From Alligators to Slime...

[fourfoxesinpa]

The Thanksgiving leftovers were gone and it was time for the FourFoxes (me, DH, DS - age 12, and DD, age 10) to leave for Florida. We had a Black Friday flight out of Philadelphia at 6:15 pm and landed on time in Florida around 8:30 pm. So good to set foot in Florida again!!!

We decided to stay at the airport Friday night and get a fresh start in the morning. So, we grabbed our luggage and walked to the Hyatt in the airport, booked through Sunshine Rewards/Hotwire for only $69! After we put our bags in the room, we grabbed something to eat at Macaroni Grill and took a peek in the Disney store. But, it was almost closing time and we'd have to postpone our Disney shopping for another day. For now, to bed - our trip to Kennedy Space Center's Astronaut Hall of Fame and Merritt Island is tomorrow. Will we see some manatees?

[Sunni]

Great start....I can't wait to hear more.....oh, manatees.....did you?

[askomsky]

What a tease Jamie! lol Can't wait to read more! DH so wants to go to the Kennedy Space Center.

[Blessing and Miracle]

Sounds like you guys had a ball. I can tell already. Can't wait to hear more.

[disney_girl]

Sounds like you are off to a good start!

[mia214jia]

Cant wait to see where this goes with the Slime

[fourfoxesinpa]

Up and outta here by 9:30...DH made a trip to Krispy Kreme and Starbucks (Is there a more perfect combination????) in the airport and we walked to pick up our rental car in National's Emerald Aisle. Slim pickins - the kids were hoping for a Prius but we ended up with a Nissan Altima. Chose to leave all the huge SUVs in the aisle as we were going to driving out to the Space Coast.

Our first stop was at a WalMart on the way to Titusville. Seems I forgot the battery charger and we had no batteries for the cameras. Then, off to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. A great way to spend some time! We stopped at the Visitor Center for a map and, while we were there, took a little stroll on a boardwalked nature path.


We hopped in the car and drove straight to the Manatee Watch to see if we could spot some. We waited and waited and, sadly, no manatees were found. So, we hopped in the car and drove the Black Point Wildlife Drive, which is a 7 mile unpaved "path" to follow in your car. Gorgeous scenery, tons of birds, an Eagle's Nest and a couple of these guys along the "road"...



Needless to say, the picture is a little hard to see because, well, I wasn't going to be the one getting out for a better view!

After spending a couple of hours at the refuge, we made the drive to the Astronaut Hall of Fame for a very nice visit. We braved the simulator rides and there were lots of kid-friendly exhibits that explained the history of space travel.



By now, it was late afternoon and we were itching to get to Port Canaveral to see if we could "do it." What's that, you ask? See her...see the Magic pulling out of Port on Saturday and we did!!!



Now we were More Than Pumped to get on the Wonder in the morning! So, a quick stop to Ron Jon's, a pizza to go from Pizza Hut and check in at the Residence Inn (which was very nice, as always) and we were tucked in.

We were hoping to get that prized Number 2 Boarding Pass - would we be able to get up, have breakfast and get to the port early enough to get it?

[fourfoxesinpa]

Up and atom! Time to have a nice, free breakfast at the Residence Inn and head to the port. 9:30 and DS is pushing us to get there ASAP as he wants to be the FIRST one through the gate. DH dropped us off, parked the car and we got our spot - right up front! DS ran to the front doors and was the first one to enter the doors that morning.



The port is decorated so nicely for Christmas! We took full advantage of the empty port to take some pics..







We had our Boarding Pass #2 (Categories 1-3 get to board first) and headed onboard just before noon. We were excited that the space shuttle was scheduled to land around 2:00 pm and a cast member said we'd be able to see it from Decks 9 and 10. Can't wait! But first, lunch buffet at Parrot Cay.

WARNING - FOOD PORN AHEAD!

[fourfoxesinpa]

Straight to Parrot Cay for a yummy buffet!




A quick dip in an EMPTY Goofy Pool and the weather started to turn.


The winds kicked up, the skies darkened and we realized we wouldn't be seeing the Space Shuttle. Little did we know just how strong the winds would be and what damage would be done to the port in a very freak weather event.



The gangways were damaged but, thankfully, everyone was OK. The sailaway party was postponed until our Castaway Cay day and the muster drill was 1 hour late. But, we eventually got out to sea and DS had a very MAGICAL evening!!!

[fourfoxesinpa]

Now, where was I?

After a quick dip in the Goofy pool, we went to the room to get changed for the muster drill and I decorated the cabin door.



We had our muster drill, then went to see the Golden Mickeys show as we chose to have late dinner. But, before dinner, the lighting of the ginormous Christmas tree in the atrium was scheduled. We wanted to go a little early to get some good pictures of the characters coming down the stairs in their holiday finery. Little did we know, that as we stood waiting, a cast member approached DS and asked if he'd like to participate in the lighting. Off he went and we had no clue where he was or when he'd be coming back! (Turns out DS was hanging out in Studio Sea, just sitting with Mickey and Minnie - he was just so beside himself after everything was said and done).

A few minutes later, the Asst. Cruise Director announced that a very special helper would be on hand for the event and it wasn't Mickey - it was DS! He was named the "Holiday Prince of the Sea" and was "crowned by Minnie."



Mickey came out, gave DS a Trident to light the tree and a "Lighting Decree" was read.



They walked to the tree and DS "lit" the tree with the Trident while everyone in the packed atrium cheered.





We received two 8x10s that were taken by the ship's photographer and DS was given a Magical Memories pin, certificate and a DCL laser keychain.

Such a magical evening. Tomorrow, off to Nassau - how could that day get any better than this one?