Archive for February, 2010

Dining; it’s one the great pleasures of the cruise experience.  Disney Cruise Line ships have several unique dining venues and their rotational dining system allows passengers to experience them all.  On embarkation day, you’ll find dining tickets with your assigned restaurant schedule, seating time, and table number.  You’ll see a string of letters which represent the different locations; for example APLAPL would be Animator’s Palate, Parrot Cay, and Lumiere’s on the first, second, and third nights, then repeated for the fourth, fifth, and sixth.  You will rotate through three of the main restaurants on your ship which may also include Triton’s, Royal Palace, or Enchanted Garden.

 

Each evening, you, your tablemates, and your wait staff will move to a different restaurant.  You’ll be able to enjoy the menus and themes of each dining room while retaining a familiar team of servers who will quickly learn your preferences.

 

Every effort is made to pair you with appropriate dinner companions.  Adults traveling alone will typically be seated with other adults, while families will find children in a similar age group joining their tables.  If you wish, you can arrange to share a table with other specified passengers onboard.

There are two dinner seatings:  the Main Seating and the Second Seating.  The earlier of the two begins at about 5:30 p.m., depending upon your ship, and is generally the first choice for families with younger children.  The Second Seating starts at approximately 8:00 p.m. and may be a bit more serene as it often includes a larger percentage of older children and adults.  However, the Second Seating often works out very well for those traveling from an earlier time zone since it may be more in line with their accustomed dinner hour.

 

A meal at Palo is an adults-only option for dinner or brunch, and guests can choose where they would like to have breakfast and lunch each day.  Continental breakfast is available from room service for stateroom categories 4 through 12, while Concierge categories 1 through 3 can arrange for in-room delivery of a full breakfast.  Other alternatives for breakfast and lunch include two of the main restaurants, a buffet, and poolside meals.

 

Three- and four-night cruises include one “dress-up” night when a jacket for men and dress or pantsuit for women is suggested.  The dress code for other evenings is “cruise casual” – no shorts, tank tops, or swimwear.

On cruises of seven nights and longer, there is generally a special themed dining event, such as Pirate’s Night.  You can also expect at least one “formal” evening for which formal or semi-formal attire is appropriate.  You can arrange for a formalwear rental to be delivered to your stateroom.  Often, you will find a greater number of guests in formal (rather than semi-formal) dress on the longer ten- to fourteen-night voyages  Those preferring to forego formal night entirely can choose an alternative venue such as a buffet or quick-service location.

 

Of course, room service is a popular option and Disney Cruise Line offers a nice menu of sandwiches, pizzas, salads, appetizers, and desserts to keep the munchies at bay.  Guests staying in Categories 1 through 3 may also arrange for meals delivered from any of the rotational dining venues.  Keep in mind that while most of the menu items are complimentary, a gratuity is expected.

 

Consider one of the wine packages if you enjoy wine with dinner.  The overall cost is less than purchasing the bottles separately and unfinished bottles can be recorked and brought to you on subsequent nights, or carried back to your stateroom.  You are also allowed to carry up to two bottles off the ship, and can order more than one of your bottles on a given night.

 

Unlike many cruise lines, Disney offers complimentary sodas not just at dinner but also from 24-hour beverage stations on the ship, and other selected locations onboard and on Castaway Cay.  You will still be charged for sodas ordered from bars and room service.  For alcoholic beverages, the onboard drinking age is 21 and a photo I.D. is required.

 

Don’t forget that guests with special dietary requirements can generally be accommodated.  Advise your Whimsical World Travel concierge of any allergies and special requests so that they can be noted on your reservation.

Looking to indulge in some onboard opulence for your next Disney cruise?  Consider concierge cruising in one of the top three stateroom categories.  Disney Cruise Line Suites offer the ultimate luxury with spacious accommodations and indulgent extras.

The Category 3 One-bedroom Suite with Verandah can sleep up to five guests in 614 square feet of space which includes a master bedroom with queen-sized bed, a sleep sofa in the living area, and a pull-down bed.  There are two bathrooms and generous walk-in closets.

The Two-Bedroom Suite with Verandah, Category 2, which accommodates up to seven guests, offers a substantial 945 square feet and a large living and dining area.  The rooms feature elegant wood accents, artwork, and abundant storage in large walk-in closets. Two separate bedrooms, wet bar, large living and dining areas, and expansive balconies give your group room to spread out.  There is one half-bath and two large full baths; the master bath includes a make-up area, double sinks and a wonderful jetted tub.

The finest accommodations onboard are the two Category 1 suites, the Roy O. Disney Suite and the Walter E. Disney Suite.  At 1,029 square feet, these Royal Suites have room for a dining area, living room, media library, pantry, two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, an enormous verandah, and up to seven guests.  They have luxurious finishes and are filled with Disney family memorabilia.

Concierge Services

All three categories have access to Disney Cruise Line’s Signature Concierge service.  A toll-free number connects you to a dedicated staff offering pre-arrival services which include early reservations for onboard activities, shore excursions, Palo dining, spa treatments, and childcare for children under three.  You can request a seating preference for dining and obtain assistance with planning for special occasions.  Suite guests can book reservations beginning 120 days prior to arrival, giving them a jump on other passengers.

You’ll discover that smooth sailing begins even before you board with an expedited embarkation process.  As a Concierge guest, you’ll receive priority check-in at a reserved station and then join your Concierge team at a private welcome reception, held exclusively for you and other Concierge passengers.

Throughout your voyage, you’ll enjoy a number of pampering perks including in-suite dining from the menus of any of the rotation dining venues, priority tendering at ports of call, and ongoing assistance with reservations and planning.

Upgraded Amenities
Concierge Suite guests enjoy some additional luxury amenities:

• H20 Plus Spa, Bath and Shower Products
  All stateroom baths are stocked with fine marine-nutrient enriched H20 Plus spa, bath and shower products—including Sea Marine Revitalizing Shampoo, Marine Collagen Conditioner and Hydrating Body Butter. Guests of the Concierge Suites are treated to an enhanced line, which adds the premium Sea Salt Body Wash and Solar Relief Gel.
• Fine Bedding from Sealy Posturpedic® and Frette
  All staterooms feature plush bath towels, bath sheets and 300-thread-count, 100% Egyptian cotton linens from Frette. Our Concierge Suites’ master bedrooms are further upgraded with Sealy Posturepedic® Premium Plush Euro-top mattresses and feather and down duvets.
• Pillow Talk Program
  Guests of the Concierge Suites have access to the Pillow Talk program, which allows you to choose from a selection of hypo-allergenic, feather and therapeutic memory-foam pillow options.
• Personal Robe and Slippers
  These plush comforts are provided for your use while you cruise.
• Special Treats Delivered
  While staying in a Concierge Suite, you benefit from daily delights delivered to your door, such as canapés, fruit and cookies.
• Media Library
  DVD players and an extensive library of music CDs and DVD titles are stocked for the enjoyment of you and your family, along with a selection of board games.

Not sure if Concierge cruising is right for you?  Contact Whimsical World Travel for more information about pricing and availability.  For many, a short three- or four-night voyage is an excellent way to sample Suite Sailing!

Where can you listen to such favorites as Tears Will Be the Chaser for My Wine, Blood on the Saddle, and Mama, Don’t Whip Little Buford; not to mention Teddi Barra’s moving rendition of Heart, We Did All That We Could?

Just mosey on over to Grizzly Hall in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom for a musical revue featuring singing bears, talking taxidermy, and a little good old country rhythm.  Spend some time with Big Al, The Five Bear Rugs, and a dozen more musically-inclined characters for a quarter-hour of ursine humor and melody.  It’s a good time for all ages, but kids in particular get a kick out of the corny jokes.

Although the official Walt Disney World website is still insisting that the Bears perform a special holiday-themed show, sadly, The Country Bear Christmas has not been seen here for several years.  Nonetheless, The Country Bear Jamboree remains a year-round favorite for some old-fashioned fun.

The Country Bear Jamboree

Magic Kingdom, Frontierland, Grizzly Hall

Approximately 17 minutes

Wheelchair and ECV accessible

Assistive listening and reflective captioning devices available

Park admission required