Cruising Wonder or Magic after Dream and Fantasy

[AU Dre]

We are looking at options for cruising this upcoming year and are trying to decide between a few cruises.
Two of the ones we are looking at are one on the Wonder out of Galveston and then one on the Magic out of Miami.
We have cruised on the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy already and loved both of these. I am just wanting opinions from people who have been on the ships to make sure that sailing on one of the older ships would not be a "let down" after cruising on the new larger ships.
I mean I know any Disney cruise can not really be let down because you know its Disney!
I think experiencing all of the ships would be fun, but we seem to maybe have gone about it the wrong way starting out with the larger ships first.
Any opinions or experiences would be appreciated.

 

[amanda ek]

The only things that I can think of that I felt let down about were that there was no on demand on the room tvs on the magic, the kids splash area is way sadder on the magic (but the aqualab is in a better location and the pools are less crowded), the lobby area is small so dance parties are cramped, no magic artwork (and no midship detective agency).

But I loved tangled and the dining staff on the magic is the best! You won't be disappointed.

 

[Aby]

We sailed on the Wonder three times, and the Fantasy once. I actually personally prefer the smaller ship, but wouldn't hesitate to sail on any of them! Since the Wonder is smaller, I find it more intimate and cozy, and in the dining rooms, it feels a lot less crowded and loud than on the Fantasy. I love the adult areas on the Wonder more, and I just love the look of the classic ships. There are a few less bells and whistles (mini golf, midship detective agency, etc) but that's ok - I like to have different experience on different ships. I don't think you will be disappointed!

Aby

 

[anricat]

We've sailed the Dream, Magic and Wonder and the two smaller ships are much preferred by our whole family for a variety of reasons. There are a few down sides, but I think the overall experience that we like more on the smaller ships make up for the missing bells and whistles of the Dream class. We missed Midship Detective Agency and the On Demand in the stateroom TVs the most. The AquaDuck was a non-issue because we never really wanted to wait in line to ride it. My daughter GREATLY prefers the Twist N Spout on the Magic to the Mickey Slide on the Dream (who knows what the Wonder will get). And yes, the atrium could get crowded, though, for some reason, I noticed it less on our cruise on the Wonder than the one on the Magic. Maybe because it was mostly Halloween events we went to on the Magic and those had more attendees than the events we attended on the Wonder.

What you'll notice is a lot fewer people on the smaller ships. Character meet and greets are less busy, less people are jostling to get off and on the ship. If you're going to Castaway Cay, there are far fewer people. It just feels more intimate. You run into the same people so you get to know more of your shipmates. It's quicker and easier to get places on the ship. We had a very far forward room on deck 8 on the Dream. One night, we were in the dining room and I wanted my sweater because it was cold. No kidding, I think I returned to dinner 20 minutes later! It just seemed to take forever to get where we needed to go. (And running to get drinks from the drink station to bring back to the room? Forget it.)

DD liked the kid's club on the Magic the best. She liked the one on the Wonder least, but maybe it will be different when it's reimagined. Either way, you'll have a great cruise. We're not opposed to the big ships, but if the itinerary and price are the same, we'll take the small ships any day over the big.

 

[Judyat]

I'm with those who prefer the smaller Wonder and Magic. Guess I'm partial to them since they are the only ones we have sailed on. Not against the Fantasy or Dream. We just really like the size of Wonder and Magic and all of our cruises have been wonderful.

 

[gatordoc]

We're wondering the same thing. I'm mainly worried because our favorite area on the Fantasy and Dream is Satellite Falls. We spend a lot of time there, and it doesn't look like there's anything comparable on the Magic/Wonder. We're not really fans of the Quiet Cove area, BTW.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We're wondering the same thing. I'm mainly worried because our favorite area on the Fantasy and Dream is Satellite Falls. We spend a lot of time there, and it doesn't look like there's anything comparable on the Magic/Wonder. We're not really fans of the Quiet Cove area, BTW.

The Quiet Cove area on the Magic & Wonder is better, in my opinion, than the Dream class Quiet Cove. It's more open and the pool there is larger. Also, not quite as may kids make their way through there. At least it seems that way. Mostly due to the configuration of the actual area. On the Magic class ships, the walkway area is not right through the middle of the space and more behind a rail. Those kids that do make it in there are much less obvious.

 

[andrencau]

We went from the Dream to the Wonder. We found differences, pros and cons for both. My best advice is being on any Disney ship is way better than being on any other ship in the world. We also look at them as we would different resorts at WDW. They are all Disney, but they each have their own personality. We are going on the Fantasy next week and I already know that I would not hesitate to book another Wonder. Hoping, though, for the Grand Slam and try out the oldest of them all, the Magic.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Do you have kids? Our friends sailed twice on the Wonder and loved it. But once they sailed on the Fantasy, their two girls said they no longer wish to sail on the Wonder. Their opinion is there is so much more to do on the Fantasy and the kids clubs are much better.

We have only sailed on the Wonder but desperately want to try Dream or Fantasy to try the AD, MSD etc

 

[PrincessShmoo]

want to try Dream or Fantasy to try the AD, MSD etc

AD? MSD? Sorry, what's that?

 

[TestingH2O]

AD? MSD? Sorry, what's that?

AquaDuck and mid ship detective agency.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

AquaDuck and mid ship detective agency.

Thanks.

I like AquaDuck on both the Dream and the Fantasy. Didn't have time to do Mid ship Detective Agency. Maybe next time.

