Fantasy first.... I texted M-dude and MmeLeota each a pic this morning, only because I have their numbers. Amy saw what I've posted on Facebook thus far, dunno about Len and everyone else I have on there (I haven't looked). But either way.
So the Fantasy was at Castaway Cay yesterday (I think it was yesterday, I'd have to go back and reread the dispatch emails from the DCL president) before it made its final stop over at its home port in Port Canaveral- three weeks to get here from Germany! But it stopped off in Spain and NYC and a couple other places, if I remember correctly.
So four of us met up at Celebration at 3am to carpool to DTD, and we met the rest of our group there. 9 of us from the office went, including myself. Once we got to DTD, we checked in under the awning at Cirque (we had to RSVP for this like a month ago) and were given our voucher to get on the DCL bus. They had a light breakfast and coffee/tea/cocoa for us as well to take on the bus, so I got my morning tea fix like I have to do.

They boarded us on numbered busses- our group was bus 4, which was also the bus we had to board to get back to DTD.
We left at 4.25am heading to the port. We were all sitting together and talked for a bit, but we all were still sleepy so we mostly just laid back, watched the DVD they had playing about the Fantasy, and then when that wrapped, the cell phones came out or we just went to sleep. I did some tweeting and posting on Facebook and Tumblr on the way over, just in case anyone was awake that early.
Once we arrived at the port, we got off the bus and they gave us one of these-
And one of these (I have two, a big one and then this small one they gave us at Jetty Park)-
Those of us who had had too much tea or coffee (raises hand) headed off for the restroom whilst the rest of our group found a good vantage point on the rocky beach by the canal. We had a perfect spot for photos, as there was no one in front of us. By now, it was around 5.35am and we still had a bit before the ship arrived. It was scheduled to come in between around 5.55am-6.05am, and I think it ended up coming around 6am, but don't quote me, I wasn't looking at the clock on my phone.
So finally we saw this ball of blue and red and yellow light way in the distance, and yes, that was it. It was officially coming, so needless to say, we all began just literally freaking out. Even at that distance, we could still see the massive size of the ship, and as it got closer, it got even more awe-inspiring.
And then-
They shot off fireworks and blew the horn and began to play "When You Wish Upon A Star," and we stood on the beach waving our Mickey hands at the crew who were out on all the decks. Thanks to the signal we had been told previously, we were able to spot our supervisor on the deck, who was on the crossing- she told us to watch for three flashlights in a row and sure enough, there they were!
I have far more pics but I'll split them up over the next few posts after this one. It was pretty short- maybe 10 minutes altogether- but it was beyond worth getting up at 2.15am for. We then just got back on the bus for Orlando, and were back at work by 7.45am. I took half the day off and came home and went to bed for a nap- I was exhausted! But I wouldn't have missed it for the world!
More pics coming next... and if I need to resize, let me know.