Our National Lampoon Christmas Vacation~Day 17

[shadowryter]

I love seeing your family on the Dumbotron!

And it was completely unexpected....I just looked up and there we were.

 

[shadowryter]

Disney Wonder…Day 2...Part 1...Nassau & the Atlantis

We woke up bright and early after a quiet night’s sleep. I stumbled over to the verandah and noticed a small craft moving along beside us. I looked off into the foggy horizon and could just barely make out the image of the Atlantis Resort in the distance. Time to get my camera. I shot a little video and then kept taking stills as we neared the port of Nassau.
Pictures from our verandah

We all got dressed and decided to head for breakfast at the Beach Blanket Buffet. We got our breakfast and DH went off in search of some hot coffee. In the mean while DD and I found a table and as we were about to sit we ran into Made, our server from the night before who helped us our plates and then ran off to get us some coffee. In a bit DH returned with coffee and creamers along with Made so needless to say we got our caffeine fix for the morning. Breakfast was simple but delicious. I had scrambled eggs and a chocolate Mickey waffle, some roasted potatoes and fresh fruit with a blueberry Danish, finishing with some nice OJ and of course, coffee.
Breakfast

After breakfast we took a walk outside as it wasn’t time to go ashore yet. The sun felt so good and the view from the ship was amazing. We also caught a life boat drill with the cm's.
Port of Nassau

Atlantis Resort

Lifeboats in action

Closed-in seating on Wonder

We had a excursion planned for the Atlantis Resort and Aquarium, so when our time neared we went to Wavebands and waited with many others. When it was time to get in line I realized we didn’t have our passports on us and hurried out of there and back in a matter of minutes, thus leaving us at the end of the line. We were given a sticker to wear on our shirts, Gray Pongo, and that was how our tour group was identified. Once we had our stickers it was back into line to get a bracelet and then we were led off the ship after a security check. We all piled into air conditioned buses and our driver gave us a very knowledgeable and at times quite funny tour.
When we arrived at the Atlantis Resort we were dropped off in a mall that connected everything. We met our tour guide and he took us to many of the sights inside the mall as well as the casino. Some sculptures he showed us were upwards of more than a million dollars just for one.
Atlantis Casino sculpture

Once through the casino we headed outside and what appeared to be the back of the resort. We stopped to take some pictures of the hotel, hearing that the Presidential Suite was only about 5,200.00 a night!!!
Atlantis Resort

Sting rays

We descended some stairs and that was where of Aquarium tour began. This was both interesting and very beautiful.
Aquarium

To be continued...

 

[shadowryter]

The tour actually wove in and out of the casino and the mall.
More of the casino

Our tour guide with giant conch

$5200.00 a nite suite

I would have liked to go back once the tour was over but I wasn’t sure this would be allowed but now that I think of it, we had the bracelets so why not? I’ll tell you why. You see as we were going through the casino we noticed the sign that anyone under the age of 18 was not allowed. Well DD is 20 and for her 21stBirthday in September we are taking her to Mohegan Sun in our neck of the woods to celebrate. A legal drink and some slots and with her parents close by. So DH asked if the legal gambling age is 18 what about the drinking age. Yep…that was the same. So the next two hours were spent with DD playing video poker and getting to sit at the bar and order a drink. She had only one, an Apple Mojito, and let’s just say she was very happy after that.
DD with her apply mojito

and a little video poker

Good luck statue in mall

So once I pried them from the casino we wanted to do a little shopping but was hit by sticker shot. (an Atlantis Resort hoodie for $90!!! A t-shirt for $50???) We got back on the bus and hit a little gift shop just outside of the gates to the ship. Spent about 40 bucks and got a lot of nice things.

I took some more pictures before heading back to the ship and then we dropped off our shopping and delivered some more FE gifts. When that was finished we went up to Pluto’s Dog House for some lunch. I got a cheese burger, DD, chicken tenders and DH opted for a couple of brats. We finished off our meal with some ice cream at a self serve station next to Goofy’s Gallery, then for me it was off to find the laundry room but not before taking in the sunset at the Nassau harbor.
Pic's at Nassau harbor

Cheeseburger and fries...too well done for me

Chicken Tenders

Brats

Soft serve ice cream...small...but just enough

Nassau at sunset

Tonight was dress up night and formal pictures would be taken. The last time we had a family picture done was when DD was 10. We were way overdue. I spent about a half an hour locating the laundry room and when I found it. DH went with me and I had to wait for about 20 minutes for a guy to finish his ironing. I had to give him credit. He said it was his first time and had his plus several little shirts and pants. I only had DH’s pants, shirt and tie and I was done within 5 minutes and we were out of there.
Next...OMG...how can you eat that???

