In the summer of 2022, Disney Cruise Line launched its long-awaited (ten years to be exact) fifth cruise ship, the Disney Wish. While it is Disney to its core, there are some differences between the Disney Wish and the other four cruise ships in the Disney fleet. Are you wondering if the Wish is the best fit for you? We have a complete guide to everything Disney Wish right here!
Complete Guide to the Disney Wish Cruise Ship
Overview of the Disney Wish Cruise Ship
Sailing 3- and 4-night cruises out of Port Canaveral, Disney Wish is the largest ship in the fleet.
Coming in at 144,000 gross tons, it is slightly larger than sister ships Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. It is the first of three ships in Disney Cruise Line’s Triton Class, with two more ships setting sail before 2026.
DCL’s Triton Class cruise ships will all have a correlating theme, and the Disney Wish’s theme is enchantment. Wishes do come true! Disney Wish has Rapunzel and Pascal at the stern and Cinderella in the Grand Hall. Storytelling is what the Disney Wish does best. There is something for everyone on this ship, with nods to princesses all the way to the Marvel and Star Wars universes.
There are a few “firsts” with the Disney Wish too. Most prominently, Captain Minnie is on the bow for the first time. Further, the Triton Class cruise ships are powered with a more environmentally friendly fuel, liquefied natural gas.
Of course, since it is currently the newest ship in the fleet, Disney Wish also comes with a hefty price tag. It is the most expensive ship on top of already pricey Disney Cruise Line fares.
Disney Wish Cruise Ship Staterooms
Like all DCL ships, there are four types of staterooms on Disney Wish. Guests can choose from inside staterooms, ocean view staterooms, verandah staterooms, and concierge staterooms. All the staterooms regardless of classification tell a story. You will see nods to many different Disney classics in each room, varying by deck.
All staterooms, with the exclusion of Concierge will have the same basic amenities:
- Premium plush Euro-top mattress
- 100% cotton linens and premium bath towels
- 43” flat screen TV with Disney on Demand and live channels
- Full length mirror
- USB and USB-C ports
- Mini refrigerator
- Mini in-room safe
- Hair dryer
- Control of your own AC
- Bath and shower products
- Beds on elevated frames to store luggage underneath
- Privacy curtain to separate sleeping from sitting area
- Desk and sitting area with couch
The type of stateroom you need depends on the type of vacation you are looking to have! Below, you have a breakdown of all the staterooms to find the best fit.
Inside Staterooms
The definition of an inside stateroom simply means there are no windows and no verandah. It is the smallest stateroom available but also the most inexpensive.
If you are a no-frills traveler that just needs a place to sleep, this may be a great fit for you! If you have small children sleeping four people in an inside cabin might be fine, but it would be tight quarters with four adults.
- Sleeps 3 to 4 people depending on the category
- Located on Decks 2 and 6 through 11
- Approximately 169 square feet
- Consists of one queen bed, a convertible single sofa, and an upper pull down single bed if it is a room that sleeps 4
- No exterior view
- Full bathroom with vanity, sink, shower and tub with glass door
Oceanview Staterooms
Oceanview rooms are just as stated, rooms with an ocean view. There is a porthole window in your stateroom to catch the breathtaking views of the sea.
If you are looking to budget but are wanting a view, this is your best option. It’s slightly bigger than an inside stateroom and gives you a view of the ocean without the verandah price tag.
There are two types of oceanview staterooms, the deluxe oceanview stateroom and the deluxe family oceanview stateroom.
Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom:
- Sleeps 3 to 4 people depending on category
- Located on Decks 2, 6, 7, and 8
- Approximately 218 square feet
- For categories 9A, 9B, and 9C, rooms consist of a queen bed, convertible single sofa, and a pull down bed
- For categories 9D, rooms consist of a queen bed and a sleeper sofa
- Large porthole window for viewing (slanted windows in category 9D)
- Full split bathroom with vanity, sink, shower and tub with glass door; half bathroom with vanity, sink, and toilet
Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom:
- Sleeps 4 to 5 people depending on category
- Located on Decks 6, 7, 8, and 9
- Approximately 237 square feet
- Consists of a queen bed, convertible single sofa, and one or two pull down beds, depending on category
- Large porthole view
- Full split bathroom with vanity, sink, shower and tub with glass door; half bathroom with vanity, sink, and toilet
Verandah Staterooms
The salty air is at your fingertips with a verandah stateroom. Equipped with a small table and 2 chairs, the verandah is the perfect way to watch the sunrise or sunset from the privacy of your own stateroom with endless opportunities for relaxation.
