Stop A Moment

Birthday Boy

My son turned 11 today at 12:15 a.m.

Eleven years ago, he weighed in at 2 pounds 13 ounces. We are so blessed to celebrate each of his birthdays.

Today, we gave him a Lego set and gift cards for our upcoming trip to WDW. With the gift cards, he received this note which Nicolas seems quite fond of:

Have you ever wandered Walt Disney World and wondered…

Can I have popcorn?

I’d like to get some candy at the candy store.

I’d really like a root beer float.

Maybe I’ll walk up to the hotel store and get a snack or something.

I’d like to go to the arcade.

Well, wonder no more. These 3 gift cards are for your use. Anytime, Anywhere. Parental permission not required.

Happy 11^th Birthday, Nicolas.

Disney Channel Stars to Set Sail on the Disney Wonder

Have you sailed with the Disney Cruise Line?

Whether you are a repeat cruiser (Castaway Cay Member) or contemplating your first cruise with DCL, you need to consider a summer voyage! I love Disney, the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Channel and Kodak (my parents retired from the big yellow box.) Looking for the perfect summer vacation? Oh, DCL has you covered!

My nine-year old son would "just faint" (his words) to cruise with his Disney Channel pals.

If you need a price on a cruise, contact my good friend Alexis Castle at Enchanted Destinations. Alexiscastle@enchanteddestinations.net. Tell her that I sent you. She'd be happy to check rates for you so your kids can be the coolest kids on the block this Summer vacation! I'm thinking...maybe I need to email her too! Bon Voyage!

Note: Nicole Anderson sails with DCL on July 9 and 12.

Disney Channel Stars Ahoy!  Kodak and Disney Cruise Line Bring Exclusive Fan Experience to the High Seas

           

Disney Channel stars set sail aboard the Disney Wonder during “Disney Channel Summer at Sea”

 

CELEBRATION, Fla. (May 11, 2009) – In a Disney exclusive, numerous Disney Channel stars will set sail this summer, joining thousands of Disney Cruise Line guests aboard the Disney Wonder for eight special sailings during the first-ever "Disney Channel Summer at Sea," presented by Kodak. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with Disney Channel and offer guests on our ship a unique opportunity to sail with Disney Channel stars,” said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz.  “A cruise vacation with Disney Cruise Line is always a family-favorite and ‘Disney Channel Summer at Sea’ provides families another reason to set sail and experience the Disney difference.”   

Popular stars from Disney Channel shows like "Hannah Montana," "Sonny With A Chance," "Wizards of Waverly Place," "The Suite Life on Deck," “JONAS,” "Camp Rock," "High School Musical" and "Hatching Pete" will sail with guests on three- and four-night Bahamian cruises taking place July 9 through August 2.  During these themed sailings, Disney Channel stars will help pump up the volume during onboard deck parties and will join guests for Q & A and autograph sessions along with preview screenings of Disney Channel programming.    The onboard fun culminates with a “Party with the Stars” event, an evening where guests can join the stars for a special live musical performance.  As an added treat, Radio Disney will broadcast live from the ship during two of the cruises.

Aligning with Kodak's "It's Time to Smile" campaign, all Disney fans will be able to share in the ship-to-shore fun online. Select video-blog reporters onboard the ship will capture their magical vacation memories on a ‘KODAK Zi6 Pocket Video Camera’ and post video from their voyages at www.disney.com/summeratsea.

“At Kodak, we’re all about relationships. We bring people together through images and are thrilled to work with the Disney Channel to help Disney fans share their magical vacation memories,” said Kodak Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President Jeffrey Hayzlett.

Each cruise during "Disney Channel Summer at Sea” will include multiple Disney Channel stars.   Among those scheduled to sail include Tiffany Thornton from “Sonny With A Chance” (July 9 & 12), Nicole Anderson “JONAS”, Jason Earles from “Hannah Montana” (July 16 & 19), Mitchel Musso from “Hannah Montana” (July 19), Jason Dolley from “Hatching Pete” (July 23 & 26), Debby Ryan from “The Suite Life on Deck” (July 30) and Alyson Stoner from “

Camp

Rock

” (Aug. 2).  More stars will be announced shortly, guests can visit www.disneycruise.com/summeratsea frequently for up-to-date information on the line-up of stars sailing.  (Talent is subject to change without notice.)

"Disney Channel Summer at Sea" adds to the family-friendly fun found onboard a Disney ship.  Disney Cruise Line provides a vacation experience that every member of the family feels was created just for them.  Families enjoy award-winning Broadway-style entertainment at the Walt Disney Theatre, play together at high-energy deck parties featuring the only fireworks display at sea and dine in three uniquely themed restaurants.  Kids delight in their own dedicated spaces and become immersed in Disney stories with their favorite characters and hosted by specially trained youth counselors.  While the kids are at play, parents can slip away and relax at the spa, soak up rays at the adult-only pool, dance the night away in the clubs, or enjoy an exquisite Northern Italian meal at Palo.

 

    A leader in the family cruise segment, Disney Cruise Line offers three-, four- and seven-night itineraries to the

Bahamas

and the Caribbean with special voyages to the Mediterranean and

Northern Europe

on tap for 2010.  Disney Channel Summer at Sea voyages are exclusive to three- and four-night itineraries on the Disney Wonder between July 9 and Aug. 2 with rates starting at $679 per person -- based on double occupancy for a category 12 inside stateroom, not including government taxes and fees.  Land/sea vacation packages that include a stay at Walt Disney World Resort are also available.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit www.disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500.  Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit www.disneytravelagents.com.

