My Honest Review of the Disney Wish

In April, my family of five spent three nights on the Disney Wish, sailing out of Port Canaveral. The Disney Wish is one of the newer ships (2022) in the Disney Cruise Line Fleet, and is also the fleet's first Triton Class ship, meaning it's larger and has a different layout from Disney's previous ships. From stunning designs to endless activities, this ship offers something for everyone. Here, I share my detailed thoughts on the Disney Wish, covering accommodations, dining, entertainment, and the overall experience for myself and my kids.

Staterooms

The staterooms on the Disney Wish are tailored for families, offering spacious layouts and delightful Disney-themed decor. There are four main categories - Inside, Oceanview, Verandah, and Concierge. 85% of the rooms on the Wish are verandahs, which is what we had reserved. Our room had a queen bed, a ceiling pull down bed and a couch that turned into another bed, thus creating bunk beds for the kids. Our stateroom attendant turned the beds down each evening and even provided bed rails for my youngest. My six year old absolutely loved the upper bunk bed.

One notable feature is the split bathroom design. This practical layout allows multiple family members to prepare for the day simultaneously, significantly reducing morning chaos. Each stateroom is adorned with touches that bring Disney magic alive, like artwork reminiscent of classic films. Our stateroom, in particular, had a Moana theme and it was beautiful!

Dining Options

Mealtime on the Disney Wish is an experience of its own. With a range of restaurants, each brings something unique to the table. One standout is Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. Guests enjoy a themed meal amidst beloved characters from the movie, enhancing the dining experience. The flavors are delightful, and the atmosphere captures the essence of the film, making it a popular choice for families. My daughter dressed as Anna for this meal and loved the extra attention.

Another exceptional option is the elegant 1923 restaurant, which pays tribute to the year Disney was founded. The menu artfully combines classic and contemporary dishes, catering to diverse tastes. This was, by far, the adult's favorite meal on the cruise. We were also lucky enough to be seated in front of one of the oversized windows with a gorgeous view of the ocean.

The third restaurant, Worlds of Marvel, was a real treat for my two boys. They loved the interactive Quantum core and couldn't keep their eyes off the walls, which were furnished with large screen TVs. Their excitement during this meal simply could not be matched!

For casual meals, the ship provides several quick-service eateries, including a delicious market (Marceline Market), and several pool side stands such as a taco stand, pizza stand, and burger stand. The good news is, dining aboard the Disney Wish really guarantees something for every palate and preference.

Entertainment

Entertainment is a highlight on the Disney Wish, featuring numerous shows and activities to keep guests entertained throughout their journey. The ship houses a stunning theater that showcases Broadway-style productions. A must-see is Disney The Little Mermaid, known for its incredible performances and impressive special effects.

Besides theatrical performances, the Disney Wish hosts character meet-and-greets, movie screenings, and themed parties, creating a vibrant onboard atmosphere. Families can participate in engaging scavenger hunts and trivia games, ensuring that boredom is never an option. My youngest enjoyed every single character meet, which lasted at least 2-3 minutes. A huge plus was the lines - they were never long and we never waited more than 10 minutes. My two older boys enjoyed the games, crafts, and trivia. They played shuffleboard, foosball, participated in crafts such as animal mask-making and pirate treasure maps.

Although they didn't use the Oceaneer's club as much as I would have liked, I feel like we were able to get a good feel for the space during the open house. My boys loved the Star Wars: Cargo Bay area, and my daughter loved the Mickey and Minnie Captain's Deck. The slide going from the atrium to the kids club is pretty cool, too!

Lastly, I will go over the water activities: various pools, water slides, Auqamouse, and the Toy Story splash zone. The Wish has six family pools, a splash pad area for younger kids, and an adults-only area with two pools. My two younger kids loved the family pools right in front of the FunnelVision screen. How much better can it get swimming while watching a Disney movie on the big screen?

My oldest loved the Aquamouse, which is a 2-seater water slide that glides through 760 feet of twisting tubes above the pool decks. There is also a smaller slide, Slide-a-saurus Rex, however my kids only did this once and decided it was too boring (it did go extremely slow)! The Toy Story Splash Zone is a really exciting for the youngest kids. It's outfitted with two slides and includes various Toy Story themed statues that shoot out water. To ensure the little ones are thoroughly entertained, there are various interactive elements to keep them busy! Guests must be under the age of 6 and accompanied by an adult to use this area.

Castaway Cay

The highlight of our cruise was definitely the stop at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. The beach is perfectly manicured and safe for kids of all ages, they have an awesome water play area with two slides (Pelican Plunge), they offer snorkeling, a 5K run/walk, delicious BBQ style food, and unlimited ice cream! My kids enjoyed playing on the beach, swimming, Pelican Plunge, the AquaTrike, and snorkeling (we brought our own gear).

Overall Experience

In summary, the Disney Wish offers a fantastic cruise experience that aligns perfectly with the Disney brand. Exceptional service and a wide array of activities ensure a memorable trip, especially for families. While the ship can feel a little busy during peak times, the overall experience was really rewarding and fun. My kids absolutely loved it and continuously ask when we can go back!