TEN YEARS LATER....

[TommyRav]

So we did a Disney Cruise 10 years back and had a blast. Boys were 4 & 7 at the time - we did the land/sea combo. Looking to do it again in 2018 but my question is, for those who have cruised back in the day and more recently....is it pretty much the same things to do, see, experience on board and at Castaway Key or would new experiences await us a decade later? Obviously the boys are older, now 15 & 18, if that makes a difference.

 

[o&smom]

There will be old favorites and new things to try. It will feel very different because you will all be at different stages in life so your interactions as a family and with others will be different. If you are at all concerned, you could try a different ship or a different itinerary as well. Happy cruising!

 

[mmouse37]

Try the Dream or Fantasy for newer, cool things and experiences. Service is still great!

MJ

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So we did a Disney Cruise 10 years back and had a blast. Boys were 4 & 7 at the time - we did the land/sea combo. Looking to do it again in 2018 but my question is, for those who have cruised back in the day and more recently....is it pretty much the same things to do, see, experience on board and at Castaway Key or would new experiences await us a decade later? Obviously the boys are older, now 15 & 18, if that makes a difference.

While very similar in the activities department, there's always something a little different/new.

And, your kids would now be in a different club level than before. The 15 year old would be Vibe and the 18 year old would participate in the 1820 society (if it gels).

Castaway Cay now has a couple of water slides, also. Very fun.

 

[LoveMickey]

I also would suggest the Dream or Fantasy to see changes. But we still do love the Classic ships. We've been cruising Disney for 15 years.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I also would suggest the Dream or Fantasy to see changes. But we still do love the Classic ships. We've been cruising Disney for 15 years.

There's been a few changes on the classic ships in the past 10 years, also.

 

[cruiser21]

The biggest change is the price has tripled or quadrupuled..,other then that it's pretty much the same.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

It will be different bc your sons will be so much older. We just completed our 5th DCL cruise, and my husband just yesterday remarked how pleasant it was that since our girls were 5 years older than when we began cruising w/DCL, it's a completely different experience. I'm sure they'll love it just in a different way!

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We have done four nights, seven nights and 14 nights cruises and always feel like we have not seen or done it all while on board the ship. We love Castaway Cay, and since they have added the Dream and the Fantasy (with all the additional people) to their repertoire they have also added more things to do in the swimming areas.

 

[jrabbit]

• The Wonder now has Tiana's Place in what was Parrot Cay - and I feel that it is the best Main Dining Room in the fleet.
• The Magic has Carioca's in the space that was Parrot Cay - and it is a very good restaurant
• The Atrium's on both the Magic and Wonder are different (can't say improved IMO)
• The adult entertainment district have been rethemed. Beat Street (Magic) and Route 66 (Wonder) are no more. I feel that these thematic changes make this area seem "classier" (neither good nor bad). The nighttime "adult" shows are mostly different than 10 years ago - but Match You Mate lives on (but the hosts are not allowed to "pull more info" out of the guests - so it is not as funny as in the past)
• Should have 1 different show per ship than 10 years ago. On the Wonder, "Hercules the Mus-he-cal" has changed to Toy Story and now Frozen (very good). On the Magic Tangled replaced .... drawing a blank here
• Topsiders / Beach Blanket Buffet up on the pool deck has been "upgraded" to Cabanas - still the breakfast / lunch buffet, just a different format than before.
• Pools are the same
• If on a 7 night cruise, you have the 3 main stage shows along with the welcome aboard show, which leaves a few slots for guest entertainers - maybe you've seen them in the past (John Charles, Michael Harrison, Magic Dave, etc) or it might be someone new to you (singer, magician, jugglers, comedian, etc) and quite likely a first run Disney / Pixar / Marvel / Star Wars movie.
• The Daytime activities are very similar but have changed over time. There's still Bingo (it seems to be a big deal on all of the ships), trivia (Disney, Music, General), Towel Animals, Napkin Folding, Learn to Draw, Baby Races (until someone makes them stop)
• There seem to be more Mixology, Wine Tasting "classes" (over 21 and there is a charge) than in the past
• Disney really has a very small variety of cruises: the Dream - 3 or 4 night Bahamas, Fantasy: Eastern / Western for 7 nights, Wonder: summers in Alaska, winters doing western or Bahamas, Magic: Northern Europe, Mediterranean and winters doing Bahamas & western.

