Jan.11, 2004 cruisers return!

[Dr.Mama]

We just got in last night to San Diego from the January 11 Wonder cruise...it was magical! and we'll certainly be back. A few times for other first-timers (like us)

We stayed at the Radisson at the Port which runs a shuttle to the Wonder port area, but you have to make reservations ahead of time. the hotel is clean, has really nice heated pools and the meals were not bad.

Check in at the Dinsey port was very smooth. Those Disney folks sure know how to process large crowds with minimal problems. Goofy and other characters were on-hand to sign autographs and for pictures.

we had our bathing suits on to enjoy the pool, but for us Californians, the water was freezing. the air temperature was in the 60s and very windy. No problem, we explored the ship, had a Bahama Mama, went to Wavebands to make our reservations for Palo (EXCELLENT Dinner and service), booked our 3 year old, 6 year old and 12 year old for their clubs (the Oceaneer Lab is very cool and we ended up hanging out with out 6 year old at the Lab enjoying the crafts, bingo and other activities), and booked a massage for mama (very important!).

Tips:
-thanks to whoever suggested using the shoe organizer behind the door. very handy and keeps clutter to a minimum in the small bathroom.
- the shows were fabulous--do not miss the golden mickies and 'disney dreams.' there is also a show involving the kids towards the end of the cruise, make sure you have your kids signed up for a club activity that day, they'll participate in the show and get a free t-shirt.
- since we are not jewelry shoppers, Nassau didn't do much for us. Lots of people hawking merchandise, following you out to get the girls' hair braided etc. we opted to take a cab to atlantis ($3 per person). The aquarium is neat for the little guys...huge manta rays, sharks, and lots of neat fish seen from floor to ceiling windows (it's free). we then took a cab through town and decided we' d rather be back on the ship. I did not hear good reports from my cruise-mates who opted for the $25 Atlantis tour...they take you through the grounds, the casino and more of the aquarium (no activities for kids).
- the welcome and send-off parties were lots of fun. particularly the welcome, where the kids danced the night away (macarena, etc)
- the counselors on board were terrific. Our 3 year old is not potty trained and they took her at Flounder's Nursery. Belle and Beauty came into the nursery while our daughter was there and that's all she talked about!
can't think of what else to add, other than we had a terrific time and will certainly be back, especially if they start Disney cruises from the west coast.
best,
Dr. Mama

 

[afcgirl]

Thanks for the excellent review. We are going in July (land and sea) and can't wait!

I had a few questions for you about Flounder's. My DS will be 3 when we go but is not yet potty trained and we don't know if he will be. Can you give me some specifics on Flounder's? Was it merely babysitting or were there fun activities for the kids? How often did you use it? Was it hard to get reservations? Overall, was your 3-year old old enough to enjoy the trip?

Thanks!

 

[Dr.Mama]

Hi:
my daughter turned 3 in november and was not potty trained. The Flounder Nursey staff said it was not a problem and gladly took her. They did not have any organized activities, but the staff did color with the kids, played kitchen with them and watched Disney movies. The best part was the character appearances.

Reservations are difficult to get, so when we boarded the ship, we headed to Wavebands (like a nightclub) and made reservations for Palo, then went to the Nursery and made reservations for our 3 year old. I also checked her in during the afternoon of our castaway cay day (also made reservations the first day on board). We all spent the morning on the beach, and at 1 p.m. I took her back to the nursery (she said, "I want to see my friends") and she stayed there while we did the snorkeling trip.
I hope this helps and have a great time! it's truly magical and the staff will bend over backwards to make it comfortable, fun and entertaining (example: my 3 year old will eat nothing but soup, bananas, apples and cereal. the dinner staff accommodated her needs, often cutting up bananas with other fruit in a nice arrangement, etc).

enjoy!
dr. mama

 

[ILUVDCL]

So if a child is over 3 and not potty trained they are not able to go to the kids club? They have to go to Flounders instead?

