Dream Negativity??

[jenhelgren]

I am trying to decide between a 4 nt cruise on the Dream or Wonder-they are one day apart and both fit into our schedule. We have only been on the Wonder so far so I was leaning toward the Dream for the new experience and I have seen too many negative comments about the Dream to count! I know that the Castaway Day will be more crowded because there are more people on the ship-but why all the other disappointment? I actually read a post saying they had longer lines on the Dream in off season in October than on the Wonder over Easter! Does Disney have the exact same offerings/character appearances on every ship with disregard to the amount of people boarding? I would think that there would be offered on the larger ships so I don't understand why the Dream ranks so much lower than the Wonder in personal opinions. We will be cruising the first week of October and the Wonder cruise is a double dip so I would assume that it will fill up faster. I was thinking about waiting to see if the rates drop for the Dream, but now I am not sure what to do

 

[AliceIn]

You have to take the negative reviews with a grain of salt. People are far more likely to post about their bad experiences than they are for their good ones. Just check Trip Advisor reviews for a sanity check. Some of my favorite hotels have terrible comments posted about them. I recently stayed at a resort in Las Vegas that was filled to capacity. Hotel was beautiful, staff excellent, rooms in wonderful condition. There were 4 reviews on the site from people staying at the same time as me, and it was all complaints. I'm betting that the vast majority of people had the same nice experience as I did, but those aren't the ones chomping at the bit to get to their computers to write about it. It's the same thing with restaurants.

 

[tweis]

Sailed the Dream twice and have had a wonderful experience both times. The only time that the Dream felt more crowded than the Magic, IMHO, was on Castaway Cay. The character lines actually appeared LONGER on the Magic than the Dream.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I know I already answered your other post and mentioned I'd take the Dream over the Wonder but I don't have anything against the Wonder - just prefer the Dream.

There are some that feel like I do - which feels to be against the grain - that feels the Wonder and Magic are MORE crowded. My DH and DS had only been on the Wonder as a classic ship, but had already sailed twice on the Dream. We went on the Magic in January (and loved her) and then last month on the Fantasy. They had not been on the Dream since 2012 so I couldn't wait to hear what they had to say last month on the Fantasy. They immediately felt there was more room, it wasn't as crowded, etc. I don't want to put down the Magic or the Wonder because I seriously would sail tomorrow on them if I could.

For example - the elevators on the Wonder/Magic feel so tiny compared to the Dream/Fantasy. We honestly could barely take the elevators on the Magic because they don't hold as many people and every time the door opened, it was jammed back. Not a biggie but this happened over and over. The Spring Break on the Fantasy was sold out and we didn't have this issue - again the elevators are bigger and you can squeeze more people.

We also much prefer the layout of Cabanas compared to the Wonder's Beach Blanket buffet. Cabanas can be nutty, but you aren't required to stand in line, one line and wait your turn and the options are so much better on the Dream/Fantasy.

The kids club is a big difference as well on the Wonder vs. Dream - much more improved on the Dream since she is obviously newer. The Magic (I know you aren't deciding on the Magic - has an AMAZING kids club after the re-imagining). My DS definitely liked the Lab on the Dream/Fantasy over the Wonder.

I'm going on the Dream for the 5th time this September with my Mom and I feel the Dream also has an amazing crew - heck, they all do! I've sailed all the ships, some repeats and I don't typically like to put one "down" but since you asked, I felt the need to be honest and stick up for the Dream - lol

I think you'll need to pick one now, then choose the other later and see how you feel. They will all become special to you for different reasons! The Wonder to Alaska was our favorite cruise so far but my favorites ships are the Fantasy and the Dream.

Heather

 

[Twinprincesses]

It has been a couple of years since we have been on the Dream but we loved it last time. We do not use the elevators and always take the stairs so no real advice there. I just look at every ship as their own thing. There are only so many people allowed on a ship so bring too croweded is silly thing to say I think.

The only time I ever think the ships are out of control is the sail away & pirate party.

 

[reimero]

I haven't sailed the Dream, so regard this response accordingly:
From what I've read here and elsewhere, many of the complaints about the Dream came when it was new and sailing 7-night itineraries. The issues raised apparently aren't as significant on shorter cruises (if memory serves, they had to do with crowd control and adults-only areas, issues which are less important if you don't have many sea days.) Based on what I've heard and read since the switch, complaints have gone way down.

