ADisneygirl
<font color=purple>My birth certificate is really
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2003
- Messages
- 5,823
Wow!-- Just back from a wonderful Disney vacation. We were aboard the Wonder, July 6-10. This was our second Disney cruise, having taken our first last summer on the three night.
Let me start from the beginning: Arrived at the port at 11:30 Sunday. We were a little worried about time and the drive, since last summer we stayed at the Doubletree in Cocoa Beach before the cruise. But -- timing was just right. (We live on the other coast of Fl.) We noticed a lot more security measures this time. We had to identify ourselves many more times before we actually got into the lot.
Gave our bags to the porter, parked and entered the terminal without any problems. It was quite crowded, but being Castaway Club members (you automatically become a member once you've cruised) we were able to check in at a dedicated desk at the far right which had no lines whatsoever.
Things went easily for check in, and we were sent to a man holding a mickey balloon(the line holder man) to wait to board.
The wait was over quickly, and the line moved briskly. We were aboard by 12:15> Me, DH,and DS13 were back!!
Loved hearing our names called out welcoming us aboard and seeing that atrium again. We decided to head for Parrot Cay to eat their buffet, since last year we were herded toward the Beach Blanket Buffet up on deck 9. Food was good, and Parrot Cay is so festive and pleasant to sit in.
After eating, we headed to our stateroom -- 5638. First time with a verandah! It was the same room in layout as our room last year on deck 2 Cat.9, but instead of the big window we had a little room -- like a porch with a big opening to look over at the ocean from. I know some people prefer the open verandah with plexiglass, but this navigators verandah was wonderful too. And it felt very safe to hang out over the railing with the rest of the room enclosed. And being Castaway Club members, there was a gift waiting for us in the cabin. Very exciting to receive a gift!
We spent day one wandering the ship, and remembering where everything was. We did not plan on making spa res., or Palos, so we did not have that reservation scramble to deal with. We were dreading the lifeboat drill, because last year we went about 5 minutes early, and most everyone else was late, so we ended up waiting awhile on the warm deck in those bulky lifevests. Then because they lined us up facing out to sea, and we were early, we were in the back, against the wall. There were about 4 people in front of us, and it was clastrophobic back there. Anyway....this time we vowed to go on time, no earlier. It turned out GREAT because from this cabin we assembled in Animator's Palate! We got to sit in the cool restaurant and hear the talk, then go back to our rooms!
Then it was off to the Sail-Away party at 4:30 on deck 9. So much fun! We even remembered to look back at the cruise terminal to see the CM's waving good-bye to us with their mickey gloves on.
Our restaurant rotation was TAPT -- which meant Triton's, Animator's Palate, Parrot Cay, then a repeat of Triton's. We had first seating this time. We dressed in our better outfits for Triton's, although I will say that we were more "resort casual" this trip. Last summer when DD18 went with us, her and I were overdressed in my opinion. So this time my outfits consisted of capris pant sets, sweater sets, and a black skirt. Wore the skirt to Triton's the first night, but capris the rest of the trip. I was more comfortable and fit right in.
Our tablemates were a wonderful family with a DD7. Couldn't ask for nicer people to eat with.
That first night, we saw a comedian named Gary Delena in the Welcome Aboard Variety show in the Walt Disney Theatre on deck 4. He was so funny!
We knew Nassau was the stop on day 2, so we opted to stay aboard. Did it last time, and did not enjoy Nassau. (Unless you go to Atlantis hotel area) Started day 2 by relaxing in those wonderful deck chairs - the wood ones. All three of us fell asleep there awhile!! Went to see Holes in the movie theatre with DH & DS13 at 10am. Had lunch in Triton's. Very nice place and good food. Had some photos taken with characters, then went to see Finding Nemo in the big WD Theatre.
Dinner at Animator's Palate is so much fun! We wished we had that one first in the rotation so we could repeat on day four. We saw Hercules - The Muse -ical, a parody of the Hercules story. Very entertaining and we loved the Hades character the best! That night there was a Tropical Sail-Away party from 10-midnight, and it included fireworks! We were excited since we did not get that on the three night last year. They fired them from a barge out in the sea, and they lit up the night sky beautifully.
Day three was my favorite -- Castaway Cay!! We had beautiful weather, and spent a perfect day snorkeling for hours, eating at Cookie's bar-b-que, and drinking frozen Konk coolers! (no alcohol though -- wouldn't mix well with dramamine) We had a wonderful Captain's get together too -- in the late afternoon in Studio Sea, for previous cruisers. Of course there was food, but they had free drinks too, and the best part was meeting the captain! He came to our table and spoke to us for about 5 minutes! Other crew members were mingling there too with us. A lot of fun!
