Disney Magic vs. Wonder

[jamelynn24]

We are just off a fabulous cruise on the Fantasy and are planning cruise #2 for spring break (well, maybe...the jury is still out about a park vacation or cruise).

Trying to decide between the 4-night Magic out of Port Canaveral or the 5-night Wonder out of Miami.

We were leaning towards the Wonder because it's 5-nights and a bit cheaper, but now I'm thinking about going on the new Magic.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Will we be disappointed on the Wonder since we were just on the Fantasy? I am thinking that maybe the Magic will be better since they just re-did it and it will be more up to date.

 

[Meghatron]

I will always take more nights if the price is the same or better. All the ships are fabulous.

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[Disney Dreams]

We are just off a fabulous cruise on the Fantasy and are planning cruise #2 for spring break (well, maybe...the jury is still out about a park vacation or cruise).

Trying to decide between the 4-night Magic out of Port Canaveral or the 5-night Wonder out of Miami.

We were leaning towards the Wonder because it's 5-nights and a bit cheaper, but now I'm thinking about going on the new Magic.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Will we be disappointed on the Wonder since we were just on the Fantasy? I am thinking that maybe the Magic will be better since they just re-did it and it will be more up to date.

I never quite understand the "Will we be disappointed?" question when it comes to the classic ships. If you stay if a huge hotel, are you disappointed with smaller hotels that have lots to offer?

The Wonder is a great ship. We love her. What are your concerns, specifically?

- Dreams

 

[iloverags2]

While the Magic is my favorite ship, and the new updates are going to be awesome, I would have to say in this case I would choose the Wonder. Two reasons drive this decision - one extra day and the itinerary. I would choose Caribbean over Bahamas any day (Cozumel and/or Grand Cayman is way better than Nassau).

 

[jenerra11]

F2f

I never quite understand the "Will we be disappointed?" question when it comes to the classic ships. If you stay if a huge hotel, are you disappointed with smaller hotels that have lots to offer?

The Wonder is a great ship. We love her. What are your concerns, specifically?

- Dreams

 

[jamelynn24]

I never quite understand the "Will we be disappointed?" question when it comes to the classic ships. If you stay if a huge hotel, are you disappointed with smaller hotels that have lots to offer?

The Wonder is a great ship. We love her. What are your concerns, specifically?

- Dreams

Specifically....the coziness of the beds. Are they as amazing as the Fantasy? The kids clubs...does the Wonder have the fun technology and decorations as the Fantasy? Animator's Palate...is the show just as cool as the two on the Fantasy? I realize all of these things will be DIFFERENT on the Wonder, but will I just don't want to feel like the Wonder is a 'cheaper' looking ship. I'm hoping everything will be just as fabulous...but different. It's Disney...it has to be fabulous, right??

 

[jamelynn24]

I will always take more nights if the price is the same or better. All the ships are fabulous.

Sent from my Tricorder using DISBoards

That was our original thought...can't beat an extra day at a cheaper price! I guess it's all the hype going on with the Magic that is making me have cold feet!

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Specifically....the coziness of the beds. Are they as amazing as the Fantasy? The kids clubs...does the Wonder have the fun technology and decorations as the Fantasy? Animator's Palate...is the show just as cool as the two on the Fantasy? I realize all of these things will be DIFFERENT on the Wonder, but will I just don't want to feel like the Wonder is a 'cheaper' looking ship. I'm hoping everything will be just as fabulous...but different. It's Disney...it has to be fabulous, right??

The kids clubs on the wonder are very different from the ones on the fantasy. The Fantasy clubs are much bigger and more updated. The good thing about the wonder is since the clubs are smaller there's more interaction with the cast members.

There is no mid ship detective agency on the wonder.

Animators palate changes color one night on the wonder. There is no turtle talk with crush on a wonder.

I love both the wonder and the fantasy. I think you would have a great time on the Wonder. But yes it doesn't have as much as the fantasy and it is possible you will be slightly disappointed.

Finally I will say I just got off the wonder, And the one thing I was disappointed in was the bed was not very comfortable. But they'll fix that when they go to drydock in January.

I hate to disagree with everyone but I would go on the magic just because I'm excited to see the new changes.

 

[lindylou2_2002]

See we were the other way around we didn't really like the Dream after cruising on the Magic. Too big and too Brash for our liking. Love the more intimate feel of the Classic ships.
Not walking miles and miles just to get to a restaurant. Or coming out the elevator right in to one (never did understand that one)

The shows were just as good imho the restaurants on the other hand seemed more rushed on the dream.

