I think for being more than double the price of comparable cruises on other lines, having bad food at ANY of the restaurants is unacceptable. Also, it really looks like that Star Wars bar was an afterthought. I'm getting really tired of new Disney using projector screens everywhere in place of real theming.
Outstanding review Tom. My mom worked at Disney Studio for 44 years, first name basis with Walt. Mom always said Walt insisted everything be better than it had to be.
Personally I always used to admire the fine balance the cruise line had. The older ships somehow had a perfect balance of just enough Disney themed presence but still remembering it’s an elegant cruise. The wish feels like they lost that balance. Almost as if during the planning stage someone focused on how can we cram more “IP” into every corner, ignoring the true beauty of the vista from the locations the ship visits.
We just got off the Wish and had the same experience. All the things you said we completely agree with. I’m curious what the “catastrophic” meal you describe at Enchente was like, because my husband got food poisoning and got violently sick from the Marvel restaurant. Overall, not a great experience and it definitely does NOT hold a candle to the other ships.
I’m very curious about this as well. In our party, if someone is going to get sick, it’s going to be me. I’d really like to bypass that completely. Please share what was a problem.
I tend to believe that cost cutting is probably the reason the ship seemed unfinished. Things are falling apart. Red dots everywhere marking things needed to be fixed. This reminds me of Toystory land where shortly after it opened the wallpaper was peeling and paint was flaking off railings. Tom mentioned the closet doors were falling off of their tracks. The bunks were falling off the walls in the Riviera.
My husband works in high end commercial construction. It is still very hard and takes forever to get materials and fixtures, and everything is 40% or more more expensive. The supply chain ‘excuse’ is completely real. The Wish had to feel this too.
Finally a honest review of the Wish. I've watched nearly every video review on UA-cam regarding this ship and all of them completely ignore many of the issues that were brought up in this video. My SO and I have been sailing on DCL for many years and as a childless couple we greatly appreciate the effort that Disney takes to cater to their adult audience on their ships, but with the Wish these accommodations were clearly an afterthought. The Quiet Cove area has been relegated to a small area on the back of the ship which does not have enough shaded areas, scaled down size, and bumps up against the Aqua Mouse which leads to one hearing Goofy say "Gosh you made it" at the end of every ride. Therefore the message is that Disney didn't build this ship for us, and we hear that loud and clear. Therefore we will continue to enjoy the previous ships, and leave this ship to serve full families three and four days at a time.
@@inlettecluat Fair enough, some of the positives of the ship in my experience includes Keg & Compass which honestly put pubs on the previous ships to shame, the Arendelle show is probably the fleet's hallmark dinner show, quality of life improvements in the staterooms are welcomed (nightlights and shower especially), venues such as Hook's Barbery finds that sweet spot between being an high quality venue while capturing great Disney theming, and Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods as well as Marceline Market are out of this world. These will be points that I will miss when I visit the older ships now. I would still recommend this ship to my friends with children who want a non-stop adventure on the seas because honestly there is so much to do in 3/4 nights, but for those looking for a longer more slow paced vacation the other ships are where it is at.
Yes I noticed that as well. The previews made it seem like the adult pool was super huge, like on the other four ships. I was dismayed to see how small and PACKED it was. I guess I could just hang out at the spa all week, but that’s an added cost. Also, the Cove is directly under the smoking section. GROSS 🤢 🤮😷
@@JL-xp9ne To be honest my only gripe about the atrium is Mickey's Mainsails being so small and narrow which doesn't hold the inevitable crowds that will accumulate on every sailing. Switch this shop with the high end merchandise locations on deck three by the Bayou and it will be better suited to accommodate the lines both inside and outside the venue. Also with the high end shops being generally less crowded will ease up on some of the foot traffic going through the atrium which can get congested when character meet and greets are also taking place right outside of the location. Besides that the grand hall has great detail work in the art/decor, the stage is much improved over the previous ships so performances don't block entrances to restaurants, the open kiosks of guest relations allowing the cast members to come around and greet the guests gives the experience a high sense of quality, and the kiss goodnight is very adorable. I will admit I was skeptical about the slide into the kid's clubs being a bit out of place/noisy but it works very well and adds to the whimsy that is Disney.
we were in a very bad mood on the cruise. The ship was incomplete, the ship was dirty due to lack of staff to clean (a dirty 3 week old ship), many of the things that were supposed to be offered weren't ready yet. And we paid full full full price.
This is why I love and appreaciate Tom, He is just honest and makes the statement that he is more about the common person who likes and enjoys going to Disney. I have been following WDWNews for the last few years as well as others for the last 10 years or so. I have seen some others who only say how great things are at Disney but they are part of the media or Disney knows who they are the following they have so they get a level that I will never EVER get. Tom gives me the experience and his thought that I really think I will share. I plan to go on the WIsh later this year and I appreciate this review so I can prepare myself because I hold Disney to a level. WHY because they charge me for a level. Thank you Tom is all I want to say!
they could have taken a cruise ship and built it into the Galaxy Cruise ship Hotel that I could see, then you would actually be moving around instead of being stuck in one place. And probably would be cheaper too lol.
Supposedly this was something Chapeck was involved with personally. If people haven't figured it out, Chapeck isn't creative. He's a bean counter, plain and simple. Anyone with an ounce of creativity wouldn't let the rides across all the parks get into the state of disrepair they currently find themselves in.
Excellent review. After 20 cruises on the Dream and Fantasy, I really don’t like the changes on the Wish. I am very disappointed that they didn’t keep the same Art Deco interior. I love the fact that all 4 ships had similar designs and it made the old ships not look old. I just hope they go back to the Dream/Fantasy interior look for the next ship. The 4 night Dream is my favorite cruise and I thought the Wish would replace it. But we chose to go to Miami on the Dream last month instead of the Wish. The price also makes me not want to try it also.
In reference to the space lounge, what the HELL is their deal with not having WINDOWS?! NO portholes, nothing but a tiny screen behind the bar. Ive seen bigger screens at Dave and Busters. Chapek strikes again.
