queenie82
Queen of the 5 Castles
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2008
As you will see in my sig I did do a TR about my trip on the Disney Wonder. Well I have now done the same cruise (same time of year, same destinations, same length) but on the Disney Dream.
There were a number of positives that could and can be described about Disneys new Cruise ships. Compared to the mega ships the other companies have on offer, the Disney Wonder and Magic are dwarfed. Even the Dream dwarfs them. But is bigger really a good thing? Have Disney made the most of having a larger ship? Have they learnt from the mistakes made on the Magic and Wonder and actually improved things? Or have they just made different mistakes and cut corners?
I approached going on this new ship with a positive attitude overall. Much effort had gone into room selection on this cruise so THIS is where my TR will begin.
But I will also discuss other aspects of the ships as my expectations of the shows and restaurants were high, as well as of course .the AQUADUCK!!!! Yet I have been left quite disappointed and I think preferring the Wonder, so Ill try and explain the pros and cons that come with the different ships.
Doing this I think will take longer than I hope due to ill health and a pile of other stuff to sort through, and the sheer number of photos I need to go through not just for this but for work. But I do want to try and assist in you choosing a Disney Cruise and knowing what to expect, so will do my best in sharing my experience.
One thing I should point out. This was a cruise partaken by 4 adults. I have NO information whatsoever on the kids clubs.
So first of all you need to check in at the cruise terminal. A car had been hired for an earlier aspect of the trip so we went to the terminal by car. Arriving by 11am. 11am is the earliest time you can check in. Despite this though, if you are staying onsite at a Disney resort you wont find yourself arriving until about 2-3pm. Why? Ask Disney. Trust me you are the ones missing out by using their transport missing out on lunch on the ship as well as using the facilities (AQUADUCK) with less people around.
So we arrived. Unloaded. Handed over the tagged luggage. And took our carry on baggage with us to check in.
You will go through security metal detectors and bag xray as found at an airport. Happily they have not yet implemented the body scanner
You then go up the escalators into the Terminal where you check in. You will see a Check in area for the commoners/newbies and then one for Castaway club members. As previous cruisers we went to THAT area
And here comes the fun part. As part of having a car we spilt up with two going to the (new) multi story carpark to park. While we went in to begin check in. (The parking while on the ship is reasonably priced but I cant remember how much. And makes it a LOT easier getting away once you get off. Drive away straight to your new destination.)
Back to Check in he with the documents who had SAID Ill give you the documents didnt. So wait we did .look around
When they arrived we began check in and then came problem number 2 apparently only 2 of the 30 staff know how to process Australian passports. We went through a few people before we found a CM who knew what to do. What the? Seriously? Its a different country not a different planet. Although the USA is a different planet
So we were all checked in and had our check in number. This number determines when you can get onto the ship. Im not sure the exact determining system but we had a good number. 3 I think. Anything over 5 I think is good.
In the meantime I found some Manatees hanging out between the dock and ship
We headed straight up to Cabanas to set up camp for lunch. VERY nice lunch.
This is one change from the Wonder. Previously a RESTAUANT in the Dining rotation was always where people in the know headed for lunch. The staff at the entry would try and convince you to go up to the Beach Blanket Buffet. However on the Dream. You go to Cabanas. Let me remind you of something at this point though
- THIS IS A VERY LONG SHIP
- CABANAS IS AT THE AFT (REAR) OF THE SHIP
Ok
So set up for lunch we dined. Then came project Aquaduck and there are a grand total of THREE female toilets in the rest room at Cabanas. And the diaper changing table is in the Disabled toilet one of the three. So what do you think quite a number of people are doing? Trying to get changed to use the pool. Some are actually just trying to use the toilet. You can imagine a queue grew. Well done Disney .well done
At this point we split up again with some going to Aquaduck while two of us (myself included) went down to deck 9 (from deck 11 where Cabanas is) to take the stuff to the room. Although the rooms WERE due to be accessible at this point they were still working on the cleaning and we couldnt get to the room.
Now while I DID do some research he who had done the most at this point did the BIGGEST GAFF EVER!!!!!! He left two of us with 4 peoples worth of carry on baggage (4 roll ons, 4 over the shoulder, PLUS some backbacks) on deck 9 beneath Cabanas.
Where is our room??
Where do you think our room is???
AT THE FRONT the VERY FRONT as AT THE FRONT AS YOU CAN GET
So we were left the luggage and 5 mins later they removed the ropes and let us into the corridor ..
The
VERY
LONG
CORRIDOR!!!!
Complete with cleaning carts still in the way
Anyone remember what I said about the ship?
- THIS IS A VERY LONG SHIP
- CABANAS IS AT THE AFT (REAR) OF THE SHIP
So after 10 mins of wheeling and crashing into walls we made it to the room.
