ProudMommyof2
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2007
It's amazing how empty CC is! Where is everyone????
It's amazing how empty CC is! Where is everyone????
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
Happy Thanksgiving!
OneTreeHillAddict said: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!
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.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.
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.
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!
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 said: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. :
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!
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