Setting sail...time to embark!

First time cruises often have a lot of questions about their upcoming vacation...and rightfully so! A Disney Cruise vacation is unlike any other vacation!   But let's start at the beginning shall we?

Prior to leaving for your Disney Cruise, you'll get a packet in the mail with your Disney Cruise Line Documents and luggage tags. You can read more about what's included in that packet here

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Before you leave you'll also want to log on to www.disneycruiseline.com and complete the online check-in process. It's important to do this early as you are assigned a Port Arrival Time!  There will be a form for you to fill out and bring with you to the port.

This is also where you can book excursions, adult dining, spa treatments and the nursery.  If there is something you MUST do, be sure to book it in advance! Depending on your Castaway Club level, your date that you can book excursions will vary.

You must be paid in full to book excursions, adult dining, spa treatments and nursery time!
First Time Cruisers-75 days in advance
Silver Level (after your 1st cruise)-90 days
Gold Level (after 5 cruises)-105 days
Platinum (after 10 cruises)-120 days
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Once you arrive at the port, a porter will take your luggage (luggage tags arrive in your documents). The next time you see it will be outside your stateroom later in the day. Rooms are typically ready after 1:30 p.m.!

Next you'll proceed through security and the metal detectors.  Disney allows a small carry on bag (has to fit through the scanners). Be sure to pack your swim suits, as well as anything you need for the day in your carry-on,  as everything on the ship will be ready to use as soon as you board!

Head up to the counter for the check-in process!

Be prepared to show your ID, have your picture taken, get your Key to the World Card as well as your boarding number.

 Disney will call out group numbers once it's time to board.

Once your boarding number is called, proceed through the entry to the ship (The Mickey Ears are only in Port Canaveral).  You'll have to swipe your Key to the World Card (which pops up a picture to ensure it's you!). It will also be time to take your group photo!

Once on board the ship, Disney Cast Members make that special announcement and welcome you aboard!


Then it's up to you what you do (depending on what time you've arrived).  Usually they'll usher you to lunch. Keep in mind the later into the lunch hour it is, the busier it gets!  That's why it's important to complete online check-in early and get an early port arrival time if you can! We like to get lunch done so we can explore the ship!

Once you have enjoyed your lunch, you are free to do whatever you'd like! You'll have until about 3:45/4:00 p.m. when Muster Drill is to relax and enjoy!

take this time to acquaint yourself with the various public spaces like the restaurants...

...pools

...spa (be sure to take a tour and enter the raffle!)

...and kids clubs! Everything will have an open house so feel free to explore.

Around 3:45 p.m., before you set sail, everyone will be required to participate in the Muster Drill. 

Please remember to show up on time, turn off those cell phones and listen to the instructions...this is extremely important information.

Also, remember to line up single file, with the tallest person in the back.

Once the Muster Drill is over, it's time for the Sail Away Party! This is a fun, high energy event to kick off your cruise! There will be lots of fun characters, music and more!!

This party is a ton of fun with singing, dancing and lots of celebrating! We are on vacation after all!!

Depending on which ship you are sailing, first seating for dinner is going to be shortly after the party.  If you have second seating, you'll be headed to a show first (open seating, first come, first serve!!).  

Don't forget to check your personal navigators for more information on daily activities! Many activities will happen after each evening dinner/show combo. Each night a new navigator will be left for the following day. Be sure to take a glimpse at it before going to bed.

I hope this helps you get familiar with what your first day aboard a Disney Cruise ship is like!

Kennedy Update

Happy Saturday! I'm typing to you all from our lovely hospital room and thought I would just give everyone a quick update on Kennedy. You have all been so amazingly thoughtful with your emails and phone calls.

Kennedy is doing well. Today is our 8th day in the hospital, although they consider it day 7.  The surgery went very well and as far as her incision, it's healing quickly. She's even been sleeping on her tummy. 

 The Dr.'s are focusing on getting her fed now.  She still has a lot of swelling where her esophagus was attached to her stomach which means nothing can get down into her belly. She sure does miss her juice!!  All her feedings have been through her new G-Tube.  We have moved on to Pediasure and if we can get her to the right dosage, we might get to go home as early as Tuesday!

Otherwise she's doing well! She loves to talk walks around the hospital and ride in their fancy firetruck strollers.  We even got her to dance a little yesterday so she's getting back to feeling like herself!

Thank you again everyone for your thoughts and prayers!

