Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World; Part: 5

By Nick

Part 5 : Monday, February 22nd 

I spent the entire morning just relaxing at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, taking a stroll over to Jambo House from Kidani. I walked around the lobby and stopped at a couple of Savannah outloooks, walked through the shop, and had a very good breakfast at The Mara, AKL's quick serve restaurant.

The African-inspired Breakfast Platter, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Pap, Chakalaka, and Grilled Tomato.

I spent some time at the Flamingo Pool, which is located in back of the main people pool, and watched as a giraffe tried to... get friendly with another giraffe. 

I walked back to Kidani Village and had a wonderful conversation with a Cast Member from South Africa before taking a swim. 

On my way back to my room, I ran into friends Beth and Noel, who introduced me to their brother-in-law Lars, who treated me to some Dogfish Head beer. Thanks again Lars!

I got a text a little while later from my friend Peter. I met Peter and his wife Marilyn several years ago on our Disney Cruise to Alaska and we've stayed in touch since. 

We met up at Jock Lindsey's in Disney Springs where they treated me to lunch and cocktails. Thank you again Marilyn and Peter, it's always a pleasure to spend time with you!

After saying goodbye to my friends, I went to The BOATHOUSE and ordered a margarita in honor of National Margareta Day. Yes, I considered going to the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot but instead decided to sit at the bar on the water. Love The BOATHOUSE!

I hopped the first bus to a resort, which happened to be Pop Century and then a bus to Disney's Hollywood Studios.

I was feeling hungry again and stopped into 50's Prime Time Cafe where I had hoped to grab a table at the bar in the Tune In Lounge, but it was packed. I went to the podium at Prime Time and asked if there was any chance to get a table, and was surprised when they told me it would only be a 20 minute wait! 

In the meantime I got a Bourbon at the bar. I'm starting to really dig Bourbon!

I was seated after about 30 minutes. I have to admit, it is odd eating at Prime Time solo. But I love that fried chicken dinner, so it was worth it!

I went to Star Wars Launch Bay and on the way tried to get a selfie with a First Order Stormtrooper.

Imagine my surprise when I was grabbed and interrogated! I mean, really! It was awesome. 

Fear not, Chewbacca rescued me. And we celebrated!

I used my FastPasses for Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror and Muppets before catching what is my favorite fireworks show at the World at the moment, Symphony in the Stars!

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

Disney Pins From the Disney Wonder, Circa 2012

By Nick

Back in 2012, we took a cruise to Alaska on the Disney Wonder
We bought a few pins.
There was one representing each port, dated 2012, and I was tempted to buy them all, but at $12.95 each, I resisted the urge, and stuck to characters that my wife and I collect.

For example Pluto, who represented Juneau, mushing along with Mickey in the sled.

 

Here’s Minnie, getting a picture of Mickey in front of the Seattle skyline.

 

Here’s a picture of my wife Barbie with the Seattle skyline in the background, as the ship departed the Port of Seattle.

Here we have Stitch representing Victoria. While we stopped in Victoria, we didn’t get off the Wonder, as there was only a couple of hours in port.

Finally, there’s this pin of Minnie, not representing a port, but the entire Summer 2012 Alaskan Cruise Season.

 These pins are a Limited Edition of 1000.

The only other item I bought was this t-shirt, which lists the ports we were in.

 
For more about our pin collection, please check out this article by Barbie.
And to see the Mickey Mouse watch she bought on the cruise, please see this article.

10 Reasons to Take a Disney Cruise

A year ago Lisa Green posted this great article listing 10 Reasons to Sail on a Disney Cruise. Followers of Lisa's blog, Living a Disney Life- Empty Nesting with Pixie Dust, or listeners of The Disney Exchange Podcast will doubtless know that Lisa recently went on the Disney Cruise Line's inaugural sailing to Norway. Please be sure to check out this article about her experience.-Nick

Ten Reasons to Sail on Disney Cruise Line:

