Hilltopper39 Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 Great report as always Adam, I'm not the biggest Potter fan but I'd love to check that out if I'm ever in London. I wonder if the expansion is going to be just more of the same type of exhibits or if they're going to add anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 After our time at the Harry Potter Studio Tour London and Matilda, it was time to begin the portion of our trip dedicated to exploring London... While throwing in a few touristy attractions and lots of good food! We started with The London Dungeon and were off! Take note of the Buckingham Palace advertisement... We considered checking out Shrek's Adventure since we enjoyed the unique style of the London Dungeon, but since the attraction took longer than we expected, we opted to save more time for city sightseeing. Our next morning started out with a visit to the London Eye complex... While we wouldn't be riding the Eye until later the next night, it was neat to see this iconic attraction up close during the day. This was why we were here... I'd always been intrigued by the concept of The London Dungeon. The first attraction of its kind to open in stateside opened in San Francisco which we haven't been to yet, so this was the closest I was going to get to experiencing a Merlin Dungeon. There's no photos or videos allowed inside but I was pleasantly surprised to see this experience presented as a linear flow of shows and attractions rather than an indoor park that you could choose to skip and revisit offerings as you saw fit. Unfortunately The Tyrant Boat Ride was closed for refurbishment, but getting to experience all of the mini-shows was fun... Keep in mind, there's lots of plague and toilet humor involved, so this is definitely not a family attraction for those under the age of 13 (Shrek's Adventure next door appears to follow the same model as the London Dungeon with a lighter content) and probably better for guests in their late teens and above. Overall, I expected roughly an hour and a half and we were in the Dungeon for close to 2.5 hours. The closest comparison I can make is to a house at Halloween Horror Nights with little shows in each room with scares and effects in each show. One ride that was open was Drop Dead, a hanging-themed drop ride that rather than lifting you up to drop you roughly 15 feet, actually loads from the top and drops in darkness briefly before returning to the loading platform (the floor retracts). It was a fun little pop of air that my wife had no intention of joining me for. There are a few fun photo opportunities to enjoy here. Parliament and Big Ben are really sights to be seen. Big Ben was being refurbished during our visit, but having seen it before, I am enamored with the entire architectural complex surrounding it. Sea Life is also a part of the London Eye complex... It was easy to see how the original conceit of the Orlando Eye complex came together with the Eye, Sea Life and Tussaud's (also nearby in London) being so closely located. I'm just bummed a Dungeon style attraction hasn't made its way to Central Florida yet. It was odd not seeing the aftermath of the Silver Surfer's visit here... It must've taken a lot of effort to fill the gaping hole in the Thames after that moment in history. And we're... moving on. It wouldn't be a London trip report without a photo of this sign from somewhere. Westminster Abbey is gorgeous... But unfortunately no photos allowed inside. London has no shortage of gorgeous, storied structures in a very short distance from each other. My wife had great interest in visiting royal establishments during our trip... So to the Mews we went! Royal carriages aplenty here... Almost gold leaf as I've consumed at Amorette's Patisserie at Disney Springs. About as close as you can get to the Royal Steeds but still neat. This is stunning. I feel like this is a water fountain at the Italy Pavilion in Epcot. Stopped off for a quick bit at The Breakfast Club for a fine cup of coffee... And a very atypical breakfast. Next up was Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason. We originally figured Harrod's would be the place to go but we were recommended to go here instead... Pictured here is one of the best tea's I've ever tasted... So I bought some to bring home! The best part of the experience? Everything was all you care to enjoy! (With the exception of this beauty...) This lobster omelette (topped with fresh truffle) was easily one of the best things I've ever consumed. Legit tears during consumption. Not as much gold leaf as I've consumed at Amorette's Patisserie at Disney Springs, but delicious all the same. I was in fine food HEAVEN! Like Harrod's, Fortnum & Mason is like a retail playground with fresh foods, sweets, ice cream, tea, clothing, accessories... This place was simply insane. Â And here's lots of Turkish Delight. We had a lot of macaroons this trip. Iberico Ham just waiting to be carved on demand. I nearly cried. A Scotch Egg bar. London has Orlando beat. Can't escape American football even in England. Famous places with famous signage. After such success with TKTS the night before with Matilda, after that show we decided to run back to see what else we could get... And we landed on Kinky Boots. We simply weren't prepared for how AMAZING this show was. The music and energy of the show is infectious and the message is a wonderful one. If you