Just off the Dream -- Our family's review

[rutgers1]

I think you are right, some people are hard to please. I thank you for your report, it will help us a lot during our cruise.
How was the Pirate party on board? fireworks, do you have any tips for that ha!

The pirate party takes place on deck 11. They cover the pools so the whole deck is available to standing/sitting. Pretty much every spot in the center is taken up, so it has a bit of a "rock concert" feel, lol. It was fun. I didn't think it was a "must see" thing, though the fireworks component later on was pretty neat. My guess is that the folks who don't like crowds didn't like it as much, whereas I thought that the crowds made it seem a bit more exciting. The main tip is to get there a bit early and claim some real estate front and center. I felt comfortable letting my kids push up a bit further into an unclaimed spot while my wife and I hung back a few feet with other parents.

The Aqua Duck stops prior to the start of the fire works. If you want to ride it, that is a good time to make your way over there and get ready for it to reopen. My son ran over right after it ended and got on within a minute or two. It eventually got crowded again, but there were about 20 minutes where you could get on pretty quickly.

I can't stress enough --- be strategic with the Aqua Duck. If you time it right, you never have to wait.

 

[rutgers1]

Thank you for your review.

How were the crowds on Castaway Cay? Any suggestions on avoiding crowds there?

We went on Magic in October, they had the extended family beach, we went down toward the end of it and I thought it got too crowded. We did arrive early so it wasn't crowded at first so I guess I answered my own question...arrive early and don't eat lunch at peak times.

I ran the 5K at 9AM. At that time, you could have had any spot on the entire island. My wife got there around 9:45AM, and there was plenty of real estate to be had. She parked at the first stop of the tram, which I assume probably filled first since it was also the first stop someone would reach if walking there (many people walked, including my wife). She was able to get a nice umbrella, two lounge chairs and two regular chairs no problem. There were several hammocks right behind us that were free on and off all day.

My advice is to get there early. Although I wasn't really paying attention, my guess is that people who took their time and got there around 11AM probably had trouble getting chairs or an umbrella in a desirable location.

 

[rutgers1]

Thank you for your review.

How were the crowds on Castaway Cay? Any suggestions on avoiding crowds there?

We went on Magic in October, they had the extended family beach, we went down toward the end of it and I thought it got too crowded. We did arrive early so it wasn't crowded at first so I guess I answered my own question...arrive early and don't eat lunch at peak times.

What time did you arrive at the port?
I'm confused about the bolded part. You mentioned the time you were given on the web being different than the one you were assigned upon entering. Are you talking about the time you picked when you did the online check-in? Isn't that just the time you are expected to arrive at the port and not your actual boarding time?

It is my understanding that the goal of the online reservation (for lack of a better word) is so people arrive at different times and, therefore, have a quick trip from the curb, to the terminal, to the ship. The time might not be the time expected to physically enter the ship, but it is the time whereby you can expect an expedited trip through the terminal (due to the staggered times).

We were unable to arrive at our assigned time since we took the Disney Magical Express from Bay Lake Towers. I brought this up to the woman at the terminal in an apologetic manner, and she said something along the lines of "Don't worry about that. We are testing the online system. It isn't official yet. We are working out the kinks. Just take this card........."

 

[rutgers1]

I was just wondering what you mean when you say to go to the pools and aqua duck during "off" times. Exactly what times do you mean? Like before noon and after 5pm? After reading all the negative reviews about the pools I plan on trying them out early on Nassau day and just do most of our swimming on CC and at the Beach Club pool before the cruise.

Yes, those are ideal times. I would find out exactly when it opens and closes each day and try to get there right when it opens. We found that it clears out right around when the first dinner session is starting, and even more so in that time where the dinner sessions overlap. I can't say that we studied it to a great deal, but we never had to wait when we planned in this manner.

