Going from the Dream/Fantasy to the Wonder

[Cackyschmackers]

We actually prefer the smaller ships. We've been on the Magic twice and Fantasy once. Honestly if you've already done midship detective agency, maybe they won't miss it. I believe the food is much better overall and the service in the MDRs is better on the classic ships, at least that is our experience. Also when we were on the Fantasy for some reason my girls only did the AquaDuck once! It was just too windy for them. So hopefully you will not miss it. We love the classic ships!

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

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...

Add us to the list. We're trying the wonder for the next TWO cruises, since we're doing Alaska and then the Southern Caribbean. I'm thinking my son won't mind it in Alaska, but I'm hoping he doesn't miss the Aquaduck when the weather is nice in January.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

My DS did miss the Aqua Duck - a lot when we sailed on the Disney Magic after the Fantasy. However he liked that on the Magic he could go on the yellow slide (Twist and spout?) by himself and it is a pretty tall and long slide, nothing like the yellow one on the Dream/Fantasy. On the Fantasy he could only ride the aqua duck when one of us adults went with him. Your kids are older though so they can do the aqua duck by themselves...
In the end even though he missed the aqua duck (we did too really) we loved the Magic and wouldn't hesitate to sail on it again or the Wonder. DS loved how the hot tubs were right next to the pool and the kids club and the basketball court. We really liked the adult pool better as well as Promenade Lounge for pre-dinner drinks. I can't imagine that you would be disappointed with any Disney ship but you have to answer yourself if not having the Aqua Duck, Midship DA is a deal breaker for your family. If this was my family I would want to sail a new ship after 6x on the same one. If nothing else you will get to enjoy new shows and new restaurants.

 

[Trera]

My DS did miss the Aqua Duck - a lot when we sailed on the Disney Magic after the Fantasy. However he liked that on the Magic he could go on the yellow slide (Twist and spout?) by himself and it is a pretty tall and long slide, nothing like the yellow one on the Dream/Fantasy. On the Fantasy he could only ride the aqua duck when one of us adults went with him. Your kids are older though so they can do the aqua duck by themselves...
In the end even though he missed the aqua duck (we did too really) we loved the Magic and wouldn't hesitate to sail on it again or the Wonder. DS loved how the hot tubs were right next to the pool and the kids club and the basketball court. We really liked the adult pool better as well as Promenade Lounge for pre-dinner drinks. I can't imagine that you would be disappointed with any Disney ship but you have to answer yourself if not having the Aqua Duck, Midship DA is a deal breaker for your family. If this was my family I would want to sail a new ship after 6x on the same one. If nothing else you will get to enjoy new shows and new restaurants.

Good advice here. Try a new ship...............I dont think you will be sorry.

 

[iambrink]

I really appreciate everyone's discussion. This is very helpful...I also read in another post that the Pacific could be more rough than the Caribbean which freaked me out a bit, but i really think we are going to give it a try. Lack of the aquaduck and detective game would also make us try activities we normally pass on during our other cruises.

 

[arielmomma]

We'd cruised on the Fantasy twice before we tried the Wonder. While we loved the Fantasy (What's not to love, right?) We prefer the Wonder and will be taking our 1st cruise as gold members on her this April. While my kids did enjoy the Aquaduck and Midship Detective Agency, they didn't really miss them. They preferred the kids clubs on the Wonder (I hope that will still be the case since the refurb). They were also much more comfortable finding their way around the ship on their own. My husband and I prefer the size of the smaller ship. It's nowhere near as crowded. I realize this does not apply to you, but it is much nicer to visit Castaway Cay on the smaller ship, so much more peaceful!

 

[pearljammer]

Hi there, we just got off Wonder for the first time yesterday; having been on all the other boats. I will be writing a review in a seperate posts shortly if you'd like to see my thougts.

 

[Trera]

We'd cruised on the Fantasy twice before we tried the Wonder. While we loved the Fantasy (What's not to love, right?) We prefer the Wonder and will be taking our 1st cruise as gold members on her this April. While my kids did enjoy the Aquaduck and Midship Detective Agency, they didn't really miss them. They preferred the kids clubs on the Wonder (I hope that will still be the case since the refurb). They were also much more comfortable finding their way around the ship on their own. My husband and I prefer the size of the smaller ship. It's nowhere near as crowded. I realize this does not apply to you, but it is much nicer to visit Castaway Cay on the smaller ship, so much more peaceful!

I agree on all counts!

 

[2Bnºoºt2B]

I really appreciate everyone's discussion. This is very helpful...I also read in another post that the Pacific could be more rough than the Caribbean which freaked me out a bit, but i really think we are going to give it a try. Lack of the aquaduck and detective game would also make us try activities we normally pass on during our other cruises.

As you have cruised before and have gotten your "sea legs" it should be ok ...

Hi there, we just got off Wonder for the first time yesterday; having been on all the other boats. I will be writing a review in a seperate posts shortly if you'd like to see my thougts.

That would be great!

 

[minorthr]

We are in same boat. Only done the dream and our son loved the aqua duck, detective games and the VOD on the TVs all of which the older ships do not have. We are also doing a baja cruise next april. We have already started to prepare him

 

[pearljammer]

We are in same boat. Only done the dream and our son loved the aqua duck, detective games and the VOD on the TVs all of which the older ships do not have. We are also doing a baja cruise next april. We have already started to prepare him

Those were the first thing my son looked for getting on but he got over it quickly. He loved the kids club where 3 marvel superheroes visited throughout the stay. Now while he had a great time, he still says his favorite cruise were the ships with the aqueduct! But trust me, he had a great time so don't worry. Yes, my review is posted on my thoughts of first time on Wonder.

 

[mmouse37]

We have been on all the ships...the classics first when they came out and then some cruises on the new, bigger ships, and then back to the Magic and Wonder. I love the intimacy of the smaller ships but still love the Fantasy! I think kids who were first introduced to the newer ships may have some hesitation going on the smaller ships but I still feel there is enough to do that they will get over that hesitation quickly.

I say go for it and try...you will never know unless you try the smaller ships.

MJ