[00:00:00] Speaker A: I'll be controversial and just simply say the only thing that's going to get me back on a wish is a dry dock.
[00:00:08] Speaker B: Beautiful. Listen.
[00:00:21] Speaker A: Welcome back everybody to this week's live episode of the DCL Duo podcast. Brought to you by my path Unwinding Travel and also our good friends over at WDW magazine, DCL Magazine. If we can make it happen.
[00:00:33] Speaker B: Make it happen. Make it a thing.
[00:00:35] Speaker A: Yes, make it happen. All right, so DCL Magazine, head over to dcl-magazine.com to buy your special issue today. They're trying to hit 5,000 subscribers or 5,000 issues sold so that they can actually offer this on a subscription basis. I think I saw a post today that they're at 2,000 subscribers. So we got a ways to go here. Let's support WGW Magazine, DCL Magazine. They put out a really nice, high quality product. Great photos, great articles. I mean, there's an article from us in the, in the issue from Brian.
[00:01:05] Speaker B: From Brian, not from us.
[00:01:08] Speaker A: Keep making this a thing, Sam. I just. It's us, it's the royal. It's, it's, it's the way.
So anyway, but head over, support our friends
[email protected] and if you head over there right now, you can get 10 off anything in their store using code DCLDUO all caps, DCL Duo, head over there. Dcl-magazine.com Sam, we got a fun guest tonight. I want to make sure we intro her before I continue down my path of pre show things.
[00:01:35] Speaker B: So yes, we're super excited. We have one of the fabulous travel advisors. From my path Unwinding travel, people might think I'm introducing Karen Shelton, but I'm not. I'm introducing the other Karen, Karen Luster. Welcome to the show, Karen.
[00:01:49] Speaker C: Hi. Thank you for having me. I'm really excited.
[00:01:51] Speaker B: We're so excited to have you. It is our first time having you on the show, although we've met you before. And so we're super, super excited to hear from you today. We're going to be talking the Wish in just a little bit. I know you just got off of the Wish, but before we start with our show topic, Brian is going to do a little shout out to our Patreon crew out there. So over to you, Brian.
[00:02:13] Speaker A: Yeah, we, we need to, we need to occasionally stop and thank some very important people out in the community who actually pay us to put this show out. And their fabulous support really means the world to us. And I just want to take a minute to kind of go through Our list of patrons, it has grown.
I did not imagine it would get this big, but I. I want to send them a shout out. And so let's start at our animators palette tier we have Steve Elsis, Shannon, Shanna Barrett, Robert Taylor, Robbie and Jillian Abney. Matthew Kowalski, Lori Hotung, Joshua McKenry, Heather Wilson. The Dillos, Diz, Derek Sassman, Dave Hall, Constance Presley, Chris Brown, Bridget Casey, Ashley Norton. And now into our Palo brunch tier we have Tracy and Michael Andrago. Larry Fine, Krause Mouse Adventures, Jeff Linwood, Erica. Just Erica. Thank you, Erica. Emily, Fay Abbott, Edward Lynn, Drew Curry, and Haley Curry. We cannot miss Haley Curry, Dennis, Keith Lee, Chris Wynn, Beth Gentry. And now we move up to our Palo dinner tier. Getting, getting a little fancier here, but thank you to Sonia Allen, Megan Gun Tumprose, Karen Shelton, Jennifer Schwart, Daily MTB writer. Or our friend, the DCL duo villain. Or the DCL villain. Josh Wilson, Cindy Leichner, Christopher Vorbeck, Chris Braga, Anne Whitten. And then we move into the coveted Remy.
[00:03:47] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:03:48] Speaker A: Thomas Rogers, Sean Burns, Eric Nyman, Amy Y. And then at the top of the heap, the Remy dinner tier. No holds barred, our friend Tinfoil Mouse here, cts.
[00:04:00] Speaker B: Oh, I love cts.
[00:04:03] Speaker A: If you want an easy way to support this show, please head over to patreon.com DCLDUO check out our various tiers of support. We really, really appreciate the folks who help make this show happen each and every week. And we do offer an annual subscription to get 10 off. So, you know, head over there, check it out. We love our Patreon community.
I need to schedule our next quarterly Patreon call. For our top tier Patreon.
[00:04:28] Speaker B: Yeah, for our Remy tier Patreons, they get a quarterly call with.
[00:04:32] Speaker A: No, no, it's, it's. I. It's. It's a little lower than Remy Tier. Check. Check out the site. It has the benefits. So, yeah, there you go.
[00:04:39] Speaker B: I gotta give a special shout out to Karen Shelton. She's the owner of my Path Unwinding Travel, obviously our travel agency sponsor. Um, but she's also a Patreon, and so that's pretty cool that she supports us in both ways. So special shout out to Karen Shelton, who I know is watching. Cause in the comments she has said, hi, everyone. Hi, Karen. Hi, everyone else. I'm not going to pull up everybody's hellos, but it's good to see everyone out there today. Well, now we've got to talk a little bit of news before we dive into our show topic. But I promise we won't belabor the news because this is actually from a little over a week ago.
[00:05:12] Speaker A: Well, Sam, hold on. You forgot the biggest news of all. I mean, Karen's here wearing gold for a reason. And I think we need to acknowledge that reason, which was the TL duo cracked the top 10 of Apple podcast charts for all travel podcasts in the United States this week. That is a huge leap for us. We actually hung out at number eight for a bit, then number seven, and we were in the top 10 for about five days there. And now we've settled into the top 20, which is pretty nice. I'm pretty happy.
[00:05:43] Speaker B: Listen, I'm happy if we stay at that 12 spot. That 12 spot was pretty nice.
[00:05:48] Speaker A: So you know what, I'm just happy that anyone out there is listening other than, like our friends. So thank you. Thank you for listening. It really, really means the world to us and just want to thank you for that.
[00:05:58] Speaker B: So, yeah, yeah. If anyone, actual news, if anyone besides Tracy Ondrako, who is our first fan and our number one fan, is listening, then that's it. That's awesome.
I love you, Tracy. I'm glad you listened to us too. But anyway, all right, so let's, let's head over to talk about some news we have. The news is on only on the Adventure, but it came out, I want to say, a week or a week and a day ago. So when we didn't have a live show, apologies to our audience, we had to cancel kind of last minute, but we've rescheduled Danny from Adventures by Disney. He's going to come back and he's going to come on in April. So apologies, we had to rejigger that around. But the adventure. There were three pieces of news that came out about the Disney adventure. The first one is, I want to call it a Marvel themed Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
So it's a Marvel like sort of makeover place on board the ship. The second was a new Jack Sparrow themed pirate show. And then the third, which is of course the most important, you have to save the best for last is a Duffy and Friends themed show and Duffy and Friends themed store on board the adventure. So what do we, what are, what do we think about these announcements, guys? I mean, I don't know, Karen, are you going to trek all the way over to Singapore to go on the adventure? Is question one.
But what do you think about these, these announcements from. From DCL about these? These three new things are really more than three, but three Categories of new things on the Disney Adventure.
[00:07:32] Speaker C: I just love how they're taking things and twisting them and making them new things that you're familiar with, but adding a little bit of a, I said a twist. So I definitely think there's audience for those things, especially over in Asia. So very cool. Like I said, probably never going to see it, but still cool to hear about it.
[00:07:50] Speaker B: Totally. I love this comment from ct, so close to his Edna make yourself a hero idea, which is totally true. He had said when we were in one of our prognostication episodes that would be a great like sort of change to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to have sort of a hero makeover. And this is that. But obviously that was Incredible's theme. This is Marvel themed but same same idea. And then Bridget is saying, anyone else hoping that Marvel Bibbidi Bobbidi boo is a possibility for the Destiny? I would say yes, I'm hoping, but I'm, I'm. My, my guess is more that maybe they'll just have one or two Marvel options on Bibbidi Bobbidi on the Destiny. Like they have the Captain, Mickey and Minnie on the Wish and the treasure that they, I don't think had on on the earlier ships. I wonder if they'll sort of add maybe like one Marvel, maybe like a Spider man and I don't know what like, you know, other one. But maybe they'll have a couple options. So I'm, I'm hoping for that. Brian, what do you, what do you think about these additions? Any thoughts about new pirate show or about Duffy and Friends or the fact that I'm gonna make you spend lots of money to get me over to Asia so I can see Duffy and friends.
[00:09:01] Speaker A: I've already I so, you know, look, I, I think, I think I, it's hard for me to get excited about any one piece of news coming out of the adventure. They, they what I don't love about the adventures is this like dribble of news kind of coming out. I want the big rev where the reveal, you know, like give me the whole thing because it's hard for me to wrap my head around it at this point of the way they're dribbling the news out. I, I, I'm still reeling from like, so, I mean we have a placeholder, not a place. We have a, we have a booking on the adventure for the maiden voyage. We're not going to be able to use PS out there to Kaylee. We're going to be needing to move that. But but, you know, I. I'm excited to go on her. I'm excited to see what she is. I think she's going to be unlike any of the other ships in the fleet. Great to hear that they're doing this kind of stuff. As others have commented, I really hope they bring some of it back, you know, here into the US because, you know, otherwise, I just don't know how many of us are going to experience the adventure over there. And I don't think it's designed for us. So, yeah, I want to see them, like, learn from the adventure and bring it back over here. Like, yeah. Is that really going to be.
