Cruising Dream THEN Wonder....is it still good? - The DIS Discussion Forums

RickyMouseMom · 04-30-2012, 08:25 PM

We have previously cruised the Wonder in 2000, and 2010. We have then cruised the Dream (2011), and have booked Fantasy (2013). However, we found a fantastic deal and booked the Wonder in Feb 2013 (keeping Fantasy 2013 too!). After being Wow'd on the Dream, will I feel the same love still for the Wonder? Has anyone else had the same concerns? Has anyone sailed one of the new ships, and then back to the old ship and felt underwhelmed?

Please let me know your experiences or thoughts!

IrenicMom · 04-30-2012, 08:30 PM

Having just gotten off the Dream, I can't wait to get back on the Wonder. The Dream didn't thrill me, at ALL. So many design flaws, it actually was frustrating to think about all the missed opportunities for greatness there.

I'm a Classic ship lover, though, so the coziness of the Wonder appeals to me.

Now - my kids' opinions remain to be seen. They'll be on the Fantasy in June. I'm intrigued to see which they like better.

dvc deernut · 04-30-2012, 08:52 PM

We have done both. The Wonder many times then the Dream last fall twice. There are things on the Wonder we miss. Like the bigger adult pool area. We miss Parrot Cay dining room. We like the smaller ship. I would say if we were going from the DREAM which we love, to cruising on another cruiseline. Both new and old Disney ships have that Disney experience on them.
Just curious you mentioned your going on the FANTASY on 11/13. We are doing Fantasy NOV30th 2013. Are you on that same EASTERN cruise?

RickyMouseMom · 04-30-2012, 08:56 PM

We will be on the Nov 2nd Eastern! So very very excited to cruise the Fantasy....we are bringing along my parents too...1st cruise ever!

We do love the Wonder, I think I am going to go pull out the photo album and fall in love with the ship again!

mstinson14 · 04-30-2012, 10:13 PM

A friend of mine from the new years cruise on the dream was planning on going straight to the magic 3 days after leaving the dream. I just asked him and he said that it was a small shock going from one to the other, but it was better to be on the ship than back in Canada (where he's from)!

cwdefouw · 05-01-2012, 07:58 AM

We have been on both the legacy ships and on the Dream. Our cruise after the Dream was on the Wonder. We personally like the legacy ships better. The Dream was great, but just too big for our tastes. The legacy ships just seem more intimate and, of course, much less crowded. However, our next two cruises are on the Dream again, so, as I said, the Dream was great, and our preference for the legacy ships will not stop us from enjoying cruising on the Dream and Fantasy.

jetskigrl · 05-01-2012, 09:12 AM

We did the Dream in April 2011 and then the Wonder in April 2012. I had no problems at all going back to the classic ships (so much so that I booked another cruise on the Wonder for this September).

My kids had a bit more of an issue. They did miss the Aquaduck and my DS liked the kids clubs better on the Dream. But they were more than happy to be back on the Wonder again

Kristina - Mom · 05-01-2012, 09:22 AM

Great to read all of this. We had cruised on other cruise lines and then did our first disney cruise on the Dream in August 2011. We are doing the Magic for the first time august 2012. I didn't know what to think about going from one HUGE, new ship to a CLASSIC, smaller one. From everything I have read, we can't wait.

If anyone has any specific things we should check out on the magic would love to hear!!!!

Kristina

jmb910 · 05-01-2012, 09:27 AM

We were on the Dream in October 2011 and then back on the Wonder in March 2012. I didn't mind being back on the older ship at all. However, I did like some things better on the Dream:

I liked the Kids Club better on the Dream
I missed the virtual porthole
I liked the stations at Cabanas versus having to wait in one long line at BBB

But other than that, I loved being back on the Wonder. I liked that it was smaller and took less time to get to everything!

Kim&Chris · 05-01-2012, 10:12 AM

Same general reply from me, too.

After cruising on the Wonder/Magic many times, we took two cruises on the Dream. The larger ship is hectic, and has some obvious design "issues" that take away from the pool deck....especially the adult pool area.

