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

ajrwdwgirl · Aug 7, 2017

We had this dessert too, it was a cheesecake so I'm pretty sure I ate it because Brad doesn't like cheesecake.

We headed back to the room to enjoy a little time on our veranda. The deck was still wet from rain but the chairs were weren't too bad we used some extra towels to dry them off.

Then we went for a stroll around the ship and played some shuffleboard.

We ducked into the the movie theater and watched some of Born in China, it was intriguing but we had to leave early. I've since watched the whole thing and found out we missed the first 20 minutes and the last five minutes. But it is a documentary that was easy to pick up anytime. We left the movie a little early because we wanted to play Disney trivia.

Disney trivia was okay, I think we were second. We went in thinking it was going to be really interactive, it was really just an entertainment cast member reading questions and then we checked another team's answers.

The handle to to the door where the trivia was being played.

ajrwdwgirl · Aug 7, 2017

It was time for the final walk to our stateroom. :cry:

The door plate is so lonely without our fish extender.

June 30, Time to disembark...

Well, we were docked and it was time to leave.

Why am I smiling? I have to leave this lap of luxury!

Sorry the pictures are foggy, my camera fogged up in the humidity of being back at land.

We did the early bird walk off, so when the ship cleared customs we would be in the first group off. And that was around 7 am, we got in line around 6:20 and the line quickly swelled behind us.

So just a couple of shots of the atrium while we waited.

Again, why are we smiling?! They are making us leave! Oh probably because we had a blast and we were ready for the second dip of the trip.

So we were one of the first people off the ship and as we were in customs we got pulled off to the side by an agent. The agent was really awkward. It was like he was new to the job and didn't know what to ask us and like an after thought asked to check my bag. Brad was really annoyed at the agent and started to get snippy with him. But I made a little joke, which was more of a warning to Brad to cool it because that last thing we needed was to spend more time getting checked over. Needless to say nothing was found in my suitcase illegal, because I am an :angelic:

! Once we left hubs was still a little peeved at being pulled over to check, but I reminded him of all the times we have gone through customs and haven't even been glanced at (even when we were over our limit on certain adult beverages from Jamaica and Mexico). He cooled down and we packed up the car and headed back to the magic.

It's a double dip trip after all....so the second dip was back to WDW.

ajrwdwgirl · Aug 7, 2017

becca_ said:
When I worked at Tim Hortons I dropped a bag of cream on the floor that probably cost the company $5 and I felt awful about it!! I cannot imagine $25,000!! That's my tuition!!!

I know I feel bad when I break something at work too, but it is never that costly.

fractal said:
Pirates party looks like a blast!

I hate the hard sales pitch, especially at the end of a high end experience. We had the same thing at a beautiful spa in Jamaica. Ruined it for us.

More rude people. It was a perfect opportunity for that Father to set a good example for his son. What a shame.

The Pirate party is fun, even with a poor viewing location. As for the kid, perhaps he will remember that my husband was the decent person and gave up the table. But probably not.

Cesar R M · Aug 8, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
I know I feel bad when I break something at work too, but it is never that costly.

I wonder if they had insurance!

Btw, you won at golf, no cheating with excuses Brad!!! :hilarious:

Songbird76 · Aug 8, 2017

MinnieM123 said:
First of all, you won the game of mini-golf.

Your TR update was so photo and content rich, that I wouldn't even know where to start (other than you won the game of mini-golf ).

One thing that always catches my eye is the variety of t-shirts that you and Brad have. I'm thinking that when you go to WDW at certain times of the year, or go on a cruise, there must be some better merchandise to buy. I particularly liked Brad's blue, tie-dyed shirt.

The conch shell and starfish you two found in the water were amazing!

I'm glad you were a dork in the water on your birthday. Next time, remember, you really don't have to wait a year until your next birthday--do what I do--be a dork every day!!

100% completely agreed. Especially about being a dork!
I liked Brad's time to get my pirate on tshirt. Very cool. I am kicking myself for not getting the shirt I wanted last year when we were there. Do you get a new one to commemorate each trip?

