My Disappointment on the Wonder

[LKFan]

And Alice and the Mad Hatter must have been on board if the tea party sold out by 12:30pm. Oh, and every cruise we've done on the Magic, you can get the tickets as soon as you board, so I am not sure how that is different.

Not arguing, but just letting peole know that the tea party on the Wonder is no longer "Alice's Tea Party" but is called, "Disney Friends Tea Party." In one or two (or three) of the trip reports/reviews, people have listed the characters who are at the tea party. I believe it was Peter Pan and the princesses but I'm not sure. What I do remember is that everyone said that they only serve apple juice and cookies - no tea (even to adults).

 

[wideeyedwonder]

We went on the second MR cruise and thought it was WONDERFUL. My brothers and sisters loved seeing the characters (as did I!)!--my littlest brother actually almost knocked over Mickey giving him a hug!

I have to ask, how would you rate:

1. The general food quality?

2. The dinner menus (types of food, were you always able to find something you liked, etc.)

3. The availability of "fresh" foods (vegetables to snack on, fruits)?

4. Breakfast food selection and quality?

Thanks!

 

[cmwade77]

Dinners aboard Disney Cruise Line are generally slated to last AT LEAST 1.5 hours. If you have late seating(like ours) they may last 2hours. My family likes the slow paced dinners and I would assume that many other do to. So if you don't want 2 hour dinners, Pluto's is open on deck 9.

As for posts like this. I am sure that their cruise was NOT 100% negative like their review. I choose to only 100% believe posts that seem to post the whole story.

I am with you, I like the slower paced dinners. We are currently wait listed for the early time, but given the reviews I have been seeing, I am thinking about trying to get off the wait list and stick with the late dinner, sounds like it might be more fun.

 

[justmestace]

anybody got a good post?

Sort of....

Like I'd said on the "good? BAD & UGLY" thread.....there IS a definite difference between cruising on Disney to the Caribbean and cruising on Disney to the Mexican Riviera. To me, and I've cruised DCL 3 times on the MR (and other cruise lines twice) the passengers are of a totally different mind-set on the MR cruises. Not ALL of them, but a lot of them. I could say WHY I feel this way, but I'd get flamed royally, so I won't. Just take my word for it, a large percentage of the passengers cruising out of LA are just different than the ones cruising out of FL. And that's not a compliment.
Secondly....it's going to Mexico. I think everyone who's done it once has a hard time getting enthused about doing it again. I've done it alot, not because I'm all excited to go to Mexico, but because of different reasons....it's cheaper for me to fly to CA from AZ, the cost (on the other cruise lines) is cheaper, I had friends and/or family I went to share time with.....
I don't cruise for the food. I'm just not that into it. But there is always the option in the dining rooms of having a chicken breast or a steak and a baked potato, if the offerings aren't to your liking.

I think a few people are being way too hard on Disney. If you look at it from the standpoint of it being relatively new to everyone onboard....for example....if you just moved clear across the country and your world was all turned around, it would probably take you a while to get settled in, too.

I honestly think that if there WERE any problems on these first few sailings, they WILL get better. But for the most part, I think a few of the people who have posted have blown things way out of proportion and really just wanted to stir things up. It sounded on the "Ugly" thread that the OP had family in Mazatlan, and that this was probably a major reason for cruising...and when that fell through, I have a feeling that everything from that point on was just going to be miserable for that person.

Anyway....please....to everyone who has future plans on the Wonder.....let the complaints go in one ear and out the other. You'll have a great time on the ship, if you make it great......
But also.....keep in mind that Mexico is NOT the Caribbean. It's totally different, and if you can't accept that, then you SHOULD switch your cruise.

 

[justmestace]

I am with you, I like the slower paced dinners. We are currently wait listed for the early time, but given the reviews I have been seeing, I am thinking about trying to get off the wait list and stick with the late dinner, sounds like it might be more fun.

