We just got back from our Disney cruise on Monday. You're going to have so much fun! I'm running to the store now, but I'll be back to post more later.
Honestly I don't know that there are really too many tips or tricks. Disney does everything so well, you really don't have to worry about anything.
DD LOVED the kid's club and spent several hours there each day. Go ahead and register your kids online. Also, do the online check-in. It will really expedite the check-in process when you get to the terminal.
If you get to the terminal early, go ahead and check-in. We were able to board the ship an hour and a half before our scheduled arrival time.
Don't skip the pre/post (depending on your dining time) dinner shows. They're excellent and even my toddlers sat through them.
You'll get a detailed schedule of events, shows, character meet & greets, etc. each day, but I also recommend downloading the cruise navigator app. It only works when connected to the ship's wifi, but it was handy to have. Also, if you don't have an international calling plan, be sure to put your phone in airplane mode or you'll end up with crazy charges.
If you want to meet characters, get there early. The lines start forming at least 15 minutes before the scheduled times.
It was cloudy and looked like rain the day we were at Castaway Cay, so we didn't really get to explore the island as much as we would have liked. We did play on the beach for a while, though. We didn't do any excursions. We didn't want to be too scheduled with the boys and honestly, there's plenty to do for free. If you do want to do excursions, schedule them online now. There was almost always a long line at the Port Adventures desk.
We were on the Dream and I don't know how the two ships compare, but I'm more than happy to try to answer any specific questions you might have. You'll have so much fun and eat so much great food! I seriously gained 6 lbs and it was totally worth it!
Thanks so much! Everything I read seems to say Dream and Wonder are comparable ships. I don't think we are going to plan excursions either so I'm glad to hear it's not necessary. We are so excited. How did your kids do at sea? I called the pedi to get meds to have on hand just in case.
Thanks so much! Everything I read seems to say Dream and Wonder are comparable ships. I don't think we are going to plan excursions either so I'm glad to hear it's not necessary. We are so excited. How did your kids do at sea? I called the pedi to get meds to have on hand just in case.
How were the shows?
DH took Dramamine, but he's prone to motion sickness and he really took it as more of a precaution than out of necessity. The kids and I were fine. Well, my head got a little swimmy one night, but I'd had a few drinks, so...
The ship is so big, you really don't feel the motion too terribly much. We could feel it most toward the front of the ship, which is where our stateroom was.
The shows were great! Everything you would expect from Disney. ETA: There is definitely PLENTY to do without scheduling excursions.
I've been on 2 Disney Cruises & they are great. We went on the Dream & on the Fantasy. We went to Castaway Cay on both. One thing I can say is if you don't leave the ship as soon as they let you you're not going to find a beach chair. So if that's something important to you then get up early that day, have breakfast & be ready to get off the ship as soon as it's in port. Castaway Cay is awesome! The beach is nice, so is the splash pad & the BBQ buffet. We didn't do any excursions either. We just played in the water at the beach, built sand castles & in the splash area had a little to eat. It's awesome & I'm sure you will have a great time. If you have any more questions just let me know.
I've been on 2 Disney Cruises & they are great. We went on the Dream & on the Fantasy. We went to Castaway Cay on both. One thing I can say is if you don't leave the ship as soon as they let you you're not going to find a beach chair. So if that's something important to you then get up early that day, have breakfast & be ready to get off the ship as soon as it's in port. Castaway Cay is awesome! The beach is nice, so is the splash pad & the BBQ buffet. We didn't do any excursions either. We just played in the water at the beach, built sand castles & in the splash area had a little to eat. It's awesome & I'm sure you will have a great time. If you have any more questions just let me know.
Awesome! Thanks, I think we are going to rent a cabana so we will have shade and a "home base" for DS2. We are also doing Key West and Nassau
FWIW, there were tons of empty beach chairs while we were there and they all have umbrellas. Have you already rented your cabana? They were all gone within a few hours the first day you could book them online when we looked. (Which I *think* was 30 days out)
FWIW, there were tons of empty beach chairs while we were there and they all have umbrellas. Have you already rented your cabana? They were all gone within a few hours the first day you could book them online when we looked. (Which I *think* was 30 days out)
If you don't already have a cabana you probably won't get one. They are very difficult to get & most of them are already rented out to the people that have status with Disney Cruise Lines.
We've need to Castaway Cay 3 times (twice on the same cruise). The first 2 times were in June and the last time was in April. I know the Fantasy & Dream are their newest and largest ships & were completely at capacity on both of the cruises we were on so maybe that's why all the beach chairs were full?
No matter what it's a great island & I'm sure you & your family will have a great time.
FWIW, there were tons of empty beach chairs while we were there and they all have umbrellas. Have you already rented your cabana? They were all gone within a few hours the first day you could book them online when we looked. (Which I *think* was 30 days out)
The concierge apparently has some set aside that they say we can rent at the beginning of the cruise. I have been very impressed with all the help we have already gotten from special needs services and the concierge. Special needs has set up a bellman go walk us through check in and help with the oxygen and other equipment.
FWIW, there were tons of empty beach chairs while we were there and they all have umbrellas. Have you already rented your cabana? They were all gone within a few hours the first day you could book them online when we looked. (Which I *think* was 30 days out)
If you don't already have a cabana you probably won't get one. They are very difficult to get & most of them are already rented out to the people that have status with Disney Cruise Lines.
We've need to Castaway Cay 3 times (twice on the same cruise). The first 2 times were in June and the last time was in April. I know the Fantasy & Dream are their newest and largest ships & were completely at capacity on both of the cruises we were on so maybe that's why all the beach chairs were full?
No matter what it's a great island & I'm sure you & your family will have a great time.
We were there last weekend, so not exactly a peak time. I have no idea how many people were on the ship, but it felt like a lot. Lol
If you don't already have a cabana you probably won't get one. They are very difficult to get & most of them are already rented out to the people that have status with Disney Cruise Lines.
We've need to Castaway Cay 3 times (twice on the same cruise). The first 2 times were in June and the last time was in April. I know the Fantasy & Dream are their newest and largest ships & were completely at capacity on both of the cruises we were on so maybe that's why all the beach chairs were full?
No matter what it's a great island & I'm sure you & your family will have a great time.
We were there last weekend, so not exactly a peak time. I have no idea how many people were on the ship, but it felt like a lot. Lol
I am hoping the week after Thanksgiving and before kids get out for Christmas will be less crazy.
We were there last weekend, so not exactly a peak time. I have no idea how many people were on the ship, but it felt like a lot. Lol
I am hoping the week after Thanksgiving and before kids get out for Christmas will be less crazy.
Hopefully it won't be too bad. We're planning to go again in a few years and will likely try to go in the fall again. I have no desire to go during a peak time and I much prefer the milder weather. (If you can call 80*-90* mild.)The last time I was in the Bahamas it was July and it was miserable.
Post by rosesandpetals on Nov 19, 2015 22:45:03 GMT -5
I've never been but a friend of mine just got back and she has been raving about how much fun it was. She said everything was great and they didn't have any bad experiences. Have fun!
Anything special I should pack? I have pirate gear for pirate night.
I'm not sure if you have a DD or not but if you do you may want to bring/buy (before boarding) a Disney Princess dress. DD had a Snow White one & she loved wearing it around. The pics of her with Snow White are awesome too! I agree with the pp that the character meeting lines start well before the time listed. The one where you can meet all the princesses is REALLY popular so you want to get in-line (or at least you or DH) for that super early.
If there is a destination you aren't that excited about seeing stay on the boat. It's super quite & the pools aren't full. We had the most awesome time on the boat during a shore day we had no interest in.
You can go to the buffet the day of arrival so you don't have to worry about eating before getting to the boat & the selection is great. You will probably not be allowed into your guest room until well after you've boarded & your luggage may or may not be in the room.
One of the best pieces of advice I got from a friend & Disney Cruise veteran is pack a separate bag that you carry with you on the boat that has sunscreen, swimsuits/cover ups and anything else you'd like (they have towels) for a day at the pool. That way if you want you can head for the pool area before you get your room or your luggage arrives.
The buffet turns into a restaurant in the evenings so if you don't want to do the full (long) meal in your designated restaurant one night you can go up there. The food is awesome & it's a lot quicker. Of course, this is my experience on the Dream & Fantasy.
Oh, a lot of people like to decorate their stateroom door & go all out! It's metal so magnets work well.
Ok, I think I've covered a lot but if you have any other questions just let me know. I hope this helps! Have an awesome time! I'd go every year but DH isn't that into the whole Disney thing, !