Please Say It Ain't So!!!

[cicero]

Ugh! My family and I are counting down the days until our 2/2004 first cruise (3 night), when suddenly a party-pooper comes along and describes their first cruise, which they just returned from, as "nothing more than a cruise which has Disney characters walking around!"

YIKES! This board would lead me to believe that my party-pooper friend has lost her mind! Please say it ain't so! Thanks.

 

[vgaskin]

Some people just don't "get" Disney, sounds like your friend is one of them. I have always been a Disney kid and got a free trip on a Carnival cruise a few years ago. That got me on the cruise bug although it didn't compare to Disney at all. We cruise disney this spring and am going this Saturday. We obviously "get" Disney but my mil who is a cruise fanatic would never be happy on a Disney cruise at all. It is much more than a cruise with characters!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I still am awaiting our first cruise, so I don't have first hand experience. However I too have read this board, talked with people who have cruised, researched the internet, read the Passporter, etc! I think this "party-pooper" is just that, someone who is just negative and wants to ruin your trip. Don't worry, I am sure it will be great! When we get back, I'll let you know how our first cruise (also a 3 nighter) goes, and I'll bet it will be a happy report!!!!!

 

[RagamuffinMom]

Geez! Would that person describe WDW as "just an amusement park with characters walking around?"

I think not!

Honestly - no one creates an atmosphere of wonder and delight the way Disney does. Whether in the parks or on the ship you definately feel like you are in a gentler, more innocent time and place. It goes way beyond the characters (although they do help!)

 

[TheGlensideGregorys]

That somebody just doesn't get the DCL concept.

And, even if it WERE "...just a cruise w/ Disney characters...", then maybe cruising isn't really their bag.

I'm awaiting our first cruise w/ Disney, but having been on a cruise before, I see a difference in expectations just from the trip planning, and what I see on these boards.

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

Nope, I think you guys are reading way too much into this.
Cicero, if this was your "party-pooper" friend's first cruise, then maybe he/she just doesn't get cruising.
Really, if this was his/her first, what does she have to compare it with?
My DW and I have done a few CCL cruises and are looking forward to our DCL trip tremendously.
Don't worry about it, the mouse will make it everything you want it to be.
Have a good trip!
Mike

 

[westjones]

A couple months ago friends of ours went on their first Disney Cruise. This was after the DW secretly made the reservations using money she had been stashing away with the DH knowing about it.

At first the DH was NOT happy she did this, but after see the delight on their DD's face he reluctantly agreed to go on the cruise.

Well, since he has been back he has done nothing but talk NONE STOP about the cruise. They are a family that struggles with money and has to be very careful how they spend; but the DH has already said they are going back again, and that he would rather sacrifice the 'little things' through out the year in order to do another cruise. They are joining us next September on a 7 day!

I am sure there will be some who just don't "get it" and for the life of me, I don't know how they can't enjoy themselves. But there are always some who will find problems in anything.

Go enjoy your cruise! It is wonderful! Really!

DJ

 

[MiaSRN62]

Please Say It Ain't So!!!

You got it ! It's Ain't So !
We did a 4 night Wonder cruise last year because we weren't sure we were going to enjoy cruising and didn't want to commit to the 7 night. Well, we're booked next year on a 7 day if that tells you anything
You'll have a great time !

 

[bnickle3]

......but I do know of someone who visited DW for the first time with her family last year, did absolutely no reading about it beforehand and no planning, and had a terrible time. She didn't know what was going on anywhere, and trying to do it without prep can make or break the experience. Maybe that was the case with your friend. Our family of 5 cruises in January for the first time, and I have spent a lot of time here getting tips and reading opinions. I feel like organization and planning is half the recipe for a successful trip...the other half is your own attitude and participation.

In any case, what "is so" is that you'll have a wonderful time, and have a magical vacation that you and your family will always remember!

Have a great trip!

Brenda

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by cicero
Ugh! My family and I are counting down the days until our 2/2004 first cruise (3 night), when suddenly a party-pooper comes along and describes their first cruise, which they just returned from, as "nothing more than a cruise which has Disney characters walking around!"

YIKES! This board would lead me to believe that my party-pooper friend has lost her mind! Please say it ain't so! Thanks.

Wow. I agree with vgaskin. Some people just don't 'get' Disney. They don't have the *magic* in their hearts.

Just hang out on these boards for a while reading everyone's posts and comments -- do we (enthusiasts) sound like it's just ""nothing more than a cruise which has Disney characters walking around!" I think not.

To each's own, I suppose. Personally, we LOVE Disney cruises, WDW, and everything about Disney. We have the magic bursting from our hearts.

 

[JCarangal]

I will unequivocally say it ain't so!!!

We went on a 3-day cruise a little over a year ago with DH's whole family. DH and I love Disney but his parents aren't Disney freaks like we are. They are experienced cruisers who cruise several times a year to the Carribean, Alaska, the Mediteranean, etc. The have cruised RCCL, Carnival, etc. On the 2nd day of the cruise, they commented that they were very impressed with the DCL cruise and said it was among the best they had been on. They commented that Disney seemed to have put great thought and planning into every detail to make their ship stand out among the rest. They were impressed with the dining rotation, the cabin size, the planned activities, Castaway Cay, etc.

DH and I were so thrilled with the 3-day DCL cruise we are going again on a 7-day cruise next May. (and DH and I have been on a variety of other cruises as well). Disney just has a way of making things special. The little details make it stand out from the rest - a superb kids program, several adult-only areas (not usually available on other cruise lines), dining at different restaurants, etc.

Just my un-biased opinion!!

 

[jrabbit]

First, we LOVE all things Disney. BK (Before Kids) we would go to all the new disney animated movies (about the only movies we would go to). Our friends thought us strange. Then we started going to DL and or WDW Every year. Friends thought we were really off our rockers. Our friends finally realized that we really enjoyed Disney.

We went on our first cruise (on DCL) without any pre planning or preparation. It was four day cruise and we had a blast!! And we were hooked on cruisin' DCL

Maybe we just look at life through Disney glasses (Love this icon)

 

[Tluvs2talk]

My hubby and I do not have any children and have cruised on the Disney ships 5 times. We have 2 more Disney cruises coming up next year. WHY??? Because we LOVE it!!!!

Teri

 

[WIcruizer]

DCL is far beyond a "cruise with characters walking around." If that were the case you could just drop Disney characters on a Carnival cruise ship and call it a "Disney Cruise." (Which was considered by the way.) But Disney wanted it's OWN cruise line for a reason. It IS a special cruise, and a special cruise ship. The reasons are too numerous to mention, but it's those things- both big and small that make DCL special.

And <gasp> I don't necessarily like the characters everywhere either. Our kids are a little older, and don't care about the autogrphs and getting pictures taken with them..etc. But it's still fun to see the little ones faces light up when they see a certain character.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

There will always be someone to try and put a damper on things. Whether jealous or insenitive or just plain grumpy.

Whatever you do - don't let anyone put a damper on your vacation. Don't let a bad car service ruin it - don't let missed ressies ruin it - don't let those loud people in the cabin ruin it.

You go and enjoy yourself! If it isn't for them, that's fine. Hopefully this will be the great vacation you always imagined.

Have a magical time!