Wonder, Walt Suite...any questions?

[Familyof6]

I am not getting to my trip report as fast as I thought I would. I'm still working on the land portion. We sailed on the May 19th, 4-day Wonder. We were in the Walt Suite. I'd be happy to answer any questions until I get time to put my thoughts together in a report.

Lisa

 

[howardk613]

Lisa,
How did you like the suite ? Was it everything that you expected and would you try for it again on your next cruise ?

 

[Fawn]

Were you 2 adults and 4 children? May I ask what your price was? Do they only charge you two adult prices for that cabin?

 

[KaterBell]

We just got off the 6/6 Wonder, Roy Suite! How amazing is that suite? We were hoping to run into the people in the Walt so we could peep in, but didn't happen... Glad to hear you had a great cruise!!

 

[howardk613]

KaterBell -
Glad that you enjoyed the Roy suite on your recent cruise (it really is unbelievable !!) We have stayed in both the Walt and Roy suites and although both are amazing, we prefer the Roy suite (same floor plan only mirror images of each other) because we like the decor a little better. We are going again this Nov. and tried for the Roy suite but had to "settle" for the Walt suite. By the way if you are interested, Barb and Tony were nice enough to put our pictures of both suites on their site www.castawayclub.com so if you are interested in seeing the Walt suite, take a look.

 

[reveric]

Hi KaterBell!
We'll be in the Wonder-Walt Suite in early October.

Just a few questions...
1. Where did you stay for the land portion?
2. What time did you arrive at the port for boarding?
3. Were you able to board the boat without standing in line?
4. What were your thoughts/observations about the suite?
5. What services did the concierge offer that you took advantage of?

Thanks!
Veronica

 

[Familyof6]

Howard,
The suite was fabulous! It was more than I ever expected! I would book it again, but I don't think there will be an again unless I go with my kids when they are grown. My dh was not comfortable being in the suite. He was overwhelmed. I don't think I'll even be able to talk him into cruising again. (not that the cruise wasn't fun, but I just know he prefered our time at the parks)
I didn't get to see the Roy suite, but I think that side of the ship has better views...but I may be wrong. It just seemed like we were always looking in the opposite direction of where I would like to have been looking.

Fawn,
I honestly don't know the break down of the price. We did the Land/sea pkg so I'm not exactly sure what part of that was the resort and what part was the ship. There were two adults and 4 children, but my youngest is only 2...counts as an infant.

Veronica,
Answers...
1. We stayed at the Grand Floridian Royal Palm Club. (and added one night on our own through Shades of Green overflow rate...Garden View)
2. We took care of our own transfers and took Happy Limo to the port. We arrived around 10:30am after a grocery stop.
3. Yes, we were shown to the concierge waiting area to wait to board. Then all concierge guests boarded after all the wheelchair guests. (we just happened to be the last of the concierge guests to board)
4. The suite is simply beautiful!!! I loved the HUGE verandah and spent every night out on the lounge chair writing in my journal! (and falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean ) I would have loved to sleep out there if I thought I could. The kids had a great time plinking on the piano. (two take lessons) We never used the dining room. The library was not used much either. The jacuzzi tubs both came in handy when we got back from a miserable hour or so at Castaway Cay...it was pouring and it was NOT a warm rain. DH and dd2 got in the shower stall..(with bathing suits), ds11 and dd6 got in the second bathroom jacuzzi tub and dd9 and I got in the big jacuzzi tub.
5. We took advantage of the free soda and water. I just called concierge and asked when we needed it. We were told by our room host that someone would be in to explain our "privileges" to us, but no one ever did that. We met at the lounge to book spa treatments, Palo's (which we cancelled) and the kids clubs. We booked our only excursion on our own. I asked for a couple of things that never did materialize. Oh well. I wouldn't say we had a really great concierge team, but they were pretty good.

Anything I've missed?

Lisa

 

[Familyof6]

I'm glad you also enjoyed your suite. Who was the concierge team and how were they?

Lisa

 

[Chattyaholic]

Hubby and I cruised on the Magic 1/01 and we're going again 1/03, both times category 6 but this time we'll be on the opposite side of the ship. We enjoyed our verandah last time, but felt like we were always on the "wrong side" of the ship so decided to try the other side next time. But just ONCE I hope to be able to get one of those beautiful suites. I've read about them, and seen pictures, and told my hubby that after our farm is paid for I want to book one!! I know it would be a "once in a lifetime" thing, as it's a lot of money and in some ways it would be wasteful, I know, but still....I am determined to do it ONCE!

