POST YOUR DISNEY DREAM TIPS/MUST do'S!

[Roachmage]

great tips thanks all!!!

 

[grahamgallagher]

Thank you, yes our stateroom is on the opposite side same position as yours - thank you.

G

We were in 8188 and could see the fireworks - not the best view, but could see them.

I don't remember if 8186 was next to 8188 or not.

 

[dgmommie]

One tip to add.... If you enjoy your cruise enough that you think you will again cruise DCL sometime, BOOK A CRUISE WHILE ONBOARD! Doing so will save you 10% on your future cruise. If you don't know when you want to cruise again, just book any cheap cruise. You only pay a deposit, and can change the reservation any time. We have done that and then just change the reservation to something later on. You have until 90 days prior to departure to cruise and get a full refund should you decide to not go. But by doing this, you get that 10% off whenever you do go.

 

[Joanna71985]

Thanks for all the tips!

 

[ctomblin]

These tips are wonderful, thank you and keep them coming!!!!!

 

[Grooovertoo]

Not sure if this tip has been posted or not here, but:

Bring a blank pillowcase on board the ship and if you drop it off at Guest Services on the first day it will be returned to your kiddo on the last night signed by either the Fab 8 or the Princesses or both. You can order them through ebay if you are not handy with a needle and thread, and they do a great job embroiding it with your DD/DS name and they will even add a character to it. Be sure to allow enough time for them to complete the project and get it to you in the mail. Place your pillowcase in a zippy bag, be sure to note your cabin number on it, include fabric markers (enough for all the characters to sign, you'll get them back), and the most important item I learned from the boards….include some candies in the bag. We left some Dove miniatures for them. Let’s just say, it doesn’t hurt and with the what we received in return, it is the least you can do.
​

 

[momto2girlsLA]

Question on the boarding times - we are sailing in Mid October and did the online check-in and have a time of 11-11:30. From what I am reading, this really doesn't mean much. Do I show up at 11 and then get a boarding card or should I show up before then. I will be traveling with my DH, kids (4 1/2 and 6) and my parents (both 72). Trying to avoid as much standing around as possible but I know we will have some wait time and will have snacks and such with us. We are staying at the Ron Jon Resort the night before and have a shuttle arranged to get us to the port. I really want to be on the ship for lunch and to let the girls do the aqua duck or swim before we need to be ready for the party and dinner (main seating).

 

[EWL]

THANK YOU everyone for the great tips and Jason for compiling this list. We were well prepared for our 8/5 Dream cruise and had a fantastic time! Wanted to take a minute to share a few thoughts...

Boarding:

• Unless you have specific questions or needs, pick up a cruise reservation card at the booking desk on your first day. Fill it out that night or the next with what you want and a credit card number and drop it off in the box. All done! If you're booking a dummy cruise, pick the farthest time out and a cabin that is the minimum you want. Don't wait until the last night to book or you'll be sitting in line for A LONG WHILE! Or book at the desk that first day. - sistert

Yes! Thanks for this! I even just put on the card that I wanted to book a "dummy cruise" for one person and they knew exactly what to do and took care of the rest. They returned a quote to our cabin and I just had to sign the card and drop it back off at the desk-- easy!

ROOMS:

• If you have a veranda, consider watching the fireworks from there to avoid the crowds on the main decks. We had an aft veranda and could see it all perfectly in the comfort of our room. - Brancaneve

On this, we did this on our last cruise and *almost* did it again but changed our minds at the last minute and went up to Deck 11. We were so glad that we did since there is a whole pirate show with Jack Sparrow that takes place on deck that we would have missed. Plus a lot of the fireworks at least seemed to be directly overhead. They also do send around a letter to verandah cabins on the starboard side asking that you not be on the verandah during the fireworks. So just a few things to consider. The crowds afterwards were pretty dense, though, so we were glad to get back to the cabin.

