WDW and Disney Cruise line aboard Disney Dream (pics and reviews now included)

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ll be hopping back on DCL in a couple weeks and will like post a recap thread for mostly food and drinks, highlights but while I am on board is there anything specific you would like me to grab pictures and get some info on?

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Everything

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how much did all that run you per person?

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All that meaning Cruise, walt disney world, airfare, etc? Or JUST the cruise?

We were on the Dream for Mardi Gras, service is excellent, food is pretty good. We didn't make either of the specialty restaurants, but I have heard nothing but good things

Disney Dream is hands down a great cruise experience. I like the Disney Dream more so than WDW. Just an amazing experience all around. Serenity Beach on Castaway Cay is cool as well. If money isn't too much of an issue do the atlantis water park.

Strongly recommend doing Palo and Remi if you like fine dinning. The service on DCL is second to none. Kids club is great for those with younger kids, mine are 4,6 so it was great to check them in and give us some free time. We had a great time and I hate cruises. The adult only section is really nice.

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Cruise

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We are doing a 4 night cruise on the Dream (Port Canaveral, Nassau, Castaway Cay and Sea Day) with a Deluxe Inside Stateroom (daughter had a nightmare she fell off the balcony once so she prefers inside staterooms) for two adults and one child and the cost was $2,884.89

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wdw

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This is a little harder to breakdown because we don't do packages.

3 nights at the Boardwalk pre cruise (renting DVC points) was about $900
3 nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge post cruise (renting DVC points) was about $800

4 day park hopper tickets for three people was $1200 (but we are upgrading to annual passes once we arrive which will cost about another $750 or so).

We don't do the dining plan so ill have a better total for food once we're done but as annual passholders we will be getting 20% off most places we have chosen with their 45th anniv special discount.

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I think the cruises are easier on the younger kids than the parks as everything is right there

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My wife and I were strong supporters of taking our daughter as much as we could under the age of 3 (free) and while she was in a stroller. Once they get to be 6-11 or so it's hard on them walking 6-11 miles a day so cruises make sense.

We still hit the parks at least once a year with our little one but our days are scheduled much differently now.

The other advantage I like with the cruises is if you have to wait till the kids are out of school to go on vacation you won't nearly feel the effects of a full ship like you will a full park. Mid summer in the parks is miserable.

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Mind if I ask how much all that cost you?

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1:10 arrival

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before it ends at 4pm

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FP+ for Star Tours from 5:45-6:45

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All I have to say is Good Luck.

Day 1

Got a call on Thursday from Southwest with an offer of $600 in vouchers to switch from the 10:30 flight to the 5:30 flight and we agreed but it forced some changes to our plans. We were able to move all of our FP+ up from 5-6, 6-7 and 7-8 to 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4. After that we went back to the Boardwalk, took a nap and headed back for a 4th FP+ at Rock N Roller Coaster and Fantasmic.

First thing we did was headed to Launch Bay and met Chewbacca. Interactive to a degree since he cant talk but if you talk to him (ask if it's play to fly the Falcon, etc) he'll interact back)






From there we went on to BB-8. It was a cool experience but I really think this needs Rey with it (would be hard to cast). Interacting with Chewie is one thing. He cant speak to you but at last it's a human. Still, cool to see.




We didnt have time to meet Kylo Ren so we will go later this weekend. Up next was the Starlord and Baby Groot meet and Groot which is currently happening at the back of One Mans Dream. Theres no way to say it other than Starlord sucks. I mean, not only does he not look like the character but he doesnt really act like him too. he almost whispers the entire time. Way too shy and timid but to be honest, we were there to see Baby Groot anyway.







Left there and hit Star Wars: A Galaxy Far Far Away which is a stage show happening in front of the Chinese Theater about 6 or 7 times a day starting on the hour. Its usually followed or preceded by the March of the First Order which goes from the front of the park to the stage front and back to the front.











After that we hit Star Tours and then Tower of Terror and headed back to the Boardwalk for a nap. My plan was to hit Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge for lunch but it doesnt open till noon and I was starving about 11:15 so we opted for The Commissary which is just awful but with a 3 am wakeup and having nothing in my system since about 3:30 am, I just needed calories.

Before our nap the wife and daughter got pizza from the Boardwalk Pizza window and I walked over to Epcot and grabbed the Beef Tenderloin Tips w/ Mushroom Bordelaise Sauce, Whipped Potatoes with Garden Vegetables and a Unibroue À Tout Le Monde Saison.

No complaints here, exactly what I wanted and was looking for. Garlic was good in the potatoes but not overpowering. Only complaint is I wish it had more veggies.






After the nap we walked back to Hollywood Studios just before sunset, knocked out Rock N Roller Coaster and ended the day with Fantasmic.