DAY 9 – Key West

A few notes I forgot – boarding, we were wearing matching red Mickey Hawaiian shirts/tank tops.  Several people asked about them (just from the Disney Store), and one dubbed us “the cute family.”

We ate breakfast at Topsiders, the buffet on deck 9.  After that, I went to the DVC member celebration, while the kids went to their clubs and J4* went to a crab cake making seminar.  I really recommend the DVC (Disney Vacation Club) gathering for all DVC members that go on the cruise.  We saw several staterooms decorated with a DVC magnet (I think these might be people sailing on points).  At the celebration, I was given a couple of these magnets, 4 hats (one for each member in our party), and a Pluto DVC pin. 

There were other giveaways, for a mesh bag (jokingly called a swimming suit by the MC), a beautiful towel, and a tote bag.  I won the tote bag (leading to tote bag build up! We already had a Castaway Club one in our stateroom from being previous cruisers).

We met for lunch (again at topsiders) and went ashore.

Immediately upon leaving the boat, I was spotted by one of the DVC staff for my DVC hat and given a Goofy DVC pin.  Maybe I’ll get someone to turn in my referral card and I’ll get the third pin they have.
 
Key West was very humid.  I liked it overall.  Sort of like New Orleans (pre-Katrina) goes to the beach.  We walked about for a while and did some shopping.  Bought a ½ lb nut and chocolate chip cookie (yum) and J11 had some Key Lime pie on a stick. 

J7 loved the wild chickens everywhere – even a hen with a gaggle of chicks. 

We took the Conch Train – a narrated 90 minute tour of the island.  Our guide, Capt. Rick, was pretty good.  It was interesting, and a great way to cool off in the open air cars.  Rain looked threatening, but never arrived.

The shuttle didn’t launch again (doubt we’d see anything through the clods anyway!)

We returned to the ship and dressed for dinner.  J4* got these great skirts for the girls they can just slip on.  We didn’t dress J7, but insead got her a hamburger before going down as she wanted to be in the Nestle Jr. Chef activity at 6:15.

We ate at Lumiere’s.  Very nice, and I thought the most comfortable tables of the three restaurants (I hadn’t been to Animator’s Palate yet, but am writing this the morning of Day 11).  We bought a nice bottle of sweet Italian wine (which will last us at least 2 meals, I’m sure!)

After dinner, we went to “Who Wants to be a Mouseketeer with J11.  When we cruised in 2001 this was a huge show with shipboard credit prizes and a free cruise for the last question.  J11 was a contestant then (when she was J7 Mark I) and did pretty well.  I was able to help her and I think we won about $80. 

This time, it (like it’s inspiration show) is a shadow of its former self.  5 questions, prizes a pin and a crystal. Still a lot of fun.  This round, we didn’t get picked.  Still had fun.

Took J11 to her club.  Watched the sunset gathering at Key West from Deck 10.  Great view of the crowds and street performers who gather each evening.  The sunset itself was a bit obscured by the clouds, but it was a nice night.  There is a tiny island off of Key West with huge houses on it.  Hard to imagine living there, where almost every need would require a boat trip! 

I stopped back on Key West to post some postcards.  At night, Duvall Street shares much with Bourbon Street!  I walked to Hard Rock.  I had purchased an All Access pass there (as I thought it might help if we needed a quick meal in the Caribbean).

 I didn’t even realize it had $20 credit on it, so I used $12 of that to buy a 4th of July Hard Rock Key West pin.

J4* and I played Mouseketeer again.  This time I was picked (well, actually J4*’s number, but she deferred to me!).  I won. 

I had to use my lifelines to get which of the listed princes had brown eyes (it was Snow White, as opposed to Aurora, Cinderella, and Ariel).  The final question was tough:

Which animated feature has the most songs?
A. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
B. Cinderella
C. Alice in Wonderland
D. Jungle Book

C, final answer.  Yeah! 

We picked up kids (they seem to like the clubs!) and returned to the room for bed. 

DAY 10 – At Sea

J4* took the kids to topsiders for breakfast and then to their clubs. 

I went to the Cove Café for some Internet time.  The shuttle I found was scheduled for July 4, but there was a troublesome crack in the insulation.

Us adults met at Palo (OK, not quite accurate.  I had said we’d meet outside Palo, the adults only restaurant.  I was early and they offered to seat me and bring J4* to me.  Unfortunately when J4* arrived, there was no one at the podium so she, assuming I’d be late as usual, she waited outside for about 20 minutes).

Brunch was wonderful.  I concentrated on the Alaskan King Crab (after all, have to support those guys on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch!”)

J4* went to the shopping presentation and I went to the art auction.  It was fun to watch.  No really serious bidders, but one lot of prints by Rembrandt, Goya, Picasso and Dali went for $6250.  A few Disney items too, but nothing that really interested me, even if I had the money.

I did some shopping.  They had a lot in my size, and of course with no sales tax!  I bought a tank top and a waterproof camera case. 

I picked up the kids (just in time for J7, who paged me on the way).  She had apparently suddenly started sobbing for her mom and dad.  It was a long day for her.  Up until then, they said she was having a great time – she got to make “flubber,” an important goal of hers!

We dressed for dinner (formal tonight – got to wear the tux I bought, although there were quite a few dressed in just suits and even a few dressed casually.  Plenty in formal wear too, though).  Had pictures taken in the atrium (the shortest line was on Deck 4).

Dinner at Animator’s Palate.  I had a wonderful filet mignot.  Our server chided me for ording the no sugar added pound cake for dessert, but t was light and quite good. 

J7 of course had to go to the bathroom right when the “show” started – when the restaurant changed from black & white to color.  She made it back for the finale, though.

After dinner, we shopped a bit more waiting for the doors to open for the Golden Mickeys.  We cursed each time folks opened the outside door near us, as a wave of humid would come crashing in. 

The show was really good.  It’s a series of Disney numbers themed to an awards show, with video intros from Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Lansbury and Tim Allen.

Back to the room and to bed!