September 22-25, 2011 Disney Dream Cruise

[Evan&Kimberly]

I hear all these great places to stay @ WDW but my Evan insist that we stay with Mr.Potato Head and the Big Cell Phones

 

[alikat99]

I hear all these great places to stay @ WDW but my Evan insist that we stay with Mr.Potato Head and the Big Cell Phones

Awww, that's cute though!! We've had DVC for about 10 years now. We bought it before we had the girls and now they always want the 1 bedroom, because it has the big jacuzzi tub!

 

[alikat99]

14 Weeks until Sailaway!!!​

Hey everyone, since it's Thursday, that means that we can count the weeks now until our DREAMy cruise!! On one of my DISmeets cruises, we had a person that would count down the weeks and ask a question to get to know our fellow cruisers. Because, only the DIS knows that you don't sail on DCL alone, you sail with all of your DISfriends!!

So, if you want to join along (I promise it won't hurt), here's the question for the week?

We all know that the AquaDuck is going to be one of the most popular things onboard the Dream. BESIDES the AquaDuck, what's the one thing that you want to see most on the Dream???​

 

[alikat99]

We all know that the AquaDuck is going to be one of the most popular things onboard the Dream. BESIDES the AquaDuck, what's the one thing that you want to see most on the Dream???​

I'll go ahead and go first - I actually have 2! First, I can't wait to experience the virtual porthole rooms. We usually get an oceanview (we especially liked the old SPH rooms on the Wonder/Magic), but this time we really wanted to try an inside room to see the virtual ones.

And next, I really want to go have a drink in Pink, the champagne lounge. I'm not a big drinker, but ever since the plans came out for the Dream, I just wanted to go have a drink there!!

So, who's next???

 

[disney honeymooners]

I have a couple: the adult hot tubs, the two new shows at the Walt disney theater and the new pirate fireworks display and of course all of your smiling faces.

 

[alikat99]

I have a couple: the adult hot tubs, the two new shows at the Walt disney theater and the new pirate fireworks display and of course all of your smiling faces.

Oooh, those are great!! There are SO many things I want to see on the Dream, and I KNOW that 3-nights will not be enough!!

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

I am so excited to see the new restaurants; the virtual porthole and the new upgrades at Castaway Cay and of course all of you!

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Awww, that's cute though!! We've had DVC for about 10 years now. We bought it before we had the girls and now they always want the 1 bedroom, because it has the big jacuzzi tub!

Last time we were at WDW I took Evan to the AKL just to see if I could get him to change his mind. I asked him later on would he like to stay there he said no thank you! So Pop it is and I can’t complain cause it is a cheap cute place to stay maybe when he gets older he will want to upgrade. It’s funny but when I told him we were going back on mickey's ship he was excited but told me we need a room with a big window so I guess he is an ocean view snob, but I booked a virtual room this time I think he will enjoy it.

 

[mickeymum13]

Since its our first cruise EVER, picking 2 will be hard teehee We would have to say The fireworks/pirate themed night and Castaway Cay. Hubby and I have been to Nassau four times before so we will be staying onboard that day to explore the ship!! SOOO EXCITED!! Our boys also prefer the value resorts with the "big stuff", so we will be doing two days at POP first to get them their "fix" then DVC resorts (and cruise of course) for the balance. We did AKL last year and they truly did love it...hey they are all Disney resorts so you cant really go wrong, right? Ps Love this counting down the weeks idea..GOOD JOB!! Have a a great day everyone...greetings from Canada!

 

[magandgarrett]

I am gonna be the cheezy one, first time doing anything Disney with our kids (I've been to Disneyland, and Disneyland in Paris) I wanna see their faces light up and see things through their eyes!

 

[mickeymum13]

Aww super great answer! Couldnt agree more!

 

[mousejunkie98]

Hi, everyone!! I'm late in joining in on this meet, but my DH and myself along with my two sisters, one brother-in-law and one friend will be on this sailing! I am attending a conference on-board and we decided to make it an adults-only getaway

The reason I'm so behind is because we sailed on a 4-night on the Dream at the end of May to celebrate our anniversary, and I got a little elaborate in my FE gifts (as in, I had to bring a separate suitcase to hold them all ). I'll go a simpler route this time, I already have a fantastic idea about what to make, I need to get started! We'd all like to participate, here are our state rooms: 6168, 6002 and 6004. Each has two adults.

