All Ears® Guest Blog

Disney's Baby Care Centers or Expedition Never-Rest

2008-10-11T10:00:29Z

It is twelve-thirty p.m. on a Sunday in the Animal Kingdom and the air is filled with shrieks that can be heard from almost every corner of the park. As soon as you enter Asia…and Dinoland USA…and Discovery Island…you can hear them. The echo of cries make DAK goers look up and take notice; some in sympathy, some in dreaded anticipation and others in disbelief…

Are visions of hanging backpacks and Indian deities dancing in your head?

Unfortunately, I am not referring to one of Disney’s newest scream-machines, Expedition Everest. I refer to the over-arching protests and complaints of toddlers and young children everywhere in Disney parks.

Above the roar of Everest, the blowing of train whistles, and the scream of Test Track you can find the screeching of over-tired children all over WDW desperately in need of a juice box. Their parents follow in-tow with an equally desperate need of a wine glass.

I know…I’ve been there. Disney with children is the best—I love taking my daughter, Lily, to the parks. But some days you find yourself with children that have been awake since six-thirty a.m. literally whipped (as in cream, lots of it, on top of their Mickey waffles…at seven a.m…) into a character-breakfast-chocolate-syrup-fueled state of pure energy. Breakfast is followed by a thirty minute navigation of the Disney transportation system until you’ve arrived at the park, pushed (rammed?) your Hummer-Stroller through the turnstiles, and finally made it…only to turn and see Junior mouth-open about to implode Spaceship Earth with an anguished cry of waffle-crash/very high heat index.

So…you can repeat above process backwards sans waffles or you can search for the light at the end of this ever-darkening tunnel: the Baby Care Centers (cue celestial choir*).

There is one Baby Care Center in each of the Disney parks. I will admit I was at first a skeptic of the Baby Care Centers. Was this like a giant bathroom with Mickey painted on the wall? Free soap and tap water? What else do we need at a WDW park for your child except a decently stocked diaper bag, Motts for Tots, and a comfy stroller?

After two years of parenthood I can tell you besides a full-time nursemaid, second husband, and air-conditioned-bubble-ball for your stroller you need a Baby Care Center while visiting the parks.

Back to my recent Sunday when the rest of my friends journeyed on their first Expedition Everest as my daughter and I headed out on what I have ruefully entitled Lily’s Never-Rest Expedition.

She’s two and in love with Mickey so what can I expect? Who wants to sleep when hopped up on a Mickey-ear ice cream and post seeing Nemo in person? I was two once—I get it. But toddlers, even good-natured ones, must slow down at some point. We head to the Baby Care Center tucked away under giant wooden lady-bugs in a non-descript and shaded corner of DAK.

Lily and I slip in the front door and immediately relief (mainly in the form of 72 degree AC) washes over us both. Lily struggles out of my arms to run into the kids’ playroom while the CM cheerfully greets us both. The playroom is bright, spacious and equipped with…a television (!).

There is a water cooler and multiple items for purchase including diapers, baby food, infant and children’s medications, binkies, clothes, etc. I would avoid these purchases at a BCC if possible…the diapers run for about 8.95 for a small (very small) pack. But when desperate, it is a relief to know there is somewhere to go.

Each BCC also has a stocked kitchen where you can warm food and bottles, find free utensils and each center features complimentary feeding areas including high-chairs.

Each BCC also has a nursing mother’s room and private bathrooms. They also sport an impressive changing station collection with plenty of Disney artwork to minimize mid-change squirming when your Dory-memory-level toddler suddenly remembers they are at Mickey’s house and must go find him right now.

Back to the CMs…they truly are the highlight of these centers, as they are for most Disney facilities and attractions. Instead of looks of scorn at your squirmy, red-faced, generally disgruntled child you are graced with a smile of understanding and a pleasant overview of the facility.

The BCC are certainly larger and better-equipped at the more family-focused parks. The Magic Kingdom BCC is well…magical. The nursing mother’s room is a peaceful oak rocking chair lined room with Victorian shade lamps and pictures reminiscent of Main Street USA.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios have the least extensive Baby Care Center. It is just off to the side of Guest Relations on your left when immediately entering the park. It’s nice—but small and there is no attendant actually inside the center though it is kind of attached to the Guest Relations center in general…

The best indication of Baby Care Center value to me is the parents I have come in contact with while warming bottles and changing diapers amidst Gerber puff feeding-frenzies. I actually had a mother grab my arm while waiting for the stove and whisper urgently, three-inches from my surprised and slightly wary expression, ‘Don’t you love this place…it has saved—my—life.’

