The Drive, the Dream and DVC - A March 2011 Birthday Surprise TR(NEW 11/9 p. 32 END)

[Northern Disney Girl]

Way wicked updates Sheree!!!!! Double Thumbs up for you Girl!!!!!

Poor Paige - she looked sooo totally freaked out by that dolphin!!! I am not sure how I would do to be honest - I love me some dolphin - have even touched one - but not so sure I would enjoy being smooched by one! I will have to try it someday!!

Nassau (or at least the Blue Lagoon area) looks sooo beautiful! That Detective Agency thing sounds like something my kids would love too! Glad you guys got to try it!

Thanks again for driving over to meet me! It was sooo nice to se you again! How was your cheesecake?? What kinds did you get?? I had a piece of Key Lime and it was delish!!! Yummers to the Maxx!!!

Can't wait to hear all about your romantic dinner for 2!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hi, Sheree!!! Nice to see you back on the DIS!

Love all the dolphin pictures! What a great experience to get to hug and kiss one!!!

That Goofy!!! I think I will follow his lead and not get dressed for awhile.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Wow, love the update! The dolphin experience looks like so much fun! The water in Nassau is just beautiful.

Can't wait to hear about Pirate Night!

Thanks! It was a fun time - I wish it was longer, but that water was cold!! It is very pretty in some areas! Pirate Night - I hate to say it, but we did miss a good portion of the activities!

You had the same trainer that we had too! he was great and funny.

And some of your island pictures are ones I took too (and are lost on the lost card).

I had the same thoughts about Villains tonight too. I'm glad I saw it once, but I don't care if I see it again or not. That guy was really funny though. He was Claire's favorite...and he was the Genie the next night and he was good in that part too.

I love your dolphin pictures. You should email them and see if the ycan get you another CD that works. I would be mad if I couldn't get it to work after paying all that money.

Funny that we had the same guy! If you want to copy any of my pictures, you are welcome to! I still feel bad about your lost card every time I see your TR and you say, well there WERE pictures, but they were on that card!
The guy who played Hades and Genie is definitely one of their top talents.
I might just email Blue Lagoon about the CD - but Dave put it in the DVD player and you can see the pictures just fine that way. I guess it's good that way! Maybe I'll try a different computer (PC) that works better too.

So happy that you enjoyed your time with the dolphins!! So much fun! I have many of the same pictures of the mansions and yachts on the way out to the island
Ughhh I would contact them also and see if they can send you another CD.....the excursion and the pictures aren't cheap!!
Mmmm looking forward to your Palo dinner And you have me wondering if I could eat back to back dinners

Tracy

I guess we all wanted to see how the other half lives! I wonder how much those places cost??
Well, Palo was definitely a highlight of our trip.
Now I didn't say I actually ATE two dinners, now, did I???

Love the dolphin pictures! I can't believe Paige was scared! That has me wondering if my DD will chicken out on me. I hope not. But between the COLD water and a VERY big animal, she might. She is not very adventurous. Personally though, I can't wait! Your pictures around the island are great. Do you think it is worth hanging around for a while or just going straight back to the boat? I've seen pictures of the beach area there and it had tons of cool blow up water things (like an obstacle course in the ocean). But I haven't heard from anyone who has actually gone over to the beach area.

I'm with Jen, I'd be calling them and asking for a new CD if it didn't work!

The dolphin encounter was unanimously one of the best things about our whole vacation - even Paige says so!! I bet she will do at least some of it! I hope the water is warmer for you!!
We did look around a little since we had time to kill. I saw the beach, it looked nice enough. The inflatables area was restricted to those who had a wristband that indicated you had to pay for it. I guess it might be part of the Beach Day excursion? But we were free to go to the beach if we wanted to. I wanted to get back on the ship and do more stuff there, knowing we'd have the whole next day at Castaway Cay to enjoy beach time.
Dave reminded me last night that the photo disc worked in our DVD player, so maybe it's okay for that reason. I'd still like to get them on the computer for more backup and options for sharing.

Loved the pic of y'all feeling her teeth...look at Paige's little hand!! She is not even close!! yeah...she looked a little tad afraid, did she not?! Bless her heart! Love the pictures and update!!

She cracks me up! I doubt I will ever be able to figure that girl out. She was very brave as a baby - climbing on things, running into the street etc. She definitely has her own mind about some things. But then she's afraid of quite a bit too.
She keeps me on my toes guessing!

Goofy in his pjs is hilarious!! Ha!

Look at all those huge mansions! Wow!

Your pictures are great Sheree! How neat to get so close to a dolphin. What an experience for sure!

