Disney’s live-action MULAN is now available on all major digital retailers and Disney+ with premier access.
The perfect option for a family movie night, MULAN celebrates embracing your inner strength and being loyal, brave, and true even when uncertainties arise.
I've always been a fan of the animated version and LOVED this new take on the fairy tale. Unlike previous live-action Disney films though, this is not a musical, but an epic adventure adaptation. While I missed the fun songs and humor, the scenery, costumes and sets are quite beautiful and the battle scenes were so enthralling that I'm glad they didn't break out into song. I did like hearing "Reflections" playthough at the end.
I also appreciated the feminist angle, and my boys were equally mesmerized by the battles and Chinese culture shared. They have just been studying Asia in school too, so the timing was perfect.
Make it a Movie Night with Disney's Mulan - Now on Digital
If you are hosting your very own MULAN family movie night, here are some fun extra activities that you can do to along with watching the film.
Did you hear? With cinemas currently impacted by closures due to the global health crisis, The Walt Disney Studios will offer Disney and Pixar’s ONWARDahead of schedule and from the convenience of your home or mobile device.
You can NOW purchase or rent the film digitally and on Movies Anywhere or stream on Disney+ on April 3, 2020 in the U.S.
The new film premiered in theaters on March 6th and earned rave reviews from audiences, including a 95% Verified Audience Score on RottenTomatoes.
In ONWARD, teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot (voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt) get an unexpected opportunity to spend one more day with their late dad, embarking on an extraordinary quest aboard Barley’s epic van Guinevere. Like any good quest, their journey is filled with magic spells, cryptic maps, impossible obstacles and unimaginable discoveries. But when the boys’ fearless mom Laurel (voice of Julia Louis-Dreyfus) realizes her sons are missing, she teams up with a part-lion, part-bat, part-scorpion, former warrior – aka The Manticore (voice of Octavia Spencer) – and heads off to find them. Perilous curses aside, this one magical day could mean more than any of them ever dreamed.
Since most of us are likely stuck at-home you can still make it a movie experience by popping some popcorn and watching together as a family. If you have Disney Plus, set your calendar for Friday, April 3 and make it a movie night premier.
ONWARD Activity Sheets and Coloring Pages
For more interaction, you can print these activity sheets for kids to go along with the film including a fun, memory card game, mazes, coloring sheets and more.
I received an advanced behind-the-scenes look at Disney On Ice's newest production, Mickey’s Search Party. It's called a "search party," because Mickey and the gang follow clues to help release Tinker Bell's fairy powers. The cast even calls out to the crowd asking for advice and answers. It's pretty cute seeing the kids jump out of their seat in order to lend a hand.
New Technology
While I've been to four previous Disney on Ice shows, this is by far the MOST stunning. It combines interactive audience elements, new technology, and high flying circus-like acrobatics.
Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party extends the performance space beyond the ice surface to better engage and interact with the audience on a new, transformative level. Executive Producer Nicole Feld explains that the ice gives them a large white canvas to work on, and this production takes advantage of it. Projection mapping visually immerses and transports guests to each of the magical worlds of the Disney stories, using 12 projectors and approximately 31,000 Lumens equaling about 186 classroom projectors.
High flying action with skates on!
New characters come out to skate too!
There are approximately 45 performers in the production and a total of 40 Disney characters featured. Plus songs from Moana and Disney Pixar's Coco, along with Classics like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story, Aladdin and Frozen! Plus, of course, the fab five and Tinker Bell and Captain Hook!
Maui from Disney's Moana joins Disney on Ice - You're Welcome!
This combination of new films mixed with beloved favorites will help to keep both kids and adults riveted. Also, it's a perfect balance of Princess and action ideal for both boys and girls alike.
Arrive Early!
You don't have to wait until showtime to see the Disney magic. There is a preshow of sorts featuring Pirates and Tinker Bell.
Where to Sit
Sit higher up in the cheap seats to see all of the lighting effects, however, if you'd like your children to interact more with the performers, try sitting close on either stage left or right. During the Coco segment, performers dressed like sugar skull skeletons and using a "sway poll" they practically fly over the heads of the audience, causing several gasps. It's really cool.