[00:10:04] Speaker B: Is that the experiences onto the other ships?
[00:10:07] Speaker A: That's what I mean. That's what I'm saying. Like, bring those experiences back into the US Fleet, because I don't think the adventure will ever touch US Soil after she. She potentially stops in LA and heads for Singapore. But the other thing is, like, I really hope the Adventure doesn't become the only ship in the fleet with a roller coaster on the top deck. Like. Like, there's got to be a way for a theme park company to make that, you know, happen maybe on these new ships they're building, although they're going to be smaller. So who knows?
[00:10:33] Speaker B: Who knows?
[00:10:33] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:10:33] Speaker B: Who knows?
[00:10:34] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:10:34] Speaker B: All right, well, setting aside the news for on the Disney Adventure, we got to get back to Florida. We got to get back to Port Canaveral and back on to the Wish. So let's talk about. Before we talk about the Wish, we got to talk about car. Karen's cruising background, Disney background. As I mentioned, Karen is a travel advisor with my Path Unwinding travel. Karen, why don't you tell folks a little bit about yourself, what your sort of Disney background is and what your cruising background is as well.
[00:11:04] Speaker C: Yeah, absolutely. So I've been a lifelong Walt Disney World visitor. My first Visit was in 1982.
I've been there close to 30 times at this point, and I absolutely love it. It's near and dear to my heart. At some point, I wanted to be an imagineer that sort of went by the wayside when I dropped out of architecture school, became a librarian. That doesn't really work.
And so you can see here just some of the pictures from my childhood. My son and my husband at the top there when they had the pirates leak, which was super fun.
And then that's my niece when we went to Disneyland this past year. And then that's my partner in crime at the bottom who's goes with me. At the drop of a hat whenever we want to. So it's super awesome that we have. I have the family around me that and friends that want to support my addiction.
[00:11:53] Speaker B: You're just. Yeah, I love that.
[00:11:56] Speaker C: You know, I figure it doesn't hurt anybody but my pocketbook, so it's okay.
As far as cruising, my first Cruise was in 2002. Board the Carnival Jubilee. It was really hideous and gross. It was built in 1986 and in 2002 it was pretty old already. I just remember it being very 80s and like mauve. And we were definitely the youngest people on there, you know, Smokey Casino.
And my then boyfriend, now husband, got seasick. So he is very reluctant to go on a cruise and hasn't been on one since. Hence he has not been one of my cruising partners so far.
And then, since then, jump ahead 20 years. That was my next cruise, so I decided that one.
[00:12:43] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:12:43] Speaker C: Once I started selling, you know, part of my path unwinding, I. I am much more comfortable if I've experienced something when I sell it. So I could really speak to it and be confident in selling the product. So I decided I probably should hop on a ship. I wasn't sure I was gonna like it as well as the Parks, but I will say the second cruise I pulled up to the port in Miami and was crying. I'm like, darn it, they got me too. Just the cruise line got me too. Now I'm crying when I see the boats. So yeah, my first cruise was in, in 2022 with my sister and it was still covet time. So we had to do the testing before we went on board, which was nerve wracking.
And then I went later that year with my son for Halloween on the high seas. So we got to dress up and do all that fun stuff and then hop ahead three more years. Went on the Wish with my mom this past year.
[00:13:37] Speaker B: Love that. Awesome. Now, so you up until this cruise that we're going to talk about today, you hadn't been on the Wish or you hadn't been on one of the Wish class ships, I should say.
[00:13:48] Speaker C: No, I hadn't. No. I was actually, like I was telling you before the show, this actually was intended to be a cruise on the Treasure and I booked it a long time ago. But for a number of reasons, we decided to change it to the Wish just because my mom's in a scooter, as you'll see later, and she wasn't gonna be able to partake in a lot of the excursions. So I wanted to. And also I didn't wanna be home away from home for that long. But we had a blast. So I'm happy with our choice.
[00:14:15] Speaker B: I love that. I love that. Well, I wanna, you know, I do wanna talk about, you know, why someone might choose to sail on the wish as opposed to on the treasure. Right. Cause the treasure is the new kid in town. Right. And we keep talking. I feel like we've talked about obviously the treasure a lot because we love her so much.
But there are reasons why someone would want to sail on the wish instead of sailing on the Treasure. Or of course, on one of the other four ships in the, in the Disney fleet. They all have something to offer. But I do want to, you know, focus on what are some of the great things about sailing on the Disney wish in today's discussion since you had the opportunity to sail for the first time. So let's, let's start with the, the planning process.
You know, you mentioned you originally booked the treasure. What. Tell us about the decision process to switch to the wish.
[00:15:10] Speaker C: It was namely because of my mom being in the scooter. And you know, she tends to get a little nervous. She's done at the parks a few times and she admitted to me that she was a little apprehensive. So I'm glad I brought the, broached the subject with her because I was. For me, it was more being away from home for about eight days and leaving my son and my husband for that long together. Not that they don't get along. They get along great. But you know, it's just one of those things, just being away from home for that long, you start to miss them.
[00:15:40] Speaker B: Yes.
And they start to miss you and all of the stuff that you do. I mean, I know for Brian and I, if one of us is away for a couple of days, that's one thing, but if the other one, one of us is away for like an entire week, it's a lot when you're used to having a partner to do, you know, half the school pickup and drop offs or the schlepping, right. Like, yeah, it's, it's just a lot when you're down to, you know, one on one parenting instead of two on one parenting. And shout out to those people who have multiple kids or who are outnumbered and kids to adults, because I don't know how y'all do it. And to single parents, shout out to you even more because I don't know how you do it with no time off ever. But yeah, it is Definitely. It's definitely a harder. A harder thing. Well, let's talk about where you stayed before, because I know you had a nice pre Stay location.
[00:16:32] Speaker C: We actually stayed at the Grand Floridian, and luckily they assigned us to an accessible room, which I was pleasantly surprised. It worked out really well because of my mom's mobility limitations and that. The day before the cruise, we basically. We didn't do a park day. We just explored the new Polynesian Tower and just ate at the Waialulu Bar and Grill there and sampled some of their food and then went over to the Polynesian and I got my pot stickers, which I love.
[00:17:01] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:17:01] Speaker C: So that was super exciting. And we basically walked back and forth between Grand Floridian and the Nepali, and then we walked to Steakhouse 71 for dinner. So I got my steps in because there wasn't a lot, you know, a lot of sitting on the cruise. So it was nice to walk around and get some fresh air. And she had a scooter there, so it was, you know, easy for her. It was more of an effort for me to get around, but it was great. It was a nice, relaxing day and it was great to try something new.
[00:17:28] Speaker B: Awesome. Awesome. Sorry, friends, we're having. As you noticed, Brian disappeared. He's having a little bit of technical difficulties. He's trying to run the presentation and for some reason having some technical difficulty. So I see he's back, but I just wanted to acknowledge he disappeared and reappeared. Welcome back, Brian.
[00:17:45] Speaker A: I'm like a. I'm like a podcasting ninja. I just kind of.
[00:17:48] Speaker B: Just kind of pop in and out. Yeah. So, yeah, yeah. Okay. We have actually a question. Question of what scooter company do you recommend we used?
[00:17:58] Speaker C: Oh, shoot. Who did we use?
I'd have to look it up. I can't remember because I know who we used for the ship. We use Brevard Medical for the ship.
I can't remember. I'd have to look up who we used for or the day before the cruise.
[00:18:16] Speaker B: Nice. Okay. Okay. Oh, yeah. So you had different scooter companies?
[00:18:20] Speaker C: Yeah, we rented one for one day at the Grand Floridian there when we got there, and then we had a different one that was delivered to the ship.
[00:18:30] Speaker B: Gotcha. And the one you said the one for the ship, what was the name of that one?
[00:18:33] Speaker C: Brevard Medical.
[00:18:34] Speaker B: Brevard.
[00:18:35] Speaker C: So I contacted Special Services just to see who they recommended. Just, you know, how Disney has their recommended providers for Walt Disney World Resort. So I was like, well, I should see if they have something like that for Disney Cruise Line. Sure enough, they did, and we contacted them to see what the processes and prices were, and we ended up going with them.
[00:18:53] Speaker B: Nice. Nice. Okay, the pictures we're looking at. What are we looking at here? We're seeing.
[00:18:58] Speaker C: This is my first cruise with my sister. You can see we have our masks on there with Mickey, and we're social distanced.
It's definitely, you know, weird to see again. And. And to.
And the ship was at 50 capacity at that time, too. So I was very spoiled for my first cruise. There weren't really a lot of people around, and at that time, obviously, I was used to wearing a mask. There was no.
[00:19:19] Speaker A: Can I just. Can I just call it. Karen has a killer pirate costume.
Killer pirate costume, yeah.
[00:19:27] Speaker C: Thank you. And then our first trip to Castaway there, we did pretty much everything that day. So we got to. We went to the adult side and went to the tower and rode bikes the last two times. Didn't do as much on the island besides sort of snorkel. But this is pictures from my cruise with my son. And when we dressed up as characters, he's Jamie Tartt there. And we actually ran into Ted Lasso. There was an awesome. Another guest that was dressed up as Ted Lasso. And Jax went up to him and said hi, and he said something corny. You know, Ted Lasso. It was awesome. It was fantastic. It's a great memory.
