Just back--3/12/05

[pigget74]

To start off with--this was our best vacation ever. It was me, DH, DS (10) and DD (7) in a cat. 9 deluxe oceanview which is on Deck 2. We got to the terminal @ 10:15 to find out Disney was in a meeting--oh well, so we parked in the lot with about 20 other cars. Just a note there is not a restroom anywhere but in the terminal so I first visited the port a potty- not fun. At about 10:45 they let us in --checked in without a problem--went quickly and promptly asked the nice guy where the line began. There was a group of about 7 asking the same thing--we were number 2 in the line. Now we sat until hubby got in line and then went and reg. kids for club. 11:40 we were let on ship . Now I tried to go get in line for PALO, but was told I couldn't--not something someone with OCD wants to hear. SO we go to lunch--try for Parrot Cay but was told it wasn't open so we went to Beach Blanket--it was good. So now we are at 12:15 and I am finished (remember OCD) so I leave while the others finish and swim to find PALO. I get there about 12:20 and I am the first Promptly at 1:00 they open the door and I have a brunch for 10:30 . Now I go and find family at pool.

We go to the room and get settled and then go to drill and then sailaway party. Did not realize the boat was even leaving port because I was watching my kids and the water was so smooth. Had dinner at AP and it was awesome.

Nassua--did catamaran and snorkel--the water was cold but we had a great time. Still the water was so smooth. Took the kids back to ship to shower and have lunch--we all ate something different on deck 9. KIds went to club while DH and I took a nap. Did not go back to shore. DH and DS went to a drawing event and had fun. Time to get ready for show and after that dinner. Another night of smooth sailing.

Castaway-PIRATE NIGHT WAS THIS NIGHT-was kind of worried since earlier people could not dock--but the water was still like glass and the temp was already about 74. Went and watched them dock while I had coffee and then went and got kids ready with suits, screen, and packed. Went to breakfast at Parrot Cay and it was very good. Left ship and headed to family beach. Stopped by shop and regret forgeting to buy shirts don;t know how we did that--DD bought sunglasses and then we were off to the beach. Found a nice spot near lifeguard to give kids a reference in finding us and it worked great--saw several kids who did not remember where they were. Went and got float and snorkels. Did snorkeling and it was great. Really did not use floats that much. Also rented bikes and as a family we loved this. WE snorkled and played on beach, did lunch (was good), and then did bike ride. Spent the rest of time snorkeling and watching kids play. Got back on ship and began getting ready for Pirate night. It was a lot of fun. THey had a buffet at 11 but we were to stuffed from dinner. The show with Hook was fun and the fireworks were a lot better than I thought they would be.

Day at Sea--started to get rough, but it was ok. Went and had brunch at Palo and they had a medical emergency so we got to see Freeport. We hope th eperson is ok, but never heard anything. Was very windy, but we made the best of it. Kids spent several hours in the pools. Went and got ready for our show and dinner. After dinner we watched the characters in the atrium. Then did one last walk around deck 9.

We had second seating which was great, but all the kids activities that mine wanted to do was scheduled for this time. We had a good family to share dinner with--they to had 2 kids. WE only saw 2 shows and loved them. We loved all the game shows--the kids had a blast. The weather could not have been better. We are already planning our 7 day for 07. If you have any questions please ask.

Our dining rotation was A,P,T,T. Pirate night was in Triton's. We really did not care for the food here. We liked the first 2 but Triton's did not meet our expectations.

Leaving the ship we did not get a porter and was out of there in less then 10 minutes from the time we got luggage until we exited the terminal.

Sorry it was long.

 

[chasbos]

Great report - I just love reading everyone elses experiences. What stateroom did you have?? We had 2648 & 2646 back in January (oh so long ago - I miss it and I want to go back!) We did not have fireworks then and Pirate Night was when we sailed from NAssau (kids loved Pirate Night!)

Hoping for another Disney Cruise next year (should have booked on board). Did you look into booking on board?

 

[pigget74]

our room number was 2106. Perfect location and no noise. Looked into booking, but we are expecting our third in Sept., closing on the sell of our haouse at the end of the month, and starting to build on our new house first of next month--so we did not need anything extra on the cards

 

[dcandmc]

Hey pigget, we're almost cruise twins! We were on your cruise, had late seating too, had the same dining rotation, and we were at Palo brunch on Wednesday morning at 10:30! If you saw someone at brunch who kept getting up to leave every 15 minutes, that was me. The girls were not very happy in the Club/Lab, so we kept getting paged. I would make a call and talk to them, and we would be OK for a while longer. Kind of stressful, but we made it through the meal. We really lucked out on the weather, although I could have done without so much wind on the at sea day.

