rm0530

Thank you for doing another trip report for us. I know they are a lot of work. Your effort is appreciated!

"Hunger Games District 1"

I'm curious what events this group planned that would fit the Hunger Games experience. It's not exactly magical Disney everyone wins type stuff.

Son just turned 4! Little brother will be arriving in April. We haven't been able to cruise or camp because of the Zika mess. We have a Fort reservation for October. Not sure why we're being crazy and tent camping with a 6 month old. The Fort will do that to you!

I was about to say Big Wendy is not going to be happy to hear about Twin #1 getting some special Pan attention.

That's a cool headband for his BAHA. One of my students has one but hers clips onto her shirt. 

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/DCL-Itinerary-Brochure-October-2016-2017-2016-Winter-Dates.pdf

Thanks, I've been waiting for this. We had to cancel a September trip because Zika/pregnancy. Have you seen a pdf yet that shows the dates offered for each? I know I've seen one in the past but that may be released after opening to public.

We have a 3 night booked for Sept '16 and booked the same for Sept '17. Making monthly payments so it isn't a huge hit and booking at the lowest price helps. Still can't believe the prices we had back when we started in 2012. A week on the Fantasy in May '12 for ~$2600, it was a guaranteed balcony rate.

We stayed at the convention center Hilton last August. It was nice enough and they had a Starbucks in the lobby. The walk felt longer than it was just because we were doing so much during the day so we were spent by the end of the night. I would stay somewhere closer if I brought my child.

I've been on the Fantasy but it was back in May 2012. I have been on the Dream 3 times as well. Fantasy has a nice adult shaded lounge area with a wading pool that they've just added to the Dream. It also has the Aqualab splash area that Z would like. There's the detective agency game that he'd like. You can work on those throughout the week. I think they are giving some fastpasses for meeting certain characters--check with guest relations about that when you board. 

This site has had some good information and also provides copies of navigators to see what activities you can expect http://disneycruiselineblog.com/

I miss Disneyland! We had such a fun time in August 2014. If the flights weren't so bad, I'd be more willing to book another visit. The parade and fireworks look amazing. I roll my eyes now at our Main Street Electrical Parade. 

We also rode Friday morning and it was full on holiday version. 

 

Sunday we have reservations at Via Napoli in Epcot at 12, and we typically do finding nemo, however the plan after lunch is to hop back over to MK so I am torn as if i should do the fast passes at Epcot, or just go at line drop to get finding nemo done and save the fast passes for the afternoon at MK?!?!

 

We check out Monday, and well I set up reservations at Trails End for breakfast, that way the wife and kids can stay and play/ slowly make the way back to the camper that I should have closed up in about 30 min or so.  here is the dilemma, do i park it at the Fort in overflow and go to Animal Kingdom, or should I drive it over there and park it at the park, do our 3 things and then head home

the kids like the Safari, and were planning on doing the train to the back of the park, and then some time in Dino land.  but I am concerned about where to park the TV and trailer

 

I would save your fastpasses for the afternoon/evening at MK. I really doubt you'll have much of any wait at Finding Nemo, definitely not need to rush there at rope drop.

I would pack up and drive over to AK. There will be parking for your trailer, no worries. You won't have to wait on a bus to/from and you'll be able to hit the road quicker.

We only made a few stops since that day was our departure day. We had breakfast at Trails End and packed up--arrived at Epcot around 11:30. We went left and started at Mexico. The line there was long (probably because it was the first area). We kept moving and these were our stops:

Africa--we enjoyed both the beef and chicken

Germany--the bratwurst/pretzel roll and the pasta gratin with ham and cheese (was just a large hunk of cheese--we had one small piece of ham)

America--Lobster roll (not even close to being worth the 7.50. Skip it.)

France--two boxes of macaroons in the bakery. Worth it!

Canada--beef (was well done and hard) and cheese soup. This booth is so over-rated.

Refreshment port--Cronut and Dole Whip

Hawaii--pork sliders (good flavor, would get again)

Overall not much food and we spent $80. Wish we were closer for a weekday visit. We would have done more if we didn't have the 7 hour drive home, if the lines had been shorter, and if we didn't have our 2 year old with us.

The line for the passholder glass was very long. We didn't wait.

I know at the parks they give you a Make A Wish button that can be used to get to the front of lines and characters. I wonder if they also provide that for the character greetings on the ship.

Regular Chase holders were allowed into the lounge on opening weekend. It was very muggy and humid that Sunday. The coke freestyle machines were nice!

TCD, I saw those early preview dates too. I wish we were able to make it during that week! We will be there that weekend but were planning to avoid opening night. We are going Saturday evening hoping that the Wine and Dine race will divert some of the crowds.

We were in 1519 last week. I like the far side of the loop that doesn't back up to the 1600 loop--more private. It was a short walk to the comfort station and bus.

We rode it last Saturday evening. No Mermaids!

We visited last August and had 3 day passes. That amount of time felt perfect for us to see everything and allowed time to repeat favorites. 

We had the park hopper option. It was great to go back and forth. The 2 parks had different hours when we were there (one park open earlier and other open later). It was also nice to leave for meals in DTD. The 2 parks have separate fast pass systems so technically you could have passes in both parks at the same time if you're talented with the timing.

Sounds easy enough! Thanks for the purple crayon. We haven't told little man yet about the cart. He's already pumped enough for the campfire with Chip and Dale so this will just be more icing on the cake!

We are heading down this week and will be renting a cart for 2 days. This is our first cart experience despite our many visits. I know where to find the parking for the Settlement, Outpost, and Meadows Trading Post but I'm unsure about the pool and sing-a-long.

Can we go down the road by the tennis courts or is the only entrance on the Orange loop road?

Is the path of awesomeness still the access road to park at the Settlement?

We are checking in Thursday afternoon but getting a cart Friday and Saturday. Lady on the phone said a cart was guaranteed by 1pm but we could try sooner. Would early morning Friday be alright to go up to the front and try?

Jeez, I didn't even notice the medal.

 

But, now that I see it- I want one!

 

Those are new since the last time we cruised. The medals they used to award were just a black Mickey head, and they were the same as the medals awarded for other events on the ship.  The one CP is sporting is custom made just for the Castaway Cay 5K.

 

TCD

You can thank runDisney's greedy pockets for this.

These medals debuted back in January for the Castaway Challenge. Run any race during marathon or princess weekend followed by the cruise and you get a special challenge medal (an actual medal AND the new plastic version) for completing the island 5k. All participants now receive this re-design.

All that being said, I also want one! We wont cruise again till Sept 2016. There's no telling what will change before then.

I will agree about the downward spiral at Ohana. We dined there at the end of March and had a similar experience. Cold bread, cold meat, and slow wait service. Not worth the high cost. I hate the dining plan.

Have you looked into doing the kids races? They aren't too expensive and it comes with a race bib, shirt, and medallion. They usually have a character out there for the kids. My little one will be doing his first during that weekend.