RedSox68
Retired 2021 -- All the Time to Travel Now!
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2009
- Messages
- 8,258
Just back off the May 15th cruise. Going to write paragraphs that will touch on all the subjects asked about:
We arrived at the port at 11:00 a.m. and other than fighting with the hoards of love bugs, had absolutely no problems getting our luggage in and going through security. There was no one at the door handing out boarding numbers, but instead you got them as you entered the queue to check in. We got number 8. I mentioned to the Castaway club rep that we had port arrival time of 10:30 to 11:00 and she crossed out the 8 and wrote a 3. It wouldn't have mattered either way as I didn't think 8 was that high. But after experiencing it, I do not believe that your port arrival time has a thing to do with the boarding number you get!
No complaints at all about embarkation except one -- and it's a major one. Disney has GOT to do something about the crowds that form at the doorway to the ship! It was impossible to get through and it is unnecessary and easily solvable. Ropes and a CM standing there directing people would be most appreciated. They should have sections in the terminal for groups of numbers. But we saw several people with little ones and even a wheel chair who could not get through the crowd to board. Certainly no way to start you trip!
Debarkation was the worst I've seen in nine cruises -- but it was not Disney's fault. It was because there were only TWO windows open for customs. The lines looped around the whole baggage area. It took us about 30 minutes to get through the whole process and out of the terminal. And speaking of which, while they did not do a much needed enlargement of the terminal, they did enlarge the baggage area substantially.
Atrium and layout of the atrium was awesome. Chandelier took our breath away. Loved the bar on one side and guest services on the other. Made the area so much bigger and gave a direct path from to back. Also LOVED loved loved the fact that the stores and the Walt Disney Theater were also on this deck. All the bars and lounges were on deck 4 and movie theater on five. Just loved the ability to walk fore to aft on Deck three and see the restaurants and the shops, stop at the bar, visit guest services or enjoy the sitting area. Did not miss the promenade lounge or computer area at all.
Speaking of which -- no more computer labs. They will loan you laptops, but it is a $400 hold on your account when they do.
The stores are much bigger and nicer and there are four stores now instead of two. The liquor store is now here also as opposed to between the lounges in the district area.
Just our opinion, but in touring the various bars and lounges, we felt there were too many. I think we counted 8 in all not including the ones on deck. But each one has a different theme and I'm sure many found things to enjoy in each one. Our favorite was the skyline with the changing cityscape and drink menus. However, did not like the very black and stark decor in "The District" (Route 66 on the Wonder and Beat Street on the Magic). Each bar had it's own personality, but some of the hallways were much too dark and boring.
Shutters new style was a VERY welcome change. All your pictures are put into boxes and they are all stored on the various shelves. You type in your name and room number and it tells you where your box is located (Donald green 73). I loved the fact that you could just get the box and go to a table and look through your pictures without scanning the walls. However, there were other people's folders put into our box on two occasions, and they still had two walls of pictures of various settings -- not sure why these pictures weren't put into the families boxes
I cannot say enough good things about the three main restaurants. We all felt that each and every one was far and above the older ships. Animator's Palate, which was never my favorite on the classics, is my new favorite. The technology and decor and props were awesome. The food in all of them was top notch and we had a great time. No characters came into the restaurants like they have before, but the restaurants themselves were enough to keep us entertained as we looked around and took pictures. Had the best serving team and head server of any cruise we've ever taken! I would ask for them again.
Cabanas -- none of us thought the layout was a plus. We found it to be much more chaotic as people came from all directions to grab food. Unlike the older ships where you walk in and do one straight line through, this you have to go to various stations. And while they tell you it's the same on both sides, it was not. One side did not have the pastry and fruit station that the other side had -- and we didn't find that until the last day. We liked doing breakfast and lunch in Enchanted Garden instead -- two sides with one line on each and much more organized. Not as much food, however, as Cabanas offers. And as I mentioned in another thread, the elevator access to this deck that requires you to walk through the restaurant at all hours seems so unnecessary. And this is after it is set up with dishes and glasses and cups for the next morning and we witnessed people walking through barefoot, touching things and going to the drink station and moving glasses around, etc.
