Wonder(lots of pics)-8 people, 4 nights and 2 trips to CC–July 27-31 (complete w/WDW)

[thrtr45]

It was a great trip. Let's do it again!

 

[vatchr]

We had decided that Nassau day would be a relaxing day for us. Both Don and I had previously been to Nassau and stayed at one of the resorts in Cable Beach, so we had done the sightseeing thing, the straw market, the Casinos and didn’t have much interest in doing it again…especially with an 8 and 6 year old.

We had also just spent 8 days at the beach in North Carolina, so didn’t need to add another beach day to the trip. We were more interested in exploring the ship, and the girls wanted to check out the kids clubs.

Rina, Nana and Bubba and Lizzietish had all never been to Nassau before, so we encouraged them to do an excursion and “see” the area. So they booked the Ardastra Gardens and City tour – more on that later.

We woke that morning, and decided to head to Parrot Cay for the “indoor” breakfast buffet. It was great and we were able to get a table near the window and watch as we docked in Nassau. We all decided to get off the boat for a couple of hours and do some shopping, then return before lunch. The tour for the others was departing from Wavebands at 12:45p.m.

Don had no interest in shopping, so he stayed onboard and enjoyed deck 4 alone…well, almost alone. He ran into this guy just hanging out and joined him for a photo op before finding a deck chair to read his book for a while.

Finding Goofy, with no one else around was a happy surprise. One of those hidden gems that only Disney can offer.

The rest of us left the s hip about 9:30 a.m. and headed into Nassau. I was the only one who had been there before and was trying to forewarn everyone about the people in Nassau that wanted to “braid your hair, help you, offer you a taxi, etc.” DD1 called them “fun people,” but was very anxious and didn’t let go of my hand the entire two hours we wandered.

As we exited, we got a quick photo right off the ship:

Then the harassment began….we weren’t even out of Festival Place and we were being offered everything. We continued to politely say, “No, thank you” and for the most part were left alone.

Our first stop was Del Sol and we had a good time in there. The people were very pleasant and we found lots of treats. The girls loved the color changing hair bands and nail polish. I even walked away with a Free tote bag.
Then we were off to find the “free” charm bracelets. A deal they offered as you exited the cruise ship. After asking around, we found the store and Nana, Rina and the girls were excited to get these treats.

Here’s a pic of the girls after a little bit of shopping.

We hit a few more souvenir stores and then everyone wanted to experience the Straw Market. The girls had some money they had been saving and wanted to find something to buy. I was ready to bargain, so we headed over.
It was definitely very crowded, hot and lots of “fun people.” I don’t think Lizzietish, Nana and Bubba appreciated it at all. In fact, I think they were VERY overwhelmed. We got the girls some cute little Bahamas purses, they each got a cute Bahamanian skirt to wear that evening and we were through.
Here are the girls in front of the straw market:

We were all heading back to the ship. The others had had ENOUGH of Nassau, and were even questioning their tour for that afternoon. I reminded them it would be a Disney tour, with AC, a bus and a tour guide – so it would be much different than walking the city on your own.

We made a much needed ‘potty stop” and rest break at Starbucks. I think it made everyone happy to have a little bit of home, after a crazy morning. We relaxed there with our coffee and smoothies, and then back to the ship – it was only about 11:30 a.m.

Don had been enjoying his morning, but was watching for us. Nana, Bubba and LIzzietish went straight back to the ship, but Rina, myself and the girls wandered around Festival Place (the yellow building as you exit the ship, before entering the “real” Nassau).

Here are some pics of the girls inside Festival Place. They had lots of neat photo ops inside. It was definitely a tourist trap:

Then back to the ship and Don watched us from deck 10, as we entered the ship:

The girls wanted desperately to go to the kids clubs, so we left DD1 with her group in Animator’s Palate, they were just starting to eat lunch there. She was very excited – we would pick her up at about 2:00 after making cookies and playing Who wants to be a Mousketeer.

DD2’s group had already eaten lunch, so we got her a quick bite at Pluto’s and then took her – just in time for The Cooking School – she was excited, but then we got paged as soon as that was over – she wasn’t interested in anything else. No more kids clubs for her.

We got DD1, at the time we had said, and headed back to the room to rest. They played with their new purses and Del Sol things and we had a quiet time in the room. It was a great day in my book.

