The Pirates and the Frog (7/17 Welcome to the Next Adventure!)

[thecapells]

The countdown sign is very cute!

Everyone looks so excited to pull off that last Mickey head!!! I would be too!

Darn rodents were everywhere!
I was glad to get rid of 'em and start our voyage!

I love the luggage! It's so cute!

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays so I can't wait to hear about Halloween at WDW

All Hallow's Eve was a great time to launch our vessel!
Too spooky for most people but not us pirates!

Love the countdown window! I'm trying to talk Jon into going next year for MNSSHP, so I can't wait to see pictures so I can show him how the parks are decorated. Based on your wife's cute outfit choices for the day, I'm ready to see what your costumes look like!!!!

Crew attire is something us buccaneers take very seriously.
If we don't look the part, villagers will not cower in fear when we arrive to pillage and plunder!

Nice update Mike

The Countdown calendar is great ! In-fact it has inspired me to go to Home Depot and get some of those Mickey heads this weekend and get our countdown calendar ready . We should be able to start ours a week from Monday

Great job organizing the outfits Mom , I refuse to use that word the Mr. has been calling u and I totally understand if he stops typing this report ! My DH would lose a finger or two over calling we that word continuously too

Can't wait to read more !!

Them's fighting words!
How about we go with "fair maiden?"

Joining in!!
I love your luggage and countdown calender!
Can't wait to hear more!!

Welcome aboard!
Now hoist the flag - it's time to shove off!

 

[thecapells]

We boarded this iron bird – much different than the vessels us sea-faring folk are used to.
But we were in good spirits and I even took a portrait of myself.

[AUTHOR’S NOTE: Yes, that’s me with a beard grown specifically for Halloween in Disney. It goes with the costume as you shall see later on]

My first mate was just as eager as he clutched his Bodyguard Bear

With our Pirate Princess, we made a formidable group of scallywags!

Across the way, our maiden sat with the little one – X, we call him.

He’s one to watch out for though – never get on his bad side
Just look at that maniacal laugh…

Gives me the creeps.
Luckily the little swashbuckler spent most of the trip reading.

Our iron bird soared across the skies and got us to Port Orlando in no time.
We gathered our booty and headed through the transportation center.

At the end of the building, we were greeted with a red carpet – almost looked good enough to steal.
However, with the proper forged paperwork, anyone can get through!

Next they loaded us onto a steel horse of some kind.

No matter, my crew was in high spirits.
I think the mouse promised them some rum…

Even X was rarin’ to go!

He even tried to make a getaway out the window!

Finally we arrived at the docks to check out our vessel – our home away from home!
But that, me hearties, is for next time.

 

[dawnbu40]

for arriving at MCO! Boarding the ME always feels the official start of the vacation and you all look so happy to be back!

 

[Rozz]

Yahoooo! Another trip report! Please, please, please go with the "Fair Maiden" and drop the "wench". I'd be devastated if you couldn't post your trip report due to not being able to type and all. Besides, she's the fairest of them all as you know!

 

[WrightFamily06]

Them's fighting words!
How about we go with "fair maiden?"

Yes , Fair Maiden would be much better and I'm pretty sure you'll be able to keep your fingers

Great pictures of everyone on the plane and ME bus !

You can tell everyone is very happy to be there w/ all those beautiful smiles

X looks so grown up , I think it's the hair cut !

The beard is great , I'm starting to get more of an idea of what these costumes may be now .

 

[thecapells]

for arriving at MCO! Boarding the ME always feels the official start of the vacation and you all look so happy to be back!

Aye, we were in great spirits to begin our adventure!
This "port of call" definitely starts to feel like "home" after a while...

Yahoooo! Another trip report! Please, please, please go with the "Fair Maiden" and drop the "wench". I'd be devastated if you couldn't post your trip report due to not being able to type and all. Besides, she's the fairest of them all as you know!

Okay, okay.
Fair maiden it is.
(Although when the 3 year old announces to guests that Mom is a "wench", it's the cutest thing ever!)

Yes , Fair Maiden would be much better and I'm pretty sure you'll be able to keep your fingers

Great pictures of everyone on the plane and ME bus !

You can tell everyone is very happy to be there w/ all those beautiful smiles

X looks so grown up , I think it's the hair cut !

The beard is great , I'm starting to get more of an idea of what these costumes may be now .

Hey - don't give it away.
You were granted some "inside information" for your upcoming trip so no cheating!

 

[praisehisname]

I'm a little late, but I'm here! I love that your wife is going to chime in, too!

 

[thecapells]

I'm a little late, but I'm here! I love that your wife is going to chime in, too!

Welcome aboard matey!
You be just in time for the fun to start!

 

[TheCapellsMom]

Thanks to everyone who defended my honor!

