Disney cruise: crowded?

[Anonymous]

For those who have done a Disney cruise, did you find it extremely crowded? Would love to know where and when you went, too, if possible. Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

We've done a 4 day Bahamas, 5 day Western caribbean and 7 day Alaska. I never felt crowded. Can't recommend Disney enough if you have kids. I have 2 more cruises planned this year - Southern Caribbean and Norway/Iceland.

[Anonymous]

We went early October and it was very crowded. We enjoyed it for our first cruise with a child but I'm not sure I'd do Disney again. If your child likes the characters, yes, but if not, its just another cruise. Dining was a hassle. The open food places were very busy and chaotic. The sit down sit every at the same time so you have to wait for everyone to arrive as they serve multiple tables at once. The waiters often cut the kids food and babysit while some parents ignore their kids. We had to wait multiple times for the kids next to us to get the waiters to cut their food and feed them (and the joy of a screaming kid) and our food got cold waiting. The kids at the table were a nightmare partly because of poor parenting and partly because it was the later seating and they were exhausted.

Public areas were also a zoo. It was very hard to see the characters and near impossible to get near the tiny pools and slides. The kids club was hit or miss but it wasn't as interesting as we hoped. Our kids would go an hour or so a day and want to eat and be with us.

We had a very nice trip but the crowds were a huge issue for us and the kids behavior (including older teens alone who were just rude).

[Anonymous]

I didn't think it felt to crowded. We avoid some of the busiest events or hang off to the sides. We also do our own excursions because we hate feeling like we're being hurded around. We also try to mix things up to avoid the crowds - movies in the morning, pool and slides after dinner. Its very manageable.

[Anonymous]

took one last year- I think the basically sell out all the time so not sure you can time it w/ fewer crowds. So in a way, that makes it easier to know it will be sold or nearly sold out.

We have 8 and 10 yr olds, and did later dinner- we had no problems with other kids, timing, food, etc. They didn't swin tons but we all had a great time. We enjoyed meals and time together as a family. We didn't do disney excursions and instead did our own trips, very easy. There are lots of people but there are lots of things to do.

[Anonymous]

My idea of hell, but to each his/her own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My idea of hell, but to each his/her own.

Why did you go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My idea of hell, but to each his/her own.

Why did you go?

Sounds like she didn't go, and is just blowing smoke out of her ignorant ass.

[Anonymous]

We went a few years ago on the last week of summer vacation (week before Labor Day), and it was so crowded. We had to stand in line for everything and couldn't use the pool at all. My husband took a picture of the pool on embarkation day from the deck above, and to be honest you couldn't even see the water. It was full of people shoulder to shoulder. Kids Club was also overrated. My kid went there once and there wasn't any directed activities. It was just a huge room and kids just kind of entertained themselves. We love cruises but will never go on a Disney cruise again. Way overpriced and unless you have kids into characters, there is really much to do.

[Anonymous]

Correction : there is really [/b]not[b] much to do

[Anonymous]

NP here, what do most people with kids (ex a family of 4) do about rooms? Do they get adjoining rooms or does everyone sleep in the family cabins? If you roomed together, do the cabins feel cramped?

[Anonymous]

For those that felt it was crowded, do you cruise often? DId it feel more crowded than other cruise lines?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here, what do most people with kids (ex a family of 4) do about rooms? Do they get adjoining rooms or does everyone sleep in the family cabins? If you roomed together, do the cabins feel cramped?

We got a balcony room for three and it was a nice size. There was a queen bed, pull down and a couch that converts into a bed. But, I'm cheap I'd never do two rooms and we often put as many people as we can (i.e. grandparents) in one room as we all are fine with it. Some rooms can have 5. You aren't in your room much. We had two bathrooms - one with a sink and shower and one with a sink and toilet. It really expensive (we went only because of a discount).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those that felt it was crowded, do you cruise often? DId it feel more crowded than other cruise lines?

I've been on a few cruises out of Baltimore on much smaller ships. They were not nearly as crowded but there were also very few kids so that makes a difference when you don't have to step around large families or kids who refuse to move. Its worth doing once. Then decide for yourself. Its good for a first family cruise. We would not do a Disney as our child had no interest in the characters which is the main reason to do Disney. Our child loved it and is asking when we can go again. I am glad we went, but next time I'd look at other options. We also didn't do the Disney tours as they were very overpriced. We did a private boat tour one day and rented a car another day.

I agree with the kids club comment about there were few activities, just large rooms with some computers. When we dropped off/picked up/walked by, usually the staff was engaging the kids and supervising. I liked they were quick to call us if our child wanted us. Their hand wash things are really cool too. But, it was very loud and overwhelming for kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went early October and it was very crowded. We enjoyed it for our first cruise with a child but I'm not sure I'd do Disney again. If your child likes the characters, yes, but if not, its just another cruise. Dining was a hassle. The open food places were very busy and chaotic. The sit down sit every at the same time so you have to wait for everyone to arrive as they serve multiple tables at once. The waiters often cut the kids food and babysit while some parents ignore their kids. We had to wait multiple times for the kids next to us to get the waiters to cut their food and feed them (and the joy of a screaming kid) and our food got cold waiting. The kids at the table were a nightmare partly because of poor parenting and partly because it was the later seating and they were exhausted.

Public areas were also a zoo. It was very hard to see the characters and near impossible to get near the tiny pools and slides. The kids club was hit or miss but it wasn't as interesting as we hoped. Our kids would go an hour or so a day and want to eat and be with us.

We had a very nice trip but the crowds were a huge issue for us and the kids behavior (including older teens alone who were just rude).

This was your big mistake. Main dining is way better.