The verandahs are VERY safe with multiple safety locks and are pretty tough to open, so those with littles shouldn’t be worried about booking a verandah room. We always book verandahs and our two-year-old would never be able to get out unsupervised!
If your idea of vacation is full of relaxation, a verandah is for you. Are you all about activities and seeing the sights on vacation? If so, you might want to use the money you would spend on a verandah somewhere else.
Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah:
- Sleeps 3 to 4
- Located on Decks 6 through 11
- Size: 243 sq. ft., including verandah
- Consists of a queen bed, convertible single sofa, and one or two pull down beds, depending on category
- Private verandah open air balcony with views of the ocean
- Full split bathroom with vanity, sink, shower and tub with glass door; half bathroom with vanity, sink, and toilet
Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah:
- Sleeps 4 to 5
- Located on Decks 6 through 11
- Size: Approximately 284 sq. ft., including verandah
- Room consists of queen bed, single convertible sofa, upper-berth single pull-down bed and single wall pull-down bed (for rooms that sleep 5)
- Private verandah open air balcony with views of the ocean (Category 4E has an oversized private verandah)
- Full split bathroom with vanity, sink, shower and tub with glass door; half bathroom with vanity, sink, and toilet
Concierge Staterooms
Concierge guests live the life of luxury in Family Oceanview with Verandah rooms, 1 bedroom suites, 2 bedroom suites, and the Wish Tower Suite. You pay a high price for concierge rooms, but there are some amenities that come with it.
- Upgraded linens
- Early check-in
- Early access to reservations such as Palo, Port Adventures, spa services, Enchante
- Priority tender in ports of call
- Concierge private lounge including internet, food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), a sundeck, 2 whirlpools, cushioned lounge chairs, and wading pool
Disney Wish Cruise Ship Dining
There are ample food options on Disney Wish. There is something for everyone, from your pickiest eater to your adventurous foodie. Everything is included in your cruise, with the exception of the two adults-only restaurants.
There is a buffet, pool deck options, three main dining rooms, and two adults-only specialty restaurants (extra charge). This is your time to try something new!
Disney offers rotational dining for dinner. Guests will use their Navigator app to find out what restaurant they will attend each night. Your service team follows you to each restaurant, so you have the same service team every night. One of the main dining rooms will also be open for breakfast and lunch. Guests can check the Disney Navigator app for which restaurant and times.
Marceline Market
Marceline Market is the breakfast and lunch buffet located on Deck 11 aft. It is inspired by Walt Disney’s hometown, Marceline, Missouri. Currently, it is not open for dinner. Although, in the past Disney has used their buffet space as another table service dinner option.
There is a variety of food offerings from a kids’ corner featuring things like chicken tenders, fries, and mac and cheese to international specialty cuisines you may have never tried before.
Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods
Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods is a new addition to Disney Cruise Line and is only available on the Disney Wish (soon to be available on the Disney Treasure coming out December 2024).
It is located on the pool deck and consists of a variety of different quick service cuisines, themed after the new Mickey animated short films. These stalls are open from 10:45 am to 6 pm daily, with one station open later each day for guests who choose to not attend the main dining rooms.
The five uniquely themed stations are:
- Mickey’s Smokestack Barbeque – offerings include pulled pork, brisket, ribs, mac and cheese, collard greens, coleslaw, and more
- Daisy’s Pizza Pies – offerings include cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, and a specialty pizza each day
- Goofy’s Grill – offerings include hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages, french fries, and more
- Donald’s Cantina – offerings include tacos, burritos, rice bowls with fillings from chicken, carnitas, beef, guacamole, and more
- Sweet Minnie’s Ice Cream – offerings include soft serve cups of cones of chocolate and vanilla ice cream and a rotating flavor each day
OUR FAVORITE: Donald’s Cantina! This was a family favorite for us, so much variety and the quality was fantastic!
