3-day Wonder (3/13-16) - more info than you can possibly stand!

[Dreamfinder2]

There was a sizeable group of folks at a single's meet the first night - I think it was in Diversions - as I happened to be wandering around. I think all ages were represented. That's one thing that Disney seems to excel at, providing stuff for all types of folks.

 

[BobWerner]

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it.

There was a sizeable group of folks at a single's meet the first night - I think it was in Diversions - as I happened to be wandering around. I think all ages were represented. That's one thing that Disney seems to excel at, providing stuff for all types of folks.

 

[bairdbeth]

I am now going to have an even harder time waiting until our 7/6/08 4 night Wonder! What a trip report! You had me in tears at the end. Someone who
"gets it". My parents don't understand why we go to WDW every year, nor why we are doing our 3rd cruise on DCL. Luckily my DD(12) gets it too!

 

[DVCRon]

Of COURSE it does. The suits really messed up a great ride with its re-inventions. I miss Horizons, too. We old folks are set in our ways.

I agree with you 100%. The original Journey to Imagination was my favorite! That's why Figment is one of the few pins who has found his away among the plethora of Tinkerbelle pins I collect.

The TR was excellent. Extremely well written and interesting and well appreciated by another Disney fan who gets it. Our cruise on the Wonder isn't for another 10 months but thanks for letting us live vicariously through you on your trip.

I will be sure to return the favor next February.

Thank your son from us for his service.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

This probably has no bearing on anything, but as much as I love Disney, sometimes there are life events that put into clear perspective just what's really important. We had a series of five tornadoes come through central Mississippi last Friday, and our little subdivision made national news:

Around the corner

And around the other corner:

We lost a privacy fence, and had some roof damage, but that's all. And we have good insurance.

I guess the reason I'm sharing this is that DISers (myself included) are prone to complain when we don't get the exact dining rotation we want on the cruises, or can't get dinner ressies at just the right time when we're on the Disney Dining Plan, or feel slighted when Member Services at DVC can't deliver on just the exact villa we want.

So I'm counting my blessings, because, ultimately, it is just a vacation. (And, mind you, this is from someone who makes vacations a priority.)

 

[nzdisneymom]

WOW! I sure hope that everyone is ok and that their recovery time goes quickly. Ay yi yi. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who were affected.

 

[amandamc8]

Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us - not just your love of all things Disney and your lovely family, but for all of your thoughts on life along the way.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us - not just your love of all things Disney and your lovely family, but for all of your thoughts on life along the way.

Thank you. You're very kind. At the risk of bumping my own thread, I'd love to hear from any of y'all who are reading that I/we can answer any questions for.

 

[beansf]

I really enjoyed your trip report. Thanks for inviting us along!

 

[amandamc8]

Thank you. You're very kind. At the risk of bumping my own thread, I'd love to hear from any of y'all who are reading that I/we can answer any questions for.

Well, since you offered... Having never been on a cruise before, I am a total newbie!

Being major fans of all things Disney, we decided that our first one had to be with them, so we are booked on the Wonder for 3 nights in October (and I am so excited I can't even begin to tell you!)

There'll be three of us - Me, my Husband and our Daughter, who will be 15 when we sail. There is loads of info about the activites that are available for teens, but I wonder what the cruise will be like for her...

We do love to spend time together - like you, we decided early on that quality family time was a priority over anything else - but it would be nice for us to be able to enjoy the adult facilities too!

Any advice you can give would be very much appreciated! And I forgot to mention last time, we are staying in 7624 - so your fabulous trip report was even more special for me!

 

[Cobbo]

The suits really messed up a great ride with its re-inventions. I miss Horizons, too. We old folks are set in our ways.

I agree with you 100%. The original Journey to Imagination was my favorite!

Okay, so it's , but I loved this TR, and it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who misses the smell of oranges as I'm hanging in my basket....and I'm so, so, so, so, so glad that I once took the time to let my camcorder roll through the original Journey ride....As nice as they've tried to make Figment's house....versions 2 and 3 have nothing on the original Dreamfinder.......thankfully as long as I have a VCR (or get around to buying a device to convert my tapes to DVD/digital media), my girls will be able to know the real thing....now, if only we could convince them to bring these back....but alas, they've gone the way of Mr. Toad....

