The bananantibiotics did what they were supposed to do, Emily woke up only once and that was very conveniently at 11:00pm while we were still awake. The remainder of the night she coughed a lot due to her runny nose but not a single cry. We’re happy parents again… 

We decided to leave early as today was going to be a hot (33 Degrees Celsius) and sunny day. The theme park of our choice was Sisney’s Hollywood Studio’s! We arrived at 8:50am and had an almost front row parking spot, at 9:03am Emily and I were behind the gates, Mama got randomly selected for additional security screening and was there a couple minutes later. 

First target Minnie Mouse in her Hollywood dress and Sorcerer Mickey! We expected a little bit of a wait but in the end we were the first visitors of the day and had 2 private meet and greats with these famous movie stars. 

Meet & greet number 3 of the day was a personal favourite of Emily…Princess Sofia the First. We were third inline but Emily couldn’t wait tried to pull her mama directly to Sofia while queue jumping at the same time, off course that’s not how it’s supposed to be done and we waited a couple more minutes. First Sofia got a kiss on her cheek and then there was them for the photo. 

After Sofia came Pluto, here she recognized the surroundings from Mickey Mouse clubhouse. What a difference with 6 months ago. Next came Doc McStuffins, which Sofia knows from one of her bedtime story books. Here she became a little bit annoyed that all the others were allowed to play with her autograph book and she wasn’t. 

We decided to visit the Little Mermaid show. In the beginning we thought that it was a mistake as she did not want to sit on a chair or on either of our laps but when the music started she jumped on Mama’s lap and watched with an open mouth. She also pointed out Flounder and Ariel every time the came on stage while shouting something like “Arelle”.

It was only 10:30 and so we decided to checkout the lines for Goofy (short) and Chip & Dale (really short). Goofy went fine, she just wanted to be hooded by me. Chip & Dale was another story as soon as the Autograph book came in sight she threw a whole Donald Duck style anger tantrum. It was almost fun to watch, especially the way both Chip & Dale responded. Funniest moment was when Dale tried to get the pen from Emily…he jumped a couple feet into the air from cry. 

Time to leave, surprisingly it took almost 10 minutes before she fell a sleep in the car. So we believe she feels much better as yesterday and the days before. Since she fell a sleep we decided to drive a bit further and ended up at the Mall at Millenia (our favourite shopping mall). Here we had lunch and Emily ate a whole plate of fried rice, much more as the last days too. Both Mama and Emily found some nice summer clothes at Lilly Pulitzer. 

Shopping was done and we went back to the villa where Emily went to bed and I went in the pool. Emily had a her regular nap from about 2,5 hours. And I spend 2 hours in the pool. Danielle stayed indoors and did some laundry. 

After I took a shower and Emily woke up we decided to visit Epcot for a couple hours. At 6:00pm we arrived in the park. First stop was The Sees with Nemo & Friends. Emily walked the whole waiting line (that’s a long one) holding up everyone behind us it looked like a parade. The ride she totally enjoyed, she pointed out every single Nemo, Marlin, Dory and Pearl. I believe that she recognized from Nemo’s reef the splash pad on the Disney Dream. 

Out of the blue Emily decided that she should be pushing her own stroller… Very convenient except for the pace! Next stop was the Land. Here we went on Living with the Land where you go on a boat tour where you get an explanation about a program Disney supports and runs on their own property researching better ways to grow fruit and vegetables. 

When we got out we were a little bit hungry. I took the chicken wrap children’s menu together with Emily where she ate the carrots and the apples and Imate the wrap. Danielle went for a box with assorted Melon and Emily got a real banana. After we were done we decided to leave the park, it was already 7:30pm and we didn’t want to exhaust Emily. 

At 8:15pm we were at home and about 15 minutes later I was reading Emily a story about Aurora (Sleeping beauty) her seventeenth birthday. Afterwards I wrote this blog with the sound of Illuminatioms, Happily Ever after and later on the Star Wars firework in the background. 

Rise and shine ladies! I was awake since 5:30, I think it was from excitement but I’m not sure. Today is the day we waited for, a lot of new things going to happen as this is embarkation day! First stop was the Starbucks in the terminal for some drink, croissant and to change some 20$ bills into 1$ bills for the tips on board. 

At 8:30am we all ready to go and we left our three suitcases with the cruise line bag tag in the hotel room while we left with just 2 bags and a stroller. 9:00am sharp we were inline for the bus to the terminal in Port Canaveral.

In the bus we chattted with a family going on the Disney Dream with Make-a-Wish, one of the most special organizations for sick kids. The family was never on a plane, never so far south in their own country. And on top of that they did not know what to expect at all…I had goosebumps all over me the entire ride. 

At the terminal we expected craziness but we were really early and there were no lines. Robert checked us in and everything went smooth. We got boarding group 3 which is so much as almost right after they start boarding. 

When we walked away from the check in desk we walked in a photographer which told us to wait a couple minutes. And there Mickey came towards us. Emily went from sitting on my arm and looking all over to jumping up and down and screaming “Kickey” all through the terminal. And was she lucky she was the first one to get a picture with him, give him a high five, cuddle him and give him a kiss on his nose! 

After another 40 minutes of exploring the terminal and Emily pointing out every single Mickey shaped figure on walls, clothing, floors, windows, etc. It was time to board the Dream! “We welcome the Rotmensen Family and Princess Sofia” as Emily walked in with her doll in her hands smiling because all these people were clapping just for her…(and a couple 100 others).

On board the first stop was Cabanas for lunch. It’s a buffet and the food was DELICIOUS! I don’t know what I ate but Emily stole all of my fried rice, ate French fries, chicken tenders and more. 

After lunch we started to walk around the ship and it’s huge. We already checked out the It’s a small world nursery, most kids cry when they are brought there Emily cried when we left… but the hula hoops in the kids club made up for it, 

After playing for a while our room was ready. It was more spacious as we had imagined for a room on a ship. For the interested people this is room 9610 on the Disney Dream. 

Since our suitcases and the ordered crib were not in the room yet Emily slept on the “our bed”. She slept for 2 hours and we left right after for the mandatory safety drill. Don’t worry it’s quite simple if something goes wrong get your life vests go to your lifeboat, L from Lilo. Get in and your safe. 

Time for the sail away party. Deck 11 and 12 were crowded but we found a nice spot near the railing on the starboard side where we could wave at the people and the port webcam. Maybe people have spotted us on the deck? (Thanks Carla!)

An hour in the sun was abit warm and thus we decided to start explore more of the ship. First thing was floor number 4 where we met Goofy! 

Emily was happy and the next stop was the Emchanted Garden a restaurant. There are 5 restaurants on board from which 3 are assigned in a rotation schedulefor dinner. Our schedule is Enchanted Garden, Royal Palace, Royal Palace and Animator’s Palate. 

Delicious! Danielle had a cucumber roll as starter, the sea bass as main and a chocolate tart. Emily had oven baked salmon with rice and Mickey ice cream bar. And I went with ahi tuna with advocado as starter, sea scallops with couscous (actually Emily ate all of the couscous) and as dessert a orange yoghurt cheesecake. We also ordered the classic wine package which means one bottle of wine to share every night! 

After dinner we explored the shops and the rest of the ship, Emily got a Captain Mickey Mouse plush which she showed to everyone we met telling it was “Kickey”. 

Around 8:00pm we got back in our room, and that’s where we received the first surprise in our room, a crab as towel art. 

We also ordered warm whole milk through room service and at 8:45 Emily went to bed. It was not so easy to put her to bed better as the night we arrived. We enjoyed the verandah together before we went to bed for our first night of sleep on board of a ship.