Early dinner is always a little more rushed, as they do have to get ready for the later seating. But every meal on Disney is a production, and there just is no rushing it sometimes.
(Not you) but to anyone who wants to rush through dinner, you really should either go to the buffet, or cruise on a line that has the "anytime" dining. It's just not Disney's way.

 

[cmwade77]

I have to ask, how would you rate:

1. The general food quality?

2. The dinner menus (types of food, were you always able to find something you liked, etc.)

3. The availability of "fresh" foods (vegetables to snack on, fruits)?

4. Breakfast food selection and quality?

Thanks!

We did the two day cruise to Neverland (our first cruise ever) and liked it so much that we are boked for the end of next month!

My answers are:
1. The food in general was great, there were some things that we didn't like, but that was just personal preference. For example I did not like their cheesecake, it was too light and airy, I like a denser cheesecake, but others might not.

2. There was always something that each of us would enjoy, but they would do everything that they can to accomodate this.

3. There is fresh fruit available, I forget the name of it, but it is by Beach Blanket Buffet.

4. The buffet breakfast was good, the last day breakfast was not as good.

 

[LKFan]

To me, and I've cruised DCL 3 times on the MR (and other cruise lines twice)

I think a few people are being way too hard on Disney. If you look at it from the standpoint of it being relatively new to everyone onboard....for example....if you just moved clear across the country and your world was all turned around, it would probably take you a while to get settled in, too.

So did you sail on the Magic out of LA? Not a flame, just a question (cuz I wasn't on the boards in 2005, 2008)...... Were there settling in problems when they brought the Magic out west?

 

[stitchlovestink]

Many times with the characters its due to them not having a CM that can be that character at a certain time. The Crew deserves their time off and expecting that they work all day long for 7day and then over again is ridiculous. Maybe YOU should have lowered your expectations. The characters you met were MORE than enough for most people. They can't have every character out all the time, it doesn't work that way. All of the Disney ships deserve a break in expectation because of all the new crew on each ship. The Wonder also deserves some because she is doing cruises that are longer then her normal routine. The characters are honestly the smallest reason for why I choose Disney. You listed many characters and that should be enough. Everyone sailing on the Wonder, Have a GREAT cruise! It will be a special week!

bolding is mine...
that is your opinion which you are entitled to as well as the OP is entitled to their opinion... Why the need to be so snarky that their expectations were too high???
I don't buy that the guest should have to lower its expectation. DCL has known about these changes for a LONG time. They have had plenty of time to prepare staff and crew. These changes weren't decided in a week or month...So the guest needs to cater to DCL??? I believe in understanding and flexibility but there seems to be a lot of excuse making on DCL's behalf and these are almost ALL things that they knew were going to happen when they decided to make these changes to their ships. It's not like all of the sudden they said, "Hey! Let's stop doing 3/4 night cruises and start doing only 7 nighters!" I mean really...come on...
I agree that the guest's attitude can play a huge part in their vacation experience but the buck does eventually stop w/ DCL! We shouldn't have to expect to compromise everything because DCL chose to be so unprepared. That is my opinion. You are entitled to your opinion, and OP is entitled to their opinion!
For what it's worth OP, I really tend to agree with you that they did not do a very thorough job of trying to prepare the ship, staff, and the like for such dramatic changes that they were NOT a surprise.

I am starting to get a little perturbed at how nit-picky people are coming across on this! Part of the charachters showing up? Yeah, it depends on wich CM are on board as to wich charachters they are able to bring out. About anyone can hide in a mickey suit, but the princesses? yeah they have to have a passing resemblance, and yeah people DO deserve breaks! It sounds like you were expecting "The World" and got "The State." Ease up a bit will ya?

Personally, I think you need to 'ease up a bit' on the OP. They were stating their opinion to which they are entitled and I appreciate them sharing their personal experiences and how they feel. You don't have to like their opinion but they are entitled to it just as you are entitled to yours. But you want to vocalize yours and not allow them to vocalize theirs??

