Disney Wish Review: The Good, the Bad & Is It Worth It?
Before booking the Disney Wish, I wasn't completely convinced that a Disney cruise would be worth the price. Disney cruises are expensive, I'm not a huge Disney fan, and I was especially concerned that our teenage daughter might find the whole experience too childish.
After spending four nights aboard the Disney Wish on a Bahamian cruise from Port Canaveral, I can say that most of those concerns disappeared pretty quickly. Our 11-year-old loved it, our teenager had a great time, and my wife and I enjoyed the cruise far more than I expected.
This is our honest Disney Wish review, including the things we loved, the things we didn't, our Deluxe Family Stateroom with Verandah, food, shows, activities for kids and teenagers, Atlantis, Castaway Cay, service, and whether I think the Disney Wish is worth the money.
Disney Wish Review at a Glance
- Our cruise: 4-night Bahamian cruise from Port Canaveral
- Our room: Deluxe Family Stateroom with Verandah
- Who traveled: Two adults, an 11-year-old and a teenager
- Best parts: The ship, dining, shows, service and activities for different ages
- Biggest negatives: Price, internet/phone issues, full reservations and expensive merchandise
- Our rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Bottom line: I went into this cruise somewhat skeptical and came away highly impressed. Even with bad weather during both of our port days and a few things I would change, I would absolutely recommend the Disney Wish for families.
Why I Wasn't Sure About Booking a Disney Cruise
We had cruised before having kids, primarily with Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Those cruises were a lot of fun, but they seemed catered more toward adults.
We had never taken our kids on a cruise, and I had three main concerns about Disney.
First was the price. Disney cruises cost considerably more than many other cruise options.
Second, we had a teenager with us. I worried that four days surrounded by Disney characters and younger children might not appeal to her.
Third, I'm simply not a huge Disney person myself. Our youngest daughter loves Disney, but I didn't know whether there would be enough for the adults and older kids to make the premium price worthwhile.
We finally decided that if we were going to try a Disney cruise, we might as well try one of Disney's newest ships. We booked the Wish and splurged on a verandah stateroom so the four of us would have a little more room.
Getting to the Disney Wish at Port Canaveral
Our Disney Wish cruise departed from Port Canaveral. Seeing the ship as we approached the terminal was exciting, although getting into the port took considerably longer than I expected.
Traffic slowed to a crawl as we approached the terminal, and it took us about an hour to get pulled in and parked.
I had worried beforehand about finding parking, but that part was easy. There were spaces in the parking garage as well as additional parking outside it.
Disney Wish Check-In and Boarding
Once we reached the terminal, the process went smoothly for us. We had our identification and cruise documents ready, security moved fairly quickly, and we were able to check our bags without any problems.
After that, we boarded the ship and started exploring while we waited for our luggage to be delivered to the stateroom.
One lesson from the end of the trip: keep your travel documents somewhere easy to reach. We didn't realize we would need our birth certificates again while leaving the ship, and I had to dig through our luggage to find them.
What Is the Disney Wish Ship Like?
The Disney Wish itself was one of the biggest highlights of the cruise.
The ship is beautiful. Disney put an incredible amount of detail into the themes, lighting and design throughout the ship. When you first enter the main atrium, everything feels elegant rather than childish. There are sweeping staircases, a huge chandelier and a Cinderella statue in the center.
That was one of my biggest surprises. There is obviously Disney theming everywhere, but it usually feels polished rather than like you are spending four days inside a children's theme park.
Pools and AquaMouse
There are several pools across the upper decks along with a giant screen showing Disney movies and other entertainment.
The most recognizable attraction is AquaMouse, Disney's water attraction that sends riders through an enclosed tube around the upper part of the ship.
We enjoyed AquaMouse and I'm glad we did it. The beginning includes animation and water effects before the ride picks up speed.
My assessment: definitely ride it once. I personally wouldn't stand in a long line to immediately do it again.
There is also the smaller Slide-a-saurus Rex slide for younger kids.
