Just back-5 things I loved-5 things I'd change...

[@GoofyNut]

I've heard first hand that Disney reads these ...maybe they can do a report on what ones are mentioned over and over. Like the Cruise Gift Shop in the Terminal .. if they worry about general public having access, don't cause it's like getting into the White House when you pass security at check in. Also ice machines on each stateroom deck would be great. Palos pre-register .. you can pre-register excursions, why not Palos? More time at Castaway Cay. Mickey Hands (put DCL in the palms) for the Sail-Aways, made out of heavy cardboard ... Heck imagine the publicity you get when people take them home and hang them in their offices as reminders of the wonderful times we had.

As for the things I love ....

1. The DIS family I have acquired thru Cruising DCL. Only problem is that generally have to wait a year to cruise together again. Miss those guys.

2. The beautiful blue water and the sound it makes while cruising the open seas.

3. The staff ... they can't seem to do enough for you. Have yet to meet anyone that wasn't friendly.

4. TOWEL ANIMALS - enough said.

5. Castaway Cay - enough said!

Here's a thought ... DCL, GIVE US A DEPARTING ?AIRE ON WHAT WE'D LIKE ADDED OR CHANGED AND ACTUALLY DO SOME OF THEM!

 

[jrabbit]

As far as DCL reading and taking into consideration what you put on your questionaire, they do and they have (and sometimes they don't). We first sailed in '99 and DCL only had 3 and 4 night cruises and there were not any plans for an extended iterneray (or itinerary - however you spell that word). We now have the two different 7 nighters. On the other hand we still have Nassau on the 3/4 nighters. With as much as I really don't like Nassau, there must be a lot of shoppers who really do.

Most of us would like two days at Castaway Cay. I believe that that would cause a strain on the resources on the island and ultimately the beauty of it. It has its own water plant - it probably would have to be expanded to handle the increased use (up to maybe 6 days per week - three cruises @ 2 days each). It has its own power plant - well they have to burn some type of fuel to generate electricity. And I don't even want to think about the sewage facilities.

But something they could do would be to have a few cruises each month have two scheduled days at CC instead of a stop somewhere else. On the 3 night you could skip Nassau. On the 4 nighters you could go to Nassau OR Freeport then 2 days at the Cay. Western Carib you could skip Key West (like the Thanksgiving cruise). You really couldn't do this for the Eastern - because of the distance traveled.

I think that the menu changes implemented are because of what people put on the cards along with the chiefs tracking what people order (and what they actually eat - check out the plates when the diners are done without "cleaning" up the plates first.)

 

[Favorite Auntie]

OK, I will try to limit the things I LOVE to 5...
1- Dueling pianos - those guys are a riot!
2- the CM's they are very knowledgable and interesting to talk to
3- Castaway Cay, definitely need two days there
4- The Food, one word YUM!
5- Palos, what a great surprise, and the souffle is the BEST

Only one dislike/would change...
1- the hours for the two main dining seatings. The late one is TOO LATE. This cruise is for families, and I don't know too many families that eat this late. How about 5 and 7:30 instead?? I saw too many little ones falling asleep at the later seating and their parents had tried to get switched to the earlier seating but couldn't .....

I LOVE THE DISNEY MAGIC!!!!

 

[Jeanne434]

Hard to pick only five things that I loved OR five things I'd change but here goes...
I loved: Everything of course- but these were things I found only on Disnet Cruise...
1. Disney's disembarkation- I was stunned to walk out into the port and know exactly where our luggage was- no searching around at all. Other cruise lines should follow suit here. It cut an hour long torture into a mere five minutes. Good thinking Dis- noone handles crowds better then Disney!
2. The gentle, tinkerbell sund when someone was going to speak on the intercom- not the jarring alerts of other cruise ships.
3. The pretty extensive FREE room service menu, great for between meals snacks or more simpler dining for the children who need a break. I loved having a light breakfast delivery serve as my wake up call!
4. The decor of the ship- so understated yet elegant. No neon, flashing lights or gaudiness. I found it relaxing and beautiful.
5. The lack of pressure to buy drinks- other cruises It seemed there was always a bartender pushing something or other. Same goes for the gift shops- no high pressure tatics at all.
Okay- now things I would change-
1. How about a board walk at castaway? We had to walk quite a distance on the adult beach to get chairs- while the sand was lovely and soft and white - it was deep and difficult to walk through- near wore me out! So how about a boardwalk of some kind- perhaps behind the back hedges so it would be out of site and not spoil the look of this most lovely beach. It would also be great if you could get drinks delivered here, maybe a boardwalk would facilitate this. By time we found a seat we were thirsty but didn't want to walk all the way back again. Then we HAD to get a drink we never went back to the beach because it was such a difficult trek.
2.A little lee way with scheduling for the tween kids- those who are at the cusp of the age groups. DD was just not comfortable with the older teens and while Dis did eventually change her into the younger group it was a hassle to make it happen. Parents know thier kids best and it isn't always about the years. Maybe all 13 year olds belong with the twelve year olds rather then with the seventeen year olds.
3. I would have a liked a little more late night activity for the adults,by time we finished with the late dining it was too late to catch most of the theme activities or game shows. Realistically a late diner doesn't get out and about until 10 pm- by then things are really winding down. maybe an adult comic or magician would be fun!
4. An escort on the shuttle bus to and from MCO. It would have been informative to have a question and answer session on the ride there, things to look for- that sort of thing, maybe some Disney themed bingo or games- something to help build the excitement!. On the way back to MCO how about a trivia session or story sharing about cruise adventures.
5. Free soda and popcorn at the theatre. I found it amusing that Disney would give me all the lobster I wanted but wanted to charge me for popcorn with a value of about a nickle! really! Same goes for soda pop- that stuff is cheap!
and one more thing- (I know, I know- thats six but....) I think the hairbraiders on ship need an attitude adjustment. They were the ONLY people on the ship that I found to be distant and even surly at times. If they don't like thier jobs they ought to get a different one! To be honest I am surprised that Disney puts up with thier sullen faces! Disney is all about smiles- so come on ladies- get with the program here!

 

[@GoofyNut]

Jeanne ... What a great idea ... A Boardwalk at Castaway Cay!
I agree, walking in sand really poops you out.

Just thought of another thing .... Why the heck don't they sell the
book about the Making of the Magic in the gift shop? Crazy as it may seem ... that would be a nice adult keepsake I'd be willing to pay for.

Cathy with @ C

 

[dianthus]

After reading the " Changes to the Magic thread", it appears I got one of my wishes granted! A coffee house is planned. Our cruise is shortly after the Dry Dock, so I am happy- Yippee! No more Nescafe!

Now DCL, incorporate a "Tween" type programming in your new Teen club- for 12/13 year olds & I will be estatic!!From the sound of other threads, there are a lot of kids in this group & parents all share the same concern. Too young for one group, too old for the other..

I'll even put up with all those chair hoggers on Deck 9!!

Come on DCL - make it 2 in a row!