I find it more disappointing that follow up posters take every opportunity to diminish the OP's opinion...even the points about it being their 1st post, there must be a conspiracy...OR could it be that they were so sorely disappointed in their experience that they finally had a reason to come here and post something...there are many many who use these boards for research and do not want to post or do not feel qualified to post...I look at all these reports as a community service...
If we want to get paranoid, I'd guess those diminishing the reports are either CM's or related to CM's and therefore taking on a defensive approach, but I won't commit to that stance, but it just shows you how ridiculous it can get.

I get what she's saying about the characters...even on our Med cruise we saw them all over the ship...many came in the teen club and annoyed my son, I'm sure he enjoyed it but he remembers many coming in there...to only see 3 the first 3 days is not typical...sure, it could be that they just missed them, but this poster sailed in 2009 and was comparing it to a previous experience...I find this very valuable...and I'm sorry so many can't thank you for your sharing your experience but yet tell you what should or should not be acceptable to you....


Tara

Great Post Tara!!! VERY well articulated... exactly what I am trying to say.

 

[justmestace]

So did you sail on the Magic out of LA? Not a flame, just a question (cuz I wasn't on the boards in 2005, 2008)...... Were there settling in problems when they brought the Magic out west?

Yes, it was the Magic. And yes, there were problems in the beginning.
But...some things aren't going to change. Like the port terminal...until or unless DCL builds or decorates their own terminal, the start of every cruise out of LA is going to feel kind of "blah" because it's a shipping port and wasn't built specifically for Disney.

But honestly, as far as the overall DISNEY experience....I really didn't see any difference. We sailed once in 2005, and twice in 2008....the first cruise that we did in 2008 was the 2nd MR sailing...right after its inaugural. I saw a LOT of different faces, as far as crew members go, but they were working hard at getting into the groove.
I didn't notice any difference in the food, entertainment, or service between the LA cruises and the FL ones.....same Disney!

Other than the terminal, the only real difference I noticed was in the passengers.

 

[woody73]

So did you sail on the Magic out of LA? Not a flame, just a question (cuz I wasn't on the boards in 2005, 2008)...... Were there settling in problems when they brought the Magic out west?

When the Magic came to L.A. in 2005, it was a huge event for DCL. In some ways it was like the launch of the Dream, with press events and extensive media coverage.

The Magic did not have "settling in problems" since, after the WB Panama Canal cruise, it continued to do 7-night cruises (as it had for years), and had many of the same seasoned officers and crew that sailed the Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.

For those who had previously sailed on the Magic, the most noticeable difference was at the port itself. In L.A., the Magic sailed from a cruise terminal used by other cruise lines, instead of from it's own private terminal with all the Disney touches.

Woody

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

Many times with the characters its due to them not having a CM that can be that character at a certain time. The Crew deserves their time off and expecting that they work all day long for 7day and then over again is ridiculous. Maybe YOU should have lowered your expectations. The characters you met were MORE than enough for most people. They can't have every character out all the time, it doesn't work that way. All of the Disney ships deserve a break in expectation because of all the new crew on each ship. The Wonder also deserves some because she is doing cruises that are longer then her normal routine. The characters are honestly the smallest reason for why I choose Disney. You listed many characters and that should be enough.

Everyone sailing on the Wonder, Have a GREAT cruise! It will be a special week!

I think your arguments are a bit flawed.

I didn't take the OP's comments to suggest that they believe EVERY Disney character should appear at once. I took it to mean a couple of things, that the rotation was poor and that perhaps they did not have sufficient costume/wardrobe. I don't think it's unfair that the OP expected what is customary- that on the theme nights (sail away, Pirates, formal) that the characters should be dressed for the occasion because that is the standard DCL set.

Just because the characters aren't your primary reason for choosing DCL, doesn't mean that is true for everyone.

