the firstmickeys MAGICAL Western Cruise Aug 12-19: First Time Cruisers

[firstmickey]

And now that I have had some coffee....here are the pics...

Sunrise in the East!

Me in my favorite spot! (wouldnt you just give anything to be there now?)

Land Ho! (see the Pirate ship?)

Taken from our Verandah:

The Flying Dutchman:

 

[firstmickey]

 

[zzzzjohnzzzz]

How are you doing, I'm glad we arent leaving today I think Ernesto will be changing everyones plans that are getting on this AM. I'm glad Alex and Katelin finally got to roam the ship on pirate night. That late dinner was a good and bad thing. Your report is great, we didn't find any pins at CC and your right they didn't have much to look at or buy I expected a big shop not shack!! That was a great thunderstorm we had, and I didn't see the sunken Mickey either although I did see Barney the Barracuda about 4 to 5' long. Asked Lifeguard at the way out station what fish they have thats long and skinny and shiney and he jumps up saying where, where. I point and he says it a barracuda that hangs around named Barney and to stay away from it. Yeah like I was going to go pet it. Talk to you soon,
John

 

[firstmickey]

Ok....so back to NO RAIN IS GONNA RUIN OUR MAGIC!


Kaitlin and I go back to the beach to find Dan and Kevin since it's thundering and this big ole black cloud is threatening our magic. Really, though...we can't complain because we had the most beautiful weather I have ever had on vacation..EVER! We see DISSERS pjclarke/Pam and her DH, Tom behind us! Hey...small world! Their cabin was down a little bit from ours....we had fun seeing them all over the ship and excursions!

We gather up the stuff that we don't want to get drenched and head to Cookies Barbq with every single person on the island! I find a spot with DISSERS mbagley/Michelle and family and Dan takes the kids to get food. It starts downpouring and thundering and lightening. They clear the beaches and tell people not to even try to go back to the ship with the dangerous lightening. We are under this big wooden pavillion...lol. How safe is that??? Lines for food are incredibly long because the only thing to do right now is eat. Everyone tries to cram in this one little space and people just sit at our table with us even though I tell them it's full. But whatever....we make the best of it and all cram in. Nothing like Disney togetherness! Dan and the kids get back finally and I go get in line. Far left.....it's the shortest! (but it still takes forever). I see a CM go up to this little girl (about 2) and tease her a little. He chases her around and finally goes and butts into the buffet and gets her a cookie. I wish I had had my camera because the look on her face before she takes a bite of that cookie is PRICELESS! (Sighhhhh.....this is why I keep going back to Disney people!!!!)

I was happy to see a nice selection of food. The chicken and ribs were very delicious. (CHICKEN! I havent had that all week..I missed it!) LOL! I got some big cookies for the kids because they didnt get any. Really...honest...they were for the kids!

We see our head server, Stephan...he's playing in the puddle with another little boy which made me smile. The servers come around and take your trays away after you are finished eating. (I really could have cleared our own trays but it's just that extra bit of pampering you get with the cruise!) We sit for a while and chat with Michelle and family. She has the nicest girls. I wish Kristina (14) and Kaitlin could have spent more time together but they were both very shy girls. Unfortunately, their parasailing excursion was cancelled due to the weather. I was sad for them because they really wanted to do it.

Eventually the weather cleared and they cleared us to return to the beaches. The sun came out and it was like it never rained but it wasted about 2 hours on CC. I was grateful that it didnt ruin the whole day though!

Dan coaxes Kaitlin to go out snorkeling with him to see the Mickey and she finally agrees to go. Kevin and I hang out in the water and have a good time with him in the inner tube and me in my chair in the water. He seriously cracks me up this trip. He's just at a great age...fun and funny and pretty much nothing bothers him at all. He has my underwater camera and is taking pics of me...my feet....and stuff all around him. LOL!

Dan and Kaitlin come back and he tells me I have to hurry if I want to see the Mickey...they are closing the lagoon soon! What??? it cant be that late!!
It's only 3:30! I thought we have till 5 till all aboard? But they close the lagoon and the swimming at 4pm to get everyone herded back onto the boat on time!

