10 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Disney Cruise

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I have been an avid cruiser since I was in my early 20's. Growing up in South Florida, jumping on a cruise ship for vacation has always been one of the easiest vacations. So when I decided to take my first Disney Cruise with my family in 2016, I thought "How Different Can It Be?". Well, the answer is simple, some things are very different.
So today I go over "10 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Disney Cruise". Keep in mind, that these are things specific to Disney Cruise Line, not cruising in general. I will also add that we still love cruising on Royal Caribbean and have 2 cruises booked on RCCL in the next year. But the experiences are different. It's kind of like comparing Universal to Disney. They are both theme parks, but the experiences are different.
This Video is NOT Sponsored. However, below are 2 Travel Agents that specialize in Disney Cruise Line. Special thanks to Sarah (from TouringPlans Travel) and Christy (from Pack Your Pixie Dust) for their input while I put my list together.
tinyurl.com/TouringPlansShannon
www.packyourpixiedust.com/
Introduction 0:00
10. DCL’s Pricing System - Book Early 3:01
9. DCL Tiered Booking Windows 4:46
8. Character Meet at the Cruise Terminal 6:40
7. Character Meets on the Cruise 8:43
6. “Day at Sea’ Meet N Greets 10:48
5. Mickey Bars 12:49
4. Facebook Groups & Fish Extenders 13:46
3. Dining Rotation Request 17:09
2. Waitlisting 19:15
1. Hiring the RIGHT Travel Agent 21:25
Wrap-up 24:02
#disneycruiseline #disneycruise #dcl
‪@DisneyParks‬
🌟Business Inquiries only contact me at
shannon@shannonford.com
Mailing address:
Shannon Ford
21001 Pines Blvd. # 7843
Pembroke Pines, FL 33029
Find me on Instagram:
/ mrsshannonford
/ disneydaysfamily
Visit my Blog at:
disneydays.com/
Also find me at My DVC Points:
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Disclaimer: Some affiliate links used. If links are affiliated, they will be marked with a *

Опубликовано:

24 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 79

@wendydiaz5524 2 года назад

Loved all your suggestions. I find doing all the work keeps my anticipation going until my Cruise. But your advise and tricks have been absolutely perfect for deciding what stateroom to pick on the Disney wish. I can't wait to see your video on that.

@ShannonFord 2 года назад

Thanks. I also love planning! Part of the fun

@biancalande5450 Год назад

Wow! I’ve watched so many vids on Disney cruises, but knew nothing about what you talked about. Thank you so much for all the info! Looking forward to your videos, & more insight!❤️👍❤️

@ShannonFord Год назад

Wow, thanks so much for the great comment. I try to make my videos informational and helpful, so your comment is very appreciated.

@nicolejulao15 2 года назад

thanks for this great video!!going on out first cruise and this was great great information!

@ShannonFord 2 года назад

So happy you found it helpful.

@packyourpixiedust 3 года назад

Great Information! Thanks for the shout out!

@JamilaColeman 3 года назад

I’m going on my first cruise ever with my boyfriend. It’s on the Disney dream. Thank you for making this because now we’ll have more info on what to do

@ShannonFord 3 года назад

I also have a video on Best & Worst Staterooms for each of the Disney ships

@daniellestewart6345 Год назад

Super helpful! Thank you :)

@ShannonFord Год назад

Glad it was helpful!

@sarahdodd7645 2 года назад

Thank you! First Disney Cruise will be on the Wish in August! Need ALL the tips I can get so my granddaughter has the time of her life!

@ShannonFord 2 года назад

Definitely subscribe! We will be on the Wish in June. I will be vlogging a lot and will hopefully go Live as much as I can

@tinaballon3670 2 года назад

Hiiii Shannon!! THANK YOU for everything! You are amazing! Where did you get your cute cruising skirts?! I’m a skirt/skort kind of mom!!!

@ShannonFord 2 года назад

Oh, I have to look it up. I think on Etsy. But it’s been a while

@anllelafrank9590 3 года назад

great tips!!! thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, we have our first cruise on 8/27 for 3 days :) hopefully they dont cancelled

@ShannonFord 3 года назад

I think you have a good chance for that one. The first test cruise is at the end of this month

@syneriacazeau2986 Год назад

Thank you so much . I live in South Florida also I’m planning my first Disney Cruise with my 2 boys 9 & 12

@ShannonFord Год назад

Wonderful! Get yourself a good TA that knows DCL. You won’t regret it

@Jo-8298 Год назад

Omg…so helpful! I’m so glad I got this video in my recommended! I’m going today lol

@ShannonFord Год назад

Have a magical time!!!

@Jo-8298 Год назад

@@ShannonFord thanks!

@physicianslounge4457 Год назад

Really well done ❤

@ShannonFord Год назад

Thank you so much!

@stacyb6461 2 года назад

This is super interesting. Planning to book for fall 2023 with my 3boys on the new ship the Wish so good to kow

@ShannonFord 2 года назад

We are going on the Wish in 2 weeks. I’m planning ALOT of videos.

@stacyb6461 2 года назад

@@ShannonFord great I will be tuned in with my notebook. Lol I’ve never cruised with them. But want to give it a shot and starting with Disney. They will be age 11, 8 and almost 4 at the time of our cruise

@ShannonFord 2 года назад

@@stacyb6461 that’s great! Disney is a different experience. There is definitely something extra on DCL. Also, it appears that this ship has more boy activities than their other ships, which makes me excited #boymom

@stacyb6461 2 года назад

@@ShannonFord ooh even better. Fellow boy mom x3 here as well. I love secret Santa concept idea as well. Will stay tuned for your upcoming trip

@disneylove69 2 года назад

Don't forget when you board there will be an area that you can try to get Palo reservation, table or dining time change, etc. DCL has some reservations back.

@ShannonFord 2 года назад

That’s good information. We’ve never have eaten at Palo so I wouldn’t know that. Thank you for sharing.

@biancamarquesvieira Год назад

Where exactly is this area. I'm boarding the Disney Fantasy next month

@disneylove69 Год назад

@@biancamarquesvieira ask a CM when you board because it depends in the ship. Usually at one of the clubs.

@oliviamaria328 Год назад

This was actually so helpful. I’m going on my third Disney cruise with my boyfriend in September and that is a good tip to take a picture with the characters while boarding.

@ShannonFord Год назад

Glad it was helpful. When we went last month, they didn't have the characters at the Port terminal. However, it was a preview cruise, so I'm not sure if that is why. Also as an FYI, character meets on DCL are still socially distanced.

@aaronsilva5784 Год назад

I've been on Symphony, Allure and Freedom with the kids. I really don't like lines and am giving in to Disney Dream this spring because of the KSF disney+ promotion. I LOVE RCL. Am I going to have a good time on Disney Dream?

@ShannonFord Год назад

We just went and we had a great time. It’s a wonderful ship. I’m posting vlogs now and the final video will have a recap. Just be aware, lines for characters get long. If that’s a priority, you will be standing in line a lot.

@janeogle650 5 месяцев назад

oh the waitlist has given me hope. first timer and really want champagne tasting and palo brunch!

@ShannonFord 5 месяцев назад

Good luck!

@katieblomker1475 Год назад

My daughters birthday is the 2nd night of our cruise. We are on the magic for 4 nights. Which restaurant do you recommend for her to celebrate her birthday in?

@ShannonFord Год назад

Rapunzels royal table! The show is Rapunzel’s birthday so it would be perfect

@swissmrkc Год назад

Tha is for the info!, So which travel agent do you recommend? Small world or mouse savers? Which company? There's so many half of them sound fake.....

@ShannonFord Год назад

I haven’t used either. Personally I recommend archerluxurytravel.com/cruise-lines/disney-cruise-lines/

@mrs.cordova8286 2 года назад

Hi how do I specifically find the FB groups? Where? And how many gifts do you buy for the fish extenders?

@ShannonFord 2 года назад

Type in the sailing for your cruise like, Disney Magic March 20, 2022 and look it up that way. As for fish extenders. I bought one small gift for each child on the list

@whatifdisneyworld Год назад

Thank you for a great, helpful video! We are gearing up for our first Disney cruise soon! Question about tip 3-how do you request the order of your rotational dining? Thanks! 😊

@ShannonFord Год назад

If you have a TA, let them make the request. If not, just send DCL an email through their website. With 5 DCL cruises, my requests have always been honored

@MyChanel1776 Год назад

Any advice on guaranteed staterooms vs picking your own cabin?

@ShannonFord Год назад

If you can afford to pick your own, it’s better. sometimes the price difference isn’t that much. We are in a GTY for our sailing in 11 days and still no assignment. But the savings was almost 1k. You just have to be prepared to be in the worst cabin in the category you booked. But even the worst cabin is better than being at home. For our Disney Magic sailing, we ended up in an accessible stateroom, so no double bathroom or bathtub. However, our room was huge and the balcony was enormous.

@leahc62 Год назад

Hi Shannon new subby here 👋🏼 I’ve never been on a cruise and we are looking at a Disney cruise. How do you find a Disney specific travel agent? I’m from the UK. In the past when I’ve booked to go to WDW we’ve used a regular travel agent.

@ShannonFord Год назад

Thanks so much for subscribing. I have 2 listed in the description box with links. TouringPlans has several agents that specialize in Disney Cruise line and Christy from Pack Your Pixie Dust is a DCL specialist. She is also one of the co-hosts of the DCL Podcast. Just be sure to let them know I sent you ;) Let me know if you have any other questions.

@leahc62 Год назад

@@ShannonFord thank you so much for responding! Your video is so informative 😊😊

@darlenelibbi1030 2 года назад

Can you just tip at end of the cruise? It would be hard tip every time we get room service?

@ShannonFord 2 года назад

The servers won’t get it. Room service is like any other room service at a hotel. At the end of the cruise is your waiters and your room steward. That’s it

@kellie5858 Год назад

Random but what product did you use for your wall? It looks great!

@ShannonFord Год назад

It’s from Wayfair. I’m actually in the process of changing it. LOL.

@kellie5858 Год назад

@@ShannonFord sometimes you just need a change 😂

@scottrickhoff4184 Год назад

Starts at 3:10, vacuous word salad up to that point.

@freetobree5323 Год назад

How long do you stay on castaway key on the 3 day trip?

@ShannonFord Год назад

How long does the ship stay? It’s usually 6-7 hours I believe

@AnnnnnaQ 2 года назад

Hi you said you would list links but I don't see them For the travel agents and specialists

@ShannonFord 2 года назад

In the description box

@AnnnnnaQ 2 года назад

@@ShannonFord ok I see it now...all I needed to to was scroll down further..lol Thank you!!

@ShannonFord 2 года назад

@@AnnnnnaQ yep. They don’t make the description box easy to access

@yourstruly_777 Год назад

I wasnt able to continue participating in my Fish Extender group, and the FB page organizer went OFF. My cruise is two months out from the time i cruise, and she was so nasty to me bc i had to drop out. My initial experience hasnt been good with the FE group, so ill never join one. I've seen many families who've said they just put special gifts in their fish extenders for their kiddos,, so im going to pixie dust other passengers AND put little surprises I purchase in advsnce in our fish extender. 😊

@ShannonFord Год назад

We are doing that for our cruise in September. For me, it’s about finding the time to distribute the gifts.

@ShannonFord Год назад

And sorry that person was so rude. Some people miss the point. Things happen and this is supposed to be fun

@senraq6332 Год назад

If you pay prepaid gratuities, do you still have to tip? I have a Disneyland cruise coming up in San Diego.

@ShannonFord Год назад

Not your stateroom attendant or wait staff as that is what you already paid for, their tips. You can leave them extra though if they offer exceptional service. But be sure to bring singles for tipping other times, such as room service etc.

@asitshah5184 Год назад

Can so.eone pass disney cruise line expert travel agent details

@ShannonFord Год назад

There should be some agent links in the description box

@sandraknight2110 Год назад

When is opening day for bookings?

@ShannonFord Год назад

For when?

@sandraknight2110 Год назад

@@ShannonFord for the next booking dates. I was thinking the booking come in groups or seasons. If I wanted to sail summer or fall of 2024 are the booking dates open or when will it be opened? I need the maximum time to save and pay!