6/5/08 3 Night Wonder Trip Report- with Navigators, 20 tips, and 100+ photos!!!

[29apr00]

What a great TR!! It is so full of detail!! I'm going to be showing this to everyone for our cruise next year! Thanks!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

TCD!!!!! I remember reading trip reports and tips from you after your Turkey Day 2005 cruise - it was just before we had our very first DCL cruise in December 2005!

How fun to read your 3-day report - we did a 3-day in early April. A few things were different than yours, but what great memories it brings back. We also took the time to do some of the 'little' things like watching a movie in the Buena Vista Theater. We had cruised our inaugral 7-night and then we did a 10-night last summer in the Med, and there was still so much to see / do that we hadn't done, so I was determined to see/do something new each day we were on board!

Love the tips, sorry 'bout the bird poop, which leads me to a tip you might want to add:

~ Bring along a few individually wrapped sanitizing wipes when you're off-ship in case you need to wipe hands or clean up other messes (like bird poo) and you can't find a dirty napkin on the street

Seriously - I make sure to keep a couple in our day bag because you never know when you might need them, especially when out with kids, no matter their ages.

We found that the area of the family beach on Castaway Cay that is just beyond the play structure in the water is a great non-busy place to set up for the day. You can stay on the bath until you get to where the hair-braiders are, just a short distance beyond the restrooms, and then cut into the beach. Near the last life-guard stand.

My only question is how far you would have to drag those inner-tube floats when you set up that far down... my boys want to get them the next time we sail... they looked like loads of fun. We have a double-dip in our future.

The water was so clear for the snorkeling - there must've not been much snorkeling action yet when you all were there.

I"m with you about not sleeping on a 3-day -- plenty of time for that at home. But on our last night, my three guys went back to the cabin by 9:30 and got ready for bed. I didn't have anyone to roam the ship with except I did meet up with my DIS friends (YAY for meet threads even when they only have a few DISers) for the TWMA... that was a new thing for me, too - I had missed it both times before because I was PACKING.

Thanks for writing your TR and including photos and details - love it!

Cindy-

It is nice to be remembered! That Thanksgiving 2005 cruise was such a blast! Some of my cruise-mates from then have already posted on this thread. I hope some more find it.

That is an excellent tip about the wipes. Of course, we were never without those back when the girls were younger, but you are so right that they would come in handy on a cruise! I literally did have to use a dirty napkin. I am no germaphobe, but that was a gross situation.

About the tubes on Castaway Cay- you can also rent them from the bike rental place, which is right by the place that you described. Also, there is a restroom with showers right there. This is definitely where we will head next time.

And yes, the water was very clear for our snorkeling. Our two previous cruises were in November during very active hurricane seasons (2004 and 2005), the seas were very calm on this trip, and I think that had something to do with the water clarity as well. Also, for whatever reason, it seems like there were less people snorkeling on this trip. I think there are more experienced cruisers on the longer cruises, and that there were a lot of newbies on this cruise who just didn't get a lot of things.

Anyway, thanks for reading my trip report, and commenting. I am still not done yet. I still have to report on our last morning, and getting off the ship.

I have one more tip, and some more photos, including some random ones that are interesting, but didn't really fit into my report.

So be sure to check back!

TCD

 

[nzdisneymom]

TCD - thanks for the info about being able to get the inner-tube floats from by the bike rentals - that is definitely closer to where we're likely to set up!

Can't wait to read the rest of your report.

 

[alwayslisad]

on the last morning is can you go to topsiders? or is breakfast ONLY as stated on the menu up there?

 

[MandyMommytoReaghan]

Hey TCD, I have really enjoyed reading your familys adventure. You wouldn't happen to have any menus you could scan for us to see for those of us who are leaving in a couple weeks, would you? I have searched and searched and came up with what I thought may be a recent(it's been 2 years since our last cruise).

 

[ICEMANPAD]

TCD,

LOVE your trip report!! The tips, details and great family pix are AMAZING!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!! Remember, the Turkeys are cruising again Thanksgiving 2009!!!!


Lisa and Chuck

 

[poffles]

Great report. I just stumbled upon it and read it through to the end. It was nice to read each day without waiting for the followup posts, but sad to know that the only thing left to look forward to is the end

 

[december]

I was a little upset that my sister and I could only afford a 3 day cruise, until I read this! Wonderful report!

And I hate to hear no one really gets into pirate night. Will we look really strange if we do?

 

[PUNKMICKEY]

OMG - that is too funny, and definitely something my fam and I would do!! Glad to see we're not the only ones.

An amazing trip report Thanks!!!!!
We are going on the Cruise this July. It will be our first trip and your report has made it feel even more exciting

 

[DznyRulz]

TCD,

Thanks for the amazing TR. It really makes me excited for our August 4-day trip. I've got to get DW to read this when she has time. I also want to extend a thanks to your family for allowing us a peek inside the TCD clan.