While I don’t know that I can give the Baby Care Centers that strong of an endorsement I will say the centers have most likely prevented mid-day meltdowns, heat stroke, and serious temper tantrums in the Pickle family.

And Lily really likes them, too.

~EOP

What’s all the Hoopla (HOOPLA!) about?

2008-09-21T10:00:18Z

by Emily Owens-Pickle

In 2006 I embarked on what has been and will be the adventure of my life... marriage.

True, it is not a trip for everyone and I might not have made the journey myself except that I lucked out in my choice of partner -- laid-back, hard-working, and awfully cute, one of the first things my then-boyfriend-now-husband said to me was that love is an ‘adventure’ (*swoon).

It was time to celebrate this adventure that could be likened to an exotic safari: romance, danger, possibly some angry growling and cherished memories. Last weekend Evan and I combined all of the above and took advantage of what will soon be a myth itself... the Adventurers Club (AC) in Downtown Disney.

This was my first initiation into the AC and I was taken as soon as I whooshed through the revolving doors. You enter the AC on the second floor of the building; artifacts, pictures, and other AC paraphernalia line every inch of space along the walls. Anniversary pins in place and being that the evening is a celebration, I headed toward the bar where I was given a generous (VERY generous) drink -- KUNGALOOSH!

While in line we mingled with other guests and I was pleased by the ‘type’ of crowd the AC draws. Everyone was friendly and ready to be a bit silly; one guest helped me pick out my drink, another couple strolled by in full 1930s regalia, and another guest helped teach me the official AC toast, the aforementioned KUNGALOOSH!

Drinks in hand we headed downstairs to trial run our new toast... for the second or third time. Well -- Evan ‘headed’, I jogged. I absolutely could not stand to miss one minute of this club -- we only had two and a half hours to enjoy the show! Immediately I met the club curator and treasurer, both who wished Evan and I a happy anniversary and agreed that ‘relief’ of getting through marriage this long was probably the best gift to one another. The treasurer, Mr. Otis T. Wren, kindly offered us both some ‘half-eaten’ mints... I declined but Evan tried one.

Licorice. Mints. Half-eaten licorice mints.

Let me pause at the mints in case I have lost you at ‘half-eaten’ for a quick AC tutorial. When you walk in the front door at the AC you have left the current year and Walt Disney World. You are now a recruit in a spirited membership drive for a 1937 adventurers club. Surrounded by a wild cast of characters, you and other guests are taken through a series of new member activities including initiation, sing-alongs, and adventure-sharing. The extensive club theming, the cast, the guests -- everyone and everything is a part of making this an escape into a different time and place; it is an irreplaceable evening experience.

While Evan reluctantly finished his mint we wandered into the mask room and then almost immediately were back in the main salon for an official AC toast refresher given by the dim-witted Adventurer of the Year, Emil Bleehall, and Treasurer Wren. These two were an absolute riot and inside jokes flowed freely about the impending closing doors of the AC. After some of Bleehall’s absent-minded shenanigans Treasurer Wren commented that Bleehall was going to be a fantastic addition to Halloween Horror Nights. Blehall enthusiastically replied by throwing his hands in the air and shouting ‘I have a job!’

Treasurer Wren explained the evening’s events to the recruits ending with an announcement of the AC finale ‘The Hoopla!’ His last word was immediately echoed with a resounding shout of ‘Hoopla!’ from at least 60 percent of the audience. Wren played it up repeating ‘hoopla’ every few words while his audience shouted it back louder and louder each time. Defeated by the almost deafening shouts he finally hung his head and finished his monologue adding, ‘I really hate you guys.’

The night went by in a blur of songs, new friends, and laughing faces interspersed with shouts of KUNGALOOSH! Evan and I were lucky enough to grab seats at ‘The ‘Hoopla (HOOPLA!). The songs were clever and ridiculous; I could have easily enjoyed a much longer hoopla (HOOPLA!!). We sat with a very nice older couple who we chatted with -- after the hoopla (HOOPLA!!!) the gentlemen took us outside and pointed out some of the amazing Imagineer creativity and detail that went into the ‘artifacts’ lining the mezzanine and balcony of the club. As we started to leave he stopped to give us a homemade CD of the Adventurers Club Greatest Hits!

