When we hear the phrase “The Happiest Place on Earth” several things come to mind and the response will be different depending on who you ask.
For some people that could mean a cabin in a desolate forest, for others, it could be at the front of the beach bathing, etc… When you talk in general terms you could think that place could be Finland which has been nominated as the happiest country for six years in a row. But if you are a hardcore Disney fan you must likely have heard the Disneyland tagline “The Happiest Place on Earth”. Even if you do a Google search you most likely find images and videos from Disneyland.
But why did Disney decide to adopt that particular tagline? When you enter the parks, hotels, and restaurants owned by the company you are sure to forget all your problems and just have fun while visiting. Disney’s attention to the most minuscule details to make sure their guests have the greatest experience is at the front of all.
The responsibility to create this experience falls on the shoulders of the Disney Imagineers and the cast members. Imagineers are people tasked with exploring and experimenting to find new paths by using creative imagination with technical know-how skills. Their tagline is “Making the Impossible Possible”.
Imagineers are also responsible for creating an unforgettable experience
aboard their cruise line. This is what separates Disney Cruises from other cruise lines. While other ships place emphasis on having a bigger pool, better shows, ziplines through the middle of the ship, a mini golf course, etc., Disney emphasizes more on the full experience. The experience goes on anything from your room service, shows, and interactions with any member of the crew, to the carefully crafted plates by the restaurant chef. Of course, there are other cruises that have way more amenities than a Disney cruise, but somehow I still prefer the experience I get with them to the other cruises.
Our trip with Disney Magic consisted of a five-night sail through the western Caribean with two port calls.
Discoveries By Javier Palacios
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Recently we have had the pleasure of sailing in one of Disney’s cruises. The “Magic” like all the other cruises from Disney was created with the entire family in mind. A perfect combination of classic nostalgia with modern amenities and spacious staterooms. From entertainment, recreation, and a great dining experience this cruise has it all and then more. The ship can accommodate up to 2,700 passengers in 875 staterooms with a crew of about 950
The first stop to Cast Away Cay, Bahamas. This private island is an exclusive port for the Disney Cruise line ships. There are approximately 140 Disney cruise line permanent residents who are responsible for the upkeep of the 1000-acre island.
This island has a few amenities and attractions. Although the majority of the guests head straight to the main area to secure a beach cabana for the day, there are some other attractions you can book while visiting this exclusive island.
Cast Away Kay Bahamas
You can book the castaway Ray’s stingray adventure, where you can participate in feeding several stingrays and learn about Disney’s conservation efforts. I have to admit that without a doubt was among my favorite things to do while I was visiting the place.
Another fun activity is bike riding. At $13 rental per bike, you can visit other places around the island such as the observation tower which gives you a great view of the surroundings.
The island has two beach areas, the swimming lagoon suited for the entire family, and the serenity bay a more quiet and relaxed area for adults only.
Right within the swimming lagoon is the snorkeling lagoon. You can bring your snorkeling gear but if you do not want to carry with it you can also rent it. We had been to the island three times and every time we had to do the snorkel adventure. Every time we find something new the lagoon provides lots of opportunities to spot a variety of sea life. Without a doubt my favorite thing to do while on the island.
There are more things to do while you are there but these were the activities we felt more attracted to do. You will spend about eight hours on the island and for some it may seem a lot of time, but time flies when you are there. I will recommend only trying to accomplish one or two activities, so you can have plenty of time to take it easy and enjoy the island.
The second port call was to the island of Cozumel, Mexico. A mostly undeveloped Mexican island in the Caribbean Sea very popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. A note of recommendation. When visiting the island, please bring a hat, sunblock, lots of water, and comfortable light clothes. During the summer this place gets really hot and humid. Through the concierge services, we booked an excursion that took us through the small city, we also did a few hours of offroading through the island’s tropical forest and finished snorkeling at Playa Uvas. On our tour, we learned the great ecological value of the island. At the south of the island, there is the second most extensive reef in the world, extending from Mexico to Honduras. The reef provides significant value for marine diversity as well as for oxygen creation. It is also a natural protector for hurricanes. The rich culture and cuisine make this place worth visiting. If you like scuba and snorkeling I recommend you add this destination to your bucket list. Most of the economy of the island is derived from tourism, my recommendation is to bring cash with you and try not to use any type of card on any of your purchases you will get a better deal.
For the days at sea, the cruise offers many activities for all ages. From Broadway-style shows at the Walt Disney Theatre, to the latest movies at the Buena Vista Theatre and much more. For a full list of the ship activities and attractions please click here.
If you are looking to have a great time with your family, or you want to have an amazing adult experience, the Disney Cruise line is a great alternative. When thinking of Disney we tend to visualize the parks crowded with families, and kids all over. But when it comes to cruises, Disney has it all down. They cater to everyone and rest assured you will have a great time aboard one of their cruises. They have multiple destinations across the world. As for the prices, I consider Disney to be a mid-tier. They definitely are not the cheapest, but when I compare them with other cruise line prices I find them to be a great value. They include many amenities within the price when other cruise lines have base prices and they upsell for some of the services and amenities that are standard with Disney. For example, on the Disney cruise line, you will be placed in a restaurant rotation for dinner with an assigned table and servers. You will never have to wait in line for dinner as long as you show up at your designated time and restaurant, while on other cruises you will have to pay extra if you do not want to wait in line to go into the main restaurant for dinner. We noticed while trying to book other cruises when we compared the little add-ons that on Disney were standard services the prices were higher than those of Disney. Of course, prices always vary depending on the season and destinations from all the cruise line brands. This is my personal view when we were comparing prices and deciding our destinations. I encourage you to consider them as an alternative if you would like to experience a cruise.