Saturday, April 23, 2011

ONLY HOURS TO GO . . .

     SATURDAY APRIL 23, 2011

     HOLY SATURDAY.  AS I WRITE THIS MY COUNTDOWN CLOCK IS AT JUST OVER 13 HOURS TO GO.  THE BAGS ARE PACKED AND TAGGED AND I'M JUST CHECKING AND DOUBLE CHECKING TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE EVERYTHING, AND SOMETHING IMPORTANT DOESN'T GET SKIPPED OR LEFT BEHIND.
     THANK GOODNESS I'M A LIST MAKER.  I CHECKED MY LIST THIS MORNING AND REALIZED I NEVER STOPPED MY MAIL DELIVERY.  AT LEAST MY POST OFFICE IS OPEN BRIEFLY ON SATURDAYS.  I MADE IT WITH 25 MINUTES TO SPARE.
     MY SON SLEPT OVER GRANDMOM AND GRANDPOP'S ON THURSDAY NIGHT SINCE HE WAS OFF OF SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, SO I MADE SURE HE WENT TO BED EARLY ON FRIDAY NIGHT.  SLEEPING OVER MY PARENTS MEANS FOR HIM MEANS STAYING UP LATE AND GETTING UP EARLY, EQUALING LESS SLEEP.  NOT WHAT I WANT BEFORE HE GOES ON AN EXHAUSTING VACATION.  BUT BY KNOWING THIS WAS THE CASE, HE WAS ABLE TO SLEEP 13 STRAIGHT HOURS LAST NIGHT.
     HE'S 8 YEARS OLD AND NEVER TAKES NAPS ANYMORE, BUT SINCE WE'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE AN EASTER SERVICE AT CHURCH, AND I ONLY FOUND OUT RECENTLY THAT THERE WILL BE NO SERVICES ON-BOARD, WE'RE GOING TO THE 8PM EASTER VIGIL MASS TONIGHT.  SO AGAIN ANOTHER NIGHT FOR HIM OF STAYING UP LATE RUNNING INTO A MORNING OF GETTING UP EARLY.  4:30AM TO BE EXACT.  SO DESPITE HIS SAYING HE DOESN'T NEED TO, HE'S IN BED TAKING A NAP RIGHT NOW.  AND OUT COLD TOO I MIGHT ADD.  SO THAT SHOULD HELP WITH SOME OF THE SLEEP HE'S GOING TO MISS AND PREVENT HIM FROM BEING EXTREMELY MISERABLE WHEN I HAVE TO WAKE HIM UP TOMORROW MORNING WHEN IT'S STILL DARK OUT.
     NOT A WHOLE LOT LEFT TO DO NOW.  CAN'T CONTROL THE WEATHER, SO I'M HOPING FOR NO DELAYS, AND IF IT WERE TO RAIN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CRUISE, WE'D STILL FIND WAYS TO HAVE FUN, SO WE'RE READY TO ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES. 
     TO ALL WHO READ THIS, A VERY HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOURS AND WE'LL SEE YOU WHEN WE GET BACK.  SEA YA REAL SOON . . . MICKEY!  ºOº
     OUR FINAL MOVIE BEFORE WE GO IS "TOY STORY 3".  AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TWO TOY STORY FILMS, AND BETTER IN SOME WAYS.  DESERVED IT'S BEST PICTURE NOMINATION.

1 DAY TO GO . . .

     FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2011

     IT'S GOOD FRIDAY AND WE'RE IN FINAL PREPARATION MODE NOW.  MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED IN OUR BAGS AND ALL THE LAST MINUTE THINGS ARE PUT WHERE THEY SHOULD BE.  I KNOW WE DON'T LEAVE UNTIL SUNDAY, BUT ON SATURDAY WE'RE DOWN TO COUNTING HOURS, SO WE DON'T CONSIDER THAT AS A WHOLE DAY TO BE COUNTED, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE HAVE TO GET UP AT 4:30 IN THE MORNING TO GET TO THE AIRPORT FOR OUR 6AM FLIGHT.  LUCKILY THE ATLANTIC CITY AIRPORT IS NEARBY.
     THIS WAS A CUTE LAST DAY THING THAT MY SON DID THOUGH.  THIS IS HIS LETTER TO THE EASTER BUNNY, TELLING HIM THAT HE WOULDN'T BE HOME FOR EASTER THIS YEAR AND THAT HE'D BE ON THE DISNEY DREAM.  HE WAS MORE WORRIED ABOUT OFFENDING THE EASTER BUNNY THAN ASKING FOR SOMETHING.  TOO FUNNY.
     WE HAD SOME PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO JOIN OUR EASTER CRUISE FISH EXTENDER LATE, AFTER OUR CUT-OFF DATE, SO I WAS TRYING TO GET SOME EXTRA STUFF INTO OUR SUITCASES TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WHEN WE'RE ON-BOARD.  RIGHT NOW IT'S TOUGH TO TELL WHAT I EVEN HAVE SINCE I'VE GOT SO MUCH IN OUR BAGS!  HAVE I MENTIONED BEFORE THAT I'M AN OVER PACKER?!  LUCKILY, SOME OF IT IS DESIGNED TO NOT COME BACK, SO THAT WILL AT LEAST BE A LITTLE LESS.  I HOPE THE FISH EXTENDER GIFTS WE GET AREN'T BIG!
     WE'RE FLYING SPIRIT AIRLINES (THE KING OF FEES) AND THEIR BAG WEIGHT LIMIT IS NOW ONLY 40LBS EACH (LOWEST IN THE INDUSTRY).  SO I BORROWED A HAND HELD BAG SCALE TO WEIGH THEM BEFORE GOING TO THE AIRPORT AND I'M RIGHT AROUND 38LBS EACH, SO WE SHOULD BE GOOD.  OF COURSE THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE OUR BACKPACKS.  THANK GOODNESS THEY DON'T WEIGH THEM TOO.  MY SON'S ISN'T BAD, BUT MINE'S HEAVY!  lol
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "TANGLED".  I KNOW WE RENTED ONCE ALREADY, BUT IT WAS REALLY GOOD AND IT'S ONLY OUR SECOND VIEWING.  THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PIXAR MOVIES LIKE "UP" AND "WALL-E", BUT WE HAD SEEN THOSE NOT IN OUR LIST RIGHT BEFORE WE STARTED OUR MOVIE COUNTDOWN.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

2 DAYS TO GO . . .

     THURSDAY APRIL 21, 2011

     HOLY (MAUNDY) THURSDAY.  AS I'M OFF THE MAP OFFICIALLY IN OUR COUNTDOWN AND FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR OUR FIRST EVER CRUISE, I THOUGHT TODAY I WOULD COVER WHAT COVERS OUR DAY.  SINCE WE'RE SAILING ON THE HOLIEST OF CATHOLIC DAYS, EASTER SUNDAY, I HAVE TO TOUCH ON TODAY'S BEING HOLY THURSDAY, THE DAY OF THE LAST SUPPER.
     MY SON IS IN ONE OF THOSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT STILL HAS AN ENTIRE WEEK OFF FOR EASTER, OR SPRING, BREAK.  TODAY IS A HALF DAY AND THEN THEY'RE OFF ON FRIDAY, THE NEXT MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND DON'T RETURN TO SCHOOL TIL THE FOLLOWING MONDAY.
     BUT TODAY IS A BIG DAY AT CHURCH FOR HIM.  HE HAS FIRST HOLY COMMUNION THE WEEK AFTER WE RETURN FROM OUR CRUISE, SO THEY'VE BEEN HAVING PRACTICES OF THE PROCESSIONAL AND EVENTS LEADING UP TO IT.  THIS AFTERNOON THEY ARE FILLING PLASTIC EASTER EGGS WITH CANDY FOR THE ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT BEHIND THE CHURCH AFTER THE 9:30AM "CHILDREN'S" MASS ON EASTER SUNDAY.  OF COURSE WE WON'T BE THERE FOR IT THIS YEAR AS WE'LL BE IN FLORIDA BY THEN, BUT HE'S EXCITED JUST THE SAME.
     AFTER THE EGG FILLING WE'LL BE HEATING UP OUR VEGETABLE LASAGNA TO DROP OFF AT THE CHURCH HALL FOR THE ANNUAL HOLY THURSDAY CONGREGATION DINNER.  AFTER THE THURSDAY 6PM MASS THERE IS A DINNER FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE PARISH AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO CHOOSE TO ATTEND.  EVERYBODY BRINGS SOMETHING SO THERE'S A CRAZY AMOUNT OF FOOD.  AS ALWAYS, IT'S NOT THE MEAL THAT EXCITES MY SON AS MUCH AS MY LETTING HIM GET DRESSED UP FOR THE OCCASION.  THE KID LOVES WEARING A TIE!
     THEN HE GETS TO GO TO GRANDMOM AND GRANDPOP'S HOUSE AFTER DINNER TO SLEEP OVER, SINCE HE'S OFF OF SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY.  MY PARENTS ARE LIKE TYPICAL GRANDPARENTS I'M SURE.  THEY LOVE TO FAWN OVER THEIR GRAND KIDS, AND SINCE MY SON IS THE YOUNGEST, YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE.  ASIDE THE FACT THAT MY SON AND MY FATHER HAVE A REALLY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP.  THEY'RE GOOD BUDDIES AS MUCH AS THEY ARE FAMILY.
     OH, I ALMOST FORGOT.  SINCE MY SON'S BIRTHDAY IS ON TUESDAY THE 26th OVER THE VACATION, THEY'RE HAVING A PARTY IN HIS CLASSROOM TODAY FOR HIM TOO.  SO I'M DROPPING OFF COOKIES AND BROWNIES AND CANDY AND JUICE BOXES AND GOODY BAGS FOR HIS CLASS TODAY TOO.  PITY THAT TEACHER HUH?  NOTHING LIKE A SUGARED UP CLASSROOM TO DEAL WITH!  lol  BIG DAY AHEAD.  BUT AN EVEN BIGGER ONE COMING UP SOON . . . .
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "RATATOUILLE".  GREAT FILM TOP TO BOTTOM!  A MUST SEE.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

3 DAYS TO GO . . .

     WEDNESDAY APRIL 20, 2011

     THE TOP 10 REASONS TO CRUISE DISNEY:

I LEARNED A LOT FROM THE PASSPORTER BOOKS AND WEBSITE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, SO IN AN HOMAGE TO THEM, I PUT MY SPIN ON THEIR TOP 10.

1.)  STATEROOMS - NOT ONLY DOES THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE DECORATE THEIR STATEROOMS WITH TOP OF THE LINE FABRICS, BEDS, LINENS, AND ACCESSORIES, BUT THEY ARE UP TO 25% LARGER THAN OTHER COMPARIBLE ROOMS ON OTHER CRUISE LINES.  THEY ALSO FEATURE THE DCL "SPLIT BATH, WHICH IS BASICALLY A BATH AND A HALF.  REALLY NICE TO HAVE WHEN YOU HAVE A FAMILY THAT NEEDS TO GET READY.

2.)  ROTATIONAL DINING - YOU ROTATE THROUGH THE 3 MAIN DINING ROOMS THAT EACH DISNEY SHIP HAS, INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE, AND GET COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DECORS AND MENUS.  PLUS, YOUR SERVERS ROTATE WITH YOU SO THEY GET TO KNOW YOU AND YOU GET TO KNOW THEM, IMPROVING SERVICE.  OTHER CRUISE LINES WILL HAVE YOU EAT IN THE SAME MAIN DINING ROOM EVERY NIGHT UNLESS YOU CHOOSE TO EAT SOMEWHERE ELSE, AND PAY FOR IT.

3.)  DRINKS - UNLIKE ANY OTHER CRUISE LINE, DISNEY OFFERS FREE SODAS AT IT'S MEALS AND 24 HOURS A DAY AT IT'S BEVERAGE STATIONS.  MOST CRUISE LINES MAKE YOU PAY EXTRA FOR SODA.  DISNEY ALSO LETS YOU BRING YOUR OWN ALCOHOL ON-BOARD WITH YOU, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO SNEAK IT ON; AN INDUSTRY FIRST.

4.)  FAMILY ORIENTED - THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE WAS VOTED THE BEST "FAMILY ORIENTED CRUISE LINE".  IT'S PROBABLY NOT THE IDEAL CRUISE LINE FOR SINGLES LOOKING TO HOOK UP, BUT IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO CRUISE WITH YOUR FAMILY, YOU CAN DO NO BETTER.  EACH SHIP HAS AREAS FOR FAMILIES TO DO THINGS TOGETHER, AS WELL AS PRIVATE AREAS FOR KIDS, TWEENS, TEENS, AND ADULTS TO BE ALONE.  THERE IS INTENTIONALLY SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

5.)  CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING - NO CRUISE LINE DOES CHILDREN'S AREAS AND ACTIVITIES BETTER THAN DISNEY.  FROM FLOUNDER'S REEF FOR THOSE UNDER 3 UP TO THE "OCEANEER'S CLUB AND LAB" FOR KIDS UP TO 10, TO THE TWEEN'S "EDGE" CLUB FOR KIDS 11 TO 13, TO THE TEENS "VIBE" CLUB.  EACH WITH THEIR OWN AREAS AND ACTIVITIES FROM THE CRACK OF DAWN TO LATE AT NIGHT.  THEY ARE TRULY A SIGHT TO BEHOLD.  THE FANTASY AND IMAGINEERING OF DISNEY WORLD ON A SHIP.

6.)  DISNEY CHARACTERS - LET'S FACE IT, EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE LINES THAT DISNEY CHARACTERS CREATE, YOU CAN'T HELP BUT SMILE WHEN YOU SEE THEM.  AND THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE IS THE ONLY PLACE TO FIND THEM ON THE HIGH SEAS, AND A LOT LESS PEOPLE HOPING TO SEE THEM.  THIS IS THE ONE PLACE WHERE YOU CAN ACTUALLY RUN INTO A CHARACTER IN THE HALLWAY OR THE LIKE AND HAVE THEM ALL TO YOURSELF.

