"Disney Dream" Webcast, Oct 29

[Ed]

DCL will be presenting a live webcast tomorrow, 10/29/09 at 4:15 pm (Eastern time), promising a "first look" at the Disney Dream. It is anticipated that it will include deck plans, amenities, and possibly the ship's first planned itineraries.

http://www.disneycruiselineevents.com/disneydream/

[TinksPixieDust]

alli can say is "aquaduck" WOWWW hahahah

its going to be amazing!

[Imalismom]

My DD just said she would "give up" Alaska to be able to do "The Slide" I told her no way!

But... I do want to "do the slide" also!!!!

[ElenitaB]

I'm getting clammy hands just thinking about the AquaDuck (but who knows... maybe with a few on board), but DS is ready!

Love the interior portholes too! That's very cool!

[coloradowendyl]

For everyone who saw the Webcast and is "drooling" over the ship, the good news is that booking will begin on Nov.2 for Gold/Platinum Castaway Cay Members and Nov.9 for all other guests.

Here are some details:

Bookings for 2011 sailings on the new Disney Dream™ open to all on Nov. 9, 2009
Guests who have completed at least five previous sailings with Disney Cruise Line®, bookings will open on Nov. 2, 2009.
A Gold or Platinum Castaway Club Member must appear on the stateroom reservation.

Due to anticipated demand, initial booking is limited to one stateroom per Gold or Platinum Member.

Maiden Voyage — Due to the anticipated popularity and demand of the Maiden Voyage on Jan. 26, 2011, the following conditions apply:

$400 deposit per person
Deposit must be paid by 11:59 p.m. on the day of booking. Deposit is non-refundable
Final payment is due 105 days prior to sailing

Nanci is currently at the Press Event for the Dream in New York today. I am sure additional information will be on our site as soon as she gets back.

wendy

[Tinkermom]

OH MY GOSH! The Disney Dream is amazing! We can't wait to take on the AquaDuck! DS who is almost 15 "suggested" a cruise on the Dream would be an awesome graduation present. I missed the big announcement but according to the site I think they will replay it "on demand" tomorrow. Lots of info here though:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/sh...s/ships/dream/

[Melanie]

Family-Friendly Innovations

The Disney Dream™ will introduce a number of cruise-industry firsts and family-friendly innovations designed to make your experience even more magical. Among the highlights:

•AquaDuck — Disney Cruise Line® debuts the first-ever shipboard water coaster! This exhilarating high-speed flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, uphill acceleration and river rapids — all while traversing the upper decks of the ship.
•Virtual Porthole – A cruise-industry first for all inside staterooms! Virtual Portholes offer a "window" to the world with a real-time view outside the ship using high-definition cameras. As Guests observe the view, they may glimpse a magical surprise: animated characters like Mickey Mouse may pop by the Virtual Porthole.
•Enchanted Art — Around the atrium lobby and throughout the ship, Enchanted Art will immerse your Clients in Disney storytelling in a completely new way. Enchanted Art magically comes alive as Guests pause to admire individual pieces.
•Living Characters — In youth spaces, Disney Characters come to life and interact with children in one-of-a-kind experiences. Crush, the animated sea turtle from the Disney•Pixar motion picture "Finding Nemo," or the mischievous animated alien Stitch make scheduled appearances to chat, play and joke with kids in live, unrehearsed conversations.


A Modern Classic Vessel

Like her sister ships, the Disney Dream™ continues the tradition of blending the elegant grace of early 20th century transatlantic ocean liners with contemporary design to create one of the most stylish and spectacular cruise ships afloat.

•Signature Design — The ship's exterior color scheme matches the iconic Mickey Mouse with a black hull, bold red funnels and vivid yellow striping and lifeboats. Silhouettes of Disney Characters are scrolled into the signature filigree ornamentation. Inside, the elegant décor is influenced by the Art Deco style with a dash of Disney whimsy.
•Atrium Lobby — The magical voyage begins upon entering the expansive three-deck atrium lobby, highlighted by a sweeping grand staircase, oversized portholes and stunning, three-story fluted columns with glowing capitals. Cast in bronze, Admiral Donald Duck graces the atrium lobby.


