from Fantasy to Magic

[OffToDWD]

We did our first Disney cruise earlier this year on the Fantasy (Western Caribbean). Everyone had such a great time that we want to do another one. We are planning on Barcelona to Dover cruise next year on the Magic. I know Magic is smaller - no Aquaduck and no scavenger hunt. Has anyone been disappointed going from the larger ships to the smaller ships? Does the Magic have things that the Fantasy doesn't? Thanks!!

 

[dclpluto]

We did our first Disney cruise earlier this year on the Fantasy (Western Caribbean). Everyone had such a great time that we want to do another one. We are planning on Barcelona to Dover cruise next year on the Magic. I know Magic is smaller - no Aquaduck and no scavenger hunt. Has anyone been disappointed going from the larger ships to the smaller ships? Does the Magic have things that the Fantasy doesn't? Thanks!!

The magic has aquadunk. A lot better than aquaduck imo. But young kids and older adults will probably disagree.

 

[Shanti]

Does the Magic have things that the Fantasy doesn't? Thanks!!

• I like the design of Animator's Palate better on the Magic than on the Fantasy.
• My son liked the kids' clubs better on the Magic.
• The Magic has an all-ages hot tub on the pool deck, while the Fantasy's all-ages hot tub was just removed during dry dock & replaced with a wading pool.
• The Magic has Aqua Dunk, which is more thrilling, but also scarier & shorter than the Aqua Duck. Because of this, it also tends to have a shorter line. It also has the Twist and Spout waterslide, which both adults and children can ride on (unlike the secondary waterslide on the Fantasy, which is only for kids).

 

[PrincessShmoo]

And, of course, the Magic has the best show line-up currently:
Tangled
Twice Charmed
Disney's Dreams

 

[Chica1581]

Magic has Donner kebobs (yum)

 

[gatordoc]

And the Magic has Shawarma!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

And, of course, the Magic has the best show line-up currently:
Tangled
Twice Charmed
Disney's Dreams

We prefer the size and service on the Magic and Twice -Charmed is our absolute favorite show!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We prefer the size and service on the Magic and Twice -Charmed is our absolute favorite show!

While I still like the revamped Twice Charmed OK, I liked the original better.

The biggest issue I have with most of the newer shows is the volume level they set the sound for. It's quite deafening.

 

[elvispursley]

What are Donner Kebobs?

 

[Marc D]

We happily go back and forth between the classics and Fantasy. in addition to the best show lineup (no discussion there), we find that the crew on Magic is the friendliest. Some CMs onboard for many years told us that the backstage atmosphere on Magic is the best and it seems to impact the service to the guests.

 

[bbel]

What are Donner Kebobs?

Donner Kebab = Shawarma

 

[lorimay]

We LOVE The Magic, its "our ship", but I will go on any other Disney ship without thinking twice.
The Magic and Wonder have the best destinations..... our floating hotels.
But The Fantasy is a beautiful newer ship and we will be sailing her in Sept. because my daughter and her family will be sailing for my son in laws 30th birthday. I will stay on the ship except for Jamaica since we haven't been yet.
Can you tell I'm addicted, LOL

Have Fun!

 

[jrabbit]

More "Live" activities - that involve actual people. Unlike - Mickey's Mid Ship Detective agency, Mini Golf, Magic Pictures, Magic Portholes, etc.

Fewer guests onboard so you can actually interact with the Cruise Staff, wait staff, cruise director if you like (we Like!!).

I would like the TV on demand like on the Dream class - vs. whatever's showing on your room tv right now. So that's a plus / minus - we are only in the room to change between events / activities: Pool, Trivia, Bingo, Dinner, Nighttime entertainment so no reason to stay in your room.

And on the sailing you are looking at there will quite likely be less kids onboard, and fewer guests in general, so it will be a "calmer" cruise experience. Not a bad thing at all. We were on the Wonder once with only 1,800 people, seemed empty - was awesome!!

 

[OffToDWD]

Thanks, everyone!!! Can't wait!

 

[Tulip2796]

Great question! Our 1st cruise was a 7-night on the Fantasy and we booked a 5-night on the Magic early next year. We're worried we won't like the smaller, older ship as much as the Fantasy. This thread eases that concern a bit!

 

[anricat]

We started out with our first cruise on the Dream, then cruised the Magic (then the Wonder, then the Magic again and we're headed back for the Magic next year) and we (my whole family) HANDS DOWN prefer the smaller ships for a variety of reasons, many of which are above. I'll also add that when we had a forward room on the Dream and I was at dinner and chilly and went back to the room for my sweater, it was, no joke, a 20 minute round trip! That doesn't happen on the classics. I find it so much more manageable in terms of getting around the ship and the number of people. We literally never missed any of those extra bells and whistles. There is plenty to do!

 

[1lilspark]

I know different ships but going big to small all the same but I was worried when I cruised on the Wonder just 7 months after the Dream I'd be underwhelmed but loved the Wonder so much more

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Great question! Our 1st cruise was a 7-night on the Fantasy and we booked a 5-night on the Magic early next year. We're worried we won't like the smaller, older ship as much as the Fantasy. This thread eases that concern a bit!

The only problem is the shorter time for the 5-night cruise. DW now insists we cruise for at least 7 nights at a time. We've started booking back-to-backs, mostly on the Magic (our favorite of the ships), although we'll be on the Wonder for the 14-night EBPC this fall. Once you're hooked, it just keeps getting worse like any other addiction.

 

[Debbie Torres]

Our first cruise was on the Dream , which I loved and got me hooked !!!! Our second was on the Magic and I was a little worried about it being smaller but I LOVED the Magic . Animators Palatte was amazing on the Magic and we were lucky to be there the first night and then again for Pirates Night and it was wonderful . I didn't care for it on the Dream and was my least favorite restaurant . I agree with PP I did so many more activities on the Magic than the Dream . We are on the Dream for HOTHS this fall and it will be interesting what I feel afterwards .

 

[mocodis]

YES!!! after drydock the Wonder now has Shawarma!