It took me longer than I would have liked, but I have now sailed on the Disney Wish multiple times; both with my family and with friends. Each sailing has been pure bliss, but I’ve also felt like a Disney Cruise Line newbie since the Wish is so different from the other four Disney ships. With the Disney Treasure coming later this year and the Disney Destiny in 2025, it’s time we master this new fleet of Disney Cruise Line ships!
As a Dreams Unlimited Travel Agent, I love sharing tips from personal travel experiences with my clients and on my most recent sailing I kept a list of things I found helpful to share with all of you!
Grand Hall
Don’t miss the “Disney Victrophonics” performance on the first night of your sailing. Matching the theme of the restaurant, 1923, Disney Victrophonics is an incredible live performance of Disney songs with a 1920’s twist. Disney Victrophonics takes place in the Grand Hall in between the first and second dinner seating. This show is unique to the Disney Wish and is usually only offered once per sailing.
If you didn’t secure a spot for the Royal Gathering, you might have another chance to book it once onboard! As soon as you arrive, be sure to check with Guest Services on Deck 4, Midship. The Royal Gathering of Disney Princesses takes place at least once per sailing in the Grand Hall and is an opportunity to meet several of the Disney Princesses all at one time. The experience is completely free but does require a reservation and books up very quickly. Be sure to ask your Dreams Unlimited Travel Agent for help booking this experience. Reservations usually open online 30 days prior to your sail date at midnight Eastern Time.
Staterooms
The Disney Wish offers different stateroom “themes” based on each deck. Each Disney film is reflected in the artwork above the bed and the convertible sofa in each stateroom.
These themes include:
- Deck 2: Cinderella or Frozen
- Deck 6: Cinderella or Frozen
- Deck 7: Cinderella or Frozen
- Deck 8: Sleeping Beauty or Princess and the Frog
- Deck 9: Sleeping Beauty or Princess and the Frog
- Deck 10: Moana or The Little Mermaid
- Deck 11: Moana or The Little Mermaid
- Deck 12: Tangled
- Deck 13: Tangled
Be sure to search the DISboards where other DCL fans have made complete lists of each stateroom number and its theme.
Restaurants and Dining
MARCELINE MARKET
Marceline Market can get very crowded on embarkation day and at breakfast so claim your table early if you can. Like other Disney Cruise Line buffets, the restaurant is a U-shape with the same items on both sides. Everything else about Marceline Market feels very different from Cabanas. There is also additional seating in the middle near the coffee bar that feels more like a lounge.
A Disney foodie tip is to ask your server about pre-ordering churro waffles for breakfast in Marceline Market! These delicious Mickey-shaped waffles are only available by request and at no additional cost. Your family will be very impressed when you score these famous waffles like a pro.
MICKEY & FRIENDS FESTIVAL OF FOODS
The food at Festival of Foods SO good and there is so much more variety available than similar options on the other Disney Ships. My personal favorites are Donald’s Cantina and Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue. Be sure to try both at least once on your cruise!
ARENDELLE: A FROZEN DINING ADVENTURE
Did you know you can request a table near the stage at Arendelle? It’s not a guarantee but you can make this request by asking your Dreams Unlimited Travel Agent or calling Disney Cruise Line directly. Anna and Elsa will walk through the dining room, but it’s very quick and the musical performances are the main event.
WORLDS OF MARVEL
Spoiler ahead – Spider-Man makes a surprise visit at Worlds of Marvel towards the end of dinner! He quickly moves through the restaurant, and while he does technically visit each table, it is super quick and not at all like character dining at Walt Disney World. So have your camera ready for a quick selfie.
1923
1923 is by far the best dinner of the sailing so don’t be shy when ordering and try as much as interests you.
COFFEE BARS
Unlike other Disney Ships, there is a coffee bar midship on both Deck 4 (Wishing Star Café) and Deck 5 (Enchanted Sword Café). With your first specialty coffee purchase, you will receive a rewards card making your sixth coffee free! You can also use this same loyalty card at the Cove Café located on Deck 13 in the adult’s only area.
Lounges
Be sure to visit The Rose on Deck 12 at sunset for the most perfect ocean views! Even if you’re not dining at Palo or Enchante, this is a great idea for an adult’s night out.
STAR WARS: HYPERSPACE LOUNGE
You can bring the kids in with you to the Hyperspace Lounge until 8 PM and it truly is so fun for the entire family! There are two mocktails and plenty to see to keep your kids entertained and in on the action.
Live Shows
The first show of the sailing is “Disney Seas the Adventure,” a 45-minute production about Goofy’s journey to become an honorary Captain of the Disney Wish. Along the way, he teams up with Tiana, Elsa, Moana, and of course, Captain Mickey and Minnie Mouse. “Disney Seas the Adventure” is the shortest evening show onboard the Wish and is a great way to test the waters if your little one is able to sit through an entire performance!
Kids Clubs
To save time on your vacation, you can pre-register your children for the youth clubs. You can do so during the online check-in process or on embarkation day during the open house.
There is an open house for each of the youth activity areas on embarkation day and is a rare opportunity to see these kid exclusive hangouts. Not only is it the perfect opportunity to take a picture inside the Marvel Superhero Academy or Star Wars: Cargo Bay but it is also an opportunity for your child to get comfortable in the space before their first check-in without the entire family.
Each day, there will be a “Toddler Play Time” hour offered inside The Captain’s Deck play area near the It’s A Small World Nursery. This play area offers a toddler-friendly slide, activities, and the opportunity for your little one to captain the Disney Wish. The times are listed in the Navigator App and usually include an early morning option.
Rainforest Room
The Rainforest Room is located in the Senses Spa and is the largest of any Disney ship. The Rainforest Room includes several heated lounge chairs, a steam sauna, a cold room, aromatherapy showers, and a private sun deck with two whirlpool tubs. Prior to setting sail, you can purchase a length of cruise Rainforest Room pass. However, the day of, you can usually purchase a day of pass for $79. Just be sure to get there in the morning for the best availability.
Honestly, the Rainforest Room sun deck is what the adult pool area should be. It is large and offers plenty of shade, comfortable lounge seating, water, and cold towels. You could easily spend an entire day in the Wish’s Rainforest Room.
Hook’s Barbery
Hook’s Barbery offers decadent shaves, and in the evenings, it also becomes a not-so-secret old-fashioned bar that’s not to be missed. The old-fashioned drinks at Hook’s Barbery are custom-made and the bartenders will walk you through the entire process. The drinks range from $20 all the way to $2,000 and are special and experience unique experience to the Wish.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
If you’ve never been inside the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on a Disney Cruise, it’s stunning and worth seeing. Even more impressive, the entire space transforms on Pirate Night, becoming the Pirate’s League. The boutique is for children ages 3 – 12 years old. However, you can also purchase Disney Princess dresses in Bibbidi Bobbidi without purchasing the entire makeover experience. Just keep in mind that the Disney Cruise Line exclusives like Captain Mickey and Minnie and pirate costumes must be purchased as a complete experience.
Shopping
MICKEY’S MAINSAIL
Mickey’s Mainsail is located on Deck 6 and is your one-stop shop for Disney Cruise Line clothing, mouse ears, toys, plushes, DisneyBand+, and toiletries you may forgotten at home. Since it’s near the entrance to the dining location, Arendelle, it’s often very busy around dinner time. If merchandise catches your eye early in your cruise, go ahead and purchase it. Disney Cruise Line will not re-stock until the next sailing but you can ask for availability in the back.
Onboard Discounts
Don’t forget your discounts! If you’re a Disney Rewards VISA member, DVC Member, or a Gold, Platinum, or Pearl Castaway Club Member, you will receive a 10% discount on select onboard merchandise purchases (not available on Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay).
Specifically for the Disney VISA discount, be sure this is the card you are using for onboard purchases to have the merchandise discount automatically applied.
Disney VISA and DVC members can also save on photo packages and select spa experiences!
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