7.)  BROADWAY QUALITY SHOWS - MOST CRUISE LINES ONLY OFFERED VERY AVERAGE STAGE SHOWS OR A GLITZY LAS VEGAS TYPE REVIEW.  DISNEY HAS BEEN STAGING FULL ONE HOUR PRODUCTIONS ON THEIR SHIPS JUST LIKE THE ONES THEY PUT ON BROADWAY TO SOLD OUT THEATERS NIGHT AFTER NIGHT.  THEY HAVE RECEIVED SUCH OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE REVIEWS THAT OTHER CRUISE LINES ARE NOW SPENDING MILLIONS TO ACTUALLY BRING BROADWAY PRODUCTIONS TO THEIR SHIPS TO COMPETE.

8.)  CASTAWAY CAY - A FEW OTHER CRUISE LINES HAVE THEIR "OWN" ISLANDS, OR PRIVATE BEACHES, THAT THEY CALL THEIR OWN.  NONE HAS DONE IT LIKE DISNEY.  ASIDE FROM THE ABILITY TO FIND DISNEY CHARACTERS THERE, THE THEMING, MANICURED SURROUNDINGS AND TOP NOTCH FOOD HAVE PUT DISNEY'S PRIVATE OASIS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE COMPETITION.

9.)  DISNEY CREW MEMBERS - I SHOULD START WITH THE FACT THAT, LIKE THE DISNEY PARKS, EMPLOYEES ARE CALLED "CAST MEMBERS, BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL A PART OF THE SAME PRODUCTION, AND IT SHOWS.  ALL TRAINED BY DISNEY IN THE DISNEY WAY, FEW CAN COMPARE TO THAT OVERWHELMING FEELING OF BEING WELCOME AND APPRECIATED.  THEY CONTINUE TO RECEIVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST MARKS AROUND.

10.)  ENTHUSIASM - YOU SEE IT AND FEEL IT EVERYWHERE.  IT'S NOT JUST THE AVERAGE CREW MEMBER.  IT'S THE OFFICERS DOWN TO THE COOKS.  AND BECAUSE OF THAT YOU FEEL IT IN MOST OF THE PASSENGERS AROUND YOU.  IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE DRUNK, LIKE SOME PLACES.  IT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL HAPPY TO BE THERE, JUST LIKE THE DISNEY PARKS.  YES, IT MAY HAVE COST YOU A PRETTY PENNY, BUT DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE YOU DIDN'T GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH FROM A DISNEY VACATION.  YOU USUALLY COME HOME TIRED BECAUS YOU DID SO MUCH.  YOU USUALLY TAKE TOO MANY PICTURES BECAUSE THEY'RE SO MUCH TO SEE.  AND YOU USUALLY HAVE ENOUGH MEMORIES TO LAST YOU A LIFETIME.  CAN YOU REALLY ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE FROM A VACATION? 

     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "ENCHANTED".  WHILE IT'S TECHNICALLY NOT AN ANIMATED FILM, THERE IS SOME ANIMATION IN IT, LIKE "MARY POPPINS", AND IT IS INCREDIBLY CUTE.  AMY ADAMS IS FANTASTIC IN IT.  IT'LL KEEP YOU SMILING!


Tuesday, April 19, 2011

4 DAYS TO GO . . .

     TUESDAY APRIL 19, 2011

     WRITE A TRIP REPORT.  AS I'VE MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, THERE ARE MANY DISNEY THEMED AND MOTIVATED MESSAGE BOARDS ON-LINE THAT DISCUSS NOTHING BUT DISNEY.  DISNEY EVERYTHING.  YOU CAN FIND THESE SPOTS AND THEN CLICK ON YOUR PARTICULAR AREA OF INTEREST.  IN THIS CASE, I'VE BEEN READING, STUDYING, AND ASKING QUESTIONS ON DISNEY CRUISE LINE BOARDS. 
     WELL ONE OF THE BEST SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON THESE BOARDS ARE "TRIP REPORTS".  THESE ARE EXACTLY WHAT THEY SOUND LIKE.  SOMEONE TAKES A DISNEY CRUISE AND THEN ON THEIR RETURN THEY WRITE A REPORT ON WHAT THEY SAW AND DID.  A TRIP REPORT CAN BE AS DETAILED AS YOU WANT IT TO BE. 
     I STARTED WHAT'S CALLED A "PRE-TRIP REPORT".  IT CHRONICLED MY PREPARATIONS FOR OUR CRUISE LEADING UP TO OUR DEPARTURE.  WHEN WE RETURN I WILL WRITE A FULL REPORT OF ALL THE STEPS AND PROCESSES INVOLVED IN TAKING A DISNEY CRUISE ON THE NEW DISNEY DREAM FOR ALL THOSE THAT HAVE QUESTIONS (LIKE I DID) OR HAVE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE.
     SOME REPORTS ARE AS BRIEF AS YOU CAN IMAGINE FOR THOSE THAT JUST DON'T LIKE TO TYPE, OR HAVE A TERRIBLE MEMORY, OR ONLY FEEL LIKE THE HIGHLIGHTS ARE NECESSARY.
     SOME ARE INCREDIBLY DETAILED.  THIS IS WHAT I'M INTENDING.  I LIKE TO WRITE, PLUS I'VE GOT SO MUCH INFORMATION FROM THESE BOARDS THAT I KIND OF FEEL LIKE I OWE THOSE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS AT LEAST THAT MUCH.
     GENERALLY A TRIP REPORT STARTS FROM THE BEGINNING OF YOUR TRIP AND PROGRESSES THROUGH TO THE END, PROVIDING AS MUCH DETAIL AS YOU PERSONALLY CAN.  IF YOU CAN INCLUDE PICTURES ALONG THE WAT TO COINCIDE, ALL THE BETTER.  WE LIVE IN A VISUAL WORLD.
     THINK OF THE QUESTIONS YOU WOULD HAVE AND TRY TO ANSWER THEM.  THINK OF THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE READ AND LOOK FOR THEIR ANSWERS.  THINK OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU'VE SEEN GET ASKED OVER AND OVER AND TRY TO GET THE ANSWERS.  AS YOU TELL ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES ON AND OFF OF THE SHIP DURING YOUR CRUISE, YOU WILL BE ANSWERING A GREAT MANY QUESTIONS THAT OTHERS ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING THE ANSWERS TO.  YOU MAY NOT REALIZE IT, BUT THERE ARE A GREAT MANY OUT THERE JUST LIKE YOU, SO ANY INFORMATION IS GOOD INFORMATION.
     PLUS YOU'LL HAVE PUT YOUR TRIP NOT ONLY INTO PICTURES, BUT IN WRITING FOR YOURSELF TO LOOK BACK ON AS WELL.  YOU CAN EVEN PRINT IT OUT FOR YOURSELF AS IT'S SOMETHING YOU MAY NOT NORMALLY HAVE DONE AND IN YEARS TO COME THERE MAY BE THINGS IN THERE YOU WOULD HAVE FORGOTTEN OTHERWISE.  THE POINT IS TO TAKE YOUR TIME AND TRY AND ENJOY THE REFLECTION ON YOUR DISNEY CRUISE FOR YOURSELF AND FOR OTHERS.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE WILD".  NOT AS STRONG AS SOME OF THE RECENT MOVIES THAT SURROUND IT AS IT'S A LITTLE MORE ADULT IN THEME, BUT A STELLAR VOICE CAST AND GREAT ANIMATION MAKES THIS A SURPRISE WINNER.

5 DAYS TO GO . . .

     MONDAY APRIL 18, 2011

     EVEN WHEN YOUR CRUISE IS OVER, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE OVER.  HAVE A CRUISE NIGHT AFTER.  WE ALL KNOW LIKE ANY OTHER VACATION, THERE'S TONS TO DO WHEN YOU GET HOME.  THERE'S ALL THAT LAUNDRY TO SHOVEL THROUGH, PLUS GETTING YOUR LUGGAGE PUT BACK AWAY, AND ALL THOSE LITTLE THINGS BACK IN THEIR PLACE.  IT FEELS LIKE AN INSURMOUNTABLE MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB TO GET IT ALL DONE WHILE STILL LEADING YOUR EVERYDAY LIVES.  IT'S ACTUALLY ENOUGH TO KEEP YOUR MIND OFF OF BEING HOME AND THE REALITY THAT YOUR VACATION IS ACTUALLY OVER.  WELL IT DOESN'T REALLY HAVE TO BE.
     NOW THAT ALL THE WORK INVOLVED WITH COMING HOME IS DONE, PLAN A IGHT AROUND YOUR CRUISE.  DO IT WITH JUST THOSE YOU CRUISED WITH, OR INVITE OVER FAMILY AND/OR FRIENDS.  COOK A CRUISED THEMED MEAL, WHETHER IN THE WAY IT LOOKS OR SOMETHING YOU REALLY ENJOYED ON THE SHIP.  DECORATE YOUR HOUSE WITH SHIP, CRUISE, OR JUST DISNEY PARAPHANALIA.  GET ALL YOUR SOUVENIRS TOGETHER; LITTLE THINGS YOU COLLECTED OR BIGGER ONES YOU BOUGHT.  AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, GET YOUR PHOTOS DEVELOPED.  OR UPLOAD THEM ONTO YOUR COMPUTER.  TURN YOUR PICTURES INTO A SLIDE SHOW, OR A MOVIE, OR USE YOUR PICTURES TO CREATE A MOVIE ON YOUR COMPUTER.  CONNECT YOUR VIDEO CAMERA TO YOUR TV AND SHOW EVERYTHING YOU'VE FILMED OR EDIT YOUR FILM INTO SOMETHING MORE.  YOUR PHOTOS AND THE LIKE ARE YOUR FOREVER MEMORIES OF YOUR TRIP.  NO ONE WILL HAVE THE SAME INTEREST LEVEL IN SEEING THEM THAT YOU WILL, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS SOME IN THERE THAT WILL MAKE EVERYBODY LAUGH. 
     FOR EXAMPLE: AS I'VE STATED BEFORE, WE'RE SAILING ON EASTER SUNDAY.  OUR HOUSE HAS BEEN DECORATED FOR EASTER SINCE AFTER ST. PATTY'S DAY.  IT WAS A NICE WAY TO HELP KEEP US IN THE MOOD AND SERVE AS A REMINDER TO WHAT WE'RE COUNTING DOWN TO.  THE DAY WE RETURN (4 DAYS AFTER EASTER), IN THE EVENING, I'M GOING TO TRY TO GET ALL MY LAUNDRY DONE WHILE TAKING DOWN AND PUTTING AWAY ALL OUR EASTER DECORATIONS.  IT WILL ALSO BE 2 DAYS AFTER MY SON'S ACTUAL BIRTHDAY, BUT STILL 9 DAYS BEFORE HIS JOINT FIRST COMMUNION AND FAMILY CELEBRATION PARTY, AND 18 DAYS BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY IN MAY.  SO I'M GOING TO DECORATE THE WHOLE HOUSE IN MICKEY MOUSE THEMED BIRTHDAY STUFF.  NOT ONLY DO WE GET THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, BUT THE CONTINUATION OF THOSE DISNEY SURROUNDINGS THAT STILL HAVE US GLOWING.  IN THE MEAN TIME, I CAN START GETTING OUR OWN PICTURES AND VIDEOS TOGETHER FOR A POST-CRUISE CELEBRATION OF OUR OWN.
     HOW YOU DO IT IS UP TO YOU.  THE POINT IS TO TRY TO AVOID THOSE POST-CRUISE BLUES BY JUST DOING IT (SORRY NIKE).  DO IT BIG.  DO IT SMALL.  DO IT YOUR OWN WAY.  BUT ANYWAY YOU CELEBRATE THE FANTASTIC TIME YOU JUST RETURNED FROM, YOU, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY WILL ALL LOVE IT TOO!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "CARS".  WITH YET ANOTHER SUCCESSIVE SUCCESS, PIXAR OUT DOES ITSELF WITH A MOVIE THAT KIDS LOVE EVEN MORE AND THE ADULTS ENJOY JUST AS MUCH.  SO GOOD THAT THE MERCHANDISING FOR THIS FILM RIVALS MICKEY AND THE GANG THEMSELVES.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