My preference, if there were cruises identical in itinerary and cost, is the Magic class ship, however. I feel there's too many people on the Dream class ships.

 

[over50visits]

Do you have kids? Our friends sailed twice on the Wonder and loved it. But once they sailed on the Fantasy, their two girls said they no longer wish to sail on the Wonder. Their opinion is there is so much more to do on the Fantasy and the kids clubs are much better.

We have only sailed on the Wonder but desperately want to try Dream or Fantasy to try the AD, MSD etc

I agree the Dream and Fantasy have more for young kids to do, and would really recommend them for such families. But for adults, we love both the larger and "smaller" ships. The Wonder has an ambiance that is just wonderful. Although it is a huge ship, it isn't overwhelming as are the Dream and Fantasy. Don't get us wrong, we are delighted to cruise any of them, but our hearts are with the Wonder where we feel just a bit more "Disney family member" atmosphere, we feel we get to know the crew just a bit more, and the lounges feel more intimate. And the adult pool is better laid out on the Wonder and Magic.

But, since you haven't sailed the larger ships, I say go for it! You will have a really different experience, and love the new experiences (such as the ones you mention here). The MSDA gives you a great way to see part of the ship you wouldn't otherwise think to visit.

 

[jdb in AZ]

We prefer the Wonder because it takes us places the Fantasy and the Dream don't visit. Loved our DCL Panama Canal cruise, and Hawaii. We're waiting for the Dream to go somewhere besides Nassau. We enjoyed cruising the Mexican Riviera on the Magic, but their European itineraries are too expen$ive.

 

[Shanti]

We are looking at options for cruising this upcoming year and are trying to decide between a few cruises.
Two of the ones we are looking at are one on the Wonder out of Galveston and then one on the Magic out of Miami.
We have cruised on the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy already and loved both of these. I am just wanting opinions from people who have been on the ships to make sure that sailing on one of the older ships would not be a "let down" after cruising on the new larger ships.
I mean I know any Disney cruise can not really be let down because you know its Disney!
I think experiencing all of the ships would be fun, but we seem to maybe have gone about it the wrong way starting out with the larger ships first.
Any opinions or experiences would be appreciated.

We sailed our first cruise on the Magic in January and loved it. It's a beautiful ship in fine shape. We always felt like there was plenty to do. My son loved the Aqua Dunk water slide and I loved relaxing on the deck 4 promenade at night, watching the sea. We also enjoyed the family-oriented games like Bingo and Who Wants to Be a Mouseketeer?, the on-deck hot tub, and of course, Castaway Cay. We had an inside stateroom, which felt amply spacious for the two of us. Despite the Dream class ship's "virtual porthole", their inside staterooms are a bit smaller than the ones on the classic ships (169 square feet vs. 184 square feet).

We're sailing on the Dream in March, and while looking forward to the things the Magic didn't have: Aqua Duck, the virtual scavenger hunt, mini-golf, and on-demand movies (the latter we never would have had time for on our first cruise, anyway), I'm not looking forward to the bigger crowds that the Dream class ships are reported to have.

Sailing on the Magic, the MDR wasn't noisy (late seating, though), and CC wasn't crowded at all- no issues getting a beach chair & umbrella at any time. Line waits for the Aqua Dunk were never extreme (likely because it's more of a thrill slide than Aqua Duck). I've read that crowding can be worse on the Dream class ships, but we're still looking forward to it and will roll with what comes.

We are also sailing on the Wonder in July, and are looking forward to that every bit as much, though partly because it's a unique itinerary (Alaska). I'm excited that we'll be sailing her after her "re-imagination". My only wish is that there was a more interesting water slide on the Wonder. Fingers crossed that they've been secretly plotting to add one during the re-imagination. Not counting on it, though.

 

[MPS516]

You people need to stop liking the Wonder, then maybe DCL drops pricing and I can sail her much more often.

Love Wonder and Magic, fantasy is nice, don't like Dream.

 

[mmouse37]

Been on the Magic and Wonder several times and also the Dream and Fantasy. Most recently got off the Fantasy this past Saturday and going back on the Magic on September 17th. I have no problem going from one class ship to the other and back again. I like all the ships for their own personalities. This last cruise on the Fantasy was the first time that I actually felt some of the crowds...maybe it was the first time I had to deal with a stroller for our grandchildren and a wheelchair that I really noticed crowds in the atrium. Looking forward to getting aback on the Magic!!! Spent two weeks on the Wonder last October so I do like the classic ships. Don't get me wrong...I love the Dream and Fantasy but I have a strong emotional attachment to the Magic since we were on her official Maiden voyage back in 1998 and been on her the most.

MJ

 

[Shanti]

...don't like Dream.

Why not?

 

[olookasquirrel]

I feel there's too many people on the Dream class ships.

This. I'm in the opposite boat as you, @AU Dre - I've only sailed the smaller ships, so now I'm worried that the Fantasy will be too crowded! There might be more to do, but if there are people swarming all the things to do, ugh...

I'm fairly spoiled apparently

 

[tink1970]

I agree with PP who stated that Magic and Wonder go places the Dream and Fantasy don't so to me need fewer "extras" (midship, aqua duck, putt putt) since I'm in ports more often when I sail on them. I also enjoy the smaller size and impression of being less crowded. Aesthetically they are more pleasing as well.
My first cruise with DCL was on the Wonder, too, so I guess we could attribute it to a "first love" situation. (Shay s Wonder 4ever!).