Staterooms and Suites

Catering to the unique vacation needs of families, Disney Dream™ staterooms offer comfort and style synonymous throughout the Disney fleet.

•150 inside staterooms featuring Virtual Portholes, a cruise-industry first.
•1,100 outside staterooms
◦860 verandahs
◦199 ocean views
◦20 concierge family ocean view suites verandah
◦19 concierge one-bedroom suites with verandah
◦2 concierge royal suites
To accommodate larger families and groups traveling together, there are 500 connecting doors adjoining staterooms. Most staterooms feature a split-bath — a concept that Disney introduced to the cruise industry.


Dining on the Dream

Elaborately themed restaurants, distinctly Disney touches and world-class cuisine will please the palate and satisfy all of the senses — making dining aboard the Disney Dream™ a memorable experience for your Clients.

•Animator's Palate — A re-imagined version of the signature Disney Cruise Line® restaurant will bring the magic of Disney animation into the dining room for a one-of-a-kind experience that will captivate the entire family.
•Royal Palace — An elegant restaurant inspired by classic Disney films such as "Cinderella" and "Beauty and the Beast." Splendid décor includes ornate marble floors and luxurious carpets plus a magnificent, hand-blown chandelier made of glass slippers.
•Enchanted Garden — A whimsical, casual restaurant inspired by the gardens of Versailles. Your Clients will feel as though they've arrived at a lovely conservatory, with white trellises, custom glass "flower" light fixtures and cascading fountain. The dining environment will magically transform from day to night during the meal.



Magical Youth Spaces

Disney Cruise Line® revolutionized the cruise industry with elaborately themed youth areas. On the new Disney Dream™, the celebration of children's creativity rises to a new level with extraordinary youth spaces designed to inspire, entertain and spark the imagination of children in nearly an entire deck created just for them.

•Andy's Room — The world of the Disney•Pixar "Toy Story" films comes to life. Kids experience the feeling of being toy-sized as they play among larger-than-life characters from the animated film.
•Monster's Academy — A fun, interactive space fashioned after the scare floor from the Disney•Pixar film "Monsters, Inc."
•Pixie Hollow — Children are transported to the enchanted land inhabited by Tinker Bell and her fairy friends, complete with a pixie tree, twinkling lights and fairy houses.
•Explorer Pod — Inspired by the Disney•Pixar animated film "Finding Nemo," a bright blue and yellow submarine surfaces in the center of the room, offering an interactive play area for children.
•It's a Small World Nursery — Infants and toddlers are welcomed by cheerful, three-dimensional facades and artwork inspired by the classic Disney Theme Park attraction.
•Edge — Located inside the forward funnel, this lounge is just for tweens ages 11 - 13 and is filled with a multitude of hi-tech entertainment including the ability to create and star in photo postcards and video karaoke.
•Vibe — A "teens-only" swipe card provides access to this trendy, indoor/outdoor space created especially for teens ages 14 - 17.


Just for Adults

With a spectacular nighttime entertainment district, exquisite dining, a deluxe spa and tranquil private pool, the Disney Dream™ provides adults with endless ways to unwind, rejuvenate and pamper themselves.

•The District — Located on Deck 4 aft, this adult-exclusive nighttime entertainment area features sensational venues like a sophisticated lounge, modern pub, upscale cocktail lounge, metropolitan "sky bar" and dynamic nightclub.
•Senses Spa & Salon — Spanning two decks, the 16,000-square-foot spa provides private treatment rooms, rainforest, lavish spa villas and ocean-view gym.
•Palo — A redesigned version of the Disney Cruise Line® signature restaurant, Palo invites adults to indulge in a menu of delectable Northern Italian cuisine, an extensive wine list and superior service.