It makes sense that they are trying to give a “you’re actually in space” vibe. Seeing the ocean would ruin it. But as Tom mentioned, why not have it in an interior space then? And yes, the screen is oddly small, given that it’s the whole mood-setter for the space.
Maybe re-theme the Hyperspace Lounge as a bar from the Axiom (WALL-E). Use new semi-transparent screen tech to provide BnL overlays atop views of the ocean. Imagine an alcoholic Septuacentennial Cupcake in a Cup!
Tom, we were on that cruise with you in fact we talked for a bit at the Keg & Compass on the last night you may or may not remember. I agree with your assessment of the Wish especially with the dining we (my wife and I) thought the Marvel restaurant food was the weakest, with Arendelle being the best, and that show was very good! Keep up the good work!
Tom, This video it was really informative. The ability to be critical about things you don't like coupled with the joy you display regarding things you do like is refreshing. Thank you for that!
The Cove Cafe is much smaller on the Wish and less seating than on the Magic and Wonder…plus you could sit at the much larger bar and had a large case of complimentary treats🙄 We were always at the Cove Cafe and pool on other ships cause it was centrally located, you didn’t have to walk up 2 flights of outdoor steps and there was shade and lots of seating around the pool. I never saw the pool packed like on the Wish🥴
The accessibility issues are definitely disappointing, especially in this day and age. I thought we were making progress in disability rights and access, but evidently, not enough.
I have contacted the disney cruise line team via email. This was the worst cruise experience I have ever had. Nothing worked, nothing tasted good, it was a nightmare.
Thanks for the great review Tom! We are going on October because we were worried about all the kinks to be worked out. Hoping it will be better by then. It seems like the big things Disney marketed are the most lackluster (Aquamouse, Marvel, Hyperspace lounge). Not sure if that is because it was hyped so much that we had high expectations or because they knew it would be a disappointment and tried to change perceptions through marketing first. Either way, if what is showcased are the biggest disappointments then that shows just how far Disney has traveled away from the quality they were known for. They are definitely becoming an entertainment vemue for the rich.
I was on the cruise after as a 50% paid guest and I agree that anyone who paid full price should have been offered the chance of a discount or to pick another sail date. The “it is what it is” approach is unfair to someone who paid full cost without any heads up.
Great review Tom. We do not cruise but I am always interested in your opinion because it is honest and not one sided. I was sorry to hear you were disappointed in the Star Wars lounge but glad you enjoyed most everything else. Boggles the mind that they would allow doors falling off and especially a flood in the room! I'd be asking for a life boat never mind a fan! I agree with you that Chapek is catering to, and trying to attract, more people with big $$$$ these days. Yes I know its a business and money has to be made but for some its a dream of a lifetime to either take a Disney cruise, or visit the parks, that may be getting more and more unattainable to some. We've been DVC member for over 25 years visiting several times a year and have watched and experienced the changes, although we continue to love Disney and are not ready to throw in the towel yet! Thanks again.
We love our time on the promenade / walking track on deck 4 of the other ships. There's a lot of pros and cons on the Wish but the one thing that we just despise about it is that goofy, wonky, awful promenade on the Wish. Its entirely different than the other ships and not nearly as enjoyable. Stairs, lack of connectivity, side trails that dead end, uncovered...no real charm. Its just awful and we, for one, hope DCL corrects this, somehow, on the next ships. This promenade plan on the Wish should be a one and done.
I'm so disappointed to hear about this crazy "promenade". Our favorite thing is walking/jogging in the morning and then sitting out there with a book. Also REALLy upset to hear the rainforest day pass is $79! The Wonder and Magic are still our favorites.
Thank you Tom and team for all this detailed information and your opinions. I appreciate you separating the info regarding ship with your opinion of the ship. I am more interested in a second review of the Halcyon because the experience seems so dependent on the cast. I wonder if they are fatigued and if the company cut experiences. I am glad to know I don’t need to get this specific ship for a unique starwars experience. Thank you again.
I really really like these Tom Honest Reviews, keep them coming!! I am poor and can't afford any Disney but they're entertaining and Tom is a truly a great speaker and host. Thank you!
Appreciate the honest review. I still want to try it for myself but some points on ship design you brought up were some of the same things I thought were odd also. I already preferred the original two ships over the dream and fantasy and not sure if the wish going change my mind and be an upgrade to the fleet. Honestly I'm more surprised that you have only gone on two other sailings before this one.
I was on the maiden voyage. It did have the “animatronic” Olaf, but the arm fell off. That show was only for the first day dining experience, which was fun, but was never-ending, and you don’t get to talk and you can barely hear or acknowledge the wait staff. As a vegan: not one dish on the entire ship was even salted- let alone was even marginally tasty. I’ve been on the Wonder many times and the food there was fantastic & different, every time.
I was on the same cruise that you were, Tom. In fact, I saw you in the Atrium. I agree with you in that the artwork was amazing. For me, I feel like the Wish is very much a cash grab. When they put the main shop, Mickey's Mainsail on the fifth deck, and multiple high end shops that sold Gucci and Tiffany and Rolex made me feel a little out of place. I should have known this when they had a drink "experience" that costs $5,000.00. I also felt that the ship wasn't finished off well. The armrest in the Walt Disney Theatre came off in my hand. There were lots of imperfections that were missed. But I did really enjoy Worlds of Marvel as well as Arendelle. The crew were extremely sweet and attentive. I am hoping that the other two ships are steps up from the Wish.
The previews made it seem like the adult pool was super huge, like on the other four ships. I was dismayed to see how small and PACKED it was. I guess I could just hang out at the spa all week, but that’s an added cost. Also, the Cove is directly under the smoking section. GROSS 🤢 🤮😷 I’ll play Bingo and go on every ship, but the Dream remains my favorite. Yes, I agree the ships’ look is timeless. The most gorgeous ships in the industry imo. I think the exterior of the Disney ships are striking. No other cruise line has ships as gorgeous as Disney’s. As for the atrium, I think the Wish’s is really pretty, but I love the art deco look of the other four ships. I’m very intrigued what theme atrium they use for the next two ships. I’d just skip the elevators and use the stairs honestly. With all the food and desserts and being in good mobility shape I’d avoid the elevator button problems.
