Best times to ride AquaDuck on a 3-night cruise

[WishUponAStarryNight]

After our first DCL cruise (5 nights on the Wonder) back in February, we decided that we wouldn't cruise less than 7 nights. We booked a 7-night cruise for October 2017, but who wants to wait that long?? So, I've booked a quick weekend trip for me and DS6 on a 3-night Dream cruise to hold us over . I know we won't get to everything, but the AquaDuck is a must. When are wait times generally the shortest? I'd like to ride at night, but DS has seen YouTube videos and the nighttime rides scare him a bit. We plan to treat Nassau like a sea day, but my guess is that we'll have a relatively crowded ship that day. We'd also like to enjoy the day at CC. If we ride on embarkation day, is there a (relatively) safe place I can leave my backpack? I hope to find a lanyard that is big enough to hold my phone, passports, KTTW cards, credit cards and $$. Can I wear that on the AquaDuck? If so, all that should be in the backpack is a change of clothes, so if it disappears, it will be disappointing but not the end of the world. Between main and late dining? In your experience, is there enough time to ride and still make it to the second show?

Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated. These boards are so tremendously helpful!! Thank you!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

After our first DCL cruise (5 nights on the Wonder) back in February, we decided that we wouldn't cruise less than 7 nights. We booked a 7-night cruise for October 2017, but who wants to wait that long?? So, I've booked a quick weekend trip for me and DS6 on a 3-night Dream cruise to hold us over . I know we won't get to everything, but the AquaDuck is a must. When are wait times generally the shortest? I'd like to ride at night, but DS has seen YouTube videos and the nighttime rides scare him a bit. We plan to treat Nassau like a sea day, but my guess is that we'll have a relatively crowded ship that day. We'd also like to enjoy the day at CC. If we ride on embarkation day, is there a (relatively) safe place I can leave my backpack? I hope to find a lanyard that is big enough to hold my phone, passports, KTTW cards, credit cards and $$. Can I wear that on the AquaDuck? If so, all that should be in the backpack is a change of clothes, so if it disappears, it will be disappointing but not the end of the world. Between main and late dining? In your experience, is there enough time to ride and still make it to the second show?

Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated. These boards are so tremendously helpful!! Thank you!

You can't wear a loose flying lanyard. If you can find something that will actually lay flat to your body, you may be able to do that.

My experience, there a lot less people on Castaway Cay day (especially in the morning, when it first opens). And dinnertime is another "quiet" time.

There are cubbies at the AquaDuck entrance, but I'm not sure if your backpack will fit. And they aren't secure.


If you can wait until the rooms are open, around 1:30, you can leave your bag in your room. If you are Concierge, I believe you can leave your bag with the Concierge staff in the lounge.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Embarkation day and right away! We just our bag on a deck chair with our towels over it and our stuff in it and have never had an issue.

Nassau Day is getting more and more crowded on the ship! LOL but CC day is slower.

 

[phinz]

You can't wear a loose flying lanyard. If you can find something that will actually lay flat to your body, you may be able to do that.

Or you could just have an extra shirt you don't mind getting wet and tuck the lanyard under the shirt while riding. You can change shirts, if so inclined, afterwards.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

You can't wear a loose flying lanyard. If you can find something that will actually lay flat to your body, you may be able to do that.

My experience, there a lot less people on Castaway Cay day (especially in the morning, when it first opens). And dinnertime is another "quiet" time.

There are cubbies at the AquaDuck entrance, but I'm not sure if your backpack will fit. And they aren't secure.
View attachment 193163

If you can wait until the rooms are open, around 1:30, you can leave your bag in your room. If you are Concierge, I believe you can leave your bag with the Concierge staff in the lounge.

Thanks!

 

[ShelleyTaylor]

We did the 3 night in June... Shortest lines were definitely the first afternoon. We boarded and had lunch and then changed to swim. I would guess 12:30/1 maybe. Kids and dh rode 3 times with 15 minute waits. Saturday (Nassau) we also stayed on board, and lines were 30 minutes before 1/2pm, and 45-60 after that. We still rode a few times. Honestly, my kids (9&10) loved it so much that they didn't really complain a lot.
Have fun!!!

 

[Jkpark]

I've been wondering this too for our upcoming 3 night. I am expecting Nassau to only be slightly less crowded than a true at sea day. What time does it open in the morning? We have late dinner so depending on the shows, we may ride during early dinner one night.

 

[jeepnjudy]

We always ride this on embarkation day. Get to port early, hop on the ship for a nice lunch and then off to The Duck!

 

[DCLDVC1]

Skip one of the shows and ride then.

 

[disneyholic family]

the sooner the better, just in case you encounter weather issues...
we put it off and then were foiled by hurricane sandy...too windy to operate the aquaduck...
they didn't have it running the rest of the cruise...

 

[rhinodadz]

We've never had a problem leaving stuff (KTTW, glasses, phone, Kindles) in the cubbies or on a deck chair.

 

[Dug720]

I've been wondering this too for our upcoming 3 night. I am expecting Nassau to only be slightly less crowded than a true at sea day. What time does it open in the morning? We have late dinner so depending on the shows, we may ride during early dinner one night.

Glad to see that people are getting more realistic about the idea of an "empty ship" on Nassau day (yes, there are a few less people for at least part of the day because of excursions, but really not huge percentage. I would say morning would be your better bet on Nassau day as there are a number of excursions that are morning only and back by noon or 1.

 

[Love2Cruz]

Embarkation day is best...but we also ride early on Nassau day.

 

[LoverDisney]

The shortest lines during our 3 day was after 1pm during Castaway Cay day.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Sytrace]

My kids like to go in the evening at around 5 or so while folks are getting ready to go to shows or dinner. Also, try and get to it early on in your cruise in case you get an unexpected sea day (as in, you cannot dock) or weather does not cooperate.

 

[thornton0511]

It sounds like no one really enjoys Nassau as a port so if the majority of people on the 3 night cruises are electing to stay on the ship nowadays would Disney consider a better port to stop at (in the future)?

 

[Sytrace]

We like Nassau as a rule.. have been there a few times and tried different things, but it would be great to see a 3 night itinerary with 1 sea day and a CC day instead of a stop at Nassau.

 

[disneyholic family]

It sounds like no one really enjoys Nassau as a port so if the majority of people on the 3 night cruises are electing to stay on the ship nowadays would Disney consider a better port to stop at (in the future)?

there isn't anything close by - given that they have to be in the vicinity of both florida and castaway cay, since there's no time to sail further afield...
so they're kinda stuck with bad choices....
we actually had a really nice time the last time we were in nassau...
we did the blue lagoon dolphin swim and really enjoyed it and would most definitely do it again..
much better day than the first two times we were in nassau (first time atlantis water park, second time stayed on the ship)...

if they ever do get a second private island up and running, they'll probably change their short cruises into just private island ports..


.

 

[phinz]

if they ever do get a second private island up and running, they'll probably change their short cruises into just private island ports..

If the Bahamas will allow them to...