My Fiji Flop: When Bucket List Dreams Don’t Match Reality

When I saw Fiji on the itinerary for our Disney Cruise, I was over the moon. Pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and iconic island views, it was a literal bucket-list destination. I imagined myself soaking up the sun in paradise, cocktail in hand, finally crossing this dreamy locale off my travel list.

But what I got instead? A frustrating day that left me wishing I could hit rewind and do things very differently.

The Unexpected Challenge of Port Logistics

The first red flag? The port location. Unfortunately, where we docked was far from the Fiji I had envisioned. Many of the most iconic spots were hours away by car, and with limited time ashore, I made the safe choice and booked an excursion to a local beach resort through Disney. I figured it would be simple, relaxing, and at least give me that island vibe, even if it wasn't the picture-perfect Fiji I had in mind.

Spoiler alert: it was a mistake.

Buffet Blunders & Beach Letdowns

When we arrived at the resort, we were immediately handed tickets for the included buffet. Sounds great, right? Well, not so much. We were told we had to use our tickets immediately, no option to come back later. I wasn’t even hungry yet (it was 10:00 AM) and asked if I could return closer to lunchtime, only to be told there was no guarantee food would still be available. So we waited in a painfully slow line with everyone else who was told the same thing, eating way earlier than we wanted just to avoid missing the chance altogether.

By the time we finally made it down to the beach and pool area (well over an hour after arrival), all the poolside chairs were taken. Not just taken, there were barely any to begin with. We made our way to the beach hoping for better luck... and found zero chairs. Not taken chairs. No chairs. Period. The only option was to sit directly on the sand, which felt more like a backup plan than a relaxing resort experience.

One Bartender, No Frozen Cocktails

Hot, tired, and more than a little frustrated, we headed to the bar to treat ourselves. But again, disappointment. There was only one bartender working the entire resort, and the line moved at a glacial pace. We waited nearly 25 minutes just to order.

My husband asked for a piña colada, hoping for something cold and tropical to salvage the day. What he got instead was a cup of mix with a bit of crushed ice, definitely not frozen, and definitely not what he had in mind. And we weren’t the only ones raising an eyebrow.

As we sat at the bar, several other guests returned to complain about their drinks, too. Some had received the wrong order entirely, while others were handed something that didn’t even come close to matching what was on the menu. It was clear the bar wasn’t equipped for the crowd, and sadly, it was just another strike against what should’ve been a relaxing escape in paradise.

And Then the Bus Left Without Us

If the day couldn’t get worse, oh wait, it did.

We were told to be back at the bus by 4:00 PM. We were standing outside at 3:50, only to realize the bus had already left. Yep. Left without us. A port employee had to call us a cab (which they expected us to pay for, I refused, obviously).

Disney’s Redemption and A Lesson Learned

Back on the ship, we went straight to Guest Services, where, credit where credit is due, Disney was incredibly kind, helpful, and apologetic. They refunded the cost of the excursion and made sure our feedback was passed along. It was a frustrating day, but they handled it the best way possible.

Final Thoughts: If I Ever Go Back to Fiji…

This experience didn’t ruin Fiji for me, but it definitely taught me a lesson. If I ever return, I’ll make sure to actually see Fiji, the Fiji of postcards and dreams, even if it means arranging independent transportation or skipping the convenience of a pre-planned excursion. It’s worth the extra effort to explore the island on your terms, not just what’s nearest to the port.

Because trust me, this stunning destination deserves more than a rushed resort buffet and a warm piña colada.