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Winding down from Walt Disney World, Florida’s newest openings on a Caribbean cruise makes for a well-balanced holiday, as Claire Dodd discovers on a Disney Cruise & Stay
I’ve been at Disney’s Hollywood Studios mere minutes when I hear a crackly voice say: “You need to come with us.”
My heart stops. Six stormtroopers stand right behind me. But thank goodness, they’re not talking to me. Instead, they lead away a guest who looks pretty pleased about the encounter. As more of the white-suited soldiers patrol the pathways surrounding the park’s new Star Wars Launch Bay attraction, I’m relieved to see a Jedi teaching kids lightsaber skills further away. It looks as though the Force is strong here in Orlando.
Fast forward a few days and I’m surrounded by pirates on the high seas. “You’re not going to the pirate party, are you?” I look myself up and down guiltily. It’s pirate night aboard Disney Dream and the lift I’ve just stepped into is crammed
full of guests in eye-patches, striped tops and eyeliner beards. Music from Pirates of the Caribbean plays overhead.
Tonight, there’ll be an epic firework show from the top deck, while Jack Sparrow swings from the funnels. But I’m on my way to dinner at the ship’s fanciest restaurant, the five-star-plus Palo. I’m dressed up – just not in quite the same way.
It’s for these reasons – the chance for immersive character experiences as well as contrasting adrenaline-filled adventures with the relaxed and refined – that I’m here; to test out what I’m told is the “ultimate” Disney experience, a combined land and sea holiday.
My visit has come at a pivotal time for Walt Disney World, Florida. Having just opened several major new attractions, the company has also just announced opening dates for its new expansion of the Animal Kingdom Park, with Pandora – The World of Avatar, due in May 2017, and the new Star Wars-themed lands at Hollywood Studios (and Disneyland, California), due in 2019. According to Disney, the Star Wars-themed lands are the largest, single-themed land expansions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Star Wars Launch Bay is just the start.
I’m spending four nights at Walt Disney World, followed by a three-night cruise to the Bahamas, including Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Guests looking for a Cruise & Stay package can combine seven nights at Walt Disney World with a cruise of up to seven nights to destinations such as the Caribbean.
So what’s new? Frozen fans, rejoice! Epcot’s World Showcase has a new surprise in the “Norway” area. A gentle boat ride on the new Frozen Ever After attraction takes me through the much-loved film’s key moments. As Elsa belts out Let it Go, my boat dramatically turns and rushes backwards into a snowy world and it’s hard not to be swept away.
Meanwhile, at Hollywood Studios, Star Wars fans can enjoy a new seven-hour guided tour of all its current attractions, including character greetings, themed dining, ride experiences, insider’s tours and a VIP viewing of the new daily fireworks show, Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.
As the lights dim for the show, lasers fill the air as images and sound clips from all the films are projected on to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre while fireworks light the sky. I won’t ruin the grand finale for you, but it’s epic.
For all parks, I can’t stress enough the advantages of adding a FastPass+ to your client’s booking. The pass lets them pick three attractions a day (bookable up to 60 days before arrival if staying at a Disney property) where they can skip the queue, freeing up time to explore. Downloading the parks and cruise line apps (which include maps and activity lists, and can store any ride photos) are a big help too.
After all the rollercoasters and attractions, I’m excited to be heading for a relaxing few days aboard Disney Dream. Port Canaveral is just an hour from Walt Disney World, with coach services that take customers from hotel to ship, and staggered boarding means there are no boarding crowds. It’s a breeze.
For parents, the ship is a great place to kick back. Disney Dream youth activities manager Natalie says: “The kids have some of the best spaces on the ship. They come here and don’t want to leave. We have princess visits, where they read a bedtime story. We have an army boot camp to be a Toy Story solider. There’s baking and crafts. They love it.”
Open until midnight, the main kids’ club for ages 3-12 features a replica of the Millennium Falcon, a giant iPad interactive floor and a replica of Andy’s Toy Story room, among others. There’s also a nursery for babies, and Vibe, a nightclub-styled space for teens, plus teen exclusive port experiences on Castaway Cay.
Docking at this paradise island is my cue to head to the adults-only beach, Serenity Bay. After a massage in a spa cabana, I decide to explore the island by kayak. For around £55, this three-hour port experience takes you to a private beach to kayak through ancient mangroves.
“Yes, there, to the left. Just past that conch shell. See it?” asks our guide, Leonard. The tide is going out fast, and the water is shallow, meaning there’s a perfect view of this intricate little ecosystem, including fish and a giant orange starfish. And as I paddle back to shore, my view is just pink-hued conch shells dotting the white sand and blue seas stretching to a faraway island.
From rollercoaster thrills to feeling like a desert island castaway, it’s certainly been a week of contrasts and adventure. And at the end of my trip, here on Castaway Cay I couldn’t feel more relaxed, which is surely what a good holiday is all about.
Book it: A seven-night Disney Cruise & Stay package, including four nights at the All-Star Music Resort at Walt Disney World, Florida and the three-night Bahamas Cruise on Disney Dream, costs from £1,455pp, with Virgin Atlantic Gatwick flights. Price is based on two adults and two children travelling on September 8, 2017.
Follow Claire's adventure in the video of her trip here
