Disney Dream Day 5

Day 5: Disembarkation Day Morning & Universal Orlando

Like boarding, disembarkation was smooth.  We wish it had hiccups so we could stay on board longer but alas it was not meant to be.  Our breakfast sitting was at 6:45AM!  It gave us enough time to eat, digest, be tempted to put a deposit on a bounce-back cruise (we didn’t but should have), and then meander off the ship.  Our luggage was easy to find, and other passengers on our shared transfer had already called the shuttle so we only waited a few minutes.

NO!  You can't make me!

Our shuttle was the same company from before; the catch was we had to ride with the group to the airport before being dropped at our next hotel.  We actually didn’t mind as it allowed the kids to have a nap.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal Orlando

I chose this resort because it was right up my alley.  I love themed hotels like this plus it rated highly with the Disney-goers and gave us early access into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  We took the first room available.  If we were staying more than 1 night, I might have had issue with our room as it overlooked a construction site (new water park) but we just closed the curtains.

We checked out the property as we walked back to the lobby area for coffee (Starbucks in the hotel!).

If you can't be a unicorn, be a mermaid

We had lunch at City Walk, taking the shuttle there and boat back.

Compulsory photo with the Universal globe

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen

It was like Willy Wonka's factory come to life inside!

So which deck is the Oceaneers Club on?  Oh.

We returned to the hotel just in time to meet Scooby Doo (characters come to the resort!) before spending the rest of the afternoon at the pools.

Who's a good boy?

In the Lazy River

We watched part of Guardians of the Galaxy and then turned in as we had an early start and long day planned the next day.

Temperature: 34c/ 93F, 97% humidity

Remy's

Remy’s is the fine dining restaurant aboard Disney Cruise Line, and is often voted one of the most exceptional dining experiences at sea period.  The menus are created by Chef Arnaud Lallement of Michelin three-star restaurant l’Assiette Champenoise and Chef Scott Hunnel of Victoria & Albert’s, award winning restaurant at WDW resort (will have to put that on my food bucket list for next time!)

Dining in this adult-only, strict dress code restaurant was like being transported to the City of Lights.  Remy, the character from Ratatouille, appears throughout. 

It's Remy!

Gusteau Room (to be requested next time!)

Can you find Remy on the chair back?

It comes with an extra price tag but in my opinion it was worth every cent.  You know that “it’s so good I want to shove it all in my mouth but at the same saviour every bite”?  Yes, that good.

Our champagne pairings

Our champagne brunch (at sea days only) started in The Wine Room with a glass of Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne and jamon iberico, while the chef and sommelier ran through the menu and champagne pairings for our brunch.  Then we were escorted by our personal waiters to our tables.

Seconds, please!

We had a lovely window table overlooking a very still sea. Tables are set with Frette linens, Riedel glassware, Christofle silverware and china created exclusively for the restaurant

As we were seated, the sommelier poured our first champagne pairing (liquid appetiser), Taittinger Prestige Cuvee Rose NV.   

Our first course was a Vegetable Risotto followed by a Lobster, caviar both too pretty to eat.  The menu was intentionally left vague so we would be surprised by the combinations, taste and plating.

Our next course was the more substantial dishes of the brunch (mains).  Fietan, Pomme de Terre Thai and a Pork Egg were paired with Pommery ‘Pop Gold’ ‘06.

This might have been my favourite dish.
The potatoes were to die for!

For dessert, we were poured the most amazing glass of champagne I have ever tasted: Moet & Chandon Ice NZ.  This champagne is served on ice!

"I am tasting stars"

Then the mysterious Soupe Chocolate Epice was served.

The chocolate soup was poured onto chocolate gelato
and sprinkled with white chocolate shavings

That was some finale!  I loved the champagne so much I brought home a bottle, signed by the chef. 

Disney Dream Day 4: Day at Sea

MissE and MrE got a special delivery from our stateroom attendant!
Popcorn and Mickey-shaped treats for all the movies today.

Today is one of the days we had been looking forward to – finally time to do all the stuff we wanted to on the ship!  Well, we did most of the highlights but still ran out of time.  We have to laugh and laugh some more that we went searching for travel board games just in case!  We weren’t going to get called out like we did on RC again. 

Flounder's Melon Boat

We had breakfast at The Royal Palace then went to our Anna & Elsa meet and greet, followed by the Princess meet and greet.  In retrospect, we could have passed on both of these but hey, we didn’t really have to line up like we would at the parks.  We also met Minnie and Mickey too.

Anna and Elsa

Rapunzel

Cinderella

Snow White

Belle

Minnie

The Mouse himself - Mickey!
Fun Fact: Disney Dream is the only boat that has 4 captains -
the real captain, Captain Mickey, Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow.

MissE and MrE went to Oceaneers Club where they got to party with Stitch (so cool!) and MrH and I had a brunch date at Remy’s.  I couldn’t contain my excitement!  In fact, I am giving Remy’s its own post because it was that good.  Check out this post for more detail.

After, we played back to back trivia which was funnier than it probably was because we were full of bubbles.  Yes, we re-enacted Titanic for extra points.  We picked up MissE and MrE to have some fun around the ship too. 

Snow White and Dopey

Jasmine and Abu

We spent the remaining part of the afternoon at the pool (finally!)  Unfortunately it was too darn hot so we had trouble being out for too long.  We were able to bribe the kids away with soft serve ice cream.

Mickey's Pool slide

MrH and MissE inside the Aquaduck

Nemo's Reef (splash pad)

Our dinner tonight was in The Enchanted Garden.  We said goodbye to our new friends that we shared a table with for the last few nights.

We watched the final show Disney's Believe* (I am not going to lie, I totally teared up) and finished the night with a sundae from Vanellope’s Sweets.

Vanellope's Race Cart Sundae (pick-your-own ice cream and toppings) 

We had an early night due to our early breakfast time and some final housekeeping.  Plus MrE was so exhausted he fell asleep during the show tonight!

Time to return the Oceaneers Club bands.
NOOO!

Ribbit

 * A small note about the nightly shows as we have been asked about what they were... other than awesome and fun!  They are Disney-themed live shows.  The great thing is that they are often the underrated Disney films and songs (but we still love) and they encourage audience participation.  For the Villains Tonight live show, we were asked to cheer AND boo as loud and often as we pleased!