For those who care (like me who is allergic to nutrisweet) -- there is no Splenda on the Dream. They have yellow packets which are clearly marked NutriSweet. Clever of Nutrisweet to try to disguise themselves in yellow. I always brought my own Splenda on the Magic and Wonder until I discovered they had it onboard. This time I didn't and the Dream didn't have it.
The family deluxe stateroom with the porthole window seat was awesome. Lots of fun to sit there and look out and the window is huge -- floor to ceiling just about. Absolutely love these staterooms - seem much crisper and airy and the under the bed storage is a huge plus. The decor is lovely and the new pictures were refreshing. The closets now have doors that open and close, preventing the sliding that used to occur on the other ships. There is also an extra set of shelves in there now. And lots of wall shelves. We didn't miss the steamer trunk at all. The flat screen tv is wonderful and the couch much longer and more comfortable. Missed the table, but loved the trunk that you could store stuff inside. Only glitch in our stateroom was that the straight backed wing chair was missing. Steward said all the other staterooms had them, but not ours. Thought that was odd. My husband would have loved that for his back.
The bathroom with the circular shower was so roomy! Loved the sunken wall shelves. And it has two clothes lines! There is an overhead rain shower head and then also a removable handheld shower head on the wall. TIP for those that use both -- START with the overhead. If you switch to the overhead while standing there, the water comes out freezing at first. Start with the overhead and then if you switch to the handheld at least you can hold it away from you until the water temp catches up. Unfortunately, in 9 cruises we've never had such an odor problem as we did in this bathroom. The shower room smelled day and night and we had to keep a room freshener in there. Oddly enough, the toilet bathroom had no odor.
Have always liked being in aft. But really discovered the length of this ship when you board in foreward and have to walk back to your room. It was like a movie scene where they're running down the hallway and it keeps getting longer
I could not believe how long it took to get back to the room. We quickly learned that it is MUCH more entertaining and far less exhausting to take the elevator to 3 and walk to aft. At least there are people to see, characters around and decor to walk by. Made the walk back seem quicker.
Did not do Palo or Remy as we did not want to miss any of the restaurants, but went up to see them and they are gorgeous.
Disappointed to discover that they have taken the Walk the Plank chocolate cake off the Pirate Night's Menu. In fact, our only food complaint this time came in the dessert selection on every menu. Far too many fancy desserts and not enough basics
I just ended up getting chocolate ice cream each night.
My daughter loved the Aquaduck and had no problems riding it twice in a row. Only problem is you cannot wear shoes and the deck was very hot to get off and walk around to the entrance again. While we weren't sure how this would look once onboard, we found it to be very exciting to watch and it is kept very clean and the tubes are crystal clear. At night the lights rotate and make it quite pretty.
The 9-hole miniature golf course, for us, was a huge plus. We love miniature golf and it was a lot of fun. They even provide the pencils and score pads. Only problem we had was they didn't stay on top of restocking the basket with balls and a couple of times we went up and there weren't any (the balls go into a hole and are non retrievable at the end). Unfortunately, all the holes were full of dead love bugs -- so retrieving the ball each time was grody!
Glad they moved the basketball court away from the front of the ship. Now there is a very peaceful area with cushioned benches around the poles to sit and enjoy the view.
The adult area was gorgeous, but again the elevator situation of families having to cut through there seemed like poor planning.
The Villian show was a disappointment, but Believe was the best show we've seen since Hercules. The ventriloquist they had onboard was outstanding and we went to see her adult show.
Please don't miss doing the detective agency game. My daughter played it three different times and had a blast. The station is located at two spots on deck five -- you register your "badge" and then follow the map to different portraits. When you hold up your badge, the portrait changes to reveal clues. Also on deck 5 is the picture with the ship's wheel that you can steer. Lots and lots of portraits around the ship come to life when you stand in front of them.
And while the Magic is "our home" and we'll be glad to see her again next year on our 2-night cruise, I can say that I fear the older ships may seem "plain" now compared to the art, technology and decor of the new ship. Some of the layout was not appealing as far as getting from one point to another, but overall she's a beauty and far prettier than I even expected. I can't wait to go on a 7-night next year to have more time to explore and see what restaurants will be on the Fantasy.
