Disney Dream

Disney Dream Shows and Theater

Walt Disney Theater (Deck 3 and 4): Disney Dream shows always draw a full house with their intricate sets and costumes, beloved songs and captivating performances. You could easily forget you're at sea. The Walt Disney Theater on Dream offers up much-loved favorites such as "Beauty and the Beast,” as well as its signature show, "Disney's Believe," directed by Broadway veteran Gordon Greenberg.

A host of old-time favorites make an appearance, including Peter Pan, Genie from "Aladdin" and Cinderella, but the story of a workaholic single father who reconnects with his young daughter is refreshingly new.

Buena Vista Theater (Deck 4 and 5): Dream has license to show first-run Walt Disney Studios movies in its theaters -- and not just the PG-rated animated shows. A lineup of four or five movies will play in rotation; check the daily newsletter or the screen outside the theater for show times.

On a short cruise, you might find it difficult to fit movie-watching time into the packed schedule of more appealing daily activities.

The counter outside sells popcorn in souvenir buckets and smoothies in souvenir cups -- for an added fee, of course. Extra-cost soda and beer are also available there. (Keep in mind that soda is free elsewhere on the ship. To save a few dollars, head up to Deck 11 to fill a cup or two with Coke before you hit the theater.)

Disney Dream Daily Things to Do

Character experiences are the backbone of Disney cruises, and like the other ships, there is no shortage of opportunities to greet Mickey, the princesses and the rest of the crew onboard. This vessel affords kids a much more intimate experience than the parks do. Instead of paying the high cost of character dining or waiting in insanely long lines just to snap a mediocre shot, Disney Dream characters are accessible, typically in the Atrium or the D Lounge.

If you miss the formal greetings (times are outlined in your daily newsletter), you can count on seeing them around the ship, and they'll always stop for a photo. Disney Dream photographers are available for a professional photoshoot with the characters at all scheduled meet-and-greets. The photos are available for purchase later in the sailing.

Offered on select five-night itineraries from Miami to Bahamas, Disney Dream’s Marvel Day at Sea is a fun event for the whole family. More than 30 superheroes from the Marvel Universe, such as Thor, Captain America, Black Panther, and Spiderman, lead a variety of activities throughout the day, including costume parties, movie screenings and interactive experiences.

The D Lounge on Deck 4 is also the main venue for all-ages Disney Dream activities and games, such as family karaoke, bingo, Disney trivia, animation classes, and more. Live music in the Atrium can lead to impromptu dance parties.

For a DIY scavenger hunt, stop off at the Deck 5 kiosks to access the Midship Detective Agency. You will search the ship for clues, hidden in the "enchanted art" onboard (digital pictures that come to life via motion detectors) to solve a Muppets-themed mystery.

Nightlife on Disney Dream

The popular "Pirates in the Caribbean" party has become two separate events, happy news for parents unable to keep little ones up late. There is a sing-along and Mickey-led deck party early in the evening for kids called "Mickey's Pirates in the Caribbean," followed by "Buccaneer Blast," in which Jack Sparrow rappels off the funnel; a short performance with special effects ensues and ends in Disney's famed fireworks display.

There is no casino on Disney Dream.

Disney Dream Bars and Lounges

There are a dozen different places to buy cocktails onboard, but the hub of the adult action is the adults-only "district" on Deck 4, with its multiple venues: Pink, Pub 687, District Lounge, Skyline Lounge and Evolution. During the day, the space is used for all-ages events; kids are kicked out after dinner.

Unlike most other cruise lines, Disney does not offer unlimited alcoholic drinks packages. Instead, there are a few deals for those looking to indulge in a few drinks, including wine and beer packages, and hard seltzer, soft drink and bottle water packages.

Bon Voyage Bar (Deck 3): Just off the atrium, the Bon Voyage might be the first place you can access alcohol on your cruise, and it's the place to pick up a beverage on your way to someplace else.

District Lounge (Deck 4): This is the spot to hear live music in an intimate setting. It's on the main thoroughfare through the District and hard to miss.

Pink (Deck 4): Pink, the girly (but fabulous) Champagne bar is done up in pink bubble decor. (See if you can spot the tiny Dumbo who appears at times in the bubbles.) Toast your cruisemates with a bottle of the ship's exclusive Pink Champagne.

Pub 687 (Deck 4): Sports pub 687 (Dream was the 687th ship built by Meyer-Werft shipyard) is the place to kick back with a beer and watch the game. If you're not interested in a televised game, grab a board game from the stack, and hold your own competition. Pub grub is also available there for a fee, including chips with a trio of dips, and tempura shrimp.