 

[Deb T.]

I didn't have anyone to roam the ship with except I did meet up with my DIS friends (YAY for meet threads even when they only have a few DISers) for the TWMA... that was a new thing for me, too - I had missed it both times before because I was PACKING.

Awwww, ya shoulda called my cabin! I would have been more than happy to roam the ship with my new good friend! And, I second your statement about "YAY for meets threads even when they only have a few DISers". You and Ness definitely enhanced the cruise for me!

Sorry to hijack your thread for a minute, Tri-circle-D. I totally enjoyed your TR! Awesome job! I even forwarded it to another good friend who's getting ready for a cruise soon.

 

[BobWerner]

Read the entire report. Fantastic. Thanks for the pictures, the Navigators and the tips. Did you notice anyone traveling alone? I'm really thinking of doing a Disney Cruise, but I don't want to stick out. I saw one of the Navigators mention a "Singles Mixer." That sound like it would be fun.

Again, thanks!

 

[ibouncetoo]

TCD, loved your report and am also forwarding on to someone who will be doing a 'first' DCL and a three day.

Read the entire report. Fantastic. Thanks for the pictures, the Navigators and the tips. Did you notice anyone traveling alone? I'm really thinking of doing a Disney Cruise, but I don't want to stick out. I saw one of the Navigators mention a "Singles Mixer." That sound like it would be fun.

Again, thanks!

Bob, don't hesitate to do DCL solo! My first cruise was solo (a four day) and I met up with some of the DIS folks from our meets thread for Palo brunch and linked dining with a DIS family also. I just did the 15 day WB Panama solo...if you can call cruising with 150 cabins of DISers solo!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

on the last morning is can you go to topsiders? or is breakfast ONLY as stated on the menu up there?

Topsider's is called Beach Blanket Buffet on the Wonder, and yes, despite what the Welcome Home sheet says, it is open on the last morning. I will cover more about the next installment of my TR-read on!

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Hey TCD, I have really enjoyed reading your familys adventure. You wouldn't happen to have any menus you could scan for us to see for those of us who are leaving in a couple weeks, would you? I have searched and searched and came up with what I thought may be a recent(it's been 2 years since our last cruise).

Mandy- I am sorry, but I do not have any menus to share. I am not sure that DCL wants their menus swiped. But, I know of a website that has current information about the Wonder's menus. It is hosted by a Disboard member. She is also a travel agent, so the folks who monitor this site prohibit the posting of the address to her site. It is called Castaway Club dot com. To get there, spell castaway club as one word-no spaces, and then add a period and com, and you will get there. The menus are from the 4 day Wonder, but they look identical to what we were offered on our cruise.

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

TCD,

LOVE your trip report!! The tips, details and great family pix are AMAZING!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!! Remember, the Turkeys are cruising again Thanksgiving 2009!!!!


Lisa and Chuck

Lisa and Chuck- I hope that you enjoy your cruise- less than two weeks to go! Let me know if you have any questions. The bottom line is that a cruise on the Wonder is pretty much the same as a cruise on the Magic-just condensed!

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I was a little upset that my sister and I could only afford a 3 day cruise, until I read this! Wonderful report!

And I hate to hear no one really gets into pirate night. Will we look really strange if we do?

I saw your post on the main boards about sailing with a party of five. I agree with the advice you got there- go with two connecting cabins rather than a family suite. We are a party of five, and that is what we have always done.

As for Pirate Night, if you want to dress up, go for it! A lot of folks do, but there are a lot less on the three night cruises than on the longer ones. I don't think you will look strange. I imagine most people will wish that they were having that much fun!

Understandably, the three night cruises have a much higher percentage of newbies, a surprising number of whom are clueless! But not you! You have found the disboards. If you follow the tips that you find on these boards, you will have a much more enjoyable cruise than the uninformed newbies!

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

An amazing trip report Thanks!!!!!
We are going on the Cruise this July. It will be our first trip and your report has made it feel even more exciting

Hey Welcome to the Disboards!

I am honored that you put your first post here!

If you haven't already done so- see if there is a meets thread for your cruise.

I did not find one for mine, but it is fun to hook up with fellow disboarders on your cruise.

Have a great time on your cruise!

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

TCD,

Thanks for the amazing TR. It really makes me excited for our August 4-day trip. I've got to get DW to read this when she has time. I also want to extend a thanks to your family for allowing us a peek inside the TCD clan.

Chris- I hope that you and your family have as much fun on your cruise as the TCD gang did on ours. Don't forget to share your adventures here with a trip report when you get back!

I'll see you around the Fort.

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Sorry to hijack your thread for a minute, Tri-circle-D. I totally enjoyed your TR! Awesome job! I even forwarded it to another good friend who's getting ready for a cruise soon.

No problem at all with the hijacking- it is something I have been guilty of many times!

Thanks for reading, and tell your friend if she has any questions, she can come here for the answers!

TCD