What Can Go Wrong on a Disney Vacation and Still Have Fun?

5thGenTexan · May 17, 2013

After our last cruise I wanted to try for a better spot to watch the Pirate show. So, I left my wife and Thing 2 in the cabin while I went off to get Thing 1 from the Club. We then headed up to get a quick drink form the beverage station and headed up to Deck 10 to stake out our spot. The Navigator showed things would get started at 9:45, but even though we were up looking for a spot at 9:15 it was a challenge. I told my wife we would be on Deck 10 starboard side, so I was kinda limited of where we could go. If I went to the other side it would have been iffy for her to EVER find us with all the people in the dark. I found a spot for us where I thought Thing 1 could see that was just in front of the rear "fake" funnel. The pre-pirate show started before my wife and Thing 2 came up.

Right about this time the rest of my people came up and things started to fill in. There was a guy close-by that was sitting on the deck right at the rail. It made it hard for the kids around to get close enough to be able to see over or through the railing. I guess there always has to be one... I did my best to help others out, we had enough space for my daughter and I was holding Thing 2 the entire time, so I let a couple of girls up to the rail where we were so they could see.

Soon some familiar faces began to show up and the music was cranking!!!

After several minutes of upbeat Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale action the night turned "dark" and other visitors stopped by... and took over the party

Mickey was poised to save the day!!!

I think there was more Pirate Party, but we decided to call it a night. Watching people dance around isn't our thing. Key West was the next day anyway, so we headed back to the cabin.

5thGenTexan · May 17, 2013

Our day in Key West started early with a 7:30 all ashore time. Before we left on the trip we didn't have anything planned for the day in Key West, but a day or so before we decided to book the Conch Train Tour that drives around Key West for a little over an hour showing the major sites of town. I think we were to meet in Diversions at 7:45 to meet and then head down to the train. It was really an awesome looking day. We were docked at the Navy Pier so we were told not to take pictures until they said it was ok. As soon as we were off the base I got a quick shot of the ship.

The Conch Train took us past many of the famous houses in town as well as major points of interest like...

the Key West chickens...

It was right about this time on our trip when I was taking a picture that my hat decided it was gonna stay in Key West Florida for awhile. The last time I saw it, it was hanging out in the middle of the street waving bye.

Our Conch Train...

By the time our trip on the train was over Thing 1 was lying in the seat nearly asleep and Thing 2 was getting really fidgety. They let us off right at the aquarium and we had talked about doing that a bit before we left... So that is what we did.

5thGenTexan · May 17, 2013

After we finished at the aquarium we went across the street to the Shipwreck Museum. I really enjoyed it and would have liked to have looked around more, but the kids no likey much...

What's in there???

I was gonna go up there, but not carrying 30 lbs o'boy

Mama and Thing 1 were shopping and I stepped out to call home to check on things and check on the ring. It still had not shown up.

It started to sprinkle and thunder a little bit while we were out walking around, so we went back inside to look at the touristy stuff. And saw him. I am not sure if he had an abnormal number of two as many in Key West do, but there he was...

The sprinkles turned to larger drops, the drops turned to a torrential downpour. We huddled up in the little mall there with everyone else in the area. I figured the rain was just a passing storm and would let up, but I was proven to be wrong. It just kept going and going and going. It was now about 10:45 and it looked like our day was gonna be washed out so we took a cue from others and purchased some ponchos. $5.95 thin crummy ponchos, but they kinda worked. I got one on Thing 1 by tieing up the arms and legs so she coud walk. Thing 2 went balistic. So, my wife and I both kinda got into ours. Mine was over my backpack with my camera so it didn't button up well. Out we headed to get in line for a bus to take up back to the ship. There we were all ponchoed up and me with my boy in t shirt and shorts getting absolutely soaked and crying. We finally got on a bus and were on our way... the driver stopped and asked a girl who was walking back where we had come from and asked if she needed to go to the ship. She said yes, so we fit her on the bus as well. Made her day I am sure. A couple of windows on our bus were stuck down so we had a blowing rain in the bus, but we were moving. Had to stop at the security station and fellers came on the bus to check our IDs all the while the hurricane was blowing through the bus. On we went to the ship and the driver tried to see through the fogged windshield. It was really an experience.

