Will I be disappointed on the Magic?

[DisFanGuy]

I have been on two Disney Cruises so far. Once on the Dream and once on the Fantasy. Next week I'll be going on my third cruise this time on the Magic. I was blown away with the Dream and the Fantasy. Everything about those ships was amazing however I know the Magic is a much smaller ship. I wanna know if I should lower my expectations. I would really like to hear how people feel about going from the newer ships to the older ones.

 

[Trera]

We too have had much of our experience on the Dream and Fantasy but we also love the Magic.

The Tangled show it top notch and we like the coziness of the classic ship sometimes. Castaway Cay will be much less crowded as well.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Our first few cruises were on the Fantasy and Dream and we weren't impressed when we finally sailed on the Magic. We definitely prefer the larger ships. Tangled was the best part of the ship. Other than that, it was kind of blah.

 

[DisFanGuy]

Our first few cruises were on the Fantasy and Dream and we weren't impressed when we finally sailed on the Magic. We definitely prefer the larger ships. Tangled was the best part of the ship. Other than that, it was kind of blah.

Yikes! thanks for the heads up

 

[scgustafson]

I have been on two Disney Cruises so far. Once on the Dream and once on the Fantasy. Next week I'll be going on my third cruise this time on the Magic. I was blown away with the Dream and the Fantasy. Everything about those ships was amazing however I know the Magic is a much smaller ship. I wanna know if I should lower my expectations. I would really like to hear how people feel about going from the newer ships to the older ones.

Your only disappointment will be that you didn't sail her sooner. Disney Magic (and Disney Wonder) are so much better than the newer ships. Their smaller size means fewer guests and a more intimate feeling. Overall, the Cast Members seem to have a more vested interest in you, especially compared to the Disney Dream, because they know that they will be with you for longer. Plus, the itineraries are amazing compared to the same old rut of either the Eastern/Western Caribbean flip-flop or the 3/4-night Bahamas milk runs. If you are on an itinerary with Castaway Cay, you will be surprised at all of the personal space you have on the island compared to the newer ships. When it comes to rating the ships (having been on all 4 at least once), it is Disney Magic, closely followed by Disney Wonder, then a distant-third is Disney Fantasy, and trailing very far behind is Disney Dream.

 

[Trera]

We did sail concierge on the Magic one time and in a veranda room the second time and enjoyed it both times. Our 3 yr old DD enjoyed the clubs more than on the bigger ships and there is more room around the adult pool for loungers than on the larger ships. She also loved the show with Mickey at Animators Palate much more than the Crush and Nemo video on the Dream and Fantasy.

 

[jrabbit]

But then again I prefer the smaller ships. More opportunity to interact with the staff.

I don't need talking pictures, mini golf or the AquaDuck to keep me entertained. My problem with the classic ships right now is that they tried turning them into "Mini-Me's" of the classic ships. They did remove some of the charm that the classics had for their first 15 years of service. However much I miss "Route 66" on the Wonder, the upgrades in this area are very classy.

 

[MickeyD]

You will get varying opinions that is for sure. People are either classic lovers or Dream class lovers. It really depends on what you are looking for? If you like all the bells and whistles on the Dream class, then yes, you may be disappointed in the Magic. If you prefer a more intimate environment with less congestion, then the Magic may be just what you are looking for. It sounds like from your comment: "I was blown away by the Dream and the Fantasy," I would say definitely manage your expectations. The Magic is a beautiful ship, but she is also 19 years old! Even with dry docks and enhancements, she will show more wear then the newer ships. The Magic is also much smaller than the other two, so you will either feel more claustrophobic, or you will appreciate that it is easier to navigate. I had never noticed the difference in size (outside), but when we took my ds for his first time on the Fantasy this last May, he was astonished at the difference in size. He had only ever been on the Magic and the Wonder and his first comment upon seeing the Fantasy was: "Wow, she is enormous!" Guess it is all a matter of perception, it never struck me like that. I love both the Magic and the Fantasy, but for different reasons. Again, manage your expectations and I don't think you will be too disappointed.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

In ten cruises, we've sailed together on the Magic 5 times, the Wonder 3 times, and the Fantasy 2 times. DW has also sailed on the Dream once. We prefer both the size and the itineraries of the classic ships and choose these whenever possible. For us, the onboard service seems more personal and our preferred activities are usually less crowded. That said, we are not pool or beach people so tend not to be affected by the higher numbers using the pools or on CC. We enjoyed both dinner and brunch at Remy on the Fantasy, but prefer the comparative bargain of both dinner and brunch at Palo. Although not as elegant a dining experience, Palo fits our style better and the affordability allows us to do both brunch and dinner every cruise. On the Fantasy, we did Remy and Palo once each per cruise, alternating dinner and brunch between our two sailings.

