Disney Wonder - Galveston to San Jaun - January 20, 2017

[zoiejmvs]

Woo Hoo!
We just had our first planning party for this cruise!
Today's theme was 'Pack-a-Basket '. I now have an official packing list, have a few items already in the pack-a-basket, and have started organizing 1 days FE.
I feel like we are off to a good start.

Speaking of FE's I would like to add kiddos favorite color to the spreadsheet. If you have already sent me your info, could you send me a quick PM with you kiddos favorite colors. Thanks!

~ Tink ~

Giada said blue

 

[pixiehallow]

Giada said blue

Thanks!

 

[We want to wreck-it]

That is awesome!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/pinsY...600&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=disney+pins

Correction $20.00

 

[SunI17]

Ok so has anyone cruised to Grand Cayman or Jamaica before? With the little ones we typically try to find somewhere with a day pass on as nice a beach as we can find since 90% of the excursions aren't for little ones and the couple beach excursions they have are pretty pricey for what you get. We have a great one in Cozumel but haven't done GC and Jamaica before.

 

[pixiehallow]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/pinsY...600&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=disney+pins

Correction $20.00

Okay, what is better than Awesome? ??
Stupendous! !!

 

[pixiehallow]

Ok so has anyone cruised to Grand Cayman or Jamaica before? With the little ones we typically try to find somewhere with a day pass on as nice a beach as we can find since 90% of the excursions aren't for little ones and the couple beach excursions they have are pretty pricey for what you get. We have a great one in Cozumel but haven't done GC and Jamaica before.

We have not done Grand Caymans before, but have heard great things about the turtle farm, and 7 mile beach.
Alaskanabbott said this is their favorite destination. Maybe they would have some good suggestions.
We have been to Jamaica, and have told everyone since, that we have no interestin getting off the boat their again.
We did Dunns River Falls when our youngest was about 4, and enjoyed that excursion, but not enough to deal with the craziness of Jamaica.
I know this is probably not the reply you were searching for, but we found the environment to not be kid friendly. Maybe if you take an excursion that picks you up at the pier, and drives you straight to a resort, with no other stops, you will have a good experience.

~ Tink ~

 

[SunI17]

Yeah We are probably going to do beach excursions at each stop. No dealing with craziness thank you!

 

[zoiejmvs]

I bought some pins to trade yay!!

 

[pixiehallow]

I bought some pins to trade yay!!

Awesome! (They need a pin trading emogi )
Does anyone have a specialty pin they look for?
I look for Tinkerbell (I have a lanyard just for my finds ).
Hubby collects fire fighter ones.
Our oldest collects Star Wars.
And our youngest collects Stitch.

 

[SunI17]

So has anyone been following this upcoming dry dock trip for the Wonder? I am reading that the ship will be in Spain for dry dock Sept-Oct 2016? That seems awfully close to our cruise!? I'm curious what changes will be made during the dry dock.

 

[pixiehallow]

So has anyone been following this upcoming dry dock trip for the Wonder? I am reading that the ship will be in Spain for dry dock Sept-Oct 2016? That seems awfully close to our cruise!? I'm curious what changes will be made during the dry dock.

I have been asking everyone and anyone who might have some information. When we were on the Wonder this past November, the CM'S were very tight lipped. My TA has her feelers out, and said she would let me know if she hears anything.
The best information that I have gotten is that it will all depend on the Panama Canal. If the new expansion to the canal is complete the rumor is that the Wonder will be getting the duck tail (they can not add this until the canal expansion is complete because once the tail is on, it will not fit through the canal as it is now ). Once the tail is added, the boat will have the stability to make changes and additions to the pool deck (again just rumors. ..a water splash area, a larger Mickey hand slide, and something similar to the AquaDunk ). If changes are made to the pool deck, there is a chance that changes will be made to the secret deck on deck 7 to make room for the extra water pipes.
Aside from the water play changes, there's also a chance they will be taking one of the staircases in the Atrium out and adding cup holders to the seats in both theaters.
One last thing that was changed on the Magic, but I have not heard anything about on the Wonder is the chandelier in the Atrium. They switched out the one on the Magic, but not sure of the fate of the Wonder's. Personally, I hope they leave it. I am on the side of keeping the classic look.

 

[MNnice]

Not 100% sure we are joining this sailing, still checking our options! It would be myself (37) DH (34) DS (15) DD (7) & DD (2). We have sailed DCL 4 times & all out of port canaveral so investigating another port is stressful! I have figured out to fly to Houston & shuttle to a hotel near the port in Galveston but curious what others do in Puerto Rico...we would like to stay 2 nights & then fly back to Minnesota. Any ideas on hotels that maybe offer shuttles from the port & to the airport that is also near the beach?! If it makes more sense to rent a car I'm fine with that too just trying to figure out the best option! Any advice is appreciated.

 

[pixiehallow]

Not 100% sure we are joining this sailing, still checking our options! It would be myself (37) DH (34) DS (15) DD (7) & DD (2). We have sailed DCL 4 times & all out of port canaveral so investigating another port is stressful! I have figured out to fly to Houston & shuttle to a hotel near the port in Galveston but curious what others do in Puerto Rico...we would like to stay 2 nights & then fly back to Minnesota. Any ideas on hotels that maybe offer shuttles from the port & to the airport that is also near the beach?! If it makes more sense to rent a car I'm fine with that too just trying to figure out the best option! Any advice is appreciated.

