You Best Start Believing in Ghost Stories...Halloween on the Dream | The End P40 8/15

[DrMomof3]

I somehow missed that you have a TR in addition to your PTR. Since we're taking our crew on our first cruise is about 3 weeks, I'd better get caught up pretty quickly!!!

Amanda

 

[petals]

In Ireland we spell it theatre. But then we also spell colourful and favourite with an extra u and we call chips crisps and french fries chips!

 

[Dugette]

You're right! I do like it! Congrats again! When are you due? We will need to see pictures, of course.

Due September 7th. Will do on the pics! (check my PTR for them if I go missing for awhile around that date...I'm sure we'll get some on there fairly soon after)

Another great update. I love seeing all the little details...the Mickeyed bathrooms, Goofy playing piano, etc. I think the first Disney trip we'll take the little princess on will be WDW, but your TR sure makes me lean towards a Disney cruise! It's definitely on the must-do list now, just a matter of when.

 

[unclescrooge_0707]

Even the bathrooms are Mickeyed! (Yes, it's a word. Its on the internet, so it must be true)

why are you taking a photo of a bathroom that has 3 other guys in it taking pictures of you?
(pause, my DW is trying to talk to me)
What? Mirrors? What are you talking about?

(DW reading over my shoulder telling me i'm dumb. No idea what she is referring to. Sorry about that.)

We made our way past the shopping district on the ship and into the Walt Disney Theatre. (You can tell it's a fancy place because they spelled "Theater" wrong. I've been told this is on purpose.)

I needed to correct you. The spelling isn't fancy, it's English... as opposed to American.

The camera panned around to show some of the celebrities in attendance.


As we sat waiting for the theater (sorry, theatre) to fill, we watched the heavy red curtains swaying with the rocking of the ship. Photos don't do it justice, but they had to easily be swaying 3-4 feet at the bottom. I'm sure the performers are used to conditions like this, but how anyone can sing and dance on stage was beyond me!

I have a feeling there are a lot of things beyond you. Like the chemical compound in a Solid Rocket Booster, or the metaphysical bonds of the universe ... or what color yellow & blue make when mixed together. (*hint GREEN)

Even Tangled makes and appearance.

Cause it's the greatest Disney Movie featuring a Princesse with hair of at least 50 feet long!

And wouldn't you know it, Ensign Benson rose up to the challenge, faced her fears and did a wonderful job as host. I love a happy ending!

doesn't everyone hope for a happy ending?

The boat was still rocking in the heavy seas, but instead of keeping any of us up sick, it gently rocked us to sleep....


UP NEXT: Halloween on the High Seas and our first port of call.

Do they adjust courses for storms, or just deal with it?

My son saw pictures of the TR, looks over my shoulder and says "Is that the Titanic?"
me: "No. But would you like to go on a cruise?"
Potato: "Sure, but if we see an iceburg, I'm going to say "I told you so!"

I love my kids.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I'm so sad that we missed the Golden Mickeys on our 1st night. But, we were just too tired to go. We put it on the TV in our room but we all fell asleep too quickly. It seems like it's a really cute show. Hopefully, they'll have it on the Fantasy next year.

Love all the pictures - especially the Mickeyed bathroom.

After reading about the show online before we left, I probably could have taken it or left it. It just sounded...corny. But I'm glad we went - it wasn't my favorite of the 3 shows we saw, but it was a great show!

I'm not sure this is accurate. I expected to see you fighting for a turn in the top bunk as well.

Oh no. Not after laying in the actual bed. That thing was heavenly! I could have sneaked that "A dream is a wish your heart makes..." pillow out if I tried hard enough, so don't think for a second I didn't sit down at that desk and start drawing up an "Ocean's 11" type scheme to smuggle that mattress off the ship.

With the gloves on?! That's impressive.

Well, it was probably less "tickling the ivories" and more "banging on the keys"

Sounds snooty. Next you'll tell me Disney is just making up their own words, like "fantasmic" or "animatronic" or some such nonsense.

