Two Adults DREAM BIG! A Feb TR! - 3/17 NEW x3 AND REMY'S!!!

[Disney9.9.10]

Finally joining in on a cruise TR early on! Your report is great so far. My husband and I are doing a cruise together in September, so I look forward to reading about your adults only trip. He doesn't quite believe me that there are adult things to do - he thinks it is going to be all Disney characters and silliness for 5 days I look forward to reading more!

 

[eandesmom]

Almost run over by a pedi cab? After a serenity, flaming drinks, smoking ice drinks and something really really tall?

Are you sure it was the pedi cab?



I'm glad you got a little park time in, that makes for a fun little afternoon. I really need to try those crab nachos!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Hmmmm, those drinks looked very interesting! Anything I would like? You know the queen of the sweet drink...
Longing for some of those crab nachos myself. Perhaps next week since we are staying at Boardwalk.

Looking forward to the cruise!!!

 

[bluejasmine]

DH and I could so make a meal out of those crab nachos! I love different nachos..seafood, pulled pork, bbq chicken..Looking fwd to more!

 

[LuvEeyore]

Boarding number 4I hope we can get a relatively early number for our December Fantasy cruise!!

 

[Happydog]

So the morning of our departure we were up early, used the exercise facility at Kidani Village (just such a nice view out the windows!) and returned back to the room to pack up! Sadly, in the rush I left behind my PJs (hanging on the bathroom door) and though I have called Disney since, I don’t think I will be seeing those again! Well, it gives me an excuse to buy the cute ones I have seen at the parks!

So when all was said and done, coffee in hand, we left about 45 minutes LATER than I had hoped. I HAD hoped to get to the port by 10:00…. thinking we’d have to wait in a line to get in. BUT much to my surprise, we made really good timing and got there at 10:40, just ten minutes after the ‘official’ time to enter…

Now, if you recall from my Nov TR, we got to the port, I took the kids, and we checked in (They even let us into the terminal BEFORE 10:30. So this was what I was hoping for again. And sure enough, we pulled into the lot, they redirected us to the side of the terminal, vs. just in front of the terminal, where another CM stationed along the curb checked our documents and told us (actually encouraged us) to go ahead and have one person check everyone in, while DH was parking/returning the car. WELL, no one needed to tell ME twice!!

So in I went with all the documents, and my carry-on, and DH took care of the suitcases with the porter, and took the car back to the rental lot. Can I say, that THIS was the way to go IMHO. SO easy. And it allows the flexibility along the route to the terminal if need be, vs. taking the bus from the resort. We DID take Disney transportation BACK to the airport, but this is because you can check in right there on board the cruise ship, but more on that later. Furthermore, I continue to marvel at how Disney looks to deal with crowd control, and how they look to make changes to their process. Having added essentially three more "checkin" points, at the port, they gave egress to traffic jams, etc., very nicely.

So into the terminal to go through security I went, that took five minutes tops, then up the escalator I went! HERE you can see there are definitely more people than November when we got boarding # 2!!!

But we still did really well, and got boarding #4!!! I was so very excited! So DH was on his way back from the rental lot, I was enjoying my new GOLD lanyard (well, it is the little things…) and looking over the navigator for our Sail Away day!!

Shortly they started calling #s. Again, this was earlier than I expected, but that was great, because it just meant that we were getting aboard SOONER than I expected! WOO HOO! BY 11:45 we were stepping onto the Dream, and our name was being called at the entrance... boy it was exciting to be back on this ship!!! On board we first went to guest services to book a tasting. We opted for only one, because we were not sure how our days would go. So we signed up for the Martini tasting on our sea day, and put down our Disney rewards $$ cards, and checked our on board credit amounts. Once we did all that, again NO line, we headed up to Deck 11 for LUNCH!!!!

NOTE: new cruisers, if you have anything to do at guest services for the beginning of your cruise, do it first thing if you see no line!

We had plenty of time at Cabanas for lunch, because there was almost an hour before we could try to secure brunch at Palos… Lunch was good, they didn’t have the crab legs I remember from our last cruise, but you can't go wrong with lamb chops, shrimp, chilled aspargus, and tomatoes with balsamic in my book -- I'm in!

