Disney Wish Cruise Ship Review
The Disney Wish cruise ship is the latest addition to Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, and it embodies the enchantment and wonder that Disney is known for. The Disney Wish offers a truly magical and unforgettable vacation for the young and young-at-heart. In this review, we’ll explore the Disney Wish cruise’s features, dining options, entertainment, and the overall Disney magic that makes this cruise a dream come true, especially when traveling with little ones.
Our family finally went on the Disney Wish after watching its inaugural year from afar with excitement and major FOMO. Having watched commercials about it on the Disney Channel, my then five year old son could not stop talking about it. My husband and I have done a few cruises before we had kids and the itinerary-based, “tour guide”-like experience of a cruise is usually our preferred way to vacation. Well, cruising with DIsney Cruise Lines (DCL) has certainly changed that perception for us!
Booking Consideration with Young Kids
At the time of booking, our youngest son was only 2 years old and I realized that he would be pretty restricted in activities at that age. He wasn’t fully potty trained meaning he would not be able to get into the pools or into the Oceaneer’s Club, Disney’s kids club for kids aged 3-12. Additionally, there are two water slides on the Disney Wish, the Aqua Mouse and the Slide-A-Saurus Rex. The Aqua Mouse height requirement is 42” but the Slide-A-Saurus Rex height requirement is 38” so we made sure to select a sailing date for after he turned 3 and an inch or two taller so that he could ride the smaller water slide and enter the Club. Plus, it’s definitely easier to travel with a little one that is already potty trained! Little ones younger than 3 can still experience the “It’s a Small World Nursery” for an extra cost.
Setting Sail on the Disney Wish
The newest ships in Disney’s fleet sail out of its flagship port, Port Canaveral in Florida one hour east of Orlando. Disney has its own port so you can feel the Disney magic before you step foot on the ship. Disney’s biggest strength is crowd control of course, and they do a great job of corralling the crowds toward embarkation. Remember to check your port arrival time – Disney is very strict about letting you into the port terminal at your precise arrival time. If you arrive earlier (like we did), you will have to get into a line queue outside of the terminal until our time was called. Make sure to bring cash to tip the port attendants that assist with your luggage as well – they are not employees of Disney, rather the port, but are very helpful in taking your luggage and directing you where to go.
If you purchased Magic Bands, you will need to have those ready (alongside your passport) while you check-in at the terminal. They will connect the Magic Bands to your account before you get on the ship.
Embarking on the Disney Wish was such a fun experience. When you approach the ship from the gangway, a Disney cast member will ask for your family name and announce your arrival as you enter. It was such a sweet gesture that we really enjoyed. The kids were also given Wish Magic Wands. They are not interactive (and immediately turned into weapons for my two young boys lol), but it was a perfect touch while embarking.
You have access to your stateroom a few hours after getting onboard, they are released by floors within a few hour time frame beginning at 1pm. Make sure anything you want for the afternoon is in your carry on, including your bathing suits, sunblock and medicines, in case it takes a bit longer than you anticipate to get in your stateroom.
Staterooms Fit for Royalty
The Disney Wish offers various stateroom options, from cozy interiors to luxurious suites. Every stateroom boasts elegant designs and thoughtful amenities, with hidden Disney surprises to immerse you in a fairy tale. We booked on the 10th floor which was perfect. It was one floor below the Marceline Market, food options and the pools which allowed us to get around super easy without relying on the elevators that could get pretty busy. Each room is themed and to my surprise, our room was Moana! Moana is my favorite Disney princess personally which was a wonderful touch to our stay. I read that very high floors means you can feel the ship’s movement, possibly causing motion sicknesses, but we didn’t feel that at all. We also didn’t hear any commotion from the upper levels.
We booked a Deluxe Family with Veranda which was very large for our expectations on a cruise ship! I’ve stayed on cruise ships in inside rooms (no windows), windows, and verandahs, and having a verandah is always worth the extra expense for my family. Nothing compares to order room service (which is predominantly free on Disney Cruises) and enjoying coffee and pastries on your own balcony in the morning, or stepping outside at night amongst the stars before bed.
Delicious Dining Options
Food lovers rejoice with the Disney Wish’s diverse dining options. Themed offerings cater to all tastes, from gourmet cuisine to family-friendly favorites. On either the 3- or 4-night cruise, you will have the opportunity to experience at all three main restaurants. “Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure” lets you dine with beloved Frozen characters, while “1923” offers upscale dining with classic steaks and seafood. The Marvel restaurant was a big hit for my boys and offered an interactive element to it as well. Quick and tasty bites are available at “Daisy’s Diner” and “Pinocchio Pizzeria,” while “Minnie’s Sweets” satisfies your sweet tooth with ice cream available all day and night.
My husband and I also let our kids play in the Oceaneer’s Club for a couple hours while we went to “Palo Steakhouse.” The additional cost of this restaurant was well worth it. The service was some of the best I’ve ever experienced and the food was incredible.
Food overall was great on the Disney Wish, whereas other non-Disney cruises I’ve been on before had seemingly similar cuisine at all dining outlets.
The lounges were wonderful and scattered aboard the ship. As Star Wars fans, the “Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge” was a fun experience. The service was awesome, the cocktails were unique and the vibe was great. My only feedback was that it could have had a bit more detail that Disney is known for.
Entertainment Extravaganza
Disney knows how to entertain. The Disney Wish offers a wide range of entertainment options to captivate guests of all ages. The “Wonderland and Neverland” theaters bring Disney movies to life in movie theater-worthy environments. Disney movies currently in theaters (and a variety of classics) play during sailing. During our sailing, you could have watched Elemental, Indiana Jones and The Haunted Mansion which were all currently playing in theaters at the time.
