Where to start...

There were many firsts on this trip for me... First time taking the Magical Express, first time staying in a deluxe resort, and of course first time on the Disney Cruise, oh, and lets not forget first time at karaoke with my bff!!


I have waaaaayyyy many pictures, so this trip report I am going to let them do the talking for me.

We arrived in WDW on Friday afternoon. Took the Magical Express to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and got settled in our room. Animal Kingdom Lodge - Room with a Savannah view - Simply Awesome!!!




View from the room:




After a short rest, we headed over to Downtown Disney to meet up with my Mom and Niece Michelle for dinner at Rainforest Cafe. The Coconut shrimp was to die for - as was the Chocolate Banana Blast drink in the flashy cup - Yummm!!! After dinner and a bit of shopping, we met up with a friend of mine who was in the area for the weekend - so off to Pleasure Island we went!! Left to right: Jennifer, Steven, Me, and Michelle



Some other shots from around the resort:








After Pleasure Island - we headed back to the resort to get some sleep - we had a big day planned - Master Minds Meet - WOOT!!! I set my wakeup call, and had a great nights sleep. Early the next morning, I woke to Stitch screaming in my ear to wake up... I'm up I'm up!!! Steven (after having a few drinks the night before) decided to sleep in a bit, and planned to meet up with us later in the morning.

I got the call from Ranch that he, Ray, and Cori were on the way - our day of fun would soon begin!!!

We started the morning at Animal Kingdom - It was Ray's first time there, so we were sure to get him on Everest first thing!!


Then it was off to the safari - where I got quite the education in Elephants... :eek: :rolleyes: :flower:



After the Safari, Cori got a bit of vertigo, so we just chilled a bit to let her head stop spinning. We had gotten fast passes for Everest before riding the first time, so Cori and I sat it out while Joey and Ray rode, then Ray and I rode while Joey sat with Cori.

After that - we decided that we would head on over to Epcot and see what Mexico had in store... On the way out of the AK, I got a call from Steven that he was coming through the gates - I told him to wait there, as we were on our way out. We all decided that it was a great time to grab some lunch, so we ducked into the Rainforest Cafe (yes, yes two days in a row for me) and ordered up some lunch.


Once in Mexico - of course we were drawn to the sombreros - and we collectively decided that it would be a blast to go from country to country trying on hats...

Hats Around The World - Off we go!!!!
Mexico:




Norway:



China:




Trading Outpost:

Joey liked this hat so much - he bought it!!



Germany:



And then we found these gems...


Italy:
BOO Italy - No fun hats here!!!!

We skipped past American Adventure (time for dinner was approaching quick)

Japan:



Morocco:





France:




United Kingdom:



Canada:



After our trip around the world – it was time to head over to The Land to eat. We had priority seating ressie for 7:50. We met up at that point with Benny, Marisa, and Josh (Rocky, LouLou, and Dfreakace) for dinner at the Garden Grill. YUM!!!



More to come...

Now on to the Cruise!!!

Day One:
After a whirlwind tour of the Hats of the world - I headed back to my room and packed myself up to be ready for departure to Port Canaveral to catch the boat.

Me, Michelle, and Mom in the background - on the Cruise Line bus:

It was about an hour and ten minutes from WDW to the port - very comfortable ride!!!

First sighting of the Wonder:


Once we got to port, we checked in and were surprised with a change in out itinerary. We were supposed to have a day at sea, but instead we were surprised with a second day at Castaway Cay - AWESOME!!! Once we were all checked in, we boarded the Wonder. :dcl:

Inside the Port Terminal (Michelle and Harrison):


This is the lobby when you first board:

(Ariel view)


We had a Deluxe Family Stateroom with a Verandah - and it was much more roomy than I had anticipated:




Our Verandah:


I geeked out the door with magnets:


Once we got our bags put down, we had to attend a mandatory safety drill, which explained the evacuation process if necessary:
Left to Right - Steven, Bill, Me, and Harrison in front


With that out of the way - we were ready to head up on deck for the Sail Away Deck Party:






After the deck party we had dinner and it was outstanding - I did not take pictures of food, although next time I plan to - because it was so amazing both in quality and presentation - I would say all sit down meals were equivalent to a 5 star restaurant.

During dinner, our server asked if there were any celebrations during the sailing, and we went ahead and told them that it was our wedding anniversary that day (12th) So after dinner they brought over a bunch more servers and sang to us and presented us with this cake (strawberry mousse - yummm)




Day Two:
We woke up and the ship was already docked in Nassau, Bahamas.



Before disembarkation, we went ahead and grabbed some breakfast - anything and everything you would expect at a breakfast buffet was there - Yum!!!

