The Disney Wonder Royal Suite was spectacular
Written: May 17 '00 (Updated Oct 03 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The Royal Suite made the cruise very special.
Cons: The 3-night cruise was to short.
The Bottom Line: My trip aboard the Wonder is one that I will always remember with wonderful memories. I hope everyone someday can experience the absolute joy of being aboard the Wonder.
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| boardwalk's Full Review: Disney Wonder |
I called Disney Cruise Line direct and made reservations for two adults in their category 1, seven-day vacation. The first four days were spent at the Grand Floridian Beach Hotel at Walt Disney World and than followed by three nights on the brand new Disney Wonder. I was fortunate to get a confirmation for the sailing in early September of 1999 just weeks after the Wonders inaugural cruise. Since I was taking a friend with me, I wanted this vacation to be very special and one that we both would remember forever.
Day One, Two, Three and Four:
My friend lived in a different city and after flying there to pick her up, we flew first class to Orlando Florida and checked in at the Grand Floridian Beach Hotel for four nights. This is Walt Disney's flagship hotel and it was my third visit to Walt Disney World and my second visit to the Grand Floridian. We checked in to a large suite on the concierge level that overlooked the pool and the Seven Seas Lagoon. We ate dinner at Victoria and Albert's restaurant, played Mickey Mouse for four days, visited Epcot, Pleasure Island, (Adventures Club, my favorite) and of course the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. It was a wonderful way to start the vacation.
Day Five, The Cruise:
A Disney coach bus provided the mid morning trip from the Grand Floridian Hotel to the Disney Wonder. I must say, as we drove over the hill approaching the ship off in the distance we were very excited. After seeing some pictures of the Disney Magic, I new a little about what to expect but there's nothing like seeing the ship for the first time knowing you are about to be one of it's pampered passengers. We felt like little kids, fixing to go play in the tree house together.
After boarding we were escorted to the Roy Disney Royal Suite. It was better than great with 1150 Sq. Ft. of luxury surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. There was a large living room with all the perks, a dining room, a library, two bedrooms and two massive bathrooms with a spa in each and a 35-foot private veranda that overlooked the ocean. As we walked in to the suite, we just looked at each other and smiled from ear to ear.
Soon after arriving, the head concierge and her assistance made there appearance to welcome us both and to answer questions and make our restaurant reservations. That evening we had a wonderful dinner and show. Later we spent time together on our private veranda sipping champagne to a bright romantic moon and to the sight and sounds of the gentle ocean waves below.
The Disney Wonder is a beautiful ship that truly represents the high Disney standard and I highly recommend her for a romantic getaway. Our trip was the week school started back so we didn't really see that many children aboard. The kids had there own play level so they provided no distraction to us what so ever. The food was very good and plentiful, the restaurants beautiful and the service was excellent. My favorite restaurant was Palo. I recommend making your Palo reservations as soon as you get on the ship because it fills up fast. If you are in category 1,2,or 3 there is no need to wait in line because the concierge will come to your room and make them for you.
Day Six:
The second day on board was in Nassau. After a brief walk downtown Nassau to purchase some wine, champagne and souvenirs, we choose to go back aboard and enjoy the ship and ourselves. There is plenty to do aboard the ship except there is no gambling for the adults. You can go to the large Hotels in Nassau to gamble.
There was an open party held on the top deck at 10:00 PM. Disney provided a great band and it seemed like everyone aboard was there. At midnight there was a fireworks display and everyone was dancing and having a wonderful time. The Fantasy Cruise ship was docked next to the Wonder and a lot of their passengers were enjoying the music and ambiance of the Wonders party. Our cruise director made an announcement about the Fantasy being docked next to us and that all the passengers aboard the Fantasy were dreaming about being aboard the Wonder. Everybody laughed and I felt he was right. We were very happy to be aboard the Wonder instead of the Fantasy. For passengers that decided to take in the sights and sounds of Nassau that evening, they had until the wee hours of the morning to make it back to the ship before departure. Since this was my third trip to Nassau, I elected to enjoy the ships party instead of going a shore. My second visit to Nassau was aboard the Nordic Empress and number of years ago. On that voyage I stayed in their Royal Suite (stateroom 8006). Update: 10 20-2001. It's my understanding now that the Wonder doesn't have the midnight party any more).
Day Seven: Castaway Cay
The next day we woke up in paradise, Disney's own 1,000-acre Bahamian island Castaway Cay. This private sanctuary is a must on your things to do list with your family or special love one. It was a nice warm day to spend at the beach and we did just that. We walked hand and hand along the beach talking to others and collecting seashells. We enjoyed barbecued salmon and barbecued steaks galore. I think the only thing better than going to Castaway Cay once is going back a second time, which I hope to do some day soon. The only negative thing about this day is that you have to pack that night and leave your bags outside your stateroom to be picked up by the porters. This was a harsh reminder that our Disney vacation was coming to an end.