[00:20:06] Speaker B: I love that. Yeah, I love it. And this is a great. I love the pirate makeup in this picture on the left. Karen. That's really fun. I love that you get into it. Awesome. All right, Brian, move to the next. Oh, there we go. That's from your next. With your son, too.
[00:20:22] Speaker A: The look again, for those at home listening to this afterwards through the podcast channel, like, you really need to head over to YouTube, check out the photos here. But, like, this. Is this a seal or something?
[00:20:34] Speaker C: I think it's a sea lion. Yeah.
Smiling.
[00:20:38] Speaker B: I.
[00:20:38] Speaker C: You know, it's one of those things. I wasn't expecting to have to buy the pictures. I thought maybe we'd be able to take our own. Sure enough, we couldn't. And I was surprised. Every single picture came out. Fantastic. I think I bought all of them. You know, where they're kissing our cheeks.
[00:20:54] Speaker B: And I would buy this picture for sure. Right. Like, if I had a picture of me and Nathan with the sea lion in between us making that face, I would totally be like, this is a. Take my money. Yeah.
[00:21:04] Speaker A: This is a memeable photo right here. I'm not sure what to mean it's great. Yeah.
[00:21:09] Speaker B: I love it. I love it, love it. Okay. I know. Sorry we skipped these.
This is when we had the technical difficulties and Karen was giving us her background. So this is at Poly, obviously. The pot sticker. Yeah. Love it. And is this at the new restaurant, the food on the right?
[00:21:25] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:21:26] Speaker A: Correct.
[00:21:26] Speaker C: Yeah. It's teriyaki chicken sliders, sweet potato fries, and macaroni salad.
[00:21:31] Speaker B: Yeah.
This is what happens when you sell out of Port Canaveral. You got to do a pre or post. I'm really excited. We are staying, actually, ourselves in April at the Grand Floridian. I want to put this out there. I've never stayed at the Grand Floridian. I've always dreamed of staying at Grand Flow. And so, like, the idea of. I mean, you could walk, obviously, to Poly or to Contemporary to get all of these other foods and whatnot, but I just can't. I just can't wait. So I got it. We got to show the picture of Grand Florida. And Brian, that's the next picture, I think. Look at this beautiful, accessible room.
[00:22:05] Speaker C: Yeah. Like I said, I was. I was really happy. It's. You know, it's. Can be a little difficult for her to getting out of tubs, so this was perfect.
And I think the colors are beautiful. I like the color scheme. We did find it to be a little bright, and I couldn't figure out maybe there was a way to make it a little bit less bright, a little bit like I was in a surgery room. Surgery sometimes. But, you know, obviously the location can't be beat, and having access to the monorail and whatnot was. Was great. So.
[00:22:36] Speaker B: Yeah. All right, well, let's. Let's talk about transportation to the port, because I know that that's. I think that's our next. Our next slide here.
[00:22:43] Speaker C: Yeah. So we ended up taking Disney transportation both ways. They were great. When we were waiting in the lobby, they saw that my mom needed some assistance, and they made sure she could sit in the front seat and, you know, first getting on and first getting, you know, last getting off sort of situation so that they could help her.
They're also really awesome. When we got to port, they got us a DCL wheelchair, just a manual wheelchair, and I pushed her on board, and that's where our scooter was. So in both ways, on the way out to. We were able to take the scooter off and then use one of the DCL wheelchairs to get her back to the bus. So that was seamless. It was awesome.
[00:23:24] Speaker B: Did that require any coordination with Special Services ahead of time, or did you just handle that right at the port and say, hey, we need a little bit of assistance?
[00:23:32] Speaker C: I don't think I did that through Special. Well, I think I did note that she had scooted through Special Services with the reservation. But as I was getting closer and maybe making adjustments to the reservation, like adding on the transportation, I did mention that she would need additional assistance getting on. And so that was noted.
[00:23:48] Speaker B: Okay, that's good to know. I mean, like, listen, we. These are, especially at a Port Canaveral, these are the kinds of things that are pretty seamless if you are able to note them ahead of time and probably not that difficult to do, even if you sort of forgotten to do it, because Port Canaveral is their well oiled machine as opposed to, you know, some of the other ports that might not run quite as smoothly. So that, I mean, it's another advantage, of course, to sailing on either the Wish or the Treasure or now the Fantasy as they're all sailing out of, out of Port Canaveral.
Here we've got. Is this the deck party?
[00:24:23] Speaker C: Yeah. So this is the vantage point from the accessible seating area. So again, that was something nice. You know, when they saw her, they, you know, escorted her there and we were right up on the side, right against the stage. So we had a great vantage point.
So again, I mean, like, they're just so kind and attentive and they see if you, you know, having mobility, you have mobility issues. Maybe they'll ask people about the elevators, like right after a show lets out or after a meal lets out to like, hey, can we get them on the elevator first? Because it is very difficult because you can't really fit many people on there if you have a scooter. So I really appreciated that, all that attention and assistance.
[00:25:00] Speaker B: Yeah. How did you feel about the Wish from an accessibility standpoint in general? We, we had, we did an entire show. So I don't want to, I'm not gonna talk about accessibility the entire show. But you had, you know, your mom being in a scooter, I think is. It's helpful information for people who are concerned about accessibility, particularly on the newer ships. Curious. You know, the elevators do seem, you know, kind of small. They're tight. Right. But you know, what did you feel about, you know, the hallways and elevators and other spaces in general?
[00:25:33] Speaker C: I think it was great. I mean, like I said, like, everyone was very kind. If there were any room attendants outside and they had their carts, they would make sure to move them to the side or move them around a corner by the elevators. I mean, we didn't really run into anybody. Any guests that were upset about her possibly getting on the elevator or having to wait for her. A lot of times I would sort of be the scout and sort of like, wait to see the light, you know, the light by the elevator bay and I'd run over there to see if there was anyone in it and hold the door for her. Because they closed really fast. I don't know if you noticed that, but I felt like they closed really fast.
[00:26:09] Speaker B: Yes, that's. I feel like an issue if you just have. Even if you're fast moving, but it's like a crowded, you know, area. Right. So if there's like a big crowd and you're like waiting, you don't know what elevator is going to pop up. Yeah, you have to, like, hold the elevator for people. People don't realize, like, these doors will close and they will close, like on your body. Like, I mean, they do reopen if they hit your body. But, like, it's still, you know, it's not the most gentle thing.
[00:26:37] Speaker C: Yeah, no. So that was it. Sort of, in my mind, sort of became a game to try, like, see if I can get to these elevators and, you know, shout for her. Not shout, but, you know, like, hey, this one's empty. Like, hurry, get in here. But yeah, I think overall, everyone knew what to do when they saw her at the restaurants, told her where to park her scooter. If she was nervous or that there was like a smaller space, they would take it into it for her. Just like they would do it like a park on the buses at the parks. So I give them two thumbs up. I thought it was great.
[00:27:06] Speaker A: I just want to shout out while we're here. I was playing this comic. We've always found the crew members and guests very congenial in the hallways. This is from Accessible Adventures with Andrew, who. We did an entire in depth show with Andrew and it was. It's. It's great. It's been our back catalog here on YouTube. If you want to know more about accessibility on the ships. It's a great, great show. So.
[00:27:25] Speaker B: Yes, yes.
[00:27:26] Speaker A: Thank you, Andrew.
[00:27:29] Speaker B: Yeah. So let's talk about some of the highlights across the cruise, obviously, like, because these help people understand, like, what are some great things about sailing on the wish. Brian, can you move to the next slide, please, for us?
I can try here. This is the room. So this is. This is an amazing room. Let me just put that out there. Tell Us what category this room is, because this is a fantastic room.
[00:27:55] Speaker C: You know, I'm not sure which category, but we were.
[00:27:57] Speaker B: Right.
[00:27:58] Speaker C: We were aft on deck seven, 7196. And so we had like a wedge shaped room. So our veranda was gigantic. We had two chase lounges and two chairs. And so. And you can see we had two doors to access the veranda as well. One that's a slider and one that is just like a regular door. Oh, slider. The regular door is the wheelchair accessible door. There's a little bit of a ramp you can get out.
[00:28:26] Speaker B: Right. Because the. The problem with the. The slider doors is they have that, like that lip that the scooter or wheelchair can't really go over or can't go over easily. Yeah, I know. We've got a couple more pictures of your room. This is beautiful. I know. This is a Cinderella state room. So this is. This is one of the themes. So this is. You know, obviously every ship has different. Well, the newer ships have different themes in the different rooms. You can't get a Cinderella room on the Treasure. I'm going just to put it out there. So.
[00:28:57] Speaker A: Yes. If your whole cruise is going to be made by this backdrop to your bed, then you cannot scale the Disney treasure.
[00:29:02] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:29:03] Speaker B: I mean, you. And you. If you want the blanket that says wish on it, you can't. Yeah. You can't get that. That blanket on the Treasure either. You get one that says the Treasure on it.
Yeah. Is it. He thinks It's a category 5C. Thanks, Ed. Appreciate that. Yeah. Love this room. But. Yeah. And. And actually Vanessa is jumping in saying, we like that stateroom, but on the Treasure, it only had one tv. Yeah. All right, well, one thing we will.
