Shaking Down the Fantasy and Three Encounters with a Dream!

When: March 21-26

Where: Coronado Springs for two nights and then a three night cruise on the Disney Fantasy

Why: This was a special cruise for agents from Disney Earmarked agencies. A shake down cruise if you will. It was preceded by a day of conference activities at WDW.

Here’s my cruise docs!

Who: My family came this time! If you've read any of my trip reports you know that m family can't always come. Ds is in high school, dd is in middle school and dh is in the Air Force. Not that people in the Air Force can't go on vacation, but he tends to be in really busy jobs that don't work well with the - "Hey, there's an awesome travel agent special in two weeks", or "I haven't been to Disneyland in 9 months and need to go this month to get caught back up" kind of trips.

But this one was too good to pass up! A preview cruise on the brand spanking new Disney Fantasy! Disney doesn't have any new ships in the works so this opportunity wasn't coming along again any time soon. We decided it was even worth taking the kids out of school this time.

It was. Really. No matter what their report cards say next week. :lookaroun

Even better, we had a room for 5 so ds brought a friend. You may recognize friend from my Alaska trip report this summer.

Here’s ds and friend in the Mr. and Mrs. Potato hats in Oceaneers Club:

Dd in the Oceaneer’s Club:

Dh and I heading to the beach. Check out what’s in the background!

You'll also see Pam - owner extraordinaire of Kingdom Konsultants and her family. Here’s Pam and her dh:

Here’s Pam’s dd on the right and her friend on the left:

And Missy (polymissy) who brought her hubby! They’re showing off the butter knives I was coveting:

Disclaimer – I took a lot of pictures of the Fantasy when I toured it in New York City back in February. I didn’t duplicate much, so here’s that report if you’re interested in more pictures of the ship:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=833556

 

[jesemeca]

I love all of your pictures! I do have a question for you though. Are you using your regular camera for the Castaway Cay pictures? I recently bought a Canon Sx30 which is a bridge camera and I am wondering if it would be safe on Castaway Cay. Or if I should try to find a waterproof camera.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I love all of your pictures! I do have a question for you though. Are you using your regular camera for the Castaway Cay pictures? I recently bought a Canon Sx30 which is a bridge camera and I am wondering if it would be safe on Castaway Cay. Or if I should try to find a waterproof camera.

Thanks, Jess! I am using my regular camera. I have a waterproof camera too, so I always take both. I take a large ziploc bag to put my slr in if I leave it on the chair, so it doesn't get sand in it. Then I put that in a backpack.

 

[jesemeca]

Thanks, Jess! I am using my regular camera. I have a waterproof camera too, so I always take both. I take a large ziploc bag to put my slr in if I leave it on the chair, so it doesn't get sand in it. Then I put that in a backpack.

Thanks for the info. I don't really want to have to worry about another camera. I just figured that as long as I kept the camera away from the water I would be okay. My camera doesn't have any removable parts so I only have to worry about getting sand on the lenses.

Can't wait to read more.

 

[popsicletrees]

Tammy! First off, I want your job! Seriously, I would love the opportunity to help people plan their dream vacations and get the perks of inaugural cruises as well. The ship looks absolutely beautiful! Jordan keeps saying that once we have children we will go on a Disney cruise, but he is going to have to rethink his position. All of the interactive details are just incredible. Thank you for sharing them with us!

Your CC pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to read and see more!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Thanks for the info. I don't really want to have to worry about another camera. I just figured that as long as I kept the camera away from the water I would be okay. My camera doesn't have any removable parts so I only have to worry about getting sand on the lenses.

Can't wait to read more.

Yes, keep it away from the water and don't get sand in any openings! Then you should be good.

Tammy! First off, I want your job! Seriously, I would love the opportunity to help people plan their dream vacations and get the perks of inaugural cruises as well. The ship looks absolutely beautiful! Jordan keeps saying that once we have children we will go on a Disney cruise, but he is going to have to rethink his position. All of the interactive details are just incredible. Thank you for sharing them with us!

Your CC pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to read and see more!