Skyline Lounge (Deck 4): A giant screen behind the bar displays images of five big-name cities, as if you're in a high-rise bar at night looking out on the skyline. Every 15 minutes, you're in a new city. The art on the wall changes, too -- it's enchanted, after all -- but the martini bar stays the same, so you can order a Chicago-inspired drink while gazing out at Rio's rooftops.

Evolution (Deck 4): This caterpillar-to-butterfly themed nightclub is the place to dance after you've dumped the kids at the Oceaneer Club. Evolution also hosts late-night adult events, such as Match Your Mate or '80s Music Challenge.

Cove Bar (Deck 11): Not quite a swim-up bar, the Cove Bar does have stools set in the shallow wading area of the Cove Pool. There, you can enjoy your pina colada in peace and quiet, away from the kid-thronged midship pools.

Meridian Lounge (Deck 12): Our favorite adults-only spot is the top-deck Meridian, a wine bar tucked between Palo and Remy. Inside, it's got a travel theme; outside, there's a gorgeous alfresco terrace.

Waves Bar (Deck 12): This open-air bar is tucked away behind the big screen and under the sports court, but it's the closest thing to a pool bar Dream has. Otherwise, you can grab your poolside daiquiris and buckets of beer from roving waiters or conveniently placed drink carts.

Currents Bar (Deck 13): Currents is an adults-only bar on the adults-only sun deck above the adults-only pool.

Outlook (Deck 14): This top-deck venue is used for onboard weddings and as a quiet getaway for passengers (despite its location just above the tween club). It has limited hours; when we stopped by, the door was closed and locked.

In a sea of new ships boasting dozens of dining options, Disney Dream restaurants might seem comparatively limited. Aside from the buffet at Cabanas and Flo's Cafe on the pool deck, the ship offers only five main dining venues. But, Disney does more with five than others do with twice that many, and it reminds us that quality trumps quantity.

Each of the three themed main dining restaurants on Disney Dream -- Animator's Palate, Enchanted Garden and the Royal Palace -- has its own appeal, and all have elaborate themed decor. It's in this area -- creating magical, whimsical spaces that come to life -- where Disney triumphs. Disney Dream restaurant menus range from fast food to French and Italian.

The waiters on our sailing were efficient, pleasant and funny, adding a personal touch by immediately remembering the names of everyone in our party. They also cater exceptionally well to diners with food allergies. We were asked twice -- once on the first night of the sailing by our team of dining room waiters and once in Palo -- if we had any dietary restrictions; we didn't, but the effort was impressive and appreciated.

Disney Dream Free Dining

Free restaurants on Disney Dream include three main dining rooms, a buffet, and a casual poolside café with three different sections. There is also a small venue serving ice cream, and 24-hour room service.

The Rotational Dining system in place on Disney's other ships carries over to Dream, so you rotate among the three themed restaurants each night while your servers follow you. It's fun to move to a new setting nightly and get to know your waiters, but the system does necessitate traditional assigned dining times. The later seating can be a bit late for families with young children, who might prefer more flexibility.

Disney Dream dining is overall exceptional, though success varies from venue to venue. The kids' menus are a mix of perennial favorites (mac 'n' cheese, burgers, chicken strips) and healthier/more adult fare (cream of mushroom soup, baked cod and pork tenderloin with green beans), and dining room staff are even able to whip up baby food for the littlest cruisers.

Coffee, soda, fruit juice and tea (iced or hot) are available at no charge; wine, specialty coffees, smoothies and other bar drinks incur an extra fee.

Animator's Palate (Deck 3): At Animator's Palate, screens adorned with Disney art transform into an underwater world with fish, bubbles and appearances by Nemo, Dori, Bruce the Shark and Crush the Turtle, who holds conversations with diners. (We still haven't figured out how he does it, but it's pretty amazing... and mildly creepy.)  Disney Dream menus at Animator’s Palate are contemporary American and Pacific Rim. We especially enjoyed the butternut squash soup and truffle ravioli. This restaurant opens only for dinner.

Enchanted Garden (Deck 2): Also promising to entertain you while you have lunch or dinner, the Versailles-inspired Enchanted Garden throws a bit of pizzazz into the dining experience by cleverly transforming day into night with lighting effects. The pan-seared sea bass was outstanding and cooked perfectly; the prime rib was tasty, as well.

The venue also opens for breakfast, but offerings are limited: meats and cheeses, pancakes and Mickey waffles, breakfast meat, oatmeal, fruit, yogurt and cereal with no made-to-order options.

The Royal Palace (Deck 3): The Royal Palace will tickle princess-lovers with its hand-painted portraits of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Waiters decked out in royal duds make you feel as if you're about to witness the changing of the guard, and little imperial touches are everywhere, right down to bread baskets in the shape of Cinderella's coach, window treatments topped with crowns and a central chandelier bedecked with glass slippers.

