Must dos & don't bothers

[CajunMomof3]

We are looking forward to our second Disney cruise in March. I'm interested in what DISsers say are their 3 must dos and don't bothers.
From our first cruise, ours are:
Must Do:
Live shows
Dinner in MDRs
Fireworks

Don't bothers:
Pool (but we are excited about the AquaDuck this time)
Pirate show (but the teenager loved the buffet after)
Sail away party

What is on your list?

 

[Dug720]

My must do list:
* RELAX
* HAVE FUN

My don't bother list:
*Whatever I don't feel like doing.

Pretty simple!

 

[goofyintoronto]

Must do's:
Live theater/musical
Movie in the theater - seats are so comfy, great theater
Pirate night/Fireworks - love the mickey and gang show, the fireworks, and the dance party after! we didnt end up eating at the buffet so I dont even know if that was good.
The spa with the waterfall shower thingy's. its amazing!
Adult area - wonderful for snoozing in peace and quiet!

Dont bother:
swimming - way too crowded
golfing - sometimes too windy, balls dont stay still

 

[BradChristian]

Spa Waterfalls?

What part of the spa is that? Do you have to have a treatment to use that area?

 

[californiamomofboys]

I believe she's talking about the Rainforest Room. No treatment required to go there but you must purchase a day pass.
We skip Sail Away Deck party and go to Rainforest Room and get in the hot tub at that time. You will see a beautiful sunset from there or on the heated loungers depending on how long you stay/time of year and it is empty or almost empty at that time.

 

[Prose]

For a repeat cruiser, our must-dos are:

Adult only areas - pool, Rainforest room
Midship Detective Agency
Palo- brunch or dinner
AquaDuck
Verandah stateroom

Our don't bother/don't stress if you don't dos are:

Evening shows (seen 'em)
Pirate night/buffet (soooo crowded!)
Pools
Arcade

It's great that we all have different points of view - there's something for everyone!

 

[goofyintoronto]

I believe she's talking about the Rainforest Room. No treatment required to go there but you must purchase a day pass.
We skip Sail Away Deck party and go to Rainforest Room and get in the hot tub at that time. You will see a beautiful sunset from there or on the heated loungers depending on how long you stay/time of year and it is empty or almost empty at that time.

Spa Waterfalls?

What part of the spa is that? Do you have to have a treatment to use that area?

Sorry yes, the Rainforest Room at the Senses Spa is what I was referring to, as per above. (sorry, I couldnt remember the name). Its wonderful! Here is some more info on it. As mentioned its $16 for a day pass (a bargain i think!!!), with the scrub pad and container of scrub, its $27.

http://www.mommymusings.com/rainforest-room-on-the-disney-fantasy/

http://allears.net/cruise/ships/dream/recreation/senses_spa.htm




The scrub is wonderful btw. Totally worth the money!

 

[bethy]

I'm a first time cruiser and after a couple months of research here are mine so far. Our cruise is only 4 nights and we are tired parents with 3 kids:

Must Do's:
Sail away party (first cruise - gotta do it!)
Halloween Dress/Up and trick or treating (we will be on board Oct 31)
1 MDR - preferably in Animator's Palate, dress nicely
CC 5k for my teen girl who is a runner (and this is a double dip cruise)
1 or 2 evening shows
Comedy act with my DH (if available)
Sit on my verandah with wine and a book and room service
AquaDunk
FE

Don't bother:
More than one MDR
Nassau
classes/seminars
ship tours
DVC gatherings/meetings
movie theater

I'd welcome any feedback!

 

[Dug720]

I'm a first time cruiser and after a couple months of research here are mine so far. Our cruise is only 4 nights and we are tired parents with 3 kids:

Must Do's:
Sail away party (first cruise - gotta do it!)
Halloween Dress/Up and trick or treating (we will be on board Oct 31)
1 MDR - preferably in Animator's Palate, dress nicely
CC 5k for my teen girl who is a runner (and this is a double dip cruise)
1 or 2 evening shows
Comedy act with my DH (if available)
Sit on my verandah with wine and a book and room service
AquaDunk
FE

Don't bother:
More than one MDR
Nassau
classes/seminars
ship tours
DVC gatherings/meetings
movie theater

I'd welcome any feedback!

I'm curious where you plan to eat the other three nights. The evening service at Cabanas is not available on the 1st or last night of the cruise, and the kids could not go to Palo or Remy.

I do think the Art of the Theme Show tour is definitely worth the time - especially if the kids are settled in the clubs. You learn a lot about the ship and the themeing behind it.

 

[Dug720]

My must do list:
* RELAX
* HAVE FUN

My don't bother list:
*Whatever I don't feel like doing.

