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Choosing a Disney cruise is one of the most exciting parts of planning a vacation. You’re not just booking a trip; you're reserving a spot aboard a floating vessel of pure magic, storytelling, and wonder. But when it comes down to choosing your ship, the decision can feel as tricky as navigating an asteroid field in the Millennium Falcon. Two of the most popular and debated ships in the fleet are the classic Disney Dream and the newer, enchanting Disney Wish.
While both promise an unforgettable journey filled with pixie dust, they offer distinctly different experiences. Are you seeking the timeless elegance of a classic ocean liner, or do you crave a modern fairy tale palace on the sea? This guide is here to help you compare the Disney Dream vs. the Disney Wish, so you can find the perfect match for your family’s vacation dreams.
For the Foodie Family: A Culinary Showdown
A huge part of any cruise is the food! Both ships offer Disney's signature rotational dining, where you and your servers travel to a different themed restaurant each night. However, the themes and flavors are unique to each ship.
- Choose the Wish if you want dinner and a show. Its Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure features live musical performances from your favorite characters while you dine.
- Choose the Dream for classic Disney animation. Animator's Palate is an interactive experience where your own drawings come to life on screens around the restaurant.
- Choose the Wish for a dash of superhero action. Worlds of Marvel is an immersive dining experience where you assist the Avengers during an action-packed mission.
- Choose the Dream for undersea elegance. The Royal Palace restaurant is inspired by Disney princess classics like *Cinderella* and *Sleeping Beauty*, offering French-inspired cuisine in a grand ballroom setting.
- Choose the Wish for a touch of old Hollywood glamour. 1923 is named for the year The Walt Disney Company was founded and celebrates the golden age of animation with a sophisticated California-inspired menu.
- Choose the Dream for a taste of the tropics. Enchanted Garden transforms from day to night, with a ceiling that blossoms with light and color while you dine on market-fresh flavors.
- For Adult Dining: The Wish offers a *Beauty and the Beast*-themed duo. The Rose is a chic lounge perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail, leading into either the French-inspired Palo Steakhouse or the exquisite, multi-course Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement.
- For Adult Dining: The Dream offers two refined classics. Enjoy upscale Northern Italian cuisine at Palo or sophisticated French fare at Remy, both with stunning ocean views.
For the Thrill-Seekers and Pool Loungers: Decks, Slides, and Watery Fun
The top deck is where the fun in the sun happens. Both ships feature an iconic water coaster, but they deliver very different rides.
- Choose the Wish for Disney's first-ever "attraction at sea." The AquaMouse is a true adventure, featuring show scenes, lighting, and special effects with Mickey and Minnie on a zany excursion before you splash down.
- Choose the Dream for a classic water coaster experience. The AquaDuck is a thrilling, fast-paced tube ride that zips you around the perimeter of the ship and includes a breathtaking drop over the side of the vessel.
- Choose the Wish for more variety in pools. The Wish has more smaller, tiered pools scattered across the upper decks, which can help disperse crowds.
- Choose the Dream for a larger, centralized family pool. The Donald and Mickey pools on the Dream are bigger, creating a more traditional and bustling poolside atmosphere.
- Choose the Wish for a dedicated toddler splash zone. The Toy Story Splash Zone is a whimsical water playground perfect for the littlest cruisers, featuring Woody's Roundup-themed fun.
- Choose the Dream for a classic splash area. Nemo's Reef is a beloved splash pad for toddlers, with familiar characters and gentle water jets.
- Choose the Wish for a serene, adults-only infinity pool. The Quiet Cove on the Wish features a stunning infinity pool overlooking the back of the ship, offering unparalleled ocean views.
For the Ultimate Disney Aficionado: Theming & Ambiance
This is where the ships truly diverge. Your choice here depends on what kind of "Disney magic" speaks to you most.
- Choose the Dream for a feeling of timeless grandeur. The ship’s Art Deco design hearkens back to the golden age of ocean liners in the 1920s and 30s, filled with elegance, dark woods, and classic luxury.
- Choose the Wish for a bright, airy fairy tale castle. The Wish is themed around "enchantment," with a grand hall inspired by a storybook castle, light colors, and whimsical details around every corner.
