Review of the Disney Wonder Cruise Ship Re Imagined!

Review of the Disney Wonder Reimagined

I was lucky enough to get to book a Disney very Merrytime Christmas cruise out of my home state, Texas, last fall. When I learned the Wonder’s major makeover was in the works, I promptly booked my new family of three for their first Christmas cruise on the inaugural sailing following the Wonder’s return to the states. It was a quick four-night outing to Cozumel from Galveston.

Meeting Captain Mickey while waiting to board the Disney Wonder

Upon boarding the Disney Wonder, The Atrium Lobby is the first thing you see. It has received the same modifications that were made to the Disney Magic several years ago. The additional staircase was replaced and decor was refreshed to highlight the ship’s Little Mermaid theme. 

Little Mermaid murals throughout the lobby

Ariel’s statue was always in the lobby but additional decorations no encompass the ship.

Ariel statue in lobby

When you look up in the lobby to take in the beautiful ship you are greeted by a magnificent new chandelier, it’s made of Ariel’s hair colored, translucent elements which are very reminiscent of poinsettias.  This also seemed very perfect during a Mickey’s Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise.

The new Wonder chandelier

Our first afternoon aboard the newly reimagined Wonder was filled with well, Wonder. We traveled here and there and everywhere finding out what was new and revamped abroad the ship, we took advantage of the open house at the kids clubs to see the new play areas and character experiences in the Oceaneer’s Club and Lab featuring, friends from Toy Story , Marvel Superheroes, and for the first time on the cruise line, Club Disney Junior and Frozen. Also the new hands-on activity zones in Oceaneer Lab are dedicated to animation, navigation, and crafts.

Toy Story play area

Marvel Superhero Academy

Frozen play area

It's a Small World Nursery

Dory's Reef Toddler water area

Continuing on with the Finding Nemo/Finding Dory theme, the biggest noticeable dining enhancements are on deck 9.

Cabanas

  

Daisy’s De Lites and Pete’s Boiler Bites

We also saw that once he is out of diapers, kids through age 12 can frolic in AquaLab, a dynamic splash play zone that replaced the Mickey Pool. Also family-friendly is the new Twist ‘n’ Spout water slide on deck 9, which replaces the less elaborate (and kids-only) Mickey Slide. However, the Wonder did not get a second, more extreme water slide, so she remains the only ship with a single slide.

Aqualab and Twist and Spout Waterslide

Upon exploring the pool areas we found Edge, the club for tweens ages 11-14. It has moved up from deck 2 to the former arcade on the pool deck. Also in the vicinity, kids 12 and under can now get dressed-up (for an extra fee) in Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, as a Knight or Princess on most nights and special for Pirate’s Night your little one can be transformed in a Pirate. Chill Spa, the teens-only area in the senses spa has also been added to the Disney Wonder making it finally available on all four Disney vessels.

Our entire family was blown away by the brand new Frozen, A Musical Spectacular, which replaced Toy Story-The Musical in the entertainment. Which was truly breathe taking and better than some plays I have seen on Broadway in my opinion. There’s also a revamped and renamed family club, D Lounge, which replaced Studio Sea, making yet another area universal to the Disney fleet. Shopping areas have also been renamed and remodeled to unite the Cruise line.

Shop Renaming

The adult areas have also been substantially redecorated adult entertainment district and rejuvenated spa. The retro-themed Route 66 district gave way to suave and sleek After Hours.

Adult Lounges

The main nightclub is now Azure, a name that alludes to the deep, blue sea. Diversions sports pub has taken a more British bent, emerging as Crown & Fin Pub. Only Cadillac Lounge retains its identity and decor, though the piano has been moved to a platform at the far end of the room.

The adults-only Vista Spa is now Senses Spa; bringing that brand name to all four Disney ships as well as the land-based spas at other Disney Parks and Resorts. The exception to adults-only status is the teens’ Chill Spa area for the teens as mentioned above.

One of the areas I was most excited to see was the new Tiana’s Place which replaced Parrot Cay. Its theming is amazing! They even have lightning bugs on the stage

New Tiana’s Place Complete with Lightning bugs!

The atmosphere was very electric with Tiana’s jazz band playing Disney tunes, even the cast members participate in the dinner show. The food was great and the dessert menu lights up!

The New Tiana’s Place- Live Jazz and great food!

  Animator’s Palate has also been updated visually with new additions to the mural like Elsa and Moana as well as technology to support the same multimedia dinner shows seen on the Wonder’s sister ships.

Animator's Palate

As you can see there are several “WONDER”ful upgrades that have been made to the Disney Wonder, I really recommend checking her out. Also a great thing to remember is the Disney cruise line also sails out of Texas in the fall which is a great option to explore. Adventure is out there, contact your Travel Time planner today to start planning your Disney Cruise today!

Disney Wonder Docked in Cozumel

By Agent Kris

kris@traveltimetravel.com

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