Pretty simple!

I realized there is one more MUST DO:
MUSTER DRILL

Beyond that, my list is complete.

 

[ptcbass]

Should this list include ports or just while on the ship? If ports too, what ports do you have planned for your next cruise?

 

[bethy]

Yes, that is one of the things on my list to work on, figuring out how/where we will eat. I have a 4 year old who is not well behaved in restaurants and so I just want to deal with her one night in an MDR.

We aren't foodies, we like it of course, but think of food more as necessary fuel if that makes sense. I'm just happy if I don't have to cook. PLUS we have two ppl with severe dairy allergies. So I will be calling Disney ahead of time, etc. We eat a lot of salads and sandwiches and uncomplicated - Whole - foods at home. And not a lot of meat.

Also, my DH spends a good number of his weekly meals wining and dining people at restaurants and events. So doing that on vacation is not a huge priority for him.

Plus I am an exhausted mom and this will be the end of a 2 week family vacation adventure so I just want as much quiet time and solitude as is possible on a family cruise.

So I was planning on doing a combo of room service (we have 2 rooms booked) and Cabanas. I did not realize Cabana's wasn't open all the time.

I am open to ship tours if the mood strikes us, it works out logistically with the kids and the timing is right. It is just not a must do. If I get any free time I just really want to sit around and read my book, lol!

 

[kalikat420]

This is my 5th cruise, but 1st on the Magic. Really looking forward to exploring the ship a bit, as this is also my longest cruise yet (5-nt).

Must do:
Rainforest Room
Single Spa Villa
Fire and Ice Pedicure
Palo Brunch
Family Halloween costume (still trying to convince my parents on this one)

Don't bother:
Pirate night buffet
Bingo
Movie theater (unless it's something really good )

 

[sambycat]

Yes, that is one of the things on my list to work on, figuring out how/where we will eat. I have a 4 year old who is not well behaved in restaurants and so I just want to deal with her one night in an MDR.

We aren't foodies, we like it of course, but think of food more as necessary fuel if that makes sense. I'm just happy if I don't have to cook. PLUS we have two ppl with severe dairy allergies. So I will be calling Disney ahead of time, etc. We eat a lot of salads and sandwiches and uncomplicated - Whole - foods at home. And not a lot of meat.

Also, my DH spends a good number of his weekly meals wining and dining people at restaurants and events. So doing that on vacation is not a huge priority for him.

Plus I am an exhausted mom and this will be the end of a 2 week family vacation adventure so I just want as much quiet time and solitude as is possible on a family cruise.

So I was planning on doing a combo of room service (we have 2 rooms booked) and Cabanas. I did not realize Cabana's wasn't open all the time.

I am open to ship tours if the mood strikes us, it works out logistically with the kids and the timing is right. It is just not a must do. If I get any free time I just really want to sit around and read my book, lol!

For serious food allergies and special diets you maybe finding that the mDRs are your best options. Yu may be able to utilize the dine and play kids club services as well. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[basketlacey]

We are going on our second cruise soon. Here are mine:

Must dos:
MDR every night
Shows at least a few nights
Beach time
Snacks

Don't do:
Bingo
Arcade
Pool for swimming (but I am happy to enjoy a lounger and watch a movie on the big screen)

 

[Dug720]

For serious food allergies and special diets you maybe finding that the mDRs are your best options. Yu may be able to utilize the dine and play kids club services as well. Enjoy your cruise!

Good catch! I missed the allergy bit. Yes...if you are dealing with severe allergies, the MDRs are going to be your best bet as you will be dealing with the same servers and especially the head server (everything allergy gets run through her/him) every night as opposed to Cabanas on the 2 available nights where you'll have different people. I'm also pretty sure that when allergies are involved room service is discouraged because there isn't a dedicated allergy kitchen for room service like there is for the MDRs.

 

[bethy]

Ugh. Thank everyone this is good to know ahead of time about the allergies. I'm not looking forward to having to be anywhere at a certain time. We'll figure it out.

Sorry if I derailed the thread a bit!

 

[Zandy595]

Must Do's

• MDR every night
• Shows (if I haven't already seen them)
• Palo Brunch

Don't Bother

• Spa
• Bingo
• Pools

 

[DizMagic]

Must Do's
Movies
Palo
Room Service (at least once)

Don't Bother's
Evening Shows
Pools
Photo Ops

Might Do's
Rainforest Room

 

[SaraSpringsIsHome]

Must Do's-
Dinner in the MDRs
All the evening shows
Some sort of mixology/drink tasting

Maybes-
Palo Brunch
Hot tub time in the quiet cove
Drink of the Day

Dont's-
Spa treatments
Pirate party/buffet
Bingo