Disney Fantasy

History

In February 2007, Disney Cruise Line announced that it had commissioned two new ships for its fleet with Meyer Werft shipyards in Papenburg, Germany. The first steel-cut, for scrollwork on the ship's hull, took place in March 2009. Later that month, the two ships were named, with the Disney Fantasy set to enter service on March 31, 2012, a little over a year after its sister vessel, the Disney Dream.

The ship's keel was laid on February 11, 2011. Disney Cruise Line president, Karl Holz, along with Minnie Mouse, officially placed a magic coin beneath the ship's hull. The coin is identical to that which was placed beneath the Disney Dream, however, featured the hull number S688, and the date of the keel laying.

On September 13, 2011, on the Official Disney Cruise Line Facebook Page, it was announced that the stern character on Disney Fantasy would be Dumbo, the Flying Elephant.

On December 9, 2011, Meyer Werft found several water lines open on the cruise ship. 48 cabins were damaged at a cost of approximately €1 million.

Disney Fantasy was floated out of the building dock on January 10, 2012, at Meyer Werft. Disney Fantasy was delivered to Disney Cruise Line on February 9, 2012, in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Disney Fantasy arrived in the United States for the first time, calling on New York, on February 28, 2012, where many locals gathered to see the sight of this new ship. The ship was christened on March 1, 2012, in New York City. The godmother of the ship is Mariah Carey. The christening was held on the ship featuring performances in the Walt Disney Theatre. Neil Patrick Harris hosted the Christening ceremony. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld performed during the show.

Features

Disney Fantasy, structurally, is almost identical to Disney Dream, with gross tonnage of 130,000, a length of 340 m (1,120 ft) and a width of 42 metres (138 ft). Disney Fantasy has 1,250 staterooms.

Additional features, such as on-board services and amenities, are mostly similar to those on Disney Dream. Disney Fantasy has included the popular AquaDuck, matching the one on the Dream, being the first water coaster at sea and also goes above the water. The Nightclub District, called Europa, features a re-imagined and expanded Skyline Club. The Tube, La Piazza, O'Gills Pub and Ooh La La are all new to the Fantasy. During the morning and afternoon hours, they accommodate both adult and family entertainment activities and become adult-only locations after 9:00 pm. The shows in the Walt Disney Theatre include Disney's Believe, Disney Wishes, and Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular. The Disney Fantasy also is home to five youth clubs. "It's A Small World" nursery for ages 6 months-3 years, the Oceaneers Club and Oceaneers Lab is for ages 3-12 years old, Edge is for years 11-14, and Vibe for ages 14-17.

Disney Fantasy is based at Disney Cruise Line's terminal at Port Canaveral, Florida. The ship will embark on alternating Eastern and Western 7 night Caribbean cruises and will call on Disney's private island Castaway Cay.

Disney Fantasy's horn plays songs from Disney movies and parks, specifically: "When You Wish Upon a Star" (Pinocchio), "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" (Cinderella), "Be Our Guest" (Beauty and the Beast), "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)" (Pirates of the Caribbean), "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actor's Life for Me)" (Pinocchio) "Do you want to build a Snowman?" (Frozen) and "It's a Small World".

Differences from Disney Dream

Disney Fantasy is very much like her sister ship, Disney Dream, with a few small differences.

The Aqualab, water play area, is an area added to Disney Fantasy.

The Adult Entertainment district has different theming than Disney Dream, transforming this area into "Europa". The nightclub area transforms into "districts" representing different cities and countries of Europe. The Tube is a dance club themed after the London Underground, complete with white subway tile, subway map carpet, and handlebars at the booths. Ooh La La] is a champagne bar reminiscent of an elegant French boudoir. O'Gill's Pub is an Irish themed pub representing the lively neighborhood pubs throughout Ireland. La Piazza is in the heart of the Europa district, inspired by the decorative plazas throughout Italian cities. Skyline Lounge, carried over from Disney Dream, is rethemed a bit; adding European cities to its backdrop. Satellite Falls is an adults-only pool deck added to the top deck of Disney Fantasy, for an added quiet retreat. Satellite Falls was added to the Disney Dream during the 2015 dry dock of the ship.

The ship is designed to reflect the glamour of the golden age of cruising during the 1930s, that lend to the Art Nouveau style throughout the ship; whereas Disney Dream is more represented with the Art Deco style.

While the Animator's Palate on Disney Dream presents a dinner show with Crush the Sea Turtle from Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo, Disney Fantasy, in addition, presents an "Animation Magic" dinner show hosted by Sorcerer Mickey, where guests have a chance to draw their own characters and see their drawings come to life.

The Disney Dream has a "Star Wars" and "Disney Infinity" kids club.

As of January 2016, the Disney Fantasy has also updated its horn system in addition to the movies Star Wars and Frozen theme songs. The Horn can now play, "Imperial March" (Star Wars), The Star Wars Main Title Theme, and "Do You Want To Build A Snowman" (Frozen) along with its 7 default original Disney Theme songs. It should be noted that the Star Wars themed horns can only be heard on Star Wars Day at Sea during a specialty sailing, the Star Wars Day at Sea itinerary.