What’s it like to sail on Disney Fantasy, one of Disney’s most popular ships
As I’ve learned in my quest to sail on all the Disney ships, when you ask an experienced Disney cruiser what ship in the fleet is their favorite, odds are they’ll say Disney Fantasy.
For years, I wondered what about this ship (the only one I hadn’t sailed on until recently) made it such a common fan favorite.
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For those unfamiliar with the nuances of each of the six currently sailing Disney ships, Disney Fantasy being a favorite is particularly interesting given it’s not the newest in the fleet, the most recent to be majorly overhauled in dry dock (though one is scheduled), the biggest in the fleet nor the smallest Disney ship. It’s not like there’s anything on the ship you can’t get on any other Disney It is, in many ways, just right.
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Disney Fantasy has fun, playful art nouveau styling that you see as soon as you enter the three-story atrium, where a peacock-inspired chandelier and carpeting immediately catch your eye.
It’s a Disney ship that is comparatively light on specific character or story themes in many of its restaurants, bars and other spaces relative to the two newer ships — Disney Treasure and Disney Wish — but is heavy on things to do and spaces to enjoy and explore.
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Disney Fantasy first set sail for Disney Cruise Line on March 31, 2012, and has capacity for 4,000 passengers spread across 1,250 staterooms. Disney Fantasy is the same size as Disney Dream which was released just one year before.
This translated to a more relaxed pace for the passengers (and crew) on Fantasy, rather than the quick-turn pace of the three- and four-night sailings that were often operated by other ships in the fleet.
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I suspect that’s one of the main reasons why many Disney cruisers have such fond memories of Disney Fantasy.
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However, now that Disney’s fleet has expanded, Disney Fantasy operates a pretty wide variety of sailings, ranging from short three-night cruises out of Florida to some transatlantic crossings and even sailings from European ports.
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Related: Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?
Disney Fantasy cabins and suites
Disney Fantasy has staterooms ranging from interior and oceanview cabins to verandah staterooms and a selection of concierge staterooms and suites that measure up to 1,781 square feet. Staterooms can accommodate between three to five people depending on which room you choose. If you’re fortunate, you might even see a Disney character “flying” through the )
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One very handy feature of most Disney Fantasy staterooms is the split bathrooms, which place the tub/shower combo and the toilet in different adjacent rooms so multiple family members can get ready at the same time.
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The interior, oceanview and verandah staterooms on Disney Fantasy feature the classic nautical style you’ll find on all four of the original Disney ships (Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy).
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The concierge staterooms on Disney Fantasy provide access to some additional concierge-exclusive spaces and perks, such as the concierge lounge, earlier booking of activities and specialty meals, and early entry into the theater at night for the first pick of seats.
Related: Is Disney Cruise Line concierge level worth it? Then we tested it.
Disney’s Fantasy includes meals and restaurants0 This dining arrangement allows you and your serving team to get to know each other while still experiencing different restaurants. This dining arrangement allows you and your serving team to get to know each other while still experiencing different restaurants.
On Disney Fantasy, the three included restaurants are: Enchanted Garden, Royal Court and Animator’s Palate.
Enchanted Garden
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Enchanted Garden is only found on Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream. The decor of the restaurant is inspired by conservatories found in the foothills near France. It may Royal Court
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SUMMER HULLE/THE PO Royal Court on Disney Dream has a similar feel. )
Located just off the grand atrium, this restaurant may make you feel like you’ve entered the castle of one of Disney’s famous princesses, such as that of Belle or Cinderella, as those were some of the stories from which the restaurant took its inspiration.
Animator’s Palate
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Last but not least on the list of included sit-down restaurants you’ll find on Disney Fantasy is Animator’s Palate. This restaurant is available on all four original Disney ships. It’s a great place to enjoy It’s not to be skipped, especially if you haven’t dined here before.
On some nights in Animator’s Palate, you may get to see your drawings come to life as you enjoy course after course of included appetizers, entrees and desserts.
Cabanas buffet
The included dining options on Disney Fantasy don’t stop at the previously mentioned restaurants.
There is also Cabanas, a buffet that is open daily for breakfast and lunch. The menu changes daily, but you can expect to find kid-friendly favorites like Mickey waffles, These delectable breakfast treats only appear at Cabanas once per cruise (often toward the end of the sailing) and are quite delicious.
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On-deck food
For lunch or even dinner, you can also just enjoy a selection from the on-deck walk-up food counters and grab a soft serve ice cream at places such as Eye Scream and Flo’s Cafe, which are also included.