I know!! It's a great job!!

Jordan is definitely going to have to rethink. I've done all adult cruises before on Disney and they are just as awesome.

You and your mom still need to join us on the girls cruise!!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

You and your mom still need to join us on the girls cruise!!

Hey! You're right! Why havent these must-have gals not grabbed their stateroom?!?! I do believe these 2 ladies are mandatory. Let the pressure tactics begin! We need to compile a list of ladies we need to target. I've got a few others in mind.... Like Tom's wife Sarah, John's intended Colleen (I hear she's a little freaked out by us Internet whackos), Eeyore....my mind is spinning!

Still itchin to see how the rest of this trip played out. Was it awful saying goodbye to such an incredible ship??? Did the kids love it?!?!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Hey! You're right! Why havent these must-have gals not grabbed their stateroom?!?! I do believe these 2 ladies are mandatory. Let the pressure tactics begin! We need to compile a list of ladies we need to target. I've got a few others in mind.... Like Tom's wife Sarah, John's intended Colleen (I hear she's a little freaked out by us Internet whackos), Eeyore....my mind is spinning!

Still itchin to see how the rest of this trip played out. Was it awful saying goodbye to such an incredible ship??? Did the kids love it?!?!

Why not indeed? We may need to send out some private messages! I like your list!

Whacked out by us? Crazy! :lol:

I should be able to finish tomorrow morning, but I can answer both those questions with a definite "YES"!!

 

[emcclay]

I hardly know anyone on the boards, but I would totally go! I might be doing my externship for culinary school at the time, though. Crossing my fingers for DCP. Looking forward to the rest of the TR :sohappy:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I hardly know anyone on the boards, but I would totally go! I might be doing my externship for culinary school at the time, though. Crossing my fingers for DCP. Looking forward to the rest of the TR :sohappy:

We'd love to have ya! Get in touch with Tammy! She may can pair ya up with some other roomies which could get yoh on a Disney cruise for a steal! Your time on the cruise could be field research. There's some amazing dishes to be had on the Dream. Like Wassabi Mashed Potatoes. And you can order as many as you want at each meal to sample! What better way to make Disney buddies?!?! :wave:

 

[emcclay]

We'd love to have ya! Get in touch with Tammy! She may can pair ya up with some other roomies which could get yoh on a Disney cruise for a steal! Your time on the cruise could be field research. There's some amazing dishes to be had on the Dream. Like Wassabi Mashed Potatoes. And you can order as many as you want at each meal to sample! What better way to make Disney buddies?!?! :wave:

I have read many trip reports with pictures of all the delicious food. That would be a great idea to let the chefs know I am taking a research trip on a Disney cruise If I am not doing my externship, I will definitely be contacting Tammy for some information! I would love to spend time making new friends who enjoy WDW as much as I do :wave:

 

[popsicletrees]

Yes, keep it away from the water and don't get sand in any openings! Then you should be good.



I know!! It's a great job!!

Jordan is definitely going to have to rethink. I've done all adult cruises before on Disney and they are just as awesome.

You and your mom still need to join us on the girls cruise!!

Hey! You're right! Why havent these must-have gals not grabbed their stateroom?!?! I do believe these 2 ladies are mandatory. Let the pressure tactics begin! We need to compile a list of ladies we need to target. I've got a few others in mind.... Like Tom's wife Sarah, John's intended Colleen (I hear she's a little freaked out by us Internet whackos), Eeyore....my mind is spinning!

We have discussed it briefly, and we would both really like to go. Mom has never done a cruise before, but I know that if it is Disney she will love it! Once I find out my employment situation for next year (which should be within the next two months) that will help solidify whether or not we will go. I work in education but taking a few days off during the school week shouldn't be an issue if I plan it out ahead and speak with the administration. Trust me we both really want to go and meet so many of the great ladies on these boards!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I have read many trip reports with pictures of all the delicious food. That would be a great idea to let the chefs know I am taking a research trip on a Disney cruise If I am not doing my externship, I will definitely be contacting Tammy for some information! I would love to spend time making new friends who enjoy WDW as much as I do :wave:

Research! What a great reason to go on a cruise and eat!! :sohappy:

I hope you can make it!! We would love to meet you!

