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After a prolonged transition away from the class structure featured onboard traditional ocean liners, many cruise lines are once again embracing the segmenting of passengers into different categories, offering a number of special perks to a select group willing to pay the price.  “Clubs,” “Havens,” “Concierge;” whatever the nomenclature used, they represent an elite level of accommodations and service.  Disney Cruise Line has always provided a Concierge staff to assist guests staying in suites on Disney Dream and Disney Wonder, but with Disney Dream, and soon on Disney Fantasy, they have also upped the ante with a more definitive Concierge experience.

It begins with pre-cruise assistance from a delightful shoreside staff.  Your Whimsical World Travel concierge works hand in hand with these cast members to ensure that your preferences are noted, your arrangements are booked, and your questions are answered.

On embarkation day, regular passengers are assigned a specific group number and must wait until their number is called before they can board.  As a Concierge guest, you can arrive, check-in, and board at any time once the ship begins boarding, typically beginning at about 11:00 a.m.  There is a special check-in area reserved solely for Concierge guests and Platinum Castaway Cay members.  After your documents have been processed, you are personally escorted past the waiting crowds and handed off to a crew member who conducts you up to the Concierge Lounge on Deck 12.  There, you will be greeted by the onboard Concierge staff at a private welcome reception and invited to enjoy snacks and beverages until your stateroom is ready.  One of the Concierges will review your personal cruise itinerary with you and assist with any additional arrangements for the youth activity programs, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, etc.  Don’t confuse this  custom itinerary with the Personal Navigator which is distributed daily to all passengers.  Your itinerary is created specifically for your group and lists all your activities and reservations as well as events of note.

Access to the Concierge areas is facilitated by your special Key to the World card.  A gentle touch of the card opens doors for you!  Tucked behind the locked filigree gates on Decks 11 and 12 are the beautiful Concierge staterooms and suites.  Corridors have been upgraded to reflect a decidedly yacht-like environment with beautiful wood tones and metallic finishes, and the accommodations are marvels of design and technology.  The color scheme with its more vibrant colors is a pleasant change from the beige and greige of so many other shipboard suites.

Family staterooms have the trademark “split” bath which features a vanity, sink, and toilet in one room, and an additional vanity and sink along with the tub/shower in a separate room; a boon for families.

Suites have two full baths; one with a large shower and the other having both a shower and an indulgent oval Jacuzzi air tub.  Lovely fixtures and accessories sparkle and the wonderful behind-the-mirror television is perfectly positioned to enjoy while taking a luxurious bath.  You’ll find robes and slippers, upgraded bedding, and a fabulous “Pillow Talk” program offering a wide selection of pillow options for the perfect night’s sleep.

There are two additional televisions in the suites, one in the bedroom and another in the living area.  Additional closet space, dining tables, and large balconies ~ particularly in the Royal Suites which also feature a private hot tub outside ~ make these accommodations the perfect home-away-from-home for your next vacation.  You can spend quality time with your family right in the suite, enjoying complimentary DVD’s and popcorn, as well as in-suite dining from any of the rotational restaurants if you prefer to “stay in!”

The Concierge Lounge is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily and offers a variety of food and beverage items throughout the day including breakfast, snacks, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts.  There are two “Special Gatherings” each evening prior to both dining times during which guests can enjoy complimentary cocktails in addition to non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.  Board games and magazines are available and the Concierge team is always on hand to answer questions and assist you with every request.  Photo Gallery folders for Concierge guests are conveniently stored in the Lounge rather than down on Deck 4 in Shutters.

Accessible from both the Concierge Lounge and Deck 13 forward is the lovely Concierge sundeck.  With padded lounges and sunbeds, a misting station, cushy chairs and pillows, and baskets of bottled water and sunbathing amenities, it’s a peaceful and pleasant oasis, particularly on port days.

Concierge guests can also take advantage of complimentary iPad rentals as well as 100 minutes of free internet use per room.