Kaitlin says she will keep an eye on Kevin so I can see Mickey...she had a great time snorkeling with Dad! Dan and I go over and he takes me to see it. Do you believe Kevin took all the shots on the underwater camera...I got pics of my feet...but no pics of me with Mickey!
I rub his nose though and tell him ...cya real soon...so all is good. Im happy I found him. He WAS by the white buoy..just not the one I was near!


We head back to get our stuff because they are really pushing everyone toward the ship.....we buy just a few more things and say good bye to CC. Next time, we really want to do the double dip! I feel like we didnt get to see much of the island or have the time to enjoy it. It's nice to have the easy walk unto the boat...(take the forward gangplank..it's less crowded!)



Next up....last night on the ship!

 

[firstmickey]

How are you doing, I'm glad we arent leaving today I think Ernesto will be changing everyones plans that are getting on this AM. I'm glad Alex and Katelin finally got to roam the ship on pirate night. That late dinner was a good and bad thing. Your report is great, we didn't find any pins at CC and your right they didn't have much to look at or buy I expected a big shop not shack!! That was a great thunderstorm we had, and I didn't see the sunken Mickey either although I did see Barney the Barracuda about 4 to 5' long. Asked Lifeguard at the way out station what fish they have thats long and skinny and shiney and he jumps up saying where, where. I point and he says it a barracuda that hangs around named Barney and to stay away from it. Yeah like I was going to go pet it. Talk to you soon,
John

Hi John! Dan swears he saw that baracuda too. I told him he was crazy! LOL! so he will be happy to hear that validated! And I stayed clear of where he saw it too!

and Im glad all your pre trip weather watching turned out good for us!

 

[firstmickey]

No pics of me and Mickey...but hey...we got feet pics!

 

[RoyalVizier]

Kaitlin says she will keep an eye on Kevin so I can see Mickey...she had a great time snorkeling with Dad! Dan and I go over and he takes me to see it. Do you believe Kevin took all the shots on the underwater camera...I got pics of my feet...but no pics of me with Mickey!
I rub his nose though and tell him ...cya real soon...so all is good. Im happy I found him. He WAS by the white buoy..just not the one I was near!

Yay! Although no pics = no proof that you really found him.

Hmmm... note to self to watch out for Barney. If the entire island seized up at the bloodcurdling scream my daughter spat out at the site of the harmless yellow fish, I can't imagine what would happen if Barney came to visit.

 

[firstmickey]

LOL! I did find him! I did. Really! I rubbed his nose for luck!
I guess I will just have to go back and get a picture to prove it to you!


and LOL at your daughter! There was this woman on the dolphin excursion with us that was completely freaked out by the fish hanging around by the platform we were standing on. She was ok with the dolphins..but when this group of fish would come near...she would get all antsy and give these little shrieks.

 

[indimini]

Donna,

Thanks for the fantastic writeup! I'm already longing for another cruise. In fact I promised myself I'd stay away from the DISBoard this week to try and get back to a work-related mindset and stop obsessing over the cruise memories. Having caught dear DW's head cold, however, I decided to treat myself to the board and came across your wonderful posts.

We had such a great time - even with the embarassment of showing up an hour late to brunch, lol. I definitely agree that the dolphin encounter at Chankannab was the highlight of the vacation of a liftime (at least until we cruise again.)

Rachel starts back to school Monday (she's not looking forward to it) and Bryce starts after Labor day. I still can't believe it's been only one week since we got off the boat - if feels like so long ago.

