Very belated mini trip report...

[Elise79]

Sorry this is somewhat belated but here is a mini trip report from our trip 10-23 December.

We flew out on 10th December and spent the 1st night at the Hyatt at MCO. Next morning we took the Dcl bus to Port Canaveral where we surprised DD with a 3 night cruise on the Disney Dream. We took advantage of the luggage transfer from the Hyatt to the ship which I'd highly recommend

Loved the cruise. Couldn't get DD out of the kids club Only slight low was Nassau - we got off the ship just to have a walk and look at the shops but getting out of the port felt like you were running the gauntlet however tax free pandora was worth the effort

Despite it being December it was 85f on our Castaway day! DH & I did the 5k in the morning which we both really enjoyed and then we got to spend some time relaxing on the loungers.

Had so much fun we booked another cruise - 4 night this time in October

We then headed for 9 nights at BLT. Had a great room on the 12th floor over looking the marina - view was amazing. Could see Illuminations and the new Star Wars fireworks from the room.

Did the 4 main Disney parks which got progressively busier as the days went on not surprisingly. The last Monday we headed down to CMA which was a nice change of pace and very quiet. I could spend all day just watching the animals. One of the otters like to play to the crowd and keeps and eye on everyone to see how many people are watching.

Had 2 spectacular meals at YSH - it might be expensive but IMO it is worth it.

We did breakfast at CM - not worth the money. DD asked to go and as we were staying at BLT i said yes but we won't be back. $120 for 2A, 1C is just too much for breakfast when you consider our dinners at YSH were not much more.

We also did the new GG breakfast which is fairly priced and food was nice. It was a shame as we also had a late lunch booked to the CP package so didn't want to stuff ourselves otherwise we would have eaten more. I am sure we will be back here.

Last ADR we did was Via Napoli for the CP Package. We won't be back here and certainly not for the package. There were too many restrictions and the service was just terrible. We sat for 15 minutes before our server arrived. We still hadn't got any drinks when the meal arrived. Desserts were poor too.

One of our favourite meals was the fried chicken we got from Public and cooked some baked potatoes to go with it. Really tasty and it was so nice not to go out for once to eat. We headed after to go and see the Osbourne lights for the last time

While we were at WDW they introduced the metal detectors. They are fine - don't really hold up the lines at all just look a bit "odd" as they are under a tent in the middle of the paths.

Overall we had an amazing time. I am just downloading our Disney photos so will add some picture tomorrow.

Any questions just ask and I will try and answer.

 

[BudgieMama]

Sounds great!

Glad to hear good things about GG breakfast- it's on our to do list this summer

 

[saintrob]

Sounds like a great trip!

Glad you enjoyed DCL - we love this but have only ever sailed during the summer. We'd love to do a Christmas cruise. Nassau for me is to get off the ship, walk to the main street, head into the make up shop and get back on board!

It's disappointing to hear about Via Napoli - we've never had the CP package here.

Looking forward to seeing the pics.

 

[scoobydooby2016]

What is CMA???? We enjoyed our meal at Via Napoli this summer (well it overwhelmed me actually but my family enjoyed it). We also had really horrible service though and the noise in there was too much. I shall try and resist a return but the kids like pizza

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Sounds like a great trip. My question is, did you have to put the Christmas tree up when you got back home

 

[Elise79]

What is CMA???? We enjoyed our meal at Via Napoli this summer (well it overwhelmed me actually but my family enjoyed it). We also had really horrible service though and the noise in there was too much. I shall try and resist a return but the kids like pizza

CMA is Clearwater Marine Aquarium home of Winter and Hope the Dolphins from Dolphin Tale movies

Sounds like a great trip. My question is, did you have to put the Christmas tree up when you got back home

Christmas Tree was up the last week of November and all presents except those bought while we were away were wrapped pre-trip

 

[Elise79]

So I am still sorting the photopass photos - why oh why does that site never get quicker to use??? In the meantime here are some of our favourite cruise photos:

 

[tinkerpea]

We loved our disney cruise we put a deposit down while on-board and will cruise in may 2017, as we're a family of 5 and the boys have decided on a non disney trip in September so we're going to do a cheaper style, and do universal aquatica etc instead,
I don't know how I'll cope, but I'm trying to look at it as we will be going for 3wks in the may 2017.
And that this is just a bonus trip.
I'm also going to take a drive down to clear water after the boys seen the film, they asked to go.

 

[bex7583]

I was also going to ask what CMA was , ooh we love clearwater and hopefully will have a few days stay there , we didnt go to the marina last time .We watch the film loads so will add it to my list ( long list).

Also is Ysh yachtsman steak house ? just double checking this was on dhs list last visit but we never got round to it , we wont have disney park tickets this year but trying to compensate by doing lots of resort dining .

love your coloured dress in the pics

 

[Elise79]

I was also going to ask what CMA was , ooh we love clearwater and hopefully will have a few days stay there , we didnt go to the marina last time .We watch the film loads so will add it to my list ( long list).

Also is Ysh yachtsman steak house ? just double checking this was on dhs list last visit but we never got round to it , we wont have disney park tickets this year but trying to compensate by doing lots of resort dining .

love your coloured dress in the pics

Thanks

YSH is Yachtsman Steakhouse. It isn't a cheap meal but it is the only ADR I am booking for July

 

[saintrob]

I love your cruise photos!

We haven't been to YSH for a couple of years but I'm booking it for July too.

 

[tinkerpea]

Y

I was also going to ask what CMA was , ooh we love clearwater and hopefully will have a few days stay there , we didnt go to the marina last time .We watch the film loads so will add it to my list ( long list).

Also is Ysh yachtsman steak house ? just double checking this was on dhs list last visit but we never got round to it , we wont have disney park tickets this year but trying to compensate by doing lots of resort dining .

love your coloured dress in the pics

Oh my God, I really do think we're doing the same things lol on our next trips.
Maybe we should inspire each other!
Yachtsman is simply amazing!
Dh and I always get two dishes and share, it's normally a steak and the scallops, I've never been a huge fan until yachtsman.
As I believe I've just never had them cooked perfect, well hubby ordered them for a change advice er...ate all but one of them and he had to order them again lol!!
Infact we had an amazing waiter, who had obviously seen that I devoured them and hubby didn't get a look in, as he came over and said I've just popped another order in complementary So that your husband can eat his meal haha....