[00:29:33] Speaker C: Say, we were sort of surprised at the lack of drawers. There's just the one above the mini fridge. And I don't know if that's typical, the Wish, but we felt that there was a lack of drawers. We did have a lot of storage space, though. I think I had that maybe on the next slide, but I don't remember if that's next. It could be the bathroom.
[00:29:51] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, there it is. Yeah.
[00:29:53] Speaker C: Yeah. So you know basically that.
[00:29:55] Speaker B: Yeah, this is a wish treasure thing.
[00:29:58] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:29:58] Speaker B: Yeah. So the. There is so some. And the Treasure, they've done a little bit better with the cabinet space on the Wish. This is actually very good for the Wish, but that's because you had an accessible room, so you have more wall space. So they put more stuff on it. But in the Wish, we Found not quite enough storage space. It's fine because it's three and four night sailings, but if you were, you know, longer sailings and. But there is more cabinet and a hanging space than there is like, any kind of drawer space. And part of that is because that drawer at the. On the right hand side in that picture is the refrigerator versus having a regular refrigerator, a little mini fridge.
[00:30:36] Speaker A: They also. Just from a space issue, and they did not. They fixed. Fixed one of these things on the treasure, and they did not fix the other. The one thing they didn't fix is if you see these shelves here, they are barely the width of a paperback novel. Like. And so they hold very, very little, which is. It's just weird.
[00:30:53] Speaker B: Like, sunscreen is basically what you put on there. Yeah, yeah.
[00:30:56] Speaker A: Very, very shallow. It's very awkward. And then these corner shelves were like. Instead of being drawers, you were like. I remember the first time we were on the Wish, we were like, putting underwear and stuff. We had no place else.
They did fix this on the Treasure. I feel like they got rid of these shelves in favor of something.
[00:31:14] Speaker B: Depends on the room. Yeah, it depends on the room. Yeah, it depends on the room. So anyway, the. Yeah, the storage, I think is. Is. I mean, this is. This is great for storage, but I would say that's one. One area for drawback. But beautiful rooms. The furniture looks pretty. Right. Sorry.
[00:31:30] Speaker C: And there's still another cabinet too.
[00:31:32] Speaker B: Yeah. Oh, Tracy saying it holds a bottle of wine, and Ashley saying those shelves are for. Oh, I. Brian and I are doing this at the same time for many years. Yeah.
[00:31:43] Speaker A: Sam, just keep your fingers away from the comments.
[00:31:47] Speaker B: The reason you've seen comments like come back and forth is because we're both clicking.
[00:31:51] Speaker A: I'm revoking your privileges as a producer. All right, there we go.
[00:31:56] Speaker B: I love it. All right, Brian, let's get to the. Let's get to the next slide or set of slides, kids. Ah, here's the bathroom. Look at that bathroom. She's.
[00:32:05] Speaker C: Yeah, it was giant. And I, you know, I love. There was a good amount of space for us, you know, to spread out in there. And again, the accessible shower was key for us. So I was really happy that we. We decided to. To book this room. It was. It was. It was beautiful. I, you know, I can't fault it for sure. And these are just some of this. The nice pictures I took of the spaces when they were empty.
[00:32:27] Speaker B: Yeah. Let's talk about. This is the bayou and of course, the grand hall. Let's. What did think of I mean, obviously the. The grand hall is different.
It's, you know, similar. The. The grand hall and the Wish and the Treasure are. Are similar, meaning the layout is similar but with different decor. But what did you think about this in comparison to the older ships? Because obviously it's a very different concept, the grand hall versus the atrium. Not that they aren't like sort of the hub of the ship. They're all the hub of the ship. But this is very open. It's much bigger, it's got a stage. Right. It's a very different purpose built, I think, than what you see on the older ships.
[00:33:04] Speaker C: Yeah, I didn't spend too much time there because I didn't watch many of the shows or I don't. I'm not a huge character interaction person. But, you know, I did it. I did think it was gorgeous. I thought it was beautiful. I thought that they used the space while having all those activities there.
So, yeah, I enjoyed walking through it at different times a day to see how the chandelier looked and, and, you know, taking pictures of it when it was empty and free of people. But yeah, the carpet's gorgeous. I love that carpet. It.
[00:33:30] Speaker B: Yeah, absolutely. What a beautiful space. And that. I think the chandelier is. Is beautiful. I like the kiss good night. I've seen the one on the Treasure, but I like the one on the Wish better. I will put that out there.
[00:33:42] Speaker A: You know what? But just seeing these photos of the Wish does remind me, like, how like, different the two Grand Halls are.
[00:33:48] Speaker B: And like, so different.
[00:33:49] Speaker A: They're so different. And this is just so, so stark and so, you know, just stark and white and like. Yeah, it's.
[00:33:56] Speaker B: But it's like very. But it's beautiful.
[00:33:59] Speaker A: It's very.
Yeah.
[00:34:03] Speaker C: Castle Royal. You know, it gives you a feel for sure.
[00:34:06] Speaker B: Exactly. And same with the Bayou, right? The Bayou. This is this beautiful, like lily pad.
I would. Yeah, I would call it Lily Pad themed. Right. But the. The Bayou is the Bayou themed. Botiana themed. But like this, this banquet, this, this seating area is. Is so pretty, but very different than what we see on the Treasure. Whereas the super society.
[00:34:27] Speaker A: You know what I've noticed they added, which they did not have on the Wish originally, that came out with the Treasure for the drink menus. I'm pretty sure. I don't think they had these on the Wish when we sailed.
[00:34:36] Speaker B: Yeah, I wonder. Well, I think they're. Yeah, I think they must be fleet wide now, too.
[00:34:41] Speaker A: Part of their paperless effort. Maybe they could issue an iPad in every room to Give people the paper navigator. They so desperately.
[00:34:48] Speaker B: I love it. I love it. Oh, all right. Well, here. Look at this beautiful picture. This is you, Karen. And this is sweet.
[00:34:57] Speaker C: Yeah, I was having fun with my camera.
[00:35:00] Speaker B: Yeah, I love this little Titanic Y.
Hopefully went overboard.
[00:35:07] Speaker C: No, I did not.
And that was our view. So I, you know, I really. I thought it was beautiful. I thought it was a really nice to just see, you know, the ocean, the wake behind us.
[00:35:17] Speaker B: So absolutely gorgeous.
[00:35:20] Speaker C: That was a pre Paulo photo shoot.
[00:35:22] Speaker B: Ah, pre Paulo photo shoot. Well, let's get to that because I know you went to Paul. Oh, here is. Oh, no, this is in main dining. So let's. Yeah. Talk main dining first. Obviously you've got three rotational dining restaurants, all new from. When I say new from the. From the standpoint of the original four ships. Did not have Arendelle. Did not have 1923. Did not have Worlds of Marvel. What did you and your mom think of these new dining options?
[00:35:51] Speaker C: We thought the food was solid. This is actually my first time sitting with other people.
[00:35:57] Speaker B: Oh, interesting. Yeah.
[00:35:58] Speaker C: And I had requested a private table and walked into World of Marvel and lo and behold, there were four other people at my table. I'm like, oh, I had to adjust my. Adjust my expectations and my attitude, but it ended up being fine. I will say. I know recently you guys discussed how loud the dining rooms are, and I will say, yes, I felt like I was in a bar and I was yelling most of the time, unfortunately. So I'm not sure why. What. What's going on there, but I didn't really remember that from the dream.
Now granted, the first time I was on it was 50% capacity, but I don't remember that the second time. So I'm not sure why that is.
[00:36:37] Speaker A: But I think. I think part of it is like the addition of. It's like two restaurants with shows and one without, as opposed to two without and one. Yeah, I think that drive well, I guess. But on the older ships you do get Tiana's and Rapunzel's now. But I feel like that drives some of it. What's interesting is, is it was much less loud. I feel like on the Treasure. So like they got the memo, I feel like. And turn the volume down a bit in the two show aspect dining rooms on the Treasure. But I. So I don't know why they can't just unlock the little box and turn the volume down a couple notches on the Wish.
[00:37:09] Speaker B: But yeah, well, and I. I think that the. Yeah, I think that the Arendelle is the loudest, I think. And then with Marvel being not. Not too far behind, obviously. And then, of course, I think the layout, unfortunately, of 1923 just makes the volume of voices a little bit louder. Even though I don't think it's, like, it's not a loud restaurant, but I think just it's the way it's set up with all those walls, like, the sound is kind of bouncing within a little bit more than maybe in the other dining rooms on the other. But I think. I think, Brian, you're right, that it's. The show aspect is unfortunately the thing that makes it the loudest, particularly in Arendelle, it is just because the show is. Is throughout all of dinner and even Marvel and the Wish, which is the night one, Marvel on the Treasure, it is also very interrupting of dinner. And so it makes. When people want to continue talking, they talk over the show.
[00:38:06] Speaker A: Karen, what did you think? What did you and your mom think of the shows? Like, in Arendelle and Marvel?
[00:38:11] Speaker C: I didn't really get to enjoy them very much. I feel like between being seated at the table with other people who wanted to engage and also, like, the brightness of the lights at Arendelle, like, they were right in my eyes, so I couldn't really look at them very much. I enjoyed the singing and the music, but I couldn't really enjoy it visually. And as far as World of Marvel, again, I think there was just a little bit more distraction and I didn't really get what was going on.
So I sort of want to go back and do it again and just really sort of take my time to. To enjoy it and hopefully be seated by ourselves.
