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. 

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