It was such an amazing experience to enjoy a place as unique as the AC is with another couple with whom we would seemingly share little common interest at first glance. Yet there we were giggling together as Bleehall belted out ‘Put Your Cheeks Against the Window’, his family’s long-used mating song that includes the heart-wrenching verse ‘You had my heart when I saw your full eclipse...’

It made me really sad to see first-hand how much this club means to so many adult guests of differing ages and backgrounds. I have a family so, yes, I am thrilled that Disney caters to my demographic... at the moment. One day, Evan and I will be celebrating our 50th anniversary... what then? Will we have an opportunity to sit down with a young couple and share something as adult (and juvenile) and original and as wonderful as the Adventurers Club?

I cannot see Saturday night's scenario playing out at T-Rex restaurant. Or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or any of the myriad of attractions that have recently been added to cater to a much-younger demographic while the adult-only entertainment has been ignored or, in the case of the Pleasure Island, eliminated.

I cannot help but grin when I see the lights twinkling on a whirling Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel. I cry every time Marlin tells Nemo how old sea turtles are -- I am an unabashed kid at heart. But for every Mickey Ear ice cream I eat (devour), I equally enjoy sipping (devouring) a glass of Jardin at Jiko. And for every Voices of Liberty ballad I tear up at, I want to snicker at an AC song. It seems lately that Disney is making a clear shift to an almost exclusive focus on family entertainment. Again -- I have a small child and I know that families always have and always will be Disney’s ‘niche’. But families come in all shapes, sizes... and ages. The mission of Disney is to ‘…create happiness by providing the finest in entertainment to people of all ages, everywhere.” Their very statement of purpose shows that Disney prides itself on catering to diversity -- my hope is that their guest pendulum is not swinging too far to one side and subsequently away from an admirable mission.

Maybe I am wrong... maybe by 2066 Evan and I will not be interested in anything Disney except for an occasional shuttling in from Mars to watch virtual reality fireworks from the comfort of our hovercraft... but I would like to think that many years from now, Evan and I will be as adventuresome, savvy and kind as the couple we sat with. I would also like to think that Disney will have a place as unique and wonderful as the Adventurers Club where we will be able to knowingly share a lifetime of adventures with a couple just starting their own...

To all fellow club members I lift my morning coffee and offer a heartfelt and grinning KUNGALOOSH!

Panama Canal Disney Magic Cruise - Final Thoughts

2008-09-16T17:00:11Z

Monday morning came around much too quickly. One big advantage to the latest dinner seating is that you then have the latest breakfast seating on disembark-day. Breakfast was decent. It was tough to say goodbye to our new friends and servers, Tonie and Marija.

When we left Animator’s we got in our first line of the morning…..just to get off the ship! We waited and waited. I believe there were some issues clearing customs. Eventually, we started moving and headed into the terminal. Since we chose to do the onboard airline check-in, we didn’t have to search for our bags; we could head straight to the line for customs. This one was really long and slow moving. It kind of felt like we were at the parks without a Fast Pass!

Finally, we made it to an agent and for the first time we had exceeded our allowance and were required to pay some “duty”. We felt that the agents were very professional and courteous. We only owed $27 – cash only, no credit cards accepted.

Next we moved to the line to board a bus to the airport; also very long. I could not find my Key-to-the-World card (ticket for boarding the bus) but they let us on with Michael and Aaron’s cards. After we were on the bus, I realized the driver had taken my DCL carry-on (you know one of the special $20 bags) and I didn’t have my name on it. He was stowing dozens of them! Michael grabbed a luggage tag off of his backpack and ran out to get it on the no-name bag. Whew. (It was a good thing because when we got off the bus there were a lot of these untagged bags.)

I am happy to report that we had smooth sailing on all of our flights. United was on-time in Orlando, Chicago, and Portland. Yeah!

Of course, we had a “gotcha”. Remember my doubts about the onboard airline check-in? Well, only one of our three bags landed in Portland with us. The gal at the United counter said a second bag was in Chicago and would be there later that evening. The third bag, however, was deleted from their system! Yikes.

