As you might know, Michael and I (along with several other family members) sailed on the Disney Dream in May of this year. If you haven't read my post, you can check it out here. We LOVED our cruise... the ship was gorgeous and sparkling clean, the cast members were so kind, and the entertainment was top-notch! I felt so spoiled after a week on the dream, and walked away thinking that cruise is going to be hard to beat!
Enter the Disney Wish! This is Disney's newest ship; its inaugural sailing was mid-2022. I kept hearing rave reviews and comments like "You have to see how beautiful it is in person." Coming right off a Disney Dream cruise, I was having a hard time picturing how it could be that much more glamorous than Disney's other 4 ships. The travel agency that I am a part of is a Platinum Earmarked agency, meaning that we have a fairly high status with Disney. Because of this, we were given an exclusive tour of the Wish while it was docked at Port Canaveral.
Theming:
I honestly think that theming is where Disney shines brightest. After all, they're storytellers, and they do an incredible job of putting guests right in the middle of their own vacation story! The Disney Wish is designed to be the "Castle at Sea." This should give you an idea of what the theming and overall feel of the ship is. I can promise that it's every bit as grand as what you're probably imagining right now.
If I had to describe this ship with one phrase, I would call it elegantly whimsical. Everything just feels elevated a notch compared to the line's other ships. There's definitely more of an adult feel, but it still has those beloved fairytale touches. It's less of a bright, primary colors look and more of a soft, classic Disney look.
Entertainment:
This ship is a creative celebration of 100 years of Disney Magic. You'll find all of your favorite childhood stories woven into the theming throughout the ship. On the stern of the ship, you'll see Rapunzel and throughout the interior of the ship, you'll continue to see subtle nods to the Tangled story.
The shows on board are one of Disney Cruise Line's most popular features. You'll enjoy Broadway-caliber productions that are family-friendly and so entertaining. I'm told that "Disney Seas the Adventure" and "Disney The Little Mermaid" are both can't-miss hits! This adaptation of The Little Mermaid was specifically designed for the Wish. While on the topic of entertainment, guests will love the "Sail Away Deck Party" and of course the crowd favorite "Pirate Night!"
The pool deck has a lot going on throughout the day. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is always a favorite and it's easy to see why. It's so adorable! And the kid's clubs are awesome; from It's a Small World Nursery at 6 months to 17 at Vibe, there's enjoyment for all ages!
Dining on the Wish:
There are three rotational dining locations on board. If you aren't familiar with rotational dining, it's Disney's dining system that allows guests to rotate through three main dining rooms throughout their sailing. Wait staff travel with guests to their assigned dining location on each night of their cruise. This is great because you get the chance to experience different locations and menus, but your assigned cast members who know your preferences travel with you. For the Wish, Disney truly kicked it up a notch when it comes to dining entertainment.
Arendelle:
Arendelle is a grand celebration of the royal engagement of Queen Anna and Kristoff. Dine on Norwegian-inspired dishes prepared by Oaken. Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Oaken, and Olaf make appearances throughout this Frozen-themed dining adventure. Ahh, this is my favorite dining location on board! If you have a little princess, she will be in heaven here. It just feels so immersive. Even the hall leading to the restaurant is beautifully and intricately themed. I guarantee that little girls will truly feel like they're in the world of Frozen!
Worlds of Marvel:
If Arendelle is a little girl's dream, Worlds of Marvel is the boys' counterpart. From themed dishes, including Wakandan-inspired cuisine from Black Panther, to action-packed missions. You'll have a tech-filled role to play at this exciting dinner so get ready for an exciting evening of dining and action.
1923: Walt and Roy
This dining location was designed to celebrate the golden age of animation. Upon arrival, you'll be seated in one of two dining rooms, each named for one of the brothers. The vibe here is kind of old Hollywood in my opinion. If you've been to Walt Disney World it might remind you of the Hollywood Brown Derby. 1923 is the only dining experience that doesn't have live entertainment. so keep that in mind if you have young children with you. The atmosphere is warm and dining options are wonderfully unique.
Quick and Buffet Service:
Marceline Market is the ship's buffet-style restaurant. Everything I tried here was delicious. There are far more options, in terms of cuisine type, than you typically see at a ship's buffet. One of the cutest things here is the children's bar. Made to be just the right height for little ones, it offers a glassed-in view of kid-friendly food options. Honestly, it's adorable and I know kiddos love it!
Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods is made up of several different quick-service locations. Guests can enjoy tacos, pizza and even BBQ options.
Adult-Fine Dining Options:
Both of these dining locations are a-la-carte and you will also need to skip your assigned dining rotation in order to enjoy dinner at either Palo or Enchante.
Inspired by Beauty & The Beast's Cogsworth, Palo offers a balance of steakhouse and Italian dining.
Enchante also offers Italian cuisine. I have heard that the food here is spectacular and absolutely worth the splurge. The Beauty and the Beast theming is subtle and you'll have some amazing views from both of these dining locations.
Characters:
What would a Disney Cruise be without characters? There are plenty of "meet and greets at sea" as Disney calls them. Children get to interact with characters in new ways aboard the Wish! Be entertained by storytelling as you dine in the princess's castle, twirl together while getting photos with your favorite princess, and see some of your favorite pals on Pirate Night!
As you can see there is so much to do and see aboard the Disney Wish! There are some great 3 and 4-night sailings from Port Canaveral next year. This is a wonderful way to dip your toes into cruising and see if it's for you. The shorter sailings and convenience of Port Canaveral to Orlando means that this is a perfect option to pair with a stay at Walt Disney World. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or to look at dates for your vacation!
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