If you are already considering a Deluxe Family Stateroom with Verandah, you may be pleasantly surprised by the difference in cost to move up to the Land of the Starfish (next to every stateroom door is a small sea creature – fish for port side, seahorse for starboard on each of the other decks, but starfish for all Concierge staterooms). We invite you to contact a specialist at Whimsical World Travel to start planning your own amazing Concierge cruise!

Small, golden Mickeys hidden in the bling of the beautiful lobby chandelier on Disney Dream

It’s gorgeous!  The Disney Dream may be the most beautiful cruise ship currently sailing.  Disney ships always stand out from the crowd when docked beside other vessels.  With their sleek and elegant lines, they look decidedly different from the floating shoebox shape that defines the more typical cruise ship style.  With Disney Dream, the classic interiors which are the hallmark of the brand are elevated to a new level.

Make no mistake; this is an enormous ship.  At 1115 feet in length, it’s less than 70 feet shorter than the world’s largest cruise ships.  With a maximum capacity of 4,000 passengers, it is significantly larger than Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.  Since Disney ships have the highest load factor in the industry due to the number of children sharing staterooms with adults, they often do sail at close to full capacity.

The public spaces are marvels of Art Deco design, with glossy woods and rich jewel colors. The entire ship boasts amazing technology ~ Virtual Portholes for inside staterooms; “Enchanted Art” that comes alive when guests move toward it; state-of-the-art RFID keycards; a fabulous new system for locating and viewing onboard photos; behind-the-mirror televisions in suite bathrooms; stateroom “wave” phones that can be carried around the ship and on Castaway Cay to keep in touch; “Living Character” interactive experiences in the kids’ clubs and Animator’s Palate restaurant; a Magic Playfloor for younger children and digital nooks and giant screens in the teens’ area.  The “windows” of the Skyline Lounge offer guests panoramic views of different cities.

On deck, passengers can experience the AquaDuck water coaster, watch movies on the “Funnel Vision” screen and enjoy the only fireworks at sea.  The repertoire of the ship’s whistle has been expanded to include musical motifs from five different famous Disney tunes.

Along with this unparalleled innovation, Disney Dream borrows many of the popular features enjoyed on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder ~ Buena Vista Theatre, Disney Cruise Line’s movie palace that shows first-run movies, many in 3-D, throughout the day and evening; the Quiet Cove adults-only area with pool, bar, and Cove Café as well as a spa and adult lounges, bars, and music and entertainment venues; and, a variety of family-friendly activities.

Disney is, first and foremost, an entertainment company, and this extraordinary breadth of experience and creativity informs the whole environment. There are original live stage productions every evening and character appearances throughout the day.  Dinners are another “show” opportunity and every shipboard detail picks up a thread of the story that weaves its way from stem to stern.

Most cruisers will spend at least one day on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; a tropical playground for all ages.  Disney Dream is sailing three- to five-night itineraries in the Bahamas for 2012.  In March, it will be joined by its sister ship, Disney Fantasy which will feature 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.

Beginning July 26, 2011, tickets will be available for the 2011 season of EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional Dinner package.  Performances will begin on November 25^th and run through December 30^th, with three shows daily at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.

This annual favorite features a beautiful performance of seasonal music by a large chorus comprised of the wonderful Voices of Liberty, a cast member choir, and numerous guest choirs from around the country, accompanied by a full orchestra.  The highlight of each show is the reading of the Christmas story by a special celebrity narrator.

Prices are tiered to reflect both the dining venue and choice of lunch or dinner.  Guests with either the Magic Your Way Plus Dining or the Magic Your Way Plus Deluxe Dining plans can use two table-service credits.   Those on the Premium and Platinum plans can substitute the dinner package for one of their meals.

We’ve provided a downloadable document with complete details including a current list of guest narrators and a pricing chart for the various restaurants participating in this year’s package.

We invite you to review past posts for more information about the Candlelight Processional programs.

Our favorite kind of Hidden Mickey – atmospheric and artistic; merged with surrounding themes and waiting for us to find it.  A wonderful capture from a new contributor, Kurt!

One of the most enjoyable experiences onboard a Disney Cruise Line vessel is certainly a visit to Palo, the wonderful specialty restaurant.  Exclusively for adult guests, this lovely venue serves Northern Italian dishes seasoned with flair and friendliness.  It’s an opportunity to dress up and spend several hours lingering over a great meal.

