The Disney Magic: An Overview of Disney Cruise Line’s First Ship

The Disney Magic was our first Disney Cruise Line ship and will always have a special place in our hearts. This ship has so much to offer and shouldn’t be overlooked! Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Disney Cruise Line’s first ship!

1 – Disney Magic

The Disney Magic is the first ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Its maiden voyage was July 30, 1998, but it has received several refurbishments to keep the ship up to date. It’s a relatively small ship with 875 staterooms and a capacity of 2,713 passengers. The largest Disney ships, the Dream and Fantasy, hold 4,000 passengers and have 1250 staterooms. Check out the breakdown of the staterooms below.

• • 262 Inside Staterooms (30 percent)
  • 613 Outside Staterooms (70 percent)
  • 229 ocean view
  • 384 verandah (includes 22 suites)

2 – Youth Spaces

As you might expect, Disney Cruise Line excels in its youth programming. During our Disney Magic cruise in January 2019, we had the opportunity to tour the youth areas of the ship with Beth, the Manager of Youth Activities, to hear about Disney’s youth programs. Disney has five different youth clubs for various age ranges, from small babies to seventeen-year-olds. Each space has a unique theme tied to a specific story for that particular area. For example, Vibe, the space for 14-17-year old’s, is modeled after a New York City loft. It’s so cool, and certainly, any teen would want to hang out there (oh, to be young again). Disney has taken great care in designing and implementing their youth programming, and it was very impressive to hear about what goes into serving younger guests.

3 – Pools

A highlight of any cruise vacation is spending time on the pool deck. Family fun in the sun has never been better aboard the Disney Magic, with completely re-imagined recreation and relaxation areas on the ship’s pool decks.

From free-falling water slides to laughter-filled splash zones, there are plenty of new outdoor places and spaces, whether guests want to wade or just relax in the shade. The upper decks of the Disney Magic have been redesigned for plenty of “splashtacular” fun, with waterful adventures that include a three-story, near-vertical water slide for thrill-seekers and a Huey, Dewey and Louie-themed toddler splash zone for smaller ducklings. Having areas for all age groups to play and for families to create new memories was the driving goal for Walt Disney Imagineering when it designed the new pool deck areas. Another goal was to add more covered outdoor areas so guests could escape the rays of the seafaring sun.

“From small children to teens to adults, everyone has a space to have fun in the sun and water,” says Joe Lanzisero, senior creative vice president for Walt Disney Imagineering. “We added more water play areas, dynamic slides, interactive elements for the kids, and more shade.”

On deck 9, there are three pool areas. In the aft of the ship, you’ll find Aqua Lab, the kid’s pool area that includes the Nephew’s Splash Zone, and the bottom of the Twist’ n’ Spout water slide. Midship features Goofy’s Family Pool, which is a nice-sized area for all ages. The Funnel Vision screen is in this area and features movies and show entertainment. Finally, in the forward section of the ship is the Quiet Cove Adult Pool for guests over the age of 18. This area is a nice quiet area away from the excitement of the family pool and is a nice place to relax.

4 – Restaurants

It is true that you’ll never go hungry on a cruise ship! There are so many fantastic dining options to be found all over the ship. Cabanas is a casual indoor/outdoor breakfast or lunch buffet-style dinner. Drawing inspiration from Australian influences with uniquely Disney touches, Cabanas offers indoor and outdoor dining. The Australian setting of the Disney-Pixar animated classic “Finding Nemo” inspires the décor, and guests can find hints of the film’s fishy and feathered friends throughout the restaurant. The beach-themed dining room, colorful surfboards, beach umbrellas, and teak Adirondack chairs create a sunny “down under” setting for guests. Alternatively, in the evening, you can sit down for a full-service dinner. On deck 9 in the pool area of the Disney Magic, you can enjoy three quick-service type restaurants: Daisy’s De-Lites, Duck-In Diner, and Pinocchio’s Pizzeria. Nearby you’ll find an endless supply of ice cream at Eye Scream.

There are three main dining rooms that guests can visit during their voyage with Disney’s rotational dining: Lumiere’s, Animator’s Palate, and Rapunzel’s Royal Table. Each has a different theme. At Rapunzel’s Royal Table, guests can enjoy the first table service restaurant themed to “Tangled” that features characters and live entertainment. The restaurant transports guests to the kingdom of Corona for an evening of music and interactive fun featuring Rapunzel and the mischievous Snuggly Duckling Thugs. Animator’s Palate offers outstanding culinary fare and a dining experience only Disney could imagine. Keep an eye on the artwork on the walls. In the “Drawn to Magic” show, animation scenes from classic Disney films that begin as black and white sketches magically come alive with color throughout the meal. On select evenings during cruises seven nights or longer, the “Animation Magic” show invites guests to draw their own characters and watch them come to life on screen. The cuisine is Pacific Rim combined with California freshness and a host of other culinary influences. Lumière’s invites passengers to “be our guest” in a grand dining room with French elegance, reminiscent of classic transatlantic ocean liners.

Finally, for a small upcharge, you can enjoy an absolutely fantastic meal at Palo. Disney’s signature restaurant at sea treats adults to sweeping ocean views and exquisite modern Italian specialties. Located high atop the ship, it’s the perfect setting for romantic dinners and intimate gatherings. During sea days and select port days, Palo hosts a spectacular champagne brunch. Advance reservations are required. Proper attire is required for this meal, but it’s so much fun to get dressed up for dinner on the high seas. The service was impeccable, and we enjoyed every minute of it. We highly recommend this special meal for adults. It’s worth every penny.

5 – Shopping

It should be no surprise to hear that you’ll find plenty of shopping options onboard the Disney Magic. Mickey’s Mainsail and White Caps are the two main gift shops that are similar to the shops you’ll find at Disney World Resorts. They feature exclusive Disney Cruise Line merchandise and other Disney merchandise. Sea Treasures was transformed into a Marvel store during our sailing. Finally, Shutters Photo Gallery and The Crown Jewelry round out the shopping options on the Magic. Note that DVC members do receive a 10% discount on their purchases at the Disney gift shops.

6 – Broadway-Style Entertainment

From Broadway-style shows to adventurous deck parties, Disney Cruise Line offers a full itinerary of exciting entertainment for guests to enjoy on every sailing.

“As part of the Disney Cruise Line experience, our guests have told us that they love seeing beloved Disney stories come to life onstage,” said Jim Urry, vice president of entertainment for Disney Cruise Line.

On the Disney Magic, entertainment abounds with live shows, deck parties, character meet-and-greets, movies, and much more …

“Mickey’s Sail-A-Way Party!…A Bon Voyage Celebration” 

Wave goodbye to work and school and start your vacation in magical style—dancing with some of your favorite Disney Characters.

The new, high-energy Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave Party! features the latest dance mixes and current favorite music, with 2 great hosts and a terrific DJ leading the way. Be awestruck by the last surprise-filled minutes of the show. Then feel the excitement surge when the Cruise Director leads the countdown to the horn blast—and your ship pulls away from the port!

“Tangled: The Musical” 

“Tangled: The Musical” is the first-ever stage adaptation of the beloved animated film. It follows the thrilling adventure of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider as they face ruffians, thugs, and a budding romance on an exhilarating journey of self-discovery.

“Disney Dreams…An Enchanted Classic” 

“Disney Dreams…An Enchanted Classic,” is a signature Disney Cruise Line show that tells a bedtime story featuring Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Cinderella, Ariel, Timon, and Pumbaa and many other popular Disney characters who together teach a young girl the power of her dreams.

“Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story” 

“Twice Charmed” immerses the audience in a story that begins where the original ended and features Cinderella, Prince Charming, and other favorites from the original fairy tale classic.

7 – Nightly Adult Entertainment

Even after a long day, you’ll want to check out some of the entertainment that is offered to adults in After Hours, Disney Cruise Line’s adult entertainment district. As the name suggests, Keys is a piano bar with great musical entertainment. O’Gills Pub is, as you might guess, an Irish Pub that has plenty of TV’s to catch some sports during your cruise and a small nightly snack buffet featuring several cold and hot items. After that, we headed to Fathoms, where we enjoyed a variety show by the group JunNk, whose fun, energetic music and comedy performance was definitely worth staying up for!

Also, be sure to check out the Silent Dance Party. If you’re not familiar with silent dance parties, everyone is wearing headphones offering four different music options. Pick your music and start dancing. The room has all the energy of a club, but it’s completely silent. It’s hilarious to watch as well. You’d be wrong if you think a Disney Cruise is just for kids. There is a steady stream of programming throughout the day for the 18+ crowd in addition to the nighttime adult entertainment district.

8 – The Disney Magic Art of the Theme Ship Tour

If you want to get in-depth detail about the ship’s art and decor, then you’ll want to check out the Art of the Theme Ship tour. Gus, a Cast Member from Argentina, did a fantastic job guiding us through the hour-long tour. It was a fascinating look at the various venues on the ship with an emphasis on design and artwork. We learned about how and why the imaginers chose the names, materials, colors, art, and more. We also learned some fascinating facts about the ship and how she came to be. For instance, the midship of deck five leading into the atrium is a bit shorter in height to create forced perspective driving you to the grand central atrium, giving it the feeling that the space is much larger than it actually is. We learned so much, and if you ever get the chance to sail on the Disney Magic, we recommend walking around the ship and noticing the details that help create the magical environment of the ship. This tour is offered a few times during your cruise. Check the DCL Navigator app for tour times.

9 – Disney Magic is Amazing

There are so many things to see and do on the Disney Magic. We hope this article gives you a better idea of what she offers. Even though the Disney Magic is over twenty years old, she doesn’t show her age. Disney does an amazing job of making her sparkle and looks brand new. If we didn’t know better, it would be easy to think the ship launched in the last year. The Disney Magic simply looks amazing!

If you’re thinking about booking a Disney Cruise and want some help, we highly recommend booking with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner to ensure you are well taken care of and get all the discounts available to you. For more details and help booking your vacation, call (407) 442-0227. You can also get a no-obligation, FREE vacation quote by clicking here. Their services are free to you, and they can answer any questions you may have.