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They don’t call it the Disney DREAM for nothin’…

The Disney Dream was the third ship to join the ever-expanding Disney Cruise Line fleet. (Seriously… have you heard that the NEW Disney Destiny was just announced ??) The Disney Dream introduced a new class of ships to the line — the Dream Class, of course! And if it’s YOUR dream to sail on this magical ship, then we hope you’ll join us as we explore everything you and your traveling crew need to know about cruising on the Disney Dream!

Disney Dream Overview

The Disney Dream took its Maiden Voyage with passengers on January 26, 2011. The Disney Fantasy, which followed with its first sailing in 2012, is the sister ship to the Disney Dream.

So, in both its size and structure (with 14 Decks and 1,250 Staterooms) and passenger capacity (a whopping 4,000!), it is similar to the Disney Fantasy. That said, each ship boasts some of their own distinguishing features.

These start right in the ship’s Art deco-inspired Atrium, where a golden statue of Admiral Donald Duck himself welcomes you aboard!

Of course, among additional varied features, the ship’s itineraries differ as well…

Disney Dream Destinations

The Disney Dream primarily offers Bahamian cruises departing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida .

However, the summer of 2024 holds something very unique in store for passengers on the Dream, as the ship is destined for Europe following a Transatlantic voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona ! Sailings over the summer include Mediterranean (including the Greek Isles), British Isles, Western Europe, and Norwegian Fjords (with one sailing including Iceland) cruises.

When the Dream returns stateside, she’ll depart again from Fort Lauderdale to offer Bahamian and Caribbean cruises, and select sailings will include a stop at Disney Cruise Line’s NEW island destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point (and, of course, Disney Cruise Line’s beloved Castaway Cay )!

Check out Disney Cruise Line’s itineraries for Summer 2025 here!

Disney dream entertainment.

Unique Disney Cruise Line entertainment kicks things off RIGHT AWAY as your cruise starts with a Sailing Away Deck Party!

When I say “unique” that’s because the pals joining you in the entertainment throughout the voyage are none other than Disney characters!

Select sailings also present Disney Cruise Line’s famous Pirate Night (complete with FIREWORKS at sea!). And don’t forget: your CREW is invited to don all the Pirate-y garb you can pack in yer suitcase, matey!

When it comes to entertainment options, Disney Cruise Line is best known for its Broadway-style productions — presented in the Walt Disney Theatre — that tie in characters, beloved stories, and treasured music from the Disney films.

The three shows that guests can enjoy on the Disney Dream are Beauty and the Beast , The Golden Mickeys, and Disney’s Believe.

Currently exclusive to the Disney Dream, Beauty and the Beast brings the “Tale As Old As Time” to you live on stage!

In addition to seeing the characters and hearing the songs you already know and love from the animated film, this production also includes two new pieces written by Alan Menken and Tim Rice from the live-action film.

While Beauty and the Beast puts the focus on one Disney film, Disney’s Believe and The Golden Mickeys bring together oodles and oodles of Disney stories, characters, and signature songs!  In Disney’s Believe , which Disney shares is a “spellbinding musical about a workaholic father who reconnects with his daughter through a little Disney magic,” you’ll see familiar friends from Peter Pan, Aladdin, Cinderella, The Lion King , and The Princess and the Frog.

The Golden Mickeys is “a dazzling tribute to the enchanting movies of Walt Disney” (and it includes a red carpet pre-show!). Featured Disney films include — but aren’t limited to — Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Mulan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Toy Story 2.

P.S. You can pay a visit to Preludes before the show to pick up some popcorn (or perhaps a cocktail) to enjoy in the theatre!

Disney Dream Water Features

Passengers of all ages can make a BIG SPLASH on Deck 11 (and even a bit higher…) of the Disney Dream! Let’s start with that part that’s “a bit higher…”

We’re talking about the Aqua Duck , the water coaster that made its debut on the Dream!

To ride, guests enter on Deck 12. From here? As the Disney Cruise Line website shares, you’ll take a 2-person raft on “a wet and wild journey up, down, around and off the side of the ship, through the Forward Funnel—on a daredevil 4-deck drop.”

Be aware, though, that there is a height requirement of 42 inches or taller to ride (and single riders must be at least 54 inches).

Water areas for all ages include Donald’s Pool on Deck 11, as well as a wading pool on Deck 12.

Specifically for the kiddos is Mickey’s Pool , and Nemo’s Reef in particular is a splash area for those 8 and under.

Mickeys Slide , however, can be enjoyed by passengers ages 4 to 14.

The Quiet Cove Pool is reserved for guests over 18 years of age only, as is the Satellite Falls wading pool, complete with a cooling rain curtain. In the same area, adult guests can enjoy a cocktail at the Currents pool bar (the Waves bar is another option), or step inside the Cove Café for a specialty coffee.

Disney Dream Staterooms

The Disney Dream offers four categories of staterooms: Inside, Oceanview, Verandah, and Concierge. Many of the rooms feature Disney’s innovative split bathroom which allows more guests in a cabin the chance to get ready at one time.

While each category boasts amenities such as premium mattresses and linens, a 22″ LCD flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, and a surprising amount of storage space, there are many more details to explore among the varying categories, so we’ve dedicated a page to those options here .

Looking for ALL the Stateroom details for the Disney Dream? Click HERE!

Disney dream dining.

As with all the other ships in the fleet, the Disney Dream presents a wide array of options, starting with a Disney Cruise Line signature: Rotational Dining!

Rotational Dining means that guests have the chance to enjoy dinner at ALL THREE of the ships main dining rooms, each with their own theme and specialty menus on select nights. The best part is that, as you move to a different restaurant each evening, so do your servers! They “rotate” right along with you so they can get to know your group’s dining preferences.

The three Rotational Dining restaurants on the Disney Dream are Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden , and Royal Palace.

Animator’s Palate is an innovative restaurant where the show is drawings coming to life on screens all around you. Undersea Magic immerses diners in the world of  Finding Nemo .

Dinner at the Royal Palace features French and continental cuisine in the opulence of the classic Disney fairytales Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast.

At Enchanted Garden, guests enjoy their meal as the restaurant changes as flowers bloom and the “sky” fades from day to night.

Be aware that Royal Palace and Enchanted Garden may also serve breakfast and lunch during a sailing, offering guests a full service option if they prefer not to dine buffet or quick service style.

A number of options are available throughout the day, as well. Cabanas hosts a massive buffet for both breakfast and lunch. Help yourself!

Also on Deck 11, several Quick Service options serve classics like burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips and fries, pizza, and healthier fare like salads and sandwiches. These are all available at Flo’s Cafe , which is divided into three different stations: Luigi’s Pizza, Tow Mater’s Grill, and Fillmore’s Favorites.

P.S. Don’t forget to follow up any and all of that with some soft-serve ice cream at Eye Scream Treats!

Additional treats — including scoops from a Gelato Bar —  are available for extra purchase at Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats , a charming spot themed to Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph .

And did you know that ROOM SERVICE is available for breakfast or snacks 24 HOURS A DAY??  The vast majority of items are INCLUDED in the cruise price!

Disney Dream Adult Spaces

In addition to the Quiet Cove mentioned earlier, the Disney Dream offers more areas reserved just for grown-ups. These include the fine dining restaurant, Palo , which may be booked for dinner for an additional charge per adult.

Additionally, the famous Palo Brunch is available for booking during sea days! This option is incredibly popular, so advance booking through your Disney Cruise Line account is recommended.

Be aware, as well, that Palo does have a dress code. The Disney Cruise Line website states: “Formal or semi-formal attire is recommended. Also permitted is dress-casual attire with a polished look, such as dress pants, jeans in good condition, collared shirts, dressy tops and lifestyle shoes. For brunch at Palo and Palo Steakhouse, dress shorts are acceptable. Clothing such as T-shirts, swimwear and sports attire are not permitted.”

The Disney Dream is also home to Remy, another adults only option that adheres to a slightly more strict dress code than Palo: Jackets for men (or collared shirt for brunch) are required and no jeans, shorts, capri pants, sneakers, or open toed shoes.

The cuisine is exceptional French fare and reservations are required.

By the way, before or after your special meal, you might stop at Meridian , a lounge overlooking the back of the ship!

Ready to relax with a drink, or maybe even do a little dancing? Adults can pay a visit to The District , featuring several lounges, each with their own distinct style and atmosphere. District Lounge , for instance, is a relaxing piano bar, while Evolution presents late-night entertainment like dancing, games, karaoke, and comedy shows.

Pink is a Wine and Champagne Bar, while Skyline Lounge immerses you in a “sleek sky bar” boasting views of some of the world’s most iconic skylines!

Meanwhile, sports fans can catch a game at Pub 687. 

Adults might also opt to participate in a Mixology Class or Beverage Tasting Seminar for an extra fee. Featured liqueur and cocktail options include — but aren’t limited to — rum, tequila and margaritas, whiskey, champagne tastings, and more!

Advance booking is highly recommended for these fun and VERY popular opportunities!

The Senses Spa & Salon offers a wide array of services and treatments. (And the Rainforest Room provides an especially relaxing oasis!) Select experiences are available for pre-booking, and you can stop by Senses to inquire about prices for the Rainforest Room and other treatments during your cruise. And the Fitness Center offers workout machines and classes.

And though this is not limited to adults, keep in mind that if you’d like to get a jog or two in, Deck 4 hosts a walking track!

Disney Dream Kids Clubs and Experiences

But what about the kids? Oh, don’t you worry… there are specific areas on the ship dedicated to children, offering experiences tailored for ages from infants to teens!

The It’s a Small World Nursery is available for ages 6 months to 3 years old (save for the Transatlantic cruise, during which the nursery welcomes ages 1 to 3 years old).

Be aware that the Disney Cruise Line website states that “Reservations can be made on a first-come, first-served basis during the open house on Embarkation Day or anytime throughout your cruise. Childcare at “it’s a small world” nursery! is available at an additional fee.” Disney also emphasizes that space is limited.

Meanwhile, Disney’s Oceaneer Club AND Disney’s Oceaneer Lab are available for children ages 3 to 10. The Oceaneer Lab specializes in learning while having FUN!

The Oceaneer Club features activities such as character experiences, storytime, and play areas. (There are also specific guided activities for the littlest ones, ages 3 and 4.)

On the Dream, the Oceaneer Club features the following playful spaces: Andy’s Room (that’s Andy from Toy Story ), the Disney Infinity Game Room, Pixie Hollow , and Star Wars : Millennium Falcon.

Keep in mind that Youth Activities counselors are present at all times in these spaces. Parents will want to know that spaces for your child can be pre-registered via your Disney Cruise Line account, and registration may also take place onboard the ship.

Tweens (ages 11 to 14) can gather at the Edge to hang out, watch movies, play games and make friends during group activities with fun Disney counselors and more. And you want to know something really cool? Edge is located in the ship’s Forward Funnel on Deck 13!

Vibe offers cruisers ages 14 to 17 similar activities geared to their age group, or simply a place to chill. It even boasts its own sun deck on the Dream.

We’ve got one more thing to mention, though it’s not a club, per se. For an extra fee, your little Prince or Princess age 3 to 12 can get a makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique .

Disney Princess, knight, and sea captain-themed packages are available… and there’s an exclusive makeover for Pirate Party Nights!

But we’re STILL not done… because children ages 3-12 can partake in a special tea party with Disney characters. Children get gifts including a jewelry box, tiara, bracelet, necklace, a Cinderella doll, and autograph book. Alternatively they can opt for a package including a cinch bag, sword, shield, pins, Duffy plush, and autograph book. The Disney Cruise Line site will have pricing information available when you book via your Disney Cruise Line account in advance.

Disney Dream Activities

Still want MORE to do 😉 ? That’s good, because the Disney Dream has GOT MORE! D Lounge, for example, is the place to be for family fun with events like game shows and trivia, dance parties,  and more.

Catch a movie on the big screen at the Buena Vista Theatre ! You might choose to watch a Disney animated classic, or maybe a Star Wars or Marvel flick. You never know… your sailing just might feature a first-run Disney feature film at sea! “Funnel Vision” on the pool deck shows movies on the big screen, too.

You can find basketball courts and ping-pong tables on Goofy’s Sports Deck. (My personal favorite option here? It’s 9-hole MINI GOLF!)

Want to explore all sorts of areas on the ship while SOLVING A MYSTERY, to boot? Then get ready to play Midship Detective Agency.  You and your fellow detectives will interact with “enchanted art” in locations all over the ship to gather clues and crack a case wide open! In fact, there are 3 cases to solve (including, but not limited to a MUPPETS-themed caper), so you can play several times — on your own or with your crew — if you like!

And let’s not forget that throughout your cruise, you can meet, hug, get autographs from and pose for pictures with your favorite DISNEY PALS!

Sailing with you are the Fab Five (that’s Mickey and the gang), Disney Princesses, friends from Frozen , and more! Be aware that, while all Character Greetings are included with your cruise, select Greeting times may require advance booking.

Seasonal Sailings

Depending on the time of year, you may find that a special seasonal cruise is in store! For instance, select sailings on the Dream offer a Marvel Day at Sea !

And all ships in the fleet present Halloween on the High Seas in September and October, while Very Merrytime Cruises sail in November and December.

Disney Cruise Line Navigator App

Whew! As you can tell, there’s a LOT happening on the Disney Dream! To keep track of what’s happening when and where, be sure to download the free Disney Cruise Line Navigator app before your cruise.

This is where you can easily find ALL of the activities mentioned throughout this post, book select experiences, check out menus for the ship’s dining locations, and MUCH more!

Join the AllEars.net Newsletter  to get the free list of 50 tips for going on a Disney Cruise! Click here to get started!

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Disney Dream Review

Disney Dream was Disney's first new ship in 12 years when it debuted in 2011, and it represented the company's step into bigger, bolder and smarter ships. So, it's not surprising that the 128,690-ton vessel (with a maximum capacity of 4,000 passengers) -- and its near-twin, Disney Fantasy -- is 40 percent larger and two decks taller than the company's previous ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. Disney Dream is the size of almost seven consecutive Olympic pools.

And while Disney kept the same classic design inspired by the ocean liners of the 1920s and 1930s, this ship is far from the same-old; a closer look reveals many innovative features and spaces. Advanced uses of technology throughout the ship include virtual portholes in inside cabins, and "Enchanted Art," digital paintings that come to life as you admire them.

Families can pick up a packet at the Midship Detective Agency and use the digital works to solve a mystery. Interactive Magic Play Floors, a ship-limited social network and a sound studio enhance the kids clubs.

A Disney Dream Cruise is Not Only for Kids and Mickey Fans

If you're a huge Disney fan (or your kid is), you don't need to be convinced to sail with one of the best family entertainment enterprises around. If you're not -- or have never seen a Disney ship -- you might have the mistaken impression that this line is only for families with little kids who love Mickey Mouse and princesses.

Sure, young Disney fans are the line's bread and butter, and they always have been. But, Dream does offer evidence that a Disney cruise is not only for kids or overgrown Mouse fans. The art deco decor onboard is elegant and jazzy and imparts an old-world luxury, mostly refined, but with a touch of glitz. The pioneering, tech-friendly kids clubs, with spaces themed on Pixar and Disney movies, have a huge amount of beanbag-chair- and videogame-filled real estate dedicated to tweens and teens, a noble effort to better cater to the older-than-8 crowd.

Entertaining dinner shows help keep fidgety youngsters occupied during long sit-down meals. Adults can appreciate high-quality, multicourse dining at Remy; the creative use of costuming and technology (and some mildly adult humor) in the shows; and grown-up activities, such as wine tastings and late-night games and dancing.

Adults also have access to a pool, a sun deck, bars and lounges, restaurants and even shore excursions where those younger than 18 are not allowed. That's good because, in the words of Walt himself, "You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway."

The Disney Dream Deck Plan Includes Five Main Restaurants and Multiple Cabin-Only Decks

Although it’s a larger and more impressive ship than the line’s oldest vessels, Disney Dream decks plans are in many ways similar. Most staterooms are housed in cabin-only decks (decks 5 to 11), while louder public areas such as restaurants, pools, bars and theaters have their own separate areas. This allows for quiet nights in most staterooms. Disney Dream Concierge cabins and suites are all on Deck 12.

That said, the best deck on Disney Dream for those looking to get a good night’s sleep is one that’s not directly above or below any public spaces – namely, Deck 7, 8 or 9.

The Disney Dream ship layout allows for easy passenger flow – mostly thanks to its three elevator banks and smart design. Family and adult-only pools are located on Deck 11, while Deck 12 is home to the ship’s two adult-only restaurants – Palo and Remy. The rest of the dining venues on Disney Dream are spread across multiple decks, offering easy access to food and treats from almost every corner of the ship.

The Disney Dream Ship Stands Out for Its Design and Myriad Décor Details

The influence of the Mouse ranges from subtle to obnoxious. It's omnipresent but generally not overwhelming. "Hidden" Mickeys can be found just about everywhere on the ship: in artwork, on railings, on dinnerware, in cabins. What's endearing to some, though, might be overkill to others.

A few areas on the ship, though, were definitely overlooked. The "sports" deck, for example, offers a cute nine-hole mini-golf course and a basketball court but nothing strikingly groundbreaking or athletic.

Above all else, the line pays attention to details -- little things like putting lids on kids' drinks to minimize spills and pouring ketchup in the shape of Mickey's head in the dining rooms, and adding touches like a life preserver and pair of Donald Duck legs to the side of the funnel to make it look as if the loveable character has gotten himself stuck.

