Is there even a chance?

[mcgluvint]

I totally agree that Disney sets the standards and their innovation is unmatched, but they will for sure lose out on the teen market if they don't compete with the other cruise lines. My teens still absolutely love DL and WDW but now that we've sailed other cruise lines they are realizing that DCL doesn't have quite as much stuff to keep their interest.

As far as DisneyQuest goes, that was a huge failure for Disney. They were a part of Disney Regional Entertainment which I was an Operations Manager for the Club Disney division, ESPNZone was also included in this division. The plan for DQ, CD and ESPN was a complete rollout nationwide but DQ was the worst performer of the 3 and only 2 were ever built. The feedback was, it was more of a one and done concept and the cost of technology was too much to offer a high enough ROI.

I haven't cruised on other lines but I agree with what you say. We (teens) like to stay active and have thrills. If Disney were to add thrilling waterslides (tbh aqueduct is not that thrilling) I would loose my mind. If they were to add a ropes course, rock wall, trampoline park, and that kinda stuff I would go nuts! Im hoping they do. We'll see!

 

[buddyjo143]

Is there a chance the new ships could have a good deal of stuff the other ships don't have? Could they have Ropes course, thrilling waterslides, and just other stuff like that. I love cruising but id say when I turn 21 id leave Disney just because Im an active person and just prefer things like this.Im 14 so I obviously can't make the travel plans. I hope I don't sound like Im complaining and saying Disney cruises are boring but I wish they would add a few things in the ball park. Thanks!

I think it would be cool if you researched the price of a similar (#days, ports, etc.) cruise on Disney vs. Norwegian or Carnival and present it to your parents.

We are taking our first Disney cruise in October. We have over 25 cruises between Carnival and NCL because they are so much less expensive. They go to the same ports, leaving from the same places, for less.

We've had great water slides, mini golf, basketball courts, and I've walked the plank from 14 decks high.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I think it would be cool if you researched the price of a similar (#days, ports, etc.) cruise on Disney vs. Norwegian or Carnival and present it to your parents.

We are taking our first Disney cruise in October. We have over 25 cruises between Carnival and NCL because they are so much less expensive. They go to the same ports, leaving from the same places, for less.

We've had great water slides, mini golf, basketball courts, and I've walked the plank from 14 decks high.

I think you'll enjoy DCL as much as the others but in a different way. We sailed DCL first and then CCL. We love both but they are completely different experiences, neither experience is better than the other, they're just different types of fun. I feel like DCL is a peaceful relaxing experience, while on Carnival, we just have a ton of fun - we are always laughing, dancing and singing on Carnival.

 

[SteveMP]

I haven't cruised on other lines but I agree with what you say. We (teens) like to stay active and have thrills. If Disney were to add thrilling waterslides (tbh aqueduct is not that thrilling) I would loose my mind. If they were to add a ropes course, rock wall, trampoline park, and that kinda stuff I would go nuts! Im hoping they do. We'll see!

My idea(which I can't submit to Disney) would be for them to have a Star Wars themed conbination laser tag/escape room, where you had to escape the room before the Stormtroopers got you.

 

[cruiser21]

I totally agree that Disney sets the standards and their innovation is unmatched, but they will for sure lose out on the teen market if they don't compete with the other cruise lines. My teens still absolutely love DL and WDW but now that we've sailed other cruise lines they are realizing that DCL doesn't have quite as much stuff to keep their interest.

As far as DisneyQuest goes, that was a huge failure for Disney. They were a part of Disney Regional Entertainment which I was an Operations Manager for the Club Disney division, ESPNZone was also included in this division. The plan for DQ, CD and ESPN was a complete rollout nationwide but DQ was the worst performer of the 3 and only 2 were ever built. The feedback was, it was more of a one and done concept and the cost of technology was too much to offer a high enough ROI.

Disney Quest was a failure, but it was one of my favorite days at WDW. I loved spending one day there for a change of pace from the parks. We had a great last visit there in May. I'll miss it.

I think DCL will do something that we haven't seen on other ships. I have no idea what that something will be. I hope we see more for teens. They may want to keep marketing themselves to the younger families. My youngest will be 16 or 17, and my oldest an adult when the new ship set sails. I can't imagine what the prices will be like, but I'm sure will try it once.

 

[TestingH2O]

The kids' activity clubs/labs include physical and mental, as well as personal enrichment challenges, so that they have fun and learn from a variety of experiences.

