November 19, 2009 3-day Wonder Cruise

[gweeptrish]

Hi all,

My husband, our two kids (3 years old and 5 months old at the time of the cruise) will be on this cruise along with our friends and their 4 year old and 1 year old. We're doing a back-to-back and this 3-day is the second leg of our trip. Anybody else doing back-to-back this week?

 

[gweeptrish]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Over the coming weeks we are planning on doing some reading and light planning for our land portion of the trip. We have been warned to use ADR's for dining however we really prefer to not be tied down to anything. If we eat corndogs until we get on the ship then I guess that's the way it goes.

You don't have to have ADRs to eat well at WDW, you just have to know where to go for good counter service food or sit-down places that aren't usually full. Corn dogs aren't your only option. We never do ADRs because I hate having to decide months in advance where I'd like to eat.

At Animal Kingdom, Flame Tree BBQ is your best bet - really fantastic ribs there. At Epcot, Marrakesh is never booked up and we really love it. Studios has a pretty good counter service place tucked behind the Indiana Jones stunt show - it is almost never busy. At the Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Rays has a rotisserie chicken dinner that's quite tasty - it's at the station all the way to the left. There's also Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney for quick tasty eats.

Check out the Disney Restaurants forum here in the DISboards for even more ideas.

 

[sueandkent]

You don't have to have ADRs to eat well at WDW, you just have to know where to go for good counter service food or sit-down places that aren't usually full. Corn dogs aren't your only option. We never do ADRs because I hate having to decide months in advance where I'd like to eat.

At Animal Kingdom, Flame Tree BBQ is your best bet - really fantastic ribs there. At Epcot, Marrakesh is never booked up and we really love it. Studios has a pretty good counter service place tucked behind the Indiana Jones stunt show - it is almost never busy. At the Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Rays has a rotisserie chicken dinner that's quite tasty - it's at the station all the way to the left. There's also Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney for quick tasty eats.

Check out the Disney Restaurants forum here in the DISboards for even more ideas.

Thanks for the advice. Glad to see we are not the only ones who don't want to plan our food so far in advance. Good to hear there are other options.

 

[tinkmom2]

You don't have to have ADRs to eat well at WDW, you just have to know where to go for good counter service food or sit-down places that aren't usually full. Corn dogs aren't your only option. We never do ADRs because I hate having to decide months in advance where I'd like to eat.

At Animal Kingdom, Flame Tree BBQ is your best bet - really fantastic ribs there. At Epcot, Marrakesh is never booked up and we really love it. Studios has a pretty good counter service place tucked behind the Indiana Jones stunt show - it is almost never busy. At the Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Rays has a rotisserie chicken dinner that's quite tasty - it's at the station all the way to the left. There's also Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney for quick tasty eats.

Check out the Disney Restaurants forum here in the DISboards for even more ideas.

Hiya,
Just know you are going during free dining and sit down places are often hard to get into without a ressie like character meals. If you are doing QS meals that shouldn't be too much of a problem. I know the first time I ever went to WDW we were really discouraged because even at 180 days out places we wanted to go were booked. Check out the dining online and get a game plan together. Even if you don't want to be tied down to times get a general idea of what you want to do and alternative.

 

[tinkmom2]

Anyone interested in being the captain of our FE exchange? You would be responsible of collecting all the cabin numbers, adults or children in each cabin, and email addresses so we can get a printable list to send to everyone.( And if you are interest in particpating in the exchange just post here)

Never mind I have a list started! Please PM me if you would like to join!

 

[sueandkent]

Hiya,
Just know you are going during free dining and sit down places are often hard to get into without a ressie like character meals. If you are doing QS meals that shouldn't be too much of a problem. I know the first time I ever went to WDW we were really discouraged because even at 180 days out places we wanted to go were booked. Check out the dining online and get a game plan together. Even if you don't want to be tied down to times get a general idea of what you want to do and alternative.

