>> April 1, 2012 - Disney Dream Spring Break Frenzy! <<

[peytoncolts]

Thank you for all you do!! I love being updated!

 

[WDWExpress]

Looking foward to meeting folks from the roll call... looks like it is going to be a wonderful crowd.

 

[mubriankoz]

Yes we did the stingrays last year. It was a lot of fun. You first interact with them in shallow water closer to the beach. They swim up on a platform and you feed them. Then you snorkel with them. We had a good time with the snorkeling. We had taken our son to Maui in 2008 and did a snorkel trip with him, he was 7 at the time, and he had a difficult time with the snorkel. Last year with the stingrays he did much better with the snorkel and is now looking forward to snorkeling in Maui this summer. I liked the laid back atmosphere and you were able to explore at your own pace. The calmer waters gave me a chance to really work with Connor and improve his snorkeling.
Debbie

Thanks for the feedback, JT is so excited to do this, he has tried snorkeling before so we shall see how he improves. I think he is more excited for the concept then he will be in practice but who knows. Kids always suprise me.

Is it time to start packing yet?? I cannot wait for this vacation to get here!!

 

[mubriankoz]

Glad to see soo many kids around the same age as mine...however my wife brought up the same point with a negative twist, are the pools always packed to the gills with people?

 

[guarn3md]

Glad to see soo many kids around the same age as mine...however my wife brought up the same point with a negative twist, are the pools always packed to the gills with people?

From my one and only experience last year on the same Spring Break cruise...YES! We had a pretty bad experience on the first day with the pools that kept us away from them for the rest of the cruise. However, there was plenty of stuff to do and to me the pool is really just a secondary thought. There is a cool, twisty slide; plus the aquaduck and the mini golf course. You must also try to play table tennis outside while the ship is moving - hilarious! I would definitely treat the pools and aquaduck like any big attraction at Disney World during a holiday time - go at the right times - morning, later in the afternoon/evening; etc... We rode Aquaduck as soon as it opened one morning and went on several times with minimal waits. But later that same day in the afternoon the wait was 45 minutes!
Hope this helps!
Debbie

 

[SSinWYO]

Ok, seasoned DCLers! I was just wondering what to expect at the port for average checkin/boarding time. My DD is constantly "starving" and I want to plan accordingly. Do they have snack machines or a coffee shop there? We'll be in the car a while before arriving too!

Thank you!

 

[Deb T.]

Ok, seasoned DCLers! I was just wondering what to expect at the port for average checkin/boarding time. My DD is constantly "starving" and I want to plan accordingly. Do they have snack machines or a coffee shop there? We'll be in the car a while before arriving too!

Thank you!

They used to have a little snack bar, but I don't think it's there anymore. You might want to bring some snacks. Or, maybe plan to eat a late breakfast that day.

When are you planning to arrive? The terminal opens at 11am (it used to open at 10am) and boarding typically begins just before noon. The boarding process is remarkably quick, with numbers called at a fairly fast pace. Then it's off ta fantastic Welcome Aboard Lunch!

Some cruisers opt to arrive at the port after 1pm when the terminal is practically empty so they can just walk onto the ship without waiting after checking in.

 

[WDWExpress]

So reading some of the posts sounds like the cruise will be over the top packed, but other than the pool does it really seem as crowded as the parks??? Just wondering what the rest of the shop will be like and what Castaway Cay will be like..
I know I heard some folks complain about the lines at Cabana's for the buffet and some other things.... but I would think that the ship would be equipped to handle the number of people who are on the ship, max is 4000 at full capacity (all beds taken).
Am I worrying for nothing or just reading too much into the posts.

 

[Deb T.]

So reading some of the posts sounds like the cruise will be over the top packed, but other than the pool does it really seem as crowded as the parks??? Just wondering what the rest of the shop will be like and what Castaway Cay will be like..
I know I heard some folks complain about the lines at Cabana's for the buffet and some other things.... but I would think that the ship would be equipped to handle the number of people who are on the ship, max is 4000 at full capacity (all beds taken).
Am I worrying for nothing or just reading too much into the posts.

The ship will be full - no question about that. But the crowd issue is manageable.

Please note that not all beds will be taken. In my cabin, for example, there will be two empty beds. Actually, a quick glance through our cruise roster indicates there will be at least 28 empty beds.

There will be plenty of standing in lines. But, we all stand in lines in our normal day-to-day life, too, so it shouldn't be a big deal. The lines do move fairly quickly, though. Places you might encounter lines are: breakfast, lunch, the pool deck "fast food" windows, Aqua Duck, characters, check-out at the gift shops, and getting on and off the ship at the ports. Notice I didn't say "dinner"... and that is because there is absolutely no reason to stand in the long lines that form outside of the restaurants for dinner!!! Yup, that's right! Why, you may ask? It is simply because you have an assigned table for dinner every night at an assigned dinner time. If you wait until two minutes after your assigned dining time to show up, you will breeze right in and be quickly escorted to your table!

