The Dream Is So Nice, We Did It Twice!

[Mean Queen]

I am not a big trip report writer, because I am just too darn lazy. But I did a back to back on the Dream for Spring Break and wanted to share the experience. Ok, I wanted to brag. Cause it rocked. In a good way, not the throwing up motion sickness kind of rocking.

Here are the cast of characters -
Me - Mean Queen mostly known as Shay
DH - Doug
DD11 - Haley
DD5 - Paige

We traveled with 2 other families for a total of 13 people in our party.

For Spring Break we wanted to check out the new Dream. But we knew from past experience that even a 4 day would not be long enough to check everything out. So we booked a back to back. We used our DVC points for the first half then moved our Thanksgiving cruise to the three day instead. Our evil plan was now set in motion. MUAHAHAHAHA.

Prior to this, we had done 5 Disney cruises putting us into the Gold Castaway Club member status. But that's nothing compared to my fellow cruisers, the Figs. They had done 12 cruises prior and had Platinum status. This helped us out big time because we were able to book Remy's and Palo's brunch for the 4 night and Palo's dinner for the 3 night.

The only other thing we planned ahead for was a couple's massage for DH and I. Otherwise, we were determined to stay on the ship and check it out top to bottom, stem to stern, port to aft, and all other directions in between. Except for Castaway Cay days, of course. That should go without saying, but just in case it doesn't, I'm saying it.

Now here are a few obligatory pictures to kick this thing off. Stay tuned for more Pirates, Princesses, and Palo's.

My Pirate Crew

Meeting Princess Tiana

Palo's Brunch Desserts!!!!

 

[NCjenn]

Can't wait to read more and see more pictures!

 

[SadieDog]

I'm in.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I'm. Not just here for the pictures of the ship... I'm signing on for more of that food porn!

 

[hopare]

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[Mean Queen]

I'm. Not just here for the pictures of the ship... I'm signing on for more of that food porn!

Oh there will be plenty of that. DH got a little tired of me making him wait to eat so I could take a shot first.

Thanks to all jumping on board. I'm hoping that reliving my trip will help the magic last just a little bit longer.

 

[bunny]

I can't wait to read more!!! I am currently booked on a B2B for this fall, but my husband is trying to convince me to switch to a 7 day on the Magic. We have already sailed the Wonder twice and the Magic once. He is afraid doing a B2B will be too repetitious. Do you have an opinion?

 

[Mean Queen]

I can't wait to read more!!! I am currently booked on a B2B for this fall, but my husband is trying to convince me to switch to a 7 day on the Magic. We have already sailed the Wonder twice and the Magic once. He is afraid doing a B2B will be too repetitious. Do you have an opinion?

If you have already done the other ships, do the B2B. You do kind of lose a day (which I will explain more later) but it was so worth it to be on that ship for 7 days straight. We actually considered booking a B2B 7-day on the Fantasy for next year, but we're waiting for our lottery numbers to come in.

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

Checking in

 

[creativeamanda]

I'm here! Those desserts look awesome!

 

[Mean Queen]

We drove up to Port Canaveral bright and early on Sunday morning. We wanted to be one of the first on the ship. We arrived before 9:30 am and we watched the previous cruisers leaving. There was a line outside the gate near the drop off area for us early arrivals. We were let into the terminal at 10 am. We walked right up to the counter and checked in. We got lucky and got boarding pass 3. Now we had to wait. One group of our friends traveling with us caught up to us so we looked around trying to find our DIS group people. We took part in the FE exchange for both cruises, the first one had 36 cabins!

Finally, it was our turn to get on. We felt like salmon swimming up stream. The terminal is the same size but now has a lot more people. People who think they just need to stand around the gate until their number is called. People who got in the way of all the people who's numbers came before them. We finally pushed our way through, got our pictures, and made it on board to a chorus of people welcoming our family. Well, it wasn't a chorus but it sure was music to my ears. The lobby was stunning.

A CM greeted us and told us where to go for food. We headed straight to Enchanted Garden for the buffet. We were immediately impressed with the theme of this new restaurant.

We were even more impressed with the food. Lots of choices and it ended with a dessert and ice cream bar. My hands were too full with my plate and DD5's plate or I'd have pictures to show.

After lunch we ran into our first piece of animated art. This was a favorite of everyone on the trip. (click picture for video)



The time had come for our room to be ready so we made our way to Deck 8 aft. We were located right next to the elevators and I actually liked it a lot. Not as much noise as you'd think and great access, especially to Cabanas and the District.

Our room was a porthole view. A good amount of space, though it seems a lot narrower than the ones I remember on the Wonder and Magic. I loved the new showers.

Next up - time to set sail.