6 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SUNDAY APRIL 17, 2011

     THE LAST BREAKFAST.  BREAKFAST ON YOUR LAST MORNING HARDLY SEEMS LIKE MUCH YOU HAVE TO PLAN FOR, SO LUCKILY FOR YOU, THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE PLANS IT ALL FOR YOU.  WHY?  THERE REALLY IS NO BETTER EXPLANATION THAN TO SAY THAT DISNEY WANTS TO GET YOU OFF THE BOAT!
     THE DISNEY DREAM SAILS 7 DAYS A WEEK.  IT DOES A 4 NIGHT CRUISE, RETURNS, THEN DOES A 3 NIGHT CRUISE.  SO GETTING EVERYBODY OFF OF THE BOAT SO THE NEW PASSENGERS CAN GET ON, NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH MILITARY PRECISION.
     AS MENTIONED BEFORE, EVERY NIGHT OF YOUR CRUISE YOU HAVE A SCHEDULED RESTAURANT TO DINE IN FOR DINNER.  OBVIOUSLY, YOU CAN CHOOSE NOT TO GO AND HAVE ROOM SERVICE OR QUICK SERVICE FOOD ON-DECK, BUT YOU HAVE MAIN DINING RESTAURANT YOU CAN ATTEND.  WELL IT'S THIS SCHEDULE THAT CONTROLS YOUR DEBARKATION (GETTING OFF OF THE SHIP ON YOUR LAST MORNING) BREAKFAST AS WELL.  WHATEVER RESTAURANT YOU ARE SCHEDULED TO HAVE DINNER IN ON THE LAST NIGHT OF YOUR CRUISE, IS THE RESTAURANT YOU ARE SCHEDULED TO EAT BREAKFAST IN ON DEBARKATION MORNING.  AND TO GO A STEP FURTHER, IF YOU HAVE EARLY, OR MAIN, DINNER SEATING, YOU WILL BE SCHEDULED TO HAVE BREAKFAST IN THAT RESTAURANT AT 6:30AM.  IF YOU HAVE LATE DINNER SEATING THROUGHOUT YOUR CRUISE, YOU WILL BE SCHEDULED TO HAVE 8AM BREAKFAST IN YOUR LAST SCHEDULED DINNER RESTAURANT.  ALTHOUGH ANIMATOR'S PALATE DOES NOT SERVE BREAKFAST, THIS IS THE ONE DAY THAT THEY MAKE AN EXCEPTION, TO SPREAD OUT THE CROWDS AND GET EVERYONE FED AND OFF OF THE SHIP BY 9:30AM.
     THE IDEA IS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS THE OPTION OF GETTING A FULL BREAKFAST AND STILL GET OFF OF THE SHIP IN TIME FOR DISNEY AND IN TIME FOR YOUR SCHEDULED TRANSPORTATION WHETHER ON THE GROUND OR BY AIR.  BECAUSE OF ALL THIS REGIMENTATION ON DEBARKATION MORNING, DISNEY IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE FASTEST AND SMOOTHEST IN THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY AT FEEDING AND DEBARKING IT'S PASSENGERS ON THE LAST DAY.
     ALTHOUGH SOME, NAY, MANY, ARE IN LINE TO GET OFF OF THE SHIP AS SOON AS THEY START ALLOWING YOU TO, USUALLY AROUND 7:30AM.  THE LINES MOVE VERY QUICKLY AND GET YOU THROUGH SECURITY, CUSTOMS, AND BAGGAGE AND HAVE YOU ON YOUR WAY FAR FASTER THAN YOU MAY EVER IMAGINE.  SOME EVEN REPORT EATING, GETTING THROUGH ALL OF THE ABOVE, GETTING TRANSPORTED THE HOUR TO ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, GETTING THROUGH THEIR SECURITY, CHECKING IN AND GETTING TO THEIR FLIGHT ALL BY 10:30AM.  THAT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.  WITH SOME CRUISE LINES, RIGHT OFF THE BAT THAT JUST WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITH ALL THE SITTING AROUND AND WAITING TO GET OFF OF THE SHIP THAT TAKES PLACE.  NOW UNFORESEEN DELAYS COULD OBVIOUSLY PREVENT THIS AT ANY TIME, BUT THAT STILL DOESN'T CHANGE DISNEY'S EFFICIENCY WITH THIS PROCESS.
     AND ALTHOUGH DISNEY DOES SCHEDULE YOUR BREAKFAST ON DEBARKATION MORNING, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ATTEND.  THERE IS NO ROOM SERVICE ON DEBARKATION MORNING TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM HIDING OUT IN THEIR ROOM, BUT YOU COULD SKIP BREAKFAST ALL TOGETHER.  YOU COULD ALSO GO TO THE TOPSIDE BUFFET.  ALTHOUGH DISNEY NEVER ADVERTISES IN ANY WAY IT'S BEING OPEN ON THE LAST MORNING, REPORTS FROM CRUISERS ON ALL DISNEY SHIPS HAVE SAID THAT IT ALWAYS IS.  SO YOU COULD DINE AT THE TIME THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU.  ANOTHER OPTION, AND ONE I'LL BE LOOKING INTO, IS ASKING YOUR WAIT STAFF IF YOU CAN DINE IN YOUR SCHEDULED RESTAURANT AT ANOTHER TIME.  WE HAVE MAIN (5:45PM NOW) DINNER DINING FOR OUR CRUISE.  THAT MEANS WE WILL BE SCHEDULED TO HAVE BREAKFAST AT 6:30AM ON OUR LAST MORNING.  THAT SIMPLY ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.  BE UP, BE READY, HAVE OUR CARRY-ONS PACKED, BE OUT AND BE AT BREAKFAST AT 6:30AM?  NOT US.  I DON'T THINK SO.  SO I'VE HEARD THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO CHANGE TO 8AM BREAKFAST IF YOU PREFER.  WE'LL SEE.  WE DON'T FLY OUT OF ORLANDO TIL THE AFTERNOON, SO WE'RE IN NO RUSH, LIKE SO MANY ARE, TO GET OFF AND GET TO THE AIRPORT.  IF I CAN'T SWING THAT, WE'LL BE AT THE BUFFET BY 8AM AND OFF THE SHIP AFTER 9.  HECK, BY THAT POINT, OUR LUGGAGE SHOULDN'T BE HARD TO FIND, RIGHT?  AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SAVORING EVERY LAST MINUTE ON-BOARD.  EVEN THE DISNEY TRANSFER BACK TO THE AIRPORT . . . WHERE WE'LL HAVE 4 OR 5 HOURS TO KILL REMEMBERING WHAT A FANTASTIC TIME WE JUST HAD!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TODAY'S MOVIES ARE "THE INCREDIBLES",  "THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA", AND "CHICKEN LITTLE".  PALM SUNDAY, SO I'M LETTING HIM ENJOY HIMSELF TODAY.  LOVE THE INCREDIBLES!  SO ADULT AND SO CHILD FRIENDLY AT THE SAME TIME.  PIXAR DOES IT AGAIN.  NEVER READ THE NARNIA BOOKS, BUT MY SISTER AND SON LOVE THEM.  CHICKEN LITTLE WASN'T FOR ME, BUT MY SON LAUGHS LIKE CRAZY AT IT.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

7 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SATURDAY APRIL 16, 2011

     PACK TO LEAVE EARLY.  ON THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE, ALL LUGGAGE THAT YOU WON'T BE CARRYING YOURSELF, IS REQUIRED TO BE PACKED AND PUT OUT IN THE HALLWAY BY 10:30PM ON THE LAST NIGHT OF YOUR CRUISE.  SOME STRUGGLE WITH THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE PRETTY BUSY FOR THE LENGTH OF YOUR CRUISE TRYING TO FIT EVERYTHING IN.  MOST ARE ANYWAY.  THEN THE LAST NIGHT YOU'RE SCRAMBLING TO GET EVERYTHING PACKED BACK UP FOR YOUR DEPARTURE THE NEXT MORNING.
     THERE ARE SOME GREAT STORIES, AS YOU MAY IMAGINE, ABOUT HOW PEOPLE HAVE PACKED EVERYTHING UP, LEFT IT OUTSIDE THEIR DOOR, HAD IT PACKED UP, AND REALIZED FAR TOO LATE THAT THEY PACKED UP SOMETHING THEY CAN'T DO WITH OUT.  I'VE HEARD OF PEOPLE FORGETTING TO NOT PACK UP SOME UNDERWEAR TO WEAR, CLOTHES IN GENERAL TO WEAR OFF THE SHIP, GLASSES, ROOM KEYS, WALLET, I.D., PLANE TICKETS, JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE.
     JUST SOME OF THE REASONS TO NOT WAIT TIL THE LAST MINUTE TO PACK UP YOUR THINGS AND HAVE YOUR BAGS READY.  IF YOU PACK THE THINGS UP YOU'VE ALREADY WORN OR WILL NO LONGER BE NEEDING ON A DAILY BASIS DURING YOUR CRUISE, OR AT LEAST HAVE THEM READY TO REPACK, YOU'LL SAVE YOURSELF A LOT OF TIME AND WORRY ON YOUR LAST NIGHT.
     MOST PEOPLE PACK FOR THEIR TRIP BASED ON OUTFITS FOR INDIVIDUAL DAYS TO BEGIN WITH.  SO IF YOU'VE WORN SOMETHING AND DON'T PLAN TO WEAR IT AGAIN, YOU'RE READY TO START PACKING IT, OR THOSE, BACK UP FOR YOUR TRIP HOME.  EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS IN RE-PACKING AS IT WILL SAVE YOU TIME GETTING IT ALL READY ON YOUR LAST NIGHT.
    INSTEAD OF BEING FORCED TO SPEND FAR TOO MUCH TIME PACKING ON YOUR LAST NIGHT, YOU CAN TAKE THE TIME TO ENJOY THE LAST EVENING HOURS YOU HAVE ON-BOARD.  TOUR THE SHIP ONE LAST TIME.  FIND YOUR FAVORITE FOOD.  PLAY THE MIDSHIP DETECTIVE AGENCY GAME.  SEE A SHOW OR CHECK OUT A CLUB, KIDS TOO.  OR JUST FINISH OFF YOUR LAST NIGHT WITH SOME QUALITY TIME IN YOUR ROOM.  ORDER A MOVIE ON DISNEY CRUISE LINE PAY-PER-VIEW ON YOUR STATEROOM T.V.  ORDER SOME ROOM SERVICE AND REFLECT ON YOUR CRUISE TOGETHER AND SAVOR THE LAST MOMENTS.  ENJOY THE COMFORTS OF YOUR ROOM FOR WHAT MAY BE PRACTICALLY THE FIRST TIME DURING YOUR WHOLE CRUISE.  OR GO UP ON THE DECK AND ENJOY YOUR LAST HOURS OF ACTUAL CRUISING TOGETHER. 
     ALL OF THIS AND MORE IS AN OPTION IF YOU'VE BEEN SMART ENOUGH TO PLAN AHEAD AND KEEP PACKING FOR YOUR EVENTUAL DEPARTURE EACH DAY DURING YOUR CRUISE AND NOT ALL AT THE LAST MINUTE.........THOSE LAST PRECIOUS MINUTES.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TODAY'S MOVIES ARE "BROTHER BEAR" AND "FINDING NEMO".  IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE "BOB AND DOUG McKENZIE" MOOSE IN BROTHER BEAR, I COULD PROBABLY DO WITHOUT THIS ONE, BUT FINDING NEMO IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS.  HAS A LOT OF SPECIAL MEANING FOR ME AS IT'S ABOUT A SINGLE DAD AND HIS ONLY SON.  WHEN I FIRST SAW IT, I COULD BARELY STOMACH HIM LOSING HIS KID!  lol

Thursday, April 14, 2011

8 DAYS TO GO . . .

     FRIDAY APRIL 15, 2011

     THE COMMENT CARD.  I GUESS THIS SOUNDS PRETTY SELF EXPLANATORY, BUT I NEVER KNEW HOW IMPORTANT THIS REALLY IS.  DISNEY LEAVES A COMMENT CARD FOR EVERY GUEST TO FILL OUT ON WHAT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT THEIR CRUISE, THEIR ACCOMMODATIONS, ACTIVITIES, ETC. AND MOST OF ALL THE SERVICE.
     MOST PEOPLE IT SEEMS NOWADAYS, FROM WHAT I CAN TELL FROM RESEARCHING ANYWAY, DON'T FEEL THAT THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE'S COMMENT CARDS ARE BIG ENOUGH TO PUT ALL THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO ON THEM.  HAVING WORKED IN THE HOTEL AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRIES MOST OF MY LIFE I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WANT TO WRITE A LOT IS TO COMPLAIN.  I KNOW THAT SEEMS LIKE A BLAZING GENERALIZATION, BUT TRUST ME THE FACTS OVER YEARS OF RESEARCH HOLD THIS OUT TO BE TRUE.
     IT'S EVERYONE'S RIGHT TO SPEAK THEIR MIND AND LET SOMEONE KNOW THEIR OPINION IF THEY SO CHOOSE, BUT BE MINDFUL AT THE SAME TIME.  DISNEY, LIKE MOST CRUISE LINES, DOES ACTUALLY READ THESE COMMENT CARDS.  I KNOW IT CAN SEEM LIKE THEY DON'T, AND YOUR COMMENTS ARE JUST FALLING ON DEAF EARS, BUT EVERYTHING TAKES TIME.  SO BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T SEE AN IMMEDIATE CHANGE IN SOMETHING AFTER YOUR COMPLAINT, DOESN'T MEAN IT HASN'T BEEN HEARD.  PLUS WITH CLOSE TO 4,000 PEOPLE ON EVERY CRUISE, IT TAKES A VAST MAJORITY OF REPETITION FOR SOMETHING TO BECOME MORE THAN A RARE COMPLAINT OR REQUEST.
     WHAT FAR TOO FEW PEOPLE THINK ABOUT WHEN THEY VENT THEIR FRUSTRATIONS ON THESE COMMENT CARDS IS HOW THEY AFFECT THE EMPLOYEES THAT THESE COMPLAINTS OFTEN REFERENCE.  DID YOU KNOW THAT SOME CRUISE LINES WHEN THEY RECEIVE A SPECIFIC COMPLAINT ABOUT A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL FIRE THEM IMMEDIATELY?  OTHERS ARE DEMOTED OR SUSPENDED.  SOME CRUISE LINES, INCLUDING DISNEY, BASE RAISES AND PROMOTIONS ON THESE COMMENT CARDS.  NOT ONLY WILL BAD COMMENTS OR REVIEWS PREVENT THESE EMPLOYEES FROM GETTING RAISES, BUT AS A RULE OF THUMB IT TAKES SEVERAL GLOWING COMMENTS ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL FOR THEM TO BE RECOGNIZED AND REWARDED.
     WE ALL HAVE BAD EXPERIENCES TO SOME DEGREE WITH THE PEOPLE WE COME IN CONTACT WITH IN OUR PUBLIC LIVES.  SOMETIMES IT SEEMS WORSE BECAUSE WE ARE EXPECTING SO MUCH MORE.  SOMETIMES IT'S BECAUSE WE'RE IN A BAD MOOD TO BEGIN WITH.  SOMETIMES IT'S BECAUSE WE WERE HOPING TO IMPRESS SOMEONE WITH US, AND MANY OTHER REASONS.  AND NO MATTER HOW WE REACT, GOOD OR BAD, RESTRAINED OR OVER THE TOP, IT RARELY MEANS SOMEONE'S JOB.  BUT THIS IS EXACTLY THE CASE IN THE CRUISE INDUSTRY.
     DISNEY WANTS YOUR COMMENTS.  THIS HOW THINGS CHANGE, SERVICE IMPROVES, DESIGNS ARE BETTER IMPLEMENTED.  BUT SHORT OF A "CAST MEMBER" GOING OUT OF THEIR WAY TO ACTUALLY RUIN YOUR CRUISE, IS IT REALLY WORTH RUINING THEIR JOB BY SINGLING THEM OUT ON A COMMENT CARD?  SO PUT A LITTLE THOUGHT INTO WHAT YOU'D REALLY LIKE TO PUT ON YOUR COMMENT CARD BEFORE FILLING IT OUT AT THE END OF YOUR CRUISE.  YOU CAN LIGHTEN A TIP, ASK FOR A DIFFERENT SERVER, OR AVOID SOMEONE OR SOMEPLACE ALL TOGETHER.  YOU CAN'T TAKE BACK SOMETHING IN WRITING ONCE YOU'VE ALREADY TURNED IT IN.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "LILO AND STITCH".  ONE OF MY SISTER'S FAVORITES.  HAS GREAT HEART AND TEACHES A GREAT LESSON ABOUT FAMILY.  IT ALSO MADE MY SON AN ELVIS FAN!

