Disney Destiny August 27 - 31, 2026

Trip Report

Pre-Cruise Stay: Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina and Disney Ground Transfer 8/27/26

  • Main tower room 406

    • Handicap accessible with a view of the bridge

    • Could see the back of the Disney Destiny ship

    • Got breakfast in the lobby café. Enjoyed coffee, bagel, sandwich and fruit. See below about food credit.

  • When checking in the employee upgraded my food credit from $15 to $30 because two adults in the room and my Hilton status

    • Later, I realized that they never applied the credit to our café breakfast therefore I talked with someone inside the Hilton App but they mentioned the food credit was not applicable to me because of my status, and I needed to talk to the hotel directly. When I did that, they credited back my credit card with no issues.

    • Pro Tip: make sure before leaving the hotel the food credit is on the bill/statement

  • Took Disney Ground Transportation from the Hilton

    • Got paperwork at hotel check in

    • Bus assignment was based on checking in at the hotel and since we arrived late, we had the third and final bus

    • Once the cast members arrived at 9 am I checked in to give them our hotel room number and number of luggage/bags from the room and my cell phone number

    • Picked up the luggage from our room between 8 and 10 am

    • We meet in the lobby at 10:20 am and pick up at 10:40 am

  • Health Questionnaire completed for our stateroom (3 basic questions)

Embarkation 8/28/26

  • Arrived at Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale by 11 am

  • Through security by 11:15 am

  • Onboard by 11:30 am

  • Pro Tip: When waiting in the lobby connect to the ship’s Guest Wi-fi and start to explore the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App to see what is offered on you sailing. Make sure to heart anything in the app and you will receive a reminder 15 minutes before it starts

  • First impression of the Grand Hall is it is a canvas for lighting color changes and many onboard activities occur here

  • Black Panther atrium statue and themes carpet was vibrant and colorful

  • Headed up to pool deck to relax on some covered loungers

  • Lunch from Goofy’s Grill and Marceline Market

  • Staterooms ready at 1:30 pm

  • Sadly no more inaugural gifts even though not even through the entire inaugural season

  • Decorated stateroom door since 3 of the 5 bags where there

  • Headed out to explore

  • Pro Tip: If you ask nicely at guest services, they print copies of the daily navigator which is great for memories

  • Muster Drill Time

  • Let’s Set Sail deck 12 starboard side

    • Great to see some new characters especially Spider-Man and Gamble

  • Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King

    • The décor and decorations are amazing

    • The musical players and storytellers were outstanding, and their vocals were on point. From my seats, I did not think it was too loud. You could tell the performers loved their job and had passion for musical instruments.

    • The shrimp curry entrée is one of the best DCL dishes, and I tipped the chicken in the curry sauce. Lava cake/pudding was best dessert dish.

    • Top 3 rotational dining restaurants

  • Skipped Disney Seas the Adventure Broadway Show

    • Pro Tip: You can watch any Broadway Show in your stateroom during the time it is showing but it might be a previously taped performance.

  • Happy Hunts as a family to explore the ship

    • I do wish you would get the next clue rather than having to return to one of the special screens to get it. MidShip Detective has a great map which this game could use.

Day 1 Lookout Cay 9 am to 5:15 pm 8/29/26

  • Early morning shows throughout the ship

  • Continental breakfast in the room from room service

    • Please remember to tip the staff with cash or on the receipt

  • Marceline Market breakfast buffet for hot food

  • Made it a pool day on the ship

  • Lunch at Goofy’s Grill

    • Made to order cheeseburger delicious with a side of chicken fingers

  • Explored the ship

  • Dinner 1923

    • First time ever on the Walt Disney side

      • Soups were hot and delicious this evening

    • Pro Tip: order the 1923 peppered Filet Mignon and Los Feliz Lobster salad and make it a surf and turf

  • Headed to Mickey’s Mainsail to shop but they were oversubscribed therefore next day is a sea day so we will shop then

  • Happy Hunts final ghost 13 found and completed the Hunt

  • Pirate shows moved indoors with bad weather outside

  • Hercules show this evening

    • People lined up over 45 minutes before doors opened

Day 2 Sea Day and Pirate Night 8/30/26

  • Mickey Churro Waffle morning in Marceline Market

    • Grabbed them around 8:15 am with no line and they were hot and fresh

    • Pro Tip: They are in the kids food section and if gluten allergy make sure to pre-order them

  • Palo Brunch 12 pm to 1:30 pm

    • Pauline from France was excellent server with recommendations

    • Tried the cheese and ham frittata which was a little dry would not get again

    • See the food photos and took about 1 hour 45 minutes

  • Goofy’s Grill for lunch for Brooklyn

  • Mickey’s Mainsail to shop

    • It was nice a quiet

  • Dory’s Forget Me Knots

    • Another great store for Disney merchandise on pool deck 11

  • Little Hero Dash in the Grand Hall (baby racing)

  • Worlds of Marvel for dinner with Groot/Rocket Show

  • Wretched Runway with Cruella in Grand Hall

    • What a blast seeing everyone split into 3 groups: hero, villains and Cruella

  • Frozen Broadway Show

  • Silent DJ Dance Party in Saga

  • Deck 4 Prominade shuttle board

Disembarkation Disney Ground Transfers to FLL Airport 8/31/26

  • Did express walk off as we got lucky with the elevators but the line was very long to get off. I think we timed it wrongly. Need to be closer to 7:45 am or 8:15 am not 8 when everyone gets out of breakfast or their staterooms.

  • One the DCL ground transfer bus by 8:15 am and off to the airport by 8:30 am

  • It was very nice and easy and continue to enjoy this process DCL does

Stateroom 9070 5B/9/MID 5C/7/AFT Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

  • Photos

  • Even though labels AFT it is quite midship therefore almost equality distant to both elevators

  • Merida themed

  • No berth or hanging bunkbed therefore perfect for 3 people

  • Desk drawers have 3 for clothes and one for hair dryer included with the room

  • 1 full closet and 1 half closet with safe and 6 open shelves

    • Love that it is not sliding doors but opening doors now

  • Verandah is a white wall but wow it was much larger than my standard verandahs

    • I would rebook this stateroom for this verandah!

Staff

  • OUTSTANDING STAFF EASILY TOP 5 OF OUR 17 SAILINGS I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND REQUESTING THEM

  • Joshua Monta Calimlim server

  • Jessyca Stella Barrios Quinonez assistant server

  • Rini Senses Spa massage therapist

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