2 new ships - what must features should they plan into the design?

[ivanp91]

The improvements I would really like to see over the Dream-class ships:

- Bigger pools. I easily prefer the adult pool on the Magic over the Dream/Fantasy. I find it's bigger in relation to the amount of passengers it's there to serve. There's something about the shape of the newer pools as well that I don't like - the circles with the bar area, seated area and proper pool in the middle. I much prefer the rectangular pool with shallow 'edges' on the Magic.
- Adult venues. Again, I much prefer the Magic's After Hours. Each of the three venues has its own unique identity with the surrounding corridors tying it together in a classy way. We didn't spend much time in the adults area of the Dream, just Evolution for an activity and didn't feel compelled to give other venues a try because the area was awkward to navigate. Europa on the Fantasy wasn't any different, and we found that the entertainment venue (The Tube) to be overly cluttered and awkwardly laid out, Fathoms on the Magic was much better. Walking through those "tunnels" on the larger ships makes me feel like I'm on Tatooine...

I would imagine it's a given that the MDRs would be new ideas too, plus Animator's. We don't need any more ships with the Enchanted Garden

 

[belac]

It's the possibility of new and less boring itineraries! Seriously, how many times can a person visit Nassau??? And the same half dozen islands over and over? Sure, there's Europe, but we prefer to do land based trips in Europe, one day isn't enough for most of those ports in our opinion. But why not some other Caribbean islands? Or different North American ports on the East coast? Central America anyone? Bermuda? The one thing that may get us willing to pay the prices Disney now wants is the possibility of visiting some new ports and two new boats would give them the perfect chance!

This too.... I wish they had new ports.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

A) Seriously doubt you will EVER see a casino on a Disney ship. Many people have made that clear that no casino is one of the reasons they choose DCL.

B) Why the need for separate bathrooms? If you identify and dress as a female you should be allowed to use female bathrooms. If you identify and dress as a male, you should be allowed to use male bathrooms. Simple.

With the exception that many people do not agree, nor feel comfortable with biological males having access to female restrooms. Not trying to start an argument - but this particular issue is not so simple.

 

[squirk]

I'll just echo what others have said:

1. Design the adults-only pool deck area so that kids have absolutely no reason to walk through.
   
2. Design the aft elevators so that we don't have to walk through Cabanas to get on deck.
   
3. Make a true 18-21 club area.
4. More breathing room in the MDR.
5. Completely different themes for the MDRs.
6. Bigger pools, for sure. That kid soup in the Donald pool is gross.
   
7. If they do an AquaDuck, can we somehow make it faster, please?
8. Spread out the elevators a little better (Dream-class Forward and Midship elevators are kind of clumped together).

 

[anna08]

I would like more sit down alternatives to the MDRs than just Remi and Palo. Adult pool deck without kid traffic. I would love the art gallery to be like a library/cafe where you can sit in comfy chairs and read while you drink your coffee while surrounded by paintings.

 

[OKW Lover]

With the exception that many people do not agree, nor feel comfortable with biological males having access to female restrooms. Not trying to start an argument - but this particular issue is not so simple.

Yes it is so simple. There's no need to have a gate guard checking "qualifications" at the door to each restroom.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Yes it is so simple. There's no need to have a gate guard checking "qualifications" at the door to each restroom.

So sorry you would like to turn this into an argument. I hope your day goes better. It is not a simple issue. There are many considerations to this issue that do not belong in a "what should be on a new DCL ship". I simply responded to another's suggestion to have transgender bathrooms as it is not viewed simply nor acceptably by all. I even included that I was not interested in an argument.

Back to ideas for DCL ships!

- I agree that there could be more variety for some older kids.

-I like the ideas for more theming like they recently added with the Ugly Duckling overlay on Rapunzel night.

 

[cruisingtwins]

Some sort of space ofr toddler/little kids that's open all the time and does not include droping off.

 

[Plaid Princess]

I would love to see the lazy river that was the original plan for the Aqua Duck. Since they're going bigger with the new ships (am I the only one who is disappointed by this?), they'd have room on deck!

I'd also like to see one of the ships do an Asian/Australian itinerary; or really anything that's not the Bahamas/Caribbean. I'd also love to see the Wonder permanently move to the West Coast.

I'd like magic band compatibility.

I'm really surprised they haven't done this. I'd love to not drag a card around!

An adults only area which isn't a walkway for everyone, to reduce the number of children walking through it.

YES! THIS! There would then be no reason for children to enter the 18+ area, and it could be more easily enforced.

A Casino is a MUST.

Agree to disagree.

A larger adults only area! My DH and I cruise often with Disney and it would be nice to have more lounge chairs.

Yes please!

Some others may hate this idea, but I'd love to see tickets for the shows. Other lines do this and there's enough for everyone but you don't have to worry about hurrying to the theater or people saving seats.

This would be AMAZING!!!!! I always feel like I'm rushing to get dressed and get to the theater.

But the my biggest wish for the new ships isn't really a ship feature at all. It's the possibility of new and less boring itineraries! Seriously, how many times can a person visit Nassau??? And the same half dozen islands over and over? Sure, there's Europe, but we prefer to do land based trips in Europe, one day isn't enough for most of those ports in our opinion. But why not some other Caribbean islands? Or different North American ports on the East coast? Central America anyone? Bermuda?!

Australia, Asia, New Zealand, Antarctica, South America... I'm generally over the Caribbean!

