How is the Disney Wonder?

[anricat]

Do you know if the 3 night cruises offer the “draw your own character” option of the animators palate? I read somewhere that only 7 night cruises have that

They don't. The first night in Animator's Palate is either the color-change animation show with Sorcerer Mickey at the end (guaranteed to make you misty-eyed) on the Classics or the Crush show on the Dream-class which is basically Turtle Talk With Crush and for us is a little annoying.

Which ship is your favorite? And why? (Not sure if I asked you already), I plan on booking another Disney cruise for 2023 and wondering if I should book the Wonder/Magic class again or go for the Dream class or Wish. The Wonder/Magic class leave from our home state but if we wanted to try the larger, newer ships, we would have to fly out of state

I like the Magic best. Wonder is second place. Almost neck in neck. I give a slight edge to the Magic because I prefer Tangled dinner vs. Tiana's, but really both are really quite awesome.

 

[anricat]

Ohhh I get it, so it’s kind of like, they have the same spaces, but the hallway may be longer or wider? So there’s not necessarily like more areas or lounges etc. just more space in between them?

The hallways are the same width. Definitely longer! More staterooms is mainly the difference. And as I said, just public spaces are bigger. Bigger atrium, bigger dining areas, etc.

 

[bcwife76]

Just googled, so Canadians get better prices? How come?

I don't know how they choose which cruises to go on these sale rates. There are also cruises for sale for military and FL residents.

 

[katmigordon]

What kind of food does Repunzel serve?

They don't. The first night in Animator's Palate is either the color-change animation show with Sorcerer Mickey at the end (guaranteed to make you misty-eyed) on the Classics or the Crush show on the Dream-class which is basically Turtle Talk With Crush and for us is a little annoying.


I like the Magic best. Wonder is second place. Almost neck in neck. I give a slight edge to the Magic because I prefer Tangled dinner vs. Tiana's, but really both are really quite awesome.

 

[maui2k5]

We have been on the Wonder 3x and the Magic 1x (our first cruise in 2012). If we were to go on a Magic class ship again, it would be the Magic due to the additional slide on the upper deck and we prefer Rapunzel to Tiana.

 

[anricat]

What kind of food does Repunzel serve?

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/menus/rapunzels-royal-table-menu-disney-magic/

 

[CaseyCruiser]

Ooh, that’s good to hear, can I ask why it’s your favorite ship?

The Disney Wonder has the Cadillac Lounge

 

[auntlynne]

Wow, that’s so cool! Do you get a discount when you book your cruises since you have been on so many already?

Also which ship is your favorite? Not sure if I asked you already.

Wouldn’t that be a nice perk!

Nope, not on Disney. I do on MSC (that’s not an abbreviation for the cruise line - but I think it is for the parent company which is an Italian shipping company).

Once you have proven your loyalty with DCL by sailing 10 times, you are a Platinum member in the Castaway Club. The main benefits are first dibs at booking cruises when new sail dates come out, earlier booking of activities (Concierge actually has priority), dedicated queue at the port for check-in, and an onboard gathering on long cruises (where there are often a lot of Platinums); the gathering used to include all Castaway Club members - even those with one cross under their belts. And credit for a meal (or $45 of food) at Palo - a for-fee adults only Italian restaurant. Some other little stuff.

As mentioned, those who have discounts are FL and Canadian residents, military, Cast Members (Disney employees) and recently, first responders, medical workers and possibly teachers. But these offers are to fill the boat and are bookable closer to sale date.

For the rest of us, the closest you will get to a sale is also to help fill the boat. They offer GTY rates - you don’t pick your specific room. And IGT / OGT / VGT rates - which are also buying a non-specific room, just the category of cabin I = interior, O = oceanview, V = Verandah (balcony). But this requires immediate full payment at time of booking, non-refundable. It requires commitment on your part (unless you have an insurance that covers that or Covid refund policies allow it).

 

[auntlynne]

The easiest way to save money on your next cruise is to be on a cruise.

This will be something you can do while on your first cruise:

While onboard, you can make a Placeholder Reservation. For $250, you are issued a reservation number which you can use to book a cruise that sails in the following 24 months. And you save 10% off the cruise rate for the new cruise.

If you decide to not sail / use your Placeholder, you can get your deposit back (not true on every cruise line).

Booking early can give you lower fares, too. (Obviously a benefit for Platinum, as they are among the first to book newly released sail dates. There may be some Disney-related people who are actually allowed first - like the people who have Golden Oak home$$$.)

 

[auntlynne]

A lot of us do take the effort to cut the cost of a cruise.

I like to use Disney gift cards which I purchase at a discounted rate. Lately, I have bought mine from Target with a 5% discount, using their credit card (no annual fee).

Others, with memberships at COSTCO, utilize their travel service and get credit to use at the store.

Sam’s Club has reduced price gift cards, which when purchased with a cash-back credit card can yield >5% savings.

The drawback is that you have committed to spending those dollars with Disney once you buy those gift cards. Refunds when you cancel a cruise are credited to the form of payment.

 

[auntlynne]

You can also get onboard credit from Travel Agents (TA). This is at their discretion to offer it; it is not from Disney Cruise Line.

Disney pays the TA a commission. The TA can choose to offer you a credit or other gifts, using part of their earned commission (which is their income).

