Sept 19th,2004 revisited.....

[taeja71]

O.k., I just went through most of our Sept. 19th Wonder anyone pages e-mailing or PM our cruise group about our thread still being alive. I've asked if they will post their pre cruise stories. Hopefully, those I wrote will check our thread and reply. If not, I may get reported and blocked from the DIS system! Just kidding! (I hope-that's the Eeyore in me talking). I'm not going to post again (for the next 30 sec. any way). he he he

 

[ericamanda01]

I have alot of homework for my business class so I can't give a short cruise report but I did notice that (Gasp) our thread has fallen to the second page! So I am bumping it back up. I will return asap to give a small report! So for now BUMP BUMP BUMP BUMP BUMP BUMP BUMP! By the way I have become addicted to reruns of Gilmore girls! I just wanted you all to know that incase I seem to be posting less!!!

 

[taeja71]

O.k., I think I chased every one away with asking them to post their pre cruise stories....

I'm wondering how the Disney resort in North Carolina compares w/ DCL? Is the resort themed to the gills or what?

My daughter's been watching her Cinderella tape and the first commerical is about WDW. During the commerical the phone rings and Googy says, 'yuk yuk its time to wake up'. So, Mickey's on DCL, Goofy's at WDW (or at least he was on the commercial), here's the question, ARE THERE DIFFERENT DISNEY CHARACTER WAKE UP CALLS AT EACH DISNEY PROPERTY (ie: Minnie at DW, Donald at AKL....)? Make SEnSe?

 

[mom2sean_n_alex]

Originally posted by taeja71
I'm wondering how the Disney resort in North Carolina compares w/ DCL? Is the resort themed to the gills or what?

There is a Disney Resort in NC??? WHERE!?!?! I'm in NC! Never heard of it! Details!! I need DETAILS!

 

[taeja71]

Whoops! O.k., It's the Disney Resort at Hilton Head, South Carolina...doh! Sorry to get your hopes up Sean&Alex's mom... Wrong Carolina, I'm sorry!

 

[ericamanda01]

I love all the Disney charaters but I don't think it would be the same if it weren't Mickey calling.

 

[dzneprincess]

Been out of a computer for a few days so I havnet been able to post to our thread!!

 

[dzneprincess]

OK, on to embarktion day. We woke early at the ASmusic. We promptly packed up and headed to the port. We got to PC at about 9am way to early to head to the port. DH was hungry so we stopped at Mcds so he could get some coffee and a biscuit.Then we went to Eckerds to get my DH,(whom I asked for an hour the day before to get a magazine or a book) some reading material. Yeesh, husbands huh? But I kinda like him, I will keep him around for awhile, I suppose Anywho, we got in the terminal, and there were all kinds of people, but no one in line! Guess where I took my fat butt???????????????? To the very front of the line! yipee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[taeja71]

embarkation day...embarkation day...I'll have to get back to you guys on that.

I received an e-mail from Webmaster Alex. Luckily, he/she sent the message accidentally. For a minute I thought it was my DIS notice. Whew!

 

[ericamanda01]

Embarkation day was great. DH and I stayed at POP which was slowly growing louder and louder due to the weekend crowd. Well we checked out, after searching the gift shop for anything I may have missed. Stepped outside to overwelming humidity to see our driver from Cartier towncar waiting for us 20 minutes early. We took as a sign of good things to come. To be honest with you after waiting 3 years to get back on board I would have walked barefoot to the port! But an airconditioned towncar was much better! I was looking around trying to see the first glimse of the ship and was starting to get mad. I really wanted to see it and DH knew this. Then as I was about to ask if we were going the right direction DH pointed out that if I looked to my left I might be happy. YEAH HAPPY!!!!!!! So happy in fact I started to cry! DH just held my hand tight and smiled! We arrived about 11:00 and the terminal was full. I didn't think it would be so full so early. So I finished our paperwork, which I forgot to do at home, and we looked at the line. I told DH I was not going to wait in that long line, to which he said we have no choice. (I was being a little evil at the moment) I said "Oh yeah, watch this", I walked over and show our Castaway Club card without DH seeing and was told to go to an empty line. DH looked at me with amazement. I later told him and said he really thought I knew something no one else there did! So we checked in and the cast member who helped us said that our reservation was for our honeymoon. We both smiled and said yes, to which she said well you don't need to wait in line. She came around the counter and walked us up to the front of the line to board. It was cool, she was asking people to move because the bride and groom were coming through! To be continued...

 

[dzneprincess]

Hey you! You never told me that!!!! And here I thought I was the first DISer on board!!!! No fair keeping secrets!

