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Disney Wonder Updates

My Thoughts on the Disney Wonder Updates

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Earlier today, Disney Cruise Line finally announced the updates that are going to be made to the Disney Wonder this Fall. While many people were aware of the giant hole in the Disney Wonder schedule for the last year, not much was known about exactly what was going to be changed on Disney’s second oldest ship. The Wonder’s sister ship was updated in 2013, and the fact that the Wonder had not yet received a similar update has been frustrating to many Disney Cruise fans. Well, that is all about to change.

My Thoughts on the Disney Wonder Updates

  • It is about time! As mentioned above, these updates are 2 – 3 years overdue. The ship was really the sore thumb of the Disney Cruise fleet, as it lacked many of the updated experiences added to the Magic, and that were introduced on the Dream and Fantasy. However, Disney Cruise was a bit hamstrung on this decision. The Disney Wonder sails from Florida to Alaska and back every year by way of the Panama Canal. As the Wonder currently sails, she can pass through the Panama Canal, but the Magic cannot, with the additions that have been made to that ship. So, Disney Cruise decided to wait for the new Panama Canal, which is much winder, to open this year. Once open, the new canal will easily accommodate the updated Wonder or Magic without problem.
  • Marvel Super Hero Academy – I am all for anything added to Disney Cruise ships or Disney theme parks that are aimed to entertain boys. As the parent of three boys (and two girls), there is just very little at any Disney destinations for boys, but an embarrassing amount of options available to little girls. The Marvel Super Hero Academy will be a fantastic option for boys and girls alike in the Oceaneer Club, and has received rave reviews on the other ships that Disney has added it to.
  • Oceaneer Club Updates – Andy’s Room, Frozen Adventures and Disney Club Junior will be added to the Oceaneer Club on the Wonder. While the Oceaneer Club on the Wonder has been ok, these updates will bring it inline with the other Disney Cruise ships.
  • Tiana’s Place Restaurant – Princess Tiana will finally get her own place. Replacing the tired Parrot Cay Restaurant, it will be interesting to see if Tiana’s is better received. Parrot Cay has always been a bit of a strange choice for me, like Disney ran out of money and just threw together a third restaurant. Any restaurant that features food from the Bayou along with Jazz is off to a great start, I hope it all works out.
  • After Hours – A new adult only area that will feature a new Cadillac Lounge as well as a brand new English Pub. The Dream and Fantasy have a huge adult only area, but there just isn’t room on the Wonder, so this will have to do. I love the adult only places on the Dream and Fantasy, though I rarely go there, but they offer adults a fantastic place to hang out and socialize.
  • Animator’s Palate – Animator’s Palate will be updated to include the “Drawn to Magic” and “Animation Magic” dinner shows, which are down right fantastic. Probably my favorite dining experience on the Dream and Fantasy, the show holds everyone’s attention the entire meal. Great, great change!
  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – Finally, a BBB will be added on the Wonder. It has been super popular on the other Disney Cruise ships, I am sure it will be on the Wonder too.
  • Cabanas Casual Dining – Beach Blanket Buffet is being converted into Cabanas, similar to the other cruise ships, with buffet options for breakfast and lunch as well as a table service option for dinner. I rarely eat here, but I do enjoy the Cabanas concept much better than Beach Blanket, so another nice change.
  • Water Fun – Disney will be adding three new water areas to the Wonder, and all three are great additions to the ship:
    1. Twist ‘n’ Spout – Yes! The water slides on the other three Disney Cruise ships have been super popular and have been a great addition. While no other information is given, I am sure it will be a blast.
    2. Dory’s Reef – A new splash zone will be added near Mickey’s pool
    3. AquaLab – A water play zone for kids and adults alike. You can never get enough water play areas on a cruise ship.

That is about it. I am sure the rooms and common areas will all receive an upgrade, similar to the Magic in 2013. I am excited to see the new additions to the Disney Wonder, I think all of the announced changes are positive and long overdue.

5 Disney Things

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – May 27, 2016

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Each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. This week was a very, very slow Disney news week. Here are the super important Disney news items for this week:

Fall 2017 Disney Cruises Announced

2017 disney cruise

This week Disney Cruise Line announced their Fall 2017 schedule, including cruises from New York, Galveston and San Diego in addition to their Florida based cruises. These cruises are now available to book, and if you want to get the best deal possible on a Disney Cruise, book early.

For more information: Fall 2017 Disney Cruises Announced

Adventures by Disney Discount

adventures by disney

Announced this week was a brand new discount on Summer Adventures by Disney. Act soon, as dates are very limited. We rarely see discounts on Adventures by Disney, so if you are thinking about going on one, this would be a great time. Adventures by Disney is a world class tour service featuring tours all around the world. While no Disney characters will be joining your tour (unless you are on one of the adventures around the parks of course), you will be treated to first class hotels, guides and experiences.

For more information: Special Rates on Select 2016 Adventures by Disney

Frozen – Live at the Hyperion Now Open

frozen live

“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” officially opens today, bringing to the stage all the heart-warming emotion of Anna and Elsa’s story, along with show-stopping production numbers, elaborate costumes, special effects, surprising scenic transformations and a few unique theatrical twists. Of course, nothing beats the magic of experiencing live theater firsthand, so you will definitely want to catch a performance on your next visit. “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” is now playing daily in the beautiful Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Park.

Animal Kingdom at Night Opens Today

jungle book

For the First time in Forever, wait, that is Frozen. OK, for basically the first time ever, the Animal Kingdom theme park will be open at night time starting today, May 27. In addition to special night time entertainment, the nightly show on the tree of life and Kilimanjaro Safaris all lit up, there will be a brand new night time show available in the Animal Kingdom for the first time. This Summer, we will be able to see The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic, and eventually the permanent show, Rivers of Light, will open once it is finished. I have been in the Animal Kingdom at night a few times for private parties, and it is spectacular. I can’t wait to see what it is like with all the night time additions that have been made. Night time is the best time in any Disney theme park.

‘Inside Disney Parks’ Newscast #2

Welcome back “Inside Disney Parks” Newscast with a brand new episode, featuring a special look at what’s happening at Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort, Ample Hills Creamery at Disney’s Boardwalk, the reimagined Autopia at Disneyland Park and more! Check it out!

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?

obsessed with Disney

50 Signs you are Obsessed with Disney

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Sure, you like Disney and all, and all your friends contact you every time they plan a Disney vacation for tips and tricks, but are you obsessed with Disney?

Signs you are obsessed with Disney

  1. You always dress as a Disney character for Halloween, and usually have your costume picked out months in advance.
  2. You have a Disney themed phone case.
  3. You get personally offended when anyone compliments a theme park other than Disney.
  4. Your profile picture is you with a Disney character
  5. You have a Disney tattoo (or two, or three)
  6. You have a Dole Whip scented air freshener in your car
  7. You have a Disney character as a spirit animal
  8. You once had a friend that went to Disney and didn’t get a Dole Whip. They aren’t your friend anymore.
  9. Your only bucket list item is visiting every single Disney theme park
  10. You own a Disney coffee mug (or two, or three)
  11. When you go to karaoke, it is a Disney song or bust
  12. Every single one of your favorite foods can only be found at Disney
  13. Your pet is named after a Disney character
  14. You have more Disney themed clothes than regular clothes
  15. You still own all of your Disney VHS tapes
  16. You know all the lyrics to both Pirates of the Caribbean and “it’s a small world”
  17. Your ringtone is a Disney song
  18. You see Hidden Mickeys on a daily basis, regardless of where you are
  19. You own a Disney antenna topper
  20. Your license plate cover is from Disneyland
  21. You have a Disney themed room in your house (or two, or three)
  22. You wouldn’t date someone if they didn’t love Disney as much as you
  23. You haven’t actually use a Disney map in a long time, but insist on bringing home copies after each trip
  24. You own Mouse Ears (or two, or three)
  25. You have a Disney countdown calendar for your next Disney trip
  26. Your retirement involves working for Disney
  27. You have a Disney sticker on your car (or two, or three)
  28. You have mailed yourself a postcard from Castaway Cay or one of the Disney parks
  29. You think anything Mickey shaped tastes better
  30. You learned Spanish by riding the monorail
  31. You can tell the difference between Chip and Dale
  32. You own Disney themed pajamas
  33. You check your Disney app for wait times, even when you are just sitting at work
  34. You insist on calling all the Walt Disney World resorts and theme parks by their original names (Hello Dixie Landings!)
  35. You know where all the ride cameras are located
  36. It doesn’t matter where you are in the Magic Kingdom, you will only use the Tangled bathrooms in Fantasyland
  37. You have planned a new Disney trip while on a Disney trip
  38. You have a collection of unused FastPasses
  39. You have called one of your kids by the name of a Disney character
  40. All of your family photos are from Disney vacations
  41. You have been on all four Disney cruise ships
  42. You know how to correctly pronounce Castaway Cay
  43. You have considered moving to Orlando, more than once
  44. You have a Disney cookbook (or two, or three)
  45. At work, people just know you as the “Disney Lady”
  46. You have a Disney themed email address
  47. You are annoyed at non-Disney hold music
  48. You always wonder “what would I be doing if I was at Disney right now?”
  49. People have quit asking you were you are going on vacation
  50. You change the theme of your Disney VISA card every few months

So, how obsessed are you?