Cruise secrets that DCL doesn't tell you

[DawnMarie]

Has anyone mentioned: don't order the drink of the day from the traveling waiters on the pool deck. The drinks may have been sitting out and gotten watery. I always order one from the bar (and boy are they yummy)

I never knew that. I'll make sure to send DH to the bar.

 

[disneyfamilyforever]

On our families first Disney Cruise, one night my kids decided that they did not want to get dressed up for dinner but wanted instead to go swimming. We were told the pools were open but the slide was closed. That night was by far one of the best memories I have of being on the Disney Cruise. The Mickey pool was empty! I got the best pictures of my kids playing in the pool from the upper deck. The whole Mickey head and only my kids in the pool---priceless! Then we enjoyed the hot tubs by ourselves at the Goofy pool too. But the most amazing part of all was the staff that treated us like royalty. We ate dinner on the deck by the pool and they were catering to us the entire time. I would suggest taking this private time by the pool to everyone but make sure you do this after you have seen all three dining rooms.

 

[CinderellaBride12]

I had a thought with the photo mattes everyone is talking about. I worked at the portrait studio at wal mart for a while and i remember them having them with the 5 holes so you can make a collage of pictures. I think I'm going to pick a few of these up so that I can have a variety of character pictures in there with all the characters instead of one or two characters in a single picture. Maybe I'll have to leave two or three. Thanks for the suggestion of the pillowcases and the mattes!! Hopefully my thought helps someone else.

 

[Ruth B]

On our families first Disney Cruise, one night my kids decided that they did not want to get dressed up for dinner but wanted instead to go swimming. We were told the pools were open but the slide was closed. That night was by far one of the best memories I have of being on the Disney Cruise. The Mickey pool was empty! I got the best pictures of my kids playing in the pool from the upper deck. The whole Mickey head and only my kids in the pool---priceless! Then we enjoyed the hot tubs by ourselves at the Goofy pool too. But the most amazing part of all was the staff that treated us like royalty. We ate dinner on the deck by the pool and they were catering to us the entire time. I would suggest taking this private time by the pool to everyone but make sure you do this after you have seen all three dining rooms.

thats a nice idea- thanks for sharing

 

[angipoo]

I bought a picture mailing envelope (okay, so I don't know the technical name for it ). But I bought it at Walmart or Kmart and of course you could find one at the post office. It has cardboard in the sides and it's padded. Then I just put it in between some flatly (is that a word?) folded clothes in my suitcase. Worked fine.

Couldn't you do this for free by going to the post office and picking up a Priority mailer envelope (one of the stiff ones) use it for the cruise and then you have one of them at home when you need to mail something Priority the next time? Just a thought!

 

[erikthewise]

Most people know there is an exercise room in the spa that you can use at no additional charge.

But what most people don't know is that you can also use the men's/women's locker rooms in the spa at no charge! All you have to do is ask for a key at the desk. (I guess if you're the trusting sort you don't even have to do that!)

The locker rooms are quite luxurious with two unusual showers. One has a shower head as big as a pizza! You can get body lotion and shampoo out of dispensers in the shower. There are some nice lounge chairs, and I think there's even a sauna! (I don't do saunas so I didn't pay much attention to it.) It's a great place to visit after a workout instead of going back to your cabin to shower!

 

[ch10dad]

Apparently we can Topsiders (is it Beach Blanket on Wonder?) for breakfast buffet option on disembarkation morning.

We've done this before and it works great for us. Enjoy.

 

[ch10dad]

On our families first Disney Cruise, one night my kids decided that they did not want to get dressed up for dinner but wanted instead to go swimming. We were told the pools were open but the slide was closed. That night was by far one of the best memories I have of being on the Disney Cruise. The Mickey pool was empty! I got the best pictures of my kids playing in the pool from the upper deck. The whole Mickey head and only my kids in the pool---priceless! Then we enjoyed the hot tubs by ourselves at the Goofy pool too. But the most amazing part of all was the staff that treated us like royalty. We ate dinner on the deck by the pool and they were catering to us the entire time. I would suggest taking this private time by the pool to everyone but make sure you do this after you have seen all three dining rooms.