The Combination of Bahamas and Castaway Cay Is a Popular Disney Dream Itinerary

The Disney Dream cruise ship is perfect for warm weather destinations due to its multiple outdoor pools and ample sun decks. One of the most popular itineraries is Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas, which is offered as 3-, 4- and 5-night sailings. (The longer ones call at Cozumel or Disney’s private Bahamian destination, Castaway Cay.)

Other popular options aboard Dream include Western Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona.

Bottom Line

Fellow passengers.

Disney is strongly influenced by American and Canadian travelers, and its primary market, of course, is families (especially those with kids younger than 8). Beyond that, Disney has strong appeal for multigenerational travelers, and its superb spa, bar district and alternate dining facilities mean that adults of any age will find their own spaces onboard.

Disney Dream Dress Code

Daytime:  Disney Dream has two dress codes: Princess Formal and Pirate Casual. We're kidding, of course, but it's true that princess dresses and other costumes for kids (and fun-loving adults) are always in style. The actual dress code is casual during the day.

Evening:  At night, we'd call the dress code "family resort casual" most evenings. Nice shorts and jeans are allowed in the dining rooms. However, Disney Dream cruisers love to dress up, and themed evenings -- whether Pirate Night, formal-optional, or Caribbean -- are wholeheartedly embraced.

Dream's three- to five-night cruises feature one night each of pirate/tropical and formal-optional dress, with the remainder of the evenings being cruise casual. The dress code in the specialty restaurants Palo and Remy is fancier -- no shorts, capris, flip-flops or sneakers. Jeans are allowed in Palo but not Remy. A jacket (but not a tie) is required for men at Remy.

Not permitted:  Shorts, tank tops, swimwear and hats are not permitted in any dining venue. Jeans and women's capri pants are not acceptable in Remy.

Read more about  Disney Cruise Line .

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Disney Dream Cruise Ship: Complete Guide

When the Disney Dream Cruise Ship began sailing in 2011, it became the third ship in the fleet and the first of what would be known as Disney’s “Dream class” ships. Let’s take a deep dive into all the guest rooms, dining, activities and entertainment onboard this amazing floating resort.

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In This Guide:

• Ship Overview
• Rotational Dining
• Adult-Exclusive Dining
• Casual Dining
• Lounges, Bars & Snacks
• Room Service
• Pools & Splash Pads
• Oceaneer Club
• Oceaneer Lab
• Broadway-Style Shows
• Pirate Night / Fireworks

Midship Detective Agency

• Spa & Salons
• Itineraries & Ports
• Deck-By-Deck Guide
• How To Book

Disney Dream Ship Overview

Image © Disney

The arrival of the Disney Dream in 2011 marked the first expansion of Disney Cruise Line’s fleet since its initial two ships in the late 1990s. It had been about 12 years since the launch of the Disney Wonder, and the Dream’s launch was highly anticipated — not just because of pent-up demand but also because Disney had an additional decade of experience and technological advances under its belt. Still no casinos onboard , but lots of new innovations such as a sort of water coaster called the AquaDuck, interactive artwork that springs to life as you pass by, and much more.

As you step onto the ship, your arrival is announced over the atrium loudspeakers as if you were arriving at a state dinner — the crew and your fellow passengers applaud to welcome you aboard, and your vacation has officially begun!

Inside the grand atrium of the ship which towers three decks in height, you might stop to gawk at the impressive overhead light fixture (22 feet in diameter and 13 feet tall, bedazzled with more than 88,000 Swarovski crystals and 24-carat gold plating).

There are plenty of photo spots here, from the grand staircase to the selfie-worthy statue of Admiral Donald [Duck]. Glass elevators zip up and down, ferrying passengers between 14 passenger decks, each waiting to be explored. Where will you head first?

How Does Disney Dream Compare to Other Disney Cruise Ships?

The Disney Dream is a sister ship to the Disney Fantasy , meaning the two are relatively equal in terms of construction (although similar areas on each ship are usually themed differently from one another). The Dream is significantly larger than the two original ships ( Disney Magic and Disney Wonder ) but is slightly smaller than the Disney Wish .

Based on the expected design of the remaining Disney Cruise ships currently being built , the Disney Dream should settle in as one of the “mid-sized” ships in the Disney Cruise fleet — larger than the classic ships, but well below the gigantic ship that Disney is planning to launch in Singapore in 2025.

As to onboard experiences, the Disney Dream is one of only two ships in the fleet to offer the AquaDuck water coaster, the Remy adult-exclusive fine dining restaurant, and virtual portholes (with live camera views of the outside) for its inside staterooms.

How Does the Dream’s Size Affect the Onboard Experience?

There are pros and cons to both types of ships — larger and smaller — but it really depends on your personal preference.

The smaller ships such as the Magic and Wonder are certainly easier to navigate on foot – you’re just a short walk away from virtually anything onboard. My wife and I tend to prefer the smaller ships for this very reason — but the difference is certainly not significant enough to be a dealbreaker. As a matter of fact, Katie and I have sailed onboard the Disney Dream more than any other Disney Cruise Ship despite generally preferring the smaller ones.

We at MagicGuides also tend to recommend smaller ships for first-time cruisers as they might feel a bit cozier when you’re trying to get your feel of the world of cruising — but again, it’s not a major consideration. My first Disney Cruise (and my first cruise ever, for that matter) was on the Disney Dream; I never felt overwhelmed during my maiden voyage and you likely won’t either.

Larger ships such as the Dream might not be able to dock in smaller ports; this is  usually not a concern thanks to savvy itinerary planning on Disney’s part, but some ports are so small that almost every cruise ship has to rely on tenders (smaller boats to ferry you between the ship and shore).

A bigger ship means more passengers, so you’ll find that all of the onboard venues are larger, too. Expect larger restaurants, larger theaters, and larger pools. Fortunately, the additional passengers are well absorbed by these so it rarely feels crowded. And thanks to clever design such as the use of forced perspective, there are still plenty of cozy spots onboard so you never really feel like you’re in a giant cavernous gymnasium.

Jump To: Overview   |  Staterooms   |  Dining   |  Water Fun   |  Kids Clubs   |  Entertainment   |  Spa & Salons   |  Itineraries & Ports   |  Deck-by-Deck   |  Fact Sheet   |  How To Book

Disney Dream Staterooms

One of the biggest decisions to make for your cruise is your own private room onboard the ship. Your stateroom (passenger cabin) serves as your hotel room at sea.

The Disney Dream has 1,250 staterooms, most of which offer an outside view via either a porthole window or a verandah balcony. There are four primary types of staterooms on the ship; each of those four types is further divided into multiple categories and subcategories. Your choice of stateroom is one of the biggest factors in the how much a Disney Cruise costs , because the per-person cost can increase depending on the stateroom category.

Here is a consolidated list of the room types offered onboard. They’re listed here generally from least expensive to most expensive, though there may be some price overlap. For a more in-depth look at each of these room types, see the descriptions and photos posted in our Disney Cruise Staterooms article.

Inside Staterooms on Disney Dream

Inside Staterooms are the smallest Guest rooms on the ship, but are still larger than those found on some other cruise lines. And thanks to some smart design, there’s still plenty of room for everyone and their luggage.

These staterooms have no porthole window and no balcony, but on this ship they do have so-called “magical portholes.” These are circular video screens which offer live video views of the outside, along with occasional character sightings.

Inside staterooms are offered in standard and deluxe versions, with standard being the smaller of the two. The standard version is also the only regular stateroom category on the ship which does not feature a split bathroom configuration; a split bathroom has a toilet/sink in a separate room from the shower/sink, allowing two people to get ready at the same time.

• 11C:   Deck 2
• 11B:   Decks 5, 6, 7
• 11A:   Decks 8, 9, 10
• 10A:   Decks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Oceanview Staterooms on Disney Dream

Oceanview staterooms offer an outside view through a porthole window which does not open.

There are two major choices within this category: a  Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom which is similar in layout to many other staterooms on the ship, and a  Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom  which is larger (holding more people) and offers many additional features geared toward larger families.

• 9D (obstructed porthole with limited ocean view) :   Decks 6, 7, 8
• 9C (obstructed porthole) :   Decks 7, 8
• 9B:   Deck 2
• 9A:   Decks 5, 6, 7, 8
• 8C: Decks 5, 6
• 8B: Decks 7, 8, 9
• 8A: Decks 5, 6

A giant porthole with padded cushion, found in some Family Staterooms | Image © Disney

Verandah Staterooms on Disney Dream

A typical stateroom verandah layout | Image © Disney

Verandah staterooms offer a private outside balcony which can be accessed through sliding glass doors. Most verandahs have see-through railings (with clear plexiglass for safety), but a few categories have solid metal partitions or are otherwise somewhat obstructed.

• 7A:   Decks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
• 6B: Decks 5, 6, 7
• 6A:   Decks 8, 9
• 5C:   Decks 6
• 5B:   Decks 7, 8
• 5A:   Decks 9, 10
• 4E (oversized verandah, some with whitewall) :   Deck 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
• 4C:   Deck 6
• 4B: Decks 7, 8
• 4A:   Decks 9, 10

Category 7A Enclosed Navigator’s Verandah | Image © Disney

Concierge Staterooms on Disney Dream

Concierge Family Stateroom | Image © Disney

Concierge staterooms offer additional personalized services , concierge staff, and access to an exclusive Concierge Lounge and sun deck.

• 3A:   Decks 11, 12
• 2B:   Decks 11, 12
• 2A:   Deck 12
• 1A:   Deck 12

Concierge One-Bedroom Suite | Image © Disney

Concierge Royal Suite | Image © Disney

Need Help Picking a Stateroom?

For free, personalized guidance on the different stateroom options offered by Disney Cruise Line, trust the Disney Cruise experts at The Vacationeer ! As an Earmarked Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner ,  The Vacationeer has helped thousands of families just like yours make their Disney Cruise plans.

When you contact The Vacationeer , you’ll be connected with a single, dedicated travel planner — no waiting on hold to speak to someone at a gigantic call center! Your Vacationeer will take the time to get to know your family’s needs to make sure that you find the perfect stateroom at the best possible price  so you get your money’s worth .

They’ll walk you through all the options, answer your questions, make your reservations for you, and share money-saving tips for Disney Cruises . The Vacationeer can even help you set up a zero-interest payment plan ; you’ll often be able to book with just a preliminary deposit, then pay over time .

They even offer a generous onboard credit that can be used toward your purchases on the ship. And best of all, their planning services are free !

So take advantage of free booking help from a Disney Cruise expert — contact The Vacationeer today for a free, no-obligation quote on your dream Disney Cruise!

Disney Dream Dining and Lounges

It’s generally well-known that food is a big part of the cruise experience , and the Disney Dream is no exception. With three sensational main dining restaurants, two elegant adult-only dining options, multiple lounges/nightclubs, and plenty of places to grab a quick meal or a snack on the go, you certainly won’t go hungry onboard this ship.

Rotational Dining Restaurants on Disney Dream

Like all Disney Cruise Ships, the Disney Dream offers rotational dining during the nightly dinner service. This Disney Cruise Line dining innovation pre-schedules you to visit a different restaurant on each night of the cruise. You’ll have the same servers each night, so they’ll get to know you and your food preferences.

Dinner at these three restaurants is included in the cost of your Disney Cruise .

Animator’s Palate

Animator’s Palate is the flagship dining experience on the first four Disney ships, including Disney Dream. Animator’s Palate offers a fan-favorite menu along with a taste of the magic of animation.

Menu items are inspired by Asian, Pacific, and Californian cuisine. Some examples of items you’ll find include black truffle pasta purseittes (a favorite of repeat DCL passengers), butternut squash soup, wild mushroom risotto, polenta cake with tomato and mushroom, lemon-thyme marinated chicken, beef tenderloin, and many more.

Your dinner also includes a tribute to animation – Undersea Magic features interactive digital animation of the Finding Nemo characters in a show that’s reminiscent of EPCOT’s Turtle Talk with Crush. It’s a fun digital twist on the usual concept of dining with Disney characters .

• Enchanted Garden

The use of “enchanted” in this restaurant’s name is no mistake: the atmosphere of this French countryside conservatory magically changes from daytime to sunset to nighttime during the course of your dinner, while light fixtures transform and flowers “bloom.”

Enchanted Garden offers farm-fresh continental cuisine; menu options may include lobster ravioli, an Ahi tuna and avocado tower, curried carrot & apple soup, sea bass, marjoram-scented chicken, and pork tenderloin. Round out the meal with a tempting dessert of steamed lemon buttermilk pudding, banana sundaes, chocolate tortes, and almond meringue cake.

Outside of dinner service, Enchanted Garden is also an alternate option (versus the primary onboard buffet Cabanas ) for breakfast and lunch on most days. You’ll find a less ambitious menu during those meal periods: the usual sausage, bacon, eggs, and hash browns for breakfast; salads, soups, burgers, grilled items, and pizza at lunch.

• Royal Palace

You’re invited to a royal banquet at this elegant restaurant inspired by the ballroom scene in Disney’s Cinderella and other animated classics: beautiful marble floors with a royal design, tiara-topped porthole windows, and hand-painted portraits of Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, and Snow White.

Your four-course royal feast includes options such as pomegranate-glazed duck breast, jumbo shrimp, spinach soufflé, avocado citrus salad, French onion soup, angus grilled beef tenderloin, roasted wild boar, lobster medallions, and Dijon-crusted rack of lamb. For dessert, indulge in the famed crème brûlée or enjoy a peanut butter mousse.

Adult-Exclusive Dining on the Disney Dream

Disney cruises are certainly family-friendly, but adults don’t need to worry that there’s nothing for them onboard. One of the great things on the Disney Dream that’s available exclusively to adults is a pair of elegant adult-exclusive restaurants . So send the kids off to the youth clubs, put on some nice duds, and enjoy a lovely kid-free date night at Palo or Remy!

Reserve a table at Palo for a delightful meal featuring memorable Italian cuisine. The stunning venue includes giant windows overlooking the ocean, providing a perfect backdrop for your meal.

Dinner menu items include seared sea scallops, tableside-fileted dover sole, butternut agnolotti, tiramisu, and a signature chocolate soufflé that’s considered one of the most popular items across the entire Disney Cruise fleet. On sea days, a tremendously-popular brunch service is typically offered.

Dining here requires an upcharge and space is usually in high demand; book as early as your onboard booking window allows.

The finest onboard dining experience is at Remy. Named after the diminutive chef in Ratatouille , this restaurant transports you to the heart of Paris for a gastronomic experience like no other. You might be seated in the main room, or perhaps in the 900-bottle wine room. Or opt for ultimate luxury: the private Gusteau room (complete with a custom multi-course menu).

Dinner begins with a signature champagne cocktail prepared at your table. Then, it’s a gourmet culinary adventure designed in part by Chef Scott Hunnel (of Disney World’s Victoria & Albert’s) and Chef Arnaud Lallement (recipient of three Michelin stars and voted by  other Michelin-starred chefs as one of the 10 best chefs in the entire world). A gourmet cheese trolley and selections such as duck, elk, Kobe beef, langoustine, and sablefish are hallmarks of the menu.

On certain cruises, there’s also a highly-demanded champagne brunch as well as a 5-course dessert experience.

Dining here requires an upcharge. You’ll want to book as early as possible to have the best chance of securing a spot.

Casual Dining on the Disney Dream Cruise Ship

Cabanas | Image © Disney

Breakfast and lunch are casual meal periods onboard the Disney Dream. So come as you are (just cover up any swimsuits) and grab a bite at Cabanas.

This restaurant offers a mix of American, Asian, and European favorites in an all-you-care-to-eat breakfast and lunch buffet served from nearly a dozen food stations.

Breakfast is exactly what you’d expect from an American perspective – custom-made omelets, bacon & sausage, Mickey Waffles, hash browns, and the like. There are also some international offerings such as rice and miso soup. For me, this is always a great chance to expand my culinary horizons with things I can’t normally get at home. My usual morning fare on the ship includes a giant healthy bowl of fresh muesli with dried fruits and nuts — admittedly usually with a few Mickey Waffles and bacon on the side (it’s all about the balance, you know).

Lunch at Cabanas is a constantly-changing mix of jumbo iced shrimp & crab claws, hamburgers, sandwiches, pizza, freshly-grilled meats, veggies, and much more.

Cabanas also offers an alternative dinner service most nights. It’s not buffet style at night; a server will present you with a menu and bring your food to you, and it’s usually a rather quiet meal. My spouse and I will sometimes plan to have dinner here on formal night if we don’t feel like packing dress clothes for the cruise.

Lounges, Bars, and Snacks on the Disney Dream

There’s always a place to grab a quick bite or a refreshing drink onboard. Whether you’re looking for a nibble, just want a soda, or are seeking something with a bit of alcohol , you’ll easily find it onboard. Here are just a few highlights:

• Beverage Station

There’s no need to purchase a separate drink package on a Disney Cruise, as most non-alcoholic drinks are included at no additional cost (a rarity in the cruise industry). This self-service beverage station located near the pool offers unlimited refills of sodas, teas, coffees, and other non-specialty beverages.

An adults-only retreat that focuses on specialty coffees and teas during the day, with cocktails in the evening.

A compelling open-air bar on Deck 13 offering expansive views and delightful cocktails. Adults only.

This family-friendly venue hosts interactive events for all ages. Karaoke, trivia, game shows, and even dance parties can be found here on a daily basis.

