Just Back From Western 10/4-10/11

[Pinky3]

Sorry - but I am not really good at trip reports - I will try to give some highlights. I am sure there well be expert reports from the pros.

First of all - We have a great time and love Disney Cruising. We rebooked while on board (half price deposit plus 10% off) Probably would not do the Western again if we can book at another time. But still loved the cruise and if the Western was the only thing available when we could cruise - we will book it. We didn't really care for the Key West day (would much rather have 2 days at Castaway Cay). Grand Cayman was beautiful - we did the Boatswain Adventure - the turtle farm was very interesting, the snorkel lagoon was mossy and the water was not very clear, lunch was okay, and the swimming pool was nice. We would not book this again - would just go to Seven Mile Beach and chill.
We did the Jeep Exploration in Cozumel - it was great - we would do it again. However, not that crazy about Cozumel - I guess we just loved the Eastern better. The weather was extremely hot for October - we cruised the Eastern in 2006 and it just didn't seem as hot and humid.

Castaway Cay - loved it, loved it and loved it. What more can I say. Beautiful weather. I am still praying that Disney builds a resort on Castaway Cay - that is where I would spend every vacation.

The ship looked great. New carpet in most areas. Our stateroom had new carpet, ceilings and I think the bathroom had been retiled. We were in Stateroom 7568. As usual - they were painting and cleaning every day. New TV and more channels in the room.

The Mickey Pool does have a green tint to the water now. On the last night they drained the pool and it does look like maybe they have a green tint on the bottom. They added a fountain area to the Mickey Pool for small children. We didn't spen much time there but I didn't notice the fountains spraying out water very often.

The Goofy Pool looked very clean the water was clear.

Cove Cafe is larger now. Was really surprised that you can't get just plan brewed coffee there. Only the special coffee and expresso. My husband had a few drinks there and they were good.

Our servers were excellent (Godwin and Marko) - they entertained the kids at our table and helped them relax. If the kids are happy - everyone is happy.

Entertainment - we didn't go to any shows since we had seen them before - we did check out the comedy acts at Rockin D - don't miss it - it was great.

I am in a deep depression right now - the cruise spoiled me - I actually had to make my own coffe this morning - where was room service? Oh, back to reality.

If you have any questions, I would be glad to answer. Again - sorry for the weak report - but I sure the experts will post later.

 

[plutospup]

Glad to hear you had a great vacation!
What was your dining rotation? I heard they might have switched things around.

 

[mickeyluv]

Thanks for the report! We're doing the Western on the Magic in November. What did you not like about Key West? Just curious! Thanks again! We can't wait!

 

[Desi]

Pinky
I've read a few reports that the magic was terrible after having come out of dry dock One person even canceled their next cruise because they were so disgusted at the condition of their room & food service, & the care given at the kid's club.
How do you feel about what has been done? We don't sail for another year, so hopefully things will have worked themselves out by then.
How was the food?
Did you go to Palo's?
How about the kid's clubs?
thanks

 

[sasser05]

It was great we were on the magic on the 4th to 11th western and all was better than ever. Service was perfect, food was good as usual, the shows were awesome, the comedy acts were very funny. There was plenty to do all day long, the room service was great, the ship was clean. Everyone was so friendly. This is our 6th cruise with Disney and it was the best yet. KeyWest was great and Cozumel even better, the turtle farm was fun in the caymans. All in all it was perfect and seeing Beverly Hills Chihuahua on the big screen was really exciting for the kids, we booked out 7th cruise on board. Cant wait to go again!

 

[frdeb1999]

Glad you had a wonderful time!

 

[SweetSpot]

I can't figure out how the Cove Cafe got larger. What space did they expand? Any idea what was in the space before they used it to expand the Cove?

 

[Pinky3]

Pinky
I've read a few reports that the magic was terrible after having come out of dry dock One person even canceled their next cruise because they were so disgusted at the condition of their room & food service, & the care given at the kid's club.
How do you feel about what has been done? We don't sail for another year, so hopefully things will have worked themselves out by then.

I didn't see anything that was terrible - new carpet, lot's of painting - the ship was clean. I read the main purpose of dry dock was to do mechanical work. Not sure what most people were expecting out of dry dock. I talked to alot of cast members that worked during dry dock and they were very busy making the ship look good.

How was the food? The food was great - everyone has different taste - some the food is too rich for me - but overall I thought everything was good.

Did you go to Palo's? Yes for brunch (which we love, love, love) and dinner (probably won't book dinner again - the food is just too rich for our taste - but most folks love the dinner. Again - food preferences are different for all.

How about the kid's clubs? My son is 10 and he was very disappointed that the age changed to 11 for Ocean Quest. When we booked our cruise 14 months ago 10 year olds could go to Ocean Quest. My son feels that the Ocean Club is more for geared for younger kids than him. I talked with Guest Services and the Club Manager to see if they were making exception for 10 year olds especially since we thought he would be old enough. They did let him go to Ocean Quest, but he could not go back to the Ocean Club. That was fine with him and he loved Ocean Quest.

Again, we had a great vacation, we love the Disney Magic and will book again and again. I will have to say that I encountered some folks that seemed to be miserable - I just say lighten up - it's vacation enjoy it and if they are that miserable on vacation - I wouldn't want to encounter them in the real world.

Key West - It was extremely hot the day we went to Key West. We just walked around and went to some shop (watch you little ones - some of the shops display items that kids don't need to see - including t shirts). My son wanted to go to the aquarium - which is very small. I actually felt sorry for the stingrays there - large stringrays in a very small tank. We then walked down to Hard Rock and Margaritaville to get tshirts -- then back to the ship. Again - very hot. Maybe if we had done a excursion we would have liked it better. sasser05 liked Key West - again different taste for different folks. One opinion doesn't give the entire picture. Hopefully others will post with more postive opinions.

