Classis or New Ships - The DIS Discussion Forums

Princess Bette · 01-01-2013, 05:09 PM

...which do your kids prefer? We are hoping to book another cruise while onboard in March. We first sailed on the Wonder when our son was 6 and then the Dream when he was 7. He loved them both. He will be 10 or 11 for the cruise in question.

My DH and I loved both of them, but are looking to change itineraries, as our upcoming cruise will be third time we have sailed to the Bahama's. And I would like to do a 7 night. If we choose the Magic or Wonder after sailing the Dream, I wonder if he will be disappointed. We would like to try the Fantasy as well. Anyone have any relatable experiences to share? TIA

disneypoor · 01-01-2013, 06:06 PM

Hi! We are getting ready for our 8th Disney cruise. We've done the Dream once and the rest were on the classic ships. My family, including my kids (ages 17 and 14), prefers the classics. We loved the Dream and thought it was beautiful, but we like the smaller ships. I'm not saying we'd never do the Dream again or try the Fantasy, but for us, smaller is better.

Our upcoming cruise was going to be a 3 night on the Dream again because we were looking for a cruise for spring break for 44 people, but once we discovered the Wonder was sailing out of Miami, it was a no brainer because we could do a 5 night for the cost of the 3 night on the Dream. So, the older ships could be less expensive as well although this may not always be the case.

Good luck deciding. No matter which ship you choose, it will be amazing. It's Disney, and you really can't go wrong no matter what you decide.

Susan

dsnydaddy · 01-01-2013, 06:35 PM

I just polled my kids. 4 cruises each on the classic ships and 2 cruises on the Dream. It was unanimous the new ships beat the older one.

They both think the aqua duck is the greatest.

Quagmire · 01-01-2013, 07:48 PM

I've been on all 4 ships. I'm grateful to be on any Disney cruise so as long as I'm on one of their ships I'm happy.

dsnydaddy · 01-01-2013, 08:06 PM

Amen to that! But to amend my previous statement... Neither of my kids turned down a Disney cruise on the Wonder to Alaska.

disneypoor · 01-01-2013, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quagmire

I've been on all 4 ships. I'm grateful to be on any Disney cruise so as long as I'm on one of their ships I'm happy.

I totally agree with this and know my kids would too. Any Disney cruise makes us happy. My kids liked the Aqua Duck but did have to wait in long lines. We were on one of the first sailings of the Dream, so maybe that isn't quite as bad now. Plus, they are almost 18 and 15, so their idea of fun may be different than younger kids. My son is happy playing basketball with anyone that will play, and my daughter does a little bit of everything. The Aqua Duck definitely isn't a deal breaker for them. However, I did think it was pretty cool!

Susan

DisSarahK · 01-01-2013, 09:03 PM

We've done just one cruise so far and it was on the Wonder and my children loved it. They also love the commercials they see of the Aquaduck and the Mid-Ship Detective Agency...however they are slightly horrified at the idea of a ship even bigger than the Wonder. They thought the Wonder was HUGE and can't imagine being on a bigger ship. So, for now, we are happy to stay on the classic ships. Fine with me!

GatorMomInNC · 01-01-2013, 09:31 PM

I love the Wonder and Magic and if it were just me, I would probably go for one of those. But my kids LOVED the Fantasy, primarily for the Aqua Duck, Aqua Lab, Nemo's Reef and the Midship Detective Agency, so I have to say that would probably be better in your situation. I've never been on the Dream, and I'm starting to doubt I ever will because I just hate the idea of such a short cruise, but never say never....

jdb in AZ · 01-01-2013, 09:36 PM

[QUOTE=GatorMomInNC;47051694]I love the Wonder and Magic and if it were just me, I would probably go for one of those. But my kids LOVED the Fantasy, primarily for the Aqua Duck, Aqua Lab, Nemo's Reef and the Midship Detective Agency, so I have to say that would probably be better in your situation. I've never been on the Dream, and I'm starting to doubt I ever will because I just hate the idea of such a short cruise, but never say never....[/QUOTE]

Back when the Wonder sailed short cruises we figured we'd never sail on her, but times change. We've since been on the Wonder Westbound Panama Canal cruise, then the spring Hawaiian cruise -- 15 days each. We're hoping the Dream will eventually sail on longer cruises as well.

GatorMomInNC · 01-01-2013, 09:43 PM

This would truly be a "dream" come true. Although, from what I have seen here on the Disboards, I don't think the Dream can go through the PC. Maybe to Europe??

