The Disney Difference
For years I have enjoyed the advantages of staying at Disney owned properties in Walt Disney World. The various themes are extremely well executed, and the Disney attention to detail is difficult to surpass. Of course you pay a premium to stay at Disney but then I’ve always felt I received more than enough value in return. I’ve often wondered how this Disney value proposition would translate into a shipboard experience. After all, there is a lot of competition in the cruise industry and Disney Cruise Line doesn’t have the landside advantage of a theme park on the aft deck. For this reason, along with the fact I have no children and the extra cost compared to various competitors, I have not sailed on Disney … until now.
My November 5, 2009 sailing on the DISNEY WONDER marked my 79th cruise. I have enjoyed sailing on everything from budget cruise lines to top of the line luxury ships. I am also a big fan of Disney, so please keep this in mind as you read on. What might seem impressive to me could be something of no importance to you.
I have always admired the Disney Cruise Line ships ever since they were introduced. They are stunning on the exterior, and looked beautiful in pictures. There appeared to be a lot of Disney touches but nothing too over the top. Disney’s intention when building the Magic and Wonder was to create a modern day interpretation of a classic ocean liner, with a little Disney pixie dust thrown in for good measure. I think they succeeded!
Rather than write a traditional review, I’m going to focus on the “Disney Differences”. These are the unique attributes that can only be found on Disney. Basically all the little extras that essentially rounded out my Disney Cruise experience, and left me feeling I received an exceptional value for what I paid. I tried to capture these unique touches in photographs when possible. Just click on the following link to take you to the pictures. There are over 300!
http://gallery.mac.com/ekroller#100479
Lets get started.
- It’s rare these days, but when you book transfers through Disney they actually pick up your luggage for you at the airport, and deliver it to your cabin. When you check your back at your departure airport, you don’t see it again until you are onboard ship. It went without a hitch.
- DCL offered complete check-in at the airport. When we arrived at the pier all the check-in formalities had already been completed. We were even given our “Key to the World” card, or cruise charge card/cabin key at the airport.
- The DCL transfer busses are custom designed. They have “portholes” for windows, DCL logos in the seat fabric, and present a DCL video on the way to the port. It was a festive way to begin my first Disney Cruise vacation.
- The DCL terminal at Port Canaveral is again custom designed by Disney. It’s impressive and designed to look like an ocean liner terminal from yesteryear. There is an exceptional model of the ship, with a cut-away view in the center of the terminal. Don’t miss it!
- As you board the DISNEY WONDER, you are met by the staff and your name is actually announced over the PA (lobby area only). I was announced as a first time DCL cruiser. This was not really my cup of tea but it was unique, and just one example of how Disney goes the extra mile to make you feel special.
- The sail away party is not to be missed. It’s fully choreographed and of course the Disney characters are in full force. The ship’s whistle plays “When you wish upon a star” as you depart. The Goofy Pool, otherwise known as the family pool is where all the outdoor action takes place. There is a large stage, a giant screen TV, and a teak dance floor that automatically covers the pool at the touch of a button.
- Rotational Dining. This is something only DCL offers. There are three unique dining rooms, each with a theme. Each night you rotate to a different dining room, remaining at the same table number. The best part is your wait staff rotates with you! The three dining rooms are Animator’s Palate, Tritons, and Parrot Cay. Animator’s Palate is a “show dinner”, with changing walls going from black and white to full color by the end of dinner. Parrot Cay is Island theme, and Tritons is more formal and is the French dinner. Animator’s Palate was my favorite. Overall, food and service were excellent. Your dining rotation and table number are printed on your “Key to the World” card.
- The staff. There is a difference on Disney! The staff was extra friendly and accommodating, perhaps more so then any other large ship I have sailed. There were more Australians and Canadians working onboard then I have seen on any other cruise line. As an example, the first night at dinner our waiter and his assistant actually called us by name. That is a first for me, even on luxury lines like Silversea. Another example is the cabin steward knocked on our door, introduced himself and gave an overview of the cabin amenities soon after we boarded. This is impressive for a three day cruise.
- The evening shows. I think it’s unprecedented that are three, full-scale production shows on a 3-night cruise. You are lucky to have three production shows on a 7-night cruise. All three shows were phenomenal. The Golden Mickey’s, Toy Story the Musical, and Disney Dreams. Toy Story and Disney Dreams were truly Broadway caliber shows and the best I’ve seen on any ship.
- Fireworks at sea! Who else but Disney would have fireworks at sea? Of course it’s all set to a Pirates in the Caribbean Party on deck, complete with music, a choreographed show, costumes, and Disney characters of course! It was excellent!
