Partying around Europe on the Disney Fantasy
Mar 9, 2012 Travel
One of the big misconceptions about going on a Disney cruise is that you will be surrounded by mouse ears and children all the time. And while I wouldn’t mind the mouse ears, I don’t do well when I can’t get away from children periodically, even my own (especially my own?).
Not only is there an adult-only pool on the new Disney Fantasy, there’s an entire entertainment district, called Europa. Some of the bars are adults-only after 9pm, some of them are off limits to kids all the time. So there are always places to go and get away from the little people.
The most charming thing about these bars and lounges on the Fantasy is that they’re populated with employees from the countries each bar is inspired by. It gives the experience an authentic feel, and makes for some interesting conversations with the bartenders and servers.
La Piazza
Our first stop was La Piazza, a charming and romantic space inspired by Italy. There’s a gorgeous carousel bar in the center, and quiet nooks and booths around the perimeter.
O’Gills Pub
Our next stop, O’Gills Pub, was exactly what you would expect from an Irish pub, with some fun touches, such as Wii and XBox games on giant screens. This is a great place to go and watch a game while drinking a beer (two things I don’t do, but I realize I’m in the minority on both). I think this was probably the least Disney-feeling spot on the ship.
Tags: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Fantasy, Travel
Drinking & eating…& eating…& eating on the Disney Fantasy
Mar 8, 2012 Travel
Anyone who has cruised has probably gushed about the food. Multiple seatings, buffets, snacks, sundae bars, piles of dessert. It’s everywhere, sure, but on the Disney Fantasy, it’s also awesome. Because what’s the use of massive amounts of food if it’s the equivalent of a $3.99 steak dinner in Vegas?
I visited the Fantasy twice last week, and on the second visit got to have dinner in The Animator’s Palate. As you would expect with Disney, this restaurant has excellent food and entertainment.
My favorite thing about dinner on Disney ships is that your wait staff follows you from restaurant to restaurant, night after night. If you tell them the first night that you drink Diet Coke with every meal and hate mushrooms, those are things you won’t have to repeat. Disney restaurants also take great care with food allergies.
The decor of The Animator’s Palate is whimsical but classy. TV screens are everywhere, but at the beginning of your meal they simply look like lithographs on the walls.
I’ve never wanted to create a distraction and steal a couple of chairs so much in my life!
Tags: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Fantasy, Food, Travel
So what do kids do on the Disney Fantasy?
Mar 7, 2012 Travel
There’s plenty for families to do on the new Disney Cruise Line ship the Fantasy, which I visited twice last week while it was docked in NYC. There are the pools, the AquaDuck water coaster, interactive paintings that come to life when you walk by and other games scattered throughout the ship, three different amazing mainstage shows, movies, parties, and lots more. But what about when you don’t want to be with your kids? What about when you want to go to the adults-only pool area, or have a quiet lunch with your husband, or take an excursion?
The Oceaneer’s Club, for kids age 3-12, is one of the most amazing play spaces I’ve ever seen. The grown-ups didn’t want to leave during our tour.
The main room is full of big screens and a huge, interactive, touch-sensitive floor that we played an UP-themed game on.
Off of this room are a bunch of other themed rooms, geared towards different ages and interests.
Pixie Hollow give little fairies a chance to dress up and play.
Tags: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Fantasy, Travel
The Disney Fantasy: Gorgeous from head to toe
Mar 7, 2012 Travel
One of the best things about Disney World is all of the details and care that have gone into the entire experience. From the breathtakingly beautiful decorations to the little touches you might only notice if you really know where to stop and look, these details take Disney to another level. That same attention to detail is present in every corner of the new Disney Fantasy cruise ship.
I was lucky enough to visit the brand new ship twice last week as it was docked in NYC. When you first walk onto the ship you go into the grand atrium, which is, um, grand. But it’s also functional. Behind hidden panels are lights so that in case of bad weather, parties that would usually be held outside on the deck can be moved inside the atrium. Always thinking, those Disney designers – they’re not going to let weather ruin a good party!
Tags: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Fantasy, Travel
Videos from the Disney Fantasy christening gala
Mar 5, 2012 What's Going On
I’m still chuckling over parts of the christening gala for Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Fantasy. We were treated to some absolutely amazing entertainment.
The evening started with one of my favorite actors, Neil Patrick Harris, doing a musical number that had me literally shaking as I was trying to record it.
Next up was a number from the on-board production of Aladdin, “Never Had a Friend Like Me.”
Then, Jerry Seinfeld did a set that had me shaking again:
Tags: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Fantasy, Heather Headley, Jerry Seinfeld, Neil Patrick Harris
Drooling, headachy post-Disney Fantasy christening non-alcoholic hangover
Mar 2, 2012 Amy in the Morning
My sexy BeachWaver hair and tight dress were quite a contrast to my smeared mascara and stink as I woke up on the couch this morning.
Originally posted on Selfish Mom. All opinions expressed on this website come straight from Amy unless otherwise noted. This post has Compensation Levels of 1 (Corel) and 8 (Disney). Please visit Amy’s Full Disclosure page for more information.
