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

[KatMark]

Cool pictures!

Having gotten there plenty early, Bambi, her parents and the kids found front row seats for the show while I wandered around and took some pictures.

Is Madison making her pirate face in preparation?


Slowly but surely, the deck filled up.

That's a LOT of people...good thing you had Denis!

And will a deck full of people to entertain, it was on with the show!

Great shots of the show

Not only was our ship filling up, but scanning the horizon, I saw that we were no longer alone on the high seas. At least 3 other cruise ships had sailed closer. So while Disney Cruise Line may be the only ships allowed to shoot off fireworks at sea, they aren't the only ones that have a map of where the Disney ship are. Cheap-Os!

They should charge them admission!

But while other ships may be close enough to see the fireworks, they don't get the awesome soundtrack that goes along with it! As you can imagine, it was quite heavy on Pirates of the Caribbean Scores, and just like Wishes, the fireworks are timed to the music. Awesome, awesome show! (My pictures don't do it justice, that's why I've only included a few)

I can never get the fireworks pictures to turn out.

Soon after the fireworks, another Captain appeared on stage.

Gotta love Jack Sparrow.

Captain Jack's show then morphed into Club Pirate, a high energy, thumpy, thumpy music dance party. Normally, Madison's cup of rum - sorry, cup of tea, but not when it's already after 10:30pm after a full day of fun in the sun.

This happens when you spend all day on the beach and in the water...it tires me out too.

So we bid adieu to the pirates and headed back to our stateroom, where our towel animal of the day was clearly an elephant.

Grandma & grandpa's elephant, however, was so cool. It wears sunglasses at night.

Mark would love those elephants!

Coming Up: A day at sea.

Great update, Barary; can't wait for the next one.

 

[amandaw]

I love the Mickey's Pirates in the Caribbean show! So fun!

We didn't stay for the fireworks last year but I fully intend to do that next year!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Earlier I had mentioned how awesome the staff - especially the waitstaff - was on the ship. Well, Denis came through again. Before we left dinner that night, he came over and told us that we were lucky to have the early dinner seating, because that meant we got first chance a the best viewing locations for the fireworks. Then to top it off, he told us where those best viewing locations were. (Deck 12, Starboard side. Excellent view of the stage show, then front row seats for fireworks.)

Man, Denis totally earned his tip.

The pools were already covered in preparation for the Mickey's Pirates In the Caribbean show, but the AquaDuck was still running, and casting some very cool glows.

Nice pictures! Love the lighting.

Slowly but surely, the deck filled up.

Denis earned a BIG tip.

(Hey, it's not my money, so what the heck.)

As you would expect, the show was full of singing, dancing, yo-hoing, rum drinking...wait, no. That doesn't sound right. Maybe there wasn't any yo-hoing. I can't remember exactly.

It's a cruise ship. I'm sure there was some rum-drinking going on somewhere. Did anyone check Pluto's dish?

Hook was about to take over the ship and make Mickey walk the plank. However, Mickey used one of the old pirate rules (they're really more like guidelines) and issues a Captain's Challenge. If his crew could pass the test, Hook would leave the ship while we all chanted. If not, Mickey would walk the plank and the Dream and all of her crew would belong to Hook. Pretty ballsy move there, Mouse. I hope you know what you're doing.

If he knew how much rum-drinking was going on, he might not have been so brave.

But soon enough, the Deck 11 filled up with people that either didn't listen to their servers or didn't have ones a cool as Denis.

Poor, uninformed masses.

Not only was our ship filling up, but scanning the horizon, I saw that we were no longer alone on the high seas. At least 3 other cruise ships had sailed closer. So while Disney Cruise Line may be the only ships allowed to shoot off fireworks at sea, they aren't the only ones that have a map of where the Disney ship are. Cheap-Os!

Wow...How cheesy is that? All other cruise lines lose major points.

That would be like not paying park admission at WDW and trying to watch Wishes from the Poly beach instead...who would ever be that cheap?