That night we ate at Parrot Cay for dinner. We found out that Disney Dreams was to be the show for day three, which confirmed our suspicions that they would play Pirates of the Carribean- Legend of the Black Pearl the next night as a premier. We were happy about that. Now, Disney Dreams is a beautiful, magical, Disney-type show, full of all the characters everyone knows and loves. It has won awards and deservedly so. I am so glad that we all had seen it already last summer though, because even though we arrived at the theatre 20 minutes before show time, the only seats we could get were terrible! They had several rows reserved, for who -- I don't know. We sat in row 2, far right side of stage. We could only see the left side of the stage from our seats, but hey, we figured there was nothing we could do. THEN, as the show was beginning, the hearing impaired interpreters proceeded to stand up RIGHT IN FRONT OF US, effectively blocking the small view of the left side of the stage that we had. Talk about bad luck. I will say that they are talented, and the man especially should be an actor himself, since he acted out many of the parts. He broke into a terrific sweat from all the work. You know, they have a tough job - they must memorize everyone's lines.
Day four was the day at sea. After a breakfast at Beach Blanket Bingo, my DS did not feel well. He said he was "tired". Long story short, he and I spent most of the day in the cabin -- him asleep with a fever, and me keeping watch. Then by dinner, he miraculously felt better! Very odd. Anyway, I finally got out and about and we all went to Triton's again. Had our goodbye's with the nice tablemates, gave our tips and went to see Pirates of the Carribean. What a wonderful movie!
Next morning, we knew that they sort of give you the "bum's rush" as my Mom would call it. They need everyone off the ship by 8:30-9:00 so they can get it ready for all the people getting on at 12:15 that day! With first seating dinner, you get the first seating breakfast at 6am. the last day in the restaurant you dined in the night before. We opted out of that -- too early. Instead we went up to the Beach Blanket Bingo, where there was continental breakfast. Once you leave your cabin to go to breakfast -- that's it. No going back to the room. You must take your carry on with you to breakfast and depart the ship from there.
We easily found our luggage and passed by customs without being stopped and checked. I would imagine that would be very time consuming and annoying. I am glad they never stopped us. Then it was out to our car, and off to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to continue our Disney vacation for a few days. (it was a beautiful lodge) It was sad to leave the ship, as I remembered it would be, but I must say that going to Disney World after the cruise made more sense to us. It is less of a let down after the cruise, because you know you are not going straight home yet, but continuing the "Disney Magic" only us disneyholics can truly appreciate.
Any questions? I'll be happy to answer if I can.
Can't wait to start planning to go back!!
Let me start from the beginning: Arrived at the port at 11:30 Sunday. We were a little worried about time and the drive, since last summer we stayed at the Doubletree in Cocoa Beach before the cruise. But -- timing was just right. (We live on the other coast of Fl.) We noticed a lot more security measures this time. We had to identify ourselves many more times before we actually got into the lot.
Gave our bags to the porter, parked and entered the terminal without any problems. It was quite crowded, but being Castaway Club members (you automatically become a member once you've cruised) we were able to check in at a dedicated desk at the far right which had no lines whatsoever.
Things went easily for check in, and we were sent to a man holding a mickey balloon(the line holder man) to wait to board.
The wait was over quickly, and the line moved briskly. We were aboard by 12:15> Me, DH,and DS13 were back!!
Loved hearing our names called out welcoming us aboard and seeing that atrium again. We decided to head for Parrot Cay to eat their buffet, since last year we were herded toward the Beach Blanket Buffet up on deck 9. Food was good, and Parrot Cay is so festive and pleasant to sit in.
After eating, we headed to our stateroom -- 5638. First time with a verandah! It was the same room in layout as our room last year on deck 2 Cat.9, but instead of the big window we had a little room -- like a porch with a big opening to look over at the ocean from. I know some people prefer the open verandah with plexiglass, but this navigators verandah was wonderful too. And it felt very safe to hang out over the railing with the rest of the room enclosed. And being Castaway Club members, there was a gift waiting for us in the cabin. Very exciting to receive a gift!
We spent day one wandering the ship, and remembering where everything was. We did not plan on making spa res., or Palos, so we did not have that reservation scramble to deal with. We were dreading the lifeboat drill, because last year we went about 5 minutes early, and most everyone else was late, so we ended up waiting awhile on the warm deck in those bulky lifevests. Then because they lined us up facing out to sea, and we were early, we were in the back, against the wall. There were about 4 people in front of us, and it was clastrophobic back there. Anyway....this time we vowed to go on time, no earlier. It turned out GREAT because from this cabin we assembled in Animator's Palate! We got to sit in the cool restaurant and hear the talk, then go back to our rooms!
Then it was off to the Sail-Away party at 4:30 on deck 9. So much fun! We even remembered to look back at the cruise terminal to see the CM's waving good-bye to us with their mickey gloves on.