[00:38:52] Speaker B: Yeah, you know, I've heard of that more and more lately where people have asked to be seated. I feel like you used to hear if people asked to be seated alone, that it would almost all the time get honored. Right. Unless there was a mistake that was made. But it seems more and more that that request is not necessarily. And actually, I was reading in the concierge Facebook group that Karen Shelton runs that sort of inconsistent reports, even if you're selling concierge, as to whether or not you'll get a private table. So it seems. I mean, I think the message I like to tell people is if you want a private table, ask for it, put the request in. There's no guarantees that it will happen, but if you don't ask for it, you won't get it. And then occasionally, if you didn't get it when you, you know, at the time, you can Always try on board or go and try and verify that you got a private table if you put in a request, because sometimes they make that kind of magic happen on board, even if that request didn't go through from shoreside for whatever reason. Sometimes I think things are just lost in translation. But also there's times where you have a real like, specific reason for wanting a private table. And it's not just you want a quieter meal, but more like one of your family members who's sailing with you is, has a disability where interacting with, with new people is not, you know, comfortable for them. And so if you express those kinds of things, you're more likely to get those requests on there.
[00:40:24] Speaker A: Can I just call out Karen's description of I didn't really get it or I didn't really follow it. That's probably the title of the show in Worlds of Marvel for many, many people who see it.
[00:40:36] Speaker B: So anyway, yeah, I like it. But you have to really watch it though. Yeah, it is one of those shows like the Marvel show.
[00:40:43] Speaker A: It's one of the most overcontrived Marvel.
[00:40:46] Speaker B: Shows you'll ever see.
[00:40:47] Speaker A: It's cute and it has its cute moments. I don't want to integrate it.
[00:40:50] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, it's cute. It has its funny moments. But you do, unfortunately with that Marvel show, you really have to pay attention to it and it's not easy to because of how much is going on.
[00:41:00] Speaker A: Yeah, this is funny. Beth is saying, we wanted a table with people, but they set us alone.
[00:41:07] Speaker B: Here you go. Right?
Yeah. It's so weird. So weird. And then Linda's saying on the Wonder last year, they sat two couples together at a table and they didn't even look at each other. They had private tables. See, that's always like awkward. I'm like, if, you know, I, I'm of the mindset of like, okay, I, if I wanted a private table and I didn't get one, like, I'm, I'm just gonna make the best. Right.
[00:41:31] Speaker A: The most awkward moment we had was when we stood the 11 night Southern Caribbean and we were supposed to have our own table and they set us with this family.
[00:41:38] Speaker B: That's true.
[00:41:39] Speaker A: And, and, and they were super nice.
[00:41:41] Speaker B: But we ended up moving.
[00:41:42] Speaker A: But our travel companion on that, on that cruise was like, no, no, I want a private table. So we sat with his family for one night and then the next night we were sit by ourselves and we were, and we were told by the host like, oh, that family really enjoyed you. They really were hoping it was like, oh, this is going to get really awkward.
[00:41:57] Speaker B: They were so nice. But yeah, we did kind of. We just did want a private table. But yeah, it's just, you know.
[00:42:04] Speaker A: Are you listening to our show because you want to make the most out of your next vacation? Great news. The fabulous team over at My Path Unwinding Travel can help guide you so you don't miss a thing. Their team of professional travel advisors are caring, knowledgeable, and experienced. It's why we use them to book our own travel. My Path Unwinding Travel is an authorized Disney vacation planner, which means they are recognized by Disney for their expertise and service. They have sailed on all the Disney ships, including in concierge, visited the theme parks, adventured with Disney, relaxed at Aulani, and so much more. Whether it's a Disney cruise, a theme park vacation, or adventures by Disney, or if you are looking to expand beyond the mouse, My Path Unwinding Travel will elevate your next vacation planning experience. Even if you have already booked, reach out for a complimentary consultation to make your vacation even more magical. Ready to talk to the experts? Head over to mypathunwinding.com DCLDUO or email DCLDUOYpathunwinding.com so they know we sent you their way. Thanks My Path Unwinding, for sponsoring today's show. Now back to the episode.
Anyway, all right, let's keep going. Oh, more food.
[00:43:06] Speaker B: Yeah, more food. Okay, here we are at Paulo. So this is Paulo Steakhouse, and this is obviously brunch, because I can tell that's the antipasti and almond croissants, but both of which they don't have at dinner. But yeah. Tell us now, had you guys. Had you been to Palo before on the other ships?
[00:43:21] Speaker C: Yes, I'd been to Palo with my sister when we sailed together, so I'd done dinner there before. This is my first time at brunch, so I was really excited about it. And we had an awesome server who actually recommended that we skip the breakfast foods because he's like, eggs are eggs, you know, pancakes are pancakes. Try our other things, you know? So that's what we ended up doing and taking his recommendations. And I love almond anything. So when he put those down, I was super excited.
Still warm.
[00:43:48] Speaker A: So, yeah, his advice is wise. Wise beyond his ears.
[00:43:52] Speaker B: On point. Linda's saying, best almond croissant ever.
And, oh, and she's also saying that they just ask for cheese now. No meat or olives, which you can do, by the way. You can actually customize your antipasti. But I like, I Like, I don't eat the olives, but I like the meat and the cheese.
[00:44:09] Speaker A: I'm just gonna have to bring me as much Parmesan cheese as I can get next time.
[00:44:12] Speaker B: Yeah, but CT is saying, always trust your Apollo server. And that is the right answer. I will say I always skip the breakfast food because I. I'm with the server. I. Eggs or eggs. Like, I mean, I like a good egg, but I don't need. I don't need eggs or waffles that big. Mickey waffle, I will say, looks pretty. Pretty darn good. But. But Brian really likes the. What is it? The Eggs Florentine. Right, Brian? You like the. Yeah, things. But it has, like, smoked salmon or something in it. I forget.
[00:44:41] Speaker A: Might have mornay sauce on it instead of Bernays.
[00:44:43] Speaker B: I don't know. I'm not.
I'm not a Benedict person. Don't hate at me, people. I don't like the sauce. It's just. And I don't like my eggs poached. So. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah. Not. Not. Not for me. But like I said that Mickey waffle is the one thing that looked good. Brian, go to the next. Next slide.
[00:45:02] Speaker A: Yes, but before we do, Beth, I. I gotta. I gotta. I gotta disagree with you here. Not. Not that one. This comment. The apple cinnamon waffle. So good. Sorry, Linda. Got this here with you. Here, here.
I. I hate when they add the apple. I hate when they add the. They added the apple to the. What. What do you call the sticky bun?
[00:45:19] Speaker B: Sticky bun.
[00:45:19] Speaker A: Yeah, it just ruined it.
[00:45:21] Speaker C: It ruined it.
[00:45:21] Speaker B: Anyway, and then here's the pizza. I know, I know. We're gonna see the chicken parm on the next slide. Brian. Let's, let's.
[00:45:27] Speaker A: No, I just want to stare. Just for a longingly for one more second. Gorgonzola pizza. It's like a homer over here.
[00:45:33] Speaker B: I know, I know. So good. Oh, oh, and there's the chicken parm and the lasagna. I forgot that the lasagna was on. On this slide we left.
[00:45:43] Speaker C: Very cool. And with leftovers.
[00:45:46] Speaker A: Look at that. Bechamel sauce is lovingly draped on top of that lasagna. Oh, so good.
[00:45:50] Speaker B: So good. Oh, my God. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, it's funny, Karen Shelton is saying that because she and I are usually on the same food page, so she's shocked. I don't like a Benedict. Yeah, I'm not a Benedict person. Never.
[00:46:01] Speaker A: Karen, you're entering the dark world of Sam's strange food aversions.
[00:46:07] Speaker B: I love me an egg McMuffin. I'm just gonna put that out there. But I, but I like my. The egg is cooked through, right? I don't like the. I don't like. And I don't like the weird sauce on it. So. Yeah.
[00:46:18] Speaker A: All right. Oh, you're absolutely killing me.
[00:46:22] Speaker B: You're killing Brian now.
[00:46:24] Speaker A: Oh, the carrot cake.
[00:46:25] Speaker B: Oh, so this is dinner. Obviously. This is, this is, this is the, the, the. What do they call it?
[00:46:33] Speaker A: And tomato.
[00:46:34] Speaker B: That's it. I was trying to think. I was saying mozzarella, but that's the burrata. And then that's the yummy Caesar salad.
[00:46:39] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:46:41] Speaker B: And then Brian's favorite is that carrot cake. I'm all about that burrata. That burrata is fantastic. Yeah.
[00:46:46] Speaker C: The carrot cake was, I think, the best carrot cake we'd ever had. Just the ratio of cake to, you know, the cream cheese and everything was, was amazing. So.
[00:46:56] Speaker B: Yeah, that's, that's Brian's favorite dessert.
[00:46:58] Speaker A: And I love that they just add like a gently, you know, sliced piece of actual carrots.
Where's a healthy element here, you know.
[00:47:08] Speaker B: Vegetable on the plate.
[00:47:09] Speaker C: Trying to remind you. It's okay. There's. There's actual vegetables in here.
[00:47:13] Speaker B: Right here. Eating salad. Exactly. I love it.
[00:47:17] Speaker A: I love it. Oh, these are great pictures. For again, for those of you listening after, these are like. I mean, these are great photos of food. I'm. I'm like, I can almost taste it.
