Wednesday night -
After Cori’s nap, we all met up for dinner in the Golden Dining Room. It was Beef Wellington night - yummy! After dinner, we all went to the shows (the kids did not go to Camp Carnival tonight, as they had been in all day.) The first show we saw was in the Ivory Lounge, and it was like a revue of songs from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Cori danced along to the music. Angie used this time to finally take a peak into some of the ship shops! The second show was a magician and a comedian. The magician did a lot of slight of hand, which I enjoy, and the comedian was really funny - he had gotten on the ship in Cozumel the same time that we had!
After the second show, everyone went to bed except for me - imagine - even Grant went to sleep! I went to check out the midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show! It started out well, with people really getting into the show and calling things out - but after a while, people sort of stopped and just enjoyed the movie. I only watched about half before calling it a night.
Thursday - At Sea!
We all needed a Sea Day. We all slept in, and then the kids went to Camp Carnival for an hour while Angie worked out. We met for lunch in the Red Sail. After lunch, we went swimming on the back pool again (seemed the least crowded - the pools are small!!!) Andrew and Angie got out about 45 minutes before we did because Andrew was getting his hair cut on the ship! Cori and Grant and I swam for a while longer, and then went back to our cabin so Cori could take a nap.
Angie called at about 3:30. While Andrew was getting his hair cut, they found lice. FUN. SO Angie had gone down to the infirmary and bought some lice treatment and put it on his hair. Then Andrew came up to our room because Angie had made an appointment to get her hair done for Formal night. Andrew took a shower in our room and watched cartoons. We checked Cori’s hair while she was sleeping and didn’t see anything - We also checked Grant’s hair and mine, but didn’t find anything. Before leaving for dinner, we talked to the Cabin Steward and asked them to change all of the sheets and pillowcases.
It was a formal dinner, as I mentioned - and my first opportunity to wear my new black dress, plus some blue topaz jewelry that Angie had bought. I had Lobster Bisque and Shrimp for dinner - Angie had some sort of fish, and Grant had beef tenderloin. Andrew had shrimp like me - and Cori had, hmmm, what was it? Oh yeah, fruit and a hot dog. Oh - and Baked Alaska for dessert.
After dinner, we took some pictures and then went to watch the last production show - Rock Down Broadway. I knew it was a good sign when we walked into the theater and they were playing “Rent.” as part of the entrance music. The theater - by the way - sucks. The seats on the first level are not elevated for each successive row, so it is hard to see. The seats on the second level curve around in a horseshoe shape, so they don’t always face the stage. Plus, if you are in any row but the first, the guard rail had a gold bar that cuts directly through your line of vision. Annoying.
Anyway - we got seats on the second level in the first row all the way to the side. As a result, we couldn’t see all of the sets, but the dancing was right in front of us. This was an awesome production show! I knew a lot of the music, of course, and yes, they even did a Rent song (can you guess which one?)
After the show, we went back to our cabin (Angie and the kids stopped and changed out of their formal clothes first) and we put the lice treatment on Cori’s hair just to be safe. Then I checked Angie’s hair and she checked mine, and again we didn’t see anything.
Finally, we went to check out the Grand Gala Buffet and take pictures. Angie and the kids went to bed and Grant and I swung back to the buffet for a midnight snack before going to bed ourselves.
Friday - Nassau
One of the first things I heard this morning was the Disney Ship horn playing “When you Wish Upon a Star!”
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Wednesday - Progresso
Wednesday - Progresso
This morning we got up early, and took the kids to Kids Club for the day, while Grant Angie and I did a tour of Uxmal - a Mayan ruin site. We did the ship sponsored tour since we left the kids on board. The trip took about an hour and a half to get there, plus we stopped for a half an hour in town called Uman - it was very cool - very not touristy, so we got to see what the town was really like - a marketplace, and a church. I thought it was really interesting to see.
The ruins were awesome. We got to spend 2 ½ hours there, and we had a guided tour for most of it. It is amazing to see these ruins… and so many unanswered questions about how they lived during these times! The tour guide was telling us that they had found like 1000 sites similar to this one via satelite, and they were trying to carefully restore as many of those as they could.
We just got back to the ship about an hour ago. We decided to switch things up for a bit, and Grant and I took Cori with us to take a nap so that Angie could spend some time with Andrew.
P.S. - Progresso is a neat port - and they were definitely trying to impress us - lots of live music and friendly people - not very pushy at all!
I’ll post this now - and more later.!!!!
This morning we got up early, and took the kids to Kids Club for the day, while Grant Angie and I did a tour of Uxmal - a Mayan ruin site. We did the ship sponsored tour since we left the kids on board. The trip took about an hour and a half to get there, plus we stopped for a half an hour in town called Uman - it was very cool - very not touristy, so we got to see what the town was really like - a marketplace, and a church. I thought it was really interesting to see.
The ruins were awesome. We got to spend 2 ½ hours there, and we had a guided tour for most of it. It is amazing to see these ruins… and so many unanswered questions about how they lived during these times! The tour guide was telling us that they had found like 1000 sites similar to this one via satelite, and they were trying to carefully restore as many of those as they could.
We just got back to the ship about an hour ago. We decided to switch things up for a bit, and Grant and I took Cori with us to take a nap so that Angie could spend some time with Andrew.
P.S. - Progresso is a neat port - and they were definitely trying to impress us - lots of live music and friendly people - not very pushy at all!
I’ll post this now - and more later.!!!!
Cozumel - Tuesday
On Tuesday, we went to Cozumel. After breakfast in the Red Sail, we got off the ship and took a taxi to Paradise Beach. This was a great spot for us - the beach is free, but they ask that you spend $10 on food or beverages, if you are going to use their chairs and umbrellas. (Which is easy to do, because the food and drinks - although delicious, are priced a bit high, but really not too bad.) The sand was nice and soft, and the umbrellas and palm trees and lounge chairs were comfortable. We got there at 11:00ish and had plenty to choose from, although it did get crowded later in the day, it never was too bad. You could also buy a bracelet for 9$ which allowed you unlimited use of their mats, water trampolines, climbing inflatable iceberg (which I climbed 3 times…), kayaks, and life jackets - which were awesome for Andrew and Cori. (Also, they didn’t charge us for a bracelet for Cori.) The swimming was nice - a comfortable temperature - and the kids did well. Andrew tootled around with his snorkel and mask, although there wasn’t much to see. We lounged on mats. At lunch, Cori had a nice long nap on a lounge chair under the shade of am umbrella. (I had the steak quesedilla - Grant had fish tacos, we shared nachos - it was YUMMY!) They also had nice facilities, lockers, changing rooms, restrooms, etc.
