Disney Nightmare not a Dream

[jilljill]

Not sure if it is something new or something for this cruise. On the Wonder we ordered room service at 3 am. But then of course we also were able to go up and get ice cream and pizza 24/7 on the Wonder and on the Dream they shut everything down.

I was on the Dream the week before you and know that Room Service is available 24 hours a day until the last night of the cruise when it does close early. I've been on the Magic/Wonder many times and haven't seen pizza or ice cream on deck 9 available 24/7, the times those locations are open are listed in the Navigator's.


For your problem with the HA cabin, that question/problem should be address with your TA since they either did not or were not able to reserve a HA cabin for your mom. Your TA should have communicated with you if your request was able to be fulfilled or not. You definately need to go back to them to inquire what happened.
As previously mentioned, cabins are assigned prior to port arrival and switching of cabins isn't done easily. If you need to change your cabin prior to boarding then you ask at the Supervisor's desk, not the check in desk. Once on board, you can inquire at Guest Services which you said you tried once and then didn't try again.
DCL is not at fault for not offering your mom a HA cabin if one was available.


For your 17yo son, that's a hard age with the teen area. My DD(17) only went once and that was because they were filming a segment for Disney 365 and needed the teens in there. While the area is nice, she'd rather hang out with us now.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I was on the Dream the week before you and know that Room Service is available 24 hours a day until the last night of the cruise when it does close early. I've been on the Magic/Wonder many times and haven't seen pizza or ice cream on deck 9 available 24/7, the times those locations are open are listed in the Navigator's.


For your problem with the HA cabin, that question/problem should be address with your TA since they either did not or were not able to reserve a HA cabin for your mom. Your TA should have communicated with you if your request was able to be fulfilled or not. You definately need to go back to them to inquire what happened.
As previously mentioned, cabins are assigned prior to port arrival and switching of cabins isn't done easily. If you need to change your cabin prior to boarding then you ask at the Supervisor's desk, not the check in desk. Once on board, you can inquire at Guest Services which you said you tried once and then didn't try again.
DCL is not at fault for not offering your mom a HA cabin if one was available.


For your 17yo son, that's a hard age with the teen area. My DD(17) only went once and that was because they were filming a segment for Disney 365 and needed the teens in there. While the area is nice, she'd rather hang out with us now.

I know it is not the point of this thread but I would have loved to be on there when Disney 365 was tapping what was it like?

 

[super mike b]

Im sorry you had such a rough time, but you can't expect Disney to "know" you need or want a ha room. Even in a wheelchair, maybe you don't want one.

Yep! I hate that the OP didn't enjoy their cruise, but it seems that a lot could have been avoided long before they got onboard.

 

[alaska8]

Im sorry that you experienced standing water on the pool decks, completely opposite expeerience to our Dream cruise in Jan. Its one of the things Ive been commenting on when describing my cruise....."the pool decks were dry and tidy, there were people "squeeging" the decks all the time".

 

[JJsmama]

I'm sorry you had a bad trip. I agree that the ships could be much better equipped for wheelchairs (and strollers!) We were recently on the Wonder and the doors out onto the decks are so heavy and they really slam! I know there is a wind issue, but DCL could certainly install something to keep them from slamming so hard and fast for the safety of everyone. I can't tell you how many times I stood and held the door (not a big deal!) for someone in a wheelchair/ with a stroller/ on crutches during our cruise. They would have seriously struggled to get through otherwise. Also, my 4 yr old narrowly (micro-second) avoided having his fingers demolished by the fast slamming door onto Deck 9.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Now I know you said the HA rooms were empty on your cruise, that is because those rooms all can not be booked online. You have to call when booking or book with a certified Disney Travel Agent.

On the Dream there are only 35 HA staterooms and they do not release these all for public booking. You must call to book one and while you do not need to provide proof of need you do have to request one specifically. There are only a few in most of the stateroom categories.

Handicapped accessible staterooms can be booked online for DCL. When you go to book a cruise (not the quick link but the full selection menu), there is a box to select if you are mobility impaired and need a HA stateroom. You do NOT need to call DCL to book one of these cabins.

Adult entertainment is also available for us to attend. It is not DCL fault that noone shows up. They might need to focus on some need to provide something different, but I believe the DCL does a pretty good job and trying.

Wheelchair. I see a lot of posts where folks in wheelchairs have a hard time getting around. IMHO you have to be patient with crowds and be prepared to get to an activity early. DCL is not going to cater to someone anymore just because they are in a wheelchair. Wheelchair accessable means that a wheelchair can manouver. That's it.

The "adult entertainment" on DCL is lacking; there is a reason why few people show up.