By 12:50, we headed up to Palos, and there was another woman waiting at the desk. We waited with her, and DH then went to the men’s room to change into his swim trunks. The hostesses for Remy and Palos came a few minutes earlier as well, and so even before the “official” time, we were booked for a brunch! SCORE! I ducked into the restroom to change for the pool as well, and by 1:30 we were parked on the lounges right beside the adult pool, and had ordered our first round of drinks!

Hanging by the pool, of course, you never know who is going to walk by…

Can I JUST say ...


I LOVE DISNEY for moments exactly like THIS.

The DOTD in hand, we didn’t have anything else on our agenda!!!!

About an hour and a half later, DH went to get our luggage into the room and arrange a little, I kept myself parked on the deck chair!!! He came back with our “raffle” cards for the spa, and at 3pm we went into Senses for the raffle. WELL, that was a bust, but they were offering a great discount on a spa treatment package, so we opted for that, and signed up for the “head to toe” combo, which was $149.00 each. We went back out on deck, and hung out there until 4:30, when they had the safety drill. At that point we gathered up our things, dropped them off in the room, and went for the drill. After the drill we headed up to see the boat depart … I took these as we were walking the deck, so I took them at different vantage points... but the crowd was pretty big, but not terribly so up on deck... Again I noticed the size difference with the Dream in comparison to the Magic.

Needless to say, we were definitely off on an adventure, and looking forward to it!!!

NEXT POST REMY'S!!!!!

 

[Native NYer]

Joining in!
AKV/MK day and then the Dream...sounds heavenly!

 

[Happydog]

SO.... as the boat pulled away, we headed back to our room to get ready for our first extravaganza on this trip: REMY’S. While DH was in the shower, I took the time to take a few photos of our room… we were in cabin 8004. Which is directly in the front of the ship. These rooms, while unique in shape, were really quite spacious! Pardon the mess a little... I was getting ready at the same time I decided to take photos!!!

Now, I need to tell everyone upfront that we did NOT go see the Disney shows onboard THIS cruise. We didn’t because we have already seen all of them at least twice. And WHILE I LOVED the shows, this cruise we really wanted to use our time differently, and take advantage of other entertainment, so we opted to forgo the mainstage productions. I imagine that this isn’t uncommon for those who have been on these ships many times. We have not been too many times, but obviously the mainstage productions don’t change cruise to cruise (at least not too much, and not during our cruises)… they had two DIFFERENT shows on the Magic, during our 7 night, so that made a big difference, and of course we went to see all of them, and on the Fantasy that will be the case as well. And at that point we will have our kids, so of course we will go see the shows together.

Consequently, our dinner reservation was at 6:50, not our normal 2nd rotation time of 8:30, and also right when we should have been seeing Golden Mickey’s. Back in our room, DH and I got ready for dinner, and then made our way to PINK for a champagne cocktail prior to dinner. I LOVED PINK!

Here are our PINK cocktails!!!

We enjoyed being alone in Pink with the CM bartender, he was from Italy, and gave us some suggestions for wine at Palos, and then we headed up to Remy’s for dinner. NOW I will also tell you that I didn’t take a lot of photos here. I didn’t want to spoil the experience, but I did snap a few. Some are in better shape than others... I also borrowed a few to fill in a few places...they are the bigger images.

SO our first cruise on the dream, back last February we toured the restaurant and I took a few photos… here are these in day light.

This was the kind of table we were sat at for our evening at Remy’s…

I know many of you have seen photos on the Disney Food blog, etc. So I won't share that many, but obviously this evening we were there not to just look, but to actually experience it.

we got the information about the wine collection, including a $30,000 bottle of wine, and a bottle which is the exact vineyard and vintage as the wine that is ordered by Ego in Ratatouille… and the bottle Skinner drinks when he finds out about Linguini... I snapped that photo, thinking it will be the only time I get that close to a 30,000 bottle of vino!!! LOL!

We were taken to a banquette, a very nice arrangement, looking out towards the window, but of course at that point it was pitch black outside!!! There were four or so other tables over the course of our meal that I recall.