We got back on the ship around 4. We used yesterday’s strategy, and Andrew came back to our room to watch cartoons and rest and shower while Cori and Angie went to Angie’s cabin. We got ready for dinner (creamy broccoli cheese soup for all three of us, mozarella basil and tomato for Grant and I, and for dinner, filet mignon and chocolate melting cake for Angie and Grant and veal parmagian for me, and key lime pie for dessert. Andrew had chicken noodle soup and pasta and Cori had - what else? A fruit plate and a hot dog.
The show tonight was a magician - Justin Illusion - the show had dancing and singing along with the magician - which was ok - but I would have preferred more magic, less dancing.
We hit bed early again, because we had to get up early for our next port of call - Progresso.
We got back on the ship around 4. We used yesterday’s strategy, and Andrew came back to our room to watch cartoons and rest and shower while Cori and Angie went to Angie’s cabin. We got ready for dinner (creamy broccoli cheese soup for all three of us, mozarella basil and tomato for Grant and I, and for dinner, filet mignon and chocolate melting cake for Angie and Grant and veal parmagian for me, and key lime pie for dessert. Andrew had chicken noodle soup and pasta and Cori had - what else? A fruit plate and a hot dog.
The show tonight was a magician - Justin Illusion - the show had dancing and singing along with the magician - which was ok - but I would have preferred more magic, less dancing.
We hit bed early again, because we had to get up early for our next port of call - Progresso.
At Sea - Monday
At Sea -
Cori is taking a nap, so I am catching up on my blogging. (It is Wednesday as I write this!)
SO Monday was an At Sea day. Grant and I slept in, while Angie took the kids to Camp Carnival and went to the - gag - gym. We met for lunch on the Lido deck, and then went swimming. Cori and Angie took a nap together, and Andrew and I finally got to do the water slide! Then Andrew came back to our room to rest with us and take a shower before dinner.
This was our first formal night, which meant I had lobster for dinner! Grant had duck and Angie had pasta. After dinner, Andrew came and watched the production show with us - Living in America - or something… honestly, it wasn’t my favorite show ever.
We went to bed early, because we wanted to get an early start the next day.
Cori is taking a nap, so I am catching up on my blogging. (It is Wednesday as I write this!)
SO Monday was an At Sea day. Grant and I slept in, while Angie took the kids to Camp Carnival and went to the - gag - gym. We met for lunch on the Lido deck, and then went swimming. Cori and Angie took a nap together, and Andrew and I finally got to do the water slide! Then Andrew came back to our room to rest with us and take a shower before dinner.
This was our first formal night, which meant I had lobster for dinner! Grant had duck and Angie had pasta. After dinner, Andrew came and watched the production show with us - Living in America - or something… honestly, it wasn’t my favorite show ever.
We went to bed early, because we wanted to get an early start the next day.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Pictures from Cozumel
The vista from our Balcony:
Paradise Beach:
Andrew "snorkeling" at Paradise Beach
Grant drinking from a Coconut:
Paradise Beach:
Andrew "snorkeling" at Paradise Beach
Grant drinking from a Coconut:
Monday, August 27, 2007
Carnival GLory Embarkation Day/ Key West
Ok - so - During the Muster Drill, I went to Station E by myself, and Grant went with Angie to help her with the kids at their muster station. I had the pleasure of standing in front of one of those kids who is such a brat, you’d think that they were planted - like seriously - no one really acts like this, do they? So Brat Girl is talking in the snottiest tone I’ve ever head to her mother, bitching about the bracelet she has to wear (each muster station is designated by a color, and every child on board under the age of 12 o 14 wears a bracelet that will show anyone what there muster station is - so that in an emergency, parents do not have to go and find their kids - staff will bring the kids to the musters station…) Anyway this girl was going on an on about how stupid the bracelet was and how she didn’t want to wear it and “like anything is going to happen…” and “this drill is so stupid I don’t want to do this. I am gong to take it off…” blah blah blah. BRAT! We’re all crowded and uncomfortable and she’s making the situation miserable - I mean - funny, but annoying.
Then, Grant rested while Angie and I went to the Camp Carnival Orientation to sign the kids up for Camp Carnival and figure it all out. I think the kids are going to have a lot of fun there!
AT dinner, we found out that we had a table just for us five - thank goodness - and it was right close to the door, which was good in case the kids needed to leave for anything.
The kids menus are pretty cool - lots of activity pages, and then they bring out the kids fruit (if they order it) with the adults appetizers.
Hmmm… what did us adults have to eat? I had Beef Barley soup, a wedge salad, and sweet and sour shrimp, with fried rice. Grant had smoked salmon, , cream of asparagus soup, wedge salad, and rack of lamb. Angie had the Cream of Asparagus soul and a wedge salad and I can’t remember her entrée…
The kids did fairly well for the long meal but they were definitely getting squirrelly by the end!!! For dessert, we shared two crème brutes and a warm chocolate melting cake - which was heavenly and is an alternative selection that will be offered every night!
After dinner, we looked around the ship a bit before heading to the ice cream sundae party for the kids. (By the way - our suit bag didn’t arrive until after dinner - so I had to wear my Capri’s and Grant had to wear shorts and a t-shirt t dinner. Oh well… many other people did as well…)
After the ice cream party, we went upstairs to check out Camp Carnival - it was open for a tour. The kids are going to have a lot of fun!
Finally, we went to the Welcome Aboard Show. Cori slept through the whole thing - but Andrew stayed up and loved it. Our cruise director is Wee Jimmy - who is famous on the Cruise Critic message boards. He is awesome… he has this thick Scottish accent and came out in a kilt - Very funny, very entertaining.
After that it was, of course, bed time.
Key West.
