Disney' Wonder-ful Adventure

So, we just got home from a wonderful vacation on the Disney Wonder Cruise Ship.  Lots to say, lots to share!!!

1.  The Silver

How can you afford it? Some may ask.  Yes, Disney Cruises are a bit more than usual, but in our family's opinion, every penny is worth it.  It works for us.  I blogged all about budgeting and making these cruise vacations happen even on a tight budget here

TIP

If you think you might even consider another cruise trip, book while onboard.  You get 10% off and onboard credits based on how many nights your next cruise will be.  The deposit is minimal and it is fully refundable.  You can't lose with that.

2.  The Ship

I knew we had booked on the older smaller ship of the 4 fleets Disney has.  And considering that we were on the newest bigger ship the Fantasy 2 years ago, I was a little weary but we decided to give it a try.

When we got to the terminal, we were indeed a little nervous, and even after we got onboard.  Very clearly this is an older and smaller ship but soon after the first 10 minutes Disney, once again, proved us wrong.  We have actually found a newfound love to smaller ships!!!

Everything else aside from the size and some signs of aging (but not run down) were superb.  There was really no difference between our experience on the Fantasy and the Wonder.  I didn't notice the huge difference in decor as others have mentioned, but everything was good!!!

The plus?  Even though we were on a full ship on the Wonder (and a half empty on the Fantasy) we never felt the crowds!!!  We were told there were about 2500 people on board plus over 1000 crew people.  You do the math...the ration is unbelievable.

The only time we felt 'crowded' was on embarkation day at the lunch buffet on Deck 9.  That was it!  After that, we never had trouble finding a place to chill, to sunbathe, to swim, to play or to rest!  Even character sighting line ups seemed shorter!

The Disney Wonder might be older (I think it's about 15 years young) and smaller, but it is not worse for sure.  In fact, our family really loved how easily we could go from place to place.

TIP

We sailed from Miami - what I loved?  The trip from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami is so close, no need to get special car service, etc.  $24 flat rate on taxi.

If you have young kids, and depending on your time of arrival, you might want to pack some snacks just in case you are not able to embark once you are there.

3.  The Schedules

The daily schedules are called the Navigators.  And they are exactly the same as those in the other 3 ships.  Everything you need to know is there!  Plan the night before!!! We always do and it makes the next day so much easier!

4.  The Sights

The basic layout of the ship is similar to the Fantasy.  It is pretty easy to find your way around the ship.

a.  There are 2 theatres.  One shows movies and the other the evening shows.  This time we made it to all 5 shows.  The kids absolutely love the shows and they are very kid friendly.  To see my daughter's face light up was priceless.  Whereas ALADDIN was my favourite show on the Fantasy, I would say on the Wonder it was a toss between The GOLDEN MICKIES and DREAMS.

TIP:

If you want to experience some of the 'effects' during these shows, you might want to consider going earlier to get good seats in the front.  For the Wonder, going 20 - 30 minutes before show was more than enough to get front seats.  We were only 5 rows too far from the 'snow' that came from the DREAMS show :(  Our kids could see it but could not touch it (though we were welcomed home to a whole lot of it just 2 nights after!)

Bring your own snacks and drinks - popcorn is $3.50 a bucket or $7.50 I think for a large one with a 50% off on second day fill.  We did get the $3.50 one day but they didn't even finish that.  Instead, they seemed to prefer the Lays chips we got (get the ones on tubs like Pringles so it survives the trip)

Booster seats are available close to the entrance to the theatre.  Not everyone gets them so just look for them as you enter.  Lots of booster seats for the kids.  My 6 year old used them just in case a tall adult happen to seat in front of us

Go watch a movie.  On the Fantasy we watched Brave, Finding Nemo in 3D and Wreck it Ralph while I watched a midnight show of Lincoln in my PJs (yes, I did!).  This time around, daddy and kids went to watch Super Hero 6 in the afternoon while I took a nap and I watched it the night after on a midnight show.  If you watch those 11 PM shows, just wear something comfy...makes a huge difference!

b.  Atrium area.  Smaller than the Fantasy, but still the main place where character sightings happen and where Guest Services and Port Adventure bookings are.  This is the main place where formal portraits are done too

c.  Deck 9 - where the pools and all the buffet and casual food is.  We utilized this area a lot more this second time around and hanged around this area a lot!  I can't remember if there were floaties on the Fantasy but there were enough on the Wonder.  This allowed us to let the kids go on the deeper pool and just let them watch movies on the big screen while swimming and while I sunbathed on a beach chair

d.  Guest Services - I go there for everything!!!!  Not only to settle our accounts or complaints.

TIPS:

Sea sickness medications - get them for free here, if you need them

Stamps - the Castaway Cay post office was closed so we bought DISNEY STAMPS at Guest Services  instead.  They will mail postcards for you!  How cool is that!!!

Extra postcards - Your stateroom has 2 but we wanted more to send with Disney stamps as souvenirs. Go to Guest Services for more. The same postcards are on sale in the store but you can get them for free if you just ask!

d.  Character Sightings - a must!!!! Read your Navigators to find out where they will be.  The line ups are usually so short (especially on this voyage) we didn't even have to come 10 min before the characters appeared.  A special tip, though.

You might also see characters roaming around the ship and on Castaway Cay if you sail the Caribbean.

TIPS:

I bought 2 small notebooks 2 years ago at Walmart (I think they were like $5 each) and they were perfect!  One was blue and the other red...with "DREAMS" and "BELIEVE" on the front cover...You don't need to splurge $15 an autograph book....I just wrote the year the signature happened on the page so that we remember :D

Another idea that came to mind this trip:  You could bring those readers your kids have at home and have Cinderella sign the Cinderella reader, Anna and Elsa sign the Frozen book, etc.  It would be like an author signing thing.

If you have a princess coming with you and she wants to meet Ariel, Tiana, Cinderella, Anna and Elsa, etc. CHECK on EMBARKATION day to see if they require TICKETS ahead of time.  For our itinerary, the PRINCESS GATHERING and MEET ELSA AND ANNA required special tickets.  We just simply lined up at Port Adventures (Deck3) on Day 1 after lunch and settling down and got tickets for the next day.

And by now most people know...you can leave a T-shirt, Pillowcase or what I prefer, a photo frame mat at Guest Services on Day 1 and ask them to have characters sign them.  Provide Sharpies or if you are asking to sign on cloth, I'd suggest getting fabric markers.  You can ask for signatures from any character or just Princesses, etc.  This year, I used Black mats as we used White ones (with coloured sharpie signatures) last time.  On the night before disembarkation, your signed memorabilia will be in your stateroom

e.  Oceanner's Lab and Club.  This is the kids only space.  See #6

f.  Adults only area.  You know what? I didn't even need to go there this time around.  The ship was full but it never felt full so I just relaxed in the main pool area.  My brother informs me, as expected, that it is a very nice area.

5.  The Sounds

It might have been our impression, or the fact that our kids are now a little older but we felt there was so much more music onboard this time!  We also enjoyed more deck time this time and I was able to just enjoy it while the kids just played around.   

Just beware that Pirate night might be a bit loud for kids that are sensitive to sound (like mine is) - my son skipped that last time but made it this time around - maybe because he is 2 years older now and being this his second time, he knew what to expect.  If you can make it though, stay for the Fireworks  at around 10 or 10:30 PM

6.  The Space for Kids only

Both Fantasy and Wonder have great spaces but the Fantasy's Lab and Club are actually connected whereas on the Wonder, these are 2 separate spaces on the same floor.  Either way, our kids used this space here and there.  We like a family vacation where we spend time together so the kids club is an extra for us.  This time around, the kids chose programs they liked (The Flubber for my 8year old, and Baking cookies for my 6 year old) and they asked to go in for a few games here and there.

All the kids cruising with Disney are registered and are given a wristband that stays with them throughout the cruise.  The bands have improved from 2 years ago and they are now slicker and more 'cool' looking.  The kids use these bands to check in and check out from the kids spaces and it has a GPS on them so at any time the staff knows exactly where the kids are located - cool stuff

TIPS

Wear the band on the hand your kids doesn't use as often.  Remember they will be wearing this for the entire cruise time

One improved feature this time around?  My allergic kid's band has a RED dot.  This helps ALL staff to note that he has some allergy

If your kid wears an epi pen, you will sign an extra form during registration.  They cannot carry the epi with them inside the clubs.  Instead, they take them and store them with the counsellors

You don't have to register the kids at the terminal (sometimes it might be very crowded).   You pre register the key information online prior to sailing and you can finish the process (Get the wristbands) once on board if there was a long line up at embarkation

7.  The Sustenance

If there is one area I hear people cringe about Disney Cruising aside from the size of their ships is that of the food.  Is the food good? I am asked all the time.

