Spontaneous Combustion is Not an Option! PTR - Dream Sept. 1st (UPDATED 8/26/11)

[jenifred]

My friend had been talking about going to the beach for a few days. We had never gone to the beach with the kids. I thought it would be a nice, relaxing break. So, we spent a few days in July at a condo in Perdido Key, Florida.

Now, I’m about to get on my Disney soap box for a second, so please forgive me.

We all know them…those people who constantly ask “Why do you go to Disney so much? Why would you take kids that young? They aren’t going to remember. Don’t you get bored of the same thing over and over? Don’t you want to go hiking or to the beach?”

I have tried to explain, but they just don’t understand. You either love Disney or you don’t. Well… this trip reminded me EXACTLY why I love Disney.

Let me first say that we did have a good time. Good weather, nice beach. Not too crowded. Good company and the kids loved the pool. And one night, I fell asleep on the balcony listening to the sound of the waves…ahhhhhh

That being said…

We were on the beach for about two seconds when Will started eating sand… I didn’t realize it immediately and had to pull a cigarette butt out of his mouth. YUCK!

He continued to try to eat sand the entire time we were there. You would have thought it was sugar!

And while the beach was not what I would call dirty, there was stuff in the sand. We had to be on full alert – not so relaxing. At least WDW is relatively clean, for what it is. And I don’t remember there being trash in the sand at Castaway Cay.

We also decided to leave our tent and chairs on the beach and the chairs got stolen. Now, I admit it: we chose to be lazy and leave our stuff unattended. And I know Disney is not theft-free. But I have left a $200.00 stroller unattended on every WDW trip and it never walked off.

Kay was over the Gulf after about 5 seconds. She got taken out by a wave almost immediately. And one of the other kids with us got stung by a jellyfish. And that was the end of that. We could not pay her to get back in the waves. This is what she looked like every time we went back to the beach...

She only wanted to go to the condo’s pool. Now I liked the pool. But after a full day at the pool, I was ready for something else. But what else do you do at the beach?

We tried to get Kay to go out to the beach to at least play in the sand on the other days, but she was not having it. And Will just kept eating the sand. So…back to the pool we went.

All in all we had a good time, but we basically spent two days at the pool. I think we are going to wait until the kids are older before we venture back onto the beach.

So to those people who wonder why I go to Disney so much…

There are rides, Broadway-quality shows, fireworks, parades, great food AND pools. I feel safe and have yet to feel bored after 15+ years of going to Disney. Once I arrive, I never have to drive anywhere. The staff is uncommonly helpful. And nothing on the beach can compare to watching my kids meet their favorite Disney characters.

That is why I love Disney.

And I promise no more ranting!

 

[pjstevens]

We hear the same things at times and we go without the kids (since they are older) and people just don't get it. Then of course, since we bought DVC, we 'must be rich'!! That's hilarious. I just budget the money for that. Love Will trying to eat the sand, poor guy just didn't get it. And poor Kay, I don't like jellyfish either.

 

[jenifred]

We hear the same things at times and we go without the kids (since they are older) and people just don't get it. Then of course, since we bought DVC, we 'must be rich'!! That's hilarious. I just budget the money for that. Love Will trying to eat the sand, poor guy just didn't get it. And poor Kay, I don't like jellyfish either.

I didn't know I was rich?!? Someone should have told me!!!!
(Although in all honesty, I thought the same thing until I finally talked to a member.)

 

[jenifred]

I decided to get an underwater camera for the cruise. Got a no name brand from Ebay for about $40.00. We've been testing it, and it works pretty well for the cost. And it's water proof...at least so far.

Here are a few test shots.

So...to snorkel or not to snorkel...that is the question.

It looks fun. But, my prior experience with snorkeling was not pleasant. We did it in Cabo a few years ago. Very few fish, bad gear, rough water. I have been thinking about givng it a second try at CC.

For anyone who has snorkeled at CC, how was your experience?

 

[pjstevens]

I decided to get an underwater camera for the cruise. Got a no name brand from Ebay for about $40.00. We've been testing it, and it works pretty well for the cost. And it's water proof...at least to far.

Here are a few test shots.

So...to snorkel or not to snorkel...that is the question.

It looks fun. But, my prior experience with snorkeling was not pleasant. We did it in Cabo a few years ago. Very few fish, bad gear, rough water. I have been thinking about givng it a second try at CC.

For anyone who has snorkeled at CC, how was your experience?

Wow, please share info about that camera. That's about all that is in my budget right now.

 

[jenifred]

The brand is "SVP". It's 12MP. If you go to Ebay and search "svp underwater digital camera" they pop up. They come blue, black and pink.

Don't know if they allow us to post a link directly to a retail sight, but here it is:

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R...ater+digital+camera&_sacat=See-All-Categories

(I apologize in advance to admin if I can't post this. Patricia - if admi takes it off, I will send you a message through FB.)

Seller has a bunch. I got it within a week from date of purchase, but you can pay a little more for expedited shipping. He has some on auction or you can just buy it for $50. The camera usually goes between 35.00 and 45.00 at auction. I got mine for 37.00. You will also need a Micro SD card. I got a 2GB one on ebay with the adapter for just a few dollars. It will hold about 1000 photos. The camera uses AAA batteris. I got rechargables from Walmart.

