WE WENT ON A DISNEY DREAM CRUISE | OUR FULL EXPERIENCE

Apr 16

Written By

If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that the whole family can enjoy, then book a cruise on the beautiful Disney Dream.

Built-in 2011, the Disney Dream is the 3rd ship in the Disney Cruise line. Our 5-day cruise left Port Canaveral, Florida, and sailed to the Bahamas and then to Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island). Even with only two ports of call, we had an action-packed itinerary on board, with delicious food, lively entertainment, and of course, all the Disney magic you can handle.

Despite having a few roadblocks (like forgetting our passports in Orlando and rescheduling our cruise), we can honestly say that the Disney Dream has exceeded our expectations. Whether you’re coming with your partner or with the entire family, there’s something for everyone on this ship.

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Our Experience on the Disney Dream

The Rooms

There are four main room categories aboard the Disney Dream.

The cheapest rooms are inside cabins, which feature a queen-sized bed, sleeper sofa, and a full bathroom. Unfortunately, there isn't a window, although the "Magic Porthole" monitor does give you a real-time view of the ship's exterior.

Oceanview rooms are the next step up. But instead of an LCD screen, you have an actual porthole that looks out onto the ocean! Then, you have the balcony staterooms. This is where we stayed. These cabins are surprisingly spacious with a queen-size bed, separate seating area (with sleeper sofa), full bathroom, and a huge outdoor verandah.

Suite rooms are also available if you want to splurge. These luxury rooms have a ton of space (dining room, living room, split bath, etc.) and come with several upgraded amenities.

Morning breakfast on the balcony

The Food

Unlike other cruise companies, Disney does rotational dining. That means you’ll get to dine in each of the different restaurants on the ship! Your table companions and wait staff travel with you too, so you’ll always see a familiar face.

Mickey ice cream for dessert

There are three main dining rooms onboard. We dined in the Royal Palace dining room on our first night and were wowed by how delicious the food was. We also ate at the Animator's Palate a few times, which was like dining in a Pixar animator's studio.

On our last night, we ate in the Enchanted Garden. From the cascading fountain to the white garden trellises, you’ll feel like you’re dining somewhere in the middle of France!

Pirate Night themed dinner

In addition to the main dining rooms, the Cabanas Buffet is also open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll also find cafes where you can grab a quick snack or sweet treat.

For the adults, the Disney Dream has six different bars and two adult-only restaurants. The French-themed Remy restaurant has the reputation of being the best restaurant at sea, with a menu designed by Michelin chef, Arnaud Lallement.

Pool side pizza

The Entertainment

It should come as no surprise that the entertainment on the Disney Dream is top-notch. On our first night, we saw a live performance of Beauty and the Beast. It was just like going to a Broadway show in the city, with amazing singers, talented dancers, and beautiful sets.

There’s also a movie theatre which plays different films around the clock. And of course, let’s not forget about the Disney Ever After fireworks show display on our last night! There are also deck parties, themed nights, and lots of live music to keep you entertained all evening.

If you’re travelling with children, you can take advantage of the different kiddie areas onboard. They have a nursery (3 months to 3 years), a kid's club (3 to 10 years), a tween area (11 to 13 years), and a teen center (14 to 17 years).

Hunter meeting Donald

The Outdoor Recreation

The main deck of the ship is where all the action happens. There are three freshwater pools, a kid’s play area, and tons of sun chairs for relaxing or sunbathing. The ship also has a mini-golf course, so you can challenge your other shipmates to a friendly competition.

Of course, we can’t talk about the Disney Dream without mentioning the AquaDuck. This is a 250-yard water "roller coaster" that shoots you through a transparent tube that twists and turns around the entire ship. It was so much fun and definitely one of our favourite parts on the cruise.

The front of the ship is adults-only. It contains the Quiet Cove pool, so it’s a great place to go if you want to relax and enjoy a drink at the swim-up bar.