Guest Post From J.R. Day 4

DAY 4

(Animal Kingdom, Characters in Flight, Flying Fish)

We picked up some Mara for breakfast; nothing too ground breaking, and then got ready to head out to Animal Kingdom. At the park, we immediately headed over to Kilimanjaro Safari and picked up fast passes.

I recommend doing this, because it seemed everyone in the park thought that the wait would be minimal and to do this ride first. However, an hour later, the wait was listed as 50 minutes, but our fast passes helped us get through the line in less than 10. I’d suggest, after getting your fast passes for the Safari, you hit up Expedition Everest. It seems to have little to no wait first thing in the morning. We, however, just wandered the park to buy time. An hour to kill? It is easy to do.

 Especially with Hana, who again, passed out shortly after we got into the park. Luckily, after a quick nap, she woke up right as we wandered upon a meet-and-greet area with the gang from the Enchanted Woods. Get ready for some cuteness people!

 Once she saw him, she just lost it. The photographers were just melting and captured some pretty amazing photos, as did my husband.

 I think her favorite was Tigger, by far. The giggles that were coming from her were ridiculous!

Yes. In between giving him kisses, which he made kissy noises back, she slipped him some tongue. I am not sure where she learned that behavior, but Tigger didn’t seem to mind. Thankfully, we were told he had just come out of the “shower” before we met him. He had a clean nose.

After all that excitement, our hour was up, so we headed back over to Kilimanjaro Safari. She loved the ride, and we were able to see pretty close up as the animals were all up and moving around this morning. As we approached the drop off, a caravan ahead was having issues, so they had to bring a ladder over for us to climb out.

Kyle was so excited.

My mom, who has difficulty going downstairs, took it like a champ.

After we unloaded, we headed over to see the monkeys on the Pangani Trail. On our last trip, it wasn’t too busy and was a pleasure to walk through at a calm relaxing pace. Can’t say that this trip! Sadly, there wasn’t much activity either. I still recommend this trail to everyone. I also recommend the Maharajah Jungle Trek too! On most of our trips, we saw some pretty amazing things. Like the time the baby gorilla wanted to befriend a bunny, and that bunny had other ideas, and kept swatting at the monkey. It was so cute to see this little baby gorilla behaving just like a human toddler would.

After the uneventful trail exploration, we headed over to Dinoland to ride the Primevil-whirl, or as my husband calls it, the “Primevil-Hurl”.

My mom and I hopped on it. It reminded her of a park she visited as a child that had a similar ride the mousetrap. It was a good time.

After that, we headed over to Yak and Yeti. Not without taking a few photographs along the way. I love the little details in Animal  Kingdom.

This is my husband’s favorite restaurant, and every time we have eaten here, the food is top notch.

We would have taken pictures, but we were busy juggling a sleeping child. Our favorites are the lettuce cups for two, crispy mahi-mahi, and the shaoxing steak and shrimp. OH and we always, no matter how full, finish our meal with the fried wontons. YUM!

After lunch, we decided to head out of the park. The crowds were heavy much. We stopped at the Baby Care center before leaving; since Hana woke up from her nap and was due to eat. This was my favorite center by far. This was the only one that had individual feeding rooms, so you had privacy and no one going in and out of the room to distract.

  

Once out of the park, we decided to go to Downtown Disney, so with a little strategy, we hopped on a bus to Saratoga Springs. From there, we walked to Downtown Disney. It was a lovely walk. Just so pretty. I bet you wish we took pictures! If you have time, and are using the buses on your next trip, I recommend doing this.

We had previously purchased a Groupon for the Characters in Flight balloon ride. Kyle and I decided to ride it, while my mom did some souvenir shopping with Hana. It was a good thing, as I don’t think Hana would have tolerated the hour- long wait easily. I don’t believe the wait is usually that long, but because it was windy, they were only able to take up no more than ten people at a time.

It goes way up there!

 It was fun, but for me, just a one time thing.

After that, we hopped on a bus back home, got ready, and drove to dinner. Flying Fish! This place is my favorite place for desserts! We meet up with our good friend Krissy, who recently moved to SW Florida. It was nice to catch up over a fun meal.

Apparently even napkins taste good here. They brought us out a delicious amuse-bouche of onion soup, even after they knew of our intentions of just drinks and desserts. I love service like that! We each ordered a drink, and a dessert.

