Value Resorts and Inside Staterooms? Bah Humbug! 30 days of Disney fun! 02/10 Day 30

[Teri1]

Karin do you think Mick and I would like the tour you took? I am trying to decide what to do when we go back that doesn't take all day, because I want to eat lunch on the ship. I wanted to visit the Atlantis resort and Mick wants to buy cigars.

 

[Kat in GA]

Do you book your excursions through Disney or venture off on your own?

We have cruised many times -but not with Disney - but we always book with the cruise line. I am just too worried that something would happen and they'd leave without us!

But I hear that people get such fabulous rates going elsewhere - just wondering what you thought!

 

[dizneeat]

Karin do you think Mick and I would like the tour you took? I am trying to decide what to do when we go back that doesn't take all day, because I want to eat lunch on the ship. I wanted to visit the Atlantis resort and Mick wants to buy cigars.

I am sure you would enjoy the tour. We were driven in airconditioned buses ....... no need for distributing weight evenly! (Remember that? )
The tour itself was really interesting and there was the option to stay there and enjoy the aquarium for a longer amount of time, but I was done that day. After the tour and the constant in and out of the heat I just wanted to go back to my airconditioned stateroom.
The resort is just amazing and HUGE!!!
If you don't want to visit the aquarium, just take a taxi over there.

Do you book your excursions through Disney or venture off on your own?

We have cruised many times -but not with Disney - but we always book with the cruise line. I am just too worried that something would happen and they'd leave without us!

But I hear that people get such fabulous rates going elsewhere - just wondering what you thought!

So far all the excursions we have taken were through Disney. But I don't think we'll do any more through Disney in Nassau. It's easy to get around on your own and there are lots of taxis around.
Many people rent rooms at the hotels around the Atlantis and some of them give you access to the Atlantis "waterpark". I am still thinking about that, but so far we rather want to explore the ship and ride the Aquaduck.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Looks like such a fun day!

I NEED to go on a DCL!!!! They look absolutely wonderful!

 

[jenseib]

I know exactly what you mean about going back to the "Disney" ship compared to others in port. You just want to say ha ha to everyone else. LOL!

 

[Stefy]

The tour looked like it was very interesting and fun Atlantis looks so cool, would love to stay there one day.

Is clearing customs quick when you're on Nassau?

 

[dizneeat]

Looks like such a fun day!

I NEED to go on a DCL!!!! They look absolutely wonderful!

It was a wonderful day!
You really HAVE to do a Disney cruise! They are so much fun. Disney really knows how to give you the vacation of a lifetime!

I know exactly what you mean about going back to the "Disney" ship compared to others in port. You just want to say ha ha to everyone else. LOL!

YES, you know exactly how it feels! We really wanted to say HA HA to everyone on the other ships!

The tour looked like it was very interesting and fun Atlantis looks so cool, would love to stay there one day.

Is clearing customs quick when you're on Nassau?

The tour itself was very interesting, but it was so hot that day and we were constantly changing from inside to outside, which required me to constantly changing my glasses and it pretty soon got old!
The aquarium is out of this world and if I had not been "done" with walking that day we would have stayed much longer.

Customs: When you get off the ship they just swipe your "Key to the Dream"
Getting back, they just check your passport. It's a breeze!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 14, August 27

Getting to see The Atlantis, Palo and Pirates IN the Caribbean …. Arrrgghhhhhh - Part 3

By then it was way past our regular lunch time and we were getting hungry, so we walked up to Goofy’s Galley to get ourselves some lunch.

I had some nice crisp Green Leaves with a Balsamic Dressing and a Grilled Mozzarella and Tomato Sandwich.

Tom got a Grilled Ham and Cheese sandwich and two Chicken Caesar Wraps. We found a nice shady table and Tom went and got some Diet Coke.
We shared our sandwiches, wraps and salad and everything was really good.

Since we were sitting really close to Pluto’s Doghouse, we decided to share a Hot Dog as well.

