Since that time, the Disney Cruise Line has sailed above the bar it set with the Magic. The Wonder debuted, amazing changes have been made to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, and now the all-new Disney Dream is about appear on the horizon this January.
I’m hoping to set sail with my family some time this year, but until I can get a first-hand look, I thought I’d share some of the official info from Disney describing the incredible amenities, special features and Disney magic that make this new ship, well, a Dream!
When the Disney Dream debuts on Jan. 26, 2011, guests will begin embarking on innovation-infused journeys aboard a 4,000-passenger cruise ship where technology has been translated into eye-popping, jaw-dropping experiences – where activities, mealtimes and pastimes elicit smiles, giggles, “wows” and squeals of delight … and occasionally will take your breath away.
There’s a first-of-its-kind water coaster that sends guests racing above the upper decks of the ship. An animated turtle engages children in conversation about life in the ocean. Kids join Peter Pan on a virtual flight above London.
Talk about a “see cruise”: On this newest ship of the Disney Cruise Line fleet, atrium “paintings” come to life. Guests in inside staterooms peer at a real-time view of the ocean outside. In a sophisticated lounge, the sun sets over the skyline of a different world-famous city each night.
Just as Disney Cruise Line revolutionized the cruise industry with ships designed especially for families, the Disney Dream is technologically refining and enhancing world-class entertainment and legendary Disney guest services to offer a cruise experience that both caters to every guest and enthralls them. The Disney Dream experience elevates entertainment to new heights, transforms mealtimes into occasions with a full course of fun, and even makes quiet times memorable.
Yet for all its wonderment and whimsy, the Disney Dream is warm and welcoming, featuring an elegant, richly detailed art deco interior design – throughout its entire 1,115-foot length, in its 1,250 staterooms and suites, its theaters and restaurants and clubs and lounges.
The Disney Dream will sail alternating three- and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla., to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. During summer months, the ship will alternate four- and five-night itineraries with two stops at Castaway Cay.
Distinctly Disney features guests will discover aboard the ship include:
AquaDuck Water Coaster. . .
Disney Cruise Line debuts a cruise-industry first: a shipboard water coaster … AquaDuck! Guests aboard the Disney Dream will get swept away on an exhilarating high-speed flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, uphill acceleration and river rapids – all while traversing the upper decks of the ship.
Disney Cruise Line debuts a cruise-industry first: a shipboard water coaster … AquaDuck! Guests aboard the Disney Dream will get swept away on an exhilarating high-speed flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, uphill acceleration and river rapids – all while traversing the upper decks of the ship.
Some 765 feet in length and spanning four decks in height, AquaDuck utilizes high-powered water jets that gush some 10,000 gallons of water per minute to push riders upward and forward – and at one jaw-dropping point take guests 13 feet over the side of the ship in a translucent “swing out” loop allowing them to look down on the ocean 150 feet below.
A Magical Porthole for Inside Staterooms. . .
Disney Cruise Line introduces another innovation with all inside staterooms on the Disney Dream featuring a Magical Porthole that provides guests with a real-time view outside the ship. High-definition cameras placed on the exterior of the ship feed live video to each Magical Porthole.
Disney Cruise Line introduces another innovation with all inside staterooms on the Disney Dream featuring a Magical Porthole that provides guests with a real-time view outside the ship. High-definition cameras placed on the exterior of the ship feed live video to each Magical Porthole.
As guests observe the impressive outside views, they may glimpse a magical surprise: animated characters such as Peach the starfish from the Disney•Pixar film “Finding Nemo,” the flying balloon house from the Disney•Pixar film “UP” or even Mickey Mouse.
A Magical Oasis for Children. . .
Only on a Disney Cruise Line ship can children become immersed in their favorite Disney stories with the help of caring counselors, beloved Disney characters and a sprinkling of pixie dust. The celebration of children’s creativity rises to a new level on the Disney Dream with nearly an entire deck of youth spaces designed to inspire, entertain and unlock the imagination of children ages 3 to 10.
Only on a Disney Cruise Line ship can children become immersed in their favorite Disney stories with the help of caring counselors, beloved Disney characters and a sprinkling of pixie dust. The celebration of children’s creativity rises to a new level on the Disney Dream with nearly an entire deck of youth spaces designed to inspire, entertain and unlock the imagination of children ages 3 to 10.
At Disney’s Oceaneer Club, children can:
- Play among larger-than-life characters from Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story” in Andy’s Room
- Explore the Laugh Floor with lovable monsters Mike and Sully from “Monsters, Inc.”
- Dive under the sea with Nemo and friends or visit Tinker Bell’s fairy forest
At Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, children feel as though they are embarking on a great seafaring adventure in a room filled with maps, maritime instruments and swashbuckling artifacts. Here, children can try their hand at animation, become a pop star or navigate ships through digital seas.
Both youth areas offer magical interactions with the animated characters such as Crush, the sea turtle from the Disney•Pixar motion picture “Finding Nemo,” and Stitch, the mischievous alien from “Lilo & Stitch.” The characters chat, play and joke with children in live, unrehearsed conversations from their digital undersea and intergalactic environments via giant plasma screens.