[00:47:25] Speaker B: I can. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, look at that view.
[00:47:29] Speaker C: Yeah, it was, it was beautiful. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And we had the steak server for brunch and for dinner. So that was, that was wonderful too. He was great.
[00:47:37] Speaker B: Love that. Which night did you miss for night? Pirate night. Okay. Yeah. So you had. Because you were on four nights and so that's like. Exactly. It's perfect that way. You didn't miss any of the three normal rotations. You just miss your pirate night and your. Whichever, you know, second night you're at another restaurant, which is. Yeah, yeah, no big deal. Yeah, that's what we always tell people. Like we tell folks, if you're on a three night, maybe don't do adult dining. If. Particularly if it's one of your first. If it's your first time on a ship, don't do adult dining on a three night sailing because you want to go to all the different rotational dining and try the different menus and you don't want to miss the shows. Right. But if you are on, you know, one that has pirate night and you're okay with missing out on pirate night. Yeah, that's when to do the adult dining or of course, on a longer sailing or if you've been on the ships multiple times.
[00:48:27] Speaker A: Yeah, I got, I got to say there's a little chat back and forth here about no souffle at Palo dinner. And you know, I got to say that carrot cake is like.
[00:48:36] Speaker B: Brian is a. Brian will. Oh, like he will choose that carrot cake over the sule any day. And I choose the amoretto souffle. Souffle. And I have no, no, no qualms about.
[00:48:48] Speaker A: I don't think they have that carrot cake in the Palo. I think it's specific to the Pao steakhouse menu that they have the carrot cake. I. I'm pretty sure I could be wrong.
[00:48:57] Speaker B: I don't remember.
[00:48:58] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Anyway, let's keep going. Let's keep going.
[00:49:01] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:49:02] Speaker A: Luna. What'd you think of Luna? What'd you think of Luna, Karen?
[00:49:05] Speaker C: You know, I know some people don't like that it's open to the walkways around there. It didn't bother me at all. I sort of liked that I could hear terrible singing from the.
[00:49:16] Speaker B: From Crown and karaoke. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:49:19] Speaker C: I mean, I thought, I thought it was sort of fun. I could get you to maybe bring you in if you had didn't know what was going on. I like it especially because I won some bingo money there too. So that was super exciting. Exciting.
And yeah, I thought it was a great space.
[00:49:34] Speaker B: Yeah, well. And you know, it's not my favorite entertainment space, but Sarabi on the Treasure is the same as Luna. So it's not like we've got a difference really between those two ships. And I think the, you know, a major difference is you don't have a D Lounge. Right. On the Wish or the Treasure. And so Luna or Sarabi becomes like sort of multi purpose. It becomes a family space for, you know, a lot of stuff during the day, but an adult space for a lot of the stuff at night. Night. And so it's. It's different than the other ships in that regard. But you also have the atrium space, the grand hall space as another sort of stage space, which I think is, you know, they do the who's behind the curtain and a couple of other things like in the grand hall that you would normally have in another ship in like a D lounge kind of a space or an azure or something like that. So like, I. I understand why they sort of went with this concept and it works better on the Wish and the Treasure than would have worked on the Dream or Fantasy or I think.
[00:50:36] Speaker A: What sold me on it was the Indiana Jones thing and Sarabi on the Treasure, like that. That was a really well done show production. And so I just don't recall something like that on the Wish. That really made me think, oh, this is a really great use of the stage with one exception, which is the finale of the Uncharted Adventure makes great use of this stage and the technology. So.
[00:50:59] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, that's a really good point. You know, we haven't talked about. I forgot to mention at the top of the show, the other one piece of news, because Uncharted Adventure is on the Wish. And it's been working as far as we hear with obviously, you know, glitches at times, but it had not been debuted on the Treasure. We heard it was on the preview sailings, and I believe Karen Shelton actually tried it. I remember her logging onto it when I was next to her, and it appeared to be working on the preview. And then on Maiden, it wasn't operable. Like, it was completely down. So it's. There was an email that went out to folks promoting the Uncharted Adventure on the Treasure. So either it's up and running or soon to be up and running. So I. I haven't heard confirmation from anyone on board, but if you're listening to this and you hear that it's. And you're on board and you. It is up and running, please let us know. I just would love confirmation on that.
All right. But, yeah, so, Luna, I think that's, you know, great to hear that you enjoyed the space, Brian. What. What have that next in the. In the slides?
[00:52:03] Speaker A: Bingo. Bingo. Bingo.
[00:52:06] Speaker C: It was the very first game and they had only called five numbers, so it was very exciting.
[00:52:11] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:52:13] Speaker C: Unfortunately, I had to share with somebody else too. So you.
[00:52:16] Speaker A: You won after five numbers were called?
[00:52:18] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:52:18] Speaker A: Oh, my God, it was crazy.
[00:52:22] Speaker C: Yeah. So it would have been close to $400 if. If the other person hadn't won. That would have been that nice.
[00:52:28] Speaker B: But I can't believe two people won with only five numbers. That's.
[00:52:32] Speaker C: I know.
[00:52:33] Speaker B: It was crazy. Yeah. And this is in. This is in that Triton's Lounge, which is like right next to the spa. And this is the same.
[00:52:41] Speaker A: No, no, the. The bingo is in. Is in, Luna. You can tell by the size of this.
[00:52:44] Speaker B: Oh, sorry, you're right. I'm looking at the picture. I'm thinking there. But yeah, I was like, that seems very empty for bingo. I was literally just about to say that seems very. No, that snow is more trivia. I bet it Is right. Yeah.
[00:52:54] Speaker C: We're on the balcony there. There. So that's why it looks.
[00:52:57] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:52:57] Speaker C: So you're up on the balcony. But yeah, we did a ton of trivia. I loved it. I actually did heard that. I don't know if you've done that before, but that was really fun.
I. You know, they were doing boy bands, and I was like, oh, God. I don't really know boy bands very well, but the one that they had for me to guess was Hansen. And the person across to me is probably like half my age. They had no idea.
[00:53:19] Speaker B: They never knew.
[00:53:21] Speaker C: Yeah, that's exactly what I'm.
[00:53:23] Speaker B: Because that's the only song that anyone knows from Hanson. Yeah.
[00:53:26] Speaker C: And then the Seinfeld theme song, too.
I was able to nail that.
[00:53:36] Speaker A: Nice.
[00:53:36] Speaker B: It's like.
[00:53:40] Speaker A: That is not it at all.
Nice try, Sam.
[00:53:47] Speaker B: It is. Here is the beautiful gym. Did you spend any time in the gym?
[00:53:51] Speaker C: I did treadmill there.
[00:53:54] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:53:54] Speaker C: Yeah. So I did bring some of my workout routines to my gym and did some. I think I was there. I was at the Floridian one day, and then I did, I think, three days at the gym on the Wish. I do have a side story here. The second morning, our first morning when I was on the bike, I actually looked out this porthole and there was somebody in the middle of the ocean on a paddle board by himself. Oh, my God. Yeah, it was a very interesting day. So there was a person that was 25 miles ahead, had probably paddled 25 miles from wherever he was coming from. We sent a boat out to check on him. He refused assistance, were to come on board. And then the Coast Guard came to get him.
He was paddling away from the Coast Guard as well. So it was a very dramatic day at sea. And so, I don't know. That doesn't happen very often, I'm sure. But it was a very unique and dramatic experience to see someone and just like I said, literally, a paddle board.
[00:54:54] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. I mean, nobody. You can't survive 25 miles away from shore. Right. Like, there's just, like, you're gonna tire out and you're not gonna survive. Like, that's just how it's going to be. And you're out in the Caribbean or Bahamian sun, too.
[00:55:11] Speaker C: Exactly. That's what I was like, wow, he's out here with no, like, no flies, nothing.
[00:55:17] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:55:19] Speaker C: So that was. That was definitely a unique experience that I'll always remember from this cruise. Yeah.
[00:55:23] Speaker B: Yeah. So I. I imag.
Did they send out one of, like, the Little lifeboats or whatever to his, I think.
[00:55:29] Speaker C: So I didn't see. See that happen, but, yeah, I was actually at Palo Brunch watching the Coast Guard interaction, which I felt a little strange about. Yeah, Eating very fancy lunch while this guy was having probably a very bad day.
But. Yeah.
[00:55:45] Speaker B: Well, we've got pictures here of Castaway Key. Of course.
Now you had been to Castaway Key before.
Any big changes since the last time? And what did you all get up to on cast? Passed away.
[00:55:56] Speaker C: We didn't really get too far onto the island, actually. You know, with. With the mobility issues. We just sort of plunked ourselves down at the first beach and I went snorkeling. That's something I do every time I'm there. And I just tried to explore parts of the. The snorkeling area that I hadn't seen before. And just as I was about to, you know, get out and be done for the day, I saw Stingray. And then I was like, okay, I'm gonna talk to, you know, someone on the beach and say, like, hey, you know, where can I see some more aquatic life? And. And they said, as far out go, that's probably the best place. So that's what I did. I swam back all the way to the back and. And saw a lot more fish.
[00:56:34] Speaker A: So.
[00:56:34] Speaker C: But that stingray scared me. Not expecting it. It was right underneath me. I was like, oh, gosh. Oh, wow.