• District Lounge

A relaxed piano bar offering cocktails and nightly entertainment. Non-alcohol options are also available for those who want to enjoy the live music in a “drier” way.

Evolution lives up to its name. During the day, it welcomes cruisers of all ages for games, activities, and dance classes. At night, it evolves into a vibrant adults-only nightclub with a lively bar scene.

Evolution | Image © Disney

Eye Scream Treats and Frozone Treats

Cool down with all-you-can eat soft-serve ice cream cones (included in the cost of your cruise!), or spend a bit extra to enjoy a specialty smoothie.

Flo’s Cafe: Fillmore’s Favorites, Luigi’s Pizza, and Tow Mater’s Grill

For a quick grab-and-go snack poolside, check out these quick service windows. You’ll find pizza, chicken tenders, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and more.

Meridian Lounge

Supplement your elegant meal at Remy or Palo by having cocktails at this upscale travel-themed lounge conveniently located directly between those two fine dining establishments. Cigars are also offered for purchase.

A serene lounge on Deck 14 in the forward funnel (red smokestack). This spot is often overlooked due to its secluded location, so it’s a quiet retreat with compelling views (and a great wedding venue, too!).

This Champagne and Wine bar pays tribute to all things bubbly, featuring a private-label Tattinger champagne created and bottled exclusively for this spot. Tip: look closely enough at the bubbles along the wall and you can spot pink elephants here even without having a drink!

Pink Wine & Champagne Bar (Disney Dream)

This contemporary sports bar offers live matches via satellite (when available) and comfortable lush seating. Open to everyone during the day, and adults only at night. The pub’s name is a nod to the ship’s hull number at the shipyard where it was created.

• Senses Juice Bar

Enjoy a healthy quaff at this retreat near Senses Spa and Salon. Fresh fruit and vegetables give their all for these nutritious protein- and vitamin-packed beverages.

This adults-only bar provides scenic views of iconic city skylines around the world. Thanks to a little Disney magic, the view out the “window” changes to a different city every fifteen minutes.

• Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats

Purchase hand-scooped gelato, baked goods, and candy in this shop inspired by  Wreck-It Ralph . Fees apply.

Room Service on Disney Dream

Almost all of the Disney Dream’s Room Service menu is offered at no additional charge – you’ll only have to pay for a few specialty items and to tip the crew member who delivers the food to your room.

The standard room service menu typically includes soups & salads, chicken tenders, burgers & dogs, sandwiches & wraps, and hot wings.  You’ll also typically find a few flatbreads or pizzas and perhaps some pasta. Dessert — usually cookies, cake, or pie — is also offered.

A favorite among repeat cruisers is the All Hands on Deck , a plate of assorted cheese, fruit, and crackers. Kids (both actual and adult) will be pleased to know you can also request a Mickey’s Premium ice cream bar – the same kind found in the theme parks.

If you don’t mind paying a bit extra, you can add on specialty items such as beer, wine, canned soft drinks, deluxe coffees, juices, and pre-packaged snacks such as candies.

Best Bets for Each Meal on Disney Dream

Below we list each of the main meal periods onboard the ship, and your best options for each.

• Primary option: Cabanas is the number one breakfast spot onboard thanks to its long hours, expansive options, and all-you-care-to-eat service style. Mornings can be rather hectic here, but there’s rarely difficulty in finding a seat.
• Secondary option: One of the three rotational restaurants (typically Enchanted Garden) usually offers a table-service breakfast, complete with a server who will bring your food and keep your drinks refilled. The menu is a bit more limited than at Cabanas, but it’s usually a much quieter option to start your day.
• Other options: Room service is available, but there are two things to know. First, you’ll need to order in advance via a menu card that you hang on your doorknob the night before. Second, know that the breakfast menu is extremely limited. There’s no “hot breakfast” (no bacon, eggs, sausage, or oatmeal); instead, it’s a continental sort of menu with juices, coffees, pastries, and cold cereals. I personally find the room service breakfast to be too limited, though I’ll admit there’s a certain charm to coffee and a light pastry while enjoying the sunrise from my verandah.
• Primary option: Like at breakfast, Cabanas is the best lunch option thanks to its wide selection. Iced jumbo shrimp and crab claws are a signature menu item most days and I usually eat my fill of them at least once during the cruise; you’ll also find freshly grilled meats, a wide variety of side items, some interesting international selections, and lots of tempting desserts.
• Secondary option: Spending the afternoon by the pool? There’s no need to dry off and head inside when you get a rumbly in your tumbly. Drip dry and head over to the food service windows at Flo’s Café for burgers, dogs, sandwiches, and unlimited ice cream cones. These windows often offer extended hours, which makes them a good failsafe for folks who miss lunch hours at Cabanas or get hungry before their late dinner service.
• Other options : Enchanted Garden typically serves lunch with open seating. Room Service is another good option, though there’s sometimes a lunch rush which can delay your food’s arrival a bit. The cloche-covered dishes sometimes mean that fried items such as wings might not arrive quite as crispy as you’d like.
• Primary option: Your assigned rotational dining restaurant is the heart of Disney Cruise dining and shouldn’t be missed. Your dedicated service team follows you all voyage long and will likely become your favorite Crew Members onboard the ship (my wife and I made such a connection with our servers on a 2019 cruise that we still remember their names to this day!). Add in special themed menus and other thoughtful touches, and you’ll quickly see why this is a highlight of each day onboard.
• Secondary option: As an alternative to your pre-scheduled rotational dining restaurant, you might opt to experience Cabanas in a totally new way. Dinner at Cabanas is an entirely different experience than the free-for-all buffet-style offerings that are the mainstay of breakfast and lunch. A host seats you at your table, and a server presents you a menu featuring some of the most popular selections onboard.
• Other options: Many cruisers enjoy dedicating at least one night of their cruise to an adult-exclusive meal at Palo or Remy. Otherwise, you can always grab something from the quick-service windows on the pool deck, or order room service.

Off-Hours Eating and Snacking

• Primary option: For cravings outside the main meal periods, your best bet is Flo’s Café on the pool deck. Their generous hours and snack-friendly offerings make them a great choice to tide you over between meals. Individual portions tend to be “snack sized” (perhaps 2 or 3 chicken tenders and a few fries), so you won’t spoil your dinner unless you want to by asking for a larger portion.
• Secondary option: Room Service is available 24/7, up until about 1:30 AM on the last morning of your cruise. It’s the only option for overnight snacking. I’ll occasionally order a few warm cookies and some milk at bedtime, but you can also order 1:00 AM buffalo wings if your antacid game is strong.

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Disney Dream Pools and Water Slides

The AquaDuck is the premier water attraction onboard the Disney Dream. This first-of-its kind (water coaster on a cruise ship) attraction takes its guests on a wild adventure high above the upper decks of the ship.

Guests board a raft and are propelled by jets of water through 765 feet of tubes and open-air slide segments; along the way, you’ll experience a 4-deck drop, a careening curve over the edge of the ship, and a journey through one of the iconic red smokestack funnels.

There’s no additional charge to ride the AquaDuck, but you will have to wait in line. There is no FastPass, Lightning Lane, or Genie+ onboard the ship. Lines tend to be longest on Sea Days and shorter when the ship is in port. Riding earlier or later can also help avoid crowds – just don’t forget to check the operating hours each day in the Navigator app.

To ride solo, Guests must be at least 54″ tall and at least 7 years of age. Children under the age of 7 who are at least 42″ tall and toilet-trained may ride with a companion who is at least 14 years of age.

Pools and Splash Pads

• Donald’s Pool

This pool offers a shallow wading area with a deeper center. This is a perfect place to enjoy Disney movies on the giant 24′ x 14′ FunnelVision screen nearby. This pool is sometimes closed during special on-deck events, covered with a retractable floor to offer more deck space.

Donald’s Pool | Image © Disney

Funnel Puddle

A shallow (approximately 1-foot deep) family friendly pool that’s far removed from the raucousness of the Donald’s and Mickey’s pools. This is the closest thing you’ll find onboard to a “quiet pool” that’s still open to all ages; but there’s still a small water fountain feature in the middle that kids love to splash in.

• Mickey’s Pool & Slide

The shape alone clearly communicates this is designed for kids; The deeper zones of this still-shallow pool are shaped like the friendly face of everyone’s favorite pal, Mickey Mouse. Meanwhile, one of Mickey’s signature white gloves supports a bright yellow waterslide for kids aged 4 to 14 / height 38″ to 64″. May be closed during deck parties.

Mickey’s Pool | Image © Disney

• Nemo’s Reef

This toddler-friendly splash zone features PIXAR characters spraying water, a child-sized Mr. Ray waterslide, and more — all in a shaded, enclosed, and “accidental tumble”-friendly soft surfaced area. Ages 3 years or younger; swim diapers are required.

• Quiet Cove Pool

A serene oasis for those 18 and up to get away from the kids for some quiet time. There’s a three-circled pool of varying depths, lounge-style seating in the shallowest segment, a whirlpool spa, and of course plenty of adult beverages nearby.

Satellite Falls Pool

One of the most unique water spaces onboard, Satellite Falls is an adults-only wading pool that features a cascading (ok, rapidly dripping) waterfall directly underneath one of the giant satellite domes on the ship’s upper deck.

Satellite Falls | Image © Disney

Disney Dream Kids Clubs and Teen Clubs

Much of Deck 5 on the Disney Dream is dedicated to spaces especially designed for younger passengers, and there are plenty of other youth-friendly spaces onboard. Here’s a preview.

• Disney’s Oceaneer Club

The Oceaneer Club is the primary kids activity onboard the ship. It’s the place where your kids will probably spend most of their time onboard. For some families, it’s not uncommon for the kids and adults to part ways at breakfast and regroup at dinner, with the Kids Club filling the gap between.

This secure facility is accessible only to kids aged 3-10 and trained youth activities staff — but there are pre-scheduled open houses to allow parents and kids to tour the location together. Inside there are tons of kid-friendly spaces and activities, and it’s all included in the cost of your Disney cruise! This amazing kids club is one of the reasons we consider Disney to be the best cruise line for children .

Andy’s Room

Kids are immersed in the world of Disney·Pixar’s Toy Story movies in this play area.

Disney Infinity Game Room

Enjoy interactive video games and activities in this high-tech space.

Disney’s Once Upon a Time

Disney characters come to life in this bookmaking and story time experience.

Jedi Training: Experience the Force

Learn the ways of the Force with this interactive training experience.

Pixie Hollow

This forest-themed area is the perfect place for storytelling, playing dress-up, and arts & crafts.

Puzzle Playtime with Mickey

Mickey and pals drop in for fun and games.

Star Wars: Millennium Falcon

The “fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy” is ready for adventure! Hop into the cockpit and zoom through the stars, the forests of Endor, and more.

• Disney’s Oceaneer Lab

A partner facility to the Oceaneer Club, the Oceaneer Lab offers lots of hands-on activities and experiences for kids ages 3-10.

Animator’s Studio

Learn how to draw your favorite Disney characters – or just entertain your own creative instincts.

Anyone Can Cook

Learn how to measure and mix ingredients and bake a batch of fresh chocolate-chip cookies.

Craft Studio

A spot perfectly prepared to indulge creative urges with hands-on creations.

Get the Hook!

A 3-day search through multiple crime scenes to find Captain Hook’s… well, you know.

Disney movies, video games, and occasional structured activities are the order of the day here.

Piston Cup Challenge

Bars of soap form the chassis of your custom-made race car in this fun, hands-on race.

Put on battle gear and join forces with The Avengers to take on super villains.

Super Sloppy Science with Professor Make-O-Mess

Meet a world-famous scientist with a penchant for unashamedly messy experiments.

The Wheelhouse

Home of  Tides of Fortune , a multi-player Pirates of the Caribbean game that can only be found on a Disney Cruise. A major component is piloting your pirate ship through the Caribbean Sea via video simulation.

Tweens and young teens (ages 11 to 14) have a space all to themselves onboard the Disney Dream, and it’s in one of the coolest spots on the entire ship: inside the iconic red smokestack funnel on Deck 13! Edge is the perfect place to relax as tweens see fit — a huge video wall, a dance floor, karaoke machines, a game room, and photo booths. The furniture can even be moved around so Guests can make the space their own. A mix of planned activities and unstructured free time keeps things interesting.

Those aged 14 to 17 have a unique indoor/outdoor space made just for them, complete with a super secret entrance! Indoors, teens will find plenty of TVs, video games, and tablets, plus dance parties, karaoke sessions, and group activities. Or, they can head outside to a private sundeck at the bow of the ship to enjoy deck games, splash pools, and sunbathing.

Vibe outdoor sundeck

it’s a small world nursery!

Tiny cruisers are well cared for in it’s a small world nursery! , an onboard babysitting service for infants and toddlers aged three and younger.

Disney youth counselors watch over the tykes, playing with them, feeding them, and handling diaper duty.

Nominal fees apply, charged by the half-hour (with a one-hour minimum), and there are discounts for multiple children in the same family. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended. Note that there are no in-room babysitting services onboard.

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Disney Dream Entertainment and Activities

Disney is an entertainment company at heart, so it’s no surprise that the shows and experiences onboard the Disney Dream are top notch.

Broadway-Style Shows in the Walt Disney Theatre

Each night of your cruise, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a live show in the beautiful Walt Disney Theatre. This includes at least three Broadway-style shows during your cruise, along with other additions (such as family-friendly comedians, magicians, and hypnotists) on longer voyages.

Show times are opposite your dinner time onboard. So if you have early dining, you’ll see the late show — and vice versa.

Beauty and the Beast

This show brings a tale as old as time to the stage. Innovative puppetry and stunning special effects combine with skilled actors and memorable music to bring you an unforgettable evening.

Disney’s Believe

A true stage spectacular, featuring 300+ costumes, 200+ scenic elements, and a cast of characters assembled to help a daughter provide her hard-working father a bit of perspective on what’s truly important in life.

The Golden Mickeys

It’s awards night onboard the Disney Dream! Experience all the glitz and glamor of the red carpet as the crowd clamors to guess who will win the coveted titles of “Most Romantic” and “Most Heroic.” Meanwhile, there’s a problem… the emcee is missing! Fear not — these things usually have a way of solving themselves. This fan-favorite musical features songs from about a dozen different Disney films.

Mickey’s Color Spin Dance Party

This offering, presented on select cruises, features a 90s throwback themed dance party on deck. Start the show off with a group sing-along of Into the Unknown , then spin the color wheel to reveal a series of high-energy performances and easy-to-learn dances and group actions. Mickey, Minnie, and even Max are along for the party.

Pirate Night / Pirates in the Caribbean Deck Party with Fireworks

Pirate night starts with the delivery of pirate bandanas to your stateroom – then the party moves to your scheduled dining location for the evening, where a special themed menu awaits. Then, head up to the pool deck for a raucous show with high-flying pirates including favorite Disney characters. Finally, the grand finale (and another Disney innovation) – fireworks at sea!

Note: not every itinerary offers a pirate night, and fireworks may be canceled due to weather.

Sailing Away Deck Party

The official start to your Disney Dream cruise — your vacation begins when the ship’s horn plays those familiar notes and confetti rains down from the upper decks. Captain Mickey and all his pals are there to join the fun to ensure your trip gets off to a great, high-energy start.

Disney Movies in the Buena Vista Theatre

First-run and classic favorite Disney, Marvel, PIXAR, and LucasFilm movies are shown throughout the day in the Buena Vista Theatre. No need for a ticket — it’s completely free so all you need to do is find a seat at showtime.

Sailing during the premiere of a highly-anticipated Disney film? It’ll be shown repeatedly in the Buena Vista Theatre, likely after a huge “PremEAR at Sea” showing in the Walt Disney Theatre.

Goofy Golf and Sports Deck

If you prefer your entertainment to be a bit more active, there’s plenty of great recreation to be had on Goofy’s Sports Deck , located on Deck 13 aft.

Enjoy a delightfully ludicrous mini-golf course with nine fun-filled, pun-filled holes. It’s completely free and no tee times are required. Just grab a putter and a goofball, er, golf ball — and perhaps a scorecard/pencil if you insist on keeping things official (I don’t bother, as I see no reason to put my lies in writing).

This is one of my absolute favorite things to do onboard the Disney Dream. I just love enjoying a game of mini-golf out on the open ocean, and the sight gags just add to it. Vewy sewious mini-golfers will appreciate that each hole offers two tee locations — one just for fun and one for a slightly more challenging experience.

Elsewhere on the sports deck, you’ll find other, more mainstream pursuits, such as a basketball court and even a digital sports simulator (fees apply).

Down on deck 4, you’ll also find shuffleboard courts — a classic cruise activity.

Here’s a great way to explore the ship: sleuthing out a crime! Start your adventure at the agency kiosk on Deck 5 — pick up a badge and deck plan / casebook — and suddenly, the game is afoot!

This extensive adventure will send you all over the ship looking for more than 20 interactive artwork displays, where a series of random events and “choose your own adventure” dilemmas make sure that you can play over and over without getting bored.

Depending on the agency’s caseload, you might help Mickey and pals recover some stolen paintings, try to find 99 missing Dalmatians, or follow Pepe the King Prawn’s clues to solve a zany Muppet mystery.

Not only is this a fun adventure, it’s also an astounding way to orient yourself to everything on the ship! I highly recommend it for first-timers. And because your detective badge tracks your progress, you can play at your own pace, starting and stopping as you like.

