The final morning, Grant got off the ship pretty quickly and went to get the rental car. Mom, Bobby, and I were planning to get off a little later, to meet Grant when he got back to the ship.
Well, there was a huge hold up and they didn't let anyone off the ship until like 9:00. Grant had gone down really early, so although he didn't get off early, he was one of the first off. Unfortunately, becasue of the hold up, EVERYONE wanted off the ship at the exact same time, which made Mom, Bobby, and I got caught in a huge crunch.
But all was well. We finally got off the beautiful Disney Magic and headed towards Orlando. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 6:00. We swung by the airport and checked in at noon, dropping off our checked bags. Then we went to Disney World and had lunch at the Polynesian hotel at the Kona Kafe.
After lunch, we took the monorail to the TTA, taking a peak at the Magic Kingdom and at the DVC construction at the Contemporary. At the TTA we switched and took the monorail to EPCOT just to see the park from above. Sigh - so close yet so far. We returned to TTA and then the Polynesian. We headed back to the airport and flew home.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Disney Magic - Sunday - Castaway Cay
Castaway Cay - our last day on the cruise - and really, other than the Panama Canal - probably one of the most anticipated ports of the cruise. We, of course, were very excited, having never been before - but I was surprised at how excited the repeat cruisers were. I mean - they'd been before. I knew it was supposed to be an amazing place, but still, I was a bit surprised that many of these people had never been to, say, Aruba or Cartegena, but they were most thrilled about being back on Castaway Cay.
However, I get it now. First of all, it is like when I visit Disney parks - there is something great about just going to somewhere familiar - especially if the place is awesome - and Castaway Cay is truly awesome.
It is landscaped, beautiful. It is a Bahama Island that meets every expectation of what you imagine in your mind, without the detractors. It is just paradise- with truly, no worries. The beach is nice - the snorkeling, not great, but excellent for a first snorkeing experience for kids. The lunch bbq is delicious. I mean, for real, just an amazing place. My only complaint was their fee for snorkel rentals. I thought the $25 rental fee was above and beyond expensive. I will always bring my own snorkel eqipment - or probably not rent it at all.
When we first got off the ship, it was a little drizzly, and very humid. We walked towards the beach and stopped in the shops to buy some post cards (Yeah, the post cards were also very expensive, and really, they didn't have a lot of good choices for post cards.) We also got some other merchandise. I was feeling really dizzy - which was odd, so I sat for a few minutes on the bench while Bobby went back to the post office to mail our post cards.
Then we found a spot on the beach. We actually sat right on the end near the snorkel shack, under a nice umbrella with plenty of loungers. We got two rafts and two sets of snorkeling equipment to share. We alternated and enjoyed just swimming and floating.
Lunch was delicious - ribs, corn bread, hot dogs, salads - so delicious! Honestly, this was probably the best meal of the whole cruise.
After lunch, we went back to the beach. Towards the end of the day, we took the tram over to Serenity Bay just to take a look. It was pretty closed up by the time we had arrived, but it looked nice.
Finally, we headed back to the ship. Dinner was at Parrot Cay. We said goodbye to our servers. We packed our bags, went to the "Remember the Magic" Farewell show, and got ready to go back to reality.
So after the perfect beach day, we headed back to the ship. Grant and I got started packing and we went to our last dinner at Parrot Cay.
However, I get it now. First of all, it is like when I visit Disney parks - there is something great about just going to somewhere familiar - especially if the place is awesome - and Castaway Cay is truly awesome.
It is landscaped, beautiful. It is a Bahama Island that meets every expectation of what you imagine in your mind, without the detractors. It is just paradise- with truly, no worries. The beach is nice - the snorkeling, not great, but excellent for a first snorkeing experience for kids. The lunch bbq is delicious. I mean, for real, just an amazing place. My only complaint was their fee for snorkel rentals. I thought the $25 rental fee was above and beyond expensive. I will always bring my own snorkel eqipment - or probably not rent it at all.
When we first got off the ship, it was a little drizzly, and very humid. We walked towards the beach and stopped in the shops to buy some post cards (Yeah, the post cards were also very expensive, and really, they didn't have a lot of good choices for post cards.) We also got some other merchandise. I was feeling really dizzy - which was odd, so I sat for a few minutes on the bench while Bobby went back to the post office to mail our post cards.
Then we found a spot on the beach. We actually sat right on the end near the snorkel shack, under a nice umbrella with plenty of loungers. We got two rafts and two sets of snorkeling equipment to share. We alternated and enjoyed just swimming and floating.
Lunch was delicious - ribs, corn bread, hot dogs, salads - so delicious! Honestly, this was probably the best meal of the whole cruise.
After lunch, we went back to the beach. Towards the end of the day, we took the tram over to Serenity Bay just to take a look. It was pretty closed up by the time we had arrived, but it looked nice.
Finally, we headed back to the ship. Dinner was at Parrot Cay. We said goodbye to our servers. We packed our bags, went to the "Remember the Magic" Farewell show, and got ready to go back to reality.
So after the perfect beach day, we headed back to the ship. Grant and I got started packing and we went to our last dinner at Parrot Cay.
Disney Magic - Saturday - At Sea
Well, yes, it is October. And yes, I am now finishing my vacation blog. But ghads - those last few days - you just want to enjoy you know? Then back to school and... well - here it is. The last two installments of my blog.
On Saturday, we had our last at sea day. I had hoped to do some packing today - but I didn't. Mom and Bobby did though- very impressive. Instead, we relaxed. We caught the matinee performance of Disney Dreams - another spectacular Disney stage show. What stood out here is how immersive and impressive the sets and special effects were - I mean, seriously, they were another character! Very impressive - especially considering this all took place on a cruise ship!
We hung out by the pool and walked around the ship - sort of taking in everything, as this would be our last day at sea.
Dinner tonight was our last night in Animator's Palate, and it was formal night. We took some really nice pictures. We took care of some business, watching the debarkation talk on the tv and wrapping up our photo packages.
We also went to watch Disney Dreams again - really - the show was that good.
Overall, the excitement about being at Castaway Cay the next day overruled the sadness about our trip being almost ever.
On Saturday, we had our last at sea day. I had hoped to do some packing today - but I didn't. Mom and Bobby did though- very impressive. Instead, we relaxed. We caught the matinee performance of Disney Dreams - another spectacular Disney stage show. What stood out here is how immersive and impressive the sets and special effects were - I mean, seriously, they were another character! Very impressive - especially considering this all took place on a cruise ship!
We hung out by the pool and walked around the ship - sort of taking in everything, as this would be our last day at sea.
Dinner tonight was our last night in Animator's Palate, and it was formal night. We took some really nice pictures. We took care of some business, watching the debarkation talk on the tv and wrapping up our photo packages.
We also went to watch Disney Dreams again - really - the show was that good.
Overall, the excitement about being at Castaway Cay the next day overruled the sadness about our trip being almost ever.
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