ON Sunday, we went to Key West. However, the ship wasn’t scheduled to arrive until noon, which was nice - it gave us plenty of time to sleep in. The kids went to Camp Carnival for a bit, while Grant and I ate lunch and Angie finished unpacking.
In Key West, we visited the Pirate Soul museum - which was really quite impressive - there was a lot to see, and many authentic artifacts. Andrew loved it and I thought it was pretty interesting myself! After that, we stopped next door and had some snacks. It was HOT, so we went back to the ship around 4 and had a quick dip in the pool before dinner.
After the first day, Camp Carnival reopens for the kids at 7:00 PM. I had read online the following strategy, and we decided to try it out… the kids came with us to dinner at 6:15, and we ordered there food right away. Then at 7:00, Angie ran up and put them in the kids club, so we could enjoy the rest of our meal. It worked out will last night, and I think we’ll continue to do that for the rest of the trip.
I bet you’re wondering what we had for dinner? Well, I had a chicken quesadilla, French onion soup, and pasta with shrimp, scallops, and calamari. Grant had the sushi sampler, proscuitto, and chicken. Angie had French Onion Soup and spare ribs. We all had the chocolate melting cake for dessert.
When the waiter took orders for the kids, Andrew read his menu and wanted to order himself. He says to the waiter, “I’ll have…fruit cocktail….cheese pizza….French fries….and a cheese burger…” The waiter is just nodding and writing - no big deal, and Angie was talking to Grant and didn’t notice, so I was like, “Wait a minute - Andrew - you never eat all your food - that is way too much - just pick one, the pizza of the burger, and if you are still hungry, you can order more…” So Andrew says, “ Ok, well, I’ll have the pizza… and a Peanut Butter and Jelly…” At this point, we all laughed… eventually he just got the French fries, fruit and pizza.
After dinner, Angie Grant and I watched the 6:30 show - a juggler and a comedian. Then we finally got to explore all of the ship. It is laid out just like any other Carnival Ship I’ve been on, for the most part, just a lot bigger. We peeked in the windows of the kids club and watched the kids playing. Then we watched some Karaoke for a while. Finally we headed out to the midnight show - the r-rated comedy show (the comedian from the Welcome Aboard Show.) Apparently, he and the comedian from tonight were friends, so tonight’s comedian introduced him. Except he decided to play a joke on his friend. The introduction took ten minutes, and as he proceeded to tell us how great the comedian we would be seeing was…”and his opening bit, it is just great, you see he coaches little league…” and he proceeds to do his friends whole opening bit, badly…Well, it really threw off our main comedian and he was both pissed off and thought it was funny - but you could tell his act was weak - he just didn’t know where to go with this whole thing. It was pretty funny.
Then we picked up the sleeping kids from the Kids Club Slumber Party/ group babysitting and carried them downstairs to Angie’s cabin, and went to bed.
Then, Grant rested while Angie and I went to the Camp Carnival Orientation to sign the kids up for Camp Carnival and figure it all out. I think the kids are going to have a lot of fun there!
AT dinner, we found out that we had a table just for us five - thank goodness - and it was right close to the door, which was good in case the kids needed to leave for anything.
The kids menus are pretty cool - lots of activity pages, and then they bring out the kids fruit (if they order it) with the adults appetizers.
Hmmm… what did us adults have to eat? I had Beef Barley soup, a wedge salad, and sweet and sour shrimp, with fried rice. Grant had smoked salmon, , cream of asparagus soup, wedge salad, and rack of lamb. Angie had the Cream of Asparagus soul and a wedge salad and I can’t remember her entrée…
The kids did fairly well for the long meal but they were definitely getting squirrelly by the end!!! For dessert, we shared two crème brutes and a warm chocolate melting cake - which was heavenly and is an alternative selection that will be offered every night!
After dinner, we looked around the ship a bit before heading to the ice cream sundae party for the kids. (By the way - our suit bag didn’t arrive until after dinner - so I had to wear my Capri’s and Grant had to wear shorts and a t-shirt t dinner. Oh well… many other people did as well…)
After the ice cream party, we went upstairs to check out Camp Carnival - it was open for a tour. The kids are going to have a lot of fun!
Finally, we went to the Welcome Aboard Show. Cori slept through the whole thing - but Andrew stayed up and loved it. Our cruise director is Wee Jimmy - who is famous on the Cruise Critic message boards. He is awesome… he has this thick Scottish accent and came out in a kilt - Very funny, very entertaining.
After that it was, of course, bed time.
Key West.
ON Sunday, we went to Key West. However, the ship wasn’t scheduled to arrive until noon, which was nice - it gave us plenty of time to sleep in. The kids went to Camp Carnival for a bit, while Grant and I ate lunch and Angie finished unpacking.
In Key West, we visited the Pirate Soul museum - which was really quite impressive - there was a lot to see, and many authentic artifacts. Andrew loved it and I thought it was pretty interesting myself! After that, we stopped next door and had some snacks. It was HOT, so we went back to the ship around 4 and had a quick dip in the pool before dinner.
After the first day, Camp Carnival reopens for the kids at 7:00 PM. I had read online the following strategy, and we decided to try it out… the kids came with us to dinner at 6:15, and we ordered there food right away. Then at 7:00, Angie ran up and put them in the kids club, so we could enjoy the rest of our meal. It worked out will last night, and I think we’ll continue to do that for the rest of the trip.
I bet you’re wondering what we had for dinner? Well, I had a chicken quesadilla, French onion soup, and pasta with shrimp, scallops, and calamari. Grant had the sushi sampler, proscuitto, and chicken. Angie had French Onion Soup and spare ribs. We all had the chocolate melting cake for dessert.
When the waiter took orders for the kids, Andrew read his menu and wanted to order himself. He says to the waiter, “I’ll have…fruit cocktail….cheese pizza….French fries….and a cheese burger…” The waiter is just nodding and writing - no big deal, and Angie was talking to Grant and didn’t notice, so I was like, “Wait a minute - Andrew - you never eat all your food - that is way too much - just pick one, the pizza of the burger, and if you are still hungry, you can order more…” So Andrew says, “ Ok, well, I’ll have the pizza… and a Peanut Butter and Jelly…” At this point, we all laughed… eventually he just got the French fries, fruit and pizza.