Food/Dining/Room Service/Drinks:

• Food was exceptionally good in the main dining rooms! I would have skipped Palo and just eaten in these every night. On our next cruise, we may just do that. We are foodies and love great food so take that into consideration. Palo's service was wonderful!!! The desserts were sumptuous! But, I feel like we missed out on some great food in the main dining rooms. - ajwaspooh

We last cruised DCL in 2006 and were really disappointed by the food, so we were very hopeful that things had changed. Wow. We thought the food was great!
Our server helped with awesome recommendations that were spot-on every night, so we tried things like wild boar and lamb tenderloin and they were fantastic. Desserts as well. I'd also add that we did the Remy Champagne Brunch ($50 including champagne pairings) and it was fantastic. They did not advertise it *anywhere* (not even in the Navigator) and we only knew about it from the DIS, so another THANKS! There was only one other couple in the restaurant with us! It was great.

• Order Room Service coffee at night before you go to bed each night. Oh this was wonderful!!!! Thank you to every poster who has suggested this! I would still put out a sign with our continental breakfast requests, as well, but if I was up before that was to be delivered, that coffee was great to have (and still quite warm!).

Our tip here: the continental breakfast request cards are hidden away in the desk drawer!!! This we discovered only after waiting in line to ask for one from Guest Services at 11pm one night! We ordered every morning but one and it was well worthwhile to have morning coffee and some cereal/pastries to kick off the day.

• Try something new and different on the menus! You can always order something else if you hate it. I tried the carrot and apple soup, and loved it.- BlondeJungleBookFan
  

We made this a rule at every meal: DD10 had to try something new! What better place to do it? Don't like it, no big deal!

Here are a few other thoughts:

• Don't get Stuck on the 'Duck!! We suspect that the height rules are not there just to be mean, but also to help ensure that kids have enough *weight* to get through the AquaDuck without getting stuck. We were one person away from our turn one night (great time to ride!) when a poor girl who just barely met the required height to ride alone got stuck on the first uphill portion of the ride. Not only did they have to shut off the water and close down the Duck for at least a 1/2 hour, but the poor girl was terrified and in tears (but safe and they got her out fine). Two people riding together also create more speed, so go in twos and don't get stuck!
• The Shutters photo system is so much easier now that you don't have to search through racks of photos to find yours. But if the Shutters area is too busy, take the stairs behind Admiral Donald's statue down one flight to Deck 2 and there is a Shutters kiosk outside the Enchanted Garden where you may be able to view your photos without the mobs.
• Play shuffleboard on deck! Good old fashioned fun.
• Cabins: If you like to turn in before 11 or sleep past 7, think again before booking a cabin underneath a public area on the deck overhead. We were on deck 10 underneath Flo's Cafe and were sooo happy we had earplugs.
• For DVC members: Lots of free stuff! Check the Navigator as soon as you board since our member celebration was at 2:30 on boarding day-- free drinks, hats, etc. And stop by the DVC desk every day for a freebie (pirate tattoos, luggage handles, prints...)
• The ship itself is beautiful and handles the volume of passengers incredibly well. The only times we really realized just how many people were onboard (they said capacity is 4,500 passengers and 1,500 crew... not sure how many were actually aboard) were at the evening shows and on deck for the fireworks. By comparison, we noticed crowds and waited in lines for everything when we cruised the large (but not this large) Caribbean Princess.
• If you have a priority request-- such as changing your dining time, booking Palo/Remy, etc.-- make this your first thing to do upon boarding (or check what time it begins and be first in line). We successfully changed our late dining to main 5:45 dining as our top priority. (Plus got Remy brunch!)

Can't wait to go again. Bon voyage to all!

 

[sherpasmom]

One thing I'll add to these fantastic tips is to ask your waiter for dining suggestions! As much as I've prowled food porn here and *thought* I knew exactly what I wanted, his suggestions were sometimes something totally different and something I would not have tried without him! My daughter still talks about the wild boar which is nothing short of a miracle?!

 

[debsters41]

One tip to add.... If you enjoy your cruise enough that you think you will again cruise DCL sometime, BOOK A CRUISE WHILE ONBOARD! Doing so will save you 10% on your future cruise. If you don't know when you want to cruise again, just book any cheap cruise. You only pay a deposit, and can change the reservation any time. We have done that and then just change the reservation to something later on. You have until 90 days prior to departure to cruise and get a full refund should you decide to not go. But by doing this, you get that 10% off whenever you do go.

