Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, the Disney Fantasy, arrived in Port Canaveral (her new homeport) after traveling nearly 4,700 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from Bremerhaven, Germany-- with a short stop at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in NYC, where the Disney Fantasy was christened by her godmother, Mariah Carey.
Her arrival in Port Canaveral means I'm just a few weeks away from sailing the Disney Fantasy on one of her inaugural voyages before her official maiden voyage on March 31, 2012, when the Disney Fantasy will embark on seven-night sailings, alternating between Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, with a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s own private island in The Bahamas.
Here's what I'm looking forward to on the Disney Fantasy:
- Animator’s Palate on the Disney Fantasy brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room with a new show called “Animation Magic.” At dinner, families are encouraged to draw a character of their own on a specially designed placemat. Once the placemats are collected, the magic begins as Mickey takes to the screens and brings the guests’ characters to life as they march across screens around the dining room and even step into scenes from beloved Disney movies side-by-side with characters such as Mickey Mouse, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella and Snow White.
- The Muppets are coming to the Disney Fantasy! Guests can join the world-famous Muppets for interactive adventure quest to find missing show props by uncovering clues via more than a dozen pieces of Enchanted Art around the ship. Guided by a map and holding a unique game card in front of select pieces of Enchanted Art, guests unveil games and clues to find the missing items. “The Case of the Stolen Show” is a self-paced adventure game that features several possible endings and multiple randomized events – so each time a guest plays, they have a different game experience. Here's a peek at the Muppets on the Disney Fantasy.
- Soaring above the upper decks of the Disney Fantasy, guests will find the AquaDuck a 765-foot long, twisting-and-turning water coaster that has been a huge hit with guests sailing on the Disney Dream. Several new water surprises are set to debut on the Disney Fantasy including AquaLab — a water play area on the upper deck filled with a variety of water “experiments,” created by Donald Duck’s nephews, designed to drench, soak and saturate guests. This fanciful 1,800-square-foot space features pop jets, geysers, bubblers, falling water, squirting walls and more.
- On Deck 13 forward, guests 18-years of age and older will find a new relaxing respite. Satellite Falls is a circular splash pool with benches and a gently falling rain curtain that provides cool comfort and is surrounded by ample deck space where adult guests can soak up the sun in loungers or relax in the shade under a canopy.
- The launch of a new Disney ship includes the premiere of two new Broadway-style stage spectaculars in the lavish Walt Disney Theatre. The signature show “Wishes” is a 45-minute musical journey about three best friends who discover the secret to being a grown-up is staying connected to their inner child. “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” is a fast-paced musical comedy where Aladdin, the “street rat” of Agrabah, meets a Genie who grants him three wishes, battles the evil Jafar and falls in love with Princess Jasmine.
- Nightlife takes a European twist with Europa – an entertainment district of high-energy, sophisticated clubs and lounges inspired by the night spots of Italy, France, Ireland and London. Europa is a continent of adult nighttime fun without borders. La Piazza is a lounge that draws inspiration from stylish Italian plazas. Skyline is a chic bar that provides ever-changing birds-eye views of European cityscapes. O’Gills Pub is a rollicking Irish bar and Ooh La La is an elegant French champagne bar. The Tube transports guests to a vibrant metropolitan club reminiscent of swinging London.
Katie Martin
I have mixed feelings about how I feel about all these things Disney does. I mean, this cruise ship sounds very nice indeed, but all of this is just so extravagant in general. It could just be because I know it will be a very long time, if ever, until I could afford this kind of "magical" experience. Also, I had no idea Disney owned their own island in The Bahamas- that is crazy! I do think the "Animation Magic" sounds like a fun idea, especially for kids. What does this kind of cruise package cost? And do all the activities like going to the on ship bars and clubs cost extra, or are they included in the initial cost?