Wondering whether you should book a cruise on the Disney Dream vs the Disney Fantasy? We’re comparing and contrasting these sister ships for you below.
When booking your Disney Cruise Line vacation, trying to choose which ship or itinerary is best for your family can be a bit overwhelming. It’s especially tough to choose between the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy – the two are sister ships, meaning their layouts and some of the offerings are identical. However, there are also some notable differences.
So, which ship should you choose for your next vacation? Let’s look at the Disney Dream vs the Disney Fantasy, what each offers vacationers, and which is best for every type of guest.
Comparing Restaurants on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy
If dining is one of your biggest priorities on your Disney cruise, good news: both ships have the same three restaurants! Enchanted Garden, Royal Palace (known as Royal Court on the Disney Fantasy), and Animator’s Palate are the three main restaurants on both the Dream and the Fantasy. Although the names are slightly different, the menus and the atmosphere on both ships are the same.
Additionally, you’ll find the same buffet-style restaurant on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy: Cabanas. On both ships, this quick-service style dining location serves breakfast and lunch, and the food is included with the price of your cruise.
In addition to the buffet, the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy offer other quick-service style locations – Flo’s Cafe, Eye Scream Treats, Frozone Treats, and Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats.
Disney Dream vs Disney Fantasy Bottom Line: All of the restaurants and quick-service style dining locations on the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy are the same.
Comparing Bars and Lounges on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy
When it comes to bars and lounges, both the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy have the following:
- Currents: This outdoor bar is located inside the adults-only section of the Disney Dream and offers a wide variety of drinks such as frozen margaritas, glasses of wine, mixed co*cktails, and more.
- Cove Café: This adults-only lounge offers specialty drinks, as well as coffee and tea options such as lattes and cappuccinos.
- Vista Café: This Art-Deco-inspired café offers coffee and pastries in the morning and co*cktails in the evening.
- Skyline: This sky-bar is known for its martinis, but Guests can order other mixed drinks as well. Sip on your adult beverage while taking in views of global cityscapes – which change every few minutes!
- Bon Voyage: Located in the grand Atrium of the Disney Dream, Bon Voyage will be your go-to for co*cktails, coffee, juices, and more.
- Meridian: This sophisticated lounge is located in between the adults-only restaurants on board – Remy and Palo. Because Meridian is at the back of the ship, Guests can sip on an Old Fashioned while taking in spectacular ocean-views.
However, there are other bars and lounges on both ships that differ. On the Disney Dream, there are three main bars and lounges:
- District Lounge: This piano bar is the perfect place to unwind with friends, order a co*cktail, and listen to live music.
- Pink: Wine & Champagne Bar: This adults-only pink champagne bar is filled with bubbles and fun. Themed off of the beloved animated film Dumbo, Pink offers Guests a relaxing environment to sip on a bubbly while listening to live music.
- Pub 687: Not only is Pub 687 the place to go for sports and a cold beer, but they also offer a small bites menu. For an additional cost, Guests can order wings, flatbreads, and other small plates to enjoy while watching the big game or chatting with friends and family.
D-Lounge on the Disney Fantasy. Photo by Danny Shuster
On the Disney Fantasy, there are five main bars and lounges:
- D-Lounge: This family nightclub offers fun for all ages. Entertainment options include karaoke, trivia game shows, and line dancing.
- La Piazza: This adults-only very merry-go-round Carosello bar offers an exquisite fee thanks to the beautiful lighting throughout.
- The Tube: Inspired by London’s subway, visitors will be transported to the swinging 1970s-era London. During the day, this lounge hosts trivia and arts and crafts, but at night, watch The Tube transform into an adults-only nightclub.
- O’Gills Pub: Disney Fantasy’s signature pub brings the luck of the Irish to you! Watch all your favorite sports teams on TV at this Irish pub as you share a pint of your favorite beer or snack on some small plates, such as chicken wings or coconut shrimp.
- Ooh La La: Ooh La La is Disney Fantasy’s champagne bar. Decorated in pinks and whites, this piano champagne bar is the perfect relaxation spot for when you need to unwind with a glass of bubbles.
Disney Dream vs Disney Fantasy Bottom Line: With more bars and lounges, and a wider selection of options overall, the Disney Fantasy has the edge. If you’re someone who enjoys late evenings and live music, the Disney Fantasy is the ship to choose.
Comparing Pools, Amenities, and More on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy
Because the Dream and the Fantasy are sister ships within the same ship class, they’re pretty much identical in terms of size and capacity. Both ships carry up to 4,000 passengers in 1,250 cabins. The decks and general ship layouts are quite similar. Even the interior of the staterooms is quite similar – you can check out a Disney Dream stateroom vs a Disney Fantasy stateroom with our walkthroughs.
If you’re traveling with kids or teens, note that the kids and teens clubs, including the nursery for babies and toddlers, are the same on both ships as well.
When it comes to pools and water fun, the top decks of both the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream feature the AquaDuck water coaster and numerous pools along with Tunnel Vision, allowing children and families to enjoy Disney movies while splashing around or soaking up the sun.
If you’re interested in entertainment, both ships offer two theaters – one for shows and one for movies. The shows do differ (on the Dream, you’ll find a musical production ofBeauty and the Beast, while on the Fantasy you can catchFrozen, A Musical Spectacular), but the amount of offerings is the same. There are also plenty of meet-and-greets with Mickey and friends, the Disney Princesses, and other iconic Disney characters, as well as a wide variety of events such as trivia, drawing classes, cooking classes, and more across both ships.
Disney Dream vs Disney Fantasy Bottom Line:When it comes down to the amenities on board, both adults and families will find plenty of fun on either ship. Plus, with similar staterooms, even the accommodations are equally nice.
Comparing Itineraries for the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy
Photo by Rich Ramos
Because the Dream and Fantasy are so similar (aside from the differences in their bars and lounges), the biggest difference between the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy is their itineraries. The ships offer different sailings, both location-wise and in number of days or nights onboard.
If you’re looking for a shorter vacation, go with the Disney Dream. The Dream offers itineraries of three- to five-night cruises to the Bahamas.
If you want more time onboard, choose the Disney Fantasy. The Fantasy offers seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, giving you more time to enjoy the ship and a few port destinations.
Both ships do stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay – so no matter which one you choose to book a sailing on, you won’t miss out!
Which should you book? Personally, I prefer the Disney Fantasy as I love the bars and lounges offered, and I like the longer itinerary options as you get to know the ship’s staff better, making for a more personalized vacation. Ultimately, though, since the Fantasy and Dream are so similar, it all depends on personal preference and what suits your family’s needs better.