Let me just say, you are all in for a FANTASTIC TIME!!!! The Dream is absolutely, undeniably, superbly amazing! We had such an incredible time, we had to drag the kids off because they wanted to just live on board, lol. I personally want to live on Castaway Cay!

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Hi, everyone!! I'm late in joining in on this meet, but my DH and myself along with my two sisters, one brother-in-law and one friend will be on this sailing! I am attending a conference on-board and we decided to make it an adults-only getaway

The reason I'm so behind is because we sailed on a 4-night on the Dream at the end of May to celebrate our anniversary, and I got a little elaborate in my FE gifts (as in, I had to bring a separate suitcase to hold them all ). I'll go a simpler route this time, I already have a fantastic idea about what to make, I need to get started! We'd all like to participate, here are our state rooms: 6168, 6002 and 6004. Each has two adults.

Let me just say, you are all in for a FANTASTIC TIME!!!! The Dream is absolutely, undeniably, superbly amazing! We had such an incredible time, we had to drag the kids off because they wanted to just live on board, lol. I personally want to live on Castaway Cay!

Welcome, Mousejunkie98 we are so glad that you and your family will be joining us and participating in the FE exchange. We would love for you to share any tips, must do’s, must haves, etc... Evan and I look forward to meeting you and your family.

PS. I personally would like to live on Castaway Cay or even skip Nassau for an extra day in Mickey's Paradise!

 

[disney honeymooners]

Welcome aboard I have added y'all to the list and put your staterooms on the map. As of right now we have 17 state rooms including yall 3. and the week or two before the cruise i am going to email everyone the list and map if you want to know how many children and adults that we have just shoot me a PM and i will let you know.
Evan&Kimberly I couldnt agree more about skipping nassau i have been 4 times and that is more than enough for me.

 

[mousejunkie98]

Make sure to find time to try the Midship Detective Agency! You'll find the check-in kiosks on either side of Deck 5 near the Atrium, and it's so much fun. We did it three times with the kids. It's a great tour of the ship and the magic artwork while you solve the mystery.

The best time to ride the AquaDuck is in the evening, opposite your dinner seating. We rode one night 9 times in a row! The only thing slowing us down was the walk up all those stairs to the top of the stack. It's an awesome ride - my boys still talk about it. You have to be 42 inches tall to ride (with an adult until you're 54 inches, the raft needs the weight to travel fast enough), and they'll give the kids a wristband so they don't have to be measured every time. If you have a child that is just barely 42 inches, make sure they don't remove that arm band!! If they have to be measured again the next CM might decide they don't quite make it. My 4-year-old's head was literally a hair's width under the mark, and the CM working gave him a wristband and told me to make sure he kept in on the whole cruise

 

[Crystal_27]

Hi everyone! We just returned from a double dip on the Disney Dream! The ship was so beautiful and amazing -- we had a great time. There were some minor disappointments and annoyances for us (e.g., the food was pretty disappointing in my mind, including the fact that Palo had the same menu as on the Wonder and Magic) but all in all, it was a great time. And the kids clubs are just awesome (and massive!!!). If anyone has any specific questions, I will be happy to answer. All in all, I can't wait to go back in September!

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Welcome aboard I have added y'all to the list and put your staterooms on the map. As of right now we have 17 state rooms including yall 3. and the week or two before the cruise i am going to email everyone the list and map if you want to know how many children and adults that we have just shoot me a PM and i will let you know.
Evan&Kimberly I couldnt agree more about skipping nassau i have been 4 times and that is more than enough for me.

This year when I get off in the Bahamas it will be for a quick second just for Evan and I to take a quick pick under the Bahamas sign and then were back on the Ship! I just don’t understand why Disney does not consider skipping this port and just have more time at Castaway Cay it would make Disney a whole lot more money not they need it but just a thought!

