PLEASE! Whistle while you work Update Day 6 - 06/16

[Wicket's Mom]

I'm all caught up! I just love the cabana a great place to spend when at the beach!

We didn't do any swimming at the beach because the water was too choppy. Besides hundreds of sharks were migrating along the coastlines, I don't mix swimming & sharks!

Love the Eggs Benedict, one of my favorite breakfasts when on vacation. Wonderful that you got your favorite server after all.

Waiting for more fun updates.

 

[michelle9343]

PALO BRUNCH LOOKED ABSOLUTELY DIVINE!!!! I really hope to get into palo some day.
I have to say it was really nice to see a photo since he is usually at the other end on the camera.
The overlook looks beautiful I can not imagine it at sunset

 

[scottny]

Great update and pics.

Looks so relaxing to just sit outside and have a snack and watch the waves go by.

 

[annmarieda]

Oh my, how cool to see the outlook all empty like that....

then the drinks you had at the cove cafe look quite yummy!

 

[MDennis28]

I'm grabbing popcorn and settling in for a great read!

 

[dizneeat]

I'm all caught up! I just love the cabana a great place to spend when at the beach!

We didn't do any swimming at the beach because the water was too choppy. Besides hundreds of sharks were migrating along the coastlines, I don't mix swimming & sharks!

Love the Eggs Benedict, one of my favorite breakfasts when on vacation. Wonderful that you got your favorite server after all.

Waiting for more fun updates.

Yeah, great to know you are all caught up!
We just love our Cabana when we are at CC. Such a wonderful retreat.

Swimming with sharks, Doris, not my idea of fun either.

I only have Eggs Benedict when on vacation. They are the PERFECT vacation breakfast. Especially at Disney, where there are no calories in them.

PALO BRUNCH LOOKED ABSOLUTELY DIVINE!!!! I really hope to get into palo some day.
I have to say it was really nice to see a photo since he is usually at the other end on the camera.
The overlook looks beautiful I can not imagine it at sunset

Palo is really wonderful, so quiet and peaceful, with a wonderful view of the ocean. Not to mention that the food is divine!

Overlook is beautiful. We hope to catch it open one of these days, so we can enjoy a nice drink AND a sunset.

Great update and pics.

Looks so relaxing to just sit outside and have a snack and watch the waves go by.

Thanks.
That is what we love about our cruising vacations, even though there are so many guests on board, you can always have a nice, quiet, peaceful time out on the veranda.

Oh my, how cool to see the outlook all empty like that....

then the drinks you had at the cove cafe look quite yummy!

It was wonderful to have the Outlook all to ourselves. Disney really did a great job with it. Now, to only catch it open ......

We just love the Cove Cafe. They really have wonderful coffee creations in there and some yummy sweet treats as well.

I'm grabbing popcorn and settling in for a great read!

I am hoping to be able to update when I get home from work!

 

[dizneeat]

Half term vacation 2013, Feb 16 - Feb 24

Day 5, February 20

“See you in Austria” - part 3

Since there was still time to do so, I continued to pack some more things until it was time to get dressed for dinner.
Dinner was at the Enchanted Garden again and we arrived there right on time and were quickly led to our table, where Ana was already waiting. We sat down, ordered some Diet Coke and waited for our friends to arrive. It didn’t take long and they were led to our table as well. We all shared a lot of laughs and chatted with Ana quite a bit.



And while we were chatting we found out that the nice family at the table next to us, who had very well mannered children, was actually part of our Fish Extender group. Soon our starters arrived at the table. Tom had opted for the



Romaine Wedge, fresh crisp romaine topped with creamy Romano dressing and homemade spiced croutons, while I had what I had already tasted during the cooking presentation,



the North Atlantic Lobster Ravioli with roasted garlic and sweet basil in a light tomato broth. Since we had a lot to talk about we were some of the last people to receive their entrees. Tom had ordered



the Caramelized Sea Scallops with roasted asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, and pearl pasta, garnished with caramelized leeks and veal jus reduction, which he really enjoyed. I was actually quite full after my starter, but one needs to eat a lot while on a cruise, so I had ordered



the Roasted Pork Tenderloin seasoned with Smoked Salt, Citrus flavored polenta cakes and oven roasted carrots, parsnips and caramelized Granny Smith apples. We were all stuffed once we had finished our main courses. Katerina and Dimitrios were a bit in a hurry as they had an appointment with the DVC reps and Tom and I did not feel like dessert, so we said goodbye to Ana





and headed back to our stateroom to finish packing. When we walked into our stateroom we found another fun towel animal, a snake.



We put the last few pieces into our suitcases, then put them outside, just to be told by our stateroom host that it was still a bit early and he would be able to fetch them until 11pm. That meant that we would be able to put them outside once we returned from 687, where we wanted to meet up with Katerina and Dimitrios after their DVC appointment. We arrived at the bar a bit early and ordered our drinks. Tom had



a 687 beer and I ordered



a Strawberry Daiquiri. We sat and enjoyed our drinks while talking about our vacation so far. Around an hour later Katerina and Dimi arrived and they were a bit disappointed.
They both had been ready to join the DVC, but the rep was a bit too pushy and only offered them AKV and the price was a bit too stiff for them. They told us that they had asked about something a bit cheaper and were told there was no such thing. So they left without taking the plunge. We all chatted for a while longer and then headed back to our staterooms.
We put our luggage outside and when we looked about 10 minutes later our suitcases had disappeared. We were sad that our cruise was already coming to an end and sat outside on the veranda for quite some time before we headed inside and got ready for bed. We had changed to early dining and that meant that we had the early breakfast rotation as well.

