Disney stay and cruise: our week in pictures (part two)

After our magical 24 hours in Walt Disney World, Florida, we woke early and grabbed a quick breakfast at the Cape May Café with Minnie Mouse (as you do), before waving her goodbye and jumping on a coach which took us to Port Canaveral. There we caught our very first glimpse of the Disney Dream. Here’s part two of our Disney stay and cruise photo diary: all about the Disney Dream.

Breakfast with Minnie

We were lucky enough to be welcomed on board early, so we got the opportunity to explore the ship while it was empty, which was a really special experience.

That tube you can see behind me (below) is the AquaDuck, the world’s first ‘water coaster’ at sea, which takes you and a daredevil friend in a two-person inflatable raft over the side of the ship and even through the forward funnel on an exhilarating 765ft whooshing water ride with loads of water jets and rapids, finishing with a relaxing lazy river. It’s the best fun!

You can even ride the AquaDuck at night when it’s all lit up - completely magical.

Ride the AquaDuck by moonlight (or just bob in the pool and watch some Toy Story)

There are loads of new features since I was last on board, including some amazing updates to the children’s clubs. There are two great new youth areas, both with all sorts of interactive features. The Oceaneer Club, which is for children from ages three to 12 (the kids aren’t split up into further age groups which I think is nice, as brothers and sisters can stay together) has got a fantastic new Star Wars themed area, including a really high-tech Millennium Falcon that the kids can actually pilot (note the youngling taking the wheel here):

The Millenium Falcon on board the Disney Dream

R2D2 is there, keeping an eye on everything:

There are also huge screens and an impressive holochess table, with loads of Star Wars-themed games and craft activities, plus gaming stations to play Star Wars games on.

The other new space features Disney Infinity. The room has a high-tech, interactive screen - one of the counsellors told me that it’s the only one like it in the world - where there are all sorts of virtual games and activities to play (sorry for the blurring - they literally didn’t stay still!):

There are also individual gaming stations:

Another new feature is a brand new version of the Walt Disney World Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques, offering magical makeovers to transform boys and girls into princesses and pirates. On pirate night, the Boutique transforms into the headquarters of The Pirates League to give awesome pirate makeovers, me hearties!

The adults don’t dip out either. Quiet Cove is strictly for adults only:

Quiet Cove - the adults-only area on board the Disney Dream

…and our favourite adults-only area on deck 13 has been given a brand new water feature, Satellite Falls, a gorgeous waterfall and pool with benches and sun loungers all around, right at the front of the ship with the most amazing views. Sadly it was a bit cloudy when I took the picture, but it’s a lovely place to laze in the sunshine:

Satellite Falls

My absolute favourite new addition, though, has to be Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats. If, like me, you’re a massive Wreck-It Ralph fan, you’ll instantly recognise King Candy and all the characters from the Sugar Rush racing car game, including the ‘glitch’, Vanellope (rhymes with Penelope). Inside there are gumball machines, handmade ice creams and gelato with amazing toppings, gorgeous cupcakes, cookies and all sorts of other sweet treats, chocolates and goodies. It’s literally sweetie heaven.

Not everything has changed, though, the fabulous Broadway-worthy theatre shows all still made me cry (I love a Disney song - AND a Disney Princess), and the dining is still absolutely top notch. I love the rotational dining concept on board, meaning that even though you rotate through different restaurants - the cartoonist-themed Animator’s Palate with all the incredible surprises that take place during your meal (nope, not telling), the Versailles-themed Enchanted Garden and the gorgeous, sumptuous Royal Palace inspired by Disney Princesses - you keep the same serving staff, who get to know you and become a real part of your cruise experience. We were also lucky enough to dine in Palo, the adults-only fine dining restaurant where the food is just out of this world. Wine lists on board, by the way, feature some incredible wines including some of my favourite American reds - so difficult to get in England!

There’s so much to do on board too. We loved the Rainforest experience in Senses Spa, a thermal suite with a variety of hot and cold rooms, saunas, steam rooms, heated beds and ocean-view jacuzzis. It’s a gorgeous way to while away a sea day (oh and top tip: do what we did and get ready for your evening there by using their luxurious showers, complete with all sorts of pampering Elemis products, before tiptoeing back down to your room in your dressing gown to get ready for your evening out!).

For the adults, The District is the place to head to, with lounges, bars and even a nightclub. My favourite of all of them is Pink, the champagne bar. The decor is utterly gorgeous, with a dusky pink and cream corseted bar and the most incredible light installation behind the bar. It’s just perfect for sipping a glass of bubbly with friends, or taking part in the champagne tasting sessions:

Pink champagne bar

The night I love the most, though, is pirate night. When the ship is docked at Castaway Cay, the night’s theme is Pirates IN the Caribbean, complete with Buccaneer Blast fireworks. It’s a magical evening: the pool is covered and becomes a dance floor and it’s just fabulous to ooh and ahh at the fireworks glittering over the sea, and then dance the night away on deck. I just love it.

Buccaneer blast fireworks on the Disney Dream

So that’s the ship. In the final part of my Disney Dream photo diary, I’ll be sharing the most magical port adventures with you, including Disney’s own private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.

If you’d like to see more, why not check out our YouTube video featuring all the fun of our Disney stay and cruise experience.

Ten nights at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort including return flights and 4-night Bahamas Cruise on the Disney Dream – From £1546pp

10 nights in Orlando with Walt Disney Travel Company, including return economy flights with British Airways departing London Gatwick direct to Orlando, accommodation at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s 14-Day Ultimate Ticket for the price of a 7-Day Ticket and a 4-night cruise on Disney Dream costs from £1546 per person. Price is per person based on two adults and two children travelling on 9 September 2024 and sharing a standard room at Disney’s All-Star Movies and an inside cabin on a full-board basis on board Disney Dream. Includes transfer to and from Orlando International Airport as well as all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Walt Disney Travel Company is a member of ABTA and is ATOL protected. Prices are correct at the time of print. Prices shown are guide prices and may change at any time, price will be confirmed at time of booking. Please visit our website for current pricing, full terms and conditions and to book www.disneyholidays.co.uk or call 0800 16 90 730.

Also, be sure not to miss out on the amazing 14-day Ticket For the Price of 7 Offer which is available to book separately between 16th December 2015 – 30th June 2016, or combined with other offers available. For this time the 14 day ticket (Disney’s 14-day Ultimate Ticket) is available for the price of a 7 day ticket (Disney’s 7-Day Ultimate Ticket) for arrivals 1st Jan 2016 - 31 Dec 2016.