I disagree with this. On our last trip, DD pretty much just played iPad and I usually saw other kids with screens too. While I find the use of tech throughout the ship to be in good balance (I like having real bartenders instead of robots,) I'd like to see them back off the tech and screens in the club/lab space. Heck, it would also be nice if the clubs had windows with natural light!

 

[cruiser21]

I disagree with this. On our last trip, DD pretty much just played iPad and I usually saw other kids with screens too. While I find the use of tech throughout the ship to be in good balance (I like having real bartenders instead of robots,) I'd like to see them back off the tech and screens in the club/lab space. Heck, it would also be nice if the clubs had windows with natural light!

I'd like to see them have more activities where they get kids outside and off the screens. They do have dodge ball games at least once a day. On one cruise they had a parents vs the Edge kids dodgeball which was pretty fun. In order to get the kids outside involved in activities they need to offer more outside venues. Rope courses, bumper cars, bowling, ice skating etc etc. I think kids would love all that stuff if it was organized where they were doing it with other kids.

 

[NewsMom]

I totally agree that Disney sets the standards and their innovation is unmatched, but they will for sure lose out on the teen market if they don't compete with the other cruise lines. My teens still absolutely love DL and WDW but now that we've sailed other cruise lines they are realizing that DCL doesn't have quite as much stuff to keep their interest.

As far as DisneyQuest goes, that was a huge failure for Disney. They were a part of Disney Regional Entertainment which I was an Operations Manager for the Club Disney division, ESPNZone was also included in this division. The plan for DQ, CD and ESPN was a complete rollout nationwide but DQ was the worst performer of the 3 and only 2 were ever built. The feedback was, it was more of a one and done concept and the cost of technology was too much to offer a high enough ROI.

Oh, I get that with DQ. The thing is, I never got the placement of them. Like, why ride a virtual rollercoaster at DQ at Downtown Disney for extra money when you already have a Park Hopper for four parks with actual roller coaster? I think the location just didn't make sense. But I think some of the tech and some of the concepts are perfectly suited for the cruise ships.

 

[cruiser21]

Oh, I get that with DQ. The thing is, I never got the placement of them. Like, why ride a virtual rollercoaster at DQ at Downtown Disney for extra money when you already have a Park Hopper for four parks with actual roller coaster? I think the location just didn't make sense. But I think some of the tech and some of the concepts are perfectly suited for the cruise ships.

DQ was always included with the water parks so for those of us that liked the water parks it was a nice add on. Our Disney world trips were always 7-10 days so this was a nice filler along with lunch and shopping at Downtown Dis. It wasn't someplace I would pay 45.00 dollars to spend a day there so I agree with you on that.

 

[mcgluvint]

I think it would be cool if you researched the price of a similar (#days, ports, etc.) cruise on Disney vs. Norwegian or Carnival and present it to your parents.

We are taking our first Disney cruise in October. We have over 25 cruises between Carnival and NCL because they are so much less expensive. They go to the same ports, leaving from the same places, for less.

We've had great water slides, mini golf, basketball courts, and I've walked the plank from 14 decks high.

Ive done it many times. A common response is you pay for what you get. I try to not push too hard. I love DCL but think I would like other cruise lines better.

 

[bbel]

I disagree with this. On our last trip, DD pretty much just played iPad and I usually saw other kids with screens too. While I find the use of tech throughout the ship to be in good balance (I like having real bartenders instead of robots,) I'd like to see them back off the tech and screens in the club/lab space. Heck, it would also be nice if the clubs had windows with natural light!

You may disagree but the options are there. Yes, many children chose to play on the screens. The majority of organised activities in the clubs are mental or physical, encourage socialisation and team building.
Just because a child doesn't do it, doesn't mean it's not there....

 

[mevelandry]

Is there a chance the new ships could have a good deal of stuff the other ships don't have? Could they have Ropes course, thrilling waterslides, and just other stuff like that. I love cruising but id say when I turn 21 id leave Disney just because Im an active person and just prefer things like this.Im 14 so I obviously can't make the travel plans. I hope I don't sound like Im complaining and saying Disney cruises are boring but I wish they would add a few things in the ball park. Thanks!

I guess you could try to negotiate. Tell your parents that they will save a lot of money by cruising on other lines (or get a better category for the amount they are willing to spend). Do your homework and price them up. Present numbers to them. That's an incentive that they might appreciate.

 

[Dug720]

I guess you could try to negotiate. Tell your parents that they will save a lot of money by cruising on other lines (or get a better category for the amount theyvare willing to spend). Do your homework and price them up. Present numbers to them. That's an incentive that they might appreciate.