 

[Zandy595]

We've cruised on the Magic, Wonder and Dream. The Dream is our favorite and our last 3 cruises have been on that ship. I don't understand the haters either.

 

[ptcbass]

I haven't sailed on the Wonder but just got off the Dream last week and LOVED IT! The only times that it got crowded was at pirate night on deck 11 and when the theater let out. Also we didn't go to the pool but at times they looked a little crowded but I bet all cruises are like that. Other times we found ourselves to be the only ones in an area or there would only be a few others. I found that Disney has planned it very well so that most of the trip you don't feel crowded.
Also, we didn't do the characters but when I seen them the lines didn't look that long at all. Of course we just come from WDW where the lines are horrible. The last night there were lots of characters on deck 3 and the lines weren't long.

Also we were at the end of the first family beach on CC and it wasn't that crowded. The first part of the first beach was probably the worst (closest to the ship).

Also, I liked to hang out on port side of deck 4. Several times the characters would walk by us. I guess that was the route they all took going to a character meet and greet

 

[su_A_ve]

Having sailed both, it's a toss. But in retrospect, I think I would have liked the Dream more than the Wonder for a first cruise. Here's why:

* The character lines seem to be shorter. They are not, but because the ship is bigger, there's more room to move around and hence it does not feel crowded

* The pools are the same size and hence seem smaller, but because of AquaDuck, many are in line to handle that

* Regarding the MDRs, I did not like PC at all, but did like the AP show. It's a toss. We always do 2nd seating so it's less crowded.

* The shows I liked a little better on the Wonder, though TS was too long. Excellent production however

* I did feel better with the staff on the Wonder than on the Dream, but, being our second cruise, we already 'knew' how to move about and did enjoy it better

* Regarding CC, we did not feel it that crowded, and the suggestion is to go to the second beach directly with the tram. Our Wonder cruise did not stopped at CC. We did stop at CC during our post xmas cruise on the Magic and I'd say the same - the second stop is always less crowded.

Note that both cruises were 5n - The Dream was a 5n double dip, the Wonder a 5n Western Caribbean.

Many first timers that go during holidays complain of how crowded it is. They might also compare it to other cruise lines that even during holidays do not sell their cruises unless they have a fire sale. Hence they don't have a good time. Ask anyone that goes to MK on Xmas for their very first time...

 

[OKW Lover]

We've sailed on both (all four DCL ships actually) and didn't find the Dream to be any better/worse than the others. We are sailing on the Dream again in just a couple of days and have no hesitation at all about it.

 

[dclwonderprincess]

We've sailed the Wonder and the Dream both this last year and they both have great qualities. The Dream is beautiful and does have larger elevators; however, I try to use the stairs as much as possible to counteract all of the food. The Wonder had better service in my opinion. Herbert & Nabeel were my servers on the Dream and did an excellent job but my stateroom host was poor and the head server was basically absent. I also preferred the shows on the Wonder. I think I still prefer the Wonder but I would gladly take the Dream again if it got a new itinerary.

 

[jenhelgren]

Thanks for all the helpful replies!! I honestly will probably go with the cruise that gives me the best deal since they are one day apart and I'm guessing that will be the Dream since the Wonder is a double dip. The Wonder was great but it has only been a year and getting to experience the AquaDuck and the new shows that we have never seen is pulling me toward the Dream. I have just read so much disappointment and I didn't understand why! If anyone knows crowd control its Disney The Princess line on our Wonder cruise was over 2 hours long and they did it twice! We got in line 1 hour early to be the first few and go on with our day. The princess tea was sold out by noon and even the staff thought that was odd so I would not say that our Wonder cruise was "uncrowded" by any means!! We sailed Oct 2013 on the Wonder so it was not peak season either, so I'm hoping that the Dream wouldn't be worse than that. All of our staff was excellent on the Wonder but I don't know why the Dream would be worse except for years of experience-maybe

 

[cleophus12]

We were on the Wonder years ago and on the Dream in December. I can't say I remember enough about the Wonder to make a real comparison, but we loved the Dream. Nothing to complain about. Those who complain may just be the kind who would complain about anything. We loved it.

 

[lulucornbread]

We were on the Wonder years ago and on the Dream in December. I can't say I remember enough about the Wonder to make a real comparison, but we loved the Dream. Nothing to complain about. Those who complain may just be the kind who would complain about anything. We loved it.

