Disney Wonder

Disney Wonder

Walt Disney said, "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." I have people tell me that they have always wanted to take a Disney cruise, but it's too expensive. Don't let cost keep you from pursing your dream. My tip for traveling any where you've always wanted to go is to start putting money aside in an envelope, jar, or account for that trip. Before you know it, the funds for that trip will magically grow.

I just came off a cruise on the Disney Wonder, to the Western Caribbean, and I have to say that ship is sprinkled with "pixie dust. Check out the video my mom shot.

Disney is timeliness and makes everyone smile, regardless of age. Here are 3 things I enjoyed about cruising Disney.

Dining --- Dining aboard the Disney Wonder is truly original. Each evening, your place of dining is rotated between 3 dining rooms (Parrot Cay, Triton's Palace and Animator's Palate). I liked this because it provided a different atmosphere each night. Our serving staff rotated with us and every night they provided excellent service and made suggestions on what to eat. Our main server, Alvin (not the Chipmunk) always emphasized he gave suggestions and that we could choose anything we wanted. While dining at Animator's Palate, keep an eye on the animated art work.



Pirate Night -- One night that was truly original was Pirate Night. When we came to dinner, at each place setting was a red, pirate bandana. Some guests wore the bandana on their heads, others who didn't want to mess up their hair, wore it on their arm. After the meal, servers paraded around the dining room and invited the guests to join them in a march around the room and the limbo. Then later on in the evening, we made our way up to the deck for the Pirate Party. Music, laughter and entertainment filled the Caribbean air. The evening was topped off with fireworks. What a fun-filled night!

Entertainment -- As a professional singer, I enjoy sitting back and enjoying a great show. Disney is not only the "Happiest Place on Earth," their shows are top notch. My favorite show was Toy Story, The Musical. Literally, words cannot express this show. The cast was phenomenal. The actors who played Woody and Sid did an incredible job! The lighting (including laser lights featuring Tinker Bell flying across the curtain), set design, sound, special effects, etc., all made this show incredible.

Disney Wonder was voted the friendliest ship around. I can see why they respectfully earned this honor. Everyone made this voyage memorable. If you'd like more information on the Disney Wonder, Adventures by Disney or any other travel destinations, let me know.

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Cruising Disney

Tips from Disney Cruisers

Pixie dust, princesses and pirates make a great vacation.  Read what others have to say to make your Disney cruise experience even better.

Greg B.

Resist the temptation to drop the kids off in the A.M. and leave them there 'til midnight. Take them to the stage show. They will love it!

Amy R.

Online Registration: 
Register online when you are able to (A couple months in advance of your cruise). Also do the kids' club registration online.  Print out all registration info and take it with you. If there is a line for the kids' club registration in the port terminal, do not wait in it. By pre-registering online, all you need to do is take your paperwork to the kids' club on the ship and turn it in.  They will give the kids' their Mickey Bands (kids' club ID's/tracking devices) within a couple of minutes. My kids LOVED the kids' club on the ship and at Castaway Cay.  Definitely take advantage of it!

Clothes Pins: 
Bring clothes pins to hang wet bathing suits and cover ups in the bath tub/shower.

Candy/Snacks: 
I bought several boxes of "movie candy" before we left.  Snacks are available to buy at Preludes during the show, but they are expensive.  If you don't bring snacks, grab some cookies or chips from Flo's Cafe before heading to the show.  These are free. You can also order cookies from room service. Mickey Bars (ice cream Mickey Heads covered in chocolate) are free through room service even though they are not on the menu. You can also get Mickey Ear Bars in the restaurants for dinner! 

Alcohol/Bottled Water: 
If you plan on buying drinks on board, you may want to pack your own liquor, beer, or wine.  Disney lets you bring as much as you want in your carry-on luggage.  It can’t go in your checked luggage.  If you take a bottle of wine to dinner, they will charge you a corking fee.  You do have a small refrigerator in your room to keep it cold!

$1 bills:  
If you plan to order from room service, bring an envelope of ones to use for tips.  Everything through room service is free, but you have to tip.

Pirate Night: 
Disney has a family themed pirate show with Mickey and Friends at 7:45.  Pirate fireworks start around 10:30 with a pirate show (Captain Jack, etc.). Everyone gets a Mickey Pirate Bandana, but take other pirate gear if you have any.  I also took "glow" necklaces and bracelets for my girls.

Rich P.

The pool deck of the Fantasy is amazing (with movies on the big screen, great pools, and the Aqua Duck), but the deck surface gets unbearably hot.  You’ll want flip flops for the whole family.

If you have a large family, consider getting two connecting ocean views over one family stateroom.  We got one family stateroom on deck 10 for our family of 5. We used our veranda a couple times. It was a nice room but tight.  My brother is going in a couple weeks and got 2 connecting ocean views.  His kids will have a separate room and he is spending less money.

Try a different boutique bar every night.  There are many small and beautiful bar spaces around the ship.  Make sure you get around to see them.

Go for cruises longer than 3-4 days.  It takes most folks a few days to settle into ship life.

Have the ship's photographers take a lot of pictures of your party and buy the digital photo package (you get all photos on a disk).  You just spent a lot for a great cruise--get those pictures!

If you've got great vacation tips to share, click here.

To request additional information or to secure your voyage on Disney, please click here.

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Disney Dream Tour

Disney Dream Tour

By Janelle Woodyard

“I’ve always wanted to take a Disney Cruise.”  Have you ever said that? Or have you heard someone else state that desire?  I had the opportunity to tour the Disney Dream and I have to say, if it is your dream to take a Disney cruise, take the steps to make it happen.  If you’ve ever been to a Disney theme park, you know Walt Disney World does things first class.  From the moment you drive onto the Disney property, the magic infiltrates your vehicle.  The same thing happens when you cruise with Disney, from the moment you enter the cruise terminal, magic fills the air.

Dining:

While dining on the Disney Dream, each night you rotate between 3 dining rooms (Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, and the Royal Palace.)  The staff rotates with you and as a result, they are able to cater to your every need.

For adult only dining consider the Palo ($20) or Remy ($75) for a romantic and luxury experience.

Staterooms:

I toured a number of the staterooms including the Concierge’s staterooms, Oceanviews, and inside cabins.

Concierge’s staterooms:

Concierge Guests have access to a sundeck that is only available to other Concierge Guests.  Rooms also come with a queen-size bed, a full bath and a half, refrigerator, iPod docking station, and a privacy curtain.  Concierge suites (Royal Suites-approximately 1,781 sq ft or 1-bedroom suites-approximately 622 sq ft) are also available with the finest, most luxurious accommodations.  Call for additional details.

Oceanview staterooms:

Oceanview staterooms come with a queen size bed, one porthole-some have obstructed views.  The most common stateroom is the Deluxe Oceanview with the Verandah, which sleeps 3-4.

Inside Staterooms:

One of my favorite features about the inside cabins is the porthole with live video footage of what you would actually see if you had an oceanview.  These rooms also come with queen size bed, and an iPod Docking station.

Kids Area:

When I walked into the little people’s section, Oceaneer Club, I felt like I was sprinkled with Tinker Bell’s pixie dust.  This area has a plethora of hands on activities including: Andy’s Room, Monsters Academy, Pixie Hollow, and Explorer Pod.  Then this area breaks off into Disney’s Oceaneer Lab which includes themed spaces: Media Room, Animator’s Studio, The Wheelhouse, Sound Studio, and Craft Studio.  Too bad I’m not young enough to stay in the area. 

Disney makes everything fun…even washing hands.  When the children enter the Oceaneer Club there is a hand washing station that is like a dish washer for your hands. Simply put your hands in the tunnels and the warm water starts swirling around.  Yes. I actually tried it and it was incredible.  I wonder what it would take to get that into classrooms.

Pre-teens and Teens:

 Pre-teens will want to stop by the Edge.  The Edge is filled with activities and entertainment that rock!

Teens love the Vibe.  It comes complete with a SunDeck, a dance floor, and a coffee shop.  Some activities include Zombiefied and Ghost Voyagers.

Nightclubs and Lounges:

Disney Dream has several nightclubs and lounges in the District including Pink (a chic cocktail bar) The District Lounge, Evolution (a dance club), 687 (sports lounge, where they brew their own beer), and my favorite Skyline Lounge (every 20 minutes the skyline changes to another destination, along with the music and lights to accommodate the new scene.) The District reminded me of Disney’s Pleasure Island but on a cruise ship. 

Did You Know:

-When you sign in online, you receive a boarding time.  This is the time you are to board the ship and having a specific boarding time cuts down on the wait time to board.

-You can also schedule your spa appointment online prior to your cruise.

-When you board the ship, you feel more Disney magic as they announce your family’s name as if you were a princess entering the Ball.

-The Buena Vista Theatre is a movie theatre where they show first run movies.

-Disney holds a 5k at Castaway Cay, their private island.

-All non-alcoholic beverages are included in the cruise fare.

-Disney voyages include deck parties and fireworks at sea.

What’s stopping you from planning your Disney Dream Cruise?  I can help plan the Disney Dream cruise that you’ve always wanted to take.

As Walt Disney said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."


Visit www.lifesrudder.com.