Disney and Oriental Land Co., Ltd. have announced a new agreement that will bring year-round Disney cruise vacations to Japan. Under a recently-signed agreement, OLC will operate a Disney-branded cruise business in Japan, which is expected to commence by early 2029.

This is the latest evolution in an over 40-year relationship between Disney and the Oriental Land Company, which also owns and operates the Tokyo Disney Resort.

The addition of a locally-based Disney cruise ship will offer fun and relaxation for Japanese Disney fans and visitors from around the world during magical voyages filled with entertainment, world-class dining, and exceptional guest service.

“Disney Cruise Line has ambitious plans to bring family vacations and Disney storytelling to more guests around the world than ever before,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Experiences. “We are thrilled to continue the success of this expansion as we collaborate with Oriental Land Co. to introduce another distinctly Disney vacation experience to families and fans in Japan.”

OLC will operate a new Disney cruise ship that will be registered in and based in Japan year-round. The ship will be constructed at Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. A sister ship to Disney Wish, it will feature many guest-favorite venues and experiences from that ship with some modifications to specially fit the Japanese market. It is expected to be about 140,000 gross tons and have about 1,250 staterooms. It will be powered by liquefied natural gas.

Details on the maiden voyage, itineraries, and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.

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Are you excited about Disney entering the Japan cruise market with a brand-new ship? Would you consider a trip to Asia to sail either this vessel or the upcoming Singapore-based Disney Adventure? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!

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Like many mega-ships, Disney Fantasy offers cruisers several stateroom options. While most Disney Cruise Line cabins offer a unique design, there are several factors to consider when choosing a stateroom with cost ranking at the top of the list. Unfortunately, one drawback of Disney Cruise Line is the price tag as cruises can be up to twice as expensive for comparable staterooms and itineraries. Still, after spending seven nights onboard Disney Fantasy, we are glad we opted for a Deluxe Family Oceanview stateroom with verandah for this trip. Find out why you should consider upgrading in our latest cabin tour and review.

Our Disney Fantasy Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah Review

Our weeklong Disney Fantasy cruise included two stops at DCL’s new private destination of Lookout Cay. When booking this cruise over a year in advance, we went ahead and selected the cheapest balcony stateroom available. And even that was considerably more expensive given it was the ship’s inaugural visit to Lookout Cay.

During our booking process, the Disney website was experiencing some issues. So, it took a few minutes to confirm we were Bibbidi, Bobbidi, booked in a Deluxe Family Oceanview stateroom with a verandah.

We ended up in cabin 5036. This category 04E stateroom was all the way forward on Deck 5, portside.  

Disney Fantasy has three banks of elevators, and this room was forward from the forward elevators. Though, it was never a far walk to the atrium or the entertainment venues nestled on Decks 3 through 5.

Likewise, to get to the outdoor decks was a short elevator ride up. Regardless of the time of day, there was never an issue getting a lift up or down. This was surprising, given the ship was sailing at double occupancy.

Inside a Disney Fantasy Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

Layout

According to the Disney Cruise Line website, our Disney Fantasy stateroom was 299 square feet, including the balcony. However, what we didn’t realize at the time of booking was that our cabin had an extended balcony that was twice the size of the ship’s standard balcony.

Immediately upon entering the room, the split bathrooms were to the left, with the closet and small dry bar type setup to our right. Passing the bathroom and closet, our queen bed was on the midship wall facing forward. Beyond the bed was the seating area containing a sleeper sofa and an oversized desk with additional storage.

Beyond the sitting area was our extra-large balcony, which included two loungers, two upright chairs, and a table. When compared to other balcony staterooms on contemporary cruise lines, this deluxe stateroom was certainly more spacious.

It offered more than enough storage space even for over-packers like ourselves. Further, there was more room between the bed and the accompanying sitting area, as well as more room to walk between the bed and the opposite wall.

Honestly, this room felt more like a hotel room than a cruise ship cabin.

Bathroom

Perhaps the most unique aspect of Disney Cruise cabins is the split bathroom setup.

Like most of the accommodations on the ship, our stateroom had two separate bathrooms. Immediately near the entrance of the cabin was a washroom with a sink and toilet. This bathroom was also equipped with liquid hand soap, which is often missing in cruise cabins.

The second bathroom had the tub/shower combo and an additional sink. Both had two shelves for storing toiletries and a decent sized vanity.

Another added benefit is the inclusion of Disney’s premium bath products, the same that guests can find in the Disney World resorts.

While we appreciated the extra space, we were surprised at the size of the shower. Cruise ship shower stalls are often tight quarters. This one was a full bathtub, so it was plenty wide and long. However, the height was questionable. At just under 6 feet tall, I almost hit the ceiling. So, I have no idea how anyone a few inches taller would have been able to comfortably shower.

Nonetheless, the split bathroom is a huge bonus, especially for families.

Closet

This cabin had two identical closets. So, we essentially had his and her storage space, which meant all of our clothes could be unpacked and hung up with no issues. These closets included three lower shelves which we used mainly for shoes as well as a clothes bar and full-length shelf above. One of these closets also housed the safe and life jackets.

Next to the closet was a separate storage space, which included additional drawers and shelves. The shelves became storage for things like our popcorn bucket and Yeti water bottles. The drawers here were just the right size for our packing cubes filled with bathing suits and under garments.

Main Cabin

The queen-sized bed was located right next to the bathroom. With long days ashore, we had no issues falling asleep on the Frette® 300-thread-count, 100% cotton linens each night.  

Unlike other cruise lines, Disney Fantasy boasts true queen beds, not two twin beds. So, cruisers cannot set these beds up as two singles. Luckily though, Disney does have plenty of accommodations with sleeper sofas and pull-down beds for larger families.

There were two nightstands, one on each side of the bed, with one small drawer. Above each nightstand was one 220 and one 110 outlet, but no USB outlets for easy charging of phones or watches at night.

Recently, many cruise lines have transitioned to more simplistic desk setups. However, Disney Fantasy still had a large desk and shelving combination unit with plenty of storage. On the desk, there were two 220-volt outlets, two 110 outlets, and two USB outlets. While we would have liked some USB-C connections, we were able to charge all our devices using our cruise-approved power adapter.

To the right side of the desk was the mini-fridge, and to the left were three oversized drawers and an additonal storage cabinet above.

The 22-inch LCD television was mounted to the corner of the desk above the mini-fridge. With the swivel stand, the television could be positioned toward the bed or the sofa, depending on who wanted to watch the programming. The sofa was large enough to accommodate a few people at one time as well.

Additionally, above the television were two open shelves. Here, I routinely left our Key to the World cards and our small electronic devices for quick access.

Balcony

Given the location of our stateroom, we were treated to an extended balcony. This meant we had almost twice as much outdoor space as a traditional balcony. Thus, we had both chairs and loungers, along with a table.

Given the itinerary, and gloomy weather towards the end of the trip, we didn’t use the balcony as much as we had hoped. Though, we did enjoy views of the ports of call and some scenic sailing a few mornings.

But, if there is the chance to get an extended balcony without much additional cost, we suggest you make the investment. This is especially useful if there are a lot of sea days during your voyage.

Recap of Our Disney Fantasy Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom Review

If the name of the stateroom category hasn’t already given it away, this balcony cabin is designed for families. While there were only two of us, we can easily see how a family of four would have no issues comfortably spending a week in this stateroom.

There were more than enough drawers and closet space to easily pack away clothes. And the split bathroom setup makes it easy for multiple family members to get ready at once.

With more space, it also means navigating around the bed and the nearby sitting area is easier.

We didn’t necessarily need the additional living space and storage areas. But, we were glad to have it as we were extending our trip at Walt Disney World so had more than we would normally pack for a 7-day cruise.  

While Disney Cruise Line charges considerably more, the staterooms do offer more amenities and space than similar cabins on competitor cruise lines. This Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom was more like a junior suite or mini-suite on other cruise lines.

Admittedly, we did pay a premium for this sailing given it was the first revenue cruise to Lookout Cay. However, for our upcoming weeklong Western Caribbean cruise on Disney Treasure, we were able to secure a guaranteed balcony cabin for almost half the price of this Disney Fantasy cruise.

Of course, Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of other cabin options from inside rooms all the way up to luxurious suites. So, you can pick your accommodations based on your budget. For us, a balcony cabin is always our preference as it offers the perfect combination of size, amenities, and value.

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Have you stayed in a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah on Disney Fantasy? Which Disney Cruise Line stateroom category is your favorite? Drop us an anchor below with your DCL cruise cabin reviews.

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Disney Cruise Line has announced a number of updates coming to Disney Dream this fall when the ship sails from Europe to her winter home in Fort Lauderdale.

Revamped Kids’ Spaces

The Oceaneer Club will be receiving updates in the form of the new Marvel WEB Workshop, with “WEB” standing for Worldwide Engineering Brigade. At this fun superhero themed space, kids will be able to test new suit prototypes for Spider-Man and other heroes and conduct training simulations using WEB technology to fend off enemies from the workshop. Occasionally, Avenger mentors will drop by the workshop to check in on their progess.

The tween club for guests ages 11-14, Edge, will be moving to deck five and debuting new features, including access to an outdoor deck with a ball pit and recreational games reserved just for Edge and the Vibe teens club. Edge will also include a club lounge and dance floor.

New Funnel Suite

The forward funnel of Disney Dream will be transformed into the Dream Tower Suite, which will be themed to the classic film “Fantasia” and its sequence “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” This theme is in honor of the character on the ship’s stern, Sorcerer Mickey.

Full of features that reflect Disney Dream‘s art deco motif, the suite will immerse guests in Sorcerer Mickey’s magic, including celestial inspired surroundings, carpet design inspired by flowing water, and a chandelier reminiscent of his famous control of the waves.

Hercules-Themed Concierge Lounge

The Concierge Lounge will be expanded and themed to the heavenly Mount Olympus from the film “Hercules.” The ethereal lounge will have light, airy details and rich colors inspired by the clouds of Mount Olympus, with hints of bright gold evoking the gates to the kingdom of the gods.

Other Disney Dream Updates

Disney Dream‘s spa will boast a refreshed check-in area and will expand to include new treatment rooms.

Joining the quick service dining options on deck 11 will be a cantina serving tacos, burritos, and bowls.

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Disney is synonymous with family entertainment, and a Disney Cruise is no exception. When comparing Disney Cruise Line to other family-focused lines, like Carnival Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean, the cost can be significantly higher. We recently embarked on a seven-night Bahamas cruise on Disney Fantasy. Now, we are back and share all the details in our signature Disney Fantasy cruise ship review scorecard to see if it was really worth it.

Our Honest Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship Review Scorecard

Our weeklong Bahamas cruise included two days at Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, the cruise line’s new private island. Additional stops included Nassau, Bahamas, and the cruise line’s first private destination, Castaway Cay.

As one of the first cruises to this new private destination, our balcony cabin alone cost us just over $9,000, even though we booked over a year in advance. This price doesn’t even include add-ons like alcoholic beverages, specialty coffee, shore excursions, WiFi, or service charges.

When factoring in all of these additional costs NOT including travel expenses, our Disney Fantasy cruise came to over $10,700! So, was it worth this hefty price tag? Let’s dive in.

Staterooms

One of the standout features of cruising with Disney Cruise Line is the spaciousness of the staterooms. Our balcony stateroom on Disney Fantasy was significantly more roomy compared to other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line.

According to the DCL website, our family deluxe veranda stateroom, cabin 5036, was a comfortable 299 square feet. This includes the veranda, which was an additional 50 square feet more than the ship‘s standard balcony. Still, the interior of the stateroom was easily 10-20% larger than the rooms we have stayed in on other contemporary cruise lines. 

While the layout was about the same as any cruise ship cabin, there was more room between the bed and the accompanying sitting area, as well as more room to walk between the bed and the opposite wall. Not only was the square footage of the stateroom on Disney Fantasy greater, but there was also more closet space and storage.

We had two identical closets, containing a clothes bar and a few shelves. Next to the closet was a small armoire with additional drawers and shelves. As if that wasn’t enough, the desk also had additioal drawers and shelves for storage.