September 19…still testing and adjusting. Kids club stuff still not working, the game adventure still not working, specialty cups ran out first day, merchandise not being stocked for every cruise (they actually said try back in a couple weeks😂) they had park merchandise not cruise merch🙄
Disney can't seem to get Star Wars down. Hire Lucas and say "build me a bar", done! And I want to be able to go to that bar anytime I want, and not have a cast member timing me. That hotel, opps I mean movie, opps I meant hotel, ah I mean that new bar is a huge miss.
So sad, out Nightingales experience was awful… the ice drink was good…the staff was horrendous…people were leaving because servers were so bad. They ignored everyone. The piano player never said a word and at the end got his music and walked out without a word…meanwhile the bayou was rocking but standing room only🤷🏻♀️
That barber shop/manly bourbon bar sounds great! I recoiled a bit at the $33 dollar drink though. Absolutely agree that the marvel and Star Wars areas sounds like the weakest parts of the ship, wonderful themed spaces can still exist without explicit IP integration.
Interesting opinions, thanks for sharing! Actually I’d LOVE the Marvel and Star Wars theme areas, it just looks like they weren’t done well. It needs to be interactive. The kids areas with those themes look so much better than the restaurant/bar.
Ok with the atrium, I’m not the biggest fan of the new style. But what you were saying how the dining room in the atrium didn’t match the lobby theming, it hasn’t matched in any of the other ships where the lobby is art deco and the dining room is princess themed.
FAILED DESIGN. The Wish is a bargain engineered mess of disparate interior design stories with cheap materials and way too much WHITE paneling and paint. We cannot recommend this ship compared to the others in the fleet. It's like Carnival tried to make a "Disney" ship and this is the result. Your review was kind.
Could you potentially make a video discussing the positive and negative aspects of accessibility on the Disney Wish. You particularly mentioned your mother has mobility issues, and loves to swim, so I was wondering if you were able to use a pool lift to help her get in the pool?
Oh I would love this! I have mobility issues as well. I’d love to hear about how the ship being so spread out will affect my vacation. I don’t walk long distances well, I can’t stand in long lines. Hearing about these issues would be key for me. Maybe feature a small interview with your mom on her perceptions. Nobody wants to be the one who sits on the side.
Also the fitness center is a joke, they might as well Just use that space for something else as that is the worse fitness center I have seen in a new cruise.
Such a great review and overall commentary on the Disney exec management mindset lately. Thank you so much for the thorough, honest, and truly insightful reviews. My first DCL experience was November 2021, 7 day western Caribbean on Fantasy and we loved it so much we booked a placeholder for later and booked the Wish for may 2023. I’m honestly considering cancelling our cruise and going with Royal Caribbean after a lot of other videos I’ve seen so far on the Wish. I think you hit the nail on the head; folks are saying it feels smaller and has less things to do on ship because there is less space devoted for general “included with admission” fare-paying guests. Seems Disney is catering more to this “preferred guest” AKA, “ultra-rich-with-money-to-burn” demographic, and they’re leaving my middle class family in the dust. I’m not already paying way higher than the typical market cruise fare to be Disney’s afterthought demographic. Looks like my family could have more options for fun activities that are INCLUDED on other cruise lines. Perhaps Im being too negative and just need to save judgment for after I experience it myself, but so far, from what Im seeing of all the Wish content (WDWNT so far has the best coverage), it seems underwhelming overall. I’ve loved Disney since I was a kid 30+ years ago, and I truly hope the company as a whole turns things around and doesn’t forget about the bulk of their customers (regular middle class demographic) who are already paying a LOT for that top-tier brand experience.
been on the wonder and fantasy and Dream, your 100% right, the wonder is still the absolute BEST of the ships, and we have been on it 3 times, and look forward to it every time. it just has a feeling in it that the other bigger ships don't. I equate it to why people love Disneyland the best when its darn near the smallest park.
Tom you must always go to Castaway Cay cause Disney did get that island right. it’s beautiful, relaxing, you can get drinks, and food. Get in calming Bahamian waters you just slow done and go ahhhhhh! So don’t pass it up again it’s a must.
We got a night off of our last stay at Wilderness Lodge because we kept getting locked out of our room. That’s what I expect from Disney management. It’s a shame people weren’t being taken care of on the Wish. May check it out next year.
The biggest issue I see is that they made the ship’s godmother the make a wish kids and yet the ship is not disability accessible or friendly. The service dog area is clearly designed to appeal visually to others than for functionality, there are no elevators midship for easy access to the three levels of the atrium or the oceaneer’s club as not everyone can use the stairs.. The touch sensors on the elevators are not visually disabled friendly etc. so the whole make a wish kids thing was just for show, profit and tokenism. It’s becoming more clear that Disney sorely lacks universal design consultants when making new experiences and it’s really upsetting.
Yup, even worse, the much-lauded, over-hyped SLIDE (🙄 seriously, it's not THAT innovative) isn't even accessible for disabled kids. There's ZERO ACCESS for disabled kids from the lobby to kid's club, so disabled and sick kids have to be HUMILIATED, turned away, and told to hike through the confusing ship hallways to the far away elevators, go down, then backtrack all the way back... just to get the same access that ONLY the "superior" able-bodied kids and adults get. Lovely message. Bigotry & discrimination, first thing, in the lobby, on a ship that claims to be all about sick & disabled kids. It's really obvious, Chapek Disney is EXPLOITING WISH KIDS to squeeze profit - but those kids aren't actually PEOPLE. If the first thing a disabled or sick kid (including MAW kids) experiences entering this ship is EXCLUSION from the play area, then that's DISGUSTING and CRUEL and unacceptable. And I say that as a mom of *two* Make-A-Wish Alumni kids. I haven't even mentioned all the *other* accessibility failures. A Promanade deck/jogging track with STAIRS?!? No Cove Cafe or adult area for disabled folx, stairs only. No access to pools, no Braille, no captioning systems, no plugs for CPAPs... It's all just INEXCUSABLE and disgusting.
