Just back, Wonder w/toddlers

[shelly3girls]

We just returned from the 1/19 Wonder. Needless to say we had a fabulous time. The kids (2 and 4) loved the kids activities even though they normally will not go anywhere without us. We upgraded at the port to room 8602 which was an amazing room! We went to the spa, Palo's, Atlantis, and all the shows. Please feel free to ask any questions especially pertaining to the kids.

 

[bahama97]

Glad you had a fabulous time! We'll be going on a cruise with an almost 2 year old. What sort of things did you do to entertain your two year old? Is your 2 yr old potty trained? If not, how was the pool situation? How was Castaway Cay with the toddlers? Thanks!!

 

[shelly3girls]

Our DD (2) is actually not quite 2 until March so she is not potty trained. This was not really a problem. We made sure that we got off the ship at the ports to go to the beach which she loved. A bucket and shovel would have entertained her all day. We did not take her in the pool although we did see some toddlers with swimmies in the pool. For the day at sea we used Flounders so that we could go to the spa. It worked out very well. The kids loved Castaway Cay and found many friends to play with. We originally thought that our DD would not enjoy the activities on the ship, but we were wrong. She loved the shows even though they were past her bedtime. She was fully entertained during Hercules and Disney Magic (not sure of title) because of all the music. There are many opportunities to see characters, although she will only watch them from a distance. Overall all the beach took so much out of her that she got great naps and slept well at night.

 

[meab]

what Cat were you initially booked in, and how much did it cost to upgrade to 8602? is that a cat 3?

we'll be on the 2/6 Wonder with our 20 month old DD. i hope she enjoys everything as much as your 2 year old did. I am worried that she won't want to stay at Flounder's because she isn't used to me leaving her. Otherwise, I think she'll do ok. It will be her 4th cruise, so I know what you mean about them doing well even though they stay up past their bedtime.

OH, and how was the water temp at Castaway Cay? We are Floridians, so I'm guessing it will feel too cold for me, but I'm sure DD won't care...

 

[shelly3girls]

We were initially booked on a category 6 and it cost us about $850 to upgrade. Probably not the cheapest upgrade, but worth every penny. The room was a category 3. The concierge service truly made the cruise more relaxing for us as they scheduled everything (flounders, spa, Palo's). My DD cried alot when we first left (screamed actually). Within minutes she calmed down and had fun. We checked on her several times through the window and she had a great time. The cast members were very good with her. You have a beeper in case she is not doing well, but the cast members do everything they can to calm her first. The water was too cold for me 74, but the kids loved it. The weather was pleasant enough that you did not feel like you have to be in the water.

 

[meab]

the $850 was probably worth it, although it is expensive. were you on the 3-day or the 4-day? I'm sure the price doesn't vary that much anyways between the 2 cruises.

We are in a Cat 8, hoping to upgrade to a Cat 6 at the port. I looked up 8602 in the DCL brochure though, and I was drooling!

The concierge service doesn't interest me much, but I do like the idea of the bedroom closed off from the rest of the room. That would make us feel much less confined when DD naps, or if she goes to bed early. Not sure if that would be worth $850+ to me though, since it's only 3 nights anyway.

We're only going to attempt Flounder's once - for a night at Palo's. Hopefully, she'll be ok. It's good to hear they try a lot of tactics before paging you, but I will feel horrible if she doesn't want to stay there and we try to make her. I guess we'll just play it by ear.

 

[Mommypoohbear]

If you don't mind I do have a question pertaining to the kids.

We will be going on our first Disney Cruise, and first cruise with the kids this May. I have a DD (5) and DD (3, almost 4) at time of cruise. We just booked and the first seating was full so we are in the second seating (waiting list for first).

Some say they prefer the late seating even with kids because they enjoy the shows and can always eat at the club earlier.

You mentioned that your 2 year old enjoyed the late shows, Did you find that most children stayed awake for the late shows ?

Also some feel that you have to leave the daily activities early in order to get back and changed for the early dinner ?

 

[shelly3girls]

We were on the 4-day. Best of luck with Flounders and enjoy your cruise!

 

[shelly3girls]

I think that enough is going on that my kids may have been ok with the late seating as long as I fed them something late afternoon. My DD (almost 4) would have been fine with either seating as long as we did not run her all day. There were many kids in the shows, most of them appeared wide awake and enjoying themselves. I would highly recommend leaving the daily acativities for a little down time in the afternoon. My DD no longer naps, yet still took a short nap 2 afternoons. I think these naps got her through the late evening. There is even a rest time in the kids clubs for the 3-4 group.
If there is a particular night that you want early seating you should make a point of it once on ship. The night of our Palo's reservation we received a phone call asking if it was ok for another family to use our early seating, so they do accomodate as much as possible.

 

[Mommypoohbear]

Thanks, it nice to know that we can request an early seating on a day or two when the girls look like they won't make it to the late seating and are hungry.

Also they will both be in the (3-4) group, since my DD (5) will turn 5 during the cruise and they can be together. So the rest time in the club will be good for them.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Did you take any pictures of your room? Sounds like you had a nice time!

We were also on that cruise. This may be a strange question, but I'm curious, did your husband ask someone on the deck below you if they had connecting rooms (this person he would have asked would have had a champagne flute in their hand)? It would have been while at Port Canaveral on embarkation day, probably about 2 or 3 in the afternoon. If it is a strange question, forget I asked.

 

[bahama97]

One more question - do they have booster seats or high chairs in the dining areas?

 

[shelly3girls]

They have both at every restaurant.

 

[shelly3girls]

CaliforniaDreaming,
My husband doesn't really remember, but he talks to everyone so it is possible. It may be, because we had a connecting room and were not sure at first what the door was for. The room was beautiful, but unfortunately we forgot to take pictures. We are really bad about that.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by shelly3girls
CaliforniaDreaming,
My husband doesn't really remember, but he talks to everyone so it is possible. It may be, because we had a connecting room and were not sure at first what the door was for. The room was beautiful, but unfortunately we forgot to take pictures. We are really bad about that.

LOL, well, someone in either 8601 or 8602 asked me the question, and I just wondered if it could have been your husband. I can't remember which direction the person was when I looked up.