Personal Blog by: Mlb Destinations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqy3X7B82ac
My very first cruise I ever took was on the beautiful Disney Dream! She is a massive beauty to say the least! She is the sister to the Disney Fantasy ship and runs 3, 4 and 5 night sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida. Everything about this trip was magical. I went on the trip with my brother for his birthday. It was the end of September which was a Halloween sailing. There was Halloween decor and shows in the Atrium and Halloween themed activities for the kids. The characters were dressed in Halloween attire during meet and greets. How did I know that this trip would lead me to my passion of cruising. Port Canaveral Cruise port is home for Disney Dream.
Parking at Port Canaveral for Disney Cruise Line
When you get to the Port Canaveral Cruise Port, there are two ways to park for your Disney Cruise Line parking. Regular parking and preferred parking. Preferred parking is an additional fee, it is not in a covered garage but allows you to park closer to the terminal and attendants will take your luggage out of your car. Regular parking is in the covered parking across the street from the terminal. It is a longer walk so if you have mobility issues, I would recommend the Preferred Parking. If you decide to do the regular parking you may pull up to the curbside to give your luggage to the attendants prior to parking. Regular parking for our 3 day cruise was $68 and preferred parking was $88 at the time. Once in the terminal, check in was a quick and painless experience. We were on the ship in little time. Be sure to check the website for more information or the most recent parking prices. I have included the link for Port Canaveral Cruise Port at: http://www.portcanaveral.com
Disney Cruise Line announces your name when you board. Yes, you are greeted by your name for the whole atrium to hear! How great is that? Her rich beauty is seen from the moment you walk on. The 3 deck Atrium is so richly decorated with blues, golds and a splash of red that pop. The massive staircase and chandelier are a grand entrance eye catcher for any prince or princess. Admiral Donald Duck is the Atrium statue of this massive beauty. The crew were so friendly and helpful on this cruise. The magic and classiness of this Disney Cruise Line Ship is certainly the reason of why I want to return every time.
Our stateroom
Our stateroom on this cruise was Room 7596 which was a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. (Category 4C) It was really nice and clean. This stateroom was large enough to hold up to 5 guests. It had a queen size bed ( does not convert to twins), a sofa bed that turns into a bed, an upper pull down bed over the sofa and a Murphy bed that pulled out of the wall. **The queen size bed is high enough to allow for luggage or other items to be stored under neath. ** It had a sofa table that opens for storage, a closet that had hangers and plenty of storage area. There are glasses and an ice bucket, a refrigerator, room safe, tv, a vanity style desk with stool. Wave phones are offered in your stateroom free of charge to communicate with loved ones while on board. **Although the phones are free to use, if you loose one you will be charged to replace it.** The Stateroom bathroom I did not get a photo of at the time however the bathroom was a split bath with one side being a toilet and sink and other sink and shower. The split style bath makes it easier for the entire family to get ready at the same time. Shampoo, Conditioner, body lotion, tissues were available. There is also a hair dryer in the stateroom. If you need a clothes line to hang wet clothes it is located in the shower. The stateroom was nice and clean. Our steward was attentive and kept us stocked with everything we needed. The balcony was a good size and had a table and two chairs. **The gifts on the bed in the photo was a welcome back tote from the cruise line and the sport bottles and drinking water I had purchased previously before boarding, they were in our stateroom when we arrived. To order items for your stateroom prior to boarding visit the Disney Cruise Line website and go to the bottom of the page, you will see a link for In-Room Gifts and Shopping. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com
Dining
Cabanas breakfast 
Enchanted Garden 
Enchanted Garden 
Enchanted Garden 
Animators Palate 
Animators Palate 
Pirate night buffet 
Room Service Coffee 
Sea Bass with risotto
Disney Dream has amazing dining! The ship offers rotational dining and your dining assignment will be on your keycard. Under your Castaway number on your keycard it will have 3 letters: ** (example: AER means A for Animator’s Palate on your first night, E for Enchanted Garden on your second night and R for Royal Palace on the 3rd night. )** It will also state your dining time and table. It is always fun to dine with others and meet new people however If you wish to have a private table, see the restaurant Maitre D and they will help you with your requests. Be sure to go soon after boarding to ensure your request is filled. The dining on this cruise was truly an impeccable fine dining experience. So many food options and each restaurant will have a child’s menu. If you prefer something vegetarian or a lighter dish, those options are available. The Staff are very good with meeting your dining and nutritional needs. The Main dining rooms as I mentioned is Animators Palate which offers up Disney characters who come to life and offers amazing dishes. Royal Palace which has French and American cuisine and has beautiful classic Disney artwork. Enchanted Garden is the last of the Main dining rooms. This elegant restaurant serves a variety of menu items and really has a beautiful garden touch.
Disney Dream also has casual dining available. Cabanas Lido buffet, Flo’s Cafe, Eye Scream, Frozone Treats, and 24 hour room service. If you are looking for a sweet spot visit the Vanellopes sweets and Treats. You will find an array of goodies for an extra charge. Adult dining is available in Palo and Remy. Both restaurants are for adults only 18 years and older and offer a luxurious dining experience you will not forget for an additional up charge. You can find healthy choices at the Senses Juice Bar which is found near the Spa. Preludes is located by the Walt Disney Theatre and has bar items along with popcorn and snacks for an additional fee. You will find servers going around the theater to take orders if you wish to order from your seat. There was also a specialty coffee area that had coffee, latte’s for an additional fee. The finger snacks they had were free of charge.
Our dining experience on board the Disney Dream was really nice, our service and food were amazing. I hope it is for you and your family also! For more information on Disney Cruiseline Dining visit the website. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com
Activities and Entertainment
Pirate Night 
Disney Cruise Line Halloween Entertainment
Disney Dream had many activities scheduled every day. You will have a Personal Navigator awaiting on your bed with your chocolates every evening at turn down. All of the information for the next day activities, times, next port, weather etc will be in your navigator. The ship has two theaters, Walt Disney Theater and Buena Vista Theater. A variety of shows and movies were available. The ship also has a wide variety of fine Art. The Adult areas offer nice bars and adult nightlife. There is also an adult pool section. Do not forget about the Spa!! The Spa has a variety of pampering menu items to choose from.
You may purchase WIFI on board. ** If you purchase the WIFI the first day of your cruise you will receive 50mb free. **Download the Disney Cruise Line app for a smooth navigation of things going on and information on the ship.
Children ages 3 to 12 will love all the activities in Oceaneers Club and Oceaneers Lab, both offer activities for creativity and imagination. Edge is a tween club that offers games, movies, arts and crafts, and interaction with other tweens. Vibe is a place for teens to hang out, meet other teens, watch tv, games, listen to music and much more!
It’s a small world nursery is for infants and toddlers. The facility has cribs and other items to keep your children safe and entertained. The staff does an excellent job at making sure your child is attended to while you are away. A charge does apply and reservations are necessary. There is a limited amount of space and it books up quickly!
The sports deck offers 9 hole miniature golf, basketball, volleyball, ping pong, sports simulators, foosball table. There is a running track and a video arcade on board also. You can get your hair braided also at Lido! The wonderful ladies have a variety of braiding they can do! The large movie screen at the lido pool area will play movies while the kids swim. Do not forget to take a ride on the Aqua Duck. The water ride will float you around the body of the ship over the ocean! There is a kids splash area and Mickey pool and slide. There are loungers, towels, tables and chairs to enjoy a meal or just sip a drink while the kids swim. Life Vests are available with Life Guards on duty. There was enough to do on board to keep you busy!
If shopping is in your interest, , Mickeys Mainsail and White Cap’s has duty free shopping which offer high end jewelry, Disney Cruiseline and Walt Disney souvenirs, apparel, toys, and much more! There is a section of personal items available if it is needed. You may use Disney gift cards in the gift shops. There is a smaller gift shop located near the Lido too.
Castaway Cay
Castaway Cay is Disney Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas. It is only offered for guests who cruise on the line’s fleet. It offers a tropical delight atmosphere with lush greenery and landscape, coconut palms, white sand and blue waters. The island is packed with a variety of things to do for all ages. The Castaway Cay 5K run is offered in the morning and allows for all people no matter your athletic ability to join in on the morning run.
Character meet and greets are available, the times will be posted in the Personal Navigator. The island offers Large water bikes, Paddle Boats, jet ski and snorkeling with snorkeling gear for rent if needed. ** If you snorkel you must wear the snorkeling vest that is provided anytime you are in the water.** Bike rental is a small charge and rents per hour. Helmets are provided with the rental. The Bike course takes you around the island and offers a lookout tower for some great views for photos along your way. Complimentary beach loungers are plentiful. Life guards are on the lookout. Tube floats are available also for rent. Hammocks are on the family and Serenity Beach which offer up some serious relaxation under those beautiful coconut palms!
Cookies BBQ is the place to be when you are hungry! There is Cookies 1 located by the family beach area and a Cookies 2 that is located farther down by the cabana and Serenity area. A buffet of hamburgers, hot dogs, spicy chicken sandwich, BBQ ribs, BBQ chicken, potato salad, fresh fruit, Cole slaw, beans, chips, cookies and a cake dessert are among some of the items that are served. Drinks and soft serve Ice Cream are also available. The large pavilion has several picnic tables for seating in the shade. Trust me, I have been to Cookies BBQ more than once and the food was finger licking tasty if I might say!
Cabanas can be reserved in the excursion section online
Family Cabana 
cabana swim area 
view from cabana 
Restrooms 
Restroom Sinks
Cabanas are available at Castaway Cay. The island has 20 Family Beach Cabanas , 1 Grand Family Cabana, and 4 Serenity Adults only Cabana’s. They come with ceiling fan, refrigerator, waters and soft drinks, fresh fruit bowl and snacks, sand toys, towels, sunscreen, hammock, lounger, umbrella, a room safe, float rental, bike rental and snorkel rental. Outside fresh water shower and a door bell to ring your attendant for service or bar drinks. Restrooms are a short walk away. Once you arrive at check in for your cabana, the staff will assist you in a golf cart ride to help you get to where you need to be if help is needed. **Do not forget your wrist bands that will be delivered to your stateroom. You will need them for each member. **
The island has some great drinks at the Head’s Up bar which sits on the small peninsula. It has some nice views of the ship, there is also a sand bar and bar service. Post Office if you would like to send mail, some local vendor shopping, 2 gift shops that offer Castaway Cay merchandise and souvenirs. **The ship does NOT have Castaway Cay merchandise, you will need to purchase those items on the island** You may use your ship card for purchases in the shops however the local vendors and Post Office only take cash.** If you purchase anything in the shops, the attendants will have your items delivered to the ship for you. You will pick your merchandise up later in the evening in the gift shop on board.**
You will have an amazing time at Disney’s Castaway Cay! It is such a beautiful island and I hope your family has a great time just like mine did! Thanks for reading!
You may follow me on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/mlbdestinations
I am also on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChSAlasPcls4gL15dV-kUIg
If you would like to book your next magical cruise on Disney Cruise Line visit the website at: http://disneycruise.disney.go.com
Until next time Live Laugh Love often ~ Michelle
Mlb Destinations 