I agree with this. It already seems like you're doing a large amount of the planning for your vacations since you're the one on here asking questions rather than your parents. Look at options you would like and present them to your parents in a calm, rational manner.

 

[TestingH2O]

You may disagree but the options are there. Yes, many children chose to play on the screens. The majority of organised activities in the clubs are mental or physical, encourage socialisation and team building.
Just because a child doesn't do it, doesn't mean it's not there....

I didn't say activities weren't there, I said there are too many screens. Every single space has screens. Many screens. I'd like to see more balance between areas with and without all the tech. For instance, why does Andy's Room need the huge TV? Couldn't it just be the play structures? Or the Frozen section on the Wonder. I think Oaken peeking his head out of the steam room is cute, but why not leave the rest of the space as the market instead of having all the video games too? Just my opinion.

Despite being a science and tech person myself in my job, we choose to send our daughter to a school that limits tech on campus and in the classroom because we think it's important for the under 12 set to experience and explore through hands on and active learning rather than so much screen time. It's just my opinion based on my own research about brain development for that particular age group.

 

[darnheather]

Ropes course wouldn't affect the other stuff at all. Carnival Vista has ropes course, mini golf, suspended bike track, full basketball court, water slides, pool, splash area, adult only area (with hot tubs), giant screen TV and they still do amazing deck parties up there. It's easily doable on large ships.

I absolutely believe DCL is going to add the latest and greatest physical things to the new ships. All the other cruise lines continue to add more and more including ice skating, laser tag, trampoline park and bumper cars (RCCL), go karts and walking the plank (NCL), suspended bike track (CCL), magic carpet restaurant that travels up and down the side of the ship (Celebrity), zip lines, panoramic elevators on the side of the ship, and glass enclosure promenade deck with glass floor (MSC). DCL is going to have to blow cruisers away with technology and physical activities, my bet is they are going to be creating "theme parks at sea," and I can hardly wait!!!

But aren't those mega ships? These new ones are going to be in between the size of the Classics and the bigger ships not way larger. I don't see them having room for all that.

 

[cruiser21]

I didn't say activities weren't there, I said there are too many screens. Every single space has screens. Many screens. I'd like to see more balance between areas with and without all the tech. For instance, why does Andy's Room need the huge TV? Couldn't it just be the play structures? Or the Frozen section on the Wonder. I think Oaken peeking his head out of the steam room is cute, but why not leave the rest of the space as the market instead of having all the video games too? Just my opinion.

Despite being a science and tech person myself in my job, we choose to send our daughter to a school that limits tech on campus and in the classroom because we think it's important for the under 12 set to experience and explore through hands on and active learning rather than so much screen time. It's just my opinion based on my own research about brain development for that particular age group.

I think the activities get more organized in the teen areas especially the edge. A lot of that has to do with there being less kids. My kids did nothing, but play on screens in the lab and oceaneer club. There may be activities, but they are more geared to the under 8 crowd. Everytime I went in there it just a mass of kids running around or sitting on machines. I always thought it was a hot mess.

 

[thumpie's mom]

We hope they do not add those type of activities. We enjoy the ships pretty much the way they are.

 

[mcgluvint]

I think the activities get more organized in the teen areas especially the edge. A lot of that has to do with there being less kids. My kids did nothing, but play on screens in the lab and oceaneer club. There may be activities, but they are more geared to the under 8 crowd. Everytime I went in there it just a mass of kids running around or sitting on machines. I always thought it was a hot mess.

Edge is great. I think it has more to do with how we are more "independent". It is just going to be hard to get a bunch of 6 year olds to all do one thing. They just font try. The navigatior may say they will do something but in reality, they won't. Edge and Vibe are great for fun planned things to do.

 

[mcgluvint]

But aren't those mega ships? These new ones are going to be in between the size of the Classics and the bigger ships not way larger. I don't see them having room for all that.

At the current size, no they couldn't. Im hoping they might add 50-75 more feet to the ships and add a "fun zone" where there is thrilling waterslides and a good ropes course. That would be great to me.

 

[darnheather]

At the current size, no they couldn't. Im hoping they might add 50-75 more feet to the ships and add a "fun zone" where there is thrilling waterslides and a good ropes course. That would be great to me.

Sizes have already been posted. They will be similar to the large ships out already.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/disney-planning-not-two-but-three-new-ships/