Disney Wonder has just reentered service with seasonal cruises from Galveston following a 53-day drydock in Cadiz, Spain.
The ship now offers exclusives like a stage show version of the animated hit movie 'Frozen' and an interactive 'Frozen Adventures' play room in the Oceaneer Club. Wonder is the only Disney ship with a Marvel Super Hero Academy and Tiana's Place, a new main restaurant with a New Orleans flavor.
The adult entertainment zone has been reimagined and renamed, a concierge lounge and concierge-level sun deck were added, and the Cove Cafe was expanded with an upper floor to provide more viewing space when the ship sails in especially scenic areas like Alaska.
Further elements brought Disney Wonder in line with the rest of the fleet. For example, the buffet restaurant transformed into the brighter Cabanas, with expanded outdoor seating, and the spa rebranded as Senses Spa & Salon.
The Atrium Lobby was redesigned and redecorated, too, with more elements relating to the Disney film 'The Little Mermaid' and ship's mascot, Ariel.
'Frozen, A Musical Spectacular,' had its world premiere on board Sunday, to packed and wildly enthusiastic audiences. The related 'Frozen Adventures' area in the Oceaneer Club for ages 3 to 12 recreates Wandering Oaken's Trading Post and provides games and a sing-along led by Olaf the snowman via a digital screen. Plus, there are character visits.
'Kids this week are loving it. We're immersing our little guests in a story world they love and then when a character comes in, that's really magical,' said Theron Skees, portfolio creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering.
The expanded Oceaneer Club also houses Disney's first Marvel Super Hero Academy (as distinct from Disney Magic's Avengers Academy), where youngsters can participate in six 'classes' that are adventurous, villain-fighting missions. Led by Spider-Man, Captain America or Black Widow, all hinge on teamwork and problem-solving. Technology plays a big part: a large digital display allows kids to control the movement of a character on screen, for example, to blast bad guys with repulsors.
'Andy's Room' (which debuted on Disney Magic) added more elements for active playing, climbing and sliding, while Club Disney Junior offers an array of activities hinging on favorite Disney Junior characters like Doc McStuffins.
New to Disney Wonder with the refurbishment is the It's A Small World Nursery for toddlers and babies.
'The kids' programs really stand out,' said Nancy Schretter of Family Travel Network. 'Those were incredible. The amount of immersive, interactive entertainment like the "Frozen" show, and how incredible it is, make this the entertainment ship.'
Movies showing on board at no extra charge include the latest Disney cinema releases like 'Doctor Strange.'
The major dining change, and a hit on the first post-drydock cruise, is Tiana's Place, replacing Parrot Cay. 'We are transporting our guests to New Orleans, as seen in "The Princess and the Frog," in a refined, French Quarter setting with light jazz, and guests can take part in the finale,' said Ozer Balli, vp hotel operations, Disney Cruise Line.
Decked out in feathers and pearls, Tiana greets diners and a band plays jazz, blues and swing during dinner, which builds into a party and parade where Tiana, the servers and diners join in. The menu features Southern and French Quarter-style dishes.
Tiana's Place joins Disney's rotational dining, where passengers move to a different venue each night, and their servers move with them.
Another of the three main restaurants, Animator's Palate, also was completely redone and is now almost identical to Disney Magic's but even more updated with the latest characters like Moana. This newest Disney princess debuts Nov. 23 in the new animated film 'Moana.' On Disney Wonder, Animator's Palate now offers the full 'Animation Magic' show where diners draw characters that are woven into an animation that caps the evening.
Deck 9 (the pool deck) added an AquaLab, the interactive water play area introduced with Disney Magic, and Dory's Reef, a splash zone for toddlers (it's Finding Nemo on Disney Magic). There's a new Twist 'n' Spout water slide. Edge, the hangout for kids 11 to 13, was relocated to a more central spot on Deck 9.
The pool area introduced several casual food spots, Pinocchio's Pizzeria, Daisy's De Lites for fruit, wraps, salads and snacks, and Pete's Boiler Bites for sandwiches, gyros and hummus.
The Vista Spa became Senses Spa & Salon, consistent with the rest of the fleet, and added elements like Chill, with treatments for teens, and couples' villas with private whirlpool tubs.
Adults got other new areas, too. The nightlife district was restyled from Route 66 into the more sophisticated After Hours. Here is the new Crown & Fin Pub with its board games, sports monitors and beers (and Disney details—look for Mary Poppins' umbrella). The ambience of the sleek Azure nightclub (formerly Wave Bands) can be transformed with video projections. And a shiny new model of the Cadillac Lounge has extra details like tires for tables, and a new handcrafted cocktails menu.
The first thing passengers see when they embark, Disney Wonder's Atrium Lobby underwent major work that opened the space and created more references to 'The Little Mermaid,' such as the bubble pattern in the carpet. One of the two staircases was removed, and in place of the original Dale Chihuly chandelier is a crimson glass sculpture inspired by the flower mermaid Ariel wears in her hair.
(In order to reduce lines for character appearances in the Atrium Lobby, Disney now enables passengers to pre-book those before sailing. Some slots are left open for walk-ups.)
Other drydock changes include the addition of a D Lounge, a space for family games and trivia, consistent with the other Disney ships, and the digital kiosk photo studio, Shutters, similar to Disney Magic's.
All 875 passenger accommodations were remodeled with drawers replacing the original steamer trunk cabinets and new beds that are high enough to store suitcases beneath.
The attention to detail and undisclosed investment Disney has lavished on this latest docking make a 17-year-old ship look brand new.
Disney Wonder will continue to sail from Texas until late January before a three-night cruise from San Juan takes it back to Port Canaveral for the spring.
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