The WL/DCL/BCV Extravaganza! Trip Report - UPDATE 1/29 NOT FINISHING THIS

[Rora]

So glad to hear about the tix for Feb!!

Your Cruise pictures are AMAZING and make me really excited for my cruise this summer!!! You guys look like you had a really nice time.

Your door was decorated so cute- we're all about decorating the door

The Animators Palate was my favorite place on board- just love it! Sorry you were a little disappointed. I know what you mean though.

So excited for more!

 

[jenny105]

So glad to hear about the tix for Feb!!

Your Cruise pictures are AMAZING and make me really excited for my cruise this summer!!! You guys look like you had a really nice time.

Your door was decorated so cute- we're all about decorating the door

The Animators Palate was my favorite place on board- just love it! Sorry you were a little disappointed. I know what you mean though.

So excited for more!

Thanks!

I have my DIS cruisemates to thank for the door decorating. They did a great job! I just realized I never took a picture of our fish extender or any of the loot!

I did like AP but I think I was just expecting more out of it. No big deal! Still 10x nicer than most cruise ship restaurants!

 

[jenny105]

I just realized that I never took a picture of our fish extender or our FE loot. DOH! Nothing I can do about it now. Our FE was red and black and had two pockets. On one pocket was a Mickey head and the other was a Mickey head with a bow. At the top 'Cruisin with Mickey' was embroidered. We had gotten it off of Ebay. Super cute! We had 9 cabins participating in the FE so we got a lot of stuff! Candy, toys, picture frames, mugs, lots of little knick knacks and perhaps the coolest thing was a flash drive with a LOT of Disney songs, including the theme park songs. A lot of the things we got were personalized. Thanks again to my Disney cruisemates!

So today is Nassau day! We were going to Atlantis this day! We had been to Nassau once before and didn't care for it much but had never seen Atlantis. Our cruisemate Mary found a better deal than Disney offers directly and booked us (her, her DH Tim, me and Joe) a room at the Comfort Suites which is right across from Atlantis. They'll let you check in and check out at the same time just so you can get a wrist band for Atlantis from them. They must make a ton of money doing this and they don't even have to use the rooms!

Getting there was hilarious. These Nassau taxi drivers really pile people on in there. I swear it was like a clown car, this tiny van with about 10 tourists in it plus the driver. You have to cross over a bridge to get to Atlantis and I thought for sure we weren't going to make it. But we did and we went over to CS, got our wristbands, and headed toward Atlantis.

Sorry to say I did not bring my camera with me to Atlantis. I didn't trust to leave it just laying around and I couldn't bring it on the slides and pools with me because it's not waterproof. So this will be a text only description of our day there!

Atlantis is HUGE. We were sort of wandering around looking for the slides and finally came upon one after about 20-30 minutes of walking. We dropped our towels off and made our way to the slide. It was so hot, I couldn't wait to get in the water! The first slide we went on was a double tube that goes down a slide and then through a plexiglass tunnel where you can see fish swimming around. Pretty cool! After that we went into one of the pools for a little while and then Mary and I decided we wanted to find the lazy river. After some searching and inner tube hunting, we found it.

Wow guys. Let me just tell you, this is the FURTHEST thing from a lazy river. It's called The Current I believe. This thing has rapids, drops, and this one section of it is the BEST. You're surrounded by high walls and there is someone standing there to push you in front of this giant wave that's being created by a wave machine inside one of the water slide buildings. The wave just sends you coasting down the section with the walls and continues on, the wave machine still going, and you can catch about 10-15 waves in that section alone. It was awesome! It takes a good 30-45 minutes to complete the loop on the Current. I wanted to go again but Joe said he was starting to feel a little water-logged so we made our way to the beach instead. Before the beach, we went on one of the slides in the Tower. Ow. I wouldn't do it again. It hurt, you went flying down it way too fast and I hit my foot against something, hard. Not fun. If any of you are ever thinking about visiting Atlantis, the Current makes it worth going! I've never seen anything like it.

The beach was nice, it was Atlantis's private beach and pretty quiet. We lounged around for awhile and then made our way back over to the pool where our stuff was. We laid around there for awhile and left shortly after to get lunch on the ship (the Atlantis prices for food are insane).