We are SUPER excited to cruise on the Magic soon!!! Can't wait to enjoy the sanity of the smaller ship again, and the relaxation/quiet at the adult pool :-D

Justacruiser · 05-01-2012, 10:18 AM

Like other posters, I have been on all three ships more than once. I like the size of the Dream because you don't feel the motion as much. The kid areas are more high tech and there are more things to do on board. I also like there TV selection much better on the Dream. They have about 50-75 Disney movies and on-demand so you can always finish a movies later in the day or week. There are a lot of people though, and any meet and greats with anyone creates a huge line and you have to be able and willing to adjust your schedule.

The Magic and Wonder are very nice ships in there own right. The ship does seem more intiment and does not have the AquaDuck. I did keep busy with activities most of the time and I can always get into the activities I want to on board as long as I get there early or book in advance when required. I will be sailing the Fantasy in September for the 1st time, but after that I am more about the price and destination over what ship I am on. Disney has a good product, but I am nowa looking for those bargains before I book future cruises, and yes as you see below I have four booked.

jmb910 · 05-01-2012, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justacruiser

Like other posters, I have been on all three ships more than once. I like the size of the Dream because you don't feel the motion as much. The kid areas are more high tech and there are more things to do on board. I also like there TV selection much better on the Dream. They have about 50-75 Disney movies and on-demand so you can always finish a movies later in the day or week. There are a lot of people though, and any meet and greats with anyone creates a huge line and you have to be able and willing to adjust your schedule.

The Magic and Wonder are very nice ships in there own right. The ship does seem more intiment and does not have the AquaDuck. I did keep busy with activities most of the time and I can always get into the activities I want to on board as long as I get there early or book in advance when required. I will be sailing the Fantasy in September for the 1st time, but after that I am more about the price and destination over what ship I am on. Disney has a good product, but I am nowa looking for those bargains before I book future cruises, and yes as you see below I have four booked.

I agree with the TV post as well. I like on teh Dream that the TV is On Demand, versus the Wonder not having that option.

And I actually complained on the Dream that I couldn't feel the ocean as much!

I wanted to feel the waves moving, so I was glad to have the motion back on the older ship

.

RickyMouseMom · 05-01-2012, 12:37 PM

Thanks for everyone's input! After looking back at our old photos, we remembered how much less crowded the ship was. It seemed like we were able to do more on a shorter cruise on the wonder than a longer cruise on the dream. Can't wait.....

pixarmom · 05-01-2012, 02:11 PM

Thanks much for this thread!! We were on the Dream in August of last year - just a 3-night to see if we should book the Wonder to Alaska this summer. We had a great time, it was fun to see all the technology, the kids' clubs were very cool and the Aquaduck was fun. But we did find it quite crowded and I don't think the 3-night atmosphere is for us.

We think the Wonder will be a better fit for us. Our favorite parts of the Dream were the dinners with our three boys, the scenery from our verandah and the activities in the kids clubs. Our boys never used the technology in the Edge and Oceaneer Club/Lab much (except our youngest loved the magic dance floor and that fun activity with Stitch.) They were all more interested in the activities (ghost voyagers, silly science, getting ready for pirate night in the Edge, piston cup, etc.) that can be replicated without technology on the Wonder. As for the Wonder, we're very excited to see Alaska, the smaller ship seems more manageable, and it sounds like the Wonder to Alaska atmosphere will be overall different from the 3-night Dream.

Looking forward to hearing more from experienced cruisers - hope this thread continues!

Disneyhenry · 05-01-2012, 02:25 PM

I hand the same concerns, we have only been on one cruise, it was the Dream, now we are going on the Wonder to Hawaii in October. This is a great Thread BTW, thanks for creating it.
I enjoyed everyone's comments, I myself LOVED the Dream, didnt really see any design flaws, just thought everything was perfect! I worry about the Wonder being so much smaller in size, but I look forward in seeing it beauty.

04-30-2012, 08:25 PM	#1
RickyMouseMom Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 171	Cruising Dream THEN Wonder....is it still good? We have previously cruised the Wonder in 2000, and 2010. We have then cruised the Dream (2011), and have booked Fantasy (2013). However, we found a fantastic deal and booked the Wonder in Feb 2013 (keeping Fantasy 2013 too!). After being Wow'd on the Dream, will I feel the same love still for the Wonder? Has anyone else had the same concerns? Has anyone sailed one of the new ships, and then back to the old ship and felt underwhelmed? Please let me know your experiences or thoughts! __________________ Me DH DS(10) DS(7) Offsite '86, '87, '91; Dixie Landings & DCL 7/00, WL 7/01, CBR 7/04, POFQ 7/05, POR 7/06, ASMo 2/07, ASMo 8/07, ASMo 2/08, ASMo 8/08, ASsp 2/09, POP 7/09, POP & DCL 2/10, POP 7/10, POP & DCL 8/11, POP 2/12, POP 8/12, AoA 11/12, POP & DCL 2/13, POP 8/13, DCL Fantasy 2/14

04-30-2012, 08:30 PM	#2
IrenicMom DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northside of Indy Posts: 671	Having just gotten off the Dream, I can't wait to get back on the Wonder. The Dream didn't thrill me, at ALL. So many design flaws, it actually was frustrating to think about all the missed opportunities for greatness there. I'm a Classic ship lover, though, so the coziness of the Wonder appeals to me. Now - my kids' opinions remain to be seen. They'll be on the Fantasy in June. I'm intrigued to see which they like better. __________________ Cheryl DH 4.98 - DS 8.02 - DS & DD 4.05 ******************************************** 1979 - Ft. Wilderness * 1984, 1992 & 1998 - Offsite * 1996 - Grand Floridian * 1997 & 2004 - Caribbean Beach * 2006 - Contemporary & Wilderness Lodge * * 2007 - Beach Club & Wilderness Lodge * 2008 - Swan * 2009 - Dolphin * 2010 - PO Riverside * 2011 - Polynesian & Vero Beach * 2012 - Boardwalk * DCL Sailed Wonder 6/09, 10/10 * Dream 4/12 * Fantasy 6/12 DCL Upcoming Wonder April 8, 2013 5-night Western Wonder June 9,2014 7-night Alaskan

04-30-2012, 08:52 PM	#3
dvc deernut DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: niagara on the lake Posts: 3,564	We have done both. The Wonder many times then the Dream last fall twice. There are things on the Wonder we miss. Like the bigger adult pool area. We miss Parrot Cay dining room. We like the smaller ship. I would say if we were going from the DREAM which we love, to cruising on another cruiseline. Both new and old Disney ships have that Disney experience on them. Just curious you mentioned your going on the FANTASY on 11/13. We are doing Fantasy NOV30th 2013. Are you on that same EASTERN cruise? __________________

04-30-2012, 08:56 PM	#4
RickyMouseMom Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 171	We will be on the Nov 2nd Eastern! So very very excited to cruise the Fantasy....we are bringing along my parents too...1st cruise ever! We do love the Wonder, I think I am going to go pull out the photo album and fall in love with the ship again! __________________ Me DH DS(10) DS(7) Offsite '86, '87, '91; Dixie Landings & DCL 7/00, WL 7/01, CBR 7/04, POFQ 7/05, POR 7/06, ASMo 2/07, ASMo 8/07, ASMo 2/08, ASMo 8/08, ASsp 2/09, POP 7/09, POP & DCL 2/10, POP 7/10, POP & DCL 8/11, POP 2/12, POP 8/12, AoA 11/12, POP & DCL 2/13, POP 8/13, DCL Fantasy 2/14

04-30-2012, 10:13 PM	#5
mstinson14 DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 779	A friend of mine from the new years cruise on the dream was planning on going straight to the magic 3 days after leaving the dream. I just asked him and he said that it was a small shock going from one to the other, but it was better to be on the ship than back in Canada (where he's from)! __________________ Me (Megan) Mom (Sharon) Snowball Domino Lizzie

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05-01-2012, 07:58 AM	#6
cwdefouw DVC Member since 1999 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 476	We have been on both the legacy ships and on the Dream. Our cruise after the Dream was on the Wonder. We personally like the legacy ships better. The Dream was great, but just too big for our tastes. The legacy ships just seem more intimate and, of course, much less crowded. However, our next two cruises are on the Dream again, so, as I said, the Dream was great, and our preference for the legacy ships will not stop us from enjoying cruising on the Dream and Fantasy. __________________

05-01-2012, 09:12 AM	#7
jetskigrl Jetski Boo Boo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal - 30 minutes from DLR Posts: 4,003	We did the Dream in April 2011 and then the Wonder in April 2012. I had no problems at all going back to the classic ships (so much so that I booked another cruise on the Wonder for this September). My kids had a bit more of an issue. They did miss the Aquaduck and my DS liked the kids clubs better on the Dream. But they were more than happy to be back on the Wonder again __________________ Me DH DD(15) DS(9) DL: APers..so as often as possible, WDW: August 2010 (10 nights - Poly) DCL: Wonder - January 2011, Dream - B2B April 2011, Wonder - April 2012 (MR), Wonder - Sept 2012 (Pixar Pacific Coast) Next Up:

05-01-2012, 09:22 AM	#8
Kristina - Mom Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 137	Great to read all of this. We had cruised on other cruise lines and then did our first disney cruise on the Dream in August 2011. We are doing the Magic for the first time august 2012. I didn't know what to think about going from one HUGE, new ship to a CLASSIC, smaller one. From everything I have read, we can't wait. If anyone has any specific things we should check out on the magic would love to hear!!!! Kristina

05-01-2012, 09:27 AM	#9
jmb910 Obsessed with anything Disney! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 579	We were on the Dream in October 2011 and then back on the Wonder in March 2012. I didn't mind being back on the older ship at all. However, I did like some things better on the Dream: I liked the Kids Club better on the Dream I missed the virtual porthole I liked the stations at Cabanas versus having to wait in one long line at BBB But other than that, I loved being back on the Wonder. I liked that it was smaller and took less time to get to everything! __________________ Disney Fantasy Eastern Caribbean: April 2013 / WDW: April 2013 / WDW: September/October 2012 / WDW: June 2012 / Disney Wonder Mexican Riviera: March/April 2012 / WDW: February/March 2012 / Disney Dream 4-Night: October 2011 / WDW: October 2011 / Aulani Resort: August 2011 / WDW: March 2011 / WDW: November 2010 / WDW: October 2010 / WDW: February 2010 / WDW: October/November 2009 / Disney Wonder 4-Night: October 2009 / WDW: May 2009 / DLR: December 2008 / WDW: October 2007 / Disney Magic Eastern Caribbean: April/May 2007 / Disney Wonder 4-Night: December 2006 / WDW: April 2006 / DLR: September 2005 / WDW: Too Many Times to Count 1999-2005

05-01-2012, 10:12 AM	#10
Kim&Chris dreaming of relaxing & soaking up the warm sun at Serenity Bay.... Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 6,367	Same general reply from me, too. After cruising on the Wonder/Magic many times, we took two cruises on the Dream. The larger ship is hectic, and has some obvious design "issues" that take away from the pool deck....especially the adult pool area. We are SUPER excited to cruise on the Magic soon!!! Can't wait to enjoy the sanity of the smaller ship again, and the relaxation/quiet at the adult pool :-D __________________ 10/98 CSR (first Disney trip for Kim&Chris) // 11/00 CBR (our Honeymoon!) // 11/01 ASMovies & OKW for MNSSHP // 12/02 Poly for MVMCP! // 03/04 Pop Century & OKW, then 10/04 OKW (fun in the sun!!) // 01/06 OKW for Disney Marathon, then 05/06 CR & DCL Magic, then 10/06 CBR & OKW // 05/07 BCV then DCL Wonder, then 12/07 OKW for a pre-Christmas vacation! // 6/08 Wonder Double Dip!, then 12/08 Wonder 3-day! // 5/09 R&R at our home, OKW // 10/09 - a "do-over" vacation (prior one rained out) at CBR // 05/10 5-day Wonder Double Dip! // 10/10 - Back Home for a few days // 12/10 - A last minute trip to SSR! // 05/11 - 5-day Double Dip on the Disney Dream!! // 11-2011 WDW plus three days on the Dream! // 5/12 - 4 nites on the Magic! Welcome to the Walt Disney World Express Monorail, your highway in the sky to the Magic Kingdom! For those of you standing, please hold on to the handrails and stand clear of the doors. For the comfort of others, no smoking please!