Disney Dream Spas and Salons

Disney Dream offers a full-service spa onboard the ship, featuring many other health and wellness services.

Senses Spa and Salon

Pamper yourself with spa treatments, salon services, and rejuvenation procedures at this restful retreat. Services offered at Senses Spa include Swedish massages, aroma stone therapy, deep tissue massage, acupuncture, facials, teeth whitening, shampoo/cut/style, manicures, pedicures, and more. Even those who aren’t into spa treatments may enjoy the Rainforest Room with its various themed shower settings. Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, showers, lockers, sandals, and robes round out the offerings.

Exclusively for guests aged 13-17, this special area of Senses offers treatments to teens. A parent or guardian must accompany the teen for the duration of the treatment ( solo and combined treatments are offered as an option).

• Fitness Center

Perhaps you’re a regular exerciser, or maybe you just want to offset several days of all-you-can-eat meals. Either way, you can stay in shape with the offerings at the Disney Dream’s onboard fitness center. Whatever your preferred equipment — weight machines, cardio equipment, ellipticals, treadmills, and others — you’re likely to find it here. If you prefer a group experience you can join a yoga, Pilates, or aerobics class. Or, opt for personalized one-on-one training and analysis with a professional trainer.

• Walking/Jogging Track

If, like me, you’re not keen on a major workout but do enjoy a nice walk after dinner, you’ll be happy to know that the Disney Dream offers an open-air walking/jogging track on Deck 4. I like that it’s low enough on the ship to offer some close-up ocean views — especially handy if you’re lucky enough to see wildlife such as dolphins playing alongside the ship. A leisurely stroll is perfectly fine, but jogging is also fair game here if you don’t want to miss your daily run while onboard.

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Disney Dream Itineraries and Home Ports

You can board the Disney Dream from several places around the US and in Europe.

Disney Dream has a busy schedule of cruises in 2024 .

• January through end of April: Caribbean cruises and Bahamian cruises from Fort Lauderdale
• Early- to mid-May: Transatlantic voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona
• Late May to mid-September: Various European itineraries from Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Southampton
• Mid-September to mid-October: Not yet announced
• Late October: Transatlantic voyage from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale
• November to end of year: Bahamian cruises and Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale

Here’s an overview of Disney Dream’s schedule of cruises in 2025  so far.

• January through end of September: Bahamian and Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale
• October and beyond: Not yet released

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Disney Dream Deck-by-Deck

Here’s a look at what’s located on each deck of the Disney Dream.

• Health Center
• Tender Lobbies (ship exit at ports of call)
• Public Restrooms
• Self-Service Laundry
• Vista Gallery
• Category 9B
• Category 11C
• Walt Disney Theatre (main level)
• Animator’s Palate
• Guest Services
• Mickey’s Mainsail
• Sea Treasures
• Lobby Atrium
• Buena Vista Theatre (main level)
• Walt Disney Theatre (balcony level)
• Pink Wine & Champagne Bar
• Port Shopping Desk
• Shutters Photo
• Tiffany & Co.
• Vacation Planning Desk
• Atrium (overlook)
• Buena Vista Theatre (balcony level)
• “it’s a small world” nursery
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
• Port Adventures Desk
• Category 4E
• Category 6B
• Category 7A
• Category 8A
• Category 8C
• Category 9A
• Category 10A
• Category 11B
• Category 4C
• Category 5C
• Category 9D
• Category 4B
• Category 5B
• Category 8B
• Category 9C
• Category 6A
• Category 11A
• Category 4A
• Category 5A
• Funnel Vision
• Eye Scream Treats
• Filmore’s Favorites
• Luigi’s Pizza
• Tow Mater’s Grill
• Frozone Treats
• Rainforest Room
• Treatment Salons
• Whozits & Whatzits
• Category 2B
• Category 3A
• AquaDuck Entrance
• Funnel Puddle Pool
• Concierge Lounge
• Senses Spa (additional treatment rooms)
• Category 1A
• Category 2A
• Sports Courts
• Sports Simulator
• Satellite Falls
• Currents Bar
• Concierge Private Sun Deck

Disney Dream Fact Sheet

Shipyard (ship’s birthplace).

Meyer Werft – Papenburg, Germany

Maiden voyage

January 26, 2011

Varies by time of year — see Itineraries & Ports above

Ship’s Registry

Approximately 130,000 gross tons

22 knots cruising speed

23.5 knots maximum speed

Diesel-based electric

Crew Members

Maximum capacity.

4,000 passengers

1,250 staterooms

• 901 verandah staterooms (includes 21 suites)
• 199 oceanview staterooms
• 150 inside staterooms (12%)

How To Book a Cruise on the Disney Dream

While there are many ways to book Disney Cruise Line vacations , we believe the best way to secure your spot on the Disney Dream (or any other Disney Cruise ship ) is to work with one of the Disney Cruise experts at our official travel agency partner The Vacationeer .

This Earmarked Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , offers absolutely free help planning and booking your cruise . Their group of Disney fanatic travel agents can help you make all the right choices, picking the right ship for your family and helping you choose between a Disney Cruise and other cruise lines such as Princess , Carnival , Norwegian , and Royal Caribbean (they book them all!).

Your cruise won’t cost more than if you’d booked it yourself — it might even cost less ! Their genius-level knowledge of money-saving discounts is one of the many reasons to book with a Disney travel agent .

Another reason? The Vacationeer offers Onboard Credit — free spending money that you can use toward purchases you make while you’re onboard the ship! Use it towards specialty dining, souvenirs, spa treatments, shore excursions , gratuities , and more! Booking through The Vacationeer can earn you up to $1,000 in onboard credit .

And finally, there’s The Vacationeer’s personalized service . You’ll be assigned a single, dedicated agent who’ll handle your cruise arrangements from start to finish . Imagine — never having to wait on hold to speak to yet another agent in a giant call center! Good luck finding that level of service with a nationwide wholesaler !

So what’re you waiting for? It’s time to take a Disney Cruise — and  Vacationeers are ready to help!

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Disney Cruise Stateroom Guide for Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy

Disclaimer: this Stateroom guide for Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy page includes affiliate links. Read full Disclosure Policy .

Img: Disney Cruise Line

Stateroom Guide: Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy

By Alisha Molen

So, you’ve decided you’ll be sailing on either the Disney Dream  or the Disney Fantasy .

Now, it’s time to decide which stateroom is right for you.

First things first though…

Did you review our primer on How to Choose a Disney Cruise Stateroom ?

In that guide, I explain:

• The four different kinds of staterooms available on a Disney Cruise
• What comes standard in every Disney Cruise stateroom
• What is NOT included in your stateroom
• What do these strange category numbers mean for each stateroom?
• How many guests can sleep in a stateroom
• And lastly...our recommended method for selecting a stateroom

If you haven’t read it yet, I strongly recommend you read that guide first , as that will give you the background information you need about Disney Cruise staterooms.

Ready to go forward?

Awesome ...you’re now ready to evaluate the various stateroom options available on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy cruise ships.

Table of Contents

Inside staterooms, oceanview staterooms, verandah staterooms, concierge staterooms.

• "Secret" Staterooms

Inside staterooms are the most budget-friendly options onboard the Dream and the Fantasy.

They are usually the smallest staterooms and do not offer a window or balcony to the outside.

However, you get something pretty cool that oceanview and verandah staterooms don't have:  Magical Portholes!

Magical Portholes

All inside staterooms on both the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy have Magical Portholes that show a real-time view of the outside just as if you did have a porthole.

If you have a starboard stateroom, you get the actual , current starboard view displayed on your Magical Porthole (LCD flat-screen monitor) Pretty nifty if you ask me!

Oh, and make sure to watch for little surprises that might float by.

And when you are ready for bed, just flip a switch to turn it off.

Two Variations of Inside Staterooms

There are two variations of Inside Staterooms: Standard and Deluxe .

One important difference between these variations is the bathroom configuration:

The Standard Inside staterooms offer a full bath while Deluxe Inside provide a split bath.

A full bath is where the tub/shower, toilet, and sink are all in one room.

A split bathroom means there are basically two bathrooms which is so helpful when multiple people are getting ready. One has a toilet and a sink, and the other has a tub/shower and a sink. 

Below are more details about the “Standard” and “Deluxe” variations of Inside Staterooms and how they differ:

Standard Inside Staterooms: Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy

Standard inside stateroom images.

Images: Disney Cruise Line

Deluxe Inside Staterooms: Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy

Deluxe inside stateroom images.

Oceanview Staterooms found on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are called "Deluxe Oceanview" and "Deluxe Family Oceanview".

The difference?

Deluxe Family Oceanview rooms are slightly bigger in square footage and can sleep up to 5 guests.

All Oceanview cabins are very similar to the Deluxe Inside Staterooms, except they offer a real porthole with a view outside of the ship.

Here are the specifications:

Deluxe Oceanview Staterooms: Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy

Deluxe oceanview stateroom images, deluxe family oceanview staterooms: disney dream & disney fantasy.

Room Notes:

• Categories 8B, 8C, 8D have round tubs with rainfall shower heads
• 5018, 5518, 6012, 6510 and 6512
• Privacy wall divider in rooms 5020, 5022, 5520 and 5522, or a
• Vertical pole in rooms 6014, 6016, 6512 and 6514

If you want to be able to sit outside on a private open-air balcony, then a Verandah Stateroom is the way to go.

There are 3 kinds of verandahs:

Standard Verandah . Features an open-air balcony skirted by an acrylic wall, offering a full view of the horizon even while seated. ( Found in Categories 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D. Category 5E have oversized verandahs, facing off back of the ship)

Standard Verandah - Img: Disney Cruise Line

Whitewall Verandah . Provides open-air lounging with a solid wall from the deck to the railing. Most of these staterooms are located in the aft of the ship. (Found in Category 6A, 6B)

Whitewall Verandah - Img: Disney Cruise Line

Navigator's Verandah.  Enclosed for greater privacy, while still delivering a stunning view and sea breezes through a large, open-air porthole above the railing. (Found in Category 7A)

Navigator's Verandah - Img: Disney Cruise Line

About Connecting Verandah Staterooms

On most connecting verandah staterooms, the outside partitions can be opened to create an even more spacious balcony with access between rooms. Contact your stateroom host to unlock the partitions.

Two Variations of Verandah Staterooms

There are two variations of Verandah Staterooms: Deluxe and Deluxe Family.

The difference? Deluxe Family offers a little more square footage and can sleep up to 5 (instead of only 4).

Below are more details about the “Deluxe” and “Deluxe Family” variations of Verandah Staterooms and how they differ:

Deluxe Oceanview Staterooms with Verandah: Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy

Deluxe oceanview with verandah stateroom images, deluxe family oceanview staterooms with verandah: disney dream & disney fantasy.

• Categories 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D have round tubs with rainfall shower heads
• Category 4E can only sleep 3 to 4 guests and has an oversized verandah that is about 2.5 times bigger than the standard verandah.
• Category 4 staterooms have standard verandahs with clear Plexiglas walls.

Deluxe Family Oceanview with Verandah Stateroom Images

If you’re looking for a splurge to make your Disney Cruise even more magical, take a peek at the Concierge Staterooms .

These lavish cabins are a dream!

On top of the extra room in these suites, you’ll get access to extra amenities, such as:

• Down duvets
• Plush robes and slippers
• Elemis spa products
• Complimentary WiFi service (up to 100mb)
• Dedicated Concierge team
• Access to the Concierge Lounge and Sundeck
• The earliest check-in, giving the ability to begin booking reservations 120 days prior to sail date

Talk about luxury!

Here’s what the different cabins include:

Concierge Family Oceanview Staterooms with Verandah: Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy

Concierge family oceanview verandah images, concierge 1-bedroom suites with verandah: disney dream & disney fantasy, concierge 1-bedroom suites verandah images, concierge royal suites with verandah: disney dream & disney fantasy, concierge royal suites verandah images, secret staterooms.

Have you heard about Disney’s “ Secret Staterooms "?

So why is it a secret?

Well, because you get a higher category cabin for the price of a lesser category cabin.

Basically, you get more for your money on these unadvertised staterooms.

Yes! I love Disney secrets and I love saving money even more!  

Secret Verandah Staterooms

Both the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy have 24   secret verandah staterooms  that are priced as Category 7 but are really Category 5 and 6.

Most of these rooms have a standard verandah but some sort of partially obstructed view because of an overhand that cuts off some of your view. Some views are less obstructed than others.

But listen up...

If you want one of these Secret Verandah staterooms, you better plan on booking early as these cabins have become very popular.

In the chart below I have listed the staterooms in order of least to most obstructed views.    

Secret Verandah Staterooms: Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy

Rooms to avoid.

I haven't stayed in these rooms but from what I've read you might want to steer clear of 5024 and 5524.

The extended verandah of the cabin next door blocks your view and provides neighbors with a clear view into your stateroom from their verandah.

See video tour of Disney Dream 5524 below:

Triangular Verandah

There are two more 7A staterooms that don’t have an obstruction, but have a smaller (they call it undersized) triangular verandah. These are staterooms 5188 & 5688. Chairs do not fit on the verandah but there is a bench to sit on and enjoy the view.

7 Ways the Disney Fantasy is Different than the Disney Dream

Call them sister ships, but don't call them identical twins.

March 2, 2012 -- My first thought when I boarded the Fantasy cruise ship was – "oh, you look just like the Dream!" Now, anyone who has a sibling that looks just like them knows how annoyed the Fantasy will likely get after hearing this constantly over the next few months. And while the Disney Fantasy does in fact bear a serious resemblance to the Disney Dream, there are differences. Call them sister ships, but don't call them identical twins.

(Disclosure: The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News.)

1. Itineraries This is the most important and most fundamental difference between the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy. While the Dream sails three, four, and five-night Bahamas itineraries, the Disney Fantasy will alternate seven-night itineraries in the Eastern and Western Caribbean. 2. Design While the Disney Dream is all about the angles of art deco, the Disney Fantasy has a slightly softer look and embraces Art Nouveau. However, there are still some Art Deco elements on Fantasy, most notably in the Buena Vista Theatre which is identical to the Buena Vista Theatre on the Disney Dream . 3. Adult Areas The adults-only area of the ship devoted to bars and lounges on Deck 4 is known as Europa on the Disney Fantasy and is meant to make passengers feel as if they're clubbing in Europe. On the Dream, this area is called The District and there is no Europe theme. Both have five bars in the adult area; the only overlap between the two is the Skyline Lounge, where the "skyline" view transforms to a different city every few minutes.

On the upper deck of the Fantasy, the 18-and-over-area is more spacious than that of the Disney Dream and has its own heated pool with waterfall – another new addition. It's named Satellite Falls and passengers are able to view television on deck, also a new feature. 4. Restaurant Experiences (sort of) While you'll recognize the same restaurants on the Fantasy as the Dream, there are a few changes. Most significantly, the one-on-one conversations with Crush, from the movie Nemo, that happen in Animator's Palette on the Dream don't happen on the Fantasy. Instead, diners are given placemats to draw on and by the end of the meal, each person will see his or her drawing come to life in animation with Disney characters on screens around the restaurant.

The restaurant known as the Royal Palace on the Disney Dream is called the Royal Court on the Fantasy and they differ in the details of their design elements. Most notably, the Royal Court has several mosaics inspired by the Disney princesses. Hint: see how many Cinderella slippers you can count at the Royal Court – they're everywhere, from the chair backs to the light fixtures.

5. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique One major addition to the Disney Fantasy is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where little girls get made up and dressed up to look like their favorite princesses by "fairy-godmothers-in-training." On Pirate Night, the boutique transforms into the Pirate League so kids and parents alike can get made up together. 6. Interactive Games The enchanted artwork -- paintings that come to life when they sense a person in front of them -- on the Disney Dream are also found on the Disney Fantasy with a few enhancements such as scenes from Fantasia and Dumbo.

The Muppets make their debut on the Fantasy, taking a starring role in the interactive "The Case of the Stolen Show." Guests make their way around the ship with a map and a unique game card in hand to solve the mystery.

7. Live Shows A seven-night sailing requires more shows than a shorter itinerary, so the shows on the two ships differ not just in subject but also in number. The Fantasy has five in all , compared with three on the Dream. Fantasy's productions include a welcome and closing show; a production of Aladdin; and Believe, the only show on Fantasy that is also seen on Dream. Brand-new to the Disney Fantasy is Wishes, which features three teens on the eve of their high school graduation who learn the importance of staying a kid at heart.

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Disney Fantasy

Fantasy becomes reality., onboard fun.

There’s never a dull moment aboard the Disney Fantasy! With a near endless number of activities, eateries and experiences for the entire family, it’s easy to not ever want to leave the ship.

View All Onboard Activities on the Disney Fantasy

Entertainment

Disney knows a thing or two about keeping Guests engaged—and it’s no exception on a Disney cruise. View More

Fun comes in every form on the Disney Fantasy—with clubs for tweens to teens, adults-only areas and pools for everybody! View More

Savor distinctive choices onboard—from menus inspired by romantic destinations to restaurants with magical themes. View More

FIREWORKS AT SEA

Character appearances, first-run movies, daily activities.

View all Entertainment on the Disney Fantasy

FOR THE ADULTS

Youth activities, sports and fitness.

View all Recreation on the Disney Fantasy

MAIN DINING

Casual dining, adult-exclusive dining.

View all Dining on the Disney Fantasy

SPOTLIGHT AT SEA

With everything to do on the Disney Fantasy, how do you choose? Here are just a few of the must-see experiences worth a lifetime of memories.

Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular

Enjoy a live musical comedy based on the Disney classic complete with flying carpet, magic lamp and wise-cracking genie.

Seasonal Days at Sea

Delight in holiday magic at sea between mid-September and the end of the year as Disney Cruise Line celebrates Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmastime and New Year’s Eve.

Experience the AquaDuck, an exhilarating sky-high wild water ride—the first-of-its-kind water coaster at sea!

Indulge in tantalizing French-gourmet fare at this adult-exclusive restaurant boasting sweeping sea views and a chic ambience.

Sweet On You

Treat yourself to a decadent indulgence—these delightful frozen desserts are delicious fun for the whole family!

Designed especially for families, Disney Cruise Line staterooms aboard the Disney Fantasy are equipped with innovations that ensure the ultimate in comfort and relaxation for Guests of all ages.

Indulge in our most luxurious accommodations on the Disney Fantasy with large private verandahs, separate bedrooms, premium amenities and services.

Breathe in the ocean air from these richly appointed accommodations designed for families of 3 to 5—featuring a private balcony and sweeping sea views.

Relax in roomy, quarters bedecked in a charming nautical motif with Art Deco flourishes—plus one or 2 portholes for admiring the scenery.

Sleep soundly in spacious accommodations, each with a Magical Porthole showing real-time ocean views and animated Disney characters.

PORTS OF CALL

The Caribbean boasts some of the most breathtaking locales in the world—from sparkling sugary white shores to amazing underwater wonders.

Eastern Caribbean

White-sand beaches, rocky mountain landscapes and a European flair make this region a favorite of jetsetters and vacationers alike.

Western Caribbean

Embark on a scenic journey awash with historic sites and natural wonders in destinations that include Mexico, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Castaway Cay

Reserved for Guests on Disney Cruise Line Caribbean and Bahamian cruise vacations, Castaway Cay is Disney's private island paradise.

• Search forums
• Disney Cruise Line
• Disney Cruise Line Forum

Disney Dream vs Disney Fantasy

• Thread starter MrsBergs
• Start date May 14, 2019

Mouseketeer

• May 14, 2019

So we are currently booked on the Disney Fantasy for a 3 night in September 2020. We are debating on switching to the 4 night Disney Dream leaving a couple days after. Thoughts please. This will be our first Disney cruise . Thank you!  

PrincessShmoo

Dis veteran.

MrsBergs said: So we are currently booked on the Disney Fantasy for a 3 night in September 2020. We are debating on switching to the 4 night Disney Dream leaving a couple days after. Thoughts please. This will be our first Disney cruise . Thank you! Click to expand...

DIS Veteran

PrincessShmoo said: I'm always in the "longer is better" camp - so 4 nights is better than 3. The Dream & Fantasy are sister ships, so fairly similar in layout. Can't go wrong with either. Click to expand...

My daughter and I prefer the Dream to the Fantasy. It doesn't have the aft vibrations. My daughter loves the Infinity room in Oceaneers on the Dream (they don't have that on the Fantasy).  

Club Disney Chandler

• May 15, 2019

tlprice said: My daughter and I prefer the Dream to the Fantasy. It doesn't have the aft vibrations. My daughter loves the Infinity room in Oceaneers on the Dream (they don't have that on the Fantasy). Click to expand...

Both are amazing ships. One more vote for more days.  

Go for the extra day.  

I'd go for the extra day. We did a 3 night Fantasy last July to get our grand slam. Although it is a beautiful ship (and we are sailing her next year for 7 nights) it seemed like it started and then it was over! Since the ships and itinerary are very similar, I'd go with the Dream.  

Minniemouse37

Earning my ears.

I agree go for the 4 night...the extra day at sea will give you more time to relax and enjoy the ship. Plus the Dream has Beauty and the Beast which I’ve heard is amazing. We sailed on the Dream in 2016 before it was added...it was our first Disney Cruise and absolutely blew us away. We love the Fantasy too but I’d definitely switch if you can for the extra day.  

It's not less monkey, it's Moe Monkey!

Canadian Mouse Girl

We have done both ships, loved them both, preferred different things on each, but I would do the 4 day, to me the extra day is the way to go.  

Thank you all for your responses. We have a hold on the dream on a extended balcony.  

darnheather

Marc D said: The room will probably leave during the next drydock, the game not being produced anymore. I would also go for Dream in this situation. The B&B show is better than Aladdin and everything else is pretty much the same. Click to expand...

darnheather said: Aladdin is being reimagined. Click to expand...

pixiedustedme

Planning is half the fun.

I'd base it on which has shows I haven't seen. If you haven't sailed on either, I prefer Dream, which still has a family pool deck hot tub. Also, the Dream doesn't have the Fantasy's aft vibration issues. Both are good ships & very similar.  

runskyhy said: If you are interested in the differences between the two ships, here's what I am aware of: View attachment 400968 More dining options are offered at Remy's for a 4-night cruise, too. In addition to the dinner and Champagne Brunch, a Petites Assiettes meal is available the first evening of 4-night or longer cruises. Also, the Pompidou's Patisseries Dessert Experience is available only on sea days. If any of this is incorrect, I hope others will speak up here and let us all know. (I haven't been on the Fantasy in a few years.) Have a great cruise! Click to expand...

Aladdin will return by the end of this month. Personally the Dream is my favorite ship, only because I like the adult section better. I prefer the Fantasy only because of the longer cruises. With that being said I would definitely go for the longer cruise. 3 nights is too short. I won't go into why we won't take shorter cruises. It will just start a firestorm on here.  

lklgoodman said: OP isn't cruising until next Sept. 2020. Aladdin is suppose to be back later this month. Click to expand...

• May 17, 2019

Thank you for all your responses, we booked the 4 night on the dream cabin number 9672.  

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Disney Cruise Line Stateroom Categories Explained

Front, back, top, bottom, left, right, somewhere in the middle? There are so many choices when choosing your stateroom (like a hotel room, but on water) on a Disney Cruise. No worries though, I explain all of the various categories and help you choose the best stateroom for your family’s magical vacation!

As of right now, there are 4 Disney ships in their fleet. The Dream and Fantasy are sister ships with the same layout and the Magic and Wonder are sister ships with the same layout. When selecting a cruise itinerary, you want to make sure you know which ship you will be sailing on because the stateroom categories are different.

There are 2 main things you have to consider when choosing a stateroom: what type of stateroom do you want (floor plan) and where on the ship do you want to be (category). The Dream and Fantasy have 9 floor plans and 28 room categories. The Magic & Wonder have 10 floor plans and 22 room categories. That’s a lot! I have broken it down into 4 easy steps to pick your perfect stateroom!

Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy Deck Plans

Disney Magic and Disney Wonder Deck Plans

4 steps to choosing your stateroom:

Determine how many people are in your party. This decides what type of room you need. When you go online to look at availability, select the total number of adults and children (with their ages) the rooms will be filtered down to the ones that will fit your party size.

Dream & Fantasy: If you have 1, 2, 3, or 4 people in your party you have free access to all rooms and categories on the ship. If you have 5 people, you can choose from 5 floor plans on the ships. If you have more than 5 on the Dream & Fantasy you will need 2 staterooms.

Magic & Wonder: If you have 1, 2 or 3 people in your party you can choose between all room floor plans and categories on the ships. If you have 4 people you can choose from 9 floor plans. 5 people, you can choose between 5 floor plans and there are 2 floor plans that can sleep up to 7!

Choose 1 of 4 floor plans. Do you want a room with a view?

1.     Inside: no windows (however, the Fantasy and Dream have Magical Portholes; a LED TV screen over the bed with real-time views of outside)

2.     Oceanview: Dream & Fantasy: 1 or 2 large portholes, Magic & Wonder: 1 large porthole or 2 smaller portholes

3.     Verandah: There are 3 types of verandahs (balconies):

•  The  standard verandah  features an open-air balcony skirted by an acrylic wall, allowing for a full view of the horizon even while seated.
• The  whitewall verandah  offers open-air lounging with a solid wall from the deck to the railing. Most of these staterooms are located in the back (aft) portion of the ship.
• The  navigator’s verandah  is enclosed for greater privacy while still affording a stunning view and sea breezes through a large, open-air porthole above the railing.
• Verandahs differ by size and style depending on the ship and stateroom type, and the view on some verandahs may be obstructed.
• On connecting verandah staterooms, the partitions can be opened to create an even more spacious balcony.

• Concierge: Personalized assistance in planning every cruise detail, including:

Pre-reserve many of your onboard activities and services online, up to 120 days prior to your sail date.

• Port Adventures
• Reservations for  Palo or Remy , spa treatments or nursery stays
• Dining room seating requests
• Special occasions and celebrations
• Any other special requests, from pre-arrival to post-cruise

Shipboard Services

• Priority check-in and boarding at a dedicated check-in station
• Private welcome reception
• Exclusive access to dedicated areas on the ship, including the Concierge Lounge and sun deck via a private entrance.
• Down Duvets
• Choose from pillow options including hypoallergenic, feather and therapeutic memory foam
• Personal robe and slippers
• Access to the media library in the Concierge Lounge
• Complimentary Wi-Fi internet service (length of cruise)

Room preferences to consider:

What specific stateroom type do you want?

• Suite: Royal, 1 bedroom, or 2 bedrooms
• Deluxe family: sleeps 5
• Deluxe: split bathroom
• Standard: single bathroom
• Guaranteed: Disney will select for you your stateroom and guarantee that it will be in the category chosen or a higher category. This is a restricted-fare category.
• Wheelchair accessible

Where on the ship do you want to be? Forward (front), midship, or aft (back)

Do you get seasick? There are different theories to this, but generally, if you get sea sick you will want a stateroom with a verandah so you can breathe in fresh air or a room with a porthole. Focusing on the line where the sky meets the sea can help alleviate nausea. Also, having a stateroom in the middle of the ship helps with the rocking feeling.

Are you on a budget? The higher the deck the more expensive the stateroom is. Also, the closer you are to mid ship the more expensive the room is. You will also pay more to see the ocean. Inside staterooms with no windows on a lower deck either near the front (forward) or back (aft) are the least expensive.

Pick your room

In this step, you actually get to choose your specific room number. You can also select staterooms that adjoin if you are going with another stateroom. If the room connects, you will see an arrow next to the room number. The direction the arrow is going in is the room it connects to. You can still select one of these rooms even if you are not traveling with another party, you just don’t want to unlock the door 🙂

Do you want to be next to the elevators? The elevators midship are generally busier and therefore are louder, but on the other hand, you also have close access to the stairwell & elevators to get to other decks quickly.

When you have made your selection, you will be given a category #. For example, it will look like this: (Category 04E).

You’re done, celebrate!

But what does that number and letter mean?

If you want to dig in deeper to the room categories and find out what the number and letter means, you can keep on reading. I am giving you fair warning, there is a lot of information below.  For planning purposes, my suggestion is to print out the list below and make notes or cross off which ones do not fit your needs.

Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy Category Specifics

These are the larger ships in Disney’s fleet with 1,250 staterooms each. There are 14 decks (or levels); 9 have staterooms on them, with 28 categories and 9 room layouts! 

9 Stateroom Layouts on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy

1. concierge royal suite with verandah.

• Category R: There are only 2 of this type of room on each ship. Both are on deck 12 at the very front of the ship (forward). One is on the left (port) the other is on the right (starboard).
• 1,781 square feet, including the verandah
• One master bedroom with queen size bed
• One wall pull-down double bed
• One wall pull-down single bed in the living room
• Two bathrooms with rain shower
• Whirlpool tub
• Living room
• Dining salon
• Walk-in closets

2. Concierge 1-bedroom suite with Verandah

• Category T: There are 19 of these type rooms on each ship. They are located on decks 11 and 12 near the front of the ship (forward). Located on both sides of the ship. 1 is wheelchair accessible.
• 622 square feet including verandah
• One bedroom with queen size bed
• Living area with double convertible sofa
• Private Verandah

3. Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

• Category V: There are 20 of these types of rooms on each ship. They are located on decks 11 and 12 near the front of the ship (forward). Located on both sides of the ship. 1 is wheelchair accessible.
• 306 square feet including verandah
• Queen size bed
• Double convertible sofa
• Upper berth pull-down bed
• Full bath with round tub and shower
• Additional half bath

4. Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

• 04 A has 128 staterooms with 64 on deck 9 and 64 on deck 10. All are located midship to back (aft).
• 04 B has 62 staterooms all on deck 8. All are located midship to back (aft). 4 are wheelchair accessible.
• 04 C has 64 staterooms all on deck 7. All are located midship to back (aft).
• 04 D has 63 staterooms all on deck 6. All are located midship to back (aft). 2 are wheelchair accessible.
• 04 E has 44 staterooms all on deck 5. All are located near the front (forward) or back (aft). 1 is wheelchair accessible.
• 299 square feet including verandah
• Single convertible sofa
• Wall pull-down bed (in most)
• Upper berth pull-down bed (in some)
• Split bath with round tub (in most) and shower

5. Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

• There are a total of 3 categories each broken down: 05 (A-E), 06 (A & B), & 07 (A)
• 05 A has 168 staterooms on deck 9 & 10. All are located midship to the front (forward) or back (aft).
• 05 B has 78 staterooms all on deck 8. All are located midship to the front (forward) or back (aft).
• 05 C has 82 staterooms all on deck 7. All are located midship to the front (forward) or back (aft).
• 05 D has 88 staterooms all on deck 6. All are located midship to the front (forward) or back (aft).
• 05 E has 29 staterooms on deck 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10. All are located at the very back (aft). All have white wall verandahs. 2 are wheelchair accessible.
• 06 A has 10 staterooms on decks 8 & 9. All are located back (aft). All have white wall verandahs.
• 06 B has 20 staterooms on decks 5, 6, & 7. All are located back (aft). All have white wall verandahs.
• 07 A is a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator’s Verandah. There are 24 staterooms located on decks 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9. Mainly in the front (forward) or back (aft)
• 246 square feet including verandah
• Upper berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
• Split bath with tub and shower

6. Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom

• 08 A has 12 staterooms located on decks 5 & 6 in the front (forward). The shapes of these rooms are squarer versus rectangular and each stateroom has 2 large portholes! 1 is wheelchair accessible.
• 08 B has 22 staterooms located on deck 9, either in the front (forward) or back (aft).
• 08 C has 44 staterooms located on decks 7 & 8, either in the front (forward) or back (aft).
• 08 D has 30 staterooms located on decks 7 & 8, either in the front (forward) or back (aft).
• 241 square feet
• Split bath with round tub and shower (in most)

7. Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom

• 09 A has 10 staterooms located on decks 5, 6, 7, & 8 all either in the front (forward) or back (aft). 4 are wheelchair accessible.
• Things to keep in mind when booking this category: the main lobby atrium is the deck above and the tender lobby is the deck below, so it might be noisy
• 09 C has 10 staterooms located on decks 7 & 8 at the very front (forward) of the ship. 2 are wheelchair accessible.
• 09 D has 11 staterooms located on decks 6, 7, & 8 all at the very front (forward) of the ship. 3 are wheelchair accessible.
• 204 square feet

8.    Deluxe Inside Stateroom

• Category 10 A has 19 staterooms sporadically located on decks 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9

9.    Standard Inside Stateroom

• 11 A has 64 staterooms located on decks 8, 9, & 10. There are some located front (forward), midship, and back (aft)
• 11 B has 40 staterooms located on decks 5, 6, & 7. Most are located near the front (forward) and back (aft) of the ship.
• 169 square feet
• Bath with tub and shower

Disney Magic & Disney Wonder Specifics

These are the smaller ships in Disney’s fleet with 875 staterooms each. There are 11 decks (or levels); 6 have staterooms on them, with 22 categories and 10 room layouts!

10 Stateroom Layouts on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder

1.    concierge royal suite with verandah.

• Category R: There are only 2 of this type of room on each ship. Both are on deck 8 at the mid to front of the ship (forward). The one on the left (port) is the Walter E. Disney Suite and the other, on the right (starboard) is the Roy O. Disney Suite.
• 1,029 square feet, including the verandah
• Two bedrooms with queen size bed the other has two twin beds and two pull-down upper berths
• Two and a half bathrooms with whirlpool tubs
• Media library with wall pull-down bed

2.    Concierge 2-bedroom suite with Verandah

• Category S: There are 2 of these type rooms on each ship. They are located on deck 8 near the front of the ship (forward). One on each side (port and starboard).
• 945 square feet including verandah
• Living area with convertible sofa
• Two and a half bathrooms

3.    Concierge 1-bedroom suite with Verandah

• Category T: There are 18 of these type rooms on each ship. They are located throughout deck 8. 4 are wheelchair accessible
• 614 square feet including verandah
• Two bathrooms

4.    Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

• Category V: There are 10 of these types of rooms on each ship. They are located on deck 8 throughout.
• 304 square feet including verandah
• Pull-down upper berth bed (in most)
• Privacy divider

5.    Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

• 04 A has 32 staterooms on deck 8. All are located midship to back (aft).
• 04 B has 32 staterooms all on deck 8. Located front (forward) and back (aft).
• 04 E has 6 staterooms all on deck 8. All are located near back (aft). 1 is wheelchair accessible.
• Wall pull-down bed
• Pull-down upper berth (in most)
• Private verandah

6.    Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

• This floor plan is broken down into 2 categories 05 (A-C) & 06 (A)
• 05 A has 58 staterooms on deck 7. All are located midship
• 05 B has 106 staterooms: 46 are on deck 7 in the front (forward) or back (aft) and 60 are on deck 6 all located midship.
• 05 C has 56 staterooms 46 are on deck 6 in the front (forward) or back (aft) and 10 are on deck 5 all located near the back (aft).
• 06 A has 32 staterooms on decks 5,6, & 7. All are located back (aft). 6 are wheelchair accessible.
• 268 square feet including verandah

7.    Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator’s Verandah

• Category 07 A has 30 staterooms located on decks 5, 6, & 7 all in the back (aft) of the ship.
• Enclosed private verandah with limited views

8.    Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom

• 09 A has 58 staterooms located on decks 5, 6, & 7 in the front (forward). 2 are wheelchair accessible.
• 09 B has 66 staterooms located on deck 2, all are mid-deck.
• 09 C has 80 staterooms located on decks 2, either in the front (forward) or back (aft).
• 09 D has 25 staterooms located on decks 1, all are mid-deck to the front (forward) and on the left (port side). All rooms in this category have 2 small portholes.

