I feel like we learn something new each time we cruise or vacation(heck, sometimes each DAY at this point).
I am no expert, I just know what works for us.
#1 - If you have a Target Red Card - buy Disney gift cards with your Target Red card for 5% off ($95 for an $100 card).
You can use it to pay for ANYTHING charged to your onboard account (shopping on ship, drinks, gratuities, excursions, etc).
5% doesn't seem like much, but it adds up.
NOTE: you can also pay your cruise balance down with gift cards, we booked through Costco and are paying off our balance with Disney gift cards.
That being said, we combine our gift cards online (up to $1000 per card) to make payoff easier.
#2 - During online check-in pre-register for the kids club. Prior to boarding, we always verify with the kids club to make sure they are set up.
Then visit the kids clubs the first day (during open house) - open house is the ONLY time adults can really look around, take pictures, etc.
We have to set a rule that the kids eat dinner with us - they NEVER want to leave the kids clubs.
#3 - Install the disney cruise app before you arrive at the port. It will only work on the ship, but trying to download it last minute could be stressful.
We use the app to check the schedule, texting the kiddos and don't really use the wave phone(I have a fear of losing the wave phone).
#4 - Look at navigators from the same itinerary to get an idea of what a day looks like.
I was OVERWHELMED the first day when I saw that navigator - how are we going to do everything we WANT to do?
if you google "personal navigator disney dream" - there is a blog that has lots of them to look through.
#5 - You can't do everything. There is no way, too many activities and you'll stress yourself out on vacation.
We watched videos on youtube about the Disney Dream to get an idea, and make a "must do list".
Our "Must Do List"
-ride the aquaduck at night
-play mini golf at least once
-Mid-ship detective agency
-see the shows (can't wait to see Beauty & the Beast!)
-castaway cay 5k as a family
-eat something NEW every day
And don't forget to have FUN!
Now for any tips for first time cruisers.