haven't had the chance to see Kinky Boots, I would HIGHLY recommend it! Such a phenomenal cast! After the show we ran over to Chinatown to experience Opium, a speakeasy themed to the Orient with each rooming hosting a different menu and style inspired by a varying region of China. The atmosphere here was wonderful. All of the drinks were regionally inspired with unique ingredients and clever presentations. It was all wonderfully overwhelming. My smoky mezcal drink was easily the best of its kind that I've had and the presentation was fantastically aromatic. My wife's drink included safe and vodka and it came with a sugar paint and a sugar wafer that could be painted, dipped in the drink and then consumed! It was amazing! Being conveniently located in London's Chinatown, we were able to order dumplings and shu mai... Later that night we saw runners carrying these steam trays from their restaurants up to Opium, which was pretty neat! My third drink was bourbon based but came with a multi-grain cracker and a sugar-printed butterfly, all of which was safe for consumption... I was in a great place by the end of our time at Opium and it was a great note to end a fantastic day on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Great report! I've always wanted to try one of these dungeon attractions. Â Also thanks for reminding me that Silver Surfer movie exists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper39 Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Great report as always, I remember visiting the London Dungeon as a kid (maybe not the best attraction for a 10 year old but I think I turned out okay) and just being blow away by it. Would love to experience it again as an adult and see if it's as much fun as I remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytterbiumanalyst Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 That is a fantastic day in London! All the noms look amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 I love these kinds of themed restaurants, especially (sort of) small ones hidden away like treasures for all to find. Â Loved your London touring, too. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted February 19, 2019 Author Share Posted February 19, 2019 Our final day in London included a mix of attractions historic and more modern... It was really about getting as much in our day as we could, as the next day would be the start of the next leg of our trip, taking us far away. Our morning began at the Tower of London... It is neat to see the representation of different animals that were kept on the grounds here. Pretty storied. And here is where the Crown Jewels are kept. We were able to see a changing of the guard... The Tower of London has a dark past that would scare many and fascinate others. Giant ravens can be found throughout the grounds... They were bred and raised to protect the grounds a result of the king's superstitions that the Tower would fall without their presence... They are fed blood soaked biscuits as a part of their regular diet. Baboons were kept on the grounds back in the day. How cool of them to actually tie into the masterful film, Muppets Most Wanted! Modern architecture towers over the classic stonework. I'm not going to explicitly call it out, but I took the photo at an angle for a reason... The king whose armor was fashioned in this way specifically mandated that his armor compensate for an inadequacy. The chapel inside of the Tower of London. The Tower Bridge can be seen from the grounds... The Tower of London was also known for its dungeon's torture methods... The Tower Bridge is so iconic... The London skyline really is pretty. Time to take a closer look! A much closer look! I loved the glass flooring you could walk while upstairs! Part of the admission access for the Tower Bridge allows you to go into the Engine Room to see the engines that drive the Tower Bridge to raise and lower. I couldn't make this stuff up... No escape. St. Paul's Cathedral was beautiful. We happened to visit while they were filming Men in Black International out front so we weren't able to go into the Cathedral. The Millennium Bridge has been featured in Harry Potter and Guardians of the Galaxy, so it was neat to see in person. Wonderful. We weren't going to miss the chance to tour Buckingham Palace! Unfortunately photos or video are not allowed inside (this is the backside of the Palace that you see upon exiting the tour) but the opulence of each room is absolutely overwhelming. Having been so enamored with Fortnum & Mason the day before, we had to stop by Harrod's... While nice, I definitely prefer F&M. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese was the next place we were directed to... When at a storied pub, you drink beer. I was told that this was the dish to get. And it did not disappoint. There appeared to be a portable Starflyer set up nearby. The capsules on the London Eye are far more unique than those of the Orlando Eye... Such a unique experience by comparison. At night we could see the clock faces of Big Ben more clearly. After lunch we made our way to the London Eye complex again to hang out along the Thames and to take in the view. Quite a stunning view. Touristy or not, I was super glad that we ended up coming back to ride the London Eye. We finished our evening with dinner at a Yo! Sushi... CURRY! And Beef Nigiri to round out the meal. The best convenience shop name I've ever seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 ^ Awesome tour of London, Adam! So much to be seen, just the outside architecture, etc. And great name for a sushi place....Yo! Sushi....very cool to see. Thanks for all the photos and TR about it. Â And that Eye ride you took.... Next time I want to ride it during nightfall. Truth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Kane Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 Adam, years ago I lived in London, and wow has it changed! But ONE thing I'm so happy to hear is that Fortnum & Mason still offers the BEST AFTERNOON TEA IN TOWN! Am sooo glad you got to try it! P.S. That evening shot of Big Ben is -- to revert to Brit speak -- BRILLIANT! Â Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlp94 Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 The Tower of London was the first official attraction I did when visiting London, I agree it's an amazing experience. Even if you only go to England for coasters, enthusiasts need to visit that place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 Following an incredible week in Paris and London it was time for the next leg of our trip to begin! We next embarked on an eleven night Transatlantic Cruise from Dover, England to New York City, USA! The cruise would be the longest I'd ever experienced and would bring us to a bunch of places we'd never been before... And with the Disney Magic as our floating hotel for these eleven nights, we had plenty of opportunity to enjoy some amazing cuisine, wonderful entertainment and more time to relax than we'd ever had on any vacation before! I knew we'd be sailing from the Port of Dover but I honestly never drew the connection... The Marvel's Avengers Academy section of the Oceaneer's Club is awesome! Edge is the tween club on the Disney Magic and it is so neat! I love the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea nods! Flying the British Flag... Time to sail away! It wouldn't be an embarkation day without lunch at Cabana's! The welcome show in the Walt Disney Theater kicked off our eleven nights of entertainment (no photos allowed of any entertainment in the theater). First dinner of the cruise was in Lumiere's! The details throughout these ships are amazing! The Salmon Carpaccio was unreal! I didn't realize that I'd be seeing the famous White Cliffs of Dover from the ship! I always love finding the shipbuilder "signature" on each of the ships. Really stunning! Time for our next adventure to begin! Our stateroom for the cruise! I always make it a point to visit the youth activities spaces onboard the DCL ships during the Open House periods... I love that the Society of Explorers and Adventurers has become a more prominent part of Disney lore in recent years. These handwashing stations are incredible... It amazes me that they haven't popped up elsewhere on land. While roaming the Oceaneer's Lab, we ran into Goofy! As our first night winded down, we returned to our stateroom to find some info about our next day's activities in and around Portland. Disney Cruise Line celebrated 20 years of sailings with a new line of merchandise available onboard. I ran into Mickey before calling it a night! What better way to start a day than with fresh Mickey Waffles? I've always loved this. When in Portland, where do you go? Lots of sheep on the walk to Stonehenge... There's a bus that can take you directly to the site, but with the beautiful countryside to be enjoyed, we figured we'd take the 20 minute hike each way. Enjoying the lovely weather... My spirit animal on this trip. This experience rocks. Some people probably take it for granite. No, I'm not full of schist. Stonehenge is one of those glad-you-visited kind of experiences... I wouldn't have gone out of my way to visit Portland had it not been on the cruise itinerary, but I wasn't going to go to Portland and not see Stonehenge. We were blessed with lovely weather during our visit. There it is. Time to head baaaaaahck. What a beauty. The local choir assembled at the port to send us off with some tunes! A ceremonial cannon firing was done to send us off... Fire away! And waving goodbye... Second night's dinner: Animator's Palate! Which means Pasta Pursettes! And fantastic filets... The transformation of the dining room is amazing. You're not cruising if you're not having ice cream. I love it so much. Can't get enough! Looking forward to three more meals here! Next stop: Cobh (Queensland), Ireland! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytterbiumanalyst Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Oh awesome! I've wanted to do one of those transatlantic cruises for a while now. So far it looks fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 Stonehenge . . . Never Forget! Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted March 19, 2019 Author Share Posted March 19, 2019 The next morning we woke up to a unique view as we docked on in the port of Cobh, Ireland. Many will know this port by its other name, Queenstown... Queenstown being famous as the final port of call for the RMS Titanic before it left for the ill-fated transatlantic crossing that so many know how it ended. Â But Cobh (the original name of the port town and the reverted name post-Queenstown) is also a gateway port to Ireland and it is not far from Blarney Castle. I'd traveled through Ireland years earlier in high school and had visited Blarney once before--it was a highlight for me then, so I knew when we found out we'd be visiting Cobh as a part of our cruise that this would be something I could share with my wife. Just like I had ten years earlier, we climbed the steps and kissed the blarney stone. Plus this time around we had a chance to explore the grounds which were pretty neat! Â The night ended with another excellent dinner aboard the Disney Magic and the first of many great variety acts that would keep us entertained over the coming four days of crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Quite the sight to wake up to... At the top you get a panoramic view of the Irish countryside... What a beautiful cathedral. Cabanas sure knows how to spoil a guy with breakfast! Queenstown hosts a Titantic Experience similar to the one found in Orlando, but we were here for something a little more unique. Blarney Castle has a unique beauty to it that I didn't get to appreciate quite as much due to lackluster weather during my last visit. Seriously folks, not for the faint of heart. The only climb more nerve-wracking than this were the ascent and descent of the spiral staircases of Notre Dame. Sadly no FastPass here. But the experience gives you a grand circle tour of the castle. Blarney Castle used to be more but the structures that have survived have been maintained and partially restored to retain their storied beauty. In case you were wondering about the significance of the Blarney Stone and why people kiss it. The act of kissing the Blarney Stone is a bit daunting... You lay flat on your back, holding on to two iron bars while a strong person holds onto you to lean you in upside down... In for the kiss, and then pulled swiftly back up. Such beautiful green. There's a small cave on the grounds that is fun to explore. Picturesque. The closer you get, the more impressive Blarney Castle truly is. Back aboard the Disney Magic it was time to get some delicious grab and go food, like this build-your-own bowl! Fans of the Disney Parks chicken nuggets will be happy to know they can get these delicious bites almost all the time you're on the ship. After Hours is the Disney Magic's adult district... You may notice that the martini's shape is a little more familiar when looked at upside down. O'Gill's Pub is the best place to go for some beer onboard! I've always wondered if O'Gill's Pub was named as throwback to "Darby O'Gill and the Little People," the live action Disney film starring Albert Sharpe, Janet Munro, Sean Connery and Jimmy O'Dea. Rapunzel's Royal Table has two unique show evenings and this is the first of those two. There are hidden Pascals strategically blended in throughout the restaurant. The thugs of the Snuggly Duckling are throwing Rapunzel a birthday party and you get to help in the celebration! It is a really fun way to enjoy the evening! The Smolder is a transforming cocktail that, when poured... Becomes this! There's no shortage of salmon dishes onboard! No biggie... Just hanging out with Rapunzel on her birthday. The Trio of Veal was amazing! When I saw Truffle Layered Potatoes, I had to order a side. In Fathoms, I couldn't help but fall in love with the Episode 1-inspired drink. Up next... Delicious and it comes with the souvenir bracelet! Junnk is a cross between Stomp, Blue Man Group and Epcot's Jammitors and they put on such a fun show! Just a great time to be had! And yes, they do their own stunts! The Movies On Demand options in your stateroom are comprehensive and wonderful! Any excuse to watch Tomorrowland is good for me! Our Navigator for the next day would let us know about all that was in store for our first of four days at sea... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 Nice update! It's nice to see the Blarney Store is so sizable. I always pictured it being a tiny thing considering how puny Plymouth Rock is near me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted May 4, 2019 Author Share Posted May 4, 2019 (edited) After some incredible first ports, it was time to begin our four day crossing of the Atlantic aboard the Disney Magic. Thanks to the extended time aboard the ship, there was an abundance of special experiences to enjoy, some signature to normal cruise itineraries and others exclusive to our sailing. Overall, it was an amazing four days filled with incredible food, wonderful character experiences and no shortage of fun! Character Breakfasts aren't offered on every voyage, so it was fun to get the chance to experience one this time around! The Disney Cruise Line Anyone Can Cook Culinary Series is another experience offered on longer sailings where guests can observe a live preparation of a recipe and then get a chance to taste it! The format is really great for guests of all ages and the fact that you get to taste the finished product is icing on the cake... Plus the offering is free to all guests! I couldn't resist. Time for some familiar faces! Hi Minnie! More great breakfast! While you can meet Anna and Elsa on land, it is very rare that you get the chance to meet Kristoff, so it was fun to be able to do that here. What a beautiful view! Sr. Show Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, Gary Landrum was a special guest aboard our sailing, offering three different presentations about the history and processes of Imagineering. This one was focused on Disney castles around the world. Hiya Stitch! Checking out Marvel's