Songbird76 · Aug 8, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
June 29 Our last full day and a day at sea

After our pre-breakfast veranda time and regular breakfast we just hung out on the adult deck for awhile.

The hot tub on deck.
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I like how the bathrooms on the ship often have a Mickey theme.
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Then we split up for awhile Brad went and did a free art of the ship tour. He really enjoyed the tour and from what he shared, I think I would have enjoyed it as well. I went to the Senses spa for a massage. It was good and disappointing/uncomfortable. My massage was well done, I often go for massages back home because I get a little back pain from time to time and it helps. The Senses spa was more upscale than I am used to . My massages are at a medical/physical therapy office and while the rooms for massages are pleasant it isn't the same vibe. Still that wasn't much of a problem.

The therapist here was nice but immediately made me uncomfortable in the room. I asked that unscented products be used, it is no problem back home, and I figured here it (especially on a Disney ship) it wouldn't be a problem. I eventually got the unscented, oh the reason I like unscented is that I'm sensitive to certain smells and some can cause headaches and make me nauseous. I told the therapist this and she said "Well this IS a spa and there are a lot of scents used and around in the rooms." I just said that I needed unscented, while in my head I was thinking, "Yeah lady I know it's a spa and scents are used that doesn't mean I want them on me."

Anyway, after that the massage was good but at the end she started to try to sell me on products. Products including scented oils! Another one was a brush she had used, she said it would get rid of some of my build up. I assumed at the time she was talking about fat build up and I thought, "gee if a brush would get rid of my build up I'd be brushing 24-7." But now I think she might have been referring to dry skin. She did get a little snooty as I kept turning her down. It again made me uncomfortable because I had been feeling really relaxed and mellow and now this was making me all uptight again and I don't like the pressure (even though she didn't keep pushing). It made me feel like I was being a cheapskate, and I was paying more than double for this massage than I do at home. So while the massage was good and left my back feeling great, I can't say that the spa experience was a highlight. If I ever choose to do a massage on the ship again I will again request the unscented lotion/oil and I will also tell them I have NO intention of buying anything after the massage. So maybe I should have taken the free tour with Brad.

Oh I did enjoy using the showers in the spa area. There were different products in there and full sized showers, the ones in the cabins are a little small. Plus anyone using the fitness center can use the showers and sauna in the locker room. So maybe I'll just do that next time.

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After the massage I went back to the room to meet up with Brad and we went to Cabanas at lunch. That was a HUGE mistake. It was at sea day, everyone is on the ship and it was the start of prime lunch time! YIKES! Let's just say it was tough to get a table. I finally found one for us and as I was putting my plate down a guy who I guess was also going for the table too, although he only had a drink and no food (but was not there or very close when I was putting my plate down) stood next to my table and said, "Well, that's just great I don't mind at all if your sit there!" and stalked off. Not before I shot back, "I don't mind either." Probably not my best moment. But the table was clearly empty and I had gotten there first. Brad was miffed that I said something to the guy, but I was also a little miffed at Brad for letting a kid push him away from a table earlier. Story: Brad was putting his plate down on a table when a kid with his dad in tow (neither one of them had any food, unlike Brad who had a plate and a drink) slid into a chair and said "Its our table Dad," and the Dad looked at Brad and didn't say anything but sat in the chair next to where Brad was standing. So Brad just moved on, he said it wasn't worth the fight. He was probably right, but with it being so crowded and we had food it was annoying. So anyway, after the annoyances passed we had a decent lunch. Next time we will skip Cabanas and go to one of the table service restaurants, counters, or order lunch in our room. Lesson learned.

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Gotta love people trying to shame you into doing what they want you to do. Good for you for standing your ground. Question: Are the TS restaurants on the cruise included in your package or are they upcharge? Like...I noticed several times that you've been able to order more than one dessert or main course...do you have to pay or is it just considered part of your meal plan? I know people have mentioned before on cruises that certain restaurants are included and some you have to pay extra for. Do you and Brad pretty much stick to the included ones or do you do upcharge to avoid the crowds?