9 DAYS TO GO . . .

     THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2011

     RE-BOOK ON-BOARD.  WHILE I DON'T PARTICULARLY PLAN ON BOOKING ANOTHER CRUISE ANYTIME REAL SOON, LET ALONE WHILE I'M STILL ON-BOARD DOING MY FIRST, IF I WAS GOING TO, THIS WOULD BE THE TIME.
     I DON'T KNOW WHETHER OTHER CRUISE LINES OFFER THE SAME OR SIMILAR INCENTIVES TO BOOK ANOTHER CRUISE WITH THEM WHILE YOU'RE STILL ON-BOARD, BUT DISNEY SURE DOES IT RIGHT.  FROM ALL OF THE READING I HAVE DONE, IT'S QUITE ASTONISHING HOW MANY PEOPLE BOOK ANOTHER CRUISE WITH THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE WHILE THEY'RE STILL ON-BOARD THEIR CURRENT CRUISE SHIP.
     THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE OFFERS A LOWER REQUIRED DEPOSIT AMOUNT, A DISCOUNT ON YOUR CRUISE RATE, AND A LARGER ON-BOARD CREDIT FOR BOOKING ANOTHER CRUISE WITH THEM WHILE YOU'RE STILL ON-BOARD.
     EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE LIKE ME MAY NOT HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN THEY'D LIKE TO CRUISE AGAIN, MOST KNOW THAT THEY WOULD INDEED LIKE TO.  SO LIKE SO MANY OTHER THINGS DISNEY, THE FREQUENT FANS HAVE FIGURED AWAY AROUND THIS.  THEY CALL THEM "DUMMY BOOKINGS".  YOU JUST PICK A DATE FAR OUT FROM YOUR CURRENT CRUISE WITH ACCOMMODATIONS YOU MAY LIKE OR LESSER ONES TO KEEP YOUR DEPOSIT EVEN SMALLER AND AS TIME PASSES AND YOU FIND A DATE THAT MAY WORK FOR YOU OR A NEW CRUISE OR ITINERARY COMES INTO BEING, YOU JUST SWITCH YOUR DATES AND/OR INFORMATION OVER TO YOUR ACTUAL PREFERENCE.  IT'S PRETTY SMART ACTUALLY, IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU WILL INDEED WANT TO CRUISE AGAIN WITH THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE.
     I'M JUST NOT SURE WHEN THAT WILL BE FOR US.  I LOVE THE IDEA OF THE SAVINGS AND INCENTIVES THAT YOU GET ON-BOARD.  IT'S ALMOST LIKE AN INSTANT REWARD FOR SAILING WITH THEM.  AFTER OF COURSE YOU ARE A MEMBER OF DISNEY'S CASTAWAY CLUB AND CONTINUE TO BE REWARDED IN DIFFERENT WAYS FOR HAVING SAILED WITH THEM PRIOR.  BUT WITH CHANGES COMING FAST AND FURIOUS IN BOTH WALT DISNEY WORLD AND IN DISNEY LAND, THEY MAY BE OUR NEXT CHOICES, AND I STILL HAVEN'T BEEN TO AN ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT AND IF I TRAVEL WITHOUT MY SON, THAT MAY BE MY FIRST CHOICE.  BUT FOR THOSE, WHO I'M SURE I WILL SOON BE A PART, BELIEVE THERE IS NO CRUISE LIKE A DISNEY CRUISE, BOOKING A FUTURE CRUISE WHILE STILL ON-BOARD ONLY MAKES PERFECT SENSE.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIES ARE "MONSTER'S INC." AND "RETURN TO NEVERLAND".  I REALLY LIKED MONSTER'S INC. BUT I THINK I WAS AS IMPRESSED WITH THE ANIMATION AS I WAS THE MOVIE.  RETURN TO NEVERLAND, ASIDE FROM THE TOY STORY MOVIES, MAY BE MY FAVORITE SEQUEL THAT DISNEY ANIMATION HAS DONE.  IT REALLY KEEPS IN THEME AND MOOD WITH THE ORIGINAL.

10 DAYS TO GO . . .

     WEDNESDAY APRIL 13, 2011

     GO OVER YOUR BILL EARLY.  YOU CAN CHECK YOUR CHARGES AND/OR GET A PRINT OUT OF YOUR BILL AT ANY TIME DURING YOUR CRUISE.  YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL A COPY IS SLIPPED UNDER YOUR DOOR LATE ON THE LAST NIGHT TO GO OVER IT.  AS A MATTER OF FACT, YOU SHOULD CHECK IT.
     ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IS CHARGED TO YOUR ROOM KEY, AND THEREFORE YOUR ROOM.  DRINKS THROUGH ROOM SERVICE, ANY DRINKS AT ANY OF THE BARS OR LOUNGES, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AT MEALS, SHOPPING IN THE STORES, SPECIALTY DRINKS ON DECK, PLUS WHATEVER BALANCE YOU MAY HAVE OR PRODUCED OTHERWISE BEFORE OR DURING YOUR CRUISE.
     YOU CAN PUT TIPS ON YOUR ROOM BILL AS WELL.  YOU CAN PRE-PAY THEM OR HAVE THEM CHARGED TO YOUR ROOM INSTEAD OF PREFERRING TO PAY THEM IN CASH TO YOUR SERVERS ON THE LAST NIGHT.  WHAT SOME DON'T KNOW IS THAT ALL ALCOHOLIC DRINKS ON BOARD HAVE AN AUTOMATIC 15% GRATUITY ADDED ON.  THIS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE A SOURCE OF OCCASIONAL CONTENTION WHEN THERE ARE TOO MANY TIPS ADDED OR TIPS ON DRINKS YOU NEVER HAD APPLIED.
     THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY MANY DIFFERENT CHARGES THAT COULD GO AWRY WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS ALL CHARGING TO THE SAME CARD, BUT DISNEY DOES A VERY GOOD JOB OF KEEPING THE CHARGES FAIRLY STRAIGHT.  ANOTHER IMPORTANT REASON FOR CHECKING YOUR BILL BEFORE THE LAST SECOND IS THAT YOU'LL WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL YOUR ON-BOARD CREDITS, YOUR DISNEY REWARDS, AND/OR GIFT CARDS HAVE BEEN PROPERLY APPLIED TO YOUR ACCOUNT.  BY CHECKING EARLY ENOUGH, YOU WILL HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO HAVE ANY MISTAKES CORRECTED QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY WITHOUT TOO MUCH WAITING IN LINE EITHER. 
     MOST OF THIS CAN BE HANDLED AT AND THROUGH GUEST SERVICES ON-BOARD, BUT THE LINE THERE CAN GET UNBELIEVABLY LONG THE LATER IT GETS ON YOUR LAST NIGHT OF YOUR CRUISE AND ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING BEFORE DEBARKING.  SO PLAN AHEAD AND YOU COULD NOT ONLY SAVE YOURSELF A HEADACHE, BUT FROM STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND WORSE!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIES ARE "LADY AND THE TRAMP II", WHICH IS NOWHERE NEAR AS GOOD AS THE FIRST, AND "THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE", WHICH IS GREAT IF YOU'RE A SMART ASS LIKE ME AND ENJOY DAVID SPADE AND HIS SENSE OF HUMOR.

    
    

Monday, April 11, 2011

11 DAYS TO GO . . .

     TUESDAY APRIL 12, 2011

     THE DESSERT BUFFET.  I NEVER KNEW HOW POPULAR AND COMMONPLACE THE LATE NIGHT DESSERT BUFFET IS ON CRUISE SHIPS.  IT SEEMED KIND OF SURPRISING AND ODD TO ME WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT IT.  MAYBE IT'S THAT KIND OF ODDITY THAT MAKES IT SO POPULAR.  I MEAN I'VE SEEN PEOPLE ON DISCUSSION BOARDS TRYING TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT'S ON THESE LATE NIGHT BUFFETS. 
     I GUESS OVER TIME THEY'VE CHANGED FROM FULL HEAVY BUFFET MENUS TO LIGHTER FINGER FOODS TO PRIMARILY DESSERTS.  I'M SURE IT ALSO VARIES OVER TIME AND SPECIFIC SITUATIONS, WHETHER IT'S TIME OF YEAR OR WHAT'S HANDY OR EXPECTED OR NEEDED AT THE TIME.  EITHER WAY IT'S PRETTY DARN POPULAR. 
     WHAT I FIND MOST ODD IS THAT SOME PEOPLE, MANY IN FACT, WILL HAVE JUST FINISHED A 2 HOUR MEAL IN THEIR SCHEDULED DINING ROOM OR IN ONE OF THE FORMAL DINING ROOM LIKE PALO OR REMY, AND ARE STILL NOW READY TO SADDLE UP TO ANOTHER STUFFING OF FILLING DESSERTS.
     TO DISNEY'S CREDIT, THIS BUFFET IS OFFERED ON PIRATE NIGHT AFTER THE FIREWORKS WHEN MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT ONLY STILL UP, BUT ALREADY ON DECK NEAR THE BUFFET.  AND IT'S THEMED BEAUTIFULLY AROUND THE WHOLE PIRATE NIGHT BOTH IN DECORATION AND IN FOOD DISPLAYS.  I'M SURE, DESPITE THE HOUR, SOME OF THE COOKS AND ARTISANS REALLY ENJOY SHOWING OFF THEIR CULINARY TALENTS FOR A SHOW AND TELL LIKE THIS.
     THE FOODS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE CREATIVE AND SECOND TO NONE AS WELL.  I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH I'D BE CRAVING SUGARS AT 11:00 AT NIGHT, BUT I'VE ALREADY PROMISED MY SON THAT I'D TAKE HIM AND HE COULD HAVE WHATEVER HE WANTED.  I MEAN, COME ON.  THE KID NORMALLY GOES TO BED AT 8PM.  IF HE CAN MAKE IT TO 11PM FOR THE FIREWORKS, HE'S EARNED A TRIP TO SUGAR HEAVEN.  HE'S ALREADY VOLUNTEERING TO TAKE A NAP AFTER COMING BACK FROM CASTAWAY CAY BEFORE DINNER SO HE WON'T BE TOO TIRED.  WHAT KID VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE A NAP?!  PLUS, THE NEXT DAY IS AN "AT SEA" DAY, AND I TOLD HIM HE COULD SPEND MOST OF THE DAY IN THE KIDS CLUBS, SO HE DOESN'T REALLY HAVE TO GET UP EARLY, SO WHY NOT ENJOY A RARE LATE NIGHT.  AND YOU SHOULD TOO.  AFTER ALL, YOU'RE ON VACATION!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "DINOSAUR".  THE GRAPHICS IN THIS MOVIE ARE PHENOMENAL!  MY SON IS A DINOSAUR FANATIC.  HE WANTS TO BE A DR. WHEN HE GROWS UP, BUT HE'D LIKE TO BE A PALEONTOLOGIST TOO.  ONE MAKES GREAT MONEY.  THE OTHER MAKES DIRT.  LITERALLY.  lol  WHICH WAY DO YOU THINK I'M LEANING?  SAD PART IS, HE ALREADY KNOWS MORE ABOUT DINOSAURS THAN MOST ADULTS.  UGH.