I completely agree with you on the food. We loved Animator's and Parrot Cay, but thought that Triton's on Pirate Night was just OK. Maybe it's the Pirate Night menu. With the whole ship eating from the same menu, perhaps things are done with less individual attention.

 

[travel with kids]

Thanks--great report! One question--you said the "Hook" show was fun. Is Hook a new show or something they do during Dinner on Pirate Night?

 

[pigget74]

Were you sitting at like a round booth--and were there several adults in your party?

 

[pigget74]

Sorry by Hook show I meant the Show on the Deck on Pirate night where Captain Hook takes over and Mickey save the day. It was a lot of fun and this is where the fireworks were.

 

[mommasita]

Great Trip Report...

Glad you had so much fun...

 

[dcandmc]

Were you sitting at like a round booth--and were there several adults in your party?

Yes, we had five adults in a round booth on the starboard side (two or three tables in from the entrance desk).

 

[pigget74]

As you entered going to your table you passed my DH and I. We were seated just before your table. So I did see you guys. We loved the brunch and were so full we were glad we had late seating.

 

[dizprincess27]

Hi - thanks for the trip report. I love reading that people had a great time. This will be me and dd's first cruise so it's exciting. Just a question about which shows are on which night? I'm curious because I was thinking of spending some extra time in Nassau on that day and want to be sure I don't miss a good show Also, do they repeat any of the shows during the day in case you miss one? Thanks for any info. you have and I was thinking the same thing as you. If we love the 4 day cruise, we'll book a 7 day for 2007. Gotta have some time to save up some more $$$

 

[winnyis]

Glad to hear that 2106 is a good cabin. I have that room on the Magic for the Repo cruise. I have never been on deck 2 - always 5 or 6 so I was a little worried. This eases my mind a bit.

 

[Asil65]

Piglet74, Thanks for the report. Glad to hear that the fireworks are a go. I didn't even think the water would be cold. Was it colder in Nassua than it was at Castaway Cay? Any food recommendations that you truly loved? We leve in a couple of weeks. Thanks.

 

[pigget74]

As far as the shows go I think this is the order--Hercules Sunday, Comedy guy Monday, Golden Mickey's Tuesday (don't miss), Dreams Wednesday. We did not go to the first 2 shows, but I think they are replayed on the tv. All of the game shows were fun--we all loved them even though we weren't picked. I think the water was colder in Nassua, but it was still cold on Castaway. It did not bother my kids and did get better. Food--we loved Animators and Parrot Cay. I was suprised at the goat and duck cheese bread--it was really good. If you go to Palos for brunch the Stolen Bread is a must--I loved it. I just did not care for the food at Triton's.

 

[Bethipooh4]

If you don't mind me asking, which day on the cruise is Palo brunch offered? I am assuming you were on the 4 day Wonder. I have heard so many good reviews of the brunch, we would love to try it.
Do you know if you have the REAS package if you can make you Palo brunch ressies in advance as well?

 

[pigget74]

Hi. The Brunch at Palo was on Wednesday for the 4 day Wonder. If you are going on the 7 day MAgic Brunch is served on the at sea days. I think with REAS that you can book the brunch as well as the tea and dinner. I would do the brunch again even if I did the dinner.

 

[TumFamily]

Hi -- Pigget --

Since you just got back maybe you can answer my questions. Does the Wonder still have a formal night or Hawaiian night?

I know that it used to be night 1 - formal, night 2 - pirate, night 3 Hawaiian.

But, now things have changed. I know pirate night has been moved to night 3 but what else is going on???? Help? I dont know if I should pack for formal night or not!! Some say yes, some say no. What do you know -- since you were just there I am going with what YOU say!!!! Thanks. Deb

 

[pigget74]

There is a FOrmal night and I believe it is on night 2 Monday. Over the past few weeks they have changed the night of Pirate night--so you really do not know when it is going to be. The first night ask your server and he should be able to tell you. On your navigator it also says what type of clothes to wear that night. We all wore tropical wear for the Pirate night.

 

[JayCee32]

Thanks for that information. My family and I are going on the WEST COAST cruise 08-13-05. I have two children and we have the late seating. My kids dinner is normally around 7:30-8:00 at home. You had mentioned that your kids missed the activities that they really wanted to do b/c of your late seating. Would you had prefered to do the early seating? My kids are so excited about the kids program and i wouldn't want them to miss out on the best activities if they are normally at the time of our dinner. I don't want to deal with that attitude at the dinner table them wanting to miss dinner to go to the LAB.
I am glad u had a great time and I am so excited to go....I think I am more excited than my family.

 

[Mickeynutz]

What activties did your 7 & 10 year old most enjoy? How often did or didn't they go to the Club & the Lab? I've got a 5 year old son & an 11 year old daughter that will be on the May 8th sailing of the Wonder. We can't wait!
We just switched from the main seating or the late.
Thanks so much for posting about your trip.