Quote:

Back when the Wonder sailed short cruises we figured we'd never sail on her, but times change. We've since been on the Wonder Westbound Panama Canal cruise, then the spring Hawaiian cruise -- 15 days each. We're hoping the Dream will eventually sail on longer cruises as well.

[/QUOTE]

Hanover · 01-01-2013, 09:45 PM

We've been on 16 Disney cruises with our sons, now 15 and 11. We have gone on the Dream 4 night sailings three times, the Eastern Magic twice, the Western Magic twice, the Baltic on the Magic, the Med on the Magic and the Wonder 7 times. We all enjoyed the Dream, especially the Aquaduck, midship detective, lay out of Cabanas and the staterooms. We all prefer being on the classic ships because we enjoy the smaller ship size (smaller crowds too), their evening shows and pirate night. We are happy to be on any Disney ship, but given the choice we'd rather be on the Magic or Wonder.

dizneekrazee · 01-01-2013, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorMomInNC

This would truly be a "dream" come true. Although, from what I have seen here on the Disboards, I don't think the Dream can go through the PC. Maybe to Europe??

[/QUOTE]

Dream class is too big for PC cruises, but, the PC isn't the only way to make it to the West. Maybe someday, Disney will do a cruise that comes down the Eastern side if South America, and up the Western Side. Now that, would be a "Dream" cruise.

truck1 · 01-01-2013, 10:37 PM

Dream class is too big for PC cruises, but, the PC isn't the only way to make it to the West. Maybe someday, Disney will do a cruise that comes down the Eastern side if South America, and up the Western Side. Now that, would be a "Dream" cruise.

[/QUOTE]

The new canal locks that are due to open in a year or so are big enough to handle the Dream class. I doubt with the unpredictability of the south Atlantic you'll see any cruise ship going around the horn. Even the US carriers avoid the area like the plauge.

dsnydaddy · 01-01-2013, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorMomInNC

I love the Wonder and Magic and if it were just me, I would probably go for one of those. But my kids LOVED the Fantasy, primarily for the Aqua Duck, Aqua Lab, Nemo's Reef and the Midship Detective Agency, so I have to say that would probably be better in your situation. I've never been on the Dream, and I'm starting to doubt I ever will because I just hate the idea of such a short cruise, but never say never....

I have to agree with you. The short cruises are just to short. I only did the back to back and now that its done I doubt that I ever do it again.

DahliaRW · 01-01-2013, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truck1

Dream class is too big for PC cruises, but, the PC isn't the only way to make it to the West. Maybe someday, Disney will do a cruise that comes down the Eastern side if South America, and up the Western Side. Now that, would be a "Dream" cruise.

The new canal locks that are due to open in a year or so are big enough to handle the Dream class. I doubt with the unpredictability of the south Atlantic you'll see any cruise ship going around the horn. Even the US carriers avoid the area like the plauge.[/QUOTE]

Not to mention it doesn't seem like they have enough interest in west coast cruises to fill a bigger ship, so there is no reason for them to do any sort of repositioning cruise of the Dream (or Fantasy) over to the west coast.

01-01-2013, 05:09 PM	#1
Princess Bette DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 729	Classis or New Ships ...which do your kids prefer? We are hoping to book another cruise while onboard in March. We first sailed on the Wonder when our son was 6 and then the Dream when he was 7. He loved them both. He will be 10 or 11 for the cruise in question. My DH and I loved both of them, but are looking to change itineraries, as our upcoming cruise will be third time we have sailed to the Bahama's. And I would like to do a 7 night. If we choose the Magic or Wonder after sailing the Dream, I wonder if he will be disappointed. We would like to try the Fantasy as well. Anyone have any relatable experiences to share? TIA __________________ March 24-28, 2013 Disney Dream Spring Break Cruise with MaMaw Nov 30-Dec 8, 2012 Fort Wilderness at WDW July 5-10, 2011 Disney Dream 5 Night Double Dip Bahama's Cruise March 21-24, 2010 Disney Wonder 4 Night Spring Break Bahama's Cruise

01-01-2013, 06:06 PM	#2
disneypoor DH thinks I have a "thing" for Mickey! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ottawa, Kansas Posts: 2,561	Hi! We are getting ready for our 8th Disney cruise. We've done the Dream once and the rest were on the classic ships. My family, including my kids (ages 17 and 14), prefers the classics. We loved the Dream and thought it was beautiful, but we like the smaller ships. I'm not saying we'd never do the Dream again or try the Fantasy, but for us, smaller is better. Our upcoming cruise was going to be a 3 night on the Dream again because we were looking for a cruise for spring break for 44 people, but once we discovered the Wonder was sailing out of Miami, it was a no brainer because we could do a 5 night for the cost of the 3 night on the Dream. So, the older ships could be less expensive as well although this may not always be the case. Good luck deciding. No matter which ship you choose, it will be amazing. It's Disney, and you really can't go wrong no matter what you decide. Susan __________________ 09/93 Honeymoon at WDW, 03/01 First time to WDW with kids, 06/02 WDW, 11/03 First trip to Disneyland, 05/05 BIG family trip to WDW POR, 06/06 First cruise on the Wonder/WDW ASM, 11/06 Disneyland, 03/07 7 Night Eastern, 09/07 3 Nights on the Wonder, 03/08 Cruise to the Hawaiian Islands, 11/08 DD on the Magic, 11/09 3 Nights on the Wonder and WDW, 07/10 Family Vacation to WDW, 02/11 3 Nights on the Dream, 06/11 Alaskan Cruise on the Wonder, 03/12 One Week in Maui, 07/26/12 Bay Lake Tower 1st DVC Stay Upcoming Trips: 03/16/13 5 Night DCL Western, 07/13 Villas at Grand California Trip Reports: 06/06 Wonder, 03/07 Eastern, 06/11 Alaskan Cruise

01-01-2013, 06:35 PM	#3
dsnydaddy Who is John Galt? Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 1,472	I just polled my kids. 4 cruises each on the classic ships and 2 cruises on the Dream. It was unanimous the new ships beat the older one. They both think the aqua duck is the greatest. __________________ Steve Our Travel Blog.

01-01-2013, 08:06 PM	#5
dsnydaddy Who is John Galt? Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 1,472	Amen to that! But to amend my previous statement... Neither of my kids turned down a Disney cruise on the Wonder to Alaska. __________________ Steve Our Travel Blog.

01-01-2013, 09:03 PM	#7
DisSarahK Missing Mickey... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Washington State Posts: 1,472	We've done just one cruise so far and it was on the Wonder and my children loved it. They also love the commercials they see of the Aquaduck and the Mid-Ship Detective Agency...however they are slightly horrified at the idea of a ship even bigger than the Wonder. They thought the Wonder was HUGE and can't imagine being on a bigger ship. So, for now, we are happy to stay on the classic ships. Fine with me! __________________ plus age 9 and age 7 Disneyland 9/16-20 '08 & 9/13-18 '10 at the DI&S and the DLH 9/10-17 '11 and the Grand 2/26-3/2 '13 Disney Wonder to Alaska 8/20-27 '12...next cruise Disney Wonder to the Bahamas 11/23-30 '13

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01-01-2013, 07:48 PM	#4
Quagmire Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 49	I've been on all 4 ships. I'm grateful to be on any Disney cruise so as long as I'm on one of their ships I'm happy.

01-01-2013, 09:31 PM	#8
GatorMomInNC DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 762	I love the Wonder and Magic and if it were just me, I would probably go for one of those. But my kids LOVED the Fantasy, primarily for the Aqua Duck, Aqua Lab, Nemo's Reef and the Midship Detective Agency, so I have to say that would probably be better in your situation. I've never been on the Dream, and I'm starting to doubt I ever will because I just hate the idea of such a short cruise, but never say never....

01-01-2013, 09:36 PM	#9
jdb in AZ It could end up curdled Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,351	[QUOTE=GatorMomInNC;47051694]I love the Wonder and Magic and if it were just me, I would probably go for one of those. But my kids LOVED the Fantasy, primarily for the Aqua Duck, Aqua Lab, Nemo's Reef and the Midship Detective Agency, so I have to say that would probably be better in your situation. I've never been on the Dream, and I'm starting to doubt I ever will because I just hate the idea of such a short cruise, but never say never....[/QUOTE] Back when the Wonder sailed short cruises we figured we'd never sail on her, but times change. We've since been on the Wonder Westbound Panama Canal cruise, then the spring Hawaiian cruise -- 15 days each. We're hoping the Dream will eventually sail on longer cruises as well.