If you book a cruise (or Disney vacation) yourself, you can transfer your booking to a TA within 30 days. From that point on, interaction / transactions regarding your cruise go through the TA. They transfer your payments, sit on hold on the phone for Disney Customer Service for you.

Just another way to save a little. The onboard credit can offset charges for activities and purchases onboard (photos, alcohol, perhaps gratuities).

This forum is part of / sponsored by Dreams Unlimited Travel. No obligation to utilize them, but it is an example.

(I don’t have a horse in this race - just passing on info.)

 

[shananigans]

We haven’t sailed the Wonder yet - first time will be Nov/Dec - from what I’ve read on here - I am beyond excited to sail on this ship! I prefer Fantasy to Dream. Sailed Magic years ago - so I’m excited to try one of the originals. Of course, sailing concierge both times - so I’m sure we’ll have a biased view of the Wonder!

 

[Mommytofourkids]

A lot of us do take the effort to cut the cost of a cruise.

I like to use Disney gift cards which I purchase at a discounted rate. Lately, I have bought mine from Target with a 5% discount, using their credit card (no annual fee).

Others, with memberships at COSTCO, utilize their travel service and get credit to use at the store.

Sam’s Club has reduced price gift cards, which when purchased with a cash-back credit card can yield >5% savings.

The drawback is that you have committed to spending those dollars with Disney once you buy those gift cards. Refunds when you cancel a cruise are credited to the form of payment.

Thanks for all the tips and pointers! We ended up using Costco and were able to get a store credit/gift card. For the next one, I’m going to see if I can book while on the cruise so we can get the discount

 

[Mommytofourkids]

They don't. The first night in Animator's Palate is either the color-change animation show with Sorcerer Mickey at the end (guaranteed to make you misty-eyed) on the Classics or the Crush show on the Dream-class which is basically Turtle Talk With Crush and for us is a little annoying.


I like the Magic best. Wonder is second place. Almost neck in neck. I give a slight edge to the Magic because I prefer Tangled dinner vs. Tiana's, but really both are really quite awesome.

I’m gonna have to try the Magic too. My kids love Rapunzel!

 

[Mommytofourkids]

We've Sailed on the Magic, Dream and Fantasy. Scheduled for the Wish in Nov. Hoping for the Wonder in Alaska next year!

Out of the three? The magic is our favorite. The Wonder has about the same popularity and people LOVE her. I've read some reports of less than stellar food a few times in the last few months but other than that, If you were to do a poll on here, I feel confident saying the Magic and Wonder would come out on top of the 5 ships.

Usually, people are more limited to a specific ship based on the itineraries. If you live on the West coast, you are more likely to have better opportunities to Sail on the Wonder and getting to the ship is easier.

Ooh, let me know what you think of the Wish after you guys go!

 

[auntlynne]

Thanks for all the tips and pointers! We ended up using Costco and were able to get a store credit/gift card. For the next one, I’m going to see if I can book while on the cruise so we can get the discount

Unless you don’t have the $ available, book that Placeholder. If you get home and decide you really don’t want to cruise again, you can cancel and get your money back. But you cannot get the discount once your cruise is over. Cruise fever has set in for me numerous times within weeks after getting home. And I didn’t book that Placeholder.

 

[bbangel]

For the people wondering about there being a rate special for Canadians - it is because our dollar is lower. The discount usually doesn't quite cover the exchange difference but makes it a little easier to make the decision to sail.

 

[allaboutthemouse]

Wouldn’t that be a nice perk!

Nope, not on Disney. I do on MSC (that’s not an abbreviation for the cruise line - but I think it is for the parent company which is an Italian shipping company).

Once you have proven your loyalty with DCL by sailing 10 times, you are a Platinum member in the Castaway Club. The main benefits are first dibs at booking cruises when new sail dates come out, earlier booking of activities (Concierge actually has priority), dedicated queue at the port for check-in, and an onboard gathering on long cruises (where there are often a lot of Platinums); the gathering used to include all Castaway Club members - even those with one cross under their belts. And credit for a meal (or $45 of food) at Palo - a for-fee adults only Italian restaurant. Some other little stuff.

As mentioned, those who have discounts are FL and Canadian residents, military, Cast Members (Disney employees) and recently, first responders, medical workers and possibly teachers. But these offers are to fill the boat and are bookable closer to sale date.

For the rest of us, the closest you will get to a sale is also to help fill the boat. They offer GTY rates - you don’t pick your specific room. And IGT / OGT / VGT rates - which are also buying a non-specific room, just the category of cabin I = interior, O = oceanview, V = Verandah (balcony). But this requires immediate full payment at time of booking, non-refundable. It requires commitment on your part (unless you have an insurance that covers that or Covid refund policies allow it).

Do you remember when this was? I don’t remember ever seeing discounts for first responders. Was it back when they first opened back up, I wonder?

 

[auntlynne]

Do you remember when this was? I don’t remember ever seeing discounts for first responders. Was it back when they first opened back up, I wonder?

I tried to find it, but the web page said it was busy due to Disney+ Day. I did find that Disney Resorts was offering discounts to a more Inclusive set of healthcare workers than I expected:


I‘m not even finding archival info on discounts right now. And, yes, pretty sure I saw it during the restart.

Sorry if I got your hopes up just to dash them. Now those who were hailed as heroes are just back to ordinary people. But not to all of us.