Disney Dream Live Oct. 17, 2023 HOTHS

[happychippy]

How much fun can two 40+ year old adults have on a Disney Halloween Cruise without the kids?  Hoping to find out! Booked last minute about 30 days before sail date based on the dates. Mr. HappyChippy said he would go on a cruise if I could find one in Oct. or Nov that was only 4 nights and did not include a Sunday or Monday due to work schedule.  Love a good challenge, so Disney 4 night leaving on a Tuesday in October it is J 

 

A big risk and stress factor that we have is flying in day of. Mr. HappyChippy finishes work at 7A, about a 2 hour ride to airport, booked on an 11:30A nonstop arrive New York at 1:30P.M flight.  Ship departs at 4:00P.M  Oh My Gosh What Are You Thinking? RISKY I KNOW! Just carry-on bags so no waiting to check or retrieve luggage. Our assigned cruise boarding time is 2:45PM so fingers crossed for smooth no hiccup morning travels.  Disney Cruise latest recommended arrival time is 1:30P.M.  I would never encourage or recommend this close of an arrival time. 

 

We sailed on the Disney Dream years ago with our kids when they were 16, 13, and 12 it was one of ALL of our favorite family vacations. Now that 12 year old is 20 and we are learning to live as empty nesters. Our first time sailing on Disney, we were so busy making sure the kids enjoyed every magical detail that we ourselves forgot to relax and take time to enjoy. We are looking forward to enjoying the cruise without the kids. J 

 

Booking last minute, we took a GTY Verandah and didn’t get room assigned until about 10 days before.  Looks like a good room Aft on Deck 10.

 

Halloween on the High Seas sailing is a bonus.  I did pre order the Halloween room décor just to have for my home Disney collection, and that set did sell out about 3 weeks before sailing, so glad I got that as soon as we booked. 

 

Booking last minute meant that pretty much all on board activities were all booked up, but I have plans to just double check once we get on board to see if any last minute cancellations may have opened some spots.  Would love to do the Mixology class and the Rum Tasting event. Great news though, Saturday the 14^th is the last day to cancel without being charged for events, AND one of those Rum Tasting events became available today, just 1 ticket but one is better than none.  Good to keep checking though out the day today and tomorrow to see if any additional open up. 

 

The port we are visiting St. John’s did not have many excursions to choose from, so we will just adventure out on our own. 

 

I do highly recommend buying the Pre Cruise Photo package if you are traveling with kids, you will get hundreds of photos and having the package means no need to make decisions on which ones to buy.   I did not buy it on this cruise, as I am not sure how many photos just the husband and I will have, I may regret that choice later.

[PhillyTravelBug]

Can't wait to read all about your trip.  Enjoy!

[happychippy]

We made it!! Last boarding was at 3:15pm we made it at 3:05pm.  That JFK airport was a little chaotic.  Disney still has the Muster Drill where you have to physically go to a station.   So we will do that and then watch the sail away.  

[happychippy]

Buffet ended at 3:15pm so we went to other side of ice scream station to Mater and Flos cafe.  We have 8pm dining. I will have to find time to figure out the Disney App to see schedule 

[Mjka]

Yay! Can’t wait to hear more. 

[happychippy]

Been a long day, but we grabbed a couple of drinks and watched sail away from balcony.  Then enjoyed 6pm theater show of The Golden Mickeys, listened to the Pumpkin Tree story, had 8pm dinner, then a couple more drinks at PINK lounge in the district.  We are totally exhausted and it’s 11pm so back in cabin and husband is already snoring lol.  

[happychippy]

Dinner in Royal Palace was nice, we had a table to ourself but room was a bit loud so it was hard to hear waitstaff when they asked questions.  

[happychippy]

Time change forward this morning. Breakfast in Cabanas starts at 7:00am but more of just continental style until 7:30am. Royal Palace had sit down dining breakfast.  We also found unused area called The Outlook on deck 14. Very nice quiet secluded areas.  No pictures but we saw dolphins this morning on deck 4 walking track that was cool 

[happychippy]

Attended a Lobster cooking demonstration that was nice. Then lunch in Royal Palace.  

[happychippy]

Cruised many times and never played Bingo.  Today we crossed that off the list.  $40 for 28 digital cards.  Loved the digital cards that did all the work for me.  Didn’t win anything but I’ll cross that off my list.  We arrived 30 minutes before and there was 2 lines out in the hall and room was filled to the max.   

[happychippy]

Last night we enjoyed the early theater show Beauty and the Beast.  Amazing performance then watched Mickey pirate show up on pool deck before dinner, Dinner was in Animators Palate last night. Pirate Night so a few spicy menu items, I like Spivey food options so it was good and the dessert Rum Cake was heavenly.  Finished up the day watching Pirates of the Caribbean poolside.  

[Cruisin4now]

How has the later dining been?  We travel in a couple weeks and though we requested the earlier seating, I don’t think we’ll get it. It’s a late dinner for us, but my hope with our 8 & 10 yos is that we’ll enjoy shows the earlier when other little kids are eating and a nice dinner later?  Are you enjoying the food relative to other cruises?

[happychippy]

The 5pm early dining seemed too early that with getting ready for dinner at 4pm that you miss some activities.  I do think the later dining works out very well with the schedules.  Early theatre show ended about 40 min before dinner so no rush to get there and still plenty of activities after dinner so it works out well. Less kids in dining room in evening as many stay in the kids club for the activities.  Food in dining room has been great. No complaints on anything. Breakfast and lunch in Dining room are fabulous and very filing 

[happychippy]

Spent the morning walking the ship to

look at all the decorated doors and do some pin trading. We did not decorate our door, just a magnet to recognize the door.  Our goal was pack as lightly as possible.  We did hang a gift bag outside our door and was treated with a few “pixie dust gifts”. That was nice. 