We arrived at the port at 11:00 a.m. and other than fighting with the hoards of love bugs, had absolutely no problems getting our luggage in and going through security. There was no one at the door handing out boarding numbers, but instead you got them as you entered the queue to check in. We got number 8. I mentioned to the Castaway club rep that we had port arrival time of 10:30 to 11:00 and she crossed out the 8 and wrote a 3. It wouldn't have mattered either way as I didn't think 8 was that high. But after experiencing it, I do not believe that your port arrival time has a thing to do with the boarding number you get!
No complaints at all about embarkation except one -- and it's a major one. Disney has GOT to do something about the crowds that form at the doorway to the ship! It was impossible to get through and it is unnecessary and easily solvable. Ropes and a CM standing there directing people would be most appreciated. They should have sections in the terminal for groups of numbers. But we saw several people with little ones and even a wheel chair who could not get through the crowd to board. Certainly no way to start you trip!
Debarkation was the worst I've seen in nine cruises -- but it was not Disney's fault. It was because there were only TWO windows open for customs. The lines looped around the whole baggage area. It took us about 30 minutes to get through the whole process and out of the terminal. And speaking of which, while they did not do a much needed enlargement of the terminal, they did enlarge the baggage area substantially.
Atrium and layout of the atrium was awesome. Chandelier took our breath away. Loved the bar on one side and guest services on the other. Made the area so much bigger and gave a direct path from to back. Also LOVED loved loved the fact that the stores and the Walt Disney Theater were also on this deck. All the bars and lounges were on deck 4 and movie theater on five. Just loved the ability to walk fore to aft on Deck three and see the restaurants and the shops, stop at the bar, visit guest services or enjoy the sitting area. Did not miss the promenade lounge or computer area at all.
Speaking of which -- no more computer labs. They will loan you laptops, but it is a $400 hold on your account when they do.
The stores are much bigger and nicer and there are four stores now instead of two. The liquor store is now here also as opposed to between the lounges in the district area.
Just our opinion, but in touring the various bars and lounges, we felt there were too many. I think we counted 8 in all not including the ones on deck. But each one has a different theme and I'm sure many found things to enjoy in each one. Our favorite was the skyline with the changing cityscape and drink menus. However, did not like the very black and stark decor in "The District" (Route 66 on the Wonder and Beat Street on the Magic). Each bar had it's own personality, but some of the hallways were much too dark and boring.
Shutters new style was a VERY welcome change. All your pictures are put into boxes and they are all stored on the various shelves. You type in your name and room number and it tells you where your box is located (Donald green 73). I loved the fact that you could just get the box and go to a table and look through your pictures without scanning the walls. However, there were other people's folders put into our box on two occasions, and they still had two walls of pictures of various settings -- not sure why these pictures weren't put into the families boxes
I cannot say enough good things about the three main restaurants. We all felt that each and every one was far and above the older ships. Animator's Palate, which was never my favorite on the classics, is my new favorite. The technology and decor and props were awesome. The food in all of them was top notch and we had a great time. No characters came into the restaurants like they have before, but the restaurants themselves were enough to keep us entertained as we looked around and took pictures. Had the best serving team and head server of any cruise we've ever taken! I would ask for them again.
Cabanas -- none of us thought the layout was a plus. We found it to be much more chaotic as people came from all directions to grab food. Unlike the older ships where you walk in and do one straight line through, this you have to go to various stations. And while they tell you it's the same on both sides, it was not. One side did not have the pastry and fruit station that the other side had -- and we didn't find that until the last day. We liked doing breakfast and lunch in Enchanted Garden instead -- two sides with one line on each and much more organized. Not as much food, however, as Cabanas offers. And as I mentioned in another thread, the elevator access to this deck that requires you to walk through the restaurant at all hours seems so unnecessary. And this is after it is set up with dishes and glasses and cups for the next morning and we witnessed people walking through barefoot, touching things and going to the drink station and moving glasses around, etc.