Hyperspace Lounge is peak Disney not understanding at ALL what people want from Star Wars. I even ENJOY a lot of Disney's Star Wars stuff and I have no idea who this stuff is made for. Everything outside of Galaxy's Edge feels.... just weird.
I will never understand how they KNEW that Hyperspace Lounge would be THE most popular thing on the entire ship, and yet dedicate the smallest amount of space possible to it. The jewelry store that is literally next door to the lounge would have been the perfect space for this venue, but I guess the store makes more money?
It’s almost as if Disney enjoys trolling themselves. The Canto Bight scene in The Last Jedi was meant to show the the evils of extreme wealth and luxury, and Disney literally made the Starcruiser for the ultra wealthy
Lol... I don't go on a cruise for art work. Thank you for your honest review. This will help many people for sure. If Disney watched these videos and learned from them, they would be so much better.
The grand atrium is underwhelming overall. I love the chandelier, but it seems too small for the space. I appreciate that they tried something different, but there's just something off about it. I don't know if it's the flooring or if it's too simplistic... I can't put my finger on it. I'd have to see it in person, but that probably won't happen.
You are so right about Disney doing more screens as a saving gesture. Disney used to be about how to do something marvelous that will delight. Now its all about how can we save some bucks.
Thank you Tom For someone that never got to experience any if these cruise ships yet You helped make some good knowledgeable to help us select a good fit for when we do book ourselves!
Another outstanding review Tom! I was hoping this ship would be the next big thing but based on your review I think I’ll book another trip on the Fantasy👍
You simply don't go to the venue. You can't switch out that rotational option with another, but you can choose to either go to Palo or Enchante if you can get a reservation, top deck venues, or room service.
First off: I haven't finished watching the review, but after reading some of the comments... I have a few concerns with this ship. I was planning on doing my second cruise next year in October with my sister and mom, and it will be on the Wish. My mom has a fear of being trapped under the ocean, but she fell in love with the Wish and wanted to try cruising, but only on this ship. At first, I was excited to be on a Disney Cruise again and I thought that the Wish would be made with the same amount of care that the other four ships had. Now, I think that I have to reconsider the trip. When musicians put on concerts, they have to make sure that the stage is safe, not only for them, but for the fans who came to listen to their music. Everything, from the sound system, to the lights, to the wires that power them, all have to be checked to make sure that they don't fall or catch on fire. If one tiny bolt is out of place, then the whole show, and the lives of everyone there, is in jeopardy. I brought this up because of the little things that the commentators have said that worries me. Some of the details felt like that they weren't finished. Places that felt like they were crammed in at the last minute. An armrest broke off from under a guest as they were using it. The rugs are already pulling away from the floor. Doors are already falling off their hinges. All of these small things makes me wonder if the frame of the ship was built correctly. They make me wonder if the ship is really safe to sail. I don't want to be in a ship that becomes a submarine. Especially if it is a design flaw. It is the attention to detail that makes anything look and feel safe. And I no longer feel safe with this ship, and I will NOT put my family in danger. Now to see if I can finish the review.
You hit it on the head about the Marvel and Star Wars elements not working on a cruise ship. Those two IPs need to be immersed/surrounded by other things that match their IP. You’re always in a bar on a cruise ship. You know that. So putting a “window” looking out into space doesn’t work. You don’t buy it. Same goes for Marvel trying to be some sort of high tech facility. YOU’RE ON A CRUISE SHIP! That’s why the one bar that’s themed nautically works. I get that Disney always wants to promote their heavy hitters but there’s a time and place that needs to be included, otherwise it just doesn’t ring true. You don’t suspend your disbelief. As to the ship not being ready for the public, this is Showbiz 101. Never show your audience a work-in-progress. In 1964 Walt had a bunch of World’s Fair and Illinois big wigs seated in the theater to see the Lincoln figure before the Fair opened, but the figure wasn’t ready, so he told them there would be no show. That’s what entertainment professionals do. Interestingly one of the biggest examples of this mistake was showing Light Magic (remember that show?) to AP holders before it was ready and calling it a “technical rehearsal”. It wasn’t ready and that impression of it doomed the show. I say it’s interesting because that was done on Paul Pressler’s watch, who many people compare Chapek to. Two non-entertainment guys who shouldn’t be running an entertainment company.
I was on the cruise after yours, and thankfully, the Olaf animatronic was fixed and was awesome. Hope you get to see it next time! Agreed with most of your points. My wife and I saw a lot of wallpaper peeling (especially the long hallway to the Arendelle restaurant) and carpeting peeling up in the main theater. Very bad show, and it was very obvious. The gigantic spaces allotted to the upscale third party retailers was gross. Barely ever saw anyone in them, either. That's space you could have used to make the Hyperspace Lounge the proper size and not be such a pain to get into. The other ships still have that stuff, but it's much more appropriately sized. All that said, there are some great things on this ship. Arendelle and 1923 were wonderful and unique. A lot of the lounges were top notch, especially Keg & Compass. Marceline Market was nice, and the quick serve food was a huge step up (especially the BBQ and the Mexican food). Shows were all fun and well done. It's different than the other ships in look, which is what I wanted - don't need a clone of the other 4. And the cast, as always on DCL, was incredible. We're going to go back on a Halloween cruise next year, and we'll see what's changed/hopefully improved upon. Hopefully they also learn some lessons here and apply those to the other 2 new ships.