Avengers Academy onboard the Disney Magic. My first time ever seeing Spider-Man in a non-Universal Studios environment! THWIP! Cabanas makes for great lunch! Treadmills with the view in the Senses Spa & Salon fitness center. The AquaDunk is unique to the Disney Magic and features a ProSlide SkyBOX that drops the floor out from under riders before the plummet into a translucent helix over the edge of the ship back into a splashdown. The AquaDunk really is awesome! Don't forget, Room Service is available 24/7 onboard and comes at no additional charge throughout the sailing. French Onion Soup for the win! That night we enjoyed Fried Brie... Escargot... And a wonderful filet! With an abundance of time to enjoy the ship, movies in the Buena Vista Theatre are a must! And watching Avengers: Infinity War is never the wrong choice! I love that Coca Cola Light is a thing in Europe versus Diet Coke. I love the unique decor in Cabanas. Time for a Mojito Tasting class! If you haven't done them before (or even if you have), I highly recommend the DCL tastings onboard. A look at the four drinks you get to enjoy onboard during the Mojito Tasting. Time for my favorite place at sea... This will surely intrigue a few of you. My favorite drink onboard, the Raspberry Balsamico is only available at Palo... And it has no shortage of balsamic vinegar! Add vodka and raspberry puree and you find heaven. *DROOLS* The Butternut Agnotti was out of this world! My favorite dish at Palo is the Portobello Mushroom with balsamic glaze and polenta. Time for a few new tastes, like this lobster dish! There's really no bad option on the menu here. Filet anyone? Lamb plus pasta equals heaven. Lemon pie... Can't go wrong! You don't come to Palo without getting the chocolate souffle... And now they have a Grand Marnier souffle too! I love the decor here! Pirates Night was upon us and this octopus towel animal greeted us in our stateroom. That night Ukebox too the Walt Disney Theater stage to perform some wonderful ukulele hits. They ended up being one of our favorite acts of the entire cruise! Time for some Pirates Night fun! Edited May 5, 2019 by jedimaster1227 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted May 4, 2019 Author Share Posted May 4, 2019 (continued) There's an amazing deck party that pretty much everyone attends... And of course, Minnie and the gang are here! And there's pirates too! But when pirates try to cause trouble... Mickey comes to the rescue! And he brings fireworks with him! Seriously... It is so cool that you can experience fireworks while on a cruise ship! One of the highlights of any Disney Cruise! Then there's more dancing fun! Chip and Dale are the best... Like the actual best. Pirates Night culminates in a late night Pirates Buffet at Cabanas... You could easily do some damage here. Nothing like some crepes to ring in the evening sleep... All is quiet by the end of the night... But those looking to stay up for a bit longer can watch Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl on the Funnelvision screen. The next morning we woke up for another round of Anyone Can Cook... This time we got wine! And Chocolate Maple Bacon Creme Brûlée! CHURRO MICKEY WAFFLES!!! Another presentation by Gary Landrum! He took a moment to highlight Hong Kong Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle transformation that is under way. According to the Kingsmen, this is amazing. Can you guess what tonight's show is? Tangled: The Musical! And it is AMAZING! During the day, we got to experience another variety act... All the polenta for me! Wonderful artichokes! More steak! And it wouldn't be a Disney Cruise without a Mickey Bar! O'Gill's Pub gets taken over by thugs as it becomes the Snuggly Duckling for the night. The atmosphere is wonderful! And they really do take over the bar to make it different for this one night! Live entertainment too--carried over from the Tangled: The Musical show. Really, really fun. And themed drink options! Even the menu gets touched up! Ever played Thugo before? Love it! Time for more Ukebox! Four days at sea meant lots of time visit the Cove Bar for coffee and treats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytterbiumanalyst Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Lol at no fastpass for the Blarney Stone. Those are my people. Â "You think you deserve special treatment because you throw around some money. Oh no you feckin' don't." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 I am truly overwhelmed, by all the food and beverages you got to see....enjoy....eat....drink....eat....eat..... Great thorough look at everything available on such a Disney cruise. Thanks Adam! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 What is a Mickey Churro Waffle and why isn't it in my mouth!?!?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert425 Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 the food all looks absolutely delicious. Â I should know better than to read one of your reports so late at night! (now I'm hungry) Â Â great TR, been loving it. thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 Great report! I think that's the smallest drop pod slide I've ever seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Kane Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 Quite the adventure! And I'm totally wowed by the GOURMET European selection. What a foray into FOOD! (Can't believe escargot is on the menu!) Bravo DISNEY for expanding your culinary imagination! I wanna be a taste tester  Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 (edited) After four amazing days at sea, it was nice to wake up to the sight of land. Sydney, Nova Scotia. Funny enough, we treated it more like another day at sea, with the benefit of getting off of the ship to get our land legs back, before getting back onboard to enjoy more of the ship.  