05-01-2012, 10:18 AM	#11
Justacruiser Military Veteran Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 774	Like other posters, I have been on all three ships more than once. I like the size of the Dream because you don't feel the motion as much. The kid areas are more high tech and there are more things to do on board. I also like there TV selection much better on the Dream. They have about 50-75 Disney movies and on-demand so you can always finish a movies later in the day or week. There are a lot of people though, and any meet and greats with anyone creates a huge line and you have to be able and willing to adjust your schedule. The Magic and Wonder are very nice ships in there own right. The ship does seem more intiment and does not have the AquaDuck. I did keep busy with activities most of the time and I can always get into the activities I want to on board as long as I get there early or book in advance when required. I will be sailing the Fantasy in September for the 1st time, but after that I am more about the price and destination over what ship I am on. Disney has a good product, but I am nowa looking for those bargains before I book future cruises, and yes as you see below I have four booked. __________________ Future Cruises 12/13 Dream - 3 Night Bahamian Past Cruises (14) 5/13 8 Night Bahamian w/WDW 04/13 Fantasy - 7 Night Eastern 02/13 Magic - 8 Night Bahamian w/WDW 11/12 Magic - 7 Night Eastern 9/12 Dream - 4 Night Bahamian 9/12 Fantasy - 7 Night Western 4/12 Magic - 7 Night Western 12/11 Dream - 4 Night Bahamin (Christmas) 10/11 Magic - 7 Night Eastern 4/11 Magic - 7 Night Western 1/11 Dream - 4 Night Bahamian 9/10 Wonder - 3 Night Bahamian 5/09 Wonder - 4 Night Bahamian 7/03 Wonder - 3 Night Bahamian

05-01-2012, 12:37 PM	#13
RickyMouseMom Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 171	Thanks for everyone's input! After looking back at our old photos, we remembered how much less crowded the ship was. It seemed like we were able to do more on a shorter cruise on the wonder than a longer cruise on the dream. Can't wait..... __________________ Me DH DS(10) DS(7) Offsite '86, '87, '91; Dixie Landings & DCL 7/00, WL 7/01, CBR 7/04, POFQ 7/05, POR 7/06, ASMo 2/07, ASMo 8/07, ASMo 2/08, ASMo 8/08, ASsp 2/09, POP 7/09, POP & DCL 2/10, POP 7/10, POP & DCL 8/11, POP 2/12, POP 8/12, AoA 11/12, POP & DCL 2/13, POP 8/13, DCL Fantasy 2/14

05-01-2012, 02:11 PM	#14
pixarmom DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4,493	Thanks much for this thread!! We were on the Dream in August of last year - just a 3-night to see if we should book the Wonder to Alaska this summer. We had a great time, it was fun to see all the technology, the kids' clubs were very cool and the Aquaduck was fun. But we did find it quite crowded and I don't think the 3-night atmosphere is for us. We think the Wonder will be a better fit for us. Our favorite parts of the Dream were the dinners with our three boys, the scenery from our verandah and the activities in the kids clubs. Our boys never used the technology in the Edge and Oceaneer Club/Lab much (except our youngest loved the magic dance floor and that fun activity with Stitch.) They were all more interested in the activities (ghost voyagers, silly science, getting ready for pirate night in the Edge, piston cup, etc.) that can be replicated without technology on the Wonder. As for the Wonder, we're very excited to see Alaska, the smaller ship seems more manageable, and it sounds like the Wonder to Alaska atmosphere will be overall different from the 3-night Dream. Looking forward to hearing more from experienced cruisers - hope this thread continues! __________________ Disneyland (x many since 1975), Poly (x many since 1983), BC (x many since 1992), BWI (x2), YC, CR, WL (x2), AKL, POFQ, Dolphin, CSR (x3), CBR, All Star Sports, 2011 Disney Dream, 2012 Disney Wonder to Alaska, 2012 MNSSHP! August 2013 DL (GCH again!) August 2013 Inaugural DL 10K!

05-01-2012, 02:25 PM	#15
Disneyhenry DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Washington State - To far from WDW! Posts: 940	I hand the same concerns, we have only been on one cruise, it was the Dream, now we are going on the Wonder to Hawaii in October. This is a great Thread BTW, thanks for creating it. I enjoyed everyone's comments, I myself LOVED the Dream, didnt really see any design flaws, just thought everything was perfect! I worry about the Wonder being so much smaller in size, but I look forward in seeing it beauty. __________________ DH DSME Disneyland 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008,2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1994 WDW Split stay AKV-Kinadi and POP 2011 DCL - DREAM 2011, Wonder to Hawaii 2012

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