I’ve crusies the wish 2 times as a 18 year old and they don’t have much to do. My first sailing was on the maiden and it was quite depressing because it’s like the 18-20s crew memebers didn’t even care. The second time was a little better because the crew stepped up their game for the 18-20s they actually wanted to get to know us and hang out with us. But the shows are the worsts of the fleet the food is better and it feels like a one stop cruise, u cruise on it once and it feels like u can’t do anything new. I gotta say the crew and the people u meet on it are what make it better. I’m a fantasy and dream baby I spent my childhood on those ships. The Wish isn’t a finish they are still missing components like the glass to the jewelry store is not complete and u can reach in, the grand stair case railings are lose and it felt like it was gonna break. Small things but it feels like they tried to hit a deadline too much and didn’t give it enough love. There are crew who are hating on the ship saying that when delayed the ship they should’ve delayed it longer. I love DCL and the crew but the wish in my opinion is a fail
The deadline existed but it was moved several times. There were big problems with the main staircase. The substructure of the stairs was installed late (May), so that there was not enough time to finish the stucco and railing in time.
Magic and Wonder the favorites? I don't know about the Magic but just got off the Wonder Alaska cruise and ship needs to head to DRY DOCK FAST. Motor sounded horrible enough to keep me awake at night.
Reviews are simply subjective, it’s really up to you to decide. Yes, this review can aid in the decision for anyone that is on the fence. But like anything else new, there will be things that will change, get improved, etc. The people that go and sail the first 6 months, or so, will enjoy it, but the ones that sail a year or two later, that will be where the true enjoyment will come. I hope that nobody is surprised to see things that don’t seem good, especially when it’s so early in its sailing. My suggestion, wait a couple years, save your money, don’t give in to your emotions.
I feel that the artwork on the atrium would have been better. It felt like it was plastered on plastic walls and not centered in some cases. They could have gone beyond and covered the full wall. But they didn't. In the other hand, I'm surprised They won't try to expand the Crush style meet & greet with rocket or other characters by using AI voice synthesizers.
WDW News, Tom, Before the T.V. show "The Love Boat" some cruise ships were very run down. With door handles coming off in your hand wardrobe doors not in there tracks, lights not working etc. In some places it looks like the Wish has just gone straight there. Some Cruise Lines are now going after the more affluent clientell. So on these ships they have a "Street" of up market shops I.E. Hermes, Prada, Tiffany's, Saville Row Tailers, Etc. Maybe Disney will be dipping it's toes into these waters. All we can do is wish the "Wish" all the best. Cheers, Chris Perry.
Tom is really good at fluently and coherently staging his thoughts, very well done on the review. This is why I mostly don’t do early adoption / first rider for most things as I don’t want my experience to be tarnished by them still working the kinks out… Disney or some other company. Either way thanks for sharing all this great info.
I’m going on the wish in a week and a half. I am really nervous about the quality of the ship. Is there enough on the ship, or do you think we should have waited a few months to go on the wish?
I really liked and appreciated your review. Our cruise is in December and I’m really hoping they iron out all the issues. I think you should go again and give us some updates. We’ve done all four ships and I have to agree the Wonder is my favourite.
I have not watched the full video yet but me and my husband have watched multiple other UA-cam videos of the Wish Walkthrough and we both have said it doesn’t feel like a family cruise ship. It looks very fragile and that kids running in the halls or touching stuff would not be accepted. Also we noticed there is very little free activities to do that will not have a huge wait line with it. And most of the new areas of the ship or bigger areas of the ship comes with a price tag on them. They build all these little cafe to take up space on the ship just for them to all be addition free drink options. Also they build that huge spa area yet the spa is also an addition fee option. The free options like meeting princesses or that new sports zone are extremely busy and with the limited hours of operation you will deal with long lines to wait for that experience. I am sorry but if I am spend thousands to be on this cruise with me kids the last thing we want to do is stand on lines that are as long as the park lines because these free events and activities are so limited on board the ship. I mean what is so relaxing and amazing about having my kids stand in line for a bounce house on our thousand dollar Disney cruise vacation when I can take them to our bounce house company here at home and they don’t have to wait in any lines. Disney have always promoted their cruise for people who love Disney but hate the Disney crowds and the Disney planning. Yet here is the Wish where you have to deal with the Disney crowds and lines and have to rush to get reservations. And if you get a late time boarding time your really screwed in getting those hard to get and high demand reservations because they made that high demand lounge the smallest lounge ever and they opened the reservations the moment boarding starts when it should be a reservation you can make 10 days prior to sailing in the app or they wait till after sail away party to open the reservation system so everyone can have an equal opportunity to get them.
Wow, seems like a real mixed bag! We went on one Disney cruise a year before Covid and one of the original cruise ship. We really enjoyed it but probably won’t be able to afford another one for a long while. The “new” stuff on this ship isn’t generally impressive to me other than the lobby. I feel like I can get an equivalent of most of the new areas at the parks.
Thank you sir for another honest review. I for one really appreciate that you try to look at these experiences from the viewpoint of the full-price-paying customer and use those expectations to measure the success of the execution of the onboard elements. Hopefully, your follow-up voyages will be improved but as you mentioned previously this is NOT their first attempt at executing a themed cruise liner so the level of expectation should match their level of experience.
Wow man, you have a totally different take on this than i do, but I can respect that. Not all things are for everyone. I’ve been on 11 Disney cruises now (3 outside of Disney) and we’ve been on all their ships and just got off the Wish last week. We thoroughly enjoyed the theming, design and feel of the ship. Nothing has been the same on any of their ships since the restart, and this was our 3rd Disney cruise since the restart, so those experiences that are lacking since, are the same across their fleet. I went on the cruise with others who had been on plenty of cruises, other vloggers, and some who were 1st time Disney cruisers, and most seemed to really like the ship. Now, it was NOT without its problems, that’s for sure, but we did enjoy the ship very much in the 4 days we were on board. Personally my biggest disappointment tho was in the Marvel restaurant. Altho wonderfully themed, the dinner experience was boding and weak. The Arendale restaurant however surprised me a lot as i was not looking forward to it and it was just amazing (we were lucky enough to have great seats, it is a real problem if you are too far from the stage).