One thing you need to forget is actually "swimming." These pools are not meant for swimming, even when empty. They are small and more for cooling off (standing around). In fact, the "adults only" pool - which is the only place I did something aside from stand in place - is divided into three small sections:
1) One section is like a hot tub without the "hot" part. It is circular and about 10 feet in diameter. Seats are built in. People tended to kick back with a drink there and chat.
2) The next section is also circular and a bit bigger. It is about 5'6" deep, which was too deep for many people (including my wife)and tended to be less crowded in the few times I visited. I floated around a bit in there since it was empty.
3) Then there is a neat section that is only a few inches deep, with a bunch of seats built in, as well as misters. It is right next to the bar.

The hot tubs in both the main and adult sections were really neat. They go right up against the glass wall, giving somewhat of an "infinity pool" look.

Tip::::::: If you kids enjoy the kids club, let them spend a couple afternoon hours there while you chill at the adult pool area.

 

[KingRichard]

Great review and it was what we experienced also when we were on the ship.

 

[LadyMac428]

Great review! Very helpful!

 

[efinn88858]

Thank you for your report. I leave in 4 weeks for a Dream cruise and always looking for reports on what to expect.

 

[WDBRDWLK]

thanks for the great trip report. We sail on the Dream in November. As exciting as it would have been to be one of the first on the Dream, we knew that Disney needed to get the kinks out. So by the time we set sail hopefully that will be taken care of and if not, well, that would not deter us from sailing with Disney. Things happen and you just gotta go with the flow.

Two weeks ago WDW had terrible rainy weather and my daughter was on her honeymoon. Her and her husband grabbed their rain ponchos and had a blast in the Magic Kingdom. She is a Disney veteran and a little rain never stopped her!

 

[anetnmike]

thanks for the great words! we sail in 3 weeks

 

[dsneygirl]

Great review. I totally agree with all your points. My family sailed on 2/27 and we all had an amazing time. If we looked really hard we could find one or two things that weren't completely perfect but nothing worth mentioning and nothing that impacted our trip in any way.

A couple thoughts on CC and the pools for those who are asking.

We went to the pool right after an early breakfast at Cabanas so by 8, it didn't start to really get busy until 10 or 11am.

At any time of day we never had an issue finding a spot at the adult pool.

On CC we were there about 9:30 took the tram to the 2nd stop (Pelican Point) and walked almost to the roped off Cabana area. This are was great. Not crowded at all. It's right by Cookies II, a bar and washrooms. Also close to Pelican Plunge.

We went to Cookies about noon and it was packed so we went back and 1 and had no problem finding seats.

 

[rutgers1]

Two other tips.....
1. The Vista Cafe is a small coffee and alcohol counter on deck 4. Few people know it is there. The upside is that they have a dessert counter where you can get pastries and even chocolate covered strawberries (they go quickly) throughout the day. There are great seats nearby, as well as great lounge chairs out on the deck outside. I always checked the counter for strawberries every time I walked by. Timing it right and getting one was perhaps my best "pixie dust" memory of the trip......The downside is that the two bartender there are, by far, the slowest on the ship. Embarrassing slow. I gave them a bit of a pass at first since it seemed like the area was designed poorly, thus requiring them to go in the back to get supplies for any drink you requested. However, as others noted, they were often slow to acknowledge people and overall seemed to prefer to remain hidden in the corner (the place is easy to miss). After a while, I got my drinks elsewhere and just stopped by for a strawberry. The British bartender there actually seemed like he was bummed out when customers came. Strange vibe.

2. If you are hungry later in the night, stop by the adult night club (can't think of the name). They have appetizers available. Twice I took a plate and spent a few minutes enjoying the appetizers and a drink in an adjoining lounge, where they often had a couple singing/playing music. Both times I was the only one watching/listening. Everyone else stopped for a moment before going to the main room. Really relaxing.

I think the theme to my posts is to get off the beaten path and explore a bit. If you spend your whole trip on deck 11, you will go nuts. No matter what time of day it is, you can always find a great place to relax or a nice uncrowded bar to grab a drink.

 

[RayRing]

Great thread. Thanks for the tips.

Can't wait to be onboard again.

 

[Mazz519]

Thanks for the great review, cruising in july can't wait

 

[kato0627]

Great tips!!! Sailing in May, will have to check out the Vista Cafe.
Love Choc Strawberries. TY

 

[cschnell]

Good to hear some positives about the Dream. Taking my 1st Disney Cruise in March and was getting nervous about all the negative posts.

