Disney Cruise 2022

The Sunday before my brother Zack’s birthday, we celebrated him with an apple cake that my mom made from a recipe by Molly Yeh!. After we ate cake and Zack opened his gifts, Mom and my sister, Shannon, gave me an early Christmas present. My early Christmas was a 7-night Disney Cruise! I had not been on a cruise since I was 8, and I was so excited, especially since it was a Disney cruise. We were going to leave early one day at Disney World, and the park I picked was EPCOT. The Food and Wine Festival was being held at EPCOT, with great restaurants. My favorite, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, made me so happy and excited! 

The trip was only about a month away.  A couple of days before the trip, we checked the weather on our iPhones, and it said that it was supposed to rain the day we went to Epcot. But come to find out, it was not merely rain,  but it was going to be a Hurricane! My mom got on the phone with American Airlines, and we quickly moved our flight up for earlier that week, as we did not want to miss our cruise departure. We also had to add a couple of nights to our stay at our hotel.  We were very fortunate to book a room before the storm arrived. We took a red-eye to North Carolina and then a connecting flight to Orlando. When we safely landed in Orlando, we took an Uber to the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Hotel by Marriott, with our room on the Dolphin side for one night and then the second and third night at the Swan. It was a little frustrating because they kept telling us that our room would be ready soon, but they kept delaying us. We were understanding due to the storm, but after many hours, we were so disappointed with each delay. It was incredibly windy, with rain pounding down outside, so we felt fortunate that we were safe and dry. We were so very tired after a red-eye, but finally…our room was ready! Hallelujah! When we got to our room, we ate and then got ready for bed to take a nap, but we slept til the next day!

The next day we moved to the other side of the hotel, the Swan. When we checked in, my Mom was telling them what happened to us the last time we stayed at the Swan and Dolphin and what happened yesterday with all of the delays. They upgraded us to the PRESIDENTIAL SUITE!!! Truly once-in-a-lifetime experience! It was amazing, with a big living room, two full bathrooms with showers, a huge dining table, a kitchen stocked with coffee and sodas, and a PIANO! After we checked everything out and got settled in the room, Mom and Shannon went to thank the manager who helped us out. While they were there, I watched an episode of The Kardashians on Hulu back in the room. When they came back up to the room, they took a shower before going to Disney Springs for the evening. 

When we left on the bus for Disney Springs, it was raining a little bit, but the big part of the storm had passed. We started for Gideon's Bakehouse to get some yummy cookies and a slice of cake. The flavors we got were pistachio toffee chocolate chip, triple chocolate chip, pumpkin bread chocolate crumb (a November limited flavor), and a Double Frosted cake - Pumpkin Caramel. Then we went to Wine Bar George to put our name in for a table since we had eaten there before when we visited Disney World and loved it. There was an ADA table at the bar, so they held it for us while we shopped for a little bit. The shops we went to were The Boathouse store, the DisneyStyle, Stance, Star Wars Trading Post, Vera Bradley, Ugg,  and the big Disney store called World of Disney. We got a few stocking stuffers for Christmas! After we were done shopping we went back to Wine Bar George to have dinner. We split a Caesar salad; Shannon and Mom split the charcuterie board, and I got the Burrata, which was so good. After dinner, we bused back to our amazing hotel to go to sleep. 

The next day was Friday, and we were going to EPCOT! Fortunately, it was not raining that day. Before we got dressed, Shannon got in the virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Then we got dressed and went off to go on the Disney Friendship Boat to go to EPCOT. The boat dropped off next to the France Pavilion, where we ate breakfast at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie. We enjoyed Croissant Salé, Pissaladiere, and Croque Monsieur, along with coffee for Shannon and Mom. After our breakfast, went over to ride Frozen Ever After in the Norway Pavilion. After we got off this super fun ride, we went to Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe. Shannon was getting the “amazing” chocolate chip cookie. Then we walked back over to France to ride Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, which is my favorite ride in EPCOT and my favorite Pixar movie. Then we got our time to go on the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride! It was so cool because it’s a roller coaster that moves with a screen. The roller coaster was so smooth. After that, we went to Test Track, which is a ride where you make your own car and then get into a vehicle to see how well your car performs in different weather conditions and how fast it goes. It is very fun and fast! After we got off the ride, we went over to the World Showcase to have some food at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. We ate first at the Australia booth, where we split Grilled Sweet-and-Spicy Bush bushberry shrimp with pineapple, pepper, onion, and snap peas, and Roasted Lamb Chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies. Next, we ate at The Noodle Exchange booth. We got traditional Spicy Vietnamese Beef Pho with shaved beef, mushrooms, and Thai basil, and Thai Shrimp and Coconut-Curry Rice Noodles with shiitake mushrooms and Thai basil. Then Mom and Shannon went back to the Australia booth and shared a wine flight. After we finished our snack, we went inside to ride Soarin’ Around the World and Living With the Land. When we were inside, it started to rain, so we were so lucky to be inside. Later, when we went outside, we ate at Chefs de France in the French Pavilion, which was our first time eating at this very special restaurant. We shared a freshly baked baguette with butter and split the Boeuf Bourguignon (portions were huge),  and it was so good. Next, we went on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure for the second time! After we got off the ride, we explored the World Showcase. We stopped at Germany at the Karamell-Küche because Shannon wanted a Caramel Gingerbread Cookie sandwich. She also got a Caramel Square with Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt and a Caramel-Nut Granola Bar. Then we went to the Italy Pavilion and looked at some merch, but my mom and Shannon bought two bottles of Italian Disney wine for the cruise. (Shannon also secretly bought a keychain for my mom for her stocking!) Our last stop was at Gelateria Toscana because I wanted some gelato. I got Coppa Del Nonno, which is one of the Gelati Creations. It has Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Sauce, Whipped Cream, and Amaretto cookies, but I got Stracciatella instead of vanilla, keeping everything else the same. It was truly amazing. After I finished the gelato, we took the boat back to the hotel because we had to get up early the next day.

