Dis Wonder-Deck 5, 6 or 7?

[LuvIt]

These forums were a fabulous resource on our first trip to WDW a couple years ago. Now I need your help with our first ever cruise.

Just booked an October, 2011 Mex. Riviera cruise for me, DH and DS(10). Woo Hoo! Decided to go with a Category 11 inside stateroom and was assigned a room towards the rear of Deck 6.

Question 1: Same room category is also available on Decks 5 and 7. Is there any reason I should switch our room to either of those Decks? (I'll check into the secret porthole rooms on 5 but would bet they are taken) I looked at Deck plans and couldn't tell if there were any significant differences between Decks 5, 6 and 7. The Kids activities are on Deck 5 and I'm guessing DS will be spending lots of his time there LOL

Question 2: I could save about $120 if I moved to same room category down on Deck 2. Or I could upgrade to a deluxe inside room(split bath) on deck 2 for about $120. Any strong arguments for doing either of these?

Thanks for any advise/input!

 

[MegaMouseHouse]

I always book Deck 6. I would not switch to Deck 2. It is so far from Deck 9 and that is where lots of fun and the drink machines are. Deck 6 is so central and in my opinion a great deck. I also try to be in the AFT when possible as then it is just a couple decks up to drinks and lunch buffet or down to the resturants.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I always book Deck 6. I would not switch to Deck 2. It is so far from Deck 9 and that is where lots of fun and the drink machines are. Deck 6 is so central and in my opinion a great deck. I also try to be in the AFT when possible as then it is just a couple decks up to drinks and lunch buffet or down to the resturants.

We happen to love deck 2 aft. Ocean Quest is right down the hall which my ds loves. Easy to take stairs to dinner & kids clubs. As for deck 9, unless op would use stairs from 5-9, she'll be getting in the elevator anyway. jmho We love having a window and too cheap to pay $$$$$ for a verandah.


We do love the split bath. It's nice that more than 1 person can be getting ready at the same time. SPH is actually cat 10 so even if available, that is an upgrade from cat. 11.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

We've done Deck 8 and did a B2B on Deck 5. Both were just fine. Deck 5 was a little bit more accessible to the inside areas such as the dining rooms, shops and theaters. We're doing our first on Deck 2 next month...we'll see how it goes.

 

[LuvIt]

Honestly, you guys on these boards are great! Thanks for the feedback.

I called Disney (before I read your responses) to check about the "secret porthole" rooms on Deck 5 and found out they ARE available, would be considered a Category 10A and would be about $400 more. I'm thinking I'd rather spend that money on shore excursions. The split bath would be nice, but we're one girl(me) and 2 boys so I get priority in the bathroom - ha!

The rep did say that I could move from where I was (Cat. 11B, Deck 6 aft) to a Cat 11A room on the same deck which was in the center of the ship, and would be only $20 more. I took her up on that offer and switched rooms. NOt sure why I did that...spur of the moment decision.

Now I'm thinking I should have stayed aft to be closer to the drinks and buffet area LOL Grrrrrrrrr.

P.S. thought all the kids stuff for my DS10 was on Deck 5...I'll have to check into what Ocean Quest is.

 

[kathi]

Our last cruise we were in a Cat 7 (6640) and it was a great location. We are in same category later this month (6136). Close to the back stairway and the aft elevators which take you to the Deck 9 aft drink station, Topsiders Buffet and the "secret" aft decks.

Deck 5 has all the kids clubs but fewer staterooms. Not sure if that makes it more noisy but I would think that it would be less crowded by the actual staterooms.

Deck 7 probably isn't much different than Deck 6 in terms of traffic/noise.

We were in on outside port hole cabin on Deck 2 years ago and we liked it a lot. Felt a lot less motion low and center.

I would probably opt for the split bath. It comes in handy.

 

[nsiordia]

We are also going on the wonder 10/11 what week are you going? We booked a Verandah on the 7th deck. I have no clue what the differences are either but we did want adjoining rooms so this is what we got.

 

[Anal Annie]

We usually try to book early to grab one of the SPH cabins - FABULOUS bargain IMO. An obstructed view for an inside price! LOVE it! Anyway, IF I were to book a Cat 11 then I would definitely try to book one of the sideways ones on deck 5. A lot of people really, really like those and say they SEEM a lot bigger than the regular ones. THAT could important if you're already in a smaller space. We are just 3 people and I always feel like we're climbing all over each other in the Cat 10... (We're partial to deck 5 - it's not just door after door after door in the corridors! Def. feels less crowded and the clubs are NOT noisy.)

 

[KSDisneyDad]

We happen to love deck 2 aft. Ocean Quest is right down the hall which my ds loves. Easy to take stairs to dinner & kids clubs. As for deck 9, unless op would use stairs from 5-9, she'll be getting in the elevator anyway. jmho We love having a window and too cheap to pay $$$$$ for a verandah.