We decided to take the Water Taxi back. It was a walk through and around the resort. We walked through the casino which was pretty big, I was surprised! We also walked through the outdoor shopping area where they also have a Johnny Rockets. Of course all of the American tourists were flocking there. We got to the dock just in time to catch a water taxi that was leaving in five minutes. We had a Bahamian give us a 'tour' while we sailed through the harbor. Ha! He was yelling over the wind and I barely heard a word he said. I think he was pointing out famous people's homes, I heard something about Mick Jagger lol.

Back on the ship, we grabbed lunch at Beach Blanket Buffet and settled down at the Goofy Pool for awhile. Toy Story was on! We watched most of it and it just became unbearably hot so we went back to our stateroom. Time for a nap!

We woke up feeling refreshed and got ready to head down to the Walt Disney Theatre to see Toy Story: The Musical. WOW! I was IMPRESSED. The best part is when all of the toys start coming out onto the stage. Buzz and Woody are simple enough because they're supposed to be human but with Slinky Dog, Hamm, Mr. Potato Head, and the rest it was just amazing to see them brought to life like that! They even had some of Sid's deformed toys in the show! It was soooo good! Loved it!

After the show we had some time to kill before dinner so we went up to the top deck to watch the ship pull out of port. I got a blurry picture of Atlantis off in the distance.

I never knew but apparently that 'bridge' between the two buildings isn't a bridge at all. It's a 10 room suite! I wonder how much that goes for.

There was a Carnival ship docked next to us. It pales in comparison to the Wonder!

I love the way this picture turned out.

We decided to do a lap around the top deck and took a couple pictures.

I realized we were moving and went over to the other side of the ship to take a couple pictures of Nassau's port.

I think next time we go on a cruise with a stop in Nassau, we'll just stay on the ship. It was worth it to see Atlantis but I don't think it's something I'd do again because of the cost. I'm not a big fan of the actual town of Nassau, it seems like people are always trying to push something on you and it's not like this in other ports. I'll use the next Nassau day I have to enjoy the ship!

Coming up:
Dinner at Parrot Cay
Pirates in the Caribbean party

 

[stacikristine]

Wow!! That "Lazy River" sounds INCREDIBLE! I'd hate the aspect of everyone trying to make you buy something too. I always get uncomfortable in Mexico and other places that do that. The Toy Story show sounds SOOOO great!!! I'd LOVE to see that! Toy Story is Michael's and my favorite!

 

[princess_momma]

I checked prices for 2010 to get a comparison for 2011. The Contemporary was less expensive then the Poly, BLT was cheaper than the Contemporary itself so that may be a possibility. I'm hoping there will be free dining or maybe even a Travel Agent Appreciation Offer again so I can take advantage of that!

Um, yes I probably will be. He was on Leno last night and they played the reaction on the radio. People were screaming their heads off for that boy. Grown women too. So I guess I'm not the only one who likes them young!

Isn't it crazy just all the possibilities?! You should definitely make it work out!! Is it less to use travel agent deals for yourself than renting DVC or something? I just hope it works out super cheap somehow and you get to have the best birthday ever!! (I hope that happens every year for you though! )

HAHAHA he is pretty cute! I'm definitely super glad that he cuts his hair in the rest of the movies! That really adds to his appeal!! I think it turnss out that I am going to the midnight showing! I can't wait!! And the first one is playing right before it!

Atlantis sounds really cool!! I would like to go there someday! Thats crazy about the 10 room suite!! Can you imagine the views?! I would love to see it!! But if my cruise does go to Nassu, I think I may just enjoy the ship that day!! Man, I would LOVE to see the Toy Story Musical! I just love TS so much!! That's really awesome!!

 

[Charlefours]

Great updates! I would love to go on a cruise again--we loved it both times we went on it. I know what you mean about the pushing merchandise, it happens all over the Caribbean, at least it did on our two cruises.

Did you get to explore the ship much? I think I saw you are looking into the Disney Dream ship? I think I may see if DH might agree to one in May 2011 as a graduation trip before I beginning my PhD.

 

[jenny105]

Wow!! That "Lazy River" sounds INCREDIBLE! I'd hate the aspect of everyone trying to make you buy something too. I always get uncomfortable in Mexico and other places that do that. The Toy Story show sounds SOOOO great!!! I'd LOVE to see that! Toy Story is Michael's and my favorite!