I also heard they made up something called "Spanish", just so they could make the monorail spiel sound cooler.

In a theatre? Shouldn't it be caviar or something?

Caviar? In at theatre? Won't it clash with our escargot and Busch Light?

Those guys (and gals) are amazing.

I don't remember being invited to host a show.

Seeing you host the Golden Mickeys would make a Disney Cruise a value at twice the price.

Great, thanks for giving away the shocking twist.

Sorry.

Oh, and Vader is Luke's dad.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Nice update oh Frozen one.

The show sounds great, even if its a complete rip off of Billy Crystal's hosting abilitities.

According to my research, Billy Crystal only hosted the Oscars 9 times. Ensign Benson has hosted the Golden Mickeys twice on every cruise on the Wonder, the Magic and Dream since 2003. Maybe Billy is ripping her off?

As for the bathroom pics, am I the only one who's a little freaked out that there are complete strangers (or in this case completely strange people) taking pictures of the inside of the bathroom?

They're not complete strangers. I'm a pretty friendly guy, so anyone that I meet in a bathroom is an instant friend.

Looking forward to the next update to see what ghoulish things can appear on the high seas!

I'll give you a hint: Boo!

Well, that would have been funny too... but then you'd have to try to discipline her without laughing.

Nope. Bambi would have to discipline her for hitting him and me for laughing so hard about it.

Wait a minute... you graduated????

Well, let's just say I'm no longer a student there and leave it at that.

Was he any good?

Have you ever heard a dog playing piano? Yeah, he was about as good as you can imagine it being.

Looks like it was a great show, and it was followed by a relaxing end to the day.

Truly was.

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Barry.

Love the "debating skills" -- in my house it would have been punches thrown.

Grandpa is right...you HAVE to have popcorn when you got a show. What is the matter with you, you silly man?

Golden Mickeys sounds like a cute show and I'm glad you got some pictures of everyone at the end, despite the rocking.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I've heard great things about the Golden Mickeys! Glad that your family enjoyed it too.

Singing, Dancing and Disney Characters. Can't go wrong with that!

Must have been a fancy theater(e). I make it a point to avoid shop(pe)s on principle.

Excellent idea. If I do go into them, I refer to them as "Shoppies". If they're going to write it like that, I'm going to pronounce it like that.

Andy has it right. It’d be pointless now, but the idea then was to make it hard to
identify a silhouette or accurately determine course, speed or size (specifically when looking through a periscope).

Or they could have painted them like puppies. No one is cold hearted enought to shoot at a puppy.

Here, let me fix that for you...


There… that’s more like it.

You've been on the beds on the Dream. Why would I want to crawl up into a bunk?

You graduated!!
I always suspected that your were “asked” to leave
(for the good of the school of course)

They decided it would be better to have me as a distinguished alumni for marketing purposes.

Cool! I suspect that with those big ol’ club fingers it sounded a little like “Kitten on the Keys” or more rather “Goofy on the keys”

If you play loud enough, no one will know you're bad.

But still fun to find.

Bathroom pictures!
Now it’s a true Freezin’ TR

I aim to please. And since it was a bathroom, I always follow the other rule "Please aim"

Naaaa… they just didn’t spell it in American.
It’s an international ship ya’ know.

Of course I want to experience other cultures. But I want them to be just like everything I'm used to at home.

But it still is a “fancy” place so you did remember to hold your pinky out while eating the popcorn… right?

They're just lucky I used my hands rather that diving face first into the bag.

It might have been Goofy though.
That would explain why it was rocking so wildly.

I though I heard his personal how-to voice-over guy.

There are others only if my wallet just ain’t full enough.

Goofy has experience… just not successful experience

I'm glad job openings always ask for "experience" and not "successful experience." That means I still qualify.

How Disney.
I’ve seen that one several times (just like I’ve seen nearly every attraction at WDW several times), and yet it’s still an enjoyable evening. Every time.

I'm pretty sure my rear end will find a seat in that theater on our next cruise.

