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!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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