Trip Report What time is it? MICKEY TIME. August 2014

Is it entirely possible to have two extremely amazing Disney trips in a row? One would think the first trip’s fun and happiness could not be duplicated again…


Unfortunately, I am home. Real home. Not my Disney World bubble. Getting over this harsh reality is like a kick straight to the stomach, after eating a really gigantic meal. What is this life I live? Why am I not waking up on property? Oh the harsh truths we must face when exiting that bubble! Writing a trip report will help cure my Disney depression, it’s a statement I keep uttering to myself while I slowly grip the fact that my trip is OVER. WHAT?! Months of planning and excitement and poof! DONE. GONE. Is it time to go back yet? PLEASE?! Peeling the magicband off my wrist was painful.. PAINFUL I TELL YOU!!



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My name’s Nicole and I am a Disney freak. (I’m the girl on the left.) If there ever is a rehab program for people who are overly obsessed with Disney, you can bet some of my friends, my boyfriend, and my family would check me right in. I love the little mermaid, and change my favorite park depending on the day. I don’t know what my favorite ride is, some days it’s Soarin’, some days it’s Splash, sometimes it’s even Tower of Terror. Whatever is the last ride I’ve been on, that’s the one I will probably tell you. Ugh, I’m indecisive!


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For those who didn’t follow along on my pre-trip report, here’s a quick recap. I flew to Disney World August 17th, and stayed at the Wilderness Lodge until August 21st. The lovely people of WDWmagic convinced us to upgrade from Art of Animation since we had a pin code. From there it was off to Port Canaveral, for my first ever Disney cruise, let alone cruise. Had three nights on the Disney Dream, and then back to Orlando for a day at Downtown Disney. I came home late August 24th, which gave me 8 full days immersed in Disney. This trip was the second trip with my best friend; we went last July for 10 days and had a wonderful, unforgettable time. We knew Disney missed us. :)



Originally, we were supposed to go in June and stay at Art of Animation, then go on the Dream, but due to massive amounts of snowstorms in lovely New Jersey this past winter, we had to postpone to August. Now everyone was warning me about the heat, and let me just tell you all, YOU WERE RIGHT. It may have been the hottest, sweatiest (sorry!) trip of my life, but it was one that I will never forget.


Shall I begin?


It all started not too long ago, at the wee hours in the morning.


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I slept at my friend’s house so her parents could take us to the airport for our flight at 5:59 in the morning. We would be in Disney at 8:30 A.M. Who needs sleep?


Made it though security fairly quickly, and decided it was perfectly acceptable to eat our first meal of the day at 4:30 A.M.


First food picture of the trip! LOL.. and it’s in bags.. Big fail, Nicole.


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Probably not a good idea to drink iced coffee when you are aiming to sleep on the flight down, but with all that excitement I guess it didn’t matter! Do you guys remember the commercial with the little boy who says, “I’m too excited to sleep!” Yep, that’s me in a nutshell on Disney eve.


We took so long eating, we didn’t realize our plane had already boarded and as we were walking to the gate, we heard them announce the final boarding call. We booked it! Could you imagine if we missed our flight? Oh the horror! I don’t know why we didn’t realize that you’d need to be on the plane prior to 5:59 in order for it to take off. Hey, it was early. I’m using that excuse :)


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We made it on and were off! My friend slept for maybe 20 minutes, I didn’t sleep at all. Too much excitement! We read and chatted about what was yet to come.


We landed early (YESS!!!), and navigated our way like champs to the B side of the airport. Last year we got lost…this year we were pros. Haha.


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We scanned our matching pink magic bands at the magical express counter, saw that first mickey head light up green, and we’re off! It was time for our first Disney ride of the trip…a bus ride!


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Wilderness Lodge, get ready for us!!
 

Maggie Mae

Active Member
Oh man! your white water trip had me rollin'. We willing go tubin' in Texas (when there is enough water in the river) and enjoy the rapids... never crossed my mind that wouldn't be everyones cup of tea! but how fun... Atlantis is beautiful! can't wait to read more!
 

PolynesianPrincess

Well-Known Member
DOLPHINS.

I want to swim with them so bad, but then I've seen Blackfish and am all - don't support keeping big marine mammals in tanks. Except then I turn around and go DOLPHINS. I love them. Gah.

Also, you both have the best swimsuits. I'd love to know where your friend gets hers. We share a similar curve appeal.

Also, also, that breakfast. The donut, next to the hash browns, chilling by a waffle. I think I would explode. Some people can keep a lot of alcohol down - girl you can keep more food down than anyone I've ever seen.

Also, also, also: I pick my FP+ in two hours!!! My trip is finally closer, considering I started planning when you were writing last years trip report.

I just saw your countdown... We arrive in 58 days! Our trips overlap by a couple days!! lol
 

PolynesianPrincess

Well-Known Member
We did the dolphin swim at Blue Lagoon so it was cool to see how yours compared. Looks like it was just as fun! I think next time we're in Nassau, we're going to do the AquaVenture. Looks like so much fun!!

