The Dream is over, but I don't want to wake up...Sailing into a New Year

[tokyodisneydad]

Ok so where was I. Oh yeah...the Sail Away party was over and we were looking at the Navigator to decide a course of action.



Here is a picture of the front page of the Navigator. I don't know how to scan these things even though I'm sure it can be done.

So Kiyomi and I had decided to try out the AquaDuck. Afterall from what I saw there was no line. We hurried back to our room and changed into our bathing suits. I was dancing like a ripe banana. Afterall the AquaDuck was one of the reasons I was on the Dream in the first place. Well we headed to the stairs of the AquaDuck. It's important to know at this time it was cloudy in the distance, but overhead the sky was fairly clear with just a hint of orange red that comes when sunset is near.
Here we are at the stairs to this mad creation that Disney has put on a ship. No other passengers are around...My guess they are getting ready for early seating dinner or in the show.... Here we g...Wait a minute...what is that red rope across the stair entrance....why is that crew member standing at the bottom of the stairs????
The sign says that the AquaDuck is closed due to lightening in the area. Unbelievable

Oh well...I guess I should have noticed that there wasn't any water running through the tubes of the AquaDuck.

So we head back to the room. We still have plenty of time before our late seating for dinner. Kiyomi decides to take advantage of the time and actually unpack our bags. I decide it's time to deliver the first of our Fish extender gifts. I had prepacked every room into plastic bags and written the name and room number on the bags. I had decided to deliver by floors over the next few days. So today it was going to be deck 2-5 I think.
Now I will write more on my FE eperience alittle later, but let's just say I may have gone a little overboard on what we gave out. It was my first time, I was excited and wanted to share Japan. I also have this complex that I never want to disappoint anyone. I had started collecting things two years before the cruise. By the time we left we had 23 rooms in our group and all the stuff I packed took up half a large suitcase. That's ok though because I expected to fill up the space with return FE gifts....again more on that later.
Anyhowwwww....



These are the things that I included in each of the FE gifts that I gave.

1. Tokyo Disney Resort maps...either Disney SEA or Disneyland or both
2.The TDS attraction backstory set
3.Small toy for each kid
4.Japanese currency chocolate bar
5.Japanese kite mini replica.....our area has a famous Kite festival
6.mini puzzle of famous Japanese landmark
7.Japanese print origami paper
8.Japanese signboard....hand made by my wife's mother...left side has our family name and stamp...Middle has a Happy New Year message in Japanese and personalized for each family and right side has each familys name written in Japanese

I also included an Origami How to paper and a letter explaining everything.
I think maybe the group liked it...though I'm not 100% sure as I've only heard back from about 5 families.

Net Up a wonderful discovery while delivering FE gifts and finally off to dinner.

 

[pepe3penelope]

As usual, I'm enjoying your TR! What a bummer you didn't get to ride aquaduck, but I'm sure you got to do it a later time. Your FE gifts were amazing, generous, and very thoughtful. I love how you wanted to share Japan with the others. The personalized gift was so sweet! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[tokyodisneydad]

As usual, I'm enjoying your TR! What a bummer you didn't get to ride aquaduck, but I'm sure you got to do it a later time. Your FE gifts were amazing, generous, and very thoughtful. I love how you wanted to share Japan with the others. The personalized gift was so sweet! Can't wait to hear more!

I enjoyed preparing the FE stuff but I can't begin to tell you how much I stressed and worried over it.

 

[4 mickey]

Love your trip report

 

[4 mickey]

Ohhh so sorry about the inside Sail away party
Love your FE gifts

 

[tokyodisneydad]

YOU BETTER HURRY EVERYONE!! IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR DINNER AND THE CAPTAIN WANTS ALL OF YOU AT HIS TABLE. I HOPE YOU FIND THS CRIMINAL SOON. THE CAPTAIN GETS MOODY WHEN HIS THINGS ARE MISSING. I REMEMBER A TIME I DROPPED HIS FAVORITE HOOK OVERBOARD ONE TIME. WE WERE DOCKED NEAR MERMAID LAGOON AND THOSE PESKY MERMAIDS WOULDN'T GIVE IT BACK. I ALMOST HAD TO WALK THEY PLANK.

