Magic vs Wonder vs Fantasy

[mike314]

Does the Magic/Wonder have an adult pool area at the bow similar to Dream? I don't see it on the deck plan:

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/ships/deck-plans-disney-magic-disney-wonder/

 

[ChipNDale86]

We've been on the Magic, Wonder, & Fantasy. We prefer the Fantasy but mainly just cause we like the larger atrium/elevators, etc. And we like the placement of Palo better on the Dream class.

But honestly, other than the size all 3 feel VERY similar. You don't notice the age of the Magic class ships at all IMO.

Sounds like the Fantasy works out best for your dates/locations so I say go for it. You won't be disappointed at all.

 

[GrrArrgh]

The Magic has an adult pool area, but it wasn't exactly on the bow. You couldn't see forward from it or anything. It was nice, though. We used it when we wanted to try the hot tub because sitting in a hot tub next to kids that aren't yours is kinda uncomfortable.

The Magic just went through a dry dock and everything looks amazing. I mean, things look completely new, from the washing stations outside cabanas to the bathrooms to the kids' clubs, it looks really stylish and in fantastic condition. It was so convenient to be not all that far from anything. Sometimes small ships seem cramped, but this really didn't. It felt really roomy.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Does the Magic/Wonder have an adult pool area at the bow similar to Dream? I don't see it on the deck plan:

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/ships/deck-plans-disney-magic-disney-wonder/

If you're referring to Satellite Falls; no - Magic and Wonder do not have a Satellite Falls. There is a very small pool up on the forecastle, but I don't believe it's open

 

[mmmears]

The Magic has an adult pool area, but it wasn't exactly on the bow. You couldn't see forward from it or anything. It was nice, though. We used it when we wanted to try the hot tub because sitting in a hot tub next to kids that aren't yours is kinda uncomfortable.

The Magic just went through a dry dock and everything looks amazing. I mean, things look completely new, from the washing stations outside cabanas to the bathrooms to the kids' clubs, it looks really stylish and in fantastic condition. It was so convenient to be not all that far from anything. Sometimes small ships seem cramped, but this really didn't. It felt really roomy.

Totally agree. We were just on the Magic and it does not look old at all. I was very impressed with it all. I also think the crew were better there - I think it has something to do with the interesting itineraries as the CMs we spoke with all said they prefer the Magic and ask to be on there for that reason.

If you're referring to Satellite Falls; no - Magic and Wonder do not have a Satellite Falls. There is a very small pool up on the forecastle, but I don't believe it's open

Yeah, no Satellite Falls. We didn't even miss it, which is kind of funny since we really did enjoy it on the Dream. Then again, the adult pool area was large and so nice that we didn't feel the need to find someplace else to spend our last day at sea.

 

[GrrArrgh]

Oh fun, were you on the Iceland cruise, too? We did the 10 day out of Copenhagen.

 

[mmmears]

Oh fun, were you on the Iceland cruise, too? We did the 10 day out of Copenhagen.

Yes we were on the 10night one from Copenhagen to Dover. Iceland was amazing. Had the best time in Norway and Scotland, too! We are sad to be back home. I did book a placeholder, but it's going to be hard to match this one, let alone top it, so I'm not sure if we will be using it.

 

[GrrArrgh]

Same with us, it was all fantastic! Wish we had more time in Scotland; it was beautiful. We booked a placeholder and are waiting for the 2020 cruises to be released.

 

[mmmears]

Same with us, it was all fantastic! Wish we had more time in Scotland; it was beautiful. We booked a placeholder and are waiting for the 2020 cruises to be released.

Us, too! We had a fantastic tour guide (I had booked a private tour) and I didn't want that day to end.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If you're referring to Satellite Falls; no - Magic and Wonder do not have a Satellite Falls. There is a very small pool up on the forecastle, but I don't believe it's open

The pool at the front of the ship, in the bow, is the crew pool.

 

[mmmears]

I keep forgetting this point, since only half our cruises have stopped at Castaway Cay... CC is much nicer when you arrive on a classic ship. All that space, half the number of people there for the day.

 

[southerngirl528]

We've sailed in all four and to be honest, they're all fantastic. Yes, there are bits that are bothersome (the comment about concierge proximity to the adult area on the Dream class is spot on), but the differences are usually great in their own way. We love the AP shows on the Magic/Wonder, but prefer the pool deck layout on the Dream/Fantasy. We love the cosyness of the Magic/Wonder, but also love the expanded size of Cabanas on the Dream/Fantasy (remember when it was Beach Blanket Buffet on Magic/Wonder?). Our kids love the proximity of the Edge on Magic/Wonder, but like the hot tub on Dream/Fantasy. There are very few things that we 'dislike' about the ships; they're just different. All four are beautiful, all four have areas they excel at while are just 'acceptable' otherwise.

