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Bahamas-Bound On The New Disney Dream
Eight decades have passed since Steamboat Willie chugged out onto the screen and into the hearts of Americans everywhere. Throughout the years, the evolved Disney icon has commanded the most impressive vessels with unsurpassable superiority no other cruise ship could match… until now.
The 128,000-ton, 4,000-passenger Disney Dream departs from Port Canaveral, Florida and offers three-, four- and five-night Bahamian itineraries as well as endless on-board activities for the entire family.
Larger than its two sister ships, the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic, the Dream will certainly make an enormous impact on every passenger’s vacation experience. If only Walt could see Mickey now…
Whole New World Of Onboard Things To Do
Arguably the most impressive features of Disney’s new cruise line are the on-deck attractions, some never seen before at sea.
One of the first is Aquaduck, plans of which had been laid out since 2007. This rollercoaster-waterslide named after Donald Duck spans over 765 feet in length, cantilevers 150 feet above sea level, and carries up to 369 guests per hour. Thrill-seekers wind through a network of giant clear acrylic tubes -- in some places open to the sky with a retractable roof -- on a two-person raft. The first thrill is plunging from Deck 16, then accelerating up and downhill, propelled by gushing water. The raft goes forward at a surging speed of about 20 feet per second and even flies over the ocean -- at one point 13 feet away from the ship’s edge.
In drier parts of the ship, there are a plethora of activities designed for specific ages. At the Oceaneer’s Club, 3-to-10-year-old children can shrink down to the size of a toy and join in on the fun with Mr. Potato Head and the rest of the gang.
One of the more clever innovations added to the Oceaneer’s Club is the 103-inch plasma screen on which totally cool "Finding Nemo" turtle, Crush, interacts with kids in live, improvised conversations. He’s quite the clever conversationalist, so be on your toes if he should happen to call you out.
In addition to the Oceaneer Club, the Oceaneer Lab attendants become navigators of the sea and can delve into any of the numerous activities available. There are learning modules on how to sketch their favorite Disney character, computer animation, and song-composing and recording in the Sound Studio. Beware of a four-armed blue alien who may interrupt your activity and cause some all-in-good-fun pandemonium.
Recently added in 2010 were Nemo’s Reef and Goofy’s Sports Deck, two play areas where kids can interact with even more Disney characters and while the day away with fun activities. In the glass-enclosed Nemo’s Reef play area, they can slide down stingray-shaped slides and enjoy other underwater-themed features. Goofy’s Sports Deck has an interactive nine-hole mini golf course; digital simulators for playing soccer, tennis, basketball and golf; and a walking track circling the play area.
For tweens, ages 11 to 13, the lounge/pad Edge provides a funky-retro type atmosphere with hi-tech entertainment including notebook computers for games and social networking, a lighted dance floor, and an area for creating and starring in photo postcards and video karaoke using green-screen technology.
Using a “teen-only” swipe card to access the 9,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor lounge called Vibe provides guests ages 14 to 17 a similar trendy area full of hi-tech media including video games, Wi-Fi enabled laptops and a private outdoor area with two wading pools, ping pong and foosball tables and chaise lounges for sunbathing.
Forty percent larger than those on the Disney Wonder and Magic, the Dream’s It’s A Small World Nursery provides counselors to watch over infants and toddlers ages 3-months to 3-years in a space designed as a hands-on, interactive environment for curious young minds. The nursery is open from 7am to midnight and sometimes until 1am, depending on the ship's itinerary.
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