We Survived! 9 days of land & sea - with a 3 year old! -9/1- NEW PIC I HAD TO SHARE!

[KatMark]

I am so loving your report on the cruise, from arriving, checking in, etc. DH and I have never done a cruise but our goal is to do The Dream in 2013 for our 30th wedding anniversary (and his 60th birthday). The atrium is beautiful, and your room looks pretty spacious.

 

[amandaw]

I am so loving your report on the cruise, from arriving, checking in, etc.

Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I'm trying to give as much info as I have but I have a feeling I'll end up forgetting some things.

DH and I have never done a cruise but our goal is to do The Dream in 2013 for our 30th wedding anniversary (and his 60th birthday).

Y'all will love it! And how great would that be for y'alls anniversary & his bday?!? So much to celebrate! Ed & I will celebrate 15 years in 2014 & I'm already trying to decide if I'd rather do a big-time trip to WDW & stay at one of my must-try deluxes or do another cruise. Our kid (well, hopefully, kids by then) will still be young, so I'll have to take that into consideration. But, honestly, I'm leaning towards the cruise.

The atrium is beautiful, and your room looks pretty spacious.

That atrium is honestly breathtaking. The room was better than I expected. Of course, you're still on a boat, so it's a little cramped. But, overall, this was very comfortable even with all 3 of us in it. And you can fit the suitcases under the bed. That was really great & we even have a couple of really big suitcases.

 

[PegIra]

I vote for the cruise as that way you also have built in babysitters on the ship when you want to celebrate. Fun for you as a family and a couple !!

Peg

PS on May 30th, we celebrated our 52nd Anniversary,

 

[PirateKate]

I cannot wait until 2013 and we can go on another cruise. Your pictures are bringing back all my memories of our first cruise. It was a tiny little 3 night cruise to Nassau and it was too windy to stop at Coco Cay or even to spend too much time outside.

It was one of our favorite things we ever did and I know it was kind of a crummy cruise. I'd love to find out how great a non-crummy cruise would be. The Dream looks fabulous so far. I can't wait to see how Reid does.

 

[emma212010]

Oh wow what an exciting day! I'm so excited to hear about your time on the Dream! Reid is so cute! Your room looks great! Very spacious!

 

[amandaw]

I vote for the cruise as that way you also have built in babysitters on the ship when you want to celebrate. Fun for you as a family and a couple !!

Peg

PS on May 30th, we celebrated our 52nd Anniversary,

I was thinking the same thing in terms of a babysitter! And that way, maybe next time Ed & I could try out one of the adult-only restuarants. Congrats on your anniversary! 52 years - that is so awesome!!! I can't wait for Ed & I to make our 50th milestone!

I cannot wait until 2013 and we can go on another cruise. Your pictures are bringing back all my memories of our first cruise. It was a tiny little 3 night cruise to Nassau and it was too windy to stop at Coco Cay or even to spend too much time outside.

It was one of our favorite things we ever did and I know it was kind of a crummy cruise. I'd love to find out how great a non-crummy cruise would be. The Dream looks fabulous so far. I can't wait to see how Reid does.

If you say your first cruise was a "crummy" cruise & y'all loved it, y'all will be in heaven with Disney! It's really a magnificent ship! My next update will have lots about the kids' club. I'm hoping to do that update by the end of the weekend. I'm sure I'll want another packing break by Sunday evening. Hope all is going well for your move, as well!

Oh wow what an exciting day! I'm so excited to hear about your time on the Dream! Reid is so cute! Your room looks great! Very spacious!

Thank you! It was so exciting finally getting onto the ship & seeing that it was more beautiful in person than it was in all the pictures/videos I had been looking at. Our room was really nice! I really liked the location & the set up of the room is great. I particularly liked the fact that on Disney boats you have a little sitting area.

 

[petals]

Love looking at the Dream pics. I so wanna do a cruise next!

 

[amandaw]

Love looking at the Dream pics. I so wanna do a cruise next!

It was really amazing just to walk around the Dream & take it all in. It's just beautifully done. I say a Disney cruise is definitely worth doing - at least once!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Thanks! Even though all kids are different, I think reading these different TR's can at least give you a good idea of what to expect, what to do, what not to do, etc. I wish I had found the DIS before Reid's 1st trip this past December. I have a few friends with boys that are quiet, like to just sit & play with their toys. That is NOT my son. He is "all boy". Not sure if you can tell yet which category Everett will lean more towards, but man if he is the "all boy" type like Reid, they can just be exhausting. Fun, but exhausting. Reid wakes up early in the morning like the energizer bunny, ready to go. And goes full-speed-ahead all day long until bed time. He gave up naps around 2 1/2 so there's not much "down time" in our house. Every now & then, I can get to him to have some quiet time with me by laying in my bed & watching a movie, if I just need him to slow down for a little while.

