recommend it to other couples (in fact were hoping we can maybe go again with my brother once he gets engaged or married sometime in the next couple years.) Even though Disney is synonymous with kids and families, young couples without kids can still have a GREAT time. Because the vast majority of Disney visitors ARE families (but Disney still has to offer activities and areas for adults) the adult areas are typically much less crowded and relaxing. Two thumbs up.
http://www.luckie.net/disney/
Day 9 Time to go home.
Sunday, June 2
Once again, we woke up (bright and early) as the ships motion slowed down for docking. We showered and got ready for our breakfast for the second seating. We explored the ship just a bit more and took a few last pictures before heading off to breakfast. We were sad, but at this point resigned to the fact that it was time to get back to reality. The fact that Hollys a teacher and still has her whole summer to look forward to made it even easier for her which was nice since shes by nature more worrisome and stress prone than myself.
We actually ate in our assigned restaurant this time (we usually had lunch at Topsiders) so we could see our server team one more time. We ate light and just hung around until we felt it was ok to leave. Technically according to the debriefing meeting the previous afternoon, I think we were supposed to wait until roughly 8:30-8:45, but we finished breakfast quickly and decided to head on out around 8:20. We BREEZED through debarkation and were in the parking lot with our bags 5 minutes after wed left Parrots Cay. Wow! In fact, I was a bit disturbed by how easily we passed through customs who didnt even look at ANYTHING, ourselves included.
Back on the highway and we were at Orlando International in no time. We were about 2.25 hours early for our flight and it was a busy day, but we still had plenty of time to kill after going through the lines of security. We had lunch and then caught our flight to Charlotte. Once again, we had another two hour layover (this is what happens when you book your flight 5 months in advance and the airlines change your flights about 5 times during the interim.) So we killed time by looking through some of the photos on my digital camera and reading. We also called my parents to make sure theyd be there to pick us up in Birmingham.
We caught the flight home and after an hour we were back home in Birmingham around 5:00. We went out to dinner with our parents and then it was back to the house where our dog Tucker was there waiting for us (our parents took care of him the week we were away in case you missed the first part.) Its amazing how much easier he made it to come home.
Our film was immediately sent off for development the next day and I was viewing my digital camera photos on one of my computers within 5 minutes of being in the house. The film came back later that week and I started scanning the next weekend. It took a couple days to get the 400+ pictures organized and culled into a reasonable number. I then set about building a web site to share the pictures with our friends and family (as well as for our own memories.)
It was a great trip and we had a WONDERFUL time. Wed definitely like to do it again some time soon and would highly recommend it to other couples (in fact were hoping we can maybe go again with my brother once he gets engaged or married sometime in the next couple years.) Even though Disney is synonymous with kids and families, young couples without kids can still have a GREAT time. Because the vast majority of Disney visitors ARE families (but Disney still has to offer activities and areas for adults) the adult areas are typically much less crowded and relaxing. Two thumbs up.
My husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary by taking a 7-night Magic cruise and we had the best vacation we'd ever had! I had done a lot of research before deciding on the Magic, and we certainly were not disappointed. Lots of things for adults to do, and the adult pool area on the ship is wonderful, plus we enjoyed a lot of activities in the Rockin' D bar after the nightly shows too. We're booked on another Magic trip, and can hardly wait to go back!! I also enjoyed reading about your stay at WDW, as we stayed there too before our cruise, 4 nights at the Contemporary. We had been to WDW several times, but never stayed on-site. Thanks again for taking time to post your report! 
