Disney Wonder Dry Dock Watch - 11/10 Wonder departs on first cruise out of Galveston

[Whimsical1995]

Not necessarily. As for what they are doing with deck 7 is anyones guess. DCL already has emergency generators on the Magic class, including a large battery bank. The batterys ironically enough are already on deck 7 aft near the secret deck. On the Magic they added some support equipment for the A/D to deck 7, if the rumor is to be believed plus the height of the A/D would change her COG. In the Wonders case the only reason I can think of to add the tail is to help with fuel economy. Unless they are working on future plans.

I was told it was because of added weight on the upper decks as to why they are e adding the ducktail.

 

[truck1]

I was told it was because of added weight on the upper decks as to why they are e adding the ducktail.

I don't put much stock in what the ships staff says. Now if it was the Capt of the Chief Engineer, Ill pay attention. Rumors are a dime a dozen when it comes to the ships staff that involve what actually happens to a ship. Everyonce in a while, yes, they are right, but usually I wouldn't hold my breath.

When the Magic class was built, they had a specific center of gravity, based on the standard of that time. Ive heard at some point recently, the cog requirement changed for stability reasons. Not knowing off hand where the original cog was/is vs where the new standard is is up for debate. Simply adding weight to the ship, prob wouldn't require the duck tail. I'm thinking that the benefit of increased fuel economy, is the driving force behind the tail. If they were adding a lot of tall weight, like the A/D on the Magic, then theyd need it, because your adding a lot of weight up high on the ship, which will help the ship roll easier from side to side. Adding a cover so to speak over the secret deck, prob not that big of a deal.

 

[Whimsical1995]

Not ship staff but Disney project manager.

 

[Flossbolna]

I was told it was because of added weight on the upper decks as to why they are e adding the ducktail.

But what weight is being added? The Twist and Spout is only slightly larger than the Mickey slide. Otherwise I don't see anything being added really, other things are just being replaced (Cove Cafe turned into Concierge Lounge, new Mickey Pool, different splash area).

So, if your source (which sounds like a good one) is right about weight being added, there might be a surprise in store for us...

 

[FarmerMatt]

Found another picture of the Wonder in Dry Dock

 

[truck1]

But what weight is being added? The Twist and Spout is only slightly larger than the Mickey slide. Otherwise I don't see anything being added really, other things are just being replaced (Cove Cafe turned into Concierge Lounge, new Mickey Pool, different splash area).

So, if your source (which sounds like a good one) is right about weight being added, there might be a surprise in store for us...

I was thinking the same thing. Lazy river maybe?

Not ship staff but Disney project manager.

Ok. Still not too sure on what kinds of weight they are putting up there that would change the ship that drastically to have to counter it with a duck tail.

 

[Cara Wieckowski]

I thought it would be helpful to have one spot to collect all the information about the Wonder Dry Dock in 2016. Now that we have the first big announcement by Disney, hopefully more information will come out over time.

I will try to keep this first post updated with the most current information, so please let me know if anything is outdated and please post all information that you find out there on the web to this thread!

Updated 9/19 (newest updates will always be in Red)
Wonder arrives in Cadiz

Timeframe:
September 9 to October 23 in Cadiz, Spain
The last cruise before the dry dock is the Eastbound Panama Canal Cruise, which ends on 9/9 in Port Canaveral and the beginning of the first sailing from Galveston on 11/10.
It is unclear what happens with the current gap between 10/23 and 11/10, especially since the announced dry dock date includes already at the beginning the day the Wonder needs to reposition from Port Canaveral to Cadiz.
The Wonder arrived in Cadiz Dry Dock in the early morning hours local time on 9/19

Scope:
Reimagitation of:

• Restaurants
• Kids Clubs
• Pool Deck
• Adult Area
• Spa
• some other areas
• new theater show (Frozen)
• possible more that has not been announced yet

Restaurants:

• New restaurant: Tiana's Place Restaurant (will most likely replace Parrot Cay)
• Remodel of Animator's Palette
• Beach Blanket Buffet to be replaced with Cabanas
• Palo makeover
• renaming of pool deck casual food outlets to align with Magic with the exception of Frozone Treats, which will be Sulley's Sips on the Wonder