But while other ships may be close enough to see the fireworks, they don't get the awesome soundtrack that goes along with it! As you can imagine, it was quite heavy on Pirates of the Caribbean Scores, and just like Wishes, the fireworks are timed to the music.

That sounds awesome. The POTC score rocks.

Because nothing says "pirating adventure on the high seas" like a land locked, lumbering beast.

Well, you try making a towel Kraken.

 

[petals]

love your pirate night and your towel elephant!

 

[MEK]

That is the cutest little towel elephant.

The party looks like quite a success.

The aqua duck looks so cool at night. Was it still opened during the party?

So the other cruise ships know where to go for the free fireworks. Too funny!

 

[middlepat]

Great update. Denis definitely raised the bar on good service there.

It sounds like a great show and topped off with fireworks. That's how I define awesome.

That would be like not paying park admission at WDW and trying to watch Wishes from the Poly beach instead...who would ever be that cheap?
.

Or watching Illuminations from the International Gateway. No one would ever be that cheap would they?

 

[Dugette]

Looks like a fun night! That's funny that the other ships gather around for the fireworks show - never would have thought of that!

 

[DrMomof3]

Love your Pirate Night pictures!
I think you had a better server than we did.

Amanda

 

[afwdwfan]

(in OHSA approved safety harnesses. Can't be to careful when your commandeering a vessel.)

Wow, even the pirates are bound by Federal Regulations and insurance?

They were led by none other than that no good scallyway, Captain Hook!

Ok, I was starting to get nervous until I found out he was the pirate. If Jake can take him then I have full confidence in Evan and Madison against him.

If his crew could pass the test, Hook would leave the ship while we all chanted. If not, Mickey would walk the plank and the Dream and all of her crew would belong to Hook.

That sounds like a bunch of bull. If Mickey loses he walks the plank, but Hook just has to "leave the ship?" Shouldn't he have to walk the plank too???

At least 3 other cruise ships had sailed closer. So while Disney Cruise Line may be the only ships allowed to shoot off fireworks at sea, they aren't the only ones that have a map of where the Disney ship are. Cheap-Os!

I wonder if that is a feature that they use to sell their cruises?

Awesome, awesome show! (My pictures don't do it justice, that's why I've only included a few)

Still has to be better than watching from a port hole. Right, Mark?

I just can't see cap Normally, Madison's cup of rum - sorry, cup of tea, but not when it's already after 10:30pm after a full day of fun in the sun.

Pirates don't need to go to bed at 10:30!!!

Because nothing says "pirating adventure on the high seas" like a land locked, lumbering beast.

A pirate or a monkey would seem more appropriate.

Couldn't they at least give it an eye patch???

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

As you would expect, the show was full of singing, dancing, yo-hoing, rum drinking...wait, no. That doesn't sound right. Maybe there wasn't any yo-hoing. I can't remember exactly.

No, there was plenty of yo-hoing, but since it’s likely you were the one doing the rum drinking…

you just don’t remember.

But Captain Mickey did teach us all how to be a good pirate crew, including how to answer your captain (aye aye captain!)

Arrrrrg!

how to do a pirate jig (kind of like this guy)

“Not bloody likely mate”

how to draw your sword (lots of "wooshing" sounds)

Should be more of a metallic clanking sound

a pirates favorite song (Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me!)

“And really bad eggs…”

and finally, the thing that pirates love the most (the search for…

Rum!

…Knowledge and understanding!

Not Rum?!?

…sorry, just kidding TREASURE!)

Oh… we are talking about rum then.

Since we all did such a good job learning to be pirates, Mickey made us all part of his crew!

With a guaranteed 0% share in all the plunder acquired during the rest of the cruise (but it did include all you can eat deserts and a hand full of chocolates on your pillow every night so it all evens out).

And just in time, too, because no sooner did that happen, when we were invaded by real pirates! (in OHSA approved safety harnesses. Can't be to careful when your commandeering a vessel.)

