Oh the Places We Go, The People We See Updated 11/03/2013 - Page 18 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Sorry you did not get much rest before the cruise. The hotel is very nice. Your girls look cute in the matching outfits. Abby acts like my teen age grand daughters. Almost never a happy face for pictures. At least you were able to catch them. Mine used to be a duck and cover every time a camera was pointed their way. Can hardly wait to read the rest of your story.
I'm glad you got the luggage issue all sorted. I can imagine what was going through your mom's mind. I love how the girls are dressed in the same outfits, too cute!
It was a crazy morning!
The girls were so cute and so happy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cinderbrella
Oh my!! Your poor Mother!! I'm so glad that they were able to get her suitcase so easily. ResidenceInn looks very nice!! The girls look adorable in their matching outfits! Your group shirt looks really cool, too. Looking forward to your first day aboard!!
The residence inn is pretty nice. It works well for what we need it for and the free breakfast is a bonus!
We had fun with our group shirts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Oh wow, thank goodness you were able to get the luggage sorted out! We've always packed that way, with each case having some of each of our stuff, just in case we lose one...
Yes, I think Dad would not have had a very nice trip if the suitcase was not found. I really think packing that way is the way to go now, especially after that happened.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
I'm glad the luggage situation got sorted out!! What a nightmare.
It was a hectic that morning, but it all worked out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
What a mess with your mom's bag. They're not kidding when they tell you to check your bag carefully at baggage claim. Glad the problem was solved. The girls look so great in their outfits and all the kids look like they're having a great time together. I love the photo of Jude dancing to his own music! Very handy to have a pediatrician in your group.
Yes, You can bet my Mom will double check every bag from now on.
The kids were having a ball that morning. Everyone was full of excitement.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Oh my goodness, what a scare that must have been with the luggage mix-up! Thank goodness it was straightened out relatively easily.
I am glad I was there with them, as for one, Dad would've been murdered ...but also as I was able to help find info to try and find out what to do. My mom was just shaking.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
Sorry you did not get much rest before the cruise. The hotel is very nice. Your girls look cute in the matching outfits. Abby acts like my teen age grand daughters. Almost never a happy face for pictures. At least you were able to catch them. Mine used to be a duck and cover every time a camera was pointed their way. Can hardly wait to read the rest of your story.
It seems to be a tradition to not sleep ther night before I board the Dream. LOL
Abby is something else. Very stubborn and oh so cute!
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Our bus driver was very friendly. The ride is very short over to the port and she announced where to go and how to find our shuttle once we got back. And soon enough we were all gasping at our view!
She’s just so beautiful and when you pull in and see her you can just see how HUGE she is.
Parking lot shot.
Soon enough we were stopped and getting off the bus and waiting for the luggage to unload.
A shot of the terminal.
And finally we were off to get in line.
We had to stop here and show ID’s.
Aunt Mary and Geoff were right behind Claire and I.
Claire and I made it through and then started walking. After a bit we noticed that Aunt Mary and Geoff and the rest of the gang was still held up. Claire and I kept going, figuring they would catch up with us shortly.
We looked back again before entering the building and they were coming, but as they reached a set of stairs they turned and went up them. I guess this is another entrance and the CM had directed them to go that way. Claire was a little worried we wouldn’t find them again, but I assured her we would all end up in the same place.
We went through security and made our way towards check in.
It was very fast and easy. We got boarding pass number 6 and they were already boarding! You don’t know how bad I just wanted to leave the family behind in the dust and run onto the ship! But we still had to wait for the rest of the family who still had not shown up.
I think at one point I texted Geoff who said they were just going through security. When they did arrive, Mom scolded me for going off on our own ahead of everyone.
While they all got in line, I took a few pictures.
Abby had spotted Mickey and Gail had prepared her for so long about this trip and she just kept saying “I want to see Mickey MOOOOOWSE!”
Soon Mom and Dad were at the check in desk. They could use the castaway club check in line since Mom has sailed Disney before.
I kept eyeing the ears doorway. I was so ready to make the mad dash there and get on the ship!
While waiting, I took a picture of my cards.
Claire is patiently waiting.
Gail’s family was the last to get checked in and once she arrived we made our way to the ship.
Abby was not so happy about this. She still wanted to see Mickey MOOWSE! I started to laugh and say how cruel we were. After all we had prepared her for this for a year and got her excited about meeting characters and then the first one she sees we say she can’t.
We made our way on the gangway towards the ship. I was so excited. This was my 2nd time sailing the Dream, but my 3rd time being on her. I was lucky enough to take a ship tour of her in Aug. of 2011.
And we stopped for a group picture, which surprisingly went well for as many people as we had. They took like 3 or 4, but only one actually showed up on the CD my sister bought.
Notice our matching shirts. This was actually my Mom’s idea. When we sailed in March 2011 I had bought us matching shirts for our boarding day. Mom said she would wear it, but didn’t seem overly excited about it. I guess she liked it, as she was excited to have us all wear them on this day. She then bought the girls their matching outfits to wear and I had the headbands made (which Abby refused to wear). Some of our family members who did not sail with us and were still back home were mortified that we were doing such a thing. LOL!
