Over 2000 pix! Our first Disney Dream cruise + Fantasy pix + Our Wonder cruise!

[ProudMommyof2]

It's amazing how empty CC is! Where is everyone????

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

It's amazing how empty CC is! Where is everyone????

I don't know, but I sure hope to see it again like this next time we go!

 

[wgeo]

HI

New here, we are thinking about taking our first cruise and I was looking for info on the kids clubs and castaway key - your trip report has been great! I've called DH bunches of times to look at pics, he finally gave up and just sat next to me! We're trying to decide if the price is worth doing DCL over Carnival etc., if we could have castaway key like you did it would be a no-brainer!

Gina

 

[goeva]

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

HI

New here, we are thinking about taking our first cruise and I was looking for info on the kids clubs and castaway key - your trip report has been great! I've called DH bunches of times to look at pics, he finally gave up and just sat next to me! We're trying to decide if the price is worth doing DCL over Carnival etc., if we could have castaway key like you did it would be a no-brainer!

Gina

If you are considering the kids clubs definitely, without a doubt, go with DCL. If your family is into Disney even a little bit go with Disney! If the kids are at the ages to enjoy the characters, no matter what, this is your line. Carnival is okay. It's like "Family Dollar" so to speak. Then you have RCCL which is along the lines of say "Target". Then you have DCL which is definitely DTD's World of Disney. If you like that store (without the crowds let's imagine) that is your DCL. I'm just guessing you all love Disney if you're on the DISboards.

*I see that you've stayed at Bonnet Creek. How did ya'll like it? We have a friend who sells that timeshare and offered to get his employee discount for a stay sometime. Looks nice online.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

 

[Sophe30]

OMG I have just come across your TR and Im loving it!

We are off to Saratoga Springs next august for 8 days and have been toying with the idea of doing something different beforehand to our usual 2 weeks in WDW. Today was the first day Ive considered a Disney Cruise and thanks to your TR, Im hooked!
Fab photos!

I have a few questions, if you dont mind?

1) I know you said the cruise was only about 70% full but it looks totally deserted. Had there been more crowds do you think it would have dented your enjoyment much? My main concern about a cruise is it being cramped and claustrophobic. (Ive never been on any cruise)

2) Is everything included? Do you need to carry around money at all? Eg for tips, snacks etc? (sorry - newbie questions I know, but this is literally the first bit of research I have done on a DCL and its all a bit confusing!)

3)For the kids clubs- were you happy to leave your kids and trust that they were being looked after? We're going with our 6 & 4 yo and would love a bit of adult time but Im always a bit hesitant to leave the kids in random childcare places.

 

[wgeo]

If you are considering the kids clubs definitely, without a doubt, go with DCL. If your family is into Disney even a little bit go with Disney! If the kids are at the ages to enjoy the characters, no matter what, this is your line. Carnival is okay. It's like "Family Dollar" so to speak. Then you have RCCL which is along the lines of say "Target". Then you have DCL which is definitely DTD's World of Disney. If you like that store (without the crowds let's imagine) that is your DCL. I'm just guessing you all love Disney if you're on the DISboards. I will link you to my fb page so you can show your hubby everything at one time. I'm going to try and get in one more update before we leave if I can get some free time time. Things are a little crazier than I thought they would be, but at least the clothes are packed! Oh yeah, if you sail during hurricane season or even right before Christmas rates are a lot lower. Our family of 5 sailed for right at $2,000 when we went in a deluxe ocean view stateroom. That makes a huge difference too. Okay, here ya go: Cruise Pix

*I see that you've stayed at Bonnet Creek. How did ya'll like it? We have a friend who sells that timeshare and offered to get his employee discount for a stay sometime. Looks nice online.

Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

Thanks! We are probably "target" people, but are quickly becoming quite obsessed with Disney! I wish we lived within driving distance, the flights really make things more complicated, but I'm going to start paying attention to when they discount the rooms (gt rates I think?). Bonnet creek we absolutely loved! The price was crazy low, the location was awesome, it really is on property, I liked spreading out and having separate bedrooms and a place to make coffee in the mornings and my kids LOVED the pools, especially the pirate slide. We only wish we could have had a longer trip so we could have done more of the activities they had around the resort.

 

[2BusyPlanning]

Love, love, LOVE all of the photos and your report! I am in the process of planning our first Disney cruise on the Fantasy next September, so this helps tremendously! Thank you!

* I'll have to show my DD, 20 the pic of Bret Michaels... We've taken her to see Poison in concert here, and now I think she has a 'thing' for him. She claims its the type 1 diabetes connection, but I'm not buying that!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

OMG I have just come across your TR and Im loving it!

