Help me Choose: Magic or Fantasy?

[mjl1969]

For those that have done both Fantasy and Magic, please tell me your preference and why based on the below

Facts:

• First time Cruisers
• Same price, same exact itinerary
• Family of 4 - kids are 3 and 5 yo

Thank you !!

 

[tinkmom76]

FANTASY!
Ive been on both and the choice would be easy.

 

[Bonniec]

I'd love to hear comparisons too. What do you like about one over the other and why?

 

[jfahome]

FANTASY!! For sure!!

I liked the magic, but we've already been on the Fantasy twice now and I don't want to do any other ship now. My kids are 1 and 7. My 7 yo has been on both and definitely prefers the fantasy.

There is nothing wrong with the magic but seems to be more kid stuff, aqua duck, splash areas, bigger etc...

I haven't been back to the magic since the dream & fantasy, but in my mind (just my opinion) I feel like I'd be missing so much.

Again, just my thoughts!

 

[DMMarla07860]

I can't tell you, so all I say is either ship is great

 

[mlayton14]

Like to know as well

 

[DVC-Don]

Fantasy. I just got off the Magic, and it's a nice ship but it needs the drydock to spiff it up. Lot of little things like broken chairs in the Walt Disney Theater and one day it poured. I mean POURED and I hate to say it, the Magic LEAKS!! Luckily the leaks are not in the bottom. In Topsiders there were leaks in the roof over some tables, there were leaks in the forward elevator area on deck ten (two upholstered chairs got soaked) and one of our dinner mates had water coming out of an overhead light in their cabin. Also the handicap door opener on deck 9 by the drink despensors did not work.

I'd go with the newer ship.

 

[kcashner]

My last DCL cruise was on the Fantasy and my next one is on the Magic. Yes, the Fantasy is beautiful and high tech. OP's kids are a little young for all the tech features, but the kid spacea, aquaDuck, etc. are amazing.

That said, the Fantasy was BIG, LOUD, and crowded. I honestly prefer the size of the Magic. Yes, she needs some spiffing up--that is scheduled, but the above post sounds like maybe she shouldn't wait another year. Being on the Magic is coming home. The Fantasy was too big, too impersonal, and too many toddlers screaming. Guess that could have been just our dinner spot though.

 

[bmer1rick]

Not sure why the poll is so close when everyone that has commented says the Fantasy. So, having been on both, I will try to summarize why I would choose the Fantasy.

Since, you have two kids, the kids clubs on the Fantasy are a little nicer. They have added alot of very nice technology on the Fantasy that isn't on the Magic.

1. The Fantasy has the new "magic playfloors in both the lab/club. The playfloors are essentially a video game on the floor. I think your 5yr old would love it..

2. The Fantasy also has the Midship Detective Agency that is fun for the whole family. It is a mystery game where you need to find out which villian stole the puppies or the paintings. And on the Fantasy the also have the Muppets detective game that is only on the Fantasy.

3. The Fantasy has the Aquaduck and Aqualab, both water play features for the entire family. The Aquaduck is a watercoaster that the entire family will love.

4. The Fantasy and Magic both have very good shows at the Animators Palate MDR. Until the Fantasy added the "Animator's Magic" show, we enjoyed the show on the Magic a little better. On the Magic, the paintings in the room go from black and white to color as songs from their movie are played. However, the Animator's Magic show is awesome to see. You get to draw a stick figure at the beginning on dinner on a platemat and toward the end of dinner all the figures get added to a animated show that is very impressive.

5. My wife and I love the adult areas on the Fantasy. The Europa theme is quite impressive as well as Ooh La La.

6. I think the shows onboard are pretty much a push. We like the new shows on the Fantasy, but also the shows on the Magic are very good also...

Saying all this, if it was just my wife and I we would pick the Magic because we like the feel of the classic ships more than the newer ones. The new ships seem to rely more on the technology than filling up the schedule with fun things to do. But, with kids the newer ships win out in our mind.

Hope this helps...

 

[Eric Julie and Hailey]

This is like choosing a favorite between my children! .

Since, they are not my children... i will pick! I vote for the Magic. It's not shiny and new - but, it is far more personal. The kids clubs are more managable and the size allows staff to interact far more with the kids. I, for one, am starting to hate what screens are doing to our kids. So, the lack of an interactive playfloor and the lack of the Midship Detective scavenger hunt is a positive thing!

