Magic vs. Dream

[bdjrh]

We are booking our first cruise for next March. Both the Dream and Magic have cruises that fit our schedule. The Magic is about $1400 cheaper than the Dream for the 5 of us. What would you veteran cruisers recommend?

 

[dorkeemn]

There really isn't a right answer to this one. Here's my take on both (just cruised on the Dream for the first time).

Dream: Bigger, newer, more space, Auqaduck. Less likely to see / meet same people over and over - although I did manage to see / run into 3 / 4 families (including our table mates) multiple times throughout the cruise.

Magic: Smaller, older, more intimate - seemed like I was seeing the same people / families more. Crew seemed more intimate - easier to get to know them and cast members.

Dream was to me quieter, less ship noise, no bad / foul odors (I know that was an issue on a few Magic cruises a couple of years ago.)

Shows: Similar - again easier to spot cast members mingling
Castaway Cay: Less crowded on Magic than Dream (simple numbers)
Food / Service: 5 star on both.

You really can't go wrong - question is is the budget able to handle it? and do you like crowds?

Dave

 

[woody73]

. . . What would you veteran cruisers recommend?

I would book the longer cruise.

Woody

 

[stsomewhere]

I would book the longer cruise.

Woody

Me,too!

 

[suffieldhockeymom]

The Magic is a better first time ship because it is smaller than the Dream. You will be able to relax a little more.

 

[stsomewhere]

We need more info. how many nights? What ports?

There are fabulous deals right now with kids sail free on the Magic out of Galveston this year.

 

[bdjrh]

Mid-March 2014. 4 nights out of Port Canaveral through Bahamas.

 

[stsomewhere]

For that savings, I would sail on Magic. I would use the savings to add a few days at the parks.

or take the saving and use it for a future cruise.

 

[OKW Lover]

This is the best kind of question - a question with no wrong answer.

Lots of people love the Dream, especially as a first ship, because of all the extra stuff it has over the Magic. Things like the AquaDuck.

Lots of people love the Magic, especially as a first ship, because they don't feel quite as overwhelmed by the sheer size of it. (its still a very big ship)

If price is a significant factor (and I'd measure it by cost/day, not total price) then go with the less expensive one and enjoy yourself.

 

[kcashner]

Honestly, we prefer the Magic. That will probably get me a lot of "boo-hiss" comments. The new ships are all shiny and high tech...amazingly beautiful. But they are also big and noisy, have beds that don't separate and CMs who seem rushed and stressed. The Magic just feels like "coming home" to us. Granted, we are not thrilled that so many of our favorite CMs have been moved to other ships, but such is expansion of the line......

 

[Richatlaw]

We haven't sailed on the Dream, but we just got back from a trp on the Fantasy last month. We cruised last year on the Magic with an almost identical itinerary. We loved both trips, and each boat has its pros and cons.

We found the food and the service to be better on the Magic. The service overall was still great on the Fantasy, and all the CMs were great, but dinner service in the MDRs and the quality of the food was better on the Magic.

On the other hand, the facilities on the Fantasy (and I would assume the Dream) were definitely better than the Magic. We travelled with our toddler, and he loved the Nemo splash pad which was much better than the splash pad on the Magic, so that was a big plus for us. The Small World nursery was also quite a bit bigger with more toys for him to play with. Those seem like small things, but for our family they made a huge difference.

So as a previous poster said, there is definitely no wrong answer to this question. We loved both ships. Just think about what is important to you on the vacation.

 

[kyle051777]

We sailed on the Wonder last year when they had their kids sale free and we just booked on cruise on the Magic today for the kids sale free promotion. Obviously I can only really comment on the Wonder and we loved it!! It was our first Disney cruise and cannot wait for April for our 2nd!!
Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[erinsmom03]

Funny, I asked the same question not too long ago, and I posted a poll with it. Last time I checked, the classic ships (Magic,Wonder) were ahead of the newer ships (Dream/Fantasy) about 78% to 22%. Since we are going to sail on the Fantasy next month, we chose the Magic for April 2014. I want to see for myself what has so many people loyal to the classic ships! They must be doing something right!

 

[MagicMe]

I love the intimacy of the classic ships and since the majority of my cruising was done on these, I am a bit partial. However, I enjoyed my trips on the newer ships too. I will say that I enjoyed the Fantasy more than the Dream. Some reasons are I liked the adult area much better on the Fantasy. But there is also something to be said about the more laid back atmosphere on the longer cruises which is another reason I enjoyed the Fantasy over the Dream. I do like the set up of Cabanas as opposed to Topsiders/BBB but not a fan of having to go through there to reach the elevators/steps. I do like the aspect of being able to have the bed split on the classic ships and will be interested to see what happens after the Magic's drydock later this year as I did like having the bed on the newer ships higher thus finding it easy to store the luggage.

Bottom line, there are things I like about both ships. I do think the classic ship will provide a quieter trip than the Dream but you won't have the newest bells and whistles.

Regardless, it's a cruise on Disney - can't go wrong!!

 

[disney314]

I just noticed that the Magic and Dream are sailing the same cruises next March (just a day apart). We weren't planning to go, but we may think about the Magic. I love the old ships and I am thinking that Castaway Cay will be much less crowded for the Magic guests than for the Dream guests.

Anyone know if both BBQ areas are open when the Magic/Wonder is at CC? Or do they go back to just the one like they used to have before the Dream?

 

[lbgraves]

Both Cookies are open when the Magic is at CC. They have moved most of the activities closer to the second one & Pelican Plunge also.

To the OP -- this one is beyond simple for me to answer. There is NOTHING on the Dream that would make me want to spend an additional $1400 to do the same exact cruise. Honestly, I prefer the shows on the Magic to those on the Dream [refuse to attempt to sit through Villians again]. It will be less crowded on CC when the Magic is in port there. If you want rides, spend much less than $1400 to stay at WDW for a day or two before or after the cruise. The Aquaduck was fun, but not that much fun IMO.

 

[Madhattr]

Having sailed on The Dream, Fantasy and just now The Magic my vote would be The Magic. We have never spent a more relaxing time than on The Magic. The ship was just shy of full but you wouldn't know it. This is not the case on Dream class ships. Boy do you know it there.

 

[geffric]

The Magic was our first ship and part of my heart is with her..I love the "classic" ships, IMHO the Dream and the Fantasy are too big for me..

 

[disneybass]

I would have to vote for the Magic. Having cruised on both, really the only thing I missed on the Magic was the Aqua Duck. The classic ships are smaller and more intimate than the newer, bigger Dream and Fantasy. We look forward to cruising the Magic soon.

 

[bceagle76]

I prefer the classic ships.
The Aqua Duck is great but $1400 more


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