The McSparklesons are BACK and they are CRUISIN! COMPLETE 10/4

[anewmac]

oh No poor Ally .. and you lol seriously laughing at you and not with you.. cuz i dont think you were laughing right?

And looks like you got her to pose with some of the Characters.. was it a pitty pose.. I get those from the boys. I always tell them someday your going to look back and wish you took more pics ... ok someday your wives are going to look back and wish you took more pics LOL

 

[karajeboo]

I think Jeff needed some ME time and couldn't wait......

So are you saying that he was "advertising" that he needed some ME time? That would explain why Mickey was standing so far away from him!

Yes, that was funny about Mickey. ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE! I sometimes wonder what their facial expressions are under those costumes. LOL

Costumes? What are you talking about????

oh No poor Ally .. and you lol seriously laughing at you and not with you.. cuz i dont think you were laughing right?

And looks like you got her to pose with some of the Characters.. was it a pitty pose.. I get those from the boys. I always tell them someday your going to look back and wish you took more pics ... ok someday your wives are going to look back and wish you took more pics LOL

Actually, she LOVES posing with the characters! We asked her what she and her friend Tori did when they were off by themselves and she said they they wandered the ship and met the characters. She was telling me about all sorts of characters that they saw together!!! She is beginning to get some crazy thoughts about "costumes" and such...... but despite who may or may not be dressed up, she knows there is still a REAL Mickey/Donald/Goofy/"her" somewhere, but that they can't be in several places at one time, so they need helpers. Kinda like Santa Claus!

And no, I was not laughing. It's hard to laugh and hurdle towel carts at the same time. I laughed AFTER I made it back to the theater. To the applause of hundreds who had timed by absence.... Right Krisit?

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

More please!

 

[TopRowSeat]

And no, I was not laughing. It's hard to laugh and hurdle towel carts at the same time. I laughed AFTER I made it back to the theater. To the applause of hundreds who had timed by absence.... Right Kristi?

We started a pool with the people sitting around us. I had 13 minutes... you must have been hauling AFT.

 

[karajeboo]

More please!

Keep your drawers on, I'm working on it!

We started a pool with the people sitting around us. I had 13 minutes... you must have been hauling AFT.

Oh, I think I love you cause YOU GET ME!!!! However, I do feel for Kristi..... cause if you get me, then that says something about you..... just sayin.....

 

[KristiMc]

Oh, I think I love you cause YOU GET ME!!!! However, I do feel for Kristi..... cause if you get me, then that says something about you..... just sayin.....

I do need sympathy - sometimes I do not know what the hell I was thinking!

 

[harleyquinn]

Hi I'm joining in and loving the details and your writing style. We're taking our first cruise in August of 2013, so I only have 2 years and 2 months to do research!

 

[Happydog]

Hello, I am really enjoying your TR! Love all your unconventional humor and story telling. I write mine the same way and only occasionally get in trouble for it. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your days. This is the same trip we are taking in November. For Thanksgiving.... how was the ship?

Sounds like your Moms trip was great fun, too!! Looking forward to reading that one!

 

[jenseib]

I wonder if Villains is the same one that is on the Dream. It was my least favorite show on the ship. But actually my DD's favorite.

 

[karajeboo]

I do need sympathy - sometimes I do not know what the hell I was thinking!

I'm sure you and Jeff could cry on each other's shoulders......

Hi I'm joining in and loving the details and your writing style. We're taking our first cruise in August of 2013, so I only have 2 years and 2 months to do research!

Thank you!!!!! But wait, did you say ONLY 2 years, and 2 months???? You are already WAAAAAAY behind!!! What are you doing reading this???? Get out your suitcases, print your magnets, you are RUNNING OUT OF TIME!!!!!

Hello, I am really enjoying your TR! Love all your unconventional humor and story telling. I write mine the same way and only occasionally get in trouble for it. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your days. This is the same trip we are taking in November. For Thanksgiving.... how was the ship?

Sounds like your Moms trip was great fun, too!! Looking forward to reading that one!

The ship was beautiful!!! For all of those who complain that it is showing its age, I have to wonder what their homes look like? Cause mine is lived in, comfortable, clean, yet stylish and nice. And I felt like I was at home on the Magic. It's not a house - it's a ship. It's exposed to salt air every day. So yes, there were some very small rust spots on our balcony. And it almost ruined my entire trip!!!!! But they were polishing every day, they had small sections of Deck 10 closed almost every day to polish the teak, and to me, that just goes to show how much Disney strives to excel.