There are three live shows that play on the Disney Wish in the Walt Disney Theater, including “Disney’s Aladdin” and “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.” The theater was massive and the productions were incredible. You definitely forgot you were on a cruise ship at the moment.
The “Hero Zone” offers cutting-edge technology and interactive experiences. Hero Zone is an all new indoor multi-function, climate controlled sports area tucked away on deck 12 aft aboard the Disney Wish. You can enjoy basketball, ping-pong, and other games if you want to get out of the sun. There are also scheduled activities during the cruise, including the “Incredi-Games” which is a massive blow up obstacle course!
Water Wonderland
The Disney Wish is currently sailing at virtually 100% occupancy so I was concerned about how busy it would feel the entire time, especially on the top deck. To my surprise, it didn’t feel super busy at all! There are six pools on the top deck of the Disney Wish which distributed crowds well. The Disney Wish also had the first-ever “AquaMouse,” an immersive water attraction featuring Mickey and Minnie. Combine water rides with storytelling, special effects, and surprises along the way. The longest line was about 40 minutes, but if you went right at opening or at night, it wasn’t busy at all.
For a more leisurely aquatic experience, there is the adults-only “Quiet Cove Pool.” The “Slide-A-Saurus Rex” waterslide and Toy Story “AquaLab” kids water play area also offer endless fun and are tucked away in the back so that your kids aren’t run over by the bigger kids. This is also where you can find Wheezy’s Freezys and frozen Dole Whips!
Castaway Cay: A Tropical Paradise
No Disney cruise is complete without a visit to Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise. With crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and family-friendly activities, it’s a dream destination. Relax on the beach, snorkel in the lagoon, or savor a barbecue lunch. This was the port we were so excited for! Castaway Cay offers a range of activities and attractions for cruise passengers. Some of the highlights include:
- Serenity Bay: An adults-only beach area for relaxation and tranquility.
- Family Beach: A family-friendly beach with various water sports and activities.
- Pelican Plunge: A water play area with a floating platform, water slides, and water cannons.
- Castaway Family Beach: Featuring a variety of beach sports and games.
- Scuttle’s Cove: A supervised children’s club with activities for kids.
- Bicycle rentals, snorkeling, and watercraft rentals are also available.
- Dining Options: Disney Cruise Line provides complimentary meals on Castaway Cay. Dining options include BBQ restaurants and snack stands with a variety of food and beverages.
- Port Adventures: Guests can book port adventures and excursions on the island, such as snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, fishing, and more.
Castaway Cay is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and the Disney magic that extends to every aspect of the island experience. This was another example of Disney understanding crowd control well because it didn’t feel overly busy at all!
Conclusion
The Disney Wish Cruise delivered on its promise, creating magical and unforgettable vacations. With its enchanting design, top-notch dining, captivating entertainment, and immersive experiences, this ship showcased Disney’s dedication to lasting memories. While we traveled with two young boys, there were so many activities for couples or adult-only sailors as well. While on board, you have an option of putting down a deposit on a future Disney Cruise in order to get a percentage off and we went ahead and did this. Disney Cruise Line is absolutely on our list for the foreseeable future!
FAQs
What is the best age for booking a Disney Cruise?
The best age range for a Disney Cruise is 3 to 12 years old in our opinion. Kids old enough for the Oceaneers Club at 3 (if fully potty trained) which is included in the cost of the cruise. Any younger and you are restricted on activities, especially if they aren’t fully potty trained or 38” tall yet. While there are activities for 13+ big kids, usually it’s hard to get them to enjoy the princesses, pirate nights, themed dinners, etc., especially when all that matters at this age is their friends (who are probably not traveling with your family). They will still be entertained with a teens club, sun bathing, excursions, but the Disney “magic” is just sprinkled a bit lighter!
Do you have to be potty trained for Cruise activities?
Your little one has to be fully potty trained in order to go into the pools of a Disney Cruise ship. Swim diapers are not allowed in cruise ship pools, per maritime law and Disney abides by this. There is a Toy Story-themed splash zone that the littlest sailers can play in with their swim diapers. Your child also has to be at least 3 years old at time of embarkation and fully potty trained in order to go into the Oceaneers Club (3-12 years old).
What is the height requirement of the Aqua Mouse?
The height requirement for the AquaMouse is 42″. Persons under 7 years of age must be accompanied by someone 14 years of age or older. Guests 14 and older who wish to ride alone, must be at least 48.”
The height requirement for the Slide-A-Saurus Rex is 38” or taller.
Is the unlimited photo package on the Disney Cruise worth it?
Yes the unlimited photo package is worth it, especially if you are traveling with kids. As a mother that is usually behind the camera, I thought it would be a nice addition to vacation to have someone take photos. I was concerned that there wouldn’t be enough photo opportunities to make it worth it, but they are plentiful. Every restaurant, almost every hour in the Grand Hall, and a ton of options on Castaway Cay. I ended up with 75+ photos and I read of other families obtaining 130+. If it was just my husband and me, I do not think I would have purchased it.
Are the magic bands worth it on the Disney Cruise?
The DisneyBand+ magic band is the band currently active at Disney World and now available on the Disney Wish. Guests can use the bands to board the ship (at US ports), access their stateroom, and charge food and merchandise to the card on their stateroom folio. DisneyBand+ is waterproof and rechargeable. They were fun to have and also allowed for interactive “enchantments” throughout the ship. If your budget is tight, they are not essential, but were a “fun to have.”