01-01-2013, 09:45 PM	#11
Hanover DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,535	We've been on 16 Disney cruises with our sons, now 15 and 11. We have gone on the Dream 4 night sailings three times, the Eastern Magic twice, the Western Magic twice, the Baltic on the Magic, the Med on the Magic and the Wonder 7 times. We all enjoyed the Dream, especially the Aquaduck, midship detective, lay out of Cabanas and the staterooms. We all prefer being on the classic ships because we enjoy the smaller ship size (smaller crowds too), their evening shows and pirate night. We are happy to be on any Disney ship, but given the choice we'd rather be on the Magic or Wonder. __________________ Next WDW Trips: 2/7-2/11/2013 Saratoga Spring Resort; 6/6-6/11/2013 Star Wars Weekends/AKV Jambo House Concierge;11/26-11/30/2013 AKV Jambo House; 12/7/2013 AKV Jambo House Concierge Next DCL Cruises: 7/13/2013 Eastern Mediterranean; 11/30/2013 Eastern Fantasy; 7/21/2014 7 Night Alaska 12/6-12/9/2012 Jambo House Concierge; 12/2/2012 4 Day Dream; 11/30-12/2/2012 Jambo House Concierge;11/1-2/2012 AKV; 10/28/2012: 4 day Disney Dream/1st DCL trip minus our kids; 10/27-28/2012 BLT; 1st Disneyland Trip: 8/6-8/12/2012;Disneyland Resort/Grand Californian; 6/7-6/12/2012 Jambo House/ Last Star Wars Weekend of 2012; 5/17-5/21/2012 AKV- Kidani/1st Star Wars Weekend of 2012; 1/1-1/2/2012: AKV Jambo House; 12/27-12/30/2011 AKV-Jambo House;12/3/2011 AKV-Kidani; 11/26/11 Western Magic; 11/22-26/2011 AKV-Kidani; 7/18-7/2011 AKV Kidani; 7/22-24/2011/Jambo House Concierge; 7/24/11 5 Night Dream Cruise; 7/29-30/2011AKV Jambo House Concierge; 7/31-8/2/2011 Villas at Wilderness Lodge; 6/8-6/14/2011 AKV Kidani Village; 12/9-12/12/2010 AKV/MVMCP; 12/5/2010 4 Night Wonder; 12/3-12/5 AKV Jambo House concierge; 10/22-25/2010 AKV/MNSSHP; 7/18/2010 Magic Northern European Capitals/Baltic Cruise; 6/4-8/2010 AKV Jambo House Concierge/Star Wars Weekends; 1/31/09 Beach Club Villas; 1/28/10 3 Night Wonder; 12/12-12/13/2009 BLT;12/5-12/12 Eastern Magic to Tortola;12/3-12/5 AKV Jambo House Concierge;10/30-11/02 Kidani/BLT & MNSSHP;8/12-8/24/09 AKV/Kidani; 8/13/09 3 Day Wonder; 6/5-8/2009 Star Wars Weekends/AKV;1/31/09-2/5/09;2/1/09 4 Night Wonder;12/5-12/14/08 AKV;12/7 Mousefest cruise; 8/21-9/1/08 AKV; 4 Day Wonder 8/24; Pop Century for Free Dining!Pop Century for SWW 6/13-6/17/2008 AKV 4/24-4/29/08-AKV 12/2007-12/1/07 Western Magic cruise-VWL 11/2007 -10/07 BCV/1st DVC trip-7/7/07 11 Day DCL Med Cruise-Star Wars Weekends ASM/ POR/CSR June 2007- POR/CSR/ 3 Day Wonder/CBR December 4-11, 2006 - Offsite July 2006-Eastern Magic May 13-20, 2006 -Offsite May 2006 - CBR 1/2006-CBR 8/2005-Offsite 4/2005-AKL/Wonder Land & Sea vacation 2/2005-Offsite 12/2003-Offsite 4/2003-Offsite 7 & 8/2002-Offsite 11/99-CBR 11/96 (Honeymoon)-Offsite 3/87-Too many times to count 1982-1984 when living in Orlando-Offsite 1976- Offsite 1974-Offsite 1973

01-01-2013, 10:37 PM	#13
truck1 Growing older but not up. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Clermont Fl Posts: 3,612	Dream class is too big for PC cruises, but, the PC isn't the only way to make it to the West. Maybe someday, Disney will do a cruise that comes down the Eastern side if South America, and up the Western Side. Now that, would be a "Dream" cruise. [/QUOTE] The new canal locks that are due to open in a year or so are big enough to handle the Dream class. I doubt with the unpredictability of the south Atlantic you'll see any cruise ship going around the horn. Even the US carriers avoid the area like the plauge. __________________ Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy First Time Cruise Tips

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