For returning DCL cruisers...your top must-dos, please

[frenigirl]

Hello-

We will sailing on our fifth DCL cruise this year. Our family seems to discover something new each time. Not wanting to miss anything...What are your top family activity, food, show, whatever, that you recommend for a family with tweens and teens to do.

Thanks.

 

[lizabu]

My must dos are not specific to a particular demographic. I must meet princesses whether I'm cruising with kids or no. I must meet Jack Sparrow...he's hilarious. I must see all the shows. I must play bingo at least once. I must have numerous drinks of the day. I must eat everything Mickey shaped. I must try new things and I must take time to soak it all in and keep the memories close to my heart.

 

[shelbell77]

I enjoy character greetings (and travel kid free), biking on Castaway Cay, mini golf on the bigger ships.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Not for a specific family demographic, but we plan to try to how to draw course. We always wanted to learn to draw the Disney characters. Also we are planning on doing the Castaway Cay 5K again (I have done it once, but DW has not).

Since we are going to be on a SWDaS, we want to see the cantina / bar.

If they have one, I like to meet the imagineers (that's probably going to be meet a Star Wars person instead this time).

And I really want to do MSDA again. I didn't get a chance to do it on the 3 day since it was always closed.
Also want to drop by and leave a message for Pepe and see if he returns it. I never did that.

 

[DizMagic]

We love watching the movies in the Walt Disney Theater. Our favorite thing on board.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Our preference - Palo brunch, and, depending on what ship we're on - the shows: Dreams, Golden Mickeys, Twice Charmed, and (most likely) Tangled. On the Dream I would see Wishes again (only because it's about Disneyland, we seldom get much acknowledgement from Disney for what we have here on the west coast).

Also, movies - we don't tend to go to the movies at home much.

Any time John Charles is performing - can't miss that, either.

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Eat at Palo. We prefer dinner. Let everyone choose what they want to do and don't sweat it if not everyone wants to do the same thing. Let the kids keep in touch with their whereabouts via the messaging app while you enjoy some adult time! Dress up for pirate night. Get dressed up at least one night for some family photo opportunities.

 

[disnygirl55]

Lots of verandah time, and just taking it all in without being worried how many activities we're missing (since we've been on several cruises now and have participated in most of the activities at least once). I never miss having a private sailaway party on my own verandah with a glass of champagne, and I don't miss the crowds on the deck. With a tween last time who will be a teen for our next cruise, I enjoy giving him freedom to stay at the clubs as late as they're open. We don't miss any of the adult dining opportunities, Brunch and Dinner at both Palo and Remy. I try to catch at least one movie and one trivia-type contest, with or without the rest of the family. Husband never misses a spa treatment or two. I've never been on a cruise with a special guest who gave talks or demonstrations, but hoping that there will be some of that opportunity on our Star Wars cruise in April. I am hoping for some mini-golf time with our teen this trip, but honestly, he loves the clubs so much that we probably won't have a whole lot of set "family" time activities. But that's okay - he's old enough now to charter his own course. We try to make adult dining plans at an alternate time from our dinner rotation for the most part, so we can all meet up together in the dining room and discuss our day, even if Mom and Dad aren't eating a full meal.

 

[drnp]

I second the animation class suggestion. They are very short and on my cruise last week, they did Mickey, Donald and Goofy in separate classes. They only take 30 mins or so. We also must order either mickey bars, mickey rice krispy treats, or cookies and milk to the room on at least one night and eat them while watching a movie or sitting on the verandah.

 

[professorandmom]

take time to soak it all in and keep the memories close to my heart.

Do less, savor more...truly live in the moment!!!

 

[grantclaire]

I am with disnygirl, Love the verandah! Usually order a "all hands on deck" cheese tray and watch sailaway with a cold drink!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We have 2 teens and do as many trivia, crafts and games together as possible. We all turn off our phones and just enjoy each other for the week. We love watching movies at night on deck while eating chicken strips and hot dogs. Also, we never miss playing The Quest.

 

[diznymom]

On the Dream Class ships - the Midship Detective thing. I love solving cases........and running (walking kinda slow these days) around the ship.
Palo brunch is a must for the adults.
Rainforest Room pass on the Dream Class. (We didn't care for it so much on the Wonder)
DS practically lived in the Tween and Teen clubs
Fish Extender exchange is a must for us.
Exploring the ship and finding new things I haven't seen before
Room service - Big Island cookies and milk before bed.

