Guest Trip Report: February 7, 2020 7 Night on the Disney Wonder from New Orleans – Day 2

 

 

Clocks moved up one hour last night as we slept.  Maybe because our phones didn’t update or because we were tired from our long day yesterday, we very nearly missed our first item of the day:  the Disney Junior Character Breakfast!  Thankfully, Michael woke up at 7:30 and woke us up.  We hurriedly got ready and raced to our 8:00 reservation at Animator’s Palate restaurant. We had never done this breakfast before.  This is only our second 7-night cruise, and the first time we cruised that long, on the Disney Fantasy in 2016, we did not have a child and really had no interest in a Disney Junior character meal.  (This breakfast is offered only on sea days for 7-night [or longer] sailings).  As we arrived, we were all given festive headwear.  Michael is either Robin Hood or Peter Pan.  We really aren’t 100% sure.  There is no doubt that Dad is Goofy.  Of course, I couldn’t see myself, so I asked my husband who I was.  He said, “I’m not sure.  Maybe Maleficent.” I got the selfie camera out and saw that I was, in fact, Minnie Mouse. Ha! Everyone attending breakfast got festive napkin hats.  It is an extra, unnecessary, fabulous touch that so perfectly exemplifies the “Disney difference.”  The breakfast food itself is pretty much the same food you get onboard in other locations.  We had no complaints about the food quality; the selection is a bit limited though.

 

 

We were a bit disappointed in the character line-up.  In years past, the breakfast included visits from Doc McStuffins, Jake (Neverland Pirates), Princess Sofia and others.  The current line-up includes Vampirina, Fancy Nancy, and the dogs:  Pluto and Goofy.  While Michael loved the interaction, the fact that Mickey is not included was a disappointment for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After we finished breakfast, we headed to the D Lounge to check out Toddler Time.  In the back corner of the Lounge, an area is blocked off with plexi-glass.  Several times throughout the trip, toddlers were provided toys to play there in an environment exclusively for them.  The toys included things like blocks and ride-on toys. There is plenty of comfortable seating here for parents to supervise children, but parents are also encouraged to get in the floor and play with the kids.  Many parents did just that.

 

 

 

 

One thing that is great about the longer sailings in that the kids’ spaces have Open House hours often.  During these open houses, anyone of any age can enjoy the kids’ areas:  Small World Nursery, Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab.  Michael loved the club and particularly, Andy’s room.  Since he is younger than 3, he is not allowed in the club without supervision, so his dad took advantage of the open house hours and took him to play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One thing that is unfortunate for me is that I have to work during pretty much every family vacation.  I teach online, and there are always papers to grade and emails to answer.  While Steven and Michael were playing in the Club, I headed up to Deck 9 Fwd to the Cove Café.  This was my first ever visit to this location.  The previous time we sailed on the Wonder, we were Concierge, so we took advantage of the fabulous coffee machine that the DCL Concierge lounges are known for!  I had already purchased the internet package in anticipation of working throughout the cruise, so I settled in to get started with my work.  Here are the details about the internet options:

 

 

 

I loved this location in the adult-only area on deck 9.  The larger ships have Cove Café locations in the atrium as well, but the classic ships offer only this location.  The environment was quiet and allowed me to work with no unwanted interruptions.

 

 

 

 

 

FYI in the Cove Cafe, beverages are an extra charge but the goodies are not!

 

Michael played in the club until he wore himself out, so he got a nap while I was working.  Once he woke up, it was time to get dressed up.

 

 

 

Captain hosted his reception in the atrium before both dinner seatings.  As we were heading to dinner, we ran into Thor.

 

 

Our dinner tonight was the rotational menu in Animator’s Palate, my very favorite of all DCL rotational menus.

 

 

 

 

This is my favorite food item available on DCL.  I always order it as my appetizer and get a second, larger portion for my entrée.  They are called pasta purseittes, and they are amazing!

 

 

 

 

After another quick bath for Michael, we headed to the Walt Disney theater.  The show tonight was The Golden Mickeys.

 

 

We adore this show.  In fact, it is the only one all week that Michael stayed awake to enjoy.  I’m trying to avoid a spoiler, but there is one particular scene that will need a rewrite now that Chapek is CEO rather than Iger.  I can’t wait to see how that new material makes it into the show! I suppose that’s as good a reason as any to take the next cruise!

 

We got back to our room after the show to find our towel animal of the day:  this time, a Dachshund.  We always love this one because we have our very own ornery weenie dog at home, Duke.

 

 

Up Next:  Day 3 – Key West