Ultimate Guide to Cruising on the Disney Wonder

Do you ever WONDER what it’s like to set sail with Disney Cruise Line? If so, then you’re in the right place!

In fact, of Disney Cruise Line’s fleet of 5 ships (which will become a fleet of SIX when the Disney Treasure takes its inaugural voyage this December), we’re specifically talking about one of the fleet’s originals. This is the Ultimate Guide to Cruising on the Disney Wonder!

From bow to stern, let’s explore everything you and your traveling crew can look forward to on this beautiful ship!

Disney Wonder Overview

The Disney Wonder first set sail with passengers on August 15, 1999. The Wonder is the sister ship to the Disney Magic, the first Disney Cruise Line ship.

So, in size and structure (with 11 Decks and 875 Staterooms) as well as passenger capacity (2,713 passengers), it is similar to the Disney Magic. These two Classic ships are the smallest of the fleet. But that certainly doesn’t mean they’re lacking in fun or MAGIC!

A hallmark of a Disney Cruise Line ship is that a statue of a Disney character is given pride of place in the ships Atrium, welcoming guests aboard.

Ariel (The Little Mermaid herself) is the character celebrated on the Wonder!

Beyond the similarities mentioned above, the Wonder and the Magic each have distinguishing features all their own… and one of those is WHERE the ships sail.

Disney Wonder Destinations

The Disney Wonder boasts uniquely varied itineraries, and this ship may be best known for offering cruises to Alaska for the summer season (May through September).

But that’s not all… for the very first time in 2024, the Wonder offered new “Disney Magic at Sea” sailings to Australia and New Zealand, and these itineraries will return in 2025! Repositioning cruises offer South Pacific voyages, and a Hawaiian voyage is also in store for 2024. Sailings from San Diego, California offer Baja and Mexican Riviera cruises.

In fact, Disney Cruise Line JUST released its Summer 2025 itineraries, and you can check them out here!

Click HERE to see the newly announced Disney Cruise Line itineraries!

Disney Wonder Entertainment

The entertainment that’s unique to Disney Cruise Line kicks off RIGHT AWAY as your cruise starts with Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave Party.

When I say “unique to Disney Cruise Line,” that’s because the pals joining you in the entertainment throughout the voyage are none other than Disney characters!

Select sailings also present Disney Cruise Line’s famous Pirate Night Deck Party or the Frozen Deck Party, while sailings to Alaska feature an exclusive Pixar Pals Deck Party.  

And although we don’t really want to talk about the end of your cruise just yet, it’s worth noting that the last night of your voyage features the ‘Til We Meet Again Party in the ship’s Atrium.

But when it comes to entertainment options, Disney Cruise Line may be best known for its Broadway-style productions — presented in the Walt Disney Theatre — that tie in characters, beloved stories, and treasured music from the Disney films. Guests on the Disney Wonder can enjoy three shows, including Frozen, A Musical Spectacular.

This live retelling of Frozen presents characters from the film you know and love (including stunning puppetry that brings Sven, Olaf, and the trolls to life before your eyes), and those familiar songs including (can you guess?) “Let It Go!”

While Frozen, A Musical Spectacular puts the focus on one Disney film, Disney Dreams — An Enchanted Classic and The Golden Mickeys bring together oodles and oodles of Disney stories, characters, and signature songs! In Disney Dreams, which Disney shares is a “musical about the power of dreams and family,” you’ll see familiar friends from Peter Pan, Aladdin, Cinderella, and Pinocchio. (Oh, and a certain fairy makes an appearance, too!)

The Golden Mickeys is “a dazzling tribute to the enchanting movies of Walt Disney” (and it includes a red carpet pre-show!). Featured Disney films include — but aren’t limited to — Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Mulan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Toy Story 2. 

P.S. You can pay a visit to Preludes before the show to pick up some popcorn (or perhaps a cocktail) to enjoy in the theatre!

Disney Wonder Water Features

Looking for more family fun? There are LOTS of ways that passengers of all ages can MAKE A SPLASH on Deck 9 of the Disney Wonder!

Water areas for all ages include Goofy’s Pool and my personal favorite thing EVER, the Twist ‘n’ Spout water slide. (Why should kids get all the slides, huh? 😉 )

The Huey, Dewey, and Louie-themed AquaLab interactive play area is custom-made for sailors ages 3 and under, as is Dory’s Reef splash zone. 

