Disney Dream vs Disney Magic

[vaschroeder]

Any comparisons of these 2 ships?

[1025cruise]

They are two different classes. Magic is older and smaller.

[ArthurUSCG]

There's lot of differences, but they are fairly minor, pick the itinerary you want and that will decided the ship. The differences between DCL ships are small compared to other cruise lines.

[mommb]

If you're going to one of the private islands (Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point) there will be signficantly fewer people on the Magic than on the Dream, meaning more available chairs and shorter lines for food and drink.

 

The Dream has some onboard activities that the Magic does not, including mini-golf and Midship Detective Agency (a scavenger hunt around the ship using animated paintings).

 

The Dream has more bars than the Magic, including one off the main lobby and one next to Palo. On the Magic, there are 3 venues in the adult entertainment area; the Dream has 5 venues in the adult area. 

 

Both ships have the adult restaurant Palo, but the Dream also has a more upscale adult restaurant, Remy.

 

Both ships have the Cove Cafe open to adults only, serving coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages (for a fee) and snacks (at no extra cost). The Dream also has a similar but smaller cafe open to all ages.

 

The general feel and experience is similar on both ships. The evening shows and dinner restaurants are different, but which is better is a personal preference.

 

I agree with ArthurUSCG that the greater difference in the ships is in the itineraries they sail, so it makes sense to pick where and when you want to cruise then choose the ship that goes there when you want to go. 

Edited June 26 by mommb

[scamper]

On 6/26/2024 at 1:53 PM, ArthurUSCG said:

There's lot of differences, but they are fairly minor, pick the itinerary you want and that will decided the ship. The differences between DCL ships are small compared to other cruise lines.

Not for long: https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/travel/disney-cruise-line-unveils-its-biggest-ship-yet-with-room-for-more-than-7000-passengers/ar-BB1p0osQ

[gometros]

The Magic was Disney's first entry into the cruise market, built in 1978 with a passenger capacity of 2,500. The Dream was the first of the bigger ships, built in 2012 and has a passenger capacity of 4,000.  Aside from the differences mommb outlined, the Magic has the Aqua dunk, which is a water slide that starts with a drop. The Dream has the Aquaduck, which is a water coaster at sea.  The shows will be different, as will the three main dining rooms and they have different types of shows during dinner.  Personally, the Magic will always be our favorite ship, since it was our first and we find the smaller size more intimate.  But as Arthur says, I'd choose based on the itinerary you want.

[mommb]

2 hours ago, gometros said:

The Magic was Disney's first entry into the cruise market, built in 1978 with a passenger capacity of 2,500. 

I think you meant 1998 -- it's not quite that old!

[gometros]

32 minutes ago, mommb said:

I think you meant 1998 -- it's not quite that old!

 

Oh, for crying out loud! Thanks, I'll fix it.

 

Updated to add: Guess you can't edit after a certain amount of lapsed time.

Edited June 28 by gometros