We have discussed it briefly, and we would both really like to go. Mom has never done a cruise before, but I know that if it is Disney she will love it! Once I find out my employment situation for next year (which should be within the next two months) that will help solidify whether or not we will go. I work in education but taking a few days off during the school week shouldn't be an issue if I plan it out ahead and speak with the administration. Trust me we both really want to go and meet so many of the great ladies on these boards!

Yay! I'm glad you're still thinking about it! I would love to meet both of you in person!! Hopefully it will work out!

 

[LuvsTheMouse]

Hi Tammy!! Love your trip report, can't wait for the rest! The CC pictures are
beautiful..

 

[meganw1985]

I love, love, love your trip report! I so bad want to go on a disney cruise. We cruised for our honeymoon last year, and it was fabulous! We unfortunately have to skip vaca thus year because we are expecting a new little prince or princess in September, so all time/money is devoted to that I'm hoping for 2013 though! Keep the report coming! I'm hooked!

 

[emcclay]

Research! What a great reason to go on a cruise and eat!! :sohappy:

I hope you can make it!! We would love to meet you!

I will know for sure by the end of this month :sohappy:

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Hi Tammy!! Love your trip report, can't wait for the rest! The CC pictures are
beautiful..

Thank you, Diane! I love CC!

I love, love, love your trip report! I so bad want to go on a disney cruise. We cruised for our honeymoon last year, and it was fabulous! We unfortunately have to skip vaca thus year because we are expecting a new little prince or princess in September, so all time/money is devoted to that I'm hoping for 2013 though! Keep the report coming! I'm hooked!

Thanks, Megan! Congratulations! A new little prince or princess should definitely take priority! Maybe 2013!!

I will know for sure by the end of this month :sohappy:

Yay! Keep us updated!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

LOVE the pics from CC! It's weird, I live right on the ocean and yet I go to the bech maybe 2-3 times a summer. I HATE getting sand everywhere and the water is so cold to me, even in the peak of summer. But CC is different. It's pretty and the water is so blue.. I love it!!

Super cool you guys got so close to the Dream. Pictures just don't do the ships justice as to just how huge they are. We have some cruise ships that dock here in Portland and the first time I saw one, I was in such awe. They're massive!! lol

 

[Disneyfalcon]

LOVE the pics from CC! It's weird, I live right on the ocean and yet I go to the bech maybe 2-3 times a summer. I HATE getting sand everywhere and the water is so cold to me, even in the peak of summer. But CC is different. It's pretty and the water is so blue.. I love it!!

Super cool you guys got so close to the Dream. Pictures just don't do the ships justice as to just how huge they are. We have some cruise ships that dock here in Portland and the first time I saw one, I was in such awe. They're massive!! lol

CC is different! I was never tempted by the water when we lived on Cape Cod or in Rhode Island. I loved going to the beaches in California, but not to swim! But the Bahamas and Caribbean are a whole different thing! They beaches there call out your name!

That is very true. You just can't appreciate how massive these things are until you're on them!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Here’s a short intermission for a look at the Navigators! As I mentioned before, they’ve changed. They used to just be 4 pages, now they are 6. The times sheet is a pull out insert. It’s easy to fold up and put in your pocket.

Here’s the front page:

Inside:

And:

The back page:

Here’s the inside pull out with the schedule. It’s a short day since it was boarding day:

Here’s the back of the inside pull out:

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Our last dinner was in the Royal Court. Here we are:

Ds apparently went out on the verandah after showering so his crazy hair is wind dried in the above picture. :lol:

Our servers were ready for ds tonight and had a kid’s menu waiting for him.

He went all out and had pizza and french fries as an appetizer and noodles for dinner.

We’re good parents. Really we are. :lookaroun

Pam was the brave one who went with escargot:

Missy had shrimp and lobster:

I think this was the duck? Dd tried it but didn’t take more than a bite I don’t think: