Disney Dream October 2021 3-Night Trip Report

[luv2vacation12]

Hello all,

I wanted to write up a quick trip report of our recent cruise since we are all just getting back to cruising and things have changed so much since most us have sailed before.

We sailed on the Disney Dream 3-night Bahamas trip leaving on 08Oct. Our itinerary was 1 day at sea and a day at Castaway Cay. We are a family of 5 with 8-year old triplets.

I wanted to pass on the info of the COVID procedures as of early Oct, so please note that this will change and evolve over time.

We didn’t book until 2 weeks prior to departure, so as soon as our reservations were marked paid, I did the online check-in. Different than before, during the online check-in, you will be taking photos of your passports and also selfies. Since the check-in window had been open for several weeks, our original Port Arrival Time was 2:30pm. Our check-in was in a pending status until about a week before departure when it changed to fully checked in. I wasn’t thrilled about the late PAT, so I checked back in several times and was able to gradually move it forwards until I was able to get 12:30, but it didn’t ever allow earlier and closer to departure, all that was left was after 3:00. We drove to Port Canaveral from Georgia, splitting the drive over 2 days. We arrived at the port at 12:20, to mins prior to the PAT, but they allowed us in, though I would say that she sounded strict about it and if we had been earlier, they would have sent us away. It was not really our intention to arrive early, but we had 3:45 drive that morning and wanted to leave some leeway in case of traffic or unexpected bathroom stops.

Under the guidelines for our sailing, the adults had to be fully vaccinated and under 12s had to have a negative COVID test 3 days prior and all passengers had to have a negative COVID test before boarding. We uploaded our vaccine cards to the Safe Passage website and within a day or 2 we were cleared. Three days prior, Tuesday, we took the kids to have their COVID test at CVS. On Wednesday evening we got their results and I immediately uploaded them to Safe Passage and by Thursday at 10am we had notification that we were “Cleared to Arrive”.

The morning of boarding, we received and email from Disney with a link to a pre-sailing questionnaire. This was the typical COVID symptom questions we are used to before going to a doctor, etc. So, no issue there.

When we arrived at port, we were directed to drop luggage. Before the porter could take our luggage, a Disney Cast Member came to check our PAT and she was the one who said OK even though we were 10 mins early. We then gave the bags to the porter and were directed to the parking ramp. You prepay your parking as you enter and then are directed for your COVID testing.

At the first stop, someone from Safe Passage will scan your PAT and hand you the tests with an instruction sheet. You then drive into the first level of the garage and are directed to park. There a Safe Passage team member will direct you on how to complete the testing. She will also need to scan your PAT and the barcodes that you will put on your test tubes. You will swab yourself and the members of your family and see the swabs in the tubes and in the plastic bags and then put them into a cooler. After that is done, it takes 45mins to an hour for the results and they are emailed to you like the other Safe Passage clearances. Before you leave this station, there is a Disney Cast member who scans your PAT as well. She/he will give you further directions on what to do while you wait and where to go after you are cleared.

Once finished there, you are instructed to drive up into the structure and park and wait there until you get the email from Safe Passage. There are restrooms and vending machines in the structure. The kids were a bit upset about the prospect of an hour wait in the car, but we made a bathroom break, had a snack and started watching a movie on the iPad. It did take 45 mins to get the email, and of note, my cell reception was bad in the parking structure, so I had to walk periodically to the edge of the structure to get signal. Once you get the email, it just says that your status has been updated, but not was the status is, so you must log back into the Safe Passage website to view your status. Happily, we were all still negative and we were cleared to board.

We grabbed up our carry-ons and made our way to the terminal. Before you enter the terminal, there will be a cast member at the door who will scan your PAT and verify that you have been given the “Cleared to Sail” from Safe Passage and then you will be allowed in.

In the vestibule area prior to screening, where you used to queue for security, there are now small check in desks. The cast member there will scan your PAT, take photos of your passport and if you are traveling with kids, give them the Oceaneer’s Club Magic Bands.

After this, you pass through the metal detectors/x-ray machines. So now, the actual terminal is basically a hallway to walk from the front door to the ship. You will just move through and enter a relatively short line to get onto the ship. They still have the embarkation photo stop if you want to and you can take your mask off for it. For us this was really the only photo worth buying on this trip. As you are boarding, they will scan your PAT one last time. I think that was the 7^th time.

It moves somewhat slow actually getting onto the ship. There is no sail-away party to promote social distancing, so you queue until the ship lobby is empty and then on the floor there are several socially distanced dots each family stand on. There is a short welcome song/dance with Capt Mickey and Minnie. After that, a crew member ushers you off the spot so the next group can come in. The crew member will give instructions of your next task, which is heading to your muster station. I had asked her about when the staterooms would be available and she say 2pm, so I looked at my watch and it was 2:02, so perfect. This also meant that we arrived at 12:20 and were onboard at 2:00, so basically 1hr40min from start to finish.

For the rest of this, I wanted to just point out the differences versus pre-COVID.

After you are on the ship, the first task you are asked to do is to go and check in at our muster station. There is no drill like in the past where everyone arrives to their station at the same time and are briefed. So, you head to your station and you can check-in there with the Disney Cruise app. You will need to connect to the DCL-GUEST wifi and then link your stateroom. Then it’ll walk you through aiming your camera at the muster station location sign and show you as check-in. If you prefer, you can just have your name ticked off on the list by the crewmember at your station. Then at 4:15, services close like before, and all the video screens and the TVs in your stateroom will show the safety video.

 

Speaking of the Disney Cruise app not only is it used for your muster station check in, you will used it for your activities now. They no longer print paper navigators or schedules; it is all on the app. There are also no menus in the dining room, you will use your app, so you need to carry your phone everywhere (just like on land, lol). You will also find your dining time/table/restaurant rotation on it, not on your KTTW. You can book port adventures, oceaneer club time, spa etc. on there. They also no longer have wave phones in the room, so they will use the text feature of the app to contact you if you are needed at the oceaneer’s club. You can also text other members of your party or chat with guest services if you have a question rather than going down. It all seems fine, but there are spotty wifi issues and text that don’t go through (missed one from the kid’s club). I do miss not having paper navigators and menus though. 

Different from before, you will not receive your KTTW, room key, at check in. They will be on your fish extender at your cabin door in an envelope. So, after 2pm, you can just head to your stateroom and grab your keys.

Pool Deck differences: Masks are not required while out on the deck, but once you step back inside or go into the restrooms, they are required. The pool capacity is limited. 12 in the Mickey pool and 13 in the Goofy pool. So, it is roped off with one entrance and one exit. If the pool is not at capacity, you can stay in as long as you like. Once it is at capacity, if someone is waiting, they run a 10min clock, though I think it was closer to 15 mins, but she said it was 10. Once 10 mins elapses, they blow the whistle and everyone in the pool has to exit and the next 13 people get to get in. It wasn’t terrible and at least while you are waiting you can watch the movie on the big screen. Similar procedure for the hot tubs. For the Mickey waterslide, they had dots to queue before the stairs and only one person could go up the stairs at a time, once the person got on the slide the next person could start the stairs. For the Aquaduck the had spacing markings on the starts to keep parties separated. The line for the Aquaduck seemed to move really, really slowly.

The soda stations and ice cream station all had crewmembers running them, so you didn’t serve yourself. Tow Mater’s/Flo’s/Fillmore’s and doted queues and the crewmembers put on all your condiments so the lines could be long/slow at times. While we didn’t eat at Cabanas, we passed through to get to the elevators and they were all served by crewmembers.

Dining rooms were essentially the same other than start time. Instead of everyone coming at the one time, it was spread out. So, we were on early dining and we were to arrive at 5:55. Other started coming in at 5:30, so there were no long queues of people.

In the Walt Disney Theatre, every other row as blocked off and there were cast members directing you where to sit leaving 3 seats open between parties on each row.

Character interactions are limited but are still great. They still have them around a lot, and you can take photos “with” them, you are just several feet in-front of them, but the pictures still look great, Mickey is just over your shoulder rather than hugging.

We only walked through The District once. It was in the evening at around 8 and we were just passing through to get to the elevator, but all the different clubs had signs saying venue was full, so could be an issue if you are planning on spending time there. We were with kids, so we didn’t have plans to hang there.

Oceaneer’s Club/Lab: This primarily has to be pre-booked. You are allowed to book 1.5 hrs of time on embarkation day and port days. On sea days, you can book 2.5 hrs in advance. I didn’t book anything for embarkation day or Castaway Cay day because I figured we would be busy enough but did book time on the sea day. On our sea day, the captain said the weather would be not great in the afternoon, so I used the app to book them in for 1.5 hrs just in case. You can also stop by to see if there is space or use the app to book additional time too. Once in the club, the kids don’t have free reign to run from place to place. They are kept in a group of no more than 15 and the move with a counselor from room to room on a timed basis doing various activities in each space. The kids still loved their time, there but missed being able to choose what they wanted to do, but again they had a blast!

For leaving the ship on Castaway, they had a virtual queue you had to join on your phone. It opened at 7:30 with the on short time starting at 8:30. I joined at 7:34 and was given a time of 8:55. Which was fine because we didn’t go eat until 8:00 and by the time we finished we were cleared to get off. Our waiter said that by 9:00 they queue was basically finished and you could leave whenever, the first 15 to 30 minutes was all that was really limited.

There were a couple things that really diminished the Disney magic for me. There was only one show presented in the Walt Disney Theatre. One thing that really sets Disney apart for me is their shows and our whole family loves them. Typically, on a 3-night cruise you get 3 different shows; on this one we only got Beauty and the Beast. The show was absolutely wonderful!!! but would have loved more. It was performed twice on the first night and twice on the last night. Presumably with limited capacity in the theatre, they had to do 4 performances to accommodate all the guests.

Also, I really missed the sail-away show. It really is an awesome way to kick off the cruise and get the Disney magic flowing.

I was very excited that they were going to still have fireworks, but it was a tremendous let down. They ran them at twice so the people on early dining when at 8:45 and the late dining when at 10:30 (I believe). They have dots for groups to stand on throughout deck 11 and 12, so you are asked to arrive 15 mins early and pick a dot. Promptly at 8:45 it started and by 8:48 (I literally checked my watch), it was over. There is no show or lead in, it just started with background music and then was done. After the fireworks, some of the entertainment staff came on stage and they did a few songs and tried to get people dancing. It was all such a letdown. This was our 9^th Disney Cruise and every time, I get choked up and emotional during the fireworks show, but this one was a bummer.

Also, our cruise was a Halloween on the High Seas cruise and really it seemed like an afterthought. It was kind of like, Hey, its Halloween, Let throw up some pumpkins and package it like it’s an event. We did it maybe 3 years ago and there were more activity/events to make it an actual thing.

Overall, the cruise was wonderful and it was great to be back on board and I’m a die-hard Disney fan. I’m just slightly disappointed and wondering if the Disney over-the-top wonderful entertainment is missing, to NCL or RCI have somewhat of an advantage with maybe better ships/onboard bells and whistles?

Sorry this got really long, lol! Let me know if you have any other questions I can answer.

Patrick

[fla gang]

So sad to hear no sailaway party and countdown and horn playing Disney tunes. I just don't know if I can justify the price with so much of the cruise taken away. I am a Diamond member with Royal and get casino freebies in the mail weekly but just not comfortable enough yet to take one yet!

[TPCRUISER2]

Patrick: Thank you for the information. Taking my fist Disney cruise! Usually on RCL or Celebrity. 

 

Can you tell me if wi-fi on the app is free?

 

What food options late at night?

 

Any dancing options for us Adults?

 

 

[luv2vacation12]

On 10/17/2021 at 12:26 AM, TPCRUISER2 said:

Patrick: Thank you for the information. Taking my fist Disney cruise! Usually on RCL or Celebrity. 

 

Can you tell me if wi-fi on the app is free?

 

What food options late at night?

 

Any dancing options for us Adults?

 

 

Hello,

 

The Wifi to connect to the app is free, if you want regular wifi, the do sell packages for that, but as long as you only want to use it for the app, there is no charge.

 

For late night food, on the Pool deck there are several food outlets that have pizza, burgers, chicken, sandwiches and salads and they are open late, mid-night or 1am, I think. They also have room service 24-hrs.

 

There are several venue in "the District" that have music, drinks, events, karaoke, etc  (some times appetizers) that are open until late. I did notice when we walked through early in the evening, some venues were at capacity due to COVID limitations, but I would assume as it gets later in the evening, they would clear out a bit.

 

Have a great time!

[TPCRUISER2]

On 10/18/2021 at 2:02 PM, luv2vacation12 said:

Hello,

 

The Wifi to connect to the app is free, if you want regular wifi, the do sell packages for that, but as long as you only want to use it for the app, there is no charge.

 

For late night food, on the Pool deck there are several food outlets that have pizza, burgers, chicken, sandwiches and salads and they are open late, mid-night or 1am, I think. They also have room service 24-hrs.

 

There are several venue in "the District" that have music, drinks, events, karaoke, etc  (some times appetizers) that are open until late. I did notice when we walked through early in the evening, some venues were at capacity due to COVID limitations, but I would assume as it gets later in the evening, they would clear out a bit.

 

Have a great time!

Thank you so much!

[HeyNowMama1315]

Thank you so much for this well-thought-out post. We are taking out first Disney cruise in December. We just booked it last minute as well, and are coming from the other coast of Florida. 

 

Could you tell me if they do any theme nights so we can pack/dress accordingly? Is there a fancy night/pirate night/ etc? If there is, where can we find the information? Is it on the app? I'd also love to hear what you all enjoyed on the Castaway Cay port. Since we are going mid-december, I'm not sure we will be swimming much (Florida natives here). Any ideas of things to do that day would be great as well.

 

Our children are 8 and 6. They've been on 2 Carnival cruises with us. This Disney is a first for all of us. If there is anything you can think of that we shouldn't miss, or that a newbie may not know, we would love to hear some recommendations. 

 

Thanks!

[cruisesrthebest]

Patrick

Thank you for the detailed post

 

We are first time cruising with Disney in February 2022.  We have been on 4 Royal Caribbean  cruises and were very happy 

 

I am wondering from those who cruised recently with Disney has anything changed with Patricks experience in October 

 

are there excursions at Bahamas and the private island?

 

Thanks in advance