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Comparing the Disney Cruise Ships: Inside Disney Wonder

What do you do after totally reinventing the cruise industry with a ship that merges family-friendly activities and entertainment with world-class dining and service?

 

Keep going. 

 

Disney Wonder is the second ship in the Disney fleet, commissioned on the heels of the success of its flagship, the Disney Magic. While very similar in many of its offerings, the Disney Wonder do have some subtle differences, starting with their style and decor (Art Deco on the Magic, Nouveau on the Wonder.) You’ll also experience different shows and see differences in the dining and nightlife (with some overlap.) Read on to get a closer look at what to expect aboard the Disney Wonder.

Second Ship in the Fleet: Welcome to the Disney Wonder

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Disney Wonder offers 3- and 4-night itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, FL and stopping at Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney's private island.  

 

Class: Magic

Passenger capacity: approximately 2,713

Staterooms: 875

Entered service: August 15, 1999 (refurbished in 2019)

Christened: October 1, 1999

Shipyard: Fincantieri

Gross tonnage: 84,130 GT

Length: 964 ft / 294 m

Beam: 106 ft / 32 m

Draft: 25.3 ft 7.7 m

Decks: 11

Speed: 21.5 knots (23.5 knots max)

Theming: Art Nouveau 

Medallion character (featured at the bow of the ship): Sorcerer Mickey
Atrium statute: Ariel

Stern character: : Donald, Huey, Dewey, and Louie

 

 

Details that REALLY Matter: Dining on Board the Disney Wonder

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Each Disney Cruise ship has three unique table-service dining options, one of which is an upscale restaurant located just off of the ship’s atrium, usually featuring live entertainment. Aboard the Disney Wonder you’ll find: 

 

Tiana’s Place

Hard work pays off, not just for Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, but for cruisers aboard Disney Wonder who have the chance to meet the Princess herself and enjoy the finest Louisiana-inspired, Creole, and Cajun food while enjoying New Orleans-style live jazz music.

 

Animator’s Palate 

A Disney Cruise Line classic featuring Pacific Island, Asian, and Californian cuisine, you’ll find different incarnations of the Animator’s Palate on each of Disney’s first four ships. This family favorite upscale spot features screen-based entertainment that gets guests in on the animation fun by engaging them to draw a cartoon character, which is then animated into the evening’s musical spectacular, a major highlight of dining at the Animator’s Palette. On some sailings, guests may also have the fun of joining Sorcerer Mickey on a journey to discover the evolution of animation.

 

Triton’s

Naturally King Triton has his own dedicated space aboard the Disney Wonder (he IS the Kind of the Ocean after all.) Offering sophisticated French and American  fusion cuisine, Triton’s serves mouthwatering  gourmet dishes like duck confit, escargots gratinée, avocado citrus salad and incredible seafood (don’t tell Sebastian.)

 

Palo

Available for an additional charge, Palo is a chic, sophisticated, adults-only spot offering incredible Northern Italian fare (and, for those who could use it, some much needed grown up time.) 

 

And of course there are multiple poolside quick-service venues, pool-side cabanas, and the cruisers favorite, nonstop buffets.

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Showing Out and Showing Off: Entertainment Aboard Disney Wonder  

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Part of what makes cruising so much fun is that the party begins as soon as you pull anchor. Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave Party, performed on deck on the first day of every sailing, complete with a fireworks display (we love any vacation that starts with a party and ends with a party.) Disney Wonder also has a Pirate Night featuring a deck stage show and fireworks presentation. A special feature aboard the Disney Wonder is the Frozen Deck Party, offered on select 7-night sailings. Disney Wonder Alaskan cruises include the exclusive Pixar Pals Party. This is different from Pixar Day at Sea, which is exclusive to the Disney Fantasy. During Pixar Pals Party, characters appear for meet and greets and a dance party in the atrium.

