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

 

[Disneyfalcon]

After lunch we walked around. Here’s the DVC desk:

There was a princess extravaganza going on in the lobby:

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We saw Minnie!

Then we did a little shopping, this is for you, Crush :

Then we went back to the room to drop everything off.

We passed these great paintings. The ship in one and the fort in the other actually fire at each other:

I took a picture of my lanyard in the room:

This, by the way, was one of the smoothest cruises I have ever been on. I guess since we weren’t on a regular itinerary and didn’t have anywhere to get to the first day, we just floated around in smooth waters. It was awesome.

This cruise was also a who’s who of plugged in Disney fans. We saw Lou Mongello, Dave Marx, Deb Wills, Len Testa, and the list goes on. It was cool seeing them enjoying themselves too.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Here’s the view off our verandah again:

At 2:00 we were signed up to hear a talk by Ridley Pierson. Dd is a huge fan of the Kingdom Keepers books, and dh and I both enjoyed the Peter and the Starcatcher series as well.

Ridley talked and answered questions for around 45 minutes. Then he announced that they were giving us the new Kingdom Keepers book! It hadn't even been released yet!

Score! :sohappy:

We lined up for pictures and autographs next.

Then Dd left us to go read her new acquisition.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I went off to tour the Roy Disney Suite. I stopped by a suite first:

Look at the TV in the mirror:

Here’s the concierge lounge:

 

[Disneyfalcon]

The Roy Suite is just awesome.

The bedroom TV rose out of the footboard:

The deck is ginormous. You could have a big ole party out here:

You can see the teen deck down there:

 

[Disneyfalcon]

While I was there I noticed some people had their families so I went to get dh and find dd to see if they wanted to go. I found dd on deck 4 in her version of cruise heaven. Notice the coke on one side and plate of food on the other:

When we came back in we saw Carl Holtz and Randy Garfield taping something.

We went back to the room to get dh:

Here’s our room:

I forgot to say that the night before we had some autographed pictures in our room of Dex and Ally from Austin and Ally. On our way upstairs we passed them with their families. Here’s the picture they left us:

We also saw Ed Fouche going into his room near the Roy.

Dd could get used to that verandah:

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Dd ditched us again after we were done and we wandered around near the new adult pools. Here’s the new family pool right above the adult pool. Every time we saw it, it was full of adults. I think it will become an adult pool in practice if not in rules.

Satellite Falls is my favorite. There’s a great bench around the middle with water falling all around. We didn’t have time this trip, but I could spend a lot of time there:

Dave Marx is sitting on the far right side there:

Back to the family area:

At one point we encountered a woman in a thong. Yikes! No pictures of that!

Next up, dinner at Enchanted Garden!

 

[erstwo]

It was so so cool. Seriously, I loved it.

No photos!!



Well, he's had a while to grow into that! He was super skinny for a while. At his last physical (we change doctors all the time since we move so much so this doctor didn't know the history) the doctor said he was just where he should be on the height, weight and growth scale.

He actually said, "I don't know what you're eating, but it's perfect. Keep it up!"

Dd and I both screamed - "NOOOOO!!!!" at the same time!! :lol:

The doctor knew he'd messed up so he said, "Oh, I meant exercise! Your exercising great! Keep it up!" :lol:




Red Lobster is his fancy place now. Popcorn shrimp. :lol:

Oh- I could just go on and on! But since this is your trip report - I'll just hope that one day our Disney trips will coincide and we can talk it over then! Ha! But it is so nice to know there are other kids out there that have the same eating habits and have turned out to be just fine. So thank you!

Satellite Falls is my favorite. There’s a great bench around the middle with water falling all around. We didn’t have time this trip, but I could spend a lot of time there:

Dave Marx is sitting on the far right side there:

Next up, dinner at Enchanted Garden!

Are those people in the back ground doing yoga?

I have a love/ dislike relationship with this area. On one hand - this was a HUGELY underused area on the Dream. Every time we went up near the satellites/ radar ball things, there were only three or four people there at most. Which, for Disney, is no good. I'm assuming on a cruise ship, you want to pack in as much fun space as you can - since it space is limited. But on the other hand, I'm sad. My husband and I actually went up there whenwe wanted to have some quiet time. And it was neat to stand at the front of the boat and feel the wind. But I'm glad there are so many people enjoying the new pool! In July when the ship is packed and people can't get in the Mickey pool, everyone will be so glad it is there.

Can't wait to read about Enchanted Garden!

 

[disneyny]

I am loving your trip report. The ship looks amazing. I swore off cruises after a disasterous one on Carnival many years ago but I am ready to reconsider now. My husband is not interested at all so I may have to wait until my babies are a little older and can keep me company! I am also so jealous that you plan people's vacations to Disney for a job! I am so needing to get a job like that as I plan vacations I will never take for fun and seriously know way too much about Disney. Thought of being a travel agent once but the only place I would want to plan vacations for is Disney. I think that career might lend itself better to my disney addiction than teaching Kindergarten does! Can't wait to read more and I seriously love reading Sweetpea's comments too.

 

[Crush Dude!]

We saw Minnie!

