Memories...Part Two

After a good night’s sleep it was time to spend the day at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom and the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party that evening. It was easy and quick to get breakfast at the hotel and catch the shuttle bus to the Park. I am very thankful that WDW parks has the bus system because I would never know how to get anywhere there. It was a chilly morning and we had prepared for the whole day and evening not to go back to the hotel.

All Star Movie Hotel-Toy Story side

Sherry, Lynn, Wendy and Linda ready to hit the park

 It was amazing to walk into Magic Kingdom and see Cinderella’s Castle. It of course is much taller than Sleeping Beauty Castle and the entire park is much bigger. The very first thing we did was get the silhouettes cut. It was a little cart on Main Street and was a bit different form Disneyland.  At Disneyland they can add official Disney characters to the cut out, but Magic Kingdom cannot. I was a bit disappointed that I could not get Ellie with a Minnie mouse like Snooks. However, she could add Minnie Mouse ears on her head, which was fitting as she had a crocheted ear hat on. I was extremely disappointed that the entire family could not be cut into one silhouette like I was told at Disneyland. I got one with Lil E, Mimi and Snooks and then Papa, Mimi, Gigi (Jenn), Weeny (Wendy) Snooks (Violet), and lil E (Elinor). Lynn and her mom, Linda got one together too. I just love these as they are such great memory makers.

Bill, Sherry, Jenn, Wendy, Violet and Ellie

Mimi and Snooks

Lil E with Minnie Ears

One added little surprise was that Rachael and her family were going to be at Magic Kingdom the exact same day as us. Rachael was our wonderful ICU nurse that was with us the night Heather died. She is part of me forever as she was so loving, kind and supportive during and after Heather’s death. Rachael and her family moved to Florida a couple years ago and I had not seen her since her 2^nd daughter was born. I feel this was not an accident that we both ended up being there at the same time. It was so good to see her and her family and meet her girls. What a special added memory.

Rachael and Sherry

Cinderella Castle

There was a huge cold snap that had hit Florida while we were there and when evening hit it turned very cold, of course for all us Phoenix people it was freezing. Magic Kingdom was hugely crowded and we stayed for the Frozen show and the parade but left before the fireworks began. If we had to do it over again we would have picked Epcot or Animal Kingdom during the day and then gone to Magic Kingdom for the evening with the Christmas party. All in all it was a good day and we left very happy, cold and fulfilled.

Fireworks

Nothing more beautiful than the castle at Christmas

BEST photo bomb ever!!!

Friday, December 12^th, was when we headed to Cape Canaveral to board the Disney Dream for our cruise. This again was seamless as the Disney Cruise Bus met us right outside the hotel. Once boarded we were all excited to head to the ship. As we got closer it was with sheer delight as everyone began to see the ship. It is really quite a site to see this beautiful fleet of ships docked in the harbor next to all the other white ships. The port area was bustling with cruisers eager to get on board but we did take a few minutes to look at the Christmas decorations around the building. Getting thru the line was flawless and it was time to get on board.

Our group ready to head to the ship

The Cruise Buses

Since we boarded about lunchtime we were able to go to our rooms and drop our carry-on bags and then go to the buffet for lunch. After lunch our luggage had arrived, we unpacked and then it was time to go on deck for the safety drill. Of course Disney has a huge launch party on deck while we leave port. Snooks hit the pool while the rest of us watched the shore as we left.

There is that AWESOME ship!!

so cute

One of the amazing things about the Disney Cruise Ships is that they have rotational dining, meaning that the ships have three separate dining rooms and your group rotates thru them so you enjoy all the different dining rooms. Our first night was at The Animator’s Palate. This is kind of like the name implies, everything is based off drawing and animation. Our group had the premiere table at the left side of the dining room with a huge flat panel screen at our table. Right after our orders for dinner were taken, Crush, the sea turtle, came to have a chat with us. He had heard that we had a birthday at our table and wanted to help celebrate it. “Dude Sunnie, from Arizona” was there to celebrate. Crush went around the dining hall to all the different screens to tell everyone we were going to do the wave to celebrate “Dude Sunnie’s” birthday. It was so awesome and we enjoyed ourselves so much that night. Of course the food was amazing.

The Animator's Palate

Sherry and Bill with some of the Crew

We watched the Golden Mickey stage show, walked around ship and had a photo taken with the crew. The kids were in awe at the vacation so far. It was amazing and we were having such a great time with Lynn and Linda. It was nice to be with them again, and in a strange sort of way, it felt like Heather was there. It was nice to be able to talk about Heather and know that Linda and Lynn loved her so much. So this ended the 3^rd day of our vacation….