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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Stateroom 5022 on the Disney Dream

We have now sailed on three Disney ships—The Wonder, The Magic, and most recently, The Dream.  We have had category 6, 7, and 8 staterooms with category 6 and 7 having verandahs.  On our cruise on the Disney Dream, we booked a category 8a stateroom, specifically, stateroom 5022 and were pleasantly surprised by our accommodations.  I had a hint before our cruise that we might enjoy our stateroom—click here to read more.

There are 12 category 8a staterooms on the Dream, all featuring a similar layout on decks 5 and 6.  They are staterooms 5022, 5020, 5018, 5518, 5520, 5522, 6012, 6014, 6016, 6510, 6512, and 6514. 

The husband warned me not to tell you about these staterooms.  He wanted me to keep them a secret, but I couldn’t resist.  The reason he wanted me to keep quiet?  These rooms are huge!  No more turning sideways to get from one side of the room to another or bumping your leg on the bed.  We are talking plenty of room for moving around and luggage.  We had our bags on the floor in various locations and still had extra room.  We also spent more time looking at the ocean out of our great windows than we ever did on a verandah.

Let’s get started with the tour:



When you enter, you see the queen sized bed with two night stands, a flat screen TV, and a large port hole window with built in seat.  This looks like a typically stateroom, but wait, there's more!


Then you turn to the left and notice that there's another section of the room.  A couch that turns into a bed, a chair, another chair at the desk/vanity unit, and a coffee table trunk for more storage.


The picture above is the wall unit opposite the couch.  The refrigerator is below the desk on the right hand side.  There are drawers and cupboards.  Note:  The hairdryer is in one of the drawers in a cloth bag and is plugged in at the vanity here with the mirror.  There is a special plug in labeled hair dryer.  There's an additional TV, light switches, etc.  You can even see the other portion of the stateroom from here.


The door on the left is if you book connecting staterooms.  We did not, so this was excellent floor space for luggage.  We didn't unpack this cruise, as we had all of our clothes for our trip to Walt Disney World with us, too.  It was easier for us to live out of the suit cases for our stay.

The door in the far back of the picture is the door back out to the hallway and the other door is to the bathroom.  No split bath in this room, but we were just fine with the 3 of us.


Remember to step up when entering the bathroom.  The shower to the left and the toilet.


Here's the sink and mirror.  The white rectangle above the toilet is the button for flushing!

These are the shelves to the right of the sink.  We did unpack our toiletries and there was plenty of shelf space in the bathroom.  There's even another shelf above the toilet and towel rack.  We love the H2O bath products and our stateroom host, Shaun, made sure we were well stocked.  We brought a supply home with us!

You can barely see the full length mirror on the inside side of the bathroom door.

The bathtub/shower was roomy.  The shower curtain is on a curved rod which gives even more room.


Back out to the stateroom.  There's a double closet with shelves.  The stateroom safe takes up a shelf in the closet on the other side.


Here's a video tour of our stateroom when we first boarded the ship:


Okay, so I wasn't exaggerating about the size.  It's huge!

There are/were some cons:

  • It only sleeps 3.  Our stateroom host did tell us about a family that booked the connecting stateroom 5020, opened the door between the rooms and Disney added a roll-away bed, making room for 7 between the two staterooms.
  • You are near Vibe, the teen hangout.  While we didn't hear music or anything from Vibe, the door to Vibe is just underneath/outside the stateroom on deck 4.  We could sometimes hear the door slamming and the festivities outside of the entrance to Vibe on deck 4, but we didn't hear anything in Vibe.  This wasn't enough noise to keep us up at night or anything, but was worth mentioning.
  • One thing I thought was going to be a con was that fact that based on the deck plan for the Dream, guests can't go from forward to midship to aft on the deck.  That is not true!  There was a great hallway on our side of the ship that allowed for walking from forward to midship to aft, which was great for access to the Buena Vista Theater, the Lobby Atrium, and the Kids' Club.  The hallway only goes through on the port side of the ship, which is the side our stateroom was located.

We enjoyed this stateroom so much that we re-booked it for our next cruise on the Disney Dream.  Then the husband tried a little trick, as suggested by Chris at the Future Cruise Sales Desk.  The husband took a small post-it note, as provided by Chris, and placed it on the top of one of the shelves in the closet.  We're wondering if the post-it will still be there when we return in December of 2012.  We'll keep you "posted!"

Update on January 6, 2013:  We stayed in stateroom 5022 on the Disney Dream during our December 23 - 28, 2012 sailing.  One of the first things the husband did when we entered the room, was to look for the post-it note.  Unbelievably, the post-it note was in the same place.  Here's the video:



We enjoyed this room so much, again, that we have now booked stateroom 5022 on the Disney Fantasy in July of 2014 for our next and 6th Disney cruise.

