Experience the Magic: Our Adventure on the Disney Wish
I wanted to share about our adventure on the newest Disney ship, the Disney Wish. This was my son’s and my fourth Disney Cruise, and my parents’ first. We went last month in June, taking off for Florida the day after school got out. I booked our cruise on the Costco Travel website. I received a Costco Shop card for $255 for booking the cruise through them. The card is sent digitally and you receive it in your email after you return home from your cruise. We flew to Orlando and stayed overnight at the Hyatt inside the Orlando airport, which was super convenient. Disney picks up passengers from the Hyatt with their shuttle buses, and the process is smooth and well-organized. People are divided into departure groups based on their level in the Castaway Club, Disney Cruise Line’s loyalty program that you join after your first cruise. The shuttles whisk you to the port, where you wait for your turn to board the ship. The cost for the Disney shuttle is $45/person, but it’s better than getting an uber or rental car. Plus, when you book the shuttle, you usually are advanced in boarding time since you arrived via Disney transportation, and get to board earlier than if you arrived on your own with a scheduled boarding time. We had connecting cabins with my parents, which made communication easier. Our cabins had balconies, which aren’t essential, but if you’re a bit claustrophobic and need a breath of fresh air in a hurry, they’re a lifesaver. On a three-night cruise, though, there’s hardly time to become one with your balcony. I love to sit out there early in the morning with my coffee. Since room service is included in the cost of the cruise, I request a pot of coffee, donuts, pastries, and other goodies the night before to be delivered bright and early. It’s the perfect start to a day at sea! I just remember to have $5 and $1 dollar bills for tips. The breakfast buffet is fantastic, though I did manage to miss it one morning—clearly, I wasn’t awake enough to find the food. On the day we departed, we enjoyed a lovely sit-down breakfast with our original servers. It was great to bid them a final farewell. Our servers were truly amazing. My son and I decided to head to Baha Mar Resort for our port adventure in Nassau, Bahamas. We’d already checked Atlantis Resort off our list on a previous Disney Cruise, so it was time for something new. The beach was lovely, but we mostly floated around the lazy river, living up to its name and our mood. Our port adventure included lunch, which was tasty, but the concession stand was seriously understaffed, and we waited about 45 minutes for our meal. One parent even offered up a free hotdog because he couldn’t wait any longer and abandoned his pager for the taking. Sadly, my son isn’t into water slide (except on the ship), so our only other stop was the wave machine pool. It was a nice port adventure, but if you asked me to choose between Baha Mar and Atlantis, I’d pick Atlantis again. Atlantis to me felt more welcoming and wasn’t so spread out. Baha Mar is a huge resort and we didn’t explore most of it. I’m sure there is a lot more to like at Baha Mar, but you need more than just 6 hours there to fully enjoy it. Don’t be like me and forget to put your phone’s in the waterproof phone protectors. I bought them ahead of time on Amazon, yet I forgot to put them on my phones before we left for our trip to Baha Mar. I ended up spending an extra $40 for not having the ones I bought from Amazon. Duh!! This is the link to the ones I bought on Amazon: Universal Waterproof Case. They are only $13.99 for a set of 2. My parents chose to go on a short tour of Nassau for their port adventure. Their tour included a small meal which they said was more like appetizers. They did not want to go to Baha Mar with us because they aren’t into water slides and swimming. The $199/person fee to go to Baha Mar is not a bargain either. It includes transportation and a full lunch, but still pricey after paying for the Disney Cruise. On our third day, we decided to stay onboard and enjoy all the ship had to offer. Having already visited Castaway Cay on a previous Disney Cruise, I wasn’t too disappointed when my parents and my son opted out of going. My parents grew up on an island (Oahu), so islands don’t really excite them that much lol. My son loves shrimp and crab, so he got to indulge in the buffet, feasting on as much as he wanted. He also wanted to ride the Aqua Mouse, the big waterslide on the ship. There was no line because almost everyone was on the island. My dad bravely agreed to go with him once but had a hard time getting back up, so the lifeguards had to assist him. After that, I went on the Aqua Mouse with my son about five more times. It was fun, and it made him happy, so I was perfectly fine with it. There are many choices of food on the cruise. They have a Pizza stand that serves pizza all day and closes at midnight. They also have a barbecue stand which has great tasty ribs and macaroni and cheese. The soft serve is an awesome treat too. I must have had about 10 haha. The issue with short 3 day cruises is you don’t have a lot of time to enjoy the food. When you are on a longer cruise there are more opportunities to eat because there are a couple days of just being at sea. The nightly Broadway-style Disney shows were