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Our first dinner was finally here. We were in Animater's Palate on this night. Our rotation was AEER. I was relieved with this rotation as I really wanted to be in AP for my birthday. I was hoping Crush would wish me a Happy Birthday.
So we headed to Route 66...well not route 66, but table 66. It was an 8 top and in each restaurant was in a WONDERFUL location. In AP it was in the back right next to two of the screens. When we arrived the other four of our Japan group had not arrived yet. However, there were two already seated at our table. It was Stef and her mom. I was really happy to see Stef and that she was one of the people spending my birthday with me. It was my first time meeting her mom and although her mom was younger than what my grandmother was, there was a strong resemblance...both in looks and personality. Many of the stories she told throughout the cruise reminded me of my grandmother so much.
Finally the rest of our group showed up and it was time to meet our Service team. Our Head Server was Harry (absolute 180 degree difference from the last Head Server) He gave us some GREAT memories. I will tell you about them as we get there. I made sure to fill out the comment cards at the end of the cruise with praise for all he did. Unfortunately I can't remember our servers name. I will probably remember before the end of the report. Our assistant servers name was Perdeep...I believe. Now Harry was amazing in every aspect, but the other two were nothing special for me. Atleast they didn't live up to our previous team on the Wonder. Now I'm not complaining about them...they weren't bad, but I will say at times throughout the cruise I felt rushed through dinners and also that the Servere would have been a good used car salesman... atv times he was a bit pushy with his recommendations. I was ok saying no and choosing what I wanted, but in Japanese culture it's hard to do that. So I felt that the others may have chosen something they didn't want just because he recommended it.


Here is a picture. That is him taking Maki's order...anyone know who he is? Now while you are looking at that picture i want you to notice one other thing. Does my wife look sick in that picture? Ok that's a little fore shadowing, but it will be important in te next update..

You may also notice that thee is a wine menu on the table. I had ordered the wine package. I would not order a bottle of wine this night as I had champagne back in the room and Giovanny had put it on fresh ice for later, but I woill say the wine package is something I was happy I did. I will definitely do it again on our next cruise.


That is Harry with my wife.

Ok here is what I ordered...sorry not many pictures. We have lot's of video, but I was in charge of the pictures. To be totally honest it was my birthday and as you will see I had other things on my mind.

My order as listed on the menu.
Sesame flavored rock Shrimp and Caramelized Onion Cheesecake — with Asian Barbecue Sauce and topped with Micro Greens
---This was ok, but I expected more from reading here...didn't care for the greens at all
Baked potato and cheddar cheese soup — with Bacon Bits and Chives
I enjoyed this although I think they forgot I ordered it and I had to ask again



Marinated Angus Beef Tenderloin — carved to order on Wasabi Mashed Potatoes with Bok Choy and a Tamarind-Barbecue Reduction
---This was ok but I would have better later in the cruise

Sweet Temptations — Trio of Crunchy walnut cake, Pineapple Financier, and Lemon Mousse
---I can't remember this as they also brought me a birthday cake a little later.

I will tell you about that in a short update soon to finish out dinner, but let me say this. I wish I had made a few different choices, but ike I said felt a bit rushed by our server so may have made some hasty decisions.

****I will finish dinner and the wonederful end to the meal in a short update soon after I eat dinner here and the update after that will be the hardest to write and may not come right away... so stay tuned

 

[dizneeat]

Sorry to hear that your servers didn't live up to former ones. And while I think they have to recommend something, I am right there with you, some of them are FAR too pushy.
Just wish you had had better food on your birthday.

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Sorry to hear that your servers didn't live up to former ones. And while I think they have to recommend something, I am right there with you, some of them are FAR too pushy.
Just wish you had had better food on your birthday.

I think our server back in 2007 on the Wonder set the expectations so high that anyone would have had a hard time living up to the same level.

 

[tokyodisneydad]

ooops I just went back and reread everything... I realize I forgot to tell u about the wonderful discovery before dinner... I need to tell u about that and finish dinner.

I also noticed all the typos... Let me say I do know how to spell but stink at typing. On top of that the letter H on the keyboard is stubborn.

 

[lulucornbread]

I hope I get to hear the rest before our trip in July ;-)

 

[tokyodisneydad]

I hope I get to hear the rest before our trip in July ;-)

It's possible.

