Broadway-Style Shows
When it comes to entertainment, there is plenty of it aboard a Disney Cruise. On the Disney Fantasy specifically, we enjoyed some very entertaining shows at the Walt Disney Theatre, including three Broadway-Style shows.
Walt Disney Theatre
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The second performance we saw was Wishes, an original Disney Fantasy Cruise Line show. It's the story of three friends, Kayla, Brandon and Nicole, who are just about to graduate high school. While spending the day at their favourite place, Disney World, they make a wish at the wishing well to go on the ride of their lives. They are taken through a variety of beloved Disney songs, where along the way, they discover life lessons, including the importance of staying in touch with their inner child. The music includes songs such as Hakuna Matata from the Lion King, Zero to Hero from Hercules, I've Got a Dream from Tangled, I've Got No Strings from Pinocchio and many more including an original song called Ride of Our Lives. I definitely got in touch with my inner child while watching this - in fact I believe she was singing along to every song.
The third and final show we saw was Believe, a show that can be seen on both the Disney Fantasy and the Disney Dream. Believe is the story of a horticulturalist, Mr. Greenaway and his daughter Sophia who is celebrating her birthday. Along with a special guide, Mr. Greenaway learns to believe in magic though some Disney persuasion. Like Wishes, there are a variety of Disney songs including Higitus Figitus from Sword in the Stone, You Can Fly from Peter Pan, Once Upon A Dream from Sleeping Beauty, Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast, just to name a few. There is also a really beautiful original song called What Makes a Garden Grow.
So when it comes to entertainment, these Broadway-style shows will be sure to impress. They are without a doubt some of the best shows I have ever seen. The singing, the dancing, the costumes, the sets, it all just comes together to bring you into worlds you never thought you'd get to see this way.
Scott and I at the Walt Disney Theatre
Photo from personal collection
Dining and Food
Feeling hungry? Well you will be once you hear about all of the food aboard the Disney Fantasy because its everywhere. There are different types of dining depending on the time of day and the kind of food you want. For breakfast and lunch, check out the Cabanas. It's a huge buffet on deck 11 where you have a huge variety of food choices, lined up in two sides. You can have a meal either inside or outside and you can enjoy a Finding Nemo theme, with the seagulls watching down at everyone who walks through. It was one of my favourite places to enjoy a great meal.
Entrance to the Cabanas
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In the evening, there is what is known as rotational dining for supper. There are three restaurants and two dining times. Your dining ticket will include your dining time, as well as the order you'll be going to the restaurants, as well as your table number, which remains the same at each. You get the same waiters that travel with you to each location and they get to know you and what you like. This is a great way to really feel like home on the ship by seeing and getting to know these waiters and waitresses. The three restaurants on the Disney Fantasy are Animator's Palate, the Royal Court and the Enchanted Garden.
Animator's Palate
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At Animator's Palate, the theme is a tribute to the animation of Disney. When you enter, it's almost like you've walked into an animator's studio. Fitting props are everywhere, including large screens that look like sketch pads. As you're enjoying your meal, you can be entertained by different videos on those screens, including a tribute to just about every food scene Disney has ever had in all of their animated movies. The Royal Court is designed to look very elegant and reminiscent of Disney Princess movies. There are unique details everywhere that really make you feel like you've stepped into a castle's dining room. Enchanted Garden is a beautiful place that makes you feel like you've stepped right into the middle of an beautiful garden. The flowers, green details and overall feel can make one feel very serene and relaxed.
Enchanted Garden
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Finally, for the adults, be sure to check out the two speciality restaurants, Palo and Remy's. Both are some of the finest dining you will find at sea. Remy's is based on the movie Ratatouille and named after its star, Remy the rat. The cuisine is French inspired and the theme is a sophisticated, classic French style. The other restaurant Palo, is also very beautiful and elegantly themed. This one takes after Italy though, with a wonderful Italian themed menu. We were only able to do Palo but we hope to do Remy's on our next cruise. If it's anything like our experience at Palo, it will be the finest dining we have ever done and it will be amazing.
Scott and I at Palo
Photo from personal collection
So wherever you dine, Bon Apetit!
Ports of Call
Disney Cruises travel all over the world and offer some the most unique off shore excursions (basically fun adventures to the places you travel). During our cruise we travelled to the beautiful islands of St. Martin and St. Thomas, both of which were terrific. They were the perfect examples of Caribbean paradise. However the highlight of the Ports of Call was without a doubt our visit to Castaway Cay, Disney's own private island. Opened to the public in 1998, this little piece of heaven is accessible only by Disney Cruise ships.
View of Castaway Cay from the ship
Photo from personal collection
From the moment we stepped off the boat and onto the beautiful island, we felt like we were in a very special place. Its so cut off from everywhere else, all you can do is take in the natural wonder of it all and appreciate every moment that you're there. It is one of the places in the world that I feel lucky just to have spent the time that I did there. However, it is a place I will definitely be going back to!
Sidewalk at Castaway Cay
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Much like the ship, the island is divided up into different areas depending on age and activities. For instance families can enjoy Castaway Family Beach but if the adults want a little getaway, they can check out the 18+ Serenity Bay beach. We spent the majority of our time in the waters of Serenity Bay. It is pretty big and not near as crowded as the family beach. The sand felt amazing on my toes and it was a nice way of reminding me that this was actually real.
My feet in the sand at Serenity Bay, Castaway Cay
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The water was so clear and beautiful and you could see different things in the sand such as shells, seaweed and even some small fish. However the biggest surprise we saw came when we were standing at just over waist deep water. As we were standing around enjoying the view, Scott managed to see a sting ray. We did stay clear of it but it was quite the thing to see that close.
Sting ray at Castaway Cay
Photo from personal collection
However we didn't spend our time in Serenity Bay alone. We did go check out the two water slides at Pelican Plunge, located right near the family beach. You swim out to the wharf and have the option of a covered or open slide. The covered one is shorter and faster, while the open one is longer and slower. Both are very fun and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, as was evident by grandparents joining their grand kids in all of the sliding fun.
Pelican Plunge at Castaway Cay
Photo from personal collection
So that brings my Disney Cruise to an end. It was the most incredible trip I have ever taken and I am truly lucky to have been able to experience it. I would recommend a Disney Cruise to everyone, without a doubt. Every element is brought together seamlessly to bring guests a world that they thought they could only dream about. It is truly a magical experience and one that I hope to do again.
Disney Fantasy Life Buoy
Photo from personal collection
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