Castaway Cay Sandwich - 13 Glorious Days of Disney! - COMPLETED!! - Page 7 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Looks like a great time at EPCOT! I love visiting The Seas and visiting with the manatees. When we went in Oct, we got to see Lil Joe and Lou as well! They were so playful that day..just swimming around and enjoying the lettuce being thrown into the water.
Oh boy, Katsura Grill! I love eating there!
And no matter how many times I go to EPCOT, I have to ride Spaceship Earth 2 or 3 times....I just love it..plus I get off my feet and it's air conditioned!
What a great day! So glad you were able to explore the Seas, that's one of my favourite things to do in Epcot. I love the shot of IllumiNations with the Glow with the Show ears - so cool!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Great day at Epcot! The gardens around the Japan pavilion are so beautiful and peaceful. Next time you have to explore the nooks and crannies of the Morocco pavilion a bit. No, there's nothing to "DO" for your DH, but it's wonderful! I love all the shots from the Seas.
I got to see Morocco last time, but I really wanted to see another pavilion. Is there another one you'd recommend to explore?
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwewhisper
Great day at Epcot! I'm a huge fan of the red stag lemonade so it's too bad he didn't get to try it!
There's always next time! (hopefully)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
What a great day at Epcot so far!
I just love Epcot!
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAyers
Looks like a great time at EPCOT! I love visiting The Seas and visiting with the manatees. When we went in Oct, we got to see Lil Joe and Lou as well! They were so playful that day..just swimming around and enjoying the lettuce being thrown into the water.
Oh boy, Katsura Grill! I love eating there!
And no matter how many times I go to EPCOT, I have to ride Spaceship Earth 2 or 3 times....I just love it..plus I get off my feet and it's air conditioned!
The very first time I rode SE I fell asleep! It was in July
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Looks like you're having a great time at Epcot!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
What a great day at Epcot! I love exploring the pavilions at WS! So much to see.
I don't think anyone can ever see it all!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
What a fun Epcot day!
Oh yes!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
You are having a great time so far!
the best!
**************
Sunday, Sept 7 - Cruise Day!
I know this isn't the best forum for the next chapter of this TR, but to make up for it, I'll try my best to (mostly) just hit the highlights and fun stuff of our cruise. This way, when we get back to the land part, it won't be as disjointed as if I'd made a separate TR. Please forgive me if this is annoying, and please let me know if I should move it to the DCL forum
When we went on our first cruise last September, I'm sure we had the same kind of awesome, overwhelming experience as any other first time Disney cruiser. Even shortly after and while writing the trip report for it, I could not remember what I did for a lot of the cruise. I honestly think it was a combination of "stun", "awe", "exhaustion", and "over/under preparedness", with a little sprinkle of worry. If you read my TR, it was obvious that I was nervous about letting my 9 and 11 year old kids loose on a cruise ship with thousands of other strangers .
This time we knew what we were doing! During the year of waiting for the cruise, the boys would reminisce about all the cool stuff they did and what they wanted to do next time. We booked a real excursion, I chose not to participate in a fish extender exchange, and we had some kind of idea what to expect this time. I was going to make myself sit down and relax this time . Some things would be the same: Disney ground transportation, the same stateroom, and the same dining rotation. Dh requested that we even try to get the same cast member team that took such good care of us. (When the man finds a good thing, he sticks with it!)
On the morning of our embarkation, we got up early to do some last minute packing. Our luggage pickup time was at 8:00am. As with previous experiences with pick up times, there was a knock on the door at exactly 8am. (It's like a running joke now.)
We finished the cinnamon rolls I'd made and had some string cheese - hey, we needed the protein, lol. The bus was going to pick us up at Jambo House at 11am, so we gathered up our carry-ons, took a look around the room, said, "goodbye til next time", then headed over.
Until next time...
You know I had to add another lobby pic!
Big Arusha savannah with beautiful animals to see
The view from the Sunset Overlook where we were to meet for bus pick up
We were picked up at 11:00 (exactly) and we were on the road with one stop at All-Star Sports Resort. When I looked at the time it was 11:17
On our way!
