Trip Report Double Double Dip Trip June 2017 (Completed!)

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

Songbird76 said:
That's what I was thinking!!! And she's so determined to get her money's worth that she doesn't care that she's ruining everyone else's dinner and wasting THEIR hard earned cash. But what are you going to do? There are some really rude people in the world.

Exactly!

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

Sunday June 25

It's CRUISE day! Soon we will be sailing away, but first we would spend a little time at Hollywood Studios.

Hollywood Studios has early entry that day so that's where we headed. We did have our leftover Yachtsman food for breakfast this morning at the food court at the Pop. The truffle mac and cheese reheated very well as did my rib eye. I let Brad have more of my leftover ribeye and he let me have more of the mac and cheese. Since we now had the rental car we drove to HS and that allowed us to have a good look at the construction happening, sadly I didn't take any pictures.

First stop....Toy Story

And two dorks on Tower of Terror

We were able to ride Toy Story, TOT (twice), and Star Tours before official opening. Then we used our fast pass for Toy Story before heading out of the park shortly after 10 am. We had fastpasses for Tower and Tours as well, but we decided not to use them and head to the Port instead. We had a port arrival time of 11:15am, and decided to maximize our time on the ship.

Bye HS!

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

The drive to the port is only about an hour, and not very scenic. But as you get closer, excitement builds and then you catch that glimpse of the ship and joy abounds!

Can you spot it:?

A little closer...

And now we have parked in the parking garage and right in front of our car is a Dream! Isn't she beautiful!

Time to go into the terminal.

When we cruised in November we arrived at noon and there weren't many people in the terminal. So we were a little shocked when we now had arrived basically an hour earlier than that and the terminal was mobbed of people! But we got through the check-in fairly quick and our boarding group had just been called. So once we found a spot to get in line, people were surrounding the entry area even people that were in later boarding groups, we were soon entering the gangway.

I wish I had this entry to my house!

The floor of the terminal has some fun inlaid tiles and if I remember correctly there is a map inlaid of the Bahamas on the floor as well.

Just a scan of our Key to the World card and we can get on the ship!

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

Time to board, we didn't want to do the boarding picture (we weren't planning on buying pictures) so we went into the small line on the far right and breezed on through.

And we are on board! By the way today was our 12th anniversary, not a bad way to spend it!

We were hungry so we hopped in the elevator and to Cabanas, the buffet, for lunch.

And a look back at the cruise terminal

DryerLintFan · Jul 23, 2017

The moment I've been waiting for!!! So excited to hear about the cruise!

And happy anniversary!!!!!

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

Me with the Navigator for the day

At 1:30 we went to our room and I was excited to check it out. I had booked us an extended veranda and I was curious to see it. We were also at the very back of the ship. We have been aft, or at the back the other couple times we have cruised and we like it there. As part of our group cruise fish extenders were included, we also had our print out of our planned activities waiting for us.

Our room, sorry it is dark.

Yep, this veranda will do nicely!

And a look at one of the bathrooms. Bathrooms in most staterooms are split, shower in one little room and toilet in the other and a sink in both sections.

And a look down from the veranda

Our luggage came and I was able to decorate our door before leaving for the muster drill. We went with a Wonderland theme. I colored in the decorations.

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

DisneyBound2017 said:
The moment I've been waiting for!!! So excited to hear about the cruise!

And happy anniversary!!!!!

Thank you!

Matt and Kelly · Jul 23, 2017

I love the decorations on the door!

Songbird76 · Jul 23, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
Might as well give it a whirl when you go back. Just remember it is Disney, nothing is too scary!

We have seen fireworks from Cali Grill a few other times, and it is always nice not seeing them from there this time just means we have to go back! Maybe when you go back again to WDW the kids will be older and you and your hubs can have a nice date night there while the kids are in one of the parks together.

Date night sounds like a great plan!!
I watched a video from WDW Radio and they showed one of the ride vehicles for FoP, and it doesn't look bad at all. But the video that started after that had 3 people reviewing the ride (without showing any of it) and they all said it was hard to keep the 3D glasses on, which I believe you mentioned? Someone did, so apparently that's a common problem. They also said that if you have problems with motion sickness (I do) you should take some dramamine beforehand. I'll definitely give it a whirl next time. Thanks so much for your insight!

