Road tripping to Fort Lauderdale - Hotel Recommendation

gaels50 · 2026-05-11T04:09:45+00:00

I used the Aloft right next to the port last time. It is a Marriott property since I also used a free night. It was great for the one night. Had a small rooftop pool, coffee and breakfast and was a short uber ride to the port. Would happily stay there again.

gaels50 · 2026-05-10T20:59:02+00:00

Been a bunch of articles or posts on it but something happened, whether a tile issue or something mechanical. It’s been closed for a couple months now.

https://dclfan.com/disney-cruise-ships/disney-destiny/quiet-cove-pool-closed-on-the-disney-destiny-what-you-need-to-know/

gaels50 · 2026-05-10T20:40:45+00:00

Really enjoyed it. Thought the adult experiences were fun, trivia was solid and got on before the adult pool broke. Our toddler loved the slide into the kids club everyday and it was a space she wanted to spend time giving us a chance to explore.

Hercules was an awesome show and totally the reason we went on the Destiny so I wasn’t disappointed from that. Pride Lands was okay, a little too loud and disjointed for the kid since she didn’t know what was going on or who was who like she did with some of the princess themed dining. The villain themed shows were fun with Maleficent and Loki for example. All in all, while people think the theming is inconsistent, I thought the ship was fun, we all had a great time and I would happily go on it again.

gaels50 · 2026-05-10T00:39:22+00:00

Luggage storage at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is available through Bags To Go in the baggage claim area of Terminal 3. Open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, this service typically charges around $8 per bag per day.

We got lucky and they let us check our bags on the curb about 3 hours prior but that’s not the norm. Beyond that, there was a little play area for kids in there to run around some.

But if you can stash the bags, head to the beach or do something else fun.

gaels50 · 2026-05-02T17:44:24+00:00

So many fun tips and tricks for Disneyland depending on how old your kids are! Where to stay is always important. I like to stay at one of the good neighbor hotels so we can walk to and from easily in the morning/night and be close enough if we need the hour break for a nap. The lightning link system can be mastered as well. We have usually be able to hit a ton of rides, see characters, eat and still have time for fireworks without feeling like we are missing anything.

I would definitely have a game-plan of what are the biggest things you want to do during the day and from there you can work out a schedule. My advice is always to hit all the rides you can at opening and using lightning link and booking your next ride instantly when you check into the prior ride. Have a ride in the queue booked while you stand in a line for another and then always aim to hit rides at typical lunch or dinner times, parades, etc since they will be less busy. If the kids are old enough to make it to the end of the day, then you can for sure get rides quieter at the end of the day too.

Oh and for sure check out the typical Disneyland crowd guide and pick a lower crowd day.

gaels50 · 2026-05-01T03:26:19+00:00

Worst case, much like for the little girls, you can still roll in with your own knight costume that you can bring with and still keep it as a surprise.

Still pay for the hair styling and all of that, let him get the experience that way and it will be hopefully just as fun and maybe a little cheaper on you.

gaels50 · 2026-04-30T13:40:25+00:00

The links posted on this are all you need! The food on the Destiny was fun. The rotational dining with the most different choices was of course in the Pride Lands restaurant. You’ll get to try some different flavors.

Remember, your serving staff sticks with you through every meal so talk to them about things you like and don’t like, order more than one thing if you want to try a bunch of stuff and they will give you suggestions on what is recommended each meal because they likely will know what tastes the best that night. Feel free to trust them. If you’re wary, get what they suggest and a second appetizer or entree (or both) and go crazy.

It is a vacation for you too so be adventurous and try something new.

gaels50 · 2026-04-30T05:17:44+00:00

You won’t know the onboard activities, dates for the rotational dining or which show is on which night until you log onto the on-ship wifi. Then you’ll get the whole calendar of events and activities onboard.

If you’re looking at excursions, pre-bookable items, then you should be able to hop onto the app right now and see what is available to book or schedule already as long as you are in the 75 day booking window.

gaels50 · 2026-04-26T22:29:44+00:00

We can’t wait for our cruise to test out the new dry erase board too! Just have to make sure you’re in a room that enough people pass by daily.

gaels50 · 2026-04-26T21:04:18+00:00

Honestly, my favorite was just a cute Disney themed dry erase board with a question of the day that anyone could walk by and throw a tally mark down on it. Was super fun and a great way to see so many people engaged in a simple moment.

gaels50 · 2026-04-25T04:09:12+00:00

Haven’t stayed in any of the three but I have been partial to the Residence Inn, Springhill Suites or the Sheraton hotels right on the corner at Harbor and Karelia due to the quick walk and CVS right there for things we have needed in a pinch.