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Well, since you offered... Having never been on a cruise before, I am a total newbie!

Being major fans of all things Disney, we decided that our first one had to be with them, so we are booked on the Wonder for 3 nights in October (and I am so excited I can't even begin to tell you!)

There'll be three of us - Me, my Husband and our Daughter, who will be 15 when we sail. There is loads of info about the activites that are available for teens, but I wonder what the cruise will be like for her...

We do love to spend time together - like you, we decided early on that quality family time was a priority over anything else - but it would be nice for us to be able to enjoy the adult facilities too!

Any advice you can give would be very much appreciated! And I forgot to mention last time, we are staying in 7624 - so your fabulous trip report was even more special for me!

Amy is past the teen years at 21 (although she could pass for 15!) But on our first cruise, our tablemates had two boys, 13 and 15, and they thorougly enjoyed what was going on in Common Grounds (which is now the Cove Cafe ... the teen area wasn't the Stack or the Loft in those days). You know your daughter, and even if she's not much of a mingler, I'd sure encourage her to at least check things out the first night. Even though our Amy is the definitive social creature, she simply preferred our company. The adult areas don't become truly adult until after 9 p.m. or so, and if she's good at entertaining herself for a while (and that's assuming she's not hanging out with other teenagers), you should all have a good time.

 

[tparbs]

Seena209, if you want to see some of Nassau from ground level at your own pace, here's the route I took, with a helpful map:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/newprovidence/0251010008.html

The new Passporter has a walking tour, too.

I'm just now reading your TR...loving it!! I wanted to quickly chime in a BIG thank you for your report on Nassau! I have heard so much negative about that port and thought we'd just do the Straw Market really quick. As I type, I'm printing out that walking tour! Thanks!!

 

[tparbs]

Wow.....I didn't look at the clock when I started, but I just read your whole trip report!!

The BEST trip report EVER!! I've read quite a few and this was amazing! I'll echo what other's have said...I write, too, but you are extremely good! The next best thing to being there!!

Thanks so much for the TR!! Can't wait!!!!! Won't be long before we're on the Wonder!!

 

[Googelibear]

Wow, this was wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this trip with us.
You have made me so excited about our first Disney cruise in January, not that I need help getting excited about Disney - ever

I didn't read through all the q & a sessions, but I have one question:
The dining rotation. Where does one find out when the formal night is? I so agree with you that dress codes should be respected, first of all; and for another thing, you're thinking about which restaurant should be the "dress-up" one only makes sense.

Thank you!

I think Amy looks fantastic with the darker hair. Go Amy

 

[Disney Sweetie]

Lori, we're Mississippians - hence, "Katrina Country." While we live in the Jackson area, we still had fairly significant damage. Both my kids were in Hattiesburg, and the former Marine "rode it out" down there, and ended up under a table in the hall while trees landed on his roof. But I've spent a lot of time on the coast doing disaster relief work with our denomination, and Katrina has changed me forever. Maybe that's not a bad thing.

We live in Purvis, MS...just south of Hattiesburg and my oldest daughters name is Katrina.....she had it tough for a while after the storm!

You folks sure are gracious. I knew that here, of all places, I'd find others who "get it."

I made me cry, too. Pathetic.

I agree with you on the people who "get it". I am taking my kids on their first Disney Cruise May 22. It is also a 3 night and I have enjoyed reading all your TR so that I know what to expect. This will be my 3rd DCL.....the first was an 11 night and the 2nd was a 13 night TransAtlantic. So this 3 night is going to be very different for me and I was wondering how to let my kids experience everything in such a short time. But after reading your report, I think I have a better idea on what we need to do.

My kids have grown up with Disney....going to WDW 1 or 2 times a year...and still they just dont understand why mom is such a fanatic!! They just DONT GET IT!!!! I will blame it on the teen years!!

