Does the Disney Wonder's Frozen: A Musical Spectacular Live Up to the Hype?

*Please note, that out of respect for proper theater protocol, I did not take pictures during the performance.

     On a recent back-to-back sailing on the newly re-imagined Disney Wonder, Mickey Chick had the good fortune to view the new Broadway-quality stage show, Frozen: A Musical Spectacular not once, but twice.

       I’m glad that we had this opportunity for several reasons – the first being that the show is so popular that if you don’t show up at least 30 minutes in advance, you will not get seats. Disney Cruise Line would be wise to offer a daytime showing during the sailing’s sea day in order to accommodate more guests. We were taken by surprise when we arrived during our assigned time and wound up sitting on the side staircase with at least fifty other passengers. Even from that uncomfortable vantage point, the show was stunning and we made a note to arrive early on the next sailing.

       I will be the first to admit that I didn’t buy into the whole Frozen phenomenon until my then 14-year old daughter commandeered the family-room TV and put on the DVD. At the opening notes, I recognized the Broadway-inspired score and knew it was destined for the stage. Now, here we are, only 4 years later and the show is taking the seas by snow-storm while the St. James Theater in NYC gears up for its Broadway debut.

       First, the show is inventive in its sets and staging. It relies heavily on puppetry as well as the use of the numerous trap doors on the Walt Disney Theater stage. The story opens with the depiction of a young Kristoff and Sven calf, which gives us a deeper understanding of the characters than depicted in the film.

       The sets move, change and interlock imaginatively and, as we found out due to a 15-minute delay during the second performance, are extremely sensitive to the movement of the ship. The costuming is stunning, spectacular, and offered a few surprises throughout the performance. I was impressed by the ingenuity.

       As the time for the show is limited, the story is compressed to its most basic elements and progresses quickly.  The dialogue is witty and the presentation engaging, with Oaken and the Duke of “Weaseltown” hysterically represented. The Act I climax is a rousing rendition of “Let It Go” with pitch-perfect portrayal by the highly-talented professional performer playing Elsa.  This, of course, leads into the introduction of Olaf – a brilliant and entertaining combination of acting and puppetry.  Act II rolls downhill with the trolls and back to Arendelle for the snowflake-filled crescendo.

       All-in-all, the show delights Frozen fans of all ages and non-fans alike, and is a welcome addition to the Disney Cruise Line offerings. Be sure to get there early!

Mickey Chick's Adventures are sponsored by 
Second Star Travel. 

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Are you excited to see Frozen: A Musical Spectacular on an upcoming sailing on the Disney Wonder - or Frozen on Broadway? Be sure to comment or like us on facebook to share your thoughts.

What's New on the Re-imagined Disney Wonder: Lively Deck 5

        On a recent back-to-back sailing, Mickey Chick took a tour of all the the refreshed and refurbished areas of the re-imagined Disney Wonder. We found so many exciting new features, that I had to break it down deck-by-deck. Today we'll take a look at the lively kids' spaces that span Deck 5.

        Let's start with the littlest ones. Unfortunately we started cruising long after my daughter was nursery age, so we never had the opportunity to take advantage of Flounder's Reef Nursery. I have to say, I was slightly jealous seeing the babies brought out at night with red lipstick kisses on their foreheads. (I later learned that they had been tucked in by Snow White herself.) Who wouldn't want to nap in this darling, dimly lit area in the newly redesigned and re-dubbed It's a Small World Nursery?

Disney Wonder: It's A Small World Nursery Nap Area

It's A Small World Nursery Cozy Cribs

It's a Small World Nursery Naptime

 The cozy space welcomes tots from 6 months to 3 years of age via a reservation system. Rates are $~9 per hour. And parents needn't worry about their wee ones. The staff is highly trained and take fastidious notes regarding the care and feeding of the little ones in their charge. The low, 1-4 ratio ensures that those needing a bit of extra coddling or cooing get that attention in this warm, inviting environment. There are rockers and swings for soothing babes to sleep as well as several comfy cribs for naps or quiet time.

It's a Small World Nursery Play Area

It's a Small World Nursery Toy Bins

 Of course, the area's not just for sleepy infants. The Mary Blair designed murals create a bright, cheerful environment for all kinds of unstructured play and activities. There are plenty of toys, games and crafts to keep the most imaginative and inquisitive toddlers entertained.

It's A Small World Nursery Mural (and Me)

     We move a bit further forward on deck five to take in the most popular kids' space on the ship: Disney's Oceaneer Club. Designed for kids 3-12 in mind, the terrifically themed space is brimming with activity areas for all interests and ages. Disney's children's counselors and programming are what truly sets Disney Cruise Line apart from other carriers and the newly re-imagined club does not disappoint. 

