Trip Report The “More SunPass than the average Florida resident/Can you believe this is happening?” Trip Report.

*****Disclaimer*****
This is my first trip using a GoPro as my primary form of image capturing. With this comes some trial and error that I learned along the way so I do apologize for the occasional fuzzy picture as well as the excessive amount of pictures I am about to bombard you with. Additionally, I am not known for my wordsmithing as I favor the 1’s and 0’s over the A’s and B’s so I apologize ahead of time for the inevitable grammar and spelling typos that will surely come your way. That said, I do hope you enjoy the following!

So here we are, Surf ‘n Turf trip number four! For all the funtivities about the who/what/when/etc have yourself a nice read here:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/18-years-of-marital-bliss-means-it’s-time-for-some-surf-n-turf-action…-again.915877/

So after about five and half hours of sleep I was up bright and early at 04:00 with the DW soon up to follow. The DMIL, who was staying over to watch the DD, saw us off and we ended up pulling out of the house around 04:40 to avoid the madness that is Atlanta traffic. We had to make a quick stop to fuel up first:
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We chose to avoid eating until we got through downtown because I didn’t want to risk getting caught in anything the ATL could conjure up. Soon we were on the south side and ready for some breakfast. We passed a sign for Truett’s grill, Chick-fil-A founder, and thought this sounded good, I love me some spicy chicken biscuit action! We took the exit and made our way to the grill only to find out that they didn’t open for breakfast until 06:00!! Alas, it was only 05:45 and I was on a mission to not waste time so we hopped back on I-75 and made our way south. We ended up dining at a Chick-fil-A in Macon only to learn that the spicy chicken biscuit has now become a regional item!! I pressed the server to make sure she knew what state we were still in and that the idea of a spicy chicken biscuit not being available in Truett’s home state was just plain nuts! So the DW and I settled for a pair of chicken biscuits but had the fortune that a Dunkin Donuts was right across the street so we were able to secure some good coffee for the trip.
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True story: I actually met Honey Boo Boo at this very Dunkin Donuts during the state wrestling tournament about three years ago. Now aren’t you jealous!!!
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We would only stop one more time for fuel and restroom access during our travels. We did, however, pass a most entertaining car fire as we entered into Florida. I felt a bit bad for the folks watching their car crisp up and even worse when we eventually passed the FD traveling north about 5 minutes later. What, amazingly, felt like a short seven-hour ride, we had arrived!
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We navigated our way from Western Way to MK’s main gate. Needless to say I was ready to get to the Poly. Here the DW nabbed a pic of me without knowing, it wouldn’t be the last she would get of me.
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Soon we were in the Poly’s lobby talking in the wonderful sights and smells.
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We made our way to the front desk to learn our room was not ready. We anticipated this and packed our bathing suits and some libations in a tote for an afternoon poolside before our early evening fastpasses. We made for our car and moved it to the DVC parking lot when we got the call…
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So after getting my sunrise pictures I made my way back to Cabanas to get our hot food for breakfast. By the time I got back to the room our room service had arrived.
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While we were enjoying our veranda breakfast the boat did a 180 and started to back into the Castaway dock.
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Still to come: Our journey to Serenity bay and starfish!
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So after another excellent breakfast on our veranda we made for the exit! As we made our way down we found ourselves mixed in with the Castaway 5k folks so we just disembarked with them. As soon as you get off the boat they have towel stations for you to grab beach towels. This year, thanks to Zika, there was also a repellant station
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Thoroughly covered I anti-Zika sauce we made our way towards the heart of Castaway
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Can’t come her and not take a pic of Mount Rustmore…
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After about a 10 minute walk we finally made it to the second tram corral, this was the one that takes you back and forth to Serenity bay. I think we may have been on the first tram heading that way and were only accompanied by a handful of guests and a few CMs. Its worth pointing out that the “road” the tram runs on is a landing strip!
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Want to know a sure way a husband can tick off his better half? Lean out of moving tram to take a selfie :eek:… someone was not happy.
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Still to come: Serenity bay, Patrick Star, and don't worry, I didn’t forget about the Castaway Cocktail…
 