[00:56:40] Speaker B: Yeah, it's. You know what? That's. I always tell people, like the cat. The snorkeling at Castaway is more about the stuff they have sunken in the. Than it is about the fish, you know, the wildlife. You don't really see a lot of it. You'll see like a few fish here and there, but like a lot of those really tiny minnows. So that's good to know that if you can. If you go further out in that. In the. The snorkeling area that you can see, you know, some more stuff. Oh, yeah, Linda's got this.
[00:57:06] Speaker A: Sam would never snorkel again.
[00:57:07] Speaker B: Yeah, he has a castmate key memory, which is not that long ago. Where. With the shark swimming by them and Serenity beach and I. Yeah, Brian is right, but I don't.
[00:57:16] Speaker A: And Nathan would never go within five miles of a beach again.
[00:57:18] Speaker B: Yeah, but I'll be honest. I don't go. I only like when I go in the ocean. Like, I don't go past where I can stand. Like, I'm not. I'm a. I'm actually a decent swimmer, but I just don't feel comfortable. And I don't want to touch sea life. Like, I like to look at sea life from a distance. I like snorkeling because I like to look at fish and. But more sea turtles. But I want to look at them from a healthy distance. Like I don't want them any closer than like 15ft. Like, I don't want them touching me. I'm. I'm the weirdo that doesn't.
[00:57:45] Speaker A: I'll just have you wear a snorkel mask to the aquarium. That's.
[00:57:48] Speaker B: Yeah, I would love that. That's perfect. I'll just put my face in. I don't even need to get in the pool with them.
[00:57:53] Speaker A: You like the Alani pool?
[00:57:55] Speaker B: I don't love the Aulani pool, the Alani snorkeling little like lagoon because it's. You're basically in the fish tank. So they're all around you. They're too close. I don't. I. I don't want to. Because I don't. Again, I don't want them to touch me. I don't want them to be touched by fish.
I don't know. It's a weird thing.
[00:58:11] Speaker A: There we go.
[00:58:12] Speaker B: All right. Well.
[00:58:13] Speaker A: Yeah. What. So how was the day of Castaway? Did you enjoy it and what did your mom think?
[00:58:18] Speaker C: She, you know, like being outside in the sun. She basically just napped while I did everything and I brought her food to her from cookies. So we enjoyed a lunch at our. Our Chase lounges there and just headed back. But yeah, it was a pretty low key day besides the snorkeling and just a little shopping and that was about it. So.
[00:58:36] Speaker A: Nice.
[00:58:37] Speaker B: Nice. Love that.
[00:58:38] Speaker A: All right, we are back at the beginning of the slideshow, which means I think it's time to kind of talk about the ultimate question here, which is, you know, we put this out as is the wish still worth it?
You know, And I think part of that is the treasure is now out sister class in the ship to rave reviews. And I think even we are guilty on this show of, of sort of starkly contrasting the treasure and the wish.
Maybe let me ask this, Karen. Who's the wish for? Like, who would you recommend go take a trip on the wish as opposed to, you know, Destiny's coming out soon. She'll be doing the four. Is it just four?
[00:59:16] Speaker B: Four, four and five.
[00:59:17] Speaker A: Four, five, four.
[00:59:18] Speaker B: It's four, five, five.
[00:59:20] Speaker A: And fantasy is going to. Is doing four or five rotations.
[00:59:23] Speaker B: Correct.
[00:59:24] Speaker A: So. And the dream is not. Is doing three nights, right? Three, four rotations.
[00:59:28] Speaker B: No they're doing. They're also doing four and occasionally with like a different stuff mixed in. But yeah, they're also doing. And Fantasy will obviously be doing Europe and so mix the Wishes.
[00:59:43] Speaker A: She stands alone here. She's the only one doing. She's the only sailings. Yeah.
[00:59:46] Speaker B: Doing three, four nights. The other ships, occasionally you'll see a three night sailing ever, you know, other than the adventure. Obviously Adventure is going to be doing three and four nights in Asia. But yeah, the Wish is the one that's. If you want to do a three night sailor selling reliably, the Wish is the most availability. But yeah, so yeah, who, who do you think the, the Wish really caters to and what kind of client would you recommend? I think to go on the Wish is really a great, a great way to put it.
[01:00:12] Speaker C: Yeah, for sure. I think someone who maybe has never cruised before and is looking for something shorter, just maybe if they're worried about getting sick or whatnot or whether or not they're going to like it. Definitely. If you have a child that loves princesses, I think this is definitely a big seller for them. You know, the rooms, the grand hall, all those aspects I think would be wonderful. If you have a child that really loves princesses.
Obviously if you don't have that much time to, to spare, you have to go this route. But I think also land and sea people that are doing Disney Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, I think it's a good combo.
You know, you can do easily do, you know, three, four days at the parks and then head out and do your three or four days on the ship.
[01:00:54] Speaker B: So yeah, you're right there. There are like for us when we go, we'll do a seven night cruise. We're like happy to spend like one day in a park. Right. We're like that's enough like Disney World for us is one day in, in like Epcot. Like that's, that is typically what it is if that maybe a half day in Epcot. Right.
[01:01:12] Speaker A: One ride on Guardians.
[01:01:13] Speaker B: Right.
[01:01:14] Speaker A: And a margarita from Mexico and let's.
[01:01:17] Speaker B: Be honest, two rides on Guardians. Oh yeah. Least one ride on Red. Maybe a ride on Frozen.
Nathan, I'll do Mission Space. We won't do that because we'll vomit. But like, you know, and yeah, but a couple of margaritas from Mexico and maybe eat around the world if it's like food and wine or some other festival. Right.
So yeah, but like that's a good point. There are a lot of people who are Disney Parks, people who like still like to cruise. But Parks is their first love and they want that four days at the parks. And so the three days at the on the cruise is kind of perfect. And oh, and Karen is saying, dare she say you can combine Universal too with epic universe coming along. Well, that's a great segue, Karen Shelton. Brian, why don't you tell people what's coming next week?
[01:02:03] Speaker A: Well, hold on, hold on.
[01:02:04] Speaker B: Wait.
[01:02:04] Speaker A: I, I don't, I don't want to shortcut this discussion.
[01:02:06] Speaker B: Okay. Okay. All right, well back to that.
[01:02:09] Speaker A: So yeah, so I just, we've been on the Treasure and the Wish, Sam. So like I think, I think Karen's spot on in terms of like who the Wish is.
[01:02:17] Speaker B: Oh yeah.
[01:02:18] Speaker A: For I actually someone commented on our social media say about like, you know, who can do a seven night cruise every time. I was like, well I think it's different for people who are flying in from out of Florida. And then you got to consider to Karen's point, like is the destination the theme park or is the destination to cruise?
[01:02:34] Speaker C: Right.
[01:02:34] Speaker A: And if the destination is the theme park and you want to try out a cruising, that's great. I think there's one other, I guess there's one other sort of situation I wanted to kind of run by you, Karen, which is like, I think that the Wish can be an entry into DCL at a lower total price point than some of the other cruises that are out there on a newer ship with some of the newer experiences and food and that kind of stuff. It used to be the case that you paid a per night premium for the shorter cruises. Like if you took a seven night sailing and divided it across the total cost, you'd be, you know, slightly less per night to sail the seven nights than the three. I don't think actually holding true anymore with Disney's pricing on the Treasure. But I haven't like done the full side by side comparison. But I would you agree like if, if you're just like, I don't know if Disney Cruising is for me or my family really wants to experience a Disney cruise, but I can't pay the price tag on the, on the trend Treasure. I think the Wish is a good compromise and it's a good way to get on there.
[01:03:29] Speaker C: Absolutely. I'd forgotten that point. I meant to bring that up too. I think it is a good, a good entry point and it's one of the newer ships which you know, the other, other ships are fantastic but you know, everybody thinks newer is better.
So I think, yeah, you're, I think you're spot on with that.
[01:03:43] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah.
[01:03:45] Speaker A: Say what, what would you say? What would get you back on the Wish? That's my question that I want to ask you. Like what would get you now? The treasures out there. The Destiny is coming, coming.
Like what's going to get you back on the Wish?
[01:03:56] Speaker C: I don't know because I'm actually booked for the Destiny next year.
[01:03:58] Speaker B: There you go. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. For me I would go back on the Wish if we can do like a ten night southern Caribbean.
Right. Like if it's, if, if like the wish gets a different itinerary. I guess the other, the other point is if it like fit in with something else, like some kind like a side to side, right. Like if I was going to do like a four night on the Fantas or five night on the Fantasy and I had enough time to fit in another cruise but you know, wanted to do something, you know, different ship. Like to me doing a side by side. I'm not sure I would do another back to back on the Wish. Like we've done, we did it twice or three times. I can't remember now. We did. That's actually how our, we juiced up our castaway status. Not. It wasn't necessarily intentionally. It just kind of worked out that way.
[01:04:49] Speaker A: No, it's intentional for me, but.
[01:04:51] Speaker B: Well, not for me. For me it was just kind of like, oh, we wanted to get on the new show ship and you know, we have a week, we're going to be there. So okay, we do that. But like I'm not sure I would do the back to back again because you just, you lose so much of the embarkation disembarkation day. But I do feel like if I wanted to hit two different ships and I had a week, you know, maybe I would do it that way. But I think more likely for me it would be like I'm going to Florida for something else and I only have, you know, three nights or I only have four nights. Okay. I would get on the Wish, but I don't know that I would travel from Seattle to Florida again for just that, you know, four night cruise, three night cruise.