Both venues also feature a Magic PlayFloor, a cruise industry first that blends the latest in gaming technology with Disney’s panache for storytelling. The interactive floor allows children to engage in group activities where their movements control the action. Activities include controlling the pitch of a virtual tilt maze, flying over the streets of London with Peter Pan and riding the ocean waves with Crush.
Chill-Out Zones for Tweens and Teens. . .
Located inside the forward funnel of the Disney Dream is Edge, a lounge just for tweens (ages 11 to 13). This tween pad is filled with a multitude of hi-tech entertainment including the ability to create and star in photo postcards and video karaoke using green-screen technology.
Located inside the forward funnel of the Disney Dream is Edge, a lounge just for tweens (ages 11 to 13). This tween pad is filled with a multitude of hi-tech entertainment including the ability to create and star in photo postcards and video karaoke using green-screen technology.
Teens have their own exclusive club with Vibe, a trendy, 9,000-square-foot club for guests ages 14 to 17. Teens can create videos, play computer games and try their hand at mixing dance tracks. Teens have a private outdoor area for sunbathing, deck games and cooling off with wading pools and water jets.
Personal Touches with Rotational Dining. . .
Disney Cruise Line continues its innovative rotational dining concept onboard the Disney Dream with elaborately themed restaurants, distinctly Disney touches, and world-class cuisine to create a magical dining experience. Throughout the cruise, guests visit different restaurants for dinner – with their servers accompanying them, providing friendly, personalized service each night. Restaurants include:
Disney Cruise Line continues its innovative rotational dining concept onboard the Disney Dream with elaborately themed restaurants, distinctly Disney touches, and world-class cuisine to create a magical dining experience. Throughout the cruise, guests visit different restaurants for dinner – with their servers accompanying them, providing friendly, personalized service each night. Restaurants include:
- Animator’s Palate, a signature Disney Cruise Line restaurant that brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room for an amazing experience that will captivate the entire family. The room is immersed in a vivid undersea environment and Crush, the surfer-dude sea turtle from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” makes a special appearance, swimming around the restaurant and engaging in live impromptu interactions with guests. Crush asks guests about their experience onboard the ship and answers questions about his life under the sea. Other characters such as Nemo, Dory, Squirt and Bruce the shark swim by and visit with guests.
- Royal Palace, an elegant restaurant inspired by the classic Disney films “Cinderella,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Sleeping Beauty.”
- Enchanted Garden, a whimsical, casual restaurant inspired by the gardens of Versailles and featuring a dining environment that magically transforms from day to night.
Just for Adults. . .
On the Disney Dream, while children are having the time of their lives in the elaborately themed youth areas, adults can look forward to incomparable indulgences and relaxation with exclusive areas and offerings designed exclusively for them.
- Adults can escape into The District, a nighttime entertainment area on the Disney Dream with five unique venues. This playground for grownups features sophisticated lounges, each with its own unique design, look, feel, and palate-pleasing delights.
- Senses Spa & Salon offers adult tranquility with 17 private treatment rooms, lavish spa villas with indoor treatment rooms and private outdoor verandahs, and Rainforest, a special section of the spa offering the benefits of steam, heat and hydrotherapy to relax the mind and body.
- At Palo, sweeping ocean views, rich décor and epicurean excellence create the setting for a romantic escape aboard the Disney Dream in a redesigned version of Disney Cruise Line’s signature specialty restaurant. Guests also may dine al fresco on Palo’s private outdoor deck.
- Remy debuts on the Disney Dream – Disney Cruise Line’s first-ever premier dining option. With French-inspired, gourmet cuisine by two award-winning chefs, Remy melds classic and contemporary styles in a sophisticated new dining concept exclusively for adults.
Entertainment for the Family to Enjoy Together. . .
From experiences when the cruise is just underway until “the time to say good-bye,” the family entertainment aboard the Disney Dream is mesmerizing and memorable. Live theatrical productions, family-friendly “game-show” experiences, first-run Disney movies and high-energy deck parties are just some of the entertainment young and old will enjoy together. The spectacles literally elevate cruise ship entertainment to new heights as a little mermaid soars over a stage in a stunning aerial ballet, pirates rappel from atop the ship’s funnel during a swashbuckling adventure and the evening sky lights up with a dazzling spectacle of sound and color.
From experiences when the cruise is just underway until “the time to say good-bye,” the family entertainment aboard the Disney Dream is mesmerizing and memorable. Live theatrical productions, family-friendly “game-show” experiences, first-run Disney movies and high-energy deck parties are just some of the entertainment young and old will enjoy together. The spectacles literally elevate cruise ship entertainment to new heights as a little mermaid soars over a stage in a stunning aerial ballet, pirates rappel from atop the ship’s funnel during a swashbuckling adventure and the evening sky lights up with a dazzling spectacle of sound and color.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent.
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