We are off to Saratoga Springs next august for 8 days and have been toying with the idea of doing something different beforehand to our usual 2 weeks in WDW. Today was the first day Ive considered a Disney Cruise and thanks to your TR, Im hooked!
Fab photos!

I have a few questions, if you dont mind?

1) I know you said the cruise was only about 70% full but it looks totally deserted. Had there been more crowds do you think it would have dented your enjoyment much? My main concern about a cruise is it being cramped and claustrophobic. (Ive never been on any cruise) The island is pretty big so I wouldn't think so there. Disney has so many things going on all the time. I think you could definitely enjoy yourself.

2) Is everything included? Do you need to carry around money at all? Eg for tips, snacks etc? (sorry - newbie questions I know, but this is literally the first bit of research I have done on a DCL and its all a bit confusing!) Everything is charged to your key card. Now you can go to guest services and pay them off with cash each day if you choose, but you don't have to. You can wait until the end or put some money on your account. Tips you can pre pay, pay for in cash at the end, or charge your room then pay off at the end in cash or via CC.

3)For the kids clubs- were you happy to leave your kids and trust that they were being looked after? We're going with our 6 & 4 yo and would love a bit of adult time but Im always a bit hesitant to leave the kids in random childcare places.

I am super overprotective and I never let my kids stay with friends or anything like that. I let my older two stay in their clubs a few times, which is really unusual for me. The CM's at the clubs are very nice people and they take care of the kids.

Your idea of adding in the cruise is a great one. That's the best way to lengthen your Disney experience. I can talk about it for days....questions are welcome.

Thanks! We are probably "target" people, but are quickly becoming quite obsessed with Disney! I wish we lived within driving distance, the flights really make things more complicated, but I'm going to start paying attention to when they discount the rooms (gt rates I think?). Bonnet creek we absolutely loved! The price was crazy low, the location was awesome, it really is on property, I liked spreading out and having separate bedrooms and a place to make coffee in the mornings and my kids LOVED the pools, especially the pirate slide. We only wish we could have had a longer trip so we could have done more of the activities they had around the resort.

BC is gorgeous! We have not stayed there, but I have looked into it a few times. We had a friend that sold that time share and he was able to get us his rate. We opted for AKL instead that time, but it sure had the wow factor. I would stay at BC in a second! Did they offer extra magic hours though? I didn't think you could do it with BC.

Love, love, LOVE all of the photos and your report! I am in the process of planning our first Disney cruise on the Fantasy next September, so this helps tremendously! Thank you!

* I'll have to show my DD, 20 the pic of Bret Michaels... We've taken her to see Poison in concert here, and now I think she has a 'thing' for him. She claims its the type 1 diabetes connection, but I'm not buying that!

Make sure you check in with my new trip report I'm about to start too. You will be pleasantly surprised with some of things you will see.

So glad this is helping you with planning. I will be updating soon. We just got back from our 14 night WDW vacation and I have oodles of things to get caught up on.

Your DD probably has a crush on him...what girl doesn't? Just the way he treats his little girls, and how he was to my kids, that's love. He's a great guy. The show he did for MTV...it was all about the $. He wanted to make sure those kids were looked after for years to come and ya know what? It worked out. Everyone knows his name again.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

NEW UPDATES COMING SOON!!!! We just got back from our 14 night stay at WDW. As soon as I get caught up I'll finish this one.

 

[anamanxs]

Wonderful report, can't wait to read the rest. Going on my first Disney cruise in April with GD, GS, DD and SIL. I have done several other cruises but not DCL.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Wonderful report, can't wait to read the rest. Going on my first Disney cruise in April with GD, GS, DD and SIL. I have done several other cruises but not DCL.

Oh you are going to LOVE it! Which ship are you sailing on? Mine is now the Fantasy for sure!

 

[goeva]

NEW UPDATES COMING SOON!!!! We just got back from our 14 night stay at WDW. As soon as I get caught up I'll finish this one.

Can't wait to hear more. :

 

[JustUs275]

Just read this trip report - love all the information and pictures! We have cruised 2x on RCCL, but our Dream cruise will be our 1st with DCL. Our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters (ages 6 & 1 at time of sail) have never been on a cruise at all...can't wait to see their faces when the see the ship for the first time! Thanks for posting, looking forward to seeing more!

 

[The Marsons]

What a fantastic report. We are sailing on the Dream in August on the four night excursion. We have never cruised before and are taking my grandparents with us who have never cruised also! We are from the UK so are combining the stay with a three week stay at WDW. I was wondering last night actually if I should be doing anything with regards to the cruise although think that most of the planning will take place when I have paid my final balance in May.

thank you once again

Sarah

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Can't wait to hear more. :

Thank you. I will be updating today sometime!