After the ship’s next visit to dry dock, scheduled for fall 2025, there will be a new on-deck addition called Ramone’s Cantina. The Ramone’s Cantina will offer tacos, taco bowls and more This allows you to enjoy the waterslide or game shows while other cruisers are seated for Room service is available 24 hours per day on Disney Fantasy. The complimentary breakfast menu includes fruit, pastries Later in the day, a small but sufficient list of hot items also becomes available.
Remember that besides the main menu, you can get a few off-menu items, such as Mickey ice cream bars and Uncrustables, which I like to stuff in my bag on excursion days.
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Disney Fantasy extra-fee restaurants and meals
Now, let’s talk about the snacks and meals on Disney Fantasy that will cost you a little extra.
Sweet on You
Unique to Disney Fantasy is the Sweet on You shop that’s home to an adorable “life-size” Mickey and Minnie and 20 flavors of gelato, 16 ice cream choices and 32 topping options. Expect one scoop to set you back about $4 and toppings to add around 75 cents additional.
Pro tip: If your kids are OK sharing, you can get a three-scoop size for much less than three individual one-scoop orders.
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Adults-only restaurants Palo and Remy
Then there are the high-end, adults-only restaurants: Palo and Remy. Reservations are available for both brunch and dinner at these restaurants. They only accept guests 18 years and older Reservations should be made as soon as possible before your cruise (this varies based on your Cast Dress up to impress. There are five reasons I would say yes.
Disney Fantasy lounges and bars The Europa section includes:
Skyline Bar
O’Gill If you look carefully, you’re likely to find some Disney characters out enjoying themselves in the cities displayed, too.
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My personal favorite bar on Disney Fantasy, however, isn’t actually in the Europa district.
Instead, it’s Meridian, found between Palo and Remy. You’ll also find classic ocean liner decor and great ocean views. As an added bonus, you also get a small taste of the service and vibe from the adjacent adults-only restaurants without the same price tag.
I highly recommend a predinner or postdinner drink here around sunset for a calm, gorgeous toast to the end of another day at sea.
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Other noteworthy spots on Disney Fantasy where you can spend a few dollars for a specialty coffee or an adult beverage include:
Cove Cafe
Currents
Poolside bars
Pro tip: If you expect to enjoy several specialty coffees on your cruise, ask for the Cove Fanatic card, which provides a free specialty coffee after you purchase five. On Disney Fantasy, muffins and pastries are available at no extra charge in Cove Cafe. If you want to do this, the earlier in your cruise that you do it, the greater value If you want to do this, then the earlier in your cruise you do it, the greater the potential value if you use the cup multiple times.
Note that, unlike some other cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line does not offer unlimited drink packages, though you can buy packages that include a select number of bottles of wine or cans of beer.
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Related: Disney cruise drink packages: How to save on beer, wine, cocktails and coffee
Disney Fantasy activities
From the AquaDuck and the splash pad to the long list of scheduled activities like trivia, karaoke and bingo, you’re unlikely to ever be bored on Disney Fantasy.
Scheduled game shows, trivia, karaoke and more
The part of a Disney Cruise I underestimated before I tried it was the activities scheduled all throughout the day and night that you can pop into.
This includes options like family game shows, silent discos, karaoke, all sorts of trivia competitions and Disney character drawing lessons. My kids have become obsessed with many of these regularly scheduled activities, so they’re now a cruise highlight for us and how you will find us passing the time for hours upon hours each day.
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- Pools and waterslides
- Another main attraction on Disney Fantasy is the AquaDuck waterslide, which takes you around the top deck of the ship, through the funnel and on a four-deck drop on an inner tube. It is very popular, especially during sea days. There are also the AquaLab, some small splash pools, a second (and shorter and more kid There are also the AquaLab, some small splash pools, a second (and much shorter and more little-kid-friendly) waterslide, multiple on-deck pools and the toddler-oriented Nemo’s Reef.
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- Broadway-style shows
Each of the Disney ships has three Broadway-style shows:
Disney’s Believe
Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular
Frozen: A Musical Spectacular
They are all very high-quality productions and worth a watch, though note that none of them are currently unique to Disney Fantasy. The show will start at the same time as your dinner (early or later), and seating is available If a film premieres in a land-based theater while you’re at sea, then The fitness center is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The fitness center is located next to the spa. It’s open daily from 6 am to 10 pm The Midship Detective Agency is a fun game that you can only find on Disney Fantasy or Disney Dream The Senses Spa & Salon, which offers a variety of treatments and passes to relax on Goofy’s Sports Deck
If you want to play basketball, mini golf or There is no charge for minigolf or the basketball court, but if you want to use the sports simulator for something like football, soccer or baseball, you will need to make a reservation for a 30- to 60-minute session.
