First Moments of Wonder
We set our alarms for 6:30am, figuring that would give us all time to
shower, get dressed, sit semi-catatonically staring into a cup of coffee… Of
course, we didn’t get up until 7:30, but we were up and out by 8:15.
The best part of staying at the Hyatt the night before a Disney cruise
is that Disney has an arrangement with the hotel to collect the luggage for
their guests taking Disney transfers to the port. So, we packed all our
toiletries back into our bags and left them in the entryway with a thank-you note and a tip.
Since it was Sunday, Chik-fil-A was closed, so we didn’t need to endure
another disappointing Chicken-on-a-Biscuit, like last time. Instead, we opted
for sure-fire satisfaction: McDonalds breakfast. I had a $15 McD’s gift card
that covered all 3 breakfast combos. We would have been downstairs by the DCL
transfer desk much sooner, but for some reason, my brain decided that it was
2008 and the DCL transportation was still on the A side. Umm- no. So after
working off our McGriddles, we arrived at the DCL transportation area.
We
joined the lineup and waited to do our pre-check-in. For DCL, you will need to
show your travel documents, which includes your DCL booklet. Our CM noticed
that our booklet didn’t say DCL transfers, since we added them after the
documents shipped, but they scan the barcode on it and it came up as included
in our reservation. We also had a flyer from the MCO Hyatt to hand in. This
paper alerts DCL of the number of bags they should be transporting. They track
everything to make sure our bags make it to the ship. We also had to show our ID’s. DCL does this to ensure that
there are no mishaps at the port and that everyone has the proper
identification for sailing. Since we live in New York, we all have enhanced
driver’s licenses. These are better than carrying a license plus a birth
certificate. Once J turns 18, we’ll all get passports so we can travel the
world together for the next 10 years.
We
got great seats toward the front of the bus and enjoyed the drive to Port
Canaveral. DCL has a video that starts with Disney Trivia and Disney cartoon
shorts. Then, about 30 minutes into the trip, the video shows the Fab Five
characters getting ready for their cruise vacation. It explains the procedure
at the port, how to use the Key-to-the-World (KTTW) card and the fun and
entertaining things to be found in and around the ship. It gets everyone excited
for their Disney cruise and is one of the reasons I would rather take Disney
Transfers than rent a car or take a private car service. I also appreciate the
ease of the luggage transfer and can’t understand why so many folks bring their
bags with them to stow under the bus.
Why would you only use half the service you’re paying for?
One of my favorite parts of the trip to Port Canaveral is when you get
to the top of the first hill and can see the ship in the distance. It stands
out more than the other cruise ships due to its classic lines and
coloring. This is actually about 5
minutes before the second hill – at the top of the bridge, where you are closer
to port and can get a better (but briefer) view of the ship and Kennedy Space
Center to the north and west. I love how the bus actually passes the ship
before going around the loop, passes it a second time from the other side, and
finally comes around to the entrance depot.
Since
we let Disney handle our luggage, we are off the bus in a flash and on our way
to the security line. There are a few guests from the other airport bus ahead
of us, but we are through security relatively quickly and up the escalator we
go! Now here’s an interesting tidbit I learned on this trip: When you look at
the floor as you get off the escalator, you will notice that you are at Disney
World, in Florida. Then, as you travel through the terminal towards the ship,
the islands on the floor actually go further out into the Caribbean. I always
knew about the islands inlaid into the floor tile, but never knew you started
at WDW and went further east!
Except for initially being ignored while standing in the Castaway Club
line, while first-time cruisers were ushered to check-in lines, the process
went pretty smoothly. We got our picture taken and got our Gold lanyards. Boarding
group 3 – not sure whey it wasn’t 2, but I’ll take. It was already close to 11.
We stopped by the DVC desk and got our new blue lanyards and the schedule for
the DVC member meet. As the terminal began to fill up, we stepped outside into
the sunshine to watch the loading process and admire the ship. A few selfies
later, we headed inside, as a couple decided to light up and ruin the fresh
air. They were actually getting the First Family ready to board at that point,
so we waited near the entrance stanchion and were soon boarding. 
Now,
we actually like having that boarding photo, so we waited in the line to get
our picture taken. Then it was time to cross the gangway and board the ship. I
know lots of folks love how each family boarding is announced and the crew and
cast members cheer for each arrival. We always try to sneak a clever name past
the CM’s, but they don’t seem to like it much anymore. We settled on “The Happy
Family” and entered the lobby. After having been on the Dream class ships for
the last few sailings, however, I’m surprised at how tiny the atrium seemed –
even with the second staircase having been removed.
We headed to guest services to put a gift card onto our account and
schedule some mixology and tasting classes.
It was really too chilly to swim,
so we opted for lunch at Cabanas and took the mid-ship elevator up to deck 9.
On the short walk, I happened upon a cast member with a tray full of Bahama
Mamas – the drink of the day – and happily handed over my KTTW card to get the
party started. The new handwashing sinks at Cabanas are a nice addition – if
not a bit slow - some folks think they’re about to perform surgery…
People
still seem to have some difficulty adjusting to stations, rather than a “buffet
line”, but I think that will come as long as the cast members remind passengers
that it’s not a line. I just happened to want to wait because I saw some french
fries calling my name at the kid station. They had some really tasty food at lunch
and before we knew it, it was time to head down to our room.
The
Bon Voyage bottle of Asti Spumante was chilled and awaiting our arrival. Our
bags weren’t there yet, but at least we could sit on the verandah and watch
some more of the loading process. The whole operation is fascinating – between
guest luggage, food, beverages, mechanical, fuel, pump-out… all going on at
once in a well-orchestrated symphony of activity. 
It’s
hard to explain how something can be familiar, yet different. The Wonder is the
Magic’s sister ship, so much of the structure is the same. I just adore the
intimacy of the classic ships. You become familiar with the faces and it makes
the ship feel like a small hometown. It becomes comfortable. We took the aft
elevator all the way to deck 10 and wandered around checking out the pools, the
new splash zone, the new Twist n’ Spout slide, peeking into the Edge, the
sports deck, the Mickey head on the bow. It’s such a short span from fore to
stern and I love it. Shutters, on Deck 4, is an array of digital kiosks and I
hope this carries over to all ships. It’s much easier than trying to find space
to examine your book full of photos. They have also added a private photography
venue “Shutters Studio.” “Studio Sea”, where most of the family activities take
place, is now “D-Lounge.” 
This is where they are holding the DVC member gathering and they scan
our KTTW cards at the entrance. Captain Mickey is there waiting to greet guests
and I jump over for a photo (or four). After meeting my main mouse, we grab our
champagne flutes and take a seat on the bench the back by the starboard
porthole. We enjoy the free drinks and find out how to get our baseball caps
before heading back to our stateroom. We have a letter inviting us to the
Captain’s Gold and Platinum Castaway Club reception and it directly conflicts
with our Palo Brunch time. I decide to call Palo to try to make our reservation
for later on the sea day. No one answers – probably because of the impending
muster drill – so I leave a message.
Our muster station is in Animator’s Palate and I’m happy to see that
they maintained the classic look of the restaurant. It takes a bit of shuffling
through the crowd to get back to our stateroom and pop open the champagne
before heading up to the Sailaway Party. I have one, simple request – and that
is to hear the ship’s “When you Wish Upon a Star” horn. I sit on the verandah while last phone
calls home are made and by the time we get up on deck – we have missed the
horn. (Good thing we’re on a B2B!) We are on our way through the canal and we
wave to the people at Fishlips and Jetty Park then head back down to our
verandah. We actually got to see the Port Pilot boat pull up and watch the
pilot jump off the ship and on the deck of the boat!
The
first night’s show is “The Golden Mickeys.” The theater is actually quite full
by the time we get there, but we manage to find three seats together toward the
back of the theater – which allows for an easy escape at the end. I decide that
I’d like to get a quick look in the shops before the crazy crowds descend over
the next few days. After a quick survey of the two stores, I already know what
I want and will buy it during the day tomorrow, since the crowd is thickening
due to the folks from the first show and those from the second show beginning
to converge. Dinner isn’t for another hour, so we head back to the stateroom to
relax. What a day already! It’s nice to be on a more casual cruise and I opt to
go to dinner in my embarkation outfit – which appears to be dressier than most.
Our first dinner is in Tiana’s Place.
I
can’t gush enough about Tiana’s and it really deserves its own post, so I won’t
be going into much detail here. You can read all about it here. Since we have late seating for dinner, it was
close to 10:30 by the time we got back to our stateroom.
I was hoping to be
able to do “Mickey Mania” but it was already over. Our beds had been turned
down and our towel animal was waiting on our bed. Something we never seem to be
able to do is enjoy the adult areas of the ship. We’re always so tired after
dinner that we just crash. So, we decide to go down to see “Match Your Mate” in
Azure. It’s fun enough and it gets us out for a bit before bed.
By midnight, we have already been rocked to sleep. Tomorrow is Nassau, but it’s a sea day for us.
