The Disney Dream Offers a Magical Family Vacation Option

The Disney Dream Ceremony

Tom Baumann, president of Travel Leaders Leisure Group, and Nicky Marso, vendor relations manager of Cruise Holidays recently had the opportunity to attend the christening and inaugural sailing of the new Disney Dream cruise ship.  The celebration and spectacular show took place in Port Canaveral, Florida at the Disney Cruise Line Terminal and featured classic Disney music, dancers, fireworks, and their beloved Disney characters.

Disney Dream Celebration

“I’ve been to a few ship christening events in my career, but nobody does or can do what Disney does,” described Baumann.  “The event was a full Disney-Style production and unlike any other I have seen with the characters, the entertainment, the ship’s fairy godmother Jennifer Hudson (who started her career on the Disney Wonder in 2003), the 16 foot tall champagne bottle flown by helicopter, and the magical finale of fireworks.”

Disney Dream – The Ship

The Disney Dream is the third ship in the Disney Cruise Line Fleet and can carry up to 4,000 passengers.  According to Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, the Disney Dream and her sister ship, the Disney Fantasy coming in 2012, combine the best in innovation, technology, artistry and the legendary attention to detail that makes a Disney experience so unique.  The cruise ship was designed with families in mind, combining sleek style and convenient facilities with splashes of magic and cruise-industry firsts like the first water coaster at sea – the AquaDuck.

“The minute you walk on board the ship, you just know it’s Disney,” said Baumann.  “There is something about the attention to detail everywhere that amazes you.  A normal stairwell railing is transformed with tastefully engraved Mickey Mouse ears and is just subtle enough that you would really never even see it unless you looked for it.”

The Oceaneer Club

Disney Dream – Fun for Children

“Our four year old daughter couldn’t wait to check out the ship’s kids area – the Oceaneer Club,” said Cruise Holidays’ Nicky Marso.  “There was so much for the kids to do there, and so little time for them to do it all.  From dressing up as Tinker Bell and her pixie friends, to making cupcakes, to hunting for monsters in the Monsters Inc. Academy computer lab, to dancing on the magic dance floor, or taking time out to just play in ‘Andy’s Room’ straight out of the Toy Story movies, the place was simply mesmerizing for children and adults.  With all the ‘little ones’ time being consumed by fantastic activities, moms and dads have plenty of time to themselves to enjoy the ship and its amenities!”

Jennifer Hudson Performing at Ceremony

Marso adds, “But what could top off a Disney cruise any better than all that? The character meetings, of course!  Character meetings and photo opportunities are only at scheduled times throughout the day and are handled in a very orderly fashion. The characters are then whisked away as quickly as they first appeared once their time is up, so you don’t have to worry about Donald Duck harassing you if you want to catch some rays on the pool deck!”

Disney Dream – Fun for Adults

The adult-only area of the ship, “The District”, boasts five distinct lounges and nightclubs and is a great place to sit, relax, and socialize according to Marso.  Baumann adds that you could take your pick as to what type of experience you wanted to have such as visiting “Pink” the luxurious champagne bar, “687” a contemporary sports bar, or “Evolution” a dance club and karaoke bar.  Other entertainment options include musical live shows, first-run films, Digital 3-D movies and fun-filled family deck parties.

Baumann was so impressed with the ship and his experience onboard that he urges families to see it for themselves.  “If you want to take your family on a truly magical family vacation, take them on the Disney Dream.”

The Disney Dream is such a hit that many of the 2011 departures are already soldout.  Click here to check Disney Dream availability.