When it was time for us to get off the bus you could see the water blowing sideways across the dock. We had to get out in that, up the gangway and WAIT to go through the metal detectors on the ship. While holding my new hat, my wet slippery boy, and a folded up stroller I managed to get a buck tip out for the driver.. He deserved more, but that was what I could get to. After we got through security and into an elevator we headed back to the cabin to get out of our soaking clothes. Especially poor Thing 2. Once we were all dry I went up to Topsiders to get a couple of plates of shrimp, mac and cheese, etc to take back to the cabin. I then went BACK up to get some drinks and I picked up a burger and hot dog so that everyone would have a choice. After everyone had a full belly, naps were in order. I decided not to have a nap right then, but instead went out for a walk. It was on my walk that I heard the announcement that we would not be leaving at 1:00 since alot of people still had not made it back to the ship.

The Lighthouse..

I think it was around 2:00 when we started to pull away from the dock. It was a bit humerous as I was there on Deck 4 watching them pull lines. As we began to move, the 7 horns that play the first notes of "When You Wish Upon a Star" were played. Without missing a beat as the last note was played a loud clap of thunder boomed. Everyone out on deck was laughing.

One of those "Other" ships.

5thGenTexan · May 19, 2013

Last Day at Sea - AKA... the Saddest Day EVER!!! After our normal Topsiders breakfast we went down to the Oceaneer's Club for the only Open House of the week, for us anyway. Thing 2 enjoyed it, but at 2 1/2 he still lacks the good sense not to get hurt. The morning was also alot nicer than the previous day during the "hurricane"

Thing 1 at perhaps her most favorite thing on the whole trip.

When everyone was tired of playing in the club... i.e the boy was out of control and it was time to go, Thing 1 thought she wanted to head up and play in the pool for a bit.

Playing the pool did not last long. Like a large portion of the week there was a pretty strong breeze that was surprisingly cool at times. So back to the cabin to dry off and change clothes. Thing 1 and I then took a walk to look around a bit. Plus, I wanted to get some "mechanical" photos.

As far forward as guests can go. Anchor chains, ropes, etc..

5thGenTexan · May 19, 2013

After the pool and our walk it was getting close to time for lunch. For a seafood buffet with crablegs, claws, etc... This was our buffet line greeter.

Around lunch time things started getting foggy and bumpy again, but I didn't mind.

While out on the "porch" I saw that we had a visitor. The rare Carribbean "porch" snail.

Before our final dinner in Lumiere's we saw Mickey one last time in the Atrium.

Typically we have problems with Thing 2 making it all the way through dinner. Its just too long to sit without getting antsy. This trip he did pretty good, but this final night he was acting up and I decided we had just better leave. My wife and Thing 1 stayed for desert. I went to get an additional tip envelope so we could give Francesca, the server we had the Port Canaveral night, a little something extra and make sure DCL had a record. Then Thing 2 and I just milled around in the Atrium waiting for the girls.

I took a few pics of the Atriuim. I am really gonna miss this, but the images of the new Atrium look really nice.

Elevator glass

5thGenTexan · May 19, 2013

It seemed that dinner lasted forever, especially when we were just hanging out.

We watched the Baked Alaska "show" from the atrium.

After dinner was over we waited around a bit to see Minnie too.

Thing 2's first ever solo character photo.

Thing 1 got dropped off at the Club for one last visit and slide a few more times. We headed back to the cabin to change.

OK, at this point in the pictures doing the trip report I am getting a case of throat lump "itus" Dang it...

Anyway

We let Thing 1 play for an hour or so and I went to see if she was ready to leave. She saw me and came over and said she was tired. We checked out one last time and turned in her Mickey band and headed back to the cabin for a bath and get ready for bed. We had an early morning coming. I should note... luggage was supposed to be out in the halls between 8:00 and 10:00. We didn't bother as we had planned on doing the Express Debarkation.

After the kids were bathed and ready for bed I asked if Thing 1 if she wanted to see the characters one last time at the "Till We Meet Again" show in the Atrium. OK, it was ME that wanted to see everyone again one last time. I really have a hard time getting back to life after the cruise. Thing 1 put her shoes on with her Minnie Mouse nightgown and we headed out.

5thGenTexan · May 19, 2013

During the "Till We Meet Again" program they allowed about 15 or 20 minutes for one last one on one meeting with the characters. So we did as many as we could. It was a madhouse.

And with one final wave.. they were gone!

Thing 1 and I headed back to the cabin and were in bed shortly thereafter. We had a 6:30 wakeup call from Mickey planned and that was not long off. We live north of Dallas, so it was going to be a 5 hour drive or so home.

5thGenTexan · May 20, 2013

As I was saying...

This morning I woke up in Cabin 7406 on the Disney Magic at 6:30 am CDT on the last morning of our 8 day cruise. I went out to the Verandah (aka The Porch ) half expecting us to be docked and waiting to be cleared. To my surprise we were still moving along slowly preparing to do the 360 degree turn in the middle of Galveston Bay in order to get proper alignment to dock. Mickey was late with his wake-up call according to my watch so I didn't want to go outside just yet. He finally got around to calling at 6:32 am and I picked up and listened for a few seconds then hung up so that I could go out on the Porch to have a look around. It was a cool morning with an odor of petrochemicals wafting in the air....

After everyone woke up and we were dressed there were a few last minute items that needed to be stuffed in the luggage. Got Thing 2 in his stroller and pushed him out along with Thing 1 and three bags on rollers. We headed down to Deck 3 Midship for the last time and at aboout 7:15 or so people were already being allowed to disembark. We just kinda merged into the line, had our cards swiped for the last time and that was that. We were officially done with the cruise. There was a bit of a wait at the elevator since everyone at this time had ALL of thier luggage. Customs was a snap and we were out the door to find out bus. It was waiting right where they said they would be. The driver waited a few minutes, but we were the only people going his way just then.

Just a short 5 minute ride for us and our luggage to my truck. We were loaded and moving out just about 8:00 am. I know there are alot of people still on the ship going for one last breakfast, but as I mentioned earlier. We had about a 5 hour drive and I just wanted to get on the road.

One last pic of the ship before we get on the interstate.

We made it all of 4 miles and made a stop at a convenience store. My wife seemed to have caught a little cold on the ship and needed something for her nose. Also got a few drinks and snacks. Finally on the interstate and we were moving along really well until about 3 1/2 hours later. I see smoke over the hill and not long after traffic is stopping. We were parked on the interstate, engine off, wondering what has happened for about 40 minutes. After we finally got moving again we soon found out that a motorhome pulling a car must have been rear ended. The car that was being towed had been on fire and was totally burned out, but it didn't appear anyone was hurt. Not long after we all needed a pit stop, so we pulled into a nice rest area and did what we needed to do. On the road again till hunger was being discussed. We decided it was best to snack up again and keep on truckin' home. In the end, the trip was just under 6 hours.

Just in case you were thinking... What happened to the ring? Well, it was in the pile of mail. They folded a piece of cardboard around it and stapled the edges, then threw that in a normal #10 business envelope. My wife wasn't too happy about thier shipping method, but she did get her ring back and was happy about that.

And that is that, we had a few hiccups along the way but had a GREAT time. I don't know when we will get to go on another cruise or a trip to WDW as we are building a new home right now and Thing 1 is starting Kindergarten in September. So we will start having to work around school schedules.

BTW... This was my favorite pic.

ChuckElias · May 20, 2013

Your pictures of the kids with the characters are priceless!!

Patrick_Ears · May 20, 2013

Dad, that was awesome my friend!!

sam_disney · May 20, 2013

loved your report x

Sumrdog · May 20, 2013

Loved your report! So sad it's over...It was really interesting to read that same itinerary from another's perspective. We didn't do nearly enough character M&G's, you guys got a ton! And the pictures of the mechanical area on Deck 4 forward that you took are awesome, I think I took the exact same ones..."Great Minds" as the say. Sorry you got rained out of your Key West day, I wish we had gotten to do more that day as well. The pool on your cruise didn't look nearly as crowded as ours. I guess we were traveling at the height of spring break and that might explain it.

I think you will really appreciate the next time you go, when your little one is older. Our youngest is 5 now and meals were a lot easier, I wouldn't go so far as to say pleasant. There were still moments when he would get antsy and a little whiney, but for the most part he was happy coloring and sitting through dinner. Our ten year old has been an angel since day one and has always made it through meals like a trooper, I am not sure if that's because she is a girl or not.

farrellbarrel · May 21, 2013

Your children are adorable!

oogravyoo · May 22, 2013

Excellent trip report. Thanks for sharing.

What Can Go Wrong on a Disney Vacation and Still Have Fun?

5thGenTexan

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5thGenTexan

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5thGenTexan

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5thGenTexan

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5thGenTexan

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5thGenTexan

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5thGenTexan

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5thGenTexan

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sam_disney

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Sumrdog

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oogravyoo

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