Disney Dream - May 29 - June 3 w/ Islands Of Adventure

[maria-fan-22]

Just got off the Dream. The whole cruise was GREAT!!! The Way I'll do this is to start with "Day 1 - Islands Of Adventure Pre Cruise Stay" that I will post later tonight and then post another day every day until I'm done. Feel Free to post any specific questions. General Info will be posted below.

Ship: Disney Dream
Captain: Tom Forburg
Cruise Director: Rachel Quinn
Assist Cruise Director: Trent

Cabin: 8652
Category: 5B
Hostess: Nyasha

Dining Rotation: ERRAE
Table #: 49
Head Server: Mark of The Philippines
Server: Pogi (aka Balzas) of Hungary
Assist. Server: Heidi of Mexico
Us with Heidi(Girl) and Pogi(Boy)

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Navigators
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2733804

Be sure to check back each day for a new report.

 

[pixie08]

I'm in!

 

[Maxxumuser]

I am dying to know...did they resell my cabin 8658 or pixie dust someone into it? Disney kept all but about $20 of mine.

Bill

 

[maria-fan-22]

We got home later than expected so I am still working on the first day.

I did get all of the navigators posted. HERE

I am dying to know...did they resell my cabin 8658 or pixie dust someone into it? Disney kept all but about $20 of mine.

Bill

I think it may have remained empty. There were signs everywhere saying that no upgrades were available and the cruise remained sold out online the entire time. They may have moved someone into it. Not sure.

 

[maria-fan-22]

We arrived at Islands of adventure shortly after 8am, as we were resort guests, we got in as soon as we got there instead of having to wait for the official opening at 9am. We immediately went to The Wonderful World of Harry Potter. The first thing we did was Olivanders; it was a wait but only for about 20 minutes. Inside we were greeted by Olivander who picked Katie to have her wand choose her. After that we were shoved into another room for our opportunity to pick a wand. We skipped that for now and went up to the castle for the Forbidden Journey. Both my dad and me needed “modified” seats. The queue for the ride had fabulous theaming. Very authentic, except the walls were plaster instead of stone. After that my dad and me rode both sides of dueling dragons, this time only I needed the modified seat because I am so tall my shoulders don’t fit into the regular ones. The Blue side had more corkscrews but was also smoother, the red side had more loop the loops and was more “jerky.” Then we headed over to Seuss Landing to ride The Circus McGurkus Train, it was my moms idea. Then we headed over to Marvel Super Hero Island and rode Spider Man. While on the ride, it broke. That’s right we got to see what it looks like with the lights on. They did offer us the chance to go right to the front of the line and ride again, but we declined. After that my dad and me rode The Hulk. I needed the modified seat again as I am very tall. It was fun. Then we headed over to Toon Lagoon to ride Rip Saw Falls. The Logs they had were very small. Riders have to have a lap bar. It was a tight squeeze to get my legs down in there but I made it. At the end of the ride my lap bar got stuck. After many tries by the ride attendants, a tech had to be called in to remove the lap bar. He finally got it off and I was able to get out to a round of applause by the riders who had to remain seated in their logs. Not exactly a good experience, but everyone was nice. Then my parents wanted to ride Jurassic Park River Adventure. I sat this one out. After that we headed over to Mythos for Lunch. We had a reservation but had to wait about 15 minutes before we were able to get to our table. The atmosphere was very nice. The theaming was not subtle, but still not overwhelming. Mythos is definitely above average for theme park restaurants. I had the Mythos Burger ($10.95) and it was delicious! My dad had the Roman Panini ($9.95) and said it was good. My mom had the Spinach Salad ($6.95) and said it was very good! After lunch we went back to Harry Potter land to buy a wand, I got a wand of Birch (cast resin). Then we went back to the hotel to swim and relax. After a while we decided to go to Target to get some final supplies for the cruise. Then we went to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. After dinner is was back to Islands of Adventure for some late night rides. My mom stayed in the hotel room while my dad and I went to the park. We first rode Spider Man again and it didn’t break! Then we went on the Jurassic Park ride. You get wet by the way! My dad almost let me take my $450 camera on the ride! I went to a store and got a bag first so it stayed safe. After the river ride we went to ride Forbidden Journey again. The line was much shorter, but still had a wait. Then we decided to ride again. This time the line was even shorter, but we got stuck for a minute or two while upside down! It got started again but the sound, visuals, and ride were out of sync. It was still fun though. Overall it was a great day. Some tips are to have a reservation for Mythos and stay at a Universal Hotel as you get to skip most of the lines and get into the park an hour early. Go to Olivanders first to avoid a really long line. Islands of Adventure is really fun, maybe not all the areas are good for younger kids but there are plenty of areas that are good for everybody.