My only complaint is that the view screen is very hard to see in the light and there is no viewfinder. So you just have to point and pray. Fortuately, with 1000+ photos, you can just click away.

 

[jenifred]

Will stood in a wedding this past weekend in New Orleans. He was so cute, I just had to share.

 

[pjstevens]

Oh my goodness, he is so cute !!!!

 

[jenifred]

Well, we are heading to WDW tomorrow night! I am mostly packed.

We are driving...12 long hours and will arrive Sunday morning at AKV. My cousin is doing a student semester at Disney, so she will be joinging us on her days off. Yay!

The only thing between me and vacation is a 5K at the local zoo tomorrow morning. We are almost on our way!


And the bad news, DCL is being pretty tight lipped about the condition of CC. No word on whether our cruise, leaving September 1st, will be able to get off at CC. Well, I have to admit I will be disappointed. I am hoping for some pixie dust to get CC cleaned up in the next week. But, I suppose we will find SOMETHING to do on board.

And no matter what happens...I don't have to go to work for a week!!!!!!!

 

[Toria]

Well, we are heading to WDW tomorrow night! I am mostly packed.

We are driving...12 long hours and will arrive Sunday morning at AKV. My cousin is doing a student semester at Disney, so she will be joinging us on her days off. Yay!

The only thing between me and vacation is a 5K at the local zoo tomorrow morning. We are almost on our way!


And the bad news, DCL is being pretty tight lipped about the condition of CC. No word on whether our cruise, leaving September 1st, will be able to get off at CC. Well, I have to admit I will be disappointed. I am hoping for some pixie dust to get CC cleaned up in the next week. But, I suppose we will find SOMETHING to do on board.

And no matter what happens...I don't have to go to work for a week!!!!!!!

Have a great run and I hope that they get CC back up and running before you see sail. Have a great cruise either way. Look forward to your TR when you return.

 

[jenifred]

Got home yesterday from an INCREDIBLE vacation. Our experience on the Dream was excellent. We are rebooking two cruises in the next two years. Can't wait to go back!

I have roughly 400 pictures and a notebook full of comments. (And that's nothing, Granny took over 1000 pics. ) So I'll be taking a few days to collect my thoughts before start my trip report.

What I can say briefly is that the staff was excellent on all fronts. They seemed a bit scared to be honest. One morning at breakfast (Royal Table), our coffee cups were not the same size. Our server insisted on bringing a new cup and apologized profusely for the “mistake”. I kept telling him I did not need a new cup; it was not a problem. But he did not want a manager to see that someone had set the table wrong. I understand why DCL wants everything to be a certain way…but geez.

The smaller adult area was not a huge problem. Only once was there more than 10 people in the pool area at one time. A few kids got into the adult hot tub one night and a staff member immediately came out from a bar area nearby and asked them to leave. The food was excellent. The boarding process went smoothly and quickly. I did the Park-n-Cruise. Great service, good experience. But be warned they charge you for 4 days, while the port only charges for 3 days. You still save money, but not as much as you may expect. And lastly, do the Rainforest Room in the Senses Spa. It is wonderful and was not crowded at all. I am happy to field questions.

 

[LuvEeyore]

Joining to hear more!! Just one question, did grandma and grandpa survive??

 

[Toria]

Got home yesterday from an INCREDIBLE vacation. Our experience on the Dream was excellent. We are rebooking two cruises in the next two years. Can't wait to go back!

I have roughly 400 pictures and a notebook full of comments. (And that's nothing, Granny took over 1000 pics. ) So I'll be taking a few days to collect my thoughts before start my trip report.

What I can say briefly is that the staff was excellent on all fronts. They seemed a bit scared to be honest. One morning at breakfast (Royal Table), our coffee cups were not the same size. Our server insisted on bringing a new cup and apologized profusely for the “mistake”. I kept telling him I did not need a new cup; it was not a problem. But he did not want a manager to see that someone had set the table wrong. I understand why DCL wants everything to be a certain way…but geez.

The smaller adult area was not a huge problem. Only once was there more than 10 people in the pool area at one time. A few kids got into the adult hot tub one night and a staff member immediately came out from a bar area nearby and asked them to leave. The food was excellent. The boarding process went smoothly and quickly. I did the Park-n-Cruise. Great service, good experience. But be warned they charge you for 4 days, while the port only charges for 3 days. You still save money, but not as much as you may expect. And lastly, do the Rainforest Room in the Senses Spa. It is wonderful and was not crowded at all. I am happy to field questions.

Welcome back and I can not wait to read your TR!

 

[jenifred]

Joining to hear more!! Just one question, did grandma and grandpa survive??

They lived to tell the tale...although Pops went straight for a pint at Rose & Crown when we got back.

They have some really funny stories and it could not have been that bad, because they are talking about taking the kids in May 2012 when Chad and I do our next cruise.

 

[LuvEeyore]

Glad they survived. I cant wait to hear the tales.

 

[pjstevens]

Jeni, Are you doing your TR on another thread or continuing here. Can't wait to see your photos. My dd took more than 800 just on the ship. We have so many to get through.