I guess its what you are used to, I hope The Magic sails on the 27th as I am booked on her and I cant wait

 

[N365PA]

I would definitely take the 5 nighter. That being said, the Wonder is my favorite ship. Nothing to back this up, just feels like home.

 

[Gatrcruzer]

My first Disney cruise was on the Dream, and like you, I wondered whether going on the Wonder would be a disappointment. I have to tell you that I liked it better than the Dream! Yes, it is an older ship without some of the newer gadgets, but it is very well maintained. The staff was exceptional on our cruise, I mean REALLY exceptional. The ambiance is different on the smaller ships - they seem less crowded, and with fewer passengers there seems to be better ability of the crew to give attention to passengers. Perhaps this was just my impression from my limited experience, but I would not hesitate to go on the Wonder. It is a different experience going out of Miami, but I actually like the experience of leaving the port better from Miami than PC - it is just so beautiful sailing there, and people stop their cars to wave and honk as you float by. Miami has been my favorite departure port so far. I would say that it would be nice to see the improvements to the Magic, but this will probably be one of the last opportunities to see what the classic ships looked like originally, because my guess is that the Wonder will be receiving its renovations in the not too distant future.

 

[Gatrcruzer]

One more thing: some of the Wonder cruises out of Miami don't stop at Castaway Cay. I love Castaway Cay, so for me that would be a deal-breaker. I agree with a previous poster who said that Cozumel and Grand Cayman are much better than Nassau, but I really like Castaway, so I might choose the cruise based on that. It all depends on your likes/dislikes, though. Just something to consider.

 

[jamelynn24]

So in all of my pondering and stressing this past week, I think the Wonder is SOLD OUT!!!!!! Ugh. Looks like the Magic may only have a few staterooms left, too. Might just end up on the shorter cruise (the 4-night Magic)...which now saddens me because after reading all of your thoughts, I was all excited to go on the Wonder!

 

[Gatrcruzer]

So in all of my pondering and stressing this past week, I think the Wonder is SOLD OUT!!!!!! Ugh. Looks like the Magic may only have a few staterooms left, too. Might just end up on the shorter cruise (the 4-night Magic)...which now saddens me because after reading all of your thoughts, I was all excited to go on the Wonder!

Which date? I just looked and March 21 and 30 are available for the Wonder. However, I only looked at a capacity of 2 for a stateroom - maybe rooms with more people are booked up? I do see that the March 21 has no Castaway Cay.

 

[jamelynn24]

Which date? I just looked and March 21 and 30 are available for the Wonder. However, I only looked at a capacity of 2 for a stateroom - maybe rooms with more people are booked up? I do see that the March 21 has no Castaway Cay.

The 30th...we were looking at a verandah for a family of 5. I better book the Magic quick before that one is gone, too!! In hoping its just a glitch in their computer system and the Wonder will show up today when I search

 

[Gatrcruzer]

I'm not sure if this would work for your family or not, but you might want to consider getting 2 cabins. A lot of times it doesn't cost much more, and so nice to have the extra room and bathroom. It depends on the ages of your kids, though. Connecting cabins would be ideal, if they are available (but those are probably tough to find).

 

[Gatrcruzer]

It's also easier to get rooms for 2 or 3 than one for 5.

 

[jamelynn24]

Ha ha! I actually just looked at that this morning! We are now booked in two inside staterooms on the Wonder! Only saving $200, but we are gaining an extra night! I'm going to miss the verandah, but will love having 2 bathrooms.
And we did get connecting rooms!

 

[Gatrcruzer]

That's great news!!! Soooo much better to have the extra space and bathroom. Balconies are nice, but with a large family I'd much prefer to have the extra room.

 

[Four Swampers]

Ha ha! I actually just looked at that this morning! We are now booked in two inside staterooms on the Wonder! Only saving $200, but we are gaining an extra night! I'm going to miss the verandah, but will love having 2 bathrooms.
And we did get connecting rooms!

I think you made an excellent choice. The "new" Magic will be around for many years. The Wonder is now the only one of the classic ships in roughly original shape (even it has a couple additions, like Outlook Bar). The Wonder will likely receive a full upgrade in a few years. So I would suggest people who have never cruised the classic ships should see her while they can.