The year 2018 marks a major milestone for the Disney Cruise Line as the 20th anniversary of the brand's first ship. The Disney Magic first launched in 1998, and thanks to a recent dry-dock refurbishment, the vessel looks as fresh as day one with new and updated features for the whole family.
It doesn't seem all that long ago that the Magic was overhauled in 2013 when signature attractions such as the AquaDunk and Twist 'n' Spout waterslides, AquaLab waterpark, After Hours adults-only area, Marvel's Avengers Academy, Mickey Mouse Club, Carioca's restaurant and more were introduced.
However, Disney is always looking to "plus" its properties with new stories to tell, and five years later, the opportunity has arisen. Most of the popular aforementioned venues are still along for the ride, but the latter three have already been enhanced or replaced.
As the home to Marvel Day at Sea, the Disney Magic still maintains the same comic-themed section of Disney's Oceaneer Club for kids, but it has been renamed Marvel Super Hero Academy. The Mickey Mouse Club in the children's area has been similarly updated to Club Disney Junior to reflect the latest youth television properties. The result is a broader decor from the previous spectrum of Mickey-only colors. Another subtle change is the raising of the safety rail height along the perimeter edges and stairs of Andy's Room.
Of the three rotational dining rooms onboard, Carioca's has made way for the brand new Rapunzel's Royal Table as a culinary counterpart to the ship's "Tangled: The Musical." Like Tiana's Place brings to life the narrative of "The Princess and the Frog" through food and live music on the Disney Wonder, Rapunzel's does the same for "Tangled" on the Magic.
The level of thematic detail is brilliant down to the floating lanterns overhead and table-side frying pan dessert. The pesto pasta entree is particularly delicious, and an appearance by Vladimir showing off his collection of ceramic unicorns-in reference to the animated film-is beyond hilarious. Kids of all ages love it when Rapunzel herself and Flynn Rider show up to celebrate the princess' birthday.
As for tweens and teens, Edge has been updated some for the former with the removal of walls and the addition of an entry bar and soundproof flooring, and Vibe for the latter has been completely redone.
Replacing the eclectic hodgepodge of bricked nooks and crannies is a new urban loft environment filled with cool catwalks and exposed concrete walls. A massive big-screen television now anchors the space, and participants can further harness technology by controlling the venue's lighting via iPad.
Meanwhile just for adults, the Cove Cafe has also been redesigned with an inviting tropical aesthetic punctuated with palms and rich furnishings. It's an ideal place to relax with a featured salted caramel coconut latte-especially iced on a humid Caribbean afternoon-as is the newly shaded Signals Bar just outside with added televisions. Or if the Senses Spa is more your speed, the Rainforest Room has also been enhanced. The hydrotherapy aromatic showers are sublime.
Rounding out the Magic's modifications are smaller but significant updates at Shutters. The photo gallery is now fully digital with images only being produced once ordered. That means touch-screen kiosks require less room than extraneous print cabinets once did, and now there's room for a bonus Crown Jewelry shop here as well as a new portrait studio as on the Disney Wonder.
Lastly, the facilities at Duck-In Diner have been enlarged such that the grill can now cook hamburgers and hot dogs a la minute for even fresher fare.
The overall effect is a familiar Disney Magic with just enough new to keep things exciting for the future as the fleet awaits another three ships through 2023.
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