1. Beautiful ships full of Disney magic and extraordinary service.
2. The evening shows – excellent Broadway-style entertainment for the whole family.
3. Designated well-themed areas for children (and teens) with incredibly creative activities and lots of FUN (and safety!).
4. Designated adults-only areas with adult entertainment, refreshments, separate pools, restaurants, and more.
5. Castaway Cay – Disney’s Private Island is one of the ports of call on many Disney cruises and it is truly a paradise with something for everyone.  Want to run a 5k?  Ride a bicycle? Snorkel, parasail, swim, eat, dance, drink, play in the sand, lay in a hammock and do nothing at all – in an absolutely gorgeous setting!  Adults-only, teens-only and family beaches ensure everyone can have the time of their life.  Even a massage in a cabana on the beach is available! 
6. Castaway Club – once you’ve taken that first cruise, you’re automatically a member with perks for repeat cruisers.  This article gives more details.
7. Excursions – Disney offers a tremendous number of family-friendly, adults-only and teen-only port excursions and they take good care of you!  We’ve had incredible family adventures (like zip-lining in Alaska, swimming with stingrays in the Bahamas, and exploring the ruins of Pompeii) we will remember for the rest of our lives.
8. Fish Extender groups and Door decorating!  You can pre-arrange to take part in a gift exchange (like secret Santa) with other cruisers.  You can (and should) bring fun magnetic decorations for your stateroom door. See Fish Extender deets here and Door Décor here.
9. Characters – They seem to be everywhere and much easier to meet than in the parks.  Drop off a pillowcase or a photo mat and some markers at Guest Services and the characters will autograph your items…which will then be returned to your stateroom.
10. Parties and First-run Movies –  The Sail Away and pirate-themed parties are both bunches of fun (especially for children).  Each ship’s movie theater shows the latest releases (and favorite Disney movies).
11. BONUS – Rotational Dining and Room Service.  You keep the same restaurant servers at dinner each evening (unless you dine at an adults-only restaurant) for the duration of your cruise – you get to know them and they cater to (and often anticipate) your every need.  The room service menu items (with a few exceptions) are included in the price of your cruise.  Order appetizers while getting ready for dinner or a show, order cookies and milk for a bedtime snack!  Too tired to leave your stateroom?  Order dinner!

The reasons I’ve just listed are solely based on my own family’s experiences.  We are not people who generally suffer from seasickness – it would be rare for one of us to have an episode, but not unheard of.  We are a family that loves Disney vacations above all others.  (I believe if Disney had its own ski resort, we would never stray from Disney property or cruise ship.)

The difference between a Walt Disney World vacation and a Disney Cruise Line vacation is, for us, purely a relaxation factor.  All the things we love about Walt Disney World like good food, great service by friendly Cast Members, wonderful resort accommodations, Disney’s magical details (even hidden Mickeys!), meeting Disney characters, awesome entertainment – are all there on a Disney cruise.  What is NOT on a Disney cruise?  Walking ten miles a day, rope-drop frenzy, waiting for transportation in the blazing sun (or late at night), or favorite thrill rides and attractions (but there ARE plenty of adventures to be found on a cruise).  We go home much more relaxed, but completely satisfied that we did and saw a bunch of amazing things!

HOW did we become such big Disney Cruise Line fans?  What made us opt to turn away from Walt Disney World and take that very first cruise?  I’ll tell you – it was our children.  After we got home from a spring break trip to WDW one year (2006), Megan started asking when we would be going back, but  Joseph said,  “WAIT – I want to go to the beach.  I want to see the ocean.  Last time we went to the shore, I was so little I can’t remember what it was like.  We need to go back to the beach!”  And a months’ long argument began between the two of them from that day forward.

As for me, that’s when an idea began to form – I knew my plan wouldn’t be an easy one to pull off since I was certain Raymond would not initially be on board with it (YES!  score a pun point for me!).  Why not give both children what they want as a Christmas gift?  Land and sea vacation package!  Knowing Raymond would be adverse to the cruise portion of the trip, I talked him into it with 4 days at WDW followed by a 3-day cruise.  He was picturing the cruise being rather like a hostage crisis – he’d be stuck on a ship with nothing to do!  I was determined to show him the joys Disney Cruise Line had to offer.  The happy ending to this tale is that when we walked off the ship, Raymond announced that he’d had a wonderful time and would gladly take a 7-day Disney cruise in the future!  (The story of the Christmas gift reveal is here.)

Our baby steps from that first short Bahamian trip to a Disney cruise European adventure went like this:

• December 2006, Land and Sea (4-days at WDW followed by 3-days in the Bahamas which consisted of stops at Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island)
• December 2007/January 2008 – New Year’s Eve 7-day Western Caribbean (for Megan’s senior trip), followed by a couple of days at WDW (Orlando to Key West to Grand Cayman to Cozumel to Castaway Cay and back to Orlando)
• May 2010 – 5-night Castaway Cay double-dip (+ 2 days at WDW.  Orlando to Castaway Cay to Nassau to Castaway Cay to Orlando)
• May 2011 – 7-night Alaskan cruise (from Vancouver, visited Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Tracy Arm Fjord, back to Vancouver)
• August 2013 – 7-night Mediterranean (from Barcelona to Ville Franche, France and then to La Spezia, Civitavecchia, and Naples in Italy, then back to Barcelona) (Trip report starts here.)

Our bravery increased over time – the more fun and adventure we had, the more we wanted to see and do!  The price of airfare was, is and always will be the big holdup for doing more cruises that leave from distant ports, but we have always had as much fun (or more, gasp!) on a Disney cruise as we have had at each of our 12+ trips to Walt Disney World.  Next up?  Disney’s cruise through the fjords of Norway, summer 2015.

Have you taken a Disney cruise?  If not, have you been considering one?  What do you or don’t you like about the idea?

