Tanya & Dan's VR DCL!!!Dec 4, 2009 MK & Epcot Photoshoot Pics Posted

[Boston Disney Bride]

Trip Report​

Okay everyone! I have so much to share!!!! First off, we had the most amazing, magical time. Everything was perfect. I would not change one thing about our trip. The moment were we said our vows to each other was so special that words cannot describe or define it. Both myself and my DH cried.

While everything was "perfect", there were a lot of mishaps along the way. My DH and I are like great big dorks with bad luck. (Really!) If something can go wrong, it will. I am also a clutz. Ok, put that into some 4 inch spiked high heels and a poofy dress...well, things are bound to go wrong. But at this point in our life, we know this is the case, and we just laugh about it.

Our whole trip was actually very stress free and relaxing. Even though an entire strawberry daquari ended up ALL OVER my dress - bodice, front, skirt, and train. I am one to throw a temper tantrum and I have to say that I am very proud of the fact that I laughed! What else...oh missing buttons, bathroom incidents, lost rings, forgotten aisle runners, a small pants disaster. Really.

Would I go back and change a thing? Nope! I LOVED every minute of it!

Can't wait to read more!! Glad you had an amazing time!!! The only thing you can do is laugh at those situations Welcome home

 

[CinderelliT]

Day 1​

We took like 2,000 pictures!! So I have to work on uploading them into photobucket. But I will try to keep posting in bits and pieces. Things are CRAZY at our house and studio with the holidays here! But here goes...

I started packing 2 weeks before we left, and I was still up until 3am in the morning the night before left trying to get everything done. We ran around like crazy. And then when I still couldn't sleep, I decided to make Mackenzie and me matching bracelets with the left over beads from my tiara.

We got up about 6am and we were on the road by 8am! Here we are in the car so excited to finally be going to Mickey's boat!

Can you see how packed the car is?

We really had no clue where we were going and I had printed out like 3 different sets of directions. We know how to get to Disney with our eyes closed, but I wasn't sure how much further Port Canaveral was or exactly where it was.

Once on the road, when we got to Disney, I threw the confusing directions out the window and we just followed a Disney Cruise Line bus. I knew they had to know the way! I was a bit shocked by how far out in the boonies we were. I had this idea that it was like 20 mins away from WDW. It was a bit further!! Between that and our nerves, it seemed to take forever.

One of the best points as we were getting close was going over this huge bridge. There was a tiny sail boat in the water, and Drew gets all excited and says, "Is that Mickey's boat? I can't wait to get on his boat!" We all just laughed and told him that Mickey's boat was going to be way bigger.

We couldn't believe how much bigger though. We go over the next bridge and BAM! It's like a building looming over us. We were like 3 miles away and this thing was massive. It has been 10yrs since we went on a cruise ship, but I don't remember our other boat being this big. We all started squealing and screaming and yelling and jumping up and down.

Here's our first glimpse...

 

[CinderelliT]

The terminal was super easy to navigate. Again, the last cruise we went on was in Ft. Lauderdale, and it was a disaster! We had no help finding parking, no help with baggage, and no one spoke English. I remember specifically asking where to park, and Dan and I were directed to a certain parking lot. It ended up being for a different cruise line and our car was towed and impounded! So when we came back from our honeymoon on New Year's Eve, we had no car, no way to find it, and no place to stay. We ended up getting the sheriff's office involved, spent the night at the police station, revealed an illegal ring to make money off of tourists, and $700 later, we were finally on the road. There's a lot more to that story, but I'll save it for another time. Needless to say, that night is about 4th on my list of worst nights ever.

Anyway, right away with Disney, we had nothing like that!!!! Everything was super duper easy. We pulled up and had people help us with our luggage! I was also worried about my dress and tux, and they assured me to just put a luggage tag on the garment bag and it would be taken care of. Okay - wave bye to the dress and pray it comes back intact!!!!

So then after parking the car - with no problems, we came into the terminal. There was some ucky construction going on, but it was still awesome!

