Opinions on the Magic???

[JTBE]

We went on the Magic two weeks ago. Had a great time. The shows were great and the food was better on the magic than Dream- maybe fewer people and making fewer quantities, so tastes better? The ship is slightly smaller and for me I get very bad motion sickness so that was a major negative aspect of Magic. I may have to stick with the larger Dream class of ships due to the motion sickness and nausea from the Magic- I was in a really bad mood all week b/c of it unfortunately.

 

[dcassetta]

I'll have to check this out. What kind of activities can you describe? TIA!!

The events took place on the day of the Tangled show itself. There were two events in O'Gills one more family oriented around 730, and then a later one really just intended for adults. They had a variety of decorative pieces that indicated the bar was now the Snuggly Duckling and the crew staff was dressed up like thugs. There was some special food and drink offerings, and several activities, including a 'THUGO' game, which was in the style of bingo, and a sing-along. We thought it was really a lot of fun.

 

[DISGRL13]

The events took place on the day of the Tangled show itself. There were two events in O'Gills one more family oriented around 730, and then a later one really just intended for adults. They had a variety of decorative pieces that indicated the bar was now the Snuggly Duckling and the crew staff was dressed up like thugs. There was some special food and drink offerings, and several activities, including a 'THUGO' game, which was in the style of bingo, and a sing-along. We thought it was really a lot of fun.

Sounds fun! Thanks so much for the info! I will have to check it out next trip.

 

[ivanp91]

I'm another one that prefers the Magic over the Dream-class ships. It left such a positive impression that I'm sailing on her for the 2nd time later this year (first time was just over a year ago). The Dream and Fantasy were fine, but I don't miss them in the same sense that I miss being on the Magic.

. They changed the appearance of Rockin' Bar D (renamed too but I forget to what).

Fathoms! One of my favourite areas in the entire Magic just because of how versatile and laid back it is. So many different things going on in there during the cruise. In comparison, its counterparts on the larger ships (Evolution and The Tube) felt really claustrophobic, The Tube in particular felt like they crammed too much into it. Fathoms all the way!

 

[scootch]

I totally agree with the prior posts! We just completed our second cruise on the Magic, and love it so much! I am a big fan of the art deco theme- it just feels so elegant. My son loves the Oceaneer's Club and Lab themes, and I think they really hit on everything that kids love about Disney (Andy's room, classic Mickey, Captain America, Pixie Hollow, Pirates, etc.)

Also, I found that the smaller size of the Magic made it it was very easy to make friends (for adults and kids), and cross paths with them multiple times during the cruise. Another benefit of the smaller ships is that there is plenty of available space on Castaway Cay- we have never had problems finding chairs, renting floats, waiting at the bar, etc. I did ask a few staff who had been on both the larger and smaller ships which they preferred- the overwhelming majority said the smaller ships were their favorites.

Due to scheduling needs, we did book our next cruise on the Fantasy, and are already having a little bit of angst about what it might be like. While we know that it will be great, we are simply wondering if some of the magic of the Magic will be missing, due to the sheer number of guests.

Don't regret the Fantasy. You will be so spoiled... truly, it is such an amazing ship and I never have felt crowded on it. Been on it three times so far.

 

[Mokat76]

I've done two DCL cruises, one on the Magic and one on the Dream. All things considered, I prefer the Magic. Like so many others, I think it's smaller size was what appealed to me. Maybe because of that, the whole pace felt more relaxed. Both cruises were terrific, but if I do Dis again it'll be one of the classic ships. I dream of an autumn transatlantic.

 

[mlayton14]

Every member of my party of 6 agreed the bigger ships win on just about every level, after all Disney learned what needed improvement from the smaller ships and made it happen. That being said, you can expect the same great service, food, and shows that you get on the bigger ships. Just don't expect the space and improved theming that you get on the Fantasy

 

[julie junebug]

I am a big fan of the Magic! We just returned last month from our 3rd cruise on the Magic and it was the first since the updates were made. Everything was clean and fresh and I appreciated the stateroom updates, including the taller beds and the chest of drawers replacing the steamer trunks. While I liked most everything, the new atrium didn't do much for me. I understand they were going for the Art Deco theme, but the new light fixtures seem way off scale and kind of odd looking (I miss the Chihuly chandelier!). DH went on the "Art of Design" ship tour, and he pointed out some design features we'd never noticed before.

Since I've only been on the Magic and the Wonder, I can't compare the experience to the larger ships. But even though it's smaller, remember there are fewer passengers to share the space with - especially Castaway Cay! The only time I ever felt crowded was eating at Cabanas. We must have always been there when everyone else was but it seemed very chaotic and we always had to hunt for a table, usually waiting for someone to leave before grabbing their spot.

One of the things I love the most is the classic look of the Magic - it looks like a ship, rather than a huge floating hotel!