 

[MommaMouse411]

linda I love those pictures of the Wonder ....

 

[flafan]

Your report is Great Thanks for posting the Autotrain photos, I have always thought of trying it because we also drive down from Massachusetts (hubby won't fly) I just can't justify the cost. I am so curious to hear more.

Thanks for sharing

 

[MNTwinsMom]

Gorgeous photos of entering the Nassau port! I especially like the lighthouse shots - they're calendar or postcard worthy!

The Atlantis souvenir prices make Disney souvenirs seem like a great deal! I can't imagine paying $90 for a sweatshirt!

Another great update! Thanks for sharing.

 

[GoofyWife]

I just found your trip report today and am loving it; we never drove to Disney when we lived in Massachusetts or New York, but now live in Virginia and its not too bad a drive. I have been trying to get my husband to include St. Augustine in one of our trips and drive route A1A down the coast to see the beaches, but he is not a big Disney fan so I have to plan these trips and try to talk him into it. I am trying to plan a trip next year right after Thanksgiving to see Disney decorated for Christmas. Can't wait to read more of your trip!

 

[Bee]

I am enjoying reading your report. I loved the Wonder...My ex and I took our girls in 2005. They are now 16 and 14 and they still remember and talk about this trip. The shows were great. The only regret I had was we did three days, wish we had done 4.

Funny, even now if asked if we could only do the parks or the cruise... which one would they want... they both choose CRUISE..

Our dream is to go again... but, I need to hit the lottery =0)

Looking forward to reading more.

Bee

 

[shadowryter]

linda I love those pictures of the Wonder ....

Thanks...I only wish my camera was better. I already bought a new one and I'm pretty happy with the results so far.

Your report is Great Thanks for posting the Autotrain photos, I have always thought of trying it because we also drive down from Massachusetts (hubby won't fly) I just can't justify the cost. I am so curious to hear more.

Thanks for sharing

The AutoTrain is a bit pricey but we wanted to try something new and DH just wasn't happy with the long drive especially with his back problems. By the time I added in our stops down and back up the coast, hotel's, food, souvenier's & gas it ended up being less to do the train...go figure.

Gorgeous photos of entering the Nassau port! I especially like the lighthouse shots - they're calendar or postcard worthy!

The Atlantis souvenir prices make Disney souvenirs seem like a great deal! I can't imagine paying $90 for a sweatshirt!

Another great update! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks...I'm glad you like the pictures. I'm also glad that I have a level headed DD that shuddered at the price tag.

I am enjoying reading your report. I loved the Wonder...My ex and I took our girls in 2005. They are now 16 and 14 and they still remember and talk about this trip. The shows were great. The only regret I had was we did three days, wish we had done 4.

Funny, even now if asked if we could only do the parks or the cruise... which one would they want... they both choose CRUISE..

Our dream is to go again... but, I need to hit the lottery =0)

Looking forward to reading more.

Bee

Hi Bee, thanks for reading. I would be completely happy with just doing the cruise.(Ticker is counting down for 2nd one) but DD and DH like the parks especially when there is something new going one every time.

 

[shadowryter]

Disney Wonder…Day 2...Part 2...When did we miss Toy Story???

We all took our time getting ready for dinner but soon it was approaching 7 p.m. and we had planned on having our portrait taken (Okay…I planned) so we all went into last minute rush mode. Now the only problem with taking pictures at 7 p.m. was that Toy Story the Musical was playing at same time. So sadly we missed the show and I had some explaining to do later on. There was a lot going on when we arrived in the atrium. Photographers were setting up in various areas. We first had our picture taken in front of a background of the Wonder. The photographer was great and she posed us in many different ways. Next we had our pictured snapped in front of the grand staircase. The photographer played with DD as he said the young girls are flirtier. Next came the picture in front of the Christmas tree. This was the one I was really looking forward to and then DD spotted Donald Duck, her favorite and I thought it was going to be a shot of only her and Donald but she dragged me into it. I didn’t mind. There were so many more photo op’s but the character lines were so long and soon it was time for dinner at Tritons.

Our tablemates beat us to the table this time and we enjoyed another fantastic dinner. DH was in an incredibly good mood this night and cracked everyone up with his love of the olive spread that no one else seemed to want to even try. Now, I do not care for olives…period and evidentially our table mates Sara, Nancy and Carolyn felt the same. I’ve tried them and don’t like them but DH loves them, on sandwiches, pizza and now a crushed, ugly looking spread that no one wanted. He ate both portions with all of us watching him like he was eating something really gross. He was… in our minds anyway and he played this one to the hilt. Of course little did anyone know that DH had made a bet with me that if he ordered the Escargot I would try it. I did…It was good. Our friends from Minnesota disagreed.