After dinner, Angie Grant and I watched the 6:30 show - a juggler and a comedian. Then we finally got to explore all of the ship. It is laid out just like any other Carnival Ship I’ve been on, for the most part, just a lot bigger. We peeked in the windows of the kids club and watched the kids playing. Then we watched some Karaoke for a while. Finally we headed out to the midnight show - the r-rated comedy show (the comedian from the Welcome Aboard Show.) Apparently, he and the comedian from tonight were friends, so tonight’s comedian introduced him. Except he decided to play a joke on his friend. The introduction took ten minutes, and as he proceeded to tell us how great the comedian we would be seeing was…”and his opening bit, it is just great, you see he coaches little league…” and he proceeds to do his friends whole opening bit, badly…Well, it really threw off our main comedian and he was both pissed off and thought it was funny - but you could tell his act was weak - he just didn’t know where to go with this whole thing. It was pretty funny.
Then we picked up the sleeping kids from the Kids Club Slumber Party/ group babysitting and carried them downstairs to Angie’s cabin, and went to bed.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Carnival Glory
On Saturday, Grant and I woke up bright and early and dropped Steve and Kevin off at the airport. Then we switched rental cars - we rented a separate reservation for a one way trip to Port Canaveral, because it was cheaper then through the company we had rented for the week.
Back at the hotel, we packed up and checked out, and drove to Port Canaveral. Grant dropped Angie, the kids and I off at the terminal and then returned the rental car. Angie and the kids went ahead and checked in, and Grant and I met them later at the Red Sail buffet for lunch.
We stopped first at our room, which is on the 7th deck, (7216)almost all the way at the front of our ship. The balcony is just under and over from the bridge, which overhangs the ship one deck above us. The room is nice sized, with a large couch that can become a bed - so basically it is a twin bed. Our beds are comfy, too. The only yucky thing is the “knobs” on the closets and cupboards are actually lops of leather - don’t like…
The buffet is nice - it has two main stations, and then a small window for Asian food and a window for Deli food on the other side. Upstairs there is a separate fish and chips counter with some seats there as well.
Angie’s room is on the second deck - 2389. Her room is laid out similar to ours - except that she her couch is made into a third bed, which Cori claimed for herself. Her room has a window instead of a balcony (which is good - the first thing Cori did when visiting our room was run out to the balcony…well actually the second thing she did…the first thing she did when she walked into our room was say , “Where’s my bed? What happened to my bed?” She had gotten confused because are rooms are exactly the same - she couldn’t figure out how her bed had disappeared! So cute!!!
More later… I have to go to dinner- and I can’t miss dinner!
Back at the hotel, we packed up and checked out, and drove to Port Canaveral. Grant dropped Angie, the kids and I off at the terminal and then returned the rental car. Angie and the kids went ahead and checked in, and Grant and I met them later at the Red Sail buffet for lunch.
We stopped first at our room, which is on the 7th deck, (7216)almost all the way at the front of our ship. The balcony is just under and over from the bridge, which overhangs the ship one deck above us. The room is nice sized, with a large couch that can become a bed - so basically it is a twin bed. Our beds are comfy, too. The only yucky thing is the “knobs” on the closets and cupboards are actually lops of leather - don’t like…
The buffet is nice - it has two main stations, and then a small window for Asian food and a window for Deli food on the other side. Upstairs there is a separate fish and chips counter with some seats there as well.
Angie’s room is on the second deck - 2389. Her room is laid out similar to ours - except that she her couch is made into a third bed, which Cori claimed for herself. Her room has a window instead of a balcony (which is good - the first thing Cori did when visiting our room was run out to the balcony…well actually the second thing she did…the first thing she did when she walked into our room was say , “Where’s my bed? What happened to my bed?” She had gotten confused because are rooms are exactly the same - she couldn’t figure out how her bed had disappeared! So cute!!!
More later… I have to go to dinner- and I can’t miss dinner!
Friday
Friday -
Today was our last day in the parks. ::boo hoo::: It is the same every time. I get so excited when I go to Disney World - I want to ride everything! But when the end of the trip comes, I always say “I wish I had more time to spend just experiencing everything…” you know, not just rushing from ride to ride but exploring the World Showcase and the interactive exhibits etc. But then my next trip comes and I’m rushing around again… this trip, of course, I really wanted Kevin and Angie and the kids to be able to see as much as possible.
So on Friday, we went to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This park always throws a kink in my plans - I don’t know it well enough to plan well. Plus it always seems to rain when I go there.
We arrived at the parks at around 10:00 and went straight back to Expedition Everest. Last time we were here, that ride was closed because of lightening, so I wanted to get on it asap in case the predicted storms arrived. We got a child switch, and while Angie, Andrew, Steve, Grant, and Kevin rode Expedition Everest, Cori and I trekked over to Kilamanjaro Safari to get fast passes. Cori and I spent time waiting for the others at a kid station coloring animal masks. Then I rode the ride with Kevin and Drew while the other’s waited.
Finding Nemo, the musical, is one of the newest attractions so we wanted to make sure we saw it… The show is awesome. The performers are top notch - the songs are cute, and the sets and props are immersive. This was a great show.
The rain started as we finished eating lunch at Pizzafari, so we headed quickly over to Dinosaur, and took turns riding it while Cori napped. After some bouts or pouring rain, it slowed to a sprinkle so we figured the worst had passed. However, there was still thunder and lightening, and as we found out, the Safari also closes in the lightning, so we went to watch the Festival of the Lion King (I love this show!)
When the show ended, we decided to check the Safari and they were letting people on… we saw some animals that usually hide in the heat - hippos and rhinos up out of the water - impalas, lots of stuff ! As we left the Safari and headed out of the park, the skies opened up and it began to dump buckets of water. The lightening was right over our head… one was so loud I jumped a mile… and I got so wet, I couldn’t have been wetter if I’d jumped in a pool - no kidding, no exaggeration!
However, we decided to go to EPCOT, because it was our last day, and Kevin and Andrew needed to do some shopping. The last two hours were interesting to say the least… it never really stopped raining, and we just couldn’t get much done… the kiddos were tired and miserable… but we all survived and got home tired but satisfied. WE ordered a pizza on our way home, and it was delivered to us shortly after we arrived home. We spent our last evening munching on pizza and watching High School Musical.
