The Magical Midas(as in King Midas) cruise 11/6 aboard the Wonder

[AspiringCindy]

Cast:
Myself: Self proclaimed Disney Neurotic planner who LOVES anything Disney
DH-likes Disney, but isn't a fanatic
DD-13 A teen with a bit of a tude(that's attitude in adult lingo)
DD-11 Fanatic in the making
DD-4 1st cruise

PRE- CRUISE DAY 1:
It seemed like everything was falling into place and everything we did seemed blessed. We arrived at MCO 25 minutes early on a Song flight, found our bags almost immediately and headed over tp Dollar rental. The line seemed long, but moved quickly for us. We booked a standard SUV for an incredible rate of $161/week and received a free upgrade to a full size SUV. Woohoo!...Durangos sure can fly!!! After a 40 minute drive to Port Canaveral and flying through E Z pass without paying (our EZ pass monitor didn't work in Florida ) we pulled up to the Radisson and soon found out that we had a suite room on the 3rd floor facing the ships!! We decided we were hungry and hopped on over to "The Grill" on the Cove and had a wonderful meal that was way too big for any of us to finish!
When I woke up the next morning, I quickly ran to the window to see the ships! WHAT A GLORIOUS SIGHT! Although I didn't see the Wonder, I could see the Carnival ship as well as Royal Carribean's ships. All that I could see of the Wonder were the tops of the black smoke stacks. Oh well, my first view of the Wonder would have to wait!

To be continued...

 

[AspiringCindy]

DAY 2..."The Wonder" is waiting:
While we were checking out of the Radisson and getting ice for our soft cooler, we noticed that there were MANY people waiting in front of the hotel for the shuttles to go to the port, soooo we quickly gathered everything and headed straight for the DCL terminal. It was about 10:35AM when we entered the gates for unloading, and DH parked as me and the girls headed into the terminal. Once we were at the top, a CM handed us a card with the number 3 on it! My response was, "you got to be kidding me...you mean to tell me that enough people have passed through that # 1 & #2 are gone. The CM standing on the right escalator heard me, and handed me a #2!!! We were directed to the Castaway Club line, checked in and found a table to eat our Mickey D's breakfast at the windows overlooking the ship!! It only took DDs about 60 seconds to destroy a table and everything within a 5 feet radius by getting cinnamon and glaze on places that have seem to never have seen an ounce of dirt I knew from previous posters on the Dis, that the announcement of embarkation would be muffled, so when I heard " IF Blah Blah Blah...then you Can Blah Blah now! I quickly ran to the CM under the Mickey Ears(ship entrance) and inquired what was said...because at this moment, NO ONE IN THE TERMINAL WAS LINING UP! I asked him if #1 was called, and he said #1 and # 2 can board! As I yell for the Family to grab everything, people hear me, and start asking me what they announced! We were probably one of the first 10 families to enter the ship! We were quickly directed to Beach Blanket for the buffet, and while everyone ate, I claimed 2 chairs dead center and 1st row in front of the Mickey pool! Yay!...it's easier getting Rolling Stones tickets front row than it is to get a lounge chair in front of the Mickey pool!
The girls swam, while DH and I talked to everyone who was equally excited to be on such magical trip. We finally went to our staterooms at 2:30 and quickly decorated our door, as well as meet our stateroom hostess! We received our dinner rotation...which was APPT for 6:00PM! I was pleased that we got this rotation, because I felt that the Animator's Palate show really kicked off our vacation! We were seated with another Joisey(Jersey) family with a little boy that was also 4! This turned out really well! I had originally requested a table with just the 5 of us, but was happy having table mates!
After dinner, we went to the theatre to see Hercules! The show hasn't changed much in 5 years, but some of the jokes were updated with some new punchlines! DH then went to Diversions for some football while the girls and I went shopping! We made it an early evening! Any more shopping, and DH would have to begin washing dishes on the ship! Oh yeah, fogot to mention that I met some DisPeople at our meeting place at 3:00...and where were the rest of you?! It was nice meeting you Gail, Debby and SophieLab!!

Thought of the day: I will NEVER fly on the day of the cruise again! Being near port the day before, and arriving very early in the morn, not only enabled us to have a full day onboard, but we were well rested and received our bags by 2:30PM!! This is a 1st for us!

To be continued....

 

[MrsJobba1]

Thank you for your report. #

Just a quick question , You said you got to the terminal at about 10:35am and got a number 2 ticket ( eventaully )

I just wondered what time did you actually get on the ship?

I am looking forward to reading the rest!


Thanks

 

[WDWLVR]

Thanks for sharing your trip report. I agree about flying in the day or night before. We've done both and flying in early does help you enjoy that first day so much more.

Can't wait to read the rest of your report!

 

[AspiringCindy]

Thank you for your report. #

Just a quick question , You said you got to the terminal at about 10:35am and got a number 2 ticket ( eventaully )

I just wondered what time did you actually get on the ship?