I don't think it's fair for people who take longer cruises to expect less service than someone who takes a shorter one. Not to mention, regardless of how long a cruise it, there are still going to be 7 days in a week be it with one week long cruise or a 3 & 4 day cruise. I would actually think a week long cruise would be easier since I am sure the toughest day for CM is disembarking/embarking.

Sure, with the new ship and changes in staff I think people should be prepared to expect some growing pains but how will they get it right if anytime someone gives less than stellar feed back they are shot down?

Complaints are opportunities to improve customer service.
The best way to learn how to get something right is to knowing where you went wrong.

Of course I hope people taking the cruise have wonderful holiday but that doesn't mean if they they shouldn't be allowed to say where they think Disney dropped the ball.

 

[CruznLexi]

I feel lucky to be able to cruise. I have over 33 cruises on 3 lines and 4 with Disney! I work 2 jobs to help pay for my travel addiction I have high standards but I feel very lucky to do that and just try to relax as I could be back home working 3-11. Just got off the PC and had issues but I got to take my Mom for 2 weeks what is better than that!

 

[lds0191]

We were on the Wonder in October for a 4nt and have absolutely no complaints (except 4nts was not long enough). Service was great and the ship was in tip top shape. The sofa in our cabin was looking a bit worn but I could not see any other differences than when I had been onboard in October 09. Characters were all over the place. Got some great pics at the pools on our sea day.

 

[clawmachine]

Please do not assume that early seating will get you a faster dinner, even if you have young kids. We had the 5:45 seating on the Magic 2 weeks ago and never left the restaurant until 7:30. There were usually at least 10 tables still eating dessert when we left. We do not get coffee or anything after dessert. We never felt like our servers were poor, or stalling in any way - that's just the pace that is normal. I attempted to rush them on the first night and they smiled sweetly as if to accomodate that, but still, it didn't really happen, and honestly, I got used to the slower pace rather quickly! I actually think it's much better for my stomach to eat that way than the way I do at home!

(As far as getting the restaurants ready for second seating, from what I saw, as long as they have 15 minutes in between, they can certainly do it. I never saw anyone being rushed out of first seating...)

 

[wdwwishes]

Let's all stop sailing DCL, then they'll get the message! Only kidding.

Lousy/slow service at dinner--that can happen for a number of reasons and often times they're reasons beyond the control of the servers. Did you say anything or make any comments to your wait staff or customer service?
Dirty linens? Did you say anything to your room steward or customer service?
Lack of characters? I think this is a personal pre-set expectation, sorry it was a let down and not that anything could have been done, did you say anything on board?

We're doing Alaska this summer. While we've sailed twice on the Wonder and had stellar times on each of those sailings, I know this is a new itinerary, there's new staff on board, new ports for the ship and crew to become familiar with etc.

I think that DCL might be getting lots of negs here lately because people have cruised them too much, have set their expectations a bit high and maybe need a break. I've read similar stuff about RCCL etc. on the boards at cruisecritic. Or take into consideration that two of the top travel polls, Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure consider DCL tops.

DCL is also having a big year in terms of a new ship, new staff, changing staff from ship to ship, building a new ship, new itineraries, new ports etc. While we hope that it's all perfect in light of that, it might not be.

I honestly don't think that the Wonder or the Magic have turned into floating Motel 6's.

We all have our opinions of the ships and our times on board. Let's hear the opinions but let's also hear what you did on board about it. Then it becomes a bit more productive IMHO. I'd rather hear how DCL addressed, or didn't address, something.

 

[sabrecmc]

I appreciate all the reviews, whether negative or positive. I hope those with both experiences share with DCL. Obviously, most characters are the full costume characters, since that's a lot easier than the "face" characters. If they weren't meeting your expectations as far as the level of interaction or number of characters available, by all means let DCL know. Looking at the 1/23 MR navigators, I see at least Peter Pan, Goofy, Pluto, Cinderella, Belle and Mickey came to the Club. That doesn't seem that different from the Med cruise we went on last year, though I think I recall Green Army Men coming for a Toy Story game and Snow White coming for a dance. But that was a 10 night cruise.