For those who care (like me who is allergic to nutrisweet) -- there is no Splenda on the Dream. They have yellow packets which are clearly marked NutriSweet. Clever of Nutrisweet to try to disguise themselves in yellow. I always brought my own Splenda on the Magic and Wonder until I discovered they had it onboard. This time I didn't and the Dream didn't have it.
The family deluxe stateroom with the porthole window seat was awesome. Lots of fun to sit there and look out and the window is huge -- floor to ceiling just about. Absolutely love these staterooms - seem much crisper and airy and the under the bed storage is a huge plus. The decor is lovely and the new pictures were refreshing. The closets now have doors that open and close, preventing the sliding that used to occur on the other ships. There is also an extra set of shelves in there now. And lots of wall shelves. We didn't miss the steamer trunk at all. The flat screen tv is wonderful and the couch much longer and more comfortable. Missed the table, but loved the trunk that you could store stuff inside. Only glitch in our stateroom was that the straight backed wing chair was missing. Steward said all the other staterooms had them, but not ours. Thought that was odd. My husband would have loved that for his back.
The bathroom with the circular shower was so roomy! Loved the sunken wall shelves. And it has two clothes lines! There is an overhead rain shower head and then also a removable handheld shower head on the wall. TIP for those that use both -- START with the overhead. If you switch to the overhead while standing there, the water comes out freezing at first. Start with the overhead and then if you switch to the handheld at least you can hold it away from you until the water temp catches up. Unfortunately, in 9 cruises we've never had such an odor problem as we did in this bathroom. The shower room smelled day and night and we had to keep a room freshener in there. Oddly enough, the toilet bathroom had no odor.
Have always liked being in aft. But really discovered the length of this ship when you board in foreward and have to walk back to your room. It was like a movie scene where they're running down the hallway and it keeps getting longer
I could not believe how long it took to get back to the room. We quickly learned that it is MUCH more entertaining and far less exhausting to take the elevator to 3 and walk to aft. At least there are people to see, characters around and decor to walk by. Made the walk back seem quicker.Did not do Palo or Remy as we did not want to miss any of the restaurants, but went up to see them and they are gorgeous.
Disappointed to discover that they have taken the Walk the Plank chocolate cake off the Pirate Night's Menu. In fact, our only food complaint this time came in the dessert selection on every menu. Far too many fancy desserts and not enough basics
I just ended up getting chocolate ice cream each night. My daughter loved the Aquaduck and had no problems riding it twice in a row. Only problem is you cannot wear shoes and the deck was very hot to get off and walk around to the entrance again. While we weren't sure how this would look once onboard, we found it to be very exciting to watch and it is kept very clean and the tubes are crystal clear. At night the lights rotate and make it quite pretty.
The 9-hole miniature golf course, for us, was a huge plus. We love miniature golf and it was a lot of fun. They even provide the pencils and score pads. Only problem we had was they didn't stay on top of restocking the basket with balls and a couple of times we went up and there weren't any (the balls go into a hole and are non retrievable at the end). Unfortunately, all the holes were full of dead love bugs -- so retrieving the ball each time was grody!
Glad they moved the basketball court away from the front of the ship. Now there is a very peaceful area with cushioned benches around the poles to sit and enjoy the view.
The adult area was gorgeous, but again the elevator situation of families having to cut through there seemed like poor planning.
The Villian show was a disappointment, but Believe was the best show we've seen since Hercules. The ventriloquist they had onboard was outstanding and we went to see her adult show.
Please don't miss doing the detective agency game. My daughter played it three different times and had a blast. The station is located at two spots on deck five -- you register your "badge" and then follow the map to different portraits. When you hold up your badge, the portrait changes to reveal clues. Also on deck 5 is the picture with the ship's wheel that you can steer. Lots and lots of portraits around the ship come to life when you stand in front of them.
And while the Magic is "our home" and we'll be glad to see her again next year on our 2-night cruise, I can say that I fear the older ships may seem "plain" now compared to the art, technology and decor of the new ship. Some of the layout was not appealing as far as getting from one point to another, but overall she's a beauty and far prettier than I even expected. I can't wait to go on a 7-night next year to have more time to explore and see what restaurants will be on the Fantasy.