 

[Mean Queen]

I'm here! Those desserts look awesome!

And that was just my plate. Yep, I tried them all. And I didn't feel guilty about it one bit. I felt stuffed, but not guilty.

 

[Desi]

nice, thanks for the report

 

[VG9493]

 

[KatInHat]

Sounds like a great trip!! Can't wait to read more. Thanks for sharing.
We are booked in a deck 8 aft room for our upcoming b2b. Can't wait!!!

 

[jenseib]

I'm here Shay!! I was on your 31st sailing and in the FE group! I can't wait to read about! I did start my TR as well. It's the hop, no skip....etc link in my signature. I also have a dining review going to if you care to read either.

 

[Mean Queen]

After doing the obligatory muster drill (which we were happy to see did NOT require us to wear our life vests), DH, DD5, and I headed up for the sail away party. DD11 had already broke free with her two friends to check out the open house at the Edge and tour the ship.

The sail away show is different than on the other ships, so I'm glad we checked it out. DH grabbed some Konk Coolers for us to enjoy to let us know we really were on the Dream. While the party raged on, we watched people riding by on the Aquaduck. I did not check out the line, so I'm not sure if that was a good time to go or not.

We had the early dining time, so after the show we headed back to the room to get ready for dinner. While unpacking, we loved the space under the bed for the luggage. It left the little bit of space in the closet for our clothes.

Our first restaurant was Animator's Palette. I loved the theme from the minute I walked in. The red vinyl Mickey chairs, the paintbrush style handles for the butter knife, and the Disney artwork all over the room. We met our wait staff, Laurent and Jorge. I had read about some of the food here on the DIS so I already knew I had to order the pasta purseittes. As I reached down to grab my purse to get my camera, I realized I did not bring my purse, camera or even my cell phone. Uh oh. No pictures.

I really came to regret that when Crush came out. There are video windows all around the room where you can see Crush and other Nemo characters playing around. You can watch Nemo and Squirt playing together, Dori and Marlin looking for Nemo, Jacques the shrimp riding on the blowfish. But the best part is the interactive Crush show. DD11 was next to the video screen coloring when we all heard Crush say "Hey you in the goggles coloring. What's your name, little dude?" She looked up and said "Haley". He asked her where she was from, if she surfs a lot in Florida, then made some jokes with the other kids before swimming off. It. Was. COOOOOL!!! At the next table, they spoke to that group and a table further from the wall. We could not figure out where the microphones were so Crush could hear us. Makes me just a little worried about what they hear when you don't know they are listening.

Now as for the food, I really liked it but I again have no pictures to share. I know, I'll just go back again and take pictures! Great plan.

Before dinner was even over, DD5 was begging to go to the kids room. So we went through the pain in the rear process of getting her checked in. We went to the Club, but they said go to the Lab. We went to the Lab, but they said there was a special room deck 5 mid-ship where they were doing the check in's. While waiting for check in, we discovered the animated painting where you can steer a ship. I recommend hunting this one down.

We dropped DD5 off at the club finally and headed out for the night. DH and one other DH headed to 687 to watch sports while one of my friends, her DD8 and I checked out the Golden Mickeys. I liked the changes from the last show. The new theater was amazing.

After the show we went back to get DD5, who refused to leave. So DH and I grabbed up some of our friends and went to check out Skyline lounge. SO. Freaking. Cool. It's a very small lounge that serves martinis (though you can get any drink any place we were told.) The video wall windows change to the skylines of various cities, Chicago, New York, Hong Kong, Rio, and Paris. The music and artwork in the room change with the city.

After a martini (or two) we finally dragged our little one out of the kids club and to bed. DD11 was on the go with her friends at the Edge, with instructions to carry the Wave phone at all times, be home by Midnight, and never go into any room other than our groups.

Next - Nassau, who needs Nassau?

 

[Mean Queen]

I'm here Shay!! I was on your 31st sailing and in the FE group! I can't wait to read about! I did start my TR as well. It's the hop, no skip....etc link in my signature. I also have a dining review going to if you care to read either.

I'll be happy to check it out! I still can't believe we never got to meet up. That 3 day just goes by too quick.

 

[happyfoot]

Beautiful pics & the dessert brunch looks fantastic. We are booked on the Dream for next year's Spring Break and it will be our first Disney cruise, so I am gobbling up all the Dream info I can get. Thanks for posting,

Gerry

 

[jenseib]

I'll be happy to check it out! I still can't believe we never got to meet up. That 3 day just goes by too quick.

It was so quick. And with the rain, it made day 1 a little different than I had planned, but still REALLY busy. I kept losing track of time. I REALLY want to go back and do it again. There was so much of the ship we never even saw.
You family is beautiful!