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 - #9 - Disney Dream 3 Night Cruise Day 2 - Nassau, Pirate Night

Aft of the Disney Dream

We awoke bright and early on day 2 of our voyage to the Disney Dream pulling in to port in Nassau.  We were up to head up to Cabanas to get breakfast and then try to be among the first off the ship.  Yes that is right, we are Rope Dropping Nassau.

A view from the veranda as we pull into the port.

Grandpa and the kids

One nice thing about being off early is the empty port births.  This picture could not be taken in the afternoon because there would be two other ships in the way.  

Samantha and I on the steps to the Straw Market

After making our way through the craziness of the port area we went just a few blocks to the Straw Market.  We went there for several reasons.  

1. It was cheap.  We really did not see any excursions that we knew the kids would love so we saved a few dollars and just explored on our own.  

2. It was just a few blocks away.  Almost impossible to get lost.

3.  It was a good way to show the kids were weren't in America any more.  No it is not a third world country, but by walking a few blocks the kids get to see some eye opening things.

Walking down the side of the Market.  There are hundreds of vendors in the building.  Most of them sell the same stuff.  You can haggle for a better price but make sure you bring small bills.  They always seem to have "trouble" breaking a $20.  They try to get you to get more stuff rather then breaking the bill.  This place get busy, just one more reason to "Rope Drop" Nassau.

We then walked over and saw the Parliament house.  Hard to believe a countries government is ran from that building.  It is also neat to show the kids the cars driving on the wrong side of the road.  

We were heading back to the ship or as Doug says "the nicest thing in Nassau"  and we bumped into Debbie, Mike, Lila, and Sandy who were getting off the ship as we were getting back on.  They were defiantly heading in the more popular direction.  People were streaming off the ship now.  

Sam wanted a picture with this weird thing she found, a pay phone.

These little buildings are used for people to stand under when they are getting excursions ready.  We were about the first off the ship and about the first back on.  Over all we were on land about 45 min.  We treat Nassau almost like a day at sea, but with out the crowds.

Back on the ship we headed to the pool with short waits for both the Mickey Slide and the Aquaduck.  We did the Aquaduck a few times.  Over the course of the hour the line grew steadily.  We then headed down to the pool and the Mickey slide.  Clair spent a little time in Nemo's reef.  It was hot so the water felt great!

The kids loved doing the slide over and over.  Later this afternoon the line would be all the way down the stairs.  The kids only had a few other kids to wait for each time.  

So after a little swim we went back to the room to get cleaned up and found our bandannas for pirate night.  After that we let the kids go to the kids clubs. They really didn't spend much time in the clubs on the trip between all the different things to do on the ship.  We let them eat lunch in the clubs and they did not give it the best reviews.  It was nice to not have to feed them after week in the parks I think they were ready for a break from us too.  I went to the spa for the treatment I booked yesterday.  Doug as he says "explored the Ship" and then went to Cabanas for lunch.   He claimed to want to try everything that wouldn't kill him at lunch.

Doug picked up Sam and Alden from the clubs and they did an animation class. 

They love the class at Hollywood Studios so this was a good class for them.  

Is it Samantha or Daisy Duck.  It is really tough to tell.  

Next they met Mike and played a round of golf.  

It is a tough view to handle when trying to focus on mini golf.  It is a good thing the holes are about twice the normal size.

You can see the Atlantis resort in the background.

Not sure there is a course with quite so much character.  You can see the Water Tower in the back ground on the hill top.  

The view down at the port.  You can now see we have two ships parked between where we took the picture earlier and the Dream.  You can see it is a couple blocks walk to the customs house that they make you go through.  The customs house is more like a flea market then an official government office.  They also don't need your passport just your Key to the World Card and a photo ID.

Not a great picture but it kinda shows the location of golf compared to stuff.  It is as far Aft(back) as you can get on the top deck.  

Mike tallying the scores.  I think Doug or Mike won.  

The next great adventure for them was shuffle board.

After that Doug got Clair from the club and then Jim took the kids to play some Midship Defective Agency.  

Before dinner we met a few characters in their pirate outfits.

Tonight we dine in the Enchanted Garden.  We had a nice port hole view.  A different time of year and we would have seen a sunset.  This was the first time we were all together today.  Everyone kinda did their own thing.  I think Greg and John watched a few movies and swam.  

The popular dish tonight was the prime rib.  That is what I got and loved it.

Doug tries to get something he would normally not order so he got the sea bass.  He really enjoyed it and highly recommends it.  

One of the pirates took a nap at dinner.  Too much fun in the clubs today.  She got to color with Tinkerbell Doug questioned her by saying "coloring Tinkerbell?"  and Clair was clear that she colored WITH Tinkerbell.  I'm sure that will be tough to beat.  

Right after dinner it was up to Deck 12 to watch the Mickey's Pirates in the Caribbean show.  It is mainly Mickey and friends dancing around.  

The kids waiting for the show to start.

Some of the action.  The rail on deck 12 is a good spot to watch the shows on Deck 11.  

Then we headed back down to meet Pirate Mickey.  

Next we went to the Walt Disney Theater when the doors opened for Villains Tonight.  This show is hilarious and not to be missed.

Right after the show we headed over to the D Lounge for a family Pirate show.  

After that show it was back up to Deck 12 for the Show with Jack Sparrow and buccaneer Blast.  The fireworks at sea are always amazing.   We watch from the Port side of deck 12.  They shoot them off the Starboard side.  If you are on deck 11 you have to look past deck 12 to see them.  If you are on the Starboard side you have to look straight up.

After the fireworks there is a pirate buffet in cabanas.  It is a mad house for the first 20min or so.  We tried to be about the first ones in there and we got our food and a table before the real chaos started.  The other tactic which other members of our group took was to wait a bit and then head in.  As soon as the fireworks are over they start a dance party so lots of people linger for a min or two before they realize what is happening.  Or stay and dance and then head in.  The buffet consist of the giant turkey legs, crapes, and tacos.  It is an odd combo but they have just about everything you could want to put on a crape.  There are tons of other deserts and fruit if your pirates don't need the sugar.  

The kids had a blast the whole night even though it was a lot of running around to fit everything in but well worth it.  Lots of not to be missed things on a 3 night cruise on pirate night.  On longer voyages pirate night is more manageable because you would not have to squeeze in the Broadway style show.  

Back to our room we had to convince Alden not to sleep in his pirate outfit.  It was his night for the top bunk.

Our towel animal stole my glasses.

That night Doug's parents got this for their towel animal.   It was a trip for their 40th Anniversary after all!  

Tomorrow we head to Disney's Castaway Cay!!!!!!!!!!!