Well I’m sure that they stole the safety harnesses, so the traditions of piracy are still being firmly upheld.

They were led by none other than that no good scallyway, Captain Hook!

Scallyway?

Hook was about to take over the ship and make Mickey walk the plank. However, Mickey used one of the old pirate rules (they're really more like guidelines) and issues a Captain's Challenge. If his crew could pass the test, Hook would leave the ship while we all chanted. If not, Mickey would walk the plank and the Dream and all of her crew would belong to Hook.

We have an accord then…

Pretty ballsy move there, Mouse. I hope you know what you're doing.

Are you questioning Captain Mickey here?

I won't spoil it and tell you what happened

Good, because I’m pretty sure we’d never have guessed.

…but let's just say several choruses of "Hook is a cod fish" rang through out the Dream that night.

Oh… well I suppose we would have guessed then.
But, I’m glad you didn’t spoil it for us.

Not only was our ship filling up, but scanning the horizon, I saw that we were no longer alone on the high seas. At least 3 other cruise ships had sailed closer.

Remoras!!!

So while Disney Cruise Line may be the only ships allowed to shoot off fireworks at sea, they aren't the only ones that have a map of where the Disney ship are.

Nope, one can find that information with nothing more then a smart-phone app

(but the roaming charges are killer that far out to sea).

Cheap-Os!

Exactly.

But while other ships may be close enough to see the fireworks, they don't get the awesome soundtrack that goes along with it!

Like the bloody Remoras they are…

them get’s none but scraps left by the shark.

Awesome, awesome show!

Turns out Captain Jack is quite the performer as well. Even getting into trouble with, and this should be no surprise...


...the ladies.

Nope… no surprise there.

Captain Jack's show then morphed into Club Pirate, a high energy, thumpy, thumpy music dance party. Normally, Madison's cup of rum - sorry, cup of tea

No, no… “cup of rum” seemed more appropriate under the circumstances.

…but not when it's already after 10:30pm after a full day of fun in the sun.

That will take it out of you.

As will the rum.

So we bid adieu to the pirates and headed back to our stateroom, where our towel animal of the day was clearly an elephant.


Because nothing says "pirating adventure on the high seas" like a land locked, lumbering beast.

I’ve seen Disney’s version of Tarzan…
Elephants are quite agile swimmers and have been known to board random freighters that are in the process of being taken over by crews that have just turned pirate themselves.

So it’s appropriate.

Grandma & grandpa's elephant, however, was so cool. It wears sunglasses at night.

Rather a pug nosed elephant there.
Looks a bit more like bacon on the hoof…



wearing sunglasses at night.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Cool pictures!

Thanks!

Is Madison making her pirate face in preparation?

She's "getting into character" like any seasoned actress/singer/performer/diva would do.

That's a LOT of people...good thing you had Denis!

He did get a larger than suggested tip.

Great shots of the show

Thanks!

They should charge them admission!

Or at lest shoot the fireworks at them.

I can never get the fireworks pictures to turn out.

I'll let you in on my secret two step process
1. Aim the camera up
2. Hope.

This happens when you spend all day on the beach and in the water...it tires me out too.

Yup.

Mark would love those elephants!

You need to take a cruise then!

Great update, Barary; can't wait for the next one.

Thanks Kathy!

I love the Mickey's Pirates in the Caribbean show! So fun!

The kids* had a blast.

*all of us.

We didn't stay for the fireworks last year but I fully intend to do that next year!

You have to! I demand it. Or at least strongly suggest it.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Man, Denis totally earned his tip.

And then some!

Nice pictures! Love the lighting.

Disney does an awesome job of mood lighting.

Denis earned a BIG tip.

Well, not THAT big. I'm still a cheapskate you know.

(Hey, it's not my money, so what the heck.)

I wonder if they take Monopoly money on the ship?

It's a cruise ship. I'm sure there was some rum-drinking going on somewhere. Did anyone check Pluto's dish?

Now that you mention it, it was licked clean and Pluto did "fall asleep" a lot.

If he knew how much rum-drinking was going on, he might not have been so brave.

No, it's a well-established fact that rum makes you braver. Stupider, but braver.

Poor, uninformed masses.

Pay no attention to the commoners.

Wow...How cheesy is that? All other cruise lines lose major points.

Are these official Captain_Oblivious Points™?

That would be like not paying park admission at WDW and trying to watch Wishes from the Poly beach instead...who would ever be that cheap?

Not me. We ate at Ohanas, which is pretty much the same price as park admission anyway.

That sounds awesome. The POTC score rocks.

Indeed it does.

Well, you try making a towel Kraken.

I tried, but it kept trying to drown me in the bathtub.

love your pirate night and your towel elephant!

Isn't he cute?

That is the cutest little towel elephant.

The party looks like quite a success.

I have yet to attend a Disney Party and leave unfulfilled.

The aqua duck looks so cool at night. Was it still opened during the party?

Good question... I believe it was, but don't quote me on that.

So the other cruise ships know where to go for the free fireworks. Too funny!

And as soon as the fireworks were gone, so were the other ships.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Great update. Denis definitely raised the bar on good service there.

Ever notice how "raise the bar" is good, but in limbo, they always lower the bar for better people? Things that make you go "hmmmm..."

It sounds like a great show and topped off with fireworks. That's how I define awesome.

Almost. If they had Dole Whip it would be awesome.

Or watching Illuminations from the International Gateway. No one would ever be that cheap would they?

Man, and I though watching Wishes from the Poly was ghetto.

Looks like a fun night! That's funny that the other ships gather around for the fireworks show - never would have thought of that!

People tend to flock to free stuff. I wonder if they "advertise" it to the people on board. "So then at 10:30, look off the side of the ship. You can see an unnamed cruise ship shooting off fireworks."

Love your Pirate Night pictures!
I think you had a better server than we did.

Amanda

Denis was top notch!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Wow, even the pirates are bound by Federal Regulations and insurance?

Well, if you get hurt you can't pillage and plunder very well, can you?

Ok, I was starting to get nervous until I found out he was the pirate. If Jake can take him then I have full confidence in Evan and Madison against him.

Jake it a total bad@$$. Just look at that hair cut and bandanna.

That sounds like a bunch of bull. If Mickey loses he walks the plank, but Hook just has to "leave the ship?" Shouldn't he have to walk the plank too???

He's taking the higher road and setting a good, moral example for the kids. But I'm sure Chip and Dale were waiting for him behind the forward funnel to keel-haul him.

I wonder if that is a feature that they use to sell their cruises?

Who needs the soundtrack? If you sail with us, you get to see them. And we'll have a junior officer on deck humming if you really want the music.

Still has to be better than watching from a port hole. Right, Mark?

And less vomit-smelling too!

Pirates don't need to go to bed at 10:30!!!

Yes they do, otherwise the pirate parents have to deal with crabby pirates the next day. And nobody wants that.

A pirate or a monkey would seem more appropriate.

Or a mermaid.

Couldn't they at least give it an eye patch???

You ever try to put an eye patch on an elephant? I didn't think so.

No, there was plenty of yo-hoing, but since it’s likely you were the one doing the rum drinking…

Funny, I don't remember any rum drinking.

you just don’t remember.

Oh.

Should be more of a metallic clanking sound

No, just drawing the sword. Not actual fighting. You need stunt coordinators, insurance agents, lawyers and first aid personnel for that.

With a guaranteed 0% share in all the plunder acquired during the rest of the cruise (but it did include all you can eat deserts and a hand full of chocolates on your pillow every night so it all evens out).

Fine, but you have to throw in some stage shows too!

Well I’m sure that they stole the safety harnesses, so the traditions of piracy are still being firmly upheld.

Rob, you have restored my faith in piracy. Thank you!