[happychippy]

Found some ducks this morning, played Bingo again and lost again, this was the $5,000 jackpot Bingo, no one won the jackpot as you had to fill your card in less than 46 calls.  Still entertaining and full room each game.   Husband attended a Spider Cake Demonstration and then we met back up for lunch in Cabanas.  I’m not a “foodie” and you will not ever hear me complain about any food that I myself did not have to prepare or clean up after.  I think Cabanas Buffet is very large, plenty of seating although we do go early to get our table where we want before the buffet time starts so that helps, a lot of variety of different foods.  Although many people stand in long line by door I think it’s okay to go around to the station you want as there are plate stations beside each food choice area.  I’m also big on Washing hands Before going in, AND an after going through buffet and getting to table Sanitize hands again before touching anything. Same theory in dining room, washy before, and sanitizing after handing back menu.  

[gometros]

Thanks for the review. We leave on the Dream on Tuesday for a B2B and while we're no strangers to DCL (this will be numbers 24 and 25 for us), your review just amped up the excitement. We love bingo and it's a great activity for the chillier days when it's too cold to swim (as I expect we might have a few of those). 

[Tyskie]

Our kids and grandkids will be on the 10/31 Halloween cruise NYC

Because they booked late a lot of the activities are booked.

 

***Do they have openings once onboard?  If so, where are additional reservations made? (ie. Customer Services or ???)

 

Not familiar with Disney and looking to help them out.  Thank You!

[happychippy]

18 hours ago, Tyskie said:

Our kids and grandkids will be on the 10/31 Halloween cruise NYC

Because they booked late a lot of the activities are booked.

 

***Do they have openings once onboard?  If so, where are additional reservations made? (ie. Customer Services or ???)

 

Not familiar with Disney and looking to help them out.  Thank You!

Openings did open up for events a couple days before sailing as many people cancelled the last day they could cancel without charge, and even on board a few events opened up. There are A LOT of events that do not require advance reservations, and it's just show up Early and patiently wait in line.  Most events open the doors 30 minutes before, so I highly encourage someone to arrive 30 minute before to get the space you needed.   When we did the Halloween cruise with the kids, my husband and I often split up where he'd be with the kids getting photos with characters and I'd go to the theatre early to get our seats.    Did you sign up for the Fish Extenders?   We didn't take kids this time so didn't sign up, but still hung a small gift bag outside our door and we would get some small gifts of "pixie dust" from other cruisers,  also Duck Hunting/hiding is a big fun thing going on.   There is also a fun scavenger hunt that starts down on deck 2 by the Enchanted Garden, my kids loved that.  

[Tyskie]

@happychippy

Thank you so much for the info - I'm sure they will have a great time. 

This is their first cruise with the kids (3.5 & 7) and Disney for everyone.

 

 

[gometros]

On 10/26/2023 at 3:27 PM, Tyskie said:

Our kids and grandkids will be on the 10/31 Halloween cruise NYC

Because they booked late a lot of the activities are booked.

 

***Do they have openings once onboard?  If so, where are additional reservations made? (ie. Customer Services or ???)

 

Not familiar with Disney and looking to help them out.  Thank You!

 

How'd they handle that first night out of NY?

[Tyskie]

14 hours ago, gometros said:

 

How'd they handle that first night out of NY?

@gometros  Thanks for your help & checking back in!

 

I heard it was a rocky ride but DS & DIL said the kids did great.  They were able to get tickets for the Princess Tea Party (just DIL & granddaughter).  Wow!  Pricey!   😂

 

This was their first foray into cruising with the kids - to be truthful, we have only gotten "bits & pieces" of their trip.  We were away when they got back home.  GD (she's 3.5yo) had several meltdowns  🥰 (that happens at home too!).

 

What I noted (and was confirmed) when we dropped them off at Pier 88, there was a huge outside line - it was moving but not well.  It took them quite a while to get inside, then check-in, then wait.  We dropped them off at 11-11:30am and I don't think they got on until close to 2pm.  By that time the kids were "hangry".  To me, that was surprising for Disney.

 

All in all, they said it was a positive experience.  They plan on going to Disney World next year in the fall.  😊

 

[Tyskie]

@happychippy

 

Just looking back - I need to thank you too!  You gave us valuable information! I printed it out and gave to the "kids" (the big ones, lol)

 

It's just been a bit crazy here and my response didn't have my complete attention. 🥰

[gometros]

On 11/16/2023 at 8:09 AM, Tyskie said:

@gometros  Thanks for your help & checking back in!

 

I heard it was a rocky ride but DS & DIL said the kids did great.  They were able to get tickets for the Princess Tea Party (just DIL & granddaughter).  Wow!  Pricey!   😂

 

This was their first foray into cruising with the kids - to be truthful, we have only gotten "bits & pieces" of their trip.  We were away when they got back home.  GD (she's 3.5yo) had several meltdowns  🥰 (that happens at home too!).

 

What I noted (and was confirmed) when we dropped them off at Pier 88, there was a huge outside line - it was moving but not well.  It took them quite a while to get inside, then check-in, then wait.  We dropped them off at 11-11:30am and I don't think they got on until close to 2pm.  By that time the kids were "hangry".  To me, that was surprising for Disney.

 

All in all, they said it was a positive experience.  They plan on going to Disney World next year in the fall.  😊

 

 

Yeah, the lines were long, but they were organized. Separate lines for each boarding time. We got to the pier at 10:30 for an 11:15 boarding time and were on board by noon.