Disney On Ice rehearsal, performer using the Sway Poll
Also, during the Toy Story portion, the iconic Pixar ball gets thrown out into the stands to be tossed around. I actually had the chance to hit it back to the cast, so cool! Plus, if you're lower you'll also get snowed on during Frozen.
What to Wear
Your Disney gear obviously, but have your children wear something white or neon that will glow under the black light during the Coco section for added enjoyment. You might also want to order a light up wand ahead of time to bring with you too, but they can be purchased from the vendors at the stadium too.
Southwest Florida Tour
Disney on Ice Mickey's Search Party will be coming to Southwest Florida at Hertz Arena in Estero March 27-29, 2020. Tickets start at $20 and are available online at DisneyOnIce.com, at the Hertz Arena box office or by calling 800-745-3000. Get your tickets now!
Disclosure: I am a Feld Entertainment Blogger Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and other exclusive opportunities.
Sure, it's fun to find the hidden Mickey's throughout the park, but how about the Disney Walls? I brought different changes of clothes and went on the hunt during my last trip.
What are Disney Walls? Disney fans with an Instagram account know the must-have shot at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom isn’t in front of the castle, but in front of these walls.
Each Disney park has their own photo wall standouts. Go find them all!
Are you heading on Disney Cruise Line's Disney Dream ship? Lucky you! Below are some can't miss activities, helpful tips and useful insider secrets to wow your friends and family during your sail. These are tested and true reccomendations for kids and adults on what to do, what to skip, how to avoid lines in the process and have a great sail and an even more magical vacation.
17 VIP Tips for the Disney Dream
Download the App Prior to Boarding - The Disney Cruise Line Navigator is a free app that helps you navigate the ship, see the ship schedule and text with other passengers while onboard. You'll be using this app often to message each other since it makes coordinating so much easier, plus the adorable Disney emojis! All of the functionalities will work only once you are connected to the on-board wifi, but in the meantime, there is also a countdown clock for your trip to get you pumped!
Check in Online for Earliest Boarding Time - Our first Disney cruise we only checked in online several days before our trip. This was a mistake, because by then the earliest available boarding time was 2 p.m. and we wanted to get on as soon as possible. So, to get the most of your time on the ship, check in online as soon as you are able to via the My Disney Cruise Line website. This site also allows you to schedule a character call with one of the characters welcoming everyone, which is really fun for the kids. TIP: Even though you may board around Noon, you will NOT be able to go in your room until after 1:30 p.m., so be sure and bring a tote bag with pool gear or other items that you'll want handy before your luggage arrives.
Watch On-Demand Classic Disney Movies and Marvel blockbusters - Besides the few live channels offered on the flat screen television in your room, there is an on-demand movies feature available on the Disney Dream, where you can access almost all of Walt Disney’s animated films regardless of them being in the Disney Vault or not. This allowed us to show the boys some classics that we didn’t have on DVD and have age-appropriate content for them without consulting the channel guide. Not all the Disney Cruise Ships have this feature (Disney Wonder doesn't) so take advantage of it! To access this feature, just hit the MENU button on your remote. For adults, they have live-action Disney movies and Marvel flicks available too.
On Demand Disney Movies - just hit the Menu button
Beauty and the Beast show is a must-see! Each Disney Cruise Line ship has a different musical production. Disney Wonder has Frozenand the Disney Dream now has Beauty and the Beast. This jaw-dropping show is based on the recent live-action version of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. To say it's Broadway-caliber is putting it mildly, in fact, it's better than the original Broadway version, which I saw twice growing up. The high-tech set is stunning, the performances brilliant and the puppetry is somehow realistic. And this is no joke, we heard tales of two men crying (one a Vietnam vet) that evening from the production. My five-year-old boys were glued to their seats. If you have little ones, be sure and grab a booster seat at the entrance when entering the theater. Also, line-up at LEAST a half hour before showtime if not sooner. The lines go all the way down from the theater to the gift shops. Try to sit within the first 15 rows if you'd like to experience the fog special effects and streamers to fall on you during the "Be our Guest" song. However, if you or your child suffers from asthma maybe sit further back.
Keep Calm and Dole Whip on - Yasss! You can get the infamous Dole Whip float while onboard the Disney Dream too. Order up at the Frozone Treats juice bar by the Eye Scream station on Deck 11 for $4.95. You can make it an adult-version with dark rum for $6.75 or have it spiked with Vanilla Rum for $9.00.
You can order Dole Whip at Frozone Treats juice bar
Long days in the sun and humid climate can sometimes lead to skin irritation, so packing an anti-fungal sensitive skin face wash can help maintain a clear and balanced complexion. A gentle yet effective cleanser ensures you remove sweat, sunscreen, and impurities without causing dryness or irritation, keeping your skin fresh throughout the cruise.
Ride the AquaDuck Waterslide on Port Days and at Night - While all of the Disney Cruise Line ships have water slides and splash areas, the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy have the awesome AquaDuck, which allows riders to glide through a water-gushing acrylic tube that takes you all over the ship and out over the ocean for a few seconds. You can ride single rider or with another passenger on a raft. The ride is 765 foot long and exists on 46-foot tall stilts. The views from this water coaster are beautiful and thrilling. The lines though, not so much.During lunchtime while at Castaway Cay is a great time to go back on the ship and ride the AquaDuck. It was only a 10-minute wait then, but generally, any port day has less of a line. For an added thrill, ride the AquaDuck at night and experience dazzling multicolored lights!
AquaDuck water coaster slide
See the rotating skylines in the Skyline Bar (and spot Mickey and other hidden gems too) - Savor a cocktail as the virtual view at Skyline transports you to cities around the globe. Skyline is small and intimate and resembles a chic martini bar or a metropolitan whiskey lounge. Behind the bar are HD screens that magically transform from one virtual city skyline to the next. Developed by Disney Imagineering, the unique "windows to the world" aerial city views change with a sprinkle of pixie dust every 15 minutes—from London to Barcelona, or Hong Kong to New York! Look closely... and you'll spot taxis speeding along and silhouettes of residents closing their windows—you may just find Mickey Mouse waving from a corner balcony in London! You can also cozy up to Skyline's unique "digital fireplace" to wind down your evening.
Know how Pub 687 got its name - also in The District, the adult area of the ship this pub is named after Disney Dream's original hull number before it was named Dream. A sports-fan’s paradise, this lounge is outfitted with huge flat-screen LCD TVs to view live broadcasts via satellite. Discover its rich details, including overflowing trophy cases, a stamped metal ceiling and leather-upholstered club chairs. Be sure to order the most popular "beercocktail," the Baha Fog, which adds a shot of tequila to a lime-rimmed frosted glass of Corona beer.
Admire the Glass Slipper Chandelier in the Royal Palace dining room. Dine like royalty on French-inspired, continental fare at this enchanting restaurant inspired by classic Disney Princess films. Although the elaborate chandelier is in the dead center of the Royal Place restaurant, it's easy to miss the hidden details depending on where you are seated. We had a partition in our way, so if our server didn't point it out, we would have miss that it was brimming with glass slippers. The crown valances on the windows are easier to notice.
Royal Palce chandelier is brimming with glass slippers
If you want to dine at the adult-only Palo or Remy restaurants don't do it on your Animator's Palate night - DCL has an innovative rotational dining, where each night you are assigned a different sit-down restaurant to dine at. While we loved them all, especially the food at each, Enchanted Garden, however, offered less entertainment and ambiance than the rest. So, I would recommend skipping EG in favor of the adult only restaurant Palo or Remy. Keep in mind that there is an additional fee for dining there. It's so worth it though as the food is even more amazing and it's very romantic for couples! You can make your reservation ahead of time online or as soon as you board and see your dining schedule. Oh, and this is a formal dining experience, so no flip-flops or sneakers and guys must be in dress pants.
Take advantage of the Oceaneer's Kids Club & Lab - I recently spoke with a family who went on DCL, but never had their child go to the kids club. I know vacationing with the family is about spending time with your family, but don't think of the kids club as a bad thing. Believe me, it's one big playground for them! Sure, you can use the service sparingly, but definitely have your kids go at least once while on the ship. We did an adult-only dinner at Palo and checked our kids in. I chose not to have dessert, rushing to go get them and guess what? They didn't want to leave. They were making cookies with Captain Hook and whined the minute they saw me (ouch!). In the end, I had to wait there in my dress and heels for them to finish, lol. Just take a look at how awesome it is:
TIP: Pre-register your children online first, so when you get on the ship you simply have to pick-up their Magic Bands. Also, don't forget to return the bands before you disembark or you will be charged for them. Scuttle's Cove kids area & Serenity Bay on Castaway Cay - The kids club is also available on land while at Castaway Cay, it's called Sculley's Cove and is essentially a big beach sandbox for kids to play. They have activities and water play areas. We checked our boys into the club for an hour after lunch, so they could run around before going back on the ship for nap time.
Scuttle's Cove kids club on Castaway Cay
You can use this alone time to visit the adult only beach, Serenity Bay, which is less crowded and has amazing views and chairs that you can put right into the clear blue water. Also, the BBQ lunch buffet here has less of a line. Free Room Service Milk & Cookies - Room service itself is free and available 24/7. There is a menu in your room with a full list of options. This came in handy for an afternoon snack for our boys like Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. Also, a fun tradition we started was ordering cookies and milk before bed while watching a Disney on-demand movie.
Milk and Cookies delivered
BYOB – If you imbibe and would like to save some money, bring your own. Each adult is allowed to bring 2 bottles of wine or champagne or 6 bottles of beer. Make sure that liquor is in your carry-on bag as you go through the cruise terminal for inspection. Do not check it in with your bags, as it will be confiscated and returned at the end of your trip. We opened our bottle on the balcony before dinner and ordered a cheese plate to be delivered to our room along with two wine glasses. See above about free room service! If you purchase duty-free liquor at port, they will hold the bottles for you, which can easily be collected once you disembark.
Pack Door Decorations – The cabin doors aboard Disney cruise lines are a work of art! Guests decorate their doors with photos and decorations of all kinds, including magnets with their names and favorite characters on them. It's fun to simply walk around see what others have done. To personalize our door we ordered this cute door magnet with each of our first names listed and I also added a shameless plug to my blog URL, lol. Another great thing about decorating your door is that it makes it easy for kids to spot their room. Stickers are NOT allowed.
Fish Extenders - Also, order this fish extender hack that hangs from your room number if you chose to participate in the gift exchanges (all about that here).
Bring Change- Yes, tips are already included in the daily occupancy rates, but we added an extra $5-$10 in each of the waitstaff envelopes and $20 for our Cabin Steward during our 3-night cruise. However, since all you need is your room key to charge to your account on the ship, we had to scramble to find actual money for tips. So do have some smaller bills handy for this purpose. Also, there is a post office on Castaway Cay that only takes cash and not room keys, so if you want to send a postcard, remember to pack a few bills in your beach tote.
Buy Lanyards - You may also want to pre-order Disney lanyards with a detachable coin purse to hold money and your room key. It's also great for kids, so they don't lose their key. I found it helpful too since I didn't wear or need a purse when on the ship and my bathing suit and sundresses didn't have pockets. Although, if you've sailed before with Disney and are a Silver Castaway Club member or higher, you will receive a free lanyard at check-in.
Video Tour of Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom #10142 with Verandah:
#1 Selling Cruise Essential - Cruise Approved Power Strip
Guests can step into the heart of Africa at the magnificent Walt Disney World deluxe resort, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge in Orlando, Florida. Its horseshoe-curved design provides spectacular views of four lush savannas that over 200 hoofed animals and birds call home including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, kudu and flamingos.
Families can experience an African safari adventure with a touch of Disney magic right from their hotel room. As expected, it's pure magic staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. I've always wanted to go and finally my boys and I stayed at the infamous hotel. Here are some VIP tips to making your stay even more magical.
Pick the Village that's Best for You - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has two villages, Kidani and Jamba House (the main resort). The main lodge has a larger lobby and more activities and dining options, but it's also more crowded. At first, I was bummed we weren't at Jamba House, but soon welcomed the more peaceful Kidani side more. Plus, as a hotel guest, you can easily access both villages via a free shuttle van, which we never had to wait more than five minutes for.
Savanna View Rooms Are Amazing, but Optional- If you're able to reserve and pay the extra cost for a Savanna View Room with private balconies overlooking exotic animals, definitely go for it. Partial View rooms still have balconies and impressive views, just less animal variety. However, you don’t need a Savanna View room to enjoy the up-close animal sightings. There are several areas on the resort and near the lobby where you can view animals. Plus, rocking chairs on the porch lookout areas, which is often better for picture taking. There are also several floor-to-ceiling windows in the hallways leading to all the guest rooms. My kids had to stop at nearly all of them! Jamba House also has a flamingo area near the pool right there for your viewing pleasure.
Savanna views from the hallways
Pack kid binoculars to make spotting the animals outside the hotel even more interactive. Although most of the animals can be viewed easily without them, my kids enjoyed feeling like actual explorers. We ordered GeoSafari Kidnoculars, which are reasonably priced and easy for toddlers to use too. You may also want to back a more sophisticated, grown-up pair for the adults in the room too - binoculars for adults.
Take in the animals at night too! - It might be time to go to sleep, but that's also when the more nocturnal animals come out. Luckily, the Savannas are given a moonlight glow for evening observing too. Look for hidden Simbas - Disney fans are trained to look for hidden Mickey's throughout the parks and resorts, but here be sure and keep your eye out for hidden Simbas too! We spotted one on our headboard and in the tile of our bathroom.
VIP Experiences Can Be Booked for Even More Animal Magic -
Take the Wanyama Safari private tour, where you can explore the savanna at the lodge and enjoy a fine dining, multi-course meal at Jiko, and even roast marshmallows when the sun goes down at the Jambo House Campfire! This experience features a ride in a rugged safari vehicle over an open savanna. Available for $209 per Guest. Be sure to reserve this popular experience in advance—up to 180 days prior to your visit! Guests must be 10 years of age and older to participate in the Wanyama Safari and Dinner though.
Jiko Wine TastingExplore South Africa’s distinguished varietals while sampling the complimentary tastes of exquisite cheese pairings. (Next time, I'm going to book this and the kids camp, for an adult night out.)
Eat and Sip Wine at Jiko’s. The food is spectacular and their wine list is one of the best at Disney.
Boma - Flavors of Africa Breakfast - A must family-friendly breakfast buffet. Instead of Mickey Waffles they have Simba and Nala character waffles for the kids or kid at heart. Eat a Zebra Dome - This is the must order treat at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Available in the buffet restaurant Boma, this mini African desert is a combination of espresso, Amarula Liquor cake, and white chocolate ganache all rolled into one ball. You can eat as many as you want any night of the week. Just high-tail it over to the dessert table!
You can also find these treats in the refrigerated cases at The Mara (cafe in the Animal Kingdom Lodge) in a pack of four.
Zebra Domes to-go in The Mara Food Court at Jamba House
For more dining tips, watch Eat This! Disney World's Animal Kingdom Lodge dining guide from The Disney Food Blog. Simba's Clubhouse - Jamba House has a Supervised Children’s Activity Center for kids 3 to 12 years of age (must be potty trained though) where kids can have fun while parents enjoy an evening to themselves. Be sure and book the kids camp ahead of time by calling (407) 939-3463 or the Front Desk Concierge for additional information. The center is only open in the evening and an hourly rate of $15 is charged per child, with a 2-hour minimum.
We made a reservation for our four-year-old boys just two weeks in advance and luckily they had availability. To prepare our boys, we told them all about it ahead of time, so by the time we arrived they were eagerly looking forward to their kids night out. A kid-friendly dinner is included, so they ate there, played with trains and toys and watched Disney films. Keep in mind, you do not need to be staying at AK Lodge for your child to attend, but of course, it makes it that much more convenient.
Pools and Playgrounds - If you're with the kids, they can have fun visiting both sides for different kid-friendly areas to experience. Jamba House a large outdoor playground called Hakuna Matata Playground with two play structures -- one for younger kids and one for older kids. They also have an indoor arcade room.
Hakuna Matata Playground
Meanwhile, Kidani has a fun outdoor water play area with a splash pad, ropes area, water guns, slides and more. Both pools have water slides though, but Kidani has several. You can easily spend the day going to both pools and play areas without having to even go to the park, or at least we did.
Splashzone Playspace at Kidani Village
Grab a schedule from the front desk for a list of activities happening each day including which films are playing in their Movies Under the Stars by the Uzima Pool at night and gather ‘round as the sun goes down for a complimentary marshmallow roast by a crackling fire.
Take in the authentic art - The lodge boasts one of the largest collections of African art in the United States. I made the mistake of assuming the art in the hallways were just themed decoration, not authentic, however, both sections of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge can be considered mini art galleries. There are some amazing artifacts to be found throughout the Resort, so don’t be afraid to explore, and ask a Cast Member about the stories behind the art.
5th-floor bridge offers a lobby overlook
Great Lobby Photos - Head up two floors to the 5th floor and you can walk across the fun bridge that overlooks the lobby for some photo taking. Plus, kids really like it too.
Pandora – The World of Avatar immerses guests in a mystical world of massive floating mountains and breathtaking rides in the entirely new land found in Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
It's the largest addition in the history of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Pandora carries on the park’s tradition of celebrating the intrinsic value of nature, transformation through adventure and a personal call to action.
Based on Oscar-winning filmmaker James Cameron’s record-breaking box-office hit, AVATAR, the new land welcomes guests to the lush world of Pandora long after the human conflict with the Na’vi has ended.
Besides the beauty of the imagined alien world come to life, the highlight is the thrilling new ride, Avatar Flight of Passage, where you can soar over Pandora on the back of a fearsome mountain banshee. It's an amazing 4D ride that really transports all of your senses. It's not a roller coaster, but more like Soarin, but taken up 100 notches.
11 Tips & Secrets for Visiting Pandora at Disney's Animal Kingdom
The new quick-serve dining option at Satu’li Canteen offers healthy and tasty options like wood-grilled chicken over rice. You pick your protein and then select your base and your sauce. There are kids meal options too. The outside area is thankfully covered providing shade and inside has lots of tables too. I really liked the sustainability aspect with meals being served on real plates and silverware, which are then collected in bins near the garbages and washed and used again.
Order Your Meal on Your Phone Avoid the line to order and place your order using the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device. There is a separate line to pick up your mobile order.
Alcoholic beverages are served at Satu’li Canteen too including wine. Order the green beer called "Hawkes Grog," which is definitely Instagram worthy! So is the Blueberry Cream Cheese Mouse for dessert.
Hawkes Grog - Green Ale
The Na’vi River Journey boat ride is ideal for kids of all ages and there's no height limit, so perfect for little ones. I'd also recommend saving this ride for the middle of the afternoon when it's hot and you're tired because you can sit down and it's nice and cool -- a great way to recharge.
Pongu Pongu - this drink stand sells colorful refreshments. Meaning “Party Party” in the language of the Na’vi, Pongu Pongu welcomes weary travelers to quench their thirst with "bioluminescent" frozen cocktail, indigenous beers and snacks you won’t find elsewhere. Try the non-alcoholic specialty beverage, Night Blossom with bursting bubbles on top, which is especially very popular and delicious. For an adult-version, you can order the Rum Blossom version with Bacardi Rum mixed in.
The colorful Night Blossom drink is a must try in Pandora - also Instagram worthy too!
Ride Avatar Flight of Passage WITHOUT a FastPass+ Although traveling to the front of the line is convenient, you will, unfortunately, miss a really amazing queue and won't see an incredible looking Avatar floating in hibernation. So, do ride Stand By at least once.
Avatar floating display in the standby line
Also, look for the Na’vi-built drum circle, containing instruments and drums playable by all for interactive play for kids with no lines. It's located in the middle before you walk underneath the floating rocks.
Be sure and visit Pandora at night too. The grounds and plants light up with bioluminescent lighting. It's a whole different experience and worth checking out.
Rub the circle area of the large "Flaska Reclinata" interactive plant near the entrance of Pandora and it will spray a water mist on those walking by. There is usually a line of people queued up to do so.
Speak with tour guides from Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) and scientists from the Pandora Conservation Initiative (PCI), or even an eclectic expat or two! These cast members know all there is to know about Pandora!
There are brand-new Wilderness Explorers challenges and badges to collect in Pandora too.
The Disney Cruise Line Navigator is a free app that helps you navigate the ship, see the ship schedule and text with your travel party while onboard. You'll be using this app often to message other passengers on board since it makes coordinating so much easier, plus the adorable Disney emojis! All of the functionalities will work once you are connected to the onboard wifi, but in the meantime, there is also a countdown clock for your trip.
Check-in Online for Earliest Boarding Time
Our first Disney cruise I had checked in online weeks in advance, but this time only several days before our trip. This was a mistake because by then the earliest available boarding time was 2 p.m. and we wanted to get on as soon as possible. So, to get the most of your time on the ship, check in online as soon as you are able to via the My Disney Cruise Line website. This site also allows you to schedule a character call with one of the characters welcoming everyone, which is really fun for the kids. BONUS TIP: Even though you may board around Noon, you still will not be able to go in your room until after 1:30 p.m., so be sure and bring a tote bag with pool gear or other items that you'll want handy before your luggage arrives.
Order a Mickey Latte on the Disney Wonder
Order a Mickey Latte
The Cove Cafe itself is a hidden gem for ordering cocktails without the lines and for getting your daily cup of coffee. Like a traditional gourmet coffee shop the options are endless, but if you want an Instagram-worthy pic, do request that the barista (Leyston) to add a Mickey shaped cinnamon sprinkle to your cappuccino or latte. Mine was definitely the envy of my friends! :)
Room Service Milk & Cookies
Room service itself is free and available 24/7. There is a menu in your room with a full list of options. This came in handy for an afternoon snack for our boys like Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. Also, a fun tradition we started was ordering cookies and milk before bed while watching whichever Disney movie was playing on the TV. (Sadly, the Wonder ship does not have the awesome On-Demand movie feature like the Disney Dream does).
BYOB
If you imbibe and would like to save some money, bring your own. Each adult is allowed to bring 2 bottles of wine or champagne or 6 bottles of beer. Since this was only a 3-night cruise, we carried on two bottles of prosecco, another perk of not flying and worrying about ounces. Make sure that liquor is in your carry-on bag as you go through the cruise terminal for inspection. Do not check it in with your bags, as it will be confiscated and returned at the end of your trip. We opened our bottle on the balcony before dinner and ordered a cheese plate to be delivered to our room. See above about free room service!
Ask for the Drink of the Day
Save a few bucks on a cocktail by ordering the Drink of the Day for just $4.75. Doesn't matter what it is, they are all great, but the Bahama Mama was my favorite.
Pack Door Decorations
The cabin doors aboard Disney cruise lines are a work of art! Guests decorate their doors with photos and decorations of all kinds, including magnets with their names and favorite characters on them. It's fun to simply walk around see what others have done. To personalize our door we ordered this cute door magnet with each of our first names listed and I also added a shameless plug to my blog URL, lol. Another great thing about decorating your door is that it makes it easy for kids to spot their room. Stickers are not allowed.
Disney Cruise Line has an innovative rotational dining, where each night you are assigned a different sit-down restaurant to dine at. While we loved them all, Tiana's Place and Animator's Palate offered more entertainment and ambiance than Triton's, so I would recommend skipping Triton's in favor of the adult only restaurant Palo. However, there is an additional fee for dining at Palo - $30 per person or if you'd like the wine pairing dinner option it's more. We simply ordered wine a la carte though. It's so worth it though as the food is amazing! It's also nice to have an adult-only evening, so feed your kids first at the upstairs food court or one of the quick-serve options by the pool and then check them in for fun at the kids club (Oceaneer's Club). You can make your reservation ahead of time Online or once on board. Oh, and this is a formal dining experience, so no flip-flops or sneakers and guys must be in dress pants. We saw a man who had to leave to switch his shoes, so fair warning.
Schedule a Whiskey Tasting
On the first day we saw a brief mention in the Navigator that read, Go to Guest Services to schedule a whiskey, vodka, margarita, tequila, wine or bourbon tastings. Since we were only on a 3-night/4-day sailing, not all the choices were available. However, the whiskey tasting was set for 10 p.m. one night for $25/per person. We purchased two tickets but later found out that it was the same time as the fireworks. Luckily, we were able to step out for five minutes and see the fireworks perfectly from the Cove Bar's deck. During the tasting, we received four generous pours of whiskey each from different brands and gained some general history of the liquor, the distilling process and other tasting tips along the way. We were even more fortunate to be the only two at the tasting, so it was like having a private course. Our instructor, Chris, was really knowledgeable and made the tasting even more enjoyable. Given that it's an hour-long class and the amount of alcohol provided, the nominal charge more than balances out. I'd highly recommend this hidden itinerary gem, so do ask guest services which night it will be offered.
Whiskey Tasting on board the Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wonder
Line up Early for Frozen
Frozen, A Musical Spectacular is the MUST SEE show at sea and only Disney's Wonder has it. My husband and I were both seriously impressed at the quality, singing and special effects of this stage show. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it's at the same caliber as a Broadway show and I'm a New Yorker who grew up seeing musicals on Broadway. Each night the stage shows are crowded, but this performance had a line starting almost an hour prior to show time (doors open a half hour before), so get in line early. We let the boys stay in the kids club while we waited in the queue, then got them once my husband claimed seats.TIP: Sit in the first 15 rows if you'd like to have the snow actually fall on you and your family at the end of the show. We missed this experience by just three rows and my boys were really disappointed. Also, as you enter the theater be sure and snag the provided booster seats for smaller children, so they can sit more comfortably in their seats. Other parents would see ours and have to circle back to get them.
Drink Juice from Sulley's Sips
Up on the pool deck, head to Sulley's Sips drink stand, which despite the Monster's Inc. name isn't just for kids. They also have some yummy frozen cocktails here, but we liked ordering the healthy Juice Tonic, which is a blend of fresh Apples, Bananas, Kale, Spinach, Chia seeds and Spirulina. We substituted coconut water in lieu of the ice cream to keep it even healthier.
Embarkation Day WiFi Special
Each passenger can get a free 50MB Internet Data Package Offer on their first day on board. Don't sign up for it though until you no longer have cell phone reception, then sign up and use the 50MB to send any last emails, post your embarkation photos, etc. 50MB goes fast. We took advantage of Grandma's too since she was in a different cabin. After that, you'll need to purchase a package or unplug for the rest of your trip.
Dance & Eat Hot Beignets at Tiana's Place
Hot beignets are the must order dessert and treat on the ship! Just as good as the French Quarter. Also, be prepared to dance while dining here as the live jazz music and performances make for a lively dinner. My boys loved parading around the tables at the end of their meal with Louis the alligator, waitstaff and fellow passengers. Fun memories!
Dance & Order Hot Beignets at Tiana's Place on Disney Wonder
Bring Cash & Lanyards
Yes, tips are already included in the daily occupancy rates, but we added an extra $5 bucks to each of our waitstaff envelopes and $10 for our Steward for our 3-night cruise. However, since cash isn't really needed on the ship since you can easily charge food and gifts to your account using your room key, we had to scramble to find change for tips. Thus, have some smaller bills on you for this purpose. Also, there is a post office on Castaway Cay that only takes cash and not room keys, so if you want to send a postcard, remember to pack a few bills in your beach tote. You may also want to pre-order Disney lanyards with a detachable coin purse to hold money and your room key. It's also great for kids, so they don't lose their key. I found it helpful too since I didn't wear or need a purse on the ship and my bathing suit and sundresses didn't have pockets.
Scuttle's Cove on Castaway Cay
Some of the other families we met on the beach didn't realize that on Disney's private island Castaway Cay (pronounced key) there is a kids club where children can also be dropped off with sand and water play areas, called Scuttle's Cove. You can use this alone time to visit the adult only beach, Serenity Bay or try out the bigger water slides and island bar. We didn't leave the family beach this time but checked the kids into the club for an hour after lunch so they could run around before going back on the ship for nap time. Be prepared to hose them off after as they were super sandy! Also, as suggested in my below packing list, pack a sand shovel or two for the family beach or be prepared to buy some.
Video Tour of Disney Wonder Stateroom #7114:
#1 Selling Cruise Essential - Cruise Approved Power Strip