That’s how I feel on ships. I rather like the motion.
Oddly though I can’t sleep on airplanes or in a wheeled vehicle near as well.

What if you were sitting in your car on a ferry boat? What happens then?

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I somehow missed that you have a TR in addition to your PTR. Since we're taking our crew on our first cruise is about 3 weeks, I'd better get caught up pretty quickly!!!

Amanda

If you've got questions, I've got answers! Feel free to ask away!
And enjoy your cruise!

In Ireland we spell it theatre. But then we also spell colourful and favourite with an extra u and we call chips crisps and french fries chips!

Well, I don't think I could ever go to Ireland then.

Due September 7th. Will do on the pics! (check my PTR for them if I go missing for awhile around that date...I'm sure we'll get some on there fairly soon after)

I'll have to get over there a little sooner and check out what's going on.

Another great update. I love seeing all the little details...the Mickeyed bathrooms, Goofy playing piano, etc. I think the first Disney trip we'll take the little princess on will be WDW, but your TR sure makes me lean towards a Disney cruise! It's definitely on the must-do list now, just a matter of when.

Beware - once you do a Disney cruise, there's a good chance you'll be hooked!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

why are you taking a photo of a bathroom that has 3 other guys in it taking pictures of you?
(pause, my DW is trying to talk to me)
What? Mirrors? What are you talking about?

(DW reading over my shoulder telling me i'm dumb. No idea what she is referring to. Sorry about that.)

People tend to take my picture in a bathroom. I don't question it anymore, I just go with it.

I needed to correct you. The spelling isn't fancy, it's English... as opposed to American.

Hmmmm....I like American better.

I have a feeling there are a lot of things beyond you. Like the chemical compound in a Solid Rocket Booster, or the metaphysical bonds of the universe ... or what color yellow & blue make when mixed together. (*hint GREEN)

I actually knew one of those things! Because when the toilet bowl has that blue cleaner it, and you - you know, go - it turns green.

Cause it's the greatest Disney Movie featuring a Princesse with hair of at least 50 feet long!

I'm going to have to check the archives, but it might be the only Disney movie featuring a Princess with hair of at least 50 feet. But I could be wrong.

doesn't everyone hope for a happy ending?

Do they adjust courses for storms, or just deal with it?

Don't you mean "Do they adjust courses for storms, or just roll with it?"


Yes, if there is a bad enough storm - like a Hurricane or something, they will adjust course. And if it means missing a stop or two at a port of call, then they miss them. Better to keep the billion dollar ship and 5000 people safe.

Do they adjust courses for storms, or just deal with it?
My son saw pictures of the TR, looks over my shoulder and says "Is that the Titanic?"
me: "No. But would you like to go on a cruise?"
Potato: "Sure, but if we see an iceburg, I'm going to say "I told you so!"

I love my kids.[/QUOTE]
They sound awesome.

Great update, Barry.

Love the "debating skills" -- in my house it would have been punches thrown.

I'm hoping that it won't come to that. I'm sure it will, but I'm still hoping it won't.

Grandpa is right...you HAVE to have popcorn when you got a show. What is the matter with you, you silly man?

1.) I just ate dinner.
2.) I'm cheap.

Golden Mickeys sounds like a cute show and I'm glad you got some pictures of everyone at the end, despite the rocking.

It was. I have some better pictures of the other shows coming up!

 

[petals]

Well, I don't think I could ever go to Ireland then.

You'd get used to it. It only took us one trip to get over the chips/crisps thing like.

 

[DrMomof3]

I know you're not up to it yet but I'm curious about the kids clubs. Did your kids go? Did they enjoy it? Will my DH and I actually be able to keep our Palo reservation? I'm in a bit of disbelief that we could actually have an adult dinner on vacation without paying a small fortune in babysitting...

Amanda

 

[FreezinRafiki]

You'd get used to it. It only took us one trip to get over the chips/crisps thing like.

Ok, you talked me into it. Now I just need to get used to people driving on the wrong side of the road.