We do love the split bath. It's nice that more than 1 person can be getting ready at the same time. SPH is actually cat 10 so even if available, that is an upgrade from cat. 11.

Ocean Quest is only on the Magic, not the Wonder. All of the kids clubs on the Wonder are on Deck 5.

Honestly, you guys on these boards are great! Thanks for the feedback.

I called Disney (before I read your responses) to check about the "secret porthole" rooms on Deck 5 and found out they ARE available, would be considered a Category 10A and would be about $400 more. I'm thinking I'd rather spend that money on shore excursions. The split bath would be nice, but we're one girl(me) and 2 boys so I get priority in the bathroom - ha!

The rep did say that I could move from where I was (Cat. 11B, Deck 6 aft) to a Cat 11A room on the same deck which was in the center of the ship, and would be only $20 more. I took her up on that offer and switched rooms. NOt sure why I did that...spur of the moment decision.

Now I'm thinking I should have stayed aft to be closer to the drinks and buffet area LOL Grrrrrrrrr.

P.S. thought all the kids stuff for my DS10 was on Deck 5...I'll have to check into what Ocean Quest is.

Yes, Ocean Quest is not on the Wonder only the Magic. It's where the "never used" conference rooms are at Deck 2 midship across from the staircase.

Also, I probably would have stayed aft as well because you're close to the Deck 7 deck. If you're on Deck 6 aft, you could easily get to the Deck 7 aft deck if you want to watch the ship pull away from port, or just enjoy a relaxing and quiet time. I've found that the Deck 7 deck is rarely used.

 

[LuvIt]

Nubia, we're going the week of Oct 16.

Annie, if we don;t plan on spending much time in the cabin at all, are those portholes really worth an extra $400? That would easily pay for a shore excursion for the 3 of us. How big are they and how obstructed are they?

DisneyDad, Thanks for clarifying the Ocean Quest issue. Hadn't had time to research that yet. ANd when you comment that "Deck 7 is rarely used" so you mean there is an outdoor seating area back there that is nice to go to? Never having curised before I;m a little fuzzy about where people can go and just relax outdoors on the ship if you don't want to be at a crowded/busy pool area.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Ocean Quest is only on the Magic, not the Wonder. All of the kids clubs on the Wonder are on Deck 5.



Yes, Ocean Quest is not on the Wonder only the Magic. It's where the "never used" conference rooms are at Deck 2 midship across from the staircase.

Also, I probably would have stayed aft as well because you're close to the Deck 7 deck. If you're on Deck 6 aft, you could easily get to the Deck 7 aft deck if you want to watch the ship pull away from port, or just enjoy a relaxing and quiet time. I've found that the Deck 7 deck is rarely used.

Ah, just re read op mentioning Wonder. Sorry!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Nubia, we're going the week of Oct 16.

Annie, if we don;t plan on spending much time in the cabin at all, are those portholes really worth an extra $400? That would easily pay for a shore excursion for the 3 of us. How big are they and how obstructed are they?

DisneyDad, Thanks for clarifying the Ocean Quest issue. Hadn't had time to research that yet. ANd when you comment that "Deck 7 is rarely used" so you mean there is an outdoor seating area back there that is nice to go to? Never having curised before I;m a little fuzzy about where people can go and just relax outdoors on the ship if you don't want to be at a crowded/busy pool area.

Personally, I need a window...but hate to pay for one when I can get one at an inside cabin price. Plus the Cat 10A's are larger and have the split bath (another must have for me) so you're getting more than just a window. But you're right, that diff. would pay for an excursion or two. I didn't think the 10's were usually that much more than the 11's. Anyway, here's a couple of pictures from 5520 which is one of the less obstructed ones. They are regular size portholes (formerly were Cat 8's). 5020, 5022 and 5520 & 5522 are the least obstructed. The other 2 are 5024 & 5524 - they're not worth it IMO unless you're booking the connecting cabins to them.

They are located in this picture just to the left of the 'D' in Disney. The first one is 5520, 5522 & 5524 are barely visible & are further to the left (5524 is behind the double stacked containers).

 

[LuvIt]

Annie,

great photos and information! Now you've got me contemplating changing to an obscured porthole room.......hmmmmm

 

[Anal Annie]

Annie,

great photos and information! Now you've got me contemplating changing to an obscured porthole room.......hmmmmm

I know, it's a tough call. I just personally want to be able to get up in the morning & see daylight. Price a Cat 8 and then you'll see how much savings it is over a "real" porthole right next door!!

Like I said, I'd only book 5020, 5022 or 5520 or 5522. And don't do it tho if you will worry over spending the extra $$. Good luck!!

 

[LuvIt]

Mulled over all the info you guys shared, called Disney this a.m. and moved our room from Deck 6 (mid) to Deck 5(aft). Thanks.

Secret porthole rooms were still available but did not opt for them. But then, I may change my mind in the future....LOL