Trip Report 2013 - #11 - Hollywood Studios, Boardwalk,Osborn Lights

We are back on land and ready to start a long but fun day!

Breakfast started bright and early.  With Disney Cruise Line you eat breakfast in the dining hall that you had dinner in the night before.  We were back at the Royal Palace bright and early.  6:45 am to be exact.  This is a great chance to say good bye to your service team.  Once we were done eating we headed out to the lobby and waited for the all clear and then headed into customs.  In customs you find your bags based on the character on the tags you were given the night before.  We found our and were through customs in just a few minuets. With a short walk across the street to the parking garage.  We said good bye to Greg, John, Debbie, Mike, and Lila.  They were renting a car and exploring the coast before heading to the airport to fly home.  Doug's Parents were coming with us to the parks for another day of adventure.  We were in our van and gone by 7:45 am.  

We had to stop at Art of Animation to pickup the stroller before we headed into the park.  We were Soooooooooooooo close to making rope drop.  We parked at about 9:10 in the Hollywood Studios lot. Doug went ahead with the old "key to the world cards" to try to get a paper fast pass for Toy Story.  By the time he got there he got one for the last hour of the day.  With the wait at Toy Story already over 50 minuets we headed to rockin' roller coaster first.  Doug, Sandy, and Clair went to Little Mermaid.

The Rockin' Roller Coaster picture is one of the best in the parks in my opinion.  

They survived.

Now it was time to use our FastPass+ on Toy Story Mid Way Mania.  Doug had spent months building up this ride to his parents.  I think he started to worry he had hyped it too  much when we were in line.  

Clair and Sandy, I'm sure they both had a great score.

Doug rode alone.  That is how he likes it.  Sam and Alden take too many of his targets.  Clair is the only one he likes to ride with.  He of course was not happy with this score.

Alden and I were happy to head into the midway for some fun.  Samantha rode with Jim.  The review from Sandy and Jim was thought it was great.  They both loved it and would do it again if there wasn't an hour long line.  Jim claimed that it is a ride "not to be missed"

Then Half of us headed to Star Tours and the non motion people headed to Great Movie Ride.

We met back up at 50's Prime Time Diner for lunch.  We were starving and tired.  The adventures at sea and the early breakfast was catching up with us.  We checked in 45min early hoping they could get us seated early.  We were really not hopeful because it was the Sunday before Veteran's day the the park was nice and busy.  We were happy hanging out in the 1950's style living room and air conditioning.  

The food and atmosphere was great.  Doug's parents just let us pick where to eat.  I choose 50's because it is comfort food.  After all the fine dining on the cruise ship I knew we would be ready for just good old fashion cooking.   Doug got a pot pie, Jim got meat loaf, Sandy had some fried chicken.  It was exactly what we needed.  For more about the restaurant you can check out our full post here.

After eating we stopped in the Animation building to meet a few friends.

We were exhausted and ready for a nap so we headed to the front of the park and got a picture on the way.  It is nice to have the Photopass get a few shots of the whole group now and then.

We hopped in the van and dropped Jim and Sandy off at the Beach Club before heading around Crescent Lake to our room for the next two nights at the Boardwalk.

The room was nice.  The Boardwalk is a deluxe resort.  It would be extremely difficult to go from the Cruise ship to a Moderate or a value resort.

The couch folds into a bed and that is where Alden will be found.  

The decor didn't do much for the kids.  We have stayed at the Beach Club before so we wanted to stay some where different but the kids weren't all that impressed.

The kids also pointed out how the tiny bathroom in the cruise ship had twice the storage and counter space.

Once settled down we took a long nap.  SO long we kinda forgot about telling Doug's parents dinner plan.   Doug's Dad finally called and asked where and what we were doing.  

We then told them we would met them in Hollywood Studios by Sweet Spells.

After a boat ride over to the park we found Doug's parents waiting at our favorite candy shop.  We had FastPass+ to Fantasmic!  We got a couple snacks and some Glow With The Show Hats.  Alden picked the big Mickey cookie dipped in chocolate.

I went with the Sorcerer Mickey Candy Apple.  I felt it went with the show.  We got our snacks and made our way to the stadium.  The stadium for Fantasmic! is huge.  You need to get there a little early just because of the waking it takes to get back to it.  We were about 30 min early and got good seats.  We were off to the left.  For most of the show they show it in 3 spots.

This is a little zoomed in of Mickey during the show.   It was the kids first time seeing it and they give it mixed reviews.  Sam said "it's not Wishes" and she is right.  It is an odd mix of things going on in the show.  

After the show we headed to Toy Story.  It is totally nuts leaving Fantasmic!  I suggest having a meeting place.  Ours was the viewing window for Sweet Spells.  It is just far enough away to lessen the craziness but close enough that Samantha and Alden would make it if totally separated.  It is a lot like leaving a sporting event after a buzzer beater.  

Time to take in the Osborn Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.   As usual they are awesome!

The kids spent some time singing and dancing with the lights. It is hard to make out the mass of people behind them but as you head to the center of the lights it is packed!  The park was about to  close.  Jim and Sandy headed back the the boat to head back to the beach club and we had one trick left up our sleeve.

After a little light viewing we hopped in line for Toy Story about 5 min before the park closed.  The sign said 60min for the wait but we new better.  We waited about 20 minuets is all.  They let you into line right up until park closing for most attractions.  

It is hard to see but Doug broke into the 200,000's this ride.  

Clair and I continue to improve.  

As we exited the ride the park was closed but we headed back to the lights.  They normally run the lights 1 hour after the park is closed.

We got a few more pictures as the crowd thinned out.

Line for this Photopass location was easily 20 to 30 minuets the first time we were here.  Now we just waited for one family.  

You can clearly see 30 minuets after park closing and you can wonder freely around.  Earlier you were shoulder to shoulder as you made your way around looking at lights.   This was a great way to end the night, looking at Christmas lights dancing to music with fake snow falling!

We headed back to the Boardwalk Inn with just a short walk.

Tomorrow we close out our trip with a challenge.  

Trip Report 2013 - #10 - Disney Dream 3 Night Cruise Day 3 - CastawayCay

Day three has arrived and we find our adventures in the port of Castaway Cay!

View zoomed in from Cabanas

Castaway Cay(pronounced Key) is Disney's private island in the Bahamas and it is the cleanest beach you will ever set foot on.  We love our days at Castaway Cay and were really looking forward to sharing it with the kids.    We started our day by getting to Cabanas nice and early and enjoying a Mickey waffle(or two).  This is a few from Cabanas zoomed in a bit.  As you can see we did not have great weather for our day.  

It is Samantha's 8th Birthday today so we had her wear her birthday button.  She was overly excited about this.  The year before her little brother and sister got to celebrate birthdays in the parks.  She was waiting for this for over a year.  We are "mean" parents and only let the kids wear birthday buttons on the actual day.  Lots of people wear their birthday buttons for their whole trip.  I feel like it is even more special when it is just on the day!

We were among the first to be off the ship. Yep, I even rope drop Castaway Cay.  There was a small crowd of people on the stairs heading to the gangway on deck 2.  As soon as you are off the ship they hand you towels and today as a special treat we got ponchos.  You can grab as many towels as you want but you do have to carry around what you take.  As far as I know this is the only place to get towels, so don't walk by thinking you will get them later.  We always like to walk rather then take the tram.  About half the people get on the tram.  If you are heading further in on the island the tram is good but we were heading to the snorkeling area and it is about the first thing you come to.  

If you need a stroller, wagon, or wheel chair they have beach friendly ones.  It is first come first serve so you may need to be there early.   

First official stop on Castaway is a photo spot with Mt. Rustmore.  You can see the Dream in the background.  Years ago you could see the whole ship. The vegetation has gown to block the view.

Jim with the kids.  He forgot to tell them it was a goofy picture.  

All the foot prints you see on the beach at this time are ours.  That is why you get up and off early.  The sand is sooooooo soft and Disney makes sure it is perfect for your day.

Getting geared up to snorkel.  We rented equipment from Disney.  You can bring your own but according to Doug I was already over packed.

Sam did not even make it in up to her waist.  Here Alden is refusing to listen to Doug on how to move in flippers.

Doug basically drug Alden about 100 yards out.  They finally started to see some fish and Alden got excited and tried to talk to Doug and swallowed half the ocean.  They promptly came back to shore.  Snorkeling is not our kids thing.  

Meanwhile the girls and I headed over to the Pelican Plunge area of the beach.  We got a good spot close to the water slides but not to close.

The water was warm even if the air was cool.  If you want a beach day with big waves then Castaway is not it.  They have breaks that stop the waves so you have nice calm water.

Pelican Plunge is the location of two water slides and some other features.  The open slide is slow the closed tube slide is super fast.  The kids did the slower one a few times.  They have to swim out to the platform to go on the slides.  There is no height limits but they have to be able to swim out there.  They have life jackets available  to wear.

Michelle took a picture of the navigator on the water proof camera before we got off the ship so she could keep track of character meet and greets on the island.  

Alden sharing his stories of adventure on the slides and just how brave he is. He may embellish a little but he is usually entertaining.   

Why not get sand in every crevice?  I am always amazed when you don't find sand allover the ship.  They keep the ship so clean and Ship Shape.(haha)

This is the entrance to the private cabana area.  You have to be staying in a concierge room or be a gold or platinum member of the Castaway Club to have a chance of booking one of these.  They are nice but pricey and we seem to be ok with just a couple of beach chairs.

It is lunch time.  The storm looked like it was heading in so we packed up and headed to eat at Cookies II   They have a buffet lunch in 3 different locations on the island.   We got our drinks and a table as they were opening up lunch.  We got the basic burger, hot dog, and some sides.  They also have ribs and chicken.  There is soft serve ice cream as well just like on the ship.  

About 10 min after we sat down to eat the rain came and people came flooding in to escape the storm. It only poured hard for about 20 min.  So we stayed out of the bad weather and all our stuff stayed dry.  

We were done with the beach so we went to check out the other things on the island. 

Clair played for a little bit in the splash park while Grandpa watched her.

They have a couple maps posted along the way in case you get lost.

A little beach soccer.

Some more shuffle board.

This is the In-Da-Shade area.  Alden attempted to shoot some hoops.

This is the main family beach area after the storm.  It cleared out lots of people.  This beach is closer to the ship so it fills up first.  We like to head down by the slides because there is less people and you are closer to the slides.  

We timed our heading back to the ship so we could catch a dance party.

Who doesn't like a dance party with Mickey and Minnie on the beach.

The kids outside the post office.  If you want to mail a post card from Castaway you can.  Ours took a couple months to make it to friends and family.

Along the path back to the ship we had lots of photo ops of the ship.

Aft

Sometimes when you are on the ship you forget just how huge it is.

Debbie, Mike, baby Lila, Greg, John, and Sandy got off the ship later.  In time for lunch.  Greg and John snorkeled some and I think they all did the slides.  They all had great things to say about the beach.

Once back on the ship we went to the pools and Nemo's Reef.

They were fairly empty.  It was windy up on that deck so we did not have much company.

All alone.  

Still alone.

The only annoying kids in the pool were my annoying kids.

Doug and Jim road the Aquaduck a few times with each kid.  

A couple people finally joined us!

When there are very few people ridding the Aquaduck it makes getting this picture easier.  

The view from our balcony after a full day of water and fun.

Back in our stateroom we found the worst thing the stateroom host could have possibly left, the disembarking information.  The customs form and special luggage tags for the customs area.  Our bags will be in the Daisy area of customs.

Once we were cleaned up from our day on the beach we hit the princess gathering.

Samantha got lots of attention from all the princesses because it was her birthday.

Snow White took lots of time with the girls since they were wearing her outfits!

Pretending to sleep.

Sam's bow kinda blends in with the Christmas decorations.

Tiana got the spot in front of the grand stair case today.

Ariel taught them how to curtsy properly.

Doug and Alden looked on from above.  Where else can you meet 5 princess in a row like this? Nowhere.  This is why we love our Disney Cruises.

To do something special on Samantha's birthday we set up a special hair and pixie dust thing in one of the shops.

They put her hair back with several special little hair clips and then dusted away.  I think we may find glitter on her head until she turns 10.

Clair got to have the special treatment as well.  

Tonight dinner is at the Royal Palace.  The Royal Palace is the most upscale of the Disney Dinning halls.  The waiters wear very formal attire. 

The kids menu is so cheaply made it did not even come with color. (haha)

The bread arrives in a neat little carriage. 

Clair showing off her sparkly face and make up.  

Doug and Alden got the escargot.  They ate it so fast that I didn't even get a picture of it.

Some tasty Prime Rib.

Happy Birthday was sang to Sam from the whole dining crew.

I got a strawberry shortcake off the kids menu.  Feel free to always order what you want and as much as you want.

After dinner we skipped the show.  Doug and I have seen it before and the kids really wanted to supper sloppy science in the Clubs.  They made flubber!  They really barely spent any time in the clubs.  While they were in the club I got our bags packed and in the hall with our special Daisy tags. 

About halfway though the science experiment we got a call on our wave phone letting us know Clair wanted picked up.  Clair did not want to do the flubber thing and was just playing on her own.  She found a friend to play with and when that kid got picked up she decided she wanted out as well.  This is her "resting" on the floor.

Soon the see ya real soon meet and greets started and Clair and I meet a few while Doug waited to get the other after Flubber.  

You will notice Clair is free of her wristband for the kids club.  When you check out the last time they take it from you.

Chip and Dale were up to their usual tricks.

Daisy and Clair by the elevators.

The sloppy science kids had now joined.  They got little bags for doing the experiment.  

Now Sam and Alden made the rounds.  Alden is still concerned about Donald's lack of pants. 

We were the last ones to meet Captain Mickey before the show started.

That worked out great because it left us right in front.  It is kind of a crazy sort of time waiting for the show to start because you really can save a spot for the show because it is where all the lines are for the characters.  

After words they shoot off confetti Mickey Heads.  Alden joined the clean up crew.    Now it is off to bed.  We were totally exhausted.