NEED HELP-- Never done a cruise!

[Pumpkingirl7]

We are thinking about booking our first cruise-- we would do 3 days at WDW and then a 3 day Disney Cruise--- someone give me the tips I should know??

Are there things for a 6 yr old and 2 yr old to do?

What time are the dinner seatings??

Any information at all from someone who has done a land and sea package would be helpful!

Also we are driving to orlando and not flying

 

[ocspartan]

We actually did this exact trip last year except with a 5 and 3. We did a wdw first and did two parks MK and AK. We totally immersed ourselves in Disney and stayed on property at art of animation followed by a three day dream cruise

First dining I think was around 5:45

Some tips
1. On the drive in we're about 16 hrs away so we stopped the night before about three hours out this let us get to the hotel early so that the kids could explore the hotel and we weren't tired for the park the next day
2. Since your driving you can drive yourself to the parks and park without a fee if you stay on property.
3. Autograph books can be picked up at the targets in the area
4. Surprised our kids with a. Signed frame with all the characters, just give it to guest services when you board with some sharpies
5. Dining plan: we added the dining plan it proved to be to much food for us, but it was easier that we weren't worried about paying for food along the way and it sort of tied the week together. I would say the kids got a bit too used to the food and snacks anytime all week. If you do use the dining plan definitely plan one night at ohana
6. Park at the port
7. Don't spend to much park time waiting for characters you will see on board
8. At the port drop off your bags curbside before you park.
9. Bc it was a shorter cruise and since it was disney week, we skipped Nassau and stayed on board.
10. Don't over plan to try and get everything done, the cruise was the perfect counterbalance to the hustle and crowds of the parks. The week felt much longer than it was

 

[islandtimect]

There are plenty of things for 6 and 2 yo's to do, as well as the parents. Pools and kids club cater to all ages, with sections for each age group. Castaway Cay is awesome for everyone with again an area that caters to younger children and others that cater to older kids and adults. Characters are readily available and quicker to meet than at the theme parks. Pirate party and cruise away party are great for kids ages. Note that your child will need to be potty trained to use the pool and kids club.

You'll want the early dining 5:45pm and this fills up quickly. The sooner you book your cruise, the more likely you'll get first seating. But you could always go on a waitlist and it might come available. It worked once for us, and didn't the other time.

If you haven't done a Disney Cruise you'd probably do well to go through a travel agent that specializes in Disney. They give onboard credits and will help with all the many details (passports, dining, kids clubs, shore excursions, etc). This month DCL and many agencies are giving bigger onboard credits than usual because it's National Cruise Vacation Week. If you pay with the Disney Visa, you get an extra $50 credit.

 

[Pumpkingirl7]

is it free to park at the port and how far is the drive from disney parks to the port?

 

[Pumpkingirl7]

and what if you cant get first dining? what time is second dining? My young kids cant eat at 8pm.... are there other dining options on board if that happens?

 

[WDWfunfan]

is it free to park at the port and how far is the drive from disney parks to the port?

It's around $60 to park at the port for a three day cruise...totally worth it for us! Very convenient!
The trip takes between 45min-1hr to get there from WDW.
We did a 4 day Dream last year (our first cruise) and had a great time. We plan on doing a 3 day parks, 3 dray cruise on the Magic this winter.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

and what if you cant get first dining? what time is second dining? My young kids cant eat at 8pm.... are there other dining options on board if that happens?

The 2nd dinning rotation is 8:00 p.m
If you happen to get the 2nd dinning time, when you get on board go to Customer Service and see if they can switch your dinning time.

On board there are quick service meals you could get such as pizza, chicken nuggets, hotdogs ect. OR you can order room service which is free but is it customary to tip the delivery person.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

If you would like adult time, you may want to schedule your 2 year old for nursery time when your window opens up for booking excursions.

 

[islandtimect]

We plan on doing a 3 day parks, 3 dray cruise on the Magic this winter.

Did you book the new land/sea package? I priced them as a package and as separate DW and DCL reservations. Looks like you can save a couple hundred dollars doing this.

 

[DizneyNutz]

is it free to park at the port and how far is the drive from disney parks to the port?