Cove Cafe sitting area has been extending out onto the deck area. Just more seating.

The dinner rotation on our key card was incorrect - we had tickets in our room with the correct rotation. We had LAAPLAP.

Hope I have answered everything. Glad to help if I can.

 

[sasser05]

we did like Key West but Yes WAY HOT but thats Florida

 

[Desi]

tHANK you Pinky,
It makes me feel a little better. We will go on with our vacation. But I will keep a tight check on what goes on in the kid's club. Our little guy will be almost 4 by next yr. The care given there is my top concern.

 

[CastleCreations]

Well...I have to ask...who was the CD on your cruise...we leave in less than 3 weeks and are very excited!!!!

 

[karibritt01]

Hi Pinky. We were on the same cruise (even same dinner rotation!) Sorry we didn't see you there!

Pinky
I've read a few reports that the magic was terrible after having come out of dry dock One person even canceled their next cruise because they were so disgusted at the condition of their room & food service, & the care given at the kid's club.
How do you feel about what has been done? We don't sail for another year, so hopefully things will have worked themselves out by then.
How was the food?
Did you go to Palo's?
How about the kid's clubs?
thanks

I can't believe someone is dumb enough to cancel their cruise based on someone else's opinion... but different strokes, I guess! The ship looked gorgeous! Very clean, and the CM's were constantly cleaning. The carpet near our room (6042) was wet several days, possibly a sprinkler leak, but they were doing everything possible to get it handled.

I thought the food was very good. My tastes tend to be toward southern home cooking, but I liked almost everything I tried. DS10 tried quite a few adult appetizers and entrees, and liked them, too. DH thought the food a little bland, but he did have a cold, so that could have colored his opinion. Room service was OK, but nothing special. Topsiders was very good for breakfast and lunch. We did not try Palo.

I had kids in Oceaneer Club and Lab. DD loved the club everytime she went in, although she mainly went for specific activities. DS was a little bored in the Lab, as it was mainly board games and computer games unless they had a specific activity scheduled. Both of my kids went back and forth between the Club and the Lab quite often. If there was a specific activity they wanted to try out, we had no trouble dropping them off at either place. (DD is 5 and DS 10.) Many people have posted that the staff will not let them go back and forth, but we had no issues at all with that. As for supervision, I couldn't be more pleased. I have my degree in Early Childhood Education, and am very aware of how well the kids are supervised. There were always plenty of staff throughout the club. If there were kids who wouldn't sit with the group, there was someone standing and watching over them. Many CMs sitting with the group keeping watch over the kids, and always 2 or 3 watching the doorway to check kids in and out.

Well...I have to ask...who was the CD on your cruise...we leave in less than 3 weeks and are very excited!!!!

Brent.

 

[modlitekrt1]

Too piggy back on this post.

We just returned from Oct. 4-11th Disney Magic. First time cruisers and we will be back in the future. You just can't get everything done that you want too. The ship was in excellent condition, our room 8066 was great. Reeda was our hostess and she worked very hard to make our stay comfortable.

Godwin and Marko were our servers and they are the greatest two guys to take care of you. The kids loved them and they catered to all our needs.

Brent is the Cruise Director and was very nice to talk too.

Excursions:

Key West - we booked the trolly tour online and it was too hot sitting on that trolley to get to the southern most point. Recommend renting a electric car or scooter there.

Grand Cayman - we did Rum Point Beach and will definitely go back. It takes about an hour to get there (15 minute bus shuttle and 40 minute ferry) but well worth it. Beautiful beach and great fish and chips. Washrooms were immaculate, water was crystal clear; very relaxing.

Cozumel - we did the Dolphineris swim. Worth every penny. I was a little worried about the organization at the beginning putting you into groups. Once in your group and in the water interacting with the Dolphins it was a great experience for our kids and me. Ended up buying the $136.00 CD/DVD package it was so good.

Castway Cay - Great beach. Snorkeling is well worth it; especially if you have kids.

Agree with other poster, would rather do two days of Castaway Key and drop Key West.

Any questions, just post and I would also be happy to respond.

 

[sasser05]

Well...I have to ask...who was the CD on your cruise...we leave in less than 3 weeks and are very excited!!!!

Cruise Director is Brent

 

[CastleCreations]

Cruise Director is Brent

Can I say a very quiet, little
YEA!!!

 

[bellebelle01]

ALSO JUST OF THE OCT 4-11TH WESTERN THE SHIP WAS IN WONDERFUL SHAPE SERVICE WAS ABOVE AND BEYOND FOOD GREAT AND THE KIDS CLUBS UNBELIEVABLE (HAD TO DRAG OUR DAUGHTER OUT EACH NIGHT) BOOKED EASTERN FOR 2009 WHILE ON BOARD! CAN'T BELIEVE ANYONE WOULD CANCEL A DISNEY CRUISE LIKE THAT?

 

[Ashelleigh]

We also just returned from this cruise. I was really worried after reading reviews before we left. The cruise was fabulous!!! It was our 1st Disney crusie and 6th cruise overall, and was the BEST one yet! I agree the service was great, food was delicious, and my 17 month old LOVED Flounders.

 

[lvstitch]

Thanks for all the info. Does anyone have Navigators they would like to share.

 

[JanDave]

Hi:

I have Navigators I can scan to you from the 10/4-11 cruise. Just send me your email address.

Jan

 

[huntbrown]

Hi,

Would you mind sending them to me as well.

Huntbrown5@comcast.net

I would appreciate it very much.

Thank You.

Nicole