Everett definitely has Reid's temperment. He is all go, go, go! I dread the day he gives up naps, but he gave up his morning nap early, so I bet he'll give up his afternoon nap before of his peers. Busy boys are fun, but I agree that they can be exhausting!

I had a completely stranger come up to me at the playground last week and remark that I "certainly had my hands full and that my son was spirited" I still don't know whether to take it as a compliment...

It looks like you guys had a great start to the cruise! I'm glad to see that boarding was so well organized and went very smoothly. Also your room looked awesome! We've never cruised with a balcony before, but I'm thinking that might become a must do! I'm excited to hear about the rest of your trip!

 

[amandaw]

Everett definitely has Reid's temperment. He is all go, go, go! I dread the day he gives up naps, but he gave up his morning nap early, so I bet he'll give up his afternoon nap before of his peers. Busy boys are fun, but I agree that they can be exhausting!

For us, it really got most exhausting once Reid hit 2. Then, he was more on the go than ever before and he had a real bad case of the terrible two's for a couple of months (hitting, screaming). I really thought I was going to lose my mind. If Everett is like Reid, then he most likely will give up that afternoon nap before his peers. I know that's how Reid was. My sister has 2 boys (10 & almost 4). They are so different from Reid! Her youngest is only 6 months older than Reid. He is so quiet, likes to play by himself. And he still naps!!!

I had a completely stranger come up to me at the playground last week and remark that I "certainly had my hands full and that my son was spirited" I still don't know whether to take it as a compliment...

Too funny! Don't feel bad, sometimes my mom watches Reid acting like a wild, crazy boy & she'll just look at me, shake her head & say, "Oh, Amanda....". She has 3 grandsons & mine is the only one that is out-of-the-box, all-boy crazy. If you look at my child next to my sister's, it looks like I don't discipline my child. I really do. But, I let him be his crazy self as long as he's not hurting anyone or being ugly.

It looks like you guys had a great start to the cruise! I'm glad to see that boarding was so well organized and went very smoothly. Also your room looked awesome! We've never cruised with a balcony before, but I'm thinking that might become a must do! I'm excited to hear about the rest of your trip!

We really did! It was so exciting to finally be on the ship after all the research I had been doing for months. Boarding went so much better than I had expected. It was a huge relief for me. I was very happy with our room. I was really happy that Ed had insisted on us getting a balcony. I think if we ever did another short cruise again (3 or 4 nights), I could probably get away with us not doing the balcony. But, anything longer than that & it's a must-have for us! I was hoping to do another update this past weekend, but got too busy with packing up our house. I'm thinking I'll be able to do another update tomorrow night. Stay tuned!

 

[JOCELYNM]

WOW...looks like you all had a GREAT time in the "Happiest Place on Earth"!
You're son Reid is absolutely adorable!!! Looks like he's going to be a DISer
Can't wait to keep reading more!!!

 

[amandaw]

WOW...looks like you all had a GREAT time in the "Happiest Place on Earth"!

We really did! Ed & I both agreed that this was our best vacation ever!!!

You're son Reid is absolutely adorable!!! Looks like he's going to be a DISer
Can't wait to keep reading more!!!

Aww, thank you! I'm doing my best to turn him into a DISer & all-around Disney fanatic. Hope my evil plan doesn't backfire on me & turn him into a Disney hater. I would have to disown him.
Hoping to do an update tomorrow night on the first day of the cruise with lots of pictures & info on the kids' club!

 

[afwdwfan]

I think that's the first time I've seen pictures of one of the verandas. That looks like it would be a wonderful place to relax peacefully while you're at sea. The ship looks amazing and I can't wait to read more about your cruise.


By the way, I really think you should have used Mr. & Mrs. Vandalay for your intro.

 

[amandaw]

I think that's the first time I've seen pictures of one of the verandas. That looks like it would be a wonderful place to relax peacefully while you're at sea. The ship looks amazing and I can't wait to read more about your cruise.

I was a little worried about being on the very back of the boat in the months leading up to our cruise. But now, I really love it. It is so quiet in the back hallways & the verandas just seem so much bigger than the midship ones.

By the way, I really think you should have used Mr. & Mrs. Vandalay for your intro.