That was the un-laziest river ever! So much fun! I haven't been to a lot of places in the Caribbean but I feel like Nassau is pretty much the worst with that. I've been to Bermuda twice and was NEVER approached the way I was in Nassau. Those people are pushy! The Toy Story show was incredible. I really hope you guys can go on DCL and see it!

Isn't it crazy just all the possibilities?! You should definitely make it work out!! Is it less to use travel agent deals for yourself than renting DVC or something? I just hope it works out super cheap somehow and you get to have the best birthday ever!! (I hope that happens every year for you though! )

HAHAHA he is pretty cute! I'm definitely super glad that he cuts his hair in the rest of the movies! That really adds to his appeal!! I think it turnss out that I am going to the midnight showing! I can't wait!! And the first one is playing right before it!

Atlantis sounds really cool!! I would like to go there someday! Thats crazy about the 10 room suite!! Can you imagine the views?! I would love to see it!! But if my cruise does go to Nassu, I think I may just enjoy the ship that day!! Man, I would LOVE to see the Toy Story Musical! I just love TS so much!! That's really awesome!!

It does work out to be less expensive. Not only do we get a deep discount on the room but we also get a discount on tickets if we book with a TA package. I think its around 40-50% off both. The only thing you have to pay full price for is dining if you choose to add it on! It's awesome!

I'm going to see it tomorrow in the afternoon with my sister. I read some of the reviews and they ripped it apart! Not surprising. I don't care, I still have to see it.

If there isn't anything you really have your heart set on doing in Nassau, stay on the ship. You'll be better off!

Great updates! I would love to go on a cruise again--we loved it both times we went on it. I know what you mean about the pushing merchandise, it happens all over the Caribbean, at least it did on our two cruises.

Did you get to explore the ship much? I think I saw you are looking into the Disney Dream ship? I think I may see if DH might agree to one in May 2011 as a graduation trip before I beginning my PhD.

I haven't been to another island in the Caribbean except the Bahamas so I don't really have a comparison. However, I have been to Bermuda and they are nowhere near as pushy as Bahamians. They pretty much leave you alone.

We did explore the ship a little bit but a 3 night cruise is just too short. It feels like you get on the ship and then right back off again. Next time I would like to have a day at sea. I hope you get to go in May 2011! That would be a great graduation gift!

 

[jenny105]

I last left you with me and Joe hanging out on Deck 10, taking a few nights shots of the DCL and leaving the port of Nassau. We made a quick pit stop back in the room so I could tame my hair (it's windy when that ship starts moving) and then we were off to dinner at Parrot Cay!

Parrot Cay is super cute. It's very brightly colored and the atomsphere is fun. It was the perfect place to eat before the Pirate party. We were sat at a table next to the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Those people were nuts. We saw them throughout the cruise and they were just loud and drunk. You couldn't even hear yourself think this night at dinner because they were literally two feet from us and asked us to move our table down so they could fit an extra person at theirs! Whatever. They added to the atmosphere. HA!

Here are some general shots of the restaurant.

Hey, there's Lainey!

Loved the lamps!!

After we placed our orders, it was time to limbo! Most of us got up from the table, conga-ed around, and then went under the limbo bar!

Our meal was great, I can't even tell you what I had though because I don't remember! I had so much great food on this trip! This was the night Joe decided to order two of everything. I think he shocked everyone at our table with the amount of food he cosumed lol. He got two appetizers, soup, salad, and two entrees this night and the following night! I guess he wanted his money's worth. We skipped dessert this night because our servers were taking forever (more on them in a later update) and wanted to get to the Pirates in the Carribean party.

This is outside of Parrot Cay, as your walking in:

After dinner, we went up to the room to grab our pirate ears and saw this guy waiting for us!

Cute! I want to learn how to make these things! We hurried up to Deck 10 and the party was just beginning...

Up Next:
Partying with Pirates!

 

[karentan]

i kinda felt sorry for our assistant server, it was his first cruise and he just looked scared. plus i think the jacksonville lot scared half the dining room, not just him!!

 

[jenny105]

I did too because our head server kept leaving him there by himself. We never saw that guy! Other tables who arrived after us had their food and were done with their meals before we were!