Day Eight:
After getting up early the morning of departure we spent some time taking some pictures around the ship. We waited until the very last minute to disembarked the ship and start our bus trip back to the Orlando Airport and than to fly back home. The seas were calm and the weather was great the entire voyage. Neither of us experienced any seasickness or discomfort. We were very fortunate. Just as we were leaving the ship, it started to rain very hard and there was a hurricane brewing not far behind. All good thing must come to an end and we didn't want this trip to end.
To book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, you can call Disney Cruise Line at (407) 566-7000 or (800) WDW-CRUISE.
Recommendations and notes:
1. Take as little baggage as possible.
2. If you can afford it, try to book the concierge level (category one, two and three) aboard the Wonder. It's worth every penny of it.
3. Take a lot of pictures and keep a daily journal of your trip. You will be glad you did.
4. When you board the ship have flowers or fruit waiting in the stateroom for your love ones. You can order them threw Disney. You will have two Mickey bathrobes waiting in the master bedroom and two in the second bedroom.
5. The only small negative thing about the whole trip was room service. I called the first morning from our suite to order some breakfast and I was told it would take 45 minutes to one hour before it would arrive. We were invited to a small private cocktail reception with the Captain and the (ships) Hotel Manager. I passed this piece of information on to the Hotel Manager and he agreed with me that this was an area that needed improvement and would be improved on.
6. The two Royal Suites are the same reverse layouts but they have different wall interiors. The Walt Disney Royal Suite has a piano in it and is reminiscent of the Art Deco glamour of the 1920's. It's beige carved wood paneled walls provide a sleek backdrop for the etched acrylic panel doors and softly upholstered furnishings. The Roy Disney Royal Suite doesn't have a piano but has a rich burled wood wall and etched acrylic panel doors throughout. I recommend the Roy Disney Royal Suite by far.
Entrance hallway: As you walk in the suite to your right is a wet bar with a refrigerator beneath it. Next to that is a small guest bathroom.
Living room: The living room is ample size for entertaining 6 to 12 people. There is one sofa and two chairs, but guest can also use part of the dining area (6 chairs) and part of the library with two chairs. The living room has a 25" television set with VCR. A nice video selection is provided on board. There is a safe, a 5 disc CD Player, Sony receiver Hi-Fi stereo with Bose surround sound. Next to the Entertainment center is a small wet bar and refrigerator. There is also a pull out bed in the sofa in the living room.
Balcony: The balcony is about 35 feet long with ample width to provide the comfort you need to entertain. There are two open access doors to the balcony. One from the Library and the other from the dining room. The two doors from the bay window in the living room was locked because of the sofa being in the way. On the balcony were two chase lounges, two tables and four chairs. One thing I disliked is the lack of privacy on the balcony. It is very easy for the people in the suite next door on each side to look and see us on our balcony. I would have enjoyed a little more privacy here.
7. Sleeping accommodations in the Roy Disney Royal Suite. There is a master queen-size bedroom for two along with a 13" television. You will find plenty of storage space and also a large dressing table. In the library there is a queen size wall pull down bed. In the second bedroom there is also two twin beds with two more pull down beds above then for a total of four beds. There is another 13" television and a large closet for storage.
8. Don't forget to take travelers checks. I didn't. I put two one
hundred-dollar bills in my wallet just in case I lost my cash and guess what I lost my wallet with ID and credit cards. Fortunately I still had my passport but as of today's date my wallet still hasn't been returned to me. Get travelers checks and leave extra cash, credit cards and ID at home.
9. Important: If Disney is handling your flight arrangements, you will have to pay a surcharge to guarantee that your families airline seats are next to each other. I took care of the changes to first class directly with the airline after Disney booked our air reservations. I also used air miles to pay for the cost to upgrade to first class.
10. To help you with your cruise plans, I have provided links to.(1) "The Ultimate Cruise Packing List". (2) "The Magical Disney Cruise Guide". This guide provides everything you need to know to get the most out of your Disney Magic or Wonder cruise. First click on to my member profile and than click on my favorite URL. Another excellent Disney Cruise source is by fellow Epinion reviewer Inkkognito. His website is at (www.disneycruiser.com). Inkkognito is the webmaster there and has been on over 12 Disney cruises.
11. The Disney Cruise line motor coach provides transportation from the airport to your hotel, from your hotel to the ship as well as the ship back to the airport. I found the coaches to be on time, clean and very comfortable to travel unless your are on a Disney all inclusive trip there is a charge of $40.00 to take the Disney coach.
12. Disney takes care of your luggage from start to finish. When you arrive at the Orlando airport, you will find Disney staff everywhere and they are eager to answer your questions and direct you to the baggage area and on to the Disney coach station. SPECIAL NOTE: If you need your bags as soon as you arrived at your Disney Resort, don't turn them over to Disney. If you do this the bags will be put on a separate truck and it could take two, three, or even four hours for them to arrive at your room. I had to wait about 3 hours for my luggage after I arrived at the Grand Floridian. If you need your bags as soon as you get to your resort, I recommend you to tell the Disney staff at the airport that you want to take your bags with you on the same Disney coach that takes you to your resort.
Happy sailing
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
boardwalk
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Location: U.S.A.
Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 33 members
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