Disney Wonder - Even better the second time
Written: Apr 29 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Service, atmosphere. Disney makes you feel special.
Cons: None for Disney just parents poor judgment about pool use.
The Bottom Line: Take this cruise. Skip the 3 day and go right to the 4 day. Three days is just way too short.
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| gibsonr10's Full Review: Disney Wonder |
We just returned from our second trip aboard the Disney Wonder. The first time (June 2001) we took the three day cruise and our children were 3 (son) and 5 (daughter). Our 5 year old daughter had a great time, but our son at 3 was a little young. Even though he is very outgoing, he still spent most of the time with us and not much time in the Oceanear's Club. Because we had spent 5 days in the parks prior to the cruise, my son was completely worn down by the cruise and needed to spend much of the time in the room to rejuvenate. Because we had an inside cabin, my wife and I saw very little of the ocean. We still had a great time.
The second cruise was even better (April 2004). We decided to cruise before going to the parks and this time we wanted the four day cruise, as the 3 day is just too short. My son is now 6 and he had a great time. We decided before the trip that we would have a room with a veranda in the event someone in the family got sick. Of course this time we spent almost no time in the room, but I still enjoyed having the veranda. My only disappointment with the veranda was that Disney always shows (in advertisements) the Wonder docked bow first, so we went for a stateroom on the port side, so we could sit on the veranda and look at Castaway Key. I also expected a view of Paradise Island in Nassau. In each case we backed in and received a view of the dock.
The service was great. Our room host "Gerald" was amazing. He was able to get us anything we wanted and was able to keep the room clean even when we were not so good at it. Remash and Mario where our servers and they met every need of our family. Remash would make paper airplanes and boats each night at dinner. My son still has and plays with them.
For this cruise, we arrived at Port Canaveral at 11:00am and quickly passed through check in. We were traveling with non Castaway Club members and they were through check in almost as quickly as we were. The kids sat and watched TV as we waiting in line to board the ship. They let us begin boarding right at 12:00. We were having lunch by the Mickey Pool by 12:15 and by 12:45 I was waiting in line for SPA reservations. I recommend that you get a massage at the Spa. This was my wife and my first massage and it was wonderful. Well worth the cost. By 1:05 I was having my first of many Bahama Mama's. At 2:30 we checked the kids in at the Oceanear Club and Lab. They did not actually go into the club until the following morning, but it is a good idea to get them checked in a soon as possible. This will make it much easier once you decide to have the kids go to the club. We were traveling with friends who had a 12 year old son. He felt very uncomfortable with joining the 10 - 12 year old group and was too young for the teenage club. The 12 to 13 year old age group is probably the toughest. So if traveling with a child that age, I would recommend talking to them about it before you go (just my opinion).
Day 2 was a stop at Nassau. We took a glass bottom boat ride and the kids really enjoyed that. We then did a little shopping and then back to the ship for lunch and the kids wanted to get into the Oceanear's Club for the afternoon events.
Day 3 was a stop at Castaway Cay. This day is always too short. On both cruise we have had issues (personal) in getting off the ship before 10:00. By the time you walk or ride to the beach, rent your snorkel equipment (highly recommended), floats and find chairs; it's after 11:00. Because you have to back on the ship by 4:30 and the kids come out of the club at 3:30, you have very little time to play. Try to get off the ship as soon as they will let you and enjoy the day.
Day 4 was a day at sea. This was nice to just sit back and enjoy the cruise. If you plan on sitting at the Mickey Pool, make sure you get a seat by 7:30am. People wake up early to save seats.
I have a comment to parents who bring children that are not FULLY potty trained on the cruise. Their are signs all over that kids who are not potty trained CANNOT go in the main part of the Mickey Pool. The pool had to be shutdown twice (one time for 6 hours) because a child had an accident in the pool. Parents need to use better judgment when allowing their kids in the pool. Several hundred kids suffered because of one persons poor judgment.
All in all the 4 day cruise was great, and now we are looking into booking the seven day cruise in the near future.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
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Epinions.com ID:
gibsonr10
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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