Very much agree with this! Most of my time has been spent on the DCL Classic ships, the Magic and the Wonder and I ADORE them! The Dream is beautiful but I find her too chaotic feeling, most likely because of the high percentage of first time cruisers desperately trying to "do it ALL". We have sailed on the Dream twice and I don't care if we never sail her again simply because we prefer at least a week long cruise.

We just got off of the Fantasy and I must admit I loved her. But I do find the atrium area can be very overwhelming crowd-wise during special events held there. Just trying to get through the area going from aft to forward (or vice versa) was challenging at times with so many passengers onboard. And that hallway from Europa to the atrium?? That has GOT to be the longest public area hallway EVER!!! I would sail the Fantasy again in a heartbeat, but my heart still goes to the grande dames, the Classics. As others have said, they are beautifully maintained, and we have never had any issues. We much prefer the layout of the adult areas on the classic ships as well.

 

[GOOFY D]

We have sailed the Magic, Wonder and Fantasy. Our favorite is the Fantasy. It has been since the Wonder's 2nd year or so that we have sailed the Wonder. We are considering sailing it again out of New Orleans. I am disappointed that DCL has still not upgraded it to implement the Aqua Duck or Aqua Dunk. After sailing many times on Fantasy, I am wondering if we will be slightly disappointed sailing the Wonder (especially with a teenager).

 

[Dug720]

I have not sailed the Wonder, but overall I love the Magic best. And I’m not even crazy enough to do the death drop. Lol. I love aspects of the Fantasy - Skyline, Midship Detective Agency, my favorite barista/bartender Andrae... But there is just something about the Magic that I love (and she was my third Disney ship).

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

We have sailed the Magic, Wonder and Fantasy. Our favorite is the Fantasy. It has been since the Wonder's 2nd year or so that we have sailed the Wonder. We are considering sailing it again out of New Orleans. I am disappointed that DCL has still not upgraded it to implement the Aqua Duck or Aqua Dunk. After sailing many times on Fantasy, I am wondering if we will be slightly disappointed sailing the Wonder (especially with a teenager).

We just left the Wonder a few weeks ago, and our 3 teens loved it. It was our 3rd cruise on Wonder and we've done all 4 ships. Wonder is just as wonderful (pardon the pun) as the others, just in a different way. Fantasy is my favorite ship.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Wonder is just as wonderful (pardon the pun) as the others, just in a different way.

And I think that's the way it should be. I don't like that DCL tries to make all the ships "alike". I think each ship should have it's own personality.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We got off the Wonder from the Alaska cruise Sept 3-10 of this year. Most of our cruises have been on the Wonder because of the longer voyages at sea. Love the classic style of the ship. Haven't been on the Dream because of the short cruises (3 or 4 days). Not worth the long flight from New Mexico to Florida for CC and Nassau. Wish the Dream would GO SOME PLACE.
The Fantasy, even though we have sailed twice on it, still reminds me of the wild ride we had when we hit Hurricane Sandy.

 

[ChipNDale86]

And I think that's the way it should be. I don't like that DCL tries to make all the ships "alike". I think each ship should have it's own personality.

Agreed, I'd wish there was a little more incentive to "experience" each of the ships. We loved the Fantasy and would like to sail on the Dream but don't want to do anything shorter than a 5-night and since the Dream is so similar to the Fantasy we don't see much need to book a Dream cruise right now. Hopefully after the new ships are ready the Dream will start doing some longer itineraries.

And I get that people love Animator's Palate, but on different ships I want different dining rooms, different bars, etc. And naming one lounge Azure and another Fathoms doesn't change the fact that they are the same exact thing.

 

[Dug720]

The shows are enough incentive for me. I cannot wait to see Beauty and the Beast in July on the Dream. Tangled was amazing on the Magic. I will hopefully see Frozen in Feb - cruise to be booked soon - since I just saw the Broadway production.

The Fantasy is the only one where the "feature" show is no draw as I have never been a fan of Aladdin, so that is an easy pass for me.

 

[ahain]

................ We prefer the Fantasy but mainly just cause we like the larger atrium/elevators, etc. And we like the placement of Palo better on the Dream class.

But honestly, other than the size all 3 feel VERY similar. You don't notice the age of the Magic class ships at all IMO............

We have been on the Dream, Fantasy & Wonder (Magic is coming up soon!). Like, ChipNDale86, we prefer the Fantasy - we like the larger Atrium & elevators of the newer ships. That being said, the Dream is probably my least favorite - not because of the ship, but because of the hurried, more chaotic atmosphere... shorter itinerary, more newbies trying to "do it all"....more stressful feel (although I'll do a short Bahamas cruise on the Dream in a heartbeat if my schedule/budget/available vacation time allow it!)

We have loved our times on the Wonder (Alaska & Panama Canal itineraries) and look forward to trying out the Magic this winter (on another "short" Bahamas cruise!).