Okay, I've uploaded some of my pics... here is the Facebook album public link: [FONT="]
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=328521&id=565093782&l=bd454509f4[/FONT]
Our quickie recap -
Thursday - flew in with no problems into LAX, rented car from National (I get Executive status through work and we got a nice Jeep Grand Cherokee), and headed to the Crowne Plaza. Nice room, perfectly fine for Priceline ($63). Went to Acapulco for dinner, which was good - surprisingly reasonably priced for a tourist area. Kids were completely clueless this whole time, even though we were so close to the port. I would have expected them to at least guess that we were going on the Mariner again, but they had no idea. Maybe they're just dense, lol.
Friday morning - The Crowne Plaza had some water pump problem that caused all water to shut off, right around 9 am. We were fine - brushed our teeth with bottled water and had already showered... but I feel sorry for other people who were trying to get on with their day! Stopped around the corner at Jack in the Box for a quick breakfast and Payless Shoe Source next door to get new flip flops for my son who has been growing by leaps and bounds lately and outgrew his old ones.
Pull up to the port and point out the Wonder to my kids, who still aren't getting that we're going ON the ship. Had to actually say the words. They were completely blown away. So excited. I start jumping up and down as we walk toward the ship. I'm a bit of a freak. My husband is embarassed by how crazy excited I am, lol.
Check in was pretty easy. They did take awhile but these port personnel are contracted by Disney and work for different cruise lines depending on the day, so I'm not expecting a ton of that Cast Member magic from them. They were friendly and helpful enough.
Met a few wristbanders in the terminal and got a lovely goodie bag from our TAs, who were also on this cruise. We got boarding #8. I need to point out - we got #8 somewhere around the check in line but as we passed security into the waiting area, I saw #5 in the hand of the person handing them out on the other side, so they are NOT in sequential order. I should have grabbed another one from her when she asked me if I already got a #. In any case, there wasn't more than 5 minutes or so between 5 and 8, so be it.
Everything went smoothly as far as I'm concerned. We were given the option to wait a few minutes for Parrot Cay or go up to BBB. We opted to go sit outside in the sunshine. The kids were punchy to go swimming so they changed after we ate and jumped in. Still didn't see that many people at this point so I'm not sure if alot of people got on later. I went to the spa and booked appts and by this time, the room was ready so we went and unpacked. Went to the Goofy Pool to meet people and I saw CaptainCrash and (gosh I can't remember who now - sorry!) but not too many people so I guess everyone was busy with their own things, and I can't blame you because this was so short that I wanted to maximize my time too!
Yikes - this is getting long. Okay, I'll condense.
I loved the food. This was much better than the last time we cruised on the Magic 2 years ago. I want the Duck again from the 1st night. DROOL. I thought the servers did a good job. There isn't much chance for them to develop the relationship that they do on longer cruises, but I thought they were great. Our asst server was very entertaining and good-humored. Our stateroom host was busy but very attentive. Every crew member we walked by said hello and many struck up conversations. Sarah had a great time in the Lab and my son disappeared into the Edge for hours till they closed each night. Food options were plentiful and we took advantage of late night room service both nights - got right through on the first night and I let it ring about 30 rings the 2nd night but both times were delivered within 30 minutes. The staff in the spa was super nice, not pushy. I wish I could take these 2 days and multiple that by 3 to get the perfect longer cruise!
We opted to keep our luggage and walk it off ourselves. My husband read the clock wrong and we wound up getting up too early so we went up to BBB and were walking off the ship as soon as we cleared customs. There was no traffic and we were at the HoJo in Anaheim about 8:20 or so. Room was ready, and we were able to dump everything off and were at the park about 9:05. Seriously, I could not believe our pixie dust on this trip.
I know the ship was full but it didn't feel like it at all. Maybe everyone was in shows or character greeting lines. We didn't stand to wait for character photos but they did seem long. We did a few prof. photos in the atrium and they turned out good. Got the CD for $99 which I consider a bargain. I also won the Shutters drawing the first day
so I got to take home 2 8x10s!
So in closing, let me just say that I'm sorry that I didn't get to meet more of you. If I missed anyone's wristbands still, please let me know and I'll get your money back to you. I think I got everyone though. Brenda - I'm sorry we didn't connect - I had some phone issues and didn't get a chance to call you back (though in hindsight, I guess I should have just called your room, lol). We didn't rebook since we're sailing the Dream in May and will do so then, but I am sure wishing we could get the school schedule to work right with an MR date in 2012. I'm sorry for those of you who had less than an ideal cruise. Maybe we went into it with low expectations knowing it wasn't going to be a full experience for 2 short days but it definitely surpassed our expectations and is a great memory for our family.
That was what I went down to do in the first place. Fortunately, the gifts that I bought, a pin for my DH and a mug for a friend of mine, were things I would have bought anyways, so alls well that ends well.
Personally, I find that the "Heat" overpowers the taste of the food and I cannot enjoy that. It's not blandness that I want. I actually want to savor the food a bit before reach out to douse the flames.
We just enjoyed being on the ship for the first time 