Generally we usually allow for 1 hour drive. Be forewarned that this is a toll highway with several stops so unless you have Sunpass you will want to bring along a lot of quarters.($10?) It is not free to park at port and many people use nearby parking services that are less expensive where you park in their lot and they drop you off at the door and pick you up when you return.

and what if you cant get first dining? what time is second dining? My young kids cant eat at 8pm.... are there other dining options on board if that happens?

Yes you have several other options.

 

[Beermam42]

Our first cruise ever was DCL Magic, will be on Fantasy 5-31-14 out of PC. Our cruise was feb 2013 out of Galveston.

Only thing I can add is you will have a great time. Go to you tube and search Disney Dream, there is a Carnival Dream that also works out of PC.

We watched a video of a persons cruise and it showed and expained everything.

Keep reading this foam, joint the thread for your cruise, if you are facebook person see if someone is running page for you cruise.

And as far as the Tigers are concerned wait untill next year. Class of 68.

 

[lanejudy]

... My young kids cant eat at 8pm.... are there other dining options on board if that happens?

... On board there are quick service meals you could get such as pizza, chicken nuggets, hotdogs ect. OR you can order room service which is free but is it customary to tip the delivery person.

Another option is dinner at the "buffet" (Cabanas) though it is sit-down table service for dinner. But you may go at any time, you aren't locked into an assigned time. The dinner menu is selections from the MDRs each night.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Four Swampers]

Another option is dinner at the "buffet" (Cabanas) though it is sit-down table service for dinner. But you may go at any time, you aren't locked into an assigned time. The dinner menu is selections from the MDRs each night.

Enjoy your cruise!

Furthermore, you can eat at ALL of them. You can grab a quick service hot-dog at 5, a quick service pizza at 5:15, room service at 5:30, eat at Cabanas at 6:00, then show up to your dining rotation MDR at 8:15.

 

[lanejudy]

Furthermore, you can eat at ALL of them. You can grab a quick service hot-dog at 5, a quick service pizza at 5:15, room service at 5:30, eat at Cabanas at 6:00, then show up to your dining rotation MDR at 8:15.

...and order 2 appetizers, 2 entrees and 3 desserts as well!

 

[Pumpkingirl7]

Did you book the new land/sea package? I priced them as a package and as separate DW and DCL reservations. Looks like you can save a couple hundred dollars doing this.

Is it cheaper to book seperate or the package?

 

[islandtimect]

Cheaper for the land/sea combo, but it's only for specific sailings in Jan and Feb. DCL and WDW don't generally do land/sea combos, but maybe it'll be a regular thing again. Here's details:

Experience Two Vacations in One with the Disney Cruise Line Land & Sea Package

Now your Clients can enjoy a Disney Cruise and Walt Disney World® Resort stay – all in one vacation.

Package components include:
• 3-Night Disney Magic® sailings from Jan. 17 – Feb. 7, 2014
• 3-Night resort stay at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort (other Resorts are bookable but will affect the price per person)
• 3-Day Park Hopper® Theme Park Ticket
• Transfers between Orlando International Airport, Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line® terminal

Packages start at $789 per person for a family of 4 (total package price $3,156).

Additional Details:
• Offer valid for most Disney Magic 3-Night sailings, category 11B Stateroom, Jan. 17 to Feb. 7, 2014 and for most nights Jan. 17 to Feb 10, 2014 at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort in a standard room
• The number of staterooms and rooms allocated for this offer is limited.
• Cruise fare excludes Government Taxes and Fees of approximately $63 per person (subject to change), Gratuities and Port Adventures.
• Price based on 2 adults and 2 children ages 3-9.
• Theme Park tickets must be used within 14 Days from first use.
• No group rates or other discounts apply.
• Offer subject to Disney Cruise Line Terms and Conditions.

 

[WDWfunfan]

Did you book the new land/sea package? I priced them as a package and as separate DW and DCL reservations. Looks like you can save a couple hundred dollars doing this.

We booked them separately. This is because we used the SPD at Pop, and 20% off Canadian discount for the Magic. This worked out cheaper for us, and we get a meal plan as well

 

[slzer0]

Furthermore, you can eat at ALL of them. You can grab a quick service hot-dog at 5, a quick service pizza at 5:15, room service at 5:30, eat at Cabanas at 6:00, then show up to your dining rotation MDR at 8:15.

Challenge accepted!