The Disney Exchange- Episode 25- Meeting Disney Characters on a Disney Cruise and at Walt Disney World

By Nick

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

-The Disney Exchange is David Hodges, Lisa Green, and me, Nicholas Maglio  

-Main Topic: Meeting Disney Characters on a Disney Cruise and at Walt Disney World 

 Me, my wife Barbie, Donald, and friends Jill, Nicole and Josh

-We get right into our main topic (sort of) and talk about meeting Disney Characters on a Disney Cruise, and how it is fun to see them dressed in different outfits, such as at Halloween.

-Lisa even loves Donald Duck dressed as a lumberjack.
Our 10s of listeners of the show will know why this means something.

-There are great character interactions on the cruise ships.

 Photo: Lisa Green

-Pirate Night has characters dressed as...pirates, and there are often long lines. Plus, you can meet Smee and Hook!

-Be sure to check your Personal Navigator for times to meet the characters. Lisa points out there is now an App for that!

-Dining with Disney characters at Walt Disney World is one of the best ways to meet them, especially dressed in different outfits, and special events, like Jedi Mickey's Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine.

My friends Josh, Joe and me with Stormtrooper Donald

-Bonus to meeting characters in restaurants; air conditioning!

-We discuss character dining within the parks as well as at the resorts.

-Have older kids? Then Lisa suggests dining at 1900 Park Fare at Walt Disney World because Cinderella's Steps are hilarious!

 Photo: Lisa Green

-Mickey dresses like a farmer at The Garden Grill. Critical to meal enjoyment!

 My friends Kandi and John with Farmer Mickey

-We transition into meeting characters in the parks exclusive to dining venues.

-Dave is NOT a fan of "Talking Mickey" but I think it is neat and we had a really fun interaction where we posed like Hitchhiking Ghosts.

-The Wheel of Distiny topic: Best Place to Get Coffee at Walt Disney World

-Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange, the highly caffeinated podcast.
Please visit us on:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange
Twitter : twitter.com/disneyexchange

Email us at: info@thedisneyexchange 

You can check out past episodes of The Disney Exchange podcast as well as Blog Posts at http://www.thedisneyexchange.com/

Disney Wonder Commemorative Cards

By Nick 




Back in 2012, my wife and I tool a trip to Alaska with friends.What we ourselves didn’t realize, until our second night on the cruise, was that it was the inaugural sailing from the Port of Seattle.

 

To commemorate this, we returned to our room on that second evening to find this card.

 

And this stationary set.

 

 

 

 

The cards are blank inside, and are very nicely illustrated.

 



Even the envelopes are really nice.

 

 

The only issue I have is, I’m not sure what we’ll use them for, as I don’t know when we’d have an occasion to send a card with “Seattle” written on it.
Oh well, regardless, it’s a lovely reminder of an absolutely amazing trip.

Halloween on the High Seas: Our Disney Dream Experience

by Nick

Halloween on the High Seas is a new Disney Cruise Line experience available on most itineraries departing late September through Halloween.
Activities include Halloween-themed parties, decorations, and a variety of entertainment.

On this Halloween, I thought I would share our experience aboard the Disney Dream, October 12th to the 16th.

Upon entering the Dream on the 12th, we were greeted by a few Halloween touches.

 Please note the Pumpkin tree on the right side of the photo. 

It had not "bloomed" yet.

There are also small details around the ship, such as these jack o'portholes.

So you don't miss the events held throughout the days, you have a couple of very helpful tools. The Navigator is the paper schedule that is left in your cabin each evening, and there is also a convenient, easy to use app available for use onboard.

On the first evening, as we exited the live show, "Villains Tonight," we were given these "pumpkin seeds," but weren't really sure what for.

A short time later as we walked past the lobby, we caught the tail end of the Haunted Mansion's Caretaker asking for families to drop their pumpkin seeds in a cauldron.

He then led the audience in a chant, to bring the tree to life.

There was also a special showing of the "Nightmare Before Christmas", which was shown in 3-D with lighting effects and fake snow. The words to the songs were also on screen so we could sing along.

At the end, Jack Skellington himself rises from the stage, and proceeds to the outside of the theater for photos and autographs. I had been told by a friend he would be accompanied by Sally as well, but on this evening he was a bachelor.

By the next day, pumpkins had indeed sprouted on the tree!

This ghoulish display was in front of the tree.

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy also made an appearance later in the day decked out in the Halloween costumes.

On Tuesday the 14th, Mickey's Mousequerade Party was held in the Lobby Atrium. Barbie and I dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus on vacation. The Fab Five, joined by Chip and Dale invited guests dressed up in their Halloween costumes to dance and party!

Barbie sewed her dress and cap, as well as my shorts. 

She also attached the facial hair to the Santa hat.

There was also an over 18 party late that evening which we were too tired to attend.

Finally, on our last evening we were lucky enough to see the Pumpkin Tree in it's complete form, with the assistance of the Caretaker, and all of us.

There were also ghost stories very late in the evening up on Deck 11.

If you are a fan of Halloween, masquerading, ghost stories or just a fan of fun, I absolutely cannot recommend taking a Disney Cruise during this time of year enough.

Happy Halloween!