We are starting a new “Did You Know” series at Theme Park Professor! Each post will focus on essential facts and details about subjects like Disney destinations, Universal Orlando Resort Hotels, Universal Parks information, and Disney Cruise Line.
I am happy to present the first of our series, “Did You Know: Disney Cruise Line.”
Disney Cruise Line is comprised of five ships, with the newest just launched in mid-2022. All five ships were designed to bring about a whimsical yet elegant experience on the high seas. From immersive dining adventures to Disney’s first-ever attraction at sea, these ships present magical vacations that visit several exciting destinations. Disney Cruise Line’s ports of call include places in Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and Disney’s private Bahamian island, Castaway Cay. And depending on when you cruise, you may be able to pick from themed itineraries for Halloween and Christmas. Or, choose from a Pixar, Marvel, or Star Wars adventure at sea! The best part is that you sail with your favorite Disney pals and even meet and hug them around the ship and on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay!
Here’s what you need to know about all five of the Disney cruise ships, including the newest vessel, the Disney Wish.
Disney Dream
Onboard Entertainment
This Disney Dream boasts variety shows like “The Golden Mickeys,” an onboard spectacle celebrating Disney’s notable films and songs with plenty of character appearances. Still, its live rendition of “Beauty and the Beast” remains a signature show of Disney Cruise Line with its unfathomable sets, costumes, and performances.
Families can take in a round of outdoor mini golf on Goofy’s Sports Deck or stay inside to play Midship Detective Agency, a trio of interactive games featuring Muppets, Mickey Mouse, or Cruella de Vil. There’s plenty of aquatic fun on this Disney cruise liner, with Nemo’s Reef for littles, an array of pools, and the AquaDuck, an onboard “water coaster” with views of the surrounding ocean, which is a Disney Cruise family favorite.
Exclusively For Kids
With interactive features and themed spaces, Disney’s Oceaneer Club allows kids ages 3-12 to play in a “Toy Story”-themed room, explore Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell, and take a simulated flight on the Millennium Falcon. There are also activities with characters, like Puzzle Playtime with Mickey and Friends, which lets young children play games alongside their favorite Disney characters, and more experiences within Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, tween hangs in Edge, and Vibe, a teen club with its own private pool.
Experiences For Adults
Unwind at Senses Spa or indulge in upscale dining at Palo and Remy, which are exclusive to adults on board. (Be sure to make a reservation in advance.) Grab an after-dinner drink at Meridian, or head to The District for a bottle at Pink: Wine and Champagne Bar or drinks at Skyline, Pub 687, District Lounge, or Evolution.
Disney Dream Dining
Passengers on the Disney Dream will rotate between three different dinner eateries: elegant French fare at Enchanted Garden; storybook fine dining at Royal Palace; and a fully-immersive Animator’s Palate, bringing together the animated film libraries of Disney and Pixar for a meal filled with intrigue and surprise.
Order room service hit Cabanas or Flo’s Cafe, a trio of Cars-themed eateries with chicken fingers and cheeseburgers, or grab a healthy smoothie at Senses Juice Bar or a special dessert at Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats for an additional fee.
Photo Courtesy Disney Cruise Line
Disney Fantasy
Onboard Entertainment
Flex that vacation muscle at Disney Fantasy’s pools, including Nemo’s Reef for children and rides on the AquaDuck, a hybrid water slide and roller coaster with 765 feet of tubes above the top deck.
Uncover a hidden world of fun with Midship Detective Agency, an all-ages interactive game utilizing screens and props hidden throughout the ship. Watch current releases in the on-board Buena Vista Theatre or play basketball or experience VR sports simulators at sea on Goofy’s Sports Deck. At night, Disney Fantasy offers live shows, including “Disney’s Believe,” a narrative with visits from “Cinderella,” “Mary Poppins” and “Peter Pan;” “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular;” and “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular,” the Disney ship’s headlining show.
Exclusively For Kids
Kids ages 3-12 can learn mystic arts from Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” in the Marvel Super Hero Academy, sing and dance with “Toy Story’s” Woody in Andy’s Room, encounter real Stormtroopers at the Star Wars: Command Post or enjoy kid-friendly activities with Mickey Mouse and friends. There’s endless inventive fun across Disney’s Oceaneer Lab and Club, and for older kids, at Edge and Vibe clubs.