I wonder if Villains is the same one that is on the Dream. It was my least favorite show on the ship. But actually my DD's favorite.

Not sure but I loved it! And the reason I loved it so much? Because the only crying it caused was when that cold gin and tonic hit my, well, you get the idea......

 

[janiebubble]

I am so loving your trip report ... cruising for the very first time on the Magic in two months, and you're making me laugh with every update (and I've already shared the pee temperature discovery!)

 

[karajeboo]

I am so loving your trip report ... cruising for the very first time on the Magic in two months, and you're making me laugh with every update (and I've already shared the pee temperature discovery!)

I swear, you will see for yourself when you watch that channel. You will crack up now when you see the different temps for the pools. And you'll say, "That McSparkleson chick really knows her pee temps!"

Hope to get an update done tomorrow! Summer is turning out to be busier than the school year!!!!

 

[wilma-bride]

Holding out for another update. Just got all caught up (I was a bit behind - or should I say aft)

I was intrigued by the title of the most recent episode but relieved that the wardrobe malfunction was nowhere near as embarrassing as the one I suffered on Rip Ride Rockit at Universal last August

I wonder if your time for the trip back to the cabin, including change of clothing, was some kind of record Must admit, I would be mourning the loss of my drink more than any potential damage to the attire - those things are dang expensive.

Now quit your dilly-dallying and let's have another update quick smart! Thank you

 

[karajeboo]

Well I was scared half to death during "Villains", no not by Maleficent, cause she must have forgotten her lifts this night - she was really SHORT! So the battle royale between her and the Snow Queen surely went to the icy chick.

But that's not what was so scary.

Have you seen the price of a drink on a cruise ship?????

Yeah. And since I was running so fast, so fast..... like lightning, Steve Austin would have been a blur as I blew by him!!!!! But the problem with my lightning speed is that my pants were mostly dry when I got back to the room that I couldn't even suck the gin and tonic out of them!

Not that I would do that...... Unless I was really thirsty. Like from running the length of a ship or something.......

After the show, we made our way down to the Rockin D bar to see Taylor Mason, an awesome ventriloquist! I swear I have seen him before, I'm thinking he made the college circuit back when he was first starting out?

Yeah, like I remember anything from college!!!! Oh, Kara, that's a good one!!!!!

Anyway, this guy seemed sooooo familiar...... NO!!!! Get your minds out of the gutter! I meant he might have PERFORMED when I was in college! Oy vey!

The problem I found with late dining, is that the early show gets out later than early dining, so trying to find a seat for any show between first and second dinner seating, was next to impossible.

Yes, even with my lightning speed!

So we were way up front on the side. So I got a good look at Taylor Mason's ear hair. And Romeo's ear hair. And Paco's ear hair. And that was just about as cute as a pig's ear........ OK, for those of you who have never seen Taylor Mason, first of all, you should check out his act sometime. VERY funny! Second of all, Paco is a pig. Get it? Cute as a pig's ear? Get it?

Oh, I need a minute to collect myself. Just cracking myself up again. Talk amongst yourselves......

OK, I'm back.

I still had my SECOND gin and tonic (well, first one I was able to drink through a straw......) and I think Jeff ordered a beer. We got Ally something fruity, but by now she was complaining of an upset stomach.

Uh, oh......

She didn't drink any of her drink. Again, terrifying. Have you seen the price of a virgin drink on a cruise ship????

After a bit, she started to sniffle a little bit, so I thought I'd better take her out of the bar. Yes, I just said it was time to take my 9-year old out of the bar...... You won't hear me say THAT every day!!!!!

We made our way to the restrooms, hoping that would alleviate the problem.....

Then we just walked around a bit. Leaving poor Jeff all alone with the ear hair......

I think Ally had a nervous stomach after spilling my drink. After all, she had 8 minutes of not knowing if I was mad, hurt, or what was going on. Then I think Jeff showed her the price of a drink on a cruise ship....

So we just found ourselves a port hole and popped a squat. Actually we kicked back and layed down for a bit. I think that's just what was needed because Ally started to perk up a bit after that.

We waited outside the bar for Jeff, and then made our way to dinner, this night in Animator's Pallet.