Well if you tell everyooooooooone then it will no tbe private!

Great tip, though I think it might be hard to pull my kids from the dinner table. DD11 has developed a taste for the fine art of dining. Her favorites include lobster, filet mingon, etc... all the stuff we don't normally get... thanks Mickey

Ray

 

[PeterandTink]

I went to Wally World today to get a mat to drop off and have signed....I found one that is esp made for signing...called Signature Event Mat...I had never noticed them before..it is 11x14 with a 5x7 opening but figured it would have more room for the characters to sign and I could print one of ours to put in it ... Just thought I would mention it havent seen anyone say anything about these kind on here..Happy Sailings..

 

[Tiggerfan14]

just subscribing

 

[Diznyfan68]

I went to Wally World today to get a mat to drop off and have signed....I found one that is esp made for signing...called Signature Event Mat...I had never noticed them before..it is 11x14 with a 5x7 opening but figured it would have more room for the characters to sign and I could print one of ours to put in it ... Just thought I would mention it havent seen anyone say anything about these kind on here..Happy Sailings..

As much as I hate going to Wally World this is one reason to make the trip - thanks for the tip!

 

[hueydewielouie]

This thread is great. We are going on our first Disney Cruise in Feb. 08 and I am making note of all of these (especially those pillow cases).

Oh, and I thought Wally World was the destination for Chevy Chase in Vacation?

 

[yndygo]

This thread is great. We are going on our first Disney Cruise in Feb. 08 and I am making note of all of these (especially those pillow cases).

Oh, and I thought Wally World was the destination for Chevy Chase in Vacation?

Wally World is also a nickname for WalMart

 

[Stitchnut]

Thanks for all the terrific tips and secrets here

Someone ( and I'm sorry that I don't remember their name) did something a little different with character autographs. They bought the Vinylmation Mickeys (Create your own) and had them signed at Guest Services. They were really cool, but a more expensive thing to do. There is a black Mickey and they were going to have it signed in metallic marker. Just something a little different. And I checked online, and they can be order from WDW merchandise website.

 

[hortontrio]

That pillowcase thing is a great idea!!! If I did this, it would save me time the last night. I would have to try and run around to all the characters we missed and get signatures!!!

Tell me more!!!!!!! Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We actually bought 3 CHEAP photo frames at the dollar store all white and put them in a baggie and they do actualframes too, my daughter gave them a autograph book too and it all came back markers and all the ngiht before we left, SOOOOOOO much easier than trying to get all the signatures!! LOVED IT

 

[gdulaney]

Here are a few:

-Bring some clothespins. They are great for hanging up swimsuits, etc.
-Bring some Lysol or other "fragrant spray" for the bathroom.
-Bring an inexpensive hanging shoe rack...those pockets are great for tanning oil, cameras, etc. Keeps it organized and easy to find.
-If you plan on doing laundry, I read a great tip on another thread... bring a couple of pop-up laundry hampers to separate your clothes ahead of time. We'd been bringing one bag, but I love the idea of going ahead and separating darks/whites/colors.

I agree with an earlier poster....don't try to do it all. Just have fun and enjoy it!!

Ginny

 

[CADisneyMom]

For those of you that have U.S. passports. You can leave them with Guest Services (you get a receipt that you must have to get it back), and they will have it stamped at each country you visit. On the last night, you go and pick it back up.

I didn't know about this one We've been on Bahamas, Eastern and Western Caribbean which I would have done. I guess I'll have to start it now.

 

[Tinked]

I didn't know about this one We've been on Bahamas, Eastern and Western Caribbean which I would have done. I guess I'll have to start it now.

I've been told that this isn't happening. You can leave them but they probably won't get stamped. It's not up to DCL, it's at the whim of the port you're in.

 

[heatherwillmom]

Someone told me that they quit doing the pillow cases. Has anyone tried this lately?

 

[lucky1]

When your kid goes to Goofy's Pajama party, they will get a pillowcases to color during the party and they get to take it home. DD loves hers.