Pixar, Marvel, and Hollywood Studios, January 2023

Wheels down and handles facing outward. Easy drop-off for Michael and the kids curbside at Midway while I park the car in the long-term garage and take the shuttle back to the terminal.

3 hours until takeoff. The joys of Chicago traffic. Sometimes the drive is 2 hours. Sometimes it's 5 hours. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Ready for adventure!

Disney Cruise #16. It never gets old.

Sharing the port with the Norwegian Escape and the Carnival Freedom. We sailed on the Escape for 10 days last summer and had a great time exploring Italy, Greece and Malta. It's a beautiful vessel. The Freedom is an old rust bucket with a burned off whale tail. Just say no.

The first ice cream cone has been consumed. We are officially on vacation!

Sailing Away. Rain forced our party indoors. The interpreters are AMAZING!

Next stop: Tortola in 2 days

By Michael

Kathy, Lisa, Thomas and I arrived at the terminal together with Dan, Kim and Colin. Lisa, Thomas and I stopped for a photo outside before we all posed together for the ship's photographer. Chip and Dale were out on the dock for photos with the group before we boarded, and once aboard we found the ship's name painted along the rail, our first voyage on the Disney Fantasy.

By Michael

We spent the afternoon exploring, from the teen club Vibe to a round of Goofy's Golf on the top deck. A note from Sean, the Senior Entertainment Manager, invited us to the lobby atrium to meet Lisa's interpreters for the week. The Sail Away party was moved inside, and we watched the ship pull out from the atrium screens.

Dinner was at Royal Court, and afterward we had family portraits taken by the ship's photographer and caught the evening magic show in the Walt Disney Theatre. Lisa stayed up past eleven wandering the halls, photographing the decorated cabin doors other families had put up for the week.

By Michael

Our first full day at sea aboard the Disney Fantasy. Breakfast started with Mickey-shaped waffles, and we had a round of photos taken at the ship's rail by the Mickey life-ring sign. We met Captain Mickey Mouse near the Walt Disney Theatre, and Lisa tried the golf simulator at Goofy's Sports before sitting with the ship's artist to sketch Stitch's face. We also stopped by the Sweet on You candy and ice cream shop to look over the cases.

Breakfast view of beautiful Tortola. The past two days at sea have been AMAZING. Today we are off to visit the Baths, an area that resulted from volcanic eruption. How will the Baths compare to Santorini, Mt. Etna and Mt. Vesuvius that we visited last summer? We're going to find out!

The interpreters on this cruise have been nothing short of incredible. As always, they are a show in and of themselves in the most positive way possible. I've received that feedback from so many people. "I don't watch the show. I watch those signing ladies. It's magical."

Looks like it's going to be a beautiful day!

Life is not about the number of breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away. Virginia Gorda is breathtaking. I'm happy to share this adventure with these people.

By Michael

The trail through The Baths winds under and between huge granite boulders, with ladders and narrow passages linking one clearing to the next. Lisa photographed the boulders and the trail as we went. Thomas waded out of the water over the rocks, and there was time to dig in the sand before Thomas and I climbed up to the Top of the Baths overlook for a wide view back over the boulders and the bay. We caught the bus back to the ship in the afternoon.

By Michael

That evening was Pirate Night, our first ever aboard. Lisa, and then Lisa and I, got dressed up before dinner, and the ship's photographer took a family portrait with all four of us in matching pirate costumes. There was dessert at the table, a pirate plush made its way around the room during a parade, and later we watched the pirates perform on the stage.

Nothing beats a Deck 13 Aft sunrise. After sleeping in the past few days, my soul needed this. Good Morning from St. Thomas, USVI. The boys are off to Coral World Ocean Park to SNUBA and the girls are taking the cable car up to Paradise Point for spectacular views.

Lisa and I stayed back for a few hours to do laundry. 16 cruises later and I just figured out that the backpack laundry bags are the way to go.

Lisa and I took the sky ride to Paradise Point. It poured rain for about 2 minutes and then it was gorgeous. Now we are back on the ship enjoying a virgin daiquiri. Michael and Thomas are on the other side of the island on a bus with a flat tire. This is why we ALWAYS book Disney Port Adventures. They will send another bus and hold the ship if needed.

This right here is why we vacation in January. I hear it is snowing at home.

