When You Wish Upon A Star...POOF your teens vanish!

sam_disney · Feb 7, 2013

:-( Im sad this is over!! Looks like a fantastic trip- have you booked for your next?

I think your boys were fantastic with the gifts and the notes

that made me cry! x

Gojira ゴジラ · Feb 7, 2013

Whoaa finally read the whole report. Impressive

I did not have a chance to say thank you for highly recommending me the scuba diving in the Castaway Cay, as your picture shows it was a breathtaking scene. Never before in our life we swam with fish.. yes I don't swim that much nor I go to a beach that often, but that experience alone is definitely worth the trip.

But great report overall sweetpee

DAKOTADISNEY · Feb 7, 2013

Sweetpee I love your trip reports! Thank you for all of the detail and pictures. My family and I loved our cruise to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay on the Dream so much that of course we want to go on another one. Since you've been on quite a few cruises what ports are your favorites and why?

CinderellyKelly · Feb 7, 2013

Mehhhhhh I'm so sad it's over

You need to go on another trip ASAP so I can live vicariously through you!

fractal · Feb 7, 2013

Another great report Kelly! As a fellow parent of teenagers I must compliment you on your boys' behavior. Good parenting by you and Tracey!

Man, your last couple of posts had me feeling like I was ending a trip. I do hate that anxiety of going back to the "real world".

A 20 minute drive from the port has got to be sweet though. A long flight or drive back home generally sucks.

I hope you have another awesome time on your next cruise!

sweetpee_1993 · Feb 7, 2013

Disneyfalcon said:
Lol! Stephen read through my tips to proofread a few months ago and when he saw that one, he said "Why don't we ever do that one?" Lol!!

I know, right??? I'm always the one who gets down to it and think "I want variety to choose from so I don't care if I overpack!" But then I get frustrated with myself for doing it. Crazy. You shoulda heard Tracey when packing up at the end of this last cruise: "Next time I'm bringing 1 pair of khakis, 2 polos, 2 shorts, & 2 tshirts. Flip flops and casual shoes. No more." I guess he knows where the laundry rooms are, huh?

Get this! I thought of this new angle to work! I can tell Tracey I'm buying up all these cute Lilly dresses so I can fold them and pack them in my regular luggage. I wouldn't even need a bunch of shoes. They'll all coordinate with one pair of cute strappy sandals. Less shoes! No need for a garment bag. Cutting down on the luggage. This is why I need to buy more Lilly! It's genius!!!

Disneyfalcon said:
Lol! Had to jump in!! I think of Gordon Ramsey every time I have Beef Wellington or Risotto!!

LOL! Yep!

Disneyfalcon said:
I just watched the video! So fun! And ewwww!!! He's a beast!

I know! There was another video I saw but I wasn't about to post it here. Brian's friend, Carter, also did the salsa challenge but he...uh...deposited it back into the cup immediately which was sooooo gross...but funny, too! I wish I could go to Vibe and play Rock Band with the kids. That would be so stinkin' awesome. I love to play Rock Band!

sweetpee_1993 · Feb 7, 2013

Kristia said:
I know there was lots of stuff I wanted to comment on, but one of the last things that I read was about the Beef Wellington! Haha! Hell's Kitchen is one of our favorite shows. When we were on our cruise Dan had to have that and the risotto because of that show! He said Chef Ramsey would have approved of his meal as it was awesome!! That menu on the last night is great! Did that make it into your suitcase?

We have our 20th anniversary in 2015. Dan wanted to just go to the parks and kind of recreate our honeymoon trip, but I think I have him talked into doing a park trip and a cruise trip combo. I have to start saving my pennies for that one!

Nope. I think I still have the menu from our last Magic cruise somewhere around here. LOL!

Woot for 20th anniversaries! Yeah, some of us got married young but we've gone the distance, right? Yay us! I'm voting for the cruise for y'all!

sweetpee_1993 · Feb 7, 2013

Pooh'sBuddy said:
(Oh, I hope I remember all the comments I want to make.)

Also, I think your sons' choices of friends shows alot about them, which also shows what a great job you've done raising them.