We had had one at WDW, and did not like it at all, so here we were giving the Hot Dog another chance.
And even though we had it without all the condiments this one was really good. Once we had finished our lunch we walked around the deck and even up to the top deck before we hit Scoops for a bit of ice cream.

There is a soft ice self service station and we both got a cup of Vanilla and Chocolate swirl, with chocolate and caramel sauce. After we had scooped down our dessert we walked back to our stateroom, sorted out our Fish Extender gifts for that day and went out to deliver them.

When we had finished handing them out it was nearly time for the Wonder to leave Nassau and we didn’t want to miss seeing us leaving Nassau, so we picked up our cameras and went up onto the top deck.

We watched the ship opposite for a while, walked around a bit and finally run into a Pirate. Pirate Goofy that is and two Cast Members who accompanied him.

We were so surprised to see him out and about but the Cast Members kindly offered to take photos of Goofy and us and we were so happy to get such a fun photo without waiting in line.

Shortly after we left Nassau and sailed off into the sunset!

We wanted to walk around the deck and when we were halfway there we saw a bride and groom heading the other direction on the other side of the deck!

Our second wedding on that trip – we were lucky! But by then it was time to head down and get changed before walking down to the Walt Disney Theatre to watch “Toy Story, the Musical”.
We sat in the upper part of the theatre, right next to the stairs and were waiting for the show to begin, when a family of at least 10 people came and sat next to us and in the row ahead of us. Had we known how they would behave during the show we would have fled and sat somewhere else! They were loudly talking and having kids stand on their laps. We were glad we had another chance to see the show because they definitely ruined it for us.

After the show was over we went back to our stateroom, emptied the goodies out of our Fish Extender and relaxed on the verandah for a while before it was time for our dinner at Palo.

 

[Stefy]

TS looks so cool on stage, would have been awesome if we got something similar on the Dream. Have you heard about the new show on the Fantasy, so cool!

 

[jenseib]

The Toy Story show looks so fun. I hate when people are rude like that. I have tried to install good manners for Claire at shows/movies. Most of the time she is very good, but sometimes we have an off day. But I think she is a very good kid. I went to a play with her class last year, and some kids were just AWFUL, jumping, around etc. I figured those are kids who probably never been to a show before and had no clue how to act. I did tell one boy he was going to have to sit on myu lap if he didn't settle still and he got a bit better!

 

[englishrose47]

Your cheese and tomato sandwich looked delish , that's my kinda sandwich. How sad the group of 10 had no consideration for anyone else !!I dread to think what Judy would have said or doneShe can be outspoken when annoyed !!!!
Dan and I are definately interested in a Disney Cruise (a freebie)Carol and I are doing Universal next year !!We are such WONDERFUL escorts that she pretyy much gives us what we want !!

 

[lizzyshakuntala]

I can't believe I just found your TR after 85 pages Just finished reading all chapters thoroughly and I'm subbing! I feel like I'm the one having all that fun just from reading your TR

Can't wait for the next chapters!!

 

[kmrein]

That's really too bad about that other family ruining the show for you. That always drives me nuts-and never really the kids, it's the fact that the parents allow their kids to act like that and don't teach them any better. Urgh!

I would love to know more about it, but you also mentioned being able to see it again, so maybe you're saving more info until then!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Thanks for a wonderful updates, we got back from our cruise last month and I have not been to the disboard. My son loved the cruise and wants to go on another one (I'm so happy Disney will be leaving from NYC next year so we are going to plan one next year). He said he rather go back on a cruise than go back to Disney (so he is happy to go on a Disney cruise....now we just have to save b/c we had balcony on our cruise and I can't go back on any cruise w/o a balcony). I love waking up in the morning and having coffe on the balcony while hubby and son sleeps in.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Goofy and the CM's are too cute!

How nice to get married on DCL!

I would love to see Toy Story the Musical! Looks like a great one!