Yeah, Goofy really is goofy! It was a fun surprise!
I've never been a person who loved or was obsessed with dolphins, but that was one of the coolest things I've ever done!

Wow, the Dolphin gig looks like it was a lot of fun. I will add that to my someday wish list. OT regarding the Dolphin experience, but I wanted to say, I love your hair style. It makes you look like your entire face is smiling.

I hope you get to try it sometime.
You are too sweet! When I read this comment, I thought, wow, what a nice thing to say! You certainly didn't have to say that, but it meant a lot. It made me really happy, so now my face really is smiling! Thank you so much for that! BTW, I need a haircut - so it sure doesn't look as good now! HA!

Great update! Your report is tempting me to book a cruise!
The dolphin encounter looks like fun. My nephews did one while they were at Harborside (the timeshare next to Atlantis). My older nephew(7) LOVED it, and the little one (2) couldn't get out of the water fast enough.

The whole detective agency thing sounds like so much fun!
Can't wait to hear about your Palo dinner.

Oh - I hope you can!!! We love cruising! Although I have to say, budgets being what they are, and my strong desire to travel so much, it looks like a Disney cruise will not happen again any time soon. We're likely to book with another line (GASP!) because it's just SO much different in price! We'll be back to DCL sometime.
I think the really little kids seemed more intimidated but older ones seemed to really take it all in and have fun.
The detective thing was a neat idea - Sarah really enjoyed it.
Palo. Oh Palo. DH and I talked about it last night after he read my update. Now I really miss it. I'll try to do that update soon.

I love your picture, even if they are copies. All the poses are so cute and it looks like so much fun! It must cool to be that close to a dolphin. Looks like a great way to spend the morning.

Two dinners???? I sort of remember you saying you were going to do this. I can't wait to hear about dinner at Palo. I am sure it was wonderful.

Fun update. Looking forward to more.

Thanks Mary Ellen! I guess it's better than nothing, right? It was just awesome!
Well we attended dinner twice. Can't say that we actually ATE twice...
Palo is amazing!!! If you ever go on DCL, I say it is an absolute MUST DO!!

Way wicked updates Sheree!!!!! Double Thumbs up for you Girl!!!!!

Poor Paige - she looked sooo totally freaked out by that dolphin!!! I am not sure how I would do to be honest - I love me some dolphin - have even touched one - but not so sure I would enjoy being smooched by one! I will have to try it someday!!

Nassau (or at least the Blue Lagoon area) looks sooo beautiful! That Detective Agency thing sounds like something my kids would love too! Glad you guys got to try it!

Thanks again for driving over to meet me! It was sooo nice to se you again! How was your cheesecake?? What kinds did you get?? I had a piece of Key Lime and it was delish!!! Yummers to the Maxx!!!

Can't wait to hear all about your romantic dinner for 2!!!

Aww, thanks Kim! Wicked is such a cool word isn't it? I had a friend in college from Cape Cod and she said wicked ALL the time!
I've said it before and I'll say it again - the dolphin encounter was GREAT! The scenery and water is just beautiful there!
I really had fun visiting with you - even for a short time! I took home a piece of Oreo and a piece of Carmel Turtle Pecan (or something like that). The Oreo was better, but both were good! I made the kids wait until I got home from work the next day, then we ate them BEFORE dinner!! Key Lime sounds good to me! I'm glad you had a good weekend!

Palo will be in the next update! Another amazing meal!!

Hi, Sheree!!! Nice to see you back on the DIS!

Love all the dolphin pictures! What a great experience to get to hug and kiss one!!!

That Goofy!!! I think I will follow his lead and not get dressed for awhile.

Hi Jackie!! I've been reading a lot,but not posting much. By the time I read all my subscriptions, I'm just too tired to update! I have to do my updates first I guess! Now I should have a little more time and can get this thing moving again!
You guys should do a dolphin encounter - I bet Chelsea would LOVE it!

I guess you can just stay in your PJs! Now that school is DONE FOR YOU!!!! Lucky girl! Dare I ask if you've started packing for your trip? When do you leave again?

 

[Pluto_fan]

Great updates, Sheree!
The dolphin encounter looks like so much fun. I'm not at all a fan of cold water, though! The water around Nassau is so beautiful. I'm looking forward to taking another Caribbean cruise someday! (DH and I went for our 5th anniversary...in 1996! Time flies!)

 

[jenjolt]

What great updates Sheree!! I have missed you!!! Loved the pictures of Blue Lagoon...just looks stunning!! WOW!!!

I cannot wait to cruise next year, I'm dying to go on one!!!!

