Disneylovers
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 29, 1999
- Messages
- 566
I wasnt going to write a trip report for this trip. I did one after our cruise last year, and thought, no one wants to read about our trip. And after reading Royal Viziers report, Im totally intimidated. My writing style is nowhere near as entertaining as his. But my daughter and a couple other people (DVC Mary) have said I should write one, so here goes. Even if no one wants to read it, it will be fun reliving our adventures!
First of all, here is the cast of characters:
Me, Disneylover, your humble reporter
DH, Diver Dad
Our daughters Pirate Girl (our 21 year old) and Sweet 16 (who earned this name because she celebrated that birthday the day we got off the ship)
Last June, we went our our second Disney Cruise, which we labeled the do over cruise. Our first cruise experience was back in 2002, and for me it was a fiasco. I got food poisoning the day before we got on the ship, so the entire cruise I was miserable! Last year, we finally had the resources to do a cruise, and had a great time! During the cruise, we went to the DVC member event, where they gave us the point charts for 2009, including a discount for the cruises if you booked with your points. Ever since DIsney announced that Tortola was one of their destinations for 2009, I wanted to go there (tho I will admit at first I mistakenly thought it was Tortuga, like in Pirates of the Caribbean. Captain Jack, Will Turner, oh yea, Im SO in! When I discovered the error of my ways, I didnt let the family in on my mistake, I just continued to express my enthusiasm, and soon, the rest of the gang was on board too!). So, before we got off that cruise, we booked the June 20th cruise to Tortola!
Of course, I was here on the boards checking in with others who would be on this same cruise, and learning what I could about Tortuga, I mean Tortola. We booked a few excursions, and counted down the days until our trip began!
Pre Cruise
OK, so our first day actually starts the day before the cruise. We decided to fly down on Friday, so that we didnt have to worry about making it to the ship on time. Since were DVC members, we figured wed go check our our newest home Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Villas.
We normally drive to Midway airport, but this trip we decided to take a town car. It arrived at 9:00 a.m. and by 9:06, everyone was saying goodbye house. We arrived at Midway at 9:50, for our 11:50 flight, which we discovered was delayed until 12:30. Not a problem! One of our favorite stops when were flying out of Midway is Potbellys. We try to get there while they still serve breakfast, (which you cant get at most of their neighborhood shops), because their bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches are to die for!!! And they have Starbucks coffee. So we grab our breakfast and make our way to our gate (B15). In all the times Ive flown out of Midway, I never noticed that there isnt a gate B13, it just goes 9,11, 15, 17, but no 13. So I guess technically, were at gate 13, but shhhh, dont tell anyone who may be superstitious!
They announce that our plane is coming in from Kansas City, and they are having storms just like were having in Chicago, so our plane will be delayed longer. Diver Dad and I decide that even though we had this yummy breakfast at 10:00, by the time we get to Orlando, were going to be really hungry, so I take a walk around the terminal looking for sandwiches we can carry on the plane. Only one place makes sandwiches (not those prepackaged, that look like theyve been around since the stone age ones), so Diver Dad gets us our lunch, and at 1:30, we finally are on the plane.
The flight was uneventful, our sandwiches yummy, we arrive about two hours later than we originally planned. Being the seasoned travelers that we are, we head directly to the ground level to catch the Magical Express bus. One thing I missed reading about was the new express service if you have the booklet. No longer do you need to check in at the desk, you can go right to the lines for the different resorts! So, were directed to the AKV line, which is boarding (a cruise line bus, how appropriate!). We no sooner take our seats, than were pulling out of the terminal! Talk about great timing!
We stopped at all three of the All Star resorts, before heading to Animal Kingdom Villas. First stop, Kidani. There isnt any line at check in, and the CM looks at our reservation and says I see were celebrating a birthday. Uh, no, not until NEXT week. We ask about our luggage being picked up tomorrow and were directed to Jamba house to talk to the person at the cruise line desk. So, we head up to our room to drop our bags, and then walk over to Jamba house. Now, were from Chicago, which, historically by June 19th would have seen some mid 80 degree days already. But not this year! The day we left was finally seeing temps in the low 80s, but not before that. So, here we are in the Florida heat and humidity, and our bodies havent had a chance to adapt to the heat. By the time we made the 10 minute walk we were dripping! We head to the cruise desk, and find out no one is there. So, we grab some water bottles and walk back to Kidani. Stop at bell services and ask them about our luggage. they ask if we got the cruise luggage tags? Uh, no. Not a problem! They will pick up the bags at 8:00 tomorrow. Go up to our room, to change into our swimsuits to check out the pool, and there is the cutest towel birthday cake for sweet 16, and a card from Mickey. We play in the pool for about an hour, try to decide if we want alcohol or food from the pool bar - alcohol wins! We run into the store in the lobby and grab a couple of frozen pizzas for supper. As were cooking the pizza back in the room, bell services calls to say theyll bring up luggage tags, which they do right away. We eat our pizza, and head off to bed!
