REVIEW: Disney Wish 3-day Bahamas with 3-year-old grandson

[Betsynh]

I’m currently flying home after a magical 3-night cruise on the Disney Wish with my daughter (32) and grandson (almost 4 years old). Although this was our first Disney ship, I’ve been on more than two dozen others across Royal, Celebrity, Norwegian and Princess, so consider myself a pretty experienced cruiser.

 

Enjoying the experience through the eyes of a preschooler made every second worth it, but I can’t imagine traveling on a Disney ship without little ones, although I have friends that do! Hubby was asking what we thought about the piano bar, lounge entertainment, and the like, but we actually never had a chance to check those out! Instead, we had plentiful opportunities to meet all kinds of Disney characters where they’ll take your professional photo, but you’re also invited to take your own pics and videos. Characters were also signing autograph books, so come prepared! Lines typically formed 10-15 minutes before the stated start time, but we never had to wait more than 10-15 minutes for our turn (i.e., there were no screaming children waiting).

 

There were three evening shows offered for early diners at 8:30pm and late diners at 6:00pm. The first night was a cute character show featuring Captain Minnie and Goofy. Our little guy loved it. The second and third nights we were treated to amazing productions of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. Both were exceptional in terms of talent, costumes and sets and special effects. There were giant “booster seats” available so every child could see easily. The shows were just over an hour, so no one struggled with their attention span. A popcorn booth “Preludes” was just outside of the starboard side entrance, so we indulged each night. Lines started forming at 7:50pm as the doors opened at 8, so plan accordingly. I think there was a refill deal if you bought a plastic popcorn bucket, but we went with the paper cup all three nights.

 

We picked an inside cabin on deck 11 forward (11511), which was actually an amazing place to be since it’s the same deck as most of the pools, the buffet and the small food concessions with pizza, BBQ and drink machines. Soda and juices were free and at help-yourself stations. They also had plenty of soft serve ice cream (and even had gluten free cones)! The Toy Story splash pad was a huge hit on deck 12 (behind the movie screen), and we loved being right above the theater to go straight to bed after the later show.

 

The dining was interesting. We had the same table number and wait staff for all three nights, but WE rotated themed dining rooms, each with a unique menu. My grandson could get pasta with butter (his favorite) in all locations and they were very accommodating of my need for gluten-free food. The Frozen dining room had a cool show in the center stage with great singing, a violinist and a couple of scenes with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf. Our second night was the 1923 dining room celebrating the life of Walt Disney and then the Marvel dining room which featured some fun space adventures and a special appearance by Spider-Man. Hubby was so disappointed he missed that. We were matched with another family at a table of 8, and they were not a good fit — super awkward, so we were relocated to a private table with the same waiters. So grateful! Somehow we missed the memo that night two was Pirate Night. Families were decked out head to toe in pirate garb — probably 80% of all passengers— so I felt bad my grandson was ill prepared. There wasn’t really any pirate garb in the gift shop. Oh well!

 

Two things I didn’t like that I think Disney could do better: 1) We had an old fashioned muster drill where everyone needed to check in and line up in rows along the outside deck as if we were getting on a life boat (no life jackets needed but huge hassle and took a long time). On other lines, we watch a video and report to a specific lounge to get our card scanned and see a short demo about putting on life jacket. Our correct location wasn’t easily marked, so we were asking every attendant we saw to help us find “E”. Not a great way to start our mini vacation.

 

2) My other feedback involves the lack of organization around checking in for our one port excursion. We booked Blue Lagoon Island in Nassau which we knew is gorgeous, but we didn’t get to the beach for almost two hours from the time were were supposed to check in. We lined up at 9:25-ish for a 9:45am check-in and waited in a long line down a crowded hallway, and then needed to report to an additional room to get our Donald Duck sticker to show which part of Blue Lagoon we signed up for (there’s also a dolphin swim and more options). That took about 45 minutes. Then we went through security outside and the Blue Lagoon staff took over. We waited in another line and got a wrist band and pink dot with tickets for lunch/beverages. Then someone else came by and we signed a waiver. After another half hour or so, we walked to the waiting ferry. Once onboard, we needed to report our name/cabin to someone to track which seat we were sitting in on the ferry (in case we capsized??). No idea! All in all, we thought we were signing up for a 9:45 beach trip and arrived around 11:30am.

