Disney Cruise Line Caribbean Cruise - Part 2
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Lindsay and I had decided against a regulated tour for this port of call. We wanted to explore the island on our own, without the structure and rigour of a guided tour. Like most cruise companies, DCL is keen for their guests to purchase additional shore excursions, as they are an essential source of revenue. DCL offers extensive choices to cover all ages and levels of fitness. At Key West, the alternatives ranged from guided tours (by foot, Conch Train and even old-style trolley) to the strenuous activities like kayaking, sailing, catamaran racing and snorkelling. Most opt for the Beach Break (rather unusual, in my opinion, as it is the only time I have ever seen a Disney information sheet with the warning that "topless sunbathing may be observed"!) or the tours of the city.
Key West was settled in 1822 and those settlers were predominantly farmers, growing Key limes, pineapples and breadfruit. However, the real money was to be made from cargo salvaging of shipwrecks, which had run aground on the area’s reefs! However, accessibility had always been a crucial fact in holding back development of the Keys and it was not until Henry Flagler completed the railway along Florida’s east coast to Key West in 1912 that wealthy visitors began to vacation there. Nearly a century later, tourists continue to descend on the Keys.
We began our Key West adventure on Duval Street, the main thoroughfare that runs from the dock to the southern edge of the Conch Republic. The rat-bag collection of boutiques, retail tourist traps and bars was eclectic and unlike any other part of the United States that I had visited. The closest comparison I could muster was that friendly, laid-back approach found in communities like Provincetown on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The narrow roads with their mismatched collection of architectural oddities are remarkably similar, although the light pastel colours seem to be more endemic to this most southerly tip of the Union. However, the wealth of the Cape Cod communities was not emulated on this island. A significant number of drunks collected on street corners, begging for spare charge and often hurling abuse at one another and passing tourists.
However, the beauty of the city is unmistakable with its Conch-style accommodations and the literary importance of its former residents. The beauty and simplicity of the Hemingway abode is evident, but one can imagine the inspiration he gathered from sitting on the porch, watching the world pass by. There is no grandeur or pomp in the property, as it appears Hemingway lived a simple life on Key West. You really could envy that. Giving up the "rat race" and the commuter lifestyle would tempt many of us to move to a more relaxed climate.
Key West is home to some rather unusual retailers, trying to lure that tourist dollar into their registers. Our personal highlights were Peppers of Key West, a store devoted entirely to chilli products (with fantastic sales assistants offering a veritable smorgasbord of samples) and Kermit’s, a specialty store that will sell anything providing it is Key Lime Pie flavour! There are also a myriad of bars surrounding Mallory Square, Duval Street and the marina, most with bars sitting right on the street and barflies perfecting the art of people-watching. Many are infamous Key West institutions, like Sloppy Joe’s and Fat Tuesday with its giant vats of margarita & daiquiri mixes, looking like banks of multi-coloured laundry machines! Locals were easy to spot with their devotion to the southern Florida sun colouring their leathery skin for all eternity and their hospitality was cheery and unerring.
We returned to the Disney Magic in the late afternoon, to prepare for the evening festivities. The Walt Disney Theatre flickers to life at 6:30pm with a repeat showing at 8:30pm. The first event at the theatre was Who Wants to be a Mousekeeter?, which I suspect needs little explanation! The host of the show was Jim, the cruise director, who would be remarkably visible for the remainder of the week. The rules are similar to that of the ABC gameshow, except that instead of "Ask the Audience", a panel of five was selected from the audience to sit on the stage and act as a lifeline.
Players were selected by random from the audience by their row and seat number. Rather surprisingly, the prizes were cash (well, up to $400 to spend on-board)! Only one pin involved in this high-stakes version (although highly collectible and it was a cinch to spot those pin collectors who were previous guests on the Magic!) The top prize was a 7 day cruise on the Disney Magic. Unlike its theme park counterpart, all questions were concerned with Disney trivia (and considerably easier!). The game was entertaining and a relaxing way to begin the evening.
Afterwards, we climbed to Deck 10 to watch the stunning Key West sunset. Our cruiser was not due to depart until after sunset to ensure the guests could see this beautiful sight. As the sun began to depart below the horizon, the sky and sea was touched with stunning orange and red hues.
For dinner, we were rotated to Animator’s Palate, perhaps the most infamous of the Disney Cruise Line restaurants. As you enter the dining room, a series of pencil sketches are framed on the walls and the venue is devoid of colour. Even the servers’ costumes featured black and white pencil sketches on the waistcoats. Gradually, throughout the evening, the room became blushed with colour. The faux columns supporting the ceilings are paintbrushes with fibre optic touches instead of hair elements. The framed artwork progresses through various stages towards completion and a series of screens scattered throughout the room display different icons from Disney animated classics, in synchrony with the accompanying soundtrack.
As we awaited the dessert, the restaurant completed its transformation into a Technicolor revelation and our servers returned wearing vibrant, multicoloured waistcoasts and bowties featuring a myriad of Disney characters. They marched in a procession throughout the room, twirling napkins in the air, reminiscent of the daily celebrations at the character breakfast at Chef Mickeys in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Each server encouraged their guests to participate in the energetic display, but most diners were more interested in the arrival of the dessert menu! The restaurant is a real gem, with plenty of eye candy and a visual presentation unlike any other Disney facility.