For breakfast and lunch, Cabana's main complaint is that it is not set up as a buffet line. It is set up as individual food stations. People are supposed to just pop in and out of the different lines, which does cause quite a bit of confusion to those who haven't experienced this yet. There are plenty of tables once you get your food. And note that you will also need to go to the drink station to get your own drinks. Enchanted Garden is set up as a true buffet, and waitstaff bring your drinks to your table. For some reason, EG is always less crowded than Cabanas!

Castaway Cay crowds will look like any other beach on a beautiful summer day. The farther down the beach you go, the less crowded it will be.

The Sail Away party is crowded, but everyone has a fun time. If the deck in front of the stage is too full for your comfort, you can still see and hear everything from the deck above. For the "See Ya Real Soon" show in the atrium on the last night, I'd recommend watching from the balcony, too.

The best time to go to the pool is immediately upon embarkation, early in the mornings, during dinner times, or later in the evening. During the peak swimming times, there are plenty of other activities all over the ship. All options will be listed in the daily "Navigator" that you will receive each night.

So, here's a thought for you: DH and I are old enough to have grown children, I am an educator, this cruise is during spring break, we aren't traveling with children, and this will be our 14th Disney cruise - seven of them during spring breaks! There is a reason why we keep sailing Disney. It is a top-notch fantastic vacation experience! (Now, I hope you feel better.)

 

[WDWExpress]

Deb T......

Throughout our cruise exploration you have been an amazing source of information, comfort and guidence, all of which has been greatly appreciated.. Hopefully we will bump into each other on the cruise so I can say thank you for the help and just chat.

I know that your post will be wonderful advise for other first time cruisers... I am the queen of the parks and the resorts, know the in's and out's but cruising I am a novice....

 

[Deb T.]

Here are some tips from Good 'Ole Deb T.:

Embarkation Day-
*Arrive Early! The cruise is short, so you'll want to have as much time on the ship as possible.
*Upon boarding, stop by the Guest Services desk and pick up that day's Navigator and a map of the ship if you didn't receive one when checking in at the port. Read through the Navigator during the Welcome Aboard Lunch so you can start planning to participate in all the fun activities that are offered.
*Dress the kids in their swimsuits so they can enjoy the pools while they are the least crowded of the day. The adults can take turns going through Cabana's and carry your trays outside to the pool area while the kids swim!
*Once the pools start to get crowded and your kids are done swimming, take some time to become familiar with the layout of the ship on each deck. All adult and children areas have Open Houses prior to Sail Away.
*Come to our DIS meet. It's really fun to bump into each other throughout the rest of the cruise!
*Do NOT miss the evening shows each night! Arrive at least 15 minutes early.
*Call room service and set up milk and cookies to be delivered each night at bedtime. The kids will LOVE the special treat! After all, they're on vacation, too!
*Get your souvenir shopping done the first evening. The shops are CrAzY busy the next three nights!
*Eat ice cream!

Nassau Day-
*If you are even remotely thinking about booking another cruise onboard, stop by the DCL booking desk and fill out an interest card. They will have a quote to you by the next day. Then, you can decide if you want to put a deposit down on it or not. I recommend putting down a deposit while onboard and then deciding whether or not to keep the reservation after you're back home. You can always cancel it without penalty later, but you can never book it with the OBC and discount after you're off the ship.
*Go to Guest Services and charge your tips to your room. There are LONG lines to do this the two days.
*Do the "Midship Detective Agency" activity. Most people wait until the sea day to do this.
*Avoid Shutters directly before and after meal times - that's when that tiny little space is the most packed!
*Eat ice cream!

Castaway Cay Day -
*Check your Navigator for when Captain Jack Sparrow will be available for photographs on Pirate Night and on Castaway Cay!
*Check the Navigator for all the fun activities offered on the island.
*Be sure to bathe the kids as soon as you're back on the ship to wash any traces of sea lice off before they get itchy.
*Eat ice cream on CC and on the ship!!

Sea Day -
*Watch a movie from the pool deck or the Buena Vista Theater.
*Play shuffleboard.
*Pack before dinner so you don't have to miss the Til We Meet Again (See Ya Again Real Soon) show.
*Eat ice cream!


*Take time to enjoy just being onboard that beautiful ship!
*And eat some ice cream while you're at it!

 

[Deb T.]

Deb T......

Throughout our cruise exploration you have been an amazing source of information, comfort and guidence, all of which has been greatly appreciated.. Hopefully we will bump into each other on the cruise so I can say thank you for the help and just chat.