9.    Deluxe Inside Stateroom

• 10 A has 19 staterooms located on decks 5, 6, & 7. All are located in the front (forward) of the ship. 1 on deck 7 is wheelchair accessible.
• 10 B has 48 staterooms located on deck 2. Mainly midship.
• 10 C has 17 staterooms located on deck 1. All are mid-deck to the front (forward) and on the left (port side).
• 214 square feet
• Upper berth pull-down bed (in some) Privacy divider

10.  Standard Inside Stateroom

• 11 A has 66 staterooms located on decks 6 & 7. There are some located front (forward), midship, and back (aft). 2 are wheelchair accessible.
• 11 B has 81 staterooms located on decks 6 & 7. All are located near the front (forward) or back (aft) of the ship.
• 11 C has 37 staterooms located on deck 2 & 3. All on deck 2 are located near the front (forward) of the ship and those on deck 3 are located in the back (aft).
• 184 square feet

If you made it this far, hi and thank you!

Happy Travels!

Let’s book your magical vacation today!   As an agent with Key to the World Travel , I can help you with everything from Disney Destinations, a cruise, a beach getaway or even a trip to Europe. Contact me today for your free, no-obligation quote at [email protected]   and follow me on Facebook   to hear about the latest Disney updates and travel tips! Or, you can fill out and submit the form below.  I look forward to helping you plan the most magical vacation for you and your family.

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The Best Staterooms in Each of the 10 Categories on a Disney Cruise in 2022

There are a lot of stateroom choices on a  Disney Cruise !  You may think there should be three simple choices:  inside, oceanview, or verandah – but it’s nowhere near that cut and dry.  Each of those three stateroom types has several different classifications of staterooms!  Disney has thirty-one various categories of staterooms.

Beginning in 2022, some of the categories have new names, and some staterooms have been recategorized.  Disney is standardizing everything in anticipation of their third class of ships – the Triton Class, which kicks off in 2022 with the Disney Wish!  In fact, hopefully soon I will write another new blog post, with stateroom recommendations for the Wish!

A few of the same ground rules and guidelines first:

– I’m not going to recommend accessible staterooms.  If you need an accessible stateroom, there are options in almost every category.  If you don’t need one, pick something else.

– If you don’t need a connecting stateroom, try to avoid them.  I have stayed in a few different staterooms with a connecting door and we could hear the guests on the other side almost as if they were in our stateroom.

– While I will give some specific stateroom numbers in some cases, in other cases I’ll just give general guidance.  It’s always good planning to check a review of the particular stateroom you have in mind.  There are some staterooms out there that have noise or vibration issues.  There are also some right above the theaters or the nightclubs.  You probably want to avoid those.

– To find stateroom reviews, use Google or check a site like Disney Cruise Line Blog.  Scott Sanders has a  good list of reviews  going over there.  A quick search may save you some headaches on board!

– Finally, the staterooms on the  Dream  and  Fantasy  will be the same, so I will address those staterooms as the Dream Class.  Similarly, the  Magic  and  Wonder  have the same types of staterooms, so I will address them as the Magic Class.

With the recategorization, all categories are now broken down further with letters like A, B, C, D and E. The letters generally distinguish where on the ship the staterooms are located, with the letter A being the typically most desired location – mid-ship and/or on a higher deck.

1. Concierge Suites –

Category 1A – Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah (Formerly Category R) – Recognizing that a Royal Suite is out of reach for most mere mortals, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge they are the best staterooms on the ship.  There is no room for debate, people.  Whether we are talking Dream or Magic Class, these are the best staterooms on the ship and there are no bad options in this category.  I’m a fan of starboard side for the Magic Class if I had to pick one.  The Royal Suites on the Magic Class sleep 7 and aren’t quite as open and airy as the Dream Class which sleep 5, but all are amazing.  For the Dream Class, the two suites are different.  The Roy O. Disney Suite (12502) is starboard, and the Walter E. Disney Suite (12002) is port side.  The living areas are almost identical, but the bedroom and bathroom layouts are different.  In the Roy, the bedroom is on the exterior of the suite, and the master bathroom is on the interior, so the bedroom has beautiful windows and light.  In the Walt, the master bathroom is on the exterior and gets all that beautiful light, while the bedroom is more interior.  There are benefits to both, and it’s really a personal preference.  I preferred the Walt, but certainly would not have been sad in either one!

Category 1B – Concierge 2-Bedroom Suite with Verandah (Formerly Category S) – There are only two 2-bedroom suites, and they are found only on the Magic Class.  The only difference between them is starboard (right) or port (left) side. I’d give a slight edge to the starboard side of the ship if you are sailing to Castaway Cay because I love those island views when docked for your day in paradise.

Category 2A or 2B –  1-Bedroom Suite (2A or 2B) with Verandah (Formerly Category T) – On the Dream Class, there is only one 2A, and it’s spectacular.  It’s stateroom 12000, and it’s located between the two Royal Suites forward on the ship.  This room has a huge verandah, and stunning views.  This room is often held back during the initial release to see if either of the Royal Suite occupants would like to add it on (it’s connected to both via a hallway of sorts), but it will pop into inventory regularly.  You (or your travel agent) just need to keep an eye out!  The 2Bs on the Dream Class are also amazing, and there are 6 with oversized verandahs.  They’re located on a bumpout of the ship and the verandahs are huge!  They are staterooms 12006, 12012, 12506, 12512, 11006, and 11002.  For the absolute best view of Castaway Cay, book 12512.  On the Dream Class, I also slightly prefer the concierge staterooms on deck 12, over deck 11, because they have easier access to the concierge lounge and sundeck.  On the Magic Class, I’d recommend the 2As.  These four staterooms have a slightly different layout which puts the twin pull-down bed in the living room instead of in the master bedroom like the 2Bs.  I greatly prefer the master bedroom to have its own closed-off space, especially when you’re putting children to bed early.

2. Category 3A – Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Formerly Category V) –Category 3A staterooms are essentially category 4 staterooms with concierge soft goods and concierge service.  On the Magic Class, I still prefer starboard side if visiting Castaway Cay.  On the Dream Class, I have the same starboard answer, while also recommending one of the staterooms on the bumpout.  Those are 12008, 12010, 12508, 12510, and 11004.  If you are traveling with the party in stateroom 12512, definitely book 12510 to open the verandah partition in between the two staterooms for a super-sized-amazing-Castaway-Cay-views-of-glory stateroom combination.  BTW, that is an official term.

3. Category 4 – Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah – Category 4 staterooms are the biggest non-concierge staterooms on the ships. The word “Family” in the title means the stateroom is slightly longer and sleeps up to five.  On the Dream Class, it also means they have a round bathtub instead of the standard rectangular one found in most staterooms.  4Es on the Dream Class are a notable exception to those rules.  4Es on the Dream Class only sleep four, and are the same size as category 5 staterooms, not the extended family size, nor do they have the round tubs.  They do, however, have GIANT verandahs.  For 2022, Disney reclassified most of the 5E staterooms as category 4E. That actually makes sense.  Those 5Es were just like the 4Es, they were just on the far aft (back) of the ship.  So now my favorite 4Es would be those that are located aft because of the great views.  Some of the rooms on the corners have even bigger verandahs!  4Es on the Magic Class follow the rules of the other 4s – the stateroom sleeps up to 5 and their verandahs are not giant.  Their verandahs do have a solid white metal wall instead of clear Plexiglas below the railing.  I’d avoid 4Es on the Magic Class for that reason, while I’d certainly do 4Es on the Dream Class for those ginormous verandahs.  Disney reclassified many category 4 rooms for 2022, eliminating 4D, recategorizing some of those as 4C, and some 4Cs became 4Bs.

4. Category 5 – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah – Category 5 is my go-to stateroom. They are all standard-size staterooms with unobstructed verandahs. Disney reclassified several of them, recategorizing most 5Es to 4Es as discussed above, and eliminating 5Ds.  Some 5Ds are now 5Cs, some 5Cs are now 5Bs.  I avoid deck 10 on the Dream Class as a general rule (there are some pool deck noise issues in some rooms on deck 10), but otherwise I like all of the category 5s!

5. Category 6 – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Undersized, Obstructed View, or White Wall) – Category 6 staterooms are like category 5 staterooms, but they all have either an undersized, obstructed, or white wall verandah. Some of these differences are minor, so if you want to save a little from a category 5, category 6 may be for you. On the Dream Class, some of the 6Bs are on the aft of the ship, so those would be my choice because of the great views!  Category 6 staterooms on deck six have slightly larger verandahs on Magic Class, so I’d recommend those!  5650 and 5150 also have giant verandahs on the Magic Class!

6. Category 7 – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator’s Verandah – There is a significant difference between the Dream and Magic Class category 7s. A Navigator’s verandah on the Magic Class is a mostly enclosed verandah, with a large circular or oval window-type opening cut out for viewing purposes. On the Dream Class, it’s just a slightly obstructed view from the verandah.  These are slightly more obstructed than the category 6s, thus the category 7 designation.  There are two on the aft (5188 and 5688) that have small verandahs, but great views!  On the Magic Class, there are four that are not fully enclosed.  I’d pick one of those!  They are staterooms 6134, 6634, 7120, and 7620.

7. Category 8 – Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom – Starting with category 8s, these staterooms no longer have a verandah. There are no category 8s on the Magic Class, only the Dream Class.  Once again, the word “Family” means they are bigger staterooms that sleep up to 5 and have round tubs. They also have very large portholes with seating!  The exceptions are 8As.  And what an exception they are!  8As are almost like suites with two large portholes with lots of space, and many have a divider of some kind between the bed and seating area.  I’d wholeheartedly recommend any of the 8As!  Not all have bathtubs, and some are more divided than others, so do your research before picking which one works for you.  Disney recategorized the 8Ds for 2022, and now 8Ds are 8Cs, while 8Cs are 8Bs.

8. Category 9 – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom – Category 9s are your standard oceanview staterooms. Read – no verandahs.  On the Magic Class, I’d recommend avoiding deck 1 if staying in a category 9.  Deck 1 is a short deck with no access to the aft elevators.  The oceanview staterooms on deck 1 also have two small portholes instead of one larger porthole which greatly limits your view in my opinion.  The 9C staterooms that are all the way forward, like 2504 or 2510, also have a little bit more space due to the curvature of the ship!  On the Dream Class, we loved the 9Bs on deck 2 outside  Enchanted Garden .  It was an incredibly convenient location.  The Dream Class also has some large corner staterooms that are 9Ds.  They are 7006, 7504, 8006, and 8504.  You may also like the 9Cs and 9Ds that are forward with views of where the ship is headed.  The portholes are slanted with slightly obstructed views, but neat views all the same.

9. Category 10 – Deluxe Inside Stateroom – Category 10 inside staterooms are basically the same size and setup as category 9s, but they have no outside views. On the Dream Class, however, they do have virtual portholes, which gives a view (via camera) of what is happening outside (with some occasional Disney magic thrown in). The Magic Class has its own exciting unnamed category here – secret porthole staterooms!  That’s right, some of these inside staterooms actually have a window!  Disney did not classify them as oceanview staterooms because those window views are obstructed, some more than others.  If you want some natural light for the price of an inside stateroom, these are the staterooms for you.  Book 5020, 5022, 5024, 5520, 5522, or 5524 on the Magic Class.  Warning, these staterooms are more popular than a Dole Whip on sweltering day in Orlando, so book early!

10. Category 11 – Standard Inside Stateroom – Category 11 inside staterooms no longer carry the word “Deluxe” in the description and that’s mostly due to the bathroom. There are no split bathrooms in category 11 staterooms.  Split bathrooms are the standard in all the other categories, and they come with one bathroom with a toilet and sink, and one with a bathtub and sink.  While I highly recommend the split bath for families, there are some people who prefer having one larger bathroom as opposed to two smaller ones.  Additionally, on the Magic Class ships, there are some 11Bs with a “sideways” layout.  These staterooms are somewhat popular and feel a little roomier than the regular inside stateroom layouts.  Book one of those 18 staterooms for a unique experience.

That’s my breakdown!  Did I forget any that you can think of?  Do you have questions about any particular staterooms?  Just ask!

Tammy Whiting  is the owner of  Storybook Destinations . Did you know Storybook Destinations offers a  complimentary subscription to TouringPlans  with qualified Disney and Universal bookings? Click  here  for a no-obligation quote on your next vacation.

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Tammy Whiting

Tammy has been a lover of all things Disney for most of her life. There’s nowhere on this Earth she’d rather be than on a Disney cruise with her family. She’s a Space Force wife and proud mom of two wonderful children and one beautiful daughter-in-law . She fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2008 and became a travel agent specializing in Disney vacations. She now owns her own travel agency - Storybook Destinations. You can reach Tammy at [email protected].

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jeremy and kerri bonds got every thing pay for

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Which Disney Cruise Line Ship Did I Prefer: The Wish or The Dream?

by Tatjana Lazar | Feb 6, 2024 | Disney Cruise Line , Disney Cruise Line Food , Disney Dream , Disney Wish

The Disney Wish vs Disney Dream. Take a deep dive into two Disney Cruise Line ships, to learn about the differences between them.

When you’re booking a sailing aboard the Disney Cruise Line, you have so many options and choices! From your itinerary to shore excursions to onboard activities to your rotational dining schedule, you can customize your cruise experience in countless ways – but it all starts with the ship itself. The ship you sail aboard can make your cruise, shaping the details of your daily dining, your onboard entertainment, and even how your stateroom is decorated and designed. So, how do you decide which cruise ship is the best choice? Are some Disney cruise ships better than others?

I’ve had the chance to sail on two ships within the Disney Cruise Line Fleet: the Disney Dream and the Disney Wish . Which did I prefer? Here’s my overview of what the Disney Dream does well and where the Disney Wish excels.

Attraction Issue Bundle

Attraction special – haunted mansion, attraction special – jungle cruise, attraction special – pirates of the caribbean, disney wish vs disney dream: which is the better disney cruise ship.

While it’s tough to compare – and choose between! – different Disney Cruise Line ships, the experience is different on different sailings. And I’ll just tell you right off the bat that overall, I preferred the Disney Wish to the Disney Dream .

Yes, it’s true! I have only ever been on two Disney Cruise Line sailings, and I’ve only experienced the Wish and the Dream. I was not expecting to prefer the Wish, to be honest, because the Dream and the Fantasy are such classic ships, and they’re so beloved by Disney Cruise Line fans. I was kind of surprised that I liked the Wish more, and by how much more I liked it. Here’s an overview of my experiences on both the Wish and the Dream, and where I think each ship really shines.

The Food is Better on the Disney Wish vs the Disney Dream

The biggest detail that was so much better on the Wish – like, leaps and bounds better – was the food. I’m talking about the regular rotational dining and the buffet dining; while on the Dream all of that food was unremarkable, on the Wish it was great.

Photo by Danny Shuster

The detail I was really shocked by on the Wish versus the Dream was the difference in the quick service food options. Both The Wish and the Dream have a quick service area on the pool deck. However, on the Disney Dream, these quick service windows are offering pizza, sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and similar items. On the Disney Wish, the options are more varied and interesting. There’s a Mexican buffet and a barbecue buffet, for example. I enjoyed these quick service options on Deck 11 of the Wish so much. I wasn’t expecting to, but they were fantastic!

Photo by Jimmy Taylor

And when it comes to the buffets – Cabanas on the Dream and Marceline Market on the Wish – Marceline Market was so much better. I found the quality of the food there better, and it seemed more organized. The Cast Members really took the time to serve Guests the food instead of it being more of a free-for-all. Plus, there was a really nice omelet station!

However, there was one detail that stood out to me on the Dream that the Wish couldn’t match: the Mickey waffles! If you’re a fan of Mickey waffles like me, I found these to be better on the Dream. I think the Wish was still maybe a little new and working out its Mickey waffle recipe. So, while the food was generally better overall on the Wish, those Mickey waffles won on the Dream.

Rotational Dining Wins on the Wish

Rotational dining is a huge part of your Disney Cruise Line experience, and when it comes to this key detail, the Wish was far and away superior. The rotational dining on the Disney Wish outdid what was available on the Disney Dream. This is because of the theming, first and foremost. Outside of the quality of the food, the rotational dining on the Wish is better because it’s much more immersive. You don’t get nearly the same level of immersion and theming on the Dream. While rotational dining is themed, it’s much more subtle – and when I’m on a Disney cruise, I want immersive dining experiences.