We went with folks who had been on more cruises and we talked to a lot of veterans who were on the boat and a good amount agreed with many of these points. Some people felt differently of course. Everyone has different expectations though, and thus different opinions.
Tom, I haven’t been on the wish yet. We’re sailing this September. And I have a feeling I’m going to feel the same way you felt… Disney is one gigantic money grab… it’s sickening. I will sail this cruise and go back to dream and fantasy
So disappointed in the whole "Avengers" dinner offering. It's worse if the food was TERRIBLE. What a failure. Where's the Pym's kitchen offerings? Where's food FUN? Size differences? Huge pretzel bread? Boba? Dry ice? Glow cubes? Weird salt, pepper shakers & sugar cubes. Neon dishes. Big/little dishes. Test tubes. Beakers. Better lighting. And a table arrangement that DOESN'T trip up the poor servers. This is BASIC stuff. 🤷 Those gigantic food props they paraded around were just TERRIBLE, people LAUGHED they were so CHEAP and BAD. The donut looks like a pool toy. Literally ZERO effort put in. I was hoping for a *projection show* dinner, with classic characters on the table cavorting around your dishes, or Marvel characters on the table top (how PERFECT for Ant Man & The Wasp!) You would think that a projection dinner show was a NO BRAINER? It's easy & cheap. Other cruise lines have VERY, VERY, beloved projection shows ("Little Chef") who does a show about "cooking" your food in weird, wonderful ways. Projection shows aren't even THAT expensive these days (projection tech has come a long way). Disney already does PLENTY of projection shows elsewhere. What gives? When a "low end" cruise line offers BETTER dinner entertainment over the premium Disney offering... something is very wrong.... or very LAZY.
I'm sorry, but I am a huge Disney Fan, but only a so-so Star Wars Fan. I hate that Star Wars is part of Disney. I loved watching the Star Wars movies, but NEVER wanted them to be a part of Disney. I was born in 1955, so I'm as old as Disneyland. I went to Disney World in 1972. I just want old time Disney, not all of the other companies, that Disney swallowed up. This all makes me so sad!
So many cast members NOW (not just “before”), make me feel special and appreciated. Disney makes me feel special and appreciated now. My glass is half full…:)
I think they continue to work on the food…1923 was the best food. We loved all the dining. Really enjoyed breakfast and lunch at 1923 also. It was nice on the last night to have a nice quiet dinner. Kids areas definitely took precedence over adult areas and on our sailing out of 3100 guests only 600 were kids …sooooo🤷🏻♀️ I think that is why adults are not loving the Wish. Lounges and cove area are way too small. How did they build a bigger ship and every area is smaller and crowded🥴 (I know…too many empty high end shops, too many concierge rooms, what a waste the super large suite. The hero zone is also going to be a one and done. Kids areas huge).
I paid more than $300 per day per person at Disneyland (no hotel). There were issues, we received amazing customer service, had a great time, and I'll visit again for sure (even if I over-paid way too much).
Tom-I appreciate and enjoy your review. I am going on the Wish September 2nd and can't wait; but I think your comments are spot on rather than the many reviews just brushing over what works and what doesn't.
Which characters are you most excited to see on the Disney Wish?
First reply 🥇!
Second reply 🥈!
Third reply 🥉!
@@allaccessentertainment4755 Nobody cares.
@@disneymagicaluniverse4795 It matters to me 😊. That's what counts in my book 😁!
I think for being more than double the price of comparable cruises on other lines, having bad food at ANY of the restaurants is unacceptable. Also, it really looks like that Star Wars bar was an afterthought. I'm getting really tired of new Disney using projector screens everywhere in place of real theming.
Outstanding review Tom. My mom worked at Disney Studio for 44 years, first name basis with Walt. Mom always said Walt insisted everything be better than it had to be.
Wow, I had no idea that your mom was on close terms with Walt Disney himself.
@@MovieFan1912 Well,that's definitely not heir motto any more,Walt would be sad!
Really enjoy the “inside” Walt stories. Got to know Michael Broggie, Roger’s son who was Walt’s first Imagineer.
Never be another Walt Disney.
Bullshit
Lol everyone claims there mom knew Walt lol
Personally I always used to admire the fine balance the cruise line had. The older ships somehow had a perfect balance of just enough Disney themed presence but still remembering it’s an elegant cruise. The wish feels like they lost that balance. Almost as if during the planning stage someone focused on how can we cram more “IP” into every corner, ignoring the true beauty of the vista from the locations the ship visits.
We just got off the Wish and had the same experience. All the things you said we completely agree with. I’m curious what the “catastrophic” meal you describe at Enchente was like, because my husband got food poisoning and got violently sick from the Marvel restaurant. Overall, not a great experience and it definitely does NOT hold a candle to the other ships.
I’m very curious about this as well. In our party, if someone is going to get sick, it’s going to be me. I’d really like to bypass that completely. Please share what was a problem.
The guys at another very prominent Disney vlog reported the same thing about Enchante as Tom, so the food quality there must be an endemic problem.
The marvel restaurant looks like a comically bizzare dining experience. Especially if you have adults who have no marvel investment
I tend to believe that cost cutting is probably the reason the ship seemed unfinished. Things are falling apart. Red dots everywhere marking things needed to be fixed. This reminds me of Toystory land where shortly after it opened the wallpaper was peeling and paint was flaking off railings. Tom mentioned the closet doors were falling off of their tracks. The bunks were falling off the walls in the Riviera.
That’s scary.
$16 lightning lane for priority lifeboat boarding
@@daa589 Don't joke because thats how its going. Look at cars.. they want to charge a monthly fee to be able to use the inflatable crash thingies.
My husband works in high end commercial construction. It is still very hard and takes forever to get materials and fixtures, and everything is 40% or more more expensive. The supply chain ‘excuse’ is completely real. The Wish had to feel this too.