So, we headed home. Bag number 2 was delivered at 3am. About 7am, we called United. Yes, it looks like your last bag never left Orlando. Perhaps it is in the damaged bags area; please call back later in the day. By this time, we figured out the missing 3rd bag contained our most expensive tequila and all of the collectible Panama Canal pins. Ouch. Well, a few minutes later our phone rings. Caller ID says Delta Airlines. Huh? Michael answers and the lady asks, “Is this Aaron Edelman? We have your bag here in Orlando!” We have no idea how our bag got to Delta, but eventually it made it home to us – at 3am the next morning. Everything was intact.

(I’ve decided that the airlines employ “lost luggage gnomes” that go about their deliveries in plain, unmarked vans in the wee hours of the morning.)

Despite the problems with our luggage, Michael says he would use the onboard check-in service again. It was really easy to skip the bag search at Port Canaveral and when we got to the airport we headed right to security. I haven’t made up my mind what I would do next time.

Speaking of next time, we are booked on the Feb 7 sailing of the Magic with our friends who have never cruised before!!! I can hardly wait.

And, finally, as I kept promising, here is the menagerie of fantastic towel animals that greeted us each evening when we returned to our stateroom. Enjoy!

(Michael’s PS: this was a trip of a lifetime! I cannot convey in words how much I enjoyed this time with my family and how well Disney took care of us! On top of that the Panama Canal was truly awe-inspiring – you hear that something is one of the “Wonders of the World” but you cannot appreciate it until you see it! This cruise was for our 25th Wedding Anniversary, and our last cruise was for our 20th. We have both decided that it’s ridiculous to wait so long between cruises. I am SO glad that we are DVC members and are therefore able to take advantage of more cruising. Thank you all for your kind notes, it made the trip even more special for us. And a very special thanks to a special person: Deb Wills – we could not have done this blog without you!)

Read Lori's entire Panama Canal EB Blog!

Lori.

Castaway Cay -- Disney Magic Panama Canal Cruise

2008-09-05T00:45:06Z

We’ve arrived in paradise! There is no other place like Castaway Cay. A tiny island heaven on earth. The weather was perfect. Everything was perfect.

After a quick breakfast, we walked off the ship and headed to the family beach. Along the way we snapped pictures of The Flying Dutchman from Pirates of the Caribbean 2 – Dead Man’s Chest and a few other amazing sights (like the Disney Magic!). I even got a picture with Minnie.

We stopped at She Sells Seashells to pick up a few souvenirs. Now they will deliver your purchases back to the ship! How convenient!

We found a comfortable spot under an umbrella, and headed over to Gil’s Fins and Boats to pick up our snorkel gear. After about 15 minutes in the water, everyone was called back and out of the snorkel lagoon due to weather. It was raining and they were concerned about lightning. We waited about 20 minutes for things to clear and headed back out. It’s fun to see how things have changed “under the sea” over the years.

After snorkeling we relaxed in our lounge chairs for awhile. Before we knew it, it was time for lunch – Cookie’s BBQ. Yum. Burgers, chicken, ribs, salads, corn on the cob, fruit, and giant chocolate chip cookies! On our way back to our lounge chairs we connected with our new favorite bartender, Yelena. We had afternoon cocktails... Michael read his book and had a cigar. I took a long walk despite the heat. Aaron and I took a dip in the ocean. So refreshing.

Eventually, we made it back to the ship. I must admit the shower never felt so good! Michael was sleeping while Aaron and I went back down to the pier to watch a demonstration by Kevin Robinson, the X-Games superhero. It was very cool and I managed to get an excellent mid-air photo of him!

In between all of these comings-and-goings we managed to pack our luggage. (Funny how it never fits the same as it did on the way out of town.) We needed to have our bags outside our stateroom door between 9-11pm. We made it! Remember the blog installment from a couple of weeks ago when I packed and re-packed and wanted to minimize laundry, yada, yada, yada? Well, for one of the few times in all of our family travels, I think we did pretty well. I think all three of us wore everything we brought at least once and we allowed enough extra space for goodies.

Aaron and I went to the “until we meet again” show. It was wonderful. Several years ago Disney had a theme of “Remember the Magic” which is what they used this evening. Again, I cried pretty much through the entire presentation. It was fabulous!