Lounges, Theaters and Other Spaces
The ship has themed lounges, bars, shops and places to sit throughout its decks. There are movie theaters as well as the Walt Disney Theatre, where the major stage productions take place.
One of the most unusual lounges is the Star Wars-themed Hyperspace Lounge. A giant screen behind the bar creates the impression that you're traveling through space, and even if you aren't particularly interested in cocktails, the room itself is worth seeing.
There is also a fitness center where you can exercise while looking out over the ocean, along with laundry facilities for anyone who needs them during the cruise.
Is the Disney Wish Good for Kids and Teenagers?
This was probably my biggest concern before booking, and it ended up being one of the strongest arguments in favor of the Wish.
The ship does a good job of giving different age groups their own spaces rather than treating every child as if they want the same activities.
Oceaneer Club and Nursery
Younger children have Disney's Oceaneer Club, while the It's a Small World Nursery is available for the youngest cruisers.
There are elaborately themed kids spaces throughout this area, including Star Wars experiences and plenty of opportunities to see Disney characters.
Edge for Tweens
Kids roughly in the tween age range have Edge, a dedicated hangout area with activities and space to socialize.
Vibe for Teenagers
Our biggest pleasant surprise was Vibe, the club for teenagers.
Our oldest daughter spent time there playing games and meeting other kids, and she genuinely enjoyed it. That went a long way toward eliminating my concern that the Disney Wish would be too young for her.
Nearby, Hero Zone offers sports and games such as basketball, foosball and air hockey, along with organized contests and activities.
If you're worried that a Disney cruise is only for families with small children, our experience suggests otherwise. Our teenager had plenty to do without having to spend the entire cruise following her younger sister around.
Our Disney Wish Deluxe Family Stateroom With Verandah
We booked room 10170 at the back of the ship. There were four of us, so we wanted enough space that we didn't feel packed together.
Our room had one of the larger verandahs because of its location. Ironically, we hardly used it.
If I were booking again, I wouldn't pay a significant premium solely for an unusually large verandah. It was nice to have, but we spent so much time around the ship that it didn't become an important part of our cruise.
The room itself worked very well for four people.
There was a curtain dividing the adult sleeping area from the kids' area. The couch converted into one bed and another bed pulled down from the wall. Our room had Little Mermaid theming.
The separation was helpful because everyone didn't have to go to sleep at exactly the same time.
Disney Wish Dining Review
If food is one of the reasons you like cruising, the Disney Wish does very well here.
There are quick-service options on the upper deck, Marceline Market, room service, adult dining and three main rotational restaurants: 1923, Worlds of Marvel and Arendelle.
We enjoyed the food throughout the cruise, although Marceline Market could get crowded.
1923
1923 is decorated with artwork and sketches celebrating Disney animation.
This was our first dinner. The meal, service and dessert were all excellent. Compared with the other two restaurants, however, the experience itself is more conventional.
If you're primarily interested in the theatrical Disney dining experiences, Worlds of Marvel and Arendelle stand out more.
Worlds of Marvel
Our second night was the Marvel dinner.
Screens, lighting and effects throughout the dining room work together to tell a story while you're eating. During our cruise, the story centered around Ant-Man and The Wasp.
The interactive portion builds throughout dinner, and guests eventually interact with devices on their tables. The kids in the restaurant seemed completely absorbed in it.
We also got surprise appearances from Marvel characters.
At one point two servers accidentally ran into each other and spilled water on us. It wasn't a major problem, but they were extremely apologetic and brought our girls complimentary milkshakes in Marvel collector cups. It was a good example of how strongly Disney emphasizes service recovery when something goes wrong.
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure
Arendelle was our favorite themed dining experience.
The restaurant was set up around Anna and Kristoff's wedding celebration. Even the menus resembled wedding invitations.
The Frozen characters, singing, dancing and special effects were considerably more elaborate than I expected from a cruise-ship dinner. Elsa appeared, Olaf interacted with the crowd, and the entire production felt much more like a show than a normal meal.
