The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line 2017

[dtrain]

Last year's any good? Worth picking up for 2017?








.

 

[dj2]

same question

plus --- has anyone subscribed to their touring plan service for DCL. I've used them for DL and it was very good, but I don't know if it's useful for a cruise.

thx.

 

[squirk]

same question

plus --- has anyone subscribed to their touring plan service for DCL. I've used them for DL and it was very good, but I don't know if it's useful for a cruise.

thx.

My 2017 guide arrives on Saturday. Honestly, we were underwhelmed by the 2015 guide because it was kind of light on content. Len Testa is awesome, and the material that was there was great. There just wasn't enough of it, especially with the ports and port adventures. As such, we skipped the 2016 edition until Len was able to add some meat to the book.

I'll repost here on Sat. after I have received it and taken a look.

As for a Touring Plans subscription? Ehhh, it's not the same thing as a subscription to WDW or DL, which are screaming deals. The planning tools/calculators for the parks are great, but you don't really need those for a cruise. The "fare tracker" is nice, but kind of moot if you've already made your reservation.

I'd say if you have the book, the subscription is redundant, and vice versa.

 

[deanimal]

I got a copy of 2016 from the library for a couple weeks to check it out. It was interesting to read but as someone who reads here regularly and does a lot of research on my own I can't really say that there was any new information in it. They're trying to give a first timer everything they'd need to know so if you've been on a few cruises already it's pretty redundant. I spent maybe 45 minutes going through it and had no problem returning it to the library.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

I got the 2016 version earlier this year. It does have good info in it, you definitely are a little more familiar with things after reading it. I wouldn't say it's a necessity, but if you are one that likes advance knowledge and to try to plan accordingly then you can never go wrong have more info.

 

[dj2]

Thanks everyone. we bought tickets last week for our first cruise, which is happening very soon, and have the library copy of the 2016 book right now.

for a first-timer we thought it was awesome. I didn't realize the 2017 wasn't out yet. For some reason thought it came out in early fall. I just thought there were a ton of people on the library's waiting list ahead of me and wondered if I should buy my own copy, lol.

Good to know about the touring plans subscription. For us the handsdown best part of it at DL was their Lines app, and I couldn't imagine what their cruise version would have. I'm assuming you have to wait on line say for a water slide, but it won't be like waiting for space mountain, will it?

 

[keishashadow]

Recall enjoying the passporter more as a 'read' vs a reference book

Think I gave away my older copy of the UG one. Does anybody know if it has deck plans, menus, etc. in new edition(s)?

 

[RedSox68]

If you have done a Disney cruise, I don't feel you need the book. If it's your first Disney cruise, then you might find it helpful.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I have the 2015 DCL unofficial guide and the membership. I haven't used the membership a lot, but I may use it more in the next month to choose excursions. I found the fare tracker interesting. I wanted to be on the forum, but it's mostly dead over there compared to here. I really love the WDW membership and forum on touring plans, but the cruise one could be better.

 

[squirk]

Good to know about the touring plans subscription. For us the handsdown best part of it at DL was their Lines app, and I couldn't imagine what their cruise version would have. I'm assuming you have to wait on line say for a water slide, but it won't be like waiting for space mountain, will it?

The lines for AquaDuck/Dunk can get lengthy, but no, not like Space Mountain.

There really isn't need for a "touring plan" on the cruises like there is for the parks. The only lines you might encounter are the aforementioned water slides and the character meet-n-greets. Just show up as early as possible for those two things, and that's all the "plan" you really need.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Yeah, no lines app on the DCL version. Who'd want to pay for the wifi to update and check it while on the ship anyway? There are lists of excursions and details about the ports and itineraries, but is there any more information than elsewhere? I don't know. It's all consolidated in one place, though.