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Disney Fantasy

Disney Cruise Line® Early 2014 Itineraries

Disney Cruise LineDisney Cruise Line® has unveiled itineraries for the early part of 2014 for the Disney Magic®, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder®.

For the first part of 2014 the Disney Magic® is returning to Port Canaveral, where it will be home with the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, giving you more opportunities than ever to unwind Disney’s private island Castaway Cay on your next tropical vacation. There are also more opportunities to pair your next cruise aboard Disney Cruise Line® with a visit to Walt Disney World® Resort to visit the New Fantasyland® expansion!

The Disney Wonder® will remain in Miami, offering itineraries with something for everyone in the family!

Be sure to contact your Magic Maker® today for more information about the newly announced 2014 Disney Cruise Line® itineraries, or to plan your next vacation!

Sailing from Port Canaveral
3- and 4-night Bahamas
• Ports: Port Canaveral, Nassau, Castaway Cay
• Dates: Disney Dream departures Jan. 2 – Aug. 31, 2014; Disney Magic departures  Jan. 6 – May 16, 2014

7-night Eastern Caribbean
• Ports: Port Canaveral, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Castaway Cay
• Dates: Disney Fantasy departures Jan. 11 – Aug. 23, 2014

7-night Western Caribbean 
• Ports: Port Canaveral, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Castaway Cay
• Dates: Disney Fantasy departures Jan. 4 – April 26, 2014

7-night Western Caribbean, including Jamaica
• Ports: Port Canaveral, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Castaway Cay
• Dates: Disney Fantasy departures May 10 – Aug. 30, 2014

Sailing from Miami
4-night Bahamas
• Ports: Miami, Castaway Cay, Nassau, Key West
• Dates: Disney Wonder departures Jan. 15 – April 23, 2014

5-night Caribbean
• Ports: Miami, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
• Dates: Disney Wonder departures Jan. 10 – April 18, 2014

5-night Caribbean, including Castaway Cay
• Ports: Miami, Cozumel, Castaway Cay
• Dates: Disney Wonder departures Jan. 19 – April 27, 2014

Explore a New Water Play Area on the Disney Fantasy

AquaLabWhen Imagineers worked on plans for Disney Cruise Line’s® newest ship, the Disney Fantasy™, they knew it was important to create additional activities because the ship would be used for longer 7-night itineraries. One of these additional features that you won’t find on the Disney Dream™ is the AquaLab.

Donald Duck’s nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, created this new 1,800 square-foot water play area containing a variety of water “experiments.” With pop jets, a leaky wall, geysers and bubblers, your family is guaranteed to have fun and leave drenched!

Take an inside look at the AquaLab area – an exclusive feature to the Disney Fantasy

Whimsical Innovations on the Disney Fantasy™

When the Disney Fantasy™ sets sail on her maiden voyage tomorrow, guests will be immersed in several technological innovations beyond their belief. Whether it is playtime, mealtime or bedtime – these innovations are everywhere!


New “Animation Magic” at Animator’s Palate

Disney Fantasy Animation Magic

Animator’s Palate is a restaurant that is featured on all four of Disney Cruise Line’s® ships. With last year’s launch of the Disney Dream,™ Animator’s Palate featured a new theme that offered guests an opportunity to interact with Crush, the sea turtle from the Disney•Pixar film “Finding Nemo.”

Animator’s Palate on the Disney Fantasy™  takes the magic one step further with a new show called “Animation Magic.” The dinner show celebrates the magic of Disney animation and allows families to create and participate in a whole new way.

When guests are seated at their tables, they are invited by their wait staff to draw a character of their own using a simple template on their placemat. After dinner, Mickey works his magic and brings the guests’ drawings to life on the screens placed throughout the restaurant. Mickey leads the guests’ drawings in a parade across the screens around the dining room. The animation of the drawings becomes increasingly more elaborate, and then the drawings step into scenes from beloved Disney movies and skip, skate and dance side-by-side with characters such as, Mickey Mouse, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella and Snow White. At the conclusion of the show, credits roll on screen showing each guest’s name listed as a guest animator. At the end of dinner, guests’ drawings are returned to them with an added touch: a golden seal proclaiming them an Official Disney Animator.