Oaken's Trading Post Arts and Crafts Table

   

Oaken's Trading Post Play Space

      With it's rustic charm, Oaken's Trading Post - a nod to the smash Disney hit, Frozen - offers spacious and imaginative play spaces that appeal to both boys and girls. The section offers places to interact with the "frozen" window panes and "steamy" sauna door. There's plenty of seating for quieter, arts and crafts, as well and lots of room to Wander like Oaken.

Oaken's Trading Post Imaginative Play Area - and Sauna

Oaken's Trading Post - and Sauna

Marvel Super Hero Academy Entrance

      If saving the universe is more their speed, students can study Wall Crawling and Asgard Lore when they enter Marvel's Superhero Academy. In this charming room, aspiring superheroes dream up their most daring adventures and devise ways to defeat super-villains together. On special occasions, they can even meet with Academy graduates for photos.

Marvel Superhero Academy- Meeting Area

Marvel Superhero Academy Bulletin Board

Marvel Super Hero Academy is Proud of Its Alumni

Disney Junior Pretend Play

Disney Junior Play Room

     Pretend play isn't reserved for galaxy guardians. The Club Disney Junior room invites princesses and pixies alike to be who - and what- ever they can imagine. The spacious play area provides toys, costumes and props for preschoolers and primaries to explore and enjoy.

Andy's Room Play Place

Oceaneer Club Open Space

     And for the more active bunch, the Oceaneer Club boasts and expansive open play area, perfect for dance parties and pajama jams. In addition, Andy's Room offers a Slinky Dog climb and slide structure as well as other playground staples. (I did not take photos inside the room, as there were children playing.) 




       There is a secret hallway that connects the Oceaneer Club to the nautically-themed Oceaneer Lab, so we scooted through the secret passage to get to the area that offers an exploratory environment and more structured activities. Kids 3-12 choosing to play in this space enjoy arts and crafts, experiments, cooking classes, and individualized inquisitive play.

Oceaneer Lab Adorned with Artifacts

Oceaneer Lab Arts Crafts and Experiments Area

Oceaneer Lab Independent Investigation Area

Oceaneer Lab Create and Explore

      There is an additional play space with numerous creative toys and puzzles and games, as well as a dedicated computer (ipad) room. Most impressive is the expansive, wide-open, nautically themed play area with a video screen for movies and other features. (I did not take photos in these areas, as there were children playing.)

          It's clear that Disney endeavored to appeal to the vast array of ages and interests in these newly re-imagined kids' spaces. What do you think about the new Deck 5 offerings? Sound off below or join the conversation on facebook.

Mickey Chick's Adventures are sponsored by Second Star Travel:

Visit our website  or connect with us on Facebook.

What's New on the Disney Wonder: There's More on Deck Four!

Mickey Chick w/the Main Mouse in D-Lounge

      On a recent back-to-back sailing, Mickey Chick explored just about every corner of the fresh-from dry dock Disney Wonder. There was so much to share, that I needed to break it up into a deck-by-deck tour. Today's blog takes us from aft to fore along deck four:

Shutters' Portside Seating Area

       The most prominent change can be found on the port side, where Shutters has taken its cruise photo program into the 21st Century. Gone are the days where passengers crowd into the limited space searching for familiar faces on the walls. And, while the photobook library system on the Dream class ships are a more civilized step up, guests still needed to contend with a crowd in a cramped space while vying for a table to peruse their photos. The new Shutters does away with the printed pics in favor of more streamlined digital kiosks and comfortable porthole seating areas.

Disney Wonder: Shutters Re-imagined

      With a simple tap of the Key to the World card, guests can scroll through their photos, make minor edits, save their favorites, and order prints, photobooks, or flash-drives with as many or as few pictures as they wish. Package prices appear on the welcome screen and options are offered as you explore. Checkout is super simple, as the charge is made directly to the stateroom. It's also quite easy to find any pictures that haven't appeared in the account for whatever reason. By simply choosing the date, the approximate time, and the location, guest's can scroll through the photos until the wayward picture is found. We actually used this feature a few times and were able to locate every one of the photos that we remembered had been taken.

Shutters' Digital Photo Kiosks

       Due to the shorter itineraries, we decided it would be more economical to have our few favorites printed, rather than pay for a 10 print package or photobook. (We adore the photobooks and have chosen to have them made the last few times we sailed on the Fantasy, when the itinerary was longer and we had more varied photos to choose from.) We actually ordered our photos through the kiosk on debarkation morning and were able to pick them up at the guest services desk before disembarking.