Welcome
To Room .
9500
There were a number of positives that could and can be described about Disneys new Cruise ships. Compared to the mega ships the other companies have on offer, the Disney Wonder and Magic are dwarfed. Even the Dream dwarfs them. But is bigger really a good thing? Have Disney made the most of having a larger ship? Have they learnt from the mistakes made on the Magic and Wonder and actually improved things? Or have they just made different mistakes and cut corners?
I approached going on this new ship with a positive attitude overall. Much effort had gone into room selection on this cruise so THIS is where my TR will begin.
But I will also discuss other aspects of the ships as my expectations of the shows and restaurants were high, as well as of course .the AQUADUCK!!!! Yet I have been left quite disappointed and I think preferring the Wonder, so Ill try and explain the pros and cons that come with the different ships.
Doing this I think will take longer than I hope due to ill health and a pile of other stuff to sort through, and the sheer number of photos I need to go through not just for this but for work. But I do want to try and assist in you choosing a Disney Cruise and knowing what to expect, so will do my best in sharing my experience.
One thing I should point out. This was a cruise partaken by 4 adults. I have NO information whatsoever on the kids clubs.
So first of all you need to check in at the cruise terminal. A car had been hired for an earlier aspect of the trip so we went to the terminal by car. Arriving by 11am. 11am is the earliest time you can check in. Despite this though, if you are staying onsite at a Disney resort you wont find yourself arriving until about 2-3pm. Why? Ask Disney. Trust me you are the ones missing out by using their transport missing out on lunch on the ship as well as using the facilities (AQUADUCK) with less people around.
So we arrived. Unloaded. Handed over the tagged luggage. And took our carry on baggage with us to check in.
You will go through security metal detectors and bag xray as found at an airport. Happily they have not yet implemented the body scanner
You then go up the escalators into the Terminal where you check in. You will see a Check in area for the commoners/newbies and then one for Castaway club members. As previous cruisers we went to THAT area
And here comes the fun part. As part of having a car we spilt up with two going to the (new) multi story carpark to park. While we went in to begin check in. (The parking while on the ship is reasonably priced but I cant remember how much. And makes it a LOT easier getting away once you get off. Drive away straight to your new destination.)
Back to Check in he with the documents who had SAID Ill give you the documents didnt. So wait we did .look around
When they arrived we began check in and then came problem number 2 apparently only 2 of the 30 staff know how to process Australian passports. We went through a few people before we found a CM who knew what to do. What the? Seriously? Its a different country not a different planet. Although the USA is a different planet
So we were all checked in and had our check in number. This number determines when you can get onto the ship. Im not sure the exact determining system but we had a good number. 3 I think. Anything over 5 I think is good.
In the meantime I found some Manatees hanging out between the dock and ship
We headed straight up to Cabanas to set up camp for lunch. VERY nice lunch.
This is one change from the Wonder. Previously a RESTAUANT in the Dining rotation was always where people in the know headed for lunch. The staff at the entry would try and convince you to go up to the Beach Blanket Buffet. However on the Dream. You go to Cabanas. Let me remind you of something at this point though
- THIS IS A VERY LONG SHIP
- CABANAS IS AT THE AFT (REAR) OF THE SHIP
Ok
So set up for lunch we dined. Then came project Aquaduck and there are a grand total of THREE female toilets in the rest room at Cabanas. And the diaper changing table is in the Disabled toilet one of the three. So what do you think quite a number of people are doing? Trying to get changed to use the pool. Some are actually just trying to use the toilet. You can imagine a queue grew. Well done Disney .well done
At this point we split up again with some going to Aquaduck while two of us (myself included) went down to deck 9 (from deck 11 where Cabanas is) to take the stuff to the room. Although the rooms WERE due to be accessible at this point they were still working on the cleaning and we couldnt get to the room.
Now while I DID do some research he who had done the most at this point did the BIGGEST GAFF EVER!!!!!! He left two of us with 4 peoples worth of carry on baggage (4 roll ons, 4 over the shoulder, PLUS some backbacks) on deck 9 beneath Cabanas.
Where is our room??
Where do you think our room is???
AT THE FRONT the VERY FRONT as AT THE FRONT AS YOU CAN GET
So we were left the luggage and 5 mins later they removed the ropes and let us into the corridor ..
The
VERY
LONG
CORRIDOR!!!!
Complete with cleaning carts still in the way
Anyone remember what I said about the ship?
- THIS IS A VERY LONG SHIP
- CABANAS IS AT THE AFT (REAR) OF THE SHIP
So after 10 mins of wheeling and crashing into walls we made it to the room.
Welcome
To Room .
9500
but it is a FANTASTIC idea. Just remember to knock first…on the way OUT!!! As the poor schmuck accessing the wardrobe might get a nasty surprise
)
