Intro
I am back on land and had the most amazing cruise on the Disney Wish a few weeks ago! Cruising with Disney is my absolute favorite kind of vacation and I am already counting down the days until my next cruise. Follow along this week as I share the first part of my experience on the Disney Wish. There is just so much to share that I had to break this up into two blog posts, so stay tuned for Part 2 next week!
Breakdown
- Theme: Disney Cruise on the Wish
- Length: 3 nights
- Age and Group: Two adults
- Spending: $$$
Travel Day
One of the best Disney Cruise Line tips is to always drive or fly in at least a day before Embarkation Day. Luckily, if your cruise leaves out of Port Canaveral, it is super easy to fly into the Orlando International Airport! There are a ton of local hotels with airport shuttles and there is even a hotel located right inside the airport.
We flew into the Orlando International Airport in the evening and found our shuttle to take us to the hotel. We stayed at the Wyndham Garden Orlando Airport. The shuttle picked us up on the ground level of the terminal and it was a quick 5 minute ride to the hotel.
This hotel was perfect for what we were looking for. It had newly renovated rooms and reliable shuttle service, making it the perfect place to spend the night before our cruise on the Wish!
Embarkation Day
Getting to the Port
The Wyndham Garden Orlando Airport hotel has shuttles that go to the airport on the hour and guests should let them know if that service is needed the night before. We got on our shuttle, which did make a few stops, and got to the airport in plenty of time!
Since we booked our transportation with Disney in advance, we could get to the airport to check in fairly early. The buses typically start leaving the airport around 9am and we were super lucky to get there in time for that first bus!
It takes about an hour to get to Port Canaveral from the airport, but the bus is extremely comfortable and has Disney cartoons playing on the TVs! Overall, I highly recommend taking Disney transportation to the port if you can. To me, it is worth it for the ease of getting to and from the port and not having to worry about parking (which is very expensive at Port Canaveral).
Check-In
The process of checking in at Port Canaveral is very quick and simple. There is even a dedicated line for anyone who has previously cruised with Disney. Even more incentive to keep cruising with Disney Cruise Line! You will show your Port Arrival Form and the same ID that you used during Online Check-In (typically a passport). After checking in, you will head through security and up to the cruise terminal!
Boarding
The cruise terminal for Disney Cruise Line at Port Canaveral is really the perfect place to wait for your cruise to start. It is spacious, clean, and there is Disney music playing on the speakers!
The previous cruise on the Wish was running a bit behind on clearing out, so we did have to wait a little longer than planned to board. Our Port Arrival Time (which is selected at Online Check-In or provided by Disney if taking their transportation) was 11:15am, however we did not board until around noon. Even so, the boarding process went very smoothly and I was so excited to finally begin our cruise on the Disney Wish!
Hyperspace Lounge
Once we were on board, it was almost impossible not to just stop and stare at everything in the Atrium! The Disney Wish is so beautiful and everything in the main Atrium is so ornate, I really needed some time to take it all in.
As we started exploring the ship from the Atrium, we almost immediately came upon Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge. Now, if you know my partner, you know that this was his main draw to sail on the Disney Wish! So, we had to pop in for a quick drink and look around. This lounge is extremely immersive and is a place I would have loved to spend a lot more time in.
Lunch
Marceline Market is a new location on the Disney Wish, which is the equivalent to Cabanas (the buffet dining option) on other Disney ships. I was extremely excited to check out this new spot and see what it was all about! Overall, this restaurant is very similar to Cabanas, but I think it has better theming and decor. It can, however, get pretty crowded and has a few spaces that can be hard to navigate. I would suggest dining in off times or taking advantage of other dining options if that isn’t something you want to worry about.
We grabbed some great food and then continued to explore the rest of the ship!
Exploring the Ship
I always love walking around the ship to enjoy the lower crowds on Embarkation Day! Especially when it is your first time on a new ship, this is the perfect time to get your bearings and really see everything.
We started on the main deck and then made our way up to the Adult’s Only area, since this is where we like to spend a lot of our time. I always love the Adults Only area, because it is a nice escape from the noise and excitement on the rest of the pool decks! There is a bar and coffee shop, really making it the perfect place to spend the day.
From there, we continued to explore the rest of the ship. We were able to see different restaurants, lounges, theaters, and shops that we were excited to check out during the cruise! I especially loved the Wonderland and Neverland theaters. These are two, small movie theaters that have such fun theming! I really love seeing movies while cruising, so I was so happy to see these new theaters.
The stateroom was ready for us around 2pm, so we stopped in to see the space! We went with an inside stateroom for this cruise and it was really perfect for the two of us. They are a bit small, so if you are looking for more space for your travel party, I would suggest an outside or verandah stateroom. However, for two people, this was the perfect room!
Muster Drill
Every cruise ship has mandatory safety meetings and procedures that must be followed and Disney Cruise Line is no different. Safety is Disney Cruise Line’s number one priority, so every guest must attend a mandatory safety drill. You will be assigned a location and there are Cast Members all around to help guide you. This is just a quick safety video and demonstration, then you can be on your way!
Before heading back to the main deck for the Sail Away Party, we stopped in Joyful Sweets. I was so excited to check out this sweet shop and knew that I would be in heaven! I loved all the Inside Out touches and the speciality treats! As a note, the snacks at this location are an additional cost. If you are interested in learning more about what is included in the price of your cruise, check out my Disney Cruise Line Tips and Tricks!
Sail Away Party
Since our last cruise was when more COVID protocols were still in place, we did not have an official Sail Away Party on that sailing. So, I was ready to see what all the excitement was about on this cruise! The Sail Away Party happens as the ship is leaving the port and is a fun show with Mickey and friends. I loved watching it from on the upper deck, but be sure to get there early if you want a spot close to the action!
Dinner
Our first dinner on the Disney Wish was at 1923, the Roy Disney side. I was so happy to start our cruise experience with this restaurant, since it is themed around the founding of the Walt Disney Company!
Disney Cruise Line really does dining like no other! They offer what is called rotational dining, so everyone gets to experience each of the main three dining locations at least once. They offer two seatings (first and second), which helps everyone enjoy their dinner and be able to see one of the broadway style shows that is put on each night. I really enjoy how dinner is set up on a Disney Cruise and can’t imagine it any other way!
Once you board, you can check your dining location for each night on your DCL Navigator App. I would suggest having this app downloaded before your cruise, so you are all ready to go once you board. This is where you can see what activities are happening on the ship, message your family members, and see dining menus.
Depending on your party size, you will also be paired with other cruisers to eat with! Since we were a couple with no kids, we were sat with two other couples without kids. Disney really strives to pair groups together that are similar and they did an amazing job with our table. We all got along so well and it made dinner so fun each night!
After Dinner
A huge highlight of cruising with Disney is the entertainment that is constantly happening around the ship. From the games, trivia, shows, and character interactions, there is always something to do!
From dinner, we headed to Keg and Compass (a lounge on the ship) where we competed in Disney Trivia! After sadly losing Disney Trivia, it was time for some retail therapy in Mickey’s Mainsail. This is the main souvenir shop on the ship and it has so much cute merchandise!
On the way back to the room, we saw Daisy walking around and had to say a quick hello! Seeing the characters in their cruise attire is always so fun and exciting. Some characters will have lines to meet them, but you can often find characters just wandering around. Many character meet and greets will be listed in the DCL Navigator App, so be sure to check those times once you board!
Nassau Day
Breakfast
To start off the day, we headed to Marceline Market for breakfast. I love breakfast with Disney Cruise Line, because you can always have as many Mickey Waffles as you want!
We did not get off the ship at Nassau, but used this day to get in some more exploring of the ship and try some new experiences!
Exploring the Ship
Since there was still so much left of the ship to explore, we went on a walk around the decks after breakfast. When the area is open, guests are actually able to access the deck at the very front of the ship! The space was totally empty and it was so cool to see Nassau from that viewpoint.
Quiet Cove
Once we were done exploring, we settled in at the Adults Only area of the ship, Quiet Cove. This is the perfect place to grab a drink, find some sun, and really relax! The Adults Only area on the Wish has three smaller pools, a hot tub, a bar with some seating, tons of lounge chairs, and a coffee shop. The location of this area on the Wish is also perfect! Quiet Cove is located at the far back of the ship, making it very private and quiet.
Aqua Mouse
Something that I knew we had to do while on the Wish, was check out the Aqua Mouse. The Aqua Mouse is Disney’s first attraction at sea. It is truly so unique and unlike anything on any other cruise ship!
The ride starts out like a roller coaster and there is a fun storyline to follow along with. You are then sliding down and enjoying some amazing views! There was about a 30 minute wait when we went on, however it was totally worth it. I would definitely recommend taking some time to enjoy this attraction on the Wish!
Lunch
Before heading to our dessert experience, we grabbed a quick bite from Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods. This area, located on the main pool deck, has a few different booths with various food options. There is barbecue, pizza, and more! It’s a great place to go if you want everyone to be able to find something they enjoy.
Just Desserts – Enchanté
A fun extra that I booked ahead of time for this cruise was Just Desserts, the dessert experience at Enchanté. Enchanté is one of the signature restaurants on the Wish and this dessert experience is truly extraordinary! Enchanté also serves dinner and brunch, but the Just Desserts activity is a great way to enjoy the restaurant without having those dining reservations.
To start the experience, you check in at the booth located inside the Rose, a lounge right outside Palo and Enchanté. Palo is the other signature restaurant on the ship and can actually be found on every Disney Cruise ship.
You are escorted into Enchanté and able to see all the beautiful decor, including Lumiere light fixtures that I am now convinced that I need in my house!
The restaurant itself features hints of Beauty and the Beast and specifically Lumiere all around. You can experience breathtaking views from the floor to ceiling windows that line the entire space. I hope to experience this restaurant again on a day at sea, so we can really take advantage of those amazing views!
Now, on to the main event, the desserts! This exclusive dessert menu features six favorite desserts from Chef Arnaud Lallement. Each dessert was so unique and beautifully made. There was also an option to add a wine pairing at an additional cost. I would definitely recommend this experience, especially for anyone with a sweet tooth who wants to enjoy a signature dining experience!
Disney Tunes Trivia
Before heading to dinner, we stopped in to Luna for Disney Tunes Trivia! This was probably my favorite trivia activity that we went to on our cruise. I loved that the music was actually played by a live musician and the crowd could be interactive!
Dinner
As huge Marvel fans, my partner and I were really looking forward to dining at Worlds of Marvel! This dinner experience lets everyone feel like they are in the Marvel universe! Ant Man and the Wasp show up on the big screens, along with a handful of other Avengers when things start to go wrong. Not only did I love the food at this restaurant, but the show was really fun and entertaining too!
After Dinner
Another favorite activity that Disney Cruise Line offers is the chance to see new movies on the ship! The Wish has two small theaters specially for movies and they will also sometimes show movies in the Walt Disney Theater.
Following dinner, we made our way to one of the smaller theaters, Wonderland Cinema, to watch Strange World! I could write a whole post about the Wonderland and Neverland Cinemas (the two smaller movie theaters on the Wish), because they are just so cute and well themed. I loved that they made these theaters a little more intimate and included so many fun Disney touches!
Pirate Night
Something fun and unique about Disney Cruise Line, is that every sailing will have a special themed night, called Pirate Night. With some longer cruises, that will entail completely unique menus at dinner and pirate themed character interactions. For our 3-night cruise, that meant there was a Pirate show at the end of the night, some characters were in their pirate attire, and many families dressed for the occasion as well!
To kick off a fun night of pirate events, we watched the Kiss Goodnight in the main Atrium of the ship. The Kiss Goodnight is a quick, light show that happens on and around the chandelier in the Atrium three times each night. For Pirate Night, the show was rethemed a bit to fit with the rest of the festivities!
On the way up to the main deck, we grabbed some treats from Joyful Sweets to enjoy while watching the show.
The big event for Pirate Night on the Disney Wish is the Pirates Rockin’ Parlay Party that happens on the main deck. The show includes a live band, an appearance from Jack Sparrow, and a finale with fireworks over the ocean!
Disney Cruise Line really knows how to pack a whole lot of fun into just a few days! Check back next week as I share the second half of my cruise on the Disney Wish, starting with our day at Castaway Cay!
