4th of July on the Disney Dream

Family portraits before dinner

It has been our pleasure and privileged to sail on Disney Cruise Line ships on various holidays including Christmas and New Years.(Links to read about those trips at bottom of post.) Our 8th Disney Cruise sailed over the 4th of July holiday.  The 5-night Bahamian itinerary on the Disney Dream had 4th of July, the last day of our sailing, as an "at sea" day.

Initially, we were surprised by that as Disney Cruise Line likes to make the last full day of a cruise a stop at Castaway Cay, if possible.  After doing some research, we discovered that guests on board the Disney Fantasy were spending 4th of July at Castaway Cay.

So, our day at sea began with room service breakfast being delivered to our room.  Guests can order breakfast the night before and select a specific time frame of 30 minutes for it to be delivered.  We like to call this breakfast part one as it included fresh fruit, coffee, toast, muffins, juice, and cold cereal and hits the spot while we get showered and dressed.

We checked the Personal Navigator and learned that many characters were going to be greeting guests in the patriotic attire.

Pluto was milling in the hallway on Deck 5 as we walked to the Lobby Atrium and he stopped to allow us to take a photo.

Wood was greeting guests in the area just off the Lobby Atrium on Deck 3 featuring his own character back drop.  Know that most characters on the Disney ships sign autographs.

After meeting Woody, our family headed to Cabanas for "breakfast part 2". And, then headed off to meet more Disney characters!

Captain Thor was greeting guests in White Caps, one of the shops on Deck 3.
A Captain's Signing is typically scheduled on an "at sea" day.

The photos taken on board by ship's photographers on the 4th of July included special borders.

After meeting lots of characters, our family split up.  The boy wanted to spend time in the teen club, Vibe.  The husband and I had a special tasting scheduled for the afternoon.  We agreed to meet at a certain time to get ready for dinner.

The husband and I got wind of a special tasting that wasn't showing up in the Personal Navigator and had been requested by guests who had experienced it on another cruise.  Chocolates and Liquor Tasting and it was to be held in Pink, the champagne bar located in The District on Deck 4 Aft.  This area is for all ages during the day and offers different activities.  After 9:00 pm, this area becomes adults only.

Note:  If you are on the Disney Dream in this area, be sure to check out the bathrooms.  They are incredible!

Here we are at Pink, ready for our tasting.  Pink is designed to make guests feel like they are inside a champagne bottle.  It is plush and whimsical.  The elephants in Fantasia can be found dancing in the bubbles on the walls.

The last day of any cruise offers one last opportunity to meet characters.  We have seen it under different titles and is typically in the Lobby Atrium and is sometimes offered twice--in the late afternoon before dinner, and again around 10:30 or so.  We hit the afternoon session with our hard target of Chip and Dale.  They were the only characters we hadn't seen during the cruise.

The family reconvened in our stateroom at the designated time and we changed clothes for dinner.  In addition to taking some family portraits, like the one at the beginning of this post and another one below, we were able to say hello to Daisy Duck.

Our dinner was in Royal Palace and in addition to the regular menu, there was an opportunity to order a traditional 4th of July meal that included BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, and friend chicken.  The boy decided that was what he wanted for dinner.

When we boarded the Disney Dream, there was a rumor buzzing from the very first day that our cruise would have two sets of fireworks--Pirate Night and 4th of July.  Never before had a ship done that--it can be a fire hazard to hold that much flammable material.  And, having sailed on other holidays, we know that Disney Cruise Line has not had fireworks on Pirate Night to save them for New Year's Eve for example.

Turns out the rumor was true!  For the first time ever, The Disney Dream had fireworks for its guests on the 4th of July and we were there for the experience.

Click here to read about sailing on a Disney Cruise during Christmas.

Here's how we  spent Christmas Eve on the Disney Dream.

New Year's Eve on the Disney Fantasy

More about a New Year's Eve Cruise on the Disney Fantasy

Hope You Had A Merry Disney Christmas!

As for any Disney fan, the holidays wouldn't be the holidays without some sprinkles of pixie dust and magic.  And, in true form, our holidays had their own bit of Disney flair. . .

This is a photo of us LAST year--2012--at Christmas.  Christmas eve to be exact as we put on our Mickey robe, slippers, and pajamas and posed for photos on board the Disney Dream.  We also brought the Santa hats!  Since we enjoyed the holidays at sea with Disney last year followed by three days at Walt Disney World, there was a bit of mourning that took place during the holidays this year.

 Here we are at Disney's Hollywood Studios on December 30, 2012.  Santa Goofy and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights were just a few of the highlights.

Now for the Holiday Season 2013. . .

