We parked at Port Canaveral virtually a stones throw from the ship. We normally stay at the Radisson Resort the night before the cruise and leave the car there and use their shuttle. This trip we also sailed on the Allure (Royal Caribbean), we got off the Allure at Fort Lauderdale first thing in the morning and drove up to Port Canaveral and got on the Disney Dream the same day. For anyone else thinking of doing the same trip it was a nice and easy drive. We left Port Everglades around 7.30am and we were onboard the Disney Dream before 11.30am.

The first impression of the ship was beautiful and we were eager to see everything the Dream had to offer. We went to the buffet at the Enchanted Garden for lunch. The food was good quality BUT the layout of the buffet caused chaos, even though the restaurant wasn't busy everyone had to queue for ages as all the food is on one serving station- salad, appetiser, entree and dessert. We've sailed on the Magic and the Wonder and we loved Parrot Cay...the Enchanted Garden was a pleasant room but as a buffet it doesn't work.

One thing you should do is go the Sailaway Party on Deck. The music and fun really gets you in the cruise mood. The Disney staff come out of the terminal as the ship sails away and wave you off. It's one of the many little touches that makes Disney stand out from their competitors. Read more