I think, if you don't really care where you eat, then not having ADR's won't be a big problem. As just two adults, we're not interested in special character meals, special christmas events or anything like that. We just want to see the parks, go on a few rides and enjoy WDW. We're very go with the flow people so not getting in to something isn't going to upset us too much. It was hard enough for us to committ to a time to go to Palo's on the ship

 

[Tikihula]

You don't have to have ADRs to eat well at WDW, you just have to know where to go for good counter service food or sit-down places that aren't usually full. Corn dogs aren't your only option. We never do ADRs because I hate having to decide months in advance where I'd like to eat.

At Animal Kingdom, Flame Tree BBQ is your best bet - really fantastic ribs there. At Epcot, Marrakesh is never booked up and we really love it. Studios has a pretty good counter service place tucked behind the Indiana Jones stunt show - it is almost never busy. At the Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Rays has a rotisserie chicken dinner that's quite tasty - it's at the station all the way to the left. There's also Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney for quick tasty eats.

Check out the Disney Restaurants forum here in the DISboards for even more ideas.

I totally agree with those choices, especially Flame Tree, Cosmic Ray's and Wolfgang Puck Express. Those are three of the best counter service restaurants. We also like Harbour House in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom. We take our meals upstairs and sit at a window looking out over the walkway into the Magic Kingdom. It's quiet and peaceful up there, a nice respite from the noise and confusion of the parks.

 

[sueandkent]

I totally agree with those choices, especially Flame Tree, Cosmic Ray's and Wolfgang Puck Express. Those are three of the best counter service restaurants. We also like Harbour House in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom. We take our meals upstairs and sit at a window looking out over the walkway into the Magic Kingdom. It's quiet and peaceful up there, a nice respite from the noise and confusion of the parks.

More great advice on the great food debate...thanks for all this info. We will certainly be visiting these places.

 

[sueandkent]

We got upgraded on our land portion of this trip from the POR to the Disney Swan so we're pretty happy about that We were really hoping for an upgrade on the ship from our cat 12 gty, not sure if a double upgrade will be in the cards for us but fingers crossed.

 

[Paxton's Mom]

Congrats "sueandkent" on your upgrade, the pixie dust is flying already!

It just kind of took my breath away when I noticed your little countdown thing that said we only have 2-months until we sail! I guess I hadn't thought about it lately but it will be here before we know it. This is an unusual time of year for us to vacation, I prefer to go somewhere in the dead of winter (we live in Minnesota) but the bounce-back offer was too good to pass up. I'm not used to worrying about the last minute details of vacation until after the holidays but I guess I'd better start thinking!

Someone posted a while ago about having a name for ourselves and I whole-heartedly agree that we should come up with something. It makes it nice to have something to put on your door sign(s). (Last time I saided was over Valentine's Day and we were the "Valentine Voyagers".) Of course I don't have any really great ideas. Maybe something with Castaway in it (Castaway Cruisers?) I guess on the 3-day we don't actually go to the Caribean so anything with that is out. We'll be in the Bahamas, if anybody can come up with something catchy with that.

Let's put on our thinking caps and see what we can come up with!

 

[Tikihula]

We got upgraded on our land portion of this trip from the POR to the Disney Swan so we're pretty happy about that We were really hoping for an upgrade on the ship from our cat 12 gty, not sure if a double upgrade will be in the cards for us but fingers crossed.

Wow - that's a NICE upgrade! Good luck on the cruise portion. We'd love to get an upgrade to a verandah, but we specifically requested one of the secret porthole rooms so I doubt they'll try to upgrade us.

I have a question on the back-to-back cruises. I know you get a discount for booking another cruise while you're still onboard, but do you get any discount booking B2B cruises?

 

[gweeptrish]

I have a question on the back-to-back cruises. I know you get a discount for booking another cruise while you're still onboard, but do you get any discount booking B2B cruises?

I didn't. The "discount" is that a 3 night plus a 4 night is slightly cheaper than a 7 night. Note that's because one of the days is spend in Port Canaveral. We didn't mind though, since we get two Castaway Cay days this way.