 

[Familyof6]

That's exactly what I did. (a once in a lifetime trip) There's a LOT of background to my trip, which will begin my trip report, but to make it really short...2001 began as a yr to forget with my dear sister passing away unexpectedly. Spiraling down from there for the next few months with one thing on top of another, dh said we could go to WDW and DCL!!! Honestly, planning this trip (and these boards) kept me from sinking into a VERY deep depression. (I know I would have crawled into a hole had it not been for my kids and planning this "trip of a lifetime") As it turned out, 2001 is STILL and will always be a yr I'd rather forget. (the trip was supposed to make it a yr to remember, as we were to travel in Oct/Nov...but that didn't happen)
I loved experiencing the fabulous suite, but unfortunately, I don't believe we will do it again. I would do it in a heartbeat, and yes, it's a bit extravagant but you only live once and you never know when your time will be up. (Dsis was only 49 yrs. old) That's why we did it NOW!
Now, let's talk about your screenname! You HAVE to change it! It sounds like people get addicted to these boards and we ALL know THAT'S not true!


Lisa

 

[Fawn]

Lisa

It sounds so gorgeous! It would be a lovely way to cruise, I admit!

Is there a separate waiting area for concierge guests? I was under the impression it was just a separate line.

Do you know if free soda and water was just part of a Cat 1 or is it all concierge suites...from 1 to 3??

Where and when do you meet with your concierge to book all of your appointments? I was wondering if it is early enough that you get the times you want, or if it's better to try and do it yourself by getting in the lines when they open.

 

[Familyof6]

Fawn,
Yes, there is a separate waiting area, but I don't believe it's exclusive to concierge guests and those needing assistance. It's just an area with seats that's right by the observation deck. I think anyone can sit there, but I may be wrong. We were taken there by the cm who checked us in. She said something to the security guard standing nearby. I think was our last name and our suite. There was a little boy who took great interest in my DS. I'm pretty sure he was in the regular line and had just wandered over to us. No one said anything.
When it was time to board, the bunch of us in the concierge waiting area just got into a line to go through security. That's the only line we waited in. (we were last--no hurry)

We were told to meet in Cadillac Lounge with the concierge team from 12:30 - 3:00. We went directly there after lunch. (1-ish) One of the concierge team members sat down with us and went over our selections. (I booked two spa treatments, a night at Palo's and Flounders) After we finished with all those "requests", a counselor from the kids club came over and had us register the kids. She also had a beeper there to give to us. Very simple! Later in the day we recieved and envelope that had a run down of our appointments and reservations. We got times near to what we had requested, which was fine with us...and they had coincided Flounders with our Surial Bath and Palo's.

I don't know about the Cat 2 and 3 suites and the soda/water situation. When I called prior to our cruise, I was told that the "first" set-up was complimentary only. But I had no problem (and no bill) when I requested additional set-ups from the concierge. They just asked how many of each I wanted. It may be that they are more strict in the other suites. Sorry, can't help you there. You'd have to ask someone in one of those cat's.

For the record, we did NOT receive any special gift at the end of our cruise and our kids did NOT receive any arcade cards from the concierge. We did get little treats left on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. Nothing on Tuesday.

Anything else I can answer, I'd be happy to help! I love talking about our trip...as you can tell!

Lisa

 

[KaterBell]

Originally posted by reveric
Hi KaterBell!
We'll be in the Wonder-Walt Suite in early October.

Just a few questions...
1. Where did you stay for the land portion?
2. What time did you arrive at the port for boarding?
3. Were you able to board the boat without standing in line?
4. What were your thoughts/observations about the suite?
5. What services did the concierge offer that you took advantage of?

Thanks!
Veronica

To answer your questions, we stayed at the GF, Royal Palms Club Concierge... we got to the port around noon and boarded the boat no problem - small line, but there's no separate line for cat 1-3 people if that's what you're asking....

Suite was GORGEOUS... walnut wood design everywhere... lots of space. 3 big bedrooms - we had the Murphy bed that came out of the wall in the "library" room in the suite. Wished the veranda was bigger - we had 5 chairs for 6 people. We had the concierge book us Spa times, and Palo's reservations... we met with them at the Cadillac Lounge and they took care of everything... the team was ... Baxter and ... Tina? Not sure of her name, but she was VERY nice and helpful.

The bottled water delivered to the room was a GREAT feature, we drank that more than anything else!