That mixology class seemed really blah! Not like your last, practically private class. That would be great if they gave you a syllabus or something in advance. But the drinks looked pretty.

That's too bad the couple you met had a bad experience. I do think it's a little on them for not keeping an eye out for discounts and calling their friend on it, but you'd think DCL would have staffed better fully knowing how many kids were booked. I would have been verbally informing somebody of this lapse of judgment.

EDIT: No, I didn't.

Oh, that 80s/90s trivia contest looks fun! I guess I think I know alot about that era of music, but I have no clue who sang "Video Killed the Radio Star." I just remember it was the first video MTV showed. Some of your notes are hilarious! I can't make out the very top, but I laughed at your 'this song blows' comment.

And those pics do look creepy.

Yes! Definitely gotta give the boys kudos for choosing the right friends. They don't really hold back when they talk about various kids. Like I'd see a teenager and be like, "Who's that? Are you friends with them? Why not?" Then I hear how that girl is too gossipy or that guy is a jerk to people or that person is too clique-y. Oooooh...eventually I get the scoop on all the kids. But, on the flip side, I also remind them not to make snap judgements and write people off. Good people do dumb stuff sometimes just like dumb people do good stuff sometimes. Give people a chance. After all, would you really want to be judged by one of your own "off" moments?

Yeah, mixology kinda stunk this time compared to last time. I was sorta aggravated about it but what can ya do. Either way, $15 for that many cocktails is a bargain. It's all in the perspective.

I think that other couple, the lady, expected the TA to "be a friend" and save them money if the option arrose. I know I'd probably raise an eyebrow if my "friend" didn't have my back which I think was where she was coming from. I mentioned that KK's agents stay on the discounts and save money for clients when possible. I'm not sure what the deal with the kids club was. I didn't hear other complaints from other passengers. Could've been their kids. I can honestly say, tho, there was a TON of kids on this cruise. Waaaaay more than we'd ever experienced before.

The music trivia was great. Lots of fun made better with a cocktail or two. Totally don't know what I was thinkin' with 'Video Killed the Radio Star"! That was by the Buggles, not Devo. I knew it was one of those really weird theatrical-ish groups from the origins of MTV. The clip was so short and sounded very beep-y which is why I thought of that. The actual song was "Mr. Roboto" by Styx. Ugh...I was little then so I guess it's not the end of the world. LOL! "This song blows" comment also included "as does the artist". What song was that one? Creed's "Higher". Creed is so incredibly annoying to me. Can't stand them! The Rick James song was tricky! The clip from "Super Freak" that was played everyone automatically thought "You Can't Touch This". Heck, I wrote it down, too. But then I thought about it and it sounded off to me. I knew the sampled song used by Hammer came from Rick James but couldn't recall the song title. I changed to Rick James but left the title out. Better to score 1 for the artist vs. nothing for artist and title wrong. I totally impressed myself with Biz Markie and Billy Ocean. Is that sad? LOL!

sam_disney said:
:-( Im sad this is over!! Looks like a fantastic trip- have you booked for your next?

I think your boys were fantastic with the gifts and the notes that made me cry! x

It was an amaaaaaazing trip! Of course we have the next booked! It's been booked since last February, long before we booked the cruise we just took. LOL! Going on the Disney Fantasy on the Western Caribbean itinerary on May 25th with my big brother, obrienIII/Jerry, and his 2 girls. My brother & nieces, Sydney & Sarah, are in the 5/09 trip report in my signature. This will be my brother's first Disney cruise (he did a Carnival booze cruise in college) and my nieces' first cruise ever. The girls will give us the total stair-step effect on the ages: 14 (Sarah), 15 (Brian), 16 (Sydney), and 17 (Chandler). We're so jacked! Can't wait!

I loved our gifts from the boys. The notes were the best. Just the thought and effort involved means so much. They're such good boys.

EpicMickey said:
Whoaa finally read the whole report. Impressive I did not have a chance to say thank you for highly recommending me the scuba diving in the Castaway Cay, as your picture shows it was a breathtaking scene. Never before in our life we swam with fish.. yes I don't swim that much nor I go to a beach that often, but that experience alone is definitely worth the trip.