 

[The4OfUs]

Not sure about the Flounders bit, but in checking for my SIL I see that on this page:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/d...ingindex?id=KidsActivitiesAges3thru7ActGrping

it says they have to be completely potty trained.

 

[ILUVDCL]

Thanks so much for that link!

Just curious what the case is for a child who may never be potty trained because of a medical reason?! Anyone ever experience this?

 

[Scott Av]

Hi Dr. Mama. Glad to hear you had a great time. We'll be on the 4 Day Wonder on Feb 1 (Superbowl Sunday). 3 quick questions, if you don't mind. (1) Besides Disney Dreams and Golden Mickeys, what other evening shows do they currently have on the other 2 nights on the Wonder? (2) Do they still have an afternoon character show on the Wonder on Nassua day? (3) How was weather and water temperature on Castaway Cay? Thanks!

 

[Dr.Mama]

Scott:
The shows (all in the very nice Walt Disney Theatre, deck 4) were really terrific , we missed only one. For our 4-day cruise, we Hercules the Muse-Ical on Sunday, Gary DeLena (rock and roll comedy, which I heard was very good) on monday, Golden Mickeys on Tuesday and Disney Dreams on Wednesday. I wouldn't miss the last two....very well done. The shows are at 6:30 or 8:30 to accomodate the dinner seatings.

the weather in castaway Cay was ok....keep in mind we're from san diego, so anything above 60 is cold for us. Others from the northeast thought it was great. the water was "refreshing" according to the snorkeling guide. But once you're in, it was comfortable. It was very windy, but the lagoon for family swimming was fine. As the day wore on, the sun certainly made for very comfortable conditions, and I'd say it got into the high 70s, and the water in the mid-60s.

One our Nassau day, ther was a character photo and autograph session most of the later afternoon in the atrium lobby...and most characters were available late into the night. But there wasn't a character show that day...there was a welcome party with Mickey and Minnie at 7 p.m.

hope this helps and have a great time. As movie buffs, we also enjoyed a number of movies, including Brother Bear (the theatre was packed!) and Under the Tuscan Sun (a nice getaway for mom). we missed the Haunted Mansion (rats!) and the also showed Pirates of the Caribbean and Calendar Girls.
Dr. Mama

 

[OurDogCisco]

Thanks for the info on flounders. I doubt my 3 year old will be potty trained by the cruise in May. She turns 3 in May so, I am not sure how far along she'll be. I really wanted to do the Palo brunch on our 7 day so, I think, I am going to go ahead and book it even though my 3 year old may be in the nursery. Thanks for the info....

 

[CarolAnnC]

Thanks so much for that link! Just curious what the case is for a child who may never be potty trained because of a medical reason?! Anyone ever experience this?

The club's are unable to accomodate those who are unable to be potty trained, even due to medical conditions. They are not staffed nor outfitted to handle those situations. You may, however, bring in your non-trained 3 year old for some play time as long as you accompany and stay with your child. Check with the counselors for those times when you can do this, if you are interested.

 

[Dr.Mama]

OurDogCisco:
I would go ahead and make your Palo reservations, then talk to the Flounders staff. I found them most accommodating. If for some reason they can't take care of your 3 year old, you have 4 hours before your dinner appointment to cancel without a fee. there is a $6 per hour charge at Flounders. Also, we found the Oceaneer Lab was way more fun (lots of activities, computer games, K-Nex, make-your own-bead-bracelet, drawing, etc) than the Oceaneer Club or Flounders. So I asked the Oceaneer lab staff if I could bring in my 3 and 12 year olds in with me to play with my 6 year old--no problem, as long as I supervised my 3 year old. She had a blast hanging out with the older kids, playing on the computer (dress up Cinderella games), etc. All you have to do is ask...I was so impressed with the crew members' ability to help make your cruise experience a memorable one.

Dr.Mama