Newbie questions, planning first trip on Magic

[swissfamilystrickland]

hi! I recently booked our family's first Disney cruise on the Magic for May 1st 2016 for myself, DH, DD7 and DS5. I'm preemptively excited and someone who likes to do her research long before any trip so I had a few questions for you experts. 1. Is it difficult to get a BBB reservation at the 75 day mark? I know a lot of people will have first dibs but my daughter was over the moon for this experience when we went to Magic Kingdom so I'm hoping she can do it again and possibly my son as well this time since he was too little for pirate league last time! 2. Is it wishful thinking to hope that there might be a character meal of any kind on a 7day Magic cruise? If you think it could happen can you give me best guesses as to which characters might appear? 3. Is the Marvel avengers academy something a 5 year old would be old enough for or is it geared for slightly older kids? 4. Are there plenty of decent vegetarian options on board? 5. Do all cruises have a Fish Extender exchange? Can someone link me to where to sign up for this if so? 6. Do you have any other specific (or more general) extra tips for a 1st timer?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

5. Do all cruises have a Fish Extender exchange? Can someone link me to where to sign up for this if so?

Fish Extender exchanges are handled on Cruise Meet threads. You can find yours on the "Disney Cruise Meets" board. Here's a link to your specific cruise meet:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/may-1-2016-magic-7-nt-cruise.3407549/

Not all Cruise Meet groups do FE exchanges.

 

[anricat]

1. You shouldn't have any problems booking BBB. Even if you do, visit Guest Services upon embarking. They hold aside a number of reservations. Our Magic cruise sails in 24 days and I just checked and there are still bookings available. They may not be at times you're interested in, however. (Again, just book something you think you can live with and change it onboard.)

2. I'm not familiar with the character dining options on a 7-night.

3. Here's a video so you can see for yourself what the Avengers Academy is all about:

4. I'm a vegetarian and I can tell you that you will eat well. There are lots of great options. I was extremely happy to have multiple choices every night.

5. As Shmoo said, check your cruise meet.

6. I recommend reading the DIS for lots of great tips. I also really like the Disney Cruise Line Blog (which is not an official blog, but has lots of great information). I also found that watching deck tours on YouTube and researching deck plans prior to my voyage last year on the Dream was very helpful to get a feel for the ship before embarking. Less time finding my way around = more time for fun.

 

[swissfamilystrickland]

1. You shouldn't have any problems booking BBB. Even if you do, visit Guest Services upon embarking. They hold aside a number of reservations. Our Magic cruise sails in 24 days and I just checked and there are still bookings available. They may not be at times you're interested in, however. (Again, just book something you think you can live with and change it onboard.)

2. I'm not familiar with the character dining options on a 7-night.

3. Here's a video so you can see for yourself what the Avengers Academy is all about:

4. I'm a vegetarian and I can tell you that you will eat well. There are lots of great options. I was extremely happy to have multiple choices every night.

5. As Shmoo said, check your cruise meet.

6. I recommend reading the DIS for lots of great tips. I also really like the Disney Cruise Line Blog (which is not an official blog, but has lots of great information). I also found that watching deck tours on YouTube and researching deck plans prior to my voyage last year on the Dream was very helpful to get a feel for the ship before embarking. Less time finding my way around = more time for fun.

Thanks so much! Glad to hear we won't starve and thanks for the Avengers video, I'm pretty sure my son will love that.

 

[thinkoflaura]

i was on a 7 night cruise on the magic this summer and I was told there was no character breakfast on 7 night sailings... but you'll have lots of great character interactions throughout your adventure, for sure!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

i was on a 7 night cruise on the magic this summer and I was told there was no character breakfast on 7 night sailings... but you'll have lots of great character interactions throughout your adventure, for sure!

I believe they didn't do the character breakfast for the European cruises this year. In the past the Magic & Wonder had a character breakfast on those cruises that were 7 nights or longer with at least 3 sea days.

I don't know whether DCL will start doing the breakfast again (on 7 night cruises) when she returns from Europe.

 

[swissfamilystrickland]

I believe they didn't do the character breakfast for the European cruises this year. In the past the Magic & Wonder had a character breakfast on those cruises that were 7 nights or longer with at least 3 sea days.

I don't know whether DCL will start doing the breakfast again (on 7 night cruises) when she returns from Europe.

Thanks for the clarification on that. Fingers crossed that they go back to it!

 

[Excited Grams]

Can anyone tell me how I can get involved with doing the Fish Extenders on the March 30, 2016 Disney Wonder cruise? Taking my grandsons & think they would enjoy this. Help!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Can anyone tell me how I can get involved with doing the Fish Extenders on the March 30, 2016 Disney Wonder cruise? Taking my grandsons & think they would enjoy this. Help!!

You need to head over to the Cruise Meets board and find your cruise meet thread on the "Find your 2016 Wonder Cruise Meet LINK here"

FEs are handled on cruise meet threads.

OK, I found yours - here's the link to your cruise meet:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/march-20-2016-disney-wonder.3378361/

Just start posting over there, ask if they are doing FEs and see if you can sign up.