 

[ladypoo]

We got to the port. Parked the car. Didnt expect to have to do that. My brother lives just up the road in Titusville, he was going to take us, but those hurricanes made other plans. Off he had gone up to the Panhandle. So we get the stuff unloaded, No help from the porters. I left Dom and Misti at the curb and went over to park the car. When I got back over to the teminial, they were talking to Ms Jacqui. Little did I know she was the cruise director. Instant friendship for Dominique. We got on in line and into the terminal, up the escalator and into the document line. All of ours were filled out, so it didnt take much time. We had an extra copy of a notarized form so we could take Dom with us. "OH, we dont need that one, just the one that comes with the documents". Thanks. Didnt take long to get registered. After we got that out of the way, Donald Duck had came out. Took pictures with him, then boarding had been started. We got in line. It wasnt too long, we again saw Ms Jacqui. she was right in front of us. Dominique was in heaven. Went through the mouse ears and onto the concourse thingy. Stopped and took the embarkation photo,(it turned out pretty good). Up the gang plank and onto the ship we were. "let us welcome the xxxx and xxx family onto the Wonder." Dom was amazed. From then on it was fabulous. Made our way up to Topsiders and ate lunch. Got through and by then it was 130 rooms were available. Down to the state room. Unloaded our carry on and hung out our door magnet. Took a few pics of dom being silly in the stateroom. Stayed there for a few mins then up to the 9th deck. Wandered around abit , by then it was almost time for the life jacket drill. Got those gathered up and down to Animators Palate we went. Took the obligatory photos and got all that out of the way. Back to our room shedding the life jackets in route. Put them up and then back to the goofy pool area for the sail away party. That is where Dom met Sam and had a blast dancing and catching the streamers. It was hot we had forgotten to pack swim suits in our carry on, so headache city. Nausea and all that jazz. Back to the room for a nap. We slept for a while, and then it was time for our supper. Animators palate. APTA rotation. More later. Patty

 

[ladypoo]

Forgot to say have posted more Pictures of Dominique in her halloween dress. We (mom and I ) made her a classic Minnie dress for her to wear. She took it to WDW last week for the MNSSHP.

 

[ericamanda01]

We've fallen and I will bring us back up! BUMP! Who's ready for christmas? I can't believe that it is sooo close! I live for christmas usually but this year we have so much going on, ie. the wedding, honeymoon, and going back to school after 12 years. Every year I use eggnog for my coffee ( non-alcohalic of corse ) and low and behold Costco had it yesterday when we went shopping!!! So here I sit with an extra hour of sleep drinking my nogffee (DH's name for my holiday coffee) happy as a clam! Here's wishing everyone who reads this rambling a great sunday!!!

 

[mom2sean_n_alex]

We stayed at a hotel in Cocoa Beach. We got up early... too excited to sleep. Everyone got showers, and dressed and we were ready to go by 8:00am... Knowing that was way too early to leave we walked to Burger King, got breakfast, and then walked to the beach, took a few more pictures before we went back to the room to pack up the van, and get our carry on's situated. We hung out in the room a little bit longer, watching the weather channel as they had news from home. Peek's Creek (NC) is about 90 min west of our home, and they suffered horridly during the flooding and lost several lives, and over 30 homes in one incident! They had some footage that brought tears to my eyes. It was sooooo devastating! We watched a little bit more of the news, and I was in contact with my mom (via text messaging) about what we were watching - they were still in NC without power (lost it on Thurs this was Sun....)