Then we did a little shopping, this is for you, Crush :

Then we went back to the room to drop everything off.

We passed these great paintings. The ship in one and the fort in the other actually fire at each other:

I took a picture of my lanyard in the room:

This, by the way, was one of the smoothest cruises I have ever been on. I guess since we weren’t on a regular itinerary and didn’t have anywhere to get to the first day, we just floated around in smooth waters. It was awesome.

This cruise was also a who’s who of plugged in Disney fans. We saw Lou Mongello, Dave Marx, Deb Wills, Len Testa, and the list goes on. It was cool seeing them enjoying themselves too.

Thanks for the pic Tammy :wave:

Love the T shirts :sohappy:

And loving this TR

Just out of interest, what is the average rate for the Roy Disney Suite?? :lookaroun

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Oh- I could just go on and on! But since this is your trip report - I'll just hope that one day our Disney trips will coincide and we can talk it over then! Ha! But it is so nice to know there are other kids out there that have the same eating habits and have turned out to be just fine. So thank you!

We do need to talk this over!! A perfect time to do that would be on the Girl's cruise!! :lookaroun I know cruising wasn't your thing, but hanging out with us girls for 4 days could be!! :lol:

But seriously, other than the strange looks and comments he gets when he's eating, he's turned out just fine. He has seemed to stall out at 5'10" so I keep telling he could have had another 2 inches if he'd eaten vegetables.

Are those people in the back ground doing yoga?

I have a love/ dislike relationship with this area. On one hand - this was a HUGELY underused area on the Dream. Every time we went up near the satellites/ radar ball things, there were only three or four people there at most. Which, for Disney, is no good. I'm assuming on a cruise ship, you want to pack in as much fun space as you can - since it space is limited. But on the other hand, I'm sad. My husband and I actually went up there whenwe wanted to have some quiet time. And it was neat to stand at the front of the boat and feel the wind. But I'm glad there are so many people enjoying the new pool! In July when the ship is packed and people can't get in the Mickey pool, everyone will be so glad it is there.

Can't wait to read about Enchanted Garden!

They are doing yoga!! Is that hilarious? We were a little surprised they chose such a public space. I didn't even realize I got them in the picture.

It certainly did make this space a lot more popular. There were still lots of empty chairs there, but definitely not like on the Dream. I wonder if they'll try and add this to the Dream.

I am loving your trip report. The ship looks amazing. I swore off cruises after a disasterous one on Carnival many years ago but I am ready to reconsider now. My husband is not interested at all so I may have to wait until my babies are a little older and can keep me company! I am also so jealous that you plan people's vacations to Disney for a job! I am so needing to get a job like that as I plan vacations I will never take for fun and seriously know way too much about Disney. Thought of being a travel agent once but the only place I would want to plan vacations for is Disney. I think that career might lend itself better to my disney addiction than teaching Kindergarten does! Can't wait to read more and I seriously love reading Sweetpea's comments too.

Thanks disneyny! We have an unofficial wdwmagic girls cruise coming up in 2013 if you want to try one! I do have an awesome job. You will never hear me say otherwise.

Sweetpea is the best trip report commenter there is. It's funny that you should mention that because some of us were just talking about that!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Thanks for the pic Tammy :wave:

Love the T shirts :sohappy:

And loving this TR

Just out of interest, what is the average rate for the Roy Disney Suite?? :lookaroun

You're welcome, Crush.

I just priced the Roy Suite for our 4 night girls cruise and it was over $11,000. For 4 nights! In off season!!

So, yes. It's a lot. But it's almost always sold!

I managed to work in the girls cruise three times in the last two posts!! :lol:

But seriously. The Roy Suite is available. Has anybody won the lottery lately?

 

[Crush Dude!]

You're welcome, Crush.

I just priced the Roy Suite for our 4 night girls cruise and it was over $11,000. For 4 nights! In off season!!

So, yes. It's a lot. But it's almost always sold!

I managed to work in the girls cruise three times in the last two posts!! :lol:

But seriously. The Roy Suite is available. Has anybody won the lottery lately?

You know, i was expecting more :lol:

Someday..... :lookaroun

 

[minnielaw]

Absolutely loving the trip report! I have read through several of your trip reports...Alaska cruise and sole Disneyland trip come to mind, although I think I have read more.

I have always been an anti-cruise person...too crowded, rooms too small, sub-par buffet food....but you have pretty much sold me on a Disney cruise! My boys have been begging for a cruise for years, so I may have to plan one for the next couple of years. We are scheduled for a WDW trip in October, so it may be two years before we can do a cruise. My boys are 11 and 13 and I am wondering if they would enjoy it more as teenagers so they could hang out in the teen club and roam free on the ship? Any thoughts?

Kelly tried to sell me on the girls cruise and while I would LOVE to go, my husband and boys may be a little peeved if I headed out for a cruise without them...especially after trying to talk them out of cruising for so many years. :ROFLOL: Maybe they could come along and stay on another deck?

Disney should thank you for these trip reports as they have convinced me (and I am sure many others) that Disney cruise line is the bomb! Maybe a lifetime cruise pass would be ample compensation??