Scallyway?

Scallywag. Fat fingers.

We have an accord then…

A Honda? No, I drive Mazda.

Are you questioning Captain Mickey here?

He was putting a lot of faith in 7 year olds. Maybe he was hitting the rum...

Good, because I’m pretty sure we’d never have guessed.

It's Disney. You probably could have guessed.

Remoras!!!

Nope, one can find that information with nothing more then a smart-phone app

(but the roaming charges are killer that far out to sea).

That and climbing up to the top of the funnel and holding your phone out to try and get signal.

No, no… “cup of rum” seemed more appropriate under the circumstances.

True, but Madison is more of a Whiskey drinker.

I’ve seen Disney’s version of Tarzan…
Elephants are quite agile swimmers and have been known to board random freighters that are in the process of being taken over by crews that have just turned pirate themselves.

So it’s appropriate.

You have a point. But those were African elephants. The one in our stateroom was a Caribbean Elephant.

 

[amandaw]

You have to! I demand it. Or at least strongly suggest it.

Aye, aye Captain!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Aye, aye Captain!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

The last full day of our cruise was our sea day. No ports like Nassau where you hem and haw about getting off. No ports like Cataway Cay where they have to round you up and force you back on the ship. Just a full day of hanging out on the boat and enjoying everything she had.

Speaking of which, this is the first morning that I went back to my normal schedule of being awake long before anyone else. So I grabbed the camera and went for a walk.

I was a bit surprised at just how many other ships were around us.

After wandering the top decks for a bit I decided to pop into the Buena Vista Theater to see what it was all about. I didn't plan on "utilizing" 2 hours of my cruise watching a movie, so now would be the best time to see the theater itself.

I wonder if I can get my chairs at home done in this upholstery?

Finally, my wandering changed course and became a mission. We had been enjoying the Enchanted Art all cruise long. A good many of "art" pieces on the walls of ship look like paintings - until you get closer to them. Then a motion sensor goes off and the art comes to life - Bambi, Thumper and Flower start playing in the woods, for example, or a sea serpent emerges from the water on a map of the Caribbean. Many even interact with the paintings hanging next to them. But I had heard tell of a pair of paintings - a pirate ship and sea side fort - that fought. And I had not come across them in my wanderings, so I started to ask CMs. One had heard of them, but wasn't sure where the were. Another knew they were in the aft of the ship, but didn't know what deck.

So I went that way, and up and down the stairs until, all of a sudden, there they were. As I approached, a few cannon balls flew between the paintings, damaging the ship and the fortress. Then a few more. And a few more. Until it was full on carnage!

Satisfied if my sleuthing abilities, I silently returned to the stateroom to find everyone anxiously awaiting my return.

Or at least someone that woke up after I left and staked a claim to my spot on the big comfy bed.

Before too long everyone was up and dressed. Another breakfast buffet at Cabanas and maybe a little pool time. I don't recall exactly and we didn't take too many pictures on this day. We just used it to relax and enjoy everything around us.

That's not to say we didn't do anything. After all, this was a Disney ship and we had a 7 year old princess on board. And she kept us on military precision time when it came time to head to the atrium to meet some other princesses.

Evan...eh, they're princesses. Some days he care, others he doesn't. This day, he didn't. But something he does like to do is golf. And we never did get to finish our round that we started back in Nassau.

The course is pretty awesome. Each hole has a starting spot for kids and adults (or Max and Goofy, as it may be.) Yes, the lines are laid out for you, but that doesn't mean you can actually get your ball to follow it. I'll blame the rough seas. (What? You can't see the 20 foot swells out there in those pictures?)

OK, fine. The seas were pretty calm where we were sitting, about 80 miles south of Freeport, Bahamas. Captain Gus came on the PA letting us know where we were and telling us to get our audio or video recorders out because he was about to play all 7 of the tunes that the ship's horn is programmed to blow. In case you were wondering, they are "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes", "A Pirate's Life For Me", "An Actor's Life For Me", "Be Our Guest", "It's a Small World" and two versions of "When You Wish Upon A Star". And yes, the Small World song is much more tolerable when played on air horns.