Kids Clubs:

• Marvel Super Hero Academy in Oceaneer Club
• Frozen Adventures in Oceaneer Club
• Andy's Room in Oceaneer Club
• new activities in Oceaneer Club: visit from Anna and Else, Disney Junior characters
• enhanced Edge Club will be relocated in the former arcade
• "it's a small world" Nursery (name change and remodel from Flounder's Reef)

Pool Deck:

• Twist'n'Spout water slide
• Dory's Reef splash zone for toddlers
• AquaLab interactive water play area for kids and families

Adult Area:

• Route 66 to be rethemed to After Hours
• remodel of Cadillac Lounge
• English Pub "Crown & Fin Pub" to replace Diversions
• all-new night club "Azure" to replace WaveBands

Spa:

• reimagined and renamed to Senses Spa & Salon (from Vista Spa & Salon)
• addition of Chill Teen Spa

Other:

• D Lounge (remodel of Studio Sea) will lose the port side entrance
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to be added to deck 10 forward like on Magic
• new Frozen Stage Show to replace Toy Story the Musical
• more connecting staterooms
• addition of staterooms in the former Edge area
• renaming of shops to align with names on the Magic
• addition of a "Shutters Portrait Studio" between Shutters and D Lounge (former port side entrance of D Lounge)

Open Questions/Rumors:

• 
  
• Atrium to be remodeled like on the Magic? likely a
• Addition of a concierge lounge and if so, where? (likely according to deck plans this will go into part of the Outlook Cafe)
• Addition of a candy and ice cream shop like on the Dream?
• Addition of a bigger water slide like Aquadunk on the Magic? According to deck plans this will not happen
• Remodeling of shops like on Disney Magic? (likely since they will be renamed the same way)
• Scope of spa remodel, will rainforest room get a refurb?
• Addition of duck tail like Disney Magic? (with the opening of the new locks for the Panama Canal in June 2016 the length of the Disney Wonder should not be an issue anymore for relocating between Alaska and Caribbean)
• Rumor that the kids club will receive a Frozen area instead of Pixie Hollow
• Accordning to the deck plans only part of the Outlook Cafe will remain as Cove Cafe, the middle and one side will be turned over into the Concierge Lounge.

With regard to the open questions it is currently difficult to know whether certain things will not be done on the Wonder or if DCL just keeps some things quiet right now to reveal them later.

Links to more Information:

Disney Parks Blog Announcement June 2
Unofficial Disney Cruise Line Blog commentary on the June 2 announcement
Disney Parks Blog Frozen Musical Announcement August 3
Unofficial Disney Cruise Line Blog article on information from new deck plans August 30
Unofficial Disney Cruise Line Blog article on preparations on Wonder for dry dock September 11
Disney Parks Blog: The Influence of Nordic Culture in ‘Frozen, A Musical Spectacular’ September 15
Unofficial Disney Cruise Line Blog article on Wonder Arrival in Cadiz September 18


Disney Cruise Line page on Wonder Refurb
Disney Cruise Line page on Frozen

This is fantastic information. Thank you for updating.

 

[maui2k5]

She is officially dry...

https://twitter.com/thedclblog/status/778680214826078208

https://twitter.com/navantiaoficial/status/778638375934914560

 

[Dug720]

A duck tail is not *just* put on for added weight.

A quick search on why the duck tail turned this up...

"A duck tail lengthens the waterline and basically decreases resistance. It decreases energy consumption and in some cases, improves stability."

Nothing in that about counterbalancing weight added on top.

 

[hanna-nana]

This may be a stupid question, but what is keeping it upright? I was expecting to see braces or something? Not sure.

 

[Tracy Mac]

We will be on the Wonder's November 14th cruise. I sure hope that they will be completely finished as this will be our very first cruise and I'm hoping for a great experience. You all think they will be finished on time?