 

Once there, we were able to find some shady chairs way down the beach and had a lovely time. The earliest ferry (for hotel/resort guests) departed around 1pm, so the crowds started thinning and we got front row shady chairs. We needed to report to the ferry at 2:45 for 3pm departure. That process was smoother. Be prepared to walk a distance as the return ferry dropped us within the port section, but at the start of all the shops, etc., so it was a hike for this hot and tired family.

 

Castaway Cay was beautiful. My daughter decided to walk to the beach, but grandson and I waited a short while for the tram. It dropped us at Scuttle’s Cove and lo and behold, we saw Minnie and stopped for a photo and then saw Pluto! Short line and barely any waiting. It was awesome! The beach was beautiful, clean and plenty of shaded chairs.

 

Overall the trip was magical and I bought three adorable photos of my grandson with Minnie, Mickey and Goofy for just over $20 each. The rest I’ll use the photos and videos I took from my phone. No comment on the children’s program. We went to the open house and signed him up, but he didn’t want to be anywhere “where grownups had to leave”. Kids looked like they were having a blast, but I was happy to have the time enjoying his company since they live in a neighboring state.

 

I would definitely go on a Disney ship again — but only with grandkids at this point in our lives. When hubby and I travel, we typically stay up late dancing, enjoying a piano bar, and attending  shows. They seemed to have some later night entertainment, but we were fried from the busy days and needed to supervise the little guy so didn’t venture out past 10:00pm. After my daughter sent so many fun pics to her husband, he’s gone from anti-Disney to “sign me up”! Everyone was so friendly and helpful overall, I was impressed. Happy cruising!

 

[carohs]

20 hours ago, Betsynh said:

Families were decked out head to toe in pirate garb — probably 80% of all passengers— so I felt bad my grandson was ill prepared. There wasn’t really any pirate garb in the gift shop. Oh well!

Next time look into the pirates package at bibbidi bobbidi boutique on board. You can book through the app (prior to sailing), but spaces full up fast. Also, the store for that is on a different deck than the shops, so you may have missed it. Not a bad thing for your wallet, tho! 

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/bibbidi-bobbidi-boutique/

[Betsynh]

13 hours ago, carohs said:

Next time look into the pirates package at bibbidi bobbidi boutique on board. You can book through the app (prior to sailing), but spaces full up fast. Also, the store for that is on a different deck than the shops, so you may have missed it. Not a bad thing for your wallet, tho! 

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/bibbidi-bobbidi-boutique/

One staff member we were chatting with seemed surprised we didn’t get pirate bandanas in the cabin… is that a thing? We weren’t in any special cabin or rewards program. We passed the boutique and it looked adorable! All slots were filled well before we traveled. I’ll be better prepared next time. 

[carohs]

3 hours ago, Betsynh said:

One staff member we were chatting with seemed surprised we didn’t get pirate bandanas in the cabin… is that a thing? We weren’t in any special cabin or rewards program. We passed the boutique and it looked adorable! All slots were filled well before we traveled. I’ll be better prepared next time. 

Yes, every cabin should have had bandanas delivered, usually the night before. 

[carohs]

3 minutes ago, carohs said:

Yes, every cabin should have had bandanas delivered, usually the night before. 

Hmm well I'm reading they don't do this on the Wish. That's disappointing!

[ArthurUSCG]

8 hours ago, Betsynh said:

One staff member we were chatting with seemed surprised we didn’t get pirate bandanas in the cabin… is that a thing? We weren’t in any special cabin or rewards program. We passed the boutique and it looked adorable! All slots were filled well before we traveled. I’ll be better prepared next time. 

 

5 hours ago, carohs said:

Hmm well I'm reading they don't do this on the Wish. That's disappointing!

Yea, for some reason the Wish isn't getting the bandanas. There has been reports that on some sailings the Wish was giving out bandannas, but not all of the sailings.