Changes to Disney Magic

[RyanH]

Hi,

I am brand new here, just finished my first Disney Cruise aboard the Magic on Saturday (loved it) and was told a few things about plans for the ship from a crew member that I wanted to share. Sorry if this doesn't belong here, it didn't seem like top secret info and I don't see it posted already.

1. The Magic will go into dry dock in September of 2003.

2. The ESPN bar on deck 11 will be closed and replaced with a "teen dance club" since the ESPN bar was not used often by guests.

3. All of the bars (Rockin Bar D, etc.) will be redone and renamed.

4. The ship from water level down will be recoated and have rust removed. I am told they had a problem with this before, applied a special coating to the ship that was supposed to last a long time, but it peeled away within months and the hull is showing rust.. so they will try and fix this again.

The cast member didn't say if a current teen area would be converted to adult use to replace ESPN.

Anyone have more info? I found this very interesting.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there... glad you enjoyed your 1st cruise!

Thanx for the interesting info on the Magic... I hope they turn Common Grounds into a nice gourmet coffee bar... the kids will have fun up in the ESPN area.

>>^..^<<

 

[mcnuss]

The ESPN thing does not surprise me. We poked our heads in there several times during our cruise, and it was all but empty each time. The teens need a bigger, better area to help keep them from getting into trouble!!

 

[taswira]

I am on the first Magic sailing after dry-dock, so I am really looking forward to that now, especially the renamed (and hopefully re-themed) clubs.

I wish they would do the same thing on the Wonder. ESPN there is also usually empty it seems. As for Common Grounds, I personally wish they would turn that into an adult nightclub for non-smokers, but I don't think that will ever happen.

 

[pc_in_CO]

we are going to be on the last cruise before dry dock. anyone sailed on the last cruise before dry dock before? anything special go on...other than the magical experience as usually???

 

[RyanH]

I loved the ship and cruise and have been told many times the Magic and the Wonder were built using the same blueprints to save money. BUT, I would have made every restaurant and club totally different. You can do alot with a space of the same size and layout. I'm glad to see the Magic is changing.

The ships should be totally different experiences IMHO.

 

[MickeyB426]

I've always felt that the ESPN Skybox, while a fantastic concept, was a waste of space. And I'm a HUGE sports fan. But when I'm on a cruise, I tend to let my sports libido dwindle.

Any number of the bar areas can throw a TV or two on for a game, guys will watch a game anywhere near where liquor us served.

Having said all that, I wonder if Common Grounds will remain where it is (and just for teens), and if the ESPN box will just be an additional space.

What's the size difference between the two?

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

According to the DCL brochure, Common Grounds has 72 seats, while the ESPN Skybox has 75 seats. I'm guessing they are roughly the same size.

 

[tecdavidt]

I like the idea and I like the suggestion of turning Common Ground's space into a real coffee house. They could even keep the name Common Ground Teen Club but use that for the name of the Dance Club that will take over the old ESPN Club. It would give the teen group a lot more space. The bar that is up there could serve pop and coffee, non-alcoholic beverages like smoothies. Kathy

 

[DVCBob]

DW is suggesting a Starbuck's on board would be nice.

 

[PiperG]

Originally posted by DVCBob
DW is suggesting a Starbuck's on board would be nice.

I second that idea

 

[sjm]

Did someone say STARBUCKS, YES, YES....great idea.

sue

 

[markey]

I am sure glad we go in August before dry dock. I love to sit in the sun, hubby doesn't. So on sea days I always sit in the loungers outside the ESPN club and he goes back and forth between the chair and the club. He is not a big drinker but he is a fan of the club, probably because it does not get full.

 

[MickeyB426]

One vote against Starbucks...

The price of that coffee is jacked up as it is...imagine when Disney gets its hands on it?

Try $5.00 a cup.

 

[reveric]

Is it the Magic that is going into drydock in September? What dates exactly is this going to happen?

 

[mmouse37]

reveric.....this is what DIS'er Senor Ferrari posted on another thread:

"The Magic is scheduled to be in drydock from Sept. 27 to Oct. 11 of this year. "

Hope that helps...

MJ

 

[mcnuss]

I just read where RCCL is putting a beautiful wine bar onto one of its newest ships. That would be nice....but would probably belong up near Palo not near the pool.

 

[CSX2]

Coffee bar, fine. Starbucks, no! The last thing I want to see on these beautiful cruise ships is a fast food chain store. You see these things EVERYWHERE -- please spare us on vacation. Where would it end? Pluto's replaced with McDonald's? Baskin Robbins replaces Scoops? Maybe a nice Outback Steak House instead of Palo.

Don't make the Magic and Wonder look like suburban strip malls!

 

[Euphscott]

You won't likely see Starbucks on the Magic anytime soon.

Disney has a rather large contract with Nescafe. While I coudln't care less about coffee on board or in parks (I understand Nescafe is universally disliked?) until the marketing agreement is up or the contract broken, you won't see Starbucks.

 

[Magic_Fan_Bruce]

I posted this on the "Third DCL Ship" thread, but it could easliy be applied to the Magic and Wonder. I have to give credit to Senor Ferrari for inspiring the idea.

- Move Common Grounds to EPSN.

- Make the old Common Ground's into a Coffee Shop / Library.

- Change Promenade into Card & Games / SportsLounge.