The next morning, bright and early, Grant and I drove Steve and Kevin to the airport to fly home and to swap cars at the terminal. The first part of our trip was awesome - we crammed a lot in and did really well - Steve and Kevin had awesome attitudes and were great with the kids. The kids, considering how much we did, did a pretty good job!
Now it is time to head to Port Canaveral and the Carnival Glory!
P.S. - I am posting this from Key West!
Today was our last day in the parks. ::boo hoo::: It is the same every time. I get so excited when I go to Disney World - I want to ride everything! But when the end of the trip comes, I always say “I wish I had more time to spend just experiencing everything…” you know, not just rushing from ride to ride but exploring the World Showcase and the interactive exhibits etc. But then my next trip comes and I’m rushing around again… this trip, of course, I really wanted Kevin and Angie and the kids to be able to see as much as possible.
So on Friday, we went to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This park always throws a kink in my plans - I don’t know it well enough to plan well. Plus it always seems to rain when I go there.
We arrived at the parks at around 10:00 and went straight back to Expedition Everest. Last time we were here, that ride was closed because of lightening, so I wanted to get on it asap in case the predicted storms arrived. We got a child switch, and while Angie, Andrew, Steve, Grant, and Kevin rode Expedition Everest, Cori and I trekked over to Kilamanjaro Safari to get fast passes. Cori and I spent time waiting for the others at a kid station coloring animal masks. Then I rode the ride with Kevin and Drew while the other’s waited.
Finding Nemo, the musical, is one of the newest attractions so we wanted to make sure we saw it… The show is awesome. The performers are top notch - the songs are cute, and the sets and props are immersive. This was a great show.
The rain started as we finished eating lunch at Pizzafari, so we headed quickly over to Dinosaur, and took turns riding it while Cori napped. After some bouts or pouring rain, it slowed to a sprinkle so we figured the worst had passed. However, there was still thunder and lightening, and as we found out, the Safari also closes in the lightning, so we went to watch the Festival of the Lion King (I love this show!)
When the show ended, we decided to check the Safari and they were letting people on… we saw some animals that usually hide in the heat - hippos and rhinos up out of the water - impalas, lots of stuff ! As we left the Safari and headed out of the park, the skies opened up and it began to dump buckets of water. The lightening was right over our head… one was so loud I jumped a mile… and I got so wet, I couldn’t have been wetter if I’d jumped in a pool - no kidding, no exaggeration!
However, we decided to go to EPCOT, because it was our last day, and Kevin and Andrew needed to do some shopping. The last two hours were interesting to say the least… it never really stopped raining, and we just couldn’t get much done… the kiddos were tired and miserable… but we all survived and got home tired but satisfied. WE ordered a pizza on our way home, and it was delivered to us shortly after we arrived home. We spent our last evening munching on pizza and watching High School Musical.
The next morning, bright and early, Grant and I drove Steve and Kevin to the airport to fly home and to swap cars at the terminal. The first part of our trip was awesome - we crammed a lot in and did really well - Steve and Kevin had awesome attitudes and were great with the kids. The kids, considering how much we did, did a pretty good job!
Now it is time to head to Port Canaveral and the Carnival Glory!
P.S. - I am posting this from Key West!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Middle of the trip
We are leaving on our cruise today. I don't know what our internet access will be like on the cruise, but I will blog while we're gone - I just might have to wait to post them!
I'll also post about yesterday's wet day at the Animal Kingdom and EPCOT when I get a chance!
I'll also post about yesterday's wet day at the Animal Kingdom and EPCOT when I get a chance!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thursday - EPCOT/Magic Kingdom
One day left in the parks - we are all beat - but doing really well considering all that we‘ve done!!!
Before I blog about yesterday, I wanted to update you on the cruise situation. As you probably heard, Costa Maya and Belize were both hit by Hurricane Dean - especially Costa Maya. Yesterday, out itinerary change was made official:
Saturday - Port Canaveral - Boarding
Sunday - Key West
Monday - At Sea
Tuesday - Cozumel
Wednesday - Progresso
Thursday - At sea
Friday - Nassau
Saturday - Port Caneveral
Losing Belize was a bummer because that is where we were going to go cave tubing.
Yesterday, we got a late start (made even later by the fact that we forgot a ticket and had to go back to the hotel!) But we got to EPCOT with enough time to visit The Living Seas with Nemo and friends. I have not been on the new sub ride yet at Disney, but the new ride at the Living Seas uses much of the same technology - and we all REALLY enjoyed the ride. It was very neat! The ride exits into the Living Seas, where we checked out the dolphins, the rays, the sharks, and the sea turtles. We also got to watch the divers come in and feed some of the sea creatures! Way. Cool.
After a stop at Club Cool to sample soda from around the world, we went over to the fast rides. Cori and Angie rode Test Track while the rest of us rode Mission Space. Then we left EPCOT, grabbed the monorail, and went back to the Magic Kingdom trying to get to the Crystal Palace for our lunch reservations.
Lunch was a yummy buffet, and we got to meet Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet. Andrew and Cori also got to march in two parades!
After lunch, we saw Mickey’s Philharmagic (Cori was so cute trying to catch all of the 3-d things!!!) and then went to Tomorowland to use our Space Mountain Fast Passes, while Cori took a little nap.
We took a brief ride on the TTA, and then saw the new Monster’s Inc. Laugh Factory - which uses the same technology as “Turtle Talk with Crush” to interact with the audience. The premise is that they have learned that human laughter powers Monstropolis even better then screams, so they opened up a night club to do stand up and collect the energy from our laughter. They put people up on screens and made jokes, but nothing too humiliating. It was funny! You could also text message a joke before the show and they would use some in the show.
It was time to use our Winnie the Pooh fast pass, and then head over to Splash Mountain. By now, it was getting particularly humid - the worst night yet, so getting wet felt awesome! After the ride, we found a place to watch Spectromagic, Grant’s favorite parade of all. Sitting on a bench behind us was a family from Canada - the little girl, Stella, was 4, and had a fantastic time playing with Cori while we waited for the parade… guess who got the TinkerBell pin??? (o:
We left the park after Spectromagic, trying to beat the crowds who were staying for the fireworks. Kevin and I ran through Swiss Family Robinson on the way out, and then we got to the ferry in time to watch the finale of the fireworks show on the ferry as we crossed Bay Lake to the TTA. We hopped the monorail back to the EPCOT parking lot, stopping at Walgreens for cold medicine for Angie and McDonalds for our dinner.