Triton’s Menu

Our Drinks…both very good
Cosmopolitan L’Orange and Imagination

Warm French Country Bread with Olive Spread

DH lovin that olive spread

Appetizers
Applewood Smoked Bacon and Wild Mushroom Tart

Prince Eric’s Escargot Gratinee

Duck Confit

Soup
DH & DD had Chef Louis French Onion Soup

I had Tomato and Basil Soup

Main Courses
DD had the Three Cheese Lobster Macaroni

DH and I had the Tritons Sea Bass over Mushroom Herb Risotto

To be continued....

 

[shadowryter]

Triton’s Dessert Menu

Desserts
DH and DD had the Grand Marnier Soufflé

I had the Chocolate Mousse

Triton’s by far was the best dining experience we had. The food was fantastic. DH made everyone laugh with the olive spread and even made everyone gasp when he offered me a snail and I accepted. It was fun and quite memorable.
When dinner was finished we headed back to our stateroom and was met by this little guy.

We changed into warm clothes and headed for the drink station where we got some tea and hung around to watch some of the Pat’s game on the huge TV screen. It was getting brisk so we walked around the shops and I took some more pictures. One last trip to the top where we said goodbye to Nassau as we were still in the harbor at nearly midnight. Our port stay was until 2 a.m. and I admit I was a little surprised after hearing about the robberies during the day last year and here it was so late. Oh well I guess everything was okay because we never heard of any incidences. We went back to our room and called it a night where I had to explain why we missed Toy Story. Tomorrow was Castaway Cay day and were really looking forward to it.

Bye Bye Nassau

Next….How can it be this cold in the Caribbean???

 

[lucy0558]

We experienced our first Disney cruise on 12/3/10....could not believe the weather. DH said never in December again..beautiful Christmas decorations or not! Luckily, his memory is waning.....booked another for 12/1/2012! Great TR!

 

[shadowryter]

Ours was 12/5/2010, so I feel your pain. But I also have to agree with you...Christmas time is my favoraite time of year for the parks, so the cruise was just that more special. My DH said the same, no more Decembers. I'm hoping since I agreed to go this year in October that when we book the Fantasy on the Dream he will be in such cruise bliss that we will again go in December. Fingers crossed.

 

[MommaMouse411]

linda...I loved the olive dip!!!! lol thats so funny..

I told myself no more Decembers either..but I have a feeling I will do it again..the christmas decorations and the christmas vibe just made this last christmas the best so far..we'll see we'll see.

 

[shadowryter]

linda...I loved the olive dip!!!! lol thats so funny..

I told myself no more Decembers either..but I have a feeling I will do it again..the christmas decorations and the christmas vibe just made this last christmas the best so far..we'll see we'll see.

I know what you mean. I love the Christmas Season but thought we'd try Halloween this time. Already planning on MNSSHP. Can't wait. Hopefully we'll book the Fantasy and by then I'll be able to convince DH to return for Christmas time.

 

[shadowryter]

Sorry for the delays all but I needed to upload my photos and catch up with my threads. So here we go.

Disney Wonder...Day 3...Castaway Cay day…Part One

DH and DD slept in a little bit this morning but I was up early as usual. I tiptoed past DD and went quietly to the verandah. You could see Castaway Cay in the distance not to mention a beautiful sunrise. It was a tad cold I thought but after all it was still pretty early in the morning so I wasn’t too concerned. I took some pictures as the Wonder approached, stopping to notice the unusually tall palm tree which stood out like a sore thumb. I got ready and woke DD so she could hop in the shower. None of us were hungry so we skipped breakfast looking forward to a nice lunch on the island.
Our approach to CC

As we got closer I could see the dock and all the hustling to get ready for us. There were forklifts moving stacks of pallets with what not on them and many people running around. Within minutes it was all clear and all you could see was the huge Christmas tree and Mr and Mrs Snowman with bubbles floating in the air. I looked over and saw the hull of the Flying Dutchman standing in shallow water her mast and bow laying on the ground in a crumpled heap. So sad to see this as we were all really looking forward to seeing her in person.
RIP Flying Dutchman

We all headed out to disembark the Wonder and take in the beauty called Castaway Cay. Once through security we were outside and the warm sun greeted us and it felt so nice. That lasted only until the sun disappeared behind the clouds and the shocking reality that was about 52 degrees. Now we are from Massachusetts and were used to this kind of weather but not in the middle of the Bahamas. Not when your planning to dip you toes into the warm water which didn’t seem so warm at the moment and the wind chill left something not to be desired. We walked around a bit and had our pictures taken in front of the Christmas tree and with the Wonder. DD and I did dipped our toes into the sea only to run back out like a couple of children from the cold bite which was more like Cape Cod in late fall. At this time I made the painful decision that we had to go back to the ship and at least get a hoodie before we were to embark on our bicycle tour of the island.