Farewell St. Thomas. Next up, Disney's private island in the Bahamas on Friday. Tomorrow is Sea Day #3. One last chance to enjoy the Fantasy to the fullest.

Good Morning from a very windy, cloudy and 72-degree Castaway Cay. Not an ideal beach day, but we'll take it.

Crew life raft training in the Donald Pool this morning. They are learning how to bring an unconscious person into the raft as they would in a man overboard or a capsized refugee boat situation. The corporate trainer in me is evaluating the presentation. Peter, the officer leading the training is doing a spectacular job. He's engaging, empathetic and very thorough. I feel very safe on Disney vessels.

A Magical Moment from none other than the Merch team. No surprise here. The Disney Merch teams love Rennhack kids

Looks like it might be a great weather day after all

A 5K on Disney's private island. They both said they will do it again when we are back here on Tuesday

Still learning things after 21 cruises. Send the husband and kids to eat breakfast in the main dining room while you walk off and get in line for the rental car shuttle. We began our journey to disembark the ship 2 hours ago. We are in a very long line at Avis in Port Canaveral. 5 ships in port today means LOTS of rental car reservations. Packed my patience today.

Still learning things after 21 cruises. Send the husband and kids to eat breakfast in the main dining room while you walk off and get in line for the rental car shuttle. We began our journey to disembark the ship 2 hours ago. We are in a very long line at Avis in Port Canaveral. 5 ships in port today means LOTS of rental car reservations. Packed my patience today.

All checked in and relaxing for a bit. Lisa wants to hit the neighboring Sports and Music resorts for more pin trading. We also made a Walmart run.

3 Rennhacks loved Smugglers Run. One did not. Worst...ride...ever.

I will definitely ride Tower of Terror during our Lightning Plus reservation time. I've loved this ride since college a REALLY long time ago.

Oh look. It's my favorite Disney ride. A park bench. Camping here for a few minutes while the rest of the family waits an hour to ride Aerosmith's Rockin' Roller Coaster.

And this is why we vacation in January. Orlando on the top. Home on the bottom. It is so gorgeous today. Perfect for a day at Disney and then a 4-hour drive down the coast to Miami tonight.

Lisa popped over to a kiosk to pin trade on her own. She came back with a map on which a cast member had circled all of the trading locations throughout the park. No ASL was involved. This kid will do OK in life.

By Michael

Toy Story Land came first. We rode Slinky Dog Dash, waited out Alien Swirling Saucers, and played a round of Toy Story Mania. Sarge and his green army men were out for photos.

From there we crossed into Galaxy's Edge, where the Millennium Falcon sat parked in its dock and a squad of TIE fighters loomed over the plaza. We rode Rise of the Resistance, walking through the stormtrooper hangar along the way.

Back on Hollywood Boulevard we stopped for photos outside Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, confetti and all, then a family hug in front of the Tower of Terror before we rode it. We also rode Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and posed with the giant guitar out front.

Lunch was hot dogs from Dockside Diner. In the afternoon Lisa and Thomas met Buzz Lightyear, and we found the golden R2-D2 and BB-8 statues from the 50th anniversary.

Before we left, we all picked out new Mickey and Minnie ears at Crossroads of the World and got photos with them on as the sun went down. We drove back to Disney's All-Star Movies Resort for our second night.

It's Cruise Day!

Lessons learned with this cruise. Drop the rental car at the airport, not the cruise terminal location in downtown Miami. Thank goodness for Uber. The Avis shuttle runs 12 people every 90 minutes.

"Disney Dream welcomes the Rennhack Family." Let the fun begin!

The teens definitely have the best hangout spot on the Dream-class ships (Fantasy and Dream). I'll see my two kiddos at disembarkation on Saturday

Disney has us covered. ASL interpreters are in the house

I miss e-muster. Sweating like crazy with 4,000 of my closest friends on Deck 4.

Goodbye Miami. See you Saturday!

By Michael

Once aboard we posed for our first ship photo in matching Marvel Day at Sea shirts, then found our stateroom. A note was waiting for us there, inviting us to meet the ship's ASL interpreters, Kelly and Jessica, along with a member of the Entertainment Team, in the Atrium at 3:30. We also wandered past the teen club, all colored pods and neon light.

