Speaking of wine...

[FantasticDisFamily]

Has anyone done and/or checked into the wine package?

We saw this on one of the navigators but not much detail. My DH & I enjoy wine, know and appreciate top of the line wine, but aren't too proud to enjoy the less expensive stuff. Of course some of the low end is really bad but our past experience onboard has been acceptable to us.

This sounded like it might be fun but...

Do you save anything?

Are the choices in the categories ok or quite limited?

Any feedback would be appreciated. Taking our own on board is probably not an option because of the need to carry it on the plane and we change planes (weight to lug)

 

[cruisnfamily]

Also, what is the price for the 3 day, 4 day, and 7 day. I remember hearing there was a regular wine package and an upgraded wine package, if you're not, as we aren't, wine connoiseurs would it be worthwhile to get the upgrade. I'm thinking probably not.

And last question, what if you don't finish the bottles, I know they will keep it for you 'til the next night but then you would finish that and start the next and it would probably be a never ending cycle of 1/2 bottles ending with a wasted bottle at the end......unless you could leave that one unopened and take it home....Can you?

 

[llachance]

My mom and I got the standard package this past July on our 7 day cruise. I had done the same the year before. We didn't experiment this year because we found the Merlot very enjoyable. We got one of our bottles when we ate at Palos. We also had some left over one night and had it for dinner the following the night. Your waiter will save it. Also brought the leftover, uncorked bottle home with me to enjoy. There is probably a good choice for anyone. I have learned since then that the premium package has some special wines bottled for DCL. I would probably choose that one next year just for that reason.

 

[jlmcantwait]

Does anyone know the cost of the packages?

 

[DisneyKids]

I think it was around $150 plus gratuity for the 7 day standard package (Jan '02). That's digging into my memory so hopefully someone will validate.

If you plan to drink wine in any volume (about a bottle per day or by the glass in similar quantity) it's a good deal. We thought the wine were very good. I'm sure the more expensive package had a few of the better varieties but we really enjoyed all of our choices.

 

[DawnL]

My sister-in-law did the regular wine package on the 7/6 Western. It was $148 for the regular package and I think $258 for the premium package. They enjoyed it, felt there were good choices. They were also able to select a bottle from their package at Palo's on the night we had dinner there and left the ship with 1 unopened bottle.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Thanks to those of you who have posted. Any additional insight also appreciated.

Deb

 

[mcnuss]

I believe you will find much info about the wine packages at www.dcltribute.com, Dave's excellent site.

 

[abitjaded]

Here are both of the wine packages:

http://psiklops.brinkster.net/Trips/ShowDoc.aspx?TripDateID=1&DocumentID=15

 

[Windermere]

Does anyone know if they worked out the bugs in the system yet? By that I mean we bought the package once after being told that we could use it in any of the bars. There seemed to be confusion on this point. We were able to get it from some servers in the bars but others totally refused/denied to do it for us. The reason is we enjoy a nice white or sparkling before dinner but prefer to match wine with our meal from the reserve list for dinner.
I would buy the package again if I could be sure that I could get some sparkly stuff whenever I wanted.

 

[Mickbee]

We purchased the premium on our 6/29 cruise. We didn't get it until the third night. When we first boarded we didn't know if we would drink seven bottles of wine or even a bottle a night. We drank four bottles (one each night) for the remainder of the cruise. We took the remaining three with us. The down side was; the bottle were heavy in my carry-on. The up side; We took home some of the Disney exclusive wines. We were very happy we purchased it. I believe it was around $265.00 for the package, though not 100%...

The big question:

Would we do it again? YES!!!!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Thanks for the links folks. I just looked at the trip report, Dave your site wouldn't come up for some reason.

Anyway, now I have a couple of followup questions.

1. On the premium packages llachance and mickbee mentioned DCL exclusives. Are the exclusives a special bottle? Vintage? Because everything on the list I've seen at our local wine store.

2. Are you able to order duplicates, for instance if we wanted 3 bottles of merlot and no white? Or do you make 7 different selections?

Thanks in advance DISers!
Deb

 

[aseafish]

Are you able to order duplicates, for instance if we wanted 3 bottles of merlot and no white? Or do you make 7 different selections?

Also anxiously awaiting a reply on this one.

 

[Mickbee]

You may order duplicate bottles. That is just what we did! We took home 2 Fariy Tales and 1 Fess Parker.

The Disney exclusives are a Fess Parker Chardonnay and Iron Horse "Fair Tale" Cuvee.

The Fess Parker is a special vintage for the 100 year celebration and has it on the label. The Iron Horse was an exclusive for the 2000 celebration.

Iron Horse brand is available commercially. However, the Fairy Tale is not.

From the List:

Iron Horse "Fairy Tale" Sonoma:

"A perfect blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, vibrant fruit with yeasty, rich and creamy quality of freshness"

Fess Parker Chardonnay California:

"Aromas of pears and apple with a touch of oak and flavors of butter scotch, vanilla. Specially bottled for Disney's 100 Years of Magic"

I hope the info helps. Now I REALLY want to run down a pop open a bottle.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Thanks everyone. Now we just have to decide which way we want to go - standard or premium.

And I think I shall go open a bottle - by the clock it is just about time for the ship to depart. So that must mean it is sail away party time.

 

[dylan'smom]

Originally posted by FantasticDisFamily
Thanks for the links folks. I just looked at the trip report, Dave your site wouldn't come up for some reason.

That link won't work because there is a comma inserted at the end. Just open it w/ a new window, delete the pesky comma, & it will open!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Ishould have realized that - guess I'd better read more carefully.