Voyage of the Delawareans: November 8-12 4-Night cruise (W/ PICS) NOW COMPLETE (12/3)

[Captain_Oblivious]

Hello and welcome to my very first trip report, about my very first cruise. My in-laws were gracious enough to take my family on a 4-night cruise which took place from November 8-12. We'll kick things off soon, but first, here is our cast of characters:

ME: Mark, age 35. Philadelphia sports nut and avowed Disney geek. One of the few pictures of me that didn't break the camera.

DW: Julie (age undisclosed). Supermom and Scrapbooker Extraordinaire.

DD: Sarah, age 7. Likes dinosaurs and guinea pigs.

DS1: David, age 5. When we're old and gray, we will have the most stories about him. By far.

DS2: Scotty, age 3. Picture speaks for itself.

Also accompanying us were my FIL and MIL, who were notoriously camera-shy. Just call us the Magnificent Seven. We flew down on Friday and stayed 2 nights at the Wilderness Lodge (pause for wistful nostalgia) before embarking on the cruise.

As far as what to expect in this report: I can be very wordy at times. Please smack me if I start to be redundant, and say the same thing over and over. Nobody likes that guy who keeps going over the same point. Don't let me be redundant.

I'll generally keep things positive. I call 'em like I see 'em, but you have to work hard to get me angry. I hate to complain about anything. Plus, I'm pre-disposed to love all things Disney. So no Disney-bashing here.

And I hope I don't disappoint you foodies, but I am not a gourmet. I have very basic tastes: meat and potatoes. Don't like vegetables (never grew up), seafood (tastes too much like fish), or anything spicier than vanilla ice cream. Within those parameters, however, it's hard to disappoint me. So I'll give our impressions of our meals, but if you are looking for serious critiques, I'm probably not your guy.

With those ground rules in place, let the fun begin! Coming up next: our arrival. Plus: who would win in a footrace, my FIL or 3-year-old? It's closer than you might think...

 

[Emma's Dad]

First one here Can't wait for more....

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Looks like I'm number 2. No wise cracks about that.

 

[DisneyDaddy-O]

Looks like I'm number 2. No wise cracks about that.

Whatever do you mean!!

Im #3

 

[westgirl]

I'm in too!

 

[zuperdaave]

you're off to a great start - looking forward to the report!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

First one here Can't wait for more....

Thanks! Please pick up your prize at the service desk.

Looks like I'm number 2. No wise cracks about that.

Will this report serve as your newspaper?

Whatever do you mean!!

Im #3

I'm in too!

you're off to a great start - looking forward to the report!

Thanks! Hope I don't disappoint.

 

[Time2go2disney]

Looking forward to your report .................... From a sourthern Delawarean (Lower Slower Delaware)

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Looking forward to your report .................... From a sourthern Delawarean (Lower Slower Delaware)

I'm still south of the canal myself!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

This trip had been planned for over a year. My wife had surgery last October, and as we were driving to the hospital, her mother announced that she wanted to take our family on a Disney Cruise. Waking up after the procedure, my wife asked, "Did she really say that, or is it just the morphine?"

Things were touch-and-go over the year, and not because of my wife. My in-laws had their own health problems, having a hard time staying out of the ER. My FIL is on oxygen nearly 24/7, while MIL had been having problems with a herniated disc. Then, on the Monday before our trip, she fell in a parking lot and broke her wrist, badly bruising her jaw as well.

Nevertheless, we made it to the airport (5 suitcases and 7 people in one minivan ) and flew out from BWI in the evening.

We flew Southwest Airlines, which we love and have never had any problems with (except for the time we landed at the wrong airport, but that's a different story...). The only problem with Southwest is that walking from their terminal to the Magical Express desk takes almost as long as the flight. FIL couldn't have his oxygen on the flight, so he was sucking wind, and our 3-year-old was actually going faster. We offered to grab his bag or get a wheelchair, but he said no. (By the end of the week, we had learned not to even ask, but just to grab the bag)

Finally aboard the bus, we set off for the Wilderness Lodge!

Scotty was apparently not impressed with the ride:

One of my favorite things about Disney is the way they effortlessly create atmosphere with their theming. At their best, the level of detail makes you feel transported. And I think the Wilderness Lodge is one of the best examples of this. The attention to detail, the western music piped into the lobby, and the sheer grandeur of the place makes it a jaw-dropper. It's my favorite resort on the property.

Naturally, when my in-laws asked me to plan the trip, I ever-so-helpfully suggested we go down early and spend some time at the Wilderness Lodge. Other resorts, you ask? Uh, no, I'm not aware of any...

We dumped our stuff in our rooms and went to Roaring Forks for dinner. I had a pizza (excuse me, flatbread) while MIL ordered a deli sandwich about the size of her head. Now if you had a badly bruised jaw, could barely open your mouth, and it hurt like crazy to chew, wouldn't you get the same thing?

I know, I know, they're taking us on this trip, so I should be gracious. It just pained me to see all that food being thrown away.