The explanation for the post-it note may be that it was attached to the "top" or "roof" of the shelf and would be hard to reach and see, and most likely, the roof of the shelf isn't cleaned or dusted.  Our stateroom was very clean, minus a few spots on the ceiling near the connecting door.

Our Castaway Club gift was this backpack which included a key chain
 and some snacks.

As always, let us know what you find and your thoughts of this particular category of stateroom on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

63 comments:

  1. I just booked an 8A room for the week of thanksgiving and I appreciate this description and photos!!! It's just what I was LOOKING FOR! If I get the same room, I am going to be looking for the post it! lol, I wont remove it, but I will tell you if it is there or not ;) -Amanda

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  2. Amanda,
    Congratulations on your Disney Cruise! Thanks for letting us know if the Post It is still there. Glad we could help you. Have a great cruise!

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  3. I booked a 8A room on the floor 6 for me and my daughter. That room has the double port windows as well. I was told the layout is the same. Which I am hoping for. Some blogs I have read said they had a pole in the middle of their room. I am just soooo excited!! We go in April!!!

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    1. I just booked room 5020 for the disney dream yesterday and was told by the disney cruise agent that the rooms on the 6th floor do not have the half wall. Hope this helps. I like that there is a separate area for my son with the wall separating the two spaces. If this is what you are looking for then you may have to request a change to the 5th floor.

      Erika

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  4. we are sail jan 12 for the first time this new to us usually go to disneyworld every year glad to hear not that noisy

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  5. Can you let me knnow if there is a charge for the roll-away bed?

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  6. Danielle,
    Since you would be paying per person for the cruise and would have been allowed to book this stateroom for a party of 4, then there would not be a charge for the roll-away bed. If you are traveling with 3 or less people, there would not be a need for the extra bed. Check with Disney Cruise Line to be sure.

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  7. I just booked this room and connecting 5020 for our family of six sailing July 4, 2013. Thank you so much for your review and photos.

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  8. You are so welcome! Congratulations on your exciting trip. Have a magical cruise!

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  9. We just booked a cruise on the Disney Dream for June 2013. The cruise is a family cruise celebrating our oldest son's high school graduation. Thank you so much for posting the pics and video. We also have the adjoining room to accomodate our family of 5. We can't wait!!!

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  10. Becky,
    Congratulations! What a great reason and way to celebrate! Have a wonderful cruise!

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  11. Thanks so much for the pictures and video. Just booked this room for March 2014!!!!!

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  12. Congratulations! Enjoy your cruise! We are booking for July of 2014!

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  13. Just booked 5522 for March of 2014 on the Fantasy. Your blog was very helpful in making the decision to pick this room. Was noise from the Walt Disney Theater below ever an issue? Thanks!

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  14. Congratulations on your upcoming cruise! Noise from the Walt Disney Theater from below is not an issue, as these rooms are on the outside of the ship meaning the theater is not directly below. We are debating about reserving this room again for our next cruise on the Fantasy. Glad our blog helped you plan!

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  15. We just booked 5520 fantasy may 2014! thank you so much for all the pics :)

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    1. Happy to help! Congratulations on your Disney Cruise!

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  16. What time did you find that the room was ready? And how long did it take you to get your laugage? Do you make your own shirts or do you buy them/ if so from who? What dinner did do you go to? Do you think you should try to eat any one place on a specific night?

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    1. Excellent questions. . .Staterooms are typically ready at 1:30 pm. Luggage usually arrives by 5:00 pm or so. We purchase our shirts from a variety of locations--there are several posts-just type matching shirts in the search box. Guests on a Disney Cruise enjoy rotational dining, where each night you are assigned to one of the three main restaurants at either the main seating or late seating. Thanks for reading the Williams Family Blog!

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  17. Thanks for the answers. What was your favorite place to eat? Did you all do the optional dress up night? And is it the 2nd night? Do most dress up? Do most dress up for the Pirate night? (3rd night right)

    Laura (we also booked 5022 for March 2014)

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    1. Laura,
      Congrats on your cruise. Our favorite dining room on the Dream is the Royal Palace, though Cabanas--for breakfast/lunch is our second favorite. We do usually dress-up for dinner most nights and a bit more on the optional dress up night, especially for photos. Dress-up night and Pirate night will vary based on the length of your cruise. And, yes, many people enjoy dressing up for pirate night. You can search our blog for more information on the Pirates IN the Caribbean party.

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  18. Hi, I just booked room 5020 for our family cruise in september 2013. This will be our first family cruise with my son. We typically travel to disneyworld every year and thought that this might be something different and fun. I really appreciated being able to see our room in real time. Thanks so much for the pictures and video footage! Now we really can't wait to go!

    Erika

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    1. Erika,
      Congratulations on your Disney Cruise! You are so welcome. Thank you for reading the Williams Family Blog. Bon Voyage!