Clearly, Captain Capell would prefer to avoid a mutiny so he has suggested a number of other (kinder) nicknames for me....we'll see how long that lasts...

The outfit planning and the dining plans are my very favorite part about prepping for a Disney trip and admittedly, I usually go overboard. But it's SO much FUN! Just wait till you see what I came up with for this trip!!!

And yes, X did get his very first haircut a few weeks before this trip. I was not happy to say goodbye to all of those sweet baby curls but it was getting long enough to be "girly" already. Then when he got staples in his head for the 2nd time (YES-REALLY!!!), we just had no choice.

 

[WrightFamily06]

Hey - don't give it away.
You were granted some "inside information" for your upcoming trip so no cheating!

Don't worry my lips are sealed and thanks again for all that inside information , I'm getting together a itenary for Halloween party night & plan on posting it on my report very soon !

If you told me what the costumes were I don't remember anyway but I don't think you did

Thanks to everyone who defended my honor!

Clearly, Captain Capell would prefer to avoid a mutiny so he has suggested a number of other (kinder) nicknames for me....we'll see how long that lasts...

The outfit planning and the dining plans are my very favorite part about prepping for a Disney trip and admittedly, I usually go overboard. But it's SO much FUN! Just wait till you see what I came up with for this trip!!!

And yes, X did get his very first haircut a few weeks before this trip. I was not happy to say goodbye to all of those sweet baby curls but it was getting long enough to be "girly" already. Then when he got staples in his head for the 2nd time (YES-REALLY!!!), we just had no choice.

Your welcome

Awe I know it's so sad when they get rid of that baby look and move on to being a big boy Awe what happened that he had to get staples again ? Poor guy

 

[dawnbu40]

Then when he got staples in his head for the 2nd time (YES-REALLY!!!), we just had no choice.

More staples?!

 

[thecapells]

Don't worry my lips are sealed and thanks again for all that inside information , I'm getting together a itenary for Halloween party night & plan on posting it on my report very soon !

I'll definitly have to check it out and see if it looks familiar...

 

[thecapells]

More staples?!

I'll let the maiden tell that tale...

 

[thecapells]

At last we arrived in the Caribbean!

First stop was checking in with the landlubbers at the Customs House.
We had to make sure our ship was in tip top condition of course!
Several days beforehand, we used the on-line registration system and this made the dealings all the more easy.
Our packet of information was waiting for us so we headed to straight to the transport hub.

Reviewing our information, we found a nifty map of the Caribbean –that will come in handy for pillaging and plundering later on…

Also, a list of all the best pubs to grab some grub.

Lastly, they included some treasure to wear on our shirts to celebrate the union of me and me maiden.

In addition to the treasure, we received several additional packets of surprises.

The backside was all balloons

Inside were autographs of that rodent again

As well as a special card for discounts off portaits.

Discounts? Who needs those? We pirates just take we want!
Anyway, we were instructed to catch an internal transport which would take us straight to our ship docked in Trinidad South.

However, by now all the excitement had gotten to little X and he passed out.

Next up – a tour of the ship!

 

[thecapells]

We arrived at dock 37 and searched for portal 3732 where our ship, the Dark Destroyer, was due to be waiting.
[Author’s Note: The ship is named for our first mate’s ship in the Pirates of the Caribbean Online game]

The crew was unaware that we would boarding such a grand vessel (or any vessel at all) so they were surprised when we entered our awesome ship!

That’s right, these buccaneers travel in style and we had our boat themed after the great Captain Jack himself!
Come along and I’ll give ye the tour, mates!
First is the bed of gold where you’ll find the helm of the ship.

It was truly made of gold!

Our first mate checked it out first

When he gave the all clear, we decided to inspect the details

X woke up and wasted no time getting us underway and steering us towards our destination!

Above the helm was a tribute to Cap’n Jack himself

In between the two helms were some barrels with a shelf cut out of them.
That may come in handy!

Towards the rear of our ship, you’ll find several crates stacked high to stowe our gear.

And another barrel – this one reserved for our stash of rum!

It opened easier than a traditional barrel – this also may come in handy!

Next to our barrels, was the sign of Jolly Rodger himself!

He was protecting another storage area – this must be for the valuables as no one would cross the Jolly Rodger!
Through a door off to the side was the latrine.
Curtains in here paid homage to the great vessels of the past and made a pirate feel proud!

However, the piece de resistance was carved on the wall itself – the great Flying Dutchman!

Back towards the bow of our ship, a compass was fashioned into a table so we can plan our course of action!

Above which a lantern hung to guide our way in the night.

And a fan to blow the sails and steer us in the right direction!

Lastly, we inspected the floor panels which were made of fine stuff – just like the boards of the Black Pearl herself!

A surprise was waiting aboard as well – it seems two totems were left behind.
I hope they didn’t contain any of that voodoo magic!

