Inside the Disney Dream

Disney Dream at Sea.

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

With the launch of Disney's new Disney Dream comes a plethora of enticing publicity images of this tremendous new ship that's certain to get the hearts of seafarers young and old racing.

Why do we like this ship so much?  It's simple, really: she embodies the perfect blend of old and new.  Take a step back from your computer and look at the above image.  Graceful lines.  A sleek black hull with sharp yellow accents.  The profile of an ocean liner if there ever was one, and proof that modern shipbuilding doesn't have to be brash and ugly.  There's plenty of attractive ships being built by upscale lines like Seabourn and Silversea, but the mega-ship category has been somewhat lacking in this department - until now.

So what is worth raving about aboard Disney Dream?  Here's a few interior images that got our pulse going.

The Grand Atrium

 The atrium aboard Disney Dream.

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

The first sight seen by most passengers as they embark, the atrium lobby is an evolution of the atriums aboard Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, with a nod to the classic transatlantic liners of the 1900's. 

At the heart of this three-story masterpiece is a 13-foot tall, 22-foot wide chandelier made up of thousands of small, illuminated crystal beads and done in a style quickly becoming known as "contemporary Art Deco."

The atrium also plays host to another unique feature: a five-foot tall bronze statue of Admiral Donald Duck, situated at the foot of the sweeping grand staircase.  Expect this to be a popular photo op!

Standard Inside Staterooms - With a Twist

 A standard stateroom aboard the Disney Dream - or is it?

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line.

There's a reason many passengers don't like inside staterooms: there's no window.  And on a ship, many passengers just want to be able to see the ocean.  But for the budget-conscious, Disney has come up with a unique invention that gives these often overlooked staterooms their own special cachet: a virtual porthole.

To explain: the "porthole" is actually a digital video screen linked to a live video feed outside the ship.  But Disney takes things one step further by making the video feed location-relative, meaning if your stateroom is forward on the starboard side, you see the view from the forward, starboard-side camera - just like a real porthole. 

 

Expect the once-dreaded Inside Stateroom to get a new lease on life - at least aboard the Disney Dream.

The AquaDuck

What a View!  The AquaDuck swings out over Disney Dream.

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Here at From the Deck Chair, we like to pride ourselves on having a taste for the finer things.  We like good food, good accomodation, and great ships that still look - and feel - like ships.  But we're not above being totally suckered in by Disney Dream's newest innovation.  

The AquaDuck is a mammoth waterslide that spans over 700 feet in length, but remains cleverly hidden thanks to some unique design and clear and white tubing.  Passengers board a specially-designed raft from the second funnel and are taken for a ride that swings completely outside the ship, offering a view down to the sea over 140 feet below.

And that sounds pretty cool to us!

The Chef's Table at Remy

Remy, Disney Dream's upscale, adults-only dining venue.
Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Designed just for adults, Remy is a sophisticated dining experience featuring French-inspired gourmet cuisine which comes complete with a wine pairing package like those found on upscale lines like Silversea.  

The room itself, however, is just as much of a star as the food and looks as though it came straight off of the deckplans for the famous Ile de France.

The Enchanted Garden

 The Enchanted Garden aboard Disney Dream.

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Finally, we close with a dining experience the whole family can enjoy: the Enchanted Garden.  Modeled after the Parisian gardens and "winter gardens" of the classic liners of yesteryear, the Enchanted Garden is a casual dining venue that magically transforms from day to night.  Custom glass flower fixtures, a terraced fountain and ornamental light posts make this a room to remember.

Curious?  Be sure to visit the Disney Cruise Line website for the complete scoop on Disney Dream.