From there, it was off to bed. After the obligatory stroll through the souvenir shop, of course.

Coming up next: Is it possible to have fun at Disney World if you're too much of a cheapskate to spring for 1-day park tickets? And then, the Ultimate Showdown: Big Dave vs. T-Rex!

 

[DizNutDad]

This trip had been planned for over a year. My wife had surgery last October, and as we were driving to the hospital, her mother announced that she wanted to take our family on a Disney Cruise. Waking up after the procedure, my wife asked, "Did she really say that, or is it just the morphine?"

Things were touch-and-go over the year, and not because of my wife. My in-laws had their own health problems, having a hard time staying out of the ER. My FIL is on oxygen nearly 24/7, while MIL had been having problems with a herniated disc. Then, on the Monday before our trip, she fell in a parking lot and broke her wrist, badly bruising her jaw as well.

Nevertheless, we made it to the airport (5 suitcases and 7 people in one minivan ) and flew out from BWI in the evening.

We flew Southwest Airlines, which we love and have never had any problems with (except for the time we landed at the wrong airport, but that's a different story...). The only problem with Southwest is that walking from their terminal to the Magical Express desk takes almost as long as the flight. FIL couldn't have his oxygen on the flight, so he was sucking wind, and our 3-year-old was actually going faster. We offered to grab his bag or get a wheelchair, but he said no. (By the end of the week, we had learned not to even ask, but just to grab the bag)

Finally aboard the bus, we set off for the Wilderness Lodge!

Scotty was apparently not impressed with the ride:

One of my favorite things about Disney is the way they effortlessly create atmosphere with their theming. At their best, the level of detail makes you feel transported. And I think the Wilderness Lodge is one of the best examples of this. The attention to detail, the western music piped into the lobby, and the sheer grandeur of the place makes it a jaw-dropper. It's my favorite resort on the property.

Naturally, when my in-laws asked me to plan the trip, I ever-so-helpfully suggested we go down early and spend some time at the Wilderness Lodge. Other resorts, you ask? Uh, no, I'm not aware of any...

We dumped our stuff in our rooms and went to Roaring Forks for dinner. I had a pizza (excuse me, flatbread) while MIL ordered a deli sandwich about the size of her head. Now if you had a badly bruised jaw, could barely open your mouth, and it hurt like crazy to chew, wouldn't you get the same thing?

I know, I know, they're taking us on this trip, so I should be gracious. It just pained me to see all that food being thrown away.

From there, it was off to bed. After the obligatory stroll through the souvenir shop, of course.

Coming up next: Is it possible to have fun at Disney World if you're too much of a cheapskate to spring for 1-day park tickets? And then, the Ultimate Showdown: Big Dave vs. T-Rex!

Awesome pictures. I have not been there yet, but it reminds me of Animal Kingdom Lodge. FYI...Big Philly sports fan here too. I think it is possible to have fun at Disney World without tickets.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

It just pained me to see all that food being thrown away.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't have a problem asking my MIL "you gonna finish that?"

The Wilderness is a beautiful resort. We stayed in the Villas section a few years ago. In the very last room in the hallway. It has to have been 1/4 mile walk from the elevators! [The DIS needs a smiley who's red in the face, bent over, and sucking wind]

 

[Wherem I Now]

Sign me up!

Awesome pics of Wilderness Lodge. We visited several of the resorts last year and Wilderness Lodge was by far our favorite!

 

[4 mickey]

Hi
Great start
love the pictures !

 

[jundland]

Sail on Captain, I'm along for the voyage. In case of emergency you do provide life vests don't you?

 

[praisehisname]

Great start!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Great start!

Awesome pictures. I have not been there yet, but it reminds me of Animal Kingdom Lodge. FYI...Big Philly sports fan here too. I think it is possible to have fun at Disney World without tickets.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is another stunner. My top 3 are WL, AKL, and the Polynesian. The other deluxes are great, but their theme is more "nice hotel" than anything that really makes me feel like I've entered another world.

Philly fans are always welcome!

Maybe it's just me, but I don't have a problem asking my MIL "you gonna finish that?"

I wasn't going to do anything to risk offending the one paying the bills!

Awesome pics of Wilderness Lodge. We visited several of the resorts last year and Wilderness Lodge was by far our favorite!

Sail on Captain, I'm along for the voyage. In case of emergency you do provide life vests don't you?

Uh...why, of course....Let me go get them...out of my car. (slams door)
(drives off)

 

[DisneyDaddy-O]

I completely agree with you when it comes to the themeing at Disney, I don't think there is anywhere else that is quite like this. The resort is amazing, great pics. Too bad the little one was too tuckered out to watch the movie on Magical Express, that always gets us pumped and that is when it finally feels like we are home.

Great start on the TR, I looking forward to more.

 

[Cruisin]

I'm enjoying your trip report so far.

Your kids are just so cute too

 

[Bally]

Not only do I like the report so far, but you have the exact personality that I do. Good stuff. I never looked at WL pics before. Very impressive so far. Keep it coming.