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Kids On A Plane

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10 Reasons to Sail on the Disney Dream

Post last updated April 15, 2013

My family recently returned from a 4 night Bahamian cruise on the Disney Dream. This was our kids’ first time cruising and they loved it. My husband and I have cruised before but it was our first time sailing with Disney Cruise Lines.

The Dream accomodates 4000 guests along with over 1400 Crew Members although I will admit being on a boat that size it was hard to tell there were so many people on board. I will be sharing a lot about our cruise in the next few weeks so don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Here are 10 Reasons to Sail the Disney Dream

1. Palo and Remy

The Disney Dream has 2 adult only restaurants – Palo and Remy. Since our cruise was a relatively short one my husband and I chose the brunch at Palo.

Palo Brunch Disney Dream

While the food on the Disney Dream was good, our brunch at Palo was amazing. The food, the ambience and recommendations made by our server made it our favourite meal of the cruise. At an extra $20 per person, we thought it was worth it.

2. Entertainment

While the Disney Dream doesn’t have a casino, there plenty of entertainment options at night. Comedy shows, 3D movies playing in the theatre and stage shows that were in my opinion like shows I pay top dollar for to see on Broadway.

Villains Tonight and Disney’s Believe are two of those Broadway like shows that cruisers on the Disney Dream will love. Presented in the Walt Disney Theatre, there is seating for over 1300 guests! If you miss the live performance, you can catch them on TV from the comfort of your stateroom.

3. Character Meets

What would a Disney cruise be without character meets.

Snow White Disney Dream

Princesses, Classic Characters (Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Pluto, Goofy), Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, Jack Sparrow and Smee, and Chip and Dale were some of the characters we “met” during our 5 day cruise.

You can also meet some of your favourite Disney characters and take photos with them on Castaway Cay.

4. Bathtub in most staterooms

This is one of the things that worried me the most about cruising with little ones. My husband and I aren’t able to stand in the shower with our kids (they are just very wriggly kids) and have often travelled with one of those inflatable baby bath tubs.

We loved that most staterooms had tubs (we were in an inside stateroom and we had one) – not big like a standard bathtub but good enough for young children.

5. Oceanview for Everyone

We booked two inside staterooms for our family and were delighted to experience the “Magical Porthole” (a real time view of what’s happening outside).

Magical Porthole Disney Dream

Our kids loved seeing characters float across the screen and we felt it made our room brighter since inside staterooms don’t get any natural light.

6. Kid’s Clubs

Disney Cruise Lines sets the bar high for kids clubs. Children are grouped according to their age. There’s a nursery for 3 and under, a play space for 3-10 year olds and activities and hangout spaces for those 10-13 and 14-17 years old.

7. Nemo’s Reef

You don’t find water play areas for non toilet trained kids often on cruise ships. Nemo’s Reef is a splash pad area for younger children.

Nemo's Reef Disney Dream

Our 4 year old daughter preferred the pool over Nemo’s Reef but our 1 year old loved it. So much so that he was kicking and screaming when we said it was “home time”.

8. Plenty of Wipes

Sanitizing hand wipes are handed out by crew members outside of every restaraunt including the buffet at the Cabanas. Love that they are thinking about everyone’s health and safety. Being on board with that many people for several days – it’s easy for germs to spread quickly.

9. AquaDuck

The very first “water coaster” at sea. More like an enclosed water slide – the AquaDuck is a must do for anyone sailing on the Disney Dream. Part of the slide hangs over the side of the ship and it’s pretty scary looking down seeing just water.

I’m afraid of heights but I still loved the AquaDuck.

AquaDuck Day

We weren’t able to go on the AquaDuck at night but from our conversations with other cruisers it is a totally different experience – the slide is lit up.

10. Wave Phones

Two Wave Phones are provided in each state room. They are meant to keep you in contact with other members of your party should you be at different locations on the ship.

It came in really handy when one child wanted to line up to meet characters and the other wanted to eat!

You’re able to leave voice messages and text messages and they even work on Disney’s private island Castaway Cay. We even took it to Palo!

Wave Phone Disney Dream

 

There’s so many reasons to sail on the Disney Dream. I will highlight some more soon.

Like how I started and ended this with food pictures? Can you tell our travels centre around food?