Songbird76 · Aug 8, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
The rest of the day we spent hanging out on the adult pool decks, napping and frolicking in Satellite Falls. We also had a group meet up by the ice cream, an ice cream social. We brought Magic Shell to share with everyone and it was fun. Before dinner we also had a group farewell party.

Dinner that night was back at the Enchanted Garden and it was a different menu tonight. It was actually our last full meal on the ship. We weren't staying for breakfast in the morning, we were doing the early bird walk off.
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I had the tomato mozzarella salad
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And the Malaysian chicken satay. This was one of my favorite things that I ate on the ship.
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Brad has some sort of tuna appetizer
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I got the schnitzel. The breading was nice and crisp, but lacked flavor. The bread came with a sun dried tomato spread that night and since by the time the entree came everyone was done with the bread I put the leftover tomato spread on the schnitzel and that made it much better. Notice there was also an anchovy on top. Luckily it was on the lemon and not touching the meat, but it still creeped me out .
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Brad got lamb
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The dessert menu
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We both got the chocolate dessert which was good.
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Satay sauce is really easy to make if you ever care to duplicate it. We make it to go with our fries. Also good on bread.
The lamb looks really yummy!!

MinnieM123 · Aug 8, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
She did get a little snooty as I kept turning her down. It again made me uncomfortable because I had been feeling really relaxed and mellow and now this was making me all uptight again and I don't like the pressure (even though she didn't keep pushing). It made me feel like I was being a cheapskate, and I was paying more than double for this massage than I do at hom

fractal said:
I hate the hard sales pitch, especially at the end of a high end experience. We had the same thing at a beautiful spa in Jamaica. Ruined it for us.

A few times (over the past 10 years, while on vacation at WDW), I'd treat myself to a massage in the Mandara Spa in the Dolphin. It's very nice over there. Their sales approach is a lot more low key, at least in my experience there.

Prior to discovering Mandara, I went a few times (going back a number of years . . .) to the spa at the Grand Floridian. This was well before they switched their spa over to Senses. Although I liked it there, I found their sales push to be a bit much, and I didn't care for it at all. Haven't been back there since. I almost wonder if it's a Disney thing to hard sell products in their spas. Like I said, Mandara also has pricey products, but I just never felt uncomfortable telling them no, and my response was never once challenged.

Songbird76 · Aug 8, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
I know I feel bad when I break something at work too, but it is never that costly.

The Pirate party is fun, even with a poor viewing location. As for the kid, perhaps he will remember that my husband was the decent person and gave up the table. But probably not.

In the Netherlands, you would just share the table. It's completely common for people to approach a table that is not full and ask to sit down in the extra chairs. Not in a sit down type restaurant where you are seated by a host, but in a cafe or something like that, absolutely. That took some getting used to when I moved here...sitting with total strangers because there's a lack of tables. Had I been Brad, I probably would have just put my plate down and sat, but I would have mentioned we weren't using the rest of the table and they were welcome to share with us as it was really crowded. But I wouldn't have done that 15 years ago before moving here.

rshell68 · Aug 8, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
I could chaperone too but chaperoning 20 teenagers among thousands of other teenagers doesn't sound like a good way to spend my birthday. I've chaperoned at these youth gatherings before and it can be fun but overall its a lot of work.

My husband is a part-time youth pastor (supposed to only work 20 hours...yeah right) so I can totally appreciate your sentiment. We took his group to both nights of Night of Joy last year it was a whole lot of work!

ajrwdwgirl · Aug 8, 2017

Cesar R M said:
I wonder if they had insurance!

Btw, you won at golf, no cheating with excuses Brad!!!

Thanks, I need to show hubs that people are agreeing with me about the golf! He just doesn't like to lose.