The next day was Disney Cruise Day, which was  A Very Merry Christmas Time cruise! We got up, got dressed, said goodbye to our beautiful room, and went down to the desk to have our bags transported to the Boardwalk Hotel. We were getting picked up there to go to Port Canaveral. The Boardwalk Hotel was super cute! I had to get on the bus with a lift, which is such a drag because it draws attention to me, but it was ok. When we got to the port, we checked in with different people with our Boarding Passes and Passports. Then we waited in the big waiting room to be boarded onto the Disney Fantasy. We were part of boarding group two. As our group was called, we went on the ship, and they announced each family’s name as they entered the ship, which no other ship does! So we explored the ship we got some lunch at the Animator’s Palate. I had the Italian sandwich, and Shannon and Mom both ordered the salmon salad. For dessert, I ordered the Oreo Cheesecake. We then went up to the spa to put our name in the raffle. Only one person from your room can win. My mom won and she used it toward her massage that we were getting another day! When we got to our room, it was bigger than a normal-size room with a balcony. That’s because it was an ADA room with an automatic door operated by a disabled button. After we got settled in, we went upstairs to the main deck and watched the Sail Away Party with the “Fab-Five” (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Goofy), singing and dancing. When we started moving, they blew the ship's horn that played “When You Wish Upon a Star! “ 

There is a rotation of restaurants for dinner. After the party, we went to dinner at the Enchanted Garden. It was beautiful, with a fountain in the middle of the room. I ate a Grilled Grain-Fed Sirloin Steak, Shannon had Seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions, and Mom had Pan-Seared Sea Bass. But we all ordered dessert from the menu and shared. We got Chocolate Garden Torte, Southern Style Pecan Tart, and Orange Almond Cake.

Then went to the “Tube” which is an adults-only club. Tonight’s game was the Newlywed Game Show. It was so funny because the MC host of The Tube was hilarious, and we enjoyed his comedy so much. Exhausted, we went back to the room to go to bed.

Today was the first day of “At Sea” day. We enjoyed a sit-down breakfast at the Royal Court. I ordered a steamer that is made of hot milk, a little bit of sugar or vanilla syrup, and also an Eggs Benedict. Shannon got a coffee and an omelet. Then we went and explored the ship and did some shopping. Later we went to the D-Lounge for some Disney trivia, which we weren’t super good at. Then Shannon had her pedicure appointment at the spa, and I went with her, and Mom was at the gym. While Mom was at the gym and Shannon's nail polish was drying, she and I went to watch The Incredibles: Baby Race, which was so funny. After that, Mom showered after the gym. Before dinner, we went to the show Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular, which was good. Afterwards, we had dinner at the Royal Palace. The theme was royal, like a princess, so all the waiters were dressed up like princes. After dinner, we went to The Tube, the adult-only lounge, to watch the Juggler from America’s Got Talent, Charles Peachock. All of his tricks were so cool. He is so talented. I love it when he juggles multiple balls. 