 

Featuring spectacular ocean views from Deck 10, aft on both Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, this location was originally slated for the children’s areas until the designers realized that the magnificent vistas would be wasted on most kids!  Those traveling on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy will find the same great dining on Deck 12, aft.

 

The serene atmosphere is enhanced by Italian arias singing softly in the background and the sparkle of Venetian glass and masks from the Carnevale.  But the Palo experience is about the food and the service.  The attentive and knowledgeable servers manage to be dignified and gracious, as befits the more formal surroundings, while maintaining the warmth and friendliness we have come to expect from Disney cast members.  It’s a charming combination that provides the perfect showcase for Palo’s elegant, yet approachable, menu.

Review: For me, Palo is always one of the highlights of a Disney Cruise and I had the opportunity to book the three different seatings during my most recent voyage: dinner, brunch, and tea.

In fact, because this was a long transatlantic voyage with a smaller number of passengers onboard, I was able to enjoy dinner on several evenings!  I have never had more personalized and exceptional service than I experienced during this trip, thanks to the outstanding Mirko, whose professionalism and kindness made every meal memorable.  I can only hope that our readers will be fortunate enough to be seated at one of Mirko’s tables when they cruise on Disney Magic.

Those who appreciate a fine dining experience and enjoy the upscale ingredients and magnificent presentation might agree that the portion sizes sometimes leave us wishing for a bit more.  Palo always seems to get it just right – beautiful food beautifully presented with enough on the plate to make everyone happy!

There has been discussion about a certain lack of seasoning in some of the dishes and I think it’s a valid point – my penne arrabbiata, for example, while delicious, did not have the expected spicy punch the name implies.  However, experienced Disney diners have come to understand that the company is acutely aware of its demographic and preparations tend to reflect the preferences of this target audience, often at the cost of authenticity.

Dinner is a consistent favorite but I was also pleasantly surprised by Brunch.  After being settled at their table, guests are invited to join the server for a visit to the buffet where dozens of menu items are explained in detail.  They are escorted past an extraordinary selection of food laid out on trays and platters; then, an additional array of “entrée” items are displayed which are prepared to order.  The Brunch reservation is a bit harder to come by since it’s not offered on all cruise days.

Tea was another matter entirely.  A little background:

Tea was introduced to western civilization hundreds of years ago and enjoying the beverage with a light repast, sometime between the midday meal and the evening meal, became the fashion.  This “afternoon tea” reflects the custom we know today – tea served in elegant china with charming accoutrements and small sandwiches and sweets.

“High tea” is a term used for many years in the U.K.  It is a workingman’s supper; a rustic and hearty evening meal which generally features bread and butter and leftover meats from the main meal of the day which is served at lunchtime to fortify the hardworking men facing a long afternoon of labor.  In some households, high tea constituted the main meal similar to our “dinner” but is most often synonymous with the meal taken after the heaviest meal of the day.  It is referred to as “high” tea because it is eaten at the high table or dining table rather than the low tea tables where afternoon tea is typically laid out.  High Tea is the antithesis of the dainty, fussy little tidbits and delicate tableware that define Afternoon Tea.  At some point, Americans decided that the term “high” must mean refined and they consistently misuse it in this context.

While the average person might be forgiven for getting the terms confused, it’s a bit harder to overlook the error when it’s made by those in the food-service industry who should be better educated about the terminology of their profession.

Interestingly, the “high tea” served at Palo wasn’t far off the mark; clunky, chipped teapots and cups, clumsy sandwiches tossed on a plate, and rushed, perfunctory service; a less-than-stellar effort from a venue which otherwise delivers.  In fact, I never actually got to sample the meal on offer because my teapot had a crack in it which caused tea to leak all over the table onto the floor and I was unable to get the attention of the woman serving the guests in my area.  After a half-dozen attempts, I left the restaurant; she never even noticed my departure. While the restaurant manager could not have been more gracious in his efforts to make it right, it was an unacceptable experience.

I was also interested to see the tea selections listed on the menu.  It’s always surprising that restaurants make such a point to be accurate in their descriptions of so many other items – wines, proteins, even olive oils; but pay so little attention to tea.  Palo’s tea offerings, which featured a mix of teas and tisanes, included an English Breakfast blend, a Darjeeling, and, amazingly, an “orange pekoe.”  Orange pekoe is not a specific tea flavor, region, or blend, it’s a grading category.  The term is used for designating a whole-leaf tea as opposed to a broken-leaf grade.  I looked at a couple of teas before choosing and I would guess that all of the teas available are actually orange pekoe.  I know I’m making a fuss about details that most patrons would find unimportant, but if a restaurant is going to position itself as a knowledgeable purveyor, then it needs to get things right.  Calling one tea jasmine and another orange pekoe is somewhat like listing coffees as “Kona,” “Arabica,” and “medium grind.”

Palo’s management team should seriously consider discontinuing their tea service until they can bring it up to the standard of dinner and brunch.  As it currently stands, it’s an embarrassment.

I would strongly recommend that cruisers make reservations at the earliest opportunity for both dinner and brunch, if available, and pass on “high tea!”

Depending upon the guest’s stateroom category and Castaway Club status, reservations can be made from 75 to 120 days in advance.  There are also some additional openings that can be booked onboard although those wishing to secure one of these reservations should go immediately to the designated area as soon as they embark.

 

Patrons must be 18 or older and the dress code requires dress pants and shirt or jacket for men and a dress or pantsuit for women.

 

Currently, there is an additional charge of $20.00 for both dinner and brunch on all ships.  Tea seems to have an upcharge of $10.00 on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, and $15.00 on Disney Dream, but these prices do change often and the actual cost appears to be dependent upon which Disney website you’re looking at.

Questions about gratuities at Palo arise often since only a small percentage of the upcharge goes into a pool that is split amongst the servers.  The majority of the extra fee is applied to food costs. While gratuities are added to any beverage charges, the total of a few dollars seems disproportionate to services rendered.  There is an enormous range of opinion on the subject of tipping so I can only offer my personal take on the topic:  if I were having this caliber of meal at any other restaurant, it would be well over $100 per person, and I tip accordingly, generally $20 to $30 per person for dinner, leaving cash with the receipt so that I know it will go directly to the individual who has provided such wonderful service.

Dark rides; few experiences have greater power to transport us.  We enter and we are whisked away to another place; another time.  In Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom, we find one of the most well-loved of all the dark rides – Pirates of the Caribbean.

Even before we enter, we are entranced by the architectural details of the building.  There are beautiful elements everywhere – grillwork and tiles, arches, scrolls, and turrets, and wonderful lighting.

The atmospheric queue, with its twisting pathways, caves and caches, only hints at the “treasures” waiting beyond.

We climb into seaworthy vessels and head out on our adventure.  The darkness intensifies the senses.

We feel the cold sea wind blowing; the ghostly voices cause a shiver of anxiety about what may lie ahead.

Then, suddenly, we are in the midst of a battle with muzzle flash and splashing cannonballs which seem to miss our fragile boats by the smallest of margins.  Around the bend and we sail into an amazing nighttime scene.  There’s music and mischief, commerce and cavorting, grime and gold as the pillaging crew makes its way through the town.

Disney likes to point out the fact that the attraction inspired the movies of the same name, which in turn inspired enhancements to the original ride.  Amongst its dozens of audioanimatronic figures, Pirates of the Caribbean now features several encounters with a strikingly realistic Captain Jack Sparrow.

There’s also a spooky image of Davy Jones that emerges from a curtain of water at the beginning of the voyage.

To complete the adventure, we have the perfect song, one that will play happily in our heads each time we relive our voyage to the Caribbean – Yo Ho!!

 

Pirates of the Caribbean

Magic Kingdom, Adventureland

Approximately 9 minutes

Guests must transfer from wheelchair and ECV to ride vehicle

No flash photography allowed

FastPass available

Handheld captioning available

Park admission required

 

 

It’s a rite of passage for many smaller Disney guests – discovering that they are finally tall enough for the attraction of their dreams.  For every adult who’s terrified of Disney’s mountains, there are three fearless young children begging to be allowed boarding privileges.  They’ve stood and watched sadly as older brothers and sisters happily stepped into ride queues while they were left behind; victims of the dreaded “baby swap.”  Or worse still, they might be forced to walk off with one parent to do allegedly “fun things” while the others went in a different direction to enjoy all the really cool stuff.  Finally, their day has come; they are able to “hit the mark” and board that highly-anticipated ride!

Many of the most exciting rides have specific height requirements.  These guidelines help ensure that all passengers are safe; tall enough to be protected by the headrests, belts and other safety features built into the ride vehicles.

Typically, there will be two checkpoints at an attraction and children must not be able to walk under the bar.  Although shoes are allowed, this regulation is very strictly enforced and cast members do not make exceptions for “almost.”

We’ve included a link to Walt Disney World’s most recent official listing of height requirements for specific attractions:

 

ATTRACTION HEIGHT CHART

 

Joining the ranks of the Big Kids – one of the many reasons families return to Disney Destinations year after year!

 

Classic \ˈkla-sik\  serving as a standard of excellence;  of recognized value;  traditional, enduring

There are the thrill rides.  There are attractions that showcase the latest and greatest technologies.  There are those that exploit modern themes and the newest stories and characters.

And then, there are the classics.  They may not utilize the most up-to-date equipment, advanced programming, or state-of-the-art special effects.  It doesn’t matter.  They are the classics; the quintessence of the Disney experience.  Using old-time tricks and familiar illusions, the Haunted Mansion continues to amaze and delight us.  It’s a Small World still compels us to board little boats and float past hundreds of dolls while listening to a repetitive tune.  Children will always clamor for Dumbo the Flying Elephant, adults will forever get teary in the Hall of Presidents, and they all line up to sit in twirling teacups and laugh together.

Yet none is more clearly touched by Walt’s hand than the Carousel of Progress.  It’s a simple concept – guests are seated in a theater that revolves around a central stage as they follow nearly 100 years of innovation.  Through a series of cozy kitchen scenes and folksy chats, the audience can see the evolution of both technology and, more subtly, American culture, from the late 1900’s until the end of the 20^th century.

The clothing changes, as do the “latest” appliances, and even the vocabulary, but the core message remains the same:  mankind’s infinite capacity for inventiveness and resourcefulness, and the timeless values of family and country; philosophies that were dear to Walt’s heart.  In fact, he was deeply involved in the project right from the start when it was developed for the New York World’s Fair in 1964 and 1965.  Progressland’s Carousel Theater, sponsored by General Electric, was actually an offshoot of a concept known as Edison Square, which Walt had conceived, but never built, for Disneyland in the 1950’s.

It was a huge hit at the Fair, and although the original structure was demolished, the audioanimatronic figures and the systems were packed up and moved to Disneyland when the Fair closed.  While Walt did not live long enough to see it open, it ran for six years at its new home in Tomorrowland.  On the upper level of the theater, guests could view a beautifully-detailed model of Progress City, a preview of the real city he had planned to build in Florida – EPCOT.  Today, visitors can see a section of that model displayed along the route of the TTA PeopleMover in Walt Disney World.

After its Disneyland closure in 1973, once again, the theater was left behind, although this time repurposed for America Sings and later, Innoventions, and the figures and systems made the trek to their new home in the Magic Kingdom.  Renamed Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress in 1994, the attraction underwent renovations which included an updated final scene.

Still featuring the original control systems and audioanimatronic figures, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is a somewhat fragile treasure, and only open seasonally during busier periods.  Nonetheless, it holds the record for the most performances of any show in the history of American theater.

Although the fourth, “modern day” scene is sorely in need of some serious reimagining, the attraction remains a touchstone for hundreds of thousands of visitors.  Indeed, sitting in that theater, it’s easy to imagine that a great, big, beautiful tomorrow is just a dream away.

 

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Magic Kingdom

21 minutes

Open seasonally

Wheelchair and ECV accessible

Park admission required