DISNEY
MAGIC
DOWN
UNDER
DISNEY
MAGIC
DOWN
UNDER
ANGELA SAURINE
Want to know what it’s like to cruise on the first Disney ship to come to Australia? Angela Saurine reveals all
We’re standing on the deck of the Disney Wonder just off Australia’s east coast when we hear the news – the ship is under attack! Evil villains have boarded the vessel and are attempting to steal the latest Stark Industries technology entrepreneur Tony Stark is unveiling at a special event on board. Fortunately Stark, dressed in his Iron Man armour, and his superhero pals are on hand to save the day. An epic battle ensues, with a dazzling display of stunts, special effects and fireworks. At one point we hear a noise and gaze up to see Spider-Man making a spectacular entrance, ziplining across the deck above us. Marvel favourites Thor, Captain America and Black Widow soon join in the action, fighting Red Skull and Loki. With my superhero-obsessed five-year-old son Oliver sitting on my shoulders so he can see over the crowd, I am unable to see his reaction, but I can only imagine it is one of awe.
Opening image: Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in front of the funnel on the Disney Wonder © Disney Cruise Line
Image above: Angela and Oliver at the Sail-A-Wave deck party
Images above: Angela and Oliver ready to board, Angela with Mickey Mouse
Images below: AquaLab © Disney Cruise Line, Oliver with Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast
To the uninitiated, it may seem strange to have the Marvel Cinematic Universe come to life on a Disney ship, with the company traditionally associated with more clean-cut characters such as Mickey Mouse and Tinkerbell. But since Walt Disney Company bought Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion in 2009, the franchise has been successfully incorporated throughout its theme parks and cruise ships, as we learn throughout our three-day “cruise to nowhere”. But there are still plenty of quintessential Disney experiences on offer as well, from meet and greets with Disney princesses to classic Disney films playing on a large screen above the pool throughout the day.
Disney magic
Before we board, excitement outside Brisbane International Cruise Terminal is at fever pitch, with families dressed in matching Mickey Mouse shirts pulling Mickey Mouse suitcases, girls wearing tiaras and boys in Spider-Man suits. Once we’ve checked out our cabin, which is decorated with historic character sketches, Mickey Mouse lampshades and has a pull-down bunk bed underneath a starry roof, things kick off with the high-energy Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave party. Everyone gathers on deck to boogie with the famous mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy et al. Parents get into the spirit with their arms in the air clapping and dancing Nutbush-style routines to the instruction of the professional dancers, before the ship’s horn blows to the timeless tune of When You Wish Upon a Star. “This is the best holiday ever,” Oliver declares after just a few hours on board.
“The most impressive experience is Animator’s Palate, where characters we draw on paper placemats when we arrive magically come to life on large screens”
Family-friendly restaurants on Disney Wonder
That night we dine at New Orleans-inspired Tiana’s Place, where we are entertained with a supper club-style show starring none other than Princess Tiana, of The Princess and the Frog fame. The menu includes southern delights such as sautéed shrimp and grits, creole chicken and buttermilk beignet. By the end of the night, everyone is up on their feet doing a conga line through the restaurant as the band plays Going Down the Bayou. Passengers are rotated through the three themed restaurants on board each night, with the same waitstaff coming along. “You’re stuck with us — there’s no escape,” jokes our head server Dussell, who also entertains the kids with magic tricks between courses. “That guy’s funny!” Oliver cries. The next night we dine at Triton’s, an upscale noshery named after the Little Mermaid’s father. But the most impressive experience is Animator’s Palate, where characters we draw on paper placemats when we arrive magically come to life on large screens that line the walls of the restaurant after our meal. Honestly, how do they do that?
Of course, there’s also a buffet restaurant offering everything from Mickey Mouse waffles to eggs benny at breakfast, and from prawns to roasts for lunch, as well as Pinocchio’s Pizzeria by the pool and Pete’s Boiler Bites, serving burgers, hot dogs and tacos. Kids also line up for free soft-serve ice-cream throughout the day at Eye Scream Treats. While most meals are included, you can also splash out on brunch or dinner at the adults-only Italian restaurant Palo at the front of the ship while the youngins are in kids’ club.
Image above: Oliver loved the Mickey Mouse waffles
Image below: Oliver in Andy's Room on Disney's Oceaneer Club
Image above: Oliver with Mr Potato Head in the Toy Story-inspired section of Disney's Oceaneer Club
Disney Wonder kids’ clubs
There are several kids’ clubs on board, catering to different ages. In the Oceaneer Club, children aged three to 10 can see an array of Marvel paraphernalia, including Captain America’s shield, Spider-Man’s web shooters and Ant-Man’s helmet. Captain America’s alter ego, Steve Rogers, even pops by occasionally to teach little ones the basics of the job. There’s also a Toy Story-inspired play area known as Andy’s Room, and an enchanting recreation of Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post from Frozen. The adjoining Oceaneers Lab, which caters for children of the same age, has a more adventurous focus, with maps of the world, craft and animation studios, as well as video games. Kids wear electronic wristbands connected to sensors on the roof, so staff know where they are at all times, and wash their hands in state-of-the-art machines before they enter and exit.
It’s A Small World Nursery caters for babies aged from six months up to three-year-olds, at an extra cost. There’s also a tween club called Edge for 11 to 14-year-olds offering such things as dance parties and karaoke, and Vibe, for teens aged 14 to 17, with bean bags, board games and arcade games.
Entertainment galore on Disney Wonder
There are so many things to do on board the Disney Wonder that it doesn’t really matter that there are no port visits on our cruise. Every day there’s a schedule of activities such as trivia, bingo and karaoke in various lounges, while the Buena Vista Theatre shows both classic and new Disney movies. And when Oliver needs some downtime, we retreat to our cabin to watch cartoons on the Disney Channel. But my favourite aspect of the experience is the stage shows performed in the Walt Disney Theatre after dinner each evening. I’ve been a fan of musicals since my dad bought me tickets to Guys and Dolls as a birthday present when I was a little girl, so it’s lovely to be able to introduce Oliver to them at a young age in a family-friendly environment. The shows on board include Frozen, A Musical Spectacular; The Golden Mickeys, which is like a Disney version of the Oscars, and the award-winning Disney Dreams, which features hits from movies such as Aladdin, Beauty & the Beast and The Lion King. We quickly learn it’s best to get there at least half an hour before showtime to get a seat up the front, to be in the best position possible to enjoy where bubbles and other surprises falls from the ceiling.
It's no wonder there’s been such a positive response to Disney Cruise Line’s arrival Down Under in late 2023, following years of planning. “It’s been unbelievable,” cruise director Jimmy Lynett says. “A lot of the crew were taken aback by how Australians came on board with Mickey ears and how they’ve been decorating the cabin doors. Everybody has been blown away with what we do entertainment-wise. People say, ‘I can’t believe we are on a cruise ship with the level of entertainment we’re getting’.”
It's fair to say that, when it comes to cruising, Oliver is spoiled for life — or at least for the rest of his childhood.
Images above: The Marvel Heroes Unite Show, Tiana's Place © Disney Cruise Line
Image below: Frozen, a Musical Spectacular © Disney Cruise Line