It might be "Same Thing 10 years later" or "This is a Great vacation" - the choice is yours. We've been sailing DCL since it's inauguration. We try to go on cruises that go to new to us places, and we mostly sail on the classics, and just enjoy being on the ship being waited on by people that appear to love their jobs. And we really enjoy taking the time to visit with those people that are taking care of us.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

• The Wonder now has Tiana's Place in what was Parrot Cay - and I feel that it is the best Main Dining Room in the fleet.
• The Magic has Carioca's in the space that was Parrot Cay - and it is a very good restaurant
• The Atrium's on both the Magic and Wonder are different (can't say improved IMO)
• The adult entertainment district have been rethemed. Beat Street (Magic) and Route 66 (Wonder) are no more. I feel that these thematic changes make this area seem "classier" (neither good nor bad). The nighttime "adult" shows are mostly different than 10 years ago - but Match You Mate lives on (but the hosts are not allowed to "pull more info" out of the guests - so it is not as funny as in the past)
• Should have 1 different show per ship than 10 years ago. On the Wonder, "Hercules the Mus-he-cal" has changed to Toy Story and now Frozen (very good). On the Magic Tangled replaced .... drawing a blank here
• Topsiders / Beach Blanket Buffet up on the pool deck has been "upgraded" to Cabanas - still the breakfast / lunch buffet, just a different format than before.
• Pools are the same
• If on a 7 night cruise, you have the 3 main stage shows along with the welcome aboard show, which leaves a few slots for guest entertainers - maybe you've seen them in the past (John Charles, Michael Harrison, Magic Dave, etc) or it might be someone new to you (singer, magician, jugglers, comedian, etc) and quite likely a first run Disney / Pixar / Marvel / Star Wars movie.
• The Daytime activities are very similar but have changed over time. There's still Bingo (it seems to be a big deal on all of the ships), trivia (Disney, Music, General), Towel Animals, Napkin Folding, Learn to Draw, Baby Races (until someone makes them stop)
• There seem to be more Mixology, Wine Tasting "classes" (over 21 and there is a charge) than in the past
• Disney really has a very small variety of cruises: the Dream - 3 or 4 night Bahamas, Fantasy: Eastern / Western for 7 nights, Wonder: summers in Alaska, winters doing western or Bahamas, Magic: Northern Europe, Mediterranean and winters doing Bahamas & western.

It might be "Same Thing 10 years later" or "This is a Great vacation" - the choice is yours. We've been sailing DCL since it's inauguration. We try to go on cruises that go to new to us places, and we mostly sail on the classics, and just enjoy being on the ship being waited on by people that appear to love their jobs. And we really enjoy taking the time to visit with those people that are taking care of us.

Actually, while the Goofy pool on the Wonder has remained the same, the Mickey pool has changed. Now there is a water slide that adults can ride as well (used to only be for children) and a new splash playground added. Also, the Magic has added the AquaDunk.

 

[fairytalelover]

While very similar in the activities department, there's always something a little different/new.

And, your kids would now be in a different club level than before. The 15 year old would be Vibe and the 18 year old would participate in the 1820 society (if it gels).

Castaway Cay now has a couple of water slides, also. Very fun.

what's the 1820 society?

 

[jrabbit]

for the "Tweener Adults" - those between 18 and 21 years old.

On a kid's 18th birthday, DCL locks them out of the Vibe - even mid cruise. And they are too young to drink on DCL ergo, the 1820 Society. Legally not a kid, Legally not an adult of drinking age.

They get together and plan events that they are interested in. So Participation EARLY ON (like the first evening) is pretty important. Get to know others in their peer group, and make plans for the duration of the cruise...

 

[Rabb it]

The biggest change is the price has tripled or quadrupuled..,other then that it's pretty much the same.

LOL