Even for us overpackers, who also had plans to visit the parks after the cruise, we had ample space to unpack all our belongings. Further, there was enough desk space and sofa space to get some work done during the week.

Another staple of Disney Cruise Line cabins is the split bathrooms. The separate sink and shower make it easy for several family members to get ready in the morning. Although there were only two of us, this still came in handy. It made our morning routines quicker and more efficient.

Our oversized balcony was a surprise. Given that our cabin was all the way forward on Deck 5, we were treated to an extended balcony twice as big as the rest of the balconies on the ship. So, we had loungers, upright seats, and a table. This gave us an ample open, private outdoor space to enjoy while at sea.

Given that Disney Fantasy is about 12 years old, the only drawback of the cabin was the outlets. While there were several outlets near the bed and desk, there were not many USB or USB-C connections.

Actually, this room was similar in size and layout to a junior suite on other cruise ships. While the cabin size alone does not justify the exuberant cruise fare for our trip, the room amenities and size were certainly a notable upgrade. Thus, the accommodations put the cruise line on par with a premium cruise line or at least a stateroom of a higher category on mainstream cruise lines.

Rotating Through Main Dining Rooms on Disney Fantasy

Besides the oversized cabins with their unique design, perhaps the other biggest difference between Disney Cruise Line and the competition is the main dining. While most cruise lines offer traditonal dining and some form of flexible dining, Disney does things a bit differently with rotational dining.

One drawback for some cruisers is that everyone onboard is forced into a fixed dining time. This means there’s an early seating and a late seating. On our cruise, the early seating was 5:45 PM, with the late seating at 8 PM. There is no flexible dining option. As fans of traditional dining, this setup did not bother us.   

Disney Fantasy is home to three uniquely designed main dining rooms. Guests rotate through these venues on a set schedule along with their waitstaff. On a seven-night cruise, guests get to experience two distinct menus at each of these three dining rooms.

On Night 4 of our cruise, everyone was able to dig into the line’s signature Pirate Night food and drink across all the main dining rooms.

For this Disney Fantasy cruise ship review, we dined all seven nights in the main dining room, as we were unable to get specialty restaurant reservations. Our waitstaff team of head waiter Duran, waiter Wira, and assistant waiter Ashley were fantastic. They were some of the friendliest and most attentive servers we have had in years.

A benefit of this more traditional dining approach is the servers get to know you and your dining preferences. This dining team was no different, and they quickly caught on to our dining and drinking habits.

Thus, the service, paired with the upgraded menus and remarkably themed dining rooms on Disney Fantasy, were more similar to a premium cruise than a contemporary cruise. It’s tough to compare this dining experience to what you find on Carnival Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean.

Royal Court

We started our rotation at the Royal Court.

Excuding elegance and royalty, this the most formal of the three main dining rooms. It is home to exquisite finishes and an equally upscale menu. This dining room is adorned with luxurious accent pieces, including stagecoach embellishments, chandeliers, and mosaics of your favorite Disney princesses.

Of all three dining rooms, this deck 3 mid-ship restaurant most resembled a main dining room you would find on other cruise lines.

Night 1 featured iced lobster and shrimp as a starter, with a rich and savory chateaubriand and seafood pasta entrees, finished with a Grand Mariner Souffle for dessert.

Our second Royal Court menu, on Night 7, was the most formal dinner, featuring Oysters Rockefeller and an oven-baked lobster tail. Of course, no formal meal would be complete without rich desserts like chocolate lava cake or warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

Animator’s Palate

The most Disney-ified dining room is the Animator’s Palate, We dined here on Night 2 and Night 5 of the cruise. This dining room is meant to resemble an illustrator’s drawing room. Thus, it is filled with Disney art and sculptures. Plus, it is home to two interactive dining experiences.

The first night’s dinner features Crush and the characters from Finding Nemo. The digital screens make this partially interactive show possible. While dining on smoked salmon tartar, grilled tuna steak, or lemon-thyme chicken, guests can play games and even talk with Crush.  

The second night in this venue is perhaps the most fun dinner of the cruise. Guests draw a character and then get to watch their creations come to life, thanks to some Disney magic. Of course, the show features all of your tablemates’ artistic creations partaking in hilarious skits.

Even my poorly sketched character, that apparently resembled Abe Lincoln, made an appearance. This second dinner boasts menu items like Malaysian chicken satays, grilled marinated shrimp, herb-crusted rack of lamb, and the sweet celebration cake.

Enchanted Garden

While the first two main dining rooms were located on Deck 3, the Enchanted Garden is situated on Deck 2 midship.

Evoking the gardens and palace of Versailles, this restaurant offers a fresh and floral 18th-century, aristocratic vibe. Complete with a water fountain and flowers that “bloom,” travelers are transported to a completely different setting in this dining room. We dined here on Night 3 and Night 6 of our cruise.

The two menus here are heavy on seafood. Standout menu items included the ahi tuna and avocado tower, garlic and parsley sauteed shrimp, pan-seared seabass, oven-roasted turkey breast, and warm sticky date pudding.

The restaurants also featured two specialty cocktails on each evening’s menu. Most nights, we opted for one of each to sample the different offerings, but none of them really wowed us.  

Specialty Dining

When it comes to alternative dining, Disney Fantasy does not offer many options.

Few restaurants are open during dinner hours for cruisers who want to skip the main dining rooms. While there are two additional, adult-only restaurants on the ship, getting reservations is difficult.

On Deck 12 on the portside is Remy. This upscale specialty restaurant boasts a seasonal menu comprised of French cuisine. In partnership with a 3-star Michelin chef, the multi-course menus offer the most exquisite dining experience on the ship.

Along with delicately curated and prepared menus for dinner, on select days, Remy offers a dessert experience as well as brunch.

Next door on the starboard side of Deck 12 is Palo. This Italian restaurant is home to a variety of classic Italian-American offerings. From calamari and shrimp to burrata and pizzas, fresh seafood, and a selection of steaks, it is the perfect restaurant to celebrate a special occasion.

On some sea days, Palo opens for brunch as well. Classic breakfast items like waffles, pancakes, and omelets are paired with comfort food like chicken parmesan and lasagna.

Given that Heidi is a picky eater, we knew Remy was out of the question. There were too many menu items that she wouldn’t eat to justify the $135 cover charge.

We certainly would have dined at Palo and did try to get reservations before our cruise with no luck. On embarkation day, we even waited in line for close to an hour in an attempt to get either a dinner or brunch reservation. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful.

Entertainment onboard Disney Fantasy

Perhaps another reason why Disney Cruise Line can command a higher cruise fare is the onboard entertainment. Nowhere else at sea can you see Disney productions come to life. Across our seven nights on Disney Fantasy, there were three signature production shows.

Of course, all of them were Disney stories.

The first production show on Night 2 was Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular. This 75-minute reimagining of the classic Disney movie includes fantastic singing and set pieces, a high-tech stage that brings the story to life, and some comedic reimagining with the Genie.

We watched a similar version on our Disney Wish cruise two years ago, but we were still impressed with this fun and fast-paced version on Disney Fantasy.

However, on Night 6, we were a bit let down by Frozen: A Musical Spectacular. We are big fans of the Frozen movies, but the show’s adaption seemed disjointed. At times, it felt almost cheesy. The hour-plus production also felt rushed towards the end.  

While it was still better than many cruise line shows, it didn’t live up to Disney standards for us anyway.

The third show was Disney’s Believe. This original production incorporates several Disney characters from classic Disney live films and cartoons. While it started off a bit slow, we both ended up enjoying it. With some ornate sets, fun songs, and a heartwarming theme, this final show on Night 7 was the ideal way to end the cruise.

On other nights, the Walt Disney Theater was home to a few headliner acts. Illusionist Kid Ace performed a family-friendly magic show on Night 3. The percussion band Junk rocked out the theater on Night 5. We would say these shows were on par with headliner acts you’d find on other cruise lines.

Unlike Disney Wish though, which had a Welcome Aboard show featuring the Disney characters, there was no similar show on the first night of the cruise, which really surprised us.

While we would still say Royal Caribbean has some of the best entertainment at sea, especially on its Oasis-class ships, Disney Cruise Line is a close second. So, if you are a fan of theater and Disney, then you probably don’t mind paying a bit more to sail on Disney Cruise Line.

A Variety of Onboard Activities

Many cruise lines offer a variety of daytime and nighttime events and activities. Disney Fantasy was no different. Throughout the day, something was always happening at one of the venues around the ship.

From various Disney-themed and general trivia to animation classes, game shows, and family arts and crafts, there were plenty of complimentary activities for cruisers of all ages. One could learn to draw their favorite Disney characters or partake in versions of majority rules, memory games, or couple match games.

These were not just for families. At night, the cruise director staff, led by activities manager Declan, offered adult versions of these games too. One of our favorite nights onboard included a double dose of these cruiser favorites in the Tube.

Additional adult-only activities during the day included a variety of alcohol seminars and tastings. While an upcharge, we were surprised at how many different wine tastings, bourbon classes, and other seminars took place throughout the week. Plus, many of them were sold out.

Additionally, there were a variety of activities in the D Lounge, The Tube, and other bars and lounges. These included a comedian juggler, silent discos, karaoke, and several musical acts. Like many cruise lines, the musicians rotated through several venues.

Perhaps our favorite was the piano and acoustic guitarist duo Sister Sister. Offering sets that included Disney music and other pop tunes, their vibe drew guests to the Atrium or the Piazza. Other featured musicians included a violinist, a piano soloist, and the piano and guitar duo of Vox and Keys.

But, we would say the nightlife didn’t compare to the likes of newer mega ships where the offerings are a bit more upbeat. This ship could have used a more traditional rock band or a solo guitarist performing in the O’Gills Pub. Most bars do close by midnight, and with no casino, there really isn’t much to do for night owls.

Along with the main theater, Disney Fantasy was home to the Buena Vista Theater. This stadium-style movie theater showed a variety of first-run Disney movies, including live-action movies and cartoons. We just happened to be sailing when Inside Out 2 was released and were among the first in the world to see it. While the movie was free, the popcorn refills did cost $2 with our WDW bucket.

Of course, signature to Disney Cruise Line is Pirate Night, which occured on Day 4 of our sailing. This shipwide festivity includes a special menu in the main dining room, pirate shows on the pool deck, and it culminates with the only fireworks at sea! Guests get in on the action too by dressing in their best pirate attire. We’ve definitely decided that we need to step up our game for our next Disney cruise.

Meeting Your Favorite Disney Characters

While there is plenty happening throughout the day and night on Disney Fantasy, perhaps the most popular activity on any Disney cruise ship is the character events. Yes, even Heidi and I got in on some of the photo ops.

All week, cruisers get the chance to meet and take pictures with classic characters, like Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck. They even don their best formal attire and Pirate Night attire! Plus, several Disney princesses make the rounds, like Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, and Tiana.

Along with the meet and greets that occur in the Atrium and near Preludes, there are character shows too.

This starts with the sail away party and then continues with deck parties like Mickey’s Pirates in the Caribbean Party or the Color Spin Deck Party. While geared towards children, there are plenty of adults who get in on the character events too.

Other characters pop up here and there, too, depending on the day and sailing. On Pirate Night, you won’t want to miss Captain Jack Sparrow or Captain Hook and Mr. Smee. You might even bump into Stitch walking around one day.

Exploring the Outdoor Decks

Decks 11 to 13 consist of the main outdoor areas. Midship on Deck 11 are Mickey’s Pool and Donald’s Pool, which are family pools open to all cruisers. Nearby is the Mickey slide which is designed for junior cruisers.

For those more adventurous cruisers, the Aqua Duck “water coaster” is on Deck 12. This two-person tube water slide takes cruisers all around the pool deck. Utilizing Disney engineering, cruisers go up and down this slide as they circle some 765 feet in the wet and wild ride that could only be brought to you by Donald Duck.

For cruisers 8 years of age or younger, Nemo’s Reef is a water splash play area themed after the popular Pixar movie. Located in the shade, it is a nice reprieve for both the kids and parents as they supervise their little ones. There’s also the Funnel Puddle on Deck 12 which is a small, shallow puddle-like pool.