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    2. Thanks for your quick reply to my other post. I was wondering if you guys have ever taken a shore excursion to Atlantis. I really think my son would love the water park. Do you think it would be cheaper to get a room for the night at atlantis to guarantee us access? I am afraid that the excursion will be full by the time I am allowed to book since we are first time disney cruisers.

      Erika

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    3. Erika,
      We have not gone to Atlantis but know it is a huge draw in Nassau. Yes, you could book a room at Atlantis. Also, Comfort Inn is across the street and has guest access to the water park at Atlantis which is another option of the shore excursion is full. Good luck and have a great cruise!

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  19. Thank you for all the wonderful things you share on your blog! Thanks so much for the information on 8A's (5022) we want to book one of this little beauties for our Summer 2014 summer cruise (#15 for us)
    We love Disney as well!
    Steph

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    1. Stephanie,
      Wow! 15 Disney Cruises! I am in awe and a bit jealous! The husband would say you are well on your way to diamond encrusted status, beyond platinum. Go ahead and reserve a Cat. 8A. We did for July of 2014 on the Fantasy.
      Thank you for your lovely compliment and you are so welcome! Thanks for reading the Williams Family Blog.

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  20. I must share the Diamond Encrusted status..as my husband needs a new goal now that we reached Platinum LOL!
    We were recently interviewed by Discovery Channel for a Destination America special on the Disney Dream while on board and they asked if our friends thought we had an obsession...I guess we do!
    I am sure glad there are others out there like us!
    Will continue to follow your blog as it is just wonderful!
    Steph

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    1. Stephanie,
      Congratulations on your interview! Obsession? More like hobby, interest! If someone has been to 15 NFL games would they have an obsession? Or concerts? No.
      We are honored you are reading the Williams Family Blog. Thank you so much!

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  21. Just booked 5522 for the Fantasy in January 2014- THANKS TO THIS BLOG! I'm a little worried about noise from Vibe. I'm not sure if in 5522 we'll hear noise at say 9 pm when our daughter is trying to get to sleep? Anyone know? We've had hotel rooms on a busy street and paper thin wall problems in hotels so just wondering if the walls are thin in this ship and if we'll hear lots of noise from teens outside that club? Thanks so much for any help about noise...Heather

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    1. Congratulations! And, thank you! 5522 will most likely be far enough away from Vibe that noise won't be a problem from the teens. . . and you are on the opposite side from their door. At 9:00 pm, you will most likely get some noise from the Walt Disney Theater just below from the 8:30 show. Nothing annoying, just be mindful. And, who knows, you may be going to sleep later because of all the fun on the ship. . . that is what happens to our family!
      Have a great cruise!

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  22. :) So how do you avoid tantrums from overtired kids (and parents?) Hee. Kind of kidding. Getting excited already but it's a long wait until January! Thanks so much for your kind help.

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    1. This is Disney. . . there are no tantrums! Our son has an 8:00 bath/shower followed by bedtime 8:30ish on both weekdays and week-ends. But on vacations, we are a bit loosen up a bit and he does okay. The change in time zones is to our favor 10:00 pm Eastern in 9:00 pm our time. And, things like the Pirate Night Show start around 10:00 pm and while we missed that on our first cruise when our son was 4, we have gone to all the rest. Good luck! You will be sailing before we will so hang in there. Time will pass quickly!

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  23. Thank you SO much for posting all the information that you have for this room! We are booked for room 5022 on September 7, 2014 - we can NOT wait. We'll be celebrating my sons 4th birthday while we're at sea and cannot wait! Am SO glad to see that this room was worth the extra $ for the space seeing he LOVES to play with his cars. =) Again, THANK YOU for all your information! Can't wait to take our FIRST Disney Cruise!!!!

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    1. Kenner Family,
      You are SO welcome! Congratulations on your first and celebratory cruise! Our son, too, was 4 when we sailed for the first time and he will be 11 on his sixth Disney Cruise!
      Let us know if the post-it note is still there as we left it for others to find!
      Bon Voyage!

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  24. We're thinking of booking this room for our cruise on October 5th of 2014, cant wait!! This will be our second Disney cruise and my parents will be celebrating their 30th anniversary!

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    1. Tiffany,
      What a great way to celebrate! Nothing beats a Disney Cruise! Let us know when you are booked and ready to sail!

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  25. We have booked this room and the joining one for our first ever cruise on 29th June 2014. There will be 3 adults and 2 children (1yr and 3yrs). This style of room will suit our group perfectly. Each person will have their own "room" and bed. Adults can still watch TV and move around without waking the kids.

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    1. Oh, sounds delightful. . . and practical. Congratulations on your first Disney Cruise! Remember, if you love it, be sure to rebook on board. Let us know how the room works out for you and thanks for reading the Williams Family Blog!

