Advise on Cabin selection for Disney Dream

[ZMMOM]

We are planning on the 4-day cruise next August 2019 for my son's 10th birthday (he will turn 10 on the boat) We are contemplating the Oceanview vs the Verrandah cabins. I saw the Oceanview that have the split rooms, which are bigger than your normal cabin, but I am looking for other's experiences.

 

[Quellman]

Are you talking the category 8a minisuites? There are only a hand full of those available, and here are some of the differences. LINK. it depends on what value you place on the cost difference in the rooms. A family of 3 would be happy anywhere. A family of 4-5 may find utility in having the verandah to sit or stand on while others are getting ready. On my first cruise, a 3 day, we didn't spend hardly anytime in the room. 8 cruises in, our touring styles have changed. We find that sitting on the verandah is very important to our sailing party, especially when we have a napping toddler. We also spend time out there reading or anything else. For us, the upgrade is worth it. Having the split bathroom (not available on the 8a rooms) is also a helpful feature of the many of the rooms. There are plenty of work arounds for that too if you think it could be an issue. Happy selecting!

 

[pascalspal]

Like the PP said I think this depends on your party size and cruising style. If you have small children going down for naps/early bed time a verandah is very nice. If you have older party members the double bathroom might help for getting ready.

IMO I love having the verandah because I spend a good amount of time ther for quiet. However I know many people who get verandahs and do not use them. Try to figure out if you will actually use it/want to spend time there to justify the price.

I would rather pay more for the verandah and do fewer sailings, but that’s just my preference. I know others may have different opinions. Just try to weigh the pros and cons of ha in gone. If you don’t think you’ll use it, save the cash and go for oceanview!

Also I spent many birthdays on the ship as a kid, your son will love it!

 

[MomOTwins]

If I were you, I would choose verandah because the split oceanviews are all very far forward. We stayed that far forward on the dream and I hated the location. The rocking motion and vibration from the engines was very intense that far forward and interfered with my sleep and made my (very mild) motion sickness very bad. In contrast, when we stayed midship on the dream we didn't notice any movement at all. Also, you are a looooong walk from the restaurants, kids club, and most activities. Finally, the forward elevators let out in the adults only pool area, which we found awkward with children.

 

[ZMMOM]

the rooms i was taking about were like cabin 5520, oceanview but split room with 2 portholes. My son is going to be 10 so I think the verandah might be nice, that and when i just looked, mid-ship for oceanview were not available for our particular cruise.
Anyone have any advice too on cabin location?

 

[ZMMOM]

If I were you, I would choose verandah because the split oceanviews are all very far forward. We stayed that far forward on the dream and I hated the location. The rocking motion and vibration from the engines was very intense that far forward and interfered with my sleep and made my (very mild) motion sickness very bad. In contrast, when we stayed midship on the dream we didn't notice any movement at all. Also, you are a looooong walk from the restaurants, kids club, and most activities. Finally, the forward elevators let out in the adults only pool area, which we found awkward with children.

thank you so much for the advice.

 

[pascalspal]

the rooms i was taking about were like cabin 5520, oceanview but split room with 2 portholes. My son is going to be 10 so I think the verandah might be nice, that and when i just looked, mid-ship for oceanview were not available for our particular cruise.
Anyone have any advice too on cabin location?

As far as cabin location, I have sailed forward, mid ship, and aft. I truly don’t think it matters too much. Some people like the convenience of certain locations, but there’s only so far that you can walk. I don’t mind walking the distance of forward to aft or vice versa, but I can understand how some with mobilit issues would.

I also don’t notice much of a motion difference between them either. With that being said I usually take Bonine before getting on the ship and all the way through the cruise, so I have rarely ever felt any seasickness.

My biggest thing when choosing rooms is what is above me. I don’t like being right under the pool deck because you can often hear them setting out chairs or children running during the day. I don’t like being near places like adult clubs/kids clubs that have late hours in case I try to get to sleep early. So just keep in mind things like that! IMO that’s more important than forward/mid/aft as I don’t mind walking places.

Also if going to Castaway Cay, I would highly recommend trying to get a room on the starboard side! It gives you an awesome view of the island!

 

[ZMMOM]

thank you so much. the verandah room i just selected is on the starboard side.

 

[pascalspal]

thank you so much. the verandah room i just selected is on the starboard side.

Hope you have a great time! Be sure to let doc know it’s his birthday and you’ll most likely get some extra goodies and Magic during your sailing!

 

[ZMMOM]

thank you for the extra info... i never would have thought to mention it.

 

[ZMMOM]

Hope you have a great time! Be sure to let doc know it’s his birthday and you’ll most likely get some extra goodies and Magic during your sailing!

sorry...silly ? who is doc?

 

[pascalspal]

sorry...silly ? who is doc?

I’m sorry, that was my fault! Must have autocorrected from dcl to doc!

 

[hardis5]

If ever sailing again, you may enjoy the mini-suites as we did two sailings booking 5522 once and the last with 5520 and 5522 for 5 of us (the older adult kids in their own room). As PP said the lack of a split bath is a drawback in 5522 but having 2 distinct areas of the cabin allowed our 7 then 8 year old to feel he had his own space (each side with its own TV so we could watch a movie late night while he slept). He REALLY liked a cabin on the 5th floor being the same as his ages clubs. Only drawback to the 5th floor over the 6th having the same cabins is you could a one night hear the show in the WDW Theatre (once showing a movie). And we never noticed motion much even though forward (having done a Deluxe Family Oceanview a few times on 7 and 8, higher up definitely felt more motion)