Dining at Worlds of Marvel on the Wish is truly immersive! Photo by Danny Shuster

What does the rotational dining onboard the Disney Wish include? There are three locations: Worlds of Marvel , Arendelle , and 1923 . Those three restaurants were really so much more interesting than the dining options and thematics on the Dream (which are Enchanted Garden, Royal Palace, and Animator’s Palate). While Animator’s Palate is up there in terms of immersion, it was more for the kids. The rotational dining on the Wish still appeals to kids, but these restaurant options are better suited for every age, I would say, and appeal to both kids and adults. 

A look at Animator’s Palete onboard the Dream. Photo by Julie de la Fe

The Disney Wish Offered More Entertainment Choices

If you’re hoping to satisfy the interests of your entire family on your Disney Cruise Line vacation, the Wish offers entertainment that appeals to both kids and adults. I personally found the entertainment options on the Wish much more appealing for my age bracket. I’m in my 30s and I don’t have kids, and I am a Disney girl; I love Disney stage shows, and I enjoyed the shows offered on the Wish. 

The stage shows weren’t of the same caliber as on the Dream. I found this ship’s stage shows quite dated. They were cute, but I felt they were really built for kids. And in my opinion, the thing about Disney that’s so special is when the entertainment appeals to everyone. The Wish, I feel, really encapsulated that. On this ship, the available shows were able to appeal to all age groups. 

Staterooms Are Bigger (and Theming is Better) on the Disney Wish

Let’s talk about rooms . After all, it’s where you’ll be staying (albeit for short periods of time, since you’ll be out enjoying all Disney Cruise Line ships have to offer!). The rooms on the Wish are better – they’re a little bit bigger, and they’re themed. You can stay in rooms themed to  Frozen ,  Cinderella, or The Little Mermaid , and you’ll also spot different themed hallway art and lighting throughout the decks. The rooms and their theming are so stunning!

A look at a Frozen-themed room on The Wish. Photo by Danny Shuster

While you can stay in themed rooms on the Wish, you can’t really get that same perk on the Dream. Your Dream room will either include a veranda or no veranda. But otherwise, all of the rooms aboard the Disney Dream look the same. And hallway or deck theming is pretty consistent ship-wide.

A look at the theming in hallways on The Dream. Photo by Bill Ryan

And when it comes to comfort, the Wish won for me! I slept on a pull-out couch on both the Wish and the Dream, and let me tell you: The pull-out couch on the Wish is so much better. It’s so much more comfortable! It came with actual bedding and blankets. On the Dream, this wasn’t the case.

To learn more about the different Disney Cruise Line ships you can explore and experience for yourself, keep reading:

Revealed: The New Disney Treasure Ship: Inside and Details

Disney Wish Pools and Slides: A Complete Guide

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Disney Dream & Fantasy: Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

• Sleeps: 4 to 5
• Size: 299 sq ft including verandah
• Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, an upper-berth pull-down bed, and for for rooms that sleep 5 a wall pull-down bed as well.
• View: private verandah

Categories 4A – 4C are the exact same room layout, just located on different decks of the ship. You can see a room tour here .

• Category 4A : Decks 9 and 10
• Category 4B : Deck 7 – 8
• Category 4C : Deck 6 

Sleeper Sofa & Upper Berth Bed

Disney Cruise Line has literally thought of everything when it comes to ensuring your family has the best comfort and convenience during your sailing. As you can see in the layout, there is a sitting area, which has a heavy curtain that can be pulled to separate that area from the queen bed. This is great news, since the couch converts to a bed, with the upper-berth pull-down bed above it. That means that the parents can have a little privacy from the kids at night! If you have a family of 4, your stateroom hostess will pull down the upper-berth bed from the ceiling for every evening, and put it back every morning! Once that upper-berth is pulled down, you can see on the ceiling a mural of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy and her brothers flying through the starry sky that the kids are sure to love!

Bathroom & Storage

There is also a full bathroom with vanity, sink and shower/tub combo. What you can’t see from the layout is that the queen bed frame is elevated, allowing for under-bed storage for suitcases and other large items so they are not in your way, as well storage inside the ottoman!

Location of Staterooms

 You can click on this pdf to see the location of every stateroom from each deck, as well as zoom in. Be sure you are looking only at the FIRST page, as the second page is for 2 different ships!:  dream and fantasy deck plans

Sealy Posturepedic Premium Plush Euro-top Mattress

Frette 300-thread-count, 100% Egyptian cotton linens

Premium bath towels

22″ LCD flat-screen television on a swivel arm with remote

iPod docking station

Full-length mirror

H2O Plus spa, bath and shower products

Mini fridge

Ample closet space

In-room safe

Phone with voicemail messaging

Individual climate control

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Disney cruise food: The ultimate guide to restaurants and dining on board

One of the best things about a cruise is the food, especially if you're sailing on Disney Cruise Line .

From the oldest Disney ship, Disney Magic , to the newest, Disney Wish , the cruise line has continued to raise the bar when it comes to dining on a cruise ship. One thing that makes Disney cruise dining stand out among its competitors is the line's rotational dining program. Throughout a sailing, guests rotate dinners through three main Disney cruise restaurants, and their service team moves with them.

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Along with the three main dining rooms across each ship, each Disney Cruise Line vessel also has an abundance of complimentary casual dining spots, at least one adults-only specialty restaurant and some lounges that offer food at an extra cost. With so many choices across the fleet, it can be confusing to know which restaurants are on which Disney ships.

Our Disney cruise food guide has all you need to know about dining options across the cruise line's fleet, including where to find them and whether they cost extra or are included in your fare. We also answer some of the most popular questions about dining and food on Disney Cruise Line.

Disney's rotational dining restaurants

Enchanted garden.

Included and a la carte; rotational dining; breakfast, lunch and dinner

Imagine stepping into a restaurant that's bright with light from the sun and is inspired by the gardens of Versailles. That's exactly what Enchanted Garden is. The venue is one of the rotational dining restaurants on Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream .

Dinner at Enchanted Garden is three courses, with appetizers like lobster ravioli or a curried carrot and apple soup. The sea bass on the entree menu is a favorite of mine and is always cooked to perfection. Polish off the meal with a piece of chocolate torte or a banana sundae.

On every ship fleetwide, sit-down breakfast and lunch are served in one of the rotational dining restaurants daily. Which restaurant hosts breakfast and which hosts lunch varies by itinerary, and they can be the same venue for each meal or different for breakfast and lunch.

Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line ships and itineraries

The menus are typically set menus and do not change based on the host venue. On disembarkation day, your family will dine in the final restaurant of your set rotation, whether you ate dinner there or not. All breakfast menus on the final morning are the same across the ship's rotational dining options.

For breakfast, try one of the made-to-order omelets or Mickey-shaped waffles, all served by a team of helpful waiters and waitresses. Then, for lunch, menus feature soups, sandwiches, full entrees and desserts over three courses. Breakfast and lunch are both open seating, so you don't have to wait for a certain time or your assigned dinner table to be open to enjoy a meal.

Available on : Disney Fantasy and Dream

Animator's Palate

Disney Cruise Line's signature rotational dining restaurant is Animator's Palate, which can be found on the four oldest Disney ships. On Disney Magic and Disney Wonder , the restaurant is covered in black-and-white sketches of popular Disney and Pixar characters. On Disney's larger ships, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream, the space is themed after an animator's studio, complete with maquettes, light boxes and computer workstations.

While enjoying the ambience, you can indulge in a menu filled with Asian and California fusion dishes. One of the most popular, and my favorite dish on the menu, is the black truffle pasta purseittes tossed in a creamy Champagne sauce. For something sweet after dinner, try the creme brulee or opt for a classic Mickey ice cream bar, which can be ordered at any of the rotational dining options fleetwide even though it's not listed on the menu.

Depending on which ship you're on, you have the chance to see three different shows inside Animator's Palate. On Disney Magic (on seven-night sailings or longer) and Disney Fantasy, you can draw your own character and, just before dessert, everyone's drawings are animated and come to life on screens near your seat.

On Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, "Drawn to Magic" shows off characters going from rough sketches to full-color animations. At the end of the show, Sorcerer Mickey stops by to say hello. If you're sailing on Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy, you'll also be able to join in the fun of "Undersea Magic," where Crush, from the Pixar movie "Finding Nemo," swims through the video screens around the room and stops to have conversations with various diners.

Available on : Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy

Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure

Get ready to belt out "Let It Go" for the millionth time at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure . This rotational dining restaurant on Disney Wish highlights Norwegian-inspired dishes. One highlight of the menu is Elsa's Royal Baked Scallops, which is scallops in a tarragon bisque loaded into a crock that's topped with puff pastry and baked to golden brown perfection. If your sweet tooth is as big as Anna and Elsa's, you can indulge in desserts like butter cake, apple cake or a mint chocolate chip sundae.

The dinner experience also includes a mealtime show. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf make their way around the restaurant to meet guests and perform songs from "Frozen" on stage. A highlight is when Elsa's "ice magic" from the movie lights up the dining room through fiber optics in the ceiling. Kids can join in the final celebration and march around the restaurant conga line-style as they wave flags and sing along to "Love is an Open Door" with the dining room service team.

Available on : Disney Wish

Lumiere's

"Beauty and the Beast" fans will love dining in the restaurant named after the candelabra in the film. When you walk into Lumiere's, you'll notice more nods to the animated classic, including glass domes covering red roses and a large mural that shows the iconic ballroom scene from the fan-favorite movie.

This restaurant is part of the rotational dining program on Disney Magic, and a four-course, French-inspired meal is waiting for you. Highlights of the menu include a bacon and mushroom tart, French onion soup, roasted duck breast and creme brulee.

Additionally, breakfast and dinner are served here for those who want a more relaxing meal. Breakfast is fairly basic, with options like made-to-order omelets and pancakes. The lunch menu rotates daily and is a three-course meal.

Available on : Disney Magic

Disney Wish's 1923 is one of the best rotational dining options across Disney Cruise Line. The restaurant is named after the year that The Walt Disney Company was founded and celebrates animation through glass-encased shadow boxes of sketches and maquettes of Disney characters.

The restaurant is divided into two dining rooms named after Walt and his brother Roy, though both serve the same menu, which celebrates California cuisine. My favorite dishes include the seared tuna appetizer, grilled filet entree and the churros with caramel dipping sauce. This is a great spot for a steakhouse date night, too, so if you have kids, drop them off in the kids club and enjoy a meal to yourself without having to pay extra for Palo Steakhouse.

Related: Disney cruise tips, tricks, secrets and extra magic to unlock when setting sail with Mickey

Located just off the Grand Hall, 1923 also offers a waiter-served breakfast and lunch every sailing day. Menus for both can be seen on the Disney Cruise Line app or by asking a crew member at the restaurant. Be sure to ask for a seat near a window because the views are usually incredible.

Rapunzel's Royal Table

My favorite rotational dining restaurant on Disney Magic is Rapunzel's Royal Table, which is themed after the Disney movie "Tangled." The restaurant features dinner and a show. Enjoy a meal while being entertained by Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, the thugs and ruffians from The Snuggly Duckling and a live band, who are all celebrating Rapunzel's birthday.

Dinner here is one of the best on the ship, with dishes like beef and portobello mushroom ravioli, sea bass with Champagne-truffle vinaigrette, and pesto pasta with seared scallops. Of course, no birthday party is complete without dessert, and the menu is filled with options like creme brulee cheesecake and chocolate cake.

Royal Court

The fine dining option for rotational dining on Disney Fantasy is Royal Court. The restaurant serves a French-inspired menu for dinner with dishes like lobster and shrimp cocktail, wild boar tenderloin and peanut butter mousse — which just happens to be my favorite combination of courses to order here.

The dining room is also open for breakfast and lunch for table service meals in a beautiful atmosphere. The breakfast menu is the standard fare, though do look out for the pastry plate that is walked around by a server and try one of the sweet cinnamon rolls. Lunch is a three-course meal with a rotating menu throughout the cruise.

Available on : Disney Fantasy

Royal Palace

Cruisers looking for a spot to enjoy a meal at a leisurely pace will love Royal Palace. The restaurant is part of Disney's rotational dining service for dinner but is also open for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is a four-course meal inspired by French cuisine with dishes like spinach souffle, rack of lamb and creme brulee.

Breakfast is fairly basic with traditional morning options, but it's always nice to be served rather than fight others at the buffet line. Lunch is a three-course meal where the menu changes daily, so be sure to check the cruise line app for the most up-to-date menus once you board the ship.

Available on : Disney Dream

Tiana's Place

Exclusive to Disney Wonder is Tiana's Place, part of the rotational dining roster on the ship. The restaurant is themed after the Disney animated movie "The Princess and the Frog," with a menu that highlights Creole and Cajun cooking. While enjoying your dinner, you'll also be entertained by a live jazz band playing songs from the movie and other instrumental melodies.

Of course, no dinner at a New Orleans-themed restaurant on a Disney ship is complete without seeing the Bayou princess herself, Tiana. She swings by nightly and gets everyone out of their seats to parade around the restaurant with servers just like a parade through the French Quarter.

Available on : Disney Wonder

Triton's

The last of the rotational dining options on Disney Wonder is Triton's, which is the ship's fine dining option among the rotational dining restaurants. The art deco-style restaurant is themed after "The Little Mermaid," with a mural of Ariel and King Triton, plus a bronze statue of Ariel just outside the restaurant.

Breakfast here is fairly basic but more relaxing than hitting the buffet line. Menu options include omelets, French toast and fruit. The three-course lunch menu is a nice alternative if you're looking for a table-service lunch.

Related: How much does a Disney cruise really cost?

Dinner features French and American fare with dishes like duck confit and escargot for starters, then roasted lamb shank or lobster macaroni and cheese for entrees. One thing not to miss when it's on the menu is the Grand Marnier souffle, which is my favorite dessert across the entire Disney Cruise Line fleet.

Worlds of Marvel

Fans of the Avengers and other Marvel characters will love dining in Worlds of Marvel . The meal starts with your hosts, Ant-Man and the Wasp, explaining what the interactive quantum core on your table is for. Then, throughout the meal, you'll work with Marvel superheroes to save the ship from an impending villain.

The menu at Worlds of Marvel is themed after the different fictional and real locations featured in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, like Wakanda, New York and Sokovia. Highlights of the menu include a pork belly bao bun, chicken schnitzel and a lamb shawarma salad. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, the ricotta gnocchi with fontina cheese and pesto sauces is a delightful plate.

Extra-fee specialty dining on Disney Cruise Line

Enchante by chef arnaud lallement.

Extra cost; adults-only; brunch, dinner and dessert

Adults looking for a culinary wonderland on Disney Wish will want to make reservations for the French-inspired dining experience, Enchante by Chef Arnaud Lallement , whose restaurant L'Assiette Champenoise in Reims, France, has three Michelin stars.

For all three meal services — brunch, dinner and dessert — ingredients are sourced from around the world, and no two menus are ever the same. Dinner is a fine dining experience that can take upward of three hours, so you might miss the evening show in the Walt Disney Theater. Schedule your dinner with care if there's a show you don't want to miss.

The Champagne brunch at Enchante is a prix-fixe meal paired with a glass of Champagne, while Just Desserts is a five-course dessert menu served with some of the best coffee on the ship.

Related: 7 reasons you should treat yourself to a cruise ship specialty restaurant

Pricing for brunch, dinner and dessert starts at $80, $135 and $60, respectively, for a prix-fixe meal. There is also an a la carte menu for brunch and dinner.

Extra cost; adults-only; brunch and dinner

Drop your kids off at the Oceaneer Club or Oceaneer Lab and head to Palo, an adults-only Italian restaurant on four Disney ships. The restaurant is named after the poles used by gondoliers in Venice. Walking into Palo, you'll notice the panoramic windows looking to the ocean that offer spectacular sunset views.

Dinner at the restaurant can be done as an a la carte meal where you pay for each item or a set cost prix-fixe menu for $50. I prefer to do the a la carte menu because it has more options. Plus, most of the dishes are shared among family or friends, so choosing this option makes it so I can try more things. The a la carte menu is also the only way to try the restaurant's iconic potato gnocchi, which is tossed in a fresh basil pesto sauce.

Related: The best $50 you can spend on a Disney cruise

No matter which you choose, be sure to get the signature Palo chocolate souffle with vanilla bean gelato for dessert.

Brunch is a more casual affair than dinner but no less delicious at $50. Brunch at Palo is one of my favorite things to do on Disney Cruise Line, and the meal service is offered on all ships on most sea days. If you don't have a sea day on your itinerary, brunch might be served on a port day. On a recent cruise, I made a reservation for brunch at Palo when the ship was docked in Nassau, Bahamas.

Brunch starts with a glass of prosecco or a mimosa, then your choice of antipasti plates. I suggest taking a few people with you to brunch so you can try a few of the dishes on the menu, though one not to miss is the chicken Parmesan that's served with risotto. Another favorite is the lasagna, which is the perfect size for everyone to get a few bites before moving on to something else. The almond croissants are heavenly. If you eat your first almond croissant in a hurry, just ask your server if they can bring you another one.

Additionally, Platinum- and Pearl-level Castaway Club members get one free dinner at Palo per sailing for everyone sharing their cabin.

Available on : Disney Wonder, Magic, Fantasy and Dream

Palo Steakhouse

While the four older Disney Cruise Line ships have Palo, Disney Wish has a new variation of the popular adults-only restaurant called Palo Steakhouse. The ocean-facing restaurant serves dinner nightly and brunch on most sea days and the occasional port day.

