Tell me some pluses to this change

[FloridaFun83]

My husband and I recently made the decision to change our winter cruise plans to include our two teenage sons. We were booked on the 6 night merrytime on the fantasy in early dec with our 3 youngest. Made the change to 5 night dream merrytime to cozumel and castaway cay early november so we could afford to add a second room. I'm feeling a bit bummed, was looking forward to the fantasy and will be missing out on grand cayman. Also had to downgrade from POR to all star sports for our few park days before cruise (again 2 rooms). Besides the obvious that we get to take all our kids with, any other positives to this?
(p.s. I realize- first world problem- grateful to be taking this trip at all- 1st cruise!)

 

[DCLPrincess]

The Dream is very similar to the Fantasy. I love the Beauty and the Beast show on the Dream. Grand Cayman gets skipped a lot anyway so you won't have to worry about that disappointment. I stayed at AS Sports once (it was not my pick, had to stay longer due to hurricane) and I was surprised how much I loved it. On the plus side it only has 1 bus stop vs POR that has 4 so it takes longer to get to the park.

 

[lilsonicfan]

Maybe the older two can watch the younger ones while you and DH enjoy some ship nightlife

 

[cwis]

My husband and I recently made the decision to change our winter cruise plans to include our two teenage sons. We were booked on the 6 night merrytime on the fantasy in early dec with our 3 youngest. Made the change to 5 night dream merrytime to cozumel and castaway cay early november so we could afford to add a second room. I'm feeling a bit bummed, was looking forward to the fantasy and will be missing out on grand cayman. Also had to downgrade from POR to all star sports for our few park days before cruise (again 2 rooms). Besides the obvious that we get to take all our kids with, any other positives to this?
(p.s. I realize- first world problem- grateful to be taking this trip at all- 1st cruise!)

Not giving you any advices but it looks like by reading your post that you would have very much preferred to sail without your teenage sons on the Fantasy. What about speaking to your husband about this? Maybe he feels the same and you should change your plans once again?

 

[FloridaFun83]

Not giving you any advices but it looks like by reading your post that you would have very much preferred to sail without your teenage sons on the Fantasy. What about speaking to your husband about this? Maybe he feels the same and you should change your plans once again?

I am not unhappy to be bringing our teens, just a little sad about downgrading from the cruise we were on since the cost to add them on to that one was out of our budget.

 

[monkeydawn]

Being able to get to GC is iffy. Its a tender port and often missed. My track record is 50/50. So, maybe you are only missing a unplanned sea day if that helps any.

 

[mevelandry]

My husband and I recently made the decision to change our winter cruise plans to include our two teenage sons. We were booked on the 6 night merrytime on the fantasy in early dec with our 3 youngest. Made the change to 5 night dream merrytime to cozumel and castaway cay early november so we could afford to add a second room. I'm feeling a bit bummed, was looking forward to the fantasy and will be missing out on grand cayman. Also had to downgrade from POR to all star sports for our few park days before cruise (again 2 rooms). Besides the obvious that we get to take all our kids with, any other positives to this?
(p.s. I realize- first world problem- grateful to be taking this trip at all- 1st cruise!)

The Dream is great. You’ll love it.

Grand Cayman is great but it’s one of those ports that can easily be cancelled (especially when sailing between December and April) because of the tendering. Chances are you might not have been able to stop there anyway.

There will most likely be other cruises (and other opportunities to visit GC in the future).

When it comes to POR vs AS Sports. I have stayed in all the different categories of hotels in WDW, the « value hotels » being among the most recents ones and, as someone who is obsessed with the Deluxe hotels, I was stunned by how comfortable they were and how much I liked them. To the point that I encouraged my friends to book a value for our ladies trip in December!

 

[Karin1984]

If you only have a few park days, how much time will you really spend at the resort and in your room?

 

[MomOTwins]

The bright side is that your whole family will be together Hands down, you made the right decision here.

But if you need any further reassurance, I didn't think POR was really a step up from a value--the resort is so spread out and the bus system is a nightmare--we were also there during the holiday season crowds, so many times the buses would fill up before they ever got to our stop and we'd wait 40+ minutes for a bus.

Also, we've been on the fantasy and dream before and the ships are almost completely identical. Definitely don't have a preference between them. You are only losing a grand cayman day, but still get Castaway Cay which was a real highlight! We didn't care much for grand cayman because the tendering process is sooooooo long, and the excursion selection is just ok.

 

[gdrj]

Being able to be with all your kids, isnt that enough of a positive?

 

[pearljammer]

I can’t say you’d see a HUGE difference in Fantasy and the Dream honestly, so I wouldn’t be bummed about that. In regards to GC, honestly.....unless you had a specific excursion you wanted, you aren’t missing a lot. Resort downgrade? Well, Sports isn’t bad at all. You won’t likely be spending a ton of time and honestly, think of the joy your getting of having everyone there vs not. So honestly, I don’t see where the loss is except maybe the resort aspect. If you want to eat a restaurant at POR or something, you can still take shuttle. If your visiting parks, then well....*shrug*...........
Don’t stress it and enjoy it. At least you are in a place to provide the cruise along with the day trip to WDW for your family. So kudos!

 

[lklgoodman]

We've gone on 2 cruises to GC in the winter. Both times we weren't able to tender, so had sea days instead. Enjoy your new cruise and stop thinking about your original plans. I changed our 7 night cruise to a 5 night for 2021, so I'm also trying to do my own advise.

 

[pearljammer]

If I may also add, your just one night short on the cruise. You still get Castaway Cay (is the best part day). All Star Sports was the first one we ever stayed at. Let me just say this. While it’s not Disney, almost 2 years ago we did Universal and payed a LOT of money for the Polynesian resort that included the unlimited ride pass. Let me just say, while the hotel was nice, the room wasn’t bigger nor any more special that it was worth the money considering how little time we spent there. So with that said, I merely want to reiterate, you are likely getting a better bang for your buck with what you consider to be a “downgrade”. *wink* I will also say, we enjoyed the All Starts Movies honestly. Just remember when on board to get your on board booking for the discount. But hopefully one less night won’t mean you’ll forget such things as those which are REALLY important. *wink*.

 

[lilsonicfan]

While it’s not Disney, almost 2 years ago we did Universal and payed a LOT of money for the Polynesian resort that included the unlimited ride pass. Let me just say, while the hotel was nice, the room wasn’t bigger nor any more special that it was worth the money considering how little time we spent there.

Might not be a more special hotel (RPH does have the smallest rooms of the Universal Premier hotels) but for me the value is almost entirely in the Express Pass!!

 

[pearljammer]

Might not be a more special hotel (RPH does have the smallest rooms of the Universal Premier hotels) but for me the value is almost entirely in the Express Pass!!

EXACTLY! (I didn’t want to get into that for fear it would steer the subject off course *smile*). But agreed. *wink*

 

[rusbytammy]

Have a wonderful trip. AS Sports will be fun!

 

[tundra1]

As far as hotels, your boys will love All Star Sports. It has great photo opportunities, and with only one bus stop, you will get to the parks quicker. If you are in one of the Baseball buildings, you can also catch at bus at All Star Music by cutting across the parking lot.