This was our 3rd Disney Cruise, the 2nd time on the Wonder. My husband and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do a quick cruise so close to home. If you have never cruised Disney- you are missing out for the BEST vacation with kids.
Remember- most trips are with kids. When you take your kids, this is called a TRIP because it's a ton of fucking work. A Vacation is a relaxing time away from home, and usually kids are NOT a part of it. Well, Disney cruises are the exception (and all inclusive Mexico vacations). Do not deviate--- Disney Cruises are the BEST! Yes they are expensive-- but you are getting a DISNEY vacation!!!!
My Ninja Mom Tidbits:
1) Stay at the Bayside Wyndham- this hotel is right across the street from the B dock where the Wonder comes to port. You can see her from your window, literally across the street. There is a Claim Jumpers inside the hotel- dinner and breakfast made easy!
2) pack as light as possible. It's 2 nights- and if weather is warm/hot- you are all living in swim suits and cover ups. 2 swim pieces per family member, 1 dress pant, and 2 dinner tops, PJs, and comfty clothing to relax in- done... you are packed.
3) If you have older children- you will not sleep. They pack as much as possible into a 2 night cruise. 8am-midnight-- lots to do.
4) Prepare to get lost all the time. The average cruiser takes 3-4 days to get the ship down into memory. Well, this short of a cruise- I kept walking the wrong way (all the time).
5) You can order whatever you want off the menu!
6) Try to get the earliest boarding time possible! We went straight to the sit down restaurant and had a lovely lunch. Rooms were not ready until 1:30pm. Our luggage was at our room by 2:30pm
7) Yes you want to buy the Beer Mug token thing. For $15 you get a upgraded BEER MUG where you pay for a small, but get the large beer. They then keep the mug and you take the token/card with you. We use them on every cruise- saves us a ton of cash. I bought mine before our last cruise, I am not sure you can buy them on board.
8) Kids will LOVE the kids club... we have a rule: When we drop them off they MUST stay for at least 2 hours. The staff love to say these words "whenever you want Mom/Dad, we just call them". UM..No... let's not repeat that. We tell our kids "the time is 9am, and we will be back at 11am to check on you. You cannot call for us before that unless it's an emergency". This way my husband and I get 2 hour blocks of alone time. The kids have a GPS band on and the staff can find them in ANY room of the kids club. The place is freaking amazing, with a whole room dedicated to Andy's room- Slink is a SLIDE! Security is top notch and there is NO way your kid is leaving that place without you giving the secret code word, your fingerprint, and retina scan (ok, not really- but pretty close). Disney does things the SAFE way!
9) Characters everywhere. That comes with LINES! That navigator you get tells you everything you need to know. Great photo ops!
10) The stateroom TV plays Disney Junior and Disney movies all day! Great down/nap time.
11) Free soda + ice cream stations.
12) The staff is there to make your cruise amazing. "NO" is almost never said. I needed a wine opener for my bottle of wine. Bartender handed me one, no questions asked.
13) Tip, and Tip well... these people make nothing per day. They work 6 days a week 14-18 hour days... they survive off tips.
14) Dinner is not just food- there is entertainment as well. Your waiters follow you and get to know you. Your kids drinks will be waiting for you.. (tip them well too)
The 2 night cruise is SUPER short. If you have never cruised before, this would be a GREAT intro to try it out cruise. But is you have cruised before on Disney- you will regret not just spending the money on the 7 day. Many use this cruise to bump up to the next reward level on Disney (Silver, Gold, Platinum). Many did this one and stayed on for the 5 day after (2 cruises in 7 days). I felt that right after we got on board they were already talking about disembarking.
WE had a relaxing time with our 6 year old and 2 year old.. but we probably will stick to the 7 day cruises. I heard they do this cruise in October for Halloween and I can see that being a better time for us to go.
The San Diego Airport is an easy in and out, and the port is SUPER close by. We got the free shuttle from Bayside Wyndham. Being across the street from the Wonder was amazing-- 2 minute walk to board... genius!
Be sure to pack this contraption (few bucks to make it)- Hanger, zipties & the shoe organizer. I ziptied it to a hanger! There is a hook outside the restroom... (you can see the bunk bed in the back, the bed lowers from the ceiling. We got the cheapest/smallest inside room-- we were NEVER in our room :)
If you have the time & money- do the 7 day Alaska (or any Disney 7 day)--- best vacation with kids ever.