For a more peaceful respite, the Quiet Cove Pool is reserved for guests over 18 years of age only. In addition to the pool (and its two accompanying whirlpool spas), passengers in this exclusive area can visit Signals pool bar or sip on a specialty coffee or tea at the Cove Cafe.

Disney Wonder Dining

While there are LOTS of things to enjoy on a cruise (and specifically a Disney Cruise, IMHO), FOOD is at the top of the list for many of us. And the Disney Wonder presents a wide array of options, starting with a Disney Cruise Line signature: Rotational Dining!

Rotational Dining means that guests have the chance to enjoy dinner at ALL THREE of the ships main dining rooms, each with their own theme and specialty menus on select nights. The best part is that, as you move to a different restaurant each evening, so do your servers! They “rotate” right along with you so they can get to know your group’s dining preferences.

The three Rotational Dining restaurants on the Disney Wonder are Animator’s Palate, Triton’s, and Tiana’s Place.

Triton’s focuses on French cuisine for its specialty menu, served in an “Under the Sea”-inspired setting. Look for nods, including a stunning mural, to The Little Mermaid.

Animator’s Palate is an innovative restaurant where the show is drawings coming to life on screens all around you. You may experience two different shows, depending on the length of your cruise.

Drawn to Magic is led by Sorcerer Mickey and displays the evolution of animation while guests dine on Pacific Island fusion cuisine. On 7-night and longer sailings, Animation Magic invites guests to draw their own characters and see them come alive in the restaurant.

Tiana’s Place is exclusive to the Disney Wonder, and not only is this spot its namesake’s dream-come-true restaurant…

It’s also a supper club! That’s right… while you dine on Louisiana-inspired cuisine at Tiana’s Palace, you get to enjoy live jazz music and — on a select night of your voyage — appearances by characters from The Princess and The Frog!

Oh, and don’t miss some of Tiana’s famous BEIGNETS for dessert!

Right next door you’ll also find the French Quarter Lounge to relax and “let the good times roll” before or after your evening meal.

(During the day, this Lounge also hosts family activities!)

Be aware that, in addition to evening dinner, one or more of the Rotational Dining restaurants may be open to serve a table service breakfast or lunch.

A number of other options are available throughout the day, as well. Cabanas hosts a massive buffet for both breakfast and lunch. Help yourself! And don’t forget seconds (and maybe thirds… 😉 )

Also on Deck 9, several Quick Service options serve classics like burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips and fries (Pete’s Boiler Bites), pizza (Pinocchio’s Pizzeria) and healthier fare like salads and sandwiches (Daisy De-Lites).

P.S. Don’t forget to follow up any and all of that with some soft-serve ice cream at Eye Scream Treats!

Still hungry 😉 ? Well, we’ve got some great news: the majority of items available on the Room Service menu are INCLUDED with your Disney Cruise!

Even with all that, we’re not quite done with dining options just yet…

Disney Wonder Adult Spaces

In addition to the Quiet Cove mentioned above, the Disney Wonder also offers more areas reserved just for grown-ups. These include the fine dining restaurant, Palo, which may be booked for dinner for an additional charge per adult.

Additionally, the famous Palo Brunch is available for booking during sea days! This option is incredibly popular, so advance booking through your Disney Cruise Line account is recommended.

Be aware, as well, that Palo does have a dress code. The Disney Cruise Line website states: “Formal or semi-formal attire is recommended. Also permitted is dress-casual attire with a polished look, such as dress pants, jeans in good condition, collared shirts, dressy tops and lifestyle shoes. For brunch at Palo and Palo Steakhouse, dress shorts are acceptable. Clothing such as T-shirts, swimwear and sports attire are not permitted.”

There is also the After Hours district, featuring three lounges for adults.

These are the Crown & Fin Pub, the Cadillac Lounge, and Azure which, in addition to bar service also presents adult entertainment such as comedians, karaoke, and dancing for late-night options.

Adults might also opt to participate in a Mixology Class or Beverage Tasting Seminar! Featured liqueur and cocktail options include — but aren’t limited to — rum, tequila and margaritas, whiskey, champagne tastings, and more!

These fun opportunities are offered for an additional fee, and advance booking is highly recommended.  (Seriously… these seminars are POPULAR!)

The Senses Spa & Salon offers a wide array of services and treatments. (And the Rainforest Room provides an especially relaxing oasis!) Select experiences are available for pre-booking, and you can stop by Senses to inquire about prices for the Rainforest Room and other treatments during your cruise. And the adjacent Fitness Center offers workout machines and classes.

And though this is not limited to adults, keep in mind that if you’d like to get a jog or two in, Deck 4 hosts a walking track!

Disney Wonder Kids Clubs and Experiences

Now let’s turn our attention to areas on the ship dedicated to children, offering experiences tailored for ages from infants to teens!

Deck 5 is home to the It’s a Small World Nursery for ages 6 months to 3 years old (save for the Hawaiian cruise, during which the nursery welcomes ages 1 to 3 years old).

The same deck also hosts Disney’s Oceaneer Club AND Disney’s Oceaneer Lab for ages 3 to 10. What’s the difference between the two?

Well, the Oceaneer Lab presents opportunities for learning fun, the Oceaneer Club features activities such as character experiences, storytime, and play areas. (There are also specific guided activities for the littlest ones, ages 3 and 4.)

On the Wonder, the Oceaneer Club features the following playful spaces: Andy’s Room (that’s Andy from Toy Story), Marvel Super Hero Academy, Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck, and Frozen Adventures.

The spaces are connected so kids can enjoy all of the areas, and Youth Activities counselors are present at all times. Parents will want to know that spaces for your child can be pre-registered via your Disney Cruise Line account, and registration may also take place onboard the ship.

Tweens (ages 11 to 14) can gather at the Edge on Deck 2 to hang out, watch movies, play games and make friends during group activities with fun Disney counselors and more!

Vibe is found on Deck 11, and offers cruisers ages 14 to 17 similar activities geared to their age group, or simply a place to chill. And you want to know something really cool? Vibe is located in the ship’s Forward Funnel!

We’ve got one more thing to mention, though it’s not a club, per se. For an extra fee, your little Prince or Princess age 3 to 12 can get a makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique! Disney Princess, knight, and sea captain-themed packages are available… and there’s an exclusive makeover for Pirate Party Nights!

Disney Wonder Activities

Looking for more in the way of family fun? The Wonder has got the whole gang covered. D Lounge is the place to be for fun events like family game shows and trivia, dance parties and more!

Catch a movie on the big screen at the Buena Vista Theatre! You might choose to watch a Disney animated classic, or maybe a Star Wars or Marvel flick. You never know… your sailing just might feature a first-run Disney feature film at sea! (“Funnel Vision” on the pool deck shows movies on the big screen, too!)

You can find basketball courts and ping-pong tables on the Wide World of Sports Deck. But don’t look for shuffleboard here… that’s on Deck 4. 😉

Let’s see… it feels like I’m forgetting something… OH, YEAH! You can meet, hug, get autographs from and pose for pictures with your favorite DISNEY PALS!

Sailing with you are the Fab Five (that’s Mickey and the gang), Disney Princesses, friends from Frozen, and more! Be aware that, while all Character Greetings are included with your cruise, select Greeting times may require advance booking.

Disney Wonder Staterooms

The Disney Wonder offers four categories of staterooms: Inside, Oceanview, Verandah, and Concierge. Many of the rooms feature Disney’s innovative split bathroom which allows more guests in a cabin the chance to get ready at one time.

While each category boasts amenities such as premium mattresses and linens, a 22″ LCD flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, and a surprising amount of storage space, there are many more details to explore among the varying categories, so we’ve dedicated a page to those options here.

Looking for ALL the Stateroom details for the Disney Wonder? Click HERE!

Disney Cruise Line Navigator App

Whew! As you can tell, there’s a LOT happening on the Disney Wonder! To keep track of what’s happening when and where, be sure to download the free Disney Cruise Line Navigator app before your cruise.

This is where you can easily find ALL of the activities mentioned throughout this post, book select experiences, check out menus for the ship’s dining locations, and MUCH more!

Are you ready to set sail on the Disney Wonder?  If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

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