This is a photo of one of the many Mickey or Disney themed ornaments that adorn our Christmas tree.  Since we purchase at least one new ornament to commemorate each trip--click here to read more about what we collect--this particular ornament was new for this year.  Actually, the ornament was part of the "Christmas in July" celebration which was a Limited Time Magic theme.

Last year all we had to do was phone room service and order milk and cookies for Santa.  This year, it required more work.  Above is my "easy" attempt at Mickey shaped cookies.  After taking the frozen sugar cookie mounds out of the freezer, I cut one in half and placed it as "ears" on a whole piece.  It didn't turn out half bad and to us, they were still Mickey!

Of course, the cookies required decorating before Santa's arrival.  The boy took 3 of the round shaped cookies and made his own Mickey shaped cookie as shown in the photo above.

Christmas morning just wouldn't be Christmas without Mickey waffles!  The husband made them for all of us.  And, if you look closely, you can see the Mickey's in our silverware.  Yummy!

We put on our "Believe" shirts, Santa hats, and headed to the movie theater on Christmas Day.  There were a couple of Disney choices but since we had already seen "Frozen"--click here to read more--"Saving Mr. Banks" was our selection.  The rating is PG-13 so we were a bit concerned.  There were a couple of intense scenes and the boy handled them well.  The Disney movie was a perfect "cap" to our holiday.

And, it is as if Disney Cruise Line was thinking of us just when we were thinking of them, as a lovely art print--pictured below--arrived in the mail to wish us a Happy Holiday Season.

So, the lesson is that if you can't get yourself to Disney for the holidays or any day for that matter, bring a little Disney magic to where you are.  That is exactly what we did. . . and do!

Holiday Prince of the Sea on the Disney Dream

A dream is a wish your heart makes and the boy made a big wish prior to our holiday cruise on board the Disney Dream.  He wished to be the Holiday Prince of the Sea.

It all started last winter when we were planning and dreaming about our upcoming Disney cruise.  We had watched a video on-line of the tree lighting ceremony that included a boy being crowned and then lighting the tree.  When our son knew there would be a tree lighting ceremony during our sailing, he began to inform us that he wanted to be the boy who lit the tree.  My response, “Ask when you get on the ship.”  And that he did.

As soon as we boarded, he began to ask various crew members about the tree lighting ceremony, which was that evening, and let them know he would be willing to do the job. . . he was up to the task.  No one could give us a firm answer or knew for sure how the child was selected to perform the ceremony.  They did, however, take his name and thank him for his interest.

We went to dinner in the Enchanted Garden, prior to the tree lighting ceremony, still not sure of the plan, other than we were going to attend the ceremony at 7:30 pm.  We made our way to the Lobby Atrium at 7:15 and the boy saw more of the cruise staff, in their bright red shirts, gathered near the grand staircase.  He approached one more time to inquire about the ceremony and got a big surprise.  They knew his name and informed him that he was going to be the Holiday Prince of the Sea.  He was thrilled to say the least. 

Prior to the ceremony, he was whisked away to the next floor and we were told to stand off the side of the staircase, as we would join the ceremony momentarily for a photo—even being told where to look.  Disney thinks of everything!

The excitement built with music and lighting and Trent, the Assistant Cruise Director, appeared to conduct the ceremony.  Here’s the video:

Then it was time for the tree to come to life, followed by snow falling in the Lobby Atrium.  Here’s the video:

And, the boy after the ceremony being returned to his parents. . .

The boy was on cloud nine not only that night, but for the rest of the cruise.  There was even more to this story that kept unfolding days later. . .

The next day the husband and I went to a Disney Cruise Line Trivia Contest while the boy was in the club.  Callie, one of the cruise staff, was hosting the event.  She told us that this was the first time they ever had a boy ASK to be the Holiday Prince of the Sea and they were thrilled and flattered.  She said that typically they have to ask 4 or 5 boys before they find one willing and who still fits the criteria:  boy, certain height range not too tall and not so short as they can’t see over the railing when lighting the tree, certain age range. . . not too young that they can’t follow directions or run away and not old (see height range).  So, the cruise staff was thrilled that there was a boy who was willing, able, and fit the criteria.  Before the ceremony, they told the boy that this was a serious ceremony, hence the look of seriousness in some of the photos.  Callie said the boy talked their leg off back stage before the ceremony and was very excited.  That’s our boy!

Also, during Disney Cruise Line Trivia—which we smoked the others—we met a couple, Mark and Susie Perry, from Atlanta.  Mark said he had captured photos from the tree lighting ceremony the night before and offered to send them to us.  I was happy to provide our email address.  Many of the photos in this post are from Mark.  Thanks, Mark!