I’m posting some of Rina’s pictures from the Gardens tour. They really enjoyed it, but said the city tour included a lot of walking and by the time they were near the end, no one wanted to get off the bus at the last few stops. They did enjoy the gardens, birds and the marching flamingos.
Nana and Bubba weren’t sure what to do with the birds:

Another great day on the Wonder!

Up next: Formal Night, Dinner at Animator’s Palate – with the animation show – then Toy Story!

Thanks for all of the nice comments, I’m realizing as I write this, that I’ve read many trip reports and never posted on them. I would love to hear comments from all of you that are reading! I’m having so much fun writing this and reliving our great trip!

 

[disneygirl1972]

Laura, I am really enjoying your TR as we leave in less than 4 wks for the Wonder. Can you please fill me in on the details of the Straw Market? I have a DD 6 & DS 9, what were the prices of the dresses & skirt for the DD? Are there other little treasures to buy for the kids? Is the area too overwhelming, or is a polite decline enough??

Thanks again for your time!!

 

[Olga]

Your TR is very enjoyable, thanks for your time and effort in putting it together to share.
I'd like to know how was your luggage transferred from the Hyatt to the ship, did someone pick it up from your room in the morning and how early?

 

[vatchr]

Laura, I am really enjoying your TR as we leave in less than 4 wks for the Wonder. Can you please fill me in on the details of the Straw Market? I have a DD 6 & DS 9, what were the prices of the dresses & skirt for the DD? Are there other little treasures to buy for the kids? Is the area too overwhelming, or is a polite decline enough??

Thanks again for your time!!

Hi,
The Straw Market is an open air market (actually it is housed in the big white tent in the picture). It is very crowded and the aisles are tight. It is just a bunch of stalls set up and people selling what they wish. There are no prices posted, and you ask how much something is and then bargain. They will tell you prices in american $. The skirts for the girls (which you'll see in my next post) - the lady wanted $20 each, and I got both for $15.00. The girls also each got a little straw basket with handles - those are all over and have all sorts of designs sewn onto them. I don't remember how much, but I bargained and got them down quite a bit. The market has lots of straw items, lots of clothes, and quite a bit of other "stuff."

If you go expecting it to be crowded, noisy and overwhelming - you'll be okay. It's not dangerous, but I definitely did not let go of either of my girl's hands through the whole adventure. The vendors can get a bit of an attitude if you don't want to buy their things, but they are not really mean.

My recommendation for all of Nassau would be to practice saying, "No thank you!" and not make much eye contact. The locals will not bother you if you don't look at them, and you don't give them a chance to enter into a conversation with you. Just keep walking. Inside many of the stores, the people were very polite and we had some nice conversations with the shopkeepers, but not on the streets. The Del Sol store was a lot of fun!

Hope this helps! If you have any more questions, please ask!
-Laura

 

[vatchr]

Your TR is very enjoyable, thanks for your time and effort in putting it together to share.
I'd like to know how was your luggage transferred from the Hyatt to the ship, did someone pick it up from your room in the morning and how early?

Hi,
The Hyatt was great! We were told to put our luggage outside of our room by 9:00 on cruise morning, and then go to the lobby level and check in starting at 9:30 a.m. We did just that, and I'll admit I was a bit nervous just leaving it there, but it all worked out. The luggage had the DCL luggage tags on it.

They pick up your luggage from the hallways and get it onto the ship for you, you need to have a day bag with you because you might not see your luggage until dinner time.

We took the bus and got to the port by about 10:30 a.m., got on the ship before noon. We did not see our luggage until about 4:30 p.m. Luggage started appearing in the hallways right away at 1:30, but ours didn't show up until later. I was getting nervous again, but it all worked out just as they said.

Hope this helps, if you have any other questions, please ask!
-Laura

 

[wilma-bride]

Great day at Nassau

Can you give me an idea of where to find the Del Sol store as we didn't come across it on our last visit (I don't think). My girls would love that place

Looks like you have (almost) as long a wait as us until your next Disney trip - perhaps you can give me some tips on how to pass the time

 

[vatchr]

Great day at Nassau

Can you give me an idea of where to find the Del Sol store as we didn't come across it on our last visit (I don't think). My girls would love that place

Looks like you have (almost) as long a wait as us until your next Disney trip - perhaps you can give me some tips on how to pass the time

Thanks for the comments! It was a fun trip. The next update won't be up until tomorrow evening sometime. I honestly don't remember how to find the Del Sol store. It wasn't difficult, and I just asked a few people that looked like they could offer help without asking us to buy anything. It was only a few blocks from the port, a very easy walk!