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  26. Thank you SOOOOO much for this entry in your blog Based on it we were prompted to learn more about the subset of 8A rooms just like this, and then decided to book one (5520 on the Dream) for our recently completed September 2013 cruise. We loved the room and the cruise so much we booked a bounceback cruise for November 2014 in the same room on the Fantasy :-) I cannot express enough how thankful I am for your entry here -- we would not have known about the room type without it !!! :-)

    The room was perfect for the two us (myself and my sister), and the "wall" in the middle gave us each our own space, some privacy, and was great for when one wanted to sleep and the other did not. We couldn't believe how much room there was in the room -- we didn't even need to put our suitcases under the bed; they sat quite nicely in front of the connecting door to the room beside us along the back wall of the bathroom. Lastly, we had a great view of Castaway Cay, and it was fascinating watching the ship slowly manoeuvre in :-)

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    1. You are SO welcome! We, too are spoiled by this class of stateroom. Glad you enjoyed your cruise and rebooked on board. I am seeing many more Disney cruises in your future!

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  27. Were the life boats in the way of the view? I just booked this room.

    Thanks :)

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    1. Congratulations on your upcoming cruise! These staterooms on the Disney Dream and Fantasy do not have any of the views blocked. On the Disney Magic and Wonder, however, the view is partially obstructed by life boats. If you are sailing on the Dream, it will be dreamy!

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  28. Thank you so much for your response. I am SUPER excited now!!! :)

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  29. Woohoo.. just booked this room for a November 2014 sailing. This will be our fourth disney cruise and we are pumped!! It is just my son (14) and I travelling. Do you know if the bed goes into two singles?

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    1. Congratulations on your Disney cruise! The bed in this room, in fact, all the beds on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy do not convert to two singles. Either you can share the queen size bed or one of you can have the sofa that does convert into a bed. Have a magical cruise!

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  30. After I saw your pictures I booked this room for a May 2014 cruise. This will be our first cruise ever. Thanks for the pictures!

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    1. Congratulations on your first cruise! Let us know how the stateroom worked for you. Bon Voyage!

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  31. Thanks for this! Hope it's not so far forward that the motion is too much?! We booked this cool room (5020, next door!) for July 2014 too - me, husband and 14 yr old son (July 26 sailing, maybe we'll be neighbors!) Have been on the Fantasy before. And Dream, Magic, Wonder. And sailed on Princess which was nice but Disney is THE best! -RB

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    1. Congratulations on your next Disney cruise! 5022 is not too forward to feel motion. And, we will just miss you! Have a great trip!

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  32. If there is a queen bed and a full sofa that pulls out then wouldn't that sleep 4? Or do you count the sofa as sleeping one?

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    1. The sofa actually folds down vs. pulls out like a hide-a-bed. The fold down makes it a twin size, and a short twin size at that. Hence the sleeping 3 in this stateroom. There is room to bring in a cot to make room for 4 if needed.

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  33. Thank you so much for all this awesome info. We're doing our first cruise in September, bringing the Magic back home on the WBTA. Already having sneaky thoughts (before I even know if I like it) of booking a Caribbean cruise in 2014 and the 8A was the one I thought might suit us best.

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    1. You are so welcome! There is no such thing as a sneaky thought when it comes to DCL! Have a great cruise in September!

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  34. Hello, thank you so much for your blog it's completely amazing, we will be doing our first cruise on Sept 2014, and booked a 8B cabin (we are a family of 4), I have the posibility to book a 8A cabin but when I tried to book it it appears as guaranty cabin, I was afraid not to get it so I booked the 8B (room 9662) What do you think? Am I doing right? Sorry Im afraid my english is terrible! we are travelling from Uruguay, in South America to make the cruise and spend a few days in WDW. Thanks again for sharing all your experiences!

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    1. Yes, you are doing the right thing and your English is great! Congratulations on your first Disney Cruise! Have a magical trip!

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  35. Thanks for the stateroom info! Hey WE will be in 5020 in July - the last week - maybe you will be on the same cruise right next door lol!

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    1. You are welcome! We are sailing on the Fantasy, Western Caribbean. We'll have door decorations so be sure to say hello!

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  36. Ohhh, we will be on Eastern Caribbean. HAVE A MAGICAL TIME!!

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  37. Whats status of posted? We have the room booked for a Jan 16 if its still there we will leave it of coarse if not w will put a new one in its place.

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    1. It has been a while since we have heard anything about the post-it in room 5022 on the Disney Dream. Thank you for checking for us though. And, congratulations on your upcoming cruise!

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  38. If there is a queen bed and a full sofa that pulls out then wouldn't that sleep 4? Or do you count the sofa as sleeping one? SEO jobs in Hyderabad

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