 

[Stephen Burch]

Toddler Play Space outside of the kids clubs, since Toddlers can't go to the kids club except during open houses.

More space in dining rooms (to echo everyone else).

 

[DLM1980]

To stop the bathroom debate, Communal bathrooms, goodbye are the ladies and men rooms, instead you walk into a room with a few sinks, and an array of doors that say locked or unlocked. You open the locked door and your in your own private room big enough to poop and pee and also change a baby on a fold down table..

OR

just a bank of doors that lead to stalls with a toilet and changing table, then the sink is outside in the public area so we can all know who is not washing their hands afterwards!


In Regards to kids in the adult area.....

Not sure what other ships have but the Wonder had an RFID reader on their elevators. Set up the elevators in the area that are near the adult section to require your keycard/magicband to select that deck. If you are already on the pool decks and you want to go down, just install a turnstile that requires your keycard/magicband to let you in.

 

[dcassetta]

I know joggers may not like this, but I would like more shuffleboard areas on the promenade deck.

 

[mlayton14]

Bigger pools and water activities more than anything, both classes of ships are pretty bad. I don't think it's going to happen though the way Disney designs its ships. Royal does it by building their ships much wider (beam) allowing more room overall for bigger pools and other spaces. The Disney ships currently are tall and long to accomdate the cabins , but constraining the space available on top deck.

I also think the ships needs to take more cues from the theme parks, more and better theming, New rides or experiences developed for a cruise ship. Not just the same old towel folding and how to draw Mickey classes. The dream class was a major improvement over the magic class regarding total experience, the next class of ships needs to step it up even more.

 

[glendroid]

-A very interactive bar similar to Trader Sam's that will actually convince adult's to be out past 10 PM. If Trader Sam's can be packed at a resort, I don't see why it wouldn't work on a cruise. I'm not saying it should be TS specifically, but something in that ilk.

-If they plan on this ship doing long itineraries, I would love them to add a fourth MDR and another up charge restaurant. A main dining room themed around 1930's Hollywood or even one that tries to look like an open air market in an exotic country with cuisine to match. As for the up charge, something similar to Morimoto Asia (Disney Springs) or a higher end version of The Wave (Contemporary). Or else something very similar to Napa Rose would make me happy.

-Last couple dining wants. One would be something similar to a Chef's table option in the up charges. Second would be to add more interesting options to the ships fast food. Like Asian (Noodles, stir fry on rice) and quick pastas for example.

-Larger Atrium with a new design. I really like the ones on the previous 4 ships, but here's your clean slate and time to try something new.

-

 

[AquaDame]

I have removed a few posts that were way due to language and mud slinging... I've left the ones up that were not outright offensive to other members. Please play nice, or I will have to lock the thread.

 

[MHTorringjan]

A Casino is a MUST and Transgender bathrooms need to be included!

While I'm in favor of the transgender bathrooms, I can't disagree more with the casino idea. The concept has always been to make DCL a family friendly atmosphere and casinos are not in line with that image. It's actually one of the things that draws me to DCL (as an adult who has not had children but will by the time these ships launch), to be totally honest. Keep it up with the bingo if gambling is an essential thing for you on a cruise ship. Disney will gladly take your money that way, and about as efficiently as a casino would.

 

[MHTorringjan]

Bigger pools and a cheaper adults only restaurant (15$/pp). (Asian???) We can afford Palo and Remy and will continue to dine there but I feel like other cruiselines have more specialty restaurants and that they are more affordable.

I also hope that the magical porthole will be in the inside staterooms.

OMG, Asian Palo would be awesome, I'd totally go, and I'd actually support sushi options at it! I'm okay with pools the size of the classic ships, those are pleasant (in the adults area at least; never been in the family ones).

I like the idea of the family specialty dining experience, although I'm not sure how they'd make it work, those ships are pretty packed as it is.

Whoever suggested lasers and water projection shows on the ship to accompany fireworks, I think they just won the internet.

I also agree more activities to do on top deck would be a welcome addition. On the one hand, they'd have to make it interesting and take up more space, but it would be a tradeoff to maintain the classic aesthetic of the ships. Not sure how best they'd do it (but I guess that's why I don't work for them).

I actually think that a Dave and Buster's type area as a previous poster indicated would be a good compromise; not a casino per se, but maybe a scaled up version of the Arcade that recently departed the Dream and is still on the other ships. I liked the arcade for air hockey but the other game selection left something to be desired.

 

[hoffman1]

I don't care so much about the My Time Dining that so many have discussed but I would love to see a dinner buffet option (at Cabana's or a new location).
I would like to see more adult entertainment options. A Dave & Buster's type of place would be great. Something entertaining/interactive. My husband does not drink so sitting at a bar with not much going on after dinner isn't a lot of fun.

 

[LocustPoint]

I would like to see a true buffet restaurant for dinner as well as someplace that it open 24 hours.

 

[Flossbolna]

I want something like the Outlook Cafe they have on the Wonder. Oh, and of course an adult pool area that is more like the one on the classic ships than the one on the Dream/Fantasy. I hope they lerned that lesson!

In reality I am afraid that we will just see the same as on Dream and Fantasy only with the addition of more concierge cabins and more up charge possibilities like Vaneloppe's which they added to the Dream.

The renderings look far too similar to expect any huge surprises, especially considering that the ships will be only 3% larger than The Dream class.

Still, I think they will be beautiful ships and there will be new design elements, so I am still excited. And even more excited about the possibility of maybe finally getting Dream or Fantasy to come and sail in Europe!