Going from the Dream/Fantasy to the Wonder

[iambrink]

We have been on the Dream and Fantasy 6 times; seven is coming in April. My kids love the Aquaduck, the Detective Game, and Animators Palate. I have purposely shied away from the Magic and the Wonder for this reason. But, fast forward to next April and I found a perfect Baja cruise on the Wonder that will work perfectly with their school April vacation. It would allow us to spend a couple days at Disneyland before the cruise. DH and I have been to DL, but kids have not, so that would be a bonus. I have read extensively about the changes to the Wonder since the last dry dock and I really want to see the new Frozen show and Tiana's sounds amazing. The ports aren't really of interest to us, but we usually choose cruising because we enjoy the ship, the ports are secondary. I can't imagine being disappointed, but i can't help but think that the Wonder may not have enough things to do for the kids. I know there are many Disers that love the Wonder. I would love to hear what you love about the new Wonder and what did you kids enjoy.

 

[twoprincesses12]

Following....we are in the same "boat", curious what others think. We have only Sailed on the Fantasy and decided to switch up to the Wonder beacause we like the Southern 7 day offered next year in our preferred January cruise window. We "wonder" if the Wonder will entertain them while not in ports- although the kids club sounds amazing to them!

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

The Wonder is my favorite ship. Tiana's place is my favorite dining room of all the ships. Frozen is a fantastic show. The best server we ever had was on Wonder. I say go for it.

 

[prodis5]

Following....we are in the same "boat", curious what others think. We have only Sailed on the Fantasy and decided to switch up to the Wonder beacause we like the Southern 7 day offered next year in our preferred January cruise window. We "wonder" if the Wonder will entertain them while not in ports- although the kids club sounds amazing to them!

We are doing the same thing! We've cruised on the Dream and Fantasy but are doing the southern Caribbean on the Wonder next January with 3 kids and I am concerned they will miss the Aquaduck, Midship, etc. I love the itinerary though, and do want to see the Frozen show and Tiana's. Interested to hear what people say...

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Although we have not been on the new wonder (only 5 months to go!). We did not have any issues with going from the Fantasy to the wonder. This will be our 3rd time on the wonder and our family (4 adults, 2 kids) prefer it. Smaller with fewer people. Our kids did not miss the Aquaduck or midship detective. My favorite restaurant is Tritons but really looking forward to Tiana's and it's menu. Looks great!

 

[aksearaven]

Our first cruise was on the Wonder and we loved it. We just got off the Magic in Dec. There are plenty of things for the kids to do!! and I tend to like the smaller ships as you actually start to get to know your fellow cruisers...
I'm in the opposite boat. we have done the wonder and magic and are now going to try the fantasy. We love the smaller boats!! Dont have any worries it will be just as fun and just as much to do as on the bigger ships.

 

[1lilspark]

I'm also in the going from dream class to wonder category as I went on the Dream back in Sept and am doing the Wonder this April.... this will be my second and sisters first (it's a birthday trip to make up for her having to back out from her bachelorette trip due to personal reasons) I loved the dream and just hope the smaller ship doesn't underwhelm her

 

[1Winston]

I'm following. We just booked the southern for the same reason. Warmth in January. We have done the fantasy dream and magic and were most interested in the itinerary. We've done the Caribbean cruises in jan from port canaveral and have had cold sail aways. Looking forward to warmth from start to end.
The ship is an unknown. We've also downgraded from concierge to a 4b since we are travelling with a big group and booked late. Will be fun regardless!
Kids will miss the the aquadunk and duck but will still have fun on the new slide.

 

[iambrink]

Kids will miss the the aquadunk and duck but will still have fun on the new slide.

I was looking at the new slide and in the description it refers to "little ones" enjoying the slide...does anyone know if this is a slide for all ages?

 

[Shanti]

I was looking at the new slide and in the description it refers to "little ones" enjoying the slide...does anyone know if this is a slide for all ages?

It is for all ages (above a certain height), but is still not an exciting slide.

 

[85glht]

I think you kids will have enough to do on the Wonder. I wouldn't hesitate in booking this itinerary. My wife and I have been on all the ships and quite frankly, the most important thing to us is cleanliness, good food and service, which we have had on all the Disney ships. Go and have fun!

 

[Trera]

It is for all ages, but is still not an exciting slide.

Think you have to be 38" to ride

 

[tlprice]

We have also done the Dream and Fantasy and will be doing the Wonder next (also January Southern Caribbean). My daughter LOVES the Aquaduck and the Detective Agency, but I have just made sure that she knows well in advance that this ship doesn't have those. I have reminded her of all of the other things she loves to do on the ship that they will still have. I do think she is most worried about not having the in room on demand movies though.

 

[Shanti]

I do think she is most worried about not having the in room on demand movies though.

That's something we'll really miss, too. I don't see why they didn't add that to the classics. Would be such an easy upgrade.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We did the Dream once and Fantasy twice before trying the Wonder, (pre-reimagined). The Fantasy is still our favorite but we certainly weren't bored on the Wonder, (we have 2 teens).

I also didn't find it "easier" to navigate as it's only 100 feet shorter and essentially the same footprint as the larger ships. We also didn't experience the more "intimate" feeling and better service that others do. Frankly, the worst dining room service we've ever had on all of our cruises, including Carnival, was on the Wonder. Many others, including those in the shops, were aloof and some were borderline rude. Noreen, our stateroom host was amazing though. She was like a part of our family, I love that woman!!

My guess is you'll have a great time and just like any Disney cruise, you'll be crying the morning you have to disembark

 

[iambrink]

That's something we'll really miss, too. I don't see why they didn't add that to the classics. Would be such an easy upgrade.

I guess i didn't realize the wonder didn't have this either...not a big deal to me, but everyone else seems to always flip through these when we are settling at night...so what does the wonder have? and i agree this would have been such an easy upgrade. is there anything else i am missing on the wonder?

 

[WickedDreamer]

That's something we'll really miss, too. I don't see why they didn't add that to the classics. Would be such an easy upgrade.

I didn't realise this? What movies/shows do they play on the TV then??

We are also looking at probably doing the Wonder next year, we have only ever done the Dream, and we are going to be doing a Back to back Dream cruise late January, and are now possibly looking at going back out on the Wonder a week later as we both want to see the shows, and experience Tiana's new restaurant onboard too! But we are also nervous about the smaller shift.

 

[Trera]

I didn't realise this? What movies/shows do they play on the TV then??

We are also looking at probably doing the Wonder next year, we have only ever done the Dream, and we are going to be doing a Back to back Dream cruise late January, and are now possibly looking at going back out on the Wonder a week later as we both want to see the shows, and experience Tiana's new restaurant onboard too! But we are also nervous about the smaller shift.

we just got off the wonder and we didnt even miss not having them. They always have a classic disney movie playing along with disney jr shows and other movies.

 

[bbel]

For the movies they have different channels, like a Pixar channel, classics channel, live action, marvel channel etc, then the movies play on loop.
I used to quite like it, flick through and find something you like, then guess what's coming next haha. After a couple of contracts you start to learn the order haha!
The Magic is also the same, but I feel like the Wonder had a bigger selection of movies played.

 

[2Bnºoºt2B]

After a three-peat on the Fantasy also have some concerns regarding our upcoming EBPC cruise aboard the Wonder ... it has been quite a while since we've been on a smaller ship on any of the lines ... but with the recent refurb, celebrating Halloween onboard (and at DL) and the fact that it is Disney ... I'm hoping it'll be a magical experience