The Fantasy is truly gorgeous - more so than any other ship I have seen. But, the ship is just a thing. It's the staff that makes a cruise great vs. good -- at least in my opinion.

Either way, you can't go wrong! Have fun!

 

[PA Princess]

We have been on both the Magic (twice) and the Fantasy (August 2012). I worried prior to sailing that we would not like the Fantasy as much as the Magic (which our entire family of 7 loved!). I was especially concerned that the larger ship and the greater number of people would be a real drawback.

Now just a few weeks post sailing, and I have to say that we all preferred the Fantasy in almost every category. There are so many positives and the only real negative (the alterations to Castaway Cay to accommodate more people and the larger ships) would impact cruises on either ship.

Yes, the ship was bigger, but we only found that a plus with more of everything. We did not feel the ship was too large or that the number of people detracted from our experience in any meaningful way.

Keep in mind that we do not always feel this way about larger experiences. We really dislike the large feel of the value level resorts on property...too many people and we always feel like we are still in the parks. We could find quiet, calm, spots to escape the busyness on the Fantasy.

Finally, the beauty and grandeur of the new ship cannot be understated...she is simply a gorgeous vessel from top to bottom.

 

[Bonniec]

There are so many positives and the only real negative (the alterations to Castaway Cay to accommodate more people and the larger ships) would impact cruises on either ship.

What do you mean the alterations to CC?

 

[dclpluto]

The fantasy of course. Just got off the magic yesterday. Loved it but i love the fantasy a lot better. A 14 year old ship to a one thats hasnt been out 6 months. Aqua duck on fantasy. There is no bad shows on the fantasy all great . The magic has villains a not too good of a show imo.the only bad thing i can say about the fantasy is them stupid chairs in the main night club cant think of the name right now.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Just off the Magic. As much as I love her, we will not be sailing on her again until the dry dock in 2013 is completed. As I told my husband, Grandma can have an immaculate kitchen, but at the end of the day, you can still tell it's Grandma's kitchen. The Magic is looking dated and she is in sore need of some renovations to give her a make over/update. We, of course, heard rumors of what is in store for her in 2013, and are keeping our fingers crossed. Sounds like the plans are rather ambitious for her 6-weeks out of service!

 

[PA Princess]

What do you mean the alterations to CC?

I was specifically referring to the various beach expansions to allow for more people. It was our opinion that the quality of the water and beaches was impacted. I think those will improve over time, but we really noticed it when snorkling enormously. It only stands to reason that the construction required would impact fragile ecosystems, but we noticed a big difference from our trips when only the smaller ships were visitors.

We also found a lower level of service on the island than previous trips. We also attributed these to larger ships with more people, so less personalized attention. There were two things we specifically missed.

First, there were no photographers taking pics on the beach. Yes, you can and we did get shots in front of the ship and with a character or two, but I love the shots we have of all of us on the beach with the heavenly blue water and white sand...takes me right back to those trips!

Second, it used to be that upon arrival back at the ship, you were greeted by cold water (with lemon) and warm towels. We loved this...it just said pampering and it was the Disney extra touch!

Again, we greatly enjoyed CC, but we did notice the differences.

 

[mickeys girl 52]

For that age I would go with the Magic. If they were older I would say The Fantasy. I think the bigger ship is more crowded and the Magic has enough for your little ones

 

[mlayton14]

For that age I would go with the Magic. If they were older I would say The Fantasy. I think the bigger ship is more crowded and the Magic has enough for your little ones

Why is the Magic better for little ones? What about for adults?

 

[reevesinga]

No question.... The Fantasy! Newer, cleaner & the splash zone for smaller children is priceless!

 

[tajz90]

The Magic. We really prefer the service on the smaller ships

 

[Wadekind]

Just off the Magic. As much as I love her, we will not be sailing on her again until the dry dock in 2013 is completed. As I told my husband, Grandma can have an immaculate kitchen, but at the end of the day, you can still tell it's Grandma's kitchen. The Magic is looking dated and she is in sore need of some renovations to give her a make over/update. We, of course, heard rumors of what is in store for her in 2013, and are keeping our fingers crossed. Sounds like the plans are rather ambitious for her 6-weeks out of service!

Excellent way to put it. Our party of 8 felt the same way when we sailed the Magic.