Reviewed by: Malcolm Leyland
Date: 21 Jan 2025
Cruise line and ship: Disney Wonder
Size of ship: 984ft and 84,130 tonnes
Guest Staterooms: 875
Passenger Capacity: 2,713 passengers
Year built: 1999
Currency onboard: USD
CABINS
I stayed in a Deluxe Oceanview with Verandah cabin and found the cabin to be very spacious. The room had a separate toilet to the shower, plenty of drawers and cupboard space, a large desk and could be configured as a double, triple or quad share room. The room had a large glass door that opened to the balcony and the premium finishings was quite noticeable. The bed had a premium plus euro top mattress with very soft sheets. The bath towels were also noticeably soft and fluffy.
The room had a smaller 22” flat screen TV on a swivel arm that hosted more than it’s fair share of Disney content. Along with a small fridge, in room safe, hair dryer and phone. There was also a mural of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy and her brothers soaring through the sky when the upper-berth bed was pulled down!
Disney Cruise Line offers a daily housecleaning service as well as a turn down service each evening, complete with delightful chocolates.
Other room categories onboard the ship are :
Standard / Deluxe Inside Rooms
Standard / Deluxe Oceanview Rooms
Deluxe Oceanview with Navigators Verandah
Deluxe Oceanview with Verandah
Deluxe Family Oceanview with Verandah – Sleeps 5
Concierge 1 Bedroom Suite with Verandah
Concierge 2 Bedroom Suite with Verandah – Sleeps 7
Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah – Sleeps 7
The difference between Standard Rooms and Deluxe Rooms is that the Deluxe Rooms have a separate shower and toilet area, whereas the Standard Rooms share one room. After inspecting a few of the cabins, it was also noted that the Interior and Oceanview rooms are very spacious with just as much space as the Verandah room.
ONBOARD RECREATION
There are plenty of places to be active onboard Disney Wonder. The Aqualab area is a water playground that will cool off all the family, whilst the Aquadunk slide is a 3 storey tall body slide that definitely causes a splash.
Nearby you’ll find the main pool named Goofy’s Pool and is 1 of 3 freshwater pools onboard the ship. The pool is in a prime location to catch your favourite Disney movie on the big screen, whilst you cool off on a hot day at sea.
The Quiet Cove Pool for adults only is a spacious area with a cafe and plenty of space to relax and unwind without the kids. While the Fitness Centre has some stunning forward facing views with top of the line machines, free weights and training available
On the top deck, you will find the Wide World of Sports zone, ideal for a game of table tennis, Foosball or even 3 point basketball. Located on the top forward area of Disney Wonder, this netted off area is the ideal space to run off some steam and take in the beautiful ocean views.
DINING CHOICES
Disney Cruise Line offers 3 main dining rooms. Tiana’s Place, a celebration of southern cooking and live jazz music. Tritons, classic American fare for breakfast and lunch and continental cuisine with a French flair for dinner and my personal favorite, Animators Palate, serving up a unique dinner and show.
Unique to Disney Cruise Lines, each night you will be rotated through to a new restaurant to experience. Your wait staff follow you to each restaurant giving you that familiar face each night, along with the new surroundings.
Outside of the main dining options Disney Wonder also offers complimentary eats at Duck-In Diner, Pinocchio’s Pizzeria, Eye Scream Treats and the buffet Cabanas.
For additional fees, Royal Court Royal Tea Party is a lovely character dining experience that allows guests aged 3 – 12a tea party hosted by some of their favourite Disney Characters.
Finally, specialty restaurant Palo offers up Northern Italian with a modern twist.
ENTERTAINMENT
As to be expected, Disney Cruise Line serves up entertainment wherever you are. From personal character meet and greets, broadway style shows and upbeat deck parties, there is so much to do, I was unable to see it all.
The entertainment was of such high calibre and it truly felt more that I was visiting Disneyland than being onboard a cruise ship.
The Golden Mickeys, Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic and Frozen, A Musical Spectacular are three broadway style shows experienced onboard. The style of these shows rivalled the production shows you may see at the State Theatre.
Up on deck did not disappoint either with Fireworks set off on the ship for Pirate Night as well as an incredible Marvel Avengers show complete with pyrotechnics and special effects. Was that Spiderman crawling up the funnel of the ship?
During dinner there is also entertainment to be had, be it a celebration of the south at Tianas or creating your own artwork and it being brought to life at Animators Palatte, every inch of Disney Wonder had something to offer.
It wouldn’t be Disney without a few special characters along the way and Disney doesn’t disappoint. All your favourite friends are here to meet and greet from Mickey and Minnie to Moana and Spiderman.
A meet and greet is just the beginning with characters roaming all over the ship, you never know who you might bump into walking to the buffet!
Recently included on Disney Wonder was the addition of character meet and greets with Bluey and Bingo!
KIDS CLUB
It would be amiss to not mention the Disney Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab onboard. Spanning almost the entirety of Deck 5, except for the Movie Cinema at the back, Disney has made sure that they have created a space that even adults are envious of.
The kids club is split into 2 areas; Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab. Both are connected by a private walkway allowing children to safely walk between both areas throughout the day to enjoy the various activities both have to offer.
The Oceaneer Club is reserved exclusively for children ages 3 to 10, while the Oceaneer Lab is open to both younger and older children.
There are plenty of themed spaces for kids to enjoy. Andy’s Room is a multi-level playground complete with oversized Slinky Dog Slide, Marvel Super Hero Academy lets kids become part of the top secret S.H.I.E.L.D. and even wield weapons of their favourite Avenger.
At Frozen Adventures, take a seat in a log cabin where you may even get a summer sing along and finally Mickey and Minnie’s Captain’s Deck, where you can even steer your very own Disney Cruise Ship. Outside of the themed areas, there are also plenty of Guided Group activities, Dance Parties, racing games and more.
For those kids that would just prefer to maybe have some quiet time, Disney has them covered too with plenty of video games, arts, crafts and movies available.
Finally, there are plenty of random surprise appearances throughout the day from all the favourite Disney Characters and more. Ever wanted to make space goo? Stitch has you covered! What about helping out on a super secret mission alongside the Avengers? You’ve just been recruited.
There is also a nursery onboard for ages 6 months to 3 years. The nursery has an acclimation zone that’s used to help younger kids adjust to the new environment, a separate quiet room for naptime as well as activities that include games, arts and crafts, movies and more to ensure even the youngest of sailors can enjoy their Disney Cruise.
WHAT NOT TO BRING
Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and handwash are all provided in your room.
MUST DO ONBOARD
Eat everything! Disney Wonder does not shy away from the food. The quality of food onboard was also incredible. At breakfast you can have Mickey Mouse waffles, fresh fruit, omelettes or keep it simple with cereals.
Lunch at Cabanas served up fresh prawns, crab claws as well as a range of rotating options from Indian, Asian, American and more.
The cafes and smaller quick service restaurants also had plenty of variety to offer. Gyros, burgers, pizzas and more, with all the food offerings being of a premium quality.
GOOD TO KNOW
Your fare not only includes your accommodation, food and entertainment, but also covers your soft drinks and 24 hour room service.
If you forget your international travel adapter, Disney Cruise Line has you covered with one in the room complimentary to use on the sailing.
The main bed in the cabins are all double beds and cannot be split. The lounge can be converted into a single and often a pull down bunk for an additional guest.
Outside of Cabanas is a drink station serving up tea, coffee, soft drinks and more all complimentary. I would recommend bringing a reusable bottle.
At the Forward of Deck 3 is a lovely adults-only area that has the Cadillac Lounge, Crown and Fin Pub and Azure nightclub. I loved the way this zone was setup making it easy to have a few drinks at the lounge or pub, before heading off to have a dance nearby.
SUMMARY
Disney Wonder was truly a premium experience. This is more than just a cruise, it really is Disneyland at sea.
Disney Cruise Line has something for everyone. Families will get a kick out of all the Disney activities to do together, from character meet and greets to special magical moments onboard.
Adults will enjoy the quiet spaces set aside just for them, from the outdoor pool area to the Adults Only bars and club.
Disney Wonder offers outstanding service, incredible food and premium touches all over the ship. The food was incredible, the staff made every moment as magical as you would expect from Disney.
Overall, I was really impressed by what Disney has offered onboard. I went in unsure of what to expect and came home with memories to last a lifetime.
Disney Wonder isn’t just for kids, it’s for the young at heart. From world-class entertainment to exceptional dining, every moment is designed to spark joy and nostalgia. So why not let your inner child come out to play? After all, a little Disney magic never gets old.”
Video Links
Disney Wonder – Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom Cabin #8066 (Category 04A) with Verandah- https://youtube.com/shorts/X52HexX02Ew
Disney Wonder – Roy O Disney Suite #8530 cabin walkthrough – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj40rSvn-ck&feature=youtu.be