Well, a tentative welcome aboard to you!
All my research has been focused on Old Town San Juan. Every place that I have looked at says they don't have a shuttle, but the taxis are reasonable . Most of the hotels in Old Town also state that they don't have parking.
One of our members, We want to wreck-it, is from Puerto Rico. Maybe she can offer some advice on this for you.
If you decide to join in on all the fun, we would be happy to research and learn with you. I have already spent hours researching both ends, and have no problem pitching in. ***Talking Disney and planning for Disney trips is one of my favorite things (okay maybe my addiction ).

~ Tink ~

 

[pixiehallow]

I had started posting a list of 10 things Not to Do on a Shore Excursion.
My plans were to post 1 a week. Unfortunately (for the posting opportunity), I was off on an adventure to get my new wheelchair a majority of last week and ended up not getting the second thing posted. Sooooooooo.......
Here are things 2 and 3 on the list of 10 Things Not to Do on a Cruise Shore Excursion :
2. Forget essentials
You'll be away from the ship for several hours during your excursion, so the last thing you want is to be without sunscreen or sunglasses on some private island miles away from any convenience stores. Pack a small bag of essentials (sunscreen, bug spray, medications) to hold you for the day. Also, think ahead: Prone to blisters? Bring some antibiotic ointment and bandages.

and,

3. Bring your passport
Unless your tour requires a passport, leave yours on the ship. We recommend bringing your driver's license as a form of ID instead. You don't want to risk losing your passport ashore. In the event of an injury or other unexpected event that forces you to stay in port, the cruise line will bring all your stuff (documents included) to you so you're not left stranded.

 

[czmom]

I have been asking everyone and anyone who might have some information. When we were on the Wonder this past November, the CM'S were very tight lipped. My TA has her feelers out, and said she would let me know if she hears anything.
The best information that I have gotten is that it will all depend on the Panama Canal. If the new expansion to the canal is complete the rumor is that the Wonder will be getting the duck tail (they can not add this until the canal expansion is complete because once the tail is on, it will not fit through the canal as it is now ). Once the tail is added, the boat will have the stability to make changes and additions to the pool deck (again just rumors. ..a water splash area, a larger Mickey hand slide, and something similar to the AquaDunk ). If changes are made to the pool deck, there is a chance that changes will be made to the secret deck on deck 7 to make room for the extra water pipes.
Aside from the water play changes, there's also a chance they will be taking one of the staircases in the Atrium out and adding cup holders to the seats in both theaters.
One last thing that was changed on the Magic, but I have not heard anything about on the Wonder is the chandelier in the Atrium. They switched out the one on the Magic, but not sure of the fate of the Wonder's. Personally, I hope they leave it. I am on the side of keeping the classic look.

Also changing AP to include the magic animation show, possibly redoing Parrot Cay, and updating kids clubs.

 

[pixiehallow]

Also changing AP to include the magic animation show, possibly redoing Parrot Cay, and updating kids clubs.

OMG!!! Yes. I completely forgot about those as well. Thanks for the list additions!

Parrot Cay falls into my "I like it how it is" category. Maybe freshen it up, but leave it Parrot Cay.
I have mixed feelings about Animators. I love both versions.
Now the kids area, I would love to see some updates there. Ohhh, maybe the Millinnium Falcon flight deck.

Keep us posted if you hear anything else.

 

[pixiehallow]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/pinsY...600&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=disney+pins

Correction $20.00

Just checked with The Casablanca hotel, and they don't know if the elevator is going to be complete by our trip. So, I am going to start looking for an alternative hotel in Old San Juan.
We want to Wreck-it, do you have any suggestions of good places to stay in Old San Juan?

 

[pixiehallow]

Whooo Hooo! Paid of all but $1.
And narrowing down our hotel choices. We are thinking either Da House in Old San Juan, or Miramar.
Anyone know anything about the 2?

 

[pixiehallow]

I was just looking at the bio luminescent bay tour in San Juan, and came across this.....

Current Conditions of Laguna Grande: During the following months (November-December- January- February-March) bio-luminescence is very poor due to cooler temperatures. This tour is being offered as a night kayaking eco adventure, focused on the ecology and not on the bioluminescence.

If anyone else comes across a different tour, please post about it.

 

[pixiehallow]

Has everyone heard the latest Disney Cruise line update....This is Awesome!!!!!!!

Today Disney Cruise Line announced that they will be adding two new ships to their fleet!! Meyer Werft shipbuilders in Germany will be building the two new ships which will launch in 2021 and 2023. Disney did not release design plans, itineraries or names but did say each new ship will be approximately 135,000 gross tons making them bigger than the Dream and Fantasy. Each ship will have 1,250 guests rooms. Disney did say more details would be released later. “We pride ourselves on the unforgettable vacation experiences we deliver to our guests each and every day, and the expansion of our Disney fleet will allow us to create even more magical memories for families at sea and in incredible cruise destinations around the world,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.
“The expansion of Disney Cruise Line only adds to our excitement for the unprecedented growth taking place across our vacation destinations, from new Star Wars experiences coming to the Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts to the 25th anniversary of Disneyland Paris and the grand opening of our newest park, Shanghai Disney Resort,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.