2011 Itineraries

On Jan. 26, 2011, the Disney Dream™ is scheduled to depart Port Canaveral, Fla., for a four-night maiden voyage.

For the majority of 2011, the new ship will alternate three- and four-night sailings. During the summer months, the ship will alternate four- and five-night itineraries. The schedule also includes special five-night holiday cruises during Christmas and New Year's.

In preparation for the arrival of the new ship, Castaway Cay is undergoing some new enhancements including an expanded family beach, new floating water platform with slides, two water play areas, private beach cabanas and many other upgrades.

[Imalismom]

Okay, I'm playing Devil's Advocate here, and looking the other way...

I love the slide.... now that I have said this,
My "love" list is over.


Now, that I have sat through Survivor, and watching Mc Dreamy figure out which vein to cut....

I am NOT in love with the new Ship. I think Disney has gotten it wrong.... Okay not 100% wrong, but not 100% right either…. Let me tell you why I think this.

Do I think the new ship "looks" fabulous - yes.
Do I like the virtual windows? Yes.

But... Here are my buts in random order of thinking of them... not in order of ranking

I do not like the fact that the cabins are smaller (yes, I know the Dream is quoted without balcony and the other two ships are quoted with balcony), but I'm looking at the inside cabins . One of the things I could always say is that the cabins are bigger... now I'm not sure I can say that anymore. Disney is more like RCCL and Carnival in that sense.

The new round "rain" showers.... I have a rain shower in my home and I do like it. But in the cabins??- at the expense of what? If I have a 2 year old in the deluxe family stateroom - have I lost the tub I will need for that grandchild? Yes, I know, I don’t have to book one of those, but what if I wanted to? It also looks like I have lost the streamer trunk to make more room for the “roundness of the shower”.

Inside cabins - In looking at the floor plans, the majority of balcony rooms/ inside rooms directly across for family’s ratio is now significantly lower - this is going to complicate bookings for larger families or increase their costs.

…and staying with the inside cabins, I have now lost the ability to have the bed split into two twin beds. I must upgrade into a “view” room to be able to do this. Two widows traveling together that love Disney now must “share” the bed. Sad for them. Even with the 300 thread count Mickey sheets.

Concierge – the cat 2’s are no longer… and speaking of concierge. The new cat 1’s (R’s), I don’t like.
Yes, they look “classy”, but, if you have been lucky enough to stay in a Roy or Walt cabins before – you are going to be missing a lot. Like the fact that they now only sleep 5. So if I have 4 kids, and 2 adults, I no longer have that option of booking that luxury. For larger families, the Walt/Roy cabin was like a small apartment. There were three distinct bedrooms, where doors could be shut and you had totally privacy – now that is gone. I do like the hot tub on the balcony – when I was in the Roy Suite – that is the one thing I said I wished it had… now it does. But now the option is no longer an option for me – since we have 6 of us that travel together.

The teens have their own “outside” deck – but on a much lower level – I hope the teens embrace this – my older teen said “Yuck”…

With some of the newer ships out/coming out (think Oasis of the sea), I think Disney missed the boat a little. I am sad to say that I am not running to my TA to book a room on this ship -- even though I love the slide.


Is it a nice ship? Seems to be. Did Disney do some nice things with it? Yes.

Am I glad I am going to Alaska and did not wait for the “Dream”. A thousand times yes.

[Melanie]

Watching the video of the AquaDuck has me more than ready to get on this ship! Weeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!! I love how one part is like you are going through the Space Mt. tunnel.

[Tink1]

The presentation yesterday was held at Gustavino's on the East Side. It is literally underneath the Queensboro Bridge! You could see the limestone of the bridge as walls and ceiling.

As you could see on the webscast, the presentation itself was very short. The gallery downstairs had mock ups of the various areas on the ship. In each mock up "room" they had fabric samples, picures etc that would be used on the actual ship.