Discovering Kauai: A Journey Through Time and Beauty
Embark upon the Garden Isle, where the azure heavens paint a picture rivaling nature’s finest canvas, and the adventures unfold with a wild spirit, unmatched by any other. Welcome to the unparalleled beauty and magic of the Island of Kauai! Kauai Backcountry Adventures: Splash into Fun Last year during our trip to Kauai, my family and I enjoyed the Mountain Tubing Adventure at Kauai Backcountry Adventures. It was such a relaxing and enjoyable experience for all of us. We lounged on inflatable tubes, lazily drifting down winding irrigation ditches, surrounded by lush tropical foliage. The backcountry tubing adventure wasn’t just your average lazy river ride. It was a journey through history, as these ditches once transported water to sugar plantations. As we drifted down the waterways, it felt like we were transported back in time, marveling at the resourcefulness of those who shaped this landscape before us. What truly sets this tour apart are the employees and tour guides. They go above and beyond to ensure you feel comfortable and enjoy your experience. They transport you to the waterways on a shuttle, where the tour guide engages everyone by having us share a bit about ourselves and our origins. She also provided some fascinating history about Kauai and explained what activities we would be doing. When we arrived at the tubing site, the guides assisted each of us in getting onto our tubes and accompanied us on our adventure. The tour guides made the trip exceptionally enjoyable. One guide even played the ukulele and sang songs, staying at the back of the group to ensure everyone was making their way through the tunnels smoothly. Before heading back down, we were treated to a delicious lunch, adding to the overall enjoyment of the day. And to top it off, we had the opportunity to take a refreshing swim in a pond with a small waterfall during our lunch break. It was the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure, making it a highlight of our trip to Kauai. Just remember to book the tour ahead of time since it does book up and sell out months in advance. Waimea Plantation Cottages: Where History Meets Hospitality Now, let’s talk about where to rest your weary head after a day of frolicking in the sun. Look no further than the Waimea Plantation Cottages, where history comes alive amidst the coconut palms. These charming cottages were once home to sugar plantation workers and have been lovingly restored to offer guests a taste of old Hawaii with all the modern comforts. We stayed here and had about 6 cottages for my family reunion. It was a great time catching up with family we haven’t seen in a long time. We have wonderful memories of our trip to Kauai in 2023. The Majestic Grand Canyon of the Pacific No trip to Kauai would be complete without a visit to the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, aka Waimea Canyon. Sure, you could stare in awe at its breathtaking beauty from one of the lookout points, but where’s the fun in that? Instead, channel your inner explorer and hit the trails that wind their way through this natural wonderland. Feel the earth beneath your feet, breathe in the scent of wildflowers, and revel in the fact that you’re witnessing Mother Nature showing off her finest work. So Much Fun But wait, there’s more! Kauai isn’t just about tubing, historical cottages, and epic canyons. It’s also home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches, where you can soak up the sun, catch some waves, or simply ponder the meaning of life while sipping on a coconut. And let’s not forget about the food. From traditional Hawaiian plate lunches to gourmet farm-to-table fare, Kauai’s culinary scene is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving seconds. So there you have it, folks. The Island of Kauai: where adventure lurks around every corner, history whispers through the palm trees, and paradise is more than just a postcard fantasy. So pack your bags, slap on some sunscreen, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Aloha! 🌺