 

[dizneeat]

TS looks so cool on stage, would have been awesome if we got something similar on the Dream. Have you heard about the new show on the Fantasy, so cool!

It's a wonderful show - you would never guess you are on board a cruise ship while seeing the show. We were really impressed with all the shows they did!

The Toy Story show looks so fun. I hate when people are rude like that. I have tried to install good manners for Claire at shows/movies. Most of the time she is very good, but sometimes we have an off day. But I think she is a very good kid. I went to a play with her class last year, and some kids were just AWFUL, jumping, around etc. I figured those are kids who probably never been to a show before and had no clue how to act. I did tell one boy he was going to have to sit on myu lap if he didn't settle still and he got a bit better!

Actually I can forgive the kids, as they get excited, but then it is for the adult to make sure they calm down again and I am perfectly okay with that. THESE people were load and not just talking, but shouting at each other before and even during the show. They would tell the kids to come here and there, then stand them on their lap so they could see. Not the example that kids should have.

I just love the idea of "threatening" that little boy to have to sit on your lap - I always threaten them with having to sit next to me when our pupils don't behave!

Your cheese and tomato sandwich looked delish , that's my kinda sandwich. How sad the group of 10 had no consideration for anyone else !!I dread to think what Judy would have said or doneShe can be outspoken when annoyed !!!!
Dan and I are definately interested in a Disney Cruise (a freebie)Carol and I are doing Universal next year !!We are such WONDERFUL escorts that she pretyy much gives us what we want !!

I am so looking forward to those sandwiches again!
Actually I was biting my tongue thinking that we had the chance to see the show again, but otherwise I might have just gotten up and left - or followed in Judy's footsteps!

You really should do a Disney cruise - they are THE best!!!!!! You really deserve the best!

I can't believe I just found your TR after 85 pages Just finished reading all chapters thoroughly and I'm subbing! I feel like I'm the one having all that fun just from reading your TR

Can't wait for the next chapters!!

Welcome!
Better late than never! I am so glad you found my trip report and like it. We are only halfway through last years trip, so there is plenty to come! (and may I add that I do a PTR for this year's 30 summer trip too! )

More coming up soon!

 

[dizneeat]

That's really too bad about that other family ruining the show for you. That always drives me nuts-and never really the kids, it's the fact that the parents allow their kids to act like that and don't teach them any better. Urgh!

I would love to know more about it, but you also mentioned being able to see it again, so maybe you're saving more info until then!

I can't agree with you more - it's the parents who should stop such behaviour, but these parents didn't behave like parents at all!

If you have any more questions about the show, feel free to ask! We were on a back to back, so had the chance to see it again on our second cruise!

Thanks for a wonderful updates, we got back from our cruise last month and I have not been to the disboard. My son loved the cruise and wants to go on another one (I'm so happy Disney will be leaving from NYC next year so we are going to plan one next year). He said he rather go back on a cruise than go back to Disney (so he is happy to go on a Disney cruise....now we just have to save b/c we had balcony on our cruise and I can't go back on any cruise w/o a balcony). I love waking up in the morning and having coffe on the balcony while hubby and son sleeps in.

I am glad you like the updates!

How was your cruise? Are you doing a trip report?
Aren't the veranda stateroms just wonderful? I love walking out there in the morning and watching the sea. So peaceful and calm!

Goofy and the CM's are too cute!

How nice to get married on DCL!

I would love to see Toy Story the Musical! Looks like a great one!

We bumped into a few characters while on board, but "meeting" Goofy was super fun.
Another day we were on the top deck as well and Pluto was out greeting guests. We hadn't brought a camera, but Tom wished him a "Belated Happy Birthday" and Pluto started hugging him. Too cute!

Guess what this year there are at least two weddings during our three cruises!
One is someone who signed up for our cruise meets and the other is actually friends of ours from another board.
I could not believe it, when she announced the date of her wedding and I told her we were on the same cruise. So fun!