The dinner menu is similar to that of Palo on the other Disney ships, with a prix-fixe dinner starting at $50 and an a la carte option. The a la carte menu emphasizes steaks, with American prime cuts, Australian wagyu and Japanese Kobe and Miyazaki beef you can pair with one of five sauces. If you ask, you can also get a sauce flight to try all of the options with your steak.

Do not overlook the dessert menu. While the classic chocolate souffle is available, the carrot cake with lemon cream cheese frosting is an exquisite end to a meal.

Brunch, which is also $50, is the same menu across the fleet, so you can get your favorite items here while overlooking the ocean in an elegant setting.

Additionally, Platinum- and Pearl-level Castaway Club members get one free dinner at Palo Steakhouse per sailing to share with everyone in their cabin.

Adults looking for an upscale meal without kids will want to book Remy on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The adults-only French restaurant is themed after the Pixar movie "Ratatouille," and eagle-eyed diners will even spot the little chef made of glass perched in the dining room. The menus here are curated by chef Scott Hunnel from Walt Disney World's Victoria & Albert's and chef Arnaud Lallement.

The dinner service starts with a complimentary Champagne cocktail called "Collette" after the female chef in "Ratatouille." The tasting menu does change seasonally, so no matter when you go, you'll find something new to try. After your meal, a cheese trolley comes around to serve a selection of cheeses from France along with accompaniments. Finish off your meal with coffee and dessert. The prix-fixe menu at Remy is $135, and there's also an a la carte menu.

Related: 11 ways to save money on a Disney cruise

On four-night or longer sailings, Remy also offers brunch and a dessert event, which are $80 and $65, respectively. Brunch at Remy is prix fixe with dishes like lobster cannelloni and sea bass, plus a glass of Champagne and a dessert. Those with a sweet tooth will want to try the dessert service where a five-course dessert menu is served with coffee. During the sweet meal, Remy's executive chef and pastry chef will talk about the history of each dessert and how it's made.

Available on : Disney Dream and Fantasy

Olaf's Royal Picnic

Extra cost; character experience

For even more "Frozen" fun on Disney Wish, kids can spend time with their favorite characters from the movie at Olaf's Royal Picnic, an extra-cost lunch and character experience. The event, which isn't a true picnic, takes place inside Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure and features a two-course meal, one savory and one sweet. While enjoying lunch at one of the restaurant tables, kids and their accompanying adults can sing along to "Frozen" songs and meet Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf.

For kids ages 3 to 12, pricing for the event is $220 and includes lunch and a goodie bag filled with gifts like an Olaf hat, a mandolin and a plush troll doll. Adult meals are $69.

Royal Court Royal Tea

Extra cost; character experience; tea party

If your kids love tea parties and Disney princesses, you might want to book one of the Royal Court Royal Tea experiences on a Disney cruise. The tea party is for young cruisers ages 3 to 12, though a parent will have to accompany their children.

During the tea party, kids can choose from a selection of teas and pair their drinks with one sweet and one savory course. A Royal hostess and pastry chef tell stories, dance and sing with the group before welcoming in a few Disney princesses. Each child will receive an assortment of gifts as a keepsake after the event.

Pricing is $220 for kids ages 3 to 12 and $69 for adults. Kids ages 13 to 17 years old who attend with a younger sibling will be charged the adult price.

Available on : Disney Magic, Wonder, Fantasy and Dream

Casual Disney cruise dining options and snacks

Included; buffet; breakfast and lunch

Cabanas is Disney's buffet on its older ships, with 10 food stations in a beach-themed space. For breakfast, you can get everything from eggs and hash browns to Mickey-shaped waffles and fruit. Typically, once per cruise, the buffet will also offer churro Mickey waffles, which are a sweet take on the traditional breakfast dish.

For lunch, you can try out a variety of salads, sandwiches and pizzas. If you're looking for something heartier, try the carving station near the back of the buffet. The classic kids menu options of macaroni and cheese and chicken strips are readily available as well. Be sure to find the towering piles of crab legs and poached shrimp that grace the buffet line as well.

Marceline Market

Marceline Market is named after Walt Disney's hometown of Marceline, Missouri. The food hall-style buffet serves breakfast and lunch.

The casual eatery has a variety of breakfast options, including an omelet station, Asian favorites like congee and fried rice, and a kids station with pancakes and Mickey-shaped waffles. Lunch is a bigger deal here with a carving station, a salad bar, an international station where I've had great Indian food and a dessert bar.

One thing to note about Marceline Market versus Cabanas on the other Disney ships is that at Marceline Market, crew members often fill up your plate for you and then pass it over the glass food guards. This process makes the buffet a little easier and healthier than the self-serve option.

The buffet has both inside and outside seating, so on warm sea days, take your plate outside to enjoy the view of the ship's wake.

Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods

Included; lunch, dinner and snacks

Near Disney Wish's main pool is Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods. This outdoor open-air concept is made up of five smaller quick-service windows dishing out barbecue, pizza, burgers, tacos and ice cream. My favorite is Donald's Cantina, which is a make-your-own Tex-Mex spot with plenty of base, protein and topping options, along with a nearby salsa and hot sauce bar.

One big bonus to this location is that it's open until 6 p.m., so if you don't want to deal with one of the main dining rooms for dinner, you can come here early for a casual meal.

Flo's Cafe

Included; lunch and snacks

If you're out by the pool and in need of a quick lunch or a snack, stop by Flo's Cafe, which is made up of three different "Cars"-themed windows serving cruise classics like burgers, pizza, salad and chicken tenders.

Pinocchio's Pizzeria

Included; casual dining; snacks and lunch

If you're looking for a hot slice of pizza, look no further than Pinocchio's Pizzeria. The menu is small, with only a few pie choices, including cheese, pepperoni and vegetarian. That said, the pizza is always hot and fresh, making this a great poolside snack while watching a movie on the funnel TV.

Available on : Disney Wonder and Magic

Pete's Broiler Bites

Included; casual dining; lunch, dinner and snacks

If Cabanas is too busy or you just want a quick meal, head to Pete's Broiler Bites. The outdoor grill has a menu filled with American classics like burgers, hot dogs, brats and chicken tenders, all of which can be served with crispy fries. This is a hot spot on sea days for quick snacks and meals at lunchtime, so go during off times for a shorter wait.

Daisy's De-Lites

Included; casual dining; snacks

You'll find Daisy's De-Lites near the pool on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The casual counter-service spot has a nice selection of salads, sandwiches, wraps and fruit. I like to grab a wrap and some fruit to take with me to watch a movie on the funnel or in the cinemas on the ship.

Duck-In Diner

Outside on the pool deck of Disney Magic, Duck-In Diner dishes out lunch and snacks to hungry cruisers. The menu here is a fun mix of American favorites like burgers and dogs, plus Middle Eastern-inspired shawarma wrapped in a warm pita. I love the shawarma because you can see it rotating on a vertical spit right behind the counter and load up your sandwich with your favorite toppings.

Eye Scream Treats

Included; snacks

One of my favorite things about a cruise is the unlimited soft serve ice cream. At Eye Scream Treats, you can get as many ice cream cones or cups as you want throughout your sailing. The flavors do change daily, so check out what's mixing in the machines each day.

Extra-fee snacks

Extra cost; snacks

Just outside the Walt Disney Theater is a snack bar where you can get candy, popcorn and drinks before a show or movie. Before you even get to Preludes, you will smell the freshly popped popcorn, which can be served in a souvenir popcorn bucket. If you bring your bucket back to Preludes, you can enjoy discounted popcorn refills throughout your cruise. Buckets that are brought on board from other cruises or from a Disney Park are not available for refills at the discounted price.

Available : Fleetwide

Frozone Treats

While most food and snacks on Disney Cruise Line are included, some options are not, including Frozone Treats. This small snack stand whips up poolside smoothies for an extra cost that can be charged to your onboard bill.

Available on : Disney Magic, Fantasy and Dream

Sweet on You

Sweet on You is the adorable ice cream shop on Disney Fantasy. The snack shop has a variety of ice cream and gelatos that can be paired with 32 different toppings. There's also a whole case of baked goods, including cookies and cupcakes, and confections like truffles and candy. Each of the treats is an additional cost that can be charged to your cabin with your room key.

Senses Juice Bar

After a hard workout or time in the steam room, nothing is more refreshing than a fresh juice or smoothie. At Senses Juice Bar, you can get blended drinks made with fruit and veggies, then take them over to a small cafe table to look out onto the ocean or port of call while you enjoy your drink.

Vanellope's Sweets & Treats

Get a sugar rush at Vanellope's Sweets & Treats, which is themed after the movie "Wreck-It Ralph." The extra-cost snack shop has everything from gelato in crispy waffle cones to baked goodies and candy.

Inside Out: Joyful Sweets

Even though there are plenty of snacks and sweets available as part of your cruise fare, you might want to pop into Inside Out: Joyful Sweets to treat yourself to a sugary splurge. The sweet shop is where you can find hand-scooped gelato and ice cream in a variety of flavors. The shop is also known for its "Memory Orbs" cupcakes that pay tribute to the main characters in the Pixar movie "Inside Out."

Wheezy's Freezies

Wheezy's Freezies is the onboard smoothie shop on Disney Wish. Indulge in fruity drinks for an extra fee.

Room Service

Included and a la carte; breakfast, lunch and dinner

Unlike many other cruise lines that charge for room service, Disney Cruise Line still includes room service in its fares. In the morning, continental breakfast offerings can be delivered to your room from 7 to 10 a.m. To get breakfast, you will need to fill out one of the request cards in your room and leave it hanging on the door the night before your meal. Alternatively, you can call room service from your cabin phone to order in the morning.

For lunch and dinner, the menu is filled with sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts. If there are chicken wings listed on the menu, I implore you to get them. I always get an order after a day at Castaway Cay, Disney's private island, and the wings consistently arrive hot and crispy.

Don't forget that you can order Mickey's Premium Ice Cream Bars from room service even though the sweet treat is not on the menu. I love ordering one of these on a sea day to enjoy while taking in the view of the ocean from the balcony of my room.

Frequently asked Disney Cruise Line questions

How does rotational dining work?

You will be assigned a rotational dining restaurant for each night of your cruise. You will move through all three main dining rooms throughout your cruise and more than once on sailings longer than three nights. Your service team will move with you, and your table number will remain the same each night. At booking, you will select either main dining (5:45 p.m.) or late dining (8:15 p.m.) for your dining time. Your selected time will always be the opposite of the time you are slated to see the show inside the Walt Disney Theater.

Do I need reservations for specialty restaurants?

Yes, reservations are highlight recommended for all of the adults-only specialty restaurants fleetwide. Reservations can be made online as early as 123 days prior to your embarkation day, depending on your level within Disney's loyalty program called Castaway Club.

It's best to make reservations as early as possible so you know you have a guaranteed table at the time slot that you want. Some reservations for Palo, Palo Steakhouse, Remy and Enchante might be available to book once you're on board, but it's not guaranteed.

What drinks are included with my cruise fare?

Most drinks are included with your overall Disney cruise cost. These include drip coffee, juice, soda from soda machines, tap water, milk, tea and lemonade. The exceptions are alcoholic drinks, canned sodas from bars, bottled water and smoothies, which are purchased individually and charged to your folio.

Related: Disney cruise drink packages: How to save on beer, wine, cocktails and coffee

Bottom line

Disney Cruise Line offers a wide variety of dining options to please everyone from picky kids to epicurean adults. With treats like unlimited ice cream available near the pool, chicken tenders and fries to munch on while watching a movie and build-your-own taco bowls available on various ships, you'll always find something tasty.

Families enjoy rotational dining because they can try out different restaurants each night while sticking with the waiters who quickly get to know everyone and learn their preferences. Adults will find that the restaurants reserved just for them dish out some of the best meals on the ship in an inviting atmosphere.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
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• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
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• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Cruise Spotlight

Helping you find cruise ships you'll love

Disney Magic vs Disney Dream

The Disney Magic was built in 1998. It was renovated in 2013. Disney Magic's exterior has a old-school steam boat feel while the interior leans into the Art Deco styling. Outside the ship, you'll see Goofy painting the name on the stern. It's 13 years older than the Dream , which was built in 2011. Disney Dream's exterior has a old-school steam boat feel while the interior leans into the Art Deco styling. Outside the ship, you'll see Sorcerer Mickey painting the name on the stern.

Comparison Overview

Number of passengers, food and restaurants.

• Bars and Drinks

Pools and Hot Tubs

Ship features and activities, cruise costs, onboard costs.

The Magic is considered a small size ship. Coming in at 984 feet long and 106 feet wide, it's roughly the length of 2.7 football fields, as wide as 2 tractor-trailers and the same height as a 11-story building. Compared to the Disney Dream, the Magic is 35% smaller in terms of overall tons.

Disney Magic holds 30% fewer passengers than the Dream based on double occupancy (two people per room). When you look at the "Space Ratio," or the total tonnage of a ship compared to the number of passengers, the Magic has less space per person compared to the Dream.

Food is a big part of any cruise, and the ship you choose can make a huge difference in your food experience.

The Magic has 10 different dining options like Palo , Rapunzel's Royal Table , and Animator's Palate . Of those options, 8 are complementary, or included with your cruise fare. The other 2 options have an additional fee.

The Dream has the same number of dining venues. Some of its popular venues are Royal Palace , Remy , and Animator's Palate . 6 of these restaurants are complementary and the other 4 have an additional fee.

The Disney Magic has about the same number of dining options as the Disney Dream.

If you're looking to avoid extra money while on board, the Magic might be a better choice then the Dream. More of the dining options are included in the base cruise fare, potentially saving you money.

Restaurants on Disney Magic & Dream

In terms of drinks and cocktails, you have a variety of choices. Both ships serve the Coca-cola family of products. That means Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Barqs Root Beer, although the selection can vary by ship.

There are also plenty of bars available on these ships. Alcohol is not included in the base price of this cruise ship. To see if you would save money with a drink package, try our Drink Package Calculator.

Nothing beats relaxing by a pool with a nice drink in hand as you feel the fresh sea breeze pass by you. The problem is that with thousands of people on a ship, there's not always room. If you want to spend all day for 7 days in a pool, a cruise isn't for you. You would have a much better bet choosing a resort with a huge pool complex. That being said, a quick dip in the pool can be nice on a hot day.

The Disney Magic has a total of 3 pools and 4 hot tubs. Tired of loud kids and splashing? 1 of the pools and 2 of the hot tubs are adults only.

The Disney Dream has the same number of pools as the Magic and fewer hot tubs.

Both ships have lots of activities to keep you busy throughout your cruise. Below you'll see a list of some of the major features on these ships. On the Magic, 83% of the activities below are included in the cruise fare. On the Dream, only 77% of the activities are included, meaning you might spend more money while on board.

Disney is a premium cruise line. Premium cruise lines typically offer upscale food, accommodations, and service. These typically cost about $150 - $400 per person per day.

Cruise pricing is dynamic and varies for each specific sailing based on factors such as departure point, ports of call, and time of year. Typically newer ships cost more, so a cruise on Disney Magic will likely be cheaper than on Disney Dream.

Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you'll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions. In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips.

Typically guests can expect to spend about 25 - 40% of the cost of the cruise on onboard expenses. In other words, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, you might spend between $250 and $400 on extra expenses.

The table below will help you understand what you might spend onboard a Disney ship.

With Disney Cruises, soda is included for meals, but will have an extra cost at bars and throughout the day. While no drink packages are available, you can preorder bottles of wine or beer at a discount.

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Disney Cruise Line names its newest cruise ship

I t was bound to happen sometime, but Disney Cruise Line waited until its last of three new sister ships to name one Disney Destiny.

The sister ship to Disney Wish, which debuted out of Port Canaveral in 2022 and the soon-to-debut Disney Treasure arriving in Central Florida this December, the third ship in what was originally called the Trident class had its keel laying ceremony Wednesday at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

It won’t start sailing until 2025, and its home port has yet to be named, but among the details revealed for what will be the eighth ship in the cruise line’s fleet was the theme of the vessel, “Heroes & Villains.”

As such, the filigree artwork for the bow will be of Minnie Mouse wearing a superhero-style outfit complete with a cape.

The cruise line said among the characters from which it will mine features on board will be classic Disney animation films, “The Lion King,” “Hercules” and “One Hundred and One Dalmatians.”

Disney of course owns plenty of good vs. evil intellectual property including Star Wars and Marvel.

“The Disney Destiny will celebrate our most legendary Disney stories and characters, bringing them to life in new and exciting ways exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager for the cruise line, in a press release. “As we continue to expand our fleet, the Disney Destiny will further strengthen our position as a leader in family cruising.”

Just like Disney Wish and Treasure, Disney Destiny will be powered by liquefied natural gas, a cleaner burning fuel that’s part of the cruise industry’s efforts to reduce emissions.

All three are the 144,000 gross-ton, 1,254-stateroom vessels but still targeting the 4,000-passenger capacity of its older ships, 2011’s Disney Dream and 2012’s Fantasy. The line’s first ships are the smaller Disney Magic that debuted in 1998 and Disney Wonder in 1999. They come in at 84,000 gross tons with 875 staterooms.

The line also is finishing construction for an Asia-bound cruise ship named Disney Adventure that will be the largest in the fleet at 208,000 gross tons.

Disney Wish became the line’s first new ship in more than a decade. It continues to do short three- and four-night Bahamas sailings while Disney Treasure will pick up seven-night trips to the Caribbean.

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