12 DAYS TO GO . . .

     MONDAY APRIL 11, 2011

     PIRATE NIGHT.  MANY CRUISES HAVE MANY DIFFERENT THEMED NIGHTS.  ON THE DISNEY DREAM, AND THE CLASSIC SHIPS AS WELL ACTUALLY, IT'S PIRATE NIGHT.  THE DREAM ALSO HAS AN OPTIONAL DRESS-UP NIGHT, BUT THE BIG THEMED NIGHT IS PIRATES.  NO SURPRISE REALLY WITH THE SUCCESS OF THE THREE "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN" MOVIES AND THE FOURTH COMING OUT THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.
     THE SHIP DOCKS AT DISNEY'S PRIVATE ISLAND, CASTAWAY CAY, ON PIRATE NIGHT, SO IT CAN ALSO CONTROL THE THEMING FOR THE ENTIRE DAY, ON-BOARD AND OFF, THIS WAY.  FROM THE OUTFITS THE CHARACTERS ARE WEARING THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND INTO THE NIGHT TO THE THEMES FOR THE KIDS ACTIVITIES, GAME SHOWS, AND ENTERTAINMENT, EVERYTHING GOES PIRATE.
     THIS IS THE ONE NIGHT THAT ALL THE DINING ROOMS OFFER THE SAME PIRATE THEMED MENU, DIFFERENT THAN THAT WHICH CAN BE FOUND IN YOUR PARTICULAR DINING ROOM ON ANY OTHER NIGHT.  AS A MATTER OF FACT, THIS WHY YOU REPEAT WHATEVER DINING ROOM YOU'RE HAVING DINNER IN ON PIRATE NIGHT SO YOU WILL GET THE PIRATE NIGHT MENU AND THAT RESTAURANT'S SIGNATURE MENU AS WELL. 
     WHAT DISNEY ALSO SUGGESTS IS THAT YOU, AND EVERYONE ELSE, DRESS UP IN YOUR BEST PIRATE GEAR FOR THE NIGHT, AND BOY DO SOME PEOPLE DRESS UP.  AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, SOME PEOPLE DON'T DRESS UP AT ALL, BUT MOST ACTUALLY DO TO SOME EXTENT.  DISNEY EVEN GOES AS FAR AS TO LEAVE A DISNEY CRUISE LINE "PIRATES IN THE CARIBBEAN" BANDANNA FOR EACH PERSON STAYING IN EACH STATEROOM ON THEIR BEDS AT EVENING TURN DOWN.
     AH BUT THERE'S MORE.  THE DISNEY DREAM NOW HAS TWO PIRATE STAGE SHOWS ON DECK, ONE AFTER THE FIRST DINNER SEATING, AND ONE AFTER THE SECOND.  THE FIRST IS MICKEY'S PIRATE PARTY AND IS GEARED TOWARD THE LITTLER KIDS (OR KID IN ALL OF US) BEFORE IT'S PAST THEIR BED TIME.  THEN THERE IS A COUPLE HOUR BREAK BEFORE THE NEXT PIRATE DECK SHOW FEATURING CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW AND IS A LITTLE MORE ADULT.  THE WHOLE THING IS HOSTED BY A DIGITAL SKULL AND CROSSBONES ON THE FUNNEL VISION SCREEN WHO CALLS HIMSELF JOLLY ROGER AND SERVES AS THE MC LEADING UP TO THE FIREWORKS.  THAT'S RIGHT.  I SAID FIREWORKS.  AROUND 10:30PM DISNEY SHOOTS OFF FIREWORKS TO MUSIC FROM BOTH FUNNELS OUT OVER THE OCEAN.  THEY ARE THE ONLY CRUISE LINE IN THE WORLD WITH THE LEGAL RIGHT TO DO SO, AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S LESS OF A SPECTACLE THAN AT THE THEME PARKS, MOST SAY THE SIGHT IS FANTASTIC.  IT'S ALL EVEN FOLLOWED UP WITH A TOP DECK DANCE PARTY AND SOME INTERACTIVE GAMES.  SO PACK YOUR PIRATE GEAR MATEY, WE DID! 
     SEA YA REAL SOON!
TONIGHT'S MOVIES ARE "THE TIGGER MOVIE" & "TOY STORY 2".  I LOVE TIGGER MORE THAN ANY CHARACTER, AND I PERSONALLY THINK THE TOY STORY TRILOGY HOLDS UP TO THE GODFATHERS!  SO BIG NIGHT FOR ME!  lol

13 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SUNDAY APRIL 10, 2011

     CHEAP SOUVENIRS.  PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE THIS ONE OUT FOR AN ETERNITY.  HOW DO YOU TAKE A FAMILY ON VACATION WITHOUT SPENDING A FORTUNE ON SOUVENIRS AS WELL.  THE TRIP IS A BIG ENOUGH EXPENSE, BUT MAKING SURE YOU DON'T BREAK ANYONE'S HEART AND NOT BREAK THE BANK TOO IS A DELICATE BALANCE.
     I'VE ALWAYS BEEN IN FAVOR OF SHOPPING FOR SOUVENIRS FOR KIDS BEFORE EVER TRAVELING AT ALL, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO DISNEY.  I'VE BOUGHT THINGS AHEAD OF TIME AT THE DISNEY STORE, KMART, WALMART, TARGET, DOLLAR STORES, AND TONS FROM EBAY.
     BY PLANNING AHEAD, OR AT LEAST LOOKING AROUND EARLY, YOU INCREASE YOUR CHOICES.  REMEMBER, THERE'S A LIMITED AMOUNT OF CHOICES ON A CRUISE SHIP, BECAUSE THERE'S A MUCH MORE LIMITED AMOUNT OF SPACE.  AND THERE'S CERTAINLY NO GUARANTEE YOU'RE GOING TO LIKE WHAT YOU FIND.  DESIGNS CHANGE ON CRUISE SHIPS JUST LIKE THEY DO IN THE FASHION WORLD.  YOU MAY LOVE ONE YEAR'S LOOK AND HATE THE NEXT.  THERE'S JUST NO TELLING.  SO BY LOOKING AROUND IN ADVANCE YOU'LL HAVE A GREATER CHOICE AND BE ABLE TO SHOP MORE FOR WHAT YOU KNOW YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS WILL LIKE.  PLUS YOU CAN PLAN MORE FOR THE SPACE YOU'LL NEED IN YOUR LUGGAGE FOR BOTH THE WAY THERE AND THE WAY BACK.
     ANOTHER OVERLOOKED CHEAP VACATION SOUVENIR IS WHAT YOU FIND ALL AROUND YOU.  WHAT IN PARTICULAR?  EVERYTHING.  WE'RE ALL CONSTANTLY SAYING "IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT".  WELL IT IS.  PICK UP NAPKINS FROM EVERYWHERE YOU GO.  COLLECT MATCHBOOKS OR CUPS & STRAWS, MENUS, YOUR PERSONAL NAVIGATORS, AND TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES.  MAKE LOTS OF FRIENDS AND GET NAMES AND ADDRESSES.  TAKE PART IN ACTIVITIES AND FILM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.  AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, EVEN IF IT'S NOT YOU, SHARE IN SOME DISNEY CHARACTER MOMENTS.  NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU MAY TRY, IT'LL BE THESE SILLY, LAUGHABLE MOMENTS THAT YOU REMEMBER FOREVER.  IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TODAY'S MOVIES ARE "A BUG'S LIFE" (HILARIOUS. ANOTHER PIXAR SUCCESS), "TARZAN" (WHICH STILL MAKES ME CRY LIKE A BABY. IT HAS MY SON'S AND MY SONG IN IT, SO IT'S A REAL FAMILY FILM FOR US), AND "FANTASIA 2000" (AS GOOD AS THE ORIGINAL IN IT'S OWN WAYS, BUT NOTHING BEATS MICKEY IN THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!).

14 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SATURDAY APRIL 9, 2011

     SEND YOURSELF POSTCARDS AT HOME.  ONE OF THE NICE LITTLE SURPRISES IN TAKING DISNEY VACATIONS IS GETTING MAIL FROM THEM.  WHETHER IT'S CONFIRMATIONS OR TRAVEL BOOKS OR GUIDES OR DVD'S, OR JUST THE LATEST PROMO.  IT'S JUST ONE MORE THING TO LOOK FORWARD TO AND ENJOY RECEIVING. 
     SO WHY NOT PLAN AHEAD, OR EVEN ON THE SPOT, AND MAIL YOURSELF SOMETHING FROM YOUR VACATION.  YOU'LL BE LEAVING FROM PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA.  WHY NOT SEND SOMETHING FROM THERE?  YOUR FIRST STOP WILL BE NASSAU, BAHAMAS.  WHY NOT MAIL SOMETHING FROM THERE?  THEN OF COURSE THERE'S DISNEY'S PRIVATE ISLAND, CASTAWAY CAY.  DID YOU KNOW CASTAWAY CAY HAS IT'S OWN POST OFFICE?
     YOU SEE WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS.  I'VE NEVER BEEN MUCH OF A POSTCARD PERSON.  I ALWAYS FELT LIKE MAILING POSTCARDS, OR EVEN LETTERS, TO PEOPLE WHILE YOU'RE ON VACATION WAS JUST RUBBING IT IN THAT YOU'RE ON VACATION SOMEWHERE AND THEY'RE NOT.  BUT I LOVE THE IDEA OF SENDING YOURSELF SOME MAIL.  IT'S JUST ONE MORE SOUVENIR AND IT ARRIVES MUCH LATER AFTER YOUR CRUISE IS OVER, AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN.  WHAT A NICE SURPRISE FOR THE PRICE OF CHEAP POSTCARD AND STAMP. 
     NOW SOME PEOPLE DO HAVE PEOPLE THEY HAVE TO, OR PREFER TO, SEND POSTCARDS TO WHILE ON VACATION AND NEED TO STOCK UP WHILE ON-BOARD OR IN PORT TO DO SO.  SO DON'T FORGET YOUR ADDRESS BOOK OR PRINT OUT ADDRESS LABELS FOR WHEN YOU GET YOUR CARDS TO PUT THEM ON.  THERE'LL BE PLENTY OF CARDS TO CHOOSE FROM ON THE SHIP AS WELL AS IN EVERY PORT YOU STOP IN.  JUST BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU HAVE TO MAIL THEM FROM AND HOW MUCH IT'LL COST YOU IN TIME, SO YOU'RE NOT STUCK AT THE LAST MINUTE.
     BE PREPARED TO WAIT TOO.  SOME REPORTS HAVE CARDS AND LETTERS TAKING 30 TO 60 DAYS TO ARRIVE FROM BAHAMIAN AND CARIBBEAN PORTS BACK TO THE UNITED STATES.
     I HAVE A SELECTION OF A FEW DIFFERENT THEMED CARDS THAT I'M PLANNING ON GETTING SIGNED BY DIFFERENT CHARACTERS AND ADDRESSED TO MY SON SO HE'LL FEEL MORE SINGLED OUT AND THE CARDS WILL FEEL EVEN MORE PERSONALIZED WHEN THEY ARRIVE.  BE CREATIVE.  DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT.  SEND GRANDPARENTS CARDS FROM THEIR GRAND KIDS OR FRIENDS AND FAMILY CARDS FROM DISNEY CHARACTERS.  HAVE FUN WITH IT!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TODAY MY SON'S MOVIE FEST INCLUDED "POOH'S GRAND ADVENTURE" (LOVE TIGGER!), "MULAN" (YAWN), AND "THE SPIRIT OF MICKEY" (A MIX OF MICKEY CLASSICS).

15 DAYS TO GO . . .

     FRIDAY APRIL 8, 2011

     VOLUNTEER, BE SEEN, LIVE IT UP.  SO MANY ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FOR NOTHING WHEN ON VACATION BECAUSE THEY'VE ALREADY SPENT SO MUCH JUST TO BE THERE.  WELL ONE OF THE FEW KNOWN WAYS OF GETTING A LITTLE EXTRA IS TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT.  WHAT DO I MEAN?  ALL ACTIVITIES ARE RUN BY DISNEY CAST MEMBERS.  AND THE MOTIVATION OF THESE CAST MEMBERS IS ALWAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT EACH AND EVERY PERSON INVOLVED IS HAVING AS MUCH FUN AS POSSIBLE.
     BE IN THE FRONT OF THE CROWD.  GET YOUR HAND UP.  VOLUNTEER.  DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE VOLUNTEERING FOR, JUST VOLUNTEER.  BE PREPARED TO ACT OR LOOK SILLY, SING A SONG, OR DO A DANCE.  PLAY A GAME.  BE PART OF A TEAM.  ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS, RIGHT OR WRONG.  WHAT FEW PEOPLE KNOW IS THAT JUST FOR TAKING PART IN SOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES OR GAMES IS THAT THERE'S USUALLY SOME SORT OF PRIZE JUST FOR PARTICIPATING.
     THERE MAY BE FREE DRINKS FOR ATTENDING ADULT ACTIVITIES OR ART AUCTIONS.  IF YOU ATTEND A DISNEY VACATION CLUB SEMINAR, YOU WILL NOT ONLY GET SOME SORT OF GIFT, BUT HAVE A CHANCE AT A VERY LARGE ON-BOARD CREDIT.  THERE ARE OBVIOUS REWARDS FOR PLAYING BINGO THAT INCREASE AS THE CRUISE GOES ON AND THE FAMILY GAME SHOWS ALL HAVE REWARDS FOR TAKING PART. 
     THERE ARE OPTIONS WHILE ON DISNEY'S PRIVATE ISLAND, CASTAWAY CAY AS WELL, ESPECIALLY FOR THE KIDS.  THE KIDS CLUBS ON-BOARD USUALLY CLOSE WHILE IN PORT AT CASTAWAY CAY AND MOVE ON TO THE ISLAND TO SCUTTLE'S COVE.  THEY DO ALL KINDS OF ACTIVITIES THERE AND CAN WIN THINGS JUST FOR ATTENDING.  THERE ARE ALSO BEACH PARTIES AND CHARACTER DANCES ON SHORE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.
     THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IF YOU DON'T ATTEND OR TAKE PART, YOU'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT LITTLE SURPRISE YOU COULD HAVE WON.  SO JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "HERCULES".  I ACTUALLY MADE A POINT OF WATCHING THIS ONE AGAIN CAREFULLY AS THE CHARACTERS "HADES, PAIN AND PANIC" FROM THE MOVIE STAR IN THE DREAM'S STAGE SHOW "VILLAINS TONIGHT".