Shutters' Service Desk

Shutters' Portrait Studio

    Of course there are several Shutters employees in the shop area to help guests with any questions, issues, or special purchases.

Shutters Portrait Studio

     Just forward of the photo shop we find a brand new offering: Shutters Portrait Studio. While a bit cozy, guests who would rather not wait in long lines, want pictures sans characters, or just want a more quiet, intimate, private place to have family portraits made, the new studio fits the bill. There are contact cards and brochures available for guests who might be interested in this service.

Mickey Chick posing at Shutters

Re-imagined D-Lounge

D-Lounge Carpet

       A few steps more and we reach the newly redubbed D-Lounge - formerly known as "Studio Sea." The name change is part of the homogenization of the fleet, eliminating distinctive monikers for a more streamlined presentation of offerings.

Disney Wonder D-Lounge

     The room is brighter and more open than its predecessor, with clean modern design, and flexible seating. While there are numerous nods to the emblematic tri-circle, the room does lack the thematic touches of the original. Be sure to check out the carpet, however, which has references to classic Disney stories throughout the room.

Princess Gathering from Deck 4

       Exiting D-Lounge via the forward exit brings us to the atrium balcony.

At the port side, cruisers can visit the DVC desk for information about the popular timeshare program. At starboard, just past some cozy booths perfect for passing the time on an embarkation

Deck 4 Starboard Lounge Area

morning, guests can contemplate their next Disney adventure at the Disney Vacation Planning Desk.

Disney Vacation Planning Desk

       If you've ever cruised with Disney before, you know that their future booking desk becomes busier as the days go by. While I believe the superb service and attention to detail motivates families to want to repeat the Disney Cruise experience, I'm sure the incentive flyers in staterooms outlining the 10% off plus onboard credit of $100 or more towards a future cruise doesn't hurt. The desks get so busy, that Disney has implemented a new feature only on the newly re-imagined Disney Wonder: The Check-in Kiosk.

Using the Vacation Planning Check-In Kiosk

Future Cruise Booking Slip

 
     It's very simple and intuitive to use - allowing folks to relax and enjoy their time, rather than waiting untold hours for their turn with the Vacation Planning cast member.  Guests who aren't quite sure what they want, or who don't care to wait, can fill in a booking slip and drop it in the box at the desk.  A DCL representative will send confirmation via email when the booking or placeholder reservation has been made.

       Around the corner, just beyond the bank of mid-ship elevators is what I like to call the "shopping and theater district."

Disney Wonder Shopping and Theater District

Mickey's Main Sail

White Caps

   In conformity with the other ships, "Mickey's Mates" - the shop primarily for children's items- is now known as Mickey's Main Sail and the high-end, adult-oriented "Treasure Ketch" is the latest iteration of White Caps. 

   The shopping hall opens to the expansive lobby of the Walt Disney Theater.

Walt Disney Theater Red-Carpet Ready for Golden Mickeys

     The tastefully appointed venue is host to Disney Cruise Line's most highly-anticipated Broadway-quality production, Frozen: A Musical Spectacular. As you'll find in my next blog post, the name does not disappoint.

Mickey Chick's Adventures are sponsored by Second Star Travel. 

Visit our website  or connect with us on Facebook.

What's New on the Re-Imagined Disney Wonder: Exploring Deck 3

Mickey Chick with
Captain Mickey
(with Captain Robert behind us)

   
     Living in New York makes it difficult for us to take as many Disney cruises as we would like, and having a day job as a teacher as well as the being the proprietor of Second Star Travel, makes it even harder. Although we are Gold Castaway Club cruisers, this was our first voyage on the Disney Wonder, so we made this trip a back-to-back sailing and tried to take advantage of as much of the "empty ship" time as we possibly could. As such, we explored just about every corner of the ship, making note of all of the features. There is so much to share, I have decided to separate my review into a deck-by-deck tour. Today, we'll be exploring the newly re-imagined Deck 3.

Disney Wonder Christening Portrait and Shipyard Plaque 

Disney Wonder at Castaway Cay

            Launched in 1999, the Disney Wonder is the second of Disney Cruise Line's classic ships. In late 2016, the ship underwent an extensive dry-dock and refitting. The most prominent change to the ship's structure was the addition of the "ducktail" at the ship's aft, which eliminated the deck 7 "secret" deck, but added much needed stability to the smaller (2400 passenger) cruise liner.

Disney Wonder's
Re-imagined Atrium Chandelier

Wonder Atrium from Deck-4 Balcony

     The changes are evident the moment you step off the gangway into into the atrium. Most prominent is the loss of the former Dale Chihuly pendulous, blown-glass chandelier in favor of a flatter, less intrusive design. The new fixture is said to echo the flower that the ship's mascot, Ariel, chose to adorn her hair.