Time to board the ship! Come on you slow poke family! Let’s get a move on!
Needless to say, Claire and I were the first ones to board.
Next came Gail’s family.
And Vicki and Pete were behind them.
Mary and Geoff and Mom and Dad were slowly making their way on as well.
And finally Katie’s family made their way on as well.
This one cracks me up with this lady looking right at my camera.
We oohed and ahhed over the atrium. It is just gorgeous! I believe they suggested we head to Enchanted Garden to eat. I said I wanted to go to Cabanas, and Mom did too.
We spotted Donald doing a meet and greet a floor up and Abby got anxious again. We decided we would head up there and see him and the rest of the family was going to make their way towards Cabanas.
The line wasn’t long at all. Mom sat off to the side with our carry ons.
And then it was announced that Donald had to take a break! I could see Gail’s eyes panic. But they announced someone else would be out shortly! Thanks goodness. We HAD to get Abby to a character or there could be a meltdown.
The girls are waiting patiently.
And I took a few shots while we waited.
And then we saw him!
Pluto was coming!!!!
The wait for Pluto was not bad at all and soon Gail’s girls were meeting him. I have given both girls autograph books last Christmas. Gail says she had no clue where she put them and search and searched, so at this point they didn’t have any. They planned to buy one when the shops opened.
Abby was not scared at all.
Then it was our turn. I handed my camera to Gail and went up towards Pluto. No I am not telling Gail she is a loser, though I am sure growing up I might’ve made that sign once or twice ….. but she couldn’t figure out how to use my camera and I was telling her to look through the view finder.
And then we headed off. I got about here when I realized I had left my carryon over by the couch where Mom had been sitting.
I ran back and got it and we headed towards the elevator. Gail, Rob and Abby made it on one and took off and we waited and waited and waited. We were a floor above the main atrium and there was just no way we were going to get an elevator that wasn’t full already. I told Mom that we should go to the aft of the ship and take those up as they go right to Cabanas. OK, that sounded good. Dad immediately said NO! (Dad says this often and it annoys the heck out of us. Usually he has no clue what he is talking about when he says it and just says no for no reason) What? Why? We can’t go that way. Oh yes we can! No, I am not taking the stairs. I snapped a bit then. I told him that we all had been on the ship before and knew exactly where we were going. The aft elevators would lead us right to where we were going and that if we couldn’t get an elevator, we could take stairs as another option. He said Gail and Rob would be waiting for us at the top near the elevator. I told him that they would soon give up if they were when they didn’t see us arrive. And then we left him standing at the elevator. WE slowly made our way down the hall and I took a couple of shots of the girls that would not turn out no matter how hard I tried. I even tried a flash to counteract the sun coming in, but it bounced off the glass and made it 10 times worse.
Since we were going so slowly, we eventually saw that Dad was making his way behind us. We got to the elevators but still had a little wait. Though it wasn’t as bad as the midship ones.
In the meantime, the rest of the family had made it to Cabanas and Geoff took a couple of shots off the back of the ship.
My Grandfather was a tugboat Captain, so this is such a nice shot.
I'm glad Abby finally got to see a character and her adorable pouty face turned into a smile! I know some people think matching shirts are corny, but they make for really great photos for an occasion like this. The photos look less busy and you can actually see all the faces. I remember your stories about your dad from previous trips and can just picture him saying "NO" and then just standing at the elevator!
I'm glad Abby finally got to see a character and her adorable pouty face turned into a smile! I know some people think matching shirts are corny, but they make for really great photos for an occasion like this. The photos look less busy and you can actually see all the faces. I remember your stories about your dad from previous trips and can just picture him saying "NO" and then just standing at the elevator!
Yes, she was just so excited to see someone, it didn't matter who. I am glad we captured a lot of pictures, because she was so darn cute with her first experience with Disney.
We all really enjoyed our shirts. I will admit some did a little bit of grumbling at first, but once they knew we all were, they were fine and actaully had fun with it.
My Dad is something at times. My Mom has catered to him for so many years that he is very spoiled. But us daughters don't put up with it.
Love all of the pics of you getting on the boat. I'm glad you were able to get some character time in for Abby!
I was happy we could get one out of the way and make it special for her. I really kind of felt bad as we kept telling her to wait and she didn't understand why. She actually becomes character obsessed through the trip though and we di have melt downs a few times as Gail has to drag her away.
Am finally catching up (again). What a nightmare with the luggage, but good for you for not having a meltdown (I would've). Your family was lucky you were there!
Love the matching tshirts--someday i'll convince my herd to do that.
Abby sounds as if she takes after your dad just a little tiny bit.
Looking forward to more!
And I really like your new sig pic!
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Disney Magic Western Feb. 21st, 2009
Last edited by Big Baloo; 02-11-2013 at 06:49 PM..
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