Experiences For Adults
Whether you’re shopping around the ship, grabbing a gin and tonic at Meridian — or taking a beverage-tasting seminar to learn more about them — there are loads for adults to do. The Disney cruise ship offers two adults-only restaurants: Palo, which serves elegant Italian dishes, and Remy, a French-coursed menu experience. Enjoy Europa, a collection of stylized bars, including Ooh La La champagne bar and La Piazza, an Italian bar reminiscent of a carousel.
Disney Fantasy Dining
Three restaurants aboard this Disney cruise ship mean something different every night, whether it’s the fairytale-inspired Royal Court, beautiful Enchanted Garden, or Animator’s Palate, which utilizes real-time interaction with a popular “Finding Nemo” character. Quick eats can be found at Cabanas restaurant and Flo’s Cafe, while fanciful sundaes at Sweet on You and shakes at Senses Juice Bar are worthwhile upgrades. (With its Mickey cappuccinos, Cove Cafe is also a must.)
Photo Courtesy Disney
Disney Wonder
A trip aboard the Disney Wonder can lead to familiar tropical escapes and a memory-making Alaskan vacation, with all the Disney cruise goodies included on board. Repeat cruisers love this vessel for its smaller size, which makes for a more intimate trip.
Onboard Entertainment
Disney cruise ships are famous for their nightly shows. “Disney Dreams — an Enchanted Classic” and “The Golden Mickeys” feature best-of-the-best Disney characters and music, but “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular,” which brings Anna and Elsa’s story to life with Broadway-style costuming and design, is a Disney Cruise Line favorite.
When you’re not enjoying Disney cruise activities like viewing Star Wars and Marvel films currently in theatres or playing ping pong and basketball at Wide World of Sports, there are plenty of pools, hot tubs, and AquaLab water play areas to enjoy on the outer decks. There’s even Disney Wonder’sPixar Pals Party, a fun-filled celebration with characters from “Toy Story,” “Up,” and more, exclusively offered on Alaskan sailings with Disney Cruise Line.
Exclusively For Kids
Kids ages 3 to 12 can get up close to characters they love, dancing with Woody in a “Toy Story”-themed area, taking hero training with Captain America within Marvel Super Hero Academy, or build their own Mickey Roadster Racers in a Disney Junior games area on board the Disney cruise ship, as older kids enjoy their slate of activities in Vibe teen club and tween hang The Edge. (There is also babysitting available for small children within the “It’s a Small World” nursery at a small fee.)
Experiences For Adults
Make a reservation for Palo, an adults-only restaurant serving dinner each night and brunch on most sea days, or break for a pint at Crown & Fin Pub or a cocktail at Cadillac Lounge, housed within the Disney cruise ships After Hours section. There are also an adults-only pool and outdoor areas on the Disney Wonder cruise ship, beverage seminars, and the Senses Spa’s “rainforest room.”
Disney Wonder Dining
Grab a slice at Pinocchio’s Pizzeria by Goofy’s Pool, a snack at Pete’s Boiler Bites, or some healthy fare at Daisy’s De-Lites — or hit the buffet at Cabanas, located on four Disney cruise ships. Dinner rotations bring diners to a new restaurant each night: Enjoy the flavor and fun of New Orleans at “The Princess & The Frog”-themed Tiana’s Place; the elegant “The Little Mermaid”-inspired Triton’s; or Animator’s Palate, which begins black-and-white and grows to be surrounded by color with a surprise at the meal’s end.
Photo Courtesy Disney Cruise Line
Disney Magic
As the original Disney Cruise Line vessel, the Disney Magic retains its charm while embracing a collection of modernizations and upgrades to feel good as new.
Onboard Entertainment
Three Broadway-style shows are performed on the Disney Magic: “Twice Charmed,” a twist on the Cinderella story; “Disney Dreams — An Enchanted Classic,” an original show with cameos by characters like Peter Pan and Aladdin; and “Tangled: The Musical,” Disney Magic’s signature show featuring stunning sets and beloved songs from the film.
In addition to the nightly live entertainment throughout the ship, families can take in Marvel, Pixar, Disney, and Star Wars films currently in movie theaters at the full-size Buena Vista Theatre. On the outdoor upper decks, the Wide World of Sports offers basketball and ping pong, a selection of pools and hot tubs, and the famed AquaDunk water slide.