Michael filled out the customs forms and figured out all of the duty allowances. We’ll probably owe somebody something tomorrow morning. Oh well. It was worth every penny.

Oh, I almost forgot. Dinner tonight was at Animator’s. The last night they finally figured out that no one was going to share our table. This time they set the table for 4 even though we were only 3 at a table for 8. Hehehehe.

I have had a LOT to drink today. First there was the Captain-and-coke that Yelena prepared for me on Castaway Cay. Then, before dinner she made me some sort of special margarita. It was pink and tasted yummy! At dinner we polished off the last ½ bottle of wine from the night before. After dinner we went to say goodbye to Yelena and have our last after-dinner tequilas. She’s been great fun and we’ve learned a lot from her. My only regret is not finding her earlier in our trip!

Aaron is back from his final Stack activity. They gave each of the kids a t-shirt (“Disney Sea University Alumni”) and he collected names and email addresses from all of his new friends.

This has truly been the trip of a lifetime. I can’t believe it is coming to a close. (I’m typing this thru tear-filled eyes.) The only thing making this ending more bearable is knowing that we will be back in six months.

We came on this trip to experience the Panama Canal. We are leaving this with memories to last a lifetime.

P.S. Our Stateroom Host, Nick, has done some incredible towel animals for us; a different one every night! I’ll send along photos soon.

Thank you so much to Deb for allowing me to share our vacation with AllEars. One of these days our physical paths will cross and I will have the pleasure of meeting her (and sharing a great bottle of red wine).

And, thank you to everyone who has emailed me letting me know that you’ve actually been following all of my ramblings. Your kind words mean so much.

Faith, trust, and just a little bit of pixie dust... Believe in your dreams!

Lori.

Last Sea Day -- Disney Magic Panama Canal Cruise

2008-09-04T05:00:01Z

Last sea day. Michael and I were up early. All Disney Vacation Club members met in the atrium lobby for a group photo. Hopefully, it will appear in a future issue of the newsletter!

So, yesterday I complained about breakfast and today it was good! We went to Lumiere’s; everything that was supposed to be hot was hot!

We had a lot of little things to take care of today including the debarkation meeting. Even though we’ve heard it all before, we still like to attend to make sure nothing has changed. They really make it pretty simple.

We managed to squeeze in some time at the pool. That sure felt nice. This afternoon was the last session of bingo. Do you know the jackpot was over $28,000? One lucky family did finally win (not us!).

Aaron missed bingo and chose instead to meet up with Kevin Robinson, an award winner from the X-Games. Right now they are up on the sports deck playing dodgeball. He’s pretty excited!

Tonight the play was the award-winning “Disney Dreams”. We’ve seen it five times now and I still get goosebumps and cry. It is just the best story and the cast brings everything to life! It’s wonderful.

We have another formal evening. Luckily, I saved my loosest dress for last. Michael and Aaron both look so handsome in their tuxedos. Aaron and I had our pictures taken with Captain Tom.

After dinner, Michael attended a special cigar event and Aaron attended “homecoming” with the other teens in the Stack. I came back to the room to get started on packing. So sad.

Lori.

Day at Sea - Disney Magic Panama Canal Cruise

2008-08-30T20:01:24Z

Day 13. I’m feeling sad already, but there is still lots to look forward to! The first thing I did today was get out of bed in time to see the sunrise. Of course, my photo does not do it justice. I also decided I needed some exercise so I headed to deck 4 and walked for 3 miles. I also swore off the lifts (elevators) and took the stairs exclusively.

This is another sea day and it was our turn for a character breakfast this morning. We had Mickey’s Island Jam in Parrot Cay. It was fun to finally have a few moments with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Dale. (Chip missed our table.) I know I’ve talked about all of the wonderful meals we’ve had on board, but have you noticed none of them have been breakfast? This is definitely their weak point. If more than just the coffee were served hot, they’d improve by leaps and bounds. Cold waffles and toast just don’t cut it for me.

After breakfast, Aaron and I attended another bingo session. The big jackpot continues to grow. Neither of us won anything this morning.

