The Didericksen Family: January 2010

We had the best vacation! Jay R. and I and the kids can all say this was the best vacation hands down we have ever been on. Okay, so we haven't been on very many but this one was the best! I would go again in a second. It was a trip that the kids and the adults could enjoy. The ship crew were incredible. You could take your kids to the kids club and then you could do what you wanted. They didn't just babysit them in there. They totally entertained them. Anything from story time with Belle to making flubber for the boys. The kids loved going there. It is really safe. The kids wear a bracelet and the parents have a pager so when the kids want to get out, they just page you. We went on the 4 night cruise and after wards, we went to Disney World for 2 days. We were excited because we had heard it was a great time to go because it was the "off" season. Well, needless to say, I would hate to see what the busy season is like! 1-2 hour lines for every ride. As we all know that doesn't fly to well with kids. Parents were angry and so were the kids. So as far as Disney World goes, we won't be going back there. But the cruise...whole new ball game. I absolutely love Disney! So for all that "Disney magic" I recommend going on the cruise. The kids had a blast and so did the parents! It was so fun to watch the kids. I get teared up thinking about how happy they were. They had smiles from ear to ear the whole time... (well almost the whole time!) This post is going to be forever long! I'll have to do Disney World later.
So let's start from the beginning. Before we left, we found out about a service project we could do and get free tickets into Disney World for one day. (Thanks Janna!) So we got together one night with Lani and Carter and busted out 18 blankets. The kids helped and we had so fun. Even the dads helped! We saved like $500 doing it. So worth it!

The Airplane Ride
We didn't get off to the best start. Our plane was supposed to leave at 1:30. We boarded the plane and found out that something was wrong with the tire. We sat there for about 45 minutes and then they had us get off. We had a lay-over in Memphis and we knew we were going to miss the flight. Luckily they had just enough seats on the 5:00 direct flight. Not good sitting in the airport for 5 hours with 4 kids that are bouncing off the wall with excitement. Jay R. and Bryton were not by us during the flight so I have no pics of them. The kids did really well on the flight. Thanks to some new Polly Pockets Brin was entertained the whole time.

We stayed in a hotel that night and the next morning took a bus to Port Canaveral. I took this picture out the window as we were approaching the ship! The kids were amazed and so was I! I couldn't believe how big it was.

Just getting ready to walk through the big Mickey tunnel to board the ship. As soon as you walk onto the ship the crew is all there and they all clap and announce your name.

And then the eating begins! Holy cow! I think all I did was EAT! The boys were in heaven. They couldn't believe that you could just get as much food as you wanted and not have to pay for it. They took full advantage! Our family was in 2 different rooms and so we put all the boys together. One night Jay R. went over to get them dressed and he hears a knock at the door. When Bryton opened the door in walks room service with a whole tray of chocolate cake. I wish so bad I had a picture of it! So yeah, they really enjoyed it. We cracked up! We had to let them know that this wasn't something they could do all the time!

Here is Connor's "this is the best day of my life" face. He said that over and over. Too cute!

After we ate, they have a "setting sail" party. All the characters and staff come and sing and dance. It was a lot of fun and a great way to get the trip started!

Even Bry got up and stage and danced! He must have been excited. That is way out of character for him.

Can I just say dinner time was the BEST! We rotated restaurants each night. The first night we ate at Triton's Restaurant. The adults sat at one table and the kids sat at another table. It was so nice. As soon as we sat down the waiters were right with the kids getting them what they wanted. Parents didn't even have to go over and ask what they all wanted. They would get the kids' food out really fast and get it cut up for them or whatever they needed. So about the time the adults were just finishing their appetizers, the kids were done with their whole meal. The waiters were so amazing. Just when you think it can't get any better... here comes the crew from the kids club and off they go to play while the adults eat their dinner and dessert in peace! For all of you with young kids you know how nice this would be!

Brinley was all excited to see the princesses but when it actually came time to stand by them for pictures... not so much. So I had to be in every picture with her. It was so nice... no tracking them down for 3 days at Disneyland trying to get your picture with all of them. Just show up at the Princess gathering and get your pictures with each one of them. The night before you leave, they have a big "Until We Meet Again" ( and yes I really hope we meet again) gathering where all the characters are out and you can get your pictures with whoever you want. The princesses were so cute with all the little girls. They talked to each one like they were the only little girl there.

First stop... Nassau
We went to see the hotel Atlantis. It was pretty amazing. They had a huge aquarium with all sorts of fish.

After seeing the hotel, we went to the beach and the kids loved playing in the water. The weather was beautiful!

Getting back on the ship

Dinner the second night at Animator's Palate
This restaurant was so fun. When you first go in, everything is black and white and all the waiters are dressed in black and white. About half way through your meal, all the walls and ceilings slowly change into color. Then your waiters come out in color as well. So cool!

They always go the extra mile to make everything FUN! Each night when we got back to our room we had our beds turned down and towels folded in these cute little animals with chocolates. At dinner time they poured the kids ketchup into ducks/Minnie Mouse/Mickey Mouse. This was a big hit with Brin!

Castaway Cay
The second stop was Disney's private island. We just spent the day at the beach. And eating of course. They have a big BBQ on the beach.

More character greetings
Minnie Mouse was really cute. When she saw the kids coming up to her she would move her feet really fast and put her hands over her mouth like she was so excited to see them! She was so sweet!

Pirate Night
The third night we ate at the Animator's Palate again but this time all the waiters were dressed up as pirates.

They had a dessert bar after the fireworks with over 100 desserts. So yummy! They had beautiful ice sculptures and the cream puff tree on the right... they had made the shape of the duck with burning sugar. It was really neat!

After dinner they had a pirate show with Captain Hook and all the other characters. Following the show they had fireworks. This night was a blast!

Swimming
They had 3 pools. One was a Mickey Mouse pool with a slide. The other was a Goofy pool with a HUGE screen TV that they would play movies on throughout the day. And the other was an adults only pool.