About Cheryl - Kids On A Plane

Cheryl daydreams about exploring the world with her family often and will travel for good food, lattes and theme park rides that don't require her to go too high in the sky. She's afraid of heights!

Comments

  1. Mary {The World Is A Book} says

    March 14, 2013 at 12:38 am

    All great reasons to go on the Dream. We were on the Magic a few years ago on a 4 day cruise. I love seeing the differences on the ships although the Dream is a step above. We’ve sailed different ships over the years and the Disney cruise is still my kids’ favorite. We really want to go on the Dream just to go on the AquaDuck. 🙂 Yum on the food!

    • Cheryl says

      March 18, 2013 at 12:13 am

      Next year we are sailing on the Wonder so I think it is the same as the Magic or at least similar. Hoping it is just as good – I think it will be because Disney really pays attention to the details.

      AquaDuck is a lot of fun and I would have gone more than once had the line not been so long all the time. 🙂

      • Debbi says

        July 18, 2014 at 4:09 pm

        Have you gone on the Disney Wonder yet? We are going on the Wonder to Alaska next month! Just wondering what your thoughts are, is it the same great experience, I know the Wonder is an older ship.

        • Cheryl says

          July 21, 2014 at 1:45 pm

          Hi Debbi,

          Actually we will be sailing on the Disney Wonder later this year (after you it looks like) so unfortunately I would be able to give you my thoughts about it before your cruise. Disney cruises in general (from my research) are a ton of fun and the organization of the crew and the activities on board are top notch.

          Have fun on the Wonder! I’d love to hear what you thought of the Wonder.

          Cheryl

          • Debbi says

            September 30, 2014 at 3:28 pm

            Cheryl, our cruise was amazing, as expected. Enjoy your cruise on the Wonder!
            PS I blogged about our trip and linked to your post on what to pack 🙂

  2. Terumi says

    March 14, 2013 at 2:36 am

    I love pics of food and I love the idea of a magic porthole. Can’t wait to hear morre-we’ve never cruised!

    • Cheryl says

      March 18, 2013 at 12:14 am

      Oh the porthole really did make our room feel larger and brighter! I would highly recommend cruising with little ones, Terumi. I think your boys would love it.

  3. Marian Krueger says

    March 14, 2013 at 7:46 am

    Great post with great pics. Disney has perfected the customer experience and you can definitely see that on their cruise line. The best part is that it is great for kids, but the parents don’t feel so left out either.

    • Cheryl says

      March 18, 2013 at 12:16 am

      I agree with you 100% Marian. I think Disney has perfected the experience for many travelers – including cruisers. I was hesitant at first because I thought adults in our travel group wouldn’t enjoy it that much but we all loved it!

  4. Lisa @bitesforbabies says

    March 16, 2013 at 8:26 am

    I’ve never really been interested in taking a cruise…I prefer to be right in the middle of the action at my vacation destination. However, if I ever did take one I think this one would be it!! I could just imagine how much the kids would enjoy it 😉

    • Cheryl says

      March 18, 2013 at 12:18 am

      I think I prefer cruising because it is very relaxing. My husband especially enjoys it because he doesn’t like to be right in the middle of the action during his travels. HAHAHA…. NYC is not at the top of his “To Visit” list.

      The kids would love it! It is a very family friendly cruise line.

  5. Tonya @ The Traveling Praters says

    March 17, 2013 at 10:35 pm

    Sounds like you had a great experience. At this point, I’m not sure how much/if my older kids would enjoy a Disney cruise, but my husband have already decided that if budget allows, we definitely want to take our grandchildren when/if we have them.

    Can’t wait to hear more and see more pics from your trip!

    • Cheryl says

      March 18, 2013 at 12:22 am

      We had an amazing time Tonya!

      I tend to agree that Disney cruises are probably tailored to younger kids. I didn’t see as many teens as I did elementary school aged children on our cruise.

      I’m sure your future grandchildren would love that! We traveled with my inlaws and our kids (and my husband and I) loved having grandma and grandpa next door. We would send them over every morning at 8am. An extra hour of sleep for us each morning. LOL!

  6. Victoria Ess says

    March 30, 2013 at 11:52 am

    It sounds amazinggggg

  7. Stacey says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    This would be a dream trip, my boys (and hubby and I) would love, love, love to do this, thanks for sharing your experience!