I am looking forward to reading the rest!


Thanks

We boarded at 11:50AM!

 

[allison k]

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[AspiringCindy]

Day 3...Nassau revisited...again, again & again:
Awoke to a morning of sunshine and warmth already docked at Nassau. Dressed DD(4) into her Cinderella gown for the portraits with the princesses. When I first entered the lobby, it seemed as though there were not many people waiting. But upon further investigation, soon found out that the line was about 150 people deep! Also, the elfs had set up a huge Christmas Tree in the lobby over night! After breakfast at Parrot Cay, we decided to go shopping in Nassau being that DCL had cancelled our original excursion of the Dolphin Encounter. We tried at 9:00AM to get a day room at Atlantis, but to no avail, settled on Bay St. I don't know why we wasted our time! I've been to Nassau atleast 6 times, and every visit vow that I will never do it again! After 2 hours of shopping, we headed back to the ship to see "Chicken Little" that was being shown in the Walt Disney Theatre. The movie was very cute, although DD(4) fell asleep on my lap after the first 10 minutes. I guess she wasn't too concerned that the "sky was falling"!
Dinner tonight was at Parrot Cay, and DD(13) and I both had the pomergranite wings and the Barbeque Spare ribs that were out of this world! Of course the kids finished off the dinner with Mickey Bars...which came to be known at our table as "the Mickey's that fall off the stick" Mickey and Minnie were in their formal wear, so we took this opportunity to get Christmas pictures done in front of the Christmas tree with the dynamic duo! Our show for the evening was Golden Mickeys...which I must say was well presented and typically Disney! Not a bad thing!!! Then it was the time to make a run for it...all 3 DD were going to the Kids Clubs while DH and I went to Diversions for some fun, drinks and football! We then called it a night!

Thought of the Day: Nassau Sucks!!! Stay away! Stay very far away!
In all seriousness, we would have been better off taking a boat over to Paradise Island or taking a bus to the Wyndham at Cable Beach for beach time!
To be continued...

 

[AspiringCindy]

Day 4...The perfect day!:
Again!...awoke to another sun filled day at Castaway Cay! It was 8:30 when I was dressed and ready to go, and the family was still asleep. Soooo, I grabbed our Mickey towels and lotion and headed onto land! It seemed like no one was up and around! I quickly walked to the family beach at a pace that would make Richard Simmons jealous and found a great spot in front with a beach umbrella, 2 lounge chairs and 2 low chairs! Yes folks, I did THE unspeakable!...I saved chairs! I then headed back to The Wonder to wake up my sleeping beauties(that includes my DH) and eat some breakfast at Tritons. I'd been waiting patiently this whole trip for some bagels and Lox, and at last the vision was before me!
We spent the day at Castaway Cay with 88 degree temp., blue skies and not a cloud anywhere insight. I'd have to say that this was the perfect day! Everyone swam, played and ate some awesome food from "Cookies". We knew that we had a ressie for Palo tonight, so we decided to put the kids into the program early today so they could join their friends for dinner, while DH and I skipped the Pirate Menu and popped in on the Castaway Club Reception. We began consuming large quantities of a lime green drink that tasted awefully good. Later, when I went to the laundry room to put my clothes into the dryer, I was stunned when my clothes were already in the dryer. I had placed the clothes into a dryer(a free standing one with no window) thinking it was a washer! My washer at home looks almost identical and I just assumed it was a washer. Needless to say, I washed the clothes again and placed them in a dryer...AGAIN!...and NO it wasn't the radioactive looking drinks that I was drinking!
Our dinner ressie for Palo was at 8:00...and ironically enough, we were seated at a table for 2 right next to our regular table mates! Everything at Palo was superb!!! From the appetizers all the way to the dessert, everything was fabulous! That chocolate souffle should be outlawed!...Anything that good has got to be illegal!! After dinner, we picked up the kids and made it to Deck 10 just in time for the fireworks and music to begin. Unfortunately, we were so stuffed from dinner, that we didn't have the opportunity to sample anything from the Pirate buffet! DDs didn't pass up those chocolate chip cookies though! Later on, I ordered an "All Hands on Deck" from room service...just because I could! Dh and I Did manage to eat most of it!
Another full day...but DD(13) is beginning to get bored! She is really too old for the Lab and too young for the teen group! What a dilemma! Yeah RIGHT!!

Thought of the Day: No matter how far you place your lounge chairs away from others on the beach, there is always a family that will set up shop 2 inches from your spot!!...better yet, they'll have a young one that will continually fling sand your way and make you into a human chicken cutlet!

To be continued...

 

[Jillpie]

Loved your report! Thank you!!!

 

[kimmar067]

Day 4...The perfect day!:
....I'd been waiting patiently this whole trip for some bagels and Lox, and at last the vision was before me!

....bagels and lox??!?!? Sista, bring on the MICKEY WAFFLES!!!!!!