One more day at the parks… Animal Kingdom!
Before I blog about yesterday, I wanted to update you on the cruise situation. As you probably heard, Costa Maya and Belize were both hit by Hurricane Dean - especially Costa Maya. Yesterday, out itinerary change was made official:
Saturday - Port Canaveral - Boarding
Sunday - Key West
Monday - At Sea
Tuesday - Cozumel
Wednesday - Progresso
Thursday - At sea
Friday - Nassau
Saturday - Port Caneveral
Losing Belize was a bummer because that is where we were going to go cave tubing.
Yesterday, we got a late start (made even later by the fact that we forgot a ticket and had to go back to the hotel!) But we got to EPCOT with enough time to visit The Living Seas with Nemo and friends. I have not been on the new sub ride yet at Disney, but the new ride at the Living Seas uses much of the same technology - and we all REALLY enjoyed the ride. It was very neat! The ride exits into the Living Seas, where we checked out the dolphins, the rays, the sharks, and the sea turtles. We also got to watch the divers come in and feed some of the sea creatures! Way. Cool.
After a stop at Club Cool to sample soda from around the world, we went over to the fast rides. Cori and Angie rode Test Track while the rest of us rode Mission Space. Then we left EPCOT, grabbed the monorail, and went back to the Magic Kingdom trying to get to the Crystal Palace for our lunch reservations.
Lunch was a yummy buffet, and we got to meet Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet. Andrew and Cori also got to march in two parades!
After lunch, we saw Mickey’s Philharmagic (Cori was so cute trying to catch all of the 3-d things!!!) and then went to Tomorowland to use our Space Mountain Fast Passes, while Cori took a little nap.
We took a brief ride on the TTA, and then saw the new Monster’s Inc. Laugh Factory - which uses the same technology as “Turtle Talk with Crush” to interact with the audience. The premise is that they have learned that human laughter powers Monstropolis even better then screams, so they opened up a night club to do stand up and collect the energy from our laughter. They put people up on screens and made jokes, but nothing too humiliating. It was funny! You could also text message a joke before the show and they would use some in the show.
It was time to use our Winnie the Pooh fast pass, and then head over to Splash Mountain. By now, it was getting particularly humid - the worst night yet, so getting wet felt awesome! After the ride, we found a place to watch Spectromagic, Grant’s favorite parade of all. Sitting on a bench behind us was a family from Canada - the little girl, Stella, was 4, and had a fantastic time playing with Cori while we waited for the parade… guess who got the TinkerBell pin??? (o:
We left the park after Spectromagic, trying to beat the crowds who were staying for the fireworks. Kevin and I ran through Swiss Family Robinson on the way out, and then we got to the ferry in time to watch the finale of the fireworks show on the ferry as we crossed Bay Lake to the TTA. We hopped the monorail back to the EPCOT parking lot, stopping at Walgreens for cold medicine for Angie and McDonalds for our dinner.
One more day at the parks… Animal Kingdom!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Wednesday - EPCOT, Magic Kingdom
This morning, we got to EPCOT at around 11, and went straight over to Test Track to get some fast passes. WE headed over to Mission Space. Cori and I hung out in Mission Control, while Grant, Steve, Angie, Andrew, and Kevin rode Mission Space. Angie didn’t do very well on it.
We decided to take it easy, and we went on Ellen’s Energy Adventure. When we were boarding the vehicles, one of the cast members, and older gentleman named Bill, came up to me and said, “I noticed you walking in and you had such a positive attitude - it is what I like to see,” and he shook my hand. Then ha said, “ I don’t know if you know this, but this is the Year of a Million Dreams, and I have a mission for you. I want you to be a Disney Ambassador. I don’t have to ask if you love Disney because I can already tell you do… what I want you to do is find someone in the park and tell them how glad you are to be here and ask them if they are having a good time. Then, you can take this pin and give it to the guest to help them have a magical experience!” He gave me two Tinkerbell pins… one to keep and one to share!
That totally made my day! I was feeling so happy, so on the way out of the attraction I went up to him and said, “That you so much - you really made my day!” And he says, “Ah, you made my year! You’re a real treat! Then he gave me a rice crispie treat! (o: What a great guy!
Next, we went on Test Track and then had lunch at The Garden Grill. We didn’t have the greatest table, but our waitress was outstanding. She even brought Kevin one of the kids desserts - a “decorate your own cupcake…” So cool.
Then we ode “Living with the Land,” which is different now - instead of a live narrator, it has a recorded spiel. Lunch took longer then anticipated, so we went on Journey to Imagination and then left EPCOT.
We park hopped to Magic Kingdom, via the monorail and the ferry. Once at MK, we went to Splash Mountain and got fast passes. Then we went to the Hall of Presidents for a dose of history and air conditioning.
Next, Andrew, Kevin, Grant, Steve and Angie went on Stitch’s Great Escape while Cori and I rode the TTA. I love the TTA. Then we all saw the Carousel of Progress!!! (o:
Finally, it was time to use our Fast Pass. I ran ahead to try to get Fast Passes for Big Thunder Mountain, and was able to get some of the last ones. Then we rode Splash Mountain - and got soaked - and the Big thunder Mountain.
Finally we watched the Wishes fireworks show, and then headed back to EPCOT, via monorail, and drove home.
(We picked up Wedny’s on the way - OH MY GOD. It literally took us 40 minutes to get our food. Never acceptable - much less when you are as tired as we were!!!
We decided to take it easy, and we went on Ellen’s Energy Adventure. When we were boarding the vehicles, one of the cast members, and older gentleman named Bill, came up to me and said, “I noticed you walking in and you had such a positive attitude - it is what I like to see,” and he shook my hand. Then ha said, “ I don’t know if you know this, but this is the Year of a Million Dreams, and I have a mission for you. I want you to be a Disney Ambassador. I don’t have to ask if you love Disney because I can already tell you do… what I want you to do is find someone in the park and tell them how glad you are to be here and ask them if they are having a good time. Then, you can take this pin and give it to the guest to help them have a magical experience!” He gave me two Tinkerbell pins… one to keep and one to share!
