AquaDuck Water Coaster
This fun flume ride is a cruise-industry first. Nearly 800 feet long and spanning four decks in height, the AquaDuck takes guests in rafts through an acrylic tube 12 feet over the side of the ship and 150 feet above the ocean below! My son and I rode together on the AquaDuck, laughing and squealing through the twists, turns and drops the whole way. Children must be 42 inches tall to ride the AquaDuck; kids as short as 38 inches can ride the one-story slide at Mickey's Pool. On the same deck is Nemo's Reef, a water-play area perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.Wide Variety of Staterooms
My family and I stayed in a Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Verandah, sharing a plush queen-size bed (elevated high above the floor to store luggage underneath), a surprisingly comfortable sofa bed and a pull-down-from-the-ceiling berth. Split bathrooms are convenient, so one person can be showering while the other is brushing teeth at a sink behind another closed door. Interior staterooms are a budget-friendly option ideal for families of three. They feature Magical Portholes, which provide guests with a real-time view outside the ship via high-definition camera. Don't be surprised if animated characters from Finding Nemo or even Mickey Mouse make surprise appearances on the screen!Fabulous Kids' Clubs
Each age group has its own playspace on board, including the It's a Small World Nursery for babies and toddlers, imaginative Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab for ages 3 to 10, Edge for tweens and Vibe for teens. My kids over age 8 loved the independence of being able to check themselves in and out of the Oceaneer areas. Their favorite activities included playing interactive games at dozens of computer stations and group games on the Magic Playfloor, where kids' leaps and dance moves control the action.Top-notch Dining Options
Family sit-down dinners take place at the three a la carte restaurants on board the Disney Dream; you're given a 6 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. time slots and assigned restaurants, while your waitstaff "rotates" with you. Cartoon characters talk to you from big video screens in Animator's Palate; your kids will feel like princes and princesses in the ornate Royal Palace. I think my favorite restaurant was casual Cabanas, with its light and airy beachy feel and vast array of food items on the buffet. Since the kids' clubs are open well into the evening, your children will be happily entertained if you choose to eat dinner in adults-only Palo, with its Northern Italian menu, or Remy for French-inspired gourmet cuisine.More Adult Fun
Speaking of adults only, you might also take some time after a romantic dinner to check out The District, is a nighttime entertainment area with sophisticated bars and lounges. Each venue has a unique design and vibe, like Pink, an upscale cocktail lounge serving a variety of champagne libations, and Skyline, with ever-changing views of stunning worldwide city skylines. During the day, adults can escape to Senses Spa & Salon, with 17 private treatment rooms, the Rainforest steam, heat and hydrotherapy relaxation area, and an ocean-view gym. Still more just for grown-ups: the Quiet Cove Pool with swim-up bar.On board the Disney Dream, you'll also find Disney character "meet and greets," incredible live Broadway-style performances in the Walt Disney Theatre, an arcade filled with video games, a sports deck with miniature golf and dynamic deck parties for all ages. All of these experiences combine to make for a memorable family cruise vacation.