But great report overall sweetpee

Awww...you're welcome. We love snorkeling at Castaway, too. I love to swim but don't get to do near as much of it as I like to. Now that the boys are older I almost think I could enjoy it again now that the boys are older and I don't feel the need to watch them like a hawk. LOL!

So glad you enjoyed the journey with us. It was such fun!

DAKOTADISNEY said:
Sweetpee I love your trip reports! Thank you for all of the detail and pictures. My family and I loved our cruise to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay on the Dream so much that of course we want to go on another one. Since you've been on quite a few cruises what ports are your favorites and why?

Thank YOU! I've sailed 4 times now but haven't been to that many ports. What we've done has been fairly repetitive, actually. As of right now we've only been to: Nassau, Castaway Cay, Key West, and Port Canaveral/WDW. Castaway Cay is the favorite, hands-down. It's such an idealistic paradise. The details in all the little things you don't normally pay attention to like a sign for a bathroom or the walls inside a walk-up bar are so complete and amazing. Nothing is missed here in theme, show, service, substance, and quality. It's like the closest thing to perfection I've yet experienced from Disney. I realize the only way you're getting to Castaway Cay is if you sail with Mickey so if you remove that port from the choices my next favorite would be Key West. Key West is really amazing in a quirky, culture-all-their-own way. Key West has a pulse, a taste, a feel that is unique. Because it's quirky and different, it appeals to me a LOT. I've always known I was a few steps off center in terms of "normal" so being in a place I feel is like me really touches a chord deep down. Love Key West. They need bumper stickers like Austin, TX has: Keep Key West Weird. LOL!

CinderellyKelly said:
Mehhhhhh I'm so sad it's over

You need to go on another trip ASAP so I can live vicariously through you!

I'm sad it's over, too. Like I tell the boys: If the cruise never ended we'd never get to have the awesome-ness of embarkation day again. One has to end for the next to begin. Right? Next trip? 107 days. Not that I'm counting.

fractal said:
Another great report Kelly! As a fellow parent of teenagers I must compliment you on your boys' behavior. Good parenting by you and Tracey!

Man, your last couple of posts had me feeling like I was ending a trip. I do hate that anxiety of going back to the "real world".

A 20 minute drive from the port has got to be sweet though. A long flight or drive back home generally sucks.

I hope you have another awesome time on your next cruise!

Thanks, Chris! I've not been an overly "successful" person in the terms most people think but I'm okay with that as long as I do okay with the family thing. Being a good wife and mother is the ultimate challenge for me. I'm shooting for better than average at best. LOL!

The drive was sweet in terms of convenience. It's a double-edge sword, though. The travel time home be it by car or plane acts as a buffer in a way. You have a little more time to come down off the cruise high in degrees. Packing up stinks. Walking off the ship feels like you've kicked your dog. The travel home is time to get your brain off the ship and geared-up for the return to your everyday life. When it all happens so fast...bam bam BAM...there's no time to adjust. Tracey left for work and I sat on the floor with all those suitcases with a total numb feeling for a bit. I unpacked all the clothes and started the wash but it felt like an out of body experience. I went thru the motions because he was working so I thought I should, too. My heart and my all my thoughts were still on the ship, for sure!

The next cruise being so close definitely takes the edge off. I'm sure we'll have a ball. We'll have an aft verandah (biiiiig verandah that looks straight off the back of the ship) which I'm really looking forward to!

heatherkatheleen · Feb 7, 2013

sweetpee_1993 said:
I'll get in touch with ya. I've got a few Disney Dooneys (amoungst other things) I don't use anymore I'm looking to sell and I hate eBay. Between the listing fees, final value fees, then fees to take payment via PayPal you aren't left with much of anything. And they charge final value fees on shipping. WTH?!?! Then if you have any sort of bad experience with a flaky buyer (which has happened to me several times) eBay's policies totally favor the buyer from the get-go. It's just not worth selling there if I can avoid it. Ya know?