We packed the van, loaded up the kids, drove around the front to check out. After that we drove to Wal-greens picked up some last minute items that DH & I thought of while sitting in the hotel room. We drove to port, and arrived about 15 min prior to it actually opening! So they sent us to park with another vehicle and wait.... it went by quickly, as we sat starring in awe at the beautiful ship infront of us! Alex had fallen asleep, and Sean was busy talking about the ship and everything he could see! We were given the signal, and pulled up 2nd in line, showed our IDs, drove around to where we were to drop off our luggage. We dropped it off, and DH & Sean stayed with the luggage while ALex and I went to park the van. I cleaned out every trace of crumbs in the car, threw away the trash and Alex and I were given a ride in a golf cart over to the port! It was very nice of the woman to do that for us! The magic had started! LOL We met up with Sean & DH and went into the terminal. The terminal was awe inspiring for sure! IT was gorgeous! We walked right up to an empty line, our paper work was complete and we had our KTTW cards in no time flat. We found a seat (next to the MMear entrance) and waited... the boys and I walked around exploring things and sitting for a few min. We made sure to go potty so our 4 year old wouldn't have to do that before we got in line! Took lots of pictures and for waiting had a great time! The line to embark was beginning to fill up, so I secured us a spot in line (we were still within the ropes). Then Mickey came out. We went ahead and skipped visiting with MIckey, we knew we would have plenty of opportunity on board! The line started moving, and we were probably in the first 150 people on board! We had our embarkation photo done, and our names were announced in this beautiful atrium! It was all so surreal! DH & I neither one had ever expericened anything like this! A CM was walking with us explaining a few things and pointed us to Beach Blanket (which was where I had planned on heading anyway!). We got our lunch - DH was THRILLED with the buffet and sitting outside. He who speaks very little about how he really feels about things was pretty much gushing LOL We enjoyed a lovely lunch on the deck in the sun, watching the port and everything that was going on! The kids ate a big lunch. When everyone was done we set off to sign the boys up for the club & nursery. First we stopped at the club, Sean had a ball exploring the club while I signed him up. He wanted to come back right away!! Then we headed to the nursery to sign up Alex. I chose some time slots, and signed him up and looked around. Found out later that we did manage to get the time slots we asked for! By that time we headed to our room, it wasn't quite ready so we parked our carry ons and let the boys climb on the stairs. Finally it was 1;30 and our room was ready. We got to the room, opened the door and for the second time today we were starring in awe at our room! At this point the boys took a short nap. I walked up and took the spa tour, knowing that I didn't have the extra $$ for services, I wanted to see the tour LOL Then I went back to the room to find the boys awake. We then went to explore the ship. We wandered around looking everywhere at everything we could think of! We headed up to decks 9 & 10 to take in the views! It was way too cool! Then we headed back down to our room to get our life jackets, it was almost time for the drill. We gathered up the jackets and headed to the WD Theater to our station. Sean pitched a HORRIBLE fit as he did NOT want to put the jacket on. The CM was really nice and said we didn't need to make him do it. I had tons of plans ot take some funny pictures of the drill but that didn't happen because of Sean's fit. I only have one picture from the dril.... oh well! Once the drill was over we headed back to the room, stored the jackets and grabbed the cameras and headed back up on deck to the Sail away party! We chose to view the party from deck10 I just didn't think the boys would enjoy the crowd. So the boys had a great time dancing and watching everything that was going on! The Carnival Fantasy started moving out, and the boys were vibrating with excitement watching this other ship move out... it wasn't even ours yet LOL. DH video taped the Fantasy moving out... .and I caught a picture of a rainbow! I could see both ends of the rainbow right there in port! I knew seeing that rainbow meant this was the beginning of a trip of a lifetime! I was moved almost to TEARS!!! (I dare not shed the tears DH would laugh LOL ) Then it was OUR turn to set sail! We caught the ships horn on video and mpeg! The streamers were flying around it was all very very exciting! The boys were beside themselves running to the railling to see the ship starting to move! We walked to the starboard side of the ship to take pictures of the other ship (Mariner of the Seas) and the terminal! We waved like mad at anyone who was looking in our direction!! Caught the horn 2 more times on mpeg too! Wooo hoo! WE were on our way! We stayed on deck for a bit longer, until we had made the turn south out into the ocean. At this point we wandered around the ship a bit more before heading back to our room to get ready for dinner. Sean wanted to go to his club, so we dropped him off. We headed to Animators Palate (we were on the APTA rotation too!) for dinner. DH had waited be hind in the room. I called him to come meet us for dinner.... he couldn't find it! So he went back to the room..... sigh... that was a down moment on our trip because we were both upset that the day hadn't gone COMPELTELY as planned! Sean was ready to be picked up from the club, so ALex and I went to pick him up and went back to AP to finish our dinner. Got back to the room, DH was asleep, so the boys and I went to bed. All in all it was a FABULOUS day! We were ready for more excitement!!!!

Well... there's our embarkation day story! Next we'll have to start putting up our Day at Sea stories!!!!!

 

[dzneprincess]

great story jennifer! Were you all on deck 10 forward for the pull off? My Dh and I were! We may nave been next to each other and not even known it! LOL
Amanda, my mothers mom used to tell us she was making "coffee with a little something in it"

 

[taeja71]

You get a bump from me for the weekend. We've been real busy and I've been real tired. Post you all later!

 

[mom2sean_n_alex]

DH is addicted! He comes home on the weekends now and logs on to twopalms to watch the Magic or Wonder leave port! He keeps asking me how we want to do the next cruise! So we're thinking of letting the deposit be our Christmas to each other!!! Wooooo HOOOOOOO!!!!!!! The kids ask everyday aobut going on the big boat! Guess it doesn't help that we have the CC screensaver loaded! LOL

Sean likes to watch the DVD vacation planning guide!