Worlds of Marvel
World of Marvel is one of three main dining rooms. Guests will be immersed in the Marvel world and follow along with an interactive story with Ant-Man and the Wasp!
This is dinner and a show, as the screens take you along with the story. You even are part of the show as every table has a “Quantum Core” that you will be called to activate! Spiderman might even make an appearance.
The food menu pays nods to international cuisines around the Marvel Universe with diverse options.
OUR FAVORITES: White Cheddar Broccoli Soup, Golden Mystic Pasta, and the Sticky Date Pudding
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure
In Arendelle, another main dining room, you will join Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff on an adventure! Tables are set around a middle stage for a 360-degree view of the entertainment. There will be musicians playing your favorite Frozen songs and sing-a-longs that will tug on the hearts of all ages!
The food menu is inspired by Norwegian cuisine labeled as “flavors and ingredients from the Nordic region with a contemporary flair”.
OUR FAVORITES: Elsa’s Royal Baked Scallops, Arendelle Kjottkake, and the Norwegian Pancake
1923
The last of the three main dining rooms is 1923. Here, you will be inspired by all things classic Disney. Named after the year the Walt Disney Company was founded, guests are immersed into the art of animation and classic Disney tales through time. There is no special entertainment at this restaurant.
The food menu is indulgent of classic California cuisine, taking nods from the fusion of cultures in California such as Asian, European, and classic American dishes.
OUR FAVORITES: Four-Cheese Tri Color Tortelloni, Filet Mignon, Hollywood Hills Hot Fudge Sundae
Palo Steakhouse
Palo Steakhouse is one of two upscale, adults-only dining venues on the Disney Wish cruise ship. While Palo is on every Disney Cruise Line ship, Palo Steakhouse is the evolution, combining Italian dining with a steakhouse vibe.
Its theme is centered around Cogsworth from Beauty and the Beast. Here, guests can choose from Italian cuisine and high quality cuts of beef. There is also an extensive wine list with a Sommelier on site.
Palo is open for reservations only (which can be booked anywhere from 120 to 90 days in advance based on your sailing status with Disney) and is open for brunch and dinner. They offer a Prezzo Fisso menu for $50 per person with your choice of Antipasti, Insalata, Il Secondo, and Dolce from a limited menu, or a la carte style ordering.
We attended Palo for dinner, and it was superb.
OUR FAVORITE: Butternut Squash Agnolotti, Soft Potato Gnocchi, 6oz Japanese A5 Wagyu, Mushroom Risotto
Enchanté
Enchanté is the second upscale, adults-only dining venue on the Disney Wish. This venue replaces Remy, which is featured on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. It is an intimate and romantic setting inspired by Beauty and the Beast’s Lumiere.
Disney Cruise Line describes it as “A gourmet menu created with superior seasonal ingredients ensures dining at Enchanté is always an exceptional culinary affair. Selections are specially crafted by 3 Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement—of L’Assiette Champenoise, near Reims, France—who also created the menus for the celebrated Remy.”
Enchanté offers brunch, dinner, and a dessert experience. Like Palo, it is reservation only. Prices range from $60 per person for the dessert experience, $75 per person for brunch, and anywhere from $115-$195 for a variety of prix fixe dinner menus. Or there are a la carte options as well.
We didn’t get a chance to dine at Enchanté but are hoping to get a reservation next time!
Disney Wish Cruise Ship Bars and Lounges
There is no shortage of lounge spaces on Disney Wish, and we are giving you the inside scoop on them all!
Possibly the biggest difference between the Disney Wish and the four other Disney Cruise Line ships is the layout, with an immediate focus on the bars and lounges. They are much more spread out on the Wish and may not be as “adults only” as with previous ships. That said, we LOVED the new spaces as there is something for everyone.
Hyperspace Lounge
Hyperspace Lounge is the first Star Wars-themed lounge at sea! Guests immerse themselves in space travel between popular locations in the Star Wars universe. It uses the same technology as the Skyline Lounge on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, just different theming.