The Themed Entertainment Association awarded Disney Cruise Line® the “Ingenious Use of Technology” award for the “Animation Magic” show at Animator’s Palate on the Disney Fantasy™.


Enchanted Art

Enchanted Art

More than 20 pieces of Enchanted Art, inspired by classic Disney characters and animations, immerse guests in Disney storytelling in a completely new way on the Disney Fantasy™. Enchanted art was introduced last year on the Disney Dream.™

As guests pause to admire an individual piece of Enchanted Art, it magically comes alive. While Enchanted Art looks like other hanging art pieces around the ship, it is actually a framed LCD screen that utilizes technology to create special effects. Enchanted Art “recognizes” the presence of a guest and activates several seconds of animation. Guests may see new and different animation when they visit the Enchanted Art another time. Here is just a sample of some of the Enchanted Art new to the Disney Fantasy™:

  • Dual circus art posters featuring Dumbo and Timothy Q. Mouse flying from one frame into the other – a nod to the Disney Fantasy™ stern characters.
  • Walt Disney animating three new clips that spring from his sketch pad featuring the “Fab Five” (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Pluto).
  • Fanciful animations of “Alice in Wonderland” inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s art.
  • “Pinkie Daisy” inspired by Thomas Lawrence’s painting “Sarah Barrett Moulton: Pinkie.”

Midship Detective Agency – Muppets Adventure Game

Midship Detective AgencyMidship Detective Agency was another innovation that was launched with the Disney Dream™. On the Disney Fantasy™, the Muppets have taken over the show!

Guests are guided by a map and use a unique game card to unveil clues and find missing props from special Enchanted Art. Successful detectives will solve the crime before it’s time to raise the curtain and light the lights on the Muppets’ big show. Each game features several possible endings and multiple randomized events – so each time a guest plays, they have a different adventure.

Living Characters

Magical Play FloorIn Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab youth areas, Disney characters come to life and interact with children in one-of-a-kind experiences. Crush from the Disney•Pixar motion picture “Finding Nemo” and Stitch from the motion picture “Lilo & Stitch” appear on a 103-inch plasma screen. The characters chat, play and joke with kids in live, unrehearsed, personalized conversations, using sophisticated, voice-activated animation. These youth areas also feature a Magic PlayFloor, a cruise industry first that blends the latest in gaming technology with Disney’s panache for storytelling. The interactive floor allows children to engage in group activities where their movements control the action, such as a virtual tilt maze.

Magical Porthole

Magical PortholeFirst introduced on the Disney Dream™, the Disney Fantasy™ carries on the spirit of innovation with a cruise industry first for all 150 inside staterooms – a “window” to the world with a real-time view outside the ship. High-definition cameras on the exterior of the ship feed video to each Magical Porthole. The feed even corresponds to the location of the particular stateroom location – port or starboard – forward, midship or aft. New Magical Porthole animations that are exclusive to the Disney Fantasy™ include a swinging Rapunzel from “Tangled,” a waving Mr. Potato Head from “Toy Story,” and Scuttle and Flounder from “The Little Mermaid” peeking in as they fly by.

Skyline

SkylineOn the Disney Fantasy™, adult guests step into a world that’s all their own at Europa – a nighttime entertainment district exclusively for guests 18 and older that features sophisticated bars and lounges inspired by the very best in European travel.

Skyline is a chic bar that provides ever-changing birds-eye views of stunning city skylines. Skyline’s nine “windows to the world” are actually 65-inch LCD screens that depict different locales in panorama. Guests glimpse ever-changing views of spectacular cities, such as Paris, London, Barcelona, Florence, Athens, Budapest and St. Petersburg. Skyline’s drink menu even offers specialty cocktails themed for each of the cities.

To learn more about The Disney Fantasy™ or to book a vacation, contact your Magic Maker. Bookings for sailings onboard all four of Disney Cruise Line’s® ships are open through 2013.

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Disney Fantasy™ Christening Party

by: Magic Makers Kim Marko and Megan Caceres

 

From the moment that you walked into the port you could feel the excitement…it was a true celebration Disney Cruise Line® style for their newest cruise ship, the Disney Fantasy™.

On March 1st, 2012, for the first time ever, New York City played host to the Christening of Disney Cruise Line’s® newest cruise ship the Disney Fantasy™.  Magical Pier 88 will be the port for the outgoing cruises on the Disney Magic® this summer and fall.