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

Opps I posted the door decorating a little out of sequence. We actually went up to use Sattelite Falls in the adults section before our luggage arrived and we did muster drill. Oh well.

Before we headed up to the pool sections we passed Vanelope's Sweet Shop, this is an added charge sweet shop so we didn't plan on buying anything. But we did plan on sampling! They are very generous with samples.

A look at the adults only pool and section as we had to Satellite Falls, another adults only area.

And into the falls. It was so great that day. No one came into the falls and I think we saw a total of 4 people walking around in that area for the 40 minutes we were up there. It was our own private area. Fantastic!

And a look at the bridge.

becca_ · Jul 23, 2017

You are making me want to book a Disney cruise right away!! All of the food looks so yummy & your door decorating skills are awesome!

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

After about 40 minutes up there, (pure heaven) we went back to our stateroom to unpack, and get ready for muster drill and then Sail Away. Luckily our muster station was a couple decks below us in one of the lounges so we were able to sit for it. Our last cruise was standing out on deck the entire time. After the muster drill people were flooding the stairways and elevators so we stepped out on deck for a little bit. Then we went back to our room, and I grabbed my beer mug. DCL has a beer mug program where you pay about $15 for the mug and then you get bigger refills for the price of a small beer. When you are done with the mug you can exchange for a clean mug or a card token (and then exchange that when you want a new mug or beer). I've been using this since my first cruise.

Once on deck by the Sail Away I got in line for a beer, in a stand that wasn't bud or bud light. And as I was next in line, after I had been waiting about 5 minutes, I looked to the side for one moment and a guy snuck in line ahead of me. I called him on it and he tried to tell me he had been there in line all along (nope) and that I had just appeared. And he started saying "whatever, whatever, I'm just here for fun." and like I had been the budger in line, he was totally lying and didn't even care. I know it was just a beer line, but those types of people are horrible. It was so irritating but I did get my rightful place in line. It was especially irritating because even after I had been waiting there I was still the last person in line. What a jerkface! I silently wished him an unmagical cruise.

But I had my beer, and it was a good Florida local beer (sorry I can't remember the name) and we met up with our group. And soon we were dancing and singing along with the group at the Sail Away party. I'm just glad jerkface didn't end up being a part of our cruise group.

So anyway, some Sail Away party pictures. The thing about sailing away is it is so smooth you don't even realize for a couple moments that you are actually moving. I know some people skip the Sail Away party, but I think it is a great way to start the cruise. I like the music (the sail away song is so catchy), seeing the characters, and most of all hearing the ship sound its horn to Disney music. This cruise the captain, or whoever, was very liberal with sounding the ships horn and playing all the tunes it can play. On our other two cruises we barely heard it after the first sounding of it.

When the party was done we headed back to our veranda and hung out there for awhile. I was hoping to see some dolphins in the water. And I did catch a glimpse of some, but I wasn't fast enough to get any pictures of them.

NASA in the distance.

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

becca_ said:
You are making me want to book a Disney cruise right away!! All of the food looks so yummy & your door decorating skills are awesome!

Disney cruises are the best! (However I haven't taken any other cruise than Disney.) More food to come. Thanks for the door compliment.

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

Matty30 said:
I love the decorations on the door!

Thanks! I had made some that didn't fit on the cruise door, so since the walls are magnetic too we had them by our bed too. And when we returned home I put them up on our front and back door because they are metal. So it is a little way to relive the cruise.

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

Songbird76 said:
Date night sounds like a great plan!!
I watched a video from WDW Radio and they showed one of the ride vehicles for FoP, and it doesn't look bad at all. But the video that started after that had 3 people reviewing the ride (without showing any of it) and they all said it was hard to keep the 3D glasses on, which I believe you mentioned? Someone did, so apparently that's a common problem. They also said that if you have problems with motion sickness (I do) you should take some dramamine beforehand. I'll definitely give it a whirl next time. Thanks so much for your insight!

No problem. Hubby gets motion sick too but the dramamine really helps him a lot. Hope you get to ride it whenever it is you go.

blreinsel · Jul 23, 2017

People amaze me! I would have called him out, too! It's just the principle.. be a decent human!