The food did not disappoint; we enjoyed the deep-fried brie appetizer and oven-baked salmon royale, as well as the perfectly sized Sweet Temptations dessert sampler. A sit-down breakfast is served in the morning. The waffle sandwich is delightful, but beware of the premade scrambled eggs. (We found them a bit soggy.)

Cabanas (Deck 11): Cabanas on Disney Dream is a food court with food and drink stations and the predictable selection of hot and cold buffet items, with very few, if any, made-to-order items. Seating is indoors or out. There's a late-night pirate buffet held there on Pirate Night.

Cabanas opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner, though hours vary slightly each day. Keep an eye out for the "mine, mine, mine" seagulls from "Finding Nemo" as they perch above various food stations.

Flo's Cafe (Deck 11): Flo's Cafe is three "Cars"-themed dining venues in one. Tow Mater's Grill offers up burgers, sausage, grilled chicken and chicken fingers; Luigi's Pizza serves mediocre slices; and Fillmore's Favorites comprises a salad bar and a sandwich station with paninis and wraps.

Eye Scream: A soft-serve ice cream station is located on the opposite side of the pool deck from Flo's Cafe. Serve yourself from a rotating selection of flavors. Tip: There are no toppings available, but you can get creative by snagging a to-go pack of cereal from the buffet at breakfast and crushing it up to make your own.

Room Service: Continental breakfast can be ordered via door tags for delivery, or you can call in the morning. The 24-hour Disney Dream room service menu includes sandwiches, salads, burgers, pizza and snacks. Room service is not available overnight on the final night of the cruise.

Fee Dining on Disney Dream

Remy (Deck 12); prix fixe: Disney Dream’s Remy is so very French that you might want to have your French-English dictionary handy. This adults-only venue -- named after the star of "Ratatouille" -- is, in our minds, the first cruise ship restaurant to vie for a Michelin star. (Its menus were created by a Michelin two-star chef in France and Scott Hunnel, the head chef at Disney World's award-winning Victoria & Albert's.)

Remy means serious business when it comes to food, and it charges serious prices, with an industry-high service fee just to set foot inside the door. (And, don't even think about coming if you're not properly dressed in 50th-anniversary gala kind of garb.)

Having said all that, Remy truly is a wonderful special-occasion restaurant -- Disney Dream food at its best served in one of the most special dining rooms on board. An evening there is so memorable that the steep cover represents significant value for money. Remy offers a private dining room for special group events. If it's not in use, you can request to be seated there if space is available.

Disney Dream’s Remy menu includes fresh, seasonal vegetables, duck, Kobe beef, and langoustines, among many other French-inspired gourmet options.

Cocktails and wine are extra, and a wine-pairing option costs an additional per-person fee. Passengers are invited to meet with Remy sommeliers before their meals to plan wines for the evening. Go for it -- it's a great chance to learn something, and the menu is marvelous. The lobster with vanilla sauce and veal chops with sweetbreads are outstanding.

A Champagne brunch, a 5-course dessert menu, and the wine-pairing, tapas-style Petites Assiettes de Remy dining experience are offered on Disney Dream cruises of four nights or longer.

Palo (Deck 12); prix fixe: Palo, Disney Dream’s other adults-only venue, is a Venice-inspired Northern Italian eatery and worth every cent of the cover. It serves dinner nightly, as well as a Champagne brunch on sea days. We fell in love with the gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce, tomatoes and asparagus, as well as the osso buco; the panna cotta with fresh berries and chocolate souffle are dreamy.

The brunch is equally enticing, with a cold buffet (meats and cheeses, shrimp, salads, desserts) and a selection of hot made-to-order items (omelets, fish).

Vanellope's Sweets & Treats (Deck 11); a la carte: Exclusive to Disney Dream, Vanellope's is found just outside of the Cabanas buffet. It's themed after "Wreck It Ralph" character Vanellope Von Schweetz and offers for-fee ice cream, gelato, candy by the pound, lollipops, and a wide variety of candy apples, cupcakes, truffles and other confectionary nibbles.

Be sure to perch atop Vanellope's race car or stand next to King Candy for fun photo ops. Also keep your eye on the three gumball machines in the center of the shop; the one in the middle has a fun surprise inside.

Vista Cafe (Deck 4) and Cove Cafe (Deck 11); a la carte: These two venues specialize in specialty coffees and teas, though they also stock a variety of liquors for cocktails. Snacks and pastries are complimentary. The Vista Cafe overlooks the Disney Dream atrium, while the Cove Cafe is by the Cove Pool and is for adults only.

Preludes (Deck 4), a la carte: With stations by both theater entrances, this is the place to stock up on candy, popcorn, smoothies and cocktails (all for added fees) prior to the show. There's also a popcorn stand outside the Buena Vista movie theater.