That totally made my day! I was feeling so happy, so on the way out of the attraction I went up to him and said, “That you so much - you really made my day!” And he says, “Ah, you made my year! You’re a real treat! Then he gave me a rice crispie treat! (o: What a great guy!
Next, we went on Test Track and then had lunch at The Garden Grill. We didn’t have the greatest table, but our waitress was outstanding. She even brought Kevin one of the kids desserts - a “decorate your own cupcake…” So cool.
Then we ode “Living with the Land,” which is different now - instead of a live narrator, it has a recorded spiel. Lunch took longer then anticipated, so we went on Journey to Imagination and then left EPCOT.
We park hopped to Magic Kingdom, via the monorail and the ferry. Once at MK, we went to Splash Mountain and got fast passes. Then we went to the Hall of Presidents for a dose of history and air conditioning.
Next, Andrew, Kevin, Grant, Steve and Angie went on Stitch’s Great Escape while Cori and I rode the TTA. I love the TTA. Then we all saw the Carousel of Progress!!! (o:
Finally, it was time to use our Fast Pass. I ran ahead to try to get Fast Passes for Big Thunder Mountain, and was able to get some of the last ones. Then we rode Splash Mountain - and got soaked - and the Big thunder Mountain.
Finally we watched the Wishes fireworks show, and then headed back to EPCOT, via monorail, and drove home.
(We picked up Wedny’s on the way - OH MY GOD. It literally took us 40 minutes to get our food. Never acceptable - much less when you are as tired as we were!!!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tuesday - Part 2 - EPCOT
Then we park hopped to EPCOT…
EPCOT had extra magic hours or resort guests, which worked for us, because it meant some things that normally closed at 7 stayed open until 9, and some things that stayed open until 9 stayed open way later. We went to the coke place to sample coke products from around the world, first. Then we went over to Mission Space, and Kevin, Steve, Andrew, Grant and I rode the Orange team (more intense training).
After we got off (and I realized I had left my backpack on the ride and Kevin had left his water bottle) we went back and got our stuff. Cori was occupied by one of those jumping fountains kids play in.
Finally, we headed over to World Showcase and got dinner from a kiosk in Japan - Tempura Chicken, tempura shrimp, and beef rice bowls, and spicy tuna rolls. We sat next to the fence around the showcase lagoon and ate dinner, and then watched “Illuminations.”
After dinner, we popped into the store at Japan - which I new Kevin would love ……” ah Pokemon!!!!” before heading for home.
We did a lot - the day was much more successful then I had anticipated!!! The kids were awesome!
EPCOT had extra magic hours or resort guests, which worked for us, because it meant some things that normally closed at 7 stayed open until 9, and some things that stayed open until 9 stayed open way later. We went to the coke place to sample coke products from around the world, first. Then we went over to Mission Space, and Kevin, Steve, Andrew, Grant and I rode the Orange team (more intense training).
After we got off (and I realized I had left my backpack on the ride and Kevin had left his water bottle) we went back and got our stuff. Cori was occupied by one of those jumping fountains kids play in.
Finally, we headed over to World Showcase and got dinner from a kiosk in Japan - Tempura Chicken, tempura shrimp, and beef rice bowls, and spicy tuna rolls. We sat next to the fence around the showcase lagoon and ate dinner, and then watched “Illuminations.”
After dinner, we popped into the store at Japan - which I new Kevin would love ……” ah Pokemon!!!!” before heading for home.
We did a lot - the day was much more successful then I had anticipated!!! The kids were awesome!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Tuesday - Part 1
Today was awesome! We went to Disney Studios today and it was not very crowded at all. Also, our timing was perfect so we were able to see quite a bit.
We started out by going on Tower of Terror - which, as you know, I love. This was Cori’s first time on the ride as she’s just become tall enough for it and hasn’t experienced it at home yet. She loved it and kept saying,” I want to go up and down again!”
We got off the ride just in time to get seats for Beauty and the Beast, Live on stage.
Then, we went on Rockin Roller Coaster - Andrew’s first BIG rollercoaster - 3 loops! He loved it! We went on the coaster a few times, switching off so people could wait with Cori.
Next, we went over and did Voyage of the Little Mermaid. We just slipped into the last few seats, which ensured that we got out on time and over to Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!!! This was Andrew’s favorite attraction, because of the ninjas and the whip tricks.
We ate lunch at the Sci-Fi Diner, sitting at a cool red car at the very front of the drive in. It was awesome.
We left lunch just in time again to slip into Lights! Motors! Action! Stunt show. During the first scene, the hero drives a red car, and he is chased by three black cars. In the second scene, the hero is on a motorcycle, being chased by the black cars… Cori stays screaming, “red car??? What happened to the red car???” So cute!!!
Next we did the Great Movie ride, followed by 2 more rides on the Tower of Terror and one ride on Rockin Roller Coaster.
Then we park hopped to EPCOT…
We started out by going on Tower of Terror - which, as you know, I love. This was Cori’s first time on the ride as she’s just become tall enough for it and hasn’t experienced it at home yet. She loved it and kept saying,” I want to go up and down again!”
We got off the ride just in time to get seats for Beauty and the Beast, Live on stage.
Then, we went on Rockin Roller Coaster - Andrew’s first BIG rollercoaster - 3 loops! He loved it! We went on the coaster a few times, switching off so people could wait with Cori.
Next, we went over and did Voyage of the Little Mermaid. We just slipped into the last few seats, which ensured that we got out on time and over to Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!!! This was Andrew’s favorite attraction, because of the ninjas and the whip tricks.
We ate lunch at the Sci-Fi Diner, sitting at a cool red car at the very front of the drive in. It was awesome.
We left lunch just in time again to slip into Lights! Motors! Action! Stunt show. During the first scene, the hero drives a red car, and he is chased by three black cars. In the second scene, the hero is on a motorcycle, being chased by the black cars… Cori stays screaming, “red car??? What happened to the red car???” So cute!!!