Pam

 

[bsusanmb]

This is the BEST trip report I have ever read.
Thank you so much for sharing. You have a beautiful writing style.

I know what you mean about Disney....I get so homesick for Main Street USA...and I just think of Walt Disney and how he never saw his dream realized and it just brings tears to my eyes. I am in awe of the God given talent and minds that are so very creative and have made the magic that Disney is...We are going on our second cruise in 3 weeks...DVC members too and we spend 4-5 weeks a year in WDW...the cruise is just another extension of our love for Disney...really enjoyed it.
Thanks again, and God bless your son for his sacrifice to the USA.
Susan

 

[Dreamfinder2]

We live in Purvis, MS...just south of Hattiesburg and my oldest daughters name is Katrina.....she had it tough for a while after the storm!



I agree with you on the people who "get it". I am taking my kids on their first Disney Cruise May 22. It is also a 3 night and I have enjoyed reading all your TR so that I know what to expect. This will be my 3rd DCL.....the first was an 11 night and the 2nd was a 13 night TransAtlantic. So this 3 night is going to be very different for me and I was wondering how to let my kids experience everything in such a short time. But after reading your report, I think I have a better idea on what we need to do.

My kids have grown up with Disney....going to WDW 1 or 2 times a year...and still they just dont understand why mom is such a fanatic!! They just DONT GET IT!!!! I will blame it on the teen years!!

Pam

Pam, we were in Purvis a while back - my son LOVES Movie Star (and as I've stated, I've never met a buffet I didn't like), and it's some of the best country cookin' in the state.

In our family ... Amy is about on par with me as far as Disney. Teresa, not quite so much - she's a lot happier if we go during the times of year when heat and crowds are minimal. Jeremy just tolerates it ... actually, after his time in Iraq, he doesn't manage crowds well. I guess it's that old "situational awareness" training. Certainly his combat experiences changed him, forever.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Wow, this was wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this trip with us.
You have made me so excited about our first Disney cruise in January, not that I need help getting excited about Disney - ever

I didn't read through all the q & a sessions, but I have one question:
The dining rotation. Where does one find out when the formal night is? I so agree with you that dress codes should be respected, first of all; and for another thing, you're thinking about which restaurant should be the "dress-up" one only makes sense.

Thank you!

I think Amy looks fantastic with the darker hair. Go Amy

The dress up night is the last night on the 3 and 4 day cruises. We didn't have any problem changing our rotation so that Triton's fell on the last night.

I routinely read post from folks who say stuff like, "We're on vacation, we prefer not to dress up, my husband doesn't own a jacket or tie," etc. That's fine. But, as I've said and feel, there's something kinda cool about going along with Disney's desires to make an evening just a little more special for all, and if that means making a concession or two for the benefit of other passengers, it doesn't seem to be that much of a sacrifice.

I'm sitting here at my desk at work with a tie on even now. I purely hate it. But the dress-up night adds a little to the ambiance of the ship, and passengers become part of the "show."

But that's just me.

 

[Googelibear]

I routinely read post from folks who say stuff like, "We're on vacation, we prefer not to dress up, my husband doesn't own a jacket or tie," etc. That's fine. But, as I've said and feel, there's something kinda cool about going along with Disney's desires to make an evening just a little more special for all, and if that means making a concession or two for the benefit of other passengers, it doesn't seem to be that much of a sacrifice.

I'm sitting here at my desk at work with a tie on even now. I purely hate it. But the dress-up night adds a little to the ambiance of the ship, and passengers become part of the "show."

But that's just me.

Thanks for your reply re. the dinner rotation.

As for the dress code,
I agree with you 100%. I am a stickler for decorum.

I must say, last November we celebrated at the California Grill and were so disappointed at how people dressed to eat up there. Cut off jeans, tank tops. I didn't think that they would even make it past the check-in desk downstairs. This kind of took the romance of the place right out of it.
So, I think out of respect for fellow diners, one should at least wear one's "Sunday best".

Anyhoo,
my dress dilemma, while I am sitting here, is the oposite of yours.
I am an innkeeper now and don't really get to dress up at all here in the country. And that bumms me out more than not