All Booked, What Now?

[jsmla]

I’ve booked a cruise out of NOLA for my granddaughter (6) and myself. It’s a four night cruise on the Magic. I’m a big time planner and would like to be prepared with costumes, etc. My only goal is for DGD to have the best possible time.

What now? I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around all of the different activities and shows. Is there a schedule available for the shows for this particular cruise? I think our booking date is December 13. (February 26 departure)

We’re doing this 99% for princess stuff. DGD loves character meets and dressing up-the frillier the better. She’s girly-girl in the extreme. What should I try to book? I was thinking Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for formal night, guessing this is a hot ticket? What time do bookings open?

No plans to leave the ship, what happens onboard on a port day?

DGD is very social and I’m thinking she’ll enjoy time in the clubs. What is y’all’s experience? I don’t need the clubs for babysitting, it would only be for fun.

We were assigned the later dining time. I’m on the waitlist for the early dinner but am rethinking. Is early or late better with a 6 year old if we plan on seeing the shows? DGD is very picky and not much of an eater anyway so I’m thinking we’ll prioritize shows over meals. The late show might be too late for her.

ANY advice is deeply appreciate, I have no idea what I’m doing!

 

[cinnamoroll]

Mom of a princess-obsessed girly girl here. Definitely grab (free) tickets to Royal Gathering when you're 30 days out so your granddaughter can meet all the princesses at once. They happen on sea days. Even if they're sold out don't fret, they have individual meet and greets on other days. We did BBB on our first cruise and it was worth it despite the price-tag. It doesn't really matter which day you do it on as long as your appointment is in the morning, though it'd be nice if you could schedule the very first appointment (I think it's 9am?) before a 10am Royal Gathering.

My kiddo is alllllllll about character meets and could care less about ports so we've always stayed on board, which means shorter lines! Get in lines 10min early because CM's do cut them off if they get too long. My girl is also shows >>>>>> sit-down dinners so although we've gotten lucky with early dining, we'd skip the non-dinner-show MDR's so she could catch the earlier show. Otherwise I'd have to make sure she naps throughout the day for her to last 'til 10pm. Rapunzel's Royal Table on the Magic is not to be missed and worth staying up late for! Rapunzel goes around table to table so your granddaughter would love that

 

[jsmla]

Mom of a princess-obsessed girly girl here. Definitely grab (free) tickets to Royal Gathering when you're 30 days out so your granddaughter can meet all the princesses at once. They happen on sea days. Even if they're sold out don't fret, they have individual meet and greets on other days. We did BBB on our first cruise and it was worth it despite the price-tag. It doesn't really matter which day you do it on as long as your appointment is in the morning, though it'd be nice if you could schedule the very first appointment (I think it's 9am?) before a 10am Royal Gathering.

My kiddo is alllllllll about character meets and could care less about ports so we've always stayed on board, which means shorter lines! Get in lines 10min early because CM's do cut them off if they get too long. My girl is also shows >>>>>> sit-down dinners so although we've gotten lucky with early dining, we'd skip the non-dinner-show MDR's so she could catch the earlier show. Otherwise I'd have to make sure she naps throughout the day for her to last 'til 10pm. Rapunzel's Royal Table on the Magic is not to be missed and worth staying up late for! Rapunzel goes around table to table so your granddaughter would love that

This is great, thank you so much! Which dinners would you say are must-dos? Dilly is pretty much a pizza/mac/nuggetarian and really not much of that. I was hoping we could maybe do some room service to save on time in the evenings. She does love getting dressed up and swanning around so there’s that. She has every Disney princess gown and would be happiest wearing those.

 

[cinnamoroll]

Sounds like Dilly and my girl could be good friends! Dressing up, running around as different princesses, and meeting characters made my girl soooooo incredibly happy. Yours will love Rapunzel’s and Animator’s Palate on the Magic We just came back from 4 nights on the Magic and some people on our sailing were really disappointed that they didn’t get to draw and have the drawings come to life on the TV’s, and instead got Sorcerer Mickey who parades around at the end. We’ve experienced both and my girl actually prefers the Sorcerer Mickey version better (character!), so they’re both great in their own ways Dilly will be able to get her fix from Duck-in Diner and Pinocchio’s Pizzeria. There are healthy options (salads, fruits, wraps, bowls, sandwiches) from Daisy De-Lites if you prefer something else. They both close at 6pm so room service will be your friend if you get hungry after the show. I think you can also bring food from the MDR’s back to your room at your regular dining time too, just gotta let the dining team know in advance

 

[cinnamoroll]

Oh! There’s also an Encanto event where they do some family crafts, singing, and dancing. Mirabel and Bruno come out in the end for a meet and greet!

 

[jsmla]

Thanks so much! I would love any and all tips!

When and where do we get to see our options like the Encanto crafts?

 

[Geomom]

The kids menus in the main dining rooms do have things like pizza, chicken nuggets, Mac and cheese, as well as other options . Anyone can order from the adult and kids menus. My youngest was 12 on our first cruise and ordered dinner from the kids menu and desserts from the adult menu. Rapunzel's and Animators palate will have some entertainment. Lumieres does not, but is themed to Beauty and the Beast. One night will likely be the Pirate night menu (whichever restaurant you have twice).

I would stay on the wait-list and go for early dining if your normal dinner time is before 8pm. You can also check the app (Disney Cruise Line Navigator) or website periodically and try to switch yourself (we were able to do that 10 days before our June 2022 cruise).

Things like Encanto, family/adult activities, movies, etc, you won't see the schedule for until you get to port and access it on the app for the whole cruise.

I'd plan to see all 3 theater shows (during the time opposite your dinner.). We really enjoyed Tangled and Twice Charmed (a different Cinderella story), and Dreams has lots of Disney songs/movies represented.