The insurance thing would have been an interesting question to ask. But they probably did on something like that.

ajrwdwgirl · Aug 8, 2017

Songbird76 said:
100% completely agreed. Especially about being a dork!
I liked Brad's time to get my pirate on tshirt. Very cool. I am kicking myself for not getting the shirt I wanted last year when we were there. Do you get a new one to commemorate each trip?

Brad found his shirt when we went to the Disney outlet store a day before we set sail. It was under $10 and he was so happy because he had wanted to bring his pirate dreads wig from his Halloween costume but he claims I wouldn't let him. All I did was point out that they were kind of heavy and would take up weight and space in his luggage. So anyway, he was happy to get a pirate shirt and in his size too. The cruise shirt I'm wearing in the picture I got at the outlet too for $8. As for us buying shirts to commemorate the trip, I guess we usually get one sometimes more. It depends on what we see.

Songbird76 said:
Gotta love people trying to shame you into doing what they want you to do. Good for you for standing your ground. Question: Are the TS restaurants on the cruise included in your package or are they upcharge? Like...I noticed several times that you've been able to order more than one dessert or main course...do you have to pay or is it just considered part of your meal plan? I know people have mentioned before on cruises that certain restaurants are included and some you have to pay extra for. Do you and Brad pretty much stick to the included ones or do you do upcharge to avoid the crowds?

The Disney Dream has two upcharge restaurants Remy and Palo. So when we did the brunch at Palo there was an extra fee for that. There is also Vanelope's Sweet Shop that is an upcahrge too based on what you order, think of it like the Confectionary & Ice Cream Parlor at the Magic Kingdom. The other table service as well as the buffet and counter service options are all included in the price of your passage. And at dinner you can order as much as you want, hence the ordering of multiple dishes and desserts. There is even a soft serve ice cream station that is included in the cruise fare, so all you can eat ice cream. The coffee shop's pastries are included too but specialty coffee is not. There are also beverage stations on the main pool deck with soda and coffee that is included in your fare as well.

There is one bar 687 that offers appetizers at an upcharge as well. But all of the upcharge stuff is clearly known to passengers before they order. There is plenty to eat of the included food. Really you could be eating all day with what is included in your fare.

Songbird76 said:
Satay sauce is really easy to make if you ever care to duplicate it. We make it to go with our fries. Also good on bread.
The lamb looks really yummy!!

I might have to look up a recipe for satay. It was really good.

ajrwdwgirl · Aug 8, 2017

MinnieM123 said:
A few times (over the past 10 years, while on vacation at WDW), I'd treat myself to a massage in the Mandara Spa in the Dolphin. It's very nice over there. Their sales approach is a lot more low key, at least in my experience there.

Prior to discovering Mandara, I went a few times (going back a number of years . . .) to the spa at the Grand Floridian. This was well before they switched their spa over to Senses. Although I liked it there, I found their sales push to be a bit much, and I didn't care for it at all. Haven't been back there since. I almost wonder if it's a Disney thing to hard sell products in their spas. Like I said, Mandara also has pricey products, but I just never felt uncomfortable telling them no, and my response was never once challenged.

I've been wondering how the spas were on property. Maybe I'll check them out sometime. The thing is I don't want to be even gently offered products. If I want to buy something I will ask for it. But it is good to know that the Mandara spa has a soft sales approach.

ajrwdwgirl · Aug 8, 2017

rshell68 said:
My husband is a part-time youth pastor (supposed to only work 20 hours...yeah right) so I can totally appreciate your sentiment. We took his group to both nights of Night of Joy last year it was a whole lot of work!

I have told my husband that if he wants to do a youth trip I would be on board to chaperone, but he says he doesn't want to travel to WDW with a bunch of kids for work!

MotherofaPrincessLover · Aug 8, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
The coffee shop's pastries are included too but specialty coffee is not.

I have always wondered about this and now I know. Thanks!