The food and desserts were excellent too.
Joyful Sweets
One of our favorite places on the ship was Joyful Sweets, the Inside Out-themed candy and ice cream shop.
The theming is great and there are plenty of tempting desserts. The downside is that these treats cost extra and aren't cheap.
Disney Wish Shows and Entertainment Review
The entertainment exceeded my expectations.
Disney starts almost immediately with a high-energy sail-away show, and the singers, dancers and choreography set a pretty high standard for everything that follows.
We didn't attend every production, but the ones we watched were very good.
Disney Seas the Adventure
Our youngest daughter especially enjoyed Disney Seas the Adventure, which follows Goofy after Captain Minnie leaves him in charge.
The production uses familiar Disney characters, elaborate sets and impressive special effects.
Pirate Night and Fireworks
Because our sailing was near the Fourth of July, we had a pirate show with action, acrobatics and fireworks.
Captain Jack Sparrow appeared, followed by a live pirate-themed band playing family-friendly versions of familiar rock songs. It worked surprisingly well for both adults and kids.
Disney's Aladdin
Aladdin was the standout stage show for me.
The actors, singers, dancers, sets and effects were outstanding. Genie stole the show and added enough current jokes and pop-culture references that the production was genuinely funny for adults too.
This was another place where my assumption that Disney entertainment would be aimed entirely at little kids turned out to be wrong.
Our Atlantis Aquaventure Excursion
One of our port days included an excursion to Atlantis Aquaventure in the Bahamas.
Unfortunately, the weather was bad and we dealt with quite a bit of rain. Even so, Atlantis was impressive.
You could easily enjoy exploring the aquariums, pools, shops and resort even without riding every waterslide.
Our biggest issue was time. We had only around four hours there, so if waterslides are your priority, you need a plan before you arrive.
The attractions we prioritized included:
- Leap of Faith
- The Abyss
- Rapids River
- The Falls
- The Drop
If you're traveling with kids who care about the slides, I would identify your must-do attractions beforehand instead of deciding once you reach the park.
Our Day at Disney Castaway Cay
I can't give Castaway Cay a completely fair review because it poured rain almost the entire time we were there.
Disney handed out ponchos as everyone left the ship. We still walked around, let the kids enjoy themselves for a while and took some pictures, but eventually we were so wet that we returned to the ship.
What we could see of the island looked great. There are beaches, an ocean waterslide and transportation around the island, and I would have loved to experience it under normal weather conditions.
Disney Wish Service Review
The service was outstanding and was probably one of the biggest differences between this cruise and less expensive cruises we had taken previously.
Our stateroom was cleaned and organized constantly. When we returned from dinner, the kids' beds were ready and we regularly found new towel creations waiting for us.
The dining staff was just as good.
We got to know our servers during the rotational dining schedule, especially Agung, who went out of his way to make the girls feel special and even made origami creations for them.
What We Didn't Like About the Disney Wish
This was a great cruise, but it wasn't perfect. There were several things I either didn't like or would handle differently next time.
1. The Disney Wish Is Expensive
This is the biggest drawback.
Disney Cruise Line generally commands a premium over many competing cruise lines, and the extra costs don't stop once you've paid for the cruise. Merchandise, specialty treats, spa services, excursions and other upgrades can add up quickly.
The cruise was worth it for us, but I wouldn't pretend price is irrelevant.
2. Internet and Phone Service Caused Us Problems
Internet access was frustrating during our sailing. We also made a costly mistake with our phones and ended up with hundreds of dollars in roaming charges after sending photos back and forth.
Internet plans and cellular arrangements change over time, so rather than relying on what was available during our sailing, I would check Disney's current connectivity information and your cellular provider's cruise-ship roaming rules before departure.
3. Popular Reservations Filled Up
I considered booking my wife a spa treatment, but appointments were already full before the cruise began. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique was also booked.
