Here we go...

10:20 a.m. – I’m logged on and looking at the Disney Dream logo and listening to Disney music. I like what they’re playing – good, classic stuff.

10:23 a.m. – You can hear people at the event talking when the music hits a lull. I’m listening for my friend Tom from the Boston Herald. Tom, you’re killing me. Envy is an ugly feeling.

10:26 a.m. – It’s sunny there. A vast improvement over the ice we’re caked in here in New Hampshire.

10:27 a.m. – National Anthem led by the U.S. Navy. Love it.

10:30 a.m. – Hello pretty lady. (Jeanette Cause. She’s hosting, evidently.)

10:31 a.m. – Jeannette is going over facts about the ship. Talking over B-roll. This is put together really well.

10:32: “Aqueduct”?? No, Jeannette, Aquaduck, I think. Right?

10:34 a.m. – Imagineer is explaining the “enchanted art” throughout the ship. What a difference between the first two ships and the newest one. Sounds amazing.

10:36 a.m. – More info about the ship: “Buccaneer Blast” – fireworks shot right from the Dream.

10:37 a.m. – And there’s the ship! And Genie, Lilo and Stitch, Balou, etc.

10:38 a.m. – They’re talking about the new cruise itineraries, but I missed it because my daughter called from school to tell me has Brownies today.
But I did hear the Wonder is going to do 7-night cruises to Europe.

Amy and I and a bunch of friends cruised on the Wonder in 1999. Our misadventure is chronicled in “Mousejunkies.” We sailed into Hurricane Irene and swore to never go on a cruise ship again (not anyone’s fault, of course.) But this is making me want to!

10:42 a.m. – And here we go… Tinker Bell flitting around the Dream logo.

Jazz hands!

10:43 a.m. – I can take a great deal of corniness when it comes to Disney. But only when it comes to Disney.

They’re doing an opening song and dance show. The corny-meter is pegged.

Hello, ship.

10:45 a.m. – Walt makes an appearance on the screen… And the curtain is pulled back to reveal the Disney Dream.

Bob Iger

10:46 a.m. – Bob Iger steps up… Welcomes everyone to the christening as “When You Wish Upon a Star” plays in the background. Yet again, Disney proves it’s great at putting on a show.

Sorcerer Mickey and the Dream Bottle.

10:48 a.m. – Sorcerer Mickey shows up standing next to a giant champagne bottle placed on a deck in front of the Dream.

OK, it’s not a champagne bottle, it’s filled with “dreams” Mickey says.

Sorcerer Mickey takes the mic from Iger and takes over the show.

10:49 a.m. – Pirates overrun the stage… A pirate ship is sailing into the port… Music from POTC playing. That looks like Capt. Jack on the crow’s nest of the pirate ship.

Captain Jack sails upon a sea of synergy.

10:51 a.m. – I don’t think that’s Johnny Depp. But they did get a mention of “Stranger Tides” in.

10:52 a.m. – Princesses join the pirates on stage now. Rapunzel is part if it. First time I’ve seen her included.

Princesses bring dreams of romance to the show.

10:54 a.m. – Children dressed as the Princes and Princesses join everyone on stage, and a rose comes out of the top of the “dream” bottle out in the bay.

10:55 a.m. – Goofy is playing a drum kit on stage now. A bunch of dancers are doing a High School Musical number – “We’re All In This Together.”

The HSM segment.

10:56 a.m. – The drum line is impressive. I think this qualifies as a “big show.” Tons of music, dancing, etc.

Funky Mickey.

Ooh. Mickey is hip hop dancing. That just doesn’t look right.

10:57 a.m. – Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts takes the stage. He’s speechin’ about the ship. Recognizing Imagineers, Jay Rasulo, blah blah, clappity clap. Poppenburg, Germany. That’s fun to say. Poppenburg. Poppenburg. Weee!

The cast and crew of the Dream out on the decks, cheering.

10:59 a.m. – The cast and crew of the ship is out on the decks cheering. Nice touch.

11 a.m. – Mickey is back in his dress blues, and the Navy marching band returns to play “Anchors Aweigh.”

"Anchors Aweigh!"

11:02 a.m. – Flags representing the more than 60 home countries of the Disney Dream’s cast and crew are part of a procession as the Navy band continues to play.

11:03 a.m. – The ship is ready, the cast and crew are in place, bottle is ready to go…

Fairy Godmother.

A Godmother arrives – it’s Cinderella’s fairy godmother. (Jenna, be envious!)

The Godmother of the DisneyDream and the Queen of Reverb, Jennifer Hudson.

The Godmother of the Disney Dream is… Jennifer Hudson.

She actually worked on the Disney Wonder, evidently.

To be honest, I was hoping for more of an icon of Disney. But good for her. I guess. I’m a little underwhelmed.

11:06 a.m. – Jennifer Hudson is singing. Tons of reverb on her mic all of a sudden. Sounds like she’s singing in a cave.

11:07 a.m. – Well, she’s not lip syncing. Singing to a tape (digital, no doubt) of music, but it certainly seems like she’s singing.

The big show.

Everyone is brought back up on stage – characters, princesses, Navy, etc.

Did you ever think you'd see Buzz and Jessie praying?

11:10 a.m. – Rev. Warren Langer delivers the traditional maritime blessing.

11:11 a.m. – The actual christening begins…

Music building… A helicopter hovers in just over the ship; now over the large “dream” bottle; That’s some nice flying – the pilot is hovering right over the bottle – trying to hook it up… All the cast members on shore are frozen in place watching…

Airwolf!

He’s got it.

The bottle is raising up from the platform – which is located probably 50 feet in front of the Dream…

The helicopter maneuvers over the bow of the Dream, and…

Almost there...

Jennifer Hudson: “I christen thee, Disney Dream. May God bless this ship and all who sail on her.”

Jennifer Hudson christens the ship.

Fireworks, singing, clapping.
Those gathered are invited to a reception inside.

Again, Tom… You’re killing me. Have a blast.

Bon voyage, Disney Dream.