 

[princess_momma]

parrot cay looks fun!! joe cracks me up!! i would probably do that too!! i wouldn't finish, but hey why not try more?

So you're going to see Twilight this afternoon?! I LOVED it!! I can't remember if you've read the books or not! I'm going with....yes, you hve. Anywho, lets talk after you saw it!!

 

[BippityBoo]

Wow...2 of everything!! Where does he put it?!!

Thanks for all of the pics of the restaurant. It looks really nice and fun. I am so excited to see the Pirate night!!

 

[jenny105]

parrot cay looks fun!! joe cracks me up!! i would probably do that too!! i wouldn't finish, but hey why not try more?

So you're going to see Twilight this afternoon?! I LOVED it!! I can't remember if you've read the books or not! I'm going with....yes, you hve. Anywho, lets talk after you saw it!!

He finished everything! He eats constantly, the guy is always hungry!

I read all of the books and New Moon was my favorite because it's all about Jacob. And the movie? DROOL. When he turns 18, I will feel less icky. Seriously though, I liked the movie but I did think it dragged a bit in places. I can't believe Eclipse is schedule to come out in the summer. They are really cranking these movies out!

Wow...2 of everything!! Where does he put it?!!

Thanks for all of the pics of the restaurant. It looks really nice and fun. I am so excited to see the Pirate night!!

He works out like a maniac so I guess he burns it all off?

Parrot Cay is definitely the most laidback of the 3 restaurants. It's the perfect one for Pirate night!

 

[Rora]

I read all of the books and New Moon was my favorite because it's all about Jacob. And the movie? DROOL. When he turns 18, I will feel less icky. Seriously though, I liked the movie but I did think it dragged a bit in places. I can't believe Eclipse is schedule to come out in the summer. They are really cranking these movies out!

I liked this book too but thought Bella was EXTRA annoying. UGH. I think I'm going to see the movie today with my mother (she is in love with Jacob.. ). Yeah, once he turns 18 we can officially drool. But for the time being....

That boy does not look under 18!! But hey, to keep it cool- he's "cute".

ANYWAYS:
Atlantis sounds like it would be a blast!! We've never been- we hate Nassua and rarely get off the boat but maybe next time we'll splurge and do Atlantis! The Current sounds awesome!

Isn't Toy Story the Musical so good? I loved it!! Rex was adorable.

WOW-Joe is a BEAST when it comes to food! Too funny!!

It looks like you guys were having a great time! I can't wait to hear what you thought of the Pirate Party- it was adorable.

 

[princess_momma]

He finished everything! He eats constantly, the guy is always hungry!

I read all of the books and New Moon was my favorite because it's all about Jacob. And the movie? DROOL. When he turns 18, I will feel less icky. Seriously though, I liked the movie but I did think it dragged a bit in places. I can't believe Eclipse is schedule to come out in the summer. They are really cranking these movies out!

That's hilarious!! Can't believe he ate all that!!

That's funny. I didn't like Jacob in the book as much as I did in the movie! (And not just because of the eye candy in the movie...I really liked how Taylor portrayed him!)

I'm so excited for Eclipse. One of my biggest disappointments from the movie was that they didn't have a trailer for it!! I can't wait!! Do you know anything about when Breaking Dawn is set to be released?

 

[stacikristine]

Wow! I can't believe Joe ate TWO of everything!!

 

[jenny105]

I liked this book too but thought Bella was EXTRA annoying. UGH. I think I'm going to see the movie today with my mother (she is in love with Jacob.. ). Yeah, once he turns 18 we can officially drool. But for the time being....

That boy does not look under 18!! But hey, to keep it cool- he's "cute".

ANYWAYS:
Atlantis sounds like it would be a blast!! We've never been- we hate Nassua and rarely get off the boat but maybe next time we'll splurge and do Atlantis! The Current sounds awesome!

Isn't Toy Story the Musical so good? I loved it!! Rex was adorable.

WOW-Joe is a BEAST when it comes to food! Too funny!!

It looks like you guys were having a great time! I can't wait to hear what you thought of the Pirate Party- it was adorable.

Oh dear God. I wasn't screaming with all the little girls in the theatre but even I had to say 'damn!' when I saw the scene of him walking around shirtless in the rain. I was talking to my aunt about New Moon yesterday and she was like 'I don't get what it is about that guy, I don't think he's cute' and I said 'The vampire or the werewolf?' and she said 'No, the vampire. The other kid is really cute'

I could have stayed in the Current all day long! It was a blast.

