I’ve mentioned before that my family loves the Disney Cruise. We have taken three Disney Cruises and have loved them all. I am often asked which ship I would recommend Disney Magic vs Disney Fantasy, how long to go, what age is too old to go, etc. Having just gotten off the ship a few weeks ago, I thought it would be a good time to give an up to date review.
I am going to review our last two trips – We cruised on the 7-night Disney Fantasy in February 2013 with my husband and three boys (ages 8,11 and 13 at the time) and my parents. We had such an amazing trip that we went again for my parents 50th anniversary on the 5-night Disney Magic in December 2013 with my husband and kids (this time ages 9,12 and 14), my parents, my sister and her husband and kids (ages 13 & 14) and my brother and his wife and kids (ages 18 months and 3).
We had incredible trips both times, but there are some significant differences with the ships. In terms of the cabins, there really isn’t much of a difference – we had deluxe family balcony cabins both times and there was great space. The major recommendation is that on the Fantasy we were in the aft of the ship and we felt an incredible amount of vibration from the ships engines. For this reason we booked mid-ship for the Magic and it was a world of difference. On the Magic we were on the 7th deck – this was great – we were two floors from the buffet and the pools and this was great that we could just walk up stairs and didn’t have to wait for the elevator. Great location!!
Crowds – The Fantasy is a huge ship and with that means a lot more people and we felt the crowds much more on the Fantasy than on the Magic. On the Fantasy, there were times when it was hard to find a deck chair and the pools and hot tubs were jam packed.
Service & dining – You can’t do better in terms of service than Disney – they’ve got it going on. What I adore is that even the crew members that you are not tipping will bend over backwards for you – it is the Disney way. However, our servers on the Magic, in the dining room were just very “meh” – underwhelming even. They seemed like more Royal Caribbean or Carnival servers than the excellent service that we received on the Fantasy (shout out to Alvin and Joe on the Fantasy – my kids still talk about you!!). Regarding the dining, the food was very good on both ships – no complaints – head and tails over other cruise lines! However, Tthe dining rooms on the Magic were not nearly as “cool” as the Fantasy – Even with the Magic just doing a major renovation – my expectations of Animators Palette, which is crazy cool on the Fantasy, was disappointing on the Magic.
Entertainment – Again – score 1 for the Fantasy, I thought the shows were worlds better on the Fantasy than the Magic. Having said that, both ships are worlds above most other lines in terms of the entertainment that they offer (with an exception for the Norwegian Epic – they rocked the entertainment department)
Activities – Both ships offer a ton to do – you can be busy all day long, if you choose! There are tons of things to do on both ships, but if your kids are older, the Fantasy has many more options. The sports deck is more significant, they have sport simulators, mini golf and a full sized basketball court. The kids clubs are also a bit more substantial – they are larger and have more to do, although my kids were pretty happy in both of the clubs. One great thing that the Fantasy had was Mickey’s Detective Agency – this is a “who-done-it” type of game that you play all around the ship. There are interactive paintings that “come to life” when you approach them and give you clues to solve a mystery. This was so cool and the whole family loved playing it when we had a few minutes here and there! Pirate Night is a huge deal on all of the Disney Cruises – however, we were pretty disappointed with the Magic’s Pirate Night – it was more of a Pirate Dance Party, where the Fantasy was more of a show. We basically sat there and watched the crew members dance for about 30 minutes – not too exciting. LOVED the Pirate Night show on the Fantasy.
5 vs 7 nights – I was a bit worried that 5 nights wouldn’t be long enough on the cruise – but honestly, on the smaller ship, it worked well. I think 7 nights may have been too long. Otherwise, I am always a fan of the 7 night cruise.
Bottom line – If you are considering a Disney Cruise – run don’t walk and book it! It is an amazing vacation – the BEST! In terms of what ship is right for you, I never thought my kids would be getting “to old” for the Disney Cruise, but I think for the Magic it is geared a little more to the younger crowd. If you are going with older kids – I would for sure steer you towards the Fantasy. If you are crowd shy, I would say to look closer at the magic. It just doesn’t feel as busy as the Fantasy does.
I am happy to answer any specific questions you have! As I have mentioned before, I am not a travel agent – I just have a passion for travel, planning travel and talking about travel!! As always – I welcome comments and advice from all of you! Tell me about your experiences!
Thank you for sharing your experience! I’m thinking to go with Magic / Fantasy, my girls are 5 & 3, which one do you suggest for us? Its our 1st cruise ever!
Both ships are great and you cannot go wrong. The Magic is smaller and a bit less intimidating, but the Fantasy is amazing and has some awesome unique features. If this was going to be my one and only time on a Disney Cruise – I would go Fantasy, but if not maybe start smaller on the Magic!
Thanks for your reply!!!! I’m trying to deal with smallworldvacations.com
Have you heard?
I haven’t. I always booked through Costco – no one discounts Disney, but they gave Costco Cash back!
Thanks! We’ve book our Fantasy!!! Through Smallworld, they offer us $250 onboard credits. 🙂 Looking fwd to it!
