Today I’m continuing the repost of our very first Disney Cruise Line cruise trip report, from a 7-night Western Caribbean on the Disney Fantasy in October 2013 (originally posted on our family blog at that time). It’s so much fun for us to look back on these sweet family memories, but I know it’s not your family… so I’ve also included some tidbits and tips for future cruisers. {Read part 1 here.}
October 13, 2013: Sea Day 1
Stateroom Televisions, Cabanas food comas, and a visit from Pluto
Our first cruise with the kids was well underway, and what better time to see what the Disney Fantasy had to offer than a full day at sea? Everyone was up before 7, of course, because that’s what we do. The girls went up to Deck 11 to get drinks with Kyle, while Nolan squealed with joy that our TV had Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. (Tip: bring your own reusable cups with lids for the drinks station, especially if you have kids! The ones provided are not only small, but the lids pop off easily.)
Disney Cruise stateroom television main menu | Photo credit: DisneyCruiseLineBlog.com
The stateroom televisions actually have tons of Disney Junior, Disney Channel, and Disney XD shows on-demand, as well as countless movies. You’ll find all the Disney animated and live-action features you could want, several documentaries about the company and its history, and even dozens of non-Disney titles for kids and grownups alike. Add to what’s on your TV all of the movies playing in the Buena Vista Theatre throughout each day (both first-run and older titles), and if you wanted to just watch TV and movies for a 7-night sailing, you probably wouldn’t run out. Something for everyone 🙂
After a little while in the room, we headed to Cabanas for breakfast. It would become a trend – and it’s still true several cruises later – that we’d stuff ourselves silly with delicious breakfast food, despite none of us being “breakfast people”. Oh cruise buffet, how I love thee…
Wake up with Disney Junior is a fun morning dance party in the D-Lounge. | Grainy photo brought to you by 2013.
Once we had stuffed ourselves silly, we decided to dance off our food coma at the “Wake Up with Disney Junior” party in D Lounge. All three kids had a great time dancing with the cruise staff, and the special visit from Pluto sent Nolan over the top.
Nolan was super excited that Pluto showed up to dance at the Wake Up with Disney Junior party
Discovering the Oceaneer Club, and a round of mini-golf with Goofy and Max
When the party was over, we visited Daisy (and the girls doted over her tropical dress) before heading to the Oceaneer Club Open House.
During our Ocean Club open house alone, the kids got to do a craft with Minnie, sing a song with Mickey, and do the hula with Lilo and Stitch. It’s no exaggeration that Disney Cruise Line kids clubs are unparalleled. I wish I could hang out in them more!
Avery and Elise got to do a puppet craft with Minnie, and Mickey himself came out and led the kiddos in “The Wheels on the Bus”. Nolan was so impressed that Mickey knew his absolute favorite song in the world.
“Allllll through the town!” | Nolan was stoked that Mickey knew his favorite song!
We quickly understood what people meant when they said they had a hard time dragging their kids out of the clubs on Disney ships. By the time we left (less than an hour in the open house) they had also done the hula with Lilo and Stitch. So much fun!
While an exhausted little boy took a nap in our stateroom, the girls and I waited in line to meet Sofia. Despite most of the ship being in line in the atrium below for the Princess Gathering (a meet and greet with several princess, which now requires a (free) ticket you can book online or pick up at the Port Adventures desk on embarkation day), a line was already forming 30 minutes early for everyone’s favorite new Disney Junior princess. The line wasn’t boring though – we made friends with a Cast Member named Arianna, and eventually got both Sofia and Arianna’s autographs! ?
It wasn’t quite lunchtime yet (and Nolan’s early nap was really throwing off our schedule!) so the girls headed back to the kids club for a little while. The plan was for Nolan, Kyle and I too do some exploring, but we all just rested instead. What is a cruise for, after all, if not relaxing?!
Elise, trying to stand like Goofy did when he taught her how to play Goofy Golf (and as directed in the starting pads shaped like Goofy’s feet)
After we had rested long enough, we picked up the girls and ate lunch at Flo’s, while sailing past Cuba (which excited me to no end, a visit being on my bucket list and all). When we had all had our fill (and then some) we went up to the sports desk for a few holes of mini golf while waiting to meet Max Goof. Nolan and Goofy had an especially great time together!
Max was also adorable, and the girls were excited to have already gotten two (or rather, three!) new autographs.
Max Goof was so much fun! We got to play a hole of golf with him and his goofy pops on the Disney Fantasy sports deck.
Grown-up time, Mixology, and our first visit to the “it’s a small world” Nursery
In the afternoon, Kyle and I were meeting a group for a Mixology class. Everyone went to the kids areas – including Nolan, this time. He was ecstatic! He would only get a few chances to play in the (adorable) “it’s a small world” nursery since it costs extra, but he loved it each time. (The nursery is absolutely affordable… it just seemed silly to take him often, when we were paying for the cruise already.) Mixology was a lot of fun, too! We’ve since done several versions, both on cruise ships and at Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival, and that first one always ranks highly as one of our favorites.
Walt Disney Theater Matinees and a Formal Night date with the girls
Because the evening shows are so late for our family of early risers, we were grateful that now and then, there are matinee offered. Aladdin was showing this afternoon, so we ducked out of our class early to pick up the kids and get to the show. Aladdin was well done, but not as spectacular as I had hoped – especially since we didn’t get to see the stage show when we had visited Disneyland
After the show, Elise and Nolan both took a nap – and we all got some much needed rest otherwise. It’s remarkable how exhausting a relaxing cruise vacation can be! Dinner was formal attire, so we had made plans to take Nolan to the nursery for a special night with just the girls. It was very sweet, and the food (at Royal Court, on our particular rotation) was spectacular. Afterwards we snuck in a quick swim, a few rides on the Aqua Duck, and a dip in the hot tub before it was time to get Nolan. Everyone was in bed by 9, very ready for sleep!
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