To be perfectly honest,  I don't think it is the best...but that is hard to compare, isn't it?  For one,  it all depends on tastes and what one is accustomed to.  Secondly, if you are traveling with kids, when does good food really matter as opposed to happy family eating together?  At least to me, I'd rather have the latter!! 

Having said that, we enjoy the food every night.  You still get your lobsters, shrimps, beef wellingtons, escargots, array of fish dishes, lamb, veal, etc.  And nothing was bad. In fact, it was quite good (but again, don't quote me, everyone's expectations on this one is different and it depends on your taste buds!)

Disney ships have usually 3 formal dining spaces.  So you rotate every night.  On your Key Card (the card that will get you in your cabins, in and out of the ship, and that is used to charge purchases and take portraits) you will find your restaurant assignment. Take a note of it on Day one to know where you will be when.  A is for Animator's Palatte, P is for Parrot Cay (Caribbean food), and T is for Triton's (French).  

But alas!  If you really want gourmet food - book at PALO.  For $25 a person you get a full Italian feast that will satisfy you for sure!!!!  and it is an adults only area!  I actually 'splurged' and opted for the 6 course meal with 6 wine pairings for $59

TIPS

If you have allergies, let your waiter know on Day 1 all the details you need and they will take care of things for you.  All the food consumed by anyone with a special order due to allergies have to be approved by the head chef before they process it.  And I believe all the kids menus are nut free

Kids have a kids menu but your kids can order anything from the grown up menu too (or mix them up)

Just because your dinner seating says it starts at 5:45 (First seating), it doesn't mean you'll lose your dinner if you show up at 6:00 PM.  The same goes about showing up early.  You don't have to line up early.  Having said that, be considerate and don't show up an hour late...these folks have to prepare for the second seating after you are done your meal too.

For this trip, we only ate from the Buffet on Deck 9 on Day 1 (embarkation lunch) and Day 6 (disembarkation breakfast).  The Buffet area on the Wonder is a lot smaller than on the Fantasy and we just enjoyed a la carte more.

We had breakfast either by the pool on Deck 9 (take some food from the buffet but eat outside) or at Triton's form a la carte menu.  Much more comfortable

My all time favourite snack at the Wonder?  CHICKEN FINGERS!!!!!  Just get a bunch, find a place to eat on Deck 9, and you are set for lunch!!!!

Though we left the kids with my parents on the night at Palo, you can also drop them off at Oceanners club.  They will have dinner with them!  Or, when we were on the Fantasy, our next table left their tween boys at the restaurant.  They were old enough to eat by themselves.  The parents came with them first, and then the waiters took really good care of them for the meal!

Bring water bottles.  Deck 9 has a drinking station with ALL THE SODA, TEAS, COFFEES, HOT COCOA, WATER and JUICES you want...all included.  No need to buy any SODA packages.  This feature won my husband over :D

And you CANNOT ... I repeat...CANNOT leave without trying the MICKEY Bars....No need to explain...just have them and you'll know what we mean :D (and they are nut free)

On the day of disembarkation, if you are not in a rush to the airport, check with guest services what is the latest time to disembark. Take your time and enjoy your last few hours on board :D  If you have early seating for dinners, you will be told breakfast will be served very early (6:45AM).  We didn't even bother trying to make it for that breakfast.  Just wake up later, and go up to the buffet area (they closed at 8:30 on our sailing) and enjoy the nice meal before disembarking

and yeah...free ice cream...any time!

8.  The Staff

I've been on different cruises before and generally everyone has been good...but with family, I still feel Disney goes beyond good...and they know family language.  Everyone is not only nice, but they truly seem to be HAPPY, even the quieter ones.  This difference has made it always so easy for us to consider tipping more.

One thing I have noticed is that although we were very satisfied with how Disney staff seemed aware and educated about allergies, this time around, we noticed they have improved their system.  Because my son's wristband is labelled and I think because they must have a note in our cabin records, even the dining staff at all restaurants (even those serving us in the morning) would ask us about the type of allergies and things we needed to cater to our needs.  They even knew about air born allergies as opposed to just allergies based on consumption

Take the time to write a special note to the staff assigned to you - we have never done so yet but on this trip, on the last day, I noticed some staff reading with joy notes other people had left in their stateroom - it really matters to them!