After breakfast, we headed off the ship to go meet our Glass Bottom Boat tour. It was a fun ride:








Once we were done with the Glass Bottom Boat tour, Michelle and I headed over to the straw market and did some shopping.

She kissed a frog, but he did not turn into a prince... Go figure...



After shopping, we headed back onboard and hit the hot tub before dinner.



After dinner it was time to go to the Walt Disney Theater and catch the latest show "Toy Story - The Musical" - and what a show it was!!! I thought I uploaded pics, but cannot find them - will add later when I find them...


After the theater - we walked around the ship and explored some more, then headed off to our staterooms and crashed for the night...

Tomorrow - Castaway Cay!!! Stay Tuned

OK – where was I???

Ah, yes – Castaway Cay…

So after we left port at Nassau, we headed back out to sea. My Niece and I decided we would go to the pool for a bit, and it was pretty wild. While dangling on the side of the pool, we could see the waves going back and forth from the movement of the ship – it was pretty funny when all of a sudden we would both feel our legs swaying to the left and then back to the right. Apparently, we were very close to Castaway Cay and did not have far to travel, because the moon was rotating around the ship, which meant we were basically spinning in place in the middle of the ocean… LOL



After another great nights sleep, we woke up and ordered room service for breakfast and ate on our verandah – overlooking Castaway Cay, which was absolutely GORGEOUS!!!

If you are not already aware, docked at the island is the actual full size movie prop of the Flying Dutchman.

First sight of the island:






The skies were a bit overcast that day, and off in the distance in the ocean we could see thunderstorms, and even a water spout tornado – but the rain did not come down on the island. This provided some excellent picture taking opportunities with the Dutchman.





My favorite shot from the trip – note the ominous dark cloud above the Dutchman…


We spent some time on the beach…




And took some picture taking breaks…




Mount Rustmore…




Once we had lunch, we decided to go back on board the ship to get ready for our Pirates in the Caribbean dinner and deck party. Goofy greeted us as we were ready to go back aboard…



The entire evening was Pirate themed, from the dinner to the on deck party, show, and fireworks… Yep, you read that right – fireworks!!! Disney Cruise lines are the only cruise line in the world that has authorization to shoot fireworks from the ship – and it was fantastic!!! But I am getting ahead of myself… Back to dinner.

We arrived in “Triton’s” to a staff dressed all in pirate gear, and bandanas at each place setting. The menu was even rolled up like a treasure map. All the food was Caribbean themed, and was once again outstanding…







After dinner we met up with Pirate Wench Minnie, and Pirate Captain Mickey for some photos…





It was now time for the deck party… We headed up to deck 10 and found the party in full swing…



Mickey even made an appearance to save the ship from scurvy pirates, and he swung from stack to stack above the crowd and then kicked off the 5 minute fireworks show!!





After the party was over, it was time to head back to sleep – after all, we had another entire day to spend on Castaway Cay the next day!!!

Once again, we ordered room service for breakfast and enjoyed a leisurely stroll back onto the island. This day brought gorgeous skies – and crisp clear pictures!!!

We also were able to plan out a meet and greet with none other than Captain Jack himself, in front of the Dutchman for a photo op. Harrison got all suited up in his Sparrow costume and led the way (these next few pictures are also some of my favorites)













…and who was I to pass up a photo with Cap’n Jack… He wrapped his arms around me and began to flirt, until he noticed the rest of my group, and proceeded to ask me who they all were…


Once I got around to introducing my Husband, he quickly took his arms off me and stopped the flirting… This guy was dead-on!!! As I left his side, I whispered to him that I would meet him on the adult beach later on, and that I would bring a bottle of rum – he liked that idea!!!


Later in the day, we met up with a few more characters…






Obviously, with so much to do, I have left stuff out. I covered the bulk of it – but one more thing worth mentioning was Harrison’s experience in the Oceaneer’s Lab. That is the kids club that he was registered with while onboard. He was not in there as much as I anticipated, but the time he did spend checked in, was thoroughly enjoyed. On the last night of the cruise, the program held a graduation ceremony show in the Walt Disney Theater. They brought up all the kids that were in the various programs and gave them each a DSU Alumni t-shirt (Disney Sea University), and a Mickey ears graduation cap.

Some pictures from the ceremony… Too Cute!!! Harrison was invited to be a flag bearer, but I missed the pic opportunity because some fathead got in my way (I’m not bitter, really) LOL














After the graduation was dinner… I stuffed my face yet again, and this time our server showed us some ketchup art… Who do you see in the ketchup…?


