Castaway Cay, Disney's Private Island

Disney owns its own private island in the Bahamas called Castaway Cay. The cruise ship is able to pull right up along the dock. Other cruise lines require smaller boats to take passengers to their own island. Plus, those other ships don't have Disney Cast Members throughout the island like Donald Duck. The island has a great beach, and all of the island activities you can think of. (jet skis, paddle boats, snorkel gear, kayaks, and glass bottom boat rides) You will also find a family beach and an 'adults only' beach. The kids club is located on the island, so parents can continue to enjoy the cruise childless if they so wish.

Disney's Mt. Rushmore

Disney's own Black Pearl

One of the three restaurants is called Animator's Palate
This restaurant goes from black and white to full color throughout the meal.
Cost to Disney was 3 million dollars.
Even the waiters change colors.

My little guy took this shot.

It looks fake, but it was a real sunset on the deck of the ship.

And its back to Disney World

We headed to the Beach Club Resort while we visited Epcot and Hollywood Studios Theme Parks. Check back soon...

Disney Wonder to the Bahamas

The Disney Wonder was fabulous! The Disney Shuttle picked us up at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and drove us the hour and a half in style. I had heard such great things about the ship. We were excited to get there and see what all the talk was about.

We arrived at the Disney Terminal in Port Canaveral, and quickly boarded the ship. I think the entire check-in process took 30 minutes.

Once on board we went straight to the buffet, and then to our cabin to check things out. The cabins were larger than any of the other cruise lines I had been on. They say they are 25% larger. I loved that there were two bathrooms. One with a toilet and sink and one with a shower/tub and sink. Perfect for the family of 4.

My little guy is checking things out.

Prior to taking off the ship has a safety demo on deck.
Can you tell how happy my little one was? He just wants to take off.

The ship was amazing. The kids pool included a water slide.

Movie screen and stage at the teen pool.

The kids club was the best part.
The club hours were 9am to 1am
Parents are given a pager and can be reached at any time.
My hubby and I went to Palo for the first nights dinner.
This adults only restaurant was AMAZING.
Our little guy paged us about 30 minutes into our 6 course meal. :)

He just wanted to be with mom and dad.
Nightly we would hang out in the movie theater watching new movies like Bolt.

The next morning we find ourselves in the Bahamas
with a view of The Atlantis Resort.

The Bahamas

We did not plan any excursions.

Instead we just took a taxi to the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.
($3 per person each way)

The Atlantis Resort has a private aquarium.

The fish we could see for free were amazing.
You can pay about $30 per person and spend the day on the private beach.

The 6 Stingrays were HUGE!!!

We headed back to the ship to spend the day at the pool.
The Mickey pool and water slide are protected by 4 lifeguards.
Parents can relax and know their kids are safe and having fun!

Our little guy had fun on his first water slide.

Night two was at Titans
with a pirate theme.

Captain Jack Sparrow and my own little pirate.

Grrrrrrrr....

After an AMAZING Broadway style play "Toy Story"
We made it to the top deck for the pirate party and fireworks.

Even the parents are dressed-up like pirates.

At the end of the night we made it back to the cabin

and found a hanging monkey.
It was adorable and the perfect end to a fabulous day.

I'll be back with our day at Castaway Cay, Disney's own private island in the Bahamas.

Disney World is "The Happiest Place on Earth."

Disney World over the holidays was the "Happiest Place on Earth." I'd been once before for work, but this was my first time on a vacation with my family. It was a long flight from Salt Lake to Orlando. (Tip 1: No matter what the cost, you need to fly non-stop when traveling with a child.) Disney World is seven theme parks in 50 square miles. It could easily take 7-10 days to experience all of it. I did not have this luxury, so I was forced to cram 50 square miles into 3 days. I was on a very tight schedule. Our real purpose for going was the Disney Wonder Cruise. However, I was not going to fly across the country and skip Disney World.

It's 6am and he's still smiling.

The first night there we stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. My little guy is a ZOO freak, and the lodge has zoo animals on property. (Tip 2: A Sahara View room is worth the cost.) The Animal Kingdom Lodge is located near the Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Throughout the grounds you can find places to view the animals such as giraffes. It also has a fabulous pool area, with 4-6 lifeguards on duty so that parents can relax. :) If, you are going to pay to stay at the lodge you need to dedicate at least a day to enjoying the pool and grounds.

One of many animal viewing areas.

Pool with "Lifeguards on Duty"
I went down the water slide 23 times.

Park One: Animal Kingdom

The day starts with a grin. :)

Re-enacting the T-Rex pose.

Viewing bats close-up

Yes, actual hanging bats. GROSS...

4 tigers, sleeping while we sat close-by

View of Mt. Everest ride

Tarzan cast member, and only character pic.

Best ride in the park!

The Animal Safari

Lions

Hippos

Alligators

Elephants

"See mom, I'm still smaller than a 6 year old male." (Ape)

No more walking for this guy.

Dinner at the T-Rex restaurant at Pleasure Island
COOLEST restaurant in the world for a 5 yr old boy.

He needed his own "Build-a-Dino" to
mark the best Dino day of his life.

And....good night....

I still have the Disney Wonder, Hollywood Studios and Epcot. I'll be back soon...