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21 Days to Our Disney Cruise Adventure!

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Angela Sorensen

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I can’t believe we’re just 21 days from our trip! After months of planning, watching the calendar, and obsessively refreshing the the DCL Navigator app, we’ve officially booked our dining, locked-in our onboard experiences, and checked in for our cruise. It’s all starting to feel real, and I wanted to share how it’s all shaping up.

This update is for anyone who’s curious about what we actually ended up booking, what we’re most excited about, and a few tips I picked up while finalizing everything. Let’s dive in!

Our Dining Reservations

We approached dining this trip with a “quality over quantity” mindset. We splurged strategically while still leaving room from some spontaneity (and snacks).

On the Cruise (Disney Dream):

  • Palo Dinner: We booked Palo for Pirate’s Night, which is our Day at Sea (day 2), and I am so ready for that chocolate souffle again. We opted for a later dinner, 8:05 p.m. because we wanted to have space between our Mixology Class, nighttime shows, and dinner.
  • Main Dining Rotation: We’re eager how the Dream’s rotational dining compares to the Wish. While I haven’t had their food yet, I’ve definitely got a list in mind!

At Walt Disney World:

  • Signature Dining: We snagged Jiko and Topolino’s Terrace, and honestly? It’s our favorite kind of splurge. Amazing food, great ambiance, and the perfect adult Disney night out.
  • Festival Grazing: We’ll be at EPCOT during the Festival of the Holidays, and I’ve already started a “must try” list of food booths, including:
    • Horchata Margarita – Las Posadas
    • BBQ Char Siu Pork Fried Rice – Shanghai Holiday
    • Spiced Shrimp Stew with Jollof Rice – Refreshment Outpost
    • Glühwein – Bavaria Holiday
    • Pizza e Cioccolato – Tuscany Holiday
    • Smoked Salmon Potato Latke – L’Chaim!
    • Macaron de Noël aux Épices – Le Marché de Noël
    • Dinde Rôtie, Sauce et Garniture, servi avec Patates Douces – Le Marché de Noël
  • Beak & Barrel and GEO-82: We snagged some coveted lounges! Very excited to report back on these new experiences.

Onboard Fun

One of the best things about a Disney Cruise as adults? The adults-only spaces and curated experiences you can’t really find anywhere else.

Here’s what we booked:

  • Mixology Class: This will be our first time doing it, and I’ve heard great things. It’s scheduled for Day 2 around 4:00 pm, so I’m expecting to walk out a little buzzed and very happy.
  • Rum Tasting: A repeat favorite from our last cruise. We loved the pacing and how educational (but fun!) it was.

If you’re planning your own cruise, just know that some of these experiences book fast. We were online right at our booking window and even then had to be flexible with times.

Cruise Check-In + Port Arrival Time (PAT)

We’ve checked in (!!) and received a PAT of 11:15a, which is honestly ideal for us. Just enough time to enjoy breakfast at our hotel, check out, and arrive in a reasonable amount of time to get onboard.

Pro Tip: I recommend uploading your documents and completing check-in as soon as your window opens, especially if you’re trying to board earlier.

Another Pro Tip: If you’re not using Disney transportation, book your rideshare/car early. We booked ours 30 days in advance, so we’re not crushed by peak pricing or having to wait for a car.

Brightline + Resort Transfer Plan

We’re still big fans of the Brightline train from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando. Once we arrive at MCO, it’s a quick ride share over to Art of Animation. No rental cars, no Magical Express (sad), but it’s still an easy option.

Final WDW Game Plan

We’re treating this leg of the trip as a fun contrast to the cruise: more energy but still enough time to lounge.

  • Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT: Still a non-negotiable. We’re planning to spend at least one afternoon strolling, snacking, and people-watching.
  • Trader Sam’s: We’ll pop by to see if there are any new mugs.
  • Frontierland Updates: We’re excited to try Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, check out the new Country Bear show, and see how the new construction is going. Curious to see how the land is evolving!

What We’re Packing (Now That We Know What We’re Doing)

Packing for two very different vacation vibes is a challenge, but here’s how we’re tackling it:

  • Cruise Outfits: Light dresses, breezy tops, sandals, and a couple swimsuits. I’m keeping it simple.
  • Park Gear: Athleisure, comfy shoes (I’m bringing [insert shoes]), and a light rain layer just in case.
  • Essentials: Packing cubes, motion sickness patches, wine sleeves for carry-on beverages, and at least two pairs of shoes per person. We’ll probably do laundry once mid-trip.

I’ve also got a “day-of-embarkation” bag set aside with swimwear, sunscreen, and chargers, just in case our stateroom isn’t ready right away.

We’re So Close Now!

At this point, all that’s left is to finish packing, finalize our travel docs, and count down the days. The mix of cruise + Disney World still feels like the best of both worlds — relaxing at sea, then diving into the holiday magic at the parks.

If you’re planning your own Disney Cruise + Parks combo trip, feel free to drop any questions in the comments! I’ll be sharing updates once we’re back, and I can’t wait to take you along for the ride.

Cheers to adulting the Disney way.

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