I know that your post will be wonderful advise for other first time cruisers... I am the queen of the parks and the resorts, know the in's and out's but cruising I am a novice....

Awwww... you just made me blush! Thanks for the kind words. I'd love to meet you and chat a while!

Starting a week from tomorrow (at the six week mark) I will start posting a "Six Weeks From Today we will be...." narrative. It will be sort of like a trip report, but before our actual trip. It will foretell what our day-to-day cruise experience will be like while onboard the amazing Disney Dream.

 

[WDWExpress]

Deb....
thanks for the wonderful advice and I am not thinking about ice cream. Our DS's (11 & 12) are already thinking about what swim trunks look the most like shorts to wear on the ship because they want to enjoy the pool and of course the aqua duck.
Not sure how we will pack in all the fun in just 4 short days but I know that we will really try, and of course we will have ice cream and sweet treats before bed.

I think I will need to print your posts to make sure I remember it all...

Looking forward to the DIS meet/greet to say hello and put some faces to the wonderful folks we have been chatting with.

 

[MMDDMD]

Here are some tips from Good 'Ole Deb T.:

Embarkation Day-
*Arrive Early! The cruise is short, so you'll want to have as much time on the ship as possible.
*Upon boarding, stop by the Guest Services desk and pick up that day's Navigator and a map of the ship if you didn't receive one when checking in at the port. Read through the Navigator during the Welcome Aboard Lunch so you can start planning to participate in all the fun activities that are offered.
*Dress the kids in their swimsuits so they can enjoy the pools while they are the least crowded of the day. The adults can take turns going through Cabana's and carry your trays outside to the pool area while the kids swim!
*Once the pools start to get crowded and your kids are done swimming, take some time to become familiar with the layout of the ship on each deck. All adult and children areas have Open Houses prior to Sail Away.
*Come to our DIS meet. It's really fun to bump into each other throughout the rest of the cruise!
*Do NOT miss the evening shows each night! Arrive at least 15 minutes early.
*Call room service and set up milk and cookies to be delivered each night at bedtime. The kids will LOVE the special treat! After all, they're on vacation, too!
*Get your souvenir shopping done the first evening. The shops are CrAzY busy the next three nights!
*Eat ice cream!

Nassau Day-
*If you are even remotely thinking about booking another cruise onboard, stop by the DCL booking desk and fill out an interest card. They will have a quote to you by the next day. Then, you can decide if you want to put a deposit down on it or not. I recommend putting down a deposit while onboard and then deciding whether or not to keep the reservation after you're back home. You can always cancel it without penalty later, but you can never book it with the OBC and discount after you're off the ship.
*Go to Guest Services and charge your tips to your room. There are LONG lines to do this the two days.
*Do the "Midship Detective Agency" activity. Most people wait until the sea day to do this.
*Avoid Shutters directly before and after meal times - that's when that tiny little space is the most packed!
*Eat ice cream!

Castaway Cay Day -
*Check your Navigator for when Captain Jack Sparrow will be available for photographs on Pirate Night and on Castaway Cay!
*Check the Navigator for all the fun activities offered on the island.
*Be sure to bathe the kids as soon as you're back on the ship to wash any traces of sea lice off before they get itchy.
*Eat ice cream on CC and on the ship!!

Sea Day -
*Watch a movie from the pool deck or the Buena Vista Theater.
*Play shuffleboard.
*Pack before dinner so you don't have to miss the Til We Meet Again (See Ya Again Real Soon) show.
*Eat ice cream!


*Take time to enjoy just being onboard that beautiful ship!
*And eat some ice cream while you're at it!

Deb T.,
Thank you for this and your future posts in the 6 week count down. With your permission, I plan to copy this and send it to all 30 of our Bat Mitzvah guests so that they can benefit from your insider's knowledge.

 

[Deb T.]

Deb T.,
Thank you for this and your future posts in the 6 week count down. With your permission, I plan to copy this and send it to all 30 of our Bat Mitzvah guests so that they can benefit from your insider's knowledge.

Yes, absolutely you have my permission!

Okay, now you all have me on a roll...

Some things you do and don't need:

Yes:
*Highlighters (one color per person) to highlight activities listed in the Navigator that you want to do each day.
*Sunscreen and sunglasses
*Glow Sticks (you can find them at Dollar Stores). They make perfect night lights in the bathroom! Oddly enough, the plugs in the bathrooms only power a shaver and the DCL hair dryer.
*Hair dryer if you have thick hair. The hair dryer in the cabin is pitiful. You will need to use the electrical outlet at the desk.
*Cash if you want to purchase stamps on Castaway Cay.
*Foam Ear Plugs (available at home improvement stores) if you are a light sleeper. When all is quiet at night, you can hear creaking in the cabin. It's perfectly normal as the ship moves.
*Wrist watches! (Preferably waterproof.) There are very few clocks onboard.
*A beach bag/tote for Castaway Cay.
*Disposable cameras for the kids! It's fun to see things from their perspective, especially when they're in the Kids' Clubs without you.
*Bonine (non-drowsy, non-prescription) or Transderm Scop (prescription) anti-nausea meds if you are prone to sea sickness. Start the meds the day before the cruise starts so it's in your system by sail-away.
*Autograph Books