Check in at Port Canaveral was smooth - being new Silver Castaway Club members didn't really matter, the lines were equally as long. I had already registered Titus online, so we could just board without delay. After being announced to the ship (just too cool), we headed up to Cabanas to get lunch - it was 1:10pm. People were already in the pools and on the Aquaduck, even though it was a little drizzly.
Was I the first one to find this bathroom? (On the other side of Cabanas, go up the steps. My new "secret" restroom that probably everyone already knows about.)
Although Max's goal was to try new foods this trip, Titus's wasn't. Max liked the mussles, Titus didn't, lol.
Our view from Cabanas, cloudy skies.
3pm, practically empty atrium. Notice the Halloween tree...
I missed all the open houses last time, so I wanted to go check them out. Dh wanted to go up to the top deck. I checked Titus into the Oceaneer's Lab, but he really wanted to be in Edge. We got his wristband, but the CM's there said he wouldn't be able to get in as he had just turned 10 He was a good sport about it, and we headed up to Edge next. We asked again about Titus being able to be with his brother, and this time, they said sure! Just sign this waiver - YAY Titus! He was very happy
View from the Edge, rainy but who cares!
The kids wanted to hang out a bit in the club and see about some Aquaduck. They had their stuff in their backpacks just for this, so we parted ways. I did a little exploring, then met Dh on the deck for the Sail Away party.
Sorry. I'm obsessed with Disney restrooms!
The party in full swing. There is one particular CM who I just love watching (second one on the stage from the right). He was on our last trip, and if he isn't the hardest working guy on the ship, I don't know who is. He is all over the place, doing different stuff, always with high energy, and I even saw him on Castaway Cay - running on the path!
There they are!
After waving to the folks on the shore, we all met up in our stateroom #8096. There was a very nice totebag on the bed waiting for us with DCL swag. The dry erase magnet board came in very handy. We used it the whole trip to let each other know where we'd be and at what time. The boys changed then went out again to do some activity. After walking around a bit, Dh and I finally had time to sit and relax on Deck 4.
Pink
Royal Caribbean and Carnival off in the distance. They "followed" us the whole trip.
We didn't get the same crew, but it was ok. This is Freddy teaching us how to make a towel swan
We went to Enchanted Garden for dinner. I didn't take a single picture that evening. Dinner was fine and the kids went off to explore the clubs. I think we just unpacked and enjoyed sitting on the veranda, listening to the sea. I was asleep when the kids got back in.
I always love shipboard exploration photos! I agree, too, that the bathrooms on DCL ships are beautiful-- each one different and just perfectly maintained.
To answer your World Showcase question-- I like the pavilions you can walk behind, like Morocco, Japan and UK. Lots of wonderful areas to explore. The Morocco Pavilion is a stand-out, though, for detail, and each of the buildings is a smaller-scale replica of a real building in Rabat or Fez.
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I always love shipboard exploration photos! I agree, too, that the bathrooms on DCL ships are beautiful-- each one different and just perfectly maintained.
To answer your World Showcase question-- I like the pavilions you can walk behind, like Morocco, Japan and UK. Lots of wonderful areas to explore. The Morocco Pavilion is a stand-out, though, for detail, and each of the buildings is a smaller-scale replica of a real building in Rabat or Fez.
Thanks! Maybe Japan next time
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
What a great start to your cruise! Love all your pictures, too.
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I have to say I'm fascinated by the restrooms on board the Disney ships too, as they're just so imaginatively themed. I also love the Halloween touches they have on board.
Thank you for posting your cruise report here! I've never read a DCL report, as I don't see a cruise in my future, and this is a great way to get a taste for what they are like.
I love that you are having fun and able to let your guys go free on board. WTG!
Oh, I take pics in every outstanding bathroom I visit. To prove it, I'll share one from my past WDW trip. This is from the pool area of BC during our lunch at Beaches and Cream.
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He was a good sport about it, and we headed up to Edge next. We asked again about Titus being able to be with his brother, and this time, they said sure! Just sign this waiver - YAY Titus! He was very happy 
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