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Characters and Bibbity Bobbity Boutique
- Whether you want to meet a princess or become a princess, Disney Fantasy has you covered. The You can also make a free reservation for the princess gathering in the Grand Hall to meet four princesses at once, at a scheduled time with a minimal wait.
- However, my favorite DCL character interactions are usually the ones that aren’t scheduled or available for advance reservations. You “
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Disney Fantasy kids clubs, teen club and nursery
Disney Fantasy doesn’t just have a “kids club” — it has five dedicated kids spaces, divided by age group.
For the smallest cruisers, there is the nursery, which is available for little ones ages 6 months to 3 years old and costs $4.50 per half-hour. You These Mickey If There Edge Edge Edge Vi Vibe is a big, cool space with lots of places to hang out, watch a movie, play video games or even get a tan at its own private pool area on its own private deck.
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Adults-only areas
The kids and teens don’t get all the fun on Disney Fantasy, as the adults have their own space and own pool, too. Cruisers ages 18 and up can enjoy the pool, pool bar, lounge chairs and hot tub in a section just for them.
However, unlike on Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, where the adults-only area is all the way at the back of the top deck, on Disney Fantasy, it is somewhat more midship, so there will be through traffic from kids and families of all ages.
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Disney Fantasy itineraries and pricing
As previously mentioned, Disney Fantasy has a wide variety of itineraries, which means there is a wide variety of prices. The We did the same itinerary, and it was an excellent way to spend four days with a mix of sea and sand.
These rates start at around $2,000 for two guests in an inside cabin during the most off-peak dates.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
For a family of four, the starting price for the least expensive season, which is currently weekday sailings in the early fall, costs $3,437.
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If you want to book a verandah stateroom for a family of four, those prices start at $3,861 for four-night sailings to Disney’s two Bahamian destinations in early fall.
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While Disney Cruise Line is one of the more expensive family-focused cruise lines, a great perk of the itineraries that visit both of Disney’s island destinations is that your cruise fare covers your meals, beach chairs and more at these stops. That means it is 100% possible to spend no additional money on those shore days and still have a great time.
Pro tip: On these island days, I highly recommend creating your own ice cream sandwich using cookies and soft serve ice cream machines.
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- Related: 11 ways to save money on a Disney Cruise
- If you want to hop on board as Disney Fantasy enjoys its first European sailings since it was delivered to Disney Cruise Line, then consider booking one of the sailings to Italy, France, Spain, Norway and beyond for summer 2025. It Why including a cruise might be better than just staying on land
- Disney Fantasy accessibility
Disney Fantasy offers accessible cabins in all of the main cabin categories: inside, ocean-view, balcony and concierge accommodations, including one-bedroom suites. These Doorways in these cabins have ramped thresholds.
These cabins also have visual indicators and bed shakers for doorbells, phone calls and emergency alarms.
The theaters on Disney Fantasy offer wheelchair-accessible seating, and the line’s website says you must request pool lift access in advance from guest services.
Common ports of call for Disney Fantasy — Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay — also have beach-friendly wheelchairs available for use.
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Bottom line
After four nights on board, it’s safe to say that Disney Fantasy is indeed a special ship that does lots of things just right.
You can jog or walk the full circular track in the morning (which is not true on the new Wish Class ships), hit up the Rainforest Room in the spa before lunch while your younger family members are in the kids clubs, enjoy the pools or waterslides in the afternoon, have a predinner drink with an epic view in Meridian and enjoy the rotational-style dining for dinner. And that’s all before seeing a Broadway-style show at night, among other things you can see and do on Disney Fantasy.
However, now that I’ve sailed on all of Disney’s ships, I’m not sure that I can say I think any one crew (or ship) is really better than the others.
And while Disney Fantasy isn’t a carbon copy of Disney Dream due to some different styling, restaurants and shows, my hunch is that some of the reputation of Disney Fantasy being the best is a holdover from when it exclusively did seven-night sailings and likely had a different vibe and pace from the rest of the fleet.
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That said, we absolutely loved our days on Disney Fantasy — as we have on Disney’s other ships — and hope to be lucky enough to find ourselves on board again one day.
