Trying to get a handle on this...

[momof2minnies]

I am new to the cruise board and am considering booking a cruise sometime next year. DH, Myself and 2DDs. Could you tell me if the ships are identical- same shows, restaurants and clubs for the kids? I am considering the land and sea or 7 night western. Never cruised at all before. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Linda

 

[mickeyboat]

Other then the theming of the ships, the names of some of the restaurants, and the more casual atmosphere of the Wonder (because of the shorter cruise), the ships are virtually identical. Of course there will be more activities and shows on the Magic, but the main three shows - Golden Mickeys, Disney Dreams and Hercules are shown on both. Good luck deciding.

Denae

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

The ships are almost identical. They have the same deck plans, but there are differences in the decor and the theming of some public areas. The are essentiall the same, though.

The big differences are that the Magic is done overall in an arc-deco style, while the Wonder is art-nouveau. Two of the restaurants are the same, while the midship restaraunt is different. On the Magic, it's called Lumière's, with a sort of Beauty and the Beast theme; on the Wonder, it's called Triton's and is has a nautical/Little Mermaid theme. The buffet restaurants are different, with "Beach Blanket Buffet" on the Wonder and "Topsider's" on the Magic. There's not much difference in them, though. The night clubs on deck 3 are different, too. The Magic has Rockin' Bar D as the main club, the Wonder's counterpart is called Wavebands. The small club is called Sessions on the Magic, and is a Piano bar, while the Wonder's version is called Cadillac Lounge. The third bar on the Magic is called Diversions, and is a kind of neighborhood pub/sports bar. On the Wonder, this is called Barrel of Laughs and I think still hosts a dueling pianos show. This will be changed to a Diversions-type club (not sure yet if it will actually be called "Diversions") when the Wonder goes into drydock this fall. The only other differences are with the teen club. On the Wonder, the teen club is on deck 9 and the sports bar, ESPN Sky box, is in the forward funnel. This was changed during the Magic's last drydock and will be changed on the Wonder this year, too. The teen club is now called "The Stack" and is in the funnel on the Magic where ESPN Sky Box used to be, and what was the teen club is now an adult coffee bar.

Palo, the adults-only alternative restaurant, is the same on both ships, as are the Walt Disney Theatre, and the staterooms themselves.

 

[tkd lisa]

The ships aren't exactly identical but are very similar. Some of the names are different. For example, the nightclub area is "route 66" on the Wonder, and "Beat Street" on the Magic. The Magic was in drydock last fall, and had some things changed. The Magic now has a sports bar in the beat street area instead of a dueling piano club. The Magic has it's teen program on Deck 10 in a place called the Stack. That location on the Wonder still has the ESPN Sports Zone (similar to the sports club in the nightclub area on the Magic). The teen program on the Wonder is in a place called "Common Grounds" which is on Deck 9 I think. The common grounds area on the Magic has been changed into a specialty coffee bar where you can get Starbucks type drinks.

The main evening shows that are offered on the Wonder are also offered on the Magic. These include: Disney Dreams, The Golden Mickeys, and Hercules the Muse-i-cal. The Magic adds a couple of variety shows, Who Wants to be a Mouseketeer, and a movie prem-ear at sea on the additional nights.

Kids programs on both ships are very similar, allowing for the different lengths of the cruise.

Meals on board are also similar, restaurants are the same, except that the "nicer" rotation restaurant is Lumiere's on the Magic, and Tritons on the Wonder. The menu is the same though.

The main difference between the ships is the itenerary, primarily the ports of call. The Wonder remains in the Bahamas, with the primary stop of Nassau. The Magic goes into the Caribbean with more variety in the ports. The western caribbean goes to Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman. Both ships stop at Disney's island - Castaway Cay - in the Bahamas.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[momof2minnies]

No mention of Animator's Palate. Is this on both ships?
Linda

 

[trekkie518]

Animator's Palate and Parrot Cay are on both the Magic and the Wonder. Whichever you choose, the 7 day cruise, or the land/see combo, you will have a great time, as will your kids.

Angie