Disney Magic at Sea on the Disney Wonder - Part 2 of 4
DISNEY SAIL-A-WAVE PARTY 
Mmm, I may have attended a sailaway party or two in my time, but have never been to a Sail-a-Wave Party before in my cruising history, and this party was impressive. It happens midship on the top two decks of the vessel, on Goofy's Family Pool, yes you read right, ON the pool (the pool has a retractable floor that goes over the top for all deck parties and converts to an extended part of the deck), it is located directly under the Funnel Vision, the big screen. It's an interactive deck party extravanganza with lively music to jumpstart the cruise.
Of course you would easily think the Sail-a-Wave Party on Disney is geared to the kids and yeah, you are probably right, I mean all the familiar faces of Mickey & Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald are there, but adults get just as much involved as the kids.
It's a must to be up on deck, as you also get to experience the official countdown to the cruise starting with the mighty roar of the Disney Wonder's magical horn - "When You Wish Upon a Star" the Pinocchio classic.
DISNEY'S ROTATIONAL RESTAURANT DINING
Alot happens on Disney Cruise Line ships that literally don't happen on any other cruise line, and you know what, it works.... Rotational Dining I hear you ask, well it is the way of making sure that all guests get to enjoy each of the 3 themed dining venues while onboard the Disney Wonder. When you board the ship, on the Navigator App you will recieve your restaurant schedule and table number. Then each evening you and your tablemates will rotate to a different restaurant. As you change restaurant each evening, your table staff change with you so that familarity stays the same each night while you get to experience a different and unique atmosphere each evening.
Night 1 of our cruise we dined at the innovative dinner show Animators Palate. As you walk into the restaurant you are greeted with famous character drawings as you enter into a room of Black and White with little hints of pale colours and picture frames on every wall, which end up actually being large TV screens surrounding the entire perimeter of the room. As the night progresses the room gradually changes into a sea of bright colours. As you sit down at your table, you are greeted by your servers, whom not only hand you your dinner menu but they explain the placemat in front of you and the textas spread across the table. Everyone is asked to try your hand at creating your own character, it can be whatever you wish and then are asked to wait and watch in wonder as your creation will later come to life. Later in the dining seating, you will never believe your eyes!
Night 2 of our cruise we dined at Tiana's Place and were transformed to a New Orleans style party for some tradtional southern style cooking and dinner celebration with live Jazz music. Tiana's Place is inspired by the movie 'The Princess and the Frog', I'm not going to lie, I had never seen this movie until a few weeks before I sailed, but I am so glad I made the kids sit down and watch it with me, because it all made sense, we are all transformed into Tiana's very own restaurant.
When you are seated at your table every passenger will recieve coloured beaded necklaces to wear to get you into the story. Throughout your meal, The Crawfish Crooners entertain you and Princess Tiana whom is your hostess, visits every single table in the restaurant to thank you personally to come and dine with her. We had met Princess Tiana the morning of our dinner reservation and mentioned it too her at the time, when she got to our table, she remembered Callum and Elliana and told them she hoped they had had a wonderful day since she saw them and that they were enjoying her food. It's the little personal touches like that, that make a persons day.
Towards the end of the evening, everyone is encouraged to dance off your meal as the party takes place and the Conga line and Limbo begins, the best way to end this meal.
Night 3 of our cruise we dined in Triton's Restaurant, which was the same restaurant the Ala Carte Breakfast was served each morning, so we were well aware of this restaurant before our night in this restaurant. It is the most formal of the 3 rotational restaurants and doesn't include a show or interaction. The Restaurant named after Ariel's father King Triton from The Little Mermaid and the decor creates a feeling of being under the sea with not-so-subtle nods to the film can be spotted throughout the dining room.
FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD
Food onboard Disney Wonder like most cruise lines is literally endless. From the traditional dinner dining rotation you have just read about above. There is Cabanas, the onboard buffet open for Breakfast & Lunch, which included an all you could eat seafood section for lunch. There are a number of additional casual dining venues available for Lunch through until the late evening, up on the open pool deck. Daisy's de lites which is for those passengers wanting a well-balanced yet delicious meal, you can choose from freshly made salads, wraps, sandwiches and fruit. Pete's Boiler Bites which are tasty American fare treats with Kebabs, Tacos, Burgers and Hot Dogs, great for a quick meal anytime. Pinocchio's Pizzeria will have you savouring for a slice of some amazing pizzas at sea.
When onboard Disney Wonder, in the 3 main dining restaurants, the kids meals will always be served each of their meals on the special Mickey Mouse Plate, their Mac & Cheese was a very popular dinner choice with a certain little lady in our family (said it was nicest in Animators Palate and Tiana's Place). At breakfast be sure to grab the Mickey Waffles, which are on the 'Kids of all ages" menu selection and a must to try onboard are the Beignets, you will find these on the dessert menu in Tiana's Place, or also outside in the French Quarter Lounge during the day. They are a deep-fried choux pastry fritter that was served with hot chocolate sauce, mmm a chefs kiss.
Room Service is complimentary onboard (for most things except alcohol), but it is custom to make sure to tip the waitstaff whom brings your meal to the cabin. We were a little disappointed as we were looking forward to ordering the all important Mickey Ear Ice Creams through the secret Room Service Menu, but they didn't have any onboard at the current time, so they delivered mini Magnums. Yeah they were ok, but we can get those from Woolworths. We did get the Choc Chip cookies and they were soft, yet crunchy at the same time.
Ice Cream, Ice Cream, Ice Cream - Soft Serve Ice Cream is available pretty much all the time onboard, up on the pool deck at Eye Scream, definitely a popular choice with kids both big and small. Lets just say, when you can access it yourself (perfect height for little kids) you start to get some interesting shapes being served up.
In the adults only area, is Cove Cafe, this is definitely a must for everyone (over 18yrs old) to go and visit when onboard. No only do they serve delicious pastries, but your coffees come delivered with a little extra flare. It also has an inviting seating area that beckons you to come on in, relax with a moment to yourself over looking the adults only pool, or pick up one of the books you will find around the room.
Keep posted for Part 3 of the Disney Magic at Sea Blog for details on Disney character experiences & parties, Disney Kids Clubs and being a Princess for the day (or 2 if your hair can be kept immaculate) at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.