The next day we went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where a local friend took us on a tour of the city. Along the way we were treated to a few surprises and a beautiful city.  As before our days started and ended with some incredible entertainment and meals aboard the Disney Magic! It is always interesting to look out your porthole or window when first waking up... You never know what you'll find. I'm too easy. Before stepping off of the ship in Sydney, we figured we'd take advantage of the Open House going on in the Oceaneer's Lab and Oceaneer's Club onboard. Andy's Room is such a neat space for kids! Looks like something's set to happen tonight... After four days, it was kind of nice to be able to get this view from land. Why? Because why not. The shore line of Sydney's port area features several statues dedicated to the many immigrants who arrived by these waters. Hello beautiful! How you know you're in Canada. In the Cove Cafe onboard we were able to see the ship's voyage from Cobh to Sydney... It was a beautiful port day in Sydney... When we returned to our room we found these light up necklaces waiting for us... As it turns out, the day's theme was Frozen, with the evening culminating in the Freezing the Night deck party. During the day guests could participate in a free scavenger hunt that when completed would result in a surprise being delivered to the stateroom. Thanks to the extended itinerary of our sailing, we were treated to a special Cast of the Disney Magic variety show where the Cast of the Walt Disney Theater shows would perform live takes on Disney tunes. The talent we witnessed was incredible. And the performances were far from predictable. The whole experience was overwhelming and an absolute standout for the entire cruise. What a beautiful day on which to sail away... There's such a simple beauty to these ships. That's no moon... Or maybe it is. I can never resist these kind of photos... Seriously, gets me every time. Time for some Frozen shipboard fun! Similar to the Pirates in the Caribbean Deck Party (minus the fireworks), the evening's entertainment includes character appearances, dancing and a few surprises. Olaf joined in for some Frozen fun! Elsa arrives (with Anna and Kristoff joining as well), bringing an amazing snow flurry with her! So cool! Such a neat experience! Mini empanadas were a starter for dinner... No way I was turning down Curry Shrimp! I love Disney Towel Animals! The next morning we loaded up on breakfast (note the Strawberry Mickey Waffles), as we knew we were going to be getting a lot of walking in on this day. Halifax, Nova Scotia. Welcome.  We met up with a good friend who lives in Halifax and were fortunate enough to have her touring us around the city... Starting with the harbor, I was absolutely ecstatic to find that the famous Blue Nose II was parked here. I had thought she would be elsewhere during our visit to Halifax, and as a lifelong fan of O, Canada at Epcot, seeing the Blue Nose II was on my bucket list. Here I am swooning over a ship... But not just any ship... Yes, I am here. Canada's so proud of her, they put her image on a coin! Give her a look next time you find a Canadian dime in your change! How you know you're in Canada. If you've not had authentic poutine before, Smoke's is a pretty amazing start. We stopped for lunch and being that Halifax is a coastal city, I wasn't going to pass up the chance to tickle my seafood fancy ashore. We wrapped our time on land with a visit to the famous Public Gardens... There we saw quite the fat goose... But who is judging? A really neat space! Also due to the extended nature of our sailing, we were treated to a live performance from Broadway-alum Michelle Mallardi who told us of her personal journey to stardom through song. Michelle previously played Belle in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast, among many other non-Disney roles. Best towel animal is best. Our next dinner in Rapunzel's Royal Table saw us celebrating Rapunzel's birthday... The Spinach, Zucchini, Eggplant, and Ricotta-filled Potato Crêpe baked in a Tomato Provençale Sauce and topped with Buffalo-Mozzarella Cheese and Basil was heavenly! The Tangled Pasta was a favorite of mine on this cruise... I ended up special ordering it for a second night because it was so good! Rapunzel’s Fry Pan Sweet Bread is about as delicious as it can get! Can't go wrong with Crème Brûlée Cheesecake. When celebrating a birthday, you don't not get the Birthday Cupcake Sundae. Our surprise for completing the Frozen scavenger hunt the day before! Next up, Saint John, New Brunswick! Edited May 15, 2019 by jedimaster1227 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 Great report! I went to the Smole's by Niagara Falls. It was the first time I've ever had poutine and it has ruined it every other time I've gotten it. That place was amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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