CELEBRATION, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2010) – An elaborately themed interactive sports deck, whimsical water play area, and relaxing poolside oasis for adults join the first-ever shipboard water coaster – AquaDuck – to provide fun in the sun for guests sailing on the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Dream.

These additions, announced today, one year from the maiden voyage of the Disney Dream, offer new experiences for guests of all ages.

Goofy’s Sports Deck
On Goofy’s Sports Deck, the magic tees off on deck 13 with Goofy’s Golf – a miniature golf course where “lessons” featuring Goofy and his son, Max, lead guests through nine themed holes of wacky fun. Each hole offers special golf instructions – with a goofy twist. Lessons include:
• “Handling a dog leg” – Guests avoid a fire hydrant and use Pluto’s dog bone to guide them to the hole.
• “Stuck in the rough” – Goofy shows golfers how to avoid the tall turf and steer clear of a lawn mower.
• “Reading the green” – Stacks of books and a large magnifying glass are obstacles to circumvent on this undulating green.
• “Attacking the green” – Yo ho, yo ho! Golfers and landlubbers take a swashbuckling approach to sinking their putt on this pirate-themed hole.

Guests can choose to use the Goofy or Max tee on each hole, offering twice the fun. Family-friendly competitions and tournaments will keep the excitement on par while quirky golf clubs, some crooked and bent, will challenge golfers to stay on course. Goofy and Max may even swing by to interact with guests and offer some tips on club selection, stance or just goofing around.

Also on Goofy’s Sports Deck, two digital sports simulators provide a variety of virtual game experiences such as soccer, tennis, basketball, golf and more. With the simulators, guests can kick, swing and throw, participating in favorite high-action sports without the hassle of chasing the ball.

Max’s Courts are two mini-sized sports courts for little ones to enjoy soccer, basketball or group play. There’s full-court basketball that may also be transformed into a mini soccer pitch or volleyball court, plus table tennis and foosball tables. A walking track rings Goofy’s Sports Deck.

Nemo’s Reef
Little ones discover oceans of fun at this fanciful water-play area overflowing with pop jets, bubblers and lovable underwater friends like Nemo, Dory, Marlin and other favorites from the Disney•Pixar film, “Finding Nemo.”

Shaded for protection from the sun and featuring a soft wet-deck surface, the 1,500-square-foot Nemo’s Reef is a place for children to cool off and play among colorful, interactive figures that move and spray water. Children will delight as they splash alongside Nemo swimming in a sea anemone, glide down a pint-sized water slide shaped like Mr. Ray and frolic near Pearl the octopus who “inks” herself with a mist of water. Kids can even get soaked in a water curtain that undulates back and forth like the EAC (East Australian Current).

Nemo’s Reef is surrounded by a glass enclosure, with a main guest entrance and a wheelchair-accessible entrance.

Quiet Cove Pool and Cove Bar
Reserved exclusively for guests 18 and older, the Quiet Cove Pool and Cove Bar is a retreat for adults to sunbathe and swim, indulge in a cool drink or enjoy a relaxing dip in a nearby hot tub overlooking the ocean.

One of three fresh-water pools on the Disney Dream, Quiet Cove Pool features varying depths for taking a dip, sunbathing in comfort and enjoying a poolside cocktail. A series of connected circular pools includes a 4-foot-deep plunge pool and a 6-inch-deep sunbathing pool with built-in loungers and a mister. Guests also can splash up to Cove Bar, which is part of the pool, and sip a refreshing beverage.

Nearby, on the sides of deck 11, guests can soak in a whirlpool hot tub while overlooking the ocean. Four “infinity” whirlpool hot tubs – two for families and two just for adults – provide spectacular views of the ocean beyond.

AquaDuck and More!
The Disney Dream will feature the world’s first shipboard water coaster – AquaDuck – which will sweep guests away on an exhilarating high-speed flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, uphill acceleration and river rapids – all while traversing the upper decks of the ship.

Donald Pool is the place for families to gather and enjoy all of the activities up on deck. Overlooking Donald Pool is the giant Funnel Vision LED screen – more than 30 feet wide and 18 feet high – showing Disney films and other live broadcast events. A retractable floor extends over the pool, providing an ideal dance floor for deck parties.

Continuing a favorite feature of the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream will also have a Mickey Pool for children. The shape of Mickey Pool resembles the beloved Disney character, and an oversized version of Mickey’s hand supports a yellow winding slide that splashes down near the pool.

As an added convenience for parents with children of different ages, Donald Pool, Mickey Pool and Nemo’s Reef are all located within the same vicinity, on deck 11 between the forward and aft funnel.


First off, we have the Goofy's Sport Deck. Now, I may not be the most athletic person in the world, but this mini golf experience called Goofy's Golf sounds really neat. It'll be interesting to see just how difficult these obstacles will be to putt around and nothing is better than Goofy giving golf advice....right? (My favorite hole right now is the "Reading the Green" hole idea!) I also appreciate that they're using the character of Goofy's son, Max, for this too. It's nice when they use under-utilized characters and Max certainly is one.

I also like the idea of virtual sports being played, although, I'm still not sure I'd do very well at them, even if there is no real ball I have to hit, I'm pretty sure it will somehow end up in the ocean anyway!

Next we have Nemo's Reef and this sounds FABULOUS for those with little ones, which I know we will have some little ones joining us on our cruise and I'm sure this will be a must stop area for those families. (Not me...I'm not announcing something here...lol!) I like that this area will be enclosed so families don't have to worry about their little ones running off. I also like how they are planning on utilizing the characters, having Mr. Ray be a slide and Pearl using the water effect to "ink" herself. I'm sure this spot will be very popular once the ship starts sailing.

My favorite spot though is the Quiet Cove Pool. Not that I have a problem being around the kiddies, but I do enjoy the fact that I will have an area that if I choose to go to, will be somewhat more peaceful than other areas of the ship. I especially like the idea of a 6 inch sunbathing pool with misters because you don't always want to swim, but when you're out in the sun for so long, after a while, you just need a little water to cool off. This will help with that purpose just fine. And of course, for those who do choose to partake in a little adult beverage (and I'm sure some non-adult beverages as well) the swim up bar will be fantastic! Because nothing says being on vacation like a swim up bar. :) Oh, and two words...hot tub! Can't wait!

And of course, it's great that Disney is going to be including the more popular things on this ship from the others as well, such as the Donald and Mickey pool, the big screen TV, and the retractable dance floor.

It appears to me, Disney is definitely plussing this new ship in a major way and I'm super excited to see what surprises they have in store for us over the next year. For those who want to join us for the Be Our Guest Podcast Cruise, I invite you to contact The Magic For Less Travel and let them know you want on the Be Our Guest Cruise. Even if you're just on the fence, get a no obligation quote, because trust me, the cost may surprise you, in a good way. I know it did for me. And we would LOVE to have you as apart of our group!

So, I guess all that's left is to ask: is it June 2011 yet?