[01:05:31] Speaker A: I'll be controversial and just simply say the only thing that's going to get me back on a wish is a dry docks.
[01:05:40] Speaker B: Listen, she's got. I, I have to put out there. I actually love Arendelle. It is a very loud restaurant. But I actually really love the show. I, I also like the, that, that scallop appetizer that was shown in the picture. With your mother, I love. I also really like the meatball. That's kind of like a Swedish meatball, but it's obviously Norway dish as a main in that in Arendelle. So there are some things I do really. There's also a really good s'mores dessert that's on the kids menu. Shout out to Tracy for, for finding this and ordering it. And then I ordered it and it's delicious. This is an arendelle as well. So like there are some that I like about the Wish that are kind of unique and I really like Nightingale. I think it's a beautiful piano bar and sort of cocktail bar.
But yeah, I think it would have to be the right itinerary unless I was going to be in, like I said, unless I was going to Florida for something else and had the time and so it just kind of fit. It would really need to be like a longer itinerary for me to get back on the Wish as opposed to going on the Treasure. Right. Or the Destiny.
[01:06:51] Speaker A: Here's the real test. As much as you say you liked Arendelle, if I told you that they were going to replace Coco on the Treasure with Arendelle, I think you would probably burn that ship to the ground.
[01:07:00] Speaker B: No, I wouldn't. Honestly, I, I think both are wonderful. Like, I really do. I honestly, I, I mean I do. I think Coco is better in some ways. Yes. But I actually, I like both of them. Like I think in. I do like, I, I like the food. I actually really like the food menu two in Coco. I didn't love the food menu one in Coco. So like there's, there's pluses and minuses and I love Oaken. So I think Oaken is the best character out of Frozen.
[01:07:31] Speaker A: So yeah, I would say the 11 night Southern Caribbean, if the Wish was doing it would get me back on. Except that I'd be so annoyed at the storage situation in the cabins for cruise of that length.
[01:07:41] Speaker B: Yeah, that's true. Yeah, the storage would be an issue. But yeah, I think that that's what would get me back on the Wish. I, I with. I'm with you though, Karen and Brian. I'm with you. I think the, the Wish is like a perfect starter ship for folks new to Disney Cruise Line. It's perfect for families where the who have kids who are really into princesses or adults who are really into princesses. Like that is. It is the perfect princess ship. It's a great wedding ship I think too because it's so elegant and beautiful. So I Think it's a perfect wedding ship if you're gonna, Most people don't want to do a seven night cruise for a wedding because they can't get all their family to come on for that long. Right. Whereas three night is easier.
You know, it's a great land and sea ship. So all of those things that we talked about, I think that that's, that's exactly right.
[01:08:31] Speaker A: Wes, I want to throw up your comment about someone's very skeptical about the Wish and still have criticisms after sailing or I still wouldn't completely avoid. I, I agree. Yeah, I totally agree. And like, I, I, I, I think we had a discussion. I was either on this show or the myriad of other shows we've been guesting on lately.
[01:08:45] Speaker B: Right.
[01:08:46] Speaker A: It's just, I really think that the wish class has redeemed itself. I think the wish really had a hill to climb. I think the treasure has pulled the whole class up, you know, that hill. But I, I, I think now you can kind of look back and see the merit of these ships a little bit. They still have their challenges. But I frankly don't know any ship out there that's like just perfect.
[01:09:07] Speaker B: Perfect in every way. Practically perfect in every way.
[01:09:10] Speaker A: Yeah.
[01:09:10] Speaker B: So, yeah. Like mar.
[01:09:12] Speaker A: All right, so now, Sam, you want to me to, you wanted me to. To tie Karen's comment about Universe, Karen Shelton's comment about Epic Universe to our future shows, which I can do. I can make that happen. Because for everyone out there, we always love to end the show by reminding you first, like, and subscribe to the podcast and to our YouTube channel. But we have more live shows coming. No break for us this time. So next week at our regular time, Monday nights, 5:30pm Pacific, 8:30pm Eastern, we will have the incomparable Seth Kaburski coming on the show to talk to us all about the unofficial God, Universal Orlando. And I'm sure that that conversation, he is going to have a lot to say about Epic Universe. And I can't wait to take notes because we may have an opportunity to like, you know, go see Epic Universe for a day in one of our upcoming cruises.
[01:10:00] Speaker B: Again. That's what we do. We do one theme park day, maybe two theme park days, and then we get on a ship because that's what.
[01:10:06] Speaker A: We do when we do it. It's like mic drop, visit, it's like VIP tour, show me everything and I'm out of here.
[01:10:11] Speaker B: I'm out. I'm in and out. Yeah. All right.
[01:10:13] Speaker A: And then I, but I do want to highlight for Folks, some other upcoming shows that we have that are going to be pretty special. So we've got coming on on March 10, which is next Monday. Week later, Sam is going to be on with Christine Wilson talking more about the Wish, I think it is or adult Adults only on the Wish.
[01:10:32] Speaker B: Yes, adults only on the wish. And get this special teaser port upgrade to concierge.
[01:10:38] Speaker A: Ooh, amazing. I will be not on that show because I will be at a conference, a week long war conference. But Sam is gonna have fantastic show for you.
[01:10:47] Speaker B: He will be drinking margaritas on a beach.
[01:10:49] Speaker A: I will not be drinking margaritas on a beach. Sitting in a windowless conference room at a resort.
And then the show after that I'm also really excited about because I think we're having.
[01:11:00] Speaker B: Yes.
[01:11:01] Speaker A: Emily back.
[01:11:01] Speaker B: Yes.
Yeah. Emily Carlson from We do travel. Right. She is, she just got off the Treasure like a week ago and so she's gonna come back and she, she hadn't been on the Treasure since the preview cruise that I, she and I were on at the same time.
[01:11:16] Speaker A: So and, and special alert that is the kickoff for season six of the TCL2O podcast.
[01:11:24] Speaker B: Oh my goodness.
[01:11:25] Speaker A: So that starts season six and then the last show of this month. I, I, I am excited for this one because we haven't talked to her in a while. We will have Rebecca now ABD Guide.
[01:11:34] Speaker B: Rebecca, formerly entertainment cast on yeah, Rebecca.
[01:11:40] Speaker A: We loved having Rebecca on and we can't wait to hear about her journey as an Adventures by Disney Guide. And so she is going to be on at the end of this month and really excited to have her. So we got a full slate of shows for March. We got even more coming in April with with rescheduling Danny coming on and some some great show ideas. So please stay tuned. Mark your calendars Monday nights, 5:30pm Pacific, 8:30pm Eastern. Sam.
[01:12:00] Speaker B: Yes. We have to we got to tell people though how they can contact Karen. Karen Luster.
Yeah. If they want to book their next Disney vacation, their next cruise, their next any other kind of vacation that that Karen books as well at my Path Unwind and Karen tell folks how they can find you and contact contact you.
[01:12:19] Speaker C: So I'm both on Instagram and Facebook. On Instagram my handle is My Path Unwinding Travel Karen. And then on Facebook it's My Path Unwinding Travel Karen Luster. You can also email me at
[email protected] awesome.
[01:12:35] Speaker B: Thank you so much Karen. We so appreciate having you on. We hope you'll join us again maybe after your next DCL cruise.
[01:12:42] Speaker C: That'd be great. Thank you.
[01:12:48] Speaker A: Well, thanks everyone out there for listening this week. We really, really appreciate it. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast. You can keep getting great content from us every week. In fact, twice a week we publish shows. So be sure to hit the subscribe button to get all of those great episodes. And if you want to watch us live, we have a live show now every week, Monday nights, 5:30pm Pacific, 8:30pm Eastern over on YouTube.com DCLDUO so be sure to head over and check that out. If you want to help support the show, be sure to hit those five stars on Apple Podcasts. And if you leave us a written review, a five star written review, we will read it at the top of one of our main episodes. So please head over there and hit those five stars. Of course you can also help support the show by supporting our fabulous show sponsor, My Path Unwinding Travel. You want to book your next Disney vacation? Head over to mypathunwinding.com dclduo or email them at dclduomypathunwinding.com so they know we sent you their way. If you've got got questions or you'd like to connect with us, the best way to do that is to head over to DCLDuo.com it's got links to all of our things. Full catalog of the podcast episodes including a searchable catalog for the podcast. Links off to our vlog, a link to our Etsy store where we sell some fun fan inspired magnets. Link to our Patreon. If you'd like to help directly support the show each and every month, just head over to the website or patreon.com DCLDUO Also, as a way for you to sign up for our Substack News newsletter that we're hoping to start really pumping out monthly here, at least on a few blog articles that we've written. So DCLDUO.com is the best way to connect with us. You can also of course email
[email protected] or reach out to us on our voicemail line at 402-413-5590. That's 402-413-5590. The DCL Duo podcast is not affiliated with Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Company or the Disney family of theme parks. The views expressed on the show are solely those of the individuals on the podcast and in no way reflective views the Disney Company or Disney Cruise Line. If you have questions about a Disney Cruise or Disney vacation, please contact the great folks over at my Path Unwinding Travel or Disney directly, or your own travel agent. Thanks again for listening, and we'll see you next time for another fabulous adventure with the DCL duo.