I spent some time doing a few housekeeping things – sorting thru lots of papers like Navigators and other notes. I also took care of gratuities for our servers and room host. I finally decided to do the onboard airline check-in. Here’s hoping our luggage makes it all the way back to Portland with us and doesn’t make any long-term stop in Chicago. Fingers crossed.

Michael and I spent some time at the pool this afternoon reading, sunning, swimming, and drinking. It was very relaxing.

The show tonight was two-fold: crew talent show and “dancing with the officers”. Both were outstanding! One member of the activity staff that we’ve come to know – Ponz from the Philippines – sang and he was fabulous. The gal that is the art auctioneer started off the show with a juggling and balancing act. Then, some of the ships officers presented dances that they had been practicing with guests! They were really good! Don “Ducky” Williams even had a number with Nikki, the ship’s choreographer.

Tonight is the night for the big deck party: Pirates in the Caribbean!!! I must say that Disney Cruise Line sure knows how to through a party. Wow. We had a special dinner menu and the cast members were all dressed up along with most of the guests. Great fun. After the meal, but before dessert the serving staff started parading around the dining room with guests joining in on the celebration (and Limbo for the limber). On deck, there was much singing and dancing and, of course, the characters celebrated with us! Mickey flew in at the end to save the day and move the party to the sky above us. Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise line to have fireworks at sea, and they were awesome! (No comparison to our July 4th experience at Grand Coulee Dam in Washington!)

Lori.

Aruba - Panama Canal Cruise Disney Magic

2008-08-29T21:26:01Z

Aruba!!! From what we’ve seen so far, this is a lovely place. We were up early for our excursion – sailing and snorkeling. The water is the most amazing blue and green. We saw some cool fishes many like ones we used to have in our aquarium at home: ribbon fish, gorgeous blue tangs, butterfly fish, black spiny sea urchins, and so many others. The catamaran stopped in two places. The first place we stopped was a shipwreck from WWII, the Antilla. Pretty cool. The second place was called Catalina Bay.

Coming and going we got lots of great photos of the ship (can never have too many of those!).

We grabbed some lunch and a quick shower then headed back out on the island. Aruba is really a charming place. LOTS of shopping opportunities. Michael found some more Cubanos and is enjoying one now out on the verandah. Of course, jewelry is the hot commodity here and I was sucked right on in. Michael indulged me with two wonderful things: rainbow sapphire earrings and a ring the color of the Caribbean sea….blue diamonds! I am definitely one lucky girl.

We hurried back to the ship to attend tonight’s show – a rock concert with lots and lots and lots of screaming girls. Seriously, the show was with Aly and AJ. (Michael passed in favor of his Cubanos and a good book.) I will admit to actually recognizing one of their songs called “Into the Rush”. They used to play it during the pre-show at the movies back home (really!).

Dinner was in Animator’s Palate this evening and it was time for……”M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E”. The Mickey Mouse Club! The menu was “around the world”……yummy. The three of us were Thai-Greek-Chinese-USA-English-Canadian-Mongolian. After dinner we had a rousing round of the Mickey Mouse Club song complete with the Fab Five!!!! How great is that? We also had a really nice visit with head waiter, Fitz.

We adjourned dinner and headed to the Promenade Lounge to visit our new favorite bartender, Yelena. Yes, we were back for more tequila. I found this stuff that is like kahlua only better. Patron XO over ice.

Now we are reading, having a cigar, and blogging (that would be me) while enjoying our after-dinner tequila drinks.

All-aboard was 11:30pm and now we’ve sailed away.

Two days at sea before we land at true paradise: Castaway Cay.

Tomorrow morning we have a character breakfast. Thank goodness it doesn’t start until 10am.

(Yesterday’s blog was a bit light on pictures; today should make up for that!)

Lori

Michael Phelps Honored at the Magic Kingdom

2008-08-29T21:17:36Z

Olympian Michael Phelps had a parade in his honor at the Magic Kingdom today. Thanks to Tim Smith for these photos.

Also see LindaMac's Blog on the Parade.

Day at Sea - Panama Canal Disney Magic Cruise

2008-08-29T00:28:27Z

This day started off rather quiet. Michael and I had a nice breakfast at Lumiere’s. Aaron was sleeping in for a change (HA!). I think he came in around 3am.