Below was the coolest gift from our steward... He used 2 blankets to make it- it was there for PIRATE night.
-Auggie
Remember- most trips are with kids. When you take your kids, this is called a TRIP because it's a ton of fucking work. A Vacation is a relaxing time away from home, and usually kids are NOT a part of it. Well, Disney cruises are the exception (and all inclusive Mexico vacations). Do not deviate--- Disney Cruises are the BEST! Yes they are expensive-- but you are getting a DISNEY vacation!!!!
My Ninja Mom Tidbits:
1) Stay at the Bayside Wyndham- this hotel is right across the street from the B dock where the Wonder comes to port. You can see her from your window, literally across the street. There is a Claim Jumpers inside the hotel- dinner and breakfast made easy!
2) pack as light as possible. It's 2 nights- and if weather is warm/hot- you are all living in swim suits and cover ups. 2 swim pieces per family member, 1 dress pant, and 2 dinner tops, PJs, and comfty clothing to relax in- done... you are packed.
3) If you have older children- you will not sleep. They pack as much as possible into a 2 night cruise. 8am-midnight-- lots to do.
4) Prepare to get lost all the time. The average cruiser takes 3-4 days to get the ship down into memory. Well, this short of a cruise- I kept walking the wrong way (all the time).
5) You can order whatever you want off the menu!
6) Try to get the earliest boarding time possible! We went straight to the sit down restaurant and had a lovely lunch. Rooms were not ready until 1:30pm. Our luggage was at our room by 2:30pm
7) Yes you want to buy the Beer Mug token thing. For $15 you get a upgraded BEER MUG where you pay for a small, but get the large beer. They then keep the mug and you take the token/card with you. We use them on every cruise- saves us a ton of cash. I bought mine before our last cruise, I am not sure you can buy them on board.
8) Kids will LOVE the kids club... we have a rule: When we drop them off they MUST stay for at least 2 hours. The staff love to say these words "whenever you want Mom/Dad, we just call them". UM..No... let's not repeat that. We tell our kids "the time is 9am, and we will be back at 11am to check on you. You cannot call for us before that unless it's an emergency". This way my husband and I get 2 hour blocks of alone time. The kids have a GPS band on and the staff can find them in ANY room of the kids club. The place is freaking amazing, with a whole room dedicated to Andy's room- Slink is a SLIDE! Security is top notch and there is NO way your kid is leaving that place without you giving the secret code word, your fingerprint, and retina scan (ok, not really- but pretty close). Disney does things the SAFE way!
9) Characters everywhere. That comes with LINES! That navigator you get tells you everything you need to know. Great photo ops!
10) The stateroom TV plays Disney Junior and Disney movies all day! Great down/nap time.
11) Free soda + ice cream stations.
12) The staff is there to make your cruise amazing. "NO" is almost never said. I needed a wine opener for my bottle of wine. Bartender handed me one, no questions asked.
13) Tip, and Tip well... these people make nothing per day. They work 6 days a week 14-18 hour days... they survive off tips.
14) Dinner is not just food- there is entertainment as well. Your waiters follow you and get to know you. Your kids drinks will be waiting for you.. (tip them well too)
The 2 night cruise is SUPER short. If you have never cruised before, this would be a GREAT intro to try it out cruise. But is you have cruised before on Disney- you will regret not just spending the money on the 7 day. Many use this cruise to bump up to the next reward level on Disney (Silver, Gold, Platinum). Many did this one and stayed on for the 5 day after (2 cruises in 7 days). I felt that right after we got on board they were already talking about disembarking.
WE had a relaxing time with our 6 year old and 2 year old.. but we probably will stick to the 7 day cruises. I heard they do this cruise in October for Halloween and I can see that being a better time for us to go.
The San Diego Airport is an easy in and out, and the port is SUPER close by. We got the free shuttle from Bayside Wyndham. Being across the street from the Wonder was amazing-- 2 minute walk to board... genius!
Be sure to pack this contraption (few bucks to make it)- Hanger, zipties & the shoe organizer. I ziptied it to a hanger! There is a hook outside the restroom... (you can see the bunk bed in the back, the bed lowers from the ceiling. We got the cheapest/smallest inside room-- we were NEVER in our room :)
If you have the time & money- do the 7 day Alaska (or any Disney 7 day)--- best vacation with kids ever.
Below was the coolest gift from our steward... He used 2 blankets to make it- it was there for PIRATE night.
-Auggie
Comments
Post a Comment