A more interactive water zone is the AquaLab, aft on Deck 12. Designed for the entire family, this splash zone has a number of interactive water features all designed to get cruisers drenched. Keeping with the duck theme, this “experimental area” is designed by Donald Duck’s nephews, Huey, Louie, and Dewey.

Aft of this area is the Sports Court on Deck 13. It includes a 9-hole mini golf course designed by Goofy and Max. There is also a court with basketball hoops. However, the court never seemed to be utilized much for organized games or activities. There are also two virtual sports simulators. These were “sold-out” before our cruise but never appeared open when we walked by them.

While there are plenty of outdoor areas for families and kids, the Quiet Cove forward on Deck 11, is reserved for adults only. Home to a pool, bar, and coffee shop, it is a nice departure from the rest of the pool deck.

A step above, both literally and figuratively, is the Satellite Falls sundeck on Deck 13. Also an adults-only area, it offers a wading pool with waterfall feature and plenty of loungers with several in the shade. It is just a short walk from the Currents outdoor bar as well.

With the two adult-only areas, there is actually more space for adults on this ship than on Disney Wish, despite Disney Fantasy being considerably smaller.

The outdoor pools and sports court are in line with other mega-ships of a similar age. But, when compared to newer cruise ships, Disney Fantasy can’t compare with the Icon of the Seas pool deck or waterpark.

Bars and Lounges

While Disney is big on theming, we didn’t love the entertainment district on Deck 4.

This “Europa” section is the main hub of nighttime activities and is home to different lounges and bars all with a distinct European vibe. Heading from midship, La Piazza is an Italian-inspired venue with a circular bar resembling a carousel. Along with live music, the bar featured cocktails infused with regional spirits, like Prosecco or Limoncello.

Next door was the cozy champagne bar Ooh La La. This French lounge offered a more subdued experience. Home to light music from a piano or violin soloist, the bubbly concoctions at this bar complemented the velvet fabrics and elegant furniture.

For those looking for a more lively nighttime spot, O’Gills Pub is a traditional Irish Pub. With a variety of beers on draft, including the pub’s signature O’Gills ale, this venue was home to televised sports events.

The large wooden bar was the perfect place to pull up a seat and grab a pint, especially during happy hour when most drinks were only $5. Although, not having any pub entertainment here was certainly a miss.

The closest thing Disney Fantasy has to a nightclub is the Tube. With nods to British pop culture, music, and fashion, this venue was also home to several game shows and events. While during the day the Tube was one of the venues open for family-centered activities, it became an adults-only venue at night.

But, if you plan to attend a party or event at the Tube, get there early. The venue becomes standing room only for more popular events like the Couples Match game show or Majority Rules.

Lastly, the Skyline Bar is the ship’s martini bar. Here, guests are treated to a rotating selection of city skylines behind the bar. Using some of that Disney magic, the bar transports guests from London, to Paris, Florence, and other European destinations every 15 minutes.

The signature drink menu features cocktails from each city. Or, guests can opt for an old-fashioned made with the espresso-infused bourbon on the whiskey trolley.

For guests dining at one of the two adult-only specialty restaurants, the Meridian Bar is the ideal place for a pre-or post-dinner drink, with a selection of classic cocktails and a signature bourbon trolley. The bar’s rich wood décor and nautical accents call back to the early days of ocean liners.

Along with the indoor bars, Disney Fantasy offers several outdoor bars open during the day to quench your thirst. There are two pop-up bars near the family pools and two bars in the adults-only areas. These bars offer a small menu of poolside favorites, as well as a selection of spirits, beers, and wine.

Of course, there are also two cafes to get your caffeine fix, the Cove Cafe and the Vista Cafe. Each serves espresso-based beverages adorned with your favorite Disney characters.

Casual Dining Options

Perhaps the place where Disney Fantasy fell short compared to other cruise lines was the casual dining. On the pool deck, there was Flo’s Café. This Cars-inspired quick-service venue featured pizza, a grill, sandwiches, and salads. The food here was fine, but nothing wowed us.

The burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint or the chicken at Shaq’s Big Chicken on Carnival Cruise Line ships are much better. Even Heidi agreed that the pizza at Luigi’s was just okay.

Further, Filmore Favorites offered a small selection of premade sandwiches and salads, but the offerings didn’t measure up to the onboard delis and cafes found on competitor cruise lines.

Disney Fantasy could have used some additional casual eateries. A Tex-Mex take window serving bowls or tacos would have been a perfect addition. The selections definitely had us missing Mickey’s Festival of Foods on Disney Wish.

Having just sailed on ships like Icon of the Seas and Carnival Jubilee, we missed these additional casual grab-and-go options.

The Cabanas buffet, aft on Deck 11, was a standard cruise ship buffet. We dined here twice, and the food was what we expected from a mega-ship buffet. However, Disney Cruise Line does have its signature crab legs and peel-and-eat shrimp in the buffet for lunch.

The biggest downfall is that the buffet is only open for breakfast and lunch; it does not offer dinner service. Thus, besides the quick service poolside bites or room service (which is free on DCL), there is no alternative to the main dining room for dinner.

Would We Book Another Weeklong Disney Cruise?

On the surface, it is difficult to compare Disney Cruise Line to other family-oriented cruise lines. While the cruise line charges considerably more than the competition, it does offer more in its cruise fare. For instance, soft drinks are available around the clock on the pool deck. They are also complimentary at the sit-down restaurants.

Further, the staterooms are larger and have features like the split bathrooms, making them feel more like hotel accommodations. The same feeling is evident around the ship, with Disney cruise ships resembling a Disney deluxe hotel with their decor and ambiance.

We must admit that DCL ships feel more upscale than other family cruise lines, which can sometimes have a shopping mall feel in some of the public spaces.

Dining in the main dining room on Disney Fantasy was also a couple notches above contemporary cruise lines. From the menu choices, to décor and design, to the service, our nightly dinners were exquisite with a touch of Disney magic.

That Disney magic spilled into the main theater shows too. While we would have expected more Disney entertainment in the main theater, the three production shows put the cruise line near the top of our list for best live entertainment at sea.

Along with the entertainment in the Walt Disney Theater, there were also a variety of onboard daytime and nighttime activities that matched other cruise lines. Admittedly, these were heavily Disney-themed.

In fact, the one thing you can’t escape on a Disney cruise is Mickey and Friends. They are found in the Atrium for photo-ops and are part of the deck parties and shows. So, you and the family better really love Disney!

When it comes to other aspects of the cruise, Disney Cruise Line is more in line with the competition. The pool deck and sports deck were average, and the bars and nightlife were pretty typical too. Since DCL does not offer a traditional drink package, you can expect to come home with a bar bill at the end of the trip in addition to the other expenses you may rack up.

So, it does boil down to whether you are a Disney fan. Many of the cruisers we talked to were avid Disney fans and regular Disney cruisers. For families and couples who are fans of Disney, sailing on a Disney Cruise will make you feel at home. Whether it is worth the up-charge depends on your budget.

While we do love Disney, we wouldn’t spend as much on a Disney Cruise again as we did on this one. We could have easily gone on at least two other cruises on other cruise lines for this same price.

Luckily, we don’t have to worry about that price tag for our next Disney cruise. For our sailing on Disney Treasure in January of 2025, our veranda stateroom is much more reasonably priced at under $4,500 for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise. At that price, we have no qualms about booking a Disney cruise.

Now, if you and your family don’t LOVE Disney, the DCL price point is probably not worth it. There are definitely other family-friendly cruise lines that will offer very similar experiences, minus the Disney touches, at cheaper price points. Don’t think just because it’s Disney that its the only cruise line out there for families.

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Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy offers a variety of bars and lounges for all the adults to enjoy some grown-up beverages. Not sure where to start? Our complete look at all the Disney Fantasy bars includes all of the bar menus to help you make the difficult decisions, like which bar to visit first!

Our Complete Look at All the Disney Fantasy Bars With Menus and Drink Prices

When it comes to drinks on Disney Cruise Line, guests can enjoy water, coffee, tea, lemonade, Coca-Cola fountain drinks, some juices, hot chocolate, Vitamin water, iced tea, and milk included in the cruise fare. However, all alcoholic beverages will cost extra. To help you budget appropriately, we have all the menus and drink prices for each of the Disney Fantasy bars.

Preludes (Deck 3)

Preludes is located on deck 3 forward on both sides of the Walt Disney Theatre. This will be your closest spot to grab a drink or some popcorn before the nightly entertainment occurring in this venue.

You won’t want to miss the shows on Disney Fantasy which include Disney’s Believe; Frozen, A Musical Spectacular; and Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular.

PRO TIP: If you bring your popcorn bucket from the Disney parks, you can get refills at a cheaper price.

Bon Voyage (Deck 3)

Bon Voyage is the atrium bar on Disney Fantasy. This full-service bar mixes up standard cocktails along with a special Welcome Home drink, wine, sangria, Creative-Tea, and more.

On Disney cruise ships, where is there no traditional drink package, you may want to consider the sommelier bin here. This “mystery” glass of wine is always $13, regardless of the usual retail price. This helps the cruise line finish off bottles of wine, and in the process, might help you get a deal on more expensive wines.

You’ll also want to keep your eye on the Navigator app for Happy Hour specials offering discounts on select drinks at certain bars around the ship each evening. The Drink of the Day is also unique to that day and offered at a cheaper price.

Bon Voyage Menu

Vista Cafe (Deck 4)

The Vista Cafe is your go-to spot for coffee. This bar serves up specialty coffees, teas, and espresso-based beverages along with some continental breakfast items and snacks throughout the day.

This venue also functions as a bar, so you can always grab an alcoholic beverage here as well, perhaps an espresso martini.

PRO TIP: If you are a coffee lover, be sure to ask for a coffee card, where every 6th coffee is free!

Vista Cafe Menu

D Lounge (Deck 4)

The D Lounge is the central hub on deck 4 which hosts a variety of family-friendly entertainment during the voyage. Think game shows, trivia, crafts, cooking demos, dance parties like the silent disco, karaoke, and more. Once onboard, you’ll want to check the Navigator app for a complete list of all the activities and events occurring during your sailing.

However, there was no bar service in here during our sailing, so be sure to grab your beverage before heading inside.

Ooh La La (Deck 4)

On Disney Fantasy, many of the adult venues are clustered into one central location on deck 4 aft which is referred to as Europa. These bars and lounges all have a European-flair which is unique to this ship.

Ooh La La is the elegant champagne bar found here. With a Victorian charm, this venue serves up a menu of authentic French champagne, alongside other wines, spirits, and cocktails like the Elderbubble or the Pomegranate Passion.

Ooh La La Menu

La Piazza (Deck 4)

La Piazza is the Italian-themed bar found in the Europa district. With a unique vintage carousel design, this bar serves up signature cocktails alongside live music. You’ll also find other distinct design elements here like Venetian masks and a restored Vespa.

The menu offers items like Grappa, Peroni, Processo, and cocktails including the Mercutio and Escalus.

La Piazza Menu

O’Gills Pub (Deck 4)

Once you’ve traveled to France and Italy, it’s time to visit Ireland. O’Gills Pub is the signature Irish pub and sports bar on Disney Fantasy. The venue features dark wood tones, plenty of shamrocks, televisions to catch a game, and a menu full of your favorite brews.

There’s a wide selection of beer including the signature O’Gills beer on draft and other specialty drinks like the Celtic Twilight, Chilled Leprechaun, or the Blarney Stone Tasting. O’Gills also has a small food menu available at a la carte prices.

O’Gills Pub Menu | O’Gills Food Menu

Skyline Lounge (Deck 4)

At the Skyline Lounge on Disney Fantasy, you can enjoy a drink with a (digital) view. These “windows to the world” provide views from cities around the globe, changing about every 15 minutes.

The Skyline Lounge’s menu features signature drinks inspired by six iconic European cities including Paris, Barcelona, London, Athens, Florence, and Budapest.

We enjoyed the Paris 75 and a coffee-infused Old Fashioned from the bourbon cart during our visit.

Skyline Menu

The Tube (Deck 4)

Finally, it’s time to head to The Tube for some British influence. This club, inspired by London’s underground subway, is where the late-night partying on Disney Fantasy happens. While dancing the night away or partaking in adult game shows, guests can enjoy some proper bevvies at the bar set under Big Ben’s clock face.

