Disney Wonder (1999)

Facts and Information

  • Second ship to join the DCL fleet

  • 11 passenger decks

  • Staterooms: Inside 258, Oceanview 257, Verandah 362

  • 2,713 passengers

  • Crew of 950

  • IMO Number 9126819

  • MMSI Number 308457000

  • Call Sign C6VV3

  • Keel laying May 15, 1997

  • Float out February 23, 1998

  • Delivered to DCL June 17, 1999

  • Arrived at Port Canaveral August 2, 1998

  • Maiden Voyage August 15, 1999 4-Night Bahamian Cruise

  • Godmother Tinkerbell (She was the 1st ship ever christened at night time so we could see Tinkerbell flying along the side of the ship sprinkling pixie dust)

  • Gross tonnage: 84,130 GT

  • Length: 984 ft. / 294 m (Pre-Nov. 2016 was 964 ft.)

  • Beam: 106 ft. / 32 m

  • Draft: 25.3 ft. 7.7 m

  • Speed 21.5 knots cruising speed (Max 24 knots)

  • Born Fincantieri Marghera, Italy

  • Cost $350 - 450 million to build

  • Ship class: Magic

  • Christened October 1, 1999

  • Bow character: Steamboat Willie Mickey

  • Atrium character: Ariel

  • Stern characters: Donald, Huey, Dewey, and Louie

  • Hull number 5990

  • Only ship with no slide

  • First time any DCL ship ever crossed the equator and Captain Thord at helm 22:45 UTC-10 (10:45 pm) on the way to Australia on 10/16/2023 Disney’s 100th Anniversary **MAJOR MILESTONE**

  • Main Public Areas

    • Atrium Lobby – Deck 3 (atrium spans three decks)

    • Walt Disney Theatre (977 capacity; live original productions) – Deck 4

    • Buena Vista Theatre (278 capacity; motion pictures) – Deck 5

    • Preludes theatre concessions – Deck 4

    • Shutters (Capturing Memories) photo gallery – Deck 4

    • Guest Services – Deck 3

    • Port Adventures – Deck 3

  • Family Areas

    • D Lounge – Deck 4

    • Wide World of Sports deck – Deck 10

    • Twist ‘n’ Spout water slide – Deck 9

    • AquaLab interactive play area – Deck 9

    • Goofy’s Pool family pool – Deck 9

    • Mickey’s Pool children’s pool – Deck 9

    • Dory’s Reef splash zone– Deck 9

    • Edge – Deck 9

    • Sea Treasures retail shop – Deck 3

    • White Caps, Mickey’s Mainsail retail shops – Deck 4

  • Youth Areas

    • It’s a Small World Nursery– Deck 5

    • Disney’s Oceaneer Club – Deck 5

    • Disney’s Oceaneer Lab – Deck 5

    • Vibe teen club – Deck 11

    • Edge tween club – Deck 2

    • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – Deck 10

  • Adult Areas

    • After Hours – Deck 3

    • Crown & Fin Pub

    • Azure

    • Cadillac Lounge

    • Senses Spa & Salon – Deck 9

    • Quiet Cove Pool – Deck 9

    • Cove Café – Deck 9

    • Signals – Deck 9

    • Promenade Lounge – Deck 3

  • Dining

    • Tiana’s Place main dining (471 capacity) – Deck 3

    • Animator’s Palate main dining (471 capacity) – Deck 4

    • Triton’s main dining (471 capacity) – Deck 3

    • Palo adult-exclusive fine dining (120 capacity) – Deck 10

    • Cabanas casual dining – Deck 9

    • Pete’s Boiler Bites, Pinocchio’s Pizzeria, Daisy De-Lites quick service – Deck 9

Staterooms

How to pick a stateroom

  • Starboard verandah for Alaskan cruise

  • Do not stay on deck below pool/buffet

    • Hear footsteps and chairs being dragged

  • Starboard for Castaway Cay View

  • Back of ship might feel engine rumbling

  • Look at family needs

    • Close to elevators, close to childcare, etc.

  • Price versus location versus category level

  • Seasickness look towards rooms mid ship and lower decks

  • Porthole magic in certain rooms inside rooms

    • These do typically sell out quickly

  • Navigator Verandahs

    • More enclosed verandah with smaller or minimal view, it feels more intimate,

    • Cheaper price

    • Not all ships have these

explore the kids club and areas

Clubs for children ages 3 and up are INCLUDED with the cost of your cruise

Safety is a top concern

  • No adults are allowed in the club except during open house hours

  • Each child has a magic band that they wear during the entire cruise. There is a lock on these so they do not come off

  • The band is scanned and has a picture of your child and the adults that have permission to pick them up or drop them off.

  • You will set up a secret word that will be used to pick up your kids. This is a word that only you and the adults responsible for your kids should know.

  • Each band has GPS on the ship so when picking up the kids, they will know exactly where the kid is. This could also be helpful if for any reason you get separated while on the cruise ship.