Thought of the Day: No matter how far you place your lounge chairs away from others on the beach, there is always a family that will set up shop 2 inches from your spot!!...better yet, they'll have a young one that will continually fling sand your way and make you into a human chicken cutlet!

To be continued...

.... [as long as it's GLUTEN-FREE!!]

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

AspiringCindy

I'm so enjoying your trip report, Why did DCL cancel the excursion for the Dolphin Encounter?

Beckie aw:

 

[AspiringCindy]

AspiringCindy

I'm so enjoying your trip report, Why did DCL cancel the excursion for the Dolphin Encounter?

Beckie aw:

Don't know! Some speculate that the Blue Lagoon Island needs some refurbishment...while others say it may have something to do with the recent TV report on Dolphin Encounters and the way they are caught and treated in captivity!

 

[kimmar067]

Dolphins, schmolphins, WHERE ARE MY MICKEY WAFFLES??!?!?!?

 

[Gdharmon]

Great reports! I can't wait for my trip on Saturday!

 

[westjones]

Day 3...Nassau revisited...again, again & again:
Awoke to a morning of sunshine and warmth already docked at Nassau. Dressed DD(4) into her Cinderella gown for the portraits with the princesses. When I first entered the lobby, it seemed as though there were not many people waiting. But upon further investigation, soon found out that the line was about 150 people deep!

I never saw this before (we have been on 6 cruises so far). This sounds great! So are there several princesses there for you to get your picture with? Or is it just one that is in the picture? I would love a picture of my girls and me with a group of Disney Princesses! Can you tell me who was in the picture?

Thanks! And thanks for the report!

DJ

 

[kimmar067]

I never saw this before (we have been on 6 cruises so far). This sounds great! So are there several princesses there for you to get your picture with? Or is it just one that is in the picture? I would love a picture of my girls and me with a group of Disney Princesses! Can you tell me who was in the picture?

Thanks! And thanks for the report!

DJ

...you don't UNDERSTAND....it's ALL IN HER HEAD......

 

[AspiringCindy]

I never saw this before (we have been on 6 cruises so far). This sounds great! So are there several princesses there for you to get your picture with? Or is it just one that is in the picture? I would love a picture of my girls and me with a group of Disney Princesses! Can you tell me who was in the picture?

Thanks! And thanks for the report!

DJ

It was called the Princess Gathering: Meet Cinderella, Princess Aurora, Belle and Snow White! It was offered at 8:45AM-915AM on Monday! You move from station to station and have a picture and autograph with 1 princess at a time!

Oh Kimmar...you're just jealous!!

 

[AspiringCindy]

Day 5...There's no such thing as being too relaxed:
Woke up to blue skies and warm sun...took the kids to eat fast...very fast at Beach Blanket due to the fact that DH and I had appointments for facials in the Spa. Dh was having the Elemis facial, which includes a massage of the arms, neck and upper back! I booked the Hydra lift facial which activates collagen release and gives the appearance of a mini lift. I'll try anything to help hide some of the wrinkles! It was soooo soothing that I almost fell asleep. I felt myself go into a "snore breathing mode" and stopped myself before I actually fell asleep. We walked out of there feeling like spagetti! We were so relaxed that I signed the $300 charge and actually had a smile on my face. Then we went to see Marty to get a quote for a 7 day cruise for July...and our smiles dropped!! $8500 worth of Dropping smiles! Now it was time for lunch...it had been atleast 2 hours since our last big meal and with our expanding stomaches, we were already feeling the twinge of hunger! Parrot Cay was having a Seafood Buffet! DD(11) was convinced that sushi is a fish. After trying to explain to her that sushi is not a fish, but has fish in it, and her not willing to accept our answer... we finally gave into her! Yes folks, sushi is now a fish! You know that fish that you see swimming in the ocean with the rice wrapped around it and the avocado smushed inside !
Then we tried to swim at the Mickey Pool! But, between the crowds and stabbing wind, decided to end our torture and decided to shop and purchase pictures! Had a great Mochachino at The Cove and started to pack our bags for tonights luggage pick-up. Tonight we were eating at Tritons and I was really excited for the Escargot...S car go! DH ordered the Duck, DD(13) ordered some type of pasta, I had the Baked Cod and DDs(4 & 11) ordered the children's steak. Everyone was satified with their meals and decided to get Brownie Sundaes and a "Mickey that falls off the stick". Gee, this one actually lasted 60 seconds before it fell off the stick! Last, we headed for the theatre to see my absolute fav show..."Disney Dreams". Yup, it's still my fav!!! DD(11) was starting to look unhappy because she knew it was only hours till we would be walking off the Wonder! I wasn't worried...I know I'll be back! Good Night!

Thought of the Day: Having DCL items is definitely exclusive. Charge, charge, charge on board...and worry, worry, worry when you get home!
To be continued...

 

[aesalsa]

Really enjoying your report. Man, sounds like you know how to vacation!!

 

[lillygator]

love your report...were there tons of people at the port that early?