Some shots of the Wonder

We were only gone about a half and hour and returned to find a line forming to have a picture taken with Captain Jack Sparrow so we made a detour through some trees and got into line noticing that there seemed to be more adults than kids waiting. Finally it was our turn and even DH loved getting into this one. The guy played a great Jack Sparrow but he looked more like Will Turner. With some small talk with Jack and our pic’s taken it was time to ride some bikes. We handed in our vouchers and went to pick them out. Nothing fancy here, folks. No hand brakes just a plain ole bike and I had not ridden one in over 40 years. DD took off followed by DH who was a little wobbly but okay. Then there was me…I was beginning to think that maybe this was a mistake. They say you never forget. Boy were they wrong. I wobbled and swayed…stopped and started and just when I thought I had gotten the hang of it…boom…down I went taking DH with me. Did I also mention that though I was wearing a warm hoodie I was also still wearing my flip flops? Note to self never wear flip flops when you have not ridden a bike in twice the age of your daughter. By the time we made it to the overlook I was huffing and sore. My bike kept making a bang sound and DH realized that the chain guard was rubbing against the chain something he fixed easily. We made it to the overlook tower and crawled up the many stairs to a lovely view. Funny seeing the Wonder in the distance…she looked like she was wading in a see of grass and shrubs. After the overlook we headed to the point of the island. This was the halfway point of our trek and had a breathtaking view.
Our pic with Jack and some island shots

Pelican Plunge...kind of vacant

View from outlook

Outhouse in the middle of nowhere

To be continued....

 

[shadowryter]

View at the end of the bike path

By the time we headed back I finally had the hang of it and I was peddling like a pro. All too soon our little journey was over, bikes were back in the rack and now it was time for some lunch. We originally planned to go to the adult section of the beach but somehow ended at Cookies Two. Not even sure where Cookies One was. This was a help yourself all you care too eat buffet. There was lots to choose from and plenty of it. Once we filled our plates and cups we headed to the open pavilion where picnic tables were set up throughout. It was a bit brisk but the food was warm momentarily and so good.

Mahi-mahi, tomatoes with some sort of dressing, ribs (yummy), cornbread, BBQ chicken, corn on the cob and some kind of little banana fritter

Fresh fruit

Of course Cookie’s cookie. (these were great, we took some to go)

After lunch we took a stroll on over to the Head’s Up Bar where DH and I got a Konk Kooler and DD opted for a Sprite. The sun kept dipping in and out teasing us with warmth and then chill. We did a little bit of shopping, and noticed how people were buying hoodies and such just to keep warm. I chatted with the cashier who was obviously frozen and said they she was selling war clothing left and right. We decided to take the tram to the next stop on our way back and saw a young man sitting behind the counter of an information booth. He had wrapped towels around his shoulders and his arms trying to make a make shift jacket to keep warm. I felt so bad for him. Next stop was the Family Beach and we looked around a bit mostly for gift shops before heading back to the ship. The sun was out and it was a nice walk back, stopping to take in the scenery and some photo op’s. The one photo op missing was the Flying Dutchman, so sad not to see that. But later I had to laugh because our picture with Jack said Flying Dutchman. Must have been hiding in the trees. LOL
Heads Up Bar and Konk Cooler...Yum

A little breeze

Tram stop

More island shots(so hard to narrow these down)

Everything canceled due to the weather

The only things open

Sign says it all

Next…What do Princes & Princesses have to do with Pirates????

 

[goingsouth]

Thanks for the excellent trip report! Another Baystater here. We are thinking about that auto train...I hope the return trip was a little more enjoyable!


joanne

 

[shadowryter]

Welcome joanne and thanks for reading. I would do the Auto Train again but it looks like DH wants to fly next time ...Not my thing but I'll try.

 

[MNTwinsMom]

Wow! Even when it's cold and windy Castaway Cay is gorgeous. Looks like you had a great time on the island even if you couldn't enjoy the beach and swimming. Thanks for another great update!