16 DAYS TO GO . . .

     THURSDAY APRIL 7, 2011

     CREATE YOUR OWN CHEAP EXCURSIONS.  HAVE YOU SEEN THE PRICES FOR THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE'S SHORE EXCURSIONS OR "PORT ADVENTURES"?  THEY'RE INSANE!
     LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.  THE ATLANTIS CASINO RESORT IN NASSAU, BAHAMAS HAS A FAIRLY NEW WATER PARK.  IT'S PRETTY BIG AND PRETTY COOL.  LOTS OF LOST CITY OF ATLANTIS TYPE THEMING AND SLIDES THAT ACTUALLY GO THROUGH AND AROUND ATLANTIS' HUGE AQUARIUM AND SHARK TANKS AND THE LIKE.  IT'S BECOME QUITE THE DRAW FOR THOSE VISITING THE RESORT OR JUST THE ISLAND FOR THAT MATTER.  WELL DISNEY RUNS A SHORE EXCURSION TO ATLANTIS THAT INCLUDES THE ABILITY TO TOUR THE AQUARIUM AND USE THE WATER PARK.  IT ALSO INCLUDES YOUR RIDE TO THE RESORT AND BACK AND A SMALL LUNCH.  GUESS HOW MUCH?  $169 PER ADULT AND $115 PER CHILD! 
     IF MY SON AND I WERE TO GO TO THIS WATER PARK WE'D BE LOOKING AT ALMOST $300 FOR MAYBE 5 HOURS.  YOU'D HAVE TO SEE THE AQUARIUM NO MATTER HOW FAST YOU TRIED TO GET IT IN, LEAVING YOU ABOUT HALF A DAY FOR THE WATER PARK . . . FOR $300.  I LIVE NEAR THE BEACH AND WATER PARKS, BIG AND SMALL, ARE PRETTY PLENTIFUL.  I TOOK MY SON TO A PRETTY BIG, AND ENTERTAINING, WATER PARK ON THE BOARDWALK IN WILDWOOD, NEW JERSEY.  WE DROVE THE 45 MINUTES EACH WAY BACK AND FORTH, PARKED IN A PRIVATE LOT, HAD LUNCH THERE (THAT WE PACKED), SPENT 8 HOURS THERE AND GOT FREE SUNTAN LOTION TO BOOT.  HOW MUCH?  LESS THAN $50 . . . TOTAL . . . INCLUDING GAS AND TOLLS.  SO NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARK TANKS WE SLIDE THROUGH, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO RATIONALIZE $300 NOW FOR A WATER PARK FOR HALF A DAY.  UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF SHORE EXCURSIONS THAT ARE SET UP FOR YOU ARE THE SAME WAY.  YOU'RE REALLY PAYING JUST FOR THE CONVENIENCE AND NOT MUCH ELSE.
     DO A LITTLE RESEARCH AND SET UP AN EXCURSION YOURSELF.  THE SAME WATER PARK EXCURSION CAN BE DONE FOR LESS BY BOOKING A ROOM AT A COMFORT INN ACROSS THE STREET FROM ATLANTIS THAT GETS ACCESS TO THEIR WATER PARK.  OTHER EXCURSIONS ARE THE SAME.  INSTEAD OF PAYING FOR A TOUR.  WALK TO THE END OF YOUR DOCK AND PAY SOMEONE, A LOT LESS, TO TAKE YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.  DISNEY HAS TO GET THEIR CUT, PLUS THE TRANSPORTERS, THE END DESTINATION OR TOUR GUIDES, ETC.  IF YOU CUT OUT THE MIDDLE MAN, YOU WILL SAVE YOURSELF A LOT OF MONEY AND BE ABLE TO CONTROL YOUR EXCURSION A LOT MORE YOURSELF.  DO YOU THINK THE PEOPLE HUSTLING FOR YOUR BUCK IN A PORT ARE GOING TO MIND YOU NOT TAKING THE DISNEY TOUR?  HECK NO.  THEY'RE NOT INVOLVED.  THEY'LL BE HAPPY AS HECK THAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING THEM AND WILL BE WILLING TO BARGAIN AS WELL.  IF YOU HAVE A GENERAL IDEA OF WHAT THINGS COST IN PORT YOU'LL ALREADY HAVE A HEAD START.  PRICE TAXIS OR TOURS.  DESTINATIONS OR MUSEUMS AND HIRE SOMEONE FOR THE DAY.  YOUR WALLET MAY JUST THANK YOU FOR IT!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME".

17 DAYS TO GO . . .

     WEDNESDAY APRIL 6, 2011

     HOW MANY OF YOU LIKE TO SLEEP IN ON VACATION?  I RARELY GET TO SLEEP IN CAUSE MY SON WAKES ME UP BY 7AM EVERYDAY, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO . . . BUT NOT ON VACATION, AT LEAST NOT ON A DISNEY VACATION.  GET UP AND GET OUT!
     I'D SAY EVEN AT THE PARKS YOU SHOULD GET UP EARLY AND GET THERE, BUT ESPECIALLY IS MORE LIKE IT.  IF YOU'RE A LATE SLEEPER DID YOU KNOW THAT FOR THAT FIRST COUPLE HOURS THE PARK IS OPEN THE LINES ARE LESS, FAR LESS, THAN THEY WILL BE THE ENTIRE REST OF THE DAY?  WELL WHY WOULD YOU THINK IT WOULD BE ANY DIFFERENT ON YOUR CRUISE?  REMEMBER, THIS IS A DISNEY CRUISE TOO.  THERE MAY BE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF PEOPLE COMPARED TO THE PARKS, BUT THEY'RE ALL THERE PRETTY MUCH FOR THE SAME REASON.
     PLUS, PEOPLE TAKE CRUISES FOR THE ATMOSPHERE.  THAT ATMOSPHERE RARELY INCLUDES HIDING IN YOUR ROOM.  LET'S FACE IT, EVEN THOUGH DISNEY CRUISE LINE'S STATEROOMS ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST ON THE SEAS, THEY'RE STILL SMALL COMPARED TO A HOTEL ROOM, AND WHO WANTS TO SPEND THEIR VACATION IN A HOTEL ROOM?
     CHECK YOUR PERSONAL NAVIGATOR FOR THE NEXT DAY, THE NIGHT BEFORE.  SEE IF THERE'S SOMETHING YOU'D LIKE TO SEE OR DO EARLY.  MAKE SURE YOU GET TO BREAKFAST EARLY ENOUGH TO BE DONE IN TIME TO GET TO IT.  EARLY ENOUGH TO DROP THE KIDS AT THE KIDS CLUBS FOR SOMETHING THEY MAY LIKE CLOSE TO OPENING.  EARLY ENOUGH TO BE GETTING OFF THE BOAT CLOSE TO "ALL ASHORE" TIME.  CROWDS ARE SMALLER GETTING OFF OF THE BOAT EARLIER COMPARED TO LATER NO MATTER WHAT THE PORT.  OR JUST GET TO THE POOL EARLIER AFTER BREAKFAST.  I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD OR NOT, BUT THE POOLS ON CRUISE SHIPS, ESPECIALLY THE NEW DISNEY DREAM, ARE PACKED LIKE SARDINES WITH BARELY A LOUNGE CHAIR TO BE FOUND BY MIDDAY.
     SO UNLESS MOST, OR NONE OF THESE THINGS MATTER AT ALL, SACRIFICE.  GET UP EARLY AND GET OUT.  IF YOU HAVE KIDS WITH YOU ON THIS TRIP, UNLESS THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING, THEY'LL BE THE ONES THANKING YOU FOR GETTING UP AND OUT TO SEE SO MUCH OF WHAT YOU MIGHT OTHERWISE MISS!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH".

Thursday, April 7, 2011

18 DAYS TO GO . . .

     TUESDAY APRIL 5, 2011

     SINGLES AND NIGHT LIFE.  WHILE DISNEY CRUISE LINES ARE WITHOUT A DOUBT GEARED TOWARDS FAMILIES, THERE IS STILL PLENTY TO DO EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE KIDS.  ESPECIALLY NIGHTLIFE.
     THE NEW DISNEY DREAM HAS A FULL DOZEN DIFFERENT PLACES TO GO OUT AND GET A DRINK, HEAR A DJ OR BAND, COMIC, LESSON, LECTURE OR TO JUST GET AWAY.
FIRST IS 687, A CONTEMPORARY SPORTS BAR LOCATED ON DECK 4 AFT IN THE DISTRICT AREA OF THE DREAM.  IT'S A SOPHISTICATED LEATHER BOUND LOUNGE OPEN TO ALL AGES DURING THE DAY FOR GAMES AND ADULTS AT NIGHT.  IT ALSO HAS FLAT SCREEN TV'S EVERYWHERE PLAYING WHATEVER GAMES ARE ON FOR SPORTS FANS LIKE ME.
     SECOND IS BON VOYAGE, A SMALL RELAXING LOUNGE ON DECK 3 MIDSHIP OFF OF THE MAIN LOBBY.  A GREAT PLACE TO GRAB A DRINK ON THE GO WHEN IN OR PASSING THROUGH THE SHIPS CENTER.
     THIRD IS THE COVE CAFE', AN ADULTS ONLY LOUNGE ON DECK 11 FORWARD NEAR THE ADULTS ONLY QUIET COVE AREA AND POOL.  THIS A GREAT PLACE OF CASUAL COMFORT WHERE YOU CAN GET A DRINK, A SNACK OR A GOURMET CUP OF COFFEE TOO.
     FOURTH IS CURRENTS, A BAR LOCATED ON DECK 13 FORWARD WITH A FABULOUS VIEW OVERLOOKING THE SUNDECK ON DECK 12 AND THE ADULTS ONLY QUIET COVE AREA AND POOL.
     FIFTH IS THE DISTRICT LOUNGE, LOCATED ON DECK 4 AFT IN THE DISTRICT CLUB SECTION OF THE SHIP.  IT'S AN INTIMATE SPOT WITH A MODERN FLAIR THAT FEATURES GAMES AND ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES DURING THE DAY AND DANCING AND KARAOKE FOR ADULTS AT NIGHT.
     SIXTH IS EVOLUTION, THE DREAM'S DANCE CLUB, LOCATED ON DECK 4 IN THE DISTRICT.  WITH A BUTTERFLY THEME IN DESIGN AND LIGHTING IT HAS FAMILY ACTIVITIES DURING THE DAY AND A BASS POUNDING NIGHT CLUB AT NIGHT.
     SEVENTH IS MERIDIAN, AN ADULTS ONLY BAR LOCATED ON DECK 12 AFT NEXT TO THE ADULTS ONLY RESTAURANT PALO.  INSPIRED BY EARLY SEA TRAVEL, THE DESIGN AND EVEN THE SEATS ARE LIKE OLD TRUNKS AND COMPASSES, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.  IT EVEN HAS AN OUTDOOR DECK WITH AN ADJACENT CIGAR BAR.  VERY COOL.
     EIGHTH IS PINK, A SMALL ADULTS ONLY BAR ON DECK 4 AFT IN THE DISTRICT AREA THAT IS DESIGNED TO LOOK LIKE THE INSIDE OF A CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE.  WITH PINK DECOR AND LIGHTING TOP TO BOTTOM IN THE SHAPE OF ROUND AND RISING BUBBLES. 
     NINTH IS SKYLINE, AN ADULTS ONLY LOUNGE ON DECK 4 AFT IN THE DISTRICT AREA DESIGNED TO LOOK LIKE A COSMOPOLITAN SKY BAR WITH SWEEPING VIEWS.  THE DISNEY PART IS THAT THE CHANGING SWEEPING VIEWS ARE ALL PROVIDED BY FLAT SCREEN HD VIDEO SCREENS DISPLAYING DIFFERENT SKYSCAPES OF DIFFERENT WORLD CITIES CHANGING EVERY 20 MINUTES OR SO.  QUICKLY BECOMING THE MOST POPULAR SPOT ON-BOARD.
     TENTH IS THE VISTA CAFE', A CAFE'/BAR LOCATED ON DECK 4 MIDSHIP JUST OFF OF THE MAIN LOBBY WHERE GUESTS CAN ENJOY A DRINK, COFFEE, TREATS, OR PASTRIES.
     ELEVENTH IS WAVES, A SUN SOAKED BAR LOCATED ON DECK 12 AFT, NOT FAR FROM THE FAMILY POOL, WHERE GUESTS OF ALL AGES CAN RELAX WITH A DRINK IN THE SUN.
     LASTLY IS THE OUTLOOK BAR.  THIS SPOT HAS SUCH FANTASTIC VIEWS THAT IS ONLY OPEN TO THE "PUBLIC" ABOUT HALF THE TIME.  THE OTHER HALF IT IS USED FOR PRIVATE FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING WEDDINGS.  IN THE HIGHEST PART OF THE SHIP, TECHNICALLY DECK 14, IN ONE OF THE FUNNELS, THE OUTLOOK OVERLOOKS THE OCEAN AND DECKS IN A SWEEPING VIEW FROM ABOVE.
     WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED ON A DISNEY CRUISE, DAY AND NIGHT, IT'S A LOT EASIER TO SEE HOW THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE HAS MADE AN EVEN GREATER EFFORT TO CATER TO THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE OTHERWISE SAILED WITH DISNEY.  MORE MUSIC, DJ'S, DANCING, INTERACTIVE EVENTS, PUBS, CLUBS, AND LOUNGES. . . . . AND I PROMISE I'LL TRY THEM ALL FOR YOU AND LET YOU KNOW HOW THEY ARE!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "TOY STORY".  TO ME, ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES, LET ALONE ANIMATED, THERE IS.  IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS, PLEASE DO.  IT'S THAT GOOD!