So while Bambi and Madison took off to explore the ship some more, Evan and I stayed up on the Sports Deck to play a little ping pong. Which, on the open deck of an ocean going vessel subject to a very stiff sea breeze, is not an easy task. We'd manage to volley 2 or 3 times before a stiff gust blew the ball half way down the golf course. But Evan never got tired of running after it, and I never got tired of standing there and letting him.

Lunch Time! (and no, this is not subtle dig at Evan's height. It's a blatant dig at Evan's height.)

Coming Up Next: Do you Believe in a matinee showing?

 

[afwdwfan]

I was a bit surprised at just how many other ships were around us.

Maybe they were all still waiting for the finale?

I wonder if I can get my chairs at home done in this upholstery?

Looks like a good idea to me.

Satisfied if my sleuthing abilities, I silently returned to the stateroom to find everyone anxiously awaiting my return.

Wow, you found it??? I don't know whether to be impressed or scared.

After all, this was a Disney ship and we had a 7 year old princess on board. And she kept us on military precision time when it came time to head to the atrium to meet some other princesses.

And it looks like she was successful with her mission.

Captain Gus came on the PA letting us know where we were and telling us to get our audio or video recorders out because he was about to play all 7 of the tunes that the ship's horn is programmed to blow. In case you were wondering, they are "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes", "A Pirate's Life For Me", "An Actor's Life For Me", "Be Our Guest", "It's a Small World" and two versions of "When You Wish Upon A Star". And yes, the Small World song is much more tolerable when played on air horns.

Ok, that would be pretty awesome. And I completely understand why he'd want to make sure you were at sea before he'd turn them all loose.

But Evan never got tired of running after it, and I never got tired of standing there and letting him.

Ok, honest answer. How many ping pong balls did you just absolutely crush, just to see him chase them?

Lunch Time! (and no, this is not subtle dig at Evan's height. It's a blatant dig at Evan's height.)

Poor kid.

 

[KatMark]

The last full day of our cruise was our sea day. No ports like Nassau where you hem and haw about getting off. No ports like Cataway Cay where they have to round you up and force you back on the ship. Just a full day of hanging out on the boat and enjoying everything she had.

Speaking of which, this is the first morning that I went back to my normal schedule of being awake long before anyone else. So I grabbed the camera and went for a walk.

LOVE this shot...postcard quality!

I wonder if I can get my chairs at home done in this upholstery?

When you find out, let me know...I want it too.

So I went that way, and up and down the stairs until, all of a sudden, there they were. As I approached, a few cannon balls flew between the paintings, damaging the ship and the fortress. Then a few more. And a few more. Until it was full on carnage!

Very cool!

Satisfied if my sleuthing abilities, I silently returned to the stateroom to find everyone anxiously awaiting my return.

Good lord, he reminds me of my youngest son in every respect I've read about or seen pictures of...and meeting him personally!

This is my favorite.

I'm sorry, but that is one scary looking Snow White.

Evan...eh, they're princesses. Some days he care, others he doesn't. This day, he didn't. But something he does like to do is golf. And we never did get to finish our round that we started back in Nassau.

He'll grow out of that, I'm sure.

Looks like so much fun.


Coming Up Next: Do you Believe in a matinee showing?

Great update, Barry.

And, by the way, we're coming to Milwaukee barring any rain or something with Mark's mom (they are putting her in hospice on Monday and stopping treatments) on Saturday, August 4 to go to the Zoo. You guys around? Is there somewhere we can meet you for earlly dinner or something?

 

[amandaw]

Great update!

I love those fighting pictures on the ship! If I remember correctly, those were the 1st ones we saw. I love how they do the princess meet & greets on the ship. I'm looking forward to having 3 sea days on our cruise in May. Lot of ship time!