- Castaway Cay. Until now, Royal Caribbean’s Labadee was my favorite private beach day. I was truly impressed with Castaway Cay. The theme of the entire island was so well executed, and I loved the fact the ship actually docked instead of anchoring. We loved the adult’s only beach called Serenity Bay and there was even a post office. The beach barbeque was better then any other I have experienced on these islands, and you could even order a grilled steak at Serenity Bay. Well done! Plenty of soft serve ice cream and free soft drinks as well.
- Free soft drinks. It’s minor but it was so nice having a 24-hour beverage station up by the pool. You could serve yourself whatever soft drink you like, and refill as often as you like. Soft drinks are complimentary in the dining room and on Castaway Cay as well.
- The Cabin. We booked a standard outside with balcony on Deck 7. It was larger and better appointed compared to other mass-market ships. I loved the large closets with sliding doors and the two bathrooms. One offered a toilet and sink, and the other a tub and sink. Very practical. Also, the finish in the bathrooms was exceptional. Higher grade faucets and actual tile. Most ship bathrooms today are one pre-fabricated plastic unit. Not so on Disney! In addition there were lots of Disney touches like the bedside lamps, the propeller clock, a steamer truck that opened to reveal shelving, and even hidden Mickey’s!
- If you like Disney Classic films, then you are in for a treat. The flat-panel TV in the cabin has multiple channels showing various Disney animated classics. In addition there are the usual channels like CNN, the navigation channel, and Disney promotional channels. Watching bits of Cinderella and Snow White just added to the magic. I haven’t seen those since I was a small child.
- In addition to the beautiful Walt Disney Theater, the Disney ships offer a true shipboard theater that shows first run films as well as Disney classics. It’s called the Buena Vista Theater. In fact if Disney premiers a movie on land, it premiers on the ship the same day. The new Disney film “A Christmas Carol” premiered on the DISNEY WONDER at 12:01am on Friday night. Pretty cool!
- Disney Characters. Yup, they’re everywhere. You never know when you will turn the corner and bump into Mickey Mouse or one of his buddies. I loved it and enjoyed watching the kid’s reactions when they saw the characters.
- Just for Adults. On DCL, even if you are traveling without kids you are well cared for. I was impressed by the variety and quantity of adult only areas. One big difference with DCL is they actually enforce these areas. There is the Quiet Cove pool along with the adjacent Cove Café and Outlook Café. The Spa, and “Route 66”, which is an entire section of the ship located on Deck 3 forward that is dedicated to adult only lounges. Diversions is a sports bar, Wave Bands is a multi-purpose club, and the Cadillac Lounge is an intimate piano bar. I really fell in love with the Cadillac Lounge. It’s become one of my favorite all-time shipboard venues.
- Palo – This is the adult only specialty restaurant. We dined in Palo the second night and the experience was awesome. We had an excellent waiter from Australia and the food and presentation were superb.
- Piped in music. I know I lot of people don’t like piped in music in the halls and foyers, but I really enjoyed it on DCL. I liked hearing Disney theme music as I walked to my cabin, or something like the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean on Pirates night. It’s a pirate’s life for me!
- Overall ship décor and organization. The DISNEY WONDER is a class act. It’s not garish or overdone. The attention to detail is stunning and the ship was extremely clean and in excellent shape. I loved the teak decking and loungers in the Quite Cove pool, and little Disney touches all over. Even the deck chairs had the Disney logo imprinted into them, as well as the light switches in the cabin. The organization of the activities, meals, shows, etc. was excellent. DCL obviously has this down to a science. The ship was extremely spacious and at no time did I feel crowded except for the buffet.
- I was surprised by the fact I never felt overwhelmed by the kids. There were a lot onboard, but they were so engaged in their own activities that you never felt bombarded by them. In addition they were well behaved and stayed clear of the adult areas. I have actually sailed on “regular” cruise lines where the kids were much more in your face.
- There were only two announcements per day, and the liquor we purchased in Nassau was not confiscated at the gangway. I felt this was a touch of class unlike so many cruise lines today.
- Disembarkation was simple and easy. Like most lines you put out your luggage the night before. Unlike most lines your luggage tag is a Disney character as opposed to a color or number. Ours was Tinkerbell. We literally walked off the ship when we were ready; with no line what so ever.
Well, not everything is perfect. So what didn’t I like? Very few things actually.
- The Beach Blanket Buffet area is far too small for a ship this size.
- I wish they used a fitted sheet instead of a flat sheet on the mattress.
- It’s time to replace the bedspreads.
- The showerhead needed replacing. It was old and lacked water pressure.
Overall I hope you can tell I truly enjoyed my first Disney Cruise experience. While I will continue to sail on other cruise lines, I know now what makes DCL tick. It’s the attention to detail, that special Disney magic, a focus on quality, a happy and experienced crew, the ability to make every passenger feel special, and a well-designed and beautiful ship.
I look forward to sailing on Disney Cruise Line in the future, and of course I am excited about the new DISNEY DREAM and DISNEY FANTASY.
Ernie