  

We had this lovely creation, Banana Napoleon, which was yummy. We also ordered the PB&J Crème Brule, which was okay. Not my favorite. And if I may recommend the best drink in the world, the Peanut Butter Freeze. It doesn’t sound like a good idea, but it is amazing. Even my husband, who hates Peanut Butter, loves it. Seriously, try it.

Our friend Krissy ordered this “Trio of Concession Sweets”. Isn’t it amazing? I have to explain what it is for those curious. On the left, is a popcorn mouse with caramel corn on top, the cherry-limeade Popsicle, pound cake fries, and a dark chocolate fudge burger. I can’t recall what the cheese was, but I believe the bun was also pound cake. It was pretty darn delicious

Guest Post from Donna

Today's Guest Post comes from Donna who just got back from sailing on the Fantasy!

Amanda!!!! We love the Fantasy. The ship was gorgeous. And frankly I couldn't tell there were 1000 additional people. The majority of the time if I was out and about I was the only one around. On the elevators, on the deck to and from my room, I never felt like we were overly crowded.

And honestly, I rarely felt the ship. I couldn't tell we were even moving, most of the time. 

I love our days at sea and there was more to do on the ship than I could possibly do. One day I chose to sit on our verandah and read for a while.  I was completely relaxed.

 The gym facilities were wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed the Senses spa. St. Thomas was breathtaking and we want to move to San Juan. I was surprised at how much I loved San Juan.

Sarah Beth basically lived at Vibe.  She met great kids and she really thought Ro, her counselor from Canada was the greatest.  The M. family's 2 girls loved the Edge and the Oceaneer Club just as much. (the family we cruise with).

The food was of course, amazing. Every morning I had salmon and fresh pineapple and at lunch shrimp and sushi.  The sushi is so very delicious! Dinners were the best ever! Our servers were funny and warm and just perfect plus the food choices - I ate Sarah Beth's molten lava cake PLUS mine because it was a crime not to eat it, right?

I should be the poster mom for single parent cruising! But let me tell you, there were so many really elderly couples there, and people in wheelchairs. And these people felt just as magical as the children, as did I!

There is really no comparison. When we were leaving San Juan, Sarah Beth and I were on the verandah watching the people on the Royal Caribbean Independence. They were lined up listening to the pool party and DJ. Some of them were even dancing. I can only imagine the jealousy :)

The only thing I would change is that I would STILL be on the ship!! We're already discussing our next cruise and when we decide you'll be the first to know!  I tell everyone how easy you make our trips!

Thanks again for all your help in making our cruises such magical, memorable, and truly unforgettable times!
Donna 

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

It's official!   Party tickets for this Halloween and Christmas are on sale now!!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
September 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 29
October 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
November 1

Pricing for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Advance sale for September dates (excluding Sept. 29): $59 plus tax for ages 10 and up, $54 plus tax for children ages 3-9
Advance sale for September 29, October, and November dates: $62 plus tax for ages 10 and up, $57 plus tax for children ages 3-9
Advance sale tickets are not available for October 11, 18, 25, or 31
Same day sales for September dates (excluding September 29): Ages 10 and up $65.00 plus tax. Children ages 3-9 are $60.00 plus tax.
Same day sales for September 29 and October/November dates (excluding October 31): Ages 10 and up $67.00 plus tax. Children ages 3-9 are $62.00 plus tax.
Premium Night (October 31): Ages 10 and up $73.00 plus tax. Children ages 3-9 are $68.00 plus tax.

Military pricing for active and Retired U.S. Military (including members of the U.S. Coast Guard and active members of National Guard or Reservists) is available for September 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, and 27. Prices are $41.30 for ages 10 and up. Children ages 3-9 are $37.80 plus tax.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

November 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, and 22. 

December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 20.

Pricing for the Christmas party
Advanced Sales: Ages 10 and up are $62.00 plus tax. Children ages 3-9 are $57.00 plus tax.
Advance Sale prices are not available for November 22, December 6, 13, 19, or 20.
Same day sales: ages 10 and up are $67.00. Children ages 3-9 are $62.00.
Premium Night (December 20): ages 10 and up $71.00. Children ages 3-9 are $66.00.

Military pricing for active and Retired U.S. Military (including members of the U.S. Coast Guard and active members of National Guard or Reservists) is available for November 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, and 21. Prices are $43.40 plus tax for ages 10 and up. Children ages 3-9 are $39.90.


ALL TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE ONCE PURCHASED!!