After fully exploring the Dark Destroyer, the crew quickly changed into our pillaging clothes and gathered at the bow of the ship.
We were off to conquer several countries throughout the world this afternoon!
Come along if you dare!

 

[TheCapellsMom]

Awe what happened that he had to get staples again ? Poor guy

More staples?!

Yes, MORE staples! This time DD enticed X to break one of the most important rules in our house: NO RUNNING!

The way our house is designed, there is essentially a "race track" on the main level. From the foyer through the kitchen, then the dining room, through the office, and back to the foyer. On the track, the floor changes from wood to tile to carpet, then back to wood. You have to pass between the kitchen counters and chairs, the dining table & china cabinet, the work/school projects scattered on the office floor, and the landmine of shoes & backpacks on the foyer floor.

It's a death trap- hence THE RULE!

So that morning, when DD stole X's train and ran, he could not resist the urge to chase her, and chaos ensued.

Unfortunately, X was wearing socks without the rubber treads on the bottom. He rounded the corner from the carpeted office to the foyer with the wood floor, lost his footing, and slid into the wooden bannister on the bottom of the staircase. Then came the tears, the shrieking, and the bleeding.

So I went into "Mommy Emergency Mode," put pressure on the wound, called a friend to watch the other kids, and raced X to Urgent Care. This time it was 3 staples on the left side of his head (the "Disney Staples" were 5 on the right). So, if he ever gets a crew cut, he will have a matching pair of scars on his head.

Needless to say, X got spoiled rotten for a few days and DD did NOT.

Now, wanna hear about the time that DS got staples in his head???

 

[WrightFamily06]

I'll definitly have to check it out and see if it looks familiar...

Great updates Mike

all the pamphlets for the Caribbean Beach ! Happy Very Belated 9th Anniversary !!

Great close-up pictures of the Pirates Rooms ! How did you like the Caribbean Beach overall ? We stayed there last May & April and didn't really enjoy it so much too spread out for us .

Yes, MORE staples! This time DD enticed X to break one of the most important rules in our house: NO RUNNING!

The way our house is designed, there is essentially a "race track" on the main level. From the foyer through the kitchen, then the dining room, through the office, and back to the foyer. On the track, the floor changes from wood to tile to carpet, then back to wood. You have to pass between the kitchen counters and chairs, the dining table & china cabinet, the work/school projects scattered on the office floor, and the landmine of shoes & backpacks on the foyer floor.

It's a death trap- hence THE RULE!

So that morning, when DD stole X's train and ran, he could not resist the urge to chase her, and chaos ensued.

Unfortunately, X was wearing socks without the rubber treads on the bottom. He rounded the corner from the carpeted office to the foyer with the wood floor, lost his footing, and slid into the wooden bannister on the bottom of the staircase. Then came the tears, the shrieking, and the bleeding.

So I went into "Mommy Emergency Mode," put pressure on the wound, called a friend to watch the other kids, and raced X to Urgent Care. This time it was 3 staples on the left side of his head (the "Disney Staples" were 5 on the right). So, if he ever gets a crew cut, he will have a matching pair of scars on his head.

Needless to say, X got spoiled rotten for a few days and DD did NOT.

Now, wanna hear about the time that DS got staples in his head???

Oh my that will do it a chase with your sister and a slippery floor

You guys seem to attract those staples don't you ? lol

Your poor DS & X

My DS6 had three staples in the back of his head when he was about 3 , also the result of a kiddie squabble lol

 

[dawnbu40]

I love the pirate room! How fun! Carribean Beach is the only mod we've never stayed at so I'm looking forward to reading what you thought!

Poor X! How awful, for him and you two, to have that happen twice! I'm sure his big sister must have felt terrible!

 

[thecapells]

Great updates Mike

all the pamphlets for the Caribbean Beach ! Happy Very Belated 9th Anniversary !!

Great close-up pictures of the Pirates Rooms ! How did you like the Caribbean Beach overall ? We stayed there last May & April and didn't really enjoy it so much too spread out for us .

I love the pirate room! How fun! Carribean Beach is the only mod we've never stayed at so I'm looking forward to reading what you thought!

Glad you liked the docs - the maiden always laughs at me for including those.
As for the Caribbean Beach, we actually really enjoyed it.
I stayed once before back in 1994 and both times I really enjoyed it.
For moderates, we've been to Dixie Landing (now Port Orleans Riverside) and I think I like the theming in the Caribbean better - especially with the wee ones.
It is a bit spread out and the dining leaves something to be desired, but we tend to eat meals either at the Deluxes or in the parks anyway.
We loved our "ship" and we'll tour the rest of the Caribbean a bit later on.

 

[dtr_angel]

Wow, I love the theming of the POTC rooms at CBR!