 

[DMMarla07860]

enjoying the report so far, looking at what you gave for FE gifts let's just say that would be one FE gift that my mom wouldn't make fun of. We have done FE's on past cruises and my mom thinks we are crazy, she doesn't cruise with us

 

[tokyodisneydad]

enjoying the report so far, looking at what you gave for FE gifts let's just say that would be one FE gift that my mom wouldn't make fun of. We have done FE's on past cruises and my mom thinks we are crazy, she doesn't cruise with us

Welcome aboard. I thought out what I wanted to give. I just wish that I would have met more of the eople in our group. I did meet one really nice couple which I will tell you about later.

Ok everyone else....I am finally up to date with the new job stuff so I should be able to add in a new update tonight...finish out dinner and tell you about that discovery I made.

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Ok this update will not have any pictures because well ...there aren't any but atleast it will get us through dinner. Before that let me go back a little to that wonderful discovery I mentioned.

During my walk around to deliver some FE gifts I discovered a cabin with a pin trading board hanging outside the door. Basically a corkboard that had 8 pins pinned to it with a sign inviting people to trade one of their pins for one of the pins on the board. I didn't have my pins with me at the time, but I got really excited as it had some great pins on it. Upo a closer look at the pins and the decorations on the door I realized that whoever these folks were that they must be Japanese. I didn't knock at that time because not only was there a GREAT rare Goofy in I wanted, but there were also soe Sully pins there. Sully is Shuichis favorite character like Goofy is mine. He had been looking for Sully ins to trade for with the pins that I had given him. I Ran down to Shuichi's room which was right around the corner and got Shuichi and told him to bring his pins. We traded for the Sullys and Shuichi let me borrow a pin to trade for the Goofy. Later before dinner My Japanese group would meet the couple in the room and indeed I was correct....they were Japanese. To be honest I was worried about someone stealing pins from their board, but no one ever did.

Ok back to dinner....after first dessert Harry brought out my surprise cake from DCL...I'm never too full for cake. Several of the staff sang Happy Birthday and Harry did this thing by clapping his hands that sounded just like fireworks. If you go on the DREAM and meet him make sure to ask him to do it. It was really cool. He then brought out this REALLY nice bag and said he had ran into Goofy outside the restaurant and that Goofy had given it to him.
The outside of the bag was signed by Goofy. At first I really thought it was from DCL, but then I looked at it closer. I recognized it as a Japan Disney Store bag. My friends had made me a GREAT gift bag full of goodies. There were several Goofy dolls, a birthday card, a smaller goofy bag that I now use for pins and a few other surprises. I was so happy to get this gift and thanked everyone. I felt really special and warm inside. This is a feeling that wouldn't last long as you will see in my next update with pictures...the night was about to turn ugly and sad.

Next post...My birthday goes downhill fast.

 

[pepe3penelope]

Glad your pin experience and birthday dinner was great, but am worried for you about what's to come! As usual, on pins and needles waiting.

 

[tokyodisneydad]

WELCOME TO THE CAPTAIN'S TABLE FOR DINNER LADIES AND GENTLEMAN. I HAVE ORDERED US A SPECIAL DINNER FOR OUR FIRST NIGHT ON THE SHIP. IT WILL SOON ARRIVE. AS YOU SEE I HAVE FIXED ME MUSTACHE, BUT ME FAVORITE COMB IS STILL MISSING. I'M JUST GLAD WE FOUND ME HAT BETWEEN ROOMS 11014 AND 11016. I THINK WHILE WE WAIT FOR DINNER WE SHOULD GO OVER THE FEW CLUES WE HAVE. THERE IS THAT GRAY AND WHITE FEATHER AND THAT WHITE FUR THAT SMELLS LIKE A DOG. ...AAHHH HERE COMES DINNER NOW.

A waiter comes to the table carrying a large silver covered dish. He puts the tray on the table and uncovers it. The waiter is frightened as he sees Captain Hooks face turn red with anger.



I DID NOT ORDER THE DUCK TONIGHT!!!!!! I ORDERED THE PORK!!! WHO ORDERED THIS!!!!

The other guests at the table are shocked at Captian Hook's sudden mood change. One of the guests points out that there is an envelope under the tray.Captain Hook picks the envelope and opens it. He removes a letter and sees that it is a letter from whomever the criminal is.He reads the letter aloud to the others.

Dear Captain Hook, I am not usually the EVIL type, but Donald caught me going through the guest suitcases looking for treasure as the suitcases were loaded onboard. I couldn't let him tell who I was and the only duck recipe I know is a'l orange.