Exclusively For Kids
Whisk down a Slinky Dog slide in the “Toy Story”-themed Andy’s Room area, join the Lion Guard, or learn hero-worthy lessons from Thor within a Marvel Super Hero Academy — it’s all part of Disney’s Oceaneer Club, open to children ages 3 through 12. There are even more exciting Disney experiences throughout Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, Vibe teen club, and Edge tween club, all included with Disney Cruise ship sailings. (“It’s a Small World” nursery, which charges a nominal hourly rate, is also available for younger children.)
Experiences For Adults
Disney cruise ships are covered in high-end decor and thoughtful designs that feel more classy and less kid-focused, but select adults-only experiences, including exclusive lounges and pools, still thrive. A collection of bars called After Hours has live music nightly at Keys, a ‘50s piano bar, and an opportunity to catch up on sports at O’Gills Pub. At the same time, Palo, a higher-end restaurant that requires a surcharge and reservation, is the ultimate date night. Don’t miss the “rainforest room” in the Disney Magic’s Senses Spa and adult beverage tasting seminars.
Disney Magic Dining
Guests on the Disney Magic cruise ship will rotate between three restaurants nightly. Rapunzel’s Royal Table provides a themed night of lively music, revelry from some Snuggly Duckling denizens, and an appearance by Rapunzel and Flynn Rider within a lantern-lined ballroom. Animator’s Palate is surrounded by mementos from Disney and Pixar animated films that “come to life” throughout dinner, and Lumiere’schannels the elegance of “Beauty and the Beast.”
Casual meals can be ordered at Cabanas or via 24-hour room service on board the Disney Magic. Otherwise, stop by Duck-In Diner for hot dogs, chicken fingers, or a shawarma sandwich or enjoy a quick lunch at Pinocchio’s Pizzeria.
Photo Courtesy Disney
Disney Wish
Onboard Entertainment
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, is packed with brand-new entertainment for all ages. The AquaMouse — Disney’s first-ever attraction at sea — and Toy Story Splash Zone provide aquatic fun; two cozy theaters show new and favorite Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars films; and the Walt Disney Theater features Broadway-style shows, including a retelling of “The Little Mermaid,” “Disney Seas the Adventure,” and “Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular.”
Exclusively for Kids
At Disney’s Oceaneer Club on the Wish, kids ages three to 12 can live out their Marvel and Star Wars adventures in the Marvel Super Hero Academy and Star Wars: Cargo Bay and join their favorite princesses in Fairytale Hall. In the new Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, they can discover Imagineer secrets and design their coaster. Edge and Vibe offer organized fun for older kids.
Experiences for Adults
The Disney Wish pulls out all the stops for adults, with lots of magical experiences just for them. Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge offers intergalactic sips inspired by galaxies far, far away, The Bayou has a “Princess and the Frog”-themed menu in a beautiful setting, and The Cove includes an adults-only pool and bar. The ship also has a Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté by chef Arnaud Lallement, a stunning restaurant offering a multicourse dinner. The Disney Cruise Line favorite Senses Spa is also on this ship.
Disney Wish Dining
In addition to the truly exceptional adults-only restaurants, Disney Wish offers some delightful onboard dining for the whole family. 1923 serves California flavors in a space inspired by Old Hollywood; Worlds of Marvel features the escapades of Ant-Man and the Wasp; and Arendelle: A FrozenDining Adventure is an immersive experience with singing, dancing, and visits from everyone’s favorite Frozen characters. Casual dining is available at several venues throughout the ship, including Marceline Market and Mickey and Friends Festival of Food.
If you’re ready to book your next Disney Cruise make sure you contact a travel advisor today and check our Current Offers page to see if there is an incentive to book today! Stay tuned for even more “Did You Know” articles to be released from Theme Park Professor!
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Heather is the proud owner of Theme Park Professor and Winds in the East Travel. For over 10 years, she has been covering everything from the latest merchandise to breaking news for her readers. As a New York native, Heather makes sure to visit the Orlando parks a few times a month, especially during the colder months. After all, what’s the point of having a Walt Disney World Annual Pass if you don’t use it?
Heather is a self-proclaimed Potterhead and also visits the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the rest of Universal Orlando Resort multiple times a month. So, “Wands up!” for all the fellow Potterheads out there!
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