We started our adventure by picking up our credentials which included the evening’s itinerary as well as our dining “rotation.” Stopping for pictures before walking the red carpet had us both smiling but nothing in our wildest dreams could explain the feeling as we walked into the Atrium and saw the big champagne bottle surrounded by guests, and Disney Cruise Line® cast members welcoming us with appetizers and champagne but the most thrilling feeling was seeing everyone’s excitement in being there for this amazing event.

Fantasy Christening ShowWe were soon called to the Walt Disney Theater where we were entertained by Disney Fantasy’s™ entertainment cast who gave us a highlight of the wonderful shows that will be appearing on the Disney Fantasy™; Aladdin (from Disneyland® Resort), Believe (from Disney Dream™), and a new production just for Disney Fantasy™, Wishes. Our host for the evening was Neil Patrick Harris who entertained us along with the cast. He was joined by Jerry Seinfeld who provided the comedy and Heather Headley who dazzled us with her amazing voice as she sang songs from Tangled, and The Lion King.

Fantasy ChristeningThere was quite a lineup of  New York based celebrity guests, including Tim Gunn, Ty Pennington, Alan Cummings, Meredith Veira, Nancy Grace, Mayor Bloomberg, and Bob Iger. After a wonderful show, which only had us wanting to book immediately we were then ushered into the Atrium for the Christening Ceremony. Robert Iger and Karl Holz were joined by the crew of the ship, Mickey Mouse
As Mariah sent her blessings to the ship, the crew, and all who would sail aboard this magnificent ship, confetti rained down upon us and spontaneous exuberance filled the room….it was definitely a moment I will never forget.and the Godmother of the Disney Fantasy™, Mariah Carey. Mariah’s husband Nick Canon and Minnie took over the duty outside the ship and we started the countdown…

Royal Court on the Disney Fantasy

After the momentous event the guests headed to the respected dining location for the evening. We were seated at the Royal Court, such a beautiful restaurant and we spent time getting to know our table guests.

The menu was a variety of delectable appetizers, entrees and desserts combined from the wonderful menus of the Disney Fantasy’s™ dining locations. Our appetizers were a sampler of Iced Lobster and Jumbo Shrimp, Smoked Salmon Tartare and Ahi Tuna and Avocado. We then had choices of Mushroom Glazed Portobello, Roasted Duck, Pan Seared Sea Bass, Rack of Lamb or a Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Lobster Tail. If that was not enough our dessert sampler of Celebration Cake, Tahitian Vanilla Crème Brulee and Mini Lava Cake was proof of the wonderful menus that await those cruising on the Disney Fantasy™.

Once we finished our meal and rolled out of the Royal Court guests dispersed and found themselves touring this amazing ship and visiting the after party in the Europa Entertainment District.

Oceaneer ClubWe found ourselves wandering the ship from the pool to the spa (I think it was about at this point that we thought stowing away might be a great idea). The spa…can we say that who would want to never leave this wonderful place. We toured the Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, Vibe and Edge…and throughout the tour you could hear the oohs and aahs from everyone as we went from area to area.

The night finally had to come to a close…as all good things do, but as we were leaving we were given some mementos from the night, but even without the mementos this wonderful experience was the best gift in itself. We will never forget our party with Mickey about the wonderful Disney Fantasy™.

The Disney Fantasy™ will take her maiden voyage on March 31, 2012. It’s not too late to join the Disney Fantasy™ for one of the inaugural voyages. Contact your Magic Maker® today to start planning!
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*Image of Royal Court is Walt Disney Imagineering Concept Art

Disney Fantasy™ Sails into New York

Disney Fantasy and Lady Liberty

This afternoon, Lady Liberty was one of the first to get a glimpse at Disney Cruise Line’s® newest ship. After traveling nearly 3,800 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, the Disney Fantasy™ Cruise Ship made it to New York City.  The Disney Fantasy™ will stay in New York until March 1st when it will be christened at a special ceremony. After, she will sail to her home port in Port Canaveral, FL.

Check back with us later this week as we when we will give you all the details on the christening ceremony.

Disney Cruise Line Takes the Helm of the Disney Fantasy

Yesterday, a traditional maritime ceremony transferred possession of the Disney Fantasy™ from the Meyer Werft shipyard to Disney Cruise Line®. This ceremony puts the Disney Fantasy’s™ construction behind as she nears her maiden voyage on March 31, 2012.

“Today we celebrate the culmination of a wonderful partnership, as we take possession of the Disney Fantasy™ and prepare for the journey home to Florida. This ship is the result of the superb craftsmanship from the master shipbuilders at Meyer Werft and the innovation, imagination and ingenuity of the Disney team, who have partnered together so beautifully to bring this ship to life,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line®.  “We are eagerly anticipating our guests, who will experience storytelling in enchanting new ways onboard the Disney Fantasy™ while making magical memories that will last a lifetime.”

The Disney Fantasy™ is scheduled to depart on February 16 for its transatlantic voyage to the U.S., with an expected arrival to its homeport in Port Canaveral, Florida on March 6. Captain Tom Forberg will be at the helm of the Disney Fantasy™. The Disney Fantasy™ will be sailing 7-Night Eastern Caribbean  and 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida.

The Magic of Animator’s Palate

Animator’s Palate has long been a favorite main dining restaurant on the ships of Disney Cruise Line®.  Animator’s Palate serves up something more than just fine food: an innovative dinner show celebrating the art of Disney storytelling and animation, where many of your favorite Disney characters come to life right before your eyes.

On the Disney Wonder® and the Disney Magic®, Animator’s Palate features a spacious yet stylized dining room that recalls a real life hand-drawn environment, showcasing characters and scenes from classic Disney films adorn the walls around you.  Throughout your meal, Disney character sketches located on the restaurant walls slowly transform from stark black and white to brilliant color, amid the familiar classic orchestral themes of Disney movies playing overhead.

On the Disney Dream™, Animator’s Palate is inspired by the magic of Disney animation, filled with everything you would expect to find inside an actual animator’s studio. Character sketches, maquettes, light boxes, paint brushes, colored pencils, computer work stations and other tools of the animation trade delightfully decorate the venue; and scenes and characters from popular Disney films adorn the walls—creating a one-of-a-kind experience sure to captivate the entire family.  During the meal, characters from the favorite Disney•Pixar film, Finding Nemo, magically appear swimming around the restaurant and interacting with guests.

The Animator’s Palate on the newest ship, the Disney Fantasy™ (scheduled to set sail in April 2012), the restaurant will feature a totally new experience for cruisers.  Guests are invited to draw a character of their own using a simple template on their placemat. After dinner, animated curtains are opened on screens and Sorcerer Mickey conjures their drawings, which are fully animated and brought to life side-by-side with characters such as Mickey Mouse, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella and Snow White in scenes from beloved Disney movies. At the end of the show, Mickey returns to say “so long” to the Guests while credits roll on screen showing each Guest’s name listed as a Guest animator.  Check out this sample video of what Guests may see while dining at Animator’s Palate on the Disney Fantasy™ (actual animation may vary in final product).


  For more information on dining at Animator’s Palate on any of the Disney Cruise Line® Ships, please contact your Magic Maker® or click below to request a quote.

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The Best Ride at Sea: the AquaDuck

The Best Ride at Sea – Disney Cruise Line’s AquaDuck

by Magic Maker® Heather Straight

Disney Cruise Line AquaDuckThere’s a lot to love about the newest Disney Cruise Line® ship, the Disney Dream™.  Its beautiful décor, delicious restaurants, spectacular Broadway-style shows, spacious staterooms, and kids clubs that are beyond compare.  But if you asked my two boys, ages 7 and 4, to tell you the best thing about this wonderful ship, they’d have one thing to say: the AquaDuck.

The first of its kind at sea, the AquaDuck is a “water coaster” that takes you on a fast moving raft ride from the top of the aft funnel, through twists and turns, up and down hills, through the forward funnel and – the best part – over the side of the ship!  The journey through the acrylic tube is breathtaking and exhilarating, with two big drops and amazing view of the pool deck on one side and the expanse of the ocean on the other.

We took our first ride soon after boarding and settling in to our stateroom, and we were instantly hooked.  The ride is thrilling, but not scary, just fast enough to get your heart pumping but not so fast that you miss the spectacular scenery whizzing past you as you fly through the tube.  We had so much fun that our boys begged us to let them skip Mickey’s Pirates in the Caribbean deck party to ride the “Duck” instead!  There was no line – we literally rode over and over until it was time to go and get ready for Buccaneer Blast (because we certainly weren’t going to miss another Disney exclusive, fireworks at sea!).

To ride the AquaDuck, kids must be at least 42” tall to ride with an adult; single riders must be at least 54” tall.  The first time kids ride, they’ll be measured and then given an arm band to wear to show that they meet the height requirements.  You’ll find the stairs on Deck 11 near the Mickey Pool, and from there you climb up to the boarding area in the aft funnel.

Here are our best AquaDuck tips, perfected after our many rides:Disney Dream AquaDuck water coaster

  • For more rides with less waiting, try in the evening, either after dinner if you have Main Seating or before dinner if you have Late Seating.  Avoid mid-day (especially on a sea day!), unless you’re prepared to stand in line.
  • If you have a little one who is just at the 42” mark, make sure they don’t take off their armband!  Don’t risk having to be re-measured every time you want to ride.
  • Help little ones get off the raft at the end of the ride before you do – the raft has a tendency to flip over when grown ups exit!
  • If you get a chance, ride at night – the whole AquaDuck is lit up!  In fact, you can even ride during the fireworks, which is pretty spectacular.
  • My husband and oldest son have this tip for getting more speed – arch your back and the raft will go faster!
  • Keep your eyes open at the beginning of the ride – as soon as you’re “launched” you’ll be in the tube that goes out over the side of the ship.
  • The easiest way to get into the raft is to turn so your backside is facing the raft, sit down, and then swing your legs in.  I looked pretty comical the first time I tried boarding, and a helpful Cast Member gave me this tip.
  • Be prepared for a workout if you’re planning to ride more than once – climbing all those stairs is good exercise.  It’s a great way to get rid of some of those calories from the Grand Marnier soufflé you had at Royal Palace!
  • Make sure you read the AquaDuck story as you climb up to the entrance – the colorful cartoon frames tell you about how Donald (with some help from his nephews) gave the ride its name.
Disney Dream Water Coaster
Have you taken a spin on the AquaDuck?  What did you think about it?  Tell us in the comments below.
Can’t wait to ride the AquaDuck?  Click here to ride virtually!
Click below to start planning your next cruise on board the Disney Dream™ or the Disney Fantasy™.

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New Water Features on board the Disney Fantasy

Disney Fantasy PoolsDisney Cruise Line® announced today that their newest ship, the Disney Fantasy™ will have a brand new water feature geared to drench the entire family.  The AquaLab, a new addition to deck 12, is a fanciful wet play area filled with pop jets, geysers and bubblers.

By turning wheels and moving levers at three wacky aqua stations, guests “control” the speed and temperature of AquaDuck Coaster. At a leaky wall, kids cover holes in squirting and spurting pipes with their hands. In another area, water leaks and sprays from the Ducky Dinghy, suspended overhead.

Also new to deck 12 is a wading pool with a fountain, a great place for families to hang out and cool off. This area has ample seating and lounge chairs under a canopy.

And adults have a new place that is available exclusively to them that will provide cool comfort on deck 13. Satellite Falls is a circular splash pool with benches and a gently falling rain curtain.

What do you want to try out first?  Have you had a chance to ride the AquaDuck Coaster on the Disney Dream™?

The Disney Fantasy™ will sail from Port Canaveral with seven night excursions to the Eastern and Western Caribbean starting in April 2012.  Click here to reserve your spot!

‘Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular’ on the Disney Fantasy

‘Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular’Fans of this favorite Disney California Adventure Park show will now have a new place to see the Genie and get swept away in “A Whole New World.”

A new Broadway-style production will take the stage in the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the Disney Fantasy™. This show brings to life the story from a classic animated Disney film – “Aladdin.” New to Disney Cruise Line®, “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” is a fast-paced musical comedy where Aladdin, the “street rat” of Agrabah, meets a wise-cracking Genie who grants him three wishes.

Along the way, Aladdin battles the evil Jafar and falls in love with Princess Jasmine. Kids and adults alike are all going to love this entertaining show!

If you’re hoping there will be a flying magic carpet scene, your wish is coming true. With the help of mechanical wizardry and state-of-the-art projections, Aladdin and Jasmine will perform “Whole New World” as they soar on a romantic magic carpet ride.

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