It's a little after 11am, and I was worried that we would have crazy lines and long waits since we didn't get there any earlier, but it was not bad at all. Chip and Dale were greeting people, but DH insisted that we check in first. Why does he have to be the voice of reason? I just want to play!!

Okay - so we checked in super fast. Pictures for id's taken, kids registered, get in line and now Mickey is greeting people by the ship's model. We take turns waiting in line to see Mickey while we each take children to the bathroom. I hear them call that they are boarding #2. Our ticket says #11. I figure it's going to be a while. So then our line for Mickey finally moves and we are getting up to the front and GUESS WHAT?!? They say Mickey needs to get on the ship and he's leaving. Well, crap. I get it, but my 3 and 4 year olds don't understand why we just waited in this super long line for nothing.

So we try to distract them by taking pics by the giant Christmas tree.

My son the great 4 yr old photographer took this-

Then they call boarding #11!! That line for Mickey wasn't that long! It was really like 30 minutes from our arrival. So yay!!! We are actually going on the boat.

So we stop to take a picture in front of the cool hidden mickey ears where you board onto the ship, and the sweet old lady working says, "No, no...let me take a picture of the whole family." Okay so we hand her our camera and she's like totally confused. "Where's the picture?" Umm...it's a real camera, an SLR camera. You have to look through the view finder. "What's that?" so I think - Come on lady. You're old. You have to remember what life was like 5 yrs ago before digital cameras.

After creating a long line of people wanting to get on the ship and several explanations and demonstrations - (again I think - I could have just given the camera to DS and have been done by now.) She finally takes a picture! YAY! Dan grabs the camera and we start walking to get out of the way and CRAP!

 

[CinderelliT]

Here's the picture the lady took:

The whole family, huh? She didn't even get the kids, much less the Mickey ears. By this point there is like masses of people coming through, so we just kept going. Okay, through customs - no problems. Oooh...pictures! Must do those. (We bought one b/c they were super cute. I'll have to scan it.)

So here are some random pics of the terminal and the kids waiting as we go through customs.

The ceiling looks like waves! I love it.
The windows in the terminal look like portholes.

Yay! Look at the sign!!

Okay - so here we had another Oh NO! moment. As we step onto the ship - we are in awe. It's GORGEOUS! I have read and heard other people say that this is one of their favorite memories ever. I completely forgot that they announce our entrance. So as they start to announce us, I realize that the aisle runner that I spent HOURS on and insisted on dragging it all over with us is missing! So they are trying to get our name, and we're like umm...can we get back off? They thought we were crazy.

We missed our not so grand entrance. LOL! My dh told us to go sit over by guest services with the kids while he goes looking for the runner. While sitting there, I got these great pics of the kids:

After what seemed like an eternity - (I want to go exploring!) - DH finally returned with the aisle runner!! I left it by the big Christmas tree in the terminal when we stopped to take pictures. Uggghh! I would lose my head if it wasn't attached!

So my wonderful photographer of a son took this pic of me and DH -

These are all some of my favorite pics!

So we are FINALLY all on the ship. YAY! Time to have fun!

Up next - meeting our planner and a little seasickness.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

OH MY! This adventure has already started with some fun! I can't wait for more!!!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Yay! You started your TR. Can't wait to hear more.

 

[chepic]

So we try to distract them by taking pics by the giant Christmas tree.

My son the great 4 yr old photographer took this-

Then they call boarding #11!! That line for Mickey wasn't that long! It was really like 30 minutes from our arrival. So yay!!! We are actually going on the boat.

So we stop to take a picture in front of the cool hidden mickey ears where you board onto the ship, and the sweet old lady working says, "No, no...let me take a picture of the whole family." Okay so we hand her our camera and she's like totally confused. "Where's the picture?" Umm...it's a real camera, an SLR camera. You have to look through the view finder. "What's that?" so I think - Come on lady. You're old. You have to remember what life was like 5 yrs ago before digital cameras.