    • Cheryl says

      April 9, 2013 at 9:47 pm

      It was very memorable for all of us. You guys will love it Stacey!

  8. ourfamilyworld says

    April 9, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    I like that everyone has ocean view and there is no casino!! (You cannot go into casinos with kids!!)

    • Cheryl says

      April 9, 2013 at 9:46 pm

      That is true. You can’t go with them. And it probably is a good thing too as you come off the ship with more money in your wallet! LOL

  9. Jenn says

    April 9, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    What a great trip! I can’t believe a boat can float with that many people! Very intimidating! I want to take my kids to Disney!! One day soon I hope!

    • Cheryl says

      April 9, 2013 at 9:47 pm

      Yes the boat was massive! Maybe the biggest I have been on so far.

  10. Cheryl says

    April 9, 2013 at 3:58 pm

    Love the idea of the magical porthole! Too cute! We haven’t tried a cruise before but when we do it will be a Disney one for sure!

    • Cheryl says

      April 9, 2013 at 9:48 pm

      The magical porthole really made it feel like an outside room although I think those ones have much larger windows. Disney is great for cruising especially for families with children

  11. createwithmom says

    April 9, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    wonderful way to have a vacation looks like lots of fun

    • Cheryl says

      April 9, 2013 at 9:48 pm

      It was! Have you cruised before?

  12. Tammy @inRdream says

    April 9, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    WOW Cheryl your adventure sounds so dreamy! The food looks so yummy! Off to dream land I go….

    • Cheryl says

      April 9, 2013 at 9:49 pm

      The food was delicious! Our most memorable meal was at Palo. Maybe because the kids weren’t there? 😉

  13. Narathip Wall. says

    May 26, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    I love their slider. Do they allow adults on that one? That looks awesome.

  14. brett says

    October 23, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    looks like an amazing experience. i’d do it in a heartbeat!

  15. Daisy says

    October 23, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    My son is 3 years old and would absolutely love this! Personally, I’m excited to try the food… looks like they have some delicious options!

  16. Janel says

    October 23, 2013 at 3:43 pm

    I was literally JUST talking with a friend who got home from a cruise alst week that we should do a disney cruise with the kids but was wondering how it was different.

    • Cheryl says

      October 23, 2013 at 10:15 pm

      It’s VERY much catered to families with young kids. Programs for every age group and the staff is amazing. You should definitely consider it Janel.

  17. Jennifer Soltys says

    October 23, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    Is it wrong that we have no kids, but I still want to go on a Disney cruise? lol They look like so much fun!!!

    • Cheryl says

      October 23, 2013 at 10:14 pm

      Not at all Jennifer! If I had known about how good a Disney cruise was before having kids I’d probably have booked one too for myself. HA!

  18. Anne - Mommy Has to Work says

    October 23, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    I would love, love to go!! How can you go wrong with Disney?

  19. Dee Mauser says

    October 23, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    I’ve never actually been on a cruise. I’ve thought about it in the past but I’m afraid I’d wind up with motion sickness and not enjoy it. It looks like a lot of fun though!

    • Cheryl says

      October 23, 2013 at 10:13 pm

      It’s not so bad if you go on big ships Dee. You hardly feel the movement although it also depends on the time of year you cruise (rockier water certain times of the year when porting)

  20. Angela says

    October 23, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    All very good reasons! I hope to cruise on this ship myself one day. Disney always does it best!

    • Cheryl says

      October 23, 2013 at 10:12 pm

      They are very detail oriented, Angela 🙂

  21. Tara says

    October 23, 2013 at 10:58 pm

    I haven’t been on a Disney cruise yet. I always thought that my kids were too old – but I think we should give it a try!

    • Cheryl says

      October 23, 2013 at 11:37 pm

      You’re never too old for Disney! Lots of cool stuff for tweens and teens to do on the ships as well – they have their own hangout area/club.

  22. Danielle @ We Have It All says

    October 24, 2013 at 12:45 am

    You must have read my mind… me and hubs were just talking about this today!

  23. Shell Feis says

    October 24, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    That looks like SO much fun! I want to go on the AquaDuck!

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