disneyfan1313 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 We were looking for a fun way to celebrate Stacey's birthday the other week and one thing that we do each year is hit the Circus! It's cheap, fun and always good for a laugh. I then surprised her the next day by taking her to Kennedy Space Center, something which neither one of us has done since the 80's even though it is only 45 minutes away from where we live. While we had fun there, it is kinda sad that it has fallen into such disrepair and is stuck in the 80s or earlier. Anyways... on to the photos! I end this report with a photo of what Dippin Dots are called at the space center.. No special flavors like "Alien Goo" though This is the new "thrill" ride that is opening in a few months. Its supposed to simulate takeoff but in looking through the back doors it looks like a generic motion sim. Here you can also touch an actual moon rock! Cool! Nothing says "funny" like sticking your head through a wall! OMG ITZ TEH VIRTUAL REALIZTY!!!11!! It is very impressive looking down the apollo rocket and wishing we still were going to the moon...or had any interest in the space program as a country..or...sigh. I included this photo because it makes me dizzy looking at it! This is the control area for the Apollo missions.. They actually recreate a launch which was cool (although once again straight out of 80's epcot!) ..and the Space Shuttle humping a plane! The bus tour was actually pretty cool although the waits for the bus were ridiculous for the off season. Here is the Vehicle Assembly Building. And a greyhound bus terminal from the 70's! Wow! And a guest relations office that is closed! Aaahhh! The space center features such amazing technology as a VIDEO SCREEN WALL!! Oooohh!! On to the space center..or is it 1987 at Epcot? You DECIDE! One of those elephants drew that painting.. and now they are humping! Holy Crap! They called my name! I was drawn out of everyone in the arena to win this! WTF!!?!? So I wanted Cotton Candy...but in order to get it you had to purchase this wacked looking hat. I then was forced by Stacey to put it on.. The nose is my own however! Hot gymnastic alien looking chicks rock! On a whim I entered this contest even though pretty much everyone in the arena was as well.. I wonder if anything is to come of it... Hmmmm Before the circus starts they bring out lots of the performers and animals and you can go take photos with them on the floor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneyfan1313 Posted January 29, 2007 Author Share Posted January 29, 2007 We hit the Disney Cruise a few days later! We are actually getting married on the Disney Cruise in a few months so this was kinda a "planning" cruise to set some final details and meet with the wedding planner... plus it was an excuse to go on the cruise again! We did the 3 day which stops in Nassau in the Bahamas and also on Disney's private island.. Castaway Cay. Out of all the ships we have sailed on (which is most major lines) we prefer the DCL ships the best.. Heres the Kids pool area. There is an adult pool as well. Elissa - this would be a perfect first cruise for KT!!! This is the main pool all set up for the Pirates in the Caribbean Deck Party. Disney Cruise Line is the only one that shoots fireworks off the ship at night. It rocks! Back to the ship to relax! This is an endless hallway photo which will be a familiar sight to anyone who was cruised! After spending our entire port time dealing with the licensee issue we needed a Ting! This is a Jamaican grapefruit soda we love and is difficult to get in the USA. And here is the small office where we spent a TON of time dealing with Bahamian bureaucracy even though I came fully prepared with everything I needed Oh! A Random sign! This must be where I apply for important legal doccuments! We then had to try and find where to get our Bahamian Marriage license. After going to the building on the website we were told its "In the Hilton" WTF?! The next day we were in Nassau. Since there is a Diamonds international in the shot we could be on any island in the world! Tastiest Lamb EVER! We ate dinner in Palo's the first night. This is the Itallian specialty restaurant. These are just our appetizers! Part of the fun of cruising is having a dinner and show each night! Tonights show was Hercules the MUSEical. Here we are about to go into the ocean - you can really see how nasty the weather is! The first night had pretty rough seas but the rest of the cruise was smooth sailing! We love being on the top deck as we sail - but today it was cold, rainy and windy! This is the beautiful atrium which you enter into. DCL has a nice touch where they announce everyones name as they enter over the PA.. OMG THE SHIP HAS A HOLE IN IT! oh wait.. its just the model in the terminal! Whew! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krouvi Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 That circus is 100% horror show to me. I can't stand seeing poor animals being treated like that. Poor elefants Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 I am so mad at you Reed!!!! First I see Italian food, and it's on the Disney Cruise line that won't let me bring KidTums to your wedding!!! BOOO!!! Glad you had fun...I love cruises! (And yes, there's a chance Disney could be KT's first cruise!) You better still be working on this, I want pictures of Animators Palate and the Mickey Ice Cream Bar Dessert! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneyfan1313 Posted January 29, 2007 Author Share Posted January 29, 2007 and more... I will leave you with this photo of a child who we watched for 10 minutes climbing higher and higher over the railings while his parents ignored him... Lovely! See ya in a few months Castaway Cay! This is where we are going to be getting married in a few months! Can you picture a more beautiful backdrop! We explored the island a bit more and even tried to find a Geocache that we had missed the last time. No luck.. but we did find an orange that we thought might have been a unique cache container! We even found a huge starfish. We left it alone though. Here I am a good 400 feet out into the ocean! It is so beautiful. We then went over to the adult beach where the tide was low enough to walk WAY out into the ocean and look at shells. The next day was Castaway Cay - Disney's private island. Here is the flying dutchman which is the actual ghostship for Pirates 2. It's really amazing in person. The promenade deck is beautiful at night. Very relaxing and it is amazing how many stars you can see! One of the best things about a cruise is coming back to your stateroom and finding all sorts of random goodies each night.. We then had to hit the arcade where I had a little motorcycle racing action! We had a rare drink after the show with a patron and citrus martini and a bit of the champagne we will have at our wedding. Tonights show was the Golden Mickey's - this is a modified version of the show in Hong Kong DL and is a great revue of lots of hit Disney Songs. One thing we do alot of cruises is relax. There is nothing better than sitting on deck and closing your eyes and listening to the water... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneyfan1313 Posted January 29, 2007 Author Share Posted January 29, 2007 I am so mad at you Reed!!!! First I see Italian food, and it's on the Disney Cruise line that won't let me bring KidTums to your wedding!!! BOOO!!! Glad you had fun...I love cruises! (And yes, there's a chance Disney could be KT's first cruise!) You better still be working on this, I want pictures of Animators Palate and the Mickey Ice Cream Bar Dessert! Laugh.. We ate with insane people this cruise (which is why we usually like to get a table for 2!) so I didn't take many photos at dinner. But I do have a pic of the current Animators Palate menu! You can definatly have all the Mickey Ice Cream Bar Desserts you want! The closest I came to taking a pic in this beautiful restaurant that changes while you eat! It's like a show! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrowfanman Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Ahh, Reed! Excellent PTR! Funny to see NASA not changed in since I was there in '95! And I have yet to enjoy the expirence on a Disney Cruise....well...any cruise for that matter! Argh! Anyway, lovely photos and you are soooo lucky to be married there! Looks like it'll be perfect! Oh, BTW...Reed with a clown nose--classic! -Jahan p.s. Stacy's styling in that DLR vest...dont think I didn't see it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munkyknum Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 That circus is 100% horror show to me. I can't stand seeing poor animals being treated like that. Poor elefants If those elephants didn't have that steady circus job they'd be out on the street smoking crack or giving sexual favors for the drug. You should be thankful the circus rescued them from their homeless street life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Grrr, now you show Gazpacho on the menu and children with bad parents that are allowed on the cruise, but I can't bring little KT...LAME!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayjay719 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Awesome photo trip report Reed! I haven't been on any cruises yet, but I would love to one day soon. Why can't you bring KT on the cruise Elissa? Thats not cool...I haven't even been to Kennedy Space Station yet, but its on my trips to do list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 They have an age requirement which surprisingly is much higher than the other cruiselines. I believe the kid has to be 12 weeks old before you can bring them on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taytig Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Elissa: As a former crew member, I think the rule about kids sucks too. It is done for insurance reasons and the fact that the medical staff would not be much help in an emergency with someone that young. But just think - you can take KidTums onthe Magic next summer in California (it's returning for the 10th anniversay). Reed - did you have any pics of the toddler area by the mickey pool - apparently it was to be redone in drydock last year. I am asking because my daughter was not allowed in the pool when we cruised in August, even if she was wearing a swim diaper (she was 16 months at the time). If you have any pics, please PM me and I'll give you email address - I'd love to see what they have done. Taytig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Reed, your TR makes me miss my DCL experience! Hard to believe it has been *7* years since I have last went on a Disney cruise. ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxman005 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Looks like you had an amazing time Reed. Havent been to Kennedy space center in a while. The last time I went there it was right after 9/11 and alot of stuff wasnt available to see. Oh well The cruise looks AMAZING. Id love to hit up a Disney Cruise. Im afraid though that will just be to many kids for me. Too many kids at work, I want to get away from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebl Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Next time I go to Florida, I want to visit the Kennedy Space Center. It looks quite interesting. Reed, your pictures of the Space Center reminded me that I should do a Photo TR of the Reagan Library now that the Air Force One pavilion is open. I had a casino job out there last week and got to walk through the plane. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera because I didn't think I'd get a chance to do that. But the library complex is only about 15 miles from home, so it's easy to go over there. I also want to take a cruise someday. A Disney cruise would be great! Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Z Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 69 OK, seriously, the P:TR of the Space Center was pretty cool even if it's dated. The other thing that got my attention was you went Geocaching. How many caches have you found in the Bahamas. I'm up to 531 caches locally, but my favorite find was at top of the sky ride at Lake Compounce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hattuchili Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Wow, great pictures, Reed! I am so jealous! Till now I had no chance to go on the Disney Cruise, but I am looking forward to go there in the near future! Anyway, it looks like you had a wonderful time! The Space Center, is it a trip worth? I am here since 11 month and I have never been there! I am thinking about it to go there maybe next week! So, should I do that or not? I mean I have been there in 1999 and I liked it. --Soren P.s.: Any news about the Carrabbas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigstevet07 Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Great TR Reed! It brings back great memories of out honeymoon in September of 05. We did the 4 day land 3 day sea package. The cruise was absolutely phenomonal! I couldn't believe all the food they offer on the cruise. I love the buffet they setup on the deck late at night that had the giant smoked turkey legs! We gotta go back on that cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneyfan1313 Posted February 1, 2007 Author Share Posted February 1, 2007 did you have any pics of the toddler area by the mickey pool - apparently it was to be redone in drydock last year. I saw it! It is very cute but very small. I unfortunately did not get any pics of it I wanted to but I forgot! Picture one of the wet saf-deck play areas in the park but about the size of a riding lawn mower that is in a moon shape that wraps around the back of the slide. That...I just realized... was a horrible description The cruise looks AMAZING. Id love to hit up a Disney Cruise. Im afraid though that will just be to many kids for me. Too many kids at work, I want to get away from them. That is actually one of the things we love about the Disney cruise - we see less kids on DCL than *any* other line even though there are more on the ship! There are so many organized activities for them to do they are occupied and separate throughout the day as opposed to other lines where they just roam the halls for all hours. The other thing that got my attention was you went Geocaching. How many caches have you found in the Bahamas. I'm up to 531 caches locally, but my favorite find was at top of the sky ride at Lake Compounce. Yae! A fellow Geocacher! We are very casual cachers and we generally do it as a way to explore areas we visit in more depth. We have hit 5 or 6 caches throughout the bahamas and we generally try and print a few out to try and find wherever we go. We don't always find them but they are fun to try! The Space Center, is it a trip worth? I am here since 11 month and I have never been there! I am thinking about it to go there maybe next week! So, should I do that or not? I mean I have been there in 1999 and I liked it. --Soren P.s.: Any news about the Carrabbas? I'm sure the space center has had a few cosmetic changes since 1999 but most of the exhibits are a LOT older than that. The Carrabbas is well underway within smelling distance of my place! Opening day PTR here we come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Wow, I REALLY want to do a Disney Cruise at some point. Hell, I just really wanted to do a cruise, but you've narrowed the field for me now. Looks like a fun trip, glad you guys enjoyed Stacey's birthday! I loved the Space Centre when I was there back in... I'm guessing '96, maybe '97. Kinda unfortunate that it doesn't look like it's changed at all. I'm all for retro charm, but it does seem like it needs freshening up. Hopefully the new simulator (even if it is just that) will liven things up just a little. Which circus was that? Do they treat the animals well? I bet the pachyderm painting looks great on your wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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