 

[Stefileslie85]

Has anyone heard any talk of adding a putt putt mini golf course on the wonder? We played on one when we cruised on the Oasis of the Seas and it was a lot of fun. Also, just in case some Disney imagineers are reading this we would love to be able to get some pork shanks (like the ones that were served in Gaston's Tavern) or turkey legs on the Wonder. They could be her signature food item, kind of like the Oasis is known for her roast beef sandwiches.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Has anyone heard any talk of adding a putt putt mini golf course on the wonder? We played on one when we cruised on the Oasis of the Seas and it was a lot of fun. Also, just in case some Disney imagineers are reading this we would love to be able to get some pork shanks (like the ones that were served in Gaston's Tavern) or turkey legs on the Wonder. They could be her signature food item, kind of like the Oasis is known for her roast beef sandwiches.

Turkey legs are typically available on Pirate night. Not always, but they do have them, sometimes.

The menus (and other food offerings) are pretty much the same from ship to ship. Although the Magic does have Shawarma.

 

[Travis Kern]

The expertise of the shipyard workers to pinpoint the ship into its location is most important. They typically use wood supports placed in strategic positions under the keel. They position the ship in a pinpoint fashion and then pump the water out of the drydock. It was amazing to see a cruise ship sitting perfectly upright out of the water. I still can't wait to see all these new improvements! Glad to see a couple pictures today and boy does it look busy with all those cranes around! I'm assuming they will be pressure blasting all the paint off like they did to the Magic soon. It's pretty cool seeing a ship down to bare metal and not a stitch of paint!

 

[Stefileslie85]

Turkey legs are typically available on Pirate night. Not always, but they do have them, sometimes.

The menus (and other food offerings) are pretty much the same from ship to ship. Although the Magic does have Shawarma.

Wow, I had no clue they sometimes offered turkey legs on pirate night. Hopefully they will have them on my upcoming cruise in November. Do they sell them or are they free? Also where on the ship can you find them?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Wow, I had no clue they sometimes offered turkey legs on pirate night. Hopefully they will have them on my upcoming cruise in November. Do they sell them or are they free? Also where on the ship can you find them?

They were at the buffet after the fireworks.

 

[Stefileslie85]

They were at the buffet after the fireworks.

Thanks for the info I'll keep an eye out for them.

 

[Dug720]

Wow, I had no clue they sometimes offered turkey legs on pirate night. Hopefully they will have them on my upcoming cruise in November. Do they sell them or are they free? Also where on the ship can you find them?

In the buffet... But be prepared to do battle. Clearly there are a lot of people who have been starved the entire cruise based on the feeding frenzy madhouse that Cabanas turns into.

 

[Flossbolna]

We will be on the Wonder's November 14th cruise. I sure hope that they will be completely finished as this will be our very first cruise and I'm hoping for a great experience. You all think they will be finished on time?

This would be the second cruise after dry dock. With the Magic they had to cancel the first cruise after dry dock. However, they gave themselves two weeks more time to complete the Wonder dry dock. While things can always happen (weather delays, contractors not doing what they are supposed to do) I think the chances of them being finished in time for your cruise will be very very good. However, on every cruise there will be some maintenance going on. That is how the ships can keep looking good between dry docks. So, you will see workers painting something here and there and such. But that is just standard procedure and really never has impacted me in any negative way!

 

[arlopop]

Not necessarily. As for what they are doing with deck 7 is anyones guess. DCL already has emergency generators on the Magic class, including a large battery bank. The batterys ironically enough are already on deck 7 aft near the secret deck. On the Magic they added some support equipment for the A/D to deck 7, if the rumor is to be believed plus the height of the A/D would change her COG. In the Wonders case the only reason I can think of to add the tail is to help with fuel economy. Unless they are working on future plans.

I was on the EBPC and had numerous "sundowner" conversations with one of the contractor company owners who was on the cruise as well. They are adding an Aux emergency generator on deck 7 (16 tons). In the event of complete power loss DCL wants to have backup to provide a cooking space (cabanas) and water for passengers. The Carnival episodes were a warning flag and DCL never wants to be in that position. In addition, they are they are changing out the entire fire suppression system in the engine room. Currently it is CO2 which limits the ability of the crew to be in the same space. The switch is to a high pressure mist system which allows crew to remain in engine room safely.
The ducktail is being added for fuel efficiency and as counterbalance for the new gen.