For the past two night, our server kept telling us we had the BEST table at AP and not to forget our camera this night. And I've learned to never doubt the Dobo...... Well, anyone who knows me knows I go NOWHERE without my camera. So I was well prepared......

Jeff asking if he should get the water with lemon, or lime......

And I knew what I'd be getting!

All I kept thinking is "I could get my house painted a lot faster with a brush THIS size!"

Still not feeling 100%, but pull out a camera and she's all smiles!

For starters this night, I ordered the Ahi Tuna Tartare
With Caviar, Chives, and Wasabi Cream.....

This was EXCELELNT!!!!!

Jeff got the Wild Mushroom Risotto and Porcini Twist
Served with Parmigiano-Reggiano and Black Truffle Oil....

Also EXCELLENT!!!

Not so excellent, but not exactly terrible, was this.....

I can't remember what it was, but it was not finished......

This was the first night I think, that I asked Dobo, "what am I eating tonight?" And he told me. I went with his recommendation each night BUT tonight I also added the blue cheese and asparagus risotto because it just sounded so good!

And it was!!!! I have attempted (and halfway succeeded!) in making the wild mushroom risotto since we've gotten home, but I have yet to try the blue cheese and asparagus risotto. It was one of my favorites of the whole cruise!!!!! And I have no photo.......

I also ordered the Smoked Salmon and Trout with Goat Cheese Salad
On Baby Greens, with Toasted Almonds and a Cranberry-Balsamic Vinegar Dressing.....

For our entrees, I honestly cannot remember what we ordered!!!! I'm sorry!

As we sat in the dining room, we noticed it "changing." The walls gained some color, the black and white sketches on the walls turned colors, and then came to life in animation form.

Pretty soon, it was time for "the show....."

Animator's Palate Show - VIDEO

This was the most "animated" we had seen Ally since being scared off by cruise ship drink prices!!!!! FINALLY she was back to being ALLY! That Mickey sure has a way, huh?

When the show was over, the servers all came out and their vests had "magically" changed colors!!!! They had come to life just like the lithographs on the walls!!!! Yea Dobo and Willy!

Speaking of Willy, it wouldn't be dinner without a magic trick.....

OK, move only ONE crayon to change the direction the horse is running....

FYI: Ally got this one!

 

[KristiMc]

We liked the Taylor Mason show but it was very crowded in there.

That mushroom risotto was one of the best appetizers I had.

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

THANK YOU for writing this !! My kids keep asking what I'm reading 'cause you keep making me LOL! We just booked our first cruise for next summer, August 2012, NY-Canada on the Magic, so I'm LOVIN' your report! Please keep in coming... I'm waiting for the next installment!

 

[karajeboo]

We liked the Taylor Mason show but it was very crowded in there.

That mushroom risotto was one of the best appetizers I had.

Was that the night we rescued Shawn from certain demise? Cause you know, he could have been helicoptered off the ship and taken to foreign lands, if not for the daring bravery of the McSparklesons to swoop in and save the young lad! OK, so I walked in from the restroom and see Jeff with Shawn saying, "doesn't he belong to one of your DIS buds?"

THANK YOU for writing this !! My kids keep asking what I'm reading 'cause you keep making me LOL! We just booked our first cruise for next summer, August 2012, NY-Canada on the Magic, so I'm LOVIN' your report! Please keep in coming... I'm waiting for the next installment!

Ya know, I crack myself up sometimes. My poor family just does not know what to do with me sometimes, but I like to remind me that they are stuck with me, and even Jeff admits it would cost him too much to get rid of me!

 

[wilma-bride]

Great update - well worth waiting an age for

Sorry Ally wasn't feeling too hot and glad to see she perked up a bit later on. Great food pictures. One of the entrees looked very much like the veal chop I had at Animators - delish!

 

[999ghostslover]

Still loving your TR. Gotta go find the Moms TR now too. Our WDW trip turned out to be a bust. Brady spent 3 days including his birthday in the hospital in Orlando. It was rough. Glad to be reading about all of the wonderful trips.

 

[karajeboo]

Still loving your TR. Gotta go find the Moms TR now too. Our WDW trip turned out to be a bust. Brady spent 3 days including his birthday in the hospital in Orlando. It was rough. Glad to be reading about all of the wonderful trips.

OH NO!!!!! Ya know, I was thinking about you and wondering how it went. I never heard back from you or I was ready to attack your parents' car!!!!

What happened that he was in the hospital and is he better now???