To be continued ...........

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

The last night on a Disney Cruise has got to be the worst feeling in the world. I can very easily take myself back to our last night, and putting the luggage out for pick up. So, so sad.

 

[jedijill]

I hate the last night!

Too strange about the DVC guide..I've never met one that was pushy...too bad your friends got a dud.

Jill in CO

 

[annmarieda]

What a nice evening with friends.

As for the DVC... as you know I have visited the idea of purchasing each year this time. Now I am going for it... but sadly Disney raised their direct rates by a LOT! I don't blame your friends for not biting....

 

[Linda67]

Hi Karin
Just got back home so I had a lot to catch up on
We can't wait to try the Palo Brunch in June. we've never tried it before
Oh and those Martinis from the Cove Bar look delicious!!

 

[MEK]

Karin -

I am slowly catching up on things but wanted to comment how disappointing it is to hear that your friends didn't have a positive DVC experience. I can't stand pushy guides - anywhere. I hope they can do a little research on their own and perhaps find the contract they are looking for.

Dinner - yum!

 

[marquislaura]

Love reading your trip report. Thanks for taking the time to write it. It's great that so many take the time for us newbeeeeee's.

Going on the 4-day March 2nd 2014 and can't wait!!!!

 

[scottny]

Great update and pics.

They should look at resale for dvc. We did and love it. But now their are restrictions. Still will do it again though.

 

[englishrose47]

I am so getting the Lobster Ravioli and the scallops in 21 days !!!! I am not howver looking forward to the last night

 

[dizneeat]

The last night on a Disney Cruise has got to be the worst feeling in the world. I can very easily take myself back to our last night, and putting the luggage out for pick up. So, so sad.

The last night is NO fun at all. To know that you will have to leave the next morning ..... that's the reason we love to cruise b2b

I hate the last night!

Too strange about the DVC guide..I've never met one that was pushy...too bad your friends got a dud.

Jill in CO

Jill, I am so with you! The last night is the most horrible.

As for the DVC rep - we did have some really pushy ones on cruises. I know they need to sell, but Katarina and Dimi really were ready to take the plunge IF they had been offered something else than AKV.

What a nice evening with friends.

As for the DVC... as you know I have visited the idea of purchasing each year this time. Now I am going for it... but sadly Disney raised their direct rates by a LOT! I don't blame your friends for not biting....

This was our second cruise with Katarina and Dimi and we had so much fun together on both cruises.

And I am glad you are on the way to become a DVC member, Ann!

Hi Karin
Just got back home so I had a lot to catch up on
We can't wait to try the Palo Brunch in June. we've never tried it before
Oh and those Martinis from the Cove Bar look delicious!!

Welcome back, Linda!
Did you enjoy your visit to DL? Is there a TR in the works?

You will LOVE Palo brunch, Linda. Just get there HUNGRY!!!!! They have so many yummy things to sample.
Oh, and get one of those coffee cards (if you have not already ) You will get a free coffee creation after you have collected 6 stamps on your card. Not often that you get something for free from Disney.

 

[dizneeat]

Karin -

I am slowly catching up on things but wanted to comment how disappointing it is to hear that your friends didn't have a positive DVC experience. I can't stand pushy guides - anywhere. I hope they can do a little research on their own and perhaps find the contract they are looking for.

Dinner - yum!

Mary Ellen, that was just how we felt. We had a wonderful rep when we bought and I was hoping their experience would be similar, but I guess they are now doing a little research and maybe will buy resale.

Love reading your trip report. Thanks for taking the time to write it. It's great that so many take the time for us newbeeeeee's.

Going on the 4-day March 2nd 2014 and can't wait!!!!

I am so happy you enjoy reading my trip report. It's kind of paying it forward, as we learned a lot reading boards before we went on our first cruise.

You will love your cruise in March next year. Disney does an awesome job with their cruiseline.

Great update and pics.

They should look at resale for dvc. We did and love it. But now their are restrictions. Still will do it again though.

Thank you!
You know, I think they ARE looking into resale. I hope they will find something that suits them. I always thought DVC was not for us, but since we bought we LOVE every minute of it.

I am so getting the Lobster Ravioli and the scallops in 21 days !!!! I am not howver looking forward to the last night

So envious, Rosie! I wish we could cruise with you in three weeks.
The Lobster Ravioli are SOOOOO good, and be sure to try the double baked cheese souffle, it's to die for!
Last night - nothing to look forward to!