As for our next trip....I actually made the reservations for Oct. 09 a couple of days ago. I wanted to know for sure that we were going. Even though it is 14 months away, people laugh,but it gives me another DW trip to look forward to. My DH is great with my Disneymania. He just grins and nods his head when we talk about it. Though, I think secretly he enjoys it as much as I do. As for tips to pass the time, I have none - in April I can make my ADR's. Is it too early to start planning them?

 

[Mozart]

Great day at Nassau

Can you give me an idea of where to find the Del Sol store as we didn't come across it on our last visit (I don't think). My girls would love that place

Looks like you have (almost) as long a wait as us until your next Disney trip - perhaps you can give me some tips on how to pass the time

Del Sol is on the main street in Nassau, about halfway between the pier and the straw market on the right hand side. It sits right on a corner if that helps.

 

[Tink rules]

I'm in... great to see lots of pics!!!

 

[Amy7979]

Subscribing... great report so far!

 

[mayraguma]

I've bee enjoying your report.
Very cute girls, waiting for more pics

 

[vatchr]

I'm in... great to see lots of pics!!!

Thanks! More pics coming soon!

Subscribing... great report so far!

Thanks, next update up soon!

I've bee enjoying your report.
Very cute girls, waiting for more pics

Thanks for the comment about the girls - more pics on the way!

 

[vatchr]

Formal Night!

It’s hard to believe that we are already approaching night 3 on our 4 night cruise. After resting, we got dressed. We were going to Animator’s Palate and were excited to see the animation show. It was formal night and we decided to get a little more dressed up than usual, but nothing over the top. The girls were excited to wear their white and black skirts that they bought at the Straw Market, so we all went with the Black and White theme.

Here's our pic from our dinner that night:

Before dinner we found Mickey, Minnie and Donald and got pictures taken with them in their formal wear.

Minnie was beautiful,

and Donald brushed his hair for the event.
My DH’s name is Don, so we always have to get a Donald and Donald picture:

We then headed back to Animator’s Palate for dinner.

Don took a series of pictures through the evening as the walls changed. The same pic and themeal progressed:

The meal was great, and the “show” was a lot of fun!
Nyoman and Oliver, our servers, were great as usual. We finally took a picture of them at this meal:

After the meal, we wandered around a little, but were excited to get to the Walt Disney Theater early to get good seats for Toy Story – the Musical. I had heard good things about this, so was excited to see it.
Lizzietish came to this one with us, and we all found good seats and thoroughly enjoyed the show.

Here are a few pics (without flash) that I got during the show:

Then back to the room, and get ready for Castaway Cay day 2. Finally snapped a picture of the girls in their beds:

DD1 loved her top bunk. DD2 tried to get up there one time, but was very content to stay on the bottom.

So day 3 was now over, only 1 more full day left onboard. It was definitely a fast trip!

Up next: Day 2 at Castaway Cay, more snorkeling, lots of characters on the beach and “I don’t know anyone named Mickey!”

 

[poffles]

I love the picture of hubby with Donald, that is priceless. Donald is looking fine!

Loving your report.

 

[tinkerbell*Xo]

loving the trip report! It's making me extreamly excited for my first cruise on the wonder!!
Your girls are beautiful!!

 

[frdeb1999]

You are doing a fantastic job on your TR!!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Fabulous report - enjoying the pics and narrative - thanks for sharing it with us - can't wait to read the rest.

 

[wilma-bride]

Del Sol is on the main street in Nassau, about halfway between the pier and the straw market on the right hand side. It sits right on a corner if that helps.

Thanks, I'll make sure we try and find it next time

 

[wilma-bride]

Lovely update - I agree that Minnie looks beautiful in her evening dress. Your family didn't scrub up too badly either

I loved your pics of Animators Palate - for some reason, I didn't take any inside the actual restaurant last year so I was glad to see those.