I'm sure Ed will be happy to know he was one person in his corner on this matter. I'm sure I'll probably give in to him on our next cruise....it's just a matter of when that will be.

 

[amandaw]

Okay, I'm back with an update & hopefully I can get it done before this horrible storm at my house takes out my power! When we left off, we had finally got onto the Dream & were in our room! We had received our luggage but I didn't feel like unpacking so we put aside the suitcases & headed out to explore the ship. And just where did we go?



One of the club counselors working the front desk asked if I had already registered Reid. I told her yes but said that we were not there to drop him off, just to come in & look around. She pressed a magic button & the plexiglass gate was then open for us to go in & explore. Now, the first thing you have to do before you can run wild & play is wash your hands. I am so sorry I didn't get a picture of the hand washers. They are unbelievable cool! There are two metal cylinders, 1 for each hand. You put your hands in them & then they start turning & spraying your hands with jets of water. They have a set amount of time that they do this to wash your hands & then they stop. Hands washed, we dried them off & headed into the club. Before, I give you a tour let me give you some info. There is the Oceaneer's Club & the Oceaneer's Lab. The lab is supposedly for older children. They have check-in areas for each of them. However, they are connected. I only got pictures of the club because I figured Reid would not spend any time in the lab. Well, he ended up loving some sort of computer ship game where you "steer" the boat with a ship wheel. The lab did have some pretty cool looking computer games, an arts & crafts area, board games, etc. Anyway, on to the club! There is a central room in the club with a light floor & there are 4 themed rooms off of this central room. Okay, let's start the tour!

First up - Monsters Academy - had a few computers & some other fun stuff for kids to run around & play with







Next up was Pixie Hollow - this room was very cute but Reid didn't want to spend much time in here. I believe there was a table under a "tree" for coloring & maybe some dress up outfits for little girls





Then there was the Explorer Pod which had computers in it. Reid did like this quite a bit, even though I don't think he really knew what he was doing on the computers.







And last, but certainly not least, was my favorite room - Andy's Room



Reid loved driving RC!




Yep, that's Reid crawling through Slinky Dog!


You could put the "coins" in Hamm's slot on his back & they would come out in the front.


Reid taking a break in Andy's bed.


Mr. Potato Head's parts can really be removed & replaced.


Reid trying on Woody's hat.


Reid on Rex


That room has all sorts of fun in it! In here, I decided to stop & talk to one of the club counselors. I was nervous about leaving Reid in the club because he just turned 3 in March & just got potty trained around Christmas time. In order to be checked in, the kids have to be completely self-sufficient in the potty. At this time, Reid was for the most part, except for putting his clothes back on. He struggled with that - A LOT! He is now completely sufficient in the potty! What a difference a month makes! Anyway, I asked the counselor if we didn't want to check him in if we could just come in with him & stay & play. He said of course, that was fine. I also asked if we did check him in, could we drop by every so often just to take him ourselves to the potty. Again, I was told this was fine. So, it helped reassure me but I still wasn't sure if I would ever end up checking him at all during the cruise.

We made our way out of Andy's room into the central room. In here, they were playing some fun dance music. Well, they ended up playing Reid's song - "I like to move it, move it" (it's in Madagascar). Well, needless to say, when he heard his jam playing, he just had to shake his tail feather!







After we were done playing in the club, we decided to start looking for our muster station for the boat drill. We knew it was on deck 4, but not exactly sure where. Deck 4 is the promenade deck, so you can walk all around it & people use it for jogging (just not us!). We made it down to deck 4 quickly since the club is just on deck 5. Since we had some time, we decided to walk around. Then, we headed into our muster station for the drill. This went by quicker than I expected it to. And Reid was well-behaved - for the most part. The drill is mainly just talking, telling you what to do in case of emergency. They do sound the alarm at one point & that is loud. If you have little ones with you, make sure to cover their ears.

As soon as the drill was over, they told us to head up to deck 11 (pool deck) or deck 12 for the Sail Away Party. This was one time when we really felt the crowds on the boat - trying to get to the deck & trying to find a spot to watch. We ended up walking up the stairs to deck 12. Yes, we went up stairs from deck 4 to deck 12 because the elevators were just crazy busy. But, we finally made it up & got a spot on the side of the stage, looking down. It was a good enough spot for Reid to watch through the railings what was going on. I couldn't really get any great pictures since I was sitting on the ground with Reid. But, here's just a little taste:









Now, the Sail Away party doesn't start off with the characters. It's entertainment crew members who dance, etc. I really thought they could do without so much of just the crew. It just made the whole thing just a little too long & let's face it, people are there to see the characters. I don't think we would do it again unless our kid(s) insisted.

