Graycliff Chocolatier excursion

[volfan1978]

I got a quick reply via email from Graycliff. The cost is $49.95 per person ages 11+ and $34.95 per child ages 10 and under. If you book through Disney they charge $63 for 10+ and $56 for under 10. For my family it would be a savings of $68 to bypass Disney and deal directly with Graycliff. Don't know if Disney drives you there and back, but it looks like a short walk and so that's unimportant to me unless there are safety issues to consider...

 

[hanscarlet]

it is nice to know that it is walkable safety wise, it definitely looks like two blocks away from the hilton which is right next to the port, good stuff

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I got a quick reply via email from Graycliff. The cost is $49.95 per person ages 11+ and $34.95 per child ages 10 and under. If you book through Disney they charge $63 for 10+ and $56 for under 10. For my family it would be a savings of $68 to bypass Disney and deal directly with Graycliff. Don't know if Disney drives you there and back, but it looks like a short walk and so that's unimportant to me unless there are safety issues to consider...

For us the walk was just as fun as the tour. We ended up walking by junkanoo (spelling?) Beach on the way back to the ship which is at the end of that main shopping street, so we walked down there too. We did not feel nervous at all (4 people). There were a lot of cruisers milling about. Honestly not huge amounts of folks from dcl, but lots of carnival and some European cruise line. There were old/almost elderly couples you could tell were from the ships walking around by themselves, so they were not worried! If you are worried you could also check to see if other ships will be there. A lot of dcl people do stay on the ship.

 

[AndreAggie]

I didn't realize it was so close. We might just walk then. We'll have our 6-year old which is why I figured we'd take a cab.

 

[hamm1207]

My husband and I did this excursion last year in November (we left our daughter--1 year old on board). There were a few kids in the group, ranging from 6-10ish. It's a very low key tour, nothing super fancy, but it's fun and messy. The kids in our group really enjoyed making a the chocolate. You're allowed the take the chocolate that you make back on board, so no worries with having the eat it speedy fast; although it is quite yummy.

 

[cmeyer115]

I'm really thinking about going directly to them now. I hated the extra gathering time the ship adds to your show time anyways lol! Thanks for all the info!

 

[Otimon]

We took the Chocolate Tour through Disney. Picked up by bus outside the dock area and returned the same way. We personally
preferred this to walking in unknown areas and felt it was worth the cost. Enjoy.

 

[DogMom]

If you booked directly through Graycliff, how did you pay? My sweetie & I just got an email response from them and they sent their form. They requested credit card payment on the form (no problem) and asked us to email it back. He's concerned about sending credit card info via email. Has anyone had a problem?

 

[Sytrace]

We did this excursion in June 2016 and LOVED it! Coco (tour guide we were lucky to have) is fantastic and just super sweet.

Have a great time

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

If you booked directly through Graycliff, how did you pay? My sweetie & I just got an email response from them and they sent their form. They requested credit card payment on the form (no problem) and asked us to email it back. He's concerned about sending credit card info via email. Has anyone had a problem?

We did. Greycliff is an old hotel and is very established. But I know what you mean about giving out credit card info. We are really cautious and are constantly checking our balance/statements. There were a couple of people who walked up and were let into our group. That is always an option but if there isn't room they will probably turn you away. They do have a chocolate shop where you can buy chocolate, so if you take the walk up approach and it doesn't work out you would be able to buy premade chocolate at their store. The premade chocolate was expensive! Or at least we thought so.

 

[donaldanddaisy]

I'll be somewhat in the minority. I've done it and was fun, but would have enjoyed my time on the ship more I think. Wasn't a waste of time, but meh....

Add me to this list. I booked it because I had my older parents and daughter and I thought everyone would love it. My dad did, but the rest of us would have rather shopped, walked around or been on ship, I think. It was fine -- but nothing that exciting.

 

[hanscarlet]

how long does the tour approx last? do they take you to the tour right away if you book on your own or do you have to wait around until another tour gets started?

 

[AndreAggie]

The tour is very fast...maybe 15 minutes tops. Our son was 6, almost 7 and we had a very good time. Not sure we'll do it again, but it was definitely something fun and different than you'd expect for a Caribbean excursion. I wasn't super impressed with our tour guide, but the experience was worth it, at least once.