Two dinners...with all that good food?????!!!??? Very interested in what you had and how it all turned out!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Great updates, Sheree!
The dolphin encounter looks like so much fun. I'm not at all a fan of cold water, though! The water around Nassau is so beautiful. I'm looking forward to taking another Caribbean cruise someday! (DH and I went for our 5th anniversary...in 1996! Time flies!)

Thanks Kathy! The water in the Caribbean is definitely warmer. Maybe you could do a dolphin encounter there? So you're celebrating your 10th this year? I think that calls for a cruise, don't you?

What great updates Sheree!! I have missed you!!! Loved the pictures of Blue Lagoon...just looks stunning!! WOW!!!

I cannot wait to cruise next year, I'm dying to go on one!!!!

Two dinners...with all that good food?????!!!??? Very interested in what you had and how it all turned out!

Thanks - I'm glad to be back on track with this TR! I hope to do another update in the next day!
It sounds like you are planning to book for next summer? It is so much fun!!! The food is wonderful - it's hard not to eat yourself sick!!
Just wait and see!

 

[MeMom]

The dolphin encounter is a cool experience for the girls to be able to talk about.
Such a beautiful place!

I've never caught Goofy hanging out in his jammies. Very rare picture!

So glad I got to get caught up with your report this evening.

 

[jenseib]

Love the dolphin pictures! I can't believe Paige was scared! That has me wondering if my DD will chicken out on me. I hope not. But between the COLD water and a VERY big animal, she might. She is not very adventurous. Personally though, I can't wait! Your pictures around the island are great. Do you think it is worth hanging around for a while or just going straight back to the boat? I've seen pictures of the beach area there and it had tons of cool blow up water things (like an obstacle course in the ocean). But I haven't heard from anyone who has actually gone over to the beach area.

I'm with Jen, I'd be calling them and asking for a new CD if it didn't work!

I was just going to say what Sheree already told you, you have to pay to use the blow up things. You can add it on there I beleive, but I don't know if it would be worth it. Well, Claire probably would've liked it, but I wanted to get back and do something else as well. We never did get to tour any of Nassau though, like I wanted to, but we still had fun.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hi Jackie!! I've been reading a lot,but not posting much. By the time I read all my subscriptions, I'm just too tired to update! I have to do my updates first I guess! Now I should have a little more time and can get this thing moving again!
You guys should do a dolphin encounter - I bet Chelsea would LOVE it!

I guess you can just stay in your PJs! Now that school is DONE FOR YOU!!!! Lucky girl! Dare I ask if you've started packing for your trip? When do you leave again?

Chelsea and Connor would be all about a dolphin encounter. When I told the kids I had booked a dolphin tour at Tybee, their first question was whether they would get to touch the dolphins -- sadly, no, it's against the law.

I have started making piles of stuff, if that counts. We leave on Monday!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I was just going to say what Sheree already told you, you have to pay to use the blow up things. You can add it on there I beleive, but I don't know if it would be worth it. Well, Claire probably would've liked it, but I wanted to get back and do something else as well. We never did get to tour any of Nassau though, like I wanted to, but we still had fun.

Ok, I was wondering b/c the DCL website says this:

"After your interaction, explore the rest of what Blue Lagoon has to offer before taking the 30-minute return trip back to the ship. Note: Guests booked on the 9:30 a.m. departure will have the option of remaining at Blue Lagoon Beach after the Dolphin Encounter and taking one of the later ferry departures back to the pier."

To me, that sounded like you could stay and go to the beach if you wanted, but I guess since that is a separate paid excursion, you can't? I think that is pretty confusing. What else then would there be to do there that wasn't part of a paid excursion?

 

[jenseib]

Ok, I was wondering b/c the DCL website says this:

"After your interaction, explore the rest of what Blue Lagoon has to offer before taking the 30-minute return trip back to the ship. Note: Guests booked on the 9:30 a.m. departure will have the option of remaining at Blue Lagoon Beach after the Dolphin Encounter and taking one of the later ferry departures back to the pier."

To me, that sounded like you could stay and go to the beach if you wanted, but I guess since that is a separate paid excursion, you can't? I think that is pretty confusing. What else then would there be to do there that wasn't part of a paid excursion?

You can go to the beach, you just can't use the blow up stuff.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Ok. They really should clarify that. Thanks for letting me know. It's probably best that I avoid that area altogether if that's the case. I know my DD would want to play on all that stuff if we walked down there, and I don't need that drama.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

The dolphin encounter is a cool experience for the girls to be able to talk about.
Such a beautiful place!

I've never caught Goofy hanging out in his jammies. Very rare picture!

So glad I got to get caught up with your report this evening.