First of all, here is the cast of characters:
Me, Disneylover, your humble reporter
DH, Diver Dad
Our daughters Pirate Girl (our 21 year old) and Sweet 16 (who earned this name because she celebrated that birthday the day we got off the ship)
Last June, we went our our second Disney Cruise, which we labeled the do over cruise. Our first cruise experience was back in 2002, and for me it was a fiasco. I got food poisoning the day before we got on the ship, so the entire cruise I was miserable! Last year, we finally had the resources to do a cruise, and had a great time! During the cruise, we went to the DVC member event, where they gave us the point charts for 2009, including a discount for the cruises if you booked with your points. Ever since DIsney announced that Tortola was one of their destinations for 2009, I wanted to go there (tho I will admit at first I mistakenly thought it was Tortuga, like in Pirates of the Caribbean. Captain Jack, Will Turner, oh yea, Im SO in! When I discovered the error of my ways, I didnt let the family in on my mistake, I just continued to express my enthusiasm, and soon, the rest of the gang was on board too!). So, before we got off that cruise, we booked the June 20th cruise to Tortola!
Of course, I was here on the boards checking in with others who would be on this same cruise, and learning what I could about Tortuga, I mean Tortola. We booked a few excursions, and counted down the days until our trip began!
Pre Cruise
OK, so our first day actually starts the day before the cruise. We decided to fly down on Friday, so that we didnt have to worry about making it to the ship on time. Since were DVC members, we figured wed go check our our newest home Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Villas.
We normally drive to Midway airport, but this trip we decided to take a town car. It arrived at 9:00 a.m. and by 9:06, everyone was saying goodbye house. We arrived at Midway at 9:50, for our 11:50 flight, which we discovered was delayed until 12:30. Not a problem! One of our favorite stops when were flying out of Midway is Potbellys. We try to get there while they still serve breakfast, (which you cant get at most of their neighborhood shops), because their bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches are to die for!!! And they have Starbucks coffee. So we grab our breakfast and make our way to our gate (B15). In all the times Ive flown out of Midway, I never noticed that there isnt a gate B13, it just goes 9,11, 15, 17, but no 13. So I guess technically, were at gate 13, but shhhh, dont tell anyone who may be superstitious!
They announce that our plane is coming in from Kansas City, and they are having storms just like were having in Chicago, so our plane will be delayed longer. Diver Dad and I decide that even though we had this yummy breakfast at 10:00, by the time we get to Orlando, were going to be really hungry, so I take a walk around the terminal looking for sandwiches we can carry on the plane. Only one place makes sandwiches (not those prepackaged, that look like theyve been around since the stone age ones), so Diver Dad gets us our lunch, and at 1:30, we finally are on the plane.
The flight was uneventful, our sandwiches yummy, we arrive about two hours later than we originally planned. Being the seasoned travelers that we are, we head directly to the ground level to catch the Magical Express bus. One thing I missed reading about was the new express service if you have the booklet. No longer do you need to check in at the desk, you can go right to the lines for the different resorts! So, were directed to the AKV line, which is boarding (a cruise line bus, how appropriate!). We no sooner take our seats, than were pulling out of the terminal! Talk about great timing!
We stopped at all three of the All Star resorts, before heading to Animal Kingdom Villas. First stop, Kidani. There isnt any line at check in, and the CM looks at our reservation and says I see were celebrating a birthday. Uh, no, not until NEXT week. We ask about our luggage being picked up tomorrow and were directed to Jamba house to talk to the person at the cruise line desk. So, we head up to our room to drop our bags, and then walk over to Jamba house. Now, were from Chicago, which, historically by June 19th would have seen some mid 80 degree days already. But not this year! The day we left was finally seeing temps in the low 80s, but not before that. So, here we are in the Florida heat and humidity, and our bodies havent had a chance to adapt to the heat. By the time we made the 10 minute walk we were dripping! We head to the cruise desk, and find out no one is there. So, we grab some water bottles and walk back to Kidani. Stop at bell services and ask them about our luggage. they ask if we got the cruise luggage tags? Uh, no. Not a problem! They will pick up the bags at 8:00 tomorrow. Go up to our room, to change into our swimsuits to check out the pool, and there is the cutest towel birthday cake for sweet 16, and a card from Mickey. We play in the pool for about an hour, try to decide if we want alcohol or food from the pool bar - alcohol wins! We run into the store in the lobby and grab a couple of frozen pizzas for supper. As were cooking the pizza back in the room, bell services calls to say theyll bring up luggage tags, which they do right away. We eat our pizza, and head off to bed!
)
So we quickly showered and hurried down to deck three (the whole time Im praying there will be coffee, otherwise, Im making a detour to deck 9!) I didnt have to make that detour, they had coffee and danish. After the event was over, we headed back up to the room to see if the girls were awake. There was a note from them that they went to breakfast, so we head up to Topsiders, but we cant find them anywhere! We grab some breakfast, then head back down to the room. Theyre back, they went to brunch at Lumieres so that Pirate Girl could have her grown up orange juice. We sit in our room trying to decide what to do next. 
Got the new room key for Sweet 16, brought it up to her, and I find her in tears in our room. She thought I left her there, and she didnt feel good, and all those wonderful hormonal things we deal with! We got her room opened, and she decided she just wanted to put on her jammies and go to bed. So I helped her get out of her pretty pink dress, and kissed her good night, and met up with the rest of my family. We decided to go hear John Charles in Rockin Bar D (third time today in this place!). This was his adult show, and it was a stitch! We headed back to our room, (Sweet 16 was sound asleep) changed out of our fancy clothes, went for a walk up to deck nine for water, then it was time for bed!
I love your formal pictures.
DH converted me a few years ago (he was one when I married him). Actually got to see Jimmy last year (took DH for his birthday). Wanted to see him again this year, but didn't get tickets in time!