Mojito's will always and forever now be the drink of the Disney cruisers as far as I'm concerned. Cheers and ciao for now - Bob

 

[Jillpie]

Wow, thanks for that fix . Except I needed to stop at the chicken part of Castaway Cay, I gotta get to Walmart for school supplies for all three of my boys (one is heading to college!). I'll pick it up late tonight when I can really concentrate. I LOVED your story about meeting those girls early in the morning, especially since my son is that age and I can picture him doing that. So fun. I can't believe this happened to you again with the camera. What IS up with that? Such a bummer, but your pics came out fantastic. I can't believe how attached I've become to your story, its gotta be the way you describe everything. You have the nack of putting us right there. Hey, btw, I'm an RN too! Worked in a step down cardiac unit for about 2 years, did med surg for many years before that, but haven't worked since my middle son was born, 14 years ago. I can't decide whether to go back soon or not, I'd love to try maternity. Anyway, I'll catch up with ya tonight, for sure!!

 

[sheridac]

Oh Donna!!!!

I'm loving your pic's sista!!!!

Oh. I have a question.

Is the sunrise in the east or west????

 

[jrose529]

Cute toes Donna! I loved your sunrise story. That sounds like something DD(17) would do if I let her stay up all night. (not a chance! )

Boy do you have bad luck with cameras. I hope everything worked out when you got to Shutters. I would be devastated if that happened to me twice! I do love your pics though.

 

[firstmickey]

Bob.....need some Alavert?

My kids started school this past Wednesday and they were sooo not ready for it! Nothing like immediate reality to slap you in the face after vacation!


Jill, I go back to work tomorrow. I work in a perdiem ICU float pool at one of the bigger Pittsburgh hospitals. It's nice because I don't make a schedule...I just call them when I want to work. (or they call me every single day and I say yes if I feel like going!) My background is cardiac but I do everything from trauma to neuro to CCU now. I like the variety..it's never boring that's for sure!


Sher....big grin yourself baby! EAST!! Pay attention!


jrose...I do get my camera replaced when I get back on the boat and so far it works great! (knock on wood!)

Thanks everyone for your kind words...I will probably not be able to finish up the last day for a little while. Reality intrudes!


Ciao for now!

 

[firstmickey]

Ok....Last night on the ship! Boo hooo...and then when I finish this trip report ....that will mean it's over....waaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

(ok...Im done whining now....I think!)


Remember the Magic......


We get back on the ship and hurry through everyone getting ready. I get ready first so that I can go down to Shutters and exchange my camera which I did without any problems. I really liked all of the Shutters CM's...they were helpful, friendly and really willing to work with us. Especially Reuben. I bought the rest of my pictures on my little card...and was able to exchange 8x10's for 3 6X8's which is good because we didnt take many 6x8's. I wish they had let me order some of the 8x10's as smaller ones though. DO I really NEED all of those 8x10's...probably not! LOL! But I liked them. (now I have to buy frames for them all!)

The line in Shutters before dinner was incredible. People sit all over the floor looking at their pictures and it's pretty hard to maneuver so allow yourself extra time to get your pics that day. (next time I will get most of them the day before!)

They are still taking pics in the lobby which they said would be ready after 10pm that night but we are DONE with pics! We head to Lumiere's for our last dinner on the Magic. And I confess...Im very sad....Im trying not to be...but I just can't help it!

Dinner was fun though with the Flag Parade and I admit I got a little choked up. Kira was laughing at me telling me not to cry! (Im a sap..ok?...I cry at commercials!) I dont even remember what we ate that night other than "Celebration" cake for dessert which Kaitlin promptly renamed "Mourning" cake because it's our last night. (Like Mother...Like Daughter!). We said good bye to all of our servers and gave them their envelopes. But they said they would see us at breakfast tomorrow at 7:15 back here at Lumiere's.

We head out to shop for a little bit before the show. Again, I am surprised by the merchandise here. More of a fine jewelry thing. I miss the "junk" jewelry like the parks. (Im not a big jewelry person though...just earrings..charms, bracelets etc and I am happy!). I get a fleece sweatshirt half off because it's the only navy one and they were clearing it out for the black! YAY!

We head into the show and take our same seats ..right side....two kids in front of us. It's pretty crowded and people who get there later kill me. They all get so mad and huffy that there aren't any available seats. Come early next time. Get your seat if you want one. LOL! JMHO.

The show is very good. My kids love the ventriloquist. She's pretty funny. They still imitate her and the things she made the audience volunteers do. I get all choked up at the end and surprise! Our family picture (IN the matching shirts) made it up on the big screen at the end which was pretty cool. (ok...so really...Im trying not to bawl like a baby!) Pleasseeeee don't make me get off the boat tomorrow! I waited so long for this vacation...it can't really be over!!!!

We head back to the cabin so the kids can change and we could dump all of our luggage out in the hall. We wanted to go to Till We Meet again in the atrium but once my kids found out it was lines for autographs.....they decide they want to just hang out in the room and watch Toy Story. They look pretty exhausted. They did a lot of swimming today at CC. Dan and I decide to try Pub night (cause there's no way Im staying in the room!).

We head out and shop a little more. (I just had to get that Disney Magic Christmas ornament! I NEEDED it!)

then we head to Diversions for Pub Night and Jeremy was singing and playing guitar before it started. It was nice to sit there and just relax with our drinks. (MOJITOS baby...but not as good as Prince makes in the Cove!).

Pub night starts and I won't give it away but it is so hilarious. The CM's do a little skit and it's quite funny. Plus some guy in the audience yelled out in the middle spontaneously and it really added to it and cracked all of the CM's up!

Afterwards, Dan and I head to Deck 4 to walk around and then up to Deck 10 for a last walk around. I say good bye to my favorite spot ....Cya real soon! (I hope!)


All in all....it was a very magical day......

 

[firstmickey]

Our Till We meet again Menu! (I really wanted to stuff this in my purse for scrapbooking...lol!...but I resisted!)

Kaitlin with her "Mourning" Cake

I forgot to add that Kevin actually switched his desert from " a selection of assorted ice cream" to this chocolate decadence!

Our last towel animal:

 

[firstmickey]

Last part!

Time to Leave!


I get up earlier than usual and notice the ship is not moving. I peek out the verandah and see we are already parked at Port Canaveral! Bummer. No wind in my hair on Deck 10 today! Plus we have to be packed and at breakfast at 7:15. We all get ready to go and pack up our carryon...check to make sure we have everything....say good bye to our room...and we are off to breakfast in our zombie like state. Everyone is pretty sloooooowww moving today!

We see Pairoj handing out the last sanitary wipey of the trip and we say good bye and thanks to him. Breakfast is a pretty somber affair. The whole dining room is very quiet. I think everyone is still half asleep! None of us are really that hungry. After breakfast, we hug Kira and say goodbye to Ciao Romano. They really did take excellent care of us.

We get in line to disembark. Im amazed at the luggage system. It really is quite organized. (but we have to really search for one of our bags that got separated from the others in our Blue Donald section!). We head out and our town car from FL Tours picks us up at 8:30 am. We are off to the airport after one final look back at the ship!

Our flight isn't till 12:30 and I expected long long lines at security but it moves pretty quick and we were through in 20 mins. They do make everyone take off their shoes now...whether it be flip flops or whatever. I packed all of the toiletries in packed luggage so everything we brought is ok. Thankfully, they allow electronics now so the kids gameboys are safe!

We got our flight on time and we were back in Pittsburgh gray by 2:30pm!
Tired....a little sad.....but so thrilled that we had a great vacation with great weather and no problems at all.

Kevin said to me as we get in the car at the airport.....

Hey Mom....can you work some more so we can do this again soon?


Uhmmmmm...sure honey....but could I at least unpack first?



all in all.....NOT a magical day....but what a MAGICAL VACATION!!!!!!




Thanks to all of you for letting me relive it all again!

 

[firstmickey]

You betcha we will, Mickey!

 

[Grammyof2]

Excellent

 

[jrose529]

That was wonderul Donna. Thank you so much for all the details. I felt like I was there with you. How exciting to see your family picture at the end of the show.

I really looked forward to all your intallments and pictures. I fell like my cruise is over as well. .

Thanks!

 

[curlybop]

What a great report!

I loved every single minute of it. Thanks so much for sharing - I just love reading them!