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Hi everyone! We just returned from a double dip on the Disney Dream! The ship was so beautiful and amazing -- we had a great time. There were some minor disappointments and annoyances for us (e.g., the food was pretty disappointing in my mind, including the fact that Palo had the same menu as on the Wonder and Magic) but all in all, it was a great time. And the kids clubs are just awesome (and massive!!!). If anyone has any specific questions, I will be happy to answer. All in all, I can't wait to go back in September!

I am glad that you had a great time just a little upset that you didn’t swing by Augusta and picked me up lol…. I am looking forward to Disney Cruise line food. I have enjoyed it in the past on the Wonder but have heard mixed reviews about the Dream's food. Do you mind telling me what disappointed you? I recently went on the RCCL Freedom of the Seas and was disappointed in the food quality and variety it really left a bad taste in my mouth about cruising with RCCl again.

 

[magandgarrett]

Since this is our first Disney Cruise I am trying to make sure I have everything prepared for our trip. There are things that are very unique to Disney so let me know if there is anything I've missed. Here are the items I've already purchased or plan to purchase soon.

1) Personalized Pillowcases and Fabric Pens
2) Lanyards
3) Autograph Books
4) Princess Costume
5) Items for Pirate Night
6) FE'S and FE'S Gifts
6) Lots of Disney Clothes

Ultimately I am trying to make sure I don't get on board and find out there is something EVERYONE has that my kids have a meltdown if they don't have it too! Especially since I can probably buy it at home for half the price. Thanks everyone we are really getting close to our DREAM CRUISE!!

 

[Crystal_27]

I am glad that you had a great time just a little upset that you didn’t swing by Augusta and picked me up lol…. I am looking forward to Disney Cruise line food. I have enjoyed it in the past on the Wonder but have heard mixed reviews about the Dream's food. Do you mind telling me what disappointed you? I recently went on the RCCL Freedom of the Seas and was disappointed in the food quality and variety it really left a bad taste in my mouth about cruising with RCCl again.

Regarding the food, we too have always enjoyed the food on DCL. The food on this Dream, though, just was a bit underwhelming. We had steak every night for our entrees and they were all decent, but the appetizers were a bit "hit or miss" and the desserts were pretty blah (I mean, its pretty sad when we can say that we enjoyed the sugar free dessert options more than the loaded ones...). For example, my DH ordered some sort of cheesecake/shrimp appetizer that was unpalatable (to him) and I was pretty disappointed with most of the soups and non-salad appetizers that I ordered as well (although I did have a couple of really good appetizer salads - - a pear/pinenut one and a spinach/mandarin orange one). With that said, though, our tablemates had only cruised non-Disney lines and they RAVED about how good the food was, so maybe we just had too high of expectations. And I was frankly shocked that Palo had the exact same menus as those on the Wonder/Dream -- it was still good, but I was just expecting more. And, I will also have to say that our service (both at Palo and in the dining rooms) was a bit hit or miss too. Our assistant server was bemoaning how hard he works (with no breaks) by the second day, and our Palo server spilled my mimosa at brunch when she was cleaning up...this was after she had dropped our dinner plate the night before.

It sounds like I'm being super nit pickey or was truly disappointed, but that really isn't the case. We ate well, and had a wonderful time *but* I guess I was just expecting Disney to take it to the next level with the Dream, which I don't feel like they did.

Since this is our first Disney Cruise I am trying to make sure I have everything prepared for our trip. There are things that are very unique to Disney so let me know if there is anything I've missed. Here are the items I've already purchased or plan to purchase soon.

1) Personalized Pillowcases and Fabric Pens
2) Lanyards
3) Autograph Books
4) Princess Costume
5) Items for Pirate Night
6) FE'S and FE'S Gifts
6) Lots of Disney Clothes

Ultimately I am trying to make sure I don't get on board and find out there is something EVERYONE has that my kids have a meltdown if they don't have it too! Especially since I can probably buy it at home for half the price. Thanks everyone we are really getting close to our DREAM CRUISE!!

Your list is pretty encompassing, but if your kiddos are into light-up items (glow bracelets, etc.) you might want to pick those up for pirate night as well. And maybe some sand toys for Castaway Cay? Happy packing/shopping!