What's funny, both of our cruises we NEVER ordered room service! Not once! Something we need to change when we go in November! Mickey Bars and chocolate chip cookies all the live long day!! Those CCC's are the BEST!!!!

Your friend ordered the white chocolate fudge cheesecake at Animator's! ;) That's what I ordered in February for my dessert. So good! And the baked potato soup... I'm drooling right now thinking about it!! Good thing it's lunch time, though my lunch won't compare to the food on the Dream :(
 

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
You are cracking me up this morning with the not so lazy river ride. Like actual tears cracking up. I don't know much about Atlantis, never gave it much thought. But now I must go, looks like so much fun. I feel like Disney and Atlantis should pay you for your wonderful trip reporting. Can't wait to read more!

I'm glad I could make your morning, haha! The whole experience was a real crack up! :)

What a perfect day at Atlantis. You got some really good pictures of the resort. I would say that the lazy river was anything but lazy, did you ever find a real lazy river? Great pirate night outfits you guys are wearing for the party. Following along.

NO! We did not find the real lazy river! I have to check the website and see where it was! We are both pretty horrible at reading maps, so I think it was a lost cause. Just gives me reason to go back! :)

Another great installment. Here are a few of my favorite moments:

Holy cr*p....I was crying at all of these. Everyone take notice: This is what vacation photos should look like!

Everytime I'm on a lazy river at a water park, I'm always saying "why can't they have one of these with some serious speed and waves etc."

The closest we came was one at Aquatica last year. But this is more of what I was picturing in my head!!

That looked like SERIOUS FUN and as usual, your pics conveyed that perfectly. Even the ones portraying pure terror...;)

Thanks again for the laughs - As I said before keep bringing the fun and I'll keep following along.

I want to go to Aquatica! If you ever get to go back to the Atlantis, go on this rapid adventure! It's unlike any water park I've been to in America. And I'm from NJ where we used to have Action Park with a loop-de-loop water slide.. now that's saying something.

Glad you are still enjoying! It's hard to portray the fun in words!

Oh man! your white water trip had me rollin'. We willing go tubin' in Texas (when there is enough water in the river) and enjoy the rapids... never crossed my mind that wouldn't be everyones cup of tea! but how fun... Atlantis is beautiful! can't wait to read more!

It was fun, I must admit, but totally unexpected! I want to go tubing in Texas! I went tubing once in Lancaster, PA, and while we were coming down the river there was a group of cows in the water! It was pretty crazy! :)

We did the dolphin swim at Blue Lagoon so it was cool to see how yours compared. Looks like it was just as fun! I think next time we're in Nassau, we're going to do the AquaVenture. Looks like so much fun!!

What's funny, both of our cruises we NEVER ordered room service! Not once! Something we need to change when we go in November! Mickey Bars and chocolate chip cookies all the live long day!! Those CCC's are the BEST!!!!

Your friend ordered the white chocolate fudge cheesecake at Animator's! ;) That's what I ordered in February for my dessert. So good! And the baked potato soup... I'm drooling right now thinking about it!! Good thing it's lunch time, though my lunch won't compare to the food on the Dream :(

AHHH THE CHEESECAKE! That's what it was! Thank you!! :) You must order room service on your next cruise, it's so worth it! I wish we had a chance to order it more often! Three night cruises are TOO SHORT!


Atlantis also as one that shoots you around like a r
oller coaster .. I guess you missed that tub ride... and you didn't do the DROP ?
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No, but this looks awesome! We wandered around for a little because I wanted to find the slide that goes through the shark tank, but we couldn't find it! I could remember what it looked like from my Mary-Kate and Ashley movie, but I never found it! I must go back right now!!!

:)[/QUOTE]
 

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Where's the rum?!

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After we were all dolled up, it was time to go see the Villains Tonight broadway style show! It was phenomenal! The main host of the show was Hades, and after just watching Hercules, it was perfect! We got all into the singing, "Villains tonight, villains tonight, villains tonightttttttt" Now it's stuck in my head!

Hades was trying to gather villains to keep his position as ruler of the underworld, and we got to hear songs from Scar, Cruella De Vil, Ursula, and Captain Hook just to name a few! The dancing, the sets, and the special effects blew me away, yet again. I think my jaw might have been hanging open in awe the entire show. It was truly amazing!

Another great thing about the shows, is that they have two people doing American sign language on the one side of the stage. They were so enthusiastic throughout the entire hour long shows... I kept glancing over and watching in admiration.

We made our way down a few decks to the Enchanted Garden restaurant for dinner. Another resturant, and of course, the themeing was on point.

You feel like you are about to have a tea party with Tinkerbelle. It's so cute inside! I thought I was in a green house, not a cruise ship!

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I was brave this go around and ordered two appetizers! Tomato soup, and a wedge salad. Wedge salads get me every time. Every single time. Mmmm! And I hadn't eaten lettuce in so long, it tasted 100 times better than usual. Healthy food? Yes, that is my plate!

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For my main course I had the slow roasted prime rib with potatoes and vegetables. I asked for no horse raddish because I'm not a huge fan. Two thumbs up for this meal! It was delicious! I usually always order chicken everywhere I go, so I was excited to branch out and try things on the cruise. If you don't like it, you can just order another entree!