After dinner Steven and I had a reservation for a wonderful relaxing spa treatment, and oh how wonderful it was… No pics from that ;)

After the spa, it was back to the stateroom to get the bags packed for our journey back to land the following morning…

The seas were waaayy rocky that night, so in anticipation of getting seasick, I took some Dramamine… Big mistake!!!! I woke up the next morning for breakfast (at 6:30am) and had vertigo… I could not stand or walk on my own, the room was spinning. Horrible!!! It was bad enough I had to get off the ship and the trip was over, but now I had this to deal with… Needless to say, I was not a happy camper…

Fast forward a complete day to Friday… (Insert time warp picture blur, ala Wayne’s World here…)

I got a phone call from Ranch first thing to make sure our karaoke plans were still on… I was unsure if I could do it, as I was still dizzy, but told him I would buzz him back a bit later to give an update… Well as you saw from the video post, we made it!!! And we had a blast too!!!

Saturday was my day to travel back to NY. But not without hitting the Magic Kingdom before the airport!!!

Overall – it was one of the best vacations I have ever taken. We are planning the next cruise as we speak. If anyone has any apprehensions about taking a Disney Cruise, all I have to say to you is this… What the heck is wrong with you!!! DO IT!!!!!!

Wow that is a great view of the savannah!!

As for hat's around the world...

^^
That pic just cracks me up

I cant wait for more :)

oh and I'm sorry to be so rude.. Welcome Back :D

Sounds like a great trip!!

:flower: We are glad you are home too!! :flower:

btw, I glove the pink beret!!! LOL!!!

So many hats, so little time!

Ranch looks like sparrow in this pic lol i love the view from your room friend its amazing! oh and :welcome: back

Welcome back Friend! LOL love the hats around the world and that resort looks amazing! I'll definitely have to bring that resort up next time my family goes down!

Woot!! Great report. Those hats ROFL!! BTW great choice on the buying of that hat. Very handsome! :thumbsup:

Aww shucks... tyvm Alpha Girl! :flower:

Awesome report BFF! My face hurts from smiling! Cameras truly are the modern marvel of the world. Felt silly when we all went hat crazy, but now with the captured memories.. It was no doubt a trip to remember.. forever!

Some cruise pics are up now... will get to the Castaway Cay pics tonight after work...

Welcome Back! I'm glad you had a great time! :dcl:

i must say that ship looks amazing! oh and i love that you brought magnets for your cruise fridge!!!

The lobby on the ship is beautiful, the views for you room are wonderfull, and the food sounds delicious, but that bathroom!! WOW Just breath taking :D


Looking forward to the rest of the Photos

sounds like you had an awesome time!! Can't wait to hear about the rest!

After seeing these pics and watching the travel channel special on DCL, I reeeeaaally want to go on a Disney cruise! :dcl:

My favorite part of the report so far was the Hats of the World. It made me rofl! This one's my favorite:


Can't wait to see more!

LOL fridge...

That was my stateroom door on the outside in the hallway :popcorn:

Those are a lot of magnets! :eek:

I love the Happy Anniversary cake, that cruise ship design on the white chocolate stunned me, now I know what you mean when you say five star resteraunt!

Can't wait for Castaway Cay! :woot:

:blink: Omg!!!! really? weren't you afraid somebody would come and take one? But on the brightside you must have won the best cruise ship door award!! :rofl: :rofl:

I like the door. It's cute :) I love that you put your VMK picture up, too!

Ah!!! We leave for Florida and the three day cruise next week. I can not wait. That looks amazing. Love the pics girl keep them coming!!

Oh my gosh I'm speechless! What a wonderful trip. When did Stephen dye his hair "Dizpinfriend Lava Red"? Yes...that's what the box says people ;) Or was there a little left over in the bottle and he wanted to match you for the cruise?

Joanne and Joey always influence my Disney hat purchases! Next trip: I want those Moroccan beaded headresses......but I'll take the pink that Jo is wearing. And you KNOW I want that Pink VMK Bubblegum Beret! Glad you bought the cowboy hat Ranch, it looks good on you.....see Kareoke Night pics.

Thank you for sharing your pics and report with us Jo. They are beautiful!

I have anticipated coming home each night to read the next installments of your report, So I can only imagine the fun you guys had actually doing it! What an awesome report, Glad you had fun!

:rofl: :rofl: adult beach and rum :rofl: :rofl:

but what i really want to know is did you ever get to go on the Flying Dutchman?(<sp?) or is it just their as a prop for looks? :pirate:

w00t, that looks like it was an awesome trip! Castaway looks beautiful, relaxing, and even comical (Mount Rustmore..lol)

This trip report has definetly taught me one thing: I NEED TO GO ON THAT CRUISE!

:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:

Friend, I now have a severe and strong desire to go on a Disney cruise. Thanks a lot. :glare: :P


And Studio, you can't actually go on the Flying Dutchman. You can get pretty close using a paddleboat or kayak or something though. It looks uber cool.