If there is an onboard experience your family considers essential, reserve it as early as Disney allows rather than assuming you'll be able to arrange it once you board.
4. Some Merchandise Was Very Expensive
The shops were fun to browse, but prices on souvenirs such as Disney ears and toys were high.
If your kids are going to want souvenirs, I would decide on a budget before the cruise rather than figuring it out in the gift shop.
5. Our Large Verandah Wasn't as Important as Expected
I was glad we booked a verandah room, but our particular room had an unusually large balcony and we barely used it.
I wouldn't necessarily pay substantially more for an oversized verandah on a future cruise unless I knew we planned to spend significant time there.
Is the Disney Wish Good for Teenagers?
Yes — at least based on our experience.
This surprised me enough that I think it deserves its own answer.
Our teenager enjoyed Vibe, met other kids and had activities available that didn't revolve around princesses or small-child entertainment. Hero Zone, pools, movies, food and the main shows also gave her plenty to do.
Families with teenagers will obviously have different experiences depending on the child, but I would not automatically rule out the Disney Wish because you think a teenager has "outgrown Disney."
Is the Disney Wish Good if You're Not a Huge Disney Fan?
I think so.
That was my situation going into the cruise.
Disney characters and theming are everywhere, but much of what makes the Wish enjoyable has nothing to do with being a devoted Disney fan: good food, excellent service, high-quality stage productions, pools, lounges, activities and a beautiful ship.
I never felt as if I needed to know every Disney movie or character to enjoy myself.
Is a Disney Wish Verandah Room Worth It?
For four of us, I appreciated having the extra space and access to a private balcony.
What I would question is paying substantially more just to get one of the largest verandahs. We didn't spend enough time outside for the oversized balcony on room 10170 to make a meaningful difference.
If the difference between an inside or oceanview room and a verandah fits comfortably into your budget, I like having the verandah. If upgrading forces you to cut back on everything else you want to do during the trip, I don't think it is essential.
Who Should Book the Disney Wish?
Based on our cruise, I think the Wish is especially good for:
- Families traveling with children of different ages
- Families worried that a teenager may be too old for a Disney cruise
- People who value entertainment and themed dining
- Families who will actually use the kids and teen clubs
- First-time family cruisers who want a very polished experience
- Disney fans who want the theming without spending every minute interacting with characters
I would think harder about booking it if your primary goal is simply finding the cheapest cruise possible. Disney's premium pricing is real, and families who don't care about the Disney entertainment, service and themed experiences may get better value elsewhere.
Disney Wish Pros and Cons
What We Loved
- Beautiful ship and impressive attention to detail
- Excellent service throughout the cruise
- Outstanding rotational dining experiences
- High-quality Broadway-style entertainment
- Separate activities and clubs for younger kids, tweens and teenagers
- Plenty for adults to enjoy even if they aren't major Disney fans
- Comfortable family stateroom layout
- Good variety of food throughout the day
What We Didn't Love
- Disney's higher cruise prices
- Expensive extras and merchandise
- Our internet and cellular experience
- Popular onboard reservations filling quickly
- We didn't use our oversized verandah enough to justify caring about its extra size
Is the Disney Wish Worth It?
For our family, yes.
We had plenty go wrong during the trip. One of our daughters developed a bad ear infection. It stormed while we were at Atlantis. It poured rain for our entire Castaway Cay visit. We had problems with phone charges. And the cruise itself was expensive.
Despite all of that, I still came away rating the Disney Wish 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Our 11-year-old loved it. Our teenager loved it. My wife and I loved it. And I say that as someone who was skeptical about both the price and whether I personally needed four days of Disney.
The Wish won me over because the experience goes well beyond Disney characters. The ship is impressive, the entertainment is excellent, the food is good, the service is exceptional, and Disney has done a very good job creating different experiences for different age groups.
Would I call it the cheapest way to take a family cruise? Absolutely not.
Would I recommend it to a family willing to pay more for the Disney experience? Absolutely.