Thank you again for sharing your vacation with us and I can't wait for the next installment!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

You know, i was expecting more :lol:

Someday..... :lookaroun

That's off season though! :lol:

Absolutely loving the trip report! I have read through several of your trip reports...Alaska cruise and sole Disneyland trip come to mind, although I think I have read more.

I have always been an anti-cruise person...too crowded, rooms too small, sub-par buffet food....but you have pretty much sold me on a Disney cruise! My boys have been begging for a cruise for years, so I may have to plan one for the next couple of years. We are scheduled for a WDW trip in October, so it may be two years before we can do a cruise. My boys are 11 and 13 and I am wondering if they would enjoy it more as teenagers so they could hang out in the teen club and roam free on the ship? Any thoughts?

Kelly tried to sell me on the girls cruise and while I would LOVE to go, my husband and boys may be a little peeved if I headed out for a cruise without them...especially after trying to talk them out of cruising for so many years. :ROFLOL: Maybe they could come along and stay on another deck?

Disney should thank you for these trip reports as they have convinced me (and I am sure many others) that Disney cruise line is the bomb! Maybe a lifetime cruise pass would be ample compensation??

Thank you again for sharing your vacation with us and I can't wait for the next installment!

Thanks minnielaw! We need to convince your hubby that you should go! Maybe you should go just to try it out! For the family's sake. :lol:

I think 11 and 13 a great time! We've take our kids at several age and there seems to be benefits for each age. The clubs for the younger kids are so cool! There are different things that appeal to different ages. It's true though, as they get older the freedom they have is definitely one of their favorite things.

I think you should definitely share your lifetime cruise pass idea with Disney. :lookaroun:lol:

 

[angieandtrevor]

Awesome report Tammy.....your pictures are amazing !!!!

 

[stillgoofy]

Great report and pictures Tammy. Boy, could I really get used to the Roy O Disney suite. Actually I never thought I could afford a cruise. So now that I've taken my first cruise and coming up on my second, maybe the Disney suite is next :ROFLOL:

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Awesome report Tammy.....your pictures are amazing !!!!

Thanks, Angie!

Great report and pictures Tammy. Boy, could I really get used to the Roy O Disney suite. Actually I never thought I could afford a cruise. So now that I've taken my first cruise and coming up on my second, maybe the Disney suite is next :ROFLOL:

I like the way you think, Kris!! :lol:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I am loving your trip report. The ship looks amazing. I swore off cruises after a disasterous one on Carnival many years ago but I am ready to reconsider now. My husband is not interested at all so I may have to wait until my babies are a little older and can keep me company! I am also so jealous that you plan people's vacations to Disney for a job! I am so needing to get a job like that as I plan vacations I will never take for fun and seriously know way too much about Disney. Thought of being a travel agent once but the only place I would want to plan vacations for is Disney. I think that career might lend itself better to my disney addiction than teaching Kindergarten does! Can't wait to read more and I seriously love reading Sweetpea's comments too.

Sweetpea is the best trip report commenter there is. It's funny that you should mention that because some of us were just talking about that!

I know! Right??? We just talked about that last week! I always think I talk too much (which I do) and I'm forever telling myself "Okaaaaayyy....you can shut up nooooow..." because I'm sure I annoy people. Then 2 of my girls (Tammy being one of them) mentioned how my responses make them feel like I really spend time reading and thinking about what they write. I felt soooo good! And relieved! And now I feel all warm-n-fuzzy again! Awwwww...shucks....

I have always been an anti-cruise person...too crowded, rooms too small, sub-par buffet food....but you have pretty much sold me on a Disney cruise! My boys have been begging for a cruise for years, so I may have to plan one for the next couple of years. We are scheduled for a WDW trip in October, so it may be two years before we can do a cruise. My boys are 11 and 13 and I am wondering if they would enjoy it more as teenagers so they could hang out in the teen club and roam free on the ship? Any thoughts?

I told ya! I've never done other cruises but the Disney cruise was like Disney-topia filled with Disney awesome sauce! It just happens to be on a cruise ship. That's just geography, girl! Give it a whirl...never know 'til ya do, huh????

Kelly tried to sell me on the girls cruise and while I would LOVE to go, my husband and boys may be a little peeved if I headed out for a cruise without them...especially after trying to talk them out of cruising for so many years. :ROFLOL: Maybe they could come along and stay on another deck?

I'm still cookin' up a new angle to convince you. It's not just going on a cruise, it's spending 4 days escaping boy-cooties and hanging with Disney-crazed chicks! It is a much less expensive way to give cruising with Mickey a whirl before going all-out to take the family. Right????

I like Tammy's thinking. It's all in the presentation. You gotta make it like you're taking one for the team, that you're making the bodily sacrifice to go scope this out to see if it's good enough for your family. Oh and you could do some strategic sighing making it like you're so exhausted and need the little getaway from all the testosterone. :lol:

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

That suite is nice! Wish I had the cash for that!! Actually, even if I did have the cash for it, I'd probably rather stay a week at the Polynesian

So craving a Mickey ice cream bar right now!! :slurp: