davidmbfonz

Not sure... wondering if they will add any events, or refine the ones they already had. I was hoping last year to encounter more of those really cool Halloween-themed mixed drinks (like with fog coming out of them and 'eyeball'-olives in the martinis), but didn't see too many.

I hope someone who has been on a HOHS cruise last year will also be on one this year and can update us with what's different - new or changed for this time around?

We loved HOHS, but are trying the Christmas-time cruise this November! Can't wait!

dtnemail-FY13-DCL-Halloween-Campaign-600x300-c2300 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

Thanks all - it looked to be something different and I've had those empanadas at the Epcot Food Fest before... looking forward to trying something new!

We're on a five-day Western Caribbean. It looks like we'll be in two of the restaurants twice (one of those days will be Pirate night).

Was wondering if anyone would share their impressions of the food and atmosphere - this restaurant looks to be the most unusual of the ones on this ship as well as on the Dream, which we've been on.

Thanks.

Hi everyone - getting excited about our upcoming cruise. Just wondering how people have found the food at Carioca's? It looks intriguing, and apparently South American food is more variable than I first might imagine.

Would you choose this restaurant to be one that you ate twice at, or choose another one?

Thanks in advance for sharing!

Thanks!!

Hi All - one of the highlights of our Dream cruise last October was the Rainforest Room. We loved the little showers that had different settings.

I have searched several results pages deep on Google and this would appear to be one of the better-kept "secrets" of Disney cruse life: what exactly does the Magic have in terms of a Rainforest Room? I've seen videos of the reimagined Senses spa onboard, but it was just a slideshow and no pics of any cool looking showers.

Has anyone done the Rainforest Pass on the Magic in the past year and if so, could you describe what the facility is like? Even better - if you've also been on the Dream or Fantasy, how is it different?

Thanks everyone! Getting excited!!

On last year's HOHS cruise, there were definitely some "Nightmare before..." events, but it was sparse. They really find a way to get just about every character/franchise involved in the Halloween fun (except the princesses - didn't seem them out of their traditional garb).

Thank you dread_pirate. We actually did a 180 and booked an October 23 cruise on the Wonder, which means we will actually be on the boat during Halloween. I was comforted with some of the responses here and we did a 180 because the October 23rd sailing had a sale. I was worried, but in the end, after looking thru lots of pictures, it didn't look too bad. Davidmbfonz, you wrote an amazing review and I enjoyed your photos. What a beautiful family!

Wow - that's so flattering... so glad to help out. In my overall opinion, the Halloween decorations are fairly tasteful, and just add to the fun. Enjoy your cruise!!

I am so glad that you I found your review. We are going on the Dream in mid-September and now I am even more excited!

Awww... thanks! That makes me so happy! Have a great trip!!

Don't know if it would help you make your decision, but we have lots of pics of the HOHS cruise on the Dream from last Hallween - link to the review/pics in my signature.

I can't speak to the short duration of the cruise, but we sailed on the Dream last Halloween and the theming is really great! We loved it! You can see pictures and read my review at the link in my signature. Have fun!

So, the new info is that the show will debut on the November 11th sailing on the Magic!

Cool!

My daughter is going to flip - have you seen this yet?

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/04/tangled-the-musical-coming-to-disney-cruise-line/

Tangled, The Musical!

Nice review - thanks for this. Echoed a lot of my experiences too. Such a great time!

Really nice trip report so far... room service for breakfast sounds like a great idea. And I love the pictures off your balcony!

Thank you Cruisefamily, DisneyCruiser, and NYGirl!

I don't know exactly how far out the ship goes, but we did indeed have to leave Castaway Cay and went for some time. It got dark quickly, and I never checked on the stateroom TV to see our position. I will say that we could easily see the lights of Great Abaco Island off the port side of the ship. I noticed at least one other cruise ship out on the horizon for most of the evening also. Couldn't see Castaway although there may not have been any lights.

I've read that they leave and come back because it's the only reliable way to not be bothered by insects at night. Also, I would imagine, for security purposes. We awoke to the familiar shudder of the ship as it docked again the 2nd day.

I've got re-entry stamps from the U.S. on my passport from previous trips abroad. Maybe closed-circuit cruises are different. ;)

To be clear, I only took a few pictures of the luggage stand area which is far from the customs line... this was what I would call the baggage claim area, not the customs area.

I should also add that I was a bit disappointed that the customs officer didn't even really look at our passports, and certainly didn't stamp them. Would have been nice. He was super friendly, but wasn't that concerned with us.

Aw, Deely - sorry to hear that. Yes, it was Port Canaveral, but I took these photos with my iPhone. Didn't think about the security angle, but it would be easier to take photos with your smartphone quickly without people realizing it. Glad I got them, because I really like those paintings/murals.

Since we had 2nd Seating, we also had the later breakfast assignment. While I was watching a movie with the boys the night before, my wife had finalized our packing.

We solemnly headed down to Enchanted Garden for our last delicious breakfast.

Just like in the pictures!

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1370 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1368 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

Very elaborate theming if you ask me!

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Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1372 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

We were SO not looking forward to gathering our luggage and heading home. How nice to see that even the luggage area of the terminal had a thoughtful design.

December 2014 395 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

(The Home Depot box is what we brought all our fish extender gifts to/from in) - we had joined 3 groups!

December 2014 397 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

And our luggage porter couldn't have been any kinder or more helpful. He put our luggage on his cart and waited in the customs line with us. Then he loaded up our minivan! He was so pleasant and seemed happy for us. In a happy daze, we headed out of the parking garage and back to reality!

Once the boys were in bed, a bit after 1 AM, I took 20 minutes by myself to go get some final night shots of the ship.

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1345 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

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Probably my favorite shot: (it's the silly things, no?)

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1361 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

If I'm not mistaken, that entree my wife had was lobster ravioli that she ordered from another dining room's menu. The servers were happy to get it for her.

Dessert was yummy, of course!

We learned all about the 'sweet nothings':

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1325 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

Had to get this apple cobbler sundae on our last night!

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1327 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

Informal family shots on 'formal' night. My boys just wore their school uniforms.

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1330 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1337 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

Later that night (say, around 11:30 PM), we made our 2nd room service order:

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1343 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

After a more-than-full day that included a sitdown breakfast, a princess meet-and-greet, day at the Castaway Cay beach and stingray adventure, a show ("Believe" or "Golden Mickeys" - can't remember the order - both were stunning), and a full sit-down dinner, what did my boys want to do?

We went to a midnight showing/premiere of "Alexander and the Terrible Day..." in the theater. That was beyond icing on the cake! That movie theater is state-of-the-art and just perfect. What a way to end our vacation!

Towel animals from our last night:

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1289 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1295 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

Our last dinner was in the Enchanted Garden. It really did have a feel to it like you were outside.

I think this was the Cream of Green Asparagus: (?)

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1308 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

I HAD to try that wedge of lettuce!

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1309 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

My wife's entree:

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1318 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

Prime rib for me!

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1322 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

I headed up to the top deck (Deck 12?) and took pictures as the ship set sail.

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Here's an attempt at a panoramic shot of the whole island:

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1269 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

The engines really kicked up the water!

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The very aft of the Disney Dream, with Castaway Cay receding in the distance:

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1278 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr

Grabbed a shot of the drink station on my way back to the room. Did NOT want to forget that pomegranate lemonade. I'm pretty sure this taste is part of every memory on that ship (and actually, I think it's familiar from the restaurants at WDW too). Anyone know where you can get this flavor of MinuteMaid? Or, is it exclusive to Disney?

Disney Dream Cruise 2014 1288 by davidmbfonz, on Flickr