Welcome back, Amy! My family and I have enjoyed a few
Very Merrytime Cruises with Disney, and though we each have our own favorite activities, one that we have all agreed upon each time was the Family Gingerbread House Making event in Animator's Palate. This typically only happens once on the cruise, and you'll need to reserve a spot as soon as you board the ship, as availability is limited. When you receive your very first Personal Navigator as you check in at the port and board the ship, flip through it and look under the
More To Enjoy While Onboard section, usually on the back page, to see if this event is offered. Then head straight to Guest Services to sign up! They can then give you information about the exact day and time that it's offered on your cruise.
It really is a lot of fun! The Head Pastry Chef on the ship will walk everyone through the process step by step in person, with a camera set up overhead so you can see the details on a larger screen as he assembles his house, even if you're seated at a table that is back a bit. We've seen some really creative houses from other guests! Some decorated based on their favorite hometown football teams, others wrote their family name in icing on the roof, and others simply went candy-wild with as much as they could fit on the house! Just be aware that you'll need to nibble at the house as you sail, if you intend on eating it because you will not be able to take it home with you. U.S. Customs does not allow opened food items like this to leave the ship. That's okay though, as we've really enjoyed it being more of a decoration (a heavenly smelling one at that!) in our stateroom during our cruise. It's really more about the experience of making the gingerbread house than taking it home anyway!
Have fun creating your perfect gingerbread house, Amy!
Marcy