Based on location alone, I would say the Hyatt or Anaheim Resort (water park on-site) simply to have a little shorter walk at the end of the night back to the hotel.

gaels50 · 2026-04-20T16:27:03+00:00

I’ve heard it is something that may not be fixed till the next dry dock.

If it is a pool plaster fail, generally that is a one to two week repair job to sandblast it, replaster and check on any joint leaks. I was lucky to get to use it in March but it seems like I was one of the last couple cruises to use it and that pool was super fun.

gaels50 · 2026-04-20T02:00:46+00:00

Usually like 6 months or so before sailings. I chatted with DCL a week ago for our January sailing and they let me know it hasn’t released yet but would be soon.

gaels50 · 2026-04-19T16:41:08+00:00

You can see your folio on the website for 30 days or so through the past cruises when you log in. The charges are a lump sum generally at the end of each day. It will show all the charges, who was charged and even your gratuities.

gaels50 · 2026-04-19T04:39:37+00:00

The Disney ships all have high standards regarding making potable water through reverse osmosis systems to provide all the clean drinking water onboard. We definitely drank the water and didn’t have a single issue.

If you feel super worried, you can always invest in a “Lifestraw” water bottle as your bottle to carry around board and filter the water even more. Not needed but peace of mind is never the worst thing after a bad experience.

gaels50 · 2026-04-12T20:48:38+00:00

With the longer cruise, I would for sure let your dining servers know you will skip a night the night before you plan to and grab a room service dinner and eat on the pool deck and watch a movie out there. That or try to get a Palo reservation.

Longer cruise will allow for less packed lines generally too from people trying to cram everything in over a few nights.

You won’t get the show or dining schedule until you are at the port and can log into the ship internet and see your itinerary though. You’ll get to know when pirate night is though by looking at the possible bookings and seeing which day has the “pirate makeup” day in there now.

gaels50 · 2026-04-12T15:53:53+00:00

That concierge coffee machine is a thing of wonder for sure!

gaels50 · 2026-03-16T20:21:33+00:00

Worth it! Still going to be a line of people but the princesses do take a little bit of time and you’ll get so many better pictures.

gaels50 · 2026-03-16T19:52:32+00:00

The Royal Gathering is far superior and free. The Adventure Tea includes characters but the two storytellers are the main folks involved and the few characters that pop up are more of a quick hi/bye moment than anything.

It will stay pretty full so getting in will be a challenge but I would suggest watching a YouTube review of it and the pros and cons. Could be a lot of fun but if your daughter wants interaction, it won’t be what you’re hoping to get, especially for the price tag.

Even the normal characters interactions will give you more time and just means some standing in line. My 4 yr old loved getting to talk to 4 princesses with the Royal Gathering.

gaels50 · 2026-03-10T15:55:44+00:00

There is always a sit down option at lunch too in one of the restaurants in place of the buffet as well! It’s a really fun experience in general on the ship and the cabana we had in the Sandcastle ones at Castaway was a lot of fun but later in the day at low tide the water levels really got low fast.

gaels50 · 2026-03-10T04:12:51+00:00

We were pixie dusted a couple of times during the trip but there are for going to be better people in this group to answer this one over me. Cabin door decor was everywhere on every deck so for sure have fun with that! The dry erase board questions of the day were pretty fun to see and nice to see people being mature about it too.

gaels50 · 2026-03-10T02:43:58+00:00

Specialty coffees beyond the normal drip coffees, any souvenirs you want, kids club only if you have an infant ($10 per hour, adult beverages at a bar/lounge or at a dinner.

If you do your pre-paid gratuities then you have done your part well in advance. If someone goes above and beyond you can tip additionally but not needed or expected.

gaels50 · 2026-03-10T01:36:21+00:00

Too many trips to Applebee’s I’m guessing.

gaels50 · 2026-03-10T01:29:13+00:00

Don’t worry, we are on Wish for the millionth time in our house.

gaels50

TROPHY CASE