I’ll have Day 1 of the cruise up tomorrow.

 

[jrbdad]

Looking forward to more -- we haven't decided what to do pre-cruise this time, but seriously considering a day or two at Universal.

Where did you stay?

 

[marcemc]

Wow, thanks for all the details & pics

I'm subscribing

 

[maria-fan-22]

Looking forward to more -- we haven't decided what to do pre-cruise this time, but seriously considering a day or two at Universal.

Where did you stay?

We stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort. It was very nice outside but the rooms were nothing special.

 

[maria-fan-22]

We all got up around 7AM. And got all packed up and ready to leave the hotel. We finally left about 8:30AM and started driving. We came across a Dunkin Donuts and decided to get some breakfast. We made incredible time the rest of the way to Port Canaveral. We arrive there about 9:40AM and dropped off our bags with a very rude porter who asked us “To do something nice for the porters.” My parents were not very happy about that and cut their tip in half, still $1.50 a bag. Then we got in line and waited while my dad parked the car. Once they opened the terminal the line went pretty fast. TIP: Use the check-in from the garage there is nobody there and it puts you right into another security line into the terminal. Inside the terminal we got boarding #5. Boarding started around 11:45AM and went pretty fast. We were onboard by 12:15PM. Onboard we were introduced and then headed to Enchanted Garden for Lunch. TIP: Enchanted Garden is more relaxed; someone gets your drinks, however there are no kids options. In Enchanted Garden we met Chris from Poland who was our server. He was very nice! We had a nice long chat with him. He told us that the CM’s had been informed that Disney is thinking about Asian cruises in the future! We also talked with Erasmo from Chile who was our server on the first 10-night MED cruise in 2007. He is a Head Server now. Right after lunch I went to VIBE to check it our. It is amazing! The Counselors are indeed the coolest at sea! Then it was time for the Sail away Party, it was not my favorite but it was O.K. For the show that night we had Taylor Mason, a comedian and Ventriloquist. It was very funny! Definitely don’t miss that. That night we met our serving team in Enchanted Garden. Our Head Server was Mark of The Philippines; our Server was Pogi of Hungary, his real name in Balazs but it is easier to pronounce his nickname; our Assistant Server was Heidi from Mexico. This group was dang near the best serving team I have ever encountered! There serving was like a well-oiled machine. For dinner I had a Caesar Salad and it was as delicious as I had remembered! My mom had the Mushroom Brioche and said it was O.K. but NOT a true brioche. My dad had the Lobster Ravioli and said it was good. My mom also had the wedge salad and said it was good. My mom and I both had the steak and they were perfect. It comes with some form of potato and they can be switched. My dad had the Scallops and said it was delicious! I forgot to take notes on the desert but it was good. Our First Towel Animal was a Snake!

Day 3 is to come shortly!

 

[jerseygal]

Glad you had a GREAT TIME!

ENJOYING READING YOUR TR!

 

[Wonder2008]

...and dropped off our bags with a very rude porter who asked us “To do something nice for the porters.” My parents were not very happy about that and cut their tip in half, still $1.50 a bag.

I was on the same cruise as you and I had the exact same experience with the porters. I've never been asked by them to be tipped, and I brought only enough to tip the porter at the end. I'm sure we're not the only ones who didn't like that.

I'm looking forward to reading more of your trip report, and I'm writing my own as well.

Robert

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

Add us to the list that were on this cruise also, and we also did IOA but it was after the cruise. While our porter was nice, I overheard some others asking about their tips, your parents are nicer then me.....if they ask they get nothing. I think sometimes people forget that a tip is earned, and is not an automatic part of the job.

 

[maria-fan-22]

So I have been BUSY! I'm at work now and don't have much time so I hope to add Day 3 tonight, and speed through everything over the weekend before I start work again. Sorry this is taking so long! Lots of notes to go through.

