Just got back from the Wonder.....top 15 tips

[kimberwing]

We did a land/sea package....4 nights at the Polynesian and 3 nights on the Wonder. We traveled with DH (39), me (36), DS (5), DS (17 mos) Here's what we learned:

1. Do not overpack! 1 big suitcase and a couple of carryons are plenty for a family of 4. Do laundry on day 3 or 4 and you will be set.
2. Take advantage of Flounders Reef if you have a little one....they provided EXCELLENT care for our baby every supper, so we could actually eat!
3. Always have your character autograph supplies with you. You never know when Mickey will be around the corner.
4. BRING YOUR OWN STROLLER FROM HOME!! There is a lot of walking at airports/hotels/on the boat/to and from Disney transportation, etc. Our small stroller was a LIFESAVER!!
5. Take naps. Take advantage of room service.
6. Be nice to people.....everyone paid big bucks for their trip. Smile at strangers. Hold a door for a grandparent. Help someone struggling with a toddler and a stroller and an armful of packagages. Assist a lost child in finding their parent. Be especially nice to your DH or DW.
7. Take a little time for yourself. Visit the spa. Send DH to ESPN Skybox. See a movie.
8. Be spontaneous.
9. Return "found" items to lost and found. (Someone turned in my $3.00 Wal Mart sunglasses and saved me from buying new ones!)
10. Listen to your conscience.
11. Drink lots of water. Wear lots of sunscreen.
12. Spend as much time at Castaway Cay as you can!
13. Buy at least one soda cup for your family.
14. Don't freak before the trip....you will have a wonderful time.
15. Stop and smell the roses.....OFTEN!!

 

[cruisnfamily]

kimberwing....that is such a wonderful post....nice of you to take the time to post it!

 

[danicaw]

What great tips.

Thanks for sharing them.

Sounds like you guys had a wonderful time.

 

[akid@hart]

Disney Wonder 6/13/02

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

What a great post!! I will definately take your advice. It is so true what you said. We all spend so much money on our vacation and it really stands out when someone (a stranger) could really make that vacation extra special such as holding a door or returing things to lost and found.

My husband and I were on our honeymoon (7 day land and sea, Polynesian and the Magic) and someone "stole" our camera (practically right in front of us) we took our eyes off it for one minute while we were on the phone in the Polynesian and the next second it was gone !! Anyway, we went to lost and found every day during our honeymoon and even called when we retuned from home and our camera was never turned in. We had so many nice honeymoon pictures on that camera. We only had the few rolls of film that we took and put in our suitcase and developed them at home. We still have Magical memories and video from our honeymoon!!

Anyway, thanks again for the post and for all the great advice - I am glad you had a wonderful trip!!

Thanks,
Lisa

 

[gottaluvdisney]

I love #6 - Some people just don't understand that we are all in the same 'boat'

 

[vicnmickey]

Great advice! We need more posts like these 376 days and counting everyone of them

 

[WDWLVR]

What a great post! Thanks for sharing. My DH and I leave in 3 weeks for a 4 day Wonder cruise and I plan to follow most of them (we don't have children so #2, 3, & 4 won't work for us)

A nice reminder that vacation should not be a time to stress out but to relax and enjoy.

 

[BethC1952]

Your tips are great--especially 6, 8 and 15. If everyone followed those tips all the time, life would be so much nicer!

Don't forget to be nice to the people who serve you on the cruise, too. Your cabin host and dining room servers are people too, and they appreciate a smile and a friendly greeting!

Beth

BTW--#11 is really important to making all the other tips happen...you can't have a good time if you're dehydrated!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Kimberwing,

I am especially going to pay attention to - Be nice to everyone and open doors for people. Also, be kind to your DH!

Last year, my hubby and I had a disagreement on Magic and although the disagreement lasted 5 minutes, the anger was there for a day or so. Too long to be upset for something I can't even remember why we were mad! Especially on a 7 day cruise in paradise! I guess, just 'cause you can afford a cruise doesn't make you smart!

I can definitely learn from your top 15 list.

Thanks for the thread.

 

[howardk613]

kimberwing -
A GREAT list. Thanks for the input and I would only add 1 more
item and that is "don't sweat the small things" ie... the food is not gourmet restaurant quality (I would rather eat a hot dog on either of those 2 amazing ships than the finest meal at a restaurant at home) , the maintenance is not up to someones
lofty expectations , the service is better on some other cruise line , or the shows don't have live music (who cares, I was recently at a wedding with a DJ and we had a terrific time without the band) etc. The bottom line is that you are on a Disney vacation with your family on one of the finest ships at sea so enjoy yourself. Life is too short to worry about things that really don't matter in the big picture.

 

[npall]

Kimberwig: we are doing 3 nights at the Poly and 4 night Wonder in Sept. with out 2 year old. How was flounders ? Did your little one stay okay ?

ANy tips for young kids at the Poly ?

Ano other advice for traveling with small children ?