 

And because entertainment is as synonymous with cruising as buffets, Disney Cruise Line also features several original Broadway-style stage shows, some of which rotate to different ships. Each ship offers three shows per sailing so you have plenty to keep you entertained. At least one show is sure to be is inspired by a classic Disney movie, while another is an original story found only aboard Disney Cruise Line.

 

Currently, Disney Wonder’s Broadway-style shows include: “The Golden Mickeys,” “Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic,” and “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular.”

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Keeping Busy: Fitness, Sports, & Activities Aboard Disney Wonder

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While just running from one activity to another could put you well over the step goal, Disney Wonder offers state-of-the-art fitness centers boasting cool cardio equipment, weight machines, and even classes like weight machines and even classes like aerobics, yoga, Pilates instruction, and more classes*. You can even schedule a session with a personal trainer (additional fees apply.)

 

Hop on over to the Wide World of Sports Deck to shoot a little open-air basketball or get your  ping-pong on. It wouldn’t be a cruise ship without shuffleboard, and of course, there is a running track. On Disney Wonder, this can be found outside on deck 4.

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Be Our Guest: Get the Royal Treatment at Disney Wonder’s Spa & Salons

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Get the royal treatment with salon services that include everything from hairstyling to manicures, pedicures, and men’s grooming services. 

 

Looking for a bit more pampering? Senses Spa & Salon aboard Disney Wonder puts the relax in relaxing vacation with massages, body wraps, facials, aromatherapy, and more. 

 

Looking for next-level luxury? Indulge yourself at Disney Wonder’s luxurious Spa Villas: elegant treatment rooms with open-air verandahs where you can experience true relaxation while soaking in the sweeping ocean views. You can even have a bottle of champagne, strawberries and additional treatments added to your private session. Villa amenities include: 

 

Spa treatment rooms

Private verandah

Personal whirlpool

Shower

Outdoor lounger

Tea ceremony

Foot cleansing ceremony

 

Other spa options include The Rejuvenation Spa where you can begin your experience with a complimentary 30-minute consultation to determine which of the 4 groundbreaking, nonsurgical treatments are right for you. 

 

Teens also have private access to the Chill Spa designed for teenagers only.

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Make a Splash: Hanging Poolside on Disney Wonder

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Disney Wonder’s family pool has a charming Goofy theme (because who doesn’t love Goofy?) Kids off having their own adventure? Treat yourself to an afternoon at the Quiet Cove Pool - it’s just for the grown-ups. 

 

Once they’re back, make some memories at the AquaLab, a splash-and-play area for kids featuring the Twist ‘n’ Spout water slide, a 250-ft double-looping slide (note that guests must be at least 38″ tall to ride and adult supervision is required for guests under the age of 16.)

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Youth Gone Wild: How Disney Cruise Line Makes Cruising Magical for Kids 

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Naturally the Disney Wonder is equipped with oodles of kid-friendly fun. Here are the best things for kids to do on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder: 

 

Play Dress Up

Another cool feature we love is that the ship offers one of our favorite highlights of the Magic Kingdom out to sea - the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique! Little cruisers can become princesses or pirates, adding even more magic to an already memorable trip. 

 

Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab 

For kids ages 3 to 12, Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab bring Disney Wonder to life with:

 

Andy’s Room: Reach for the Sky! Kids can experience the magic of Pixar’s “Toy Story” trilogy in this multi-level area, complete with supersized Slinky Dog slide

 

Animator’s Studio: Create original hand-drawn art and learn to sketch your favorite Disney pals.

 

Captain’s Workshop: Kick back, watch Disney movies, and play video games amidst pirate-y props in this spacious play area which also hosts numerous activities throughout the day.

 

Craft Studio: Creative types can channel their right-brain brilliance into a tactile masterpiece at this hands-on, arts-and-crafts studio.

 

The Wheelhouse: Using large LCD screens and navigation simulators, captains-in-training can steer their very own Disney ship through the Caribbean Sea!