Details matter - after the first night, our kids were welcomed into our rooms with not only clean and made up beds but each one had a theme bed sheet!!! Princess had a Pink Princess pillowcase and sheet, and the Prince had a Cars Theme one.  They were shocked (and so were we)

9.  Shutters

We traveled with my parents and brother this time so we already knew ahead of time that we would splurge on portraits on this cruise.  Usually, though, we plan on spending only for up to 10 portraits if the photos came out nice.  Knowing we never take portraits during the year, and that my entire family would be together, we knew we would splurge

The area where all the pictures are stored is actually quite nice.  It is decorated like a library with lots of 'book folders'.  Your file is somewhere there.  Swipe your card and you'll find out where your pictures are stored.  No more pictures hanging on a shelf for everyone to see.

TIPS:

You can actually find the prices for all the packages prior to sailing on the Disney site (it will redirect you somewhere else) so you can have an idea of how much they would be

We got the full package which means you get all the pictures you take on board plus a CD with all the digital versions of them.  Knowing that, we just started taking pictures like crazy.  The more you take, the better 'deal' you get, get it?

Tip, though...they may not print all the pictures so check if you are getting this package. They will have to reprint all the missing ones from your file.  You can use your card to check all the pictures in your file.  Check that with the physical prints you get and let the staff know if anything is missing

As for taking those portraits.  We took the most on a CASUAL night.  No line ups means more time for the photographer to just spend with you!  We actually had shots taken with no one lining up at all!  The most popular night to take portraits is FORMAL night...so if you want pictures with formal wear, either go very early (We went at 5:10, they open at 5:15) or be prepared to line up.

If you see a long line up...sometimes it might be worth going to another site with another background (there are many stationed usually around the lobby area) and then come back.  

If you have a group staying in different staterooms, remember that the package you get is only valid for the people living in that stateroom.  That is, for instance, my parents and brother were in another cabin.  So all the pictures with only them (without any one of us in my family) were not part of the package.  However, if at least one of us is in a picture with them, we get the pictures too (because we bought the ALL inclusive package) - this makes sense, but it's worth mentioning

10.  The Staterooms

They are pretty standard cabin rooms with just a few more add-ons that makes family lives easier (in my humble opinion):

- A lot of storage space.  In fact, we found more storage space in our cabin on the Wonder than in the Fantasy (but both have enough)

- you can store things under the bed (luggage)

- Fridge on all cabins - we used to love this feature when we travelled with small kids.  Didn't use it this time though

- The split washroom!!!!!  Yes, one washroom with sink and toilet and a separate one with sink and bathtub!!!!  Need I say more?

11.  The other stuff

There are so many other things to mention but I am running out of "S" words:

Cleanliness.  There are wipe your hand stations at the entrance of all eating areas.  That is an obvious.  What might not be as obvious:  I was using a public restroom and a kid came out without washing her little hands.  The staff in the restroom (I noticed there was one in each restroom during peak times) gently asked the girl to wash before leaving :D

Did I mention someone in our family always gets a little sick in any vacation we take?  Well, Disney is magical but we still manage to have a couple of hours this time (that is nothing!) of stress.  During breakfast my prince got sick from a rough night at sea perhaps and you know ... did what happens when you get sea sick.  The staff were all very calm and cared for us but were also diligent in telling us what to do, and they immediately cleansed the area (I felt like I was in a scene from Monsters Inc though).  Afterwards, about 24 hrs later, they called us to check that we were ok and asked if we needed anything.  We were fine by then but it was nice to know they were very vigilant about illnesses on the ship

We don't do excursions as our main point is to cruise as opposed to visit new ports (maybe when they are older we will) but a tip, if you are like us....consider spending most of the day on port days on the ship!  Especially on a crowded ship....when we were on the Fantasy it was divine to have that big ship all by ourselves (or at least feel like it)

Wave Phones - How could I forget to mention these??? Each cabin has 2 wave phones that allows you to communicate with each other or with anyone in the ship.  If the kids need to contact you from the club the staff will text/call you.  If you want to find out where hubby is, you call him.  If the waiter has questions about your kid's allergies, he calls you.  Use the phone!!!  There are 2 phones in each cabin so make sure you dial "1" or "2" after you enter your cabin number (or anyone in any other cabin number)

The App - There is a new app you can download before cruising that has all the information about the ship and the schedules on it.  On our ship, the Wonder was not equipped to test out the messaging feature they are testing but the app was working.  I didn't use much of it because I'm not tech-savvy and always worried for any hidden fees or problems if I clicked something wrong and my phone provider starts charging me for roaming.  But from what I could tell, it is useful if you set it up right.  On the first day you can sign up and get 50MB free for the cruise.

Can you tell I love Disney Cruising?  And that says a lot for a family like ours.  We always get sick during trips and even with sickies Disney manages to keep us so happy.