Few know family travel like Disney. And it seems that they have taken all they know into account when they created their newest cruise ship, the Disney Dream. The needs of tots, teens and yup, even parents have been carefully considered.
The Dream is 40% larger than Disney’s Magic and Wonder and the stats alone impress: the Dream is 1,115 feet long with 14 decks, a crew of 1400 and the ability to accommodate 4,000 passengers in its 1250 staterooms. But it’s the Disney attention to detail and touches of magic that make the Dream, well, a dream. "The ship is amazing," says Karen Krzenski, a long-time Disney fan, alum of two prior Disney cruises and mom to three kids, 16, 10 and 6. "We've been on the other ships and they've been wonderful. But the Dream is special.”
Let’s start with what’s in it for you. For adults, the Dream, like the other Disney ships, offers several areas exclusively for adults. A gym and spa. A quiet, adult only-pool with hot tub. Elegant adult only restaurants. There’s even a beach at Disney’s own Castaway Cay just for adults … where you can enjoy a beach-front massage or float on a raft … a quiet, quiet raft. And of course, lounges, bars and nightclubs.
But wait, you can’t enjoy any of these things unless the kids are happy, right? They will be.
The It's a Small World nursery is available for the youngest guests, those three months to three years. Activities are available, but unstructured; a separate nap room provides a quiet place for the little ones to rest and books, crafts and a multitude of toys to keep the tots busy and engaged.
For kids 3 to 10, Disney does what it does best with its Disney's Oceaneer Club. Under watchful supervision, kids can immerse themselves into imaginative worlds that only Disney could create with themed spaces including Andy’s room based on Toy Story; Monsters Academy, based on Monsters, Inc. featuring an elaborate play structure; Pixie Hollow inspired by Tinkerbell with a pixie dust tree in the corner, glittering lights twinkling among its leaves and whimsical acorn and mushroom stools; and the Explorer Pod where kids can explore the Nemo Sub, a submarine-style play area inspired by Finding Nemo.
A workshop and laboratory connect the Oceaneer club to the Oceaneer’s Lab where kids 3-10 can explore and engage. With a media room, animator’s studio, video games, a performance space and craft studio and more, there is plenty to keep your kids engaged, challenged and, dare
we say, perhaps even learning something. Our experience? Our 8-year-old literally didn’t want to leave.
A line-up of activities keeps Tweens busy at The Edge, a space filled with beanbags and video screens and just for those 11-13. This techno-driven space enables tweens to create, play share and even star in their own creations.
And for those almost impossible to please teens? The Disney Dream has them covered with The Vibe. “Our 16-year loved the Vibe," offers Ms. Krzenski. She commented on how cool the counselors were and she loved meeting kids from all over. Exclusively for teens 14-17, the Vibe offers indoor space described by Disney as part “hip urban coffee shop” and part “stylish nightclub.” The outdoor space includes a teen only pool, hot tub and snack bar. “Our daughter would hang out at the Vibe for a while and then come join the family for some family fun,” says Ms. Krzenski.
Ah, for family fun. Where to start? There’s the AquaDuck, dubbed by Disney as the first water coaster at sea. Themed restaurants where the waiters are part of the show and, well, dessert is often the star. The D Lounge, a family lounge and nightclub where parents and kids are invited to dance, sing, play games and enjoy live entertainment together. And, of course, for all, movies, princesses, characters, a spectacular line-up of shows and fireworks at sea.
“We had dinner together every night,” Ms. Krzenski concludes. “It was so much fun, because everyone was so excited to talk about their day.”