 

[Rabb it]

They're definitely different sizes, Magic is more intimate, but it's also the first ship they made. I loved the Magic, and the Tangled Musical is the best show they have on any of the ships and it's only on the Magic!

 

[kiford]

Some of it will depend on what you like most about the Dream/Fantasy that might not be on the Magic. Some will depend on what you have come to expect. Our first cruise was on the Wonder and the next few on the Magic. I was worried about being disappointed with the Dream over the Magic. We've done all four and I like all four but I still prefer the Magic over all others. I don't like the larger ships as much although there are things about the Dream and Fantasy that I prefer to the Magic but things that I prefer on the Magic over the Dream/Fantasy.

I love Remy on the Dream and Fantasy but prefer Palo on the Magic to the ones on the Dream/Fantasy. I like the Meridian lounge and the champagne lounges on the Dream/Fantasy but I like the piano bar on the Magic better to the piano bar on the D/F. I like the adults-only pool on the D/F but the prefer the adults-only hot-tub on the Magic. I prefer the Cove Cafe on the Magic. I prefer Animator's Palate on the Magic to the ones on the D/F. I liked Satellite Falls on the Fantasy.

I prefer the staterooms on the Magic in both size and layout. I like the atrium on the D/F better, including the lounge in the main lobby which I think is a nice touch. I like the midship detective game on the D/F. I like the layout of the theatre on the D/F better. I have no difference in opinion between the shows on any of the ships - I think they're all well done. I like the shops on the Magic better.

I like the cozier feel of the Magic and the easier debarkation as well as the smaller number of people at Castaway Cay. I like the Aquaduck on the D/F (it was too cold to try the Aquadunk on the Magic on our last cruise which was in the Baltic). I like the greater option of ports on the Magic, not just because of their specific itineraries, but because they are able to get into more ports without using tenders.

I think the elevator lobbies are better placed on the D/F than the Magic (although I hardly ever take the elevator on the Magic because there aren't as many decks to worry about so I take the stairs). I prefer the gym and spa on the Magic. We liked the mini-golf on the Fantasy but I could take or leave that. It was there, we played it, we had fun, I wouldn't miss it if it wasn't there.

I actually prefer not to have the on-demand TV service that they have on the D/F because I find that they have a better selection of first run movies on the Magic (that may be just coincidental that I preferred the selections when we sailed but it's a valid point for now until proven otherwise). I preferred the food selection in the MDRs on the Magic. I used to prefer the buffet restaurant on the Magic until they messed it up and copied Cabanas from the D/F so that's no longer an issue.

I think I prefer the Magic overall partly because that's the class that we sailed first and for most of our cruises. You may find that your preference will always be for the Dream class because that's what you're used to. I know that a large part of our preference for the Magic is due to size as I really don't like the megaships as much and the rooms are a bit more spacious than the Dream class. But I'm happy to sail any of them - as you can see, there are lots of things to like about all of them.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Yikes! thanks for the heads up

A lot of people love the smaller ships but we weren't one of them. My kids missed the amenities of the Dream and Fantasy. The Magic also felt a lot more crowded than the Dream or Fantasy.

 

[bbel]

It depends what's important to you on the ship or on vacation.

 

[DisFanGuy]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. What we love most about the new ships is the pools, shows, service you get everywhere on the ship, and the elegant feel you get walking around. We've only ever sailed with Disney so I have nothing to compare it to. I guess we'll have to go one with an open mind and maybe temper our expectations a bit.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

If you expect the Magic (or Wonder) to be exactly like the Fantasy or Dream, then yes, you will be disappointed. If you just experience them for what they are and relax and enjoy yourself, then no.

 

[DisFanGuy]

It depends what's important to you on the ship or on vacation.

The trip is a Mediterranean cruise. I'm not much for Europe but Wife really wants to go so the trip is important for her. I'm more a beach/pool guy so the ship is more important for me.