The menu features a selection of beers, wine, and cocktails like the Mind the Gap, Tuppenny Tube, and the Hammersmith.

The Tube Menu

Senses Juice Bar (Deck 11)

The Senses Juice Bar is found near the Senses Spa, Salon, and Fitness Center, deck 11 forward on Disney Fantasy. This health-conscious spot serves up blended fruit and vegetable beverages as well as fresh squeezed juices at a la carte prices.

So, whether you want to recharge after a workout or want an energizing start to your day, the Senses Juice Bar is the place.

Cove Bar (Deck 11)

Located within the Quiet Cove adults-only area on deck 11 of Disney Fantasy is the Cove Bar. This bar is an open-air watering hole serving beer, wine, and cocktails.

This is the perfect pool bar to grab a drink while lounging in this tranquil space which is home to a pool and whirlpool. Who could pass up a frose on a sea day? Besides the bar seating, there’s also some nearby patio-style couches and chairs.

Quiet Cove Bar Menu | Standard Outdoor Bar Menu

Cove Cafe (Deck 11)

Located within the adults-only Quiet Cove, there’s also the Cove Café. This venue is an indoor lounge serving gourmet coffees, teas, specialty drinks, and treats throughout the day.

This is a quiet spot to escape the heat and the kids for a bit of relaxation. Just be sure to snag your seats early as this venue is pretty popular.

Cove Cafe Menu

Meridian Bar (Deck 12)

The Meridian Bar is situated aft on deck 12 between the two adult dining venues, Remy and Palo, making it a great place to enjoy a pre-dinner or post-dinner cocktail. The bar serves a wide selection of beer, wine, and specialty cocktails like a Side Car and a Pink Cadillac along with a bourbon cart.

Meridian features vintage nautical decor and fantastic ocean views with both indoor and outdoor seating options.

Meridian Bar Menu | Meridian Wine List

Currents Bar (Deck 13)

The Currents Bar, perched on deck 13 in the adults-only sundeck area, features the same menu as the Cove Bar with many adult beverages.

It is the closest bar to the Satellite Falls pool as well, and it overlooks the Funnel Puddle family shallow wading pool on deck 12. So, it’s convenient to grab a drink while the kids are splashing around.

Currents Bar Menu

In addition to the above mentioned bars, there are two small beverage kiosks on either side of the main pool areas. At these bar carts, you can grab beer, wine, bottled water, Truly, and other basic drinks.

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Disney Cruise Line’s upcoming ship Disney Treasure will feature several new dining experiences when it debuts in December 2024.

Scat Cat Lounge

Infused with the eclectic elegance of an old-school jazz club, the Scat Cat Lounge will interpret the groovy penthouse performance of “Ev’erybody Wants to be a Cat” from “The Aristocats” in an artistic salute to the film.

An assortment of hanging lanterns and a paw print-adorned baby grand piano will evoke the bohemian sophistication of the film’s iconic character Scat Cat and his larger-than-life persona. A direct extension of the Grand Hall, Scat Cat Lounge will take design cues from the Grand Hall’s Agrabah-inspired architecture with a complementary color palette and curated décor. Symbols of cats, both hidden and overt, throughout the space will help bring the animated adventures of Duchess and her kittens into the real world for the first time.

At Scat Cat Lounge, guests will encounter swinging live music and a delicious craft cocktail menu.

Served to sip from a French-style ceramic bowl, the Créme de la Créme Martini will fuse cognac and chocolate into a rich, creamy dessert cocktail that will be reminiscent of “The Aristocats” kittens Marie, Toulouse, and Berlioz’s favorite evening treat.

The Cat Drink will combine clarified bourbon, amaro, Aperol, and fresh lemon into a near translucent cocktail that shows off hand-crafted drinkware that will be embossed with the image of a cat.

Ideal for two or more guests, The Turkish Tea Experience will honor the Agrabah-inspired architecture of the Grand Hall. The tea-based cocktail will be presented in a bejeweled tea pot and gold-detailed teacups.

Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix

Worlds of Marvel, Disney’s Marvel-themed dining experience, will host Disney Treasure guests for two distinct nights, including a new offering that will showcase Rocket and Groot from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films. The experience will begin as diners partake in a celebration honoring the many superheroes who keep the world safe.

The story will unfold onscreen when Groot takes over the proceedings and brings the party to the next level. Throughout the evening, guests will eat to the beat of an “awesome mix” of hit songs from decades past and have the chance to test their knowledge of the Marvel universe with activities for the whole family. Guests on Disney Treasure will also experience “Avengers: Quantum Encounter,” a fan-favorite cinematic dining adventure that follows Ant-Man and The Wasp as they work to protect new Quantum Core technology from a fearsome foe.

Plaza de Coco

At Plaza de Coco, an array of artful dishes will transport guests to the town depicted in “Coco.” Traditional recipes from the Rivera family’s kitchen will guide a modern menu that will capture the flavors of Miguel’s colorful world in a fresh new way. Everyone in the family will gather around the table for two unique, celebratory evenings full of food and theatrical entertainment during their Disney Treasure voyage.

The musical meal will begin with appetizer options to the tune of Abuelita Elena Shrimp Diabla with chili-chipotle sauce, cilantro, pickled red onion and toasted birotes and Chorizo Street Croquettes with chili-lime crema, cotija cheese and cilantro.

Entrees will include Luisa’s Pollo Asado, which features Michoacán citrus chicken, cilantro rice and serrano-tomatillo salsa; Enrique’s Port Wine Braised Center Cut Beef Short Rib with cheddar cheese and green onion red mash, and long green beans with crisp shallots; Pan-Seared Adobo Spiced Sea Bass with seared scallops, rainbow carrots, spinach, romanesco, peas and chimichurri sauce; a Blistered Poblano Pepper stuffed with Oaxaca cheese and green rice; and Red Capsicum and Green Parsley Grilled Snapper with fried yucca, refried beans, baby spinach and pico de gallo.

Desserts will usher in the grand finale of Margarita Lime Cheesecake with a sea salt shortbread and raspberry-agave margarita coulis; Mexican Chocolate Tart with spiced chocolate crème, caramel pecan nuts, and chocolate glaze; and Warm Coconut Tres Leches featuring milk-soaked coconut cake, caramel sauce, and dulce de leche ice cream.

Jumbeaux’s Sweets

Guests who step into Jumbeaux’s Sweets will discover a display of treats inspired by the diverse inhabitants from the mammal metropolis featured in “Zootopia,” along with a selection of over 35 flavors of handmade gelato, ice cream, plant-based frozen desserts, and sorbets.

In a nod to Officer Judy Hopps’ humble upbringing on her family’s carrot farm, the Judy Hopps Carrot Cupcake will feature spiced carrot cake layered between dollops of lemon frosting, white chocolate crème, and blueberry compote. The cake will be topped with a chocolate piece portraying Judy and dotted with brightly colored sprinkles.

Named for Officer Judy Hopps’ partner in solving crime, the Nick Wilde Raspberry ‘n Cream Cupcake will draw flavor inspiration from the distinct color of Nick’s fur and feature red velvet sponge cake paired with vanilla frosting, white chocolate crème, raspberry compote, and a chocolate décor topping.

The Paw Shortbread Sandwich will present an elevated take on Nick Wilde’s notorious “pawpcicle.” Two paw-shaped red velvet shortbread cookies filled with vanilla frosting and dulce de leche will be decorated with red fondant and served on a wooden stick to resemble the icy treat from the film.

The Mango Leopard Cakesicle will honor the many striped residents of Zootopia with a lemon fudge cake pop drizzled with mango chocolate glaze and decorated with a bold spotted leopard print.

A crop of three Carrot Chocolate Covered Strawberries will be served over cookie crumble soil and decorated with piped stems made of frosting.

Each Zootopia Chocolate Bark Post Card will represent a beloved character from “Zootopia” and carry its own distinct flavor variation that will combine an assortment of dry fruits, nuts and sprinkles in a delicious dark, milk, or white chocolate treat.

Disney Treasure Itineraries

Disney Treasure‘s maiden voyage will be a seven-night eastern Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral on December 21, 2024. It will then operate a season of seven-night cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean.

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Planning a Disney Cruise vacation is exciting! But, even for experienced cruisers on other cruise lines, the subtle Disney differences can be a bit confusing. One drastic difference between Disney Cruise Line and other major cruise lines is dinner! Knowing how dining onboard Disney Cruise ships works is essential; everyone must eat, right? We’re breaking down all the details on Disney Cruise Line’s rotational dining so you can be informed before your next magical vacation.

What is Disney Cruise Rotational Dining?

Disney Cruise Line does dinner differently than most cruise lines, having guests rotate between the main dining rooms on the ship throughout the cruise.

Disney Cruise Rotational Dining is a dining schedule of the complimentary dining venues set for all staterooms onboard the ship. All guests receive a dining time, table number, and rotation schedule upon boarding their ship.

All five Disney ships, soon to be six with Disney Treasure debuting in December, have three main dining rooms.

The three themed dining rooms on each ship are:

• Disney Magic – Animator’s Palate, Lumiere’s, Rapunzel’s Royal Table
• Disney Wonder – Animator’s Palate, Tiana’s Place, Tritons
• Disney Dream – Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, Royal Palace
• Disney Fantasy – Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, Royal Court
• Disney Wish – Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, Worlds of Marvel, 1923
• Disney Treasure – Plaza de Coco, Worlds of Marvel, 1923

Guests will dine at each themed restaurant throughout their vacation at least once. They will rotate back through the venues a second time on longer sailings. Don’t worry, though; it won’t be repetitive. Each restaurant has a different menu and different entertainment (if applicable) on the second night. Each of the venues also have their own unique theming and decor.

For example:

• On 3-night sailings, guests dine at each restaurant once
• On 4-night sailings, guests dine at each restaurant once, one restaurant twice
• On 7-night sailings, guests dine at each restaurant twice, one restaurant three times

Disney cruise rotational dining ensures all guests enjoy everything each MDR has to offer while still providing the best customer service at sea! How, you ask? Well, not only does your party rotate through the venues each night of your sailing – but so does your staff! Your waiter, assistant waiter, and even the head waiter rotate on your same dining schedule. You keep the same table number each night regardless of the restaurant, and your wait staff is waiting for you when you arrive!

This helps the staff get to know guests’ likes and dislikes, favorite drinks, any allergy preferences, and more! Not having to repeat your preferences to a different staff each night is a stress relief for many.

While the dining times are fixed, nightly entertainment occurs around these schedules, so you won’t have to worry about missing any shows. Disney cruise ships feature two nightly showings of the main production. If you have the main dining time of 5:45 PM, your show is usually around 8:30 PM. If you have a late dining time of 8 PM, your show is usually around 6 PM.

How Do I Find My Rotational Dining Schedule?

The most important thing to do before your Disney cruise is to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. The app is the hub of all information onboard the ship, such as activities, deck plans, hours of operations, a way to communicate with the rest of your party, and, of course, your dining information.

Once onboard the ship, the Navigator app will show your restaurant assignment for each evening, your table number, and your dining time. The restaurant and dining time is listed clearly in multiple locations throughout the app. Additionally, Guest Services will be able to help with all dining questions.

For those interested in a specific dining rotation, guests can put in a dining rotation request, though they aren’t guaranteed. Guests can make a dining rotation request by contacting Disney Cruise Line directly by phone or using the chat feature on the website. This may help if you are trying to plan other activities such as specialty dining and don’t want to miss a specific venue.

What If I Am Sailing with Multiple Staterooms?

For those sailing with multiple staterooms in their party, don’t worry. Although each stateroom gets its own dining time and rotation, guests can link staterooms so that the Disney dining team can ensure you are sat together.

If multiple staterooms are booked under the same account, they will automatically be linked together. If not, guests can call Disney Cruise Line and provide the necessary information, such as the reservation number and stateroom number, in order to link them.

How Does Rotational Dining Compare to Other Cruise Lines?

Most cruise lines have an early and a late traditional dining option, along with a more flexible option. Unfortunately, Disney Cruise Line does not offer any form of My Time or Anytime dining.