And for wheelchairs - your last sentance makes the point of the OP - wheelchairs should be able to manouver - that means not having bumps and ramps and heavy doors. Sorry but as a person with a family member in a wheelchair - I agree with the OP - there are some issues on the Dream for wheelchair users. Even in the HA staterooms, there is a steep ramp up to the bathroom why?

Expecting that someone would recognize that her mother would benefit from a HA cabin is unrealistic in my opinion but the rest of the issues, I think are legitimate.

 

[sabrecmc]

Sorry you had a bad experience! I do agree with the previous posters that booking a HA room ahead of time is the way to go, if you need one. My aunt uses a wheelchair or ECV at Disney and will on our upcoming Dream cruise, but it is because she can't walk long distances and can't do stairs due to recent knee surgery. She does not need a HA room. So, our family could very easily look like yours and have booked a non-HA room just like we wanted. The CM would have no way to know just by looking and would probably assume that you booked the room you wanted. Also, there are rules to do with lifeboat stations that may (or may not, I have no idea) have prevented them from just moving you to an open stateroom.

Hope you try it again sometime, keeping in mind the need to book the HA room ahead of time. It sounds like that would get things off to a much better start. I think the teen club largely depends on the mix of teens on the ship. Sounds like it was a down time when you sailed, and that's unfortunate for your son. Personally, I like the adult areas and events, but my idea of a good time is largely very boring! Perhaps you can write DCL with some suggestions? They are always changing entertainment line-ups, so input is appreciated.

 

[lmhall2000]

Im sorry that you experienced standing water on the pool decks, completely opposite expeerience to our Dream cruise in Jan. Its one of the things Ive been commenting on when describing my cruise....."the pool decks were dry and tidy, there were people "squeeging" the decks all the time".

I have already read of a passenger's daughter slipping and breaking her leg badly requiring extensive surgery...so, there is an issue and hence why you see them squeeging so often.

So sorry for the trip...the OP did everything she thought she was supposed to do, Disney encourages booking online, I feel it is definitely an oversight on their part to not clarify that putting a need for handicap accessible is not the only step you have to take. How frustrating to maneuver a wheelchair when you are pushing, makes the one in the wheelchair feel very uncomfortable...hope you and your mom were able to enjoy your time together as best you could!

 

[doris1976]

Thanks for posting this as I was considering between a Disney cruise or a trip to WDW. Things like this make me hesitant.

 

[Renysmom]

Thanks for posting this as I was considering between a Disney cruise or a trip to WDW. Things like this make me hesitant.

Please make sure you read lots of reports before you decide to forgo DCL due to one trip report.

Of course no cruise line is perfect and each person has their own experience to report but I think you will find there is a reason why DCL has a 95% return rate and the highest ratings in the cruise industry for their ships and service

 

[Ted C]

I concur. For one they absolutely have 24-hour room service. Something is not right...

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Please make sure you read lots of reports before you decide to forgo DCL due to one trip report.

Of course no cruise line is perfect and each person has their own experience to report but I think you will find there is a reason why DCL has a 95% return rate and the highest ratings in the cruise industry for their ships and service

Exactly. We've all read posts by people who had an awful time in WDW due to crowds, heat, slow transportation, etc. Many times it's due to lack of research & poor planning. (Didn't know to book ADRs, missed pick up by ME for return to MCO, etc.)

I agree that overall the 7 nt cruises are so much more relaxed. My ds11 could even tell the difference. Our Apr cruise is 5 nts and that will be our last short cruise unless I'm desperate for some DCL.

For us, the biggest part of booking a cruise besides choosing the date, is choosing the stateroom. If OP needed a HA, why wasn't this checked as soon as they got their room assignment? I don't get it. Who on Earth finds out their cabin # at check in unless you just booked that morning.

My ds15 was not so into the teen club. He's kind of shy and with not sailing with any friends or cousins he tended to hang out more with us. The PP who stated her daughters had a great time, it's nice to have someone else in same age level to cruise with.

Ds11 is severly disappointed in the Edge on the Dream compared to Edge on the Magic, mostly due to lack of simulator.

Then again, my kids are "unique." lol!

 

[juareaa]

Not trying to be rude here, but if I needed a wc room I would have double anr quadrupple checked before. I have a reg room and I have checked deck plan, u can clearly see which are wheelchair rooms. I get that u got upset the line was long, I imagine that many people were trying to resolve their issues. You could have tried at a later time. Also, there are adult only places on ship. You can't really get upset at all the unruly kids, it is a Disney cruise.

 

[TifferMak]

Thanks for posting this as I was considering between a Disney cruise or a trip to WDW. Things like this make me hesitant.

Hi there! Your post struck a chord w/me and I felt the need to offer my two cents... I was on this exact cruise (Dream 2/5-9) and my family and I had a fantastic experience!

