Magic, wonder, ‘faith, trust, pixie dust’, wishing on a star & dreams come true…
“When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.” – Walt Disney
I most certainly believe in magic, and this week I was delighted to be offered the chance to sample ‘Disney Magic’ first-hand, with a Disney Cruise Line ship visit!
To say I was excited about this ship visit, would be the understatement of the century! It is no secret that I love Disney, and the opportunity to spend a little time aboard Disney Magic was a dream come true for me!
We boarded the ship early in the morning and, in true Disney-style, we were soon welcomed aboard by Captain Mickey!
I have to say though, the one thing which resonated with all of us as we explored the vessel, is the way in which touches of Disney are tastefully woven into the fabric of the ship, without it seeming like you are part of a bright and animated nautical adventure.
The atrium and public walkways aboard, certainly do not scream Disney! In fact, those full-on Disney fans expecting to bump into characters around every corner, may be disappointed… instead character greeting times are detailed on a screen beside Guest Services and listed in the daily ‘Navigator’ schedule, rather than characters strolling around the ship, for example.
Similarly, the decor of the ship is rather understated in terms of Disney-related features; little details reflect Disney as you wander the vessel, yet in many areas you would be hard-pressed to recognise that you are aboard a Disney ship. Even in the atrium, save for a statue of Captain Mickey and some signature character carvings, there are certainly no bright and bold Disney colours & branding, instead the style is classically elegant, somewhat like the Disney Moderate & Deluxe Hotels at the Disney Resort properties.
The exception to this is of course, the Lido Deck; where the bright funnels, adorned with not-so-hidden Mickeys, proudly showcase the Disney brand in all its glory, and brightly coloured waterslides twist & loop, high above the pool area, whilst Disney movies play on the big screen.
…& of course within the onboard kids club, where you’ll find a sprinkling of fairy magic at Pixie Hollow, an area dedicated to Marvel heroes, the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and of course Andy’s Room!
(& yes, I did indeed slip off my shoes to whizz down the Slinky Dog Slide … twice!)
I must admit, I had imagined that the guest cabins aboard Disney Magic, would be brightly-coloured and overtly Disney-themed, somewhat like the Art of Animation & All Star Resort guest rooms. However, the cabins are actually very tastefully decorated and ideal for families, with some cabins featuring split bathrooms and the option to sleep five comfortably.
For those looking for some extra space and a little added luxury, the Disney Suite offers a lounge and dining area, as well as a study, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and balcony. I could quite happily have stayed here and continued the voyage in style!
Although I was unable to stow away in the Disney Suite, I was offered the opportunity to ‘Be Our Guest’ and dine at Lumières – Disney Magic’s ‘Beauty & The Beast’ inspired restaurant, where the cuisine was sublime and the setting simply beautiful.
I was also very taken with two further restaurants on board:
Animator’s Palate – this restaurant would most definitely appeal to my son, Ryan, who is quite the budding artist and spends much of his free time perfecting his line drawings and creating animated characters. Animator’s Palate features a black & white backdrop, which transforms into colour as the meal progresses, with even the waiters’ uniforms joining the glorious technicolour transformation.
I was also entranced by the fairytale splendour of Rapunzel’s Royal Table, in which the attention to detail is absolutely beautiful; with intricate figures featured in the golden bread bowls, and shades of lilac set beautifully beneath a canopy of floating lanterns, as featured in the movie; ‘Tangled’. A restaurant sure to delight little princesses and certainly a favourite for my daughter, who is keen to visit and meet Rapunzel aboard.
Disney operate a rotational dining system, giving guests the opportunity to sample a variety of restaurants throughout their voyage, and also feature snack bars, casual eateries and of course speciality dining options.
After dinner, what better way to round off the day, than enjoying an evening of entertainment at the Walt Disney Theatre…
Or perhaps, some late-night activities at the kids club for the children, whilst we sample the delights of ‘After Hours’ – the adult entertainment district aboard Disney Magic…
Disney Cruise Line certainly offer something for everyone, and a truly unique opportunity to relax & unwind as a family, enjoying the Magic of Disney.
“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.” – Walt Disney
I would like to thank Disney Cruise Line for the opportunity to spend some time aboard Disney Magic…
…and Mickey Mouse; “I hope to see you real soon!” xxx
Katrina And The Waves ?