I don't know where Joe puts it all!

That's hilarious!! Can't believe he ate all that!!

That's funny. I didn't like Jacob in the book as much as I did in the movie! (And not just because of the eye candy in the movie...I really liked how Taylor portrayed him!)

I'm so excited for Eclipse. One of my biggest disappointments from the movie was that they didn't have a trailer for it!! I can't wait!! Do you know anything about when Breaking Dawn is set to be released?

I always liked Jacob. I was never a big Edward Cullen girl because he always came across as overbearing to me and that would drive me crazy. Jacob was very laidback and cracked jokes. That's my type of guy!

I'm not sure when Breaking Dawn is coming out. I don't think they've even announced a director or plans to shoot it yet.

Wow! I can't believe Joe ate TWO of everything!!

I can! But I don't know where it all goes!

 

[jenny105]

Sorry for the delay in updates. I was momentarily distracted by Jacob Black.

When I last left you, we were on our way up to Deck 10 for the Pirate Party! It was pretty crowded when we got up there and we didn't get a great spot. Toward the back and we had the top of the hot tubs in front of us. Oh well! We still had a blast.

This guy would talk periodically!

Eventually the CMs started coming out, as well as certain characters (most notably Minnie and Goofy) dressed in their pirate gear. They sung a lot of dance party songs (I cannot tell you how many times I heard the Cha Cha Slide on this ship) and each got a solo. Minnie had a little rap song about her and Goofy sung 'Walk the Dinosaur.'

Then the pirates took over! More CMs came out dressed as pirates and acted like they were part of Captain Hooks crew. Then Pirate Stitch took the stage!

And then it was Smee's turn!

Then Mickey came to save the day! He usually comes in on a wire from what I've seen around DIS but this night it wasn't so. He just sort of showed up on Deck 10, pointed up at the sky to show the pirates what a REAL party was, and the fireworks started on Mickey's command!

It was awesome to see fireworks out at sea! Never seen anything like it. I've heard that other cruise ships sometimes fix it so they can be around the Disney ships when they set their fireworks off so their passengers can see the show. You just really can't believe it when you're practically out in the middle of nowhere, watched fireworks go off! Magical.

The party continued for a bit with an appearance by Captain Hook.

Joe in his pirate gear.

A little while later and after a slice of pizza from Pinnochio's Pizzeria, the party was over and it was time for POTC to start on the big screen! I was very tired at this point and we were getting up early the next day so we didn't make it through the whole movie. But I managed to snag this awesome picture before bedtime.

Coming up:
CASTAWAY CAY DAY! I promise you lots of pictures from that day!

Have a safe and happy Turkey day everybody!

 

[stacikristine]

The party looks like a lot of fun!!! You talking about Minnie's rap song reminded me... My brother and I used to have a Mickey Un-Rapped tape! We LOVED that thing! It was Mickey and Minnie and friends rapping!

 

[princess_momma]

I always liked Jacob. I was never a big Edward Cullen girl because he always came across as overbearing to me and that would drive me crazy. Jacob was very laidback and cracked jokes. That's my type of guy!

I'm not sure when Breaking Dawn is coming out. I don't think they've even announced a director or plans to shoot it yet.

Well, Jacob has to sleep and actually protect and stuff. Edward has a lot of free time, being a vampire and all...he probably can't help being overbearing. He needs a hobby!!

I've heard such a smorgashboard (is that how you spell that? Is it even a real word?) of rumors about Breaking Dawn!! Someone told me their mom actually saw a teaser trailer with her all pregnant and stuff...though I think its highly made up. I've just heard a lot and I want to know!! I guess one day, we will see though!! You are probably right...

Anyway, Pirates IN the Caribbean looks uber fun. Joe makes for a good pirate, except that he looks too nice. Other than that, I was convinced. You rock the pirate ears though!! I love them!! They are so cute. It sounds really great and like they put on quite a party!! You didn't see any other ships trying to get the fireworks too did you? I've heard they do that a lot...I hope I don't see it!! I bet its SOOOO awesome out there.

Can't wait for your Castaway Cay day!! Don't hold back on pictures!!