Yes to this! For example, I booked 'dummy' three night for November first, paid less than 100 dollars deposit for two people, and ended up getting 10 % plus stateroom credit on a 7 night med cruise! That 10% really added up nicely then! (four people cruising on the med cruise) It is the best risk free investment!

 

[TracyLilly]

Does anybody know where I can find the 4 night Dream Navigators?

DisBoards has several Navigators to view.

 

[TrainFan4Life]

Is the milk and cookies free from room service other then a tip?

Thank you,

Balazy Family

 

[CEGrant]

Is the milk and cookies free from room service other then a tip?

Thank you,

Balazy Family

Yes. I've heard you can even request the cookies to be warm.

 

[KWithers]

I love all these great ideas! Especially the 2 for 1 drinks on CC!
My tip is a variation on the pillowcase signatures. Use a white mat for a picture frame instead! Then you can frame a family photo from the cruise and have all the characters signatures surrounding it.

 

[mom-of-twins-2002]

Such great tips! Can't wait to put them to use!

 

[grahamgallagher]

The cast members will sign a MAXIMUM of 2 items per stateroom.

Not sure if this tip has been posted or not here, but:

Bring a blank pillowcase on board the ship and if you drop it off at Guest Services on the first day it will be returned to your kiddo on the last night signed by either the Fab 8 or the Princesses or both. You can order them through ebay if you are not handy with a needle and thread, and they do a great job embroiding it with your DD/DS name and they will even add a character to it. Be sure to allow enough time for them to complete the project and get it to you in the mail. Place your pillowcase in a zippy bag, be sure to note your cabin number on it, include fabric markers (enough for all the characters to sign, you'll get them back), and the most important item I learned from the boards….include some candies in the bag. We left some Dove miniatures for them. Let’s just say, it doesn’t hurt and with the what we received in return, it is the least you can do.
​

 

[Piglets Mommy]

One thing I have not seen posted yet that can be used on any cruiseline (this will be my first Disney sailing) is to bring a hanging toiletry bag for the bathroom. There is not a lot of counter space, so this is an easy way to have everything you need in the bath in one place.

 

[Grooovertoo]

Question on the boarding times - we are sailing in Mid October and did the online check-in and have a time of 11-11:30. From what I am reading, this really doesn't mean much. Do I show up at 11 and then get a boarding card or should I show up before then. I will be traveling with my DH, kids (4 1/2 and 6) and my parents (both 72). Trying to avoid as much standing around as possible but I know we will have some wait time and will have snacks and such with us. We are staying at the Ron Jon Resort the night before and have a shuttle arranged to get us to the port. I really want to be on the ship for lunch and to let the girls do the aqua duck or swim before we need to be ready for the party and dinner (main seating).

I would try to show up at around 10:00-10:30. You might have to wait a bit in the terminal, but you'll get your boarding number sooner that way and get on the ship faster once boarding starts.

Is the milk and cookies free from room service other then a tip?

Thank you,

Balazy Family

Yes, free and warm, and very good.

One thing I have not seen posted yet that can be used on any cruiseline (this will be my first Disney sailing) is to bring a hanging toiletry bag for the bathroom. There is not a lot of counter space, so this is an easy way to have everything you need in the bath in one place.

Yes, that is a great tip too.

 

[hurleysweety]

Just a little bump - this thread is full of great info for first-timers like me!

 

[triplemountainwhammy]

Went on the Dream 9/30-10/4. My DW and I found our favorite evening spot on the ship. Pink. We loved it. Great chairs, good music, soft lighting, and excellent champagne cocktails.

The must have cocktail, in our opinion, would be the Elderbubble.

We really enjoyed just relaxing and chatting with the cast members working there. Ivan from Serbia and a cast member from Thailand (can't remember her name...). Loved the discussions about life and culture in their respective countries.

Any other Pink fans out there???