Our restaurant rotation was TAPT -- which meant Triton's, Animator's Palate, Parrot Cay, then a repeat of Triton's. We had first seating this time. We dressed in our better outfits for Triton's, although I will say that we were more "resort casual" this trip. Last summer when DD18 went with us, her and I were overdressed in my opinion. So this time my outfits consisted of capris pant sets, sweater sets, and a black skirt. Wore the skirt to Triton's the first night, but capris the rest of the trip. I was more comfortable and fit right in.
Our tablemates were a wonderful family with a DD7. Couldn't ask for nicer people to eat with.
That first night, we saw a comedian named Gary Delena in the Welcome Aboard Variety show in the Walt Disney Theatre on deck 4. He was so funny!
We knew Nassau was the stop on day 2, so we opted to stay aboard. Did it last time, and did not enjoy Nassau. (Unless you go to Atlantis hotel area) Started day 2 by relaxing in those wonderful deck chairs - the wood ones. All three of us fell asleep there awhile!! Went to see Holes in the movie theatre with DH & DS13 at 10am. Had lunch in Triton's. Very nice place and good food. Had some photos taken with characters, then went to see Finding Nemo in the big WD Theatre.
Dinner at Animator's Palate is so much fun! We wished we had that one first in the rotation so we could repeat on day four. We saw Hercules - The Muse -ical, a parody of the Hercules story. Very entertaining and we loved the Hades character the best! That night there was a Tropical Sail-Away party from 10-midnight, and it included fireworks! We were excited since we did not get that on the three night last year. They fired them from a barge out in the sea, and they lit up the night sky beautifully.
Day three was my favorite -- Castaway Cay!! We had beautiful weather, and spent a perfect day snorkeling for hours, eating at Cookie's bar-b-que, and drinking frozen Konk coolers! (no alcohol though -- wouldn't mix well with dramamine) We had a wonderful Captain's get together too -- in the late afternoon in Studio Sea, for previous cruisers. Of course there was food, but they had free drinks too, and the best part was meeting the captain! He came to our table and spoke to us for about 5 minutes! Other crew members were mingling there too with us. A lot of fun!
That night we ate at Parrot Cay for dinner. We found out that Disney Dreams was to be the show for day three, which confirmed our suspicions that they would play Pirates of the Carribean- Legend of the Black Pearl the next night as a premier. We were happy about that. Now, Disney Dreams is a beautiful, magical, Disney-type show, full of all the characters everyone knows and loves. It has won awards and deservedly so. I am so glad that we all had seen it already last summer though, because even though we arrived at the theatre 20 minutes before show time, the only seats we could get were terrible! They had several rows reserved, for who -- I don't know. We sat in row 2, far right side of stage. We could only see the left side of the stage from our seats, but hey, we figured there was nothing we could do. THEN, as the show was beginning, the hearing impaired interpreters proceeded to stand up RIGHT IN FRONT OF US, effectively blocking the small view of the left side of the stage that we had. Talk about bad luck. I will say that they are talented, and the man especially should be an actor himself, since he acted out many of the parts. He broke into a terrific sweat from all the work. You know, they have a tough job - they must memorize everyone's lines.
Day four was the day at sea. After a breakfast at Beach Blanket Bingo, my DS did not feel well. He said he was "tired". Long story short, he and I spent most of the day in the cabin -- him asleep with a fever, and me keeping watch. Then by dinner, he miraculously felt better! Very odd. Anyway, I finally got out and about and we all went to Triton's again. Had our goodbye's with the nice tablemates, gave our tips and went to see Pirates of the Carribean. What a wonderful movie!
Next morning, we knew that they sort of give you the "bum's rush" as my Mom would call it. They need everyone off the ship by 8:30-9:00 so they can get it ready for all the people getting on at 12:15 that day! With first seating dinner, you get the first seating breakfast at 6am. the last day in the restaurant you dined in the night before. We opted out of that -- too early. Instead we went up to the Beach Blanket Bingo, where there was continental breakfast. Once you leave your cabin to go to breakfast -- that's it. No going back to the room. You must take your carry on with you to breakfast and depart the ship from there.
We easily found our luggage and passed by customs without being stopped and checked. I would imagine that would be very time consuming and annoying. I am glad they never stopped us. Then it was out to our car, and off to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to continue our Disney vacation for a few days. (it was a beautiful lodge) It was sad to leave the ship, as I remembered it would be, but I must say that going to Disney World after the cruise made more sense to us. It is less of a let down after the cruise, because you know you are not going straight home yet, but continuing the "Disney Magic" only us disneyholics can truly appreciate.
Any questions? I'll be happy to answer if I can.
Can't wait to start planning to go back!!
I know when they offer the Land & Sea package they have the people do Disney World first, then the cruise, but I know it'll be better to go to DW after the cruise, to soften to blow, so to speak, so we're booking each part of the trip separately, ourselves. 