 

[tastefullyjenn]

I would like to say "DITTO" to everything you said--I could've written it myself! )

 

[Terri2007]

.
I don't want to make a sweeping generalization about people who criticize the Dream, but after talking at-length with my wife about the criticisms (and our contrary experiences) throughout the cruise, I have concluded the following:
1) Some people are very hard to please. Any time you spend so much time in one place over the course of several days, a few things will go wrong. But when balanced out with all of the great things, it is hard for me to walk away "disappointed" in the least --- with the exception being the size of the pools.
2) Some people either weren't aware that there are multiple staircases and elevators, or they are not willing to walk down the hallway to access them. I'm actually glad that people didn't take the time, as I often felt that I had my own stairways/elevators.

In sum, if you are slated to cruise the Dream, you are in for a treat. Just be prepared for the pool situation. Be strategic --- Realize that you aren't going to "swim" during prime hours. Stand in a crowded pool, yes. Swim, no. If you want to use the Aqua Duck, ask yourself, "When will other people not want to use it?" and then go at that time (early, late, during dinner). If you don't like crowds, avoid mid-ship. You can get nearly everywhere by using alternate staircases and elevators.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!

While this may be true, my guess is that would not be the majority nor true of the majority of people who wrote negative trip reviews. What a bizarre conclusion to reach. You are sailing months after those original reviews. How about, thanks all you maiden cruisers - Disney heard and reacted/improved.

Did anyone really expect any different? They didn't get the Conde Nast award (Magic/Wonder) and let everyone know about it and think to settle for less on Dream/Fantasy.

 

[rutgers1]

While this may be true, my guess is that would not be the majority nor true of the majority of people who wrote negative trip reviews. What a bizarre conclusion to reach. You are sailing months after those original reviews. How about, thanks all you maiden cruisers - Disney heard and reacted/improved.

Did anyone really expect any different? They didn't get the Conde Nast award (Magic/Wonder) and let everyone know about it and think to settle for less on Dream/Fantasy.

I didn't intend to completely shrug off all negative reviews. However, considering some reviews seemed completely imbalanced and slanted toward the negative, I felt compelled to write an alternate viewpoint which, from my perspective, acknowledged some of the chief concerns while giving a more optimistic conclusion. For example, few of the complaint-filled reports have mentioned empty elevators at the front/back of the ship when highlighting crowded elevators at mid-ship. Other complaints, such as the main elevator on deck 11 emptying out somewhat in Cabanas (it is a big, informal area) seemed overstated to me. Everyone I spoke to on the ship had no problem with it, yet after reading trip reports I was bracing for something appalling. Also, from reading trip reports here, I expected a MUCH higher percentage of the crew to have a limited grasp of English. On the contrary, I only met one guy (maintanance) who I felt didn't quite understand me. Aside from that, I was amazed at how all of these people from various nations could work so well and communicate with one another. The staff was great.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

........
I don't want to make a sweeping generalization about people who criticize the Dream, but after talking at-length with my wife about the criticisms (and our contrary experiences) throughout the cruise, I have concluded the following:
1) Some people are very hard to please. Any time you spend so much time in one place over the course of several days, a few things will go wrong. But when balanced out with all of the great things, it is hard for me to walk away "disappointed" in the least --- with the exception being the size of the pools.
2) Some people either weren't aware that there are multiple staircases and elevators, or they are not willing to walk down the hallway to access them. I'm actually glad that people didn't take the time, as I often felt that I had my own stairways/elevators.
..........
Enjoy!!!!!!!!

1) Well said; I agree 100% (Have not been on the Dream yet so can't make an observation on the pool size).

2) The only time DW and I took the elevator during our 15 NIGHT Panama Canal cruise was when we boarded with luggage. When we disembarked we took the stairs because of the huge crowds at all of the elevators. I know that not all people can do that so good advise to go to another set forward or aft from the one everyone is at.

 

[Alan_BLT_2009]

Thanks for taking the time to write your review. It was very insightful.