No:
-Pool/Beach towels. There are plenty available all over the ship and CC.
-Duct Tape. I don't know why DIS'ers always say to bring this. I'm sure you could easily get tape from Guest Services if the need arises.
-Fancy Tip Envelopes. You will receive DCL tip envelopes on the 3rd night.

 

[ddeal1957]

Deb,

Thanks for the updates. Speaking of ice cream - I need to remember to order Mickey bars via room service......

Can't wait meet everyone during the group meet.

 

[ccbride412]

Deb T. Do you know if the adult pools are very crowded? A lot of my guests don't have children (or have grown children) and would probably like to be in a pool that's less crowded. And may I copy your advice to send out to my guests as well? I think that would set some minds at ease since I just checked again and it appears our ship is SOLD OUT and has been since earlier this week!

 

[ccbride412]

Oh and I work in a pharmacy and I will tell everyone, the Transderm Scop seasickness patches Deb T mentioned work really well if you're really prone to seasickness. For instance my mom can't even watch some commercials without getting motion sick, but she was up and about in *6* foot seas on her last cruise with no problems thanks to that patch.

The reason I mention that I work in a pharmacy is because the patches are just coming back on the market after a shortage, so you may want to start looking into getting them. They may be more readily available now, but I wouldn't wait just in case.

 

[Deb T.]

Deb T. Do you know if the adult pools are very crowded? A lot of my guests don't have children (or have grown children) and would probably like to be in a pool that's less crowded. And may I copy your advice to send out to my guests as well? I think that would set some minds at ease since I just checked again and it appears our ship is SOLD OUT and has been since earlier this week!

The area surrounding the adult pool always has people laying around on the comfortable lounge chairs, but it never seems overly crowded. Very few people are ever in the pool. Sometimes the hot tubs are a little crowded. Be sure to take a peek in the hot tubs because the bottom and sea-side wall are made of clear glass! If you are walking on the deck below, look up and you will see feet in the hot tubs!

And yes... anyone who would like to share my info with others is more than welcome to.

 

[SSinWYO]

The ship will be full - no question about that. But the crowd issue is manageable.

Please note that not all beds will be taken. In my cabin, for example, there will be two empty beds. Actually, a quick glance through our cruise roster indicates there will be at least 28 empty beds.

There will be plenty of standing in lines. But, we all stand in lines in our normal day-to-day life, too, so it shouldn't be a big deal. The lines do move fairly quickly, though. Places you might encounter lines are: breakfast, lunch, the pool deck "fast food" windows, Aqua Duck, characters, check-out at the gift shops, and getting on and off the ship at the ports. Notice I didn't say "dinner"... and that is because there is absolutely no reason to stand in the long lines that form outside of the restaurants for dinner!!! Yup, that's right! Why, you may ask? It is simply because you have an assigned table for dinner every night at an assigned dinner time. If you wait until two minutes after your assigned dining time to show up, you will breeze right in and be quickly escorted to your table!

For breakfast and lunch, Cabana's main complaint is that it is not set up as a buffet line. It is set up as individual food stations. People are supposed to just pop in and out of the different lines, which does cause quite a bit of confusion to those who haven't experienced this yet. There are plenty of tables once you get your food. And note that you will also need to go to the drink station to get your own drinks. Enchanted Garden is set up as a true buffet, and waitstaff bring your drinks to your table. For some reason, EG is always less crowded than Cabanas!

Castaway Cay crowds will look like any other beach on a beautiful summer day. The farther down the beach you go, the less crowded it will be.

The Sail Away party is crowded, but everyone has a fun time. If the deck in front of the stage is too full for your comfort, you can still see and hear everything from the deck above. For the "See Ya Real Soon" show in the atrium on the last night, I'd recommend watching from the balcony, too.

The best time to go to the pool is immediately upon embarkation, early in the mornings, during dinner times, or later in the evening. During the peak swimming times, there are plenty of other activities all over the ship. All options will be listed in the daily "Navigator" that you will receive each night.

So, here's a thought for you: DH and I are old enough to have grown children, I am an educator, this cruise is during spring break, we aren't traveling with children, and this will be our 14th Disney cruise - seven of them during spring breaks! There is a reason why we keep sailing Disney. It is a top-notch fantastic vacation experience! (Now, I hope you feel better.)

This is all VERY good to know. Thank you for posting!