 

[sueandkent]

Wow - that's a NICE upgrade! Good luck on the cruise portion. We'd love to get an upgrade to a verandah, but we specifically requested one of the secret porthole rooms so I doubt they'll try to upgrade us.

Our previous cruise experience with Princess is once you have specifically srequest a room then your booking is flagged for no upgrades unless they call and ask. In the past we have always specifically chosen a cabin with no upgrades noted. We have never sailed without a balcony so if we don't get upgraded this will be a new experience for us.

 

[Staceynj]

Hello,

Just checking in. I would like to participate in the FE exchange. I have never done it before. From what I read you purchase small gifts or make them.Do you exchange daily or once? Could you tell me what the pouch thing is called,so I could look for it on ebay I tried to find it on there and I am having no luck. My state room number is 6048.

Also, unfortunately I had to change my reservation from Animal Kingdom lodge to French Quarters. Has anyone stayed there before?

I am doing the MVMCP on the 17th too. I can not wait to see Disney all decorated for Christmas. We went in 2007 and seen what they did for Halloween. I can only imagine what it will be like for Christmas.

 

[gweeptrish]

Also, unfortunately I had to change my reservation from Animal Kingdom lodge to French Quarters. Has anyone stayed there before?

We love the French Quarter. I've stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge before and frankly I like the Port Orleans French Quarter better. The only thing AKL has that I wish POFQ had was a full-service restaurant. Since we hardly ever eat at our hotel aside from breakfast, though, it's not that big of a problem for us.

POFQ is very small and cozy and the theming is lovely. If you get a chance, take the boat from there to Downtown Disney. It's a nice ride, much better than the bus.

 

[Staceynj]

Hello,

Thank you for the information. I will have to check out the boat ride.

I also figured out what the pouch hanger is called, a fish extender.

 

[tinkmom2]

Hiya All!
We are almost two months out from our cruise. If you would like to participate in our FE exchange please PM me with your cabin number, who and ages(example DH, DS(3), DD(5) ) if you have any allergies be sure to include that too! I would like to get a list together. Or if you have more than one cabin be sure to note that too! My daughter and I have been putting together some crafts for the cruise and can't wait! We will probably close out the list 2 weeks prior to sailing.
You can either give one gift per cabin or per person. Some give once during the day while others give throughout the day. On my last cruise we also tried to meet at the sail away party. If you would be interested in meeting please include that in your PM and where you think we should meet. I am thinking the atrium is a better spot as most of us never met on our last cruise because the party was too contested. We also wore leis but I am open to more ideas
Christine

 

[gmark2000]

Hi folks,

For our upcoming cruise, I am interested in coordinating a door MAGNET EXCHANGE for those interested. You would simply stick a magnet that you've bought or created onto the participating door on the first night to decorate. With others participating, you door becomes a great display!

Just simply send me a PM with your stateroom numbers and I will circulate just prior to the cruise. *This will be separate from the "Fish Extender" exchange.

This was our door in 2008:

 

[AmyM]

Hi all! We finally have our group and pre-Disney nights planned. We are me, DH, DD16, DS14 and 2 disney friends both 14. We are arriving on the 14th and staying at BWV before the cruise. Can't wait for November We would definitely be interested in a FE gift exchange, but have spa plans during the sailaway party so won't meet you guys there. If you have have anyone in the teen clubs have them look up our crew....they are very friendly and luv to include new people. We are staying in a Cat 2 for the 1st time....have stayed in a Cat 3 a couple times...and looking forward to it! See everyone soon!

 

[VET]

Hello!!!
We are so excited to be joining you all on the cruise!!! I dont know who is more excited, myself, my son (10), daughter(12), or my neice(17). My kids and I were on the Wonder in December of '06. This will be my neice's very first cruise. She will be absolutely spoiled by cruising Disney as her first experience. Also, my sister, her husband and their son will bo going also. I booked a cat.12 and check daily to see if we have been "sprinkled" yet, but so far no assignments. On our first Disney cruise, we booked a cat. 12 and received a cat.9!!!!! Whatever the case...I am just thrilled to be going again!!!!!: