Wonder 4 day 6/29/03--day one--"It's so huge!"

[Rock'n Robin]

cast--me, 39 (almost 40)
DH--39
DD#1--11
DD#2--8
DS--5

We flew into Orlando at 2:15 on Saturday and rented a car from Avis for $54. Drove down to the port and all kids asleep--late night before packing, softball game, etc. DH and I saw the Magic in port. Got to the Radisson and proceeded to Grills for dinner. It was pretty good. My delmonico was very fatty though--every forkful had a string of fat. DH said something to the waitress and she got me another steak--not a delmonico though, she said they were all fatty (although DH's seemed fine. ) Saw the Magic go by and boy was it massive! The kids couldn't believe it! It started to rain and did not stop. We drove to Ron Jons and shopped a little. We were unable to use the beautiful Radisson pools due to the rain, and then later in the evening it was blocked off for a party. I am telling you we were all sound asleep by 9:30 PM! We didn't even use the whirlpool!
Next day we were the first into the terminal after the buffet (cheap and hot) at the hotel. We checked in and wandered around. DD#2 decided we would be the first in line and staked out a spot. Roy from DCL gave her a little Minnie toy and Dorothy from DCL taught her a magic trick. About 11:30 I got in line with her and we were one of the first families on the ship--after the concierge guests, special needs, and make a wish families. I was just blown away by everything, esp. the size of the ship! We were directed to Parrot Cay but we followed a few other families up to Beach Blanket instead and had shrimp, etc. DD#1 got up to throw her garbage away and a CM told her to relax and not worry about it! We looked around until we could get into our rooms. Then we changed into our suits and hit the Mickey and Goofy pools (turns out the only time DDs would swim on the ship!) I booked a spa taster for Tuesday. We registered the kids for the clubs and got a pager.
We went to the sailaway party and I had a couple of drinks. DS was tired and a little surly but everyone else had a good time!Our rotation was PTAP so we got a picture taken (bought the 10 shots for $85 deal) and went to dinner. Our head server was Alan from Scotland and our asst. server was Gavin from South Africa. The first night DH had a sirloin and I had the ribs--they were very good but messy! At one point DS dropped some mac & cheese into his lap and I tried to catch it and made things worse with my saucy hands--here's a hint--oxyclean wipes--$2 for 10--saved my neck on this cruise, let me tell you!
I also had the sourdough loaf appetizer and the creme brulee cheesecake.
I didn't really care about the variety show so we put the kids in the clubs and checked the place out. We ended up at the 70s night and had a lot of fun, although we were not picked to participate (that's OK, believe me!) . After that we got the kids out of the clubs and hit the hay. What a wonderful first day! DH sat on the verandah until about 12:30.
Robin M.

 

[eek40]

A great start to your trip report, cant wait to read more, thanks
Aimee

 

[WDWLVR]

Great start! Thanks for sharing and can't wait to read the rest!

 

[Karkies]

We were on the Wonder (May 2003) and we had Gavin as our asst. server too! He is hilarious

 

[travel with kids]

Thanks for the report. I love reading these.

Where did you get the oxyclean wipes? This sounds like something I could use!!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I got them at Target. They worked on DS's stained pants, and also took out chocolate and red powerade during our trip.
Robin M.

 

[EAP'sDAD]

Robin i also have a family of 5 and was wondering what size room or 2 rooms you did and how did you feel about the size of the rooms

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We had a cat. 4 room because we cruised on points this time so we could handle it. If we paid cash I think I would get two cat. 10 rooms and try for the secret porthole rooms.
We had enough room, but our kids are only 5,8 and 11. I know a family of 6 who had two cat. 10 rooms on deck 2 and they really appreciated having two toilets, two showers etc.
Robin M.

 

[heart4dis]

change into your bathing suits when you couldn't get in your room yet? (not a personal question, but informational you understand!). Do we need to plan on wearing swimsuits under our clothes on that first day?

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Well we got into our room a little early by asking the room steward who was right by the door to the hallway--they had said 1:30 and it was 1:15, I think. I was surprised because I had read here that rooms were usually about 1, 1:15.
Even if they were not ready, there are bathrooms on deck 9. I know there are two by the spa area and two by the beach blanket buffet entrance area.
Robin M.

 

[vpfarris]

I am a new to this and we have booked our first disney cruise for January. I would like to know what "rotation PTAP" means? Thank you!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

That means our dinner rotation was Parrot Cay(P) the first night, then Tritons, then Animator's Palate, then back to Parrot Cay the last night.
On the Magic the T would be L--a 7 day rotation might be PLAPLAP. This rotation appears on your key to the world card you get when you check in at the terminal.
Robin M.

 

[KLM065]

I am surprising my family with a Christmas Disney Western Cruise. I have arranged for one of Santa's elves to deliver a Santa Gram with airline tickets to begin our vacation. I was going to have the Santa gram give a clue that would lead to additional clues until we reached our destination. We are departing on December 20th & returning on Dec 27th. This will be our first cruise. I have 3 children 2 girls ages 7 and 13 and one son age 11. If anyone has any pointers, suggestions or tips. I would really appreciate it.

 

[videogal1]

In 1990 my mom and I, as supergranny and superaunt treated my brother's 13-year-old daughter to a Bahamas/Disney vacation (not the Disney cruise line) and were really surprised at how quickly she rejected the idea of joining the other teens. This state of affairs lasted the entire cruise. Don't be surprised if your teen wants to stick with her younger sibs.....but hope and pray that at least if she does, that all of them will go off and join the kid club activities and give you a chance for some adults only time...