In the afternoon we went up on deck for the sail-away party, where Goofy and Minnie danced the ship out of port while a crowd lined the decks above us. Later Lisa and Kathy took a selfie together as the Miami skyline slid past in the evening light.

Dinner was at table 65, where Thomas photographed his penne with grilled tuna before he and I goofed around in front of the Marvel Day at Sea backdrop near the atrium. Back in the stateroom a towel animal was waiting on the bed when we turned in for the night.

My Tuesday morning view. Back at Castaway Cay for the second time in four days.

Bringing home the hardware from vacation. Castaway Cay 5K for the second time in four days. This time they received the new medals.

Current location on the top. Home on the bottom. I think we'll stay here.

Gather 'round while Cruisin' Kathy bestows some nuggets of knowledge. Today, Cruisin' Kathy was attempting to enjoy a gorgeous day at one of her favorite places, Castaway Cay. A seemingly nice gentleman sat down next to her family and began chatting as is socially customary. 3 hours later, Cruisin' Kathy has had her fill of mansplaining. This is where a man thinks he is God's gift to all human knowledge and attempts to explain it to the poor women folk who can't possibly understand such difficult topics as history and economics. Cruisin' Kathy has a Bachelors degree in History and an MBA from a top university. Keep your crayon drawing explanations of supply and demand to yourself you pompous twit. Also, it's incredibly rude to quiz people on their knowledge of everything on which you feel you are an expert. For the record, I do know the utility value of gold both as a currency and conductor of electricity. Rant over.

Lisa rocked the Golden Mickeys interview last night. She grabbed an interpreter and headed out to the red carpet. I love how she puts herself out there without any fear or hesitation.

Sailing away from paradise. Best weather day in our 11 times on this island. Simply GORGEOUS. Next stop: Cozumel on Thursday. Tomorrow is Marvel Day at Sea!

By Michael

By late afternoon we were back aboard. From the balcony we watched Castaway Cay shrink into the ship's wake as we sailed on for the evening.

That night we dressed up. Kathy and I had a portrait taken in front of a Beauty and the Beast backdrop, and Thomas had his own photo made in a tuxedo and red bow tie. We ate dinner in the Enchanted Garden, then came back to find the stateroom towels folded into a row of animals waiting for us.

I spy with my little eye Thomas' birthday present. The Magic is in port with us in Cozumel today. Epic surprise to come. A surprise two months in the making with a lot of collusion

Go Mexico. I love this so much.

An epic birthday surprise. It's been 3 long years since we've hugged our Eddisson.

Lisa drew a picture for Eddisson. It looks like the next generation is training to feed you to the piranhas. This time it's Eddisson's son on the plank

This is how Disney keeps the alcohol consumption in check. Soda (Coke products), vitamin water, lemonade and iced tea are all complimentary. I've been hitting the blueberry pomegranate vitamin water with gusto.

A beautiful day in Cozumel. One more sea day left in our two-week vacation and then the Reality Express transports us back to the cold and snow of Michigan.

By Michael

In the evening it was Pirate Night. We all dressed up, black and burgundy coats, tricorn hats, and striped pants for Thomas, and had the ship's photographer take our portrait in front of a Disney Dream backdrop. After dinner we went up to the pool deck for Mickey's Pirates in the Caribbean under the lit-up sign, and the night ended with fireworks over the water.

Back in Miami. It was a rough ride through the Florida Straits as the ship pitched wildly for about 2 hours. Then the thrusters kicked in at 4:00 a.m. as we parallel parked at the port. For future reference, Deck 5 Forward is a very loud location. There are all kinds of rattling, grinding and other mechanical sounds. We'll see where the Disney gods place us on the Transatlantic in September. For a $2,000 savings, I'm leaving the location assignment up to them. Have earplugs. Will travel.

Never have I ever received Boarding Group A by checking in right at the 24-hour mark...until yesterday. B3 slot from Miami to New Orleans. A48 from New Orleans to Chicago. Guaranteed window seat. Wahoo!

Long travel day. Miami to New Orleans to Chicago and then a two-hour drive home. We'll just ease into that "feels like 2 degrees" thing.

Someone is not ready to fly home. The last two weeks have been awesome and they went by far too quickly.

Wing view with my favorite seat buddy.

A beautiful day for travel.

Nice flight into Chicago. Now a 2+ hour drive home. After 15 nights away, I can't wait to sleep in my own bed.