 

[xlxo]

For me....

• look for the larger Deck 2 oceanviews
• pre-order photo package... especially with kids
• get tickets for character breakfasts
• demand 2nd dining so I can sleep in for the debarkation breakfast
• order internet on the first day
• look up the schedule for the ship tour on embarkation day
• check what movies are going played and plan my events around it
• was going to say load up the carry-on with bevvies, but there are new rules were introduced recently
• rip out the TV and wave phones so I can use the outlets to charge my creature comforts as they don't allow power bars
• compare how much would I be saving if I booked on a competing cruise line with a similar itinery, but without the pixie dust?

 

[codex57]

Our preference - Palo brunch, and, depending on what ship we're on - the shows: Dreams, Golden Mickeys, Twice Charmed, and (most likely) Tangled. On the Dream I would see Wishes again (only because it's about Disneyland, we seldom get much acknowledgement from Disney for what we have here on the west coast).

Also, movies - we don't tend to go to the movies at home much.

Any time John Charles is performing - can't miss that, either.

Is Wishes on the Fantasy about Disneyland as well? I don't recall catching the Disneyland references although I was pretty wiped out by then. And had an out of control kid sitting next to me whose parents couldn't be bothered to control her.

Seeing a movie on board is WAY more relaxing than on land. The whole process is just less stressful. Especially for popular movies.

And I had no idea John Charles was that good. I wish I had known beforehand. And that I could have videotaped it. He was absolutely amazing. Especially his "adult" show (not really adult, but he jokes about it being censored by Disney). The highlight of my cruise was when someone shouted out Eminem, the look John gave him, then actually busting out Lose Yourself, and then going to stand behind the sign language interpreter to see how he would sign it, and watching John rap and the interpreter sign in a hip hop manner had the entire theater ROFL.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is Wishes on the Fantasy about Disneyland as well? I don't recall catching the Disneyland references although I was pretty wiped out by then. And had an out of control kid sitting next to me whose parents couldn't be bothered to control her.

Seeing a movie on board is WAY more relaxing than on land. The whole process is just less stressful. Especially for popular movies.

And I had no idea John Charles was that good. I wish I had known beforehand. And that I could have videotaped it. He was absolutely amazing. Especially his "adult" show (not really adult, but he jokes about it being censored by Disney). The highlight of my cruise was when someone shouted out Eminem, the look John gave him, then actually busting out Lose Yourself, and then going to stand behind the sign language interpreter to see how he would sign it, and watching John rap and the interpreter sign in a hip hop manner had the entire theater ROFL.

Sorry, Wishes is on the Fantasy, not the Dream. The Disneyland references are fairly minimal, but I picked up on them. And I was glad to see references to west coast properties in a general Disney show. Usually references to the theme parks, as well as pictures/videos (on TV shows) are all WDW.

 

[ToyStory3]

For me....

• look for the larger Deck 2 oceanviews
• pre-order photo package... especially with kids
• get tickets for character breakfasts
• demand 2nd dining so I can sleep in for the debarkation breakfast
• order internet on the first day
• look up the schedule for the ship tour on embarkation day
• check what movies are going played and plan my events around it
• was going to say load up the carry-on with bevvies, but there are new rules were introduced recently
• rip out the TV and wave phones so I can use the outlets to charge my creature comforts as they don't allow power bars
• compare how much would I be saving if I booked on a competing cruise line with a similar itinery, but without the pixie dust?

They have character breakfasts on the ships? I'm assuming they are an additional cost?

 

[cruisehopeful]

They have character breakfasts on the ships? I'm assuming they are an additional cost?

My 7 nighter had a free character breakfast. That was on the Wonder. I am not sure if they still do that.

 

[JW9DVC]

Verandah club if you haven't yet, if so join again, lol. Palo brunch and dinners. If you like more upscale, Remy.

Remember that you are on vacation! I think that's the key. Have fun and don't stress to do it all or to little.

JW

 

[Makkatt]

Verandah club if you haven't yet, if so join again, lol. Palo brunch and dinners. If you like more upscale, Remy.

Remember that you are on vacation! I think that's the key. Have fun and don't stress to do it all or to little.

JW

What is Verandah Club?