Disney Wonder Fact Sheet

Written By Kirk Fickert

General Info

  • Class: Magic

    Max Capacity: 2700

    Crew: 950

    Year Entered Service: 1999

    Decks: 11

  • The Disney Wonder is the sister ship to the Disney Magic and the second ship to enter the DCL fleet in 1999. Like the Magic it was built in Italy with an appeal to the classic ocean liner aesthetic combined with Art Nuevo theming. It has seen a number of refits over the decades with the latest theming the ship towards Disney’s the Princess and the Frog and Frozen given its regular summer Alaska itineraries. The Wonder makes it home on sailing on the West Coast of the United States and Canada with summer trips to Alaska.

Pool Deck (Deck 9)

  • The Wonder Features two swimming pools, one slide, and a splash pad for younger kids. These pools are heated to hot tub temperatures for the colder northern climates. So you can still bring your swim suits to Alaska. However the Wonder lacks the Aquadunk found on the Magic. No need to bring a life vest as there are plenty available on deck for your use in multiple sizes that will fit toddlers to adults:

    • Goofy Family Pool - Located Deck 9 mid-ship this is the main pool for the ship and kids. There are two smaller round pools just behind the main rectangular pool

    • Quite Cove Adults Pool - Located Deck 9 forward in the Adults Only section of the pool deck this pool features a pair of whirlpool/hot tubs for adults only at the foot of the Signals Bar

    • Twist ‘n' SpoutWater Slide- This is the main kid friendly water slide reached via Deck 10.

    • Aqualab & Nephews Splash Pad - This is an area designed for toddlers and younger kids who may not be ready for the relatively shallow family pools.

  • The Pool deck features several quick service dining options typically open from noonish until 9PM.

    • Pinocchio’s Pizza (Free) - Offers Pizza by the slice with Cheese, Pepperoni, and Margarita options available with usually a speciality pizza of the day such as BBQ. Pinocchio’s is also one of the few options available after 9PM typically closing around 11PM.

    • Pete’s Boiler Bites (Free) - Here you will find Shawarma along with American classics: Burgers, Hotdogs, Chicken Tenders, and French Fries.

    • Daisy’s De-Lites (Free) - Located aft starboard just in front of Cabanas, Daisy’s De-Lights offers lighter & healthier options such as fresh fruit, wraps, and salads.

  • Cabanas (Free) - is the Ships’s Buffet open for Breakfast from 6:30 - 10:30AM & Lunch from 11:30 - 2PM. It is located at the Aft of Deck 9These times can vary depending on ports of call, sea days, etc. so check the Navigator App for that days times. The Buffet is not open for dinner or late night dining. Lunch often has premium seafood options such as peel and eat shrimp and crab legs in addition to many options from around the world.

  • There is a single self-serve soda fountain on the Wonder located Deck 9 Aft on the Port (left) side of the ship. Unlike other ships, the Wonder featured plastic drink ware for both hod and cold drinks. There is also regular coffee, hot tea, and hot chocolate available as well with free unlimited refills.

    Products available:

    • Coke

    • Diet Coke

    • Coke Zero

    • Zero-Sugar Lemonade

    • Sprite

    • Fuze Iced Tea

    • Ginger Ale

    • Assorted Hot Teas

    • Hot Chocolate

    • Brewed Hot Coffee

    • Brewed Hot Coffee Decaf

  • Eye Scream (Free) - offers soft-serve ice cream in cones or cups. One the Magic it’s help yourself and watch the kids as they will sneak off and get cones on their own. Generally it opens around 11AM until 9PM.

  • The Pool Deck offers a few spots to quench that thirst or give you a morning/afternoon pick me up:

    • Frozone Treats ($$) - Located on the starboard side of the funnel Frozone offers beer on tap and as well as a variety of frozen cocktails all at additional cost

    • Cove Cafe ($$) - Is the onboard premium “Coffee Shop”. Located in the Adults Only Section, Port side, Cove Cafe offers premium spirits, espresso drinks for an additional fee per drink. They do offer a number of pastries that are free of charge.

    • Signals Bar ($$) - Located in the Adults Only Section of Deck 9 behind the Adult Pool, Signals offers a variety of Beers on tap as well as by the can along with cocktails and spirits.

Kids Clubs

  • Small World Nursery is available to those with infants and toddlers looking for child care with kids too young for the Oceaneer’s Club & Lab. Use of the Small World Nursey does require additional fees and reservations which can be made in advance or within the Navigator App once onboard.

  • The Oceaneer’s Club and Lab are for kids that are potty trained from ages 5 - 10. Kids will need a DisneyBand + (or MagicBand +). If you do not have one you will be given one at check-in with a $15 deposit billed to your cabin. You will receive a refund if returned at the end of the cruise.

    The Oceaneer’s Club offers a two story Andy’s Room from Toy Story complete with slide. There’s also Pixie Hollow that is home to Tinker Bell where arts, crafts, and stories are told. There’s also a Marvel Avengers themed area with an interactive Avengers game and several iconic props from the Marvel films. Meet & greets happen throughout the cruise.

    Between the Club and Lab is a long hallway that serves as the main arts and crafts area on the ship. Just make sure to take any animation cells or drawings your little one makes with you when you pick them up.

    The Oceaneer’s Lab is aimed at slightly older kids with an animation lab, video came consoles, and an interactive game where your child can dock the Magic at the pier on Castaway Cay,

    Kids that are 8 years and older can check themselves in and out of the kid’s club. Younger kids will need to be dropped off and picked up. You will receive a text in the Navigator App when they wished to be picked up.

  • Edge is the Tween focused club aimed at ages 11 - 14. It feature video game stations, a large screen TV with Disney movies shown throughout the day and a dance floor for parties and games. This is in addition to a variety of arts & crafts, karaoke, and themed activities.

  • Vibe is a loft inspired area designed for teenagers. Inside one will find gaming consoles, music, multiple TC’s, board games, and tablets.

Stateroom Types

Deck 5, Navigator’s Verandah

  • Inside Cabins are often the cheapest fare and can be a bit smaller than other cabin classes. It’s a good option for those families with older kids who spend most of the cruise out and about only staying in the cabin for sleeping and changing outfits. If you are looking to save a few dollars trying out a new ship on an inteniary you’ve sailed before or if motion gets to you this can be a good option.

  • Oceanview rooms will run slightly more than an inside Cabin, but will offer one or two portals where one can look out upon the sea. This does make the rooms feel a bit larger without the expense of paying for a Verandah. Perfect for those who are a bit more claustrophobic yet do not spend much of the cruise in their stateroom.

  • Verandah cabins offer a private balcony with chairs and small table. They are also a little bit larger , thanks to that balcony, than most Oceanview cabins. This can be a great place to get away from the crowds and still gaze out into the ocean. On the Magic there are also a few Navigator Verandahs with a few more features including wood wrapped benches.

    These are also more expensive than Inside or Oceanview cabins. For sailings to Alaska or the Mediterranean, or the Norwegian Fjords with spectacular views without having to fight with the crowd for space on the pool deck or boardwalk.

  • Concierge Class Cabins are the most expensive of any cruise and includes upgraded cabins similar to the Verandah Cabins and the option of various luxury suites. These cabins include Down Duvets, personal robe & slippers, and includes basic wi-fi service for each guest in the cabin on 1 device per guest.

    In addition to the upgraded rooms sailing with Conierge Class grants you access to a private lounge at the terminal and the ability to book onboard activities 123 days prior to sailings regardless of your Castaway Club status. You will also be among the first to board the ship.

    Once on board you will be treated to the exclusive Conierge lounge & events.

Rotational Dining Restaurants

  • Animator’s Pallet celebrates the history of Disney Animation with 3 available shows depending on your length of cruise.

    The first show goes through the various stages of designs for many of Disney’s classic characters. Keep an eye on the screens and see if you can guess which character will come alive. From Cinderella to Tinker Bell to the Foxy Robinhood.

    One 7 night and longer cruises everyone will be given a special placemat that allows you to draw your own character. Which then through the magic of pixie dust and Disney Animation be brought to life on the screens near your table.

  • Tiana’s Place is the live dinner theater where characters will come out and meet the table as live New Orleans Jazz fills the room. On longer cruises they’ll even throw a Mardi Gras party with beads and dancing for all.

  • Triton’s is the '“upscale” or formal restaurant of the rotational menu. It takes the place of Lumiere’s on the Magic featuring theming to Disney’s Little Mermaid.

Adult Only Sections

  • In addition to Singals on the Pool Deck, Deck 3 Forward offers several exclusive adults only areas. These areas usually open up in the afternoon until about midnights most nights of the cruise.

    • Cadillac Lounge - Cadillac is an upscale whiskey & piano bar located on the port (left) side of the ship. It’s not overly large but will feature live piano player singing smooth renditions of classic Disney songs as well as selections from a broader catalog.

    • Crown & Finn- A Proper English Pub Located on the starboard (right) side of the ship. it also serves as the on board sports bar often showing sporting events from around the world. Food such as wings and soft pretzels are also available for purchase in the evenings when most other dining options have closed.

