Can't decide Dream vs Magic vs Wonder

[ajean_15]

Hello everyone I have been a cruises before but never been on a Disney Cruise before. I'm traveling April 2022 and I am undecided between Magic, Dream and Wonder. At that time I will travel with my husband and two daughters (3 years old and a 16 years old). Can you guys give any pointers or suggestions which one is better. I know I will get a port room though most of the time in cruises my husband and I get a balcony but a 3 year old it really makes me nervous.

 

[mevelandry]

With a 16 years old, I’d go for bigger (in this case, the Dream) as there is much more to do than on the classics.

I like the bigger ship because they feel less « cramped »in public areas.

 

[fredandkell]

You truly, truly can’t go wrong with any DCL ship. We love them all! Pick based on the itinerary you want.

 

[Joe Brig]

If you are worried about the balcony, you can save money and go ocean view or inside. We are almost never in the room and have moved from balconies to inside.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Determine where you would like to sail to and your budget. All the DCL ships are fantastic for your entire family, And, yes, the Dream class (Dream, Fantasy) are larger ships with more to do, but the classics (Magic, Wonder) have fewer cruisers onboard and not so large to get quickly from one point to another. Try an oceanview if you are worried about a verandah and a 3 yo. I have found you occupy the stateroom on a cruise as much as you occupy a hotel room on vacation (not often during the day and evening).

 

[auntlynne]

I’m a tried and true Magic/Wonder fan. Maybe because that’s what was sailing when I started. And also because they seem cozier than the new ships.

But itinerary is a major factor. Definitely a cruise with a stop at Castaway Cay. I don’t recommend a 3-night cruise. Four nights is okay, but 5+ gives you a better opportunity to settle in and relax.

I haven’t traveled with young kids and my nieces didn’t really want to hang out with unknown teens. The Kids Clubs for a 3 year old shouldn’t matter either way - big or little ship. She won’t know if she’s missing something. The Dream/ Fantasy teen areas are definitely bigger; depending on itinerary, they may have a decent number of kids and more activities offered.

Happy Sailing.

 

[braysmommy]

I'd pick whichever cruise is the longest within your budget.

 

[Karin1984]

Go by itinerary or length, not ship.

The Dream is bigger, so more people on Castaway Cay.

If your girls are into princesses I would go for the Magic if they love Rapunzel, The Wonder if they love Tiana.

 

[JM_97]

Don't think you can go wrong with any. I've only been on the Wonder, and it's a fantastic ship. Pretty easy to get around, clean and you won't be bored. However, Disney has had Wonder sailing on the west coast or out of Texas lately, so it doesn't make sense for us to go on the Wonder now. Your ship depends on where you live and the itineraries available. Pick some destinations you'd like and then go from there. After that, the ship will take care of itself. As you probably know, cruising isn't like a land vacation where you can decide where you are going. DCL tells you where you will be.

We went on a 4 night and it was so much fun. I went on a 7 night on another line and had fun too, but by the last night I was ready to get off. To me, 7 nights on a cruise ship can be a lot. I wouldn't mind doing it again, but a 5 or 6 night voyage would be perfect for me.

For a stateroom, I'm sure Disney has precautions on balconies but if you're worried, an Oceanview room might be a good compromise.

 

[otten]

We always choose by itinerary which is a big reason why we have never been on the Dream or the Fantasy. Wonder and Magic have the more unique itineraries.

 

[Cheburashka]

Hello everyone I have been a cruises before but never been on a Disney Cruise before. I'm traveling April 2022 and I am undecided between Magic, Dream and Wonder. At that time I will travel with my husband and two daughters (3 years old and a 16 years old). Can you guys give any pointers or suggestions which one is better. I know I will get a port room though most of the time in cruises my husband and I get a balcony but a 3 year old it really makes me nervous.

We've sailed on every ship and they are all very nice. If there is a certain itinerary or home port that you prefer, go with the choices that follow from that. If it's a warm weather North American cruise (aka Bahamas, Caribbean or Mexico), make sure you choose one that includes Castaway Cay as a port: that is very important imo.

Beyond the considerations of itinerary or home port, with a teen I would recommend the Dream, which will allow her to use the Aqua Duck water coaster, which is a lot of fun and which the Magic & Wonder don't have. The Dream will also have the Midship Detective Agency game, which is a self-paced interactive scavenger hunt around the ship that your 3 year old will probably enjoy (and possibly also your 16 year old, depending on her personality). The Dream class has more spacious family pools. The Dream has a very nice upcharge ice cream & sweets shop, Vanellope's, that the Magic & Wonder do not have.

I have sailed to Castaway Cay on Dream class ships 3 times, and on Magic class ships twice. I haven't noticed any difference in Castaway Cay crowding between the two, except to say that the Pelican Plunge water slide line tends to be a bit longer with Dream class, but it still isn't a significant difference at all.

I'll also add that Beauty & the Beast is my favorite musical that I have seen on a Disney cruise, and that is shown on the Dream. Assuming that stage shows have resumed by next spring, of course.