I totally understand! Ebay is not worth it AT all and I've had bad experiences with buyers too. Definitely get in touch with me though. I may be interested in a Disney Dooney.... (and anything else you may want to get off your hands!

)

5thGenTexan · Feb 7, 2013

I definitely had the lump in my throat feeling on the last few entries of your trip report. I can be such a big boy baby sometimes.

Disneyfalcon · Feb 7, 2013

sweetpee_1993 said:
I know, right??? I'm always the one who gets down to it and think "I want variety to choose from so I don't care if I overpack!" But then I get frustrated with myself for doing it. Crazy. You shoulda heard Tracey when packing up at the end of this last cruise: "Next time I'm bringing 1 pair of khakis, 2 polos, 2 shorts, & 2 tshirts. Flip flops and casual shoes. No more." I guess he knows where the laundry rooms are, huh?

Get this! I thought of this new angle to work! I can tell Tracey I'm buying up all these cute Lilly dresses so I can fold them and pack them in my regular luggage. I wouldn't even need a bunch of shoes. They'll all coordinate with one pair of cute strappy sandals. Less shoes! No need for a garment bag. Cutting down on the luggage. This is why I need to buy more Lilly! It's genius!!!

I know! There was another video I saw but I wasn't about to post it here. Brian's friend, Carter, also did the salsa challenge but he...uh...deposited it back into the cup immediately which was sooooo gross...but funny, too! I wish I could go to Vibe and play Rock Band with the kids. That would be so stinkin' awesome. I love to play Rock Band!

Good idea! More clothes from Lilly will actually make Tracey happy!! LOL!

I would love to hang out in the teen club. Although I do not want to do the salsa challenge!

PolynesianPrincess · Feb 7, 2013

OK, I hope I remember all my comments... so here goes!!

LOVE the dress you got in Key WEst!! So adorable!!

Key West is so pretty!! I'm moving to Florida at the end of the year (hopefully) and one thing I want to do is a weekend in Key West. I have some family in Miami so I could visit them, too. Your pictures from KW are awesome!! And i would DEF be down to try "Better Than Sex"!! The menu looks delish!!

I definitely shed a little tear reading the letters your boys wrote you

I know I've said this before but your boys are absolutely awesome!! They are such gentleman. And they seem like they have such fun, easy going personalities. I think the 4 of you would be a blast to vacation with.

I want to do a mixology class on our cruise if they offer one. I love pretty much all those drinks y'all made, especially the mojito. Those are my fav!! MMMmmmmm... good!!

Debarkation day also made me tear up. The last night/day of a vacation is bittersweet. the worst is waking up at one of the Disney resorts to see the Magical Express envelope on your door. I mean, you still have one full day to enjoy and they sour it in the morning with your bus time. UGH

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!! Your trip reports are da bomb!

joanna71985 · Feb 7, 2013

Aw, sad the TR is over! But looking forward to the next one

Tidbit · Feb 8, 2013

Bloody Hell......it's RAW!! Hell's Kitchen is AWESOME! Really sad to see that your hunny had to go STRAIGHT to work! Man that sucks, but SOMEONE has to pay for your next shopping spree in Key West! LOL! Great report!!.....oh and 'Holla when you hit P'cola!

sweetpee_1993 · Feb 8, 2013

heatherkatheleen said:
I totally understand! Ebay is not worth it AT all and I've had bad experiences with buyers too. Definitely get in touch with me though. I may be interested in a Disney Dooney.... (and anything else you may want to get off your hands!)

Okay! I'm surprised at how much interest I've had just mentioning that I want to unload some of my Dooneys that I don't use anymore. I posted a few in the "classifieds" section of the Cabbage Patch forum/club I belong to and had ZERO bites. There's a lot of Disney fans within the cabbage community, even a few CMs. Who knew?

I've got at least 1 box maybe even 2 in storage of picture frames bought at WDW that I've never even taken out of their original boxes. I bought them with the intent to print out pictures from each trip and display them but never got around to it. At this point I may just start doing photo books from Picaboo or something and get rid of the frames. We've done so many trips now. I don't have the shelf space to put all those frames if I did fill them.