 

Anyone Can Cook: Inspired by “Ratatouille,” kids will learn how to measure and mix ingredients before baking up a batch of delish chocolate-chip cookies, leaving the best part to last—the taste test!

 

Stitch’s Space Goo: Join Stitch and the Professor as they take you through the steps of making the wackiest goo in the galaxy.

 

Pluto’s Pajama Party: Arrive in your PJs - but don’t expect to sleep! Not when there’s this much fun going on. 

 

Marvel Super Hero Academy

If superheroes are more their speed (we’re Slinky Dog aficionados ourselves) there’s the Marvel Super Hero Academy. Kids can immerse themselves in the superhero world, swooping into the top-secret command post of S.H.I.E.L.D. and wielding the weaponry of their favorite Avenger. If that weren’t enough, there are arts and crafts, video games - and even surprise Super Hero visits.

 

Captain America’s Super Hero 101: The first Avenger is here to teach you the basics of what it takes not only to be a hero, but a real American superhero.

 

Inside the world of Disney Junior

Disney Cruise Line brings the world of Disney Junior to life for kids of (nearly) all ages with games, character fun, and so much more. Here are the highlights: 

 

Mickey and the Roadster Racers: Mickey Mouse invites you to build and race your own roadster racer as you compete to win the Cruise Line Cup!

 

Disney Royal Academy: Learn about your favorite Disney Princes and Princesses, create your own royal garb, and become one of the most powerful in the land.

 

Join the Lion Guard: Harness your inner animal and find out if you have what it takes to join the Lion Guard!

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For the Bigger Kids: Edge

 

Designed for tweens and teens from the ages of 11 to 14, Edge bridges the gap between the whimsy and cool (kids aged 11-12 can choose to visit Disney’s Oceaneer Club & Lab or Edge). 

 

Entertainment at Edge includes:

Video gaming stations

Tables for arts and crafts

A 98ʺ flat-screen plasma TV for watching Disney movies

Dance floor for parties and games

 

For the Biggest Kids (besides mom and dad) 

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For the older kids, ages 14-17, there’s Vibe, housed in the forward funnel of the Disney Magic. Fun for the teens at Vibe includes:

 

Multiple flat-screen TVs

Video games

Board games

Tablets

 

Both Vibe and Edge host various activities aimed at tweens/teens both inside the youth clubs and throughout the ship, including pool parties and lunches.

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Nightlife Aboard Disney Wonder: Inside Wonder’s Nightclubs & Lounges

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For the adults in the crowd, there are plenty of experiences to choose from, all with their own distinct Disney magic. 

 

Cadillac Lounge

Cadillac Lounge, a piano bar located on Deck 3, Forward in the Route 66 section on the Disney Wonder, is an intimate spot with a classic Cadillac theme, where adults can listen to live music, enjoy a cocktail and unwind

 

Signals

Signals, an adults-only bar located on Deck 9, is a cozy spot where guests over 21 r can unwind with a range of tasty cocktails and delectable snacks.

 

WaveBands

WaveBands nightclub gives you the sense you’ve stepped inside a giant radio. During the day, guests of all ages can participate in fun-filled games and activities; at night, it becomes an adults-only venue offering cocktails, dancing, and yes - karaoke.

 

Outlook Café

For adults only, Outlook Café is a stylish retreat offering tasty cocktails and stunning sea views.

 

Cove Café

This adults-only lounge is a casual hotspot offering cocktails and snacks. 

 

Diversions

Diversions sports pub and lounge is a cozy venue where families can take part in fun-filled activities or watch a televised sports during the day; and adults can sing karaoke or enjoy a cocktail at night

 

 

Still reading? We mean it when we say that the fun never stops aboard Disney Wonder. There’s truly something - many things, in fact - for everyone. Which one will you try first? Which will be your favorite? 

 

And most important of all, when can you be ready to set sail?

 

For a free, no-obligation quote, reach out to our team today. We’ve got the ins and outs on every cruise ship and itinerary. Let us help you find the one that’s right for you.

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