Hi Heather,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I am thrilled to greet a fellow North Carolinian, especially one who brings such seaworthy questions! Since I have not sailed on the Disney Dream, I checked with some of my fellow Moms Panelists to get you the best information.
Before you depart, you definitely need to party with Mickey Mouse and friends at
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. As long as there is a party the night before your cruise, you can shake it until the park closes. When the dates are released for 2018, check them to see if there will be a party the night prior to your cruise departure.
For December 2017, the dates are December 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 22. Even though Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party starts at 7:00 p.m., my experience has been that guests with party tickets can enter the park as early as 4:00 p.m. Be sure to also review the
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Dining options. You definitely want to make a dining reservation. Cinderella's Royal Table is simply magical!
If you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel and need transportation to the cruise terminal, be sure to inquire about the optional Disney Cruise Line ground transfers. With this service, you can send your checked bags to the ship on the morning of your departure and just keep your carry-on bags with you.
Before you know it, you will be waving bon voyage to those of us left behind when you embark on the Disney Dream.
Heather, if you have more specific cruise questions, check with one of this year's cruise specialists, Beth, Marcy or Nancy!
Magic, memories and Minnie Mouse hugs,
Donyell