Cruise ship Disney Magic is back in Europe this summer for the first time in two years, and will be taking families on exciting adventures throughout Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey.
The ship will not be going straight home to America at the end of the summer – an extensive five-week refit has been announced today, planned to begin on September 7 in Cadiz.
The multi-million dollar makeover will freshen up the 15-year-old vessel – oldest in Disney’s fleet of four ships – and give it a new lease of life.
There’s a thrilling waterslide called the AquaDunk, which begins up by one of Magic’s two funnels and is almost a match for the AquaDuck watercoaster on Disney’s newer ships.
Riders on the three-storey body slide drop through a trap door into a near-vertical tube that takes them 20 feet over the side of the ship. Less adventurous thrill-seekers can settle for another slide, Twist ‘n’ Spout, and the other watery attractions of AquaLab.
The ship’s atrium (above) is to be re-imagined in art deco style, with a smiling statue of Helsman Mickey as its centerpiece.
The Oceaneer Club for three to 12-year-old children will be re-built with characters from Disney-Pixar films and, for the first time on a Disney ship, from Marvel Comics. The Marvel Avengers Academy will provide young crime-fighters with a high-tech command post for special missions alongside Iron Man, Captain America and Thor.
On a gentler theme, there will be Andy’s Room from Toy Story and Pixie Hollow, the enchanted land of Tinker Bell.
The popular Animator’s Palate restaurant will be updated with large HD screens on the walls showing the interactive Animation Magic dinner show.
New to Disney Magic will be Carioca’s restaurant – replacing Parrot Cay – and Cabanas, taking over from the Topsider Buffet.
Mums and dads will get their own adults-only area with the creation of After Hours, with a night club, piano bar, and O’Gills sports bar. The ship’s Senses spa will be expanded and ther will, apparently, be more room in the cabins. Quite where this extra space is coming from remains a mystery.
All part of the magic of Disney, no doubt.
“We have always been committed to reinvesting in our fleet and continuously making shipboard enhancements that elevate the guest experience,” said Karl L. Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. “What we’re doing with the Disney Magic is yet another step forward in our commitment to delivering the absolute best family vacations at sea.”
About the Author: John Honeywell
John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.
The Magic enhancements look great. I am looking forward to seeing all the changes when the refit is complete.
Beautiful!