On Disney Cruise Line, there are two set dining times only at 5:45 PM and 8 PM. Each stateroom receives a dining time, with half the ship participating in early dining and the other half participating in late dining. Your dining time is assigned at the time of booking.

Though the 5:45 PM dining slots fill up fast, there is a waitlist. On embarkation day, there’s also a dining help desk for any dining requests, such as time changes. It is not a guarantee, but it has worked well for us in the past.

The big difference with Disney Cruise Line vs. other cruise lines is flexibility when it comes to dining. Many other cruise lines are cycling to a more relaxed dining approach, Freestyle Dining on Norwegian Cruise Line for example. With this option, guests can arrive at any time within the dining window to request a table. This means they can eat at a different time each night, even changing up the number of guests in their party. But, they will have a different table and waitstaff. This concept is similar to dining at restaurants back home.

Another big difference is that Disney Cruise Line has three complimentary main dining venues, each with completely different theming. Additionally, most Disney Cruise Line restaurants offer some type of entertainment during dinner, while other cruise lines do not. Thus, Disney Cruise rotational dining lets guests experience it all, something that’s not necessary on other cruise lines because the main dining rooms are usually interchangeable.

Is Rotational Dining Mandatory?

Though complimentary room service is available and at least one section of the pool deck dining options is available on Disney Cruise Line for dinner, there is no buffet during the evening hours. Thus, the rotational dining venues are the only option for guests to have an included table-service dinner. This is in contrast to other cruise lines that typically have multiple dining venues available during dinner hours. Adults-only, extra-charge venues are available on DCL but do require an advanced reservation which is often difficulty to secure.

On shorter 3- or 4-night sailings, the best option is probably to eat on your rotational dining schedule to ensure you don’t miss any entertainment. On longer sailings where guests will visit the dining venues multiple times, it wouldn’t be a lack of value to skip the rotational dinner one evening to enjoy an adults-only dinner or family dinner by the pool. But, the choice is ultimately up to you.

Rotational Dining Overview

Rotational dining onboard Disney Cruise Line ships is a great way to ensure that guests get to experience all the magic that Disney Cruise Line has to offer. It not only ensures everyone a spot at the dinner table but also a front-row seat to Disney entertainment throughout your meals.

Guests on 3-night sailings will attend each venue once, while guests on longer sailings will repeat venues with different menus and entertainment. On 4-night and 7-night sailings, the venues will feature a special Pirate Night menu across all three dining rooms. For example, a 7-night rotation might look like 1231231. Yet, you’ll never have the same menu even though you are dining in one venue three times.

While other cruise lines have tried similar approaches, DCL pulls off rotational dining flawlessly. Combining the high level of service received during traditional dining with a new and exciting experience each evening is something only Disney Cruise Line offers. While the lack of flexibility and evening dining options might be a turnoff for some, Disney Cruise rotational dining is an ideal setup for those who enjoy sit-down meal service on a cruise with a touch of Disney magic along the way.

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Sailing from Singapore in 2025, Disney Adventure will be the first Disney Cruise Line ship to homeport in Asia — and will be a destination in and of itself.

“We’re bringing the magic of Disney Cruise Line to Asia for the first time ever, and we want to give our guests the cruise relaxation and Disney fun they can only experience aboard one of our ships,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line.

“When they set sail on the Disney Adventure, guests will find incredible, immersive areas that bring the worlds of Disney, Pixar and Marvel to life in ways like never before – and these uniquely Disney experiences will inspire families to reconnect, recharge and make unforgettable memories that they’ll cherish forever.”

Seven Themed Areas

Like many modern mega ships, Disney Adventure will be divided up into seven uniquely themed areas.

Disney Imagination Garden

Imagination Garden will be the emotional heart of Disney Adventure, an enchanted valley, charming garden, and open-air performance venue all in one. Inspired by 100 years of Disney adventures — from Moana to Mowgli — this gathering space will be guests’ gateway to an unforgettable journey.

Disney Discovery Reef

Families will shop and dine in an ethereal and ever-changing retreat evoking favorite aquatic characters and nautical stories at Discovery Reef. It will include nods to “The Little Mermaid,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “Finding Nemo,” and “Luca.”

San Fransokyo Street

Inspired by the world of “Big Hero 6,” San Fransokyo Street will be a family entertainment area filled with the energy and atmosphere of a vibrant street market and featuring interactive games and activities, shops, cinemas, and more.

Wayfinder Bay

At Wayfinder Bay, guests will be called by “the line where the sky meets the sea” to an open-air oasis under the sun, where relaxation and exclusive entertainment await. The sophisticated yet casual poolside retreat will reflect the Pacific Islands-inspired artistry of “Moana,” offering some of the most stunning views of the sea and sky aboard the ship.

Town Square

Town Square will be a celebration of Disney royals — a magical land filled with shops, lounges, cafes, restaurants, and entertainment venues that exude the enchanting feeling of summer in full bloom. It will feature nods to “Tangled,” “Cinderella,” “Frozen,” “Snow White,” “The Princess and the Frog,” and more.

Marvel Landing

At Marvel Landing, heroes will unite in a destination for fans of all ages. As a celebration of Marvel’s personalities, the area will offer Avengers-level adventure with all-new attractions and experiences that showcase representations of guests’ favorite superheroes.

Toy Story Place

Toy Story Place will inspire guests to explore, create, connect, and have fun in a whimsical, interactive play land with themed food venues and water play areas, where the world of Pixar’s “Toy Story” movies and shorts spring to life in surprising and inventive ways.

Where Magic Meets the Sea

Every sailing on Disney Adventure will include indoor and outdoor fun with exciting attractions, interactive play areas, special entertainment, and more. There will be dedicated spaces for kids, tweens, and teens, as well as spots for adults.

When it’s time to rest, guests can retreat to their staterooms complete with special Disney touches and conveniences such as Disney’s signature split-bath concept, which allows two people to easily get ready at once.

Disney Adventure will also feature extensive concierge accommodations, including access to exclusive areas and amenities like a private indoor lounge, an expansive sundeck with a pool and hot tubs, high-end shopping venues, and dedicated spa and fitness facilities.

Disney Adventure Schedule

Starting next year, Disney Adventure will sail three and four-night cruises from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre for at least five years as part of a collaboration between Disney Cruise Line and the Singapore Tourism Board. Singapore’s location, world-class air connectivity, and port infrastructure make it a thriving cruise hub in southeast Asia.

Disney Cruise Line estimates that the passenger capacity of the 208,000 gross ton ship will be approximately 6,700 with around 2,500 crew members.

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Disney Fantasy is one of five ships in the current Disney Cruise Line fleet. We’ve just returned from this ship’s inaugural cruise to Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. This was our first time sailing on Disney Fantasy, so we made sure to test out all the dining venues. Now, we are back and share all the details with you in our complete guide to the Disney Fantasy restaurants with menus.

Complimentary Disney Fantasy Restaurants

There are several dining options that are included in your cruise fare on Disney Fantasy. These include the main dining rooms, the Cabanas buffet, and some other casual options. With so many great offerings, you certainly do not have to pay extra for dining (if you don’t want to). Though, Disney Fantasy also offers a few specialty restaurants that are worth a try…if you can manage to score a reservation!

Disney Cruise Line’s Rotational Dining Concept

Like all the other Disney Cruise Line ships, Disney Fantasy features the brand’s signature rotational dining. This means that guests will rotate through the three main dining rooms on an assigned schedule. You can check the DCL Navigator app once onboard the ship to view your specific restaurant rotation.

On a 7-day cruise like Disney Fantasy, guests will dine at two of the restaurants twice and one of the restaurants three times. Each restaurant features two different menus, and the 7th menu is the Pirate Night menu which is served in all dining venues that evening. A sample rotation is 1231231.

Your waitstaff and same table number also rotate along with you to the three dining venues so you can get to know the staff during your voyage.

Guests can select their preference for either an early (5:45 PM) or a late dining time (8 PM) for the duration of their cruise. But, on cruise embarkation day, you can try changing to a different time if your preferred time was not available pre-cruise.

You can also put in special requests for dietary needs, celebrations, child amenities, and table requests like location within the dining room or a private table. On this trip, we did request a private table and were assigned a table for four that was reserved for just the two of us.

Unlike most other contemporary cruise lines, there is no option for “Anytime Dining” on Disney Cruise Line. So, you are stuck with these assigned dining times; or you can choose to dine at a location other than the main dining room.

Enchanted Garden (Deck 2)

Enchanted Garden is one of the main dining rooms on Disney Fantasy. This venue is inspired by the Gardens of Versailles with color-changing glass flower lights, white trellises, and a large cascading Mickey fountain in the center adding to the ambiance of this restaurant.

This restaurant is only open for dinner. We dined here on Day 3 and Day 6 of the cruise. Some of the highlight dishes for us from the first night’s menu include the ahi tuna and avocado tower, the smoked bacon mushroom tart, sea bass, and sticky date pudding. From the second night’s menu, we enjoyed the oven-roasted turkey and white chocolate bread pudding, while the NY strip steak was a bit of a letdown.

Enchanted Garden Dinner Menu 1 | Dinner Menu 2

Royal Court (Deck 3)

Royal Court is another one of the main dining rooms on Disney Fantasy. This venue places guests in the heart of a fairytale with inspiration from classic Disney films. You’ll find mosaic-tiled murals, ornate chandeliers, and other furnishings that will make you feel like royalty. This is the venue that most resembles a typical MDR.

We dined here on Day 1, Day 4, and Day 7 of our cruise. Day 4 was Pirate Night with a menu that features Caribbean dishes like a vegetable samosa, calypso crab cake, jerk chicken, and lamb shank.

Some of the highlights on the first night’s menu include the deep-fried brie, chateaubriand-roasted filet, and the Grand Marnier souffle. I tried one of the Lighter Note offerings this evening, and the chicken was very dry. The second Royal Court dinner was lobster night; the fettucine with parmesan chicken and the apple pie were good as well.

Royal Court is also open for sit-down breakfast every morning of the cruise with typical breakfast selections like omelets, eggs, French toast, and more. This venue also features a 3-course lunch on the two sea days and the Nassau port of call. On embarkation day, Animator’s Palette serves sit-down lunch. The burger was one of the best we’ve had on a cruise.

Breakfast and lunch have no table assignments and are first come, first served.

Royal Court Dinner Menu 1 | Dinner Menu 2 | Pirate Night Dinner Menu | Breakfast Menu | Lunch Menu 1 | Lunch Menu 2 | Lunch Menu 3 | Lunch Menu 4

Animator’s Palette (Deck 3)

Finallly, Animator’s Palette is the third complimentary main dining room on Disney Fantasy. This venue celebrates the art of storytelling with two unique dinner show experiences. With decor including character sketches, paint brushes, and other tools of the trade, you’ll almost feel like you are in a Disney animator’s studio.

The two shows are Under the Sea Magic and Animation Magic. In Under the Sea Magic, your favorite turtle and other Finding Nemo characters come to life via digital animation. In Animation Magic, you can draw your own character and watch as it becomes part of the show.

We dined here on Day 2 and Day 5 of the cruise. We enjoyed the black truffle purseittes and tuna steak from the first dinner menu and the Malaysian chicken satay, garlic marinated shrimp, and rack of lamb from the second dinner menu.

In terms of the shows, we really enjoyed the Animation Magic. While our drawings were awful, it was hilarious to watch them come to life on the big screen!

Animator’s Palette Dinner Menu 1 | Dinner Menu 2

Flo’s Cafe (Deck 11)

This outdoor eatery is a food-stall style venue inspired by Pixar’s Cars and located nearby the main pools. There are three food stalls serving a variety of lunchtime favorites that the kids will love too. Each stall does also feature a daily special.

• Luigi’s Pizza- serves a selection of different pizzas each day of the cruise
• Tow Mater’s Grill- serves chicken tenders, burgers, hot dogs, and sausages
• Filmore’s Favorites- serves sandwiches, wraps, and salads

Luigi’s Pizza Menu | Tow Mater’s Grill Menu | Filmore’s Favorites Menu

Eye Scream (Deck 11)

Eye Scream is your pool deck stop for all the soft serve ice cream that you and the family care to enjoy. It’s inspired by the one-eyed monster from Monsters, Inc., Mike Wazowski.

