Disney Cruise Line

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Disney Cruise Line 101 ~ by Guest Author Kendra Trump

Published March 3, 2016 by fromfirstkisstorockingchairs

Disney Cruise Line 101 by Guest Author Kendra Trump

Disney does cruising! The Disney Cruise Line has a fleet of 4 magnificent ships, the Wonder, Magic, Dream and Fantasy. Aboard each of these ships is a fun-filled, magical, experience just waiting for you and your family. Disney knows how to keep guests happy no matter if it’s on land or sea. Disney Cruise Line is a way to enjoy a luxurious vacation with the whole family.

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Disney Dream docked at Castaway Cay

Disney definitely puts a spin on cruising, the design of the ships will have you reminiscing of sailing times from days gone by. The clean sleek lines, colors, and beautiful boats will capture your attention the first time you see them. The ships have 3 pools, a splash zone, the Dream and Fantasy have a water roller coaster slide onboard called the AquaDuck, sports area where you can enjoy a game of basketball, shuffleboard, and a jogging track, exquisite spas, clubs, movie theaters, and beautiful theaters that produce Broadway style shows at sea! There is something for everyone onboard a Disney ship. (One thing you will not find onboard is a casino.)

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AquaDuck- Water slide onboard the Disney Dream

Aboard the 4 ships are areas for every age young and old. Nurseries for your little ones who aren’t potty-trained as well as a splash zone for those still in swim diapers, diapers swim or regular are strictly not allowed in any of the pools. Amazing kids clubs that make me wish I was a child myself, with fun age appropriate activities. Tween and Teen only clubs, which will keep your older children so happy you will want to know what they did with your real teenagers! And of course the elusive adult-only areas, (spa, pool, hot tub, bar, quiet areas, and adult only dining experiences) yes even though it is Disney there are areas where adults can be adults where no children can be seen or heard.

Worried about keeping track of all the activities onboard or where your children/spouse may be? Don’t be, (2) Wave phones (think cruise cellphones) can be found in each room which allows you to stay in contact while onboard. Personal Navigator newsletters are delivered to your stateroom every evening so you can keep track of all the fun activities onboard and at the port of calls, as well as where and when characters will be meeting! There’s an app for that too, be sure to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App to keep you up to date on the happenings of the ship as well!

Not only has Disney outdone themselves on the general areas, the staterooms are top of the line as well, in size and features. Disney’s standard staterooms are some of the largest at sea right now with innovative storage areas to make the most of every square inch in your stateroom. They also have split bathrooms in select categories of rooms, meaning Mom can relax in a hot shower after a day of fun at sea without being interrupted because someone has to “go!”

Aboard the Disney ships you will participate in rotational dining so everyone has the opportunity to enjoy all the restaurants aboard the ships at dinner time. A part of rotational dining is keeping the same server each night, they will start to remember your drink orders and have them ready for you before you arrive if you are a habitual person like myself 😉 Not interested in participating in the main dining option? You are more than welcome to enjoy a quick service meal or the same food everyone else is enjoying in a less time constricted manner at one of the buffets aboard the ship.  Dinner’s not the only time for amazing food experiences onboard, be sure to come back soon for an article all about dining with Disney Cruise Line, it really does deserve its own limelight!

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Even the chairs are part of the fun at Animator’s Palate restaurant!

Disney may have an amazing fleet of ships, but they also have their own private island, Castaway Cay, which is definitely the cherry on top of this magical experience. Castaway Cay is an island about midway between the Bahamas and Florida. It is the perfect island experience, beautiful water, pristine beaches, and of course Disney magic! The island is set up much like the ship with areas for kids, teens, families, and adults only. Bonus Tip: For an extra magical souvenir for loved ones or yourself, Castaway Cay has a Post Office on site where you can mail a postcard or letter with the exclusive Castaway Cay postage mark. You will arrive home well before your letter does so this is a nice idea for when you are feeling “homesick” for the islands and want a pretty reminder to magically appear in the mail. The post office does only accept cash, so bring along some small bills when you disembark the ship!

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Mail a note from paradise at the Castaway Cay Post Office!

Disney Cruise Lines is a magical vacation for the whole family, stay tuned for more exciting information about sailing the high seas with Disney!

kendraKendra Trump is a busy mama who loves to travel! With countless trips to Disney Destinations under her belt she found her true passion for helping people experience the magic of travel as a consultant with Simple Luxuries Travel. Kendra currently resides in Northern Virginia, with high hopes of moving to Castaway Cay one day soon! You can follow her blog from first kiss to rocking chairs for more travel fun.

Video: Your Questions Answered – The Reimagined Disney Magic Cruise Ship

Published October 29, 2013 by Disneyways.com

I asked some friends to send me their questions about anything they wanted to know about the newly reimagined Disney Magic, and these wonderful folks really delivered! Thank you all so much for these awesome and fun questions – I hope my answers are worthy!

My husband and I were very fortunate to spend 2 wonderful nights on the beautiful Disney Magic. It was our first ever Disney cruise – and cost us way too much money – but we really enjoyed it!