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lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So we had finally arrived! The weather was still fantastic and the water, while initially felt a little chilly was not and in fact very comfortable. Can’t say enough about how nice it is to have a beach free from the madness of hundreds of little minions.
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After claiming some chairs we walked the beach to see what may have washed ashore before deciding to make our way into the water.
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I even found some space garbage along the way! Just kidding, it’s just regular garbage…:(
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During our last visit to Castaway I stumbled on a few massive starfish and was on a mission to find a few this trip. It didn’t take long before I found this little guy just off the sandbar.
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He was cute and all but I was on a mission for the “Money Starfish”. It took a little bit of looking then I struck starfish gold!

Still to come: Making it rain starfish, Serenity bay BBQ, and some Castaway Cocktails in the surf.
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So, as promised, I ventured the limits that the Castaway lifeguards would allow.
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It was in this area where things got fun. Lets all count the starfish together shall we?
Number 1:
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Number 2:
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Number 3: (he had some critters living on him!
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Number 4:
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Number 5:
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More to come!!
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Number 6:
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Number 7: (This guy was very much alive but damaged so I let him be )
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Number 8:
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Then we stumbled upon this guy. I’m pretty sure I thoroughly ticked him off trying to get the perfect picture…
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We wadded a bit longer really enjoying the water.
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On the way back to shore I spotted this near the coastline
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Still to come: Shoreline relaxation, lunch, and heading back to the boat.
 

mcstensrud

Well-Known Member
Really enjoying your cruise TR.
155 days for us cruise # 10 on the Magic this time!
That bottle you found on SBay reminds me that I told my hubby that's where I want my ashes scattered.;)
Maybe they were someone else's.
Still following along.
 

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Just contacted my growler guy, so we wil see! Have you tried the Ill have what she's having? That one looks good too.
Yes I have. Not something I normally drink, but it was good. I love the names Evil Genius has for their beer. Almost makes them a must try.
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
After a good hour+ of starfish hunting we decided to relax on the shore line until lunchtime. This may be one of our favorite “relaxation” activities. There is something oddly nice about sitting in the surf and just running your hands through the sand and seeing what little surprises you discover! Apparently this also acts an excellent exfoliator for rough hands, WINNING! So we moved some chairs down and just chilled for an hour or so sipping on….you guessed it, Castaway Cocktails!
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The crowd, if you want to call it that, was starting to pick up, nothing like the family beach madness.
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Still to come: Lunch, nap, and heading back to the boat.
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Soon it was hitting lunch time so we pulled our chairs up from the shoreline and made for the Serenity Bay BBQ spot. Here we would bump into Danny, from Palo, again. The BBQ offers a decent variety of salads, grilled meats, and desserts.
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A habit I picked up about two cruises ago was mixing the chocolate and banana soft serve, its pretty good!
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We made a little friend while enjoying lunch
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Then we had this little guy posing for us
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The Dream off in the distance
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So after lunch we made back for our beach chairs a little tuckered out so we relaxed under the umbrellas for a bit
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Had a little help with the relaxing too, CC for me and a conch cooler for Laura.
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So, we had an exciting morning, fantastic lunch, and plenty of libations. All of this naturally leads to being a little tired. Apparently I was a little more tired than I realized and aren’t you fortunate that I have a wife that decided to document that just for you….
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Still to come: Heading back to the Dream, Royal Palace, and smashing some music trivia!
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
After a lite nap… and a bit more swimming we made for the boat. The timing was spot on as there was a tram waiting for us as we approached the stop!
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We hopped off at the next stop to check out a few shops while we made the walk to the boat.
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We opted to hop on another tram for the final leg of the trip to the boat.
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One final selfie before boarding!
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Still to come: Coffee, music trivial dominance, and did he go full risky business?
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Those are some crazy starfish!!

Can't wait to hear about the music trivia. Love the DCL trivia contests.
Our music trivia dominance left some in sad disbelief.:D
I can't get over how bright and cheery that island looks with the crystal clear sky above, and manicured beach area. The little shops are pleasant, too.
The weather was absolutely beautiful and the island, like the boat, was prefect.
 

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