 

[CScott095]

We are about to embark on our 4th cruise and have sailed Magic twice (about to be three times) and her sister on the other cruise. I love the Magic, she is smaller, but that also means fewer people. I do not feel claustrophobic anywhere on the ship, not even the elevators. I have not been on the larger ships either, so I cannot do a fair comparison except to say I love her!!!

 

[Shanti]

My son (11) and I really liked the Magic- sailed on it 12/31/15 - 1/3/16. Here is a link to my trip report/critique of the ship:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/fi...rt-from-disney-magic-12-31-15-1-3-16.3473076/

 

[beccawes7471]

Just off the Magic 3/17- we loved it so much we booked again next spring break. Even though we were in port next to the Dream, we loved the size of the Magic, never felt crowded, food and service were fantastic- so we were between rebooking on the Magic vs a week long Star Wars theme on the Fantasy( which we really wanted) but the Magic has won out for now due to concerns of crowds on the bigger boats and awesome staff on the Magic- I would also say our fellow cruisers were lovely, never saw any pushy or yelling fellow passengers- everyone was delightful that we crossed paths with, and this was prime spring break at capacity sailing. We have not been on the bigger ships and we would love to try them but this experience was so positive that it earned our repeat business

 

[krisinparis]

We've sailed on the Magic 3 times (4th coming up this summer!) and we love her!! We just got off the Dream and you could really feel a difference crowd-wise. The dining rooms on the Magic feel more intimate and it is so much easier to get around on the Magic!! I am one of those people who really liked the Chihuly, but I do like the brighter atrium interior of the Magic since the re-imagination. I haven't been on the Fantasy yet, but of the other 3 ships, Animator's Palate on the Magic was my favorite.

 

[lovedisney123]

We just sailed the Magic a few weeks ago. It was only for a 3 night so it went fast, but we enjoyed it. The shows are great! I like them all better than the Dream shows. The Frozen part they added to Disney Dreams is really good. And Tangled The Musical was so cute! The thing I absolutely loved was Castaway Cay. It was so nice with fewer people. We had no problem finding lounge chairs with shade in the late morning after our bike ride. Last year when we were on the Dream we tried to find shaded lounges on the beach in the late morning and had no luck so went back on the ship. We are booked for the Dream next year, but that is only because my daughter begged us to go on the Dream instead. My husband and I would prefer the Wonder. So I guess it is a matter of opinion. My 22 year old DDs missed the bigger ship. My husband and I loved the smaller ship. All of us preferred the shows on the Magic though.

 

[Ofinn]

I've sailed on all the ships, and the Magic is my favorite. I know it has some plumbing issues, but so far we haven't had any. The Wonder may become my favorite after they switch Beach Blanket to Cabanas. I'm not a big fan of BBB. We sailed on the Dream and Fantasy before the Magic and Wonder, and I prefer the smaller ships. My kids favorite Edge is on the Fantasy, but they are happy to sail on the Magic and Wonder.

 

[CB Ace]

A few random Magic questions:
-- a poster above said there's no outside seating at Cabanas. Is that where the buffet breakfast is? You can't sit outside there?
--do 7-day cruises on the Magic have the Disney Jr breakfast?
--I've read a lot about the awesome shwarma on board. Do they have chicken as well as beef?
Thanks!

 

[cheermom2four]

Loved it. Was DH and my first cruise ever and it was spent on the Magic. I have nothing to compare it to but thought it was a beautiful ship. We loved our room with a verandah (6578) and had the split bath etc. Everything was easy to navigate to. We actually were shocked that we never felt cramped considering the size and amount of people. Now on our upcoming cruise we are worried because there will be double the amount of people(Fantasy). The Magic just felt like it was the right amount of people.

 

[cheermom2four]

've read a lot about the awesome shwarma on board. Do they have chicken as well as beef?
Thanks!

All I remember is my husband had the chicken and I had lamb (I could be mistaken if it was lamb or beef but I'm 99% sure it was lamb). Cant remember if there was another option.

 

[CScott095]

Are there any recent Magic cruisers that can provide thoughts, comments, likes or dislikes???

We have sailed with Disney for three years in a row with all but one on the Magic. Our next cruise is the first of May and is again on the Magic. I grow to love her more each time we are aboard as we find something new each time. I know the other two boats are bigger, newer, and whatever else is said, but I think the care taken with the Magic makes her just as enchanting and wonderful, plus the smaller capacity makes her feel more exclusive. In reality, I am not sure you can actually go wrong!

 

[DCLDVC1]

We just booked our second cruise, first on the Magic. Our first cruise was a 7 nighters on the Fantasy for our honeymoon. Is time we went with a 5 night Caribbean cruise instead of a 4 nighters on the dream.

My only concern is the smaller size on the Magic. The Fantasy is obviously huge, but will the Magic feel cramped after being on the Fantasy first?

It felt very crowded to me, especially in the atrium. I won't be disappointed if I never sail on the Magic again.