How do the movies work on a cruise?

[BUZZCRUSH]

We are leaving this week for our first cruise and found out Captain America is playing onboard. So excited to see this movie - how does the scheduling work? Is it something we sign up for? Or do we need to get there early etc. Thanks!

 

[Tom]

We are leaving this week for our first cruise and found out Captain America is playing onboard. So excited to see this movie - how does the scheduling work? Is it something we sign up for? Or do we need to get there early etc. Thanks!

They will run the movies a couple times a day in the onboard theater. No need to sign up or get tickets - just show up a bit early, like you would at your local theater.

 

[lostpro9het]

To piggy back this, do they serve popcorn, drinks etc? Is there a fee for it if they do?

 

[ChuckElias]

To piggy back this, do they serve popcorn, drinks etc? Is there a fee for it if they do?

They charge for popcorn (which I just can't believe, but they do), candy snacks, and canned soda or alcoholic drinks that you purchase at the Walt Disney Theater. I don't think there are concessions available at Buena Vista Theater. But you can, of course, go up to the quick service counters on Deck 9 (on the Classic ships) or Deck 11 (on the new ships) and get pizza, chicken fingers, ice cream, soda, whatever, and bring it into the theater with you.

 

[lostpro9het]

They charge for popcorn (which I just can't believe, but they do), candy snacks, and canned soda or alcoholic drinks that you purchase at the Walt Disney Theater.

Thanks, yeah that is kinda ridiculous to me.

 

[ChuckElias]

Thanks, yeah that is kinda ridiculous to me.

We were on a non-Disney cruise a few months ago that served popcorn for free every night for movies on the big outdoor screen. They weren't big bags, but you could take as many as you want. And, to be honest, it made me a little angry that DCL is SO much more expensive than most other lines and choose to nickel and dime guest on this.

 

[216bruce]

We've purchased snacks at the BV theater at times...doesn't always appear to be staffed. Warning: seats are the most cramped for leg room I've ever been in for a movie. Anyone over 6 foot will be squeezed.

 

[5thGenTexan]

We've purchased snacks at the BV theater at times...doesn't always appear to be staffed. Warning: seats are the most cramped for leg room I've ever been in for a movie. Anyone over 6 foot will be squeezed.

I am 5'10" and my knees were about touching the seat in front of me in BV. I can only report on the Magic... nothing at Buena Vista theater and when we tried to see Wreck it Ralph in the Walt Disney theater, I can't remember if Preludes was open.

 

[flynnibus]

I am 5'10" and my knees were about touching the seat in front of me in BV. I can only report on the Magic... nothing at Buena Vista theater and when we tried to see Wreck it Ralph in the Walt Disney theater, I can't remember if Preludes was open.

I'm 6'2" and have had no problems watching films or presentations in the theater on the Dream or fantasy. We prefer the row right above the walkway for max space and least interference.

The snack counter at the theater is just a money grab. Bring your refillable cup and fill up on deck 11 before the movie The popcorn,etc isn't even fresh stuff... just bagged stuff. The counter is treated like a 'bar' on the ship, so nothing free at it.

 

[ChuckElias]

We've purchased snacks at the BV theater at times...doesn't always appear to be staffed.

It's usually just a table, right? There's not a concessions "window", is there?

Warning: seats are the most cramped for leg room I've ever been in for a movie. Anyone over 6 foot will be squeezed.

True dat.

 

[ChuckElias]

I'm 6'2" and have had no problems watching films or presentations in the theater on the Dream or fantasy. We prefer the row right above the walkway for max space and least interference.

Sounds like you're talking about the Walt Disney Theater. Bruce was specifically talking about the Buena Vista Theater.

 

[flynnibus]

Sounds like you're talking about the Walt Disney Theater. Bruce was specifically talking about the Buena Vista Theater.

No, I'm talking about the BV theater. There is a walkway that bisects the theater's upper and lower sections that provides that row of seats a knee height wall right in front of you.

Picture of said wall... along with damage

 

[ChuckElias]

No, I'm talking about the BV theater. There is a walkway that bisects the theater's upper and lower sections that provides that row of seats a knee height wall right in front of you.

Ok, my bad. I guess I haven't spent enough time in the Fantasy's Buena Vista Theater. But my experience on the classic BVT is the same as Bruce's: very cramped.

 

[MichWolv]

We are leaving this week for our first cruise and found out Captain America is playing onboard. So excited to see this movie - how does the scheduling work? Is it something we sign up for? Or do we need to get there early etc. Thanks!