Next we did the Great Movie ride, followed by 2 more rides on the Tower of Terror and one ride on Rockin Roller Coaster.
Then we park hopped to EPCOT…
Monday, August 20, 2007
Orlando - Day 1
Grant and I are going on vacation with friends! Angie, Cori (3) and Andrew (8), and Steve and Kevin (14) are going to Disney World for a week. Then Kevin and Steve are flying home, and the rest of us are going on a cruise!
We left last night on a red-eye out of Ontario. Honestly, I am amazed at how well we are all doing! We left Ontario at 11:30 PM Pacific time and got to Orlando (after a layover in Atlanta) at 10:00 AM Eastern time. Cori did a lot of sleeping on the plane, Andrew slept in the terminal during the layover, and the rest of us grabbed bits and pieces here and there.
Arriving in Orlando - we amazingly fit all 7 of us and our luggage (including cruise luggage!!!) in a Toyota Sienna minivan. We drove to our hotel - Marriott Grande Vista Vacation Club, and luckily, they had a room ready for us. We are staying in a 3 bedroom villa, which is nice, because Grant and I get a room and a bathroom, Angie and the kids get a room and their own bathroom, and Steve and Kevin get their own room and their own bathroom! There is plenty of room for all of us!
We unpacked and then went to Walmart for groceries and then came back to the hotel for a quick swim before dinner. The pools are really nice and very kid friendly - the pool we liked best had a splash zone for kids that started out at zero depth and gradually worked its way to 4 feet, with lots of spraying water features. There were also water cannons outside the pool that people could aim at swimmers.
We went to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and had dinner at Boma. Yum. Again. I love this buffet! No one besides Grant an I had eaten there and they all loved it! Well, except for Cori, who slept through the entire dinner in her stroller! After dinner, we went behind the lobby to the Savannah to view the animals. Cori woke up for this and enjoyed looking at the birds, giraffe, gazelle, and the other animals.
After dinner, we decided to do a quick stop at Downtown Disney, just so Kevin and Angie could see what it is like (and how big it is!) since I’m not sure if we’ll be able to see it on the rest of our trip. We mostly just toured the marketplace. Andrew particularly enjoyed trying to get spit on by Stitch at the World of Disney.
We’re back at the hotel now ant it is 9:10. Hopefully we will all get good sleep tonight and be ready to hit the parks tomorrow!
We left last night on a red-eye out of Ontario. Honestly, I am amazed at how well we are all doing! We left Ontario at 11:30 PM Pacific time and got to Orlando (after a layover in Atlanta) at 10:00 AM Eastern time. Cori did a lot of sleeping on the plane, Andrew slept in the terminal during the layover, and the rest of us grabbed bits and pieces here and there.
Arriving in Orlando - we amazingly fit all 7 of us and our luggage (including cruise luggage!!!) in a Toyota Sienna minivan. We drove to our hotel - Marriott Grande Vista Vacation Club, and luckily, they had a room ready for us. We are staying in a 3 bedroom villa, which is nice, because Grant and I get a room and a bathroom, Angie and the kids get a room and their own bathroom, and Steve and Kevin get their own room and their own bathroom! There is plenty of room for all of us!
We unpacked and then went to Walmart for groceries and then came back to the hotel for a quick swim before dinner. The pools are really nice and very kid friendly - the pool we liked best had a splash zone for kids that started out at zero depth and gradually worked its way to 4 feet, with lots of spraying water features. There were also water cannons outside the pool that people could aim at swimmers.
We went to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and had dinner at Boma. Yum. Again. I love this buffet! No one besides Grant an I had eaten there and they all loved it! Well, except for Cori, who slept through the entire dinner in her stroller! After dinner, we went behind the lobby to the Savannah to view the animals. Cori woke up for this and enjoyed looking at the birds, giraffe, gazelle, and the other animals.
After dinner, we decided to do a quick stop at Downtown Disney, just so Kevin and Angie could see what it is like (and how big it is!) since I’m not sure if we’ll be able to see it on the rest of our trip. We mostly just toured the marketplace. Andrew particularly enjoyed trying to get spit on by Stitch at the World of Disney.
We’re back at the hotel now ant it is 9:10. Hopefully we will all get good sleep tonight and be ready to hit the parks tomorrow!
Friday, August 03, 2007
Ka
So this morning, Grant and I took a walk down the strip. We went to the planet hollywood hotel (which is the old Aladdin hotel) and had lunch at the Spice Market Buffet - which we enjoyed immensely.
After lunch, we went back to our hotel and spent the afternoon floating around the lazy river at the MGM grand. I love lazy rivers.
That night, we saw Ka, another Cirque de Soleil. Ka is at the MGM, so we could walk there from our room. Ka was a completely different experience then any other Cirque we've been to. It was much more theatrical then circus, from the "stage" - which was more theater-like as opposed to the round circus style - to the show itself, whose story telling was much more straight-forward. The sets were incredible and amazing and stars in them selves. Of course, the cast was jaw dropping.
After the show, we walked to New York New York and had dinner, and then we walked down the strip, stopping to watch 3 Bellagio fountain shows - I love that show - and then through Bally's, Paris, and Planet Hollywood before heading back to our hotel.
The next morning, we woke up to a thunderstorm, which slightly affected our trip home - we boarded our plane on time, but sat on the tarmac for 45 minutes waiting in line to take off. We had a blast!
After lunch, we went back to our hotel and spent the afternoon floating around the lazy river at the MGM grand. I love lazy rivers.
That night, we saw Ka, another Cirque de Soleil. Ka is at the MGM, so we could walk there from our room. Ka was a completely different experience then any other Cirque we've been to. It was much more theatrical then circus, from the "stage" - which was more theater-like as opposed to the round circus style - to the show itself, whose story telling was much more straight-forward. The sets were incredible and amazing and stars in them selves. Of course, the cast was jaw dropping.
After the show, we walked to New York New York and had dinner, and then we walked down the strip, stopping to watch 3 Bellagio fountain shows - I love that show - and then through Bally's, Paris, and Planet Hollywood before heading back to our hotel.
The next morning, we woke up to a thunderstorm, which slightly affected our trip home - we boarded our plane on time, but sat on the tarmac for 45 minutes waiting in line to take off. We had a blast!
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