That’s the thing about the Chapek era. They don’t seem to care about repeat guests or Disney’s reputation which has been tarnished many times now.
Finally a honest review of the Wish. I've watched nearly every video review on UA-cam regarding this ship and all of them completely ignore many of the issues that were brought up in this video. My SO and I have been sailing on DCL for many years and as a childless couple we greatly appreciate the effort that Disney takes to cater to their adult audience on their ships, but with the Wish these accommodations were clearly an afterthought. The Quiet Cove area has been relegated to a small area on the back of the ship which does not have enough shaded areas, scaled down size, and bumps up against the Aqua Mouse which leads to one hearing Goofy say "Gosh you made it" at the end of every ride. Therefore the message is that Disney didn't build this ship for us, and we hear that loud and clear. Therefore we will continue to enjoy the previous ships, and leave this ship to serve full families three and four days at a time.
Tom’s review was much less negative than your reply implies. The Goofy part sounds like a nightmare though lol!
@@inlettecluat Fair enough, some of the positives of the ship in my experience includes Keg & Compass which honestly put pubs on the previous ships to shame, the Arendelle show is probably the fleet's hallmark dinner show, quality of life improvements in the staterooms are welcomed (nightlights and shower especially), venues such as Hook's Barbery finds that sweet spot between being an high quality venue while capturing great Disney theming, and Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods as well as Marceline Market are out of this world. These will be points that I will miss when I visit the older ships now. I would still recommend this ship to my friends with children who want a non-stop adventure on the seas because honestly there is so much to do in 3/4 nights, but for those looking for a longer more slow paced vacation the other ships are where it is at.
Yes I noticed that as well. The previews made it seem like the adult pool was super huge, like on the other four ships. I was dismayed to see how small and PACKED it was. I guess I could just hang out at the spa all week, but that’s an added cost. Also, the Cove is directly under the smoking section. GROSS 🤢 🤮😷
As someone who was involved in the expansion of the atrium for about 8 months, it is disappointing to hear this assessment.
@@JL-xp9ne To be honest my only gripe about the atrium is Mickey's Mainsails being so small and narrow which doesn't hold the inevitable crowds that will accumulate on every sailing. Switch this shop with the high end merchandise locations on deck three by the Bayou and it will be better suited to accommodate the lines both inside and outside the venue. Also with the high end shops being generally less crowded will ease up on some of the foot traffic going through the atrium which can get congested when character meet and greets are also taking place right outside of the location.
Besides that the grand hall has great detail work in the art/decor, the stage is much improved over the previous ships so performances don't block entrances to restaurants, the open kiosks of guest relations allowing the cast members to come around and greet the guests gives the experience a high sense of quality, and the kiss goodnight is very adorable. I will admit I was skeptical about the slide into the kid's clubs being a bit out of place/noisy but it works very well and adds to the whimsy that is Disney.
we were in a very bad mood on the cruise. The ship was incomplete, the ship was dirty due to lack of staff to clean (a dirty 3 week old ship), many of the things that were supposed to be offered weren't ready yet. And we paid full full full price.
So to no one's surprise the 1st ship of the Cheapek era was built and outfitted on the cheap... Perfect.
This is why I love and appreaciate Tom, He is just honest and makes the statement that he is more about the common person who likes and enjoys going to Disney. I have been following WDWNews for the last few years as well as others for the last 10 years or so. I have seen some others who only say how great things are at Disney but they are part of the media or Disney knows who they are the following they have so they get a level that I will never EVER get. Tom gives me the experience and his thought that I really think I will share. I plan to go on the WIsh later this year and I appreciate this review so I can prepare myself because I hold Disney to a level. WHY because they charge me for a level. Thank you Tom is all I want to say!
they could have taken a cruise ship and built it into the Galaxy Cruise ship Hotel that I could see, then you would actually be moving around instead of being stuck in one place. And probably would be cheaper too lol.
Supposedly this was something Chapeck was involved with personally. If people haven't figured it out, Chapeck isn't creative. He's a bean counter, plain and simple. Anyone with an ounce of creativity wouldn't let the rides across all the parks get into the state of disrepair they currently find themselves in.
Excellent review. After 20 cruises on the Dream and Fantasy, I really don’t like the changes on the Wish. I am very disappointed that they didn’t keep the same Art Deco interior. I love the fact that all 4 ships had similar designs and it made the old ships not look old. I just hope they go back to the Dream/Fantasy interior look for the next ship. The 4 night Dream is my favorite cruise and I thought the Wish would replace it. But we chose to go to Miami on the Dream last month instead of the Wish. The price also makes me not want to try it also.
In reference to the space lounge, what the HELL is their deal with not having WINDOWS?! NO portholes, nothing but a tiny screen behind the bar. Ive seen bigger screens at Dave and Busters. Chapek strikes again.
It makes sense that they are trying to give a “you’re actually in space” vibe. Seeing the ocean would ruin it. But as Tom mentioned, why not have it in an interior space then? And yes, the screen is oddly small, given that it’s the whole mood-setter for the space.
Maybe re-theme the Hyperspace Lounge as a bar from the Axiom (WALL-E). Use new semi-transparent screen tech to provide BnL overlays atop views of the ocean. Imagine an alcoholic Septuacentennial Cupcake in a Cup!
Tom, we were on that cruise with you in fact we talked for a bit at the Keg & Compass on the last night you may or may not remember. I agree with your assessment of the Wish especially with the dining we (my wife and I) thought the Marvel restaurant food was the weakest, with Arendelle being the best, and that show was very good! Keep up the good work!
Tom, This video it was really informative. The ability to be critical about things you don't like coupled with the joy you display regarding things you do like is refreshing. Thank you for that!