 

[scgustafson]

It depends what's important to you on the ship or on vacation.

It is CMs like you.

 

[jrabbit]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. What we love most about the new ships is the pools, shows, service you get everywhere on the ship, and the elegant feel you get walking around. We've only ever sailed with Disney so I have nothing to compare it to. I guess we'll have to go one with an open mind and maybe temper our expectations a bit.

Pools: even smaller on the Classics - but the adult pool is pretty nice on the Magic. Hot tubs are by the pool instead of by the side of the ship - so no soaking and taking in the sights on the classic ships
Shows: Every bit as good - to even better on the Classics
Service: Should be as good as on the Fantasy, usually better
Elegant: The same on all of the ships - they are all "Understated Disney". Well Except for Animators Palate - that's over the top on all of the ships. Royal Court on the Fantasy is still classy vs. huge primary colors of the classic Disney characters

and what about the staterooms?
Well on the classic ships they are typically larger than on the new ships. Granted it's 8 inches here and there, but it does add up and is noticeable (at least in my cat 9 rooms). The stateroom bathrooms are better organized on the classics vs. Fantasy.

And back to the Main Dinning Rooms: There's will be more space between the tables on the Magic vs Fantasy.

and you say that you are sailing the Med ... well those are long shore days!! and very warm and humid (well at least August is) so the ship will feel like a sanctuary. DW will need a sweater or wrap for the MDR's and Shows - those rooms are kept pretty cool and after a long day will feel even more so.

 

[Trera]

Some of it will depend on what you like most about the Dream/Fantasy that might not be on the Magic. Some will depend on what you have come to expect. Our first cruise was on the Wonder and the next few on the Magic. I was worried about being disappointed with the Dream over the Magic. We've done all four and I like all four but I still prefer the Magic over all others. I don't like the larger ships as much although there are things about the Dream and Fantasy that I prefer to the Magic but things that I prefer on the Magic over the Dream/Fantasy.

I love Remy on the Dream and Fantasy but prefer Palo on the Magic to the ones on the Dream/Fantasy. I like the Meridian lounge and the champagne lounges on the Dream/Fantasy but I like the piano bar on the Magic better to the piano bar on the D/F. I like the adults-only pool on the D/F but the prefer the adults-only hot-tub on the Magic. I prefer the Cove Cafe on the Magic. I prefer Animator's Palate on the Magic to the ones on the D/F. I liked Satellite Falls on the Fantasy.

I prefer the staterooms on the Magic in both size and layout. I like the atrium on the D/F better, including the lounge in the main lobby which I think is a nice touch. I like the midship detective game on the D/F. I like the layout of the theatre on the D/F better. I have no difference in opinion between the shows on any of the ships - I think they're all well done. I like the shops on the Magic better.

I like the cozier feel of the Magic and the easier debarkation as well as the smaller number of people at Castaway Cay. I like the Aquaduck on the D/F (it was too cold to try the Aquadunk on the Magic on our last cruise which was in the Baltic). I like the greater option of ports on the Magic, not just because of their specific itineraries, but because they are able to get into more ports without using tenders.

I think the elevator lobbies are better placed on the D/F than the Magic (although I hardly ever take the elevator on the Magic because there aren't as many decks to worry about so I take the stairs). I prefer the gym and spa on the Magic. We liked the mini-golf on the Fantasy but I could take or leave that. It was there, we played it, we had fun, I wouldn't miss it if it wasn't there.

I actually prefer not to have the on-demand TV service that they have on the D/F because I find that they have a better selection of first run movies on the Magic (that may be just coincidental that I preferred the selections when we sailed but it's a valid point for now until proven otherwise). I preferred the food selection in the MDRs on the Magic. I used to prefer the buffet restaurant on the Magic until they messed it up and copied Cabanas from the D/F so that's no longer an issue.

I think I prefer the Magic overall partly because that's the class that we sailed first and for most of our cruises. You may find that your preference will always be for the Dream class because that's what you're used to. I know that a large part of our preference for the Magic is due to size as I really don't like the megaships as much and the rooms are a bit more spacious than the Dream class. But I'm happy to sail any of them - as you can see, there are lots of things to like about all of them.

I would agree with most of this post but find the Wonder to be as good as the Magic.

 

[bbel]

It is CMs like you.

In that case, at the moment the Magic has pretty much all my favourite CMs to work with that are still with DCL!