5thGenTexan said:
I definitely had the lump in my throat feeling on the last few entries of your trip report. I can be such a big boy baby sometimes.

Oh I know. It's emotional just thinking about that last day. Leaving is so depressing but it's gotta happen to get to the next adventure, right?

Disneyfalcon said:
Good idea! More clothes from Lilly will actually make Tracey happy!! LOL!

I would love to hang out in the teen club. Although I do not want to do the salsa challenge!

Last night on our way in from running Tracey said, "I saw your comment to Tammy about buying more Lilly dresses to cut down the packing. That was cute. I'm onto you, though." LOL!

I think I could do the salsa challenge if I've had a few drinks...which I couldn't do in a teens club...LOL!

BTW, both Tracey & Jerry have now commented on how we really do sound like lushes in my trip reports now. Seriously, we generally don't drink at home or in our every day lives. It's part of the lettin' our hair down on the cruises. It's weird!

derelicte19 said:
OK, I hope I remember all my comments... so here goes!!

LOVE the dress you got in Key WEst!! So adorable!! Key West is so pretty!! I'm moving to Florida at the end of the year (hopefully) and one thing I want to do is a weekend in Key West. I have some family in Miami so I could visit them, too. Your pictures from KW are awesome!! And i would DEF be down to try "Better Than Sex"!! The menu looks delish!!

I definitely shed a little tear reading the letters your boys wrote you I know I've said this before but your boys are absolutely awesome!! They are such gentleman. And they seem like they have such fun, easy going personalities. I think the 4 of you would be a blast to vacation with.

I want to do a mixology class on our cruise if they offer one. I love pretty much all those drinks y'all made, especially the mojito. Those are my fav!! MMMmmmmm... good!!

Debarkation day also made me tear up. The last night/day of a vacation is bittersweet. the worst is waking up at one of the Disney resorts to see the Magical Express envelope on your door. I mean, you still have one full day to enjoy and they sour it in the morning with your bus time. UGH

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!! Your trip reports are da bomb!

I love my new Lilly dress. I'm hoping to wear it for my big surprise on Valentines Day. Tracey said I have to dress up!

Love Key West, too. I wish I could capture it better in pictures. I want to go back for a dedicated trip sooooo bad! Maybe I could throw that out as an option for our anniversary vs. west to Disneyland. Hhmmmm...

I think maybe we'd come off as a bit of a shock to vacation with. Like I can tell my nieces when they were younger weren't sure what to make of us. Tracey and I constantly sound like we're fussing at each other but it's more like fun bantering to us. It's our little dynamic of sorts. But, yeah, I could see us being fun 'specially when Tracey has a drink or two and gets real laid back. Jerry would know what it's like. We must not be too terrible if he's willing to spend so much to cruise with us on the Fantasy this May.

Last day on the cruise sucks when you wake up and you don't have a Navigator, just a customs form. Yuck! Definitely identifying!

I'm definitely doing mixology on the girls cruise, too! Tell me, is it standard for a mojito to taste like water and citrus? I couldn't taste the rum at all. I think I'd like it better with a little sambuca or something to give it some sweet. I have an insatiable sweet tooth. Everything has to be sweet.

The mojito we had in mixology is the only plain old mojito I've ever had and I don't know if it was just not a good one or what. The mojito I had on Castaway was a melon mojito so it had the midori in it to sweeten the deal. That's it as far as my experience with mojitos.

Thanks for coming along on the adventure with us and thanks for the kind words about my reports. I love to write them and, aparently, my old man & big brother at the very least love to read them. My niece, Sydney, has also started getting addicted to TR reading from what Jerry says. I wonder how she feels about costarring in another of my reports this year!!! I hope the girls won't mind! LOL!

joanna71985 said:
Aw, sad the TR is over! But looking forward to the next one

The next one will be in June just in time for my birthday! Woot!

Tidbit said:
Bloody Hell......it's RAW!! Hell's Kitchen is AWESOME! Really sad to see that your hunny had to go STRAIGHT to work! Man that sucks, but SOMEONE has to pay for your next shopping spree in Key West! LOL! Great report!!.....oh and 'Holla when you hit P'cola!

