*Insert Dreams come true quote here*
The Disney Dream is one of Disney Cruise Line's most iconic ships, bridging the gap between the classic Magic Class and the newer Wish Class. This beautiful vessel launched in 2011 and celebrates everything that has made Disney a global phenomenon over the past few decades.
Onboard, you can experience Disney classics like the Beauty and the Beast stage show, step inside the Millennium Falcon at the kids’ club, and enjoy the (very) special Marvel Days at Sea. With Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel converging on the ocean, the Disney Dream offers a top notch Caribbean vacation.
What we like about the Disney Dream
I love that the Disney Dream - alongside the Disney Fantasy - is considered one of the mid-tier ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. This means these ships aren’t as expensive as the Disney Wish, and they tend to be less crowded. Despite this, they’re still modern and offer the top-notch service you’d expect from the Happiest Place on Earth. The staff is excellent, everything is impeccably clean and beautiful, and the entire experience feels like stepping into a fairy tale.
The Disney Dream follows the tradition of rotational dining, which means your cruise fare includes three unique restaurants, and you’ll dine at a different one each night. The rotational dining options are Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, and Royal Palace. My favorite is Animator’s Palate, especially because of the special interaction with Crush. Similar to Turtle Talk with Crush at EPCOT, the charismatic turtle visits select tables on this special night, asking questions and responding to guests right before meal time. I don’t even need to tell you that kids absolutely love this, right?
The specialty restaurants onboard are truly great as well. The Disney Dream has two of the finest specialty dining options at sea: Palo and Remy. Palo is a fantastic steakhouse that serves some of the best cuts of meat you’ll find on any cruise line, while Remy is an upscale French restaurant that is both luxurious and expensive. If you’re sailing on the Disney Dream, be sure to dine at least once at one of these venues, and remember to book your reservation in advance.
The entertainment options are excellent, especially for kids. After all, we’re talking about Mickey Mouse, so you can expect the best kids' club at sea, complete with the Millennium Falcon, where children can channel their inner Han Solo. The AquaDuck is also a highlight, a large waterslide that serves as the main attraction on the pool deck. In fact, many guests even prefer it over the AquaMouse on the Disney Wish. Other than that, you can book a spot at the Royal Gathering to take pictures with Disney Princesses, watch movies at the Buena Vista Theater and much more.
There are three stage shows onboard the Disney Dream: Beauty and the Beast, The Golden Mickeys, and Disney’s Believe. Many of these shows highlight classic Disney movies and feature characters from timeless films like Peter Pan and the Genie from Aladdin. Most guests can’t decide whether their favorite onboard show is Disney’s Believe or Beauty and the Beast, but the great thing is that you can watch both during your cruise.
What we don’t like about the Disney Dream
Don’t get me wrong, I do love the restaurants onboard Disney Cruise Line. The food is definitely above average compared to most cruise lines. However, what I think the Disney Dream lacks is a true live show during dinner.
While Animator’s Palate is entertaining, I’m not sure it fully qualifies as a live show, since Crush mostly interacts one-on-one with guests before dinner, and Mickey’s appearance at the end is brief, as the Big Mouse mostly waves to the crowd and that’s it. I find myself wishing for something more immersive, like Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, where live music makes the dining experience much better.
I’m also not a huge fan of the pools. There are two pools on the Disney Dream, and while they’re nice, they aren’t particularly large or feature anything truly special. They tend to get crowded quickly, which is another downside. For a company as huge as Disney, I wish the pools were more impressive and offered more space, especially for guests who just want to secure a lounge chair and enjoy a nice tan.
The other downside isn’t exactly fair, as it applies to every Disney Cruise Line ship: a vacation aboard the Disney Dream isn’t exactly cheap compared to most other cruise lines. It’s still more affordable than a trip aboard the Disney Wish, though. However, you are paying for excellent service, great food, and that generous dose of pixie dust.
Disney Dream FAQ
Where is the Disney Dream based?
The Disney Dream is based in Port Everglades, Florida, and also in Southampton, England.
What are the Disney Dream’s main destinations?
The main destinations for the Disney Dream are the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean.
What are the rotational dining options available on the Disney Dream?
The rotational dining options aboard the Disney Dream are Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, and Royal Palace.
What stage shows are available on the Disney Dream?
There are three stage shows available on the Disney Dream: Beauty and the Beast, The Golden Mickeys, and Disney’s Believe.