Want to catch up on my other posts about the Disney Fantasy? Here they are! (Oldest first.)
Today’s Agenda: Disneylucious Edition
Videos From The Disney Fantasy Christening Gala
The Disney Fantasy: Gorgeous From Head To Toe
So What Do Kids Do On The Disney Fantasy?
Drinking And Eating…And Eating…And Eating on the Disney Fantasy
Partying Around Europe On The Disney Fantasy
Disney Fantasy christening
Mar 2, 2012 Around NYC
I just got back from the christening gala for the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the Fantasy. It was amazing!
Originally posted on Selfish Mom. All opinions expressed on this website come straight from Amy unless otherwise noted. This post has a Compensation Level of 8. Please visit Amy’s Full Disclosure page for more information.
Want to catch up on my other posts about the Disney Fantasy? Here they are! (Oldest first.)
Today’s Agenda: Disneylucious Edition
Drooling, Headachy, Post-Disney-Christening Non-Alcoholic Hangover
Videos From The Disney Fantasy Christening Gala
The Disney Fantasy: Gorgeous From Head To Toe
So What Do Kids Do On The Disney Fantasy?
Drinking And Eating…And Eating…And Eating on the Disney Fantasy
Partying Around Europe On The Disney Fantasy
Tags: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Fantasy, NYC
The car is coming at 6:15 – will I be packed?
Jan 21, 2009 What's Going On
It’s a story as old as time. About a week before a trip, I remind myself that the last time I took a trip I was up all night packing. I tell myself that it’s never too early to get all of my laundry done and collect my make-up from the corners of the house it all disappears to. I decide to pack up my paperwork and ID and other important stuff because I won’t need it until the trip, so why not take care of it now?
And then I don’t do any of it. Until the day before. That was today. I spent the day doing laundry and trying to find things I know I have somewhere. I know I have a cool little waterproof thing I picked up the last time I was in the Caribbean that goes around my neck and holds my valuables while I’m swimming at the beach. And the great flip flops I picked up with the silver trim. And the little can of Static Guard so I don’t have to pack the big can. And the…and the…and the…
With all I had to do today, I also had to slip out for 90 minutes to get another wax. It was the second time in six days I got a wax. Why? Because I’m a hairy beast, that’s why. And even after two waxes I will still have to shave. But without the waxes, I would have thick stubble within hours and my skin would be so irritated I wouldn’t be able to shave at all the second day. It’s rather pathetic. I’m half Irish and half Sicilian. Guess which half I got my leg hair from?
To add to the drama, my son gave my daughter a black eye this evening, right around the time we were all supposed to be leaving for a PTA meeting. They were wrestling and messing around, and they play rough. He really didn’t do anything worse than usual, it just happened to land in a tender spot that bruises easily. He gave her an elbow to the eye, and she’s got a shiner. We’ve warned Fiona that if she’s going to get into wrestling matches with her brother, she’s going to get hurt. And we’ve warned Jake that even though she’s a willing participant, he’s way bigger and stronger and has to control his body or he’ll really hurt her. And now it’s happened.
At first the story from both of them was that she was tickling him and he asked her to stop and she wouldn’t, so he elbowed her in the eye. I called my husband for a consult and we agreed on taking away TV, computer and video games from my son for two weeks. I put them both to bed early and left in a huff when my husband got home, an hour late for the meeting. I completely forgot that I’d be leaving in the morning before they were to wake up, and had just missed my chance to say goodbye for four days. My daughter won’t notice. When we’re apart it barely registers with her. I take this as a compliment, as a sign that I’m raising a strong, independant daughter.
But my son, that’s a different story. For a week he’s been tearing up every time I mention the trip. I just got home from the PTA meeting a little while ago, and I woke him up to say goodbye. I’m glad I did. We talked for about ten minutes.
My husband just told me that the black eye story has now changed: the kids both now claim that they were wrestling, Jake fell off of the couch and his elbow hit her eye on the way down. He’s lobbying for a reduction of the punishment. I can’t get a read on whether or not that might be true. She adores him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he talked her into that story.
And last, the realization is now hitting me that I will be almost completely without internet access for the next four days. I’ve never been addicted to heroin, but I suspect the withdrawal symptoms are similar. I’ll let you know. The Disney Cruise Line people have been nice enough to provide me with 100 free minutes of internet access, but honestly, I use that much before breakfast. And I’m way too cheap to pay for it. (The last cruise we took, we got a free upgrade to one of the six biggest cabins on the ship, which included free unlimited internet access – and I didn’t have any blogs back then!) I’m hoping to convince them that it will be in their best interest, since they’ve invited bloggers on this cruise, to give them unlimited access to their blogs. Just a suggestion.
So, instead of packing, here I sit, watching Keith Olbermann and taking care of online stuff. I hate packing, because it always brings into focus how terrible my wardrobe is and how bad I am at shopping for clothes. Oh well, no sense delaying it any longer.
Off to pack!
Oh, and one more thing: The Disney Wonder, the ship I’ll be on tomorrow, was just rated as the top large ship in Conde Nast Traveler’s annual cruise ship ratings.
Originally posted on Selfish Mom
Tags: Disney Cruise Line