The most Imaginative item was the virtual port hole. There will be 4 cameras providing live feed to the inside cabins. You will see what it is like outside even though you are in an inside cabin.

Stats on cabin sizes are:

Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah 887 to 898 sq. ft. excluding verandah

Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah 536 sq. ft excluding verandah

Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah 263 sq. ft. excluding verandah

Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah 256 sq. ft. excluding verandah

Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom 241 sq. ft.

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah 203 sq. ft.excluding verandah

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom 204 sq. ft.

Deluxe Inside Stateroom 200 sq. ft.

Standard Inside Stateroom 169 sq. ft.

500 of these cabins are connecting.

Concierge Cabins are all located on decks 11 and 12. You have access to a private Lounge Area on deck 12 and on Deck 13 Concierge cabins have their own private sun deck.

Aquaduck speaks for itself. Way cool, but not for those with a fear of hieghts.

The Enchanted Garden Restaurant amazingly changes from day to night, all while giving the impression of being outside.

Lots more to fill you in on and I have some pictures to upload. Stay Tuned!

Nanc

[BrerGnat]

I have to agree with Imalismom here. I was really hoping that this new ship would be a lot more "innovative". We were considering a Disney cruise in the near future, and the truth is, the Magic and Wonder don't really do it for us, and I was hoping the Dream would be more of what we are looking for (a la RCCL and NCL's newer ships). I didn't expect a monster ship, but I thought Disney should at least be able to go shoulder to shoulder with the amenities to some extent.

My kids are still young, and I was hoping for more to interest them than a bunch of Pixar themed rooms in the kid's club and a water coaster that they will be too short to ride for several years. I was hoping for LARGER and MORE pools, some better water features at the pools, and expanded dining options (other than main dining rooms--like a dedicated buffet restaurant for all meals, or something similar to RCCL's Cafe Promenade).

I'm sort of hoping that they haven't revealed ALL. I mean, I know that prices for this ship will be out the roof, and honestly, I don't really know if we can justify it, when the competition offers MUCH more for less $$$.

They need to offer more recreational stuff on their ships, IMO. Too much of the DCL experience revolves around stuff you just watch, and that's not what our kids are into.

[Mushu11756]

Just watched webcast and I am psyched! We are cruising for the first time next year and are now already planning on 2011!

[Ed]

I've got sort of mixed emotions.

While I'm wild about the concept behind AquaDuck, and will positively ride it as often as possible, I feel it somewhat detracts from the retro look of the ship.

The staterooms look great. I'm glad someone finally realized that if they just raised the beds a few inches, suitcases could be stored under them. However, it appears that most of the staterooms are going to be smaller than the ones on the Magic and Wonder. Why can't DCL just be open and forthcoming by listing the actual square footage of the staterooms in a uniform manner, rather than listing cabin plus verandah for the older ships, but listing only the square footage of the cabin for Dream?

The "virtual portholes" are a stroke of genius.

I'm a little disappointed that they didn't increase the number of pools.

The new restaurants are very attractive; hopefully they are sized to accomodate the larger passenger load.

And they still haven't answered my # 1 question ~~ Which Disney character will be hanging over the stern, painting "DISNEY DREAM" in big gold letters?? (Video and drawings show the name there, but no character.)

[BrerGnat]

Ed...isn't the Dream Donald's ship? I would imagine he will be painting the stern. That or my money is on a Pixar character.

[Ed]

Partially right, Natalie.

There will be a statue of "Admiral Donald Duck" in the atrium of Dream.

HOWEVER, Donald has already been doing the name painting duties on the stern of the Wonder for the last ten years.

So, who gets the honors this time?

[BrerGnat]

Yes, good point Ed. I remember seeing Donald and his nephews (???) on one of the ships, AFTER I posted that!

I'm still going with a Pixar character then...the rest of the ship is all "Pixar'd out"...