Disney Cruise Line has been expanding its fleet, with a brand-new ship debuting just last year (click for review) and another set to launch in March. Even so, many longtime Disney Cruise fans argue that the best ships in the fleet are not the newest or flashiest additions, but the classic ships.
Let’s get into what is good and bad about the Disney Cruise Line ship that Disney Adults seem to love the most! At Mickey Visit, we report on recent news like the testing of a new single rider line at Disney World and Disney World ride closures in February.
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What’s Great About Disney Dream Class Cruise Ships
The Disney Dream class of ships is often touted as the Disney Adult fan favorite amongst the Disney Cruise Line ships. These ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, debuted in 2011 and 2012, so they are more than 10 years old at this point, but they have both gone through extensive updates and refurbishments.
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Let’s get into why Disney Adults call this class of ships the best out of the Disney Cruise Line fleet. You can see our review and choice for the best Disney Cruise ship here.
Best Disney Cruise Line Layout
These ships are a fan favorite for their spacious and easy-to-navigate design. The Disney Dream’s large size is very notable when compared to the Disney Magic, including more space for all the offerings on the ship, like the pool decks, adult-only areas, and youth clubs.
The layout of the ship also segregates the adult lounges in their own space, which makes the nightlife easy to access and also includes a late-night buffet. The Disney Dream class also offers three elevator systems spaced throughout the ship, making the ship itself feel quick to get around on. This comes in handy when you are doing back-to-back activities and need to get from one place to another in a hurry.
More Split Layout Room Options
The Disney Dream class offers more options to find these split-room oceanview layouts, which we stayed in during a recent voyage on the Disney Fantasy. This was one of the best rooms we’ve ever stayed in! It was huge, comparable to the size of a regular hotel room, which worked out great for our family.
You rarely find options like this on the newer ships, where comparable spaces are typically limited to ADA-designated areas or tucked away in less desirable corner locations.
Adult-Only Areas Are Top Tier
The design of the adult-only spaces is part of what makes the Disney Dream classes a fan favorite. The adult-only area includes a pool area, including a bar inside the pool, plus a large hot tub. This area easily connects to Senses Spa & Salon, which features one of the best Rainforest Room experiences on the Disney ships.
The Rainforest Rooms on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy include an enclosed hot tub area with sweeping ocean views, making the experience feel far more immersive and elevated than what is offered on the other ships.
Only Teen Club Featuring Private Pool Deck
The teen club on the Disney Dream class (called The Vibe) has its own private sun deck, which is unique amongst all the other Disney Cruise Line classes.
This is a small perk, but huge if you have teenagers. This is a great way for teens to have their own space while still feeling connected, without feeling too old to be grouped in with younger kids.
What’s Not as Good About Disney Dream Ships
Not everything about the Disney Dream class of ships is great. There are a few notable drawbacks especially with how they stack up against the newest cruise line ships, which offer far more themed experiences.
Lacks Interactive Dinner Show
One of the biggest drawbacks of the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy is the lack of an interactive dining show. The closest you get is Animator’s Palate, which includes screens featuring Crush that talks to guests.
You can find a Tangled dinner show on the Disney Magic, a Princess and the Frog dinner show on the Disney Wonder, a Frozen dinner show on the Disney Wish, a Coco show on the Disney Treasure, and a Lion King show on the Disney Destiny. When it comes to dinner experiences, the Disney Dream-class ships lack that built-in entertainment element. Since dining is such a core part of the Disney Cruise Line experience, this is a notable drawback to keep in mind.
No Disney Themed Lounges
You won’t find any lounges on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy that are strongly themed to any Disney intellectual property.
For Disney fans, this could be a major drawback, especially with the newer ships offering fun themed lounges like a Star Wars experience and a Haunted Mansion bar. Not that the lounges on the Disney Dream class aren’t impressive, but they are going to have their own theming that isn’t so Disney-focused.
Average Gathering Space Compared to Newer Ships
The Atriums on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are much more impressive than the ones on the Disney Magic class, but pale in comparison when you look at the newer ships, which are known for their jaw-dropping Grand Halls. Those newer, gigantic Grand Halls come at a cost, though! This is why the newer ships do not have midship elevators, to accommodate those beautiful halls.
The Disney Dream class stands out for Disney adults because it balances classic cruise design with clearly separated adult-only areas and elevated spa experiences. This line of ships appeals to cruisers who are looking for a more timeless and less overstimulating onboard experience.
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