Back from Wonder, any questions?

[kasar]

Hi! We just got back from our 3day Wonder trip (12/28) and 3 days at WDW. Just thought I'd check to see if anyone has any questions.

A few highlights:

Beautiful weather
Golden Mickeys are awesome!
Great servers (Nick and Ive)
Crazy NYE at Magic Kingdom

This trip we skipped Palo and kid's clubs, so can't help there.

Happy New Year!

 

[karina]

Hi

I'm glad to hear you had a great trip and weather. I'm going on the Wonder for 3 days Jan. 15. I just want to know how disembarking the ship went. What time were you able to get off the ship? I have a flight back home at 11:50 a.m. and was hoping that it wouldn't be too early of a flight.

Thanks

 

[lookingforward]

We are thinking about taking a three night cruise. Do you know if they offer the special brunch on the short cruises?

 

[disneylover5]

How warm was the water at Castaway Cay? Did you snorkle there?

 

[mousebrat]

We will be going for our first cruise on Wonder in September. This may seem off the wall, but how are the beds - do you need to bring an egg-crate mattress or are they tolerable. We are used to a pillow-top mattress and are a bit scared. We'll be in a Category 5 if that makes any difference...

Followup - I just put a post on the subject as a new thread - it could be good info for first-timers like us...

 

[kasar]

just want to know how disembarking the ship went. What time were you able to get off the ship?

One of the BEST reasons to cruise with Disney is their debarkation process. It really could not be any easier. Since we were early seating for dinner they wanted us to the restaurant by 6:45 for breakfast (our alarm clock never went off and they couldn't accommodate us at 7:15 - our fault, not theirs - so we had a lovely buffet at Topsiders). I think we got off the ship around 7:45. There is no waiting for luggage or customs like on other cruise lines. You just leave at your leisure and get your bags from the dock. It's all very orderly and efficient.

Do you know if they offer the special brunch on the short cruises?

Sorry, they do not offer brunch (I assume you're asking about Palo) on the 3 day cruises. Somewhere I read on these boards that they're considering it for the 4-day cruises. Palo is open for dinner only on the 3 day cruises.

How warm was the water at Castaway Cay? Did you snorkle there?

The weather at CC was outstanding. I'm not a swimmer but my family sure is and they were in the water the whole day. I sat in a chair with my feet in the water and it was a bit chilly at first but felt great after a while. The water was full of people, nobody seemed too cold. We didn't snorkle this time but have in the past. It's fun for beginners but I think experienced snorkelers would find it a bit tame as there didn't seem to be a whole lot of different fish to see. But the underwater Mickey makes up for that!

how are the beds - do you need to bring an egg-crate mattress or are they tolerable. We are used to a pillow-top mattress and are a bit scared. We'll be in a Category 5 if that makes any difference...

The mattresses are fine. In fact, they really don't stick out in my mind at all so I guess that means they were fine. I've found that the gently rocking of the ship puts me right to sleep. I'm a light sleeper and wake up for most noises but never had a problem getting back to sleep. Unless you are ultra-sensitive you should be fine. And do you really want to lug along an egg-crate top? In my opinion, you'll be fine.

After all the help I've gotten from these boards I'm happy to return the favor. Anyone else?

 

[apulk]

OK, here goes -- any help on these would be appreciated. With Christmas and New Year's over all of the excitement is focused on our first Cruise vacation in just over a month. FYI -- we'll spend 5 days at Disney's POP before the cruise.

* Anyone with experience with the Castaway Cay "The Wild Side" excursion for teens? We have one DS who will be 14. I think she would love it (but she doesn't want to go alone). Her brother is only 12 so it's going to take her having the confidence (or Dad pushing her). Any good experience I could share with her to talk her into it would be appreciated.

* We're planning to get to the ship early -- by 10:30 probably. We know we'll have to wait -- but, once on board -- WHAT DO WE DO?????????? I'm assuming we can't make SPA or Palo reservations right away (or am I wrong on that)??? Do they give you a daily schedule as you are coming on-board? Should we head to lunch first thing -- then where?

* Do we have to check in all of our kids for the various clubs? We have 14, 12, 6 and 5 year olds.

* How (and when) do you know what your dining rotation is?

* We plan to do Palo's one night and will eat very light with the kids at our regular seating then have dinner later if we can get reservations. If we can pull this off -- which restaurant should we "skip" to then eat later at Palo's?

* Anyone else going at the same time? Anyone else going with a 13/14 something old daughter? This could be the first/last cruise we do and I so want her to have a special time.

Thanks much all -- your posts have been very helpful so far and VERY enjoyable.

Andy

 

[PiperG]

Hi,

We were thinking about doing Topsiders instead of the sit down breakfast. We don't fly out until the afternoon, and don't want to feel to rushed in the morning (we have early seating).

Can you give me a brief overview of the selection at Topsiders? I presume nothing hot is available.

Thanks

 

[kasar]

Hmm, I'll do my best. There are many experts on these boards, so please feel free to add your expertise!

apulk:

Our oldest is only 10 so I don't have any experiences with the teen programs, sorry. We also don't have much experience with the clubs (just can't seem to fit it all in on the 3-day) - someone else will definitely have the answers for you, though!

10:30 is a bit early, but you can still get there, check in (you'll get your "Key to the World" card which states your dining rotation at this time) and hang out until it's time to board. They gave us our Navigator (daily listing of what's going on) at check in, so that should keep you busy while you wait. When you're able to board they'll direct you to one of the lunch buffets and you'll get a chance to relax and regroup before running off for your reservations. The Navigator will tell you where and when reservations are being taken. If it's a "must-do" try to get there a bit early to ensure that you'll get the time/day that you really want. Make sure to pack swimsuits and shorts in your carry-on so that you can hit the pool upon boarding.

If it was up to me, I think I'd skip either Parrot Cay or Tritons for dinner. Parrot Cay just seemed to be the one spot where I felt the choices weren't as appealing to our family. The food was good, but Tritons and Animator's Palette seemed to have more choices that I liked (of course, it's all subjective, isn't it?). Triton's is lovely but it's most like Palo and you may not want to have two "formal"-type dinners in one night. I would not want to miss Animator's Palette especially with my family. I have a feeling you'd get a different answer to anyone you ask on this one!

PiperG: Actually, I was quite surprised to find a nice, hot breakfast at Topsiders. They had scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage. Bagels, fresh fruit, assorted pastries, cereal, yogurt, etc. Just about everything except the omelet station. We've always done the sit down breakfast on the last day and feel a bit rushed through it. This was very nice and relaxed. I wouldn't hesitate to do this again.

By the way, has anyone else ever noticed how the donuts onboard taste a lot like Krispy Kreme donuts? I wonder if they're made on the ship or brought in? They're yummy!