At Eye Scream, there is always vanilla and chocolate soft serve available, along with a rotating daily flavor like mango, banana, or strawberry.

Cabanas (Deck 11)

Cabanas is your typical cruise ship buffet on Disney Fantasy with beach boardwalk decor complete with palm trees and decorative surfboards. There’s even a 30-foot-long mosaic from Finding Nemo at the entrance and sandcastles depicting the 5 Disney castles. 

Unlike some other cruise lines though, Cabanas is only open for breakfast and lunch. There is no dinner buffet available.

For breakfast, cruisers can enjoy all the typical American breakfast selections like omelets, scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, Mickey-shaped waffles, muffins, fruit, cereal, and more. 

For lunch, there’s a variety of salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, steak, chicken, seafood, and desserts. The kids can enjoy some chicken tenders, pizza, or mac ‘n cheese, while the adults indulge in the signature peel-and-eat shrimp and crab claws along with other international cuisine.

Room Service

Room service is available 24 hours a day on Disney Fantasy. Further, most room service items are complimentary on Disney Cruise Line for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Breakfast items are available for delivery from 5 AM to 9:30 AM, and the all-day menu is available outside of breakfast hours.

The room service menu includes items like chicken wings, burgers, soup and salad, desserts, as well as continental breakfast items. Be sure to ask for the off-the-menu Mickey ice cream bars!

Breakfast Menu | All Day Menu

Specialty Disney Fantasy Restaurants

While Disney Fantasy does offer a number of complimentary dining venues, this cruise ship also features a few specialty venues. These venues do all have up-charges, which you should consider when budgeting for your Disney cruise.

If you plan to dine at either of the two specialty restaurants, you should make reservations pre-cruise, as popular dining times do fill up quickly. If you are unable to secure a dining spot pre-cruise, there is usually a dining desk setup on embarkation day where you can check for any availability. Unfortunately, we weren’t successful though.

Frozone Treats (Deck 11)

Frozone is your pool deck stop for frozen fruit smoothies, but these will cost you extra. Inspired by the hero from The Incredibles, this smoothie shop is open select hours serving up a variety of fruity concoctions along with dole whip.

Frozone Treats Menu

Sweet On You (Deck 11)

Sweet On You is another upcharge venue to satisfy all your sweet tooth cravings. In Minnie’s vintage ice cream parlor, you’ll find specialty ice cream, cookies, cupcakes, and more. Cruisers can indulge in endless options of gelato, ice cream, and toppings to create one-of-a-kind sundaes and milkshakes too.

Remy (Deck 12)

The most exquisite adult dining venue on Disney Fantasy is Remy. This upcharge venue features a set tasting menu with French-inspired cuisine for brunch ($80 per person) and dinner ($135 per person), each with completely different menus. Each meal begins with a complimentary glass of champagne.

The gourmet menu selections are specially crafted by Chef Scott Hunnel, from the award-winning Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World Resort, and advising Chef Arnaud Lallement—a 3-Michelin-starred chef.

There’s also a signature 5-course Remy Dessert experience for $65. Each course is presented along with an explanation of the history and evolution of the dessert.

The venue’s ambiance exudes fine-dining with Parisian-inspired decor, rich tones, and china created exclusively for this restaurant. Reservations are required and do sell out quickly, so book early. Further, formal or semi-formal attire is recommended.

Remy’s Dinner Menu | Remy’s Dessert Experience Menu

Palo (Deck 12)

Palo is the second adult dining venue on Disney Fantasy. This restaurant is reserved for those 18+ and requires advanced reservations. Palo offers a Brunch menu ($50) and a Dinner menu. For dinner, guests may choose to dine on a 4-course prix-fixe menu ($50) or pay a la carte for items from a more diverse menu.

Menu selections highlight contemporary Northern Italian cuisine with items such as butternut agnolotti, seared sea scallops, osso buco, and chocolate souffle.

With rich wood and gold tones, Venetian paintings, and amazing ocean views, Palo is the perfect spot for an intimate and romantic dinner for two on Disney Fantasy.

Palo Brunch Menu | Palo Dinner Menu

Comments

Do you have plans to sail on the Disney Fantasy cruise ship? What is your favorite of the Disney Fantasy restaurants? Drop us an anchor below to share your dining preferences on Disney Cruise Line ships.

The post Our Complete Guide to the Disney Fantasy Restaurants With Menus appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship Overview

The Disney Fantasy cruise ship is one of five ships in the current Disney Cruise Line fleet. Debuting in 2012, Disney Fantasy is the sister ship to Disney Dream with both measuring in at 130K gross tons. Disney Fantasy has a guest capacity of 2,500 at double occupancy, but given the cruise line caters to families, the ship’s max capacity is actually 4,000 guests.

Disney Fantasy, like all DCL ships, is distinctly Disney. With a higher price point than most contemporary cruise lines, you are paying a premium for all the extra Disney touches. If your family loves Disney, then it’s likely worth it for a magical vacation. However, if you are just looking for a family-friendly cruise line, you can certainly find cruises on Royal Caribbean or Carnival for cheaper.

On Disney Fantasy, you’ll find character meet and greets around every corner. There’s also Disney-themed production shows in the main theater, and Disney-inspired activities occurring day and night. You won’t want to miss the production shows: Disney’s Aladdin- A Muscial Spectacular, Frozen: A Musical Spectacular, and Disney’s Believe featured in the Walt Disney World Theatre. Also, be sure to pack your best pirate attire for the signature Pirate Night complete with the only fireworks at sea.

Disney Cruise Line also does dining a bit differently. With it’s rotational approach, guests rotate through three main dining rooms, each with different theming and different menus. The good news is that the waitstaff also rotate with you so they will get to know your preferences over the week. The bad news is that there is no flexible dining option and the buffet isn’t even open for dinner. While not convinced the first time around, after sailing on Disney Fantasy, we do admit that the service and menu selections are a bit more premium than other cruise lines.

Another differentiator is that the Disney cruise cabins are larger than most contemporary cruise lines. Our Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah was 299 square feet. Most cabins also feature a split bathroom setup, which is ideal for families.

When it comes to pool deck and sports deck amenities, Disney Fantasy is middle of the road. While your family certainly won’t be bored, megaships from some other cruise lines do feature more bells and whistles. Sailing as just a couple, we do appreciate that even Disney Cruise Line has dedicated adult spaces. The Quiet Cove features its own pool, bar, coffee shop, and plenty of room to lounge sans kids.

While we primarily booked this cruise to visit Disney’s newest destination in the Bahamas, Lookout Cay, we still had a great time onboard Disney Fantasy. During our 7-day sailing, we socialized with Mickey and friends, watched the brand-new Inside Out 2, completed our usual drink around the ship, visited Lookout Cay twice along with Castaway Cay, and so much more.

We share all the details with you in our latest Disney Fantasy cruise review! If you want to book your own Disney cruise after reading this review, contact our trusted travel partner for a free quote and guidance through every step of your planning process.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Review – Day 1

A Deviation From Our Usual Routine

While we always recommend cruisers arrive at their ship’s homeport at least a day before embarkation, unusual circumstances had us disregarding our own advice for this Disney Fantasy cruise.

We had booked this sailing as soon as it was announced that it would be the first revenue cruise heading to Disney’s brand-new private destination in the Bahamas, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. As luck would have it though, we ended up having a cousin’s wedding to attend the Friday night before this sailing.

Nonetheless, we sucked it up and arrived at the airport bright and early Saturday morning for the first flight out. Upon arrival, we learned that our flight was delayed. Flying out on embarkation day morning, this news did have us concerned that we could miss the cruise. Thankfully though, our flight was only delayed a little over an hour, and we still arrived at MCO by 9:30 AM.

Figuring a Lyft would be the quickest option, we grabbed our luggage, some Starbucks for the long day ahead, and took the approximately 50-minute drive to the Port Canaveral cruise port.

A Day of Waiting in Line

While DCL is somewhat strict about port arrival times, we didn’t think it would be too much of an issue that ours wasn’t until 12:45 PM. For our two previous Disney Wish cruises, we were allowed into the terminal much earlier than our stated time.

Not this time though!

There was a large crowd gathered outside the terminal when we arrived, and the staff were being sticklers about these port arrival times. Thus, we waited outside in the Florida heat, exhausted and with no hydration, for over an hour before we were allowed to begin the check-in process right around 12 PM.

This check-in process was efficient. The staff verified our passports and registered our DisneyBand+, then we were up the escalator to await our boarding group. We took a few selfies with the ship and it wasn’t long before we were walking up the gangway to get this Disney Fantasy cruise started.

With a royal welcome to the Bucolo family, we were officially onboard!

While we typically use this time to walk around the ship to collect photos and videos, it was already quite crowded. And we wanted to try to get a Palo reservation. As one of two adult dining venues on Disney Fantasy, these reservations are difficult to come by. Since we were unable to secure one pre-cruise on the Disney Navigator app, we decided to wait in line…and wait…and wait some more.

The queue formed near Guest Services, snaked down the stairs, and then down the hallway to the desk in front of Enchanted Garden. After waiting about 45 minutes in line, we were informed that both dinner and brunch were sold out. While we did join the waitlist, we never did get a reservation during the cruise.

Checking Out Our Disney Fantasy Stateroom

By now, it was after 1:30 PM and cabins were ready. So, we decided to drop off our gear and get our photo/video room tour out of the way. We booked a guaranteed balcony room rate and were assigned to stateroom 5036.

This stateroom is a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with an extended Verandah. It is also technically a connecting stateroom. It is located on the portside of Deck 5 just forward of the forward bank of elevators. While not ideal, it was pretty near the entrance of the Vibe teen hangout as well.

In comparison to most cabins on competitor cruise lines, these balcony staterooms are larger. They also feature a split bathroom setup. Given the location, the balcony was massive too, with two lounge chairs, two upright chairs, and still plenty of additional space.

Now, it was finally time to explore the rest of the ship. We headed upstairs to check out the Quiet Cove adult area, the Satellite Falls pool area forward on Deck 13, the main pool area on Deck 11, and the Senses Spa. In comparison to Disney Wish, the Rainforest Room thermal suite on this class of ships is much smaller.

With all this walking, we definitely worked up an appetite, so it was lunchtime. Flo’s Cafe is the poolside food station with three separate counters serving up pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and more. I opted for some chicken tenders and Don tested out a brat. It was your typical quick-service food but didn’t live up to the selections at the Festival of Foods on Disney Wish.

Around 3:30 PM by now, we grabbed our afternoon caffeine fix from the Cove Cafe and headed back inside to cool off a bit before muster drill and the sail away party.

Unlike most cruise lines that have stuck with digital muster drills following the pandemic, Disney Cruise Line has reverted back to in-person safety briefings. So, at 4 PM, we needed to make our way to Muster Station C. Thankfully, it was not outdoors, but instead in the theater.

Time to Sail Away

Following the muster drill, we headed upstairs to secure a spot for the Sailing Away party on the pool deck. Of course, there was some Disney magic and appearances by your favorite characters including Captain Mickey and Minnie to send us off.

That was our cue to head back to the cabin to unpack and get ready for dinner.

If you’ve never sailed on Disney Cruise Line, they do dining a bit differently. While most cruise lines have a traditional and a more flexible option, DCL only has one option- rotational dining. With a fixed early and late seating at 5:45 PM and 8 PM respectively, guests rotate through the three main dining rooms each night of the cruise.

Guests are divided into three groups, each beginning their rotation in a different dining room. The rotation looks like 1231231, meaning you’ll dine in two venues twice and one venue three times. However, you will have a different menu each night. On a 7-night cruise, each venue offers two different menus and a Pirate Night menu comprises the 7th option.

Each of the venues has different theming as well. Similar to traditional dining on other cruise lines, your waitstaff do rotate along with you. What we don’t like is there are no tables for two in the dining rooms. Thus, on our previous Disney cruises, we dined with other parties at larger tables. This time, we did put in a request for a private table.

Our First Evening on Disney Fantasy

Arriving to the Royal Court a few minutes late for our 5:45 PM dinner time, we were greeted with yet another line. Waiting our turn, we were escorted to table 132. This was a table for four which we had to ourselves for the duration of the cruise. The Royal Court is the most traditional main dining room, with elegant touches and mosiac murals of the Disney princesses.

Here, we met our waitstaff of Wira and Ashley. Loyal Castaway Club members always rave about the food and service on Disney Cruise Line. Yet, we did not find it any superior to other cruise lines during our previous two Disney Wish sailings This time was different though.

Wira and Ashley were a fantastic duo. They were friendly and attentive, remembering our preferences after just one night. The menu selections were also a bit more upscale than the MDR menus on other cruise lines.

To start our meal, we ordered one of each of the specialty drinks. Unfortuately though, Disney Cruise Line doesn’t offer traditional drink packages. For appetizers, we did the iced lobster and jumbo shrimp along with the fried brie and French onion soup. There’s also a different bread service each evening which is a nice touch.

For entrees, Don did the Conchiglie pasta and Chateaubriand-roasted filet, and he enjoyed both of them. Since there was nothing on the menu for me tonight, I opted for one of the Lighter Note Offerings- the slow-roasted chicken breast, but it was very dry. We rounded out our meal with the Grand Marnier souffle and creme brulee, with the souffle being the clear winner.

Out of dinner by 7:30 PM, we were surprised that there was no Welcome Aboard show occurring in the main theater. So instead, we first browsed the shops for our typical cruise ship ornament and Don may have also purchased a Storm Trooper popcorn bucket along the way.

While tired, we decided to check out the adult Europa district on Deck 4. This is the main bar area on Disney Fantasy and where much of the evening events take place. We settled in to La Piazza, where we enjoyed a signature cocktail off the menu and listened to the musical duo Sister Sister.

By 9:30 PM, we were officially ready for bed. Being up since 3 AM this morning, we needed to rest up for the long week ahead. Thankfully, tomorrow was a sea day.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Review – Day 2

A Morning of Art and Mystery

Day 2 of this Disney Fantasy cruise was a sea day. Up around 7 AM, Don set off on his normal morning cruise routine. Collecting photos and videos of some of the exterior amenities, he returned with coffee.

The Oceaneer Club, the kids club for those aged 3-10, had an open house this morning so this was our opportunity to check it out. While not as elaborately themed as its counterpart on Disney Wish, there were still plenty of Disney touches.

Next up, we explored more of the interior ship before heading to a talk in the theater at 10 AM with Ducky Williams, a retired Disney illustrator. During his talk, we learned a bit about his journey and even won an original sketch. His persistance and dedication were admirable, and we were surprised to learn that he was originally from MA as well.

Not wanting to get sunburned ahead of our visit to Lookout Cay tomorrow, we decided to spend most of the day indoors and next became detectives in the Midship Detective Agency. This interactive game is fun for all ages. There are three different games that take you on a journey throughout the ship to solve a crime. We set off on the case of the missing puppies. Lasting about 45 minutes, it was fun and certainly a unique activity.

With all this sleuthing, we worked up an appetite, so decided to try the sit-down lunch in the Royal Court around 12:30 PM.

Don tried the fried calamari and the classic burger, while I did the penne rigate and a kid’s Mexican pizza. We finished out lunch, yes lunch, with an ice cream sundae and chocolate molten cake. The burger was one of the better burgers on a cruise ship but the pizza was not good at all.

Completely stuffed, we made a few laps around the pool deck before grabbing our afternoon coffee and heading back indoors to do a bit of work before dinner. Tonight was formal night.

A Fantastical Formal Night

Heading down to the atrium, we got to see all the characters dressed in their formal attire. Unfortunately, the photo station lines were too long for us to grab any pictures before dinner.

Tonight’s dinner was in Animator’s Palette. This main dining room has two different “shows”, with tonight being Under the Sea Magic. During this show, your favorite turtle Crush and other Finding Nemo characters come to life via digital animation during your dinner.

Don is not a fan of these dinner shows as he thinks it breaks up the pace of dinner. Nonetheless, dinner was still faster tonight with us in and out in about 75 minutes. This evening, we each started with another signature drink from the menu along with the bread service.

For starters, I did the black truffle purseittes which were great and the potato and cheddar soup which was different than what I was expecting. Don started with the smoked salmon tartar and followed with the tuna steak as his entree. I did the lemon-thyme chicken which was much better than the chicken dish from last night. We finished the meal with a crunchy walnut cake and apple crumble rice pudding.

Tonight was also the first show of the cruise, Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular at 8:30 PM. With some time to kill beforehand, we watched the family juggler in the D Lounge which was pretty cheesy. Getting in line around 8 PM, we secured center seats towards the back of the Deck 3 theater– a strategic spot to get a few video clips. Shhh!

This was the same production that we saw on Disney Wish. While I thought this Genie was funnier, Don didn’t agree with me. Nonetheless, we can agree that it is a solid production show and better than the Frozen show we would see later in the week.

Lasting about 75 minutes, we decided to grab a drink at the Skyline Lounge before calling it a night. This is the martini bar on Disney Fantasy with a menu featuring cocktails from iconic European cities. I tried the Paris 75 and Don tried a coffee-infused old fashioned from the bourbon cart. These were probably some of the best drinks we had during the cruise.

We called it a night around 11 PM as we knew tomorrow would be a busy day.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Review – Day 3

Our First Look at Disney’s Lookout Cay

Day 3 of this Disney Fantasy cruise was the ship’s inaugural visit to Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Disney Cruise Line’s brand-new private destination in the Bahamas. In fact, this was the first revenue cruise here, so we would be among the first guests to explore.

With the gangway scheduled to open around 8:30 AM, we set our alarm for 6:30 in the morning. When we awoke, we got our first glimpse of the pier at Lookout Cay. While we had heard the chatter on social media from the previous media sailing on Disney Magic, we had our own moment of “What was Disney thinking?”.

Yes, it does have a pier unlike some other cruise line private islands. And yes, it had to be built this way to protect the coral reef. But, it’s still a rather shocking surprise to see it in person for the first time.

Prior to our day ashore, Don set off on his morning routine while I got ready. Around 8 AM, we grabbed some breakfast at the Cabanas buffet. Happily, there is a custom omelet station in the morning, along with other typical breakfast items and Mickey waffles.

Cleared right on time, we grabbed our bags and ahead ashore around 8:45 AM.

Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho It’s Down the Pier We Go

While the walk down the pier is around 1200 steps or 1/2 a mile, it’s really not too bad of a walk for a healthy adult–especially when you can see the neighbors at Princess Cays tendering to shore. What makes the walk worse though is the lack of shade. What might seem like an easy walk is made much worse with the Bahamian sun beating down on you.

Besides lack of shade, there is no place to stop and rest along the way either. Reportedly, guests with accessibility issues can request a golf cart ride, but there’s limited capacity so most will need to walk. Believe us, the walk is much worse on the way back after a long day in the heat!

Once at Mabrika Cove, you’ll need to take a tram over to the main amenities of Lookout Cay. Mabrika Cove is only home to the family cabanas, a coffee shop, the boat charter stand, and a small shopping kiosk.

Getting on the tram was rather chaotic; we were surprised that there weren’t any queue switchbacks or even staff directing guests for that matter. It was essentially a free-for-all; luckily, we muscled our way onto the second set of trams. As a side note, there are no seats while guests wait for the tram either.

Time to Explore

The tram ride is about 10-minutes through still under construction areas to reach the Goombay Cultural Center tram stop. Once here, we were greeted by an already very long line at the shop. We decided to pass for now and explore the resort instead.

Bascially straight beyond the shops is the Cultural Center. Taking a right leads you to Family Beach and most of the amenities, while taking a left will eventually lead you to the adult-only Serenity Bay. We headed right first past the Rush Out Gush Out family water area, along the boardwalk to the bars, Family Beach, True-True BBQ, the Play-Play Pavilion, and eventually ending at Sebastian’s Cove which is the youth area.

By now it was approaching 10:30 AM, so we turned around to make our way to the other side of the resort where Serenity Bay is located. By the time we arrived, this area was already quite full. If you’ve been to Castaway Cay, you’ll notice some differences. Serenity Bay is actually along the same stretch of beach as Family Beach making it less private, and it’s also quite a bit smaller.

Already dying from the heat and lack of shade, I took shelter in a covered pavilion near the Serenity Bay buffet area while Don continued collecting photos and videos of this area. With lunch starting at 11:30 AM, we decided to stick around here and check out the buffet options.

The food at Lookout Cay is very similar to the offerings at Castaway Cay with the addition of some Bahamian-inspired dishes. Like Castaway Cay, the Serenity Bay buffet offers mostly the same dishes as the True-True and True-True Too BBQ with the addition of steak.

We waited about 20 minutes in line to get our food then proceeded to swat flies away the entire time while trying to eat. The flies on Lookout Cay are a big problem. While they seem to be worse at Serenity Bay, they are around all the food locations and the battery-operated fans on the tables do little to prevent them.

Since Serenity Bay was quite crowded, we decided to make our way back towards Family Beach after lunch. We stopped in at the Disney T’ings gift shop along the way. While somewhat picked over, Don managed to get a Lookout Cay Donald Duck shirt and I snagged a DCL dress.

Having enough of the heat for one day, we set off back to the ship around 1:30 PM. Once back at Mabrika Cove, I grabbed a signature latte from Mangroves & Go. We also strolled past the Mabrika Cove cabanas and took some photos of the ship before making our long trek back down the pier.

Another Night, Another New Dining Room

For the remainder of the afternoon, we cooled off in our cabin and did some organizing of all our photos and videos from Lookout Cay. Overall, it was a successful day.

Tonight’s dinner was in the third main dining room, Enchanted Garden. This venue’s decor is inspired by the Palace of Versailles complete with a Mickey fountain at the entrance.

For dinner, I did the cucumber garden roll, the smoked bacon mushroom tart, and the marjoram-scented chicken. Don did the ahi tuna and avocado tower, the mushroom tart, and the sea bass. All of our selections tonight were quite tasty. We finished off this meal with the warm sticky date pudding and the chocolate brownie sundae.

After dinner, it was up on deck for the new Mickey’s Color Spin Dance party at 7:30 PM. While maybe this was enjoyable for kids, we big kids decided to move on pretty quickly. Making our way back inside, we grabbed seats in the theater for the headliner act, the magician Kid Ace. This family-friendly show featured pretty standard illusions and mentalism.

Continuing our “drink around the ship”, if that’s allowed on a Disney cruise, we grabbed drinks at Ooh La La. This is the champagne and wine bar on Disney Fantasy. While here, we listened to a set from the violinist. While she was good, she had little personality or banter making the performance a bit boring.

When she finished, we moved over to La Piazza for the final set from Vox and Keys before calling it a night around 11 PM.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Review – Day 4

Change of Plans

Day 4 of this Disney Fantasy cruise was a stop in Nassau. While we never get off the ship in this Bahamian port, we actually planned to go ashore today as the port area has been recently renovated and we wanted to check it out. But, the weather had other plans for us.

We awoke to a gray and gloomy day. Plus, Don had a couple meetings and some work today. So, Plan B was to stay onboard the ship. Instead, we headed to sit-down breakfast in the Royal Court around 9 AM. I ordered an omelet along with the kid’s Mickey waffles. Don ordered the very very French toast and the southern hash. These offerings were pretty typical.

We then worked in our cabin most of the day, intermittently leaving to grab some photos/videos around the ship, lunch at Flo’s Cafe, and our afternoon coffee.

A Pirate’s Life for Me

Tonight was Pirate Night, so the characters were out and about in the atrium before dinner donning their best pirate attire. We also donned our best pirate attire, which was the free bandana that was left in our room last evening. After seeing other guests dressed in their pirate outfits, we decided we need to up our game for our next DCL cruise.

For dinner this evening, we were back in the Royal Court with a special Pirate Night menu. This menu is served across all dining rooms and has Caribbean-inspired dishes. I ordered the vegetable samosa, Tia Dalma’s jerk chicken, and Bananas in Paradise. Don ordered the marinated shrimp, calypso crab cake, Chevalle’s lamb shank, and caramel macadamia nut cheesecake tart. While good, nothing was overly memorable.