Naomi

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

As far as the Poly goes...your child is going to LOVE the pool! This is our family's favorite hotel. Buzz prefers the pool and Belle likes the beach, both are lots of fun. Definitely bring along a pail and shovel for the sand at the Poly as well as Castaway Cay. Such enjoyment with such a small thing! My kids are currently 5 and 6 1/2, and the hotel is one of their favorite things about Disney. Viewing the MK fireworks from your room is incredibly magical (if you have a lagoon view--you can view them from the beach as well). Also, if your child can stay up late enough (9 pm), the Floating Electrical Pageant is fun. You'll read more about the Poly on the resorts section of this board, I'm sure, I just happened to catch your post.

 

[Michelle]

These are wonderful reminders to us all, kimberwing, thanks for posting them!

 

[Jules62]

Those are all very good tips! When we were on our cruise...my DH left our camera somewhere. A kind soul turned it into guest services and we were able to get it back...thank goodness! He lost it pretty early on in the trip..if it wasn't for for the kindness of strangers we wouldn't have many memories of our trip.



Jules

 

[sandee]

Wonderful post! On our 1st cruise my DGD was 9 and so very excited. She insisted on carrying all her hard earned money in her little purse with the idea she'd lock it in the safe once we got into our room. She left it at our outdoor table after lunch and was heartbroken she'd lost her money. A little later we stopped at guest services and someone had turned it in with her $30. still in it. That act of kindness was very much appreciated by Maggie and the rest of us.

 

[MICHELLENDEAN]

For the wonderful post!! We're leaving on Saturday and we can't wait!
PS...I'll try not to pull a freak out before we leave thanks!

 

[MICHELLENDEAN]

My last trip to Florida, I was in the ladies room at the airport and hanging on the door in front of me was a DKNY pocketbook...I grabbed it and literally RAN to the nearest Desk...Two seconds later a woman was behind me..it was her bag and she was SO happy I found it...
Later when I got to Florida I went shopping out with my mom..but I was staying about 45 minutes away with my cousin..when I got to my cousins there was a message that a woman, who lives near my cousin found my wallet!
I didn't even notice it was missing...all of my money and cards etc were there!
It was awsome!
When I went to pick the wallet up at the woman's home I bought her a huge flowering plant as a big thank -you.
There are really wonderful people out there..and sometimes, you don't even have to look for them!!

 

[HoosierFantasia]

We are dong the land/sea 5 nights at Poly and 3 at Sea in June. I am curious of a few things.
How did you like the transfers?
What kind of flight arrangements did you get (assuming you booked thru DCL)?
And overall, did everything go smoothly with the whole package deal?

Thanks for any input!

Bill

 

[kimberwing]

npall:

The Poly was great for kids...our two boys loved the volcano pool and it's "easy entry." To be honest tho, my 5 year old begged to either swim or watch TV in the room instead of going to the parks. If I hear the "Pepper Ann" theme song one more time.....hehehehe.

As far as advice: Use the pool, take advantage of close transporation to the parks, Let your wee ones splash in the squirting fountain near the volcano pool, watch the Electric Light Parade nightly at the hotel beach (9 PM), feed the birds near your room, and consider room service (for about the same price as the hotel restaurants!) We also brought a colapsable cooler and a duffel full of snacks. We always kept snacks on us, which kept the boys busy in line at the parks (although we didn't encounter anything over 30 minutes). Also, get a pina colada from the pool bar, and at least one konk cooler from the bar on Castaway Cay....yum!!

Flouders was AWESOME!! They really knew my little one well by the first day. We took him there nightly because he couldn't sit through a long meal. I was afraid it would be booked by the time we boarded the ship, however, we got all times requested for all 3 nights. The staff was wonderful, kind, and considerate. We never got beeped (they give you a beeper) although they would beep us if they felt anything was amiss with our child. They have capacity for 20, although I never saw more than a handful of babies there. Obviously, I wouldn't hesitate to use it again.

Hoosier:
We looked at DCL prices, then gave three other companies a chance to bid: our local travel agent, AAA travel, and Dreams Unlimited. We booked our flight separate, because Disney wanted over $1000 for three adults and a non-paying baby. I knew I could beat that. Anyway, Dreams had the best prices, but not the best time for us to travel. All were in a couple of hundred dollars of each other. We went with a local travel agent, who did a wonderful job for us. She took care of the package, flight (nonstop Delta), transfers, characater meal reservations, etc.

We loved using the cruise line transporation. The Poly also had a cruise rep in the Great Ceremonial house. We got off the plane, took the train to the main building, and our cruise rep was there, holding up a sign for us to follow her. You cannot miss them, they are all over and know when you are due to arrive. The bus system was efficient, clean, comfortable, and they had videos to keep the kids (and adults) busy. They gave us flyers in advance at the hotel informing us about baggage pick up, etc. Very, very smooth...these folks know what they are doing!

So.....between the DCL staff, our local travel agent, and the Poly staff, everything was fantastic!

Hope this helps....