They were excited to tell a neighbor about it the other night. She is going on the Dream TODAY! Goofy in jammies - Aren't we lucky? Stay tuned, I have another rare character encounter coming up later!
I'm glad you got caught up too! I hope to keep it moving now - no more long delays!

Chelsea and Connor would be all about a dolphin encounter. When I told the kids I had booked a dolphin tour at Tybee, their first question was whether they would get to touch the dolphins -- sadly, no, it's against the law.

I have started making piles of stuff, if that counts. We leave on Monday!

Oh, well at least they can see them!! Piles count for me! I do that before actually putting things in the luggage! Monday will be here before you know it!

Ok. They really should clarify that. Thanks for letting me know. It's probably best that I avoid that area altogether if that's the case. I know my DD would want to play on all that stuff if we walked down there, and I don't need that drama.

Yeah, it would be nice to know ahead of time. I don't think I knew they had the blow up stuff there before we went, and the kids did ask and we said no, that wasn't part of our excursion. Plus, you just got to PLAY WITH A DOLPHIN!!! ISN"T THAT ENOUGH???? They were fine with that!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

While we did the detective agency thing, I snapped a few random pictures.

This is a view from inside a glass elevator

Not yet, we'll be here later tonight

So we dropped the kids off at the club and got all dressed up to go to our big date night dinner at Palo!! I could've sworn I took a picture of the entry with the sign, but have no idea where it could be! Well, it says PALO!

We were seated in a cozy round booth that faced the window. We could see Nassau as we sailed away from port! The lights of the city, the sun setting, it was BEEEEEYOUTIFUL! (yes, that's how you spell it when you say it that way!)
Our server was a lovely woman from Argentina - Cecilia. She brought out bread and antipasti.

I had a glass of wine - Malbec. Very good!
For our appetizers I ordered the Mushroom Risotto with grilled portobello and DH had Tuscan White Bean soup.

Sorry the pictures are so orange! lighting and using the flash are just beyond me I guess!
This was the artwork next to our table.

For our main course - I ordered the lobster ravioli and DH ordered the Filet Mignon.
Here's a good picture of DH's Filet

And here's a not so good picture of my ravioli

Clearly, the flash was helpful!

Our charming server took this for us

Me with our charming server Cecilia

Seriously, ask for this server if you can! She was amazing - helpful, sweet, not too overbearing, but there when we needed her!

Of course, we had to have dessert!! I had heard so much about the chocolate souffle at Palo, we already knew we'd be getting that! We also tried the Tiramisu. We shared. Oh. My. Gosh!!!!! WOW! Melt in your mouth scrumptulescent good! (my co-worker uses that word. It's real!)
The souffle with white and chocolate sauces - another cruddy picture.

The tiramisu

I've tried a lot of tiramisu before and I almost always like it, but NOTHING I have ever eaten compared to this, this...slice of heaven!!! I may never order it anywhere else again! (eh, maybe)

This was definitely a highlight of the cruise for me. It was quiet, but not TOO quiet, beautiful and elegant. DH and I had so much fun there and the food was perfect! For the cost (I think it was $20 per person) we more than got our money's worth!! We probably ate $200 worth of food!

Here's a picture I copied from the DIS to show the tables. On the right is right next to the windows. We were in a curved booth up to the left. You can see the artwork way in the back where our table was.

I wish I could go on another Disney cruise soon just to go to Palo again! It will be a must do for us in the future!!

When we finally decided we should leave before they kicked us out, we rolled ourselves to the door and picked up the kids at about 8:05. They were both playing games and had made some friends. Paige had made cookies too!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

That looks amazing!! And what a great picture of you and Dave!! It's beautiful!!! I am glad it was all that you hoped it would be...made me hungry! LOL

 

[jenjolt]

WOW okay if I wasn't completely sold on a cruise that review did it for me!! Palo sounds and looks amazing...I have always wanted to try a souffle before...I'm going to get one LOL!!!!

Another amazing review Sheree!! Can't wait for more!!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

WOW!!!!! What an amazing meal!!! You two look sooo adorable!! So snazzy in your dress up clothes!! That dessert looks positively sinful! I would go to Palo just for that! Yummy!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Oh yum! Your food sounds like it was delicious. Great picture of you two.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Well don't you two look all fancy! Very nice picture, and your dress is beautiful! The food looks really good too! I am a huge fan of tiramisu so I am drooling over your description and picture! Sounds like a wonderful evening! I bet the view was absolutely awesome too!

 

[jenseib]

You look fabulous!!!!
I have always said I would never eat at Palo because it wasn't included, but lately I keep reading about it...and I might change my mind!