From here, it was up to the pool deck for the first pirate celebration of the evening with Mickey and friends at 7:30 PM. This family-friendly party features singing, dancing, and all your Disney favorites in their pirate garb. Captain Hook and Mr. Smee might also make an unexpected appearance.

With time between this party and the next, we headed to the Meridian Bar for the happy hour special. Each evening, several bars feature happy hour specials which range from discounted drinks to % off. Tonight, it was 20% off the bourbon cart at the Meridian Bar, which Don couldn’t pass up.

Around 9:45 PM, we made our way back outside to stake claim for the Pirates in the Caribbean deck party. With plenty of catchy tunes, lazy pirates, and even an appearance from Jack Sparrow, the evening culiminates with a fireworks show. Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise line with fireworks at sea!

After the show, we called it a night. We wanted a good night’s rest for our visit to Castaway Cay tomorrow.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Review – Day 5

A Return to Castaway Cay

Day 5 of this Disney Fantasy cruise was a stop at Disney Cruise Line’s other private island Castaway Cay. We’ve visited this island twice before but were interested in having a fresh comparison to Lookout Cay.

Our ship was scheduled for clearance around 8:30 AM again this morning, but we awoke to another gray and overcast day. We had our fingers crossed that it didn’t rain.

Fueled with coffee, we headed ashore around 9:30 AM. We spent the next four hours or so reaquainting ourselves with this destination and comparing and constrasting Castaway to Lookout Cay. We started at Family Beach and eventually took the tram down to Serenity Bay.

Overall, there are pros and cons to each destination. One of the big disadvantages here was the abundance of seaweed in the water. We do like the amenities here better and the location of Serenity Bay though.

Since the buffet food here is essentially the same as Lookout Cay, we decided to head back to the ship for lunch instead. But first, souvenirs. We can never pass up a gift shop.

Back onboard around 2 PM, we grabbed some late lunch at Flo’s Cafe and our afternoon coffee from the Vista Cafe this time. Since we had ordered iced coffee all week, we made a point to order a cappuccino today for the foam design. Captain Minnie did not disappoint!

We then meanandered around the ship peeking in at some venues we had yet to see like the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and The Tube, before returning to our cabin to get some work done before dinner.

An Entertaining Evening

While Animator’s Palette wasn’t our favorite dining room in terms of design and decor, tonight was perhaps the most fun we had at dinner. The show this evening was Animation Magic. In Animation Magic, you draw your own character and watch as it becomes part of the show. While our drawings were awful, it was quite hilarious to see them come to life.

For dinner, I had the Malaysian chicken satay, porcini sacchetti, and chicken schnitzel. Don had the tuna sashimi, garlic shrimp with pasta, and rack of lamb. For dessert, we had the celebration cake and peach tart. Again, these menu selections were slightly better than what you’d get in the MDR on most contemporary cruise lines.

Following dinner, it was time for some more characters. That is the one thing about a Disney cruise– you really have to love Disney or you’ll certainly be sick of it by day two. Mickey and friends were out in the atrium for a dance party at 7:45 PM. Then, it was off to the theater for the 8:30 PM headliner act, the Junk percussion band. This family-friendly show was fun for a while but did get rather repetitive.

Continuing to cross bars off our list, we spent the rest of the evening in The Tube. This British-themed venue is more than a bar as it hosts several events throughout the cruise like trivia, dance parties, and game shows. Tonight, it was a double feature of Majority Rules and the Couples Match game shows with a Disney twist. While these shows were adult-only, they were more tame than other cruise lines.

When these shows ended around 11:30 PM, we called it a night. Tomorrow was our second visit to Lookout Cay. Since we had most of our photos and videos out of the way, we could actually relax and enjoy the area a bit.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Review – Day 6

Our Second Look at Lookout Cay

Day 6 of this Disney Fantasy cruise was our second visit to Lookout Cay. This was one of the reasons I was able to convince Don to book this over-priced trip. Two visits to the newest private destination is certainly better than one visit!

While we had good weather the first couple days of the cruise, today was yet another gray and overcast day. Even though it wasn’t sunny, it was still hot and humid.

Don set off on his morning routine to get coffee and finish capturing videos of some areas like Goofy’s sports deck while I got ready. With the ship cleared around 8:30 AM, we made our way ashore around 9 AM.

Given the sun wasn’t beating down on us, the walk down the pier did seem less taxing today. Or, maybe we just knew what to expect. The crowd for the tram at Mabrika Cove also was less chaotic. I guess the excitement of the inaugural visit had worn off by now.

A Relaxing Day Ashore

Today, our game plan was to head straight to Serenity Bay to see if we could get photos and videos with less crowds. We then wanted to relax on the beach, test out the signature drinks, and catch the Junkanoo celebration at the Goombay Cultural Center.

Even though we were at Serenity Bay before 10 AM, most of the lounge chairs were already taken, which further proves our point that this area is too small. So, we decided that we would grab chairs on Family Beach instead.

Along our way back, we may have stopped to grab some more souvenirs from the shop including an ornament which we didn’t see the day before. We also stopped for photos with Mickey and Minnie in their Bahamian attire.

Finally, we staked our claim on some lounge chairs next to the Watering Hole Bar. While I caught some rays, Don decided to scope out the Nature Trail. Even though he said we was just going to go look at it, he ended up walking the trail all the way down to the namesake lighthouse. This is a compacted dirt path with some Discovery Trail signs along the way providing information about the local flora and fauna.

By the time he returned, we headed over to the Cultural Center for the island-exclusive Rush! A Junkanoo Celebration show at 12 PM. While we had heard that all the characters make an appearance during the show, they actually didn’t. It was just dancers in costume and a Junkanoo band. This “show” only lasted about ten minutes.

While we were up and about, we decide to grab lunch at the True-True buffet. I like the addition of the spicy chicken sandwich to the offerings. The flies weren’t as much of an issue in this location as they were the other day in Serenity Bay, but they were definitely still present.

After lunch, we just packed up our belongings and headed for some shade at the pavilion near the Sandsational Smoothies. Here, we each tried a signature drink. I ordered the Pineapple Pleaser from this venue in a souvenir pineapple mug, and Don ordered the signature Eleuthera Euphoria from the nearby Watering Hole Bar. If you don’t purchase the souvenir mug, you get your drink in reusable stainless cups that certainly keep them cooler longer.

Having our fill of heat and sun, we made our way back to the ship around 2 PM.

A Late Night For Us

Tonight was semi-formal night. So, after relaxing and cooling off for a bit, we got ready a little early to take some photos with the characters in their fancy attire before dinner. We had time to get photos with Cinderella, Donald, and Captain Mickey.

Our dinner was back in Enchanted Garden this evening. I went with the Garden Platter (charcuterie), turkey dinner, and creme brulee cheesecake. Don ordered the sauteed shrimp, NY strip steak, and the white chocolate bread pudding. While I always enjoy a good turkey dinner, the strip steak was Don’s most disappointing entree of the cruise.

After dinner, we stopped in at the Bon Voyage bar for some drinks before the 8:30 PM theater show. We ended up talking to a couple who was also from MA…what a coincidence.

The show this evening was Frozen: A Muscial Spectacular. Given that we really enjoy the Frozen movies, we thought this show was a letdown. We like the Aladdin theater show much more than this one. It was a little cheesy, and the way the storyline was modified for the stage production seemed a bit disjointed. Oh well, guess we’ll just have to let it go.

After the show, we checked O’Gills off our list. The happy hour special was $5 drafts and select cocktails this evening. But, there wasn’t any entertainment so we moved along to the Piazza for some live music.

Decisions, decisions. With the premiere tomorrow of Inside Out 2, we had the chance to be the very first to see it this evening. Disney Fantasy was debuting the movie at 11:30 PM in the Buena Vista theater. Would we stay awake? Should we just go to bed and watch it tomorrow?

We made the decision to grab some popcorn and settle in for the show. One of our Disney cruise tips is to take your popcorn bucket from the parks on the cruise with you to get refills for just $2. With a little help from new friends Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarassment, we stayed awake and can now say we saw the movie before anyone else.

After 1 AM by now, it was definitely time for bed though.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Review – Day 7

Our Final Cruise Day

Day 7 of this Disney Fantasy cruise was a sea day and our final day onboard the ship. Given we were up late last night, we did sleep in a bit this morning. Don grabbed us coffee from the Cove Cafe and we lazed around the cabin for a while organizing our photos and videos and doing a little packing.

We finally ventured out around 11 AM in time to watch the Jack Jack’s Diaper Dash. Yes, this is exactly as it sounds. Crawling babies are pitted against each other in a race to see who can cross the finish line first. While it was pretty amusing to watch, the icing on the cake was when the winner actually got up and walked over to his parents after the race. While that should have meant a disqualification, the activities staff let him keep the medal.

With all this commotion, it was time for lunch. We headed up to the Cabanas buffet, where Don finally sampled DCL’s signature crab legs and peel-and-eat shrimp. This was our first time eating lunch in the buffet all week.

While I don’t typically like buffets, I do have to admit that there was a pretty good selection of items available.

After lunch, we headed down to the Deck 4 walking track for a few laps of exercise. It was Don’s intent to also test out the AquaDuck; however, they were not allowing solo riders due to weather conditions. Oh well, guess that was our sign to grab a drink instead. We pulled up seats at the Quiet Cove outdoor bar for a bit.

Then, we remembered that DCL still offers free room service unlike most other cruise lines. So, in the name of research, we ordered a late-day second lunch. Don really enjoyed the chicken wings, and I couldn’t pass up an off-the-menu Mickey ice cream bar. The pizza and cheese plate were just okay.

One Last Night

Prior to dinner, we finished up our packing as suitcases needed to be placed outside by 10:30 PM. While we didn’t have to get too crazy weighing the bags, we did want to have them organized so we knew which bags we needed at the parks.

Yes, after the cruise, we’d be heading to Walt Disney World for a few days for an annual passholder preview of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

This final dinner of the cruise was back in the Royal Court. While it was our third time dining here, one of them was Pirate Night, so this was the second menu for the venue. It just so happened to be the “formal” menu AKA lobster night.

Don ordered the baked egglant and oysters rockefeller as appetizers which were just okay. I actually didn’t fancy anything on the menu, so asked for a Caesar salad. For entrees, Don of course did the lobster, and I ordered fettuccine with parmesan crusted chicken.

On our way out, we made sure to thank Wira and Ashley for their incredible service during the week. We actually do miss this level of service on other cruise lines in the recent years.

The final show of the cruise was Disney’s Believe, which I enjoyed more than Don did. It tells the story of a workaholic dad who reconnects with his daughter with the help of a little Disney magic. There’s plenty of Disney characters and songs throughout the performance from Aladdin, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Cinderella, Peter Pan, and more.

Now, the only thing left was the final farewell with all the characters in the atrium. We said our goodbyes to Mickey and friends and headed off to bed. Thankfully, our trip wasn’t ending just yet though.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Review – Disembarkation

See Ya Real Soon

The saddest day of this Disney Fantasy cruise was upon us, disembarkation day. While all good things must come to an end, it doesn’t mean that we have to go home. We were heading to WDW this morning for a couple of days.

While we could have purchased transfers from the cruise ship to the theme parks, it was a bit of a debacle during our previous Disney Wish cruise so we opted just to use Lyft to get there. This did cost around $130 but the convenience was worth it.

Up around 6 AM, we were already pierside in Port Canaveral. Self-assist checkout began around 7:30 AM, and all luggage tags were essentially called by 8 AM. With our carry-on in hand, we headed down the two flights of stairs to disembark. We were greeted by a very long line that zig-zagged around the atrium, but it did move quickly.

We were walking down the gangway, grabbing our luggage, through the CBP facial recognition, and waiting for our ride in about 20 minutes. Then, it was an hour drive to our next destination, the Grand Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs.

Following a few days at Disney, we would be home for just a short time before a full summer of cruises. Next up is Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander, Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, and Atlas Ocean Voyages in the Mediterranean. Stay tuned!

And, if you’d like to follow along with our Disney adventures, head over to our newest venture Eat Sleep Disney.

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