Start of the cruise day!!! Today we left Winter Springs and headed to the port. We decided to park at the port and accept the extravagant fee we were going to pay, $136 for the week and you have to pay up front. We knew it was $17/day and you have to pay for the day you arrive and leave. We dropped our bags off at the curb and parked the car in the 2^nd level and headed into the terminal. We arrived about 10:45 and the were no lines- parking, getting into the terminal, security line we only had a family of 3 to wait on. Then we got into line to check in (of course there was a line there), we got all checked in, went to the restroom got our bags reorganized (putting away passports) and then it was time to board!!!!

We were in boarding group 3 and learned that when you have your key to the world card scanned then go all the way to the right and they will let you cross over the barrier and skip the picture line.

Once on board the ship there were signs of Star Wars. Hans Solo in the carbonite, a Star Wars day at Sea picture opportunity. We checked these out and headed right down Animator’s Place for lunch.

I had the Salmon Salad and the Welcome Aboard sundae. It was very good. After lunch we headed up to the 11^th floor and found a nice place outside the Cove to relax and wait until our room was ready. We headed down to floor 10 and drop off our bags. My suitcase was there waiting at the door (mom’s didn’t arrive for a couple more hours).We did see the doors and elevators that the staff uses to bring up all of the suitcases and their supplies. It was pretty cool! We did see bags still being put out around 6 pm. Luckily I have never had a bag arrive that late.  After I unpacked my bag we went up to the Spa to try and win a price. Sadly we did not win a drawing (spoiler Day 3 I get a certificate for $50 off acupuncture, I don’t do it). After the Spa we stopped by the room to relax and mom’s was there when we went to leave (so about 4:00). Then we relaxed in the room for a few minutes until it was time for the drill. Our drill location was inside the Buena Vista Movie Theater, so yes we sat in the AC and in comfy chairs). This would have been so much better when we had all the kids! After the drill we went and got our detective case!  Mom is trying to find out who stole the puppies and get them back. I am on a Muppet case (honesty I don’t know what the crime is). While standing on our balcony as we left port we saw some dolphins!

Dinner the first night was at Animator’s Palace. We arrive at our table to find a mom and son there. We were very surprised as we always sit alone (we request it that way). They were not a talkative bunch, so it was a little awkward.