Fine Travel’s Travel Consultant Sunita Shalivahan experienced a Disney Wonder cruise in December 2023. She provides insight into her experience.
Disney Wonder is a family-friendly cruise ship that offers a range of entertainment, dining, and recreation options for guests of all ages. You can enjoy Broadway-style shows, meet your favourite Disney Characters, and join themed deck parties on board. You can also indulge in imaginative cuisine, relax in spacious staterooms, and pamper yourself at the spa and salon. So, what sort of entertainment can you expect onboard a Disney Wonder cruise?
Character Meet and Greets
You can meet a variety of characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Stitch, Cinderella, Belle, Anna, Elsa, and more. You can take photos with them, get their autographs, and have fun interactions. Check the Personal Navigator newsletter or the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for the schedule and location of where your favourite characters will be making an appearance. Be prepared to wait in long queues for this activity — there’s likely to be a minimum of an hour or so to wait.
Deck Parties
Join the festive celebrations on the upper decks, where you can enjoy live music, dancing, games, and fireworks. Some of the deck parties on Disney Wonder are Mickey's Sail-A-Wave Party and Marvel Day at Sea with exciting special effects. Be sure to take your jacket with you as it can get a bit chilly up there in the evening and at night.
Live Entertainment
In the Walt Disney Theatre you can watch Broadway-style shows. On the first day of my cruise I watched Disney Dreams, an Enchanted Classic. On the second day was Frozen, a Musical Spectacular and the third day was The Golden Mickeys. Each was different and exceptional, with special effects that make you raise your brows in awe. The doors open 30 minutes before the show and queues start 30 minutes prior to that. So, for a 6pm show you need to be in line waiting to get in at 5pm. Buy a themed box of popcorn on the first day and you can keep refilling it throughout the cruise for $2. Try and sit in the front rows to experience interaction with the cast and characters.
Movies and Theatres
Catch the latest Disney movies — some are even in 3D — in the Buena Vista Theatre. You can also watch movies on the Funnel Vision jumbo screen on one of the upper decks, which shows Disney classics and new releases throughout the day and night.
Lounges and Nightclubs
Relax and have fun in the adult-only areas of the ship, such as the Quiet Cove Pool, the Senses Spa & Salon, and the Outlook Cafe. You can also visit the various bars and lounges, such as the Crown & Fin Pub, the Cadillac Lounge, the Azure Nightclub, and the French Quarter Lounge, where you can enjoy drinks, music, trivia, karaoke, and more.
These are just some of the activities on board Disney Wonder. There are many more things to do and see on this amazing ship, such as the Marvel Super Hero Academy, the AquaLab water play area, the Palo Steakhouse, and the Hero Zone.
For the kids
The Oceaneer Lab and Club are two connected spaces on Deck 5 that offer a variety of fun and educational activities for children aged 3 to 12. They’re open from 9am to midnight every day, and are supervised by trained staff who ensure the safety and enjoyment of the kids. The Oceaneer Lab and Club are also equipped with a secure check-in and check-out system that requires a MagicBand and a secret password for each child. The cost of the band is $12.95 and is deducted automatically at the time you register your child. On returning the band on the last day, the amount gets credited back into your account.
The Oceaneer Lab is designed to inspire creativity and exploration, with themed areas, including a pirate ship, a science lab, a media room, and a craft studio. Some of the activities that kids can enjoy in the Oceaneer Lab are:
- Creating art projects and crafts with various materials and tools
- Watching movies and shows on a large screen or on individual monitors
- Reading books and comics in a cosy library
- Playing with toys and games inspired by Toy Story, such as Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
- Meeting various Disney characters who visit the Oceaneer Club throughout the day.
The Oceaneer Lab and Club are both great places for kids to have fun, make friends, and learn new things on board the Disney Wonder. Kids can also move freely between the two spaces, depending on their interests and preferences.
There are many activities for kids under 3 years old that can help them develop their skills and have fun at the same time. Some of the activities are:
- Singing together
- Painting and drawing
- Building with magnetic tiles
- Reading books of all kinds together
- Turning pages of a board book
Pools
On Disney Wonder there is a kids pool with pool parties and fun activities, water slides, and much more. There are also two spa pools and an adult pool area.
Cabins
The cabins are comfortable with a separate toilet, and shower over a small bath. Both areas have wash basins. They’re a bit narrow, but have a good layout for the space
Housekeeping and wait staff are assigned to you for the number of days you’re on board. So, if you specify your requirements on the very first day, the crew are well aware of your needs and will take care to fulfil everything to the best of their ability. Full marks on customer service!
Dining
Dining is rotational and times are assigned to what you selected when you checked in online. We were at Tiana’s on the first night for dinner, Tritons for the second, and Animator's Palate on the last. Characters may come along during your dinner and perform and entertain you. They visit you at your table for a photo, too, if you like.
At the Animator’s Palate you will be asked to draw some pictures before dinner. While having dinner, the pictures are turned into wonderful animations and you can see your pictures dancing on the screen in front of your table. That’s technology to the next level! You get your pictures back with a nice golden Disney stamp of certification on them as a momento.
Lunch is generally at the Cabanas — a mix of a lot of different cuisines, buffet style. Here, again, if something doesn’t appeal to you or doesn’t fit in with your dietary requirements, just let the staff know and they will prepare something for you in minutes.
There is an ice cream place, a soft drinks corner, along with tea and coffee, sandwiches, and pizzas served throughout the day — all included in your fare.
Disney World provides an immersive experience that is entertaining for the whole family. Explore upcoming cruises on Disney World here and contact Fine Travel to book your next family adventure.
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