The magic of wish kept going throughout the cruise, as a bag appeared on our door with a certificate for the boy from the “Magical Moment” of being the Holiday Prince of the Sea along with a Perry the Platypus stuffed toy.  Hmmm. . . how did they know he liked Perry?

The boy became attached to Trent, the Assistant Cruise Director, and Natalie, the Cruise Director during the cruise so much so that he wanted them to sign the book that Santa brought along with Captain Henry.  Santa delivered Ridley Pearson’s The Shell Game as a gift as it takes place on the Disney Dream.  Trent, Natalie, and Captain Henry were all happy to sign the boy’s book. 

The last night of the cruise during the Sea Ya Real Soon celebration when the characters come out for one last appearance, a fellow cruiser asked to take a photo of the boy.  He said he hadn’t gotten a picture of the Holiday Prince of the Sea.  He smiled for the photo. 

Being chosen as the Holiday Prince of the Sea was a highlight of our cruise and something our son will always remember.  In fact, it changed him, transformed him, and gave him more confidence. It also showed him that dreams really do come true.  For that, I am ever grateful.  Thank you, Trent, Natalie, and Callie!

Can A Warm Weather Vacation Be "Christmasy"?

Where does Santa go after delivering gifts?  On a Disney Cruise!

A faithful Williams Family Blog reader, Carolyn, asked about how “Christmasy” a warm, dare I say tropical, vacation on Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney World could be during the holidays.  Yes, Carolyn, there is Christmas in the tropics.  Our warm weather Disney holiday vacation was very Christmasy.  Here’s how. . .

Our first taste of the holidays was at both airports as there was a Christmas tree from our departing airport and at Orlando International!

 The Disney Cruise Line terminal in Port Canaveral was decorated for the holidays with Christmas tree and wreaths.  Is that Mickey's hand holding the ornaments?

 As soon as we got on the ship, we were greeted with the huge tree in the Lobby Atrium and the characters were decked out in their holiday attire.  There was also a life sized Gingerbread House in the Lobby Atrium.

 Christmas Eve, we had some photos taken in our pajamas to commemorate the occasion.  When we returned to our stateroom, we were greeted with a towel snowman topped with a Disney Cruise Line Santa hat!

Every gust received this holiday print to take home as a special gift.  Ours is framed and hanging on the wall!

 The ship had holiday decorations throughout.  The tree below was in the entrance to Animator's Palette and had little paint brushes and artist palettes for ornaments.

 The watermelon was carved for the occassion and even the little signs labeling foods had a holiday greeting!

 On Christmas Day we had a special holiday menu for dinner.  I considered that all the guests sailing on Disney ships that day (all 4 of them) were being treated to the same holiday meal--that's a big family gathering!

 Christmas morning, Santa was still working after his long night of toy delivery and decided to greet guests on the ship.  Well, if I were Santa, there would be no better way to relax after working so hard than to take a Disney Cruise!

We were also greeted with a buffet of holiday treats including cookies and hot chocolate and an ice sculpture of Santa's sleigh and reindeer of course.

Two hands, two cookies!  He said the frosted ones were best.

 

 

 At Castway Cay we were greeted by another Christmas Tree which was used as a backdrop for a photo.

 The trans that transport guests on Castaway Cay were decorated for the holidays and the garland included shells and fish.

 The island Post Office was also decorated and I couldn't resist the wooden hand painted Santas located throughout the island.

 Once back on land and at our Disney Resort, Coronado Springs, we were treated to another Christmas Tree surrounded by Poinsettias. 

 Downtown Disney was decorated for the holidays, too.  I love the Mickey planter in the photo above.  The fellas enjoy getting their photo taken at various locations, too!

Chef Mickey's had a special holiday wreath on display.  Look closely for the spatula.

Here's the giant Christmas Tree in front of Disney's Hollywood Studios.  This photo was taken in the morning. . . not night.  Can you tell we arrived early?

Phineas and Ferb were wearing their holiday hats when greeting guests at the park.

Santa Goofy also got into the holiday spirit at Disney's Hollywood Studios when meeting guests.

 But there is nothing else that can get you in the holiday spirit more than millions of dancing lights at the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. 

Our warm weather Disney holiday vacation was just as Christmasy as a holiday at home, possibly more so.  And, it was definitely more relaxing from my point of view. . . no cooking, no cleaning, no cleaning up.

We made memories and stayed “present” as a family instead of focusing on the presents.  Our time together was the greatest gift and often staying home allows for other distractions.  And, with a full ship and very crowded parks, other families feel the same. Thanks, Disney, for a great holiday vacation!