    • French Quarter Lounge - During the day the French Quarter Lounge, Deck 3 Mid-ship, offers many family friendly arts & crafts and shows. In the evening it turns into a jazz club for all ages with plenty of seating and theming to match Tiana’s Place just to the aft of the lounge.

    • Azure - Azure replaces Fathoms as assembly point for many excursions, trivia contests, and adult only silent dance parties. Located Deck 3 Forward in the middle of the ship.

  • Located Deck 10 Aft is Palo. Palo overs adult only speciality dining (Brunch & Dinner) with Italian food and requires advance reservations made prior to the cruise or onboard with guest services or through the navigator app if there is availability.

Spa & Fitness

Forward Deck 9 towards Sense Space & Fitness Center

  • Senses Spa offers massages, couple massages, acupuncture, facials and other treatments. Things are priced at resort prices and there is definitely a pressure to upsell on additional services or products.

  • The Rainforest room can be booked for the entire cruise or just for a day pass and on the Wonder. The Rainforest room features relaxing heated tile chairs and multiple cold showers and features steam room and steam room with aroma therapy. A dry sauna is available in both changing rooms for all to use.

  • The fitness center on the Wonder is large for the size ship easily beating out the fitness areas on the larger Dream & Fantasy. This is due to the fact it was originally an area where guests could look down into the bridge and watch the captain and crew command the ship…at least until 9/11 happened. During a later refit the area was filled in and the fitness center created with lots of treadmills & cardio machines, but also a lot of weight machines as well. It is possible to get in a full body pull, push, and cardio circuit work out in with plenty of machines available throughout the day.

On Board Activities

  • Sail Away Party - right after the muster drill concludes the sail away party begins on deck with Captains Mickey, Minnie, and gang for a cheerful send off marking the true beginning of the cruise.

    Till We Meet Again - The final night of the Cruise will feature 20 minutes of chaos as almost every character on the ship will be made available for autographs. Choose your top 1 or 2 as chances are you won’t be able to fit in more than that. So if there was one that you missed, this is your final chance on the cruise to snag that John Hancock.

  • The Royal Tea must be booked, usually in advance, and commands a premium price. Your princess (or prince) will enjoy afternoon tea (or juice for the prince/princess) with a variety of tasty pastries and other desserts while meeting many of the Disney Princesses. Along with the food each price/princess will receive their own grown, cape, and tea set they can take home with them. Just don’t leave the crown on the floor where the dog can get to it and decide its a chew toy after you get home.

  • Unlike the Royal Tea, the Royal Gathering(s) are free, but you must sign up and reserve the date/time in advance (usually 30 days before sailing). This is the golden chance to meet all the princesses and get their autographs all in one 15 minute session.

  • Turn your prince or princesses into a literal princess with a make over, hair styling, and outfit to match. For many this is the highlight of the cruise as their child becomes magically transformed into a Price or Princess.

On Board Shopping

Semi Hidden Sundries Collection at White Caps

  • Mickey’s Main Sails contains the largest selection of pins, clothing, and toys available for purchase during the sailing.

  • White Caps features more upscale apparel from name brands as well as jewelry and sundries you may have forgotten like sunscreen, toothpaste, razors, bottles, and diapers.

  • Sea Treasures carries Disney Wonder specific merchandise including shirts, mugs, towels, and ears.

  • Located with Shutters, Diamonds & Wishes has watches and jewelry available at a range of prices. Although the selection on the Wonder will not be as extensive as on other ships such as the Wish class.

Stage Shows

  • The Golden Mickey’s take the form of an awards show for Disney classics complete with classic cameos of actors and actresses from their 1999 prime! This is a show that is showing its age, literally, as one is reminded of a much younger Tim Allen in 4:3 standard definition glory! There is a nostalgia factor for adults and the retro factor for younger generations.

  • This is the “big” broadway style show on the Wonder. Fitting for its often Arctic Adventures as the events, and songs, of the first Frozen movie is brought to life on stage.

  • Disney Dreams follows a young girl on the cusp of middle school and having to grow up unless Peter Pan and a menagerie of classic Disney characters can make her believe in Magic before the clock strikes 6AM.

  • On longer cruises it is typical to see the latest offering(s) from 20th Century Studios or Disney showing in the Walt Disney Theater. There will be other live performances such as magic shows, live music from on board performers, and even sing-a-longs to Disney Favorites.

Kirk Fickert
Next

My First Disney Cruise (2023)