Monday, April 4, 2011

19 DAYS TO GO . . .

     MONDAY APRIL 4, 2011

     WHAT ELSE CAN I DO WITH MY CRUISE VACATION?  WELL, IF BEING SURROUNDED BY ALL THAT WATER DOESN'T GIVE YOU A HINT, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU.  SWIM, SWIM, SWIM
     THE DISNEY DREAM HAS THREE POOLS ON IT'S TOP DECK.  THE "MICKEY POOL" IS ONE OF THREE FRESHWATER POOLS ON DECK 11.  THIS POOL IS DESIGNED FOR YOUNG KIDS AS IT IS SHAPED LIKE MICKEY'S FACE AND IS ONLY TWO FEET DEEP.  ANKLE DEEP WATER MAKES IT'S WAY TO THE EDGE OF THE RECTANGULAR POOL ENCLOSURE.
     THE SECOND OF THE DREAM'S POOLS IS CALLED "DONALD'S POOL".  ALSO LOCATED ON DECK 11 MIDSHIP, THE DONALD POOL IS DESIGNED FOR FAMILIES.  IT IS AN EGG SHAPED POOL WITH DONALD PAINTED ON THE BOTTOM AND IT TOO IS ENCLOSED IN A RECTANGLE WITH ANKLE DEEP WATER.  THE DONALD POOL IS FIVE FEET DEEP.
     THE THIRD POOL ON DECK 11 IS THE "QUIET COVE POOL".  THIS IS THE 18 AND OVER ONLY POOL LOCATED IN THE ADULTS ONLY QUIET COVE AREA.  IT IS SHAPED SORT OF LIKE A THREE CIRCLE SNOWMAN.  IT HAS A 4 FOOT DEEP PLUNGING POOL, A ROUND BENCHED WADING RELAXER AND A 6 INCH DEEP SUNBATHING POOL WITH BUILT IN LOUNGERS AND MISTERS.  THIS SAME CIRCLE IS ATTACHED TO THE COVE BAR WHERE YOU CAN WADE UP AND HAVE A SEAT AT THIS WATER BAR.
     THERE IS ALSO "NEMO'S REEF".  A 1500 SQUARE FOOT WATER PLAY AREA DESIGNED FOR THE LITTLEST CHILDREN IN DIAPERS.  IT IS ADJACENT TO THE MICKEY POOL IN A CLEARLY VISIBLE BUT SHELTERED AND ENCLOSED SPOT.  IT FEATURES FOUNTAINS, BUBBLERS, AND POP JETS ON THIS FUN-FILLED SPLASH DECK ALL THEMED TO DISNEY-PIXAR'S "FINDING NEMO".
     BUT THAT'S NOT ALL.  THERE'S STILL THE "AQUADUCK".  THIS IS THE FIRST WATER COASTER ON A CRUISE SHIP.  GUESTS DROP 2 DECKS OVER 765 FEET THROUGH ACRYLIC TUBES INCLUDING A CURVE OUT OVER THE OCEAN.  YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 54" TALL TO RIDE ALONE OR AT LEAST 42" TALL TO RIDE WITH SOMEONE.
     NOT ENOUGH?  YOU'RE CRUISING TO THE BAHAMAS!  YOU'LL HAVE STOPS IN NASSAU AND AT DISNEY'S PRIVATE ISLAND, CASTAWAY CAY.  THESE WILL BE SOME OF THE CLEAREST MOST CRYSTAL BLUE WATERS YOU'LL EVER FIND.  AND IF YOU'RE SAILING AT THE RIGHT TIMES OF THE YEAR, ODDS ARE THE WATER WILL BE WARMER THAN YOU'RE USED TO ALSO.  THESE WATERS ARE LEGENDARY FOR EXCURSIONS AND INTERACTIONS WITH DOLPHINS, SEA LIONS, AND STING RAYS AND SOME OF THE BEST SNORKELING AND SCUBA DIVING TO BE FOUND. 
     EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT ONE TO TAKE TO THE WATER, YOU HAVE TO AT LEAST CONSIDER IT.  THESE OPPORTUNITIES DON'T COME ALONG EVERY DAY.  IF NOT, ENJOY THE SUN.  HUGE SUN DECKS ON BOARD AND BEAUTIFUL WHITE SAND BEACHES STRETCH OUT FOR YOU AS SOON AS YOU LOOK FOR THEM.  SO TAKE A LOOK, AND ENJOY!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIES ARE "A GOOFY MOVIE" AND "POCAHONTAS".  I WAS REALLY SURPRISED HOW ENTERTAINING A GOOFY MOVIE WAS.  I GUESS I DIDN'T EXPECT MUCH.  POCAHONTAS ON THE OTHER HAND IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME LEAST FAVORITE DISNEY FILMS.  BASED ON REAL LIFE, BUT NOT FICTIONALIZED.  SAPPY BALLADS AND WEAK CHARACTERS.  UGH.  I WAS DISHEARTENED WHEN WE SAW "FANTASMIC" AT DISNEY STUDIOS AND SO MUCH OF IT WAS BASED ON POCAHONTAS.  ALL THOSE MOVIES, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY CHOSE?!  AND I LOVE FANTASMIC MORE THAN ANY SHOW THERE IS!  BUT MY SON LIKES POCAHONTAS.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

20 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SUNDAY APRIL 3, 2011

     SINCE YESTERDAY I WAS TALKING ABOUT PICTURES, I THOUGHT TODAY I WOULD SEGWAY INTO "MOVING PICTURES" OR MOVIES ON-BOARD.  THE DISNEY DREAM HAS A LAVISH MOVIE THEATER CALLED THE "BUENA VISTA THEATER" ON BOARD THAT TAKES UP OVER 5,000 SQUARE FEET AND RISES OVER 2  DECKS (4 & 5) IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHIP.  IT SHOWS FIRST RUN FILMS AND SOME IN DISNEY'S AMAZING DIGITAL 3-D.
     WHILE THE THEATER HAS ALL OF THE MODERN STATE OF THE ART PROJECTION, SOUND, AND SCREEN TECHNOLOGY, THE THEATER AND DECOR ITSELF HARK EN BACK TO THE OLD DAYS OF CLASSIC FORMAL ART DECO DESIGNED THEATERS OF THE 1920's AND 1930's.  IT HAS 400 DUAL LEVEL PLUSH RECLINING STADIUM SEATS WHERE EVERY SEAT IN THE THEATER HAS AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE SCREEN.
     WHILE THERE IS A SNACK BAR NEAR THE THEATER WHERE YOU CAN BUY TYPICAL MOVIE THEATER FARE, IT'S PRICED WORSE THAN YOUR LOCAL MOVIE THEATER.  AND WE ALL KNOW HOW RIDICULOUS THOSE PRICES ARE.  DOESN'T IT FEEL LIKE EVERY TIME YOU GO TO THE MOVIES THE SNACK BAR PRICES HAVE GONE UP?  YOU USED TO JOKE THAT GOING TO A MOVIE CAN COST YOU $20!  NOW IF YOU GOT AWAY WITH SPENDING $20 YOU'D PROBABLY BE PSYCHED!  WELL THIS IS WORSE.  SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE THOSE THINGS THAT GO HAND IN HAND WITH A MOVIE AND A THEATER, BUT IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT THE PRICE AT ALL, PLAN AHEAD.  AND YES, I SAID PRICE.  THIS IS ONE OF THOSE FEW SPOTS ON-BOARD WHERE YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR FOOD.  WHY?  BECAUSE DISNEY KNOWS THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE MONEY.  LIKE I SAID, SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE IT.  IT'S LIKE IMPULSE BUYING AT THE SUPERMARKET.  THERE'S A REASON THAT STUFF IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE CASH REGISTER YOU KNOW.  WELL, WHY GIVE IT AWAY WHEN YOU KNOW PEOPLE WILL STILL PAY FOR IT?  AND THEY DO.  BUT IF YOU PLAN AHEAD WITH ALL THAT FREE FOOD ON-BOARD, YOU WON'T HAVE TO.  THEY'LL LET YOU BRING YOUR OWN DRINKS IN, AND IF YOU ALREADY HAVE YOUR SNACKS OR WHAT HAVE YOU, YOU'RE ALL SET.
     THE BUENA VISTA THEATER HAS IT'S OWN SCHEDULE LINE ON THE DAYS GRAPH ON YOUR PERSONAL NAVIGATOR, SO IT'S EASY TO LOOK AT ANY TIME, OR FOR THE ENTIRE DAY AND SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SEE IN THE THEATER.  I PERSONALLY STRUGGLE WITH THIS ONE.  I RARELY GO TO THE MOVIE THEATER TO SEE ANYTHING, UNLESS I REALLY THINK IT'S GONNA BE GREAT IN THE THEATER.  SO TAKING 2 HOURS OUT OF MY DAY ON VACATION TO GO TO THE MOVIES SEEMS EVEN ODDER TO ME.  IF SOMETHING I REALLY WANT TO SEE IS PLAYING, I MIGHT.  BUT I CAN GO TO THE MOVIES AT HOME.  IT WOULD ALMOST BE LIKE STAYING IN MY STATEROOM TO SEE A MOVIE ON-DEMAND ON TV FOR 2 HOURS JUST BECAUSE IT WAS FREE.  SO NOT ME.  I WANT TO DO THE THINGS THAT I COULDN'T DO AT HOME.  AGAIN, IT'S A VACATION.  I MIGHT HAVE GONE TO SEE "TANGLED" HAD I NOT JUST RENTED IT.  I'M GLAD WE DID.  IT WAS REALLY GOOD.  WE SAW THE RE-RELEASE OF TOY STORY 1 & 2 IN A 3D DOUBLE FEATURE AND TOY STORY 3 IN 3D IN THE THEATER WHEN IT CAME OUT.  ALL FANTASTIC AND ALL WORTH GOING TO, BUT IT'S FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. 
     SO, LIKE ANYTHING, I GUESS YOUR CHOICE TO GO SEE A MOVIE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL THEATER WHILE ON-BOARD IS JUST A MATTER OF CHOICE, PREFERENCE, OR TIMING TOO I WOULD THINK.  IF IT RAINED, I'LL BET THAT THEATER IS A HECK OF A LOT MORE CROWDED.  BETTER CHANCE THAT I MIGHT BE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.  EITHER WAY, I'LL CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO CHECKING THE THEATER OUT, WHETHER I MAKE AN ENTIRE FILM IN THERE OR NOT.  HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET TO SEE A MOVIE THEATER, NOT A MOVIE, THAT MAKES YOU SAY, "WOOOOOW."
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TODAY'S FILMS, YES FILMS, HE'S CATCHING UP, ARE "THE LION KING", "THE LION KING 2", AND "THE RETURN OF JAFAR".  I CAUGHT SOME OF THE LION KING WHICH IS A GREAT EPIC FILM.  ANYTHING WITH JAMES EARL JONES' VOICE IN IT HAS TO BE POWERFUL, BUT I'M NOT MUCH ON STRAIGHT TO DVD SEQUELS.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

21 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SATURDAY APRIL 2, 2011

     PHOTOGRAPHS ON-BOARD YOUR DISNEY CRUISE ARE DONE BY "SHUTTERS".  UNLIKE THE DISNEY PARKS, THERE IS NO PHOTOPASS ON THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE SHIPS.  THERE ARE PHOTOGRAPHERS ALL OVER TAKING PICTURES, BOTH IMPROMPTU AND STAGED, WITH CHARACTERS AND WITHOUT, BUT SHUTTERS IS A PRIVATE COMPANY, NOT DISNEY, SO IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
     YOU WILL SEE YOUR FIRST PHOTOGRAPHER AS SOON AS YOU START TO BOARD.  THIS IS THE ONE PHOTOGRAPH THAT IS MANDATORY.  IT'S A NICE JUST ON-BOARD PHOTO, BUT THE PICTURE ITSELF IS USED FOR DISNEY'S FACIAL RECOGNITION SOFTWARE THAT'S BUILT RIGHT INTO YOUR KEY TO THE WORLD CARD.  WHAT IS IT?  WELL EVERY TIME YOUR PICTURE IS TAKEN AGAIN BY THE SAME PHOTOGRAPHERS THEY'RE LOADED INTO A COMPUTER.  THAT COMPUTER USES YOUR ORIGINAL BOARDING PHOTOS TO MATCH UP YOUR FACES AND STORE ALL PICTURES OF YOU TOGETHER.  PRETTY COOL HUH?  I KNOW THIS RAISES ALL KINDS OF "BUT WHAT IF" QUESTIONS.  AND YOU'RE RIGHT.  THERE'S NO WAY FOR THIS TO BE A PERFECT SYSTEM.  SOME PHOTOS OF YOU WILL OBVIOUSLY BE MISPLACED OR LOST AND YOU WILL NEVER SEE THEM, BUT MOST SO FAR ARE FINDING THEIR WAY TO YOUR PORTFOLIO.  SO THE SYSTEM IS WORKING PRETTY WELL.
     SHUTTERS IS ALSO THE NAME OF THE PHOTO SHOP ON BOARD WHERE YOU CAN PURCHASE ANY PHOTO SUPPLIES AND YOUR ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS AS WELL.  THEY COME IN TWO SIZES, 6"X8" & 8"X10".  THEY ARE $10 AND $20 PER PRINT RESPECTIVELY.  THERE ARE BUNDLED PACKAGES AVAILABLE AS WELL WHERE YOU CAN SAVE ON THE PER PRINT PRICE, OR A PHOTO CD OF EVERY PICTURE TAKEN OF YOU OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR CRUISE THAT RANGES FROM LIKE $200 - $400 DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH OF YOUR CRUISE.  SHUTTERS PHOTO PRICES ARE RIDICULOUS.  YOU WILL SCARCELY GO ANYWHERE ON EARTH WHERE YOU WILL BE CHARGED MORE FOR A SINGLE PHOTOGRAPH. 
     THE PLUS IS THAT SHUTTERS PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL TAKE PICTURES OF THEIR OWN AND SOME WITH YOUR CAMERA AS WELL WHEN POSING.  SO AT LEAST YOU HAVE THE CHOICE.  IF MONEY IS NO OBJECT THEN THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE WELL WORTH IT.  THEY TAKE LOTS OF THEM AND THEY'RE ALMOST ALWAYS REPORTED AS BEING EXCELLENT.
     THIS IS A HUGE MONEY MAKER FOR DISNEY BECAUSE OF THE INFLATED PRICES, THE NUMBER OF PICTURES TAKEN TO CHOOSE FROM, AND THE FACT THAT THEY ARE SO WELL DONE THAT IT'S OFTEN HARD TO SAY NO TO ALL OF THEM.  DO THE MATH.  IF 4,000 CRUISERS ON-BOARD ONLY BOUGHT ONE 6"X8" AT $10, THAT'S $40,000 RIGHT THERE.  YOU CAN SEE WHERE MULTIPLES, $100 & $200 PACKAGES OR $300 CD's REALLY UP THE PROFIT FAST.  SO BE SMART ABOUT WHAT YOU CHOOSE.  IF YOU PURCHASE A PIC YOU CAN ALWAYS EXCHANGE IT BEFORE THE END OF YOUR CRUISE IF YOU LIKE ONE BETTER.  YOU CAN DOWNGRADE OR UPGRADE YOUR PACKAGE IF YOU'VE PURCHASED ONE OR WOULD LIKE TO BASED ON WHAT YOU WANT TO GET.  THEY'RE VERY FLEXIBLE ABOUT TAKING YOUR MONEY.  REMEMBER, SOME IS BETTER THAN NONE, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE TAUGHT.  AS LONG AS YOU'RE PURCHASING SOMETHING IT'S A WIN/WIN.  HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK IT COSTS TO PRINT AN ENTIRE ROLL OF PHOTOS OF YOU?  IF YOU PURCHASE ONE, THEY PAID FOR IT.  SO ENJOY . . . AND SMILE FOR THE CAMERA!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER".  THIS WAS THE FIRST DISNEY ANIMATED FILM TO USE NEW CAMERA TECHNIQUES GIVING 2D ANIMATION A 3D FEEL.  GREAT VISUAL FILM.  WE ALSO MANAGED "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST", WHICH ABSOLUTELY DESERVED A BEST PICTURE NOMINATION; PHENOMENAL, AND "ALADDIN" WHICH MY SON COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER.  ROBIN WILLIAMS AS THE GENIE MAY BE HIS BEST ROLL EVER.