Upon being seated we received a champagne cocktail, and our menus…

Our server went over everything, discussed the menu options, and the food parade began! The environment in Remy’s is very charming, the music subtle, the ambient lighting soothing, the restaurant is quiet. Murmurs of conversation, etc., but really, it feels very very intimate. I have never been to V & A, but I have been to the Inn at Little Washington here in Virginia, twice (once for a getaway with my DH before we were married, and then for our actual wedding party dinner – which was all of four people because we eloped!! LOL! BUT that is another story…). It is very expensive. As a couple we could eat at Remy’s twice, for the price of one person. So obviously the whole dining experience is the entertainment, is the center stage for the evening, and going there is for an EVENT or occasion. And that is how we treated Remy’s: as an experience in dining.

So throughout the meal, we were given little surprises, extra samplings from the chef, between courses, asn one sampling came as a wonderful tomato and chevre tart that was paired with a glass of TOMATO infused sparkling wine (which was not so sparkling due to the process).

Let me tell you: THIS WAS THE HIGHLIGHT of the meal for me!!! OMG. IF you like the sweet taste of tomato soup, I know this sounds crazy, but MY goodness, it was INCREDIBLE. It was ice cold, and amazing. I could have drank a whole bottle!!! Well, not in one sitting, but I was blown away! As I was with the food in general… Lots of seafood, amazing beef, amazing presentation, and it was just wonderful. We had a lovely glass of wine each, with our main meal, I a pinot and DH a white, picked by suggestion of the sommelier.

OH, and then there was a fantastic CHEESE selection, he arranged everything on plates for us, and we enjoyed that with the end of our wine...

NEXT We then had coffee and DH a cognac, and dessert. AND if that wasn’t enough, they brought us a lovely basket of home made candies, which we requested be packed up because we couldn’t eat any more! There was a candy, a nougat, from the Montelimar region in France, basically, similar to the Italian Torrone. It happened to be that our bread server (she was the assistant server) was from that region where this candy was made, and she brought us four more pieces, and put them in the package for us. Which was really nice of her! Our server was great as well, very friendly and informative, I wish I could recall his name. He was young, very attentive and easy going, and that is a huge plus, because I imagine some guests may feel intimidated by the atmosphere at Remy’s - I did a little at first! – but they do take very good care of you! excellent conversationalists as well, which is nice that there is time for that vs. the hustle bustle in the main dining room.

At the end of our meal, after we paid the bill, they brought out two long stemmed roses for me, and our server offered to take a few photos. I was able to lighten these up a little, but alas, I didn’t realize I had turned off the flash, so they are a little dim. Oh well, the photo is still nice, but never the less, the experience is definitely well pictured in my mind! I love being able to dress up for dinner!

As you can see this is one of the originals, very dark!

By the end of the evening, with the dining fee, tip, and our wine (the other drinks were included – cappuccinos, the two champagne drinks) we still felt the extra expense was worth it. Could we have gone on an excursion for the price of Remy’s? Absolutely. But this was our excursion of choice on this cruise.

CONTINUED in the NEXT POST!!!!

 

[Happydog]

As I was saying, Remy's is a wonderful experience in dining. It will be something we do again, I am hoping to try it on the Fantasy in November b/c my inlaws will be there and we wont have to leave the kids in the club.... THOUGH, I have to admit, I may not want to after I get a better sense of what the Fantasy has in store for us!!!! SO, after Remy’s we walked the promenade deck, all around one time!!! Believe me, that did us good!!! Though I will tell you we didn't feel stuffed. I think that is because there are small portions, and so much time passes over the meal. After dinner, we went to catch the Adult cabaret show in the lounge, Evolution. Here is the deck entrance to the District area, it is really cool looking, I love the way it is designed!

We grabbed a table, ordered some drinks, and watched the show. I am being too lazy right now to check his name, I have my navigators upstairs which tell me, but for now just know he was really entertaining, with puppets, etc., and he was really funny both times we saw him in Evolution. He also did the "family show" too.

When he finished, they started up the dance floor, and DH, still in our dining finery ducked out to check out the neighboring lounge in the main District area, where we sat and finished our drink, listening to a vocalist and her accompanist play jazzy music. At about 11:30, we headed back to our room. When we returned, this is what was waiting for us!!!

So we got our “extra” castaway cay club gift for being a Gold status member,

This included a luggage strap, a set of note cards with an image of the Disney cruise line, very retro looking, and a nice covered journal with a pen.

And next to it as well, was a little box of chocolates from Remy’s…

Handmade truffles!!!!