I know you're not up to it yet but I'm curious about the kids clubs. Did your kids go? Did they enjoy it? Will my DH and I actually be able to keep our Palo reservation? I'm in a bit of disbelief that we could actually have an adult dinner on vacation without paying a small fortune in babysitting...

Amanda

Well, I don't want to get ahead of myself and compromise the integrity of the Trip Report







...sorry, I couldn't get that out with a straight face.
Anyway, yes, Madison and Evan did go to the kid's clubs a few times. We had to drag them out one time for dinner. Another time we got a text message on our Wave phone (basically a cordless stateroom phone that works anywhere on the ship or Castaway Cay) that Madison wanted to be picked up. Turns out she was just hungry.

The kids clubs are for ages 3+, based on your signature all 3 of yours can go for....wait for it....FREE!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

What if you were sitting in your car on a ferry boat? What happens then?

Certainly nothing that resembles sleep.

I’ve been on a good number of ferries ranging in load capacity from about 10 vehicles to near 300. As soon as our car's transmission is in park and the break is set I’m off like a shot to explore the ship, watch the water and see what kind of mayhem I can get into.

Sleep don’t happen.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Certainly nothing that resembles sleep.

I’ve been on a good number of ferries ranging in load capacity from about 10 vehicles to near 300. As soon as our car's transmission is in park and the break is set I’m off like a shot to explore the ship, watch the water and see what kind of mayhem I can get into.

Sleep don’t happen.

I haven't been on nearly as many....but yeah, I kind of did the same thing.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Whenever we vacation with Bambi's parents, I exchange pictures with them at the end of the trip - downloading everything from their camera to my laptop and burning a copy of all of our pictures to a CD for them. Looking through their pictures, it appears that they were up early on Halloween Morning and did a little walk-about on the ship. This seems like a pretty good place to share some of those pictures...

The Atrium on decks 3, 4, and 5.

The Vista Gallery. All sorts of Disney Art for sale. Think "The Art of Disney" stores, but floating in the ocean. And no, that doesn't make the prices any cheaper. There were several rooms filled with wonderful artwork, but this was the only picture taken.

The adult pool. I like the idea of a pool around your bar stool. It doesn't hurt nearly as much when you fall off. The downside is that you sit there drinking next to a fat hairy man in a Speedo. And thus the reason I don't hang out at the adult pool.

The Mickey pool. Yes, this one is much more my style.

Sunrise over Deck 12, but under the AquaDuck

The Mickey Slide. Alas, I was too big to utilize it.

Deck 11 all spruced up for a day of swimming. You can see a bit of the Mickey Pool beyond the chairs in the middle of the deck.

A cargo ship as we're approaching Nassau.

The lighthouse at the edge of Nassau Harbor.

By this time Bambi and the kids and I had woke up to see us pulling into Nassau, so we quickly dressed and headed up to Cabana's to meet Grandma & Grandpa for breakfast.

The Dream pulled into the harbor, then used her side thrusters to spin around in a tight little circle. This ship can turn on a dime with 9 cents change.

Once turned aournd, I can only imagine the captain leaning on one arm sticking out the side window, working the steering wheel with one hand and backing us perfectly into our parking spot. I later found out that the ship is controlled by a joystick, making my little imaginary scenario moot. But still fun to think about.

The flight of a fine feathered friend. Or as Harry Doyle calls them, "Rats with wings"

And the ever-so bright Festival Place of Nassau. I'm glad I don't live in an area with a Home Owners Association. They'd probably get all upset when I paint my house these colors.

Well, that about does it for this morning's photo tour. I'll try to get an actual update written today.

 

[amandaw]

Great pictures! Makes me miss the Dream.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Great pictures! Makes me miss the Dream.

Me too.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

The bright, airy Cabana's buffet that we had remembered from lunch yesterday was now....gone. It's as if all sorts of creatures of the night rose from their watery graves in the Caribbean and set up shop on Deck 11.

But, they brought candy, so they're cool in my book.

