Magic vs Dream

[mkb3]

I know this has been discussed before, but google only brought up results from before the Magic Refurb so I wanted updated opinions.

We are trying to choose between these two ships. The ports and nights are the same so which ship would you go on?

A little bit about us.

First Disney Cruise
Family of three daughter is 8 and this is her first cruise of any kind.
We only plan to leave the ship for Castaway Cay
Will be getting an ocean view stateroom

Daughter is a bit shy so not sure how she will do in the kids club so we may not get a change to do Remy or Palo or enjoy the adult sections. There is also the possibility she gets over the shyness and ditches us for the kids club, you just never know with her.

 

[DCLDVC1]

The Dream has a few things not available on the Magic - Remy, mini-golf, Midship Detective Agency, Vanellope's Sweets & Treats , AquaDuck vs AquaDunk.

The stage shows are also different - the Dream has Beauty and the Beast while the Magic has Tangled.

 

[Geomom]

We've been on the Wonder (pre-refurb/Alaska itinerary) and Magic (post-refurb/Europe.) Going on the Dream next summer, and it'll be our first time at Castaway Cay. We've done the 9C oceanview (deck 2 aft, near aft elevators) rooms on the Wonder and Magic and loved the location and rooms. We'll be doing a verandah for the first time on the Dream.

Look at the shows and types of activities that you might do. Are there any princesses your daughter likes better? If she loves Rapunzel, I'd go with the Magic--you get both a restaurant and a theater show.

For shows: Magic has Tangled, Twice Charmed (different take on Cinderella), and Disney Dreams. Dream has Beauty and the Beast, Believe, and Golden Mickeys

Restaurants: Magic has Rapunzels Royal Table--Rapunzel/Flynn/thugs go around to the tables as well as putting on a show during dinner, Lumieres, and Animator's Palate--here it's the Sorcerer Mickey/color changing show. Dream has Enchanted Garden, Royal Palace, and Animator's Palate--Crush show.

Dream has more stuff to do on the ship--mini golf, midship detective agency, etc. that the Magic doesn't have.

From what I've heard, with fewer people on the Magic vs. the Dream, Castaway Cay is less crowded when you sail on the Magic. And maybe fewer kids in the clubs?

Good luck choosing! Either way you'll have a great cruise!

 

[Mommb]

I have been on the Dream twice and on the Magic three times in the Caribbean/Bahamas and four times in Europe. Here are a few issues to consider:

The Magic is smaller, so there will be fewer people onboard and at Castaway Cay. I didn't find the difference noticeable on the ship, but Castaway Cay was clearly more crowded when I was on the Dream versus on the Magic. The kids' club will also be less crowded on the Magic, but I think the space is also smaller than on the Dream, so I'm not sure how much the difference is noticeable.

It will take less time to walk across the ship on the Magic than on the Dream. On the one hand, getting to dinner/programs/shows is typically quicker on the Magic; on the other, you'll get more exercise on the Dream.

Remy is on the Dream but not on the Magic. Palo is on both. If you want to try to go to Remy, then the Dream is the clear choice. The experience at Palo was similar on both ships.

The veranda staterooms felt slightly larger on the Magic than on the Dream. I don't know about oceanview. If your daughter wants a "bunk" style bed (folding down from the ceiling) you'll need to make sure your room sleeps at least 4 people -- my daughter was disappointed when our room on the Dream didn't have a bunk.

As mentioned above, the Dream has the Midship Detective Agency game, which allows you to travel around the ship looking at the Enchanted Art and getting clues to the next location to visit. The Magic doesn't have Enchanted Art (pictures that move when someone is nearby or when a game card activates them).

You wouldn't go wrong with either ship.

 

[lilsonicfan]

The Magic is honestly lovely, and although this may be a generalization, I think the staff tend to be slightly more experienced ... the Dream only does the 3/4 day itineraries for the most part whereas the Magic goes to Europe too, and from what we heard many of the crew prefer the more interesting itineraries. Our server and stateroom host had both been on the Magic for well over 10 years and our assistant server for 5, I think. I like the smaller feel of the Magic. I missed the AquaDuck though.

 

[Pinkgurlshubby]

The only ship we have not been is is the Fantasy. We are going in the Dream for the second time, it is our favorite ship, first cruise on her was a 5 day in 2012. Yes we love the Aqua Duck and mini golf but preferred the buffet style upstairs. Really the difference was ambiance and lighting on the top deck. We don't go to many shows instead we go to the movies or take in a movie on the funnel vision and the blue lighting is relaxing.

 

[DisBNewB]

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, it mostly depends on what you want out of the experience.

We've only done one cruise thus far, and we went on the Magic. We picked the cruise we did because of the itinerary and the port it was leaving from, but honestly, the size of the ship felt perfect to us. We have a placeholder booked and looking at future cruises, the Dream and Fantasy feel a little intimidating for us (out of shape introverts ). We also felt like there was TONS to do and so many activities - we couldn't make it through even what was on the Magic; having more options and activities on the bigger ships definitely adds to the feeling of overwhelmed-ness for us.

But you might be the complete opposite and revel in that! So I can't say what works for you. ;-)

I will say we have a 9yo who loooooooved the water slides, and so, even though we'd like to try the Wonder, it's at the bottom of our list, since it doesn't have the AquaDuck OR the AquaDunk.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

I love the Magic. That being said, I asked my DS8 which ship he’d prefer and he said the Dream. He loves the AquaDuck and the Golden Mickeys. He did say that if given the choice he’d pick a longer sailing on the Magic over a short sailing on the Dream. He’s not a huge fan of the clubs, so that doesn’t factor into his decision.

 

[lilmc]

we heard many of the crew prefer the more interesting itineraries.

I have definitely heard CMs say the same thing.

Picking Magic vs Dream is like picking a favorite kid: There are pros and cons to each one, but at the end of the day, you still love them all.