Songbird76 · Jul 23, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
After about 40 minutes up there, (pure heaven) we went back to our stateroom to unpack, and get ready for muster drill and then Sail Away. Luckily our muster station was a couple decks below us in one of the lounges so we were able to sit for it. Our last cruise was standing out on deck the entire time. After the muster drill people were flooding the stairways and elevators so we stepped out on deck for a little bit. Then we went back to our room, and I grabbed my beer mug. DCL has a beer mug program where you pay about $15 for the mug and then you get bigger refills for the price of a small beer. When you are done with the mug you can exchange for a clean mug or a card token (and then exchange that when you want a new mug or beer). I've been using this since my first cruise.

Once on deck by the Sail Away I got in line for a beer, in a stand that wasn't bud or bud light. And as I was next in line, after I had been waiting about 5 minutes, I looked to the side for one moment and a guy snuck in line ahead of me. I called him on it and he tried to tell me he had been there in line all along (nope) and that I had just appeared. And he started saying "whatever, whatever, I'm just here for fun." and like I had been the budger in line, he was totally lying and didn't even care. I know it was just a beer line, but those types of people are horrible. It was so irritating but I did get my rightful place in line. It was especially irritating because even after I had been waiting there I was still the last person in line. What a jerkface! I silently wished him an unmagical cruise.

But I had my beer, and it was a good Florida local beer (sorry I can't remember the name) and we met up with our group. And soon we were dancing and singing along with the group at the Sail Away party. I'm just glad jerkface didn't end up being a part of our cruise group.

So anyway, some Sail Away party pictures. The thing about sailing away is it is so smooth you don't even realize for a couple moments that you are actually moving. I know some people skip the Sail Away party, but I think it is a great way to start the cruise. I like the music (the sail away song is so catchy), seeing the characters, and most of all hearing the ship sound its horn to Disney music. This cruise the captain, or whoever, was very liberal with sounding the ships horn and playing all the tunes it can play. On our other two cruises we barely heard it after the first sounding of it.

View attachment 217500 View attachment 217501 View attachment 217503 View attachment 217509 View attachment 217515 View attachment 217516

When the party was done we headed back to our veranda and hung out there for awhile. I was hoping to see some dolphins in the water. And I did catch a glimpse of some, but I wasn't fast enough to get any pictures of them.
View attachment 217517
NASA in the distance.
View attachment 217518

Ugh, I hate people like Jerkface. Like you didn't know how long you've been standing there, and who was in the line! One time when we were in the line for TSA security check, and woman and her daughter blew past us as the line started moving again and when we passed her back, she spent the rest of the time in the line telling her daughter that we were evil sinners going to Hell, that the Lord would punish us some day, etc. I was like....great example you are setting for her. I SHOULD have turned around and stood up to her, but you really can't make any headway with people like that. At least you got your beer! Hope it was worth the wait!

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

Songbird76 said:
Ugh, I hate people like Jerkface. Like you didn't know how long you've been standing there, and who was in the line! One time when we were in the line for TSA security check, and woman and her daughter blew past us as the line started moving again and when we passed her back, she spent the rest of the time in the line telling her daughter that we were evil sinners going to Hell, that the Lord would punish us some day, etc. I was like....great example you are setting for her. I SHOULD have turned around and stood up to her, but you really can't make any headway with people like that. At least you got your beer! Hope it was worth the wait!

Yeah, there are unfortunately some whackos out there. The beer was good!

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

Time for dinner. The restaurant first on our rotation was Animators Palate. This is a fun restaurant, lots of cool character stuff to look at and on the video screens there are the Nemo characters and then interaction with Crush. That night we also met our table mates from the cruise. It was a nice couple from California, they were fun to talk to.

At one of the doors to the restaurant.

I wish I had the chairs that are at the tables.

Black truffle pasta purses. I got a double order. Its a good thing we walked a lot at WDW, because the cruise was full of good food.

Brad got serrano ham as an appetizer.

We both got the veal chop as our main entree.

Brad likes fish so he go some sort of fish dish too.

ajrwdwgirl · Jul 23, 2017

Time for dessert.

We sampled a few desserts.
Amaretto cheesecake

chocolate walnut cake

A sundae

And a "free" or special dessert for our anniversary.

We headed back to the room to enjoy the sunset from the veranda

Trip Report Double Double Dip Trip June 2017 (Completed!)

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