  • When entering the clubs each kid must stop at the handwashing station which lasts for 12 seconds and does all the dirty work.

restaurant and all things food

Pools and Recreational areas

Pool Rules

  • Children must be toilet trained for pool and spa usage

  • Children who are not must wear swim diaper in the wet play areas and splash zones

  • Complimentary life jackets on pool decks

  • No floats, rafts or noodles

  • Swim googles that only fit over eyes can be used everywhere

  • Swim masks are only allowed in the pools

  • No snorkel tubes allowed

  • Towels are located around all pools areas

onboard activities

Beverage Tasting Seminars

  • If you cancel an onboard activity what happens?

  • If you need to change your onboard activity plans, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the experience start time. Once an activity is canceled, there is no specific time frame at which the activity reenters the system for booking. Computer systems are a little like Donald Duck, great pals but also a little unpredictable!

  • Now, if you canceled an activity by accident and would like to rebook it, I have a couple of ideas:

    • On the Disney Cruise Line website, periodically check for the activity under the “Already Booked” tab, select “Book / Manage Cruise Activities” and perhaps you will find the activity available for booking.

    • If not, once onboard you can use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app to peruse and book activities or stop by the Guest Services Desk. Often times fellow cruisers have a last-minute change in plans, and you will find just the activity you were looking for!

  • On my last cruise, we had hoped to book one of the beverage tastings onboard the ship but it was not available. A Crew Member encouraged us to try a different tasting during our day at Castaway Cay at Heads Up Bar instead, and I'm glad we did! We had such a great time soaking up the sunshine and a few rum cocktails.

entertainment

  • On my most recent voyage, the shows were performed at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

  • Guests that have the main dinner seating (usually around 5:45 p.m.) will first enjoy dinner and then watch the later show in the evening. Guests enjoying the second dinner seating (around 8:00 p.m.) will attend the earlier show and then head to dinner.

  • Most shows running 45 minutes to 1 hour in length

  • I recommend that you arrive about 15- 20 minutes before showtime to get a great seat up close. The performers sometimes travel through the aisles and there is a lot to see when you are front and center.

  • Typically have a visiting Broadway Professional on each sailing

Articles Published On the Disney Wonder

deck plans

Plan DIsney Pocket Guide

Beginners Guide to the Disney Wonder Cruise Ship

The next ship we’ll be covering in the planDisney Pocket Guide series is the Disney Wonder! The Disney Wonder joined the Disney Cruise Line fleet in 1999 alongside its sister ship, the Disney Magic, and is home to 11 decks of one-of-a-kind entertainment, recreation, and dining offerings for the whole crew to enjoy! While you may recognize some similarities to its sister ship, here are some of the unique offerings you’ll find onboard the Disney Wonder:

1. Greetings from Under the Sea

When you board the Disney Wonder, crew members will greet your party by name, and a bronze-sculpted Princess Ariel will welcome you into the atrium. The atrium is embellished with nautical colors and eye-catching murals from Disney’s animated classic, “The Little Mermaid.”

2. Signature Dining

Rotational dining ensures that all guests can enjoy all three themed dining experiences while on board. Your party and service team will rotate to a different table service restaurant each night. As part of your rotational dining experience on the Disney Wonder, you’ll dine under the sea at Triton’s, embrace your inner artist at Animator’s Palate, and enjoy Louisiana-inspired fare with live jazz music at Tiana’s Place!

3. Alaskan Itineraries

The Disney Wonder is the only ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet that embarks on Alaskan adventures. On select itineraries, you can experience breathtaking beauty at arctic ports of call featuring majestic glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and rugged mountains. Learn about the rich history of Alaska while enjoying family-friendly entertainment and recreation.

4. Broadway-Quality Entertainment

Don’t miss the award-winning musicals onboard at the Walt Disney Theatre. Attend “The Golden Mickeys,” a Hollywood-style award show featuring dazzling performances that pay homage to the magic of Disney storytelling. Catch a showing of “Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic” for a new and exciting show featuring music and characters from your favorite films, or enjoy a heartwarming story about two sisters from Arendelle who discover that some people are worth melting for in “Frozen, A Musical Adventure.”

5. Adult-Exclusives

The Disney Wonder offers a collection of experiences that cater exclusively to adults on board. Indulge in a romantic evening at Palo, an elegant adult-exclusive dining experience that serves northern Italian fare with a modern twist. For late-night drinks, dancing and entertainment, adults can enjoy a variety of nightclubs and lounges: French Quarter Lounge, Crown & Fin Pub, Cadillac, and Azure.

Repost from Disney Parks Blog

Photos

Wonder becomes the first Disney Cruise Line ship to sail underneath the Golden Gate Bridge 4/29/11

Wonder has her first call at Castaway Cay 8/17/99

Wonder sails through Tracy Arm Fjord for the first time 5/5/11

Christening Ceremony 10/1/99

First itinerary sailing out of Seattle 5/28

Maiden Voyage 8/15/99

Inaugural itinerary visiting Alaska 5/3/11