Please tell me about the Wonder

[msim]

I just got the Birnbaum's guidebook and it seems to talk about the Magic alot more than the Wonder. I know the Magic is a seven day cruise, but there seems to be so much more there than on the Wonder. (Tea with Wendy, special dinners, different shows,etc.) Thanks.

 

[Typhoon Guy]

For the most part the ships are the same. I just recieved the same book (I have been on both ships a couple of times) I wanted to see what they said "officially." THe Wonder does not have all the extra things lke Tea With Wendy, diffrernt shows, character breakfasts,ect becausae the cruises are shorter. On the 7 day you spend at least 2-3 days at sea ofcourse there will be more on board activities to keep the natives from getting restless. Because the Wonder is in a Port every day (except when on the 4 day itinerary when they enjoy a day at sea) there tends to be less on board activities planned.

Major differences in the actual structures/themeing:
Magic Wonder
Lumiers Triton
Helmsmen Mickey Statue Lil' Mermaid Statue
Night club area Beat Street Night Club area Route 66

One last thing all itineraries make stops in paradise at Castaway Cay.
Hope this helps some

 

[glindamood]

On the 4 night Wonder they do have Pirate night. Since they have rotational dining it takes 3 nights to get through that so there just isn't any time left. They do have the same major production shows (at least on the 4 night which is where my experience comes from) - Hercules, Golden Mickeys and Disney Dreams were all shown. Don't know when they are going to retire Hercules on the Wonder - all the information I have read is that herc has been retired from the Magic but no mention as to when on the Wonder. Both ships are awesome - just depends on what your vacation options allow - 3, 4 or 7 day.

 

[Rate Queen]

May I suggest getting a Passporter instead of the Birnbaum's. They are much more informative and the newest one is coming out this May. Jennifer and Dave do a great job!

 

[kcashner]

On a 3 or 4 day cruise, there isn't nearly as much time for activities. Most of the things you mentioned are scheduled on sea days during a 7 day trip....as they need to keep the guests busy and in different areas, there are lots of things scheduled on sea days.

On a 4 day trip, you will find many more activities than you can possibly do--that goes double for any kids you have along. Even if you stay on the ship the whole time, you can't possibly do it all. And the only thing wrong with a 4 day cruise on DCL is that it is too short. Guess that's why we keep coming back.

Don't believe everything you read in guidebooks. We've seen some that are totally inaccurate (make me wonder if the person who wrote it was ever even on the ship!)

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

I was reading the Navagators that someone recently posted and couldn't seem to find a dessert buffet like they have on the Magic. Do they not not do this on the Wonder?

TIA!

 

[inkkognito]

They have a buffet on Pirate night, but I don't think it's just desserts (not sure, as I am always too stuffed to think about eating again since we're always on late dining).
I'll second the recommendation for Passporter over Birnbaum's. The Birnbaum books don't really offer much in the way of true "insider tips." They're pretty much like expanded travel brochures. Passporter has all the good stuff.
Barb

 

[roscodog]

They have a buffet on Pirate night, but I don't think it's just desserts (not sure, as I am always too stuffed to think about eating again since we're always on late dining).
I'll second the recommendation for Passporter over Birnbaum's. The Birnbaum books don't really offer much in the way of true "insider tips." They're pretty much like expanded travel brochures. Passporter has all the good stuff.
Barb

The buffet on Pirate Night not only consisted of alot of dessert choices but also had some finger foods. On our cruise in January, the buffet also had a good supply of turkey legs, just like the ones at WDW. That was quite a surprise. Too bad I was too full to eat anything.

 

[logan1_2000]

Another vote for the Passporter Book and the "insider" type info. The pirate night buffet two weeks ago on the Magic had a mexican food bar (couldn't tell if they were fajita makings, or burrito, or soft shell taco, but those types of ingredients, plus a carvery--possibly pork--and all the desserts. Did not see the Turkey legs on that cruise, but I did see them, as reported by another poster in this thread, on the Wonder in January during Pirate night.

Have the fireworks been added to the Wonder pirate night? It was very nice to watch them on the Magic.

Just had the "ship comparison" talk w/ my TA today--have been on both ships in the past 3 months, and don't notice any difference in condition, or degree of wear. Constantly addressing areas to be refinished, painted, cleaned... just some areas have different names, but I honeslty dont even bother most of the time to remember if the ship I am on calls it beach blanket or topsiders--I just go and enjoy a bite outside in the sunshine.