Disney Dream
Disney Dream is a cruise ship owned and operated by Disney Cruise Line, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. She is the third ship of the Disney Cruise Line fleet and the first of the Dream class, and was followed by her sister ship, Disney Fantasy.
History and construction
In February 2007, Disney Cruise Line announced plans to commission two new ships. Steel cutting for the Disney Dream began in March 2009 at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Later that month, the two ships were officially named, with Disney Dream scheduled to enter service before Disney Fantasy. The ship's design was unveiled at a press conference in New York City on October 29, 2009.The keel of Disney Dream was laid on August 19, 2009. The final section, the bow, was installed on June 1, 2010, completing the exterior while interior work continued. Float-out occurred on October 30, 2010, and the ship left the shipyard in November 2010. Disney Cruise Line took possession on December 8, 2010. She arrived at Port Canaveral on January 4, 2011, and was christened on January 19, 2011, by Jennifer Hudson, who had begun her entertainment career on Disney Wonder. Disney Dream's maiden voyage commenced on January 26, 2011, with calls at Nassau and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.
Since her launch, Disney Dream has primarily operated three- and four-night itineraries to The Bahamas, with European itineraries announced for summer 2023, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Greece and Italy. On June 7, 2022, the ship temporarily relocated to Miami. On November 20, 2023, she moved to her current home port at Port Everglades Cruise Terminal 4.
Design
Disney Dream is approximately 40% larger than the first two ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, with a gross tonnage of, a length of, and a beam of. She has 1,250 staterooms, a passenger capacity of 2,500 at double occupancy, and a crew of 1,458.The ship has 14 decks, a black hull, white superstructure, twin red funnels, and yellow lifeboats. The interior combines Art Deco design with Disney-themed elements. Interior cabins feature "virtual portholes" that display exterior views with animated Disney characters.
The atrium features an Art Deco-style chandelier crafted in Brixen, Northern Italy, measuring in diameter and extending from the ceiling, with 88,680 Swarovski crystal beads and 24kt gold plating. A statue of Donald Duck as an admiral is located in the atrium lobby, continuing the Disney Cruise Line tradition of featuring classic Disney characters in this space.
On-board facilities
Activities
The ship offers a variety of recreational facilities, including a nine-hole mini-golf course, walking track, digital sports simulators, and a convertible full-sized basketball court. Additional sports courts and play areas are available for younger children.The AquaDuck is a water slide spanning four decks and passing through the ship's forward funnel. Pools and hot tubs are distributed throughout the ship, some with glass floors.
Entertainment
Disney Dream also includes two theaters:- Walt Disney Theater: 1,340 seats; hosts live original productions such as Beauty and the Beast and The Golden Mickeys.
- Buena Vista Theater: 399 seats; screens motion pictures.
Dining
Disney Dream employs a rotational dining system, in which guests dine at a different restaurant each night.Rotational dining restaurants include:
- Enchanted Garden, deck 2 midship
- Royal Palace, deck 3 midship
- Animator's Palate, deck 3 aft