SO NOW WE NOT ONLY HAVE A THEIF ONBOARD, BUT ALSO A KILLER.

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Ok now that the Zells are officially on vacation I can relieve the suspense for everyone else. I am just kidding...you guys hae a great tie and I am looking forward to your TR.

Now let me give some pre warning before you read any farther in this post. It will contain information that many may consider TMI, but I feel I have to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Also if I didn't include this part there would be a big gap in my story. Having said that I will write everything in a comic/non offensive way....or atleast I hope.

Before we go on though let me give you a little review of my thoughts on Animators Palette. I enjoyed the restaurant. The food was good, though not great. I loved the figures placed around the room. Crush was good and entertaining.He did talk with our table and asked us questions. Having said all that though I still prefer the Animators Palette restaurant and experience on the Wonder back in 2007. It was much more colorful and I enjoyed when the staff's costumes changed.

Back to the story....We were the very last group to leave the restaurant. The staff was already hard at work cleaning and changing over for the next day. I liked that we got a little peek behind the scenes of what goes on. So off we went, when we saw Goofy in the main Atrium area. I was going to get in line,but they had cut off the line and wouldn't let anyone else in. I was ok with that and understood.. My friends were telling the CM it was my birthday, but still no go. I was still happy. It was themn I realzed that I had left my glasses back in the restaurant. I ran back to get them and found them under the table....still no problem, but remember that point for later in the TR.
So we met back up and talked about what everyone wanted to do. Stef and her mom were going back to their room. Everyone else in our group wanted to go get a beer and sit out on the top deck. I on the other hand had different plans.
Afterall this was my 45th birthday night....a night I had dreamed about,fantasized about and been planning down to the very last detail for over two years. So Kiyomi and I said our goodnights, set a meeting time for the morning and started for the room.

BRIEF INTERRUPTION HERE: Before taking the cruise I had heard about the Match your mate game on the ship. I had even found it on you tube. Originally I had planned on going to that event. I had even hoped to play. Kiyomi and I had played along with the video on Youtube for practice once and we had scored 9 out of 10. The only one we missed was the last question....you know the one....if you don't Google it on Youtube. Now I have to admit in our practice round that her answer for "THE" question was correct and I was wrong. I had said at Serenity Bay on Castaway Cay back in 2007, but she was correct with in the Haunted Mansion at TDL. Ok now...don't judge me. Well to make a long story short...Match Your Mate was on this night and I had just wanted a romantic evening wit my better half in the privacy of my own room. So we skipped Match Your Mate...as you will see I wish I would have just gone.



So here we are ...back at our room. I emptied our FE for the night...I'll show you a picture of that soon.I saw some nice birthday messages on our whiteboard. We opened the door and I was so happy with what I saw. Giovanny had made everything PERFECT.





I saw the setting and that he had also put our bottle of Moet on fresh ice for us. I was on
We took a picture of the FE gifts...



I had recieved a really nice birthday card.
After a few minutes I unwrapped the bathrobes and was going to take a shower then pop te bubbly, but thenI heard Kiyomi say..."I don't feel good." I asked her if she was seasick.....nope..just a cough. My brain went ....NO!!!! this can't happen not tonight.

Now a good/perfect husband would say...

"Are you ok honey? Can I call and get you some soup from room service? Get under the blanket and get some rest."

...but even if your husband is perfect I guarantee he is thinking...

"What do you mean you are coughing. You have been fine all day. Hey it's my birthday. I brought my birthday suit now get into yours."

Now usually I am the good husband, but not this time. My mout opened and I found myself saying what I was thinking instead of what I should have said.

well the night went out the window after that. Kiyomi was like... and I stirred the pot even more... we ended up fighting and yelling at each other. To the people in the adjoining room I am truly sorry.

I ended up sitting in the big porthole window in the living room...really upset. She went to bed. Eventually an hour later I went to bed.
So a magical day had just been flushed down the toilet.

Now I will say that she made up for this night the other three nights of the cruise, but it wasn't quite the same if it had been this night. If that makes any sense....it was a night that we will never get back. I also apologized the next morning. It was all ok, but I still get sad thinking about it.

Next Up Nassau and a fashion disaster.

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Helllllooooooo.... Anybody out there?

 

[kimchey12]

I'm here stuck on the falling snow. Lol.