The Cove Cafe is much smaller on the Wish and less seating than on the Magic and Wonder…plus you could sit at the much larger bar and had a large case of complimentary treats🙄
We were always at the Cove Cafe and pool on other ships cause it was centrally located, you didn’t have to walk up 2 flights of outdoor steps and there was shade and lots of seating around the pool. I never saw the pool packed like on the Wish🥴
The accessibility issues are definitely disappointing, especially in this day and age. I thought we were making progress in disability rights and access, but evidently, not enough.
I have contacted the disney cruise line team via email. This was the worst cruise experience I have ever had. Nothing worked, nothing tasted good, it was a nightmare.
I absolutely love these reviews Tom. Never stop doing them😂❤️
Glad you like them!
Sounds like they stole the barbershop idea from the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas ‘The Barber Shop - Cuts and Cocktails Speakeasy’
Thanks for the great review Tom! We are going on October because we were worried about all the kinks to be worked out. Hoping it will be better by then. It seems like the big things Disney marketed are the most lackluster (Aquamouse, Marvel, Hyperspace lounge). Not sure if that is because it was hyped so much that we had high expectations or because they knew it would be a disappointment and tried to change perceptions through marketing first. Either way, if what is showcased are the biggest disappointments then that shows just how far Disney has traveled away from the quality they were known for. They are definitely becoming an entertainment vemue for the rich.
I was on the cruise after as a 50% paid guest and I agree that anyone who paid full price should have been offered the chance of a discount or to pick another sail date. The “it is what it is” approach is unfair to someone who paid full cost without any heads up.
I think "it is what it is" is unfair to anyone on that ship!
Thank you, yes I feel like one of the fools that paid full price and couldn’t get it out of my head while we were on board.
I never sail inaugural cruises. They spend the first year ironing out the kinks. Just keep that in mind when the next two ships come out.
"is what it is" is the Disney way these days though.
many people were disappointed that they removed the cakes from the cove cafe. In general, the adult area was a major fail for us.
That seems to be the consensus
Thanks Tom. I think a second review is a great idea because you were right in saying it wasn’t ready for full paying guest at this time
Great review Tom. We do not cruise but I am always interested in your opinion because it is honest and not one sided. I was sorry to hear you were disappointed in the Star Wars lounge but glad you enjoyed most everything else. Boggles the mind that they would allow doors falling off and especially a flood in the room! I'd be asking for a life boat never mind a fan! I agree with you that Chapek is catering to, and trying to attract, more people with big $$$$ these days. Yes I know its a business and money has to be made but for some its a dream of a lifetime to either take a Disney cruise, or visit the parks, that may be getting more and more unattainable to some. We've been DVC member for over 25 years visiting several times a year and have watched and experienced the changes, although we continue to love Disney and are not ready to throw in the towel yet! Thanks again.
We love our time on the promenade / walking track on deck 4 of the other ships. There's a lot of pros and cons on the Wish but the one thing that we just despise about it is that goofy, wonky, awful promenade on the Wish. Its entirely different than the other ships and not nearly as enjoyable. Stairs, lack of connectivity, side trails that dead end, uncovered...no real charm. Its just awful and we, for one, hope DCL corrects this, somehow, on the next ships. This promenade plan on the Wish should be a one and done.
I'm so disappointed to hear about this crazy "promenade". Our favorite thing is walking/jogging in the morning and then sitting out there with a book. Also REALLy upset to hear the rainforest day pass is $79! The Wonder and Magic are still our favorites.
Thank you Tom and team for all this detailed information and your opinions. I appreciate you separating the info regarding ship with your opinion of the ship.
I am more interested in a second review of the Halcyon because the experience seems so dependent on the cast. I wonder if they are fatigued and if the company cut experiences. I am glad to know I don’t need to get this specific ship for a unique starwars experience. Thank you again.
I really really like these Tom Honest Reviews, keep them coming!! I am poor and can't afford any Disney but they're entertaining and Tom is a truly a great speaker and host. Thank you!
Appreciate the honest review. I still want to try it for myself but some points on ship design you brought up were some of the same things I thought were odd also. I already preferred the original two ships over the dream and fantasy and not sure if the wish going change my mind and be an upgrade to the fleet. Honestly I'm more surprised that you have only gone on two other sailings before this one.
I was on the maiden voyage. It did have the “animatronic” Olaf, but the arm fell off. That show was only for the first day dining experience, which was fun, but was never-ending, and you don’t get to talk and you can barely hear or acknowledge the wait staff. As a vegan: not one dish on the entire ship was even salted- let alone was even marginally tasty. I’ve been on the Wonder many times and the food there was fantastic & different, every time.
I was on the same cruise that you were, Tom. In fact, I saw you in the Atrium. I agree with you in that the artwork was amazing. For me, I feel like the Wish is very much a cash grab. When they put the main shop, Mickey's Mainsail on the fifth deck, and multiple high end shops that sold Gucci and Tiffany and Rolex made me feel a little out of place. I should have known this when they had a drink "experience" that costs $5,000.00. I also felt that the ship wasn't finished off well. The armrest in the Walt Disney Theatre came off in my hand. There were lots of imperfections that were missed. But I did really enjoy Worlds of Marvel as well as Arendelle. The crew were extremely sweet and attentive. I am hoping that the other two ships are steps up from the Wish.
The previews made it seem like the adult pool was super huge, like on the other four ships. I was dismayed to see how small and PACKED it was. I guess I could just hang out at the spa all week, but that’s an added cost. Also, the Cove is directly under the smoking section. GROSS 🤢 🤮😷 I’ll play Bingo and go on every ship, but the Dream remains my favorite.
Yes, I agree the ships’ look is timeless. The most gorgeous ships in the industry imo. I think the exterior of the Disney ships are striking. No other cruise line has ships as gorgeous as Disney’s. As for the atrium, I think the Wish’s is really pretty, but I love the art deco look of the other four ships. I’m very intrigued what theme atrium they use for the next two ships.
I’d just skip the elevators and use the stairs honestly. With all the food and desserts and being in good mobility shape I’d avoid the elevator button problems.
I’d also like to see Toms Dishonest Review of the Disney Wish please.
😉
Yