The Disney Magic is a legendary cruise ship with a rich history of bringing Disney magic to families at sea. Launched in 1998 as the inaugural ship of Disney Cruise Line, she ushered in a new era of family cruising. After nearly 25 years, the Disney Magic continues sailing with grace.
A Detailed History
The Disney Magic was built by the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. Her keel was laid in 1997, and she was floated out in June 1998. After sea trials, the Disney Magic set sail on her maiden voyage on July 30, 1998 from Port Canaveral, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas. Originally designed to evoke the elegant ocean liners of the 1930s, the Disney Magic features stunning Art Deco interiors. Her exterior features Sorcerer Mickey leading the way on her bow and Goofy putting the finishing touches of paint on her stern.
The Disney Magic is 984 feet long, with a beam of 106 feet. She weighs 83,338 gross tons and has a height of 171.5 feet from the waterline to the top of her funnel. Her cruising speed is 21.5 knots, with a maximum speed of 24 knots. After her inaugural year sailing the Caribbean, the Disney Magic began sailing to the Western Caribbean in 2000 on 7-night itineraries.
She has continued to sail a variety of Caribbean itineraries year-round from Port Canaveral, Florida for most of her career. During the summer months, she has sailed to Europe, Alaska, the Mexican Riviera, Canada, and New England over the years. The ship has undergone two extensive refurbishments in Cadiz, Spain – once in 2013 and again in 2023. The renovations expanded children’s areas, added new dining venues, and enhanced adult-only spaces.
By the Numbers
Here are some key stats for the magnificent Disney Magic:
Rooms and Capacity
- 875 staterooms
- Capacity of 2,713 passengers at double occupancy
- 256 interior staterooms
- 237 ocean view staterooms
- 384 balcony staterooms (including 22 suites)
Crew
- 950 crew members
- International crew representing over 50 countries
Dining Venues
- 3 Main Dining Rooms
- 1 Main Buffet
- 3 Specialty Restaurants
- 24-Hour Room Service
Lounges and Bars
- 5 Lounges
- 4 Bars
Entertainment Venues
- Walt Disney Theatre (977 seats)
- Buena Vista Theatre (278 seats)
- District Lounge
- O’Gills Pub
- Beat Street
Recreation
- 2 Adult Pools
- 1 Family Pool
- 2 Water Slides
- 1 Children’s Water Play Area
- Vibe Teen Club
- Edge Tween Club
- Oceaneer Club and Lab Kids Clubs
- Wide World of Sports Deck
Family Fun
The Disney Magic lives up to her name by delivering the perfect blend of entertainment, dining, and recreation for family cruisers. Families will delight in Broadway-style shows at the elegant Walt Disney Theatre, first-run movies at the art deco Buena Vista Theatre, and deck parties filled with Disney characters. Little ones can splash the day away at the Nephew’s Splash Zone water play area, or hang with their new BFFs at the Oceaneer Club and Lab.
While the kids are having fun, parents can relax at Quiet Cove pool or indulge in a spa treatment. When the family reunites, there are plenty of options for dining together, from upscale French cuisine at Palo to pizza and burgers at Pinocchio’s Pizzeria. With activities and entertainment for all ages, the Disney Magic brings the Disney theme parks to the high seas for a magical family vacation.
Stateroom Categories
The Disney Magic offers a variety of stateroom categories to meet every cruiser’s needs.
Here’s an overview:
Interior Staterooms
The most affordable option, interior staterooms, offer comfortable accommodations without a view. Great for families on a budget.
Oceanview Staterooms
Oceanview staterooms feature either a porthole or picture window with views of the ocean. Some rooms feature a family-friendly layout with extra berths for kids.
Verandah Staterooms
Verandah rooms include a private balcony, perfect for enjoying sunsets at sea or stargazing on tropical nights. Many connecting verandahs available for larger families.
Suites
For luxury accommodations, book a suite with extra space, concierge amenities, and premium views from an oversized verandah.
Accessible Staterooms
The Disney Magic has a variety of accessible staterooms with features like wider doors, roll-in showers, and grab bars to accommodate guests with disabilities.
No matter your budget or family size, you’ll find the perfect home on the high seas aboard the magnificent Disney Magic!
Onboard Dining
From fine dining to casual fare, the Disney Magic offers an array of dining options to satisfy every appetite. The elegant Lumiere’s Restaurant serves French-inspired cuisine in an enchanting Beauty and the Beast-themed dining room. Animator’s Palate brings the magic of Disney animation to life through interactive decor. For family-style dining, Rapunzel’s Royal Table offers classic dishes inspired by Disney Princesses.
If you prefer a more casual experience, you can grab pizza and burgers at Pinocchio’s Pizzeria, sandwiches and salads at Daisy’s De-Lites, or an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet at Cabanas. Adults can enjoy gourmet tastes at the adults-only Palo Restaurant, which specializes in Italian cuisine. From quick snacks to fine dining, the Disney Magic has dining options for the whole family to enjoy morning, noon and night.
Top Attractions
Along with world-class entertainment and dining, the Disney Magic offers fantastic attractions for cruisers of all ages. Here are some of the most popular features on board:
AquaDunk
This exhilarating three-story water slide sends riders on a near-vertical drop through a translucent tube that extends 20 feet over the side of the ship. Not for the faint of heart!
Walt Disney Theatre
This 977-seat Broadway-style theatre hosts original Disney musicals with dazzling sets, costumes, and high-tech lighting and sound effects. A must-see!
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Inspired by the popular salons at Disney Parks, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique transforms little ones into princesses and knights with magical makeovers.
Wide World of Sports Deck
With areas for basketball, soccer, and more, this upper deck recreation area keeps kids active with sports games and tournaments.
Edge
A tween club designed as a hip, urban loft provides 11-14 year olds their own cool place to hang out away from parents and little kids.
Conclusion
For over two decades, the Disney Magic has been delighting families with legendary service and entertainment that brings the Disney theme parks to the high seas. From her maiden voyage in 1998 to her recent 2023 renovation, this ship has set the standard for family cruising. With nearly 900 staterooms, the Disney Magic offers high seas accommodations for every family.
Onboard, families can enjoy world-class Disney shows, first-run movies, deck parties with beloved characters, kids clubs, family dining, and adult-only spaces – all wrapped up in elegant Art Deco style. Whether sailing the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska or beyond, the Disney Magic lives up to her name by creating magical memories for every member of the family.
As the inaugural ship of the Disney Cruise Line fleet, she continues her legacy of excellence by bringing the Disney vacation experience to incredible destinations around the globe. So if you’re looking to take your next family vacation to magical new heights, set your sights on the legendary Disney Magic for a one-of-a-kind cruise that delivers Disney magic across the board!
The post Meet the Disney Magic Cruise Ship appeared first on Park Savers.