Figgy1 · Aug 8, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
We usually go at the end of June on our big vacation so we can celebrate the birthdays and anniversary. The rule is we can never leave our vacation to go home on my birthday because that would just make me sad. Along the lines of sad, in 2018 we won't be able to vacation over our birthdays & anniversary, my husband is a pastor and there is a big youth convention (happens every 3 years) in Houston that he has to chaperone. I could chaperone too but chaperoning 20 teenagers among thousands of other teenagers doesn't sound like a good way to spend my birthday. I've chaperoned at these youth gatherings before and it can be fun but overall its a lot of work.

Besides the fact you need a vacation from teenagers. Solo trip for your birthday, hint, hint

Figgy1 · Aug 8, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
Mini-golfing was fun and each hole has some fun gags and the views are very nice as well.
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View attachment 221230I spy with my little eye Disney popcorn

So who won? Brad says it was a tie. However, one of his shots bounced off the rim of the cup and didn't go in. He claimed it did or at least would have if the lip of the cup hadn't been raised and didn't count another stroke for himself. I didn't seem to have a problem with the lip being raised on that one. So, I claim that I really won because he should have actually got it in the hole. What do you guys think?

The kiddo pirate party was in full swing by the time we finished.
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The show in the main theater was Cars 3. I don't think the seats in this theater were made for sitting for two hours, the rows are close together and it was difficult to stretch out my legs. So I was uncomfortable for most of the time. I did manage to fall asleep for about 10 minutes during the movie. I don't think I missed much though. Overall I did think Cars 3 is better than Cars 2 but I wasn't totally impressed with it either. Maybe I'll have a different opinion when I rewatch it in a comfortable recliner at home, and stay awake (maybe) for the whole thing.

We did get popcorn though. And I got a Perrier, I was pretty excited to have some bubbly water. I really don't drink a lot of soda and I was getting tired of Diet Coke as my only non-alcoholic bubbly.
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gdisneyfans · Aug 8, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
he chocolate rum cake. Our tablemate got this as one of her desserts and found it to be disgusting as well.

I had that same dessert on our cruise and didn't like it either :hungover:

I felt like it was really dry and the flavors just didn't mesh well together or something? Maybe it's time to update to something better!

Loving your report!! The perfect way to spend birthdays and an anniversary.

susan lees · Aug 8, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
The rest of the day we spent hanging out on the adult pool decks, napping and frolicking in Satellite Falls. We also had a group meet up by the ice cream, an ice cream social. We brought Magic Shell to share with everyone and it was fun. Before dinner we also had a group farewell party.

Dinner that night was back at the Enchanted Garden and it was a different menu tonight. It was actually our last full meal on the ship. We weren't staying for breakfast in the morning, we were doing the early bird walk off.
View attachment 221341

View attachment 221342
View attachment 221343
I had the tomato mozzarella salad
View attachment 221344
And the Malaysian chicken satay. This was one of my favorite things that I ate on the ship.
View attachment 221346

Brad has some sort of tuna appetizer
View attachment 221347

I got the schnitzel. The breading was nice and crisp, but lacked flavor. The bread came with a sun dried tomato spread that night and since by the time the entree came everyone was done with the bread I put the leftover tomato spread on the schnitzel and that made it much better. Notice there was also an anchovy on top. Luckily it was on the lemon and not touching the meat, but it still creeped me out .
View attachment 221348
Brad got lamb
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The dessert menu
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We both got the chocolate dessert which was good.
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I haven't had magic shell in years. Definitely going to buy some now. Yum

ajrwdwgirl · Aug 8, 2017

figmentfan423 said:
Besides the fact you need a vacation from teenagers. Solo trip for your birthday, hint, hint

I will definitely need a vacation from teenagers. I would like to do a solo over my birthday, but I get to stay home with the dog. Plus I will be take a trip a week before with my college housemate. She wants all of us that lived in the house to go somewhere for our 40th and before I the oldest of the group turn 41. But so far it is just she and I in on the trip, the rest of our former housemates are not able (or willing) to go. That's okay, I'm pushing for California so I can sneak in a side trip to Disneyland.

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

ajrwdwgirl

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Cesar R M

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rshell68

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