Just read this trip report - love all the information and pictures! We have cruised 2x on RCCL, but our Dream cruise will be our 1st with DCL. Our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters (ages 6 & 1 at time of sail) have never been on a cruise at all...can't wait to see their faces when the see the ship for the first time! Thanks for posting, looking forward to seeing more!

I love RCCL. The two don't even compare, and both are special. It will be interesting to hear what you think after your cruise. I just toured the Fantasy in December and I did not want to leave. I thought the Dream was nice but the Fantasy made me cry. Could have been all of the Christmas decorations. The kids are going to have the time of their lives!

What a fantastic report. We are sailing on the Dream in August on the four night excursion. We have never cruised before and are taking my grandparents with us who have never cruised also! We are from the UK so are combining the stay with a three week stay at WDW. I was wondering last night actually if I should be doing anything with regards to the cruise although think that most of the planning will take place when I have paid my final balance in May.

thank you once again

Sarah

Thank you. What a great place to have a family reunion! On my last night at Disney prior to sailing I repacked and only brought aboard the stuff I needed for the cruise itself. Now we drive our own car to port. Not sure what your driving situation is for your trip, but the less you have to carry on, the better I believe. If you guys are visiting for a month you must have a lot of gear. Our longest trip at WDW was 17 nights and the truck was packed to the rim! As far as booking excursions and specialty dining...all of that will be done prior to your WDW arrival. As soon as you pay in full you can begin booking all of that fun stuff. If you get a chance to dine in the specialty restaurants do so. We did not eat in them, but when I took my ship tour we walked through both and all I can say is WOW!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Wow. Okay I forget what I have added so far, but I think everything was up except Pirate night and maybe one other. If I add something again that's already been posted my apologies. As I sit here waiting on my hubby and oldest son to get home from work, I keep getting sidetracked with facebook. My friends keep posting cruise pics and Disney CA Adventure pics and well, they're just amazing to look at. Let me go ahead and add this...my friend just got back from a Dream cruise. She put up pics of Castaway Cay all decked out for the holidays! Christmas trees and decorations all over! Hello, how cool is that? Then of course the interior was much like the Fantasy I just toured...huge tree, lots of garland, and the most amazing gingerbread house ever! They also had this thing where they made their own gingerbread houses! AWESOME! Maybe she will add some of those pictures...HINT HINT Jenny! Oh, and she also had her "Pirate" night at Animator's P and I will be requesting that next time! Much better than the other two places. They had some cool stuff popping up on their screens. We just had servers in pirate costumes.

Okay, okay. Food pics...this is going to be so random it's not even funny. You ready?

Darn it. Now I'm hungry. As you can see my little guy was very excited about cruise eating. He liked the idea of getting two plates to pick and choose from. He said he could get used to that. That probably is one of the best things about cruising. The variety of food. I was proud of my kiddos too because they tried a lot of new things while sailing. Even the escargot! Surprisingly they didn't care for it and I was stuck eating two. Oh, poor me. LOL Tastes like mushrooms...and I love mushrooms!

Do you have a favorite menu item when you cruise with Disney (or other lines)? Mine has to be the escargot. Tried it on our RCCL honeymoon cruise and have loved it ever since. Okay! This is it for tonight. I'm going to start uploading the pictures from Nov/Dec (there are thousands of them...literally!) soon. Before we end this trip report we will add some FANTASY pictures. The next trip report will be like old times though, if you choose to follow. Details kept, pictures to match, and they will be uploaded in order. he he I will look through this tonight and see what else is missing. Until tomorrow. Peace out.

 

[MomToPrincePhillip]

Glad your back to posting, I missed you! Can't wait for the new TR too.

 

[The Marsons]

Thanks for that yummy food update. I love love love dining at Disney but this cruise food looks so good to.

Thanks for your earlier reply. We are staying at animal kingdom lodge for five nights, followed buy the cruise for four nights and finally followed by two weeks at port Orleans riverside. We plan to hire a car for the akl and cruise part of the holiday. I never thought but I could leave the majority of our stuff in the car while we cruise. We usually take three suitcases, so I could maybe pack all our stuff in the one case and just take that on board? That should be ok shouldn't it? Does it cost much to park your car for the four nights?

Thanks

Sarah

 

[goeva]

Hey, Tammy: Glad you're back to share more awesome pics with us.
My favorite menu item on DCL is Pan-seared Sea Bass.
Hubby's favorite is Escargots Gratinés, too.