Just had to share and bump us up a bit!

 

[taeja71]

Originally posted by mom2sean_n_alex
DHHe keeps asking me how we want to do the next cruise!

LUCKY FAMILY! HAPPY PLANNING! e:

 

[Krystina'sMommy]

Ok, finally, here it is...............


Got up early (WHO COULD SLEEP????????) & got dressed while DH & DD were dead asleep. Finally, DH & DD got up. We met my sister & her DH in the lobby (stayed @ Marriot Orlando Airport) & proceeded to have the breakfast buffet there. After finishing breakfast we loaded DS(isters) luggage and ourselves into the rental car & drove to the port. We got there just after 11:00 (if I remember correctly). DH dropped us off curbside (along with the luggage) & he was off to return the rental car. DS, Krystina & I proceeded to the terminal. No sooner had we stepped into the terminal when DD proceeded to announce she needed a potty break. Well, that's where I met my first fellow DIS'er (dodle)! Then off we were to get in line for our KTTW cards (after being stopped by the CM who checked our docs & cut them out of the book). We didn't wait long for the next CM, but actually getting our KTTW cards was a different story! We got a very friendly (but elderly) gentleman who was not very sure of anything. Probably didn't help that our party had 2 different last names! He kept checking things over with the CM next to him. Finally, we got our KTTW cards & were off into the boarding line (which was a bit long by then). It was about that time DH arrived back from Budget & I told him which CM was holding his KTTW card. Didn't take long for HIM to get his card. While waiting in line, I kept having to call after Krystina & it was then that I met the 2nd DISer. Someone in the party directly infront of us turned around and very politely asked my sister if she was Krystina's Mommy. My sister pointed to me. Faith (lilpooter) then introduced herself (we had communicated quite a bit thru email before the trip, so it was very nice to finally meet in person!) Shortly after that I noticed Captain Mickey was out & so DH, DD & I went to get inline to get a picture while DS stayed in the boarding line. Well, when it was finally Krystina's turn, she decided she did not want to have her picture taken with MICKEY! So, I had to carry her & get in the picture too. Needless to say, it didn't turn out too well.

Actual boarding seemed to go pretty fast. Krystina did not want to follow the line, though, & kept trying to go under the ropes. I forgot to take a picture as we approached the big Mickey ears !
I do remember seeing Amanda & DH (ericamanda01) in the line as we were boarding. I first noticed them because I thought Amanda's hair looked really cute, but then recognized Eric from the wedding picture. Did not actually meet them, though until Nassau day (saving that story for another post ). Back to embarkation day............... our embarkation photo didn't turn out too well, but finally they announced the Chapa and DeHaven (my sister) family from TEXAS & we tried to take in the beauty of the ship! We headed up to Deck 9, but decided we were not hungry yet, so DH headed of to ESPN ZONE (his home away from home). My sister, Krystina & I hung out by the goofy pool for a few minutes as we planned out the rest of our day with the Navigator. We then went to change to our dinner assignment (got early despite several requests for late), make Palo reservations & sign up Krystina for the club. By then we were hungry & headed to Parrot Cay, but were instead directed to Beach Blanket were we met DH. After lunch, DH head BACK to ESPN Zone & DS, Krystina & I headed to our stateroom. We unpacked, put up our signs & just enjoyed the verandah until it was time for the safety drill. After safety drill, we went back to our stateroom to drop off the life jackets & then headed up to Deck 9 for the sailaway party. DH stayed for a few minutes then went back to ESPN zone (I'm used to being a "football widow @ home, don't know why I thought it might be different while on vacation! Guess he figured he'd give me some time to spend with my sister). Anyway, after the sail away it was back to the stateroom until time for the show. We really enjoyed Hercules. After the show we went back to the stateroom to change for dinner & to my surprise, DH was already there. I thought I was gonna have to hunt him down!!!!!!!!! Anyway, first dinner was Animator's Palate. Took Krystina to the club as soon as she was done eating then came back to finish my dinner. After dinner we went down Route 66. Enjoyed what was left of Dueling Pianos, then headed over to Wavebands. We left Wavebands to head back for the next FULL set of Dueling Pianos. Had just gotten my very tasty PINA COLADA when I got THE PAGE. Got brain freeze from chugalugging my drink (could NOT let it go to waste!) and then went to pick up Krystina. That was the end of our first day.

If you read thru the whole thing, THANKS! If you couldn't quite make it, don't worry, I almost gave up several times trying to write it!