Hi Jenn,
From your comments, I understand that the Magic sould be better for a 5 yr old boy and an 8 yr old girld. Would you recommend a 5 or 7 day cruise? After 5 days wouldn´t they get bored or is there plenty to do for 7 days?
There is a ton to do on both ships – more on the Fantasy. If you think this will be your one and only Disney Cruise, I would seriously consider the Fantasy – otherwise, the Magic is a great ship to do and then move up to the Fantasy – it is rather large and can be overwhelming.
Hi Jennifer! I’m debating between Magic and Fantasy. I see you recommend Fantasy, so I’m leaning more that direction. My son is 8 and my daughter is 7. I was wondering if you know much about the Salon for kids. I saw little girls can get their hair done and pick a dress or be dressed up like a pirate and little boys can get a deal on being a pirate also.
We just went on our 2nd Disney cruise & are planning our 3rd! We went on the Dream in 2012 & the Fantasy this time.
My 7 1/2 year old loved the salon! Her Fairy Godmother-in-training was from Ireland & made her feel so special. She also told us that the Fantasy is the only ship with the salon. It was totally worth the cost.
I appreciate the dialogue on the different ships. I like the itinerary of the Magic but don’t think it would fit us after the big ships.
I really love them both, but I think the Fantasy has more to do and some really cool features. If this will be your one and only Disney Cruise – I would say to go with the Fantasy!
Which boat has the slide that goes off the boat. I’ve got two teen girls and I’m not sure which boat to choose.
I think you are thinking about the Fantasy – if you have older kids FOR SURE the newer boats – I would try for the Fantasy! We are about to go on the Royal Caribbean Allure – I will let you know about that one too – supposed to be great for teens!
Just booked our 7 night Fantasy Cruise for this Oct today! Going to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Castaway Cay. Didn’t know which one you did, but was curious as to what we would do at all the ports, except castaway? We’ve been on the 3 night Dream in Oct 2012, so I know what to expect there, just not the other destinations. We have three girls ages (will be) 5, 9 1/2 and 12(almost 13) Would appreciate any info. Have read bad reviews about some of the ports. I’m a beachy type girl, so was wondering if any of those other ports would/could be another beautiful beach and water kind of day, or are they more a take an excursion/shop kinda of days?
My family of 4 sailed on the Magic the first week of December this year and we loved it. I began researching our next cruise while still on the first and think it will most likely be on the Fantasy. The 1 thing that didn’t work for us on the Magic was the size of the family pool. It was literally the size of the pool in our backyard – for a ship full of people. It was incredibly crowded, literally standing room only…even late afternoon on a day when we were in port. It really irked me that the adults only pool was larger and nicer than the Donald pool. The rest of the boat didn’t feel crowded at all and waterslide lines were very short. I know it seems like a minor complaint but with 2 kids aged 4 and 5 it was terribly disappointing. Can you tell me a little more about the family pool on the Fantasy? We also did the fish extender exchange and that was so cool, highly recommend joining a group on the disboards to do this.
Sorry to say, but the pool situation on the Fantasy isn’t much better- there are two bigger kids pools – but still REALLY crowded. I remember questioning this when we were on the ship as well.
I loved the Dream (close to the Fantasy) and really want to go on an Alaskan cruise. The only cruise going to Alaska is the Wonder (close to Magic, but not reimagined). I really loved the size, extra activities, shows and age of the Dream, and the crowds did not bother me much. I don’t know if I will like the Wonder because of its small size, few activities and outdated overall feel. I really want to go to Alaska, though. Would I enjoy the Wonder?
This was absolutely a dream come true to stumble on this website!!! So first, THANK YOU! We will be sailing on the Fantasy, (no question per your blog inputs) 6 Dec. Our boys will be 13 and 10. I noticed the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, with ages 4-12. The other youth program starts at age 14…..leaving out the 13 age group!!! With that being said, I REALLY NEED my boys to be sticking together if they are apart from my husband and I. How will that work?
We are considering a 7-day cruise on either the Fantasy or Magic with our 12-year old son. We were on the Dream a couple of years ago (2012), great vacation. Any recommendations for the new cruise? Our concern after reading the reviews is the activities for our son. Will there be enough for him on the Magic for 7-days? OR would you recommend hopping on the Fantasy? We typically don’t do excursions, so that may be a factor too.
OR would you recommend a different cruise line?
Great article by the way.
Hi Julie – if you do Disney I would for sure do the Fantasy – I think with a 12 year old you will be better off. My 15 year old, 14 at the time, and my 11 year old still LOVE the Disney cruise. They found PLENTY to do. If you are looking for another option, we are trying the RCL Allure of the Sea – there is supposed to be a ton to do on that ship for older kids. If my kids had a choice, they would go Disney for sure, but we are huge Disney fans! Hope this helped.
I have a 3 yr old and a 10 yr old. Never been on a Disney cruise. What would you recommend?
Hi Jen – You cannot go wrong with either ship! They are both amazing. If you plan do to the Disney Cruise only once, do the Fantasy… if you think you may go again.then do the Magic and then do the Fantasy – once you do the Fantasy, it is hard to go on the smaller ships and as the kids get older there is more to do on the larger ships. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks so much!