     Another change, made to create a more bright and open space, was the removal of the starboard staircase. Personally, I love the double-staircase feature, but having sailed both classes of Disney ships, find it might have been better suited to the more spacious Dream-Class atria. The second stairway isn't even missed - except when looking down from the deck five overlook between the mid-ship elevators, where the entrance to Triton's appears somewhat unbalanced. I'm wondering (see what I did there?) if moving the Ariel statue to starboard might have balanced it out somewhat. Otherwise, the ship maintains its Art Nouveau features.

Wonder Triton's Entrance
from Deck  Overlook

 

Cadillac Lounge Hood Ornaments

Cadillac Lounge Detailed Theming

     Moving forward on Deck 3 brings us to After Hours,  the adult entertainment spaces formerly referred to as Route 66. Most of the clubs received new names and decor, while Cadillac Lounge got a good down-to-the-studs scrubbing. The bartender, Ivan, explained that even with the deep-cleaning, the presence of nicotine still lingers, though it's been many years since they stopped allowing smoking in the indoor adult areas. The tinge of the smoky scent aside, the Cadillac Lounge, the only club that is adults-only all day, takes fit-and-finish to a new level. The Lounge sports original seating- and leather - from the much beloved vehicles along with a collection of hood ornaments, polished and framed along the walls- themselves of the same lacquered finish found on the front dashboard and console of the car. The back bar is an enlarged front grill of an Eldorado, while the lighting sconces are reminiscent of the cars' iconic fins and tail-lamps. I found the most interesting feature to be the side-tables, which had been formed from actual encased Cadillac hubcaps. The room also contains a grand piano from where the evening entertainment can perform.

Disney Wonder Crown and Fin Pub

Crown and Fin English Pub 

   Around the corner, past the forward staircase and elevators, the space formerly known as Diversions is now the Crown and Fin. Styled after an English pub, the decor of this room is loaded with easter eggs - with references to Disney characters, the ships, and even British royalty. While cruisers can still catch their favorite team sports and events on the multiple flat screen tv's strewn throughout, the club hosts family-friendly events during the day and into early evening, as well as offering tasty hors d'oeuvres, hot appetizers, and finger foods for folks foraging for late-night snacks.
     Just outside the Crown and Fin, cruisers will find Sea Treasures. Formerly Radar Trap, the ship's duty free shop, the small alcove currently offers what appears to be exclusively Star Wars themed fare.

     Once known as Wave Bands, the re-imagined family-friendly Azure is one of the busiest spaces on the ship. The only adult-nightclub with a dance floor, the room also features a stage for shows and two levels of guest seating. Named for the color of the crystalline Caribbean waters, the soft, calming hues create a comfortable atmosphere for cruisers. Many of the adult-only games and activities such as the famed "Match Your Mate" take place here.
 

Disney Wonder Mascot Ariel Mural at Guest Services 

Disney Wonder Drink Package Display
at Promenade Lounge

     Leaving the adult nightclub district, we pass the Guest Services desk on the ship's port side with the Port Adventures desk across the mid-ship elevator vestibule to starboard. Moving aft on the port side, the newly refurbished Promenade Lounge awaits.

Promenade Lounge Stage & Seating

Promenade Lounge Seating Area

The biggest change to this area is the removal of the guest computer area in favor of a smaller "Connect at Sea" desk at the far corner, offering guests assistance with choosing and using the ship's wireless internet packages. The larger gathering area provides additional and varied seating options for cruisers taking part in family arts and crafts activities as well as the popular Bingo games held numerous times throughout each sailing. The space is also popular for guests wanting to enjoy cocktails and musical entertainment before or after dinner at the two nearby restaurants: Triton's and Tiana's Place.

Triton's Chateaubriand

Triton's Farmhouse Salad

     Triton's, just a few steps forward of the Promenade Lounge, is true to its original conception as the ship's Little Mermaid inspired restaurant offering a French culinary flair. The more formal of the three, guests can enjoy a seated, table service embarkation day lunch when they first board the ship. Dinner, however, is less rushed and more varied. We ordered a range of flavors from the menu. I enjoyed the chateaubriand, and farmhouse salad.




     But, a few steps down the promenade and just past the aft stairwell and elevator bank is the brand new jewel of the Disney Wonder: Tiana's Place - which deserves it's own blog entry...

While you're waiting, be sure to contact Second Star Travel to see the newly re-imagined Disney Wonder for yourself.

Disney Wonder Tiana's Place Entryway

Mickey Chick's Adventures are sponsored by Second Star Travel. 

Visit our website  or connect with us on Facebook.