Iit was really neat to come to the cabin and see all this treasure on the bed!!!

I put my roses in a glass of water on the desk, and they were there the whole cruise!

The "new" castaway cay gift for everyone is a blue backpack, which is surprisingly roomy -- I really love the red bags I confess, but this is nice too... and it came with Goofy snacks, pretzels and goldfish, and a new key chain. So I am glad for that, the waterbottles I didn't care for b/c the caps were complicated.

Without question, our first day and night aboard the Disney Dream was wonderful…

NEXT UP! “Wave to Nassau” …

 

[Happydog]

Looking forward to reading more ... we now mostly cruise without our offspring, who are now young adults, so it will be nice to read about your experiences. I agree it is so wonderful to make time for ourselves as a couple every now and then ... and not feel guilty about it.

It was a great trip without our kids... our third Disney cruise, but I have to say that it is easier to leave them with my DMIL when school is not in session...

I do believe you have coined a new term, Happydog -- "stroll-aggered!" I need to do some "stroll-aggering" this summer.

Thank goodness the crab nachos are still on the menu -- you know my heart is set on them! Those drinks look mighty enticing, too!

Looking forward to more pictures of the Sorcerers game. Apparently, it is super popular -- I hope we can fit it in!

Too bad it was cloudy and there was no pooltime at AKL, but it looks like you found plenty of things to do.

YES, well I think I just might have

Oh you and me both!!! We'll have to do drinks and nachos I think we can arrange that, right?

My photos are nothing to write home about. By the time I get them posted they are old news, what with all the new updates about the Fantasyland opening!!!! So cool that they have started to open more to the public! I can't wait to see all of that and hopefully experience a little!!!!

Finally joining in on a cruise TR early on! Your report is great so far. My husband and I are doing a cruise together in September, so I look forward to reading about your adults only trip. He doesn't quite believe me that there are adult things to do - he thinks it is going to be all Disney characters and silliness for 5 days I look forward to reading more!

Hi!!! Oh make a believer out of him!!!! LOL!!! It depends on what he likes to do, but truly there is plenty to keep you occupied!!! Tastings, etc.! Just wait!!!

Almost run over by a pedi cab? After a serenity, flaming drinks, smoking ice drinks and something really really tall?

Are you sure it was the pedi cab?



I'm glad you got a little park time in, that makes for a fun little afternoon. I really need to try those crab nachos!

HA HA HA!!! YES, I am sure it was THEM, not US!!!!

OH you have to try them in October!!! it is a MUST!!!!! Drinks and nachos, then go back to Epcot for the F & W!!! NO need to have a table sit down dinner at BZ again, especially since you have already been... Matt and I can't get past the bar menu, and, well, the bar...

Hmmmm, those drinks looked very interesting! Anything I would like? You know the queen of the sweet drink...
Longing for some of those crab nachos myself. Perhaps next week since we are staying at Boardwalk.

Looking forward to the cruise!!!

YES, there was a few I bet you would like! A lot like the zooberry...

YOU better get in there!!! And take a photo for me!!!

Boarding number 4I hope we can get a relatively early number for our December Fantasy cruise!!

I think it all depends when you show up, and not necessarily your time when you do your online checkin.... though I know I know that is what they say, but I think that is a myth...

 

[Happydog]

Joining in!
AKV/MK day and then the Dream...sounds heavenly!

HEY THERE!!!! So glad you are here, too!!!! got your notes on FB that you are going to DISNEYLAND for the Holidays??!! WAY COOL!!!! SO EXCITED for YOU!!!!!!! I want to do carsland before the guys get too old for that...

 

[MEK]

I'm not sure how I missed the link to your TR, but I am subbed now! Going back to read. I am sure I will have tons of comments! I can already see that it was a bit of a booze cruise!

 

[jedijill]

Fantastic start! I cannot wait to try Remy in October.

Jill in CO

 

[Happydog]

I'm not sure how I missed the link to your TR, but I am subbed now! Going back to read. I am sure I will have tons of comments! I can already see that it was a bit of a booze cruise!

Well, we did indulge if that is what you mean!!!

Fantastic start! I cannot wait to try Remy in October.

Jill in CO

Oh yes, you will love it! The whole experience was really special!