There will be many showings during your trip. Probably several showings per day several days of the cruise. Most will be in the Buena Vista Theater, a smaller theater with stadium seating and a massive screen designed specifically for movies. Some showings will be in Dolby digital and 3D -- others won't be. I highly recommend the 3-D. Scheduled showings in the BVT for the entire cruise will be laid out in Personal Navigator your first day, and then each day's showings will also be in the daily personal navigator. Typically, the BVT runs about 5 movie showings per day split amongst 2 or 3 movies each day.

There may also be a showing or two in the Walt Disney Theater (the big theater where the evening stage shows are presented) during the cruise. These may not be advertised in the first day's Navigator -- instead, they show up only on the daily Navigators. WDT also can do Dolby Digital and 3D, but the screen is not floor to ceiling and side to side like in BVT, so I'd recommend BVT.

Our cruise on the Wonder happened to end on the release date of Captain American Winter Soldier, so they showed it in both theaters at midnight -- it was great.

To piggy back this, do they serve popcorn, drinks etc? Is there a fee for it if they do?

For showings at WDT, Preludes was open, so you could BUY popcorn, drinks and snacks. No non-packaged food was allowed into the WDT, so you couldn't just bring pizza or a hot dog you grabbed on deck. You could, however, bring bags of potato chips you grabbed at lunch at Castaway Cay.

At BVT, sometimes there was a cart outside selling snacks and drinks, but sometimes not. However, I don't think there was any restriction on bringing other food into the BVT.

We were on a non-Disney cruise a few months ago that served popcorn for free every night for movies on the big outdoor screen. They weren't big bags, but you could take as many as you want. And, to be honest, it made me a little angry that DCL is SO much more expensive than most other lines and choose to nickel and dime guest on this.

I too was surprised they charge for popcorn, especially since DCL doesn't require you to pay for a fountain coke.

 

[ChuckElias]

For showings at WDT, Preludes was open, so you could BUY popcorn, drinks and snacks. No non-packaged food was allowed into the WDT, so you couldn't just bring pizza or a hot dog you grabbed on deck. You could, however, bring bags of potato chips you grabbed at lunch at Castaway Cay.

Is this a new policy? I've never been turned away for bringing chicken fingers into the theater.

 

[MichWolv]

Is this a new policy? I've never been turned away for bringing chicken fingers into the theater.

Don't know if it's new or not, but it applied April 2. My 4 year old was quite put out by it, but even his pitiful crying did not melt the heart of the CM guarding the door. Neither chicken fingers, pizza, or even a banana was allowed. We hurriedly found a quiet spot in the foyer area, scarfed down our snack and then went back to the theater, handing the surprised CM the empty plates on the way in (Ok, that was childish, but I was acting on behalf of a child, so there).

 

[216bruce]

Sounds like you're talking about the Walt Disney Theater. Bruce was specifically talking about the Buena Vista Theater.

Yeah- Walt Disney theater is fine but BV is for Oompa Loompas, Munchkins and guys named Grumpy, Doc, etc. If you're tall, it can get cramped.

It's usually just a table, right? There's not a concessions "window", is there? True dat.

Yep...table/cart they pull up.

 

[Phonedave]

There was some discussion about the charging for food a while back. Somone suggested that the area by the theater is not a certified "cooking" area. If you are going to cook on a ship, there are sanitiation, fire, and other certification requirements. So, Disney serves pre-packages snacks - which they charge for (just like they charge for pre-packaged drinks via room service).

I don't like it either, but that was the reasoning somone came up with.


-dave

 

[flynnibus]

There was some discussion about the charging for food a while back. Somone suggested that the area by the theater is not a certified "cooking" area. If you are going to cook on a ship, there are sanitiation, fire, and other certification requirements. So, Disney serves pre-packages snacks - which they charge for (just like they charge for pre-packaged drinks via room service).

I don't like it either, but that was the reasoning somone came up with.

Disney serves 'pre-packaged snacks' on Deck 11 (chips) w/o charge. Disney serves room service w/o charge. I think it has to do with the drink service being setup like a bar - so that's insta-charge... and the packaged stuff is just limited quantities so they charge for it too.

I find it an annoying anomoly.. but if it really bugs me I'll just pack movie snacks next time

 

[5thGenTexan]

Disney serves 'pre-packaged snacks' on Deck 11 (chips) w/o charge. Disney serves room service w/o charge. I think it has to do with the drink service being setup like a bar - so that's insta-charge... and the packaged stuff is just limited quantities so they charge for it too.

I find it an annoying anomoly.. but if it really bugs me I'll just pack movie snacks next time

Prepared food is served via room service at no charge. If you call room service and order the canned drink package, it will be a charge.