22 DAYS TO GO . . .

     FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2011

     PIN TRADING ON BOARD.  PIN TRADING TO DISNEY FANS IS MORE THAN JUST A HOBBY, OR EVEN A SPORT, IT'S AN OBSESSION.  I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT WAS UNTIL I TOOK MY SON TO DISNEY WORLD FOR HIS FIRST TRIP AT 4 YEARS OLD IN 2006.  BOY DID I LEARN FAST.  ONCE YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS, YOU REALIZE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE REALLY INTO IT.  YOU DON'T SEE IT . . . UNTIL YOU DO.  ONCE I KNEW WHAT IT WAS, IT SEEMED LIKE EVERYONE HAD A LANYARD AROUND THEIR NECK WITH PINS ON IT.
     WHAT IS IT?  THE BEST AND EASIEST WAY TO EXPLAIN IT IS TO TELL YOU TO GO ON EBAY AND JUST TYPE IN "DISNEY" AS A SEARCH.  WITHOUT QUESTION, ON THE FIRST PAGE OF ITEMS THAT COME UP, IN ABOUT AS VAGUE A CATEGORY AS YOU CAN SEARCH IN, WILL BE PINS.  MANY, MANY PINS.  THEY COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES AND THEMES.  YOU CAN FIND PINS BASED ON EVERY SINGLE DISNEY CHARACTER EVER.  EVERY MOVIE.  EVERY PARK.  EVERY RIDE.  EVERY HOTEL.  EVERY EVENT.  EVERY SHIP.  YOU NAME IT.  PIN TRADING HAS BECOME SUCH AN OBSESSION WITH SO MANY THAT THERE ARE MANY PIN TRADING EVENTS HELD ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND IN THE PARKS THEMSELVES. 
    IT'S CALLED PIN-TRADING BECAUSE YOU CAN APPROACH ANYONE WEARING DISNEY PINS AND ASK THEM IF THEY'D LIKE TO TRADE A PIN YOU SEE THAT YOU LIKE FOR ONE YOU MAY BE WEARING.  OBVIOUSLY THERE'S NO GUARANTEES, BUT YOU NEVER KNOW.  WHAT THOSE NOT IN THE KNOW DON'T REALIZE IS THAT YOU CAN APPROACH ANY CAST MEMBER (EMPLOYEE) WEARING PINS (AND MOST ARE) AND ASK THEM TO TRADE A PIN THEY'RE WEARING FOR ONE OF YOURS AND THEY HAVE TO TRADE YOU.  IT'S NOT AN OPTION FOR THEM.  IT'S A DISNEY RULE.  I'VE HEARD IT'S BECAUSE THEY GET THEIR PINS FOR FREE, OR MOST ANYWAY.  I DON'T REALLY KNOW FOR SURE, BECAUSE I'M NOT A PIN TRADER.
     I DID FOR THE FIRST TIME HOWEVER, BUY MY SON A SET OF 6 BASIC PINS FOR CHRISTMAS SO HE COULD WEAR THEM ON HIS CRUISE AND TRADE WITH PEOPLE.  IT'S A NICE WAY, ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS, TO GET TO KNOW SOME PEOPLE AND BRING THEM OUT OF THEIR SHELLS QUICKLY.  NOW I'VE HAD TO ALSO LECTURE HIM A LITTLE ABOUT NOT TRADING FOR SOMETHING HE DOESN'T LIKE.  LET'S FACE IT, THIS IS A STARVED COMMUNITY THAT SOME WOULD DO MOST ANYTHING TO GET A PIN THEY WANT.  THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I GOT HIM SOME SIMPLE PINS.  SO HE COULD TRADE WITH KIDS OR EMPLOYEES ON HIS OWN TO GET HIS FEET WET.  I'D RATHER HE WAS TRADING WITH EMPLOYEES ANYWAY, BECAUSE THEY'RE MORE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE JOY OF HIS TRIP THAN ANYONE AND IT CAN NEVER HURT TO TALK TO AND GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE WORKING SO HARD FOR YOU WHILE YOU'RE THERE.
     THIS SAME PIN TRADING HAS MIGRATED ONTO THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE.  THERE ARE PIN SELLING SPOTS AS WELL AS SCHEDULED PIN TRADING EVENTS ON BOARD, SOME EVEN WITH OFFICERS AND STAFF.  IF IT'S SOMETHING YOU'RE ALREADY INTO, THEN YOU CERTAINLY CAN'T GO WRONG ON BOARD THE DISNEY CRUISE LINES.  IF YOU'RE NEW INTO DISNEY PIN TRADING, OR JUST CONSIDERING IT, IT'S A GREAT ICE BREAKER, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE SHY CHILDREN (UNLIKE MYSELF).  NOW THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT IT, LOOK AROUND NEXT TIME AND SEE HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE YOU REALIZE ARE WEARING PINS!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE LITTLE MERMAID 2" AND "A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS".  A LITTLE OUT OF CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER, BUT SINCE WE JUST WATCHED THE FIRST LITTLE MERMAID, WHY NOT?

23 DAYS TO GO . . .

     THURSDAY MARCH 31, 2011

     SPA TREATMENTS.  THE DISNEY DREAM'S SPA IS CALLED "SENSES" AND CAN BE FOUND ON DECKS 11 & 12.  IT OFFERS SERVICES FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN AND INCLUDES NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS, COMFORTABLE WAITING AREAS, SHOWERS, LOCKERS, SANDALS & ROBES FOR USE DURING YOUR TREATMENTS, MEN'S & WOMEN'S CHANGING ROOMS, MASSAGE ROOMS, SAUNAS, STEAM ROOMS, STEAM BATHS, WHIRLPOOLS, AND FULL LINES OF BEAUTY PRODUCTS.
     THE SPA HAS A STATE OF THE ART FITNESS CENTER THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE EXTRA PAYMENT OR RESERVATION.  THERE ARE GROUP PILATES, YOGA, AND SPINNING CLASSES OFFERED.  THERE IS ALSO A BARBERSHOP, A HAIR AND NAIL SALON, AND ROOMS FOR MASSAGES, ALGAE WRAPS AND FACIALS.
     UNIQUE TO THIS SALON IS "THE CHILL SPA".  A FACILITY SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR 13 - 17 YEAR OLDS WITH SPA SERVICES ESPECIALLY FOR THEM.
     WHILE SOME MAY FEEL THE SPAS SERVICES ARE A BIT PRICEY, THEY ARE NOT RIDICULOUSLY OVERPRICED COMPARED TO HAVING THEM ON LAND, AND WHERE CAN YOU HAVE MOST OF THESE SERVICES DONE WHILE OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN?  AND NO ONE HAS HAD ANY OF THESE SERVICES OR USE OF THE FACILITIES YET THAT DIDN'T RAVE ABOUT THE AREA, THE STAFF, AND THE SERVICE ITSELF.
     THIS IS ONE OF THOSE EXTRAVAGANCES ON A CRUISE THAT IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY OR HAVE PUT THE MONEY ASIDE FOR IT, IT PROBABLY WON'T BE SOMETHING YOU'D REGRET.  AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT'S BECOME SO POPULAR THAT YOU HAVE TO BOOK SERVICES IN ADVANCE AND AT CERTAIN TIMES, MAY HAVE TROUBLE GETTING IN.  SO PLAN AHEAD AND ENJOY.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE LITTLE MERMAID".  LOVE THE MUSIC IN THIS FILM.  THE BLACK LIGHT LITTLE MERMAID PUPPET SHOW AT DISNEY STUDIOS IS STILL ONE OF OUR FAVORITE SHOWS THAT I'VE SEEN AT THE PARKS.

24 DAYS TO GO . . .

     WEDNESDAY MARCH 30, 2011

     ROOM SERVICE.  ROOM SERVICE ON DISNEY CRUISE LINES IS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, EXCLUDING YOUR DEBARKATION DAY.  DISNEY DOESN'T WANT YOU ORDERING FOOD TO YOUR ROOM SO YOU CAN HIDE OUT AND SLOW THEM FROM GETTING YOU OFF THE SHIP AND THE NEW GUESTS ON.  PLUS WITH THE ENTIRE SHIP BEING CLEANED AND PREPPED, THE KITCHENS ARE DOING THE SAME, SO ROOM SERVICE IS CLOSED ALL TOGETHER.
     ROOM SERVICE HAS THE SAME MENU ALL DAYS AT ALL TIMES (www.disneyfoodblog.com/disney-dream-room-service-menu) EXCEPT EARLY MORNINGS FOR BREAKFAST (www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/01/28/disney-dream-dining-cruise-line-room-service).   ROOM SERVICE IS FREE AND INCLUDED IN YOUR CRUISE PRICE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SODAS AND ALCOHOL.  MAINLY BECAUSE YOU PAY FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS EVERYWHERE ELSE AND YOU CAN GET FREE SODAS FOR YOURSELF IN THE DINING ROOMS, QUICK SERVICE SPOTS AND BEVERAGE STATIONS.  YOU'RE BASICALLY PAYING FOR THOSE FOR THE CONVENIENCE, BUT ALL THE FOODS ARE STILL INCLUDED.  LIKE THE BARS, IF YOU ORDER AN ALCOHOLIC DRINK, A 15% GRATUITY WILL BE CHARGED AUTOMATICALLY.  BUT THE ROOM SERVICE STEWARD DOES NOT GET TIPPED UNLESS YOU TIP HIM.  YOU CAN EITHER WRITE IN A TIP AMOUNT ON THE RECEIPT HE HAS YOU SIGN OR TIP HIM IN CASH WHEN THEY ARRIVE.  A GENERAL RULE OF THUMB IS $1 - $2 PER PERSON EATING OR IN THE ROOM.
     LIKE ANY OTHER ROOM SERVICE YOU SIMPLY PLACE YOUR ORDER FROM YOUR ROOM PHONE AND IT SHOULD ARRIVE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 15 - 45 MINUTES DEPENDING ON WHAT AND HOW MUCH YOU ORDERED AND WHEN YOU ORDER IT.  JUST LIKE A RESTAURANT, SOME TIMES ARE BUSIER THAN OTHERS.
     YOU CAN ALSO ORDER ROOM SERVICE BREAKFAST BY CHECKING OFF THE ITEMS ON YOUR BREAKFAST PRE-ORDER CARD IN YOUR ROOM THE NIGHT BEFORE AND HANGING IT ON YOUR DOOR TO BE PICKED UP.  YOU JUST PUT A NUMBER OF HOW MANY YOU WANT IN THE BOX NEXT TO THE CORRESPONDING ITEMS.  BREAKFAST CAN NOT ONLY BE ARRIVING WHEN YOU WAKE UP, BUT IT CAN ALSO SERVE AS A WAKE-UP CALL FOR A SCHEDULED TIME.  COFFEE DRINKERS CAN REALLY APPRECIATE HAVING HOT COFFEE DELIVERED UPON WAKING.
     WHILE SOME HAVE RAVED ABOUT CERTAIN ITEMS ON THE MENU, ON THE WHOLE, MOST HAVE SAID THE DCL ROOM SERVICE FOOD IS EXTREMELY AVERAGE.  ODDLY ENOUGH, THE BLT GETS SOME OF THE BEST REVIEWS.  AND ALTHOUGH NOT LISTED ON THE MENU, THE MICKEY SHAPED ICE CREAM BAR CAN BE ORDERED THROUGH ROOM SERVICE AND IS BY FAR THE MOST POPULAR ITEM.  THE AVAILABILITY OF THESE ITEMS IS REALLY WHAT MAKES THEM SO VALUABLE.  FOR EXAMPLE: MY SON'S BIRTHDAY IS THE 3rd DAY OF OUR CRUISE, CASTAWAY CAY DAY.  WE LIVE NEAR THE BEACH.  WE KNOW WHAT A DAY IN THE SUN ON THE SAND CAN DO TO YOU.  HE'S ALREADY WILLING TO COME BACK AND TAKE A NAP BECAUSE HE KNOWS THERE ARE FIREWORKS AT 10:30PM (WAY PAST HIS BEDTIME) AND HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE TOO TIRED.  AND BECAUSE I KNOW HE'LL BE SLEEPING I CAN ORDER A FRUIT AND CHEESE PLATE, COOKIES, AND DRINKS (SOME OF HIS FAVORITES) FOR WHEN HE WAKES UP AS A BIRTHDAY SURPRISE.  IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS, AND DISNEY DOES THEM BEST.  TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.  ORDER COOKIES AND MILK LATE AT NIGHT.  ORDER SOMETHING TO SOAK UP THE ALCOHOL AFTER BEING OUT DRINKING.  ORDER SOMETHING TO QUIET THE KIDS OR BUY YOU SOME TIME BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED DINNER TIME.  ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES AT NO EXTRA COST.  NICE HUH?
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "OLIVER AND COMPANY".  BEST KNOWN FOR BILLY JOEL'S MUSIC, IT HASN'T HELD UP AS WELL AS SOME OF THE CLASSIC FILMS BECAUSE IT WASN'T A TRUE FAIRY TALE AND FELT A LITTLE TOO TIED TO POP CULTURE.