 

About the Disney Channel Summer at Sea Sweepstakes

Beginning Monday, May 11 guests can visit Disney.com (www.Disney.com/SummeratSea), to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of eight (8) Grand Prize Disney Cruise Vacation packages during the "Disney Channel Summer at Sea" program.  Sweepstakes winners also receive an additional special meeting aboard ship with Disney Channel stars, and Kodak prize packages including a Kodak Zi6 video camera.  Ten (10) second place winners will receive the ‘KODAK Zi6 Pocket Video Camera’ and Easy Share W1020 Digital Frame kit.

 

About Kodak

As the world's foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives. To learn more, visit the newly redesigned http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus. More than 70 million people worldwide manage, share and create photo gifts online at KODAK Gallery --join for free today at www.kodakgallery.com.

 

About Disney Channel

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies.  Currently available on basic cable in over 97 million

U.S.

homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.

My Favorite Disney Picture

There is one photograph from our tenth anniversary Vow Renewal that I absolutely love. It was taken during our reception at the Grand Floridian's Whitehall Room and Terrace. It shows my son spending time with Mickey Mouse. First, they compared their dress shoes.

This photograph has a special place over our fireplace mantel.

One reason it is important to me is that I was completely elated to bring my son to Walt Disney World. After being born 3 months premature, I wasn't certain at his birth that I'd ever get to share the magic with him. This was a special moment. A moment that stopped time.

Taking the magic home

After dinner, I returned to my stateroom to put my suitcase in the hallway to be delivered to the terminal in the morning.

Later, I took one last stroll up on deck. Savoring the magic that I would bring home with me. Magical memories.

The next morning, I had a quick breakfast up at Topsider's rather than in the dining room. Then, checked out of my stateroom and went to the Promenade Lounge. There, I checked email with my Iphone until it was time to disembark. I had a flight in the later afternoon and was fortunate to be heading back to Walt Disney World via private ground transportation. My driver dropped me off at the Contemporary Resort where I checked my bags until it was time to depart for the airport.

I shopped in the stores choosing a few gifts for Michael and Nicolas. I called home. Then I took the monorail to the Polynesian Resort. I strolled the store and grounds. My favorite walk in WDW is the path between the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian. I enjoyed the sunshine along with the quiet stroll. At the Grand Floridian, I did some more shopping and stopped for a light lunch.

After, I returned to the Contemporary Resort via the monorail and called home again. I took care of more email and relaxed.

My driver (I love saying that!) was out front at the appointed time. I got my bags from Bell Services and was on my way home via the Orlando International Airport to Baltimore and then a drive home to our house near Hershey PA.

When I exited the plane, I walked as quickly as my short legs would carry me. I couldn't wait to see Michael and Nicolas. My boys were there with smiles and hugs. And I brought the magic home sharing with them the tales of my days at sea.

My last day with Disney Magic

Under this palm tree, I relaxed after my bike ride around Castaway Cay.

After relaxing, I stopped at Cookie's BBQ to get a small snack and a drink. Since I now had a cold and could no longer ignore the annoying symptoms, I headed back to the ship to rest.

I was honored to accept an invitation to tour the Bridge before the Disney Magic departed Castaway Cay.

Captain Tom Forberg was a gracious host!

Which way to Port Canaveral?

For Adults Only

On Castaway Cay, you'll find a beach that secludes adults ages 18 and over. It's a place to unwind, enjoy a massage in a cabana, visit the bar, have a BBQ lunch and just stare out at the ocean. And appropriately called, Serenity Bay. While serene, I find the family beach with swaying palm trees much more tropical.

Exploring Castaway Cay

On my solo training cruise aboard the Disney Magic, I enjoyed a morning stroll on Castaway Cay. Seeing the Flying Dutchman is always exciting,

although I'm glad that my ride was aboard the Disney Magic.

Next, I stopped to rent a bike. After showing my pre-paid excursion ticket, I was shown a map with the bike route and then given a bike that not only suited my short stature but also worked very well.

On my ride, I passed a basketball court.

The bike path is well-marked!

I stopped at beautiful overlooks.

I climbed this Observation Tower

and saw some interesting sights.

I continued my relaxing bike ride down a beautiful, tree-lined path.

I can't wait to enjoy this bike ride again!

Disney's Chief Magical Officer

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Disney's CMO, Justin Muchoney at MagicMeets and in Walt Disney World.

Justin shares a photo with my son, Nicolas. Justin knows a thing or two about sharing magic!

I've gotta cold

February 6

I had drifted off to sleep but woke up with a sore throat and slight cough. The ship had been rocking enough that I had to take down the hangers in my closet so they would stop sliding and banging back and forth, back and forth. I took them down, clothes and all and placed them on the floor. On the bright side, at least I was getting a cold near the end and not the beginning of my voyage.

This was my last full day aboard the Disney Magic.

Approaching Castaway Cay:

I had breakfast and then packed a small bag with my notepad/pen, camera, Key to the World card, cough drops and a few other beach day essentials. I love Castaway Cay!

It was a bit overcast and the forecast was for a high of 66. With my cold, I decided to skip the swim with stingrays (the water had been cold the previous week while sailing with my family and that was with pure sunshine) and take a morning bike ride instead.

By the time I debarked, Goofy was already working on some paint refinishing:

Nice job, Goofy!

Sweet Dreams

February 5th's Finale:

After dinner, I went with some shipboard friends to Sessions, the piano lounge.

It was a wonderful day aboard the Disney Magic. When I returned to my stateroom, I found this friendly creature waiting for me:

It had been a pleasant day. 72, windy with 8-13 ft swells. Still better than
the cold and snow back home!

I stopped by the store, Treasure Ketch, to get a new magazine. I had already finished one book and two magazines. When does that ever happen in just a matter of a few days? A relaxing escape for a Mom!

I drifted off to sleep with the sounds of the ocean and the scent of chocolate covered strawberries still in the room. Decadence!