After the Sail Away party, we headed back to our room. When we got into our room, it was already 5:15pm & we had the early dining time - 5:45pm! I wouldn't mind doing the later dining time but with a little one, it just isn't possible. Or at least, not with my little one. Luckily, we weren't all icky & didn't need showers. So, we hurriedly unpacked just enough to find our clothes for the evening & began getting ready.

UP NEXT: What's for dinner?

 

[Ritse]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your ENTIRE TR. We will be going in September with our 30mth for her first trip, as well as DH's first trip. I have been once before. May I please ask what type of stroller you took with you? Looks absolutely comfortable.

Thank you!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Well, your pictures have done it, you have sealed the deal for us taking a cruise in 2013! Andy's rooms looks AMAZING, and I know that Everett would have the time of his life there. Reid looks like he is having so much fun, and the pics of him dancing are just too cute!

I hope you were able to let Reid spend some time in the Oceaneers club, so you and your DH could enjoy some nice adult conversation (and fru fru drinks ), but I completely understand your concern.

Does the oceaneers club have hours? Can you only check your kids in during set times and have to be back within a certain time frame?

could you check you kid in at the sail away and pick them up when you disembark?

 

[pinkxray]

Wow, the kids club looks amazing. I always think I would feel bad using one, but I would have no problem leaving a kid there. It looks like so much fun!

 

[amandaw]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your ENTIRE TR. We will be going in September with our 30mth for her first trip, as well as DH's first trip. I have been once before. May I please ask what type of stroller you took with you? Looks absolutely comfortable.

Thank you!

I'm so glad you're enjoying it! I'm so excited for y'all taking a trip in September! Reid was 33 months for his 1st trip this past December & then he was 37 1/2 months for this trip. It's a really wonderful age. Everything is truly magical to them! My stroller is a MacLaren Triumph. It's not the most expensive, although it's still not cheap ($170 @ Babies R Us). I wanted a comfortable stroller for Reid but it didn't need to be huge & have bells & whistles. But, that's just me. He really likes it & doesn't complain when I tell him to get in & ride. And the fold up process is super-easy (although Ed still struggles doing it, so I'm the official stroller folder of the family ). I would highly recommend it if you don't want to break the bank on a stroller & don't want anything too big!

Well, your pictures have done it, you have sealed the deal for us taking a cruise in 2013! Andy's rooms looks AMAZING, and I know that Everett would have the time of his life there.

And I'm telling you - my pictures don't even do it justice! I really was amazed. And the great thing, too, is that the kids can just around & play whatever they want. OR they also have organized games & activities throughout the day for those that prefer structure - mine does not. Oh yes, Everett would love Andy's room!!!

Reid looks like he is having so much fun, and the pics of him dancing are just too cute!

Thank you! He was so excited to hear that song playing & he had just been having so much fun in the club that he just couldn't help bustin' a move!

I hope you were able to let Reid spend some time in the Oceaneers club, so you and your DH could enjoy some nice adult conversation (and fru fru drinks ), but I completely understand your concern.

Well, I don't want to give anything away but the next day I'm faced with the dilemma of whether or not to drop him off. What will I do?!?

Does the oceaneers club have hours? Can you only check your kids in during set times and have to be back within a certain time frame?

They do, although I can't remember what they were. If I had a navigator handy, I could look at it & tell you but it is packed away somewhere in a box full of scrapbooking stuff right now. I want to say they were open pretty late at night like maybe until midnight or so. I do know that on the day we were in Castaway Cay, you couldn't do a drop-off. It was family play time, so you could go in & play with the kids but not drop them off & leave.

could you check you kid in at the sail away and pick them up when you disembark?

Girl, if I could've, I would've! By this point in our vacation, Reid was starting to show his true 3 year old colors more & more often.

Wow, the kids club looks amazing. I always think I would feel bad using one, but I would have no problem leaving a kid there. It looks like so much fun!

They really are amazing! I was super impressed! I was struggling with the whole idea of checking him in because (1) it's a family vacation so shouldn't we be together and (2) would he be okay with the whole potty-training issue. Besides the potty training thing, I knew he would be ok. He's (usually) not one to be upset at us leaving him somewhere, as long as there is fun to be had there!

 

[PirateKate]

Andy's Room looks so amazing! That would be so much fun for a little kid. I've always thought that I would feel bad checking in my boys, but I guess it would just have to depend on whether or not they minded. I could see how those clubs would be entertaining for hours and they'd never miss us.