The Duoma in Florence/Firenze, Italy
Disney Mediterranean Cruise Day 5
Florence/Pisa
A streetside bistro in Pisa, Italy
We were excited about Disney Mediterranean Cruise Day 5. We were docking in Livorno, Italy, the gateway to Tuscany. Port excursions were available to Florence, Pisa, and the Cinque Terra. We had stayed in Florence (Firenze) the week before the cruise. So, we were going to visit Pisa today. We were also excited about the evening show, Tangled the Musical as we are all big fans of the Disney animated movie Tangled.
Morning Run Video
The Disney Magic stack
Like most days, I started Disney Mediterranean Cruise Day 5 with a run on Deck 4 as we were nearing shore. I strapped my GoPro camera to my head to record a lap around the deck. Unfortunately, they had already blocked off the fore area for mooring. Click here for a running/jogging tour of the Disney Magic Promenade Deck before daylight.
Catching the Train
Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi on Piazza Grande in Livorno, Italy
Shore excursions are rather expensive. We wanted to visit Pisa, but did not want to pay $35 each for what would amount to basically a bus ride to Pisa. We are getting more comfortable with the European train system. Disney provided free bus transport to a main square in Livorno. There was a Tabacchi (tobacco shop) on the piazza where bus and train tickets are sold. We were able to get round trip tickets, bus to the train station and train to Pisa, for only 8 Euros/$10 each. We were pleased with the money saved and were excited to go to Pisa. The total trip took about an hour. The train and bus were comfortable and clean.
Pisa
Streets of Pisa, Italy
The Pisa train station is about a kilometer from the Field of Miracles, home of the Leaning Tower. I had wanted to tour the town and not just the tourist section; so this worked out. Pisa is a town of about 100,000 people, with around 40,000 college students. Our walk led us through the town, across the Arno River, through the campus, and to the Field of Miracles. It was a nice walk. The streetscapes were very similar to Florence, but most of the way was much less crowded with tourists. The university was neat to me in that Galileo studied and taught there. Can you imagine having Galileo as a professor!
The baptistry on the Field or Miracles in Pisa
Field of Miracles
Turning the corner into the Field of Miracles, we were confronted with the Leaning Tower. It is beautiful, stunning, and larger than I had envisioned. I was truly enthralled. The area has much more to see though. The Duoma and the Baptistry are both intricate and brilliant. The grounds are perfectly manicured. We enjoyed the Fallen Angel and Romulus and Remus statues as well.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Back to the Ship
Thoroughly satisfied with our Disney Mediterranean Cruise Day 5 excursion, we traced our way back to the train station. A nice couple from Houston whom we met on the bus had followed our lead (the blind leading the blind) in how to purchase tickets and use the train. They were heading on to Florence for a quick look about.
Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy
As we had been to Florence, we bid them adieu and headed back to the ship. The return trip took about an hour, too.
Afternoon on the Disney Magic
Another amazing desert on the Disney Magic
We made it back in plenty of time to have lunch back at Lumiere’s, which as always was delicious. Food is such a wonderful part of the cruise experience and Disney Mediterranean Cruise Day 5 was no exception. After lunch, we went to the open house at the Oceaneer Lab, the ship’s area for grade school kids.
Oceaneer Lab on the Disney Magic
With theming from The Avengers and Toy Story, the area looks like a lot of fun.
The Oceaneer Lab on the Disney Magic
We spent much of the afternoon in the Promenade Lounge, first making a 3D paper Pascal (the chameleon from Tangled), then play Who Am I? hosted by the Cruise Staff Team. These games are always great fun.
Dinner and a Show
Dinner at Carioca’s with a souvenir Tangled mug.
Dinner was back at Carioca’s. The food, the company, and the service was wonderful. After dinner, we were anxious for the show.
Tangled the Musical
Tangled the Musical is only performed on the Disney Magic. The show was everything that we had hoped it would be. The story was great as was the acting and singing. Rapunzel’s evil step mother was particularly delightful, in a ruthless, mean way! This is one of the best Disney Cruise Line musicals.
Looking Ahead
Towel origami left by our host after dinner
Disney Mediterranean Cruise Day 5 was one of the best. We could not wait for tomorrow and our first view of the French Riviera. Check back for Disney Mediterranean Cruise Day 6 – Cote d’Azur! In the following weeks, we will have blogs featuring Florence, Pisa, and Rome.