We loaded up our plates from the generous and expansive breakfast buffet and headed out the back of the restaurant to grab one of the tables right on the railing, overlooking Nassau. But of course, with all that candy around, who can resist a sucker for dessert?

But after breakfast and candy time, we had to brave the journey back through Cabanas to get to the day's destination. And if I didn't make it clear enough before, it was really, really scary!

Ewwwwwww....creepy crawlies all over meeeeeee!!!

Anyway....

We had made it - for the first time in their young lives, Madison and Evan were about to set foot in a foreign land. Just a short elevator ride and a few steps down the gangplank and we could put their passports to use and they would officially become International Travelers. Every parent's dream of showing their children the world would come true.




But we went to the pool instead.

That's right, we used the morning to stay on the ship, swim in the pools, ride the water slides, and of course, ride the AquaDuck! Why? Because everyone else got off the ship. Simple math says that if there are 4,000 people on a ship, and 3000 of them get off to buy cheap jewelry and booze, then the lines at the water attractions are much, much shorter! (Wow, using math twice in the same TR. I must be slipping)

Speaking of lines, it's about time we hopped into one for the most hyped attraction at sea:

Disney billed it as the world's first aqua coaster at sea. Starting high up in the aft funnel, you load onto 2-person inflatable rafts and face...the open ocean. Yup, instead of sliding down the length of the ship, you start by going off the edge, with nothing between your butt and ocean water a hundred or so feet below but an inflatable tube and some acrylic tube. The crew member counts you down, pushes the launch button and sends you on your way.

After making a complete loop out over the water, you are sent along the port side of the ship, taking in the views of the pool deck to your right and the ocean to your left. Suddenly you drop, then are pushed back up a hill by jets of water that carry you into the dark abyss of the forward funnel. Cool neon lights break the darkness and you round the bend, the emerge along the starboard side of the ship, into the aft funnel, finally ending directly below where you loaded.

And the kicker is - we weren't even sure the kids would be able to do the AquaDuck when we booked the cruise. We realize that Madison might make the minimum height, but it would take a small miracle (and a major growth spurt) for Evan to even come close. We debated. We hemmed and hawed. We thought it over. We discussed it ad nauseum. Do we cancel the cruise? Rebook it for when the kids are taller? Go anyway and have them see it for 4 days and not be able to ride it? Evan had been dying to ride the AquaDuck ever since he saw a picture of it. It would break his little heart to not be able to ride.

Enter: Pixie Dust.

A few weeks after her maiden voyage, Disney revised the height requirements for the Dream. Instead of having to be 46" tall, a 42" tall child can ride as long as they are with an adult! The heavens have answered our call! We're going on the cruise!

Cameras were not allowed on the AquaDuck, but you can clearly see Madison riding with Grandpa...

...And Evan riding with Grandma

(Trust me, I'd know his feet anywhere)

Yes, Bambi and I rode it with them too. Well, I did anyway. Bambi was 17 weeks pregnant. So of course she didn't ride it at all.

After a few rides on the AquaDuck, the kids decided to check out Nemo's Reef - the water play area for little sailors.

And then....this happened. I have no explanation. I tried, but I just can't come up with anything.

All in all, it was a great decision to stay on the ship for the morning. The pool wasn't crowded, the lines for the slides were minimal, and we walked back into Cabanas for an early (and already paid for!) lunch. It was then a quick elevator ride back to our staterooms to get changed.

And speaking of elevators...
The bank of elevators at mid-ship have two that are glass, overlooking the atrium on decks 3,4 and 5. But from deck 6 to 12, Disney had a little fun with the inside of the elevator shaft - painting famous Disney flying scenes in them for your viewing pleasure.

Up Next: Dry Land!

 

[scott2997]

I've never been on a cruise before let alone a Disney cruise...but your TR is making me interested!

But then there's that hole ship rockin' sea sick thing that makes me worry. Just not sure if spending $5000 for a family of 4 to have me sit on a rocking ship, puking my guts out!

Enjoying the TR Barry....Keep Calm...Carry On