Each time we went to the pool there were 2 different cast members drying the deck at each pool. Each time we wanted food there was plenty available. There were notices everywhere that room service was available 24/7; in fact there were door hangers available to order meals ahead of time! We were also in the 2nd seating for dining (8:15pm) and never noticed screaming kids running around. Actually, the assistant servers at the tables around us all seemed very cognizant of keeping the younger diners happy throughout the meal. In between waiting tables they did magic tricks and napkin origami. We also attended the Pirate Party and even though it was crowded, there was plenty of room for spectators and hardly a bad view of the screen/stage from any angle. Plus, there was no reason to skip dinner to attend - the Pirate Party ended exactly on time for the late diners to get to dinner and segued right into the time for fireworks. Last, but not least, I can't personally attest to the nightclubs but I can say that if the OP was looking for stuff to do without small kids, the quiet cove cafe and pool area are ideal. Each time my husband & I went there we had great conversations with other adults, had a couple cocktails, and enjoyed some live music poolside. It was great!

Oh, and as far as rude people being on board... my theory is this: they're everywhere! But for every rude/inconsiderate person we encountered on the Dream, we met at least 10 friendly/considerate people as well.

Although I'm saddened that the OP had a miserable experience, please consider that other families had a wonderful time!

Thanks,

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Sometimes it's just a matter of what you're used to. I once thought that people who've never had children were often intolerant of small children. I've come to learn that even people who've had children can become this way once their kids are grown. My brother & sister, who both had kids looong before I did, have grown kids in their 20s. How quickly they forget that their own kids were once whiney little nose pickers!

As for my own kids, to me there's a difference between what's truly bad/wrong behavior vs. childish behavior. Kids shouting, squealing loudly, running when excited, not using their "inside voice",etc. may be annoying in that's it's childish but it's not exactly wrong like hitting, biting, cursing, etc. Annoying behavior still needs guidance, learning proper manners, etc because you don't want it to continue into teen years & adulthood but not necessarily punishment. Where do kids just sit like mini adults 100% of the time? I wouldn't expect that anywhere. Maybe Cunard?

 

[pixie08]

I am sorry you had a bad experience.You need to prebook the ADA rooms in advance with DCL and specify your needs. They we give you a certain HA room, or else you will not just be "assigned" one upon check in. I also hope the staff treated you well and went out their way to help you.I am also not a huge fan of the Dream as opposed to the smaller ships.

... but I need to post this as to not discourage other people. The one thing DCL is NOT is ADA unfriendly.I am an interior designer and I am pretty aware of ADA laws and accomadations such as aisle sizes, grab bar locations, ramp provisions etc.


My brother (an adult) is in a motorized wheelchair. We were on the Dream last summer. It was EXTREMELY HA friendly. The cabins are spacious, there are automatic door openers everywhere, phones for assistance, extra help in the theater and in the restauruants. The only complaint was the elevators were a little full at times, which avoided by not using midship (or go down to go up etc), and passing the housekeeping carts because his chair is a bit wider in the hallways, but we always made it, and the staff went waaay out of their way to accommodate him.

So I am sorry if you had a bad experience because you did not receive a room, that most likely you did not request in advance. I am not sticking up for Disney, as I know they are flawed in many ways, but in terms of ADA they are pretty on top of their game.

 

[MagicMe]

As with all the other posters, I'm sorry your trip did not go as planned. I agree that the room issue was not a DCL problem. I cruised last year with someone in a wheelchair and I hoestly would have been surprised if they asked me if I wanted to move especially since we were traveling in a small group with three rooms next to each other).

Just prior to our August Alaskan cruise on the Wonder, my mother contracted a viral infection that left her extremely weak and unable to walk very steadily and she couldn't walk long distances. We were fortunate to be able to borrow a wheelchair to use on the trip. Our experience with a wheel chair on the Wonder was excellent. Yes it was difficult with elevators some times since the chair took up considerable space but using the aft elevators near our room made it easier. I did not have any difficulty manuevering around the ship. We were in a normal 11B inside stateroom but with just the two of us had more than enough room. The staff on board were excellent especially when leaving and coming back to the ship. The ramp to the ship was sometimes steep and they made sure that they took her on and off the ship and she was never made to feel like she was being a pain. Inside the room was not an issue as she could walk short distances and had the room furniture to hold on to if needed so really no need for a handicapped room even though she had a wheelchair.

Now I cruise the Dream in October and all I could think everytime I rode an elevator is that I wish we had that space in the elevators on the Wonder!! I thought the elevators were much better on the Dream (I even took a picture so I could show my mom!!).

I've done three four days cruises, two seven day cruises and one fourteen day cruise. The four days were nice for a quick fix but it is difficult to totally relax and the atmosphere was more hurried than on our seven day cruises. If the four day was more hurried - can't even imagine a three day!

That said, some ships are just not the right fit.