Agree with that about complainers.

 

[cdnfamily]

We have sailed all four ships - first the old Magic, thn the Dream, then the Wonder, then the Fantasy. Loved them all for different reasons. At the end of the day, every cruise offers a different experience for everyone. Same ship, different passengers, different crew, different destinations, different weather, different ports, etc. We cruised the Wonder back to back 3 and 4 day, and I can tell you that I definately enjoyed one more than the other for all those same reasons. There are so many variables that at the end of the day, it really and truly is what you make of your vacation. As the saying goes "don't sweat the small stuff". At the end of the day, you are with your family, on a beautiful vessel, travelling to countries that you might not otherwise see of your life, and experiencing a vacation that so very few (in the whole scheme of things) have the opportnity to experience.

Don't be disuaded by the complainers. As the other posters have noted, they will complain about everything.

All things being equal, I would sail the Wonder. And that is only becuase She will be the next ship to dry dock for a full "renovation", but it is nice to experience the ship as originally built.

Good luck !

 

[Made Up Name]

I have seen too many negative comments about the Dream to count!

I haven't. We went on a Dream cruise 2 years ago and had a great time. It's a beautiful ship and the staff was terrific. We had 2 stops at CC and there is plenty of room.

 

[kiford]

We've done one cruise on the Wonder, two on the Dream and six on the Magic. The Magic is my favourite but I wouldn't say that I'm negative on the Dream. There were things I liked about both the Dream and the Magic/Wonder even if the Magic is my favourite. I loved Remy and Meridien on the Dream, the midship detective, the adult's only pool, the Aquadunk, the lobby bar, TV on demand in the stateroom, the fact that the KTTW are RFID rather than having to swipe and a few other things. We prefer the staterooms on the Magic, the shops, the size and number of people, the gym, the sail away party and the pirate night. I preferred the buffet on the Magic to Cabanas on the Dream, but now they are the same (haven't sailed on the Magic since dry dock). We are indifferent between Animator's Palette, Cove Café and Palos - I like them on both ships. Normally I prefer the ports on the Magic to the Dream, but when we went on the Dream, we had no intention of leaving the ship since we'd been to the ports before so it was one of the most relaxing cruises we'd had.

There are a lot of factors that go into our decision to go with one ship over another - time of year, length of cruise, how it fits into other plans, ports. I like all three ships so which ship to go on is actually the last factor in my decision and may not even be a consideration for us. Each is different in its own way and has positives and negatives that are different for each person but they are all very nice with good customer service. Pick what works for you and don't let a few negative opinions sway you.

 

[jcota]

First off, the dream is a great ship. However, my only complaint is that you can feel every wave on the ship. On our last cruise, I was walking to the kids club and there was a big wave that was hit and it literally knocked people off of their feet into the walls while walking. Now, I don't know how many of those people were drunk, but it was moved me from one side to the other!

I am going back on the dream in June of 15, cant wait =)

 

[Zandy595]

First off, the dream is a great ship. However, my only complaint is that you can feel every wave on the ship. On our last cruise, I was walking to the kids club and there was a big wave that was hit and it literally knocked people off of their feet into the walls while walking. Now, I don't know how many of those people were drunk, but it was moved me from one side to the other!

I am going back on the dream in June of 15, cant wait =)

LOL I think that is more of a complaint about the ocean conditions, then the ship. I've had that happen to me on the Wonder, Magic and Dream. I haven't been on the Fantasy yet, but I'm sure it's the same.

 

[jaywalker17]

We sailed the Dream less than a month ago and truthfully it felt less "Magical" than our trip on the Magic last year. Not that it was bad, but different.

Dinner was much noisier with so many more people in each dining room on the Dream. Since we didn't sit anywhere near a TV monitor, Animator's Palate wasn't as much fun as the Magic.

We preferred the layout of the Magic, with Studio Sea and the Lounge on the Atrium level (I can't remember the name) both were located where we could wander by, see what was going on, and join in if we wanted. On the Dream, the activities were all in or near the Adult area, so we never just happened to be walking by.

The Magic also had more choices for draft beer

The Dream had the Mid-Ship detective agency and shorter lines for the characters.

We didn't feel any real difference at Castaway Cay.

Like others have said, so much depends on the servers you get, the staff, other passengers, etc. I just know we had a better time on the smaller ship.