"Bloody hell!" I love that term especially when a Brit says it. It like proper swearing. Sure makes the filth that falls out of my mouth sometimes sound trashier. LOL! Yeah, he had to go (literally) straight to work but it starts the wheels turning towards the next one...and the one after that...and the one after that...and...

Definitely will give ya a holla when we hit Pcola!

Disneyfalcon · Feb 8, 2013

sweetpee_1993 said:
Last night on our way in from running Tracey said, "I saw your comment to Tammy about buying more Lilly dresses to cut down the packing. That was cute. I'm onto you, though." LOL!

I think I could do the salsa challenge if I've had a few drinks...which I couldn't do in a teens club...LOL!

BTW, both Tracey & Jerry have now commented on how we really do sound like lushes in my trip reports now. Seriously, we generally don't drink at home or in our every day lives. It's part of the lettin' our hair down on the cruises. It's weird!

Oh snap. Tracey found the trip report. Lol

I don't assume you are a lush. I figured it was a vacation thing.

sweetpee_1993 · Feb 8, 2013

Disneyfalcon said:
Oh snap. Tracey found the trip report. Lol

I don't assume you are a lush. I figured it was a vacation thing.

Definitely a vacation thing and so glad you don't think I'm a total lush. Really, I'm not. And I'm always functioning fine...just a little extra giggly and talkative a bit of the time on vacation...

Tracey followed this TR as I posted it! A few times he asked, "When will you have the next installment up?" Yesterday he asked me for links to all the old reports, too. Maybe this means I won't catch as much flack for stopping to take pictures so much, taking pics of food when we eat, etc. Maybe I can be a little less rushed when catching up my notes... Wishful thinking! LOL!

heatherkatheleen · Feb 8, 2013

sweetpee_1993 said:
Okay! I'm surprised at how much interest I've had just mentioning that I want to unload some of my Dooneys that I don't use anymore. I posted a few in the "classifieds" section of the Cabbage Patch forum/club I belong to and had ZERO bites. There's a lot of Disney fans within the cabbage community, even a few CMs. Who knew?

Everyone loves a Disney Dooney! Lol! I like to use them as totes in the summer & of course tote them when I'm in the parks. I take whatever opportunities I can to snatch them up when I find a pattern I like... I'm sort of picky (like every woman!)

PolynesianPrincess · Feb 8, 2013

Mojitos should definitely taste more than water and citrus. You can taste the mint leaves a little and then a little of the sugar and a little of the citrus. It's all a little mix of each and it's so good!! Buffalo Wild Wings has a really yummy black cherry mojito and I always get it whenever we go there. I think there is a technique to making a good mojito. Everything has to be just right!!

sweetpee_1993 · Feb 8, 2013

heatherkatheleen said:
Everyone loves a Disney Dooney! Lol! I like to use them as totes in the summer & of course tote them when I'm in the parks. I take whatever opportunities I can to snatch them up when I find a pattern I like... I'm sort of picky (like every woman!)

Oh yes! I've been addicted to the Disney Dooneys from day 1! I don't buy the little cross body types because I only use a small bag like that when I'm traveling. If I'm traveling I'm worried the bag will get dirty so I stick with the ones I make and can throw in the wash after I get home. I guess for everyday life us old "bags" need a bigger bag because we tend to carry around a little of everything...just in case... LOL!

derelicte19 said:
Mojitos should definitely taste more than water and citrus. You can taste the mint leaves a little and then a little of the sugar and a little of the citrus. It's all a little mix of each and it's so good!! Buffalo Wild Wings has a really yummy black cherry mojito and I always get it whenever we go there. I think there is a technique to making a good mojito. Everything has to be just right!!

That's what I was thinking! I thought maybe they dumbed-down the ones we made to keep it simple. Now I'm curious about a proper mojito. I bet I wouldn't have any problem getting Chandler to go with me to the nearest Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch sometime. I can sip mojitos, he eat wings, then he can drive me home. Gots to love having an underage driver in the brood. He's like my built-in designated driver! LOL!

When You Wish Upon A Star...POOF your teens vanish!

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member