After creating a long line of people wanting to get on the ship and several explanations and demonstrations - (again I think - I could have just given the camera to DS and have been done by now.) She finally takes a picture! YAY! Dan grabs the camera and we start walking to get out of the way and CRAP!

OMGosh, we had the same outfits when we boarded!!!!! If I had known, I would have sent you Maxim's for your son!!!

And that is sooooo funny about the SLR....people are a riot. Before we went digital, everyone would say the same thing if they used our camera, and Max always wanted to see the picture after the shot was taken....just went digital 2 years ago, right before the cruise.

che

 

[Leanne1977]

Great start to your TR!

So funny about the old lady with your camera!!

Can't wait to read more. Love the pics too.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

loving the trip report! more!!!!

 

[29apr00]

welcome home....we just got home a few hours ago......i can't wait to tell you all about it.....we had some mishaps to but all in all it was good.

Except that i forgot my camera on board....hope they find it.

 

[spacerangerqueen]

Yey for a TR! Can't wait to hear more. Sorry you missed out on that shot since the woman couldn't figure out your camera. I'm so used to my DSLR now that it weirded me out the other day to take someones pic and not use the view finder!
I'm glad your DH found the aisle runner too. I can only imagine the scene when you asked to get back off the boat!

 

[pinkcow]

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[CinderelliT]

Best Wishes!! Have a truly wonderful time!

Thanks - we had a blast

Can't wait to read the updates!

Have fun!!!!

Thanks! I am slowly working on uploading pics to photobucket and getting some updates up!

Ooo can't wait to hear all about it! Really looking forward to the photos.

I hope your special day is magical after all the planning you have done. Have fun!

We had a magical time!

Oh! Can't wait!

It's coming! I am working on a tr.

Have a great time!

Thanks so much!

I will be anxiously awaiting your return!!!!!!!!!!!!

cheryl

I'm glad you're looking forward to it.

Have a great time Tanya! Congrats!

Thanks!

I'm sure your VR will be beautiful! Have fun!

It was gorgeous! Couldn't have imagined better!

You are most likely on the ship now....Have a GREAT TIME!!!

We were! and thanks!

OMGOSH!!! Best of luck, i hope everything turns out LOVELY. Cant wait to see your photos, and hear all about the wedding when you return!

I will bore you to death with pics! I just uploaded about 100 tonight!

GOOD LUCK and enjoy your day...enjoy every single minute of it!!!!

Thanks!

Have an awesome time!

We did!

Oops! Late...HAPPY VR DAY!!!

Ok now...where are you??? I saw your pics on the floral board...I know you're hear somewhere!!! TR please!

It's coming slowly.

Ohhh Tanya.... where are you?! Come share your photos!!

Don't worry stace - I have loads of pics for you!

Chiming in late....Happy Wedding Day! I hope it was magical and all you dreamed it would be!!!

It was better!

Happy VR Day!!

Happy VR Day!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY VR DAY, TANYA and DAN!!
Today is the BIG day!!! I'm so happy for you guys! I know it's going to be a Magical day!!!​

Happy Wedding Day Tanya & Dan!

Tanya....

After everything you've been through i hope your VR is absolutly amazing and that you enjoy every second of it!!!

I can't wait to hear about it and see all of your pictures!

without further ado.....

HAPPY WEDDING DAY!!!!!!

THANKS EVERYONE!

 

[CinderelliT]

Day 1 continued​

So we are finally on the ship and decide to wander and work our way up to - what else? - Food of course. The food was up on deck 9 where the pool is and it is all open. So nice and relaxing. So here are a bunch of pics of us on the ship with no one on it!

A not so hidden Minnie in the staircase on deck 3

Drew with the Ariel statue outside of Triton's restaraunt
Deck 9 with the famous mickey and "buttons" on the smoke stack

The mickey pool and slide

If only we could cruise like this:

More buttons in a different spot:

I'm such a tourist! "Hey look! I can see my reflection!" click-

A look inside the kids club. Which later came to haunt us in the form of a nasty stomach virus.