The cruise director told us at the theater to do at least one thing on board that you've never done before. He was so enthusiastic about having us try new dinners, or desserts, or dance moves. He was an awesome cruise director! And he was corny funny, which is something I love.. LOL!

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My friend had the chicken with sweet potatoes. She really enjoyed this meal! It looks so yummy in the photo, I love when the chicken skin is crispy. Why do I always put food photos in my report at 1 in the morning? I AM HUNGRY. I wish I could call up some room service right about now :)

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For dessert, I had the warm sticky date pudding. Our servers said this was their favorite, so I had to give it a try. Verdict? I agree with their choice! The hot and the cold and just so intense, put 'em together it just makes sense! :)

Warm butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream on the side, you can't go wrong. I may have licked my platter clean.

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My friend had the sampler, and she liked the cheesecake in the middle the best! I didn't get to try any because I was too busy getting every last crumb off my plate! It was funny, whenever dessert would come our whole table would be silent. We were all too busy stuffing our faces to talk! I don't know how I had room for dessert, but I'm so glad I managed! :)

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After dinner, it was time to kick off the party! We headed up the the main deck to find our friend Captain Jack Sparrow!

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Now, when Disney tells you there will be fireworks at 10 PM, they simply do not mean the fireworks will start at this time. What they actually mean to tell you, is that starting at 10 PM a story will unfold, which will lead up to the firework finale.

This is what makes me all ooey gooey and warm inside about my love for all things Disney. Disney doesn't do things halfway. They go all out. DETAILS. PLOT. CLIMAX. FINALE. There is a story behind everything. EVERYTHING. The Pirates music was pumping, Captain Jack was putting on a show, and everyone was on the edge of their..er... deck! Had the Dream really been invaded by pirates?

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And then, fireworks! It is such a surreal feeling, to look out over the deck and see nothing but dark sky and ocean and then to look above and see fireworks. You're in the middle of the freaking Atlantic, on a ship, watching a firework show that is a million times better than your local town's 4th of July fireworks. It's totally unfathomable. I could not believe my eyes.

I cannot put my feelings into words.

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The fireworks came to a close, and the ship's main deck transformed into a club! We danced the night away at Club Pirate!

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We were too busy busting a move, that we didn't get any pictures for the rest of the evening! :(

The DJ was blasting today's hits, pirates were out grooving with all of us guests, and we were clapping and dancing along. We may have shown those pirates a few NJ fist pumps! :) It was an unforgettable night. How many times do you get to dress up like a pirate on a cruise ship, and dance with hundreds of Disney lovers?! Everyone is there for a good time, everyone is happy, it is a perfect world. I never wanted this Dream to end.

And the best day hadn't even happened yet!


Lastly, a video from day 2! :)

 

stevehousse

Well-Known Member
What a hilarious adventure. And it's funny because as I was browsing the excursions on the Disney cruise website I found this package an instanly though it would be great for us! You totally reassured me that we will have to do it! 2016 can't come soon enough! I really think a cruise would be so fun and different!

Are u and ur girlfriend or boyfriend planning a trip to Disney again any time soon?
 

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
What a hilarious adventure. And it's funny because as I was browsing the excursions on the Disney cruise website I found this package an instanly though it would be great for us! You totally reassured me that we will have to do it! 2016 can't come soon enough! I really think a cruise would be so fun and different!

Are u and ur girlfriend or boyfriend planning a trip to Disney again any time soon?

You are going to have such a great time!! My friend may be going to disney world next summer with her family, so I am going to try and tag a long! We shall see if it happens, I don't want to jinx anything!

I am trying to convince my boyfriend to do the Alaskan Disney cruise next year.. I think this would be so cool! We are trying to see financially when we could do it, but it's on my list! I want something booked, I need to get myself back into Disney territory!! :)
 

mrdrift

Well-Known Member
The two of you are funny and crazy wrapped in one. Both of you know how to have a good time and it shows in your trip reports. The videos are really fantastic. This cruise ship vacation is like a dream and the adventures never stop. Following along.
 

DisSplash

Well-Known Member
Look at the paintbrush butter spreader they had.. DETAILS PEOPLE!!

I loved that detail so much, that I bought 2 of those paintbrush knives from the gift shop during our cruise last January!! My kids love to use them at home ...

Atlantis certainly was beautiful ... we only did the tour of Atlantis. My son was not impressed with the casino and all of the smoke in there, but the grounds were simply breathtaking and very much the picture of paradise! I ran into a woman who was staying there for three weeks and she never wanted her trip to end. Who does, when you are in "palm tree paradise," as my daughter calls it.

Loved your pirate costumes - you both looked like you had fun dressing up! I also love those food pics!! Soooo hungry right now ...
 

Mom@disney

Well-Known Member
Your pirates outfits are awesome! This cruise sounds amazing. My extended family are currently talking about booking a family trip to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary...I think I'm going to have to convince them on a Disney Cruise. Unlimited Mickey bars....I think so!
 

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