Today was the second sea day, and we had another sit-down breakfast at the Royal Court again. I got another steamer to drink and ate the smoked salmon with a toasted bagel. Shannon and Mom got coffee and ate eggs, bacon, and a hash with no cheese. Also for the table, we ordered the Belgian waffle. The Belgian waffle was one of the best waffles I ever had. Then Shannon and Mom went to the gym, and I stayed in the room till they were back. After they showered, we went to another trivia in D-Lounge, but this one was Disney Tune. we were not good at it because they played the tune from a lady playing on the violin with three notes. Super tough. After that, Shannon and Mom had a mixology class at the Skyline Lounge. In class, you were supposed to mix your drink, but because of COVID, they made them for you and told you what was in them. So basically, you just drank for an hour. Then we watched Black Panther: Wakanka Forever, which was so good! It was on a big screen, bigger than the regular movie theater screens. It was special to see it on Disney Fantasy! Before dinner, we went down to the atrium, the lobby, to go to the tree lighting and Santa Sighting. The tree lighting had some songs and dances, but we also saw Santa and Mrs. Claus. Plus, the decorations were all lit up and started playing Christmas music throughout the ship. Then we went to dinner at Animator’s Palate. This restaurant has a show with Turtle: Crush from Finding Nemo. Crush asks each table next to the screen where they are from and what their job is.   When we were done with dinner, we went to The Tube again to see the Magician named Eric Jones from season 12 of America’s Got Talent. He was so good, and I love magicians and America’s Got Talent. When it was over, we went back just had to sleep.

Tomorrow we ported in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. We went on a bus ride to see all of the island. And then a boat ride that went fast so water went in our faces. And with my disability, I had to stabilize my balance because it was bumpy. We were going to sit down for lunch but they closed early. So we went to the pool deck and went to Flo’s Cafe to get some lunch, and went back to our room and ate on our deck. After lunch, we got ready for Pirate Night. We went upstairs to the pool deck for the first pirate show with Fab Five. The show was super cute. Then after the show, we went to the Enchanted Garden. After dinner, we went back up to the pool deck to see the other pirate show with Captain Jack Sparrow and the fireworks! They shoot off from the boat, which no other cruise line does. Then we went to bed.

We docked in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and went on a bus ride to the shop. We got to see the island and the landscapes. After we got back to the ship we ate at the Royal Table. I had ricotta gnocchi with a light cream sauce. For dessert, I had a Kit Kat Ice Cream Sundae. After lunch, we got ready and went to the Frozen: A Musical Spectacular show. We had to get there early to get me good seats. The show was so good. After the show, we had our dinner at the Royal Table, and I had Pork Tenderloin with polenta and mushrooms. We shared dessert and we got Chocolate Lava Cake, Apple Pie, and Mint Chip Sundae. After dinner, we went to see Belle and she was in her peasant dress. (Belle is my favorite character.) Then we went to The Tube and saw another funny show. Then went to bed after The Tube.

Today was the last Day at Sea. We went to the Royal Table for a sit-down breakfast, but they closed early, so we went back to the rooms to change and go up to the pool decks to lie out in the sun. When we got our chairs, Shannon and Mom got food from the Cabanas buffet-style and brought it back to our lounge chairs. We ate our food, then all three of us lay out and read our books. I was reading One Day in December by Josie Silver on my iPad on the Kindle app. Shannon was reading Lucky by Marissa Stapley and Mom read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I thought my book was really good and I am still reading it. Shannon and Mom thought their books were good too! But when we were done in the sun for the day, we went back to the room to get ready for dinner. But before we ate dinner, we went to see the Acapella group called Sleigh where they sang Christmas songs. After the show, we went to dinner at Animator’s Palate! The show at dinner was where we drew ourselves on paper with markers and then they took our pictures onto the screen and they came to life. After dinner, like always, we went to The Tube for another funny show and watched Sleigh sing pop songs.

Today was Friday, the third day at port. We were at Disney’s own private island, Castaway Cay in the Bahamas. It was a well-kept island with a family beach and an adults-only beach. But we stayed at the family beach; we got our chairs. We read our books a little bit. Then we went in the water. We rented a pool tube because it is easier to go in the water with my disability. After we went in the water, we went back to our chairs to dry off. After we dried off, we went over to get some BBQ lunch that they provided for all the guests. I had a cheeseburger with pasta salad and Potato salad, and for dessert, I ate a chocolate chip cookie sundae with soft-serve ice cream. And then we looked at exclusive Castaway Cay merch. Then we went back on the boat and went back to our room to get all clean from our beach day. Then we got dressed for dinner at the Enchanted Garden for our last dinner. But before dinner, we went to the show called Believe. It’s about a workaholic father who reconnects with his daughter through a little Disney magic. I thought the show was kinda weird, but I liked it. This was one of my favorite of the theme restaurants. But before dinner, we waited in line to meet Disney Princess Belle in her Christmas dress. We went to dinner, which was so good. So after dinner, we went to the Tube one last time.

Today was the day we were going home. When we got up had our backpacks with us, and we went to the last sit-down breakfast. Our breakfast was in the Enchanted Garden. And, like always, I had smoked salmon and a steamer. When we were done eating, we went to get in line to get off the ship and grabbed our suitcase. Then we took the bus to Orlando Airport. At the airport, we waited till we were ready to go to the gate. As we were waiting, we got some Starbucks and downloaded some shows. We were ready to go to the gate and wait till we boarded. As we waited, we got some lunch and then boarded the plane and went home. This was such a fun trip with Shannon and Mom.