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This is my first time making a video like this. I am a total nerd – nervous – and the video itself is of pretty poor quality. I apologize for all of that, but I hope you find the information helpful. I found out the hard way that YouTube only gives you the ability to load 15 minutes of video – so I had to separate mine into one 7 minute segment and one 8 minute segment.

Thanks for tuning in and muddling through all of this with me as I embark on this new method of sharing the Disney magic with you! Please send me your thoughts and feedback. I would love to hear from you!

Have a magical day!

My Embarrassing Character Secret – and Some Tips For Seeing and Meeting the Characters on Your Disney Cruise

Published October 28, 2013 by Disneyways.com

I have something to confess. Meeting characters in the Disney Parks is not on my top 5 list of favorite things to do. I could never really put my finger on exactly why that is. I promise I am not a character snob. I adore Disney characters with all my heart, I love getting hugs, I love watching other people meet them – so what the heck is my problem? It took going on my first Disney cruise to figure it out. I am pretty sure my problem is the walking, the waiting in the heat, and the fact that the LAST thing I want is my picture taken after the humidity attacks my hair and makeup. I think I just didn’t want to admit any of this to myself and it’s still a bit embarrassing to admit it to you now.

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But, guess what? Getting on the cruise ship with it’s shorter lines, variety of characters close together…and glorious AC converted me into a full-fledged character person. This means there is hope for anyone! So if you are having that awkward moment when you realize character meet and greets aren’t your thing…give it a try on a Disney Cruise. All of a sudden I was excited and wanting to meet every single character I possibly could! In the process I learned some things about the best ways to see the characters — and also how character meet and greets work on the Disney Cruise Line.

Much to my surprise – characters started appearing before we even boarded the ship! So my first tip is to keep a watchful eye before and during your cruise!

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To begin, your cruise will kick off with an awesome character party. You don’t get to meet and greet but you might get to dance and sing along with some of your favorite characters. It’s super fun to see them in their cruise wear!

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Just like in the parks, if you want to meet the characters, you need a plan. So your first step is to check out the cruise program. The program is called the Personal Navigator – and it’s delivered each night to your room automagically.

Your Personal Navigator shows you which characters are slated to make an appearance and where. If you find a character that the family wants to meet, be sure to get to the spot a little early to get ahead of the crowds. If you are late, the lines can get long…but it’s all good. Making friends is super easy on a Disney Cruise, even when you are in line.

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My next tip might be more like a secret. Check your Navigator for open house times at the kid’s clubs. My husband and I dropped in to see all the cool new stuff they are offering. While we were there – Tiana came in to tell the kids a story. I don’t think it was formally announced that she would be there. For whatever reason, she took me by complete surprise. I felt pretty ridiculous for having such a hard time choking back the tears – but I was so excited to see her! Princess Tiana was just so lovely! The kids were absolutely enthralled with her and hanging on to her every word. There was a feeling in that room that I just can’t describe. Beyond sweet and beyond magical.

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Our cruise did not have any stops but most of them do. Obviously, the Disney theme continues offshore, too. When you disembark at a Disney cruise port, so do a number of Disney characters. Check your Navigator for the names of characters joining you on land so you can plan ahead.

The ship will offer Disney PhotoPass photographers at most of the character greeting locations, and they will take photos with your personal camera if you want them to. Prefer taking your own pictures? Be sure to check out our 4 quick tips for capturing great character photos!

Last but not least do NOT miss the Broadway style shows that the ship offers. They absolutely bring the fairytales and the characters to life right before your eyes. Disney Dreams–An Enchanted Classic is one of 2 musical live shows that played in the Walt Disney Theatre onboard the Disney Magic ship for our cruise.  It is the BEST Disney show I have ever seen in my life.

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I grew up 30 minutes from Walt Disney World, and still live here in Orlando, so this is saying a lot. We were not allowed to take video or pictures unfortunately…but trust me on this. I saw more characters than I could count through my tear-filled eyes.

What are some of your favorite tips for seeing and meeting the characters on a Disney cruise?

AquaDunk on the Disney Magic

Published October 27, 2013 by Disneyways.com

There’s so much I want to share with you about my cruise on the recently re-imagined Disney Magic! Today, let’s start at the top – the highest point on the ship to be exact! The launch point for the Disney Magic’s new thrill slide, AquaDunk, is in a spot no guest has ever been… at the very top of the ship’s funnel. Not only does this water slide drop 40 vertical feet, it sends riders almost 20 feet out over the side of the ship in a translucent tube with a breathtaking view of the ocean below.

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Did I go on this thing? No way. But here’s a pretty cool video from Ricky over at InsideTheMagic.net to give you an idea of what it’s like.

Real life Magic and Romance on the High Seas (with a Splash of Disney!)

Published March 24, 2013 by Disneyways.com

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Many people think Disney cruises are just for kids, but my new friend Shellie Wylie knows a secret. She and her husband of 17 years have found real life magic and romance on the Disney Cruise line, and it is their favorite way to travel WITHOUT the kids! Let’s cruise along with Shellie today, and see through her eyes, how and why one can find very grown- up treasure on the high seas with Disney.

Real Life Magic and Romance on the High Seas (with a Splash of Disney!) Written by Shellie Wylie

My husband and I have taken three Disney cruise vacations without children in tow. All three vacations were simply wonderful! Because I am the owner of a travel agency, we have traveled often sans children as well. Despite the perception that Disney cruises are just for kids –  our favorite…by far… adults only vacations have been on Disney ships.

The feeling of being valued and appreciated by all crew members begins the moment we arrive at the terminal. The efficient check-in process starts the trust in Disney’s ability to care for us in that special Disney way. I enjoy the experience with excitement as the daily stress carried around in my shoulder muscles begins to drop away.

By the time we reach the gang-way and the cast member calls out “Welcome to the Wylie family”, I am in tears. The impact of that entrance, the grandness, the beauty, the simple yet profound welcome sets the stage for what is to come.

How does this relate to romance?

Well, because of the superior service and beautiful surroundings, as a couple, we are freed enough from our real lives to see each other again as we did 17 years ago. Disney is a master at story telling. On the ship the story they are telling is your own. You write it. They’ve given you a beautiful sea-bound canvas. Classic, well designed stateroom, charming coffee bar, opulent and fun restaurants, room service, night club, piano bar, sports bar, adult exclusive pool, and so many options for activities if your story should include them.

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 In this environment I am so very important again to my husband, and he to me. I begin to remember why we fell in love so long ago. We focus on each other because we trust Disney to do everything else. And they do.

Our stateroom is always clean. Our food is always wonderful. If we choose to sit and read on deck, we can do that in peace together on wonderful round cushioned loungers. We can play 70’s Music Trivia, or disco dance. Romance can be found on a Disney cruise because these ships give us a chance to look into each other’s eyes and fall in love all over again. The details are all taken care of, so we are able to put our focus elsewhere.

We have our own real life magic – with just a subtle sprinkle of Disney magic thrown in. It feels good to be a part of the magic. It’s magic, not Mickey Mouse. It’s NOT in your face Mickey or Minnie. They are there for sure should you seek them out. These ships have a feeling, a personality that does not focus on the Disney characters. The focus is on the elegance and magic to set your mind at ease. You get to create your own story – and my husband and I choose to create a story of romance.

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But it’s not ALL about us. Another gift that is included with a Disney Cruise is meeting fellow passengers who also know how to appreciate the magic. They are people like you. They are people who enjoy family. They are people who are kind and thoughtful. They are people who enjoy excellent Broadway quality shows who probably do similar things at home. And in all my cruise vacations, I have never seen an adult embarrassingly inebriated on a Disney ship as on other ships.

It’s the magic that sets the Disney ships apart from other cruise lines. It’s Walt’s belief that we NEED some magic in our lives now and then. He was right. We do need it. I think we need it now more than ever before. Simple beauty. Simple service. Simple kindness. These go a long way to un-complicating my life for a little while, and helping my husband and I find romance and real life magic on the high seas.

When you board the Disney Magic, or Wonder, or Dream, or Fantasy, the magic of Disney is where you live 24 hours a day. Ironically it feels like a fantasy to be freed from the cares and worries of the “real” world. And that my friends…amounts to a hefty dose of romance.

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Shellie Wylie is the owner of Wishes Family Travel – your FREE, concierge level, personal service, luxury travel agency for families. 

Learn more about Wishes Family Travel – and how Shelly or her agents can help you book the vacation of your dreams – by clicking the logo below. 

 

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Disney Function and Fabulosity – this bag has it all.

Published March 9, 2013 by Disneyways.com

My wonderful sister-in-law Karen recently gave me a Vera Bradley bag for my birthday. It is the cross-body style and it is by far the best bag I have ever used to carry what I need around the Disney parks. Hands free, machine washable,  and just the right size. What’s not to like?

Here is a photo of the one I have:

Check out the Little Hipster! It is 9.75 x 6.5 x 1.75 and it retails for $45. It has a zip around pocket in the front with card pockets, ID window and a bill pocket and then a zip main compartment and a slip pocket with a magnet on the back. Photo credit OhMyVera.com

Have you heard about the new Disney-inspired handbags and accessories by Vera Bradley?

They are coming in the fall of 2013. Cathy Dawson, merchandiser for accessories at Disney Parks says, “We are thrilled to introduce Vera Bradley to our accessories assortment. In recent years, we’ve seen several guests in our parks and resorts sporting fun, colorful bags by Vera Bradley. Even our Disney Cruise Line team recently added some items by Vera Bradley to the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. We thought it would be wonderful to add a splash of Disney to these popular and colorful accessory items.”

Vera Bradley names all of her patterns and these are no exception. The black pattern is called “Midnight with Mickey,” while the pink pattern is named “Just Mousing Around.” These patterns will be seen on duffel bags, totes, cosmetic bags and more.

When released this fall, we will be able to buy these items at select locations in Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. They will also be sold via the Disney Parks online store at a future date.

Recently I visited the  Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival  Festival Center, located between Mission: SPACE and Universe of Energy in Future World, to get these photos for you of the bags on display. Needless to say, I am in love with these new bags, and I hope you are too!

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