A giant mural of Ariel on the wall that was only visible through the elevators. It took me 3 days to find this again to get a picture of us in front of it!

A random light fixture. I thought it was pretty.

We were impatiently waiting for our room! It was past the 1:30 pm mark! Let us in! The kids were wildly running up and down the halls and the stairs.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

omg! your pics so make me want to go on a disney cruise now!!! i hope you guys werent to horribly sick!!!

 

[CinderelliT]

So our room ended up being on deck 7 - how convenient - that's where our ceremony is!
Here's the hall -

And our room! We were only a category 11, so I wasn't expecting much, but it is waaaay bigger than I thought. It's like 3 x's the size of the room on our last cruise.

Our lamps have hidden mickey's on them - as does the bedspread.
Here it is with our first stuff from the wedding!! It's a letter asking to meet Imran our planner at 3:30 - Ugghhh - it's the same time as the DISboard meet.

Here's our artwork - it's Pirates of the Carribean sketches. I was hoping for the ones that say "A dream is a wish your heart makes", but these were cute too.

So we throw our luggage in the room and decide to go exploring more since it is almost time for our meets.
Here is the deck where we will be renewing our vows the next day! It is all the way at the back of ship, and our room is at the front - so it is quite a hike. The door was locked, but I took this cute pic of Dan showing Drew the deck:

Oh yay! That got all of us excited.
From there, we were off to find our way to the lounge on deck 3 to say a quick hi to our fellow DISer's and to find Imran.
Here are pics along the way:
This is the Cadillac lounge, which is another spot for a ceremony, and would also be our back up in case of bad weather. It looks really pretty and funky.

The kids playing in the portholes on Rt 66. They kept sliding down in them - just like a slide at the playground.

The atrium and the cool see through elevators, along with a massive christmas tree:

More decorations in the atrium:

The lounge where the dis meet was had an awesome light and a HUGE gingerbread house. I only got to run in a say a quick Hi to about 5 people, since I didn't want to miss Imran.

It has hidden mickeys on it! The kids thought that this was Mickey's home on the boat!

What it took to make the house.
So we finally get to meet Imran, and by this point, my kids are wound for sound! They are super hyper and want to go back to "Mickey School" aka the kids club, but it's not open yet. I have no choice but to take them with us. Imran takes us back into a conference room to go over all of the major wedding details and to confirm what Brianna relayed to him. Except my kids are going CRAzY!
I finally give my son our new camera. yes, about $5,000 worth of camera, flashes, and lens to my 4 yr old. Hopefully he won't drop it and it will keep him entertained for a few minutes.
Here's a few of the pics he took. A nice one of Imran. And a really goofy one of us.

 

[CinderelliT]

omg! your pics so make me want to go on a disney cruise now!!! i hope you guys werent to horribly sick!!!

It was pretty nasty! But at least it wasn't while we were doing our VR or on the ship. And it was over quickly. But you should hop over to poor Jen's pj and read about her kids! We at least made it home. She was still traveling.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

It was pretty nasty! But at least it wasn't while we were doing our VR or on the ship. And it was over quickly. But you should hop over to poor Jen's pj and read about her kids! We at least made it home. She was still traveling.

oh no!!! thank god for small mercies- ill have to pop into jens- dont think ive read it yet.

i guess when you cram so many people in one place and some of them come sick its bound to happen. i know all the doc's offices/hospitals/waiting rooms etc, have pulled out all reading materials and kids toys due to the h1n1....so i can only imagine something going around a cruise line.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Quickly catching up, love the pics your son took! Waiting to see more...

 

[29apr00]

Yes the stomach bug was NASTY! Made for a very long day getting home.....we stopped at Walmart to buy a bucket for the car ride home.

love all the pics!! tomorrow the ship gets back and HOPEFULLY there will be some news on my camera and i can start my TR!!! Otherwise.....i'll have a pictureless report!