Disney Cruise Day 1 & 2

Just that title gets me excited!

Les and I have already done two Disney cruises, but we really wanted to do one for our first official family vacation this year. We figured we wouldn’t be cruising for awhile…two babies in a stateroom doesn’t sound fun. We tried to find a date in March but the price wasn’t right. So while I was in Minnesota two weeks ago (another vacation…) Les called me and said, “I was booking our cruise for April, but I just found the best deal! Do you want to leave on Saturday?!”

As in THIS Saturday?

The day after I fly in from Minnesota?

I said, “I’m game if you are!”

So, on Saturday morning, a mere 12 hours (or less) since I landed in Atlanta, we drove towards the sunny state of Florida. After a few stops at Target and TJMaxx to pick up some summer clothes, we headed out. Our first stop was at a rest area for a little leg-stretching and a snack. I was going to give Lydia pretzels and raisins. When she saw that big vending machine, she said, “I want M&M’s!” Guess what she got?

Yeah. So, Lydia actually did great in the car. She didn’t fall asleep, but she kept herself entertained reading and talking…and drinking.

Les’ grandparents live in Savannah, so we decided to hit Florida via their house. We finally got to Grandpa & Granny Ann’s right at dinner time so we jumped back into the car and headed to one of their favorite seafood places for dinner. I can’t believe I didn’t get a picture of my meal. It was just one giant plate of friend shrimp. I just don’t think it gets any better. Yum.

When we got home I let Lydia play UNO with Granny Ann before bed. How cute are they?

Lydia finally went to bed while the rest of us stayed up and watched I Love Lucy. The next morning, we got ready and headed off to breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. Hashbrown Casserole here I come! Yumm.

(Yes, Lydia is wearing the same outfit as yesterday. We kinda forgot about the whole traveling clothes thing. I didn’t even think about the fact that even though WE were going on vacation, the warm weather wouldn’t be traveling with us!)

Thanks for letting us stay with you Grandpa & Granny Ann! You were a fun way to start our vacation!

On the way to Port Canaveral, a mere 4 hours away, we were on the lookout for a good place to buy Lydia some sandals. I knew she’d need some sandals to wear with her dresses and also just around the boat. So, we saw an outlet and stopped there. Out of all the silly shoe stores, NOT one had a decent pair for Lydia. We wasted an entire hour there and ended up at Port Canaveral thirty minutes before our boat set sail! *whew*

Lydia was getting consistently more grumpy so when we finally got out of the car and I fixed her hair and put her cuuute Mickey mouse hat on, she wasn’t the happiest.

We walked straight through the ticketing line, got our picture taken and went right to our room! Oooh! I was so excited. Just walking into that boat is an adventure. It’s beautiful!

Since we’ve sailed with Disney before we got a big gift bag of Disney Cruise stuff–2 bags, water bottles, pad of paper, pen, lanyards and a bath toy. Lydia was so excited about our presents!

First things first, we had to do the evacuation drill. We all strapped on our life jackets and headed to the Walt Disney Theater to hear a spiel about what we do if we’re drowning. Like anyone is going to stand in line if we’re sinking. Anyway.

Lydia looked cute and she was so serious!

Just a few minutes later, the Adventures s Away deck party started! We got perfect seats right at the front and even though it was very windy, we sang danced twirled our streamers with the best of them!

After a little singing and dancing with our cruise staff, the characters finally came out!

I have to say, I love me some Mickey Mouse. And I’m a little embarrassed to say that it almost brings tears to my eyes when I first see him. I don’t know, but the build up of the characters coming onto that deck and beginning our vacation is too much! So, there I am trying not to look like a freak while wiping away tears and Lydia is almost crying from fear! Look at her eyes!

She did not know what to think! We ended up leaving early so we could get ready for dinner.

After getting slightly dolled up we headed to our evening activities. (I had to wear jeans. I just don’t have 7 summery semi-dressy outfits in February!)

Our first stop was getting pictures with Minnie & Mickey. Lydia was not excited about this. But look how cute she is! (she meaning Minnie, but Lydia, too!)

(notice, tennis shoes with her dress. blast that outlet mall!)

Then we headed to the show. It wasn’t a full blown out show, it was really just an introduction to the Disney boat. A few words from our Cruise Director, Christiaan (who was really great, btw!) and a few songs and dances with the characters. Also, a musical comedian (which I just don’t get, since I’m not musical) and a really funny hip-hop comedy duo.

Finally at 8:00 we got to dinner. Disney does the rotation dining which means you go to one of 3 different restaurants every night. Your wait staff travels with you so they know your preferences but you get the fun of a new restaurant. We were lucky enough to be in Animator’s Palate first. It’s a really cool black and white room–the walls are covered with “pencil drawings” of Disney characters and then big framed pictures of others. The columns in the middle of the room are giant paintbrushes. During dinner, the paintbrushes and some of the framed pictures on the walls change. Lydia was so entertained by this! (Thank goodness!)

I don’t remember what Les and I ate. By the time 8pm came, my body only wanted sleep, not food. But Lydia did get some Mickey pasta…

…and a Mickey ice cream, of course!

I don’t think she knew what it was at first, but she got the hang of it pretty quickly!

Then it was time for the show! Yes, the show! The lights were dimmed, and a cartoon came on the screen. I can’t remember all of it, all I know is suddenly the black and white walls changed to brilliant color along with all the framed pictures…

…and Sorcerer Mickey came out to walk around the dining room!

Lydia was pretty impressed. (I was, too.)

Then it was off to bed! Or a better title might be where-Lydia-cries-and-screams-and-Mommy-and-Daddy- gnash-their-teeth-and-still-end-up-co-sleeping-which-is-just-another- word-for-”no-sleeping”-day-one. *sigh*

stay tuned for day 3: the pool and Key West!