 

[abcangie87]

hey there! I was on this cruise too... (duh, you know that). To connect the dots, I was the one who turned around and introduced myself to you at Bingo on I think it was formal night- 4th night? Anyways, now you know in case you hadn't connected that!

you're ahead of me on TR. all I've gotten accomplished so far is my blog!

 

[maria-fan-22]

Right when we woke up we went to ride the Aqua Duck. It opens late so don’t expect to be able to get off the ship early and ride the Aqua Duck. We got off the ship fairly late and began the long walk to the end of the path that goes all the way down serenity bay. WARNING – It is a VERY long walk! It is very cool to see the view at the end of the path though. After that we relaxed at Serenity Bay for a while. We had lunch at the Adult BBQ and it was absolutely delicious! Then it was more relaxing at the beach. About 2PM we began the slow trek back to the ship. On the way we stopped at the bike rentals and got bikes to see the observation tower. I definitely recommend the bikes to travel the paths. There is a very nice view from the tower. Back on the ship we rode the Aqua Duck a few more times. The Aqua Duck is a must do for everyone, even Grandma! (More on that later) My mom did a Cabana Massage and said it was exquisite! Back on the ship we played Bingo; the prizes are small compared to the number of people who play the game. It is fun to play though. Then we played Mirror Mirror, it is fun but there are no prizes for winners. The show was Villains Tonight; it is very cheesy but good for a few laughs. WARNING, do not break any rules during the show; Hades will point out most of them during “Hot Talk.” Tonight we ate at Royal Palace. I had fresh Lemonade that was very good! I had the Avocado Citrus Salad that was delicious! My dad had the Spinach Soufflé that was not true soufflé, more like polenta. The Bread for the table is pumpkin shaped and is put into a carriage basket. I had the chicken breast that was very good! The salmon was also very good; it comes with cauliflower puree that is great! The beef tenderloin was good. The peanut butter mouse was to die for! The Crème Brule was very good. The Grand Marbled Soufflé was excellent! After dinner we went to check out the shops. They do sell the salt and peppershakers form Animators Palette but not the butter knives. IF you see something you like, buy it! Do not wait, they may run out. Vibe is VERY loud during non-announcement times. The Magic show with Yoyo was just a preview of what he was going to do later in the cruise. He offered us the chance to figure out what he did and who ever did would receive the trick for free. He added a bunch of comedy to the act. Cliques form very quickly in vibe. There are those who stand at the back of the room that are good people to meet. I hung out with them mostly. Some tips, Buy it if you see it and like it! Do the bike rental at Castaway. Don’t be loud and annoying at the adult beach, you will get evil stares. DO NOT break rules during any shows please!

Day four to come shortly!

@abcangie87 - I remember that, at Evolution right? I forgot how busy I would be when I got home! I want to be back onboard the cruise!!!

 

[maria-fan-22]

Day Four – Nassau and Pirate IN the Caribbean

This day started pretty late for us as we did not want to get off in Nassau. So I will start with Lunch at Cabanas. The food was good but they didn’t have any obvious “kid food.” If you want real “kid food” I would suggest going to Flo’s and bringing it inside. The Mickey’s Pirates IN the Caribbean show was fun. It is definitely for smaller children, but it was fun for all. Dinner was in Royal Palace and all of the servers were dressed like pirates. My mom had the pot stickers that were good. My dad had the Pearls of the Sea that was FABULOUS! I had the Jerk Chicken that was superbly delicious! Mom also had the Honeydew soup that was really good. I had the Chicken Breast that was perfect as always (It is offered every night). Mom had the Beef Short Ribs that were excellent. Dad had the Treasures of the Seas that was satisfactory, he said it was a little bland. For dessert, I had the Brownie with Ice Cream that was perfect. Dad had the Floating Islands that was better then expected. Mom had the Banana Crepe that was very good. When she asked Pogi what he thought about it, his response was, “It is sugar free…” We thought that was funny. Mom said it didn’t taste like it was a no sugar added dessert. Pogi brought out the Run Soaked Chocolate Cake for us to try and it was exquisite! Later that night was the Fireworks! It was spectacular! Need I say that is THE ONLY FIREWORKS AT SEA!

Day five to come soon!