 

[MEK]

OK - all caught up! So many comments, but I'm sure I won't remember them.

First - thank you for posting a picture of the crab nachos because I am definitely heading over there this summer. We just added a 4th night at BWV so I have an extra night to indulge.

How the heck did you get to the boat in 40 minutes or shouldn't I ask?

Nice that you can rent a car for the day and then drop it off. do all of the rental car agencies do that?

What category is your room? It looks really big. I have my big travel brochure for the Dream because my DH & I are going in october 2013 but I'm waiting for another credit card rebate before I book. I am really confused as to what category to book and the room chart with all its similar colors is so hard to read.

Dinner sounded fabulous! WOW! I didn't think I would book Remy on my first cruise, but I might have to rethink that!

 

[Happydog]

OK - all caught up! So many comments, but I'm sure I won't remember them.

First - thank you for posting a picture of the crab nachos because I am definitely heading over there this summer. We just added a 4th night at BWV so I have an extra night to indulge.

How the heck did you get to the boat in 40 minutes or shouldn't I ask?

Nice that you can rent a car for the day and then drop it off. do all of the rental car agencies do that?

What category is your room? It looks really big. I have my big travel brochure for the Dream because my DH & I are going in october 2013 but I'm waiting for another credit card rebate before I book. I am really confused as to what category to book and the room chart with all its similar colors is so hard to read.

Dinner sounded fabulous! WOW! I didn't think I would book Remy on my first cruise, but I might have to rethink that!

Oh wait, I am stupid, no, we definitely LEFT before 10:00, but we GOT to the terminal at 10:40, we left I think at 9:30ish... I had WANTED to leave at 9am, to get there at 10am... does that make sense?? SORRY..... Still, it only takes about 50 minutes to get there... we were driving the limit, it is higher though that stretch! But yes, by the time I got out of the car, b/c DH dropped me off, he was lucky to be able to drop the car off and get on their first or second shuttle, so the timing clearly was in our favor. They also GAVE me his card and everything b/c I had his passport, but over Thanksgiving, he had to go back to that same "check-in desk" to get his card... this time, they gave me everything... We still had boarding group 2 even though he had to go back to the desk, so we were hoping for a repeat performance, which we got, but we just got to the terminal a little later than I had initially planned... still, it was all find from my point of view!!! NO lines!! They started calling boarding groups at 11:30, and we were on within the first 15 minutes they started calling, he was coming up the escalator when they made the announcement! So I flagged him down, handed him his KTW card, and off we went to the golden mickey arch!!! Even if he had been delayed, my point is that the first 10 or so groups were ON the boat before noon... I think they are really moving through boarding #s faster, to get people on more quickly!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh you and me both!!! We'll have to do drinks and nachos I think we can arrange that, right?

Yes! Definitely!

My photos are nothing to write home about. By the time I get them posted they are old news, what with all the new updates about the Fantasyland opening!!!! So cool that they have started to open more to the public! I can't wait to see all of that and hopefully experience a little!!!!

Any photos are good photos!

Love your first day/night onboard! Score on the early boarding and starting off with a Mickey and Minnie sighting and a DOTD! Perfect!

Remy's sounds absolutely incredible! What a fun experience and in my opinion, worth every penny!

The rest of your evening with Pink, the cabaret show and the District sounds delightful, as well.

 

[trish.]

Loving your TR!

 

[dizneeat]

Hi! Remember me?

I don't know how I missed the start of your TR! But I am here now, since we cruised together I cannot wait to read all about YOUR trip!

You went to Remy on your first night? We went on our second one! and you are right, it is an ...... "experience".
I am going to book it again for our summer cruises! NO wine pairing this time ... it became a blur after the first few glasses!

Can't wait for more!

 

[Brynnie]

Hi! Great TR so far! DH and I will be on the May 6 Dream cruise. We are currently scheduled to take the DCL transfers (we are staying 1 night at SSR), but I just got an amazing deal on budget with a discount code, so now I want to drive! I wanted to ask you....are the tolls ALL automatic from WDW to PC??? I have been reading conflicting reports that there are manned, cash tolls, but also I am reading that all of the tolls are now electronic, so we would need a transponder. If you (or anyone else!) could answer this for me, that would be great! Looking forward to reading the rest of this report, I am so excited for my trip, I cannot wait!!!