 

[dizneeat]

Half term vacation 2013, Feb 16 - Feb 24

Day 6, February 21

……… another kind of cruise makes our day! - part 1

I was up shortly before 5am and the DREAM was already pulling into Port Canaveral. Our breakfast was supposed to be at 6.45 but we had decided that we would return to our stateroom after breakfast to gather our things, so I went back to bed to sleep until 6am. Around 6.15 we finally got up, took showers and went down to Enchanted Garden for breakfast.
If you have ever been on a Disney cruise you will know that this breakfast is one that you can easily miss and hit Cabanas as well, but since we had been so looking forward to seeing Ana again, and knowing this would be the last time having her as a server, as they will only do one more contract, we had to go to Enchanted Garden.
And even though we arrived there right on time, there was already a lot going on. Katerina and her family arrived at about the same time and we all enjoyed each other’s company for one last time. There was a lot of picture taking and hugging going on





and in the midst of all that we ordered our drinks, orange juice for me and coffee for Tom and our breakfast fare. Tom ordered



the Eggs for the Road, two fried eggs and bacon and he asked for toast instead of hash browns. I ordered



the Route 66, scrambled eggs, bacon, grilled sausage, grilled ham and hash browns. We sat and ate our breakfast, talking about the days that lay behind us and the fun we had had and all too soon it was time for us to hug our servers goodbye and head back to our room.
There we took one more biological break, then checked for forgotten items, walked out onto the veranda, to take in the view one more time and then grabbed our hand luggage and off we went. We walked out and said goodbye to our stateroom host, who had been very nice, then headed over to the midship elevator.
It did not even take long until we found an elevator that had enough space for the two of us and we hopped in. We were shocked when we exited and ran into masses of people trying to exit the ship. We walked around the elevator and found that the end of the line was at the end of the Bon Voyage bar. But there was nothing else to do, so we got in line.
We had just gotten in line when Katerina and her family joined us as well. We waited, moved a little forward and then waited some more. Slowly but steadily we made our way towards the exit. Captain Henry was there to say goodbye to his passengers and after a short while we were signed off the ship and made our way downstairs to the customs area. Tom went to get the suitcases and off we went to join another line, the one for customs. I guess it took us about 15 minutes until we were walking up to an officer and finally out of the terminal.
Both our hearts were heavy because we were not able to just go up the elevator again and go on another cruise, but we will do that in August. We walked over to the elevator up to the walkway, then crossed it and walked up to our car. We loaded everything in the trunk, got in and fixed the GPS. Didn’t take long and we were on our way out of the parking structure, paid for parking and off we went.



Following our GPS Tom took a turn and we ended up in the Carnival parking area. Um, NO, we are wrong here. So off we went again and this time hit the right road and were on our way to Walt Disney World. Having left the ship after the early breakfast seating we saw the well loved WDW arch shortly after 10am.





Around 10.30 we parked our car in front of Bay Lake Tower and headed inside to check in. We knew there was no way our room would already be ready, but we wanted to at least drop our luggage there.
We got a very nice lady checking us in and she kept looking if she could find a room that was already ready, but there was none. We got our package and were told to call back to see if our room was ready, but we had other plans anyway. Once we had finished the check in process Tom went to get the car and I waited at the entrance to the hotel. A very nice young cast member helped us getting our luggage out of the car and put it all on one of the luggage cart and when everything was on, I offered the young man a tip. He shook his head and told us that he was not allowed to take one. Now, having read the boards for a few years I had read that if you ask often enough they ARE allowed to take a tip.
So I asked if he was allowed to take it if I was persistant and offered it to him a few times. He looked back at a supervisor who was smiling and nodding her head and so I told him to take it about 5 times in a row and he happily accepted it then. What a stupid rule.
Having gotten rid of the luggage we got into the car and headed out of the hotel parking lot. We were actually ready for lunch and discussed several options, then went with something new, Landscape of Flavours, at the Art of Animation resort. About 15 minutes later we drove up to the resort and at the security booth we were asked why we wanted to enter the resort. Usually if you have a parking pass from one of the more expensive resorts they do not bother, but that security guy was very thorough. But his face lit up when we told him that we had heard good things about the food court and wanted to try it.
We were given directions and about 2 minutes later had parked our car and were on our way over to the restaurant. Since you have to kind of cut through the shop, we made a short pit stop to check out the restaurant and the resort merchandise. They had some pretty cute things and I even bought a paint brush shaped pen. Then it was time to head over to the restaurant. We needed some time to get familiar with the different stations but in the end chose something from the same area. Tom chose



the Pastrami Cheeseburger, topped with pepper jack, tomato, lettuce, and chipotle barbeque sauce on a whole wheat multigrain bread served with house-seasoned fries, while I decided on





the Surf and Surf Burger, Crab Cake topped with fried Popcorn shrimp, tomato, lettuce, and cajun reoulade on a brioche bun served with house-seasoned fries. We picked up two soft drinks and found a table at the back of the seating area. We shared the burgers and they were really tasty, the only downside was that they came in metal baskets and got cold really fast.
While we were sitting there enjoying our lunch we discussed what else we wanted to do. First off we both needed some jeans.

To be continued ...........

 

[Tink rules]

YOU ALWAYS LEAVE ME HANGING AFTER THE FOOD PICTURES!!!!!

 

[Linda67]

We are staying at AoA for a couple of days in December and can't wait to try their food court