Disney's Dream Cruise

By Judy Ross
*originally published in Cruise and Travel Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2011

Can you have too much fun? An overload of fantasy?
Only Disney can dish it out like this. Masters at creating
guest experiences, their imagineers believe that surprise
and fun are absolute necessities, no matter what age
you happen to be.

I was with my daughter Noelle and her boys Luke and Tyler trying out this cruise experience from the viewpoint of three generations. We had sailed from Port Canaveral, Florida and from the minute we boarded, every one of us fell under the Disney spell. The 4,000-passenger Disney Dream is 40 percent larger, two decks taller and has 1,250 staterooms, that’s 300 more than her sister ships (Disney Magic and Disney Wonder). But, like them, despite the size, she has the charming nostalgic atmosphere of ocean liners in the days of sea voyages.

I loved the grown-up art deco glamour and 12-foot tall chandeliers, especially juxtaposed with Minnie Mouse skipping down the grand staircase trailed by little girls in princess gowns. And the fun of finding Goofy high-fiving a teenager who has just sunk a putt at the mini-golf course on the sport’s deck. And then, the surprise of hi-tech miracles like the framed art on the ship’s walls that suddenly bursts into full color animation. Every night, pyro-technical feats of wonder take place as fireworks explode from the ship’s deck into the sky. How can you not be captivated by such an atmosphere?

The staterooms, designed in jaunty Disney colors of navy, red and yellow, are tailored for families. Nine out of ten staterooms on Disney Dream are outside ocean view (90 percent with private verandahs) and the inside staterooms have virtual portholes with a real-time view outside the ship. Ours, a Deluxe Oceanview stateroom with verandah easily accommodated the four of us. There is a queen size bed and a separate sitting area with a three-piece sofa. At first sight Luke asked, “Where am I going to sleep?” Then we discovered that a bed came down from the ceiling over the sofa to make bunk beds, all magically put together (complete with ladder) by our housekeeper every night.

The double washroom consisting of a sink and tub/shower in one room and a toilet and sink in the other helped ease the morning rush. And the verandah was, for me, a lifesaver. I wake early and was able to sit outside, close the sliding glass door, and read while others slept.

We set off to explore the ship, and try to get our bearings. Our family suffers from what we laughingly call ‘geographic dyslexia’ but luckily my grandsons didn’t inherit the problematic gene and were able to lead us about the 14-deck ship with confidence. There is so much to see – and, on this short inaugural cruise, too little time. The boys, both sports-minded, want to check out the Goofy Sports Deck, an outdoor area with a full basketball court, ping pong tables, and nine-hole mini-golf course. “I’ll be spending my time here” says Luke nonchalantly, as he and Tyler shoot hoops with a few other kids.

Meanwhile Tyler wants to see the kids’ hangouts and makes a beeline for the Oceaneer Club (for ages 3 to 10) where he climbs into a submarine to play an interactive computer game. Luke is just barely old enough for Edge – the ‘tween lounge (ages 11 to 13) with its illuminated dance floor and multitude of hi-tech entertainment. But since we enjoyed sunny warm days, the boys spent most of the time splashing about in bathing suits on Deck 12 with its giant FunnelVision LED screen.

Noelle and I are looking for a break from her turbo-charged sons so we head to the ‘adults only’ area which has a quiet pool and deck with cushioned lounge chairs as well as the splendid 16,000 square foot Senses spa spread over two decks. The spa’s 17 treatment rooms boast luxuries like rain-forest themed aromatherapy. Tempted to retreat into this peaceful cocoon for the entire afternoon we settled instead for a latte in the Cove Café where vintage photos and illustrations line the walls. The retro atmosphere brings back Walt Disney memories for anyone over 40. After checking out the adult areas, including fabulous themed nightclubs, it came as no surprise that people go on Disney cruises – and don’t bring kids.

That night the four of us ate in the Animator’s Palate and had a most amazing dining experience. We were lapping up our smoked salmon tartare and commenting on the undersea theme of the restaurant, when we hear a voice saying “Hey dude – you in the blue shirt – what’s your name?” On a huge video screen not far from our table is Crush, the animated sea turtle from the film Finding Nemo. He is floating about and talking to us!
When the boys answer he responds and this conversation goes on as if he is real. After further chat he asks Tyler if he is having fun. When Tyler says “Yes, it’s really fun,” Crush swoons, “I love fun!” and then swims away to another table. We are all enchanted and, to this day, haven’t figured out how it’s done. Pixie dust I guess.

We sailed through the night and awoke in the morning to the swaying palms and sugary white beach of Castaway Cay Island, Disney’s private island in the Abaco chain in the northern Bahamas. The boys could hardly wait to disembark so we had a hurried breakfast on the outdoor deck at Cabanas, a wonderful new concept in Disney cruise ship restaurants with a variety of food and beverage stations all designed with a beach house vibe. The free flowing layout meant no lineups and, instead of trays, they offer large Melamine plates – ideal for food gathering, particularly with two hungry boys whirling about intent on sampling from every station.

We managed to get off the ship, onto the island, early enough to meet a group of sweaty early morning runners who had just completed a 5 km run about the island. But in our rush we forgot the beach towels which had been left purposely in our stateroom. A mistake because they have none on the island and Noelle had to return to the ship, go through security again, and lose some of our precious time at Castaway Cay.
While there we swung in rope hammocks, tipped our toes into the tropical (but still cool in January) sea, and managed some reading time on the beach after leaving Tyler at Scuttle’s Cove, the island kids club. Pelican Plunge, a new floating water platform with two water slides, kept the boys amused in the late afternoon while Noelle and I enjoyed a pina colada at the beach bar.

Of all the fun and fantasy of our time on board Disney Dream – the most anticipated adventure was the Aqua Duck, the all-new 765-ft long water coaster that begins at the top of the aft funnel and snakes its way around and down four deck levels. It had been closed for media filming for much of the day so there was a great deal of pent up anticipation when Tyler and I finally found ourselves stepping into the inflatable two-person raft for this thrilling ride. Powerful water blasters propelled us through the clear acrylic flumes swinging out over the side of the ship and speeding along and up and down as if through river rapids. It was wet, wild and thrilling and when we emerged somewhat bedraggled on Deck 12 Tyler pronounced to anyone within earshot – “that was awesome – totally, totally awesome!”

And perhaps awesome is the best word to sum up the Disney Dream experience. The spanking new ship passed the three generation test with flying colors. Our only complaint was we weren’t on board nearly long enough. And we did learn that there’s no such thing as too much fun.