One thing I will say is that when I read the actual cruise meet threads for some of these cruises where people have complaints, it seems there were a lot of very happy cruisers. I'm not saying that doesn't mean that things need to be addressed, but just that it seems from my unscientific sampling that most people had a good time and many rebooked onboard.

We were on the second Med cruise last year and it wasn't 100% perfect, but it was so good that I wrote to DCL about how wonderful certain CMs were. Two of the things related to things that were technically screw-ups (one DCL's fault, one not), but I was so impressed with how they were handled. The first was that our stateroom floor was wet when we got there. Not a little wet, but the whole "living room" area floor was fairly well wet. As soon as we told our stateroom host, she got a huge fan up there and towels to dry it, assuring us that if it wasn't dry by that evening, we'd be moved. Then her supervisor came to check on things to make sure we were ok. It dried and was no problem, but I liked how quickly they handled it and that someone "upstairs" followed up. Then one of our tours, which was supposed to feature a kids' activity, did not get the activity. By the time I got back to my stateroom, I had a message that 50% of our tour cost was refunded and an apology. I guess the CM on the tour reported the issue, but DCL was prompt about taking care of it in a more than fair way. Maybe some people would complain about those issues, but it really just mattered to me that as soon as someone became aware of it, it was handled. That's all I ask. Not that everything goes perfectly smoothly the whole time.

 

[coloradodad]

It has been three years since I have posted, mainly when I was doing DVC research years ago. Not much has changed around here, but it is fun to read the daily drama that goes on.

I am happy to learn about things here since I have a cruise booked in a year, but mostly I like the excitement amongst posters. Hopefully in 15 months I will be able to post a dream review, good or bad. (then I will slink off for a few more years)

 

[lvstitch]

We did the two day cruise to Neverland (our first cruise ever) and liked it so much that we are boked for the end of next month!

My answers are:
1. The food in general was great, there were some things that we didn't like, but that was just personal preference. For example I did not like their cheesecake, it was too light and airy, I like a denser cheesecake, but others might not.

2. There was always something that each of us would enjoy, but they would do everything that they can to accomodate this.

3. There is fresh fruit available, I forget the name of it, but it is by Beach Blanket Buffet.

4. The buffet breakfast was good, the last day breakfast was not as good.

we were on the same cruise and agree with everything above. I thought the food was actually better on the Wonder than on my previous 3 Magic cruises.

I was also surprised at how many characters they had for just two days. They had formal, pirate and cruise characters and all the princesses.

I also agree that the people on the West coast cruises are different. They sail with more of a theme park commando style than a laid back cruise style.

 

[cmwade77]

Maybe some people would complain about those issues, but it really just mattered to me that as soon as someone became aware of it, it was handled. That's all I ask. Not that everything goes perfectly smoothly the whole time.

This is my philosophy, but sometimes you do have to say something, because if no one is aware of the problem, then no one can take care of it. Be polite, but let them know right away (we were encouraged on our 2 day cruise to do so by everyone on board).

 

[justhat]

Not arguing, but just letting peole know that the tea party on the Wonder is no longer "Alice's Tea Party" but is called, "Disney Friends Tea Party." In one or two (or three) of the trip reports/reviews, people have listed the characters who are at the tea party. I believe it was Peter Pan and the princesses but I'm not sure. What I do remember is that everyone said that they only serve apple juice and cookies - no tea (even to adults).

I didn't know that they changed this from our last sailing in July, when it was Alice and the Madhatter. I personally am glad as I have done the Alice tea many, many times.

The apple juice and cookies, that has always been the case, at least since I have done the Alice tea since 2007. Never had any real tea for adults, always just the apple juice.