Re-Imagined Disney Magic – The AquaDunk and AquaLab

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For those who are interested, I thought I would provide some additional details on the AquaDunk and AquaLab aboard the Disney Magic.

The AquaDunk is the new water slide that extends over the side of the ship. It’s a body slide – no raft. We thought the AquaDunk was a lot of fun, though a little bit scary the first time. But seeing all of the kids lining up to ride it for the third, fourth, or fifth time is encouraging!

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

Guests must be at least 48″ tall, and weigh less than 300 pounds. The exact phrasing is: “The slide entry capsule may prohibit Guests of certain body shapes or sizes from riding and may not operate for Guests weighing more than 300 lbs.” (Click on the image below for a larger version.)

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

No loose items such as hats, sunglasses, cameras, or shoes allowed – there is a storage area at the bottom for those items. Clothing must not have studs, buckles, zippers or other exposed metal that could damage the slide.

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

The entrance is on deck 10 on the port side of the mid-ship funnel. There are 63 steps from the entrance up to the loading area in the stack, which is just behind the ship’s horns (nice view from up there!) Because of that, the AquaDunk is closed during times when the ship’s horn is sounded.

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

But it starts with a near vertical drop – the floor literally drops out from under you. You step into a load capsule (people were calling it a coffin) and lean back, feet crossed, and arms crossed across your chest. The crew member closes the lid (which is clear), and it’s almost time. This is another one of Donald’s nephews’ inventions, so Huey (or maybe it’s Dewey or Louie) counts down: “Three, two, one” and whoosh, you drop. Even though the tube is clear and extends over the side I couldn’t see anything. The slide itself was fun, and not uncomfortable like Summit Plummet. Be a little careful in the splash zone to avoid getting water up your nose. I saw girls in bikinis come down and there were no wardrobe malfunctions, so it seems safe in that respect.

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

I found the anticipation of the drop to be the most intimidating part. The load process and the drop all happen very fast, so as long as you don’t psych yourself out while waiting you’re fine. Lee is claustrophobic, so he was concerned about the load capsule, but he did ok with it. He said it helps a lot that the lid of the capsule is clear, and the person running it is right there to open it just in case. And, as I said before it’s all very quick – there’s usually only about 30 seconds between people, and the actual slide part is only about six seconds! You can see Lee’s ride in this video – it starts at about 2:04:

The line was never that long when we looked – maybe 20 minutes. We waited about 10 minutes the first time and 15 the second.

The “splashdown zone” is on the port side of deck 10. Unfortunately that takes up about half of the walkway there, so it gets congested, AND it gets very wet. Even though there’s a plexiglass wall, some riders still make a big enough splash to rain water down on unsuspecting passersby. I also noticed that the water does not seem to drain that well, and was 1/4″-1/2″ deep on deck. I’m sure they will be looking at ways to deal with that.

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

Another new water feature is the Aqua Lab on deck 9. There’s a version of this on the Disney Fantasy, but I think it’s been much better integrated into the kids’ pool area on the Magic. Again, Donald’s nephews have been busy, and Mickey’s Pool has been replaced by the Nephews’ Pool.

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

On the port side of the pool is the Aqua Lab, where there’s all kinds of devices that spray or dump water. A really fun place to cool off.

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

Next to that, in a shaded area, is the Nephews’ Splash Zone, intended for use by kids up to the age of three. On the starboard side there’s seating for parents to watch their kids.

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

Also in this area is another one of the nephews’ creations: Twist ‘n’ Spout. It’s an open flume body slide that corkscrews down from the aft funnel, with a splashdown zone on deck 9 (not much of a splash, though).

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

The entrance is on deck 10 on the port side of the aft funnel. There are about 40 steps to the top. I though it appropriate that it’s a spiral staircase.

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

I was surprised that there’s no attendant at the top – riders sit at the slide entrance and wait for a green light, then push off and lay on their backs for the trip down. (Though a lot of kids were sliding sitting up – which might be one reason they were slow.)

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

Imagineer Joe Lanzisero told us the slide was engineered for adults, too, and for the moment the height maximum (64″, I think?) has been removed. We were told that Disney is evaluating this on the first two cruises, and will decide whether to make it permanent or not. I hope they will continue to allow adults because it was a lot of fun. And adults have an advantage because of weight – we slide a lot faster than the kids do, so it’s an even better ride for us! The minimum height is 38″.

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

I loved this whole area – the nephews’ blueprints are placed throughout the various attractions – it’s just all so clever and fun!

Re-Imagined Disney Magic

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Laura Gilbreath is a native of San Diego, CA. She has been making the trek up Interstate 5 to Disneyland since she was a small child and terrified of talking tikis and hitchhiking ghosts. She and her husband Lee enjoy trips to Disneyland and Walt Disney World, as well as sailings on the Disney Cruise Line.

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One Reply to “Re-Imagined Disney Magic – The AquaDunk and AquaLab”

  1. How were kids allowed to slide down the twist and spout waterslide lot of kids were sliding sitting up when rules say slide feet first laying on your back and an don’t symbol showing an silhouette person sitting up.