During the day, anyone can be in the lounge, but it does turn into adults-only after 9 pm. Hyperspace Lounge offers a variety of cocktails and brews exclusive to this lounge. It’s even home to the $5,000 Kaiburr Crystal! (Yes, it’s a real thing!)
The Hyperspace Lounge has had mixed reviews and is a very loud, small space. Don’t go into this venue comparing it to Oga’s Cantina at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, because you will be disappointed! If you are a casual Star Wars fan, you will enjoy this lounge. The more intense Star Wars fans may be wishing there was a little more. We are huge Star Wars fans and loved the lounge, but also went into it knowing it wouldn’t be the same as Oga’s. It’s all in the mindset!
OUR FAVORITE: Mustafarian Black Ale
The Bayou
The Bayou is one of my favorite spaces throughout the entire ship. Inspired by Disney’s Princess and the Frog, this beautiful venue offers not only just a space with a bar and some drinks, but it also features events like trivia, drawing classes, crafts, and live music throughout your cruise. Maybe the most important thing about this lounge is Mama Odie’s BEIGNETS! You can order beignets here for a nominal fee ($1.25 for one), and they are worth it!
This space, like many of the other lounges, allows kids during the day but becomes adult-only after 9 pm. The Bayou is located right off the Grand Hall and is open to the main walkway, so it does have much more foot traffic than other lounges.
OUR FAVORITE: Abita Amber Lager and the Smoked Fashioned
The Rose
Inspired by Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Rose is a fully adults-only venue located near the dining venues, Palo and Enchante. The Rose offers panoramic views of the ocean and is a quiet, elegant space to grab a drink before your dinner reservation.
On our sailing, it didn’t usually open till 4 pm or 5 pm. So, if you want to check out the Rose, plan accordingly! We stopped in for a drink before our Palo reservation, but didn’t sample any specialty drinks. “The Rose” cocktail is an Instagram staple if you are into that!
Nightingales
Tucked away right off the Grand Hall, Nightingales is an adults-only piano bar inspired by Cinderella’s “Sweet, Sweet Nightingale”. It is home to live music, alcohol tasting and mixology classes, and stunning views.
Nightingales offers fine wines, high quality cocktails, and bubblies. You can even get a drink that comes in a bird glass! Unfortunately, you do have to give it back though. The main source of entertainment at Nightingales is live music, so if you are looking for a quiet place, you may want to look somewhere else.
Keg and Compass
Keg and Compass is Disney Wish’s twist on a sports pub. The comparison of lounges would be Pub 687 on the Disney Dream, Crown & Fin on the Disney Wonder, and O’ Gills Pub on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Magic.
This pub has the largest selection of draft beers on the ship, three of which are completely exclusive to Disney Wish. It does have a full bar menu, but the beers are the star of the show here. There’s also a food menu at an additional charge, a great option if you are looking to skip the main dining rooms. The menu features traditional pub food, such as chicken wings, fish and chips, and nachos.
Keg and Compass is home to trivia and other onboard entertainment. There are also TVs available to watch major sporting events.
OUR FAVORITE: Uncharted Lager
Luna Lounge
Luna is home to an ample amount of activities. This is where you are going to find bingo, family game shows, adult game shows, karaoke, and the silent disco party! This two-story space is versatile and showcases the likes of all ages.
This is also the home base of the Disney Uncharted Adventure game through the Disney Navigator App. Unfortunately, it was super glitchy for us and we weren’t able to complete it.
There is a walk-up bar here too, Luna’s Libations. And you can get popcorn here for a fee!
Cove Cafe
Located off the Quiet Cove pool area, the Cove Cafe is an adults-only coffee lounge with a full bar. It offers coffee, tea, and a variety of cocktails. Cove Cafe is a fleetwide lounge, Disney Wish’s is a little different, of course!
The coffee options are extensive, ranging from a simple decaf to a fancy french press. The venue uses Twining’s Tea. If you get a hot coffee, they will even put a cute character stamp on your coffee for you, just ask!
OUR FAVORITE: Brew Fashioned
Of note, there are so many other small walk-up bars and coffee spots throughout the ship, but these are the “main attractions” on Disney Wish.
Disney Wish Cruise Ship Onboard Activities
There is no shortage of onboard activities on the Disney Wish. In fact, there is so much to do there’s a high chance you won’t be able to do everything offered! You aren’t going to find a casino or an ice skating rink on the Disney Wish cruise ship like you would on other cruise lines, but there’s plenty to keep you entertained.
Pool Deck Activities
There is fun to be had on the pool deck, that’s for sure! There are six pools, a body water slide, a Toy Story-themed splash pad for the little kids still in diapers, and the main attraction, the AquaMouse!
Six round pools laid out in a stadium-style setting make up the main pool deck. You can even lounge in one of the pools while you watch your favorite Disney movie on Funnel Vision, the large outdoor movie screen playing movies all day long! This is a different layout from the previous four ships, and we loved it! The result is the pools are less crowded and there is more space on the pool deck itself.
The Toy Story Splash Zone is a large, covered water play area for kids under 6, and diapered children are allowed! There are also two kid-sized slides here. We spent a lot of time with my son in this area, and he cried every time we left. This is for sure a hit with the kids!
The AquaMouse is the first Disney attraction at sea! Jump in a raft and follow Mickey and Minnie along a short story that shoots you out to 360-degree views of the ocean. It’s so fun!
Pro Tip: The lines can get long on sea days, I suggest either doing this first thing when it opens or on a port day.
Broadway Style Theater Shows
Each night of your cruise there will be a show in the Walt Disney Theatre. You can see The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and the Disney Wish’s original show, Seas the Adventure.
Disney’s Seas the Adventure is a 40-minute production that feels like a show you would see at a Disney theme park, complete with your favorite Disney characters and some live singing and dancing.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a 60-minute, Broadway-style adaptation of the original film. Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular is very entertaining with plenty of Disney humor courtesy of the Genie.
While reservations are not required, we recommend you get to the shows early. They fill up quickly!
Pirate Night/Fireworks at Sea
One night of your cruise will also be a pirate night. You can dress up and get in on the action, joining the pirate fun! There are two pirate shows on Disney Wish, which is different from the rest of the fleet. There is a more kid-friendly show at 7:45 pm with Mickey and friends on the main pool deck stage. Then at 10 pm, the live pirate rock bands start!
This is also when they have the fireworks (weather permitting). Yes, Disney Cruise Line is also the only cruise line to have fireworks at sea!
Other Onboard Happenings
When it comes to onboard activities, there’s still more! Guests will find several character meet and greets that occur throughout the ship. These included photo-ops with Disney princesses, Captain Minnie and Mickey, and even Star Wars characters.
Additionally, there are two movie theaters, Wonderland and Never Land cinemas, showing first-run movies.
Not to mention, there are parties, game shows, live music around the ship, trivia, sing-a-longs, and plenty of other family-friendly activities.
Hero Zone
Hero Zone is a sports area consisting of basketball courts, cornhole boards, ping pong, foosball, and more organized activities. This is also home to Jack Jack’s diaper dash, one of the funniest events at sea.
On Nassau day, Hero Zone becomes home to the Incredi-Games. This is an inflatable obstacle course where you will race for the fastest time. There is a height requirement, and you must have socks!
Bippity Boppity Boutique
Guests can make reservations at this enchanted salon located on all five ships for your little ones to transform into their favorite adventurers. They can choose from an assortment of packages, ranging from their favorite princesses, to a royal knight, Captain Mickey, or a pirate for pirate night! Packages range from $100-$450.
Children must be at least 3 years old to participate, and anyone under 12 years old must have a parent or guardian with them at all times. You must make reservations, and spots do fill up fast. So, this would be one of the first things I’d do when the booking window opens.
Senses Spa
Senses Spa provides tranquility and luxury amenities for pampering and relaxation. There is also a full-service gym on property, so you can start your day with a workout before you indulge in all that cruise food!
Guests can get specialty salon treatments such as massages, body wraps, facials, aromatherapy, and so much more. They also offer manicures, pedicures, teeth whitening, hair styling, and men’s grooming.
There are showers, lockers, robes, changing rooms, and beauty products at your convenience around the spa.
The main focus of the Senses Spa seems to be the rainforest room. The rainforest room is offered on all five ships, but it does vary slightly on Disney Wish. (Do you see a trend here?)
The Rainforest Room consists of a steam and dry sauna, an ice room, heated loungers, aromatherapy showers, and swinging chairs. The Disney Wish even has an outdoor addition to the Rainforest Room, consisting of two hot tubs, swings, and loungers. It is an open-air adults-only escape that is perfect on a sea day.
They only sell a limited amount of rainforest room passes, and you cannot reserve them ahead of time. On the other ships, you can buy day passes for $79 per person, but we were told on our sailing that they were only selling full cruise passes for about $250 per person.
As much as we would have loved it, it was too steep of a price for us. If your main goal is to relax on this vacation with no obligations, by all means, get the rainforest room pass!
Disney Wish Kids Clubs
The star attraction on Disney Cruise Line ships is the kids’ clubs. Kids spaces are available for little ones from 6 months to 17 years old. These immersive spaces are impressive for all ages; even the adults are wishing they could hang out here!
For the kids who may be too shy to go alone, throughout your cruise, there will be open houses of all these kids zones! Parents can join their kids in using everything the kids clubs have to offer. Check your Navigator app for what times and spaces have open houses throughout the day.
It’s a Small World Nursery
The nursery is available for children ages 6 months to 3 years of age. The staff here will feed, change diapers, and put kids to sleep. The area has rocking chairs and cribs for sleep. Of note, they will feed your children snacks if you allow it, but no full meals will be given (unless it’s formula).
You do have to make reservations for the nursery. Guests can book reservations whenever your onboard booking window opens, and we have had great luck booking the nursery space same day as well. There is an additional charge of $9 per hour for one child and $8 per hour for additional children in the same family.
This is WELL worth it and a great way for mom and dad to have some adult time. We have used the nursery onboard multiple ships at varying ages and have only had great experiences. Our son has never gone to daycare, so we weren’t sure how he would do with the counselors, but he cried every time we had to take him out!
PRO TIP: Schedule nursery times around dinner. Dinner experiences can be lengthy, so if you know your child won’t sit still that long, ask your server to have your child’s food ready when you arrive for dinner and then take them to the nursery when they are done eating! Then, you can enjoy all dinner has to offer without interruption.
Disney’s Oceaneers Club
Children ages 3 to 12 can interact with characters, take their chance in Marvel’s Super Hero Academy, fight the first order in Star Wars Cargo Bay, read books in Fairytale Hall, and discover Disney Imagineers’ secrets in the Imagineering Lab.
This club does have organized activities throughout the cruise, but kids can also enjoy free play. There are no reservations for the Oceaneers Club, and kids can come and go as much as they please. Parents will have to check the children in and out, and it is a very secure system.
The biggest thing here is they MUST be potty trained and be completely bathroom independent. If not, they will have to go to the nursery.
Edge
Edge is a tween club for ages 11 to 14. The kids are able to check themselves in and out without an adult present. The space is open from 10 am to 1 am daily and offers TVs, video games, board games, movies, trivia, and a great deal of scheduled activities for even the most shy tween to get out of their comfort zone!
Vibe
Vibe is a sacred space for the big kids. Ages 14 to 17 can relax in Vibe’s hangout spaces, take the perfect selfies with views of the ocean, take part in karaoke and dance parties, and so much more!
Vibe also features a coffee bar serving a wide selection of nonalcoholic beverages, including fruit smoothies and more.
Thoughts on the Disney Wish Cruise Ship
Overall, we love the newest Disney Cruise ship, Disney Wish. It offers great food, world-class entertainment, and most importantly, a relaxing vacation!
There is something for everyone on this ship. Although, we do hope that one day the cruise line will offer longer itineraries on Disney Wish because 3 or 4 days is just not enough!
Related: If you’re taking your first Disney cruise, we’ve got our top Disney Cruise Line tips and tricks to ensure your cruise is smooth sailing!
Comments
Have you sailed on the Disney Wish cruise ship yet? What are some of your favorite aspects of the new Triton Class of ships? Leave us a comment below to share why you love sailing with Disney Cruise Line.