All their musicals are great - and TS the Musical is no exception!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 14, August 27

Getting to see The Atlantis, Palo and Pirates IN the Caribbean …. Arrrgghhhhhh - Part 4

After the show was over we went back to our stateroom, emptied the goodies out of our Fish Extender and relaxed on the verandah for a while

before it was time for our dinner at Palo.
We were quite looking forward to it, as it meant we would not run into Mr. Know it all, who had let us all know that he would not pay even more money when he would be served at his assigned restaurant anyway.

Once the Maitre D’ had taken our names it did not take long and we were led to our table.
Our server was Oliver from Australia and he told us that Michele, our server from 2009 was on vacation at the moment and was supposed to go back to the Dream once he got back.
We were quite happy with Oliver, who was very talkative and friendly and fun, so we started studying the menu after we had received some bottled water with a slice of lemon and ordered our drinks,

a Whiskey Sour for Tom and

a Strawberry Daiquiri for me.
Before the drinks were delivered we received

the Specialita' Del Palo: Antipasto Freddo, Prosciutto, Bresaola, Parmesan Reggiano, Marinated Olives and Sun-dried Tomatoes and

the Pane Casalingo, Freshly-baked Bread in the Pizza Oven, served with

Palo's Famous Dips,

olive tapanade,

aioli and

roasted pepper.
All of the Antipasti, dips and bread were heavenly and we kept snacking on them.
We ordered our starters and they came out promptly. Tom had

the Tuna Carpaccio and Lemon Oil Dressing, Thin Slices of Ahi Grade Tuna brushed with their Chef's Special Lemon Oil. Michele had brought out a plate of it for all of us to share the year before and it had blown us away and it did not disappoint this year either. I ordered

the Melanzane al Funghetto, lightly-salted Eggplant sautéed with Garlic and Parsley served with a Balsamic Dressing, which was just a perfect starter.

Once we had finished our starters Oliver brought out the palate cleanser!

Lime sorbet. Tart and cold and so refreshing! We loved it.
Next were the main courses.

I ordered

the Beef Tenderloin "Palo", served with Palo's Gorgonzola Sauce. It was cooked to perfection, the meat melted in your mouth, the potatoes were devine and the Gorgonzola sauce had just the right amount of blue cheese to be not overpowering, the veggies still crunchy - what else can ask for! Tom had

the Grilled Monkfish with Braised Radicchio and Prosciutto, served with creamy mascarpone Polenta. Oliver introduced it to us as the dish with the long antennas! It was pronounced very tasty!

We both had decided on the same dessert!

Palo’s famous Chocolate Soufflé With Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Sauce. We were given a choice of both sauces, but since we could not decide on which one to have, we just had both!
Every dinner at Palo is finished with a "farewell drink".

Lemoncello with lemon sorbet! It is really good! Fresh and lemony and the perfect ending to a perfect dinner!

We finished our dinner just in time for the Pirate Party and the fireworks!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Wooow, what an incredible dinner at Palo! I think it's really cool that you get a pallette cleanser.

Oy...that Mr.Know it all sounds SOOOOO annoying. Was he seated at your table throughout the whole cruise? Was this wife silent the whole time or did she seem annoyed too?

I remember visiting The Atlantic on my RCCL cruise too! I had no idea you coul drive to the hotel. My family and I took a little boat ride over and it was a lot of fun! We didn't do any of the cruise excursions cause they were really pricey. The boat ride to and from only cost us each $5. It would have been nice to have a guide, but we had a great time exploring the hotel and aquarium on our own. It's such a beautiful hotel.

Toy Story the Musical? Wow. That sounds like a lot of fun. The Golden Mickeys sound AWESOME. I can't wait to be able to watch that some day.

 

[jenseib]

The meal looks fabulous. I am kind of thinking of giving Palo a try next time...and there will be a next time! LOL!
I just have to figure when, as I don't ever want to miss the restuarants as well. I'm sure I can work it in!