The Polynesian was ....in a word.....
PHENOMENAL!!
Which brings us to the saddest, but also the happiest day of our trip! Sad, because we had to leave the Poly, but happy because we were about to embark on our cruise!
Day 4:
We woke up very early, because our luggage had to be ready for pick up at 8:00 A.M., so it could get to Port Canaveral well before us! Well, promptly at 8:00, there was a knock at the door, and a very friendly Poly cast member was there to pick up our luggage! talk about efficient! I'm telling you, we do
NOT have a single bad thing to say about the Polynesian! The experience was one we will treasure forever, and we
absolutely come back and stay longer!
After breakfast, we had a short meeting with a Disney Cruise Line cast member who told us all we needed to know upon our arrival at Port Canaveral! But we still had just over two hours so we decided to take a nice relaxing stroll around the resort grounds! This place truly is paradise! I can see why for many (us included!) there really is only one place to stay on Disney property! We look forward to our next visit!
My wife and one of my sons wanted to get in one more swim, so while they did that, my other son and I rented a "mouse boat"! These things are a blast! We had a grand time zooming around the entire lagoon, with up-close visits to the Contemporary, the Magic Kingdom, and the Grand Floridian! Alas, all good things.......
It was time to head back in. When we got back to dock the boat, I made a complete fool of myself! I made it into the slip, but the cast member was giving me a signal that to me said "go around"! So I started to back out of the slip and proceeded to severely bang the boat all over the place! come to find out the cast member was actually signalling me that I was a-ok!
you know, it's probably a good thing that I'm not piloting boats for a living!
We caught up to the rest of the family, and got on our official Disney Cruise Line bus, and headed out for Port Canaveral! Aloha Poly, we
WILL miss you!
Our first glimpse of the Wonder when she came into view was magnificent! What a vessel! We made our way into the port building, and since we were already checked in, we started straight for boarding! But first, we had our picture taken with nautical Pluto, and one against a bon Voyage backdrop! Then it was time to show our IDs and key to the world cards and get aboard!
We entered through deck three into the atrium........W O W !!!!!
It is so visually stunning that it takes your breath away! A cast member is there to anounce your arrival onto the ship via bullhorn, and everyone claps and cheers for you! Nice Disney touch! It really makes you feel special! The glass lighting sculpture hanging from the ceiling is remarkable, and there is a cool bronze statue of Ariel there too! If you look closely, you can see various Disney characters in the railings and the frescos above! There was a buffet style lunch for everyone at the Beach Blanket Buffet! What a spread! We all ate a lot, and pretty quickly too, as we couldn't wait to start exploring!
My wife and kids went to our cabin to change and hit the pools! I went up to deck 10 and took some photos well before the crowds arrived!
There was a humongous ship docked at our bow, and as we were leaving, our captain blew the horn once and the giant in front of us responded with its ominously loud horn! This went back and forth until our captain hit them with the full seven note horn (the tune is the first seven notes from
When-You-Wish-Up-On-A-Star!) After that, the giant ship had no response! None!
I met up with my wife and children in the Promenade Lounge after their swim! We all had a drink, then went up to deck 9 for the cast-off party! That was lots of fun too!
Now we were underway, and my boys couldn't wait to get signed up for the Oceaneer's Lab! So my wife and I took them to the lab located on deck 5, signed them in, got a pager (which we never needed by the way!) And we didn't see them until it was time for dinner! Amazing what they do for kids onboard! absolutely amazing!
While the boys were having fun in the lab, my wife wanted to swim some more and I wanted to explore the ship, so off we went!
One side note: my wife bought me this giant glass Disney Cruise Line logo beer mug, that you take around with you to the various bars and clubs on the ship and you get discounts on beer refills!
Soooooooo...........................that's what I did! Let me tell you, I found a great many locations that were more than happy to refill my mug for me! And who am I to be impolite and say no?!
(that's my story.....and I'm sticking to it!)
Diversions nightclub quickly became my favorite, because they served Kirin Lager, my favorite brew from Japan!
My next trip report will pick up where this one leaves off! So I'll start with our first dining experience at Parrot Cay!
Until then, I really hope you are enjoying reading this as I'm enjoying re-living the memories!