- Choose the Dream if you love the classic Mickey Mouse color palette. You'll find nods to the Fab Five and a more traditional Disney aesthetic throughout the ship's decor.
- Choose the Wish if you want to feel like you've stepped into a princess movie. The entire ship is a tribute to wish-making and transformation, with Cinderella as its "godmother" statue.
- Choose the Dream for its magical, animated portholes. The inside staterooms on the Dream feature a "Magical Porthole" that shows a real-time ocean view with occasional animated Disney character surprises.
- Choose the Wish for staterooms straight out of a storybook. The rooms are beautifully decorated with subtle nods to Disney fairy tales like *Cinderella*, *Moana*, or *Sleeping Beauty*.
- Choose the Wish for an epic, a grand "kiss goodnight" in the atrium. The Grand Hall features a beautiful light and projection show on the "wishing star" chandelier each evening.
For Families with Little Ones: Kids' Clubs and Character Magic
Disney's Oceaneer Club is legendary, but the two ships offer different worlds for kids to explore.
- Choose the Wish for an easy entry. A slide from the Grand Hall takes kids directly into the Oceaneer Club, making drop-off an adventure in itself.
- Choose the Dream for a more centralized club. The kids' clubs on the Dream are all located in one large, dedicated area on Deck 5.
- Choose the Wish for high-tech, immersive "labs." Kids can design their own rollercoaster at the Walt Disney Imagineering Lab or train with superheroes at the Marvel Super Hero Academy.
- Choose the Dream for beloved, themed play areas. The Dream features an *Andy's Room* replica from Toy Story, the *Millennium Falcon* cockpit for Star Wars fans, and a Pixie Hollow-themed craft space.
- Choose the Wish for a unique Fairytale Hall. Little royalty can create art in Rapunzel’s Art Studio, read stories in Belle’s Library, or build ice creations in Anna and Elsa’s Sommerhus.
- Choose the Dream for the "It's a Small World" Nursery. This charming, whimsical space for infants and toddlers (ages 6 months to 3 years) is expertly run and beautifully themed.
- Choose the Wish for a more integrated nursery. The Wish also features an It's a Small World Nursery, which feels seamlessly connected to the grand, storybook theme of the rest of the ship.
For the Grown-Ups: Adult-Only Escapes & Nightlife
Disney cruises are just as magical for adults, with exclusive lounges, pools, and dining. The vibe of these spaces differs significantly between the two ships.
- Choose the Wish for a trip to a galaxy far, far away. The Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge is an immersive, high-end bar that "jumps" to different planets like Tatooine and Mustafar via a virtual "window" into space.
- Choose the Dream for a collection of distinct, themed lounges. The "District" is an adult-only section with multiple venues, including a champagne bar (Pink), a relaxed pub (687), and a chic nightclub (Evolution).
- Choose the Wish for sophisticated, fairy-tale-inspired bars. Sip magical cocktails under a canopy of petals at The Bayou (inspired by *The Princess and the Frog*) or enjoy ocean views at the nautical Keg & Compass pub.
- Choose the Dream for a classic European feel. The District's venues transport you to different places—from a Parisian boudoir to a modern European metropolis.
- Choose the Wish for a unique outdoor spa experience. The Outdoor Oasis at Senses Spa is a private relaxation deck with whirlpools, loungers, and misters, available with the Rainforest Room pass.
- Choose the Dream for its relaxing Rainforest Room. The Senses Spa on the Dream features heated tile loungers, scented showers, and steam rooms for ultimate relaxation.
- Choose the Wish if you prefer adult areas spread throughout the ship. Unlike the Dream's concentrated "District," the adult lounges on the Wish are located in different areas, encouraging exploration.
### Make Your Choice Your Own
Ultimately, there is no "better" ship—only the ship that is better for *you*. Whether you're drawn to the classic elegance and beloved spaces of the Disney Dream or the enchanting, modern fairy tale of the Disney Wish, you are guaranteed a vacation filled with world-class service, incredible entertainment, and that special brand of Disney magic. Take a look at your family's wish list, pick the ship that checks the most boxes, and get ready to set sail on the adventure of a lifetime