After breakfast, Michael went to deck 9 for a cigar and to catch up on email. I headed to Diversions for a “future cruise” presentation. We now have a quote for our February cruise. I can’t believe it has been 5 years since our last cruise. Waaaay too much fun to wait that long again. Six months seems about right! (pdxmavs – are your bags packed yet?)

About noon things started getting crazy for Michael and me. After a quick dip in the pool, I spent only 5 minutes drying and then we went to the atrium on deck 4 to preview art for the Don “Ducky” Williams auction. Amazing art work. The last item to be auctioned was the original painting for the lithograph that each stateroom on this trip received. Do you know it sold for $7000? Holy cow. I did actually bid on it…..very early on!

After the auction, we rushed to get some food before heading to the Tequila and Margarita tasting. If there are typos or if I embarrass myself with this blog, blame it on the Tequila. Wow. That was great stuff!!! We will definitely be paying a visit to Yelena (the Bar tender) at the Promenade Lounge later this evening. I have never done Tequila shots and I just had three plus two mini-margarita samples!!! Yowza. I’m feeling really good.

The Tequila tasting was 3-4pm. However, the silent auction was closing at 4pm so Michael snuck out a bit early. We managed to win both items that we wanted!!!! Check out the craziness when it was all over!

(Okay, so after the Tequila wears off, will we be feeling any buyer’s remorse? No!) Michael got the “only 1 of 2” print of the Panama Canal crossing. (The other one was auctioned on the westbound trip last May.) And, I got my Fantasyland – It’s a Small World art! Yeah! Here’s to happy memories with Mother and Dad!!! Happy 25th anniversary, Honey.

By the way, the ship is moving very slowly today. We must be relatively close to Aruba. Whatever. We could just sail in circles and I would be happy.

Tonight’s show was a singing magician. He was okay. Dinner was back in Lumiere’s with the Master Chef’s menu. We got a picture of Fitz for Deb!

Afterwards, Michael and I went back to see Yelena at the Promenade Lounge. We are trying two “after dinner” Tequilas. They are delicious.

Tomorrow we’re in Aruba – arrive early and leave late! We have a snorkeling excursion that should be fun. The only hitch is that the “Celebrity Entertainment” for tomorrow is Aly and AJ… Nothing that we are interested – oopps, Aaron wants to see them….

Lori.

Cartagena -- Disney Magic Panama Canal Cruise

2008-08-27T22:22:42Z

Slowly cruising into the port of Cartagena. Busy place!

We’re off shortly to grab some breakfast and then head off on our excursion.

This is actually an historic day for the Disney Magic as this ship has never before stopped in Cartagena! As we got off the ship we were greeted by much music, dancing, and entertainment. The local media was everywhere.

We climbed into buses. Each of us was given a radio to aid in hearing the guide speak.

We were taken on a tour of the old city, the walled fort, and La Popa (a monastery).

They took us to two different places for shopping. Similar to Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, there were lots of street vendors pushing their wares.

We even saw a guy selling the chance to have your picture taken with a sloth! (Of course, you take your own picture.)

The second shopping area was the “mall” with shops recommended by the cruise line. We picked up a couple of packages of coffee and checked out the emeralds. Unfortunately, nothing really jumped out at me.

The weather is warm, but overcast. When we got back to the ship, we went to Pluto’s for some tacos and now we’re just relaxing. Aaron and I napped and watched “Sky High” and “Music and Lyrics”. Michael was on deck with his cigars and a good book.

The show this evening was a Broadway review of sorts. Two stars from the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast performed. Sarah Litzsinger, the longest running Belle, and David DeVries, who played Lumiere, sang and shared stories. Their final song, “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”, of course, made me cry. It was beautiful.

We snuck in a quick bingo game, but didn’t win anything this time.

This was “Tropical” night in the dining room and we were in Parrot Cay. Our server, Toney, has figured out how much Aaron likes guacamole and manages to squeeze in an extra course of that for him. It is really good!

Lori.

Gatun Locks Web Cam Photos Panama Canal, Disney Magic Cruise

2008-08-27T10:00:04Z

The last lock the Disney Magic entered as it passed through the Panama Canal on it's way to Florida!

Gatun Locks Photos Panama Canal, Disney Magic Cruise

2008-08-27T00:40:45Z

Gatun Locks Panama Canal, Disney Magic Cruise

2008-08-26T17:26:20Z

It’s almost 6pm and we are in the Gatun locks….waiting. We’ve been watching the APL container ship in the lock next to us move ahead. Very cool to see the water level change. I have a photo of the closed gate showing the lower level in front and higher level above.

My goodness. We’ve been going through the Canal now for nearly 12 hours. I’m glad our dinner seating isn’t until 8:30pm. We should be able to see our way to the open ocean by then. I think we’re in Animator’s Palate tonight. Once again -- my sign for a great vacation – I can’t remember what day it is exactly or the time or where I’m supposed to be.

The rain let up for a bit, but started in again. It is getting dark outside, but I can still see some blue sky up ahead.

Earlier Aaron and I dashed down to deck 4 to take a peek out the port side. Nothing much to see, at least not compared to our primo view on starboard. The narrator did say when we get back to sea level that we would be able to see the French canal on the port side heading into the jungle. Of course, it will be pretty dark by then; maybe we won’t see much. (The French made the first attempt at building a canal long, long ago.)

Tomorrow we dock in Cartagena. I wasn’t sure I even wanted to get off the ship, but did finally book a city tour & shopping excursion for us. After a so-so experience in Acapulco, I’m looking forward to this tour. Two items to shop for: emeralds and coffee. Hmmm….sounds like a great combo to me!

The container ship is heading out of the final lock. We should be doing the same shortly. It’s been like a game of cat and mouse in this last lock. I’m sure the Captain will zip past the APL as soon as we are clear.

I want to say a quick thank-you to Deb Wills. We have been online emailing each other and chatting over SKYPE all day. It’s been great fun sharing! And, thank you for posting all of my notes and pictures. (Deb's Note: It was an awesome day Lori - thanks so much. Also, I am way behind posting Lori's photos....but I'll do my best to get them up later today.)

Dinner tonight was in Animator’s Palate; a new, special menu “West Meets East”. I think it was good; we had a bottle of chardonnay that has made me completely loopy. Back to red wine tomorrow. I do remember having lobster. Delicious. Did not even need dipping butter.

Did I mention that I created a monster with the name-movies-with-single-word-titles? Michael and Aaron are so competitive; neither will give up! Tonight, however, Aaron started something new and far less competitive. He is asking trivia-like questions about different countries. Much more civilized. Which country has a ratio of 21 moose to 1 human? Canada! Where was the hamburger first created? Germany! Which country’s name does not follow typical English spelling rules? Qatar (not Qu, just Q).

Lori

Pedro Miguel Locks Photos Part 1

2008-08-25T23:18:50Z

More to follow...

Panama Canal Cruise Pedro Miguel Locks Disney Magic

2008-08-25T23:05:17Z

I never thought I’d feel this way on this cruise, but I was hungry! Michael and I first popped back down to Deck 7 aft to see the Pedro Miguel locks closing and their row boats. You will notice in the pics that these locks have double gates.

For lunch today, they had a BBQ on deck 9 – ribs, rib eye steaks, chicken, salmon & shrimp kabobs, veggie kabobs, corn on the cob, cole slaw (YUM), a variety of other salads, and a variety of breads including corn bread and garlic bread. Of course, they had their usual wide variety of desserts. Needless to say, my hunger is gone!

Right now we are passing through “the cut”. We first crossed under the Centennial Bridge and passed over the Continental Divide (a big rock – looks like it has stairsteps, terraced). The cut is simply that. They excavated, or cut, a swath through the mountains to create this passage. Pretty darn amazing. The vegetation (at least on the starboard side) is clearly lush rain forest. One thing we neglected to pack was binoculars. They would have come in very handy today.

The weather today is phenomenal. Although, it is very hot when the sun is not hiding behind a cloud.

It is about 3:20pm and we are nearing the Gatun Locks. Guess what? The weather has changed drastically. No more sun at all. Now we have some serious lightening, thunder, and rain. This is how they replenish the 52 million gallons of water dumped for each ship that crosses! Quite a spectacular storm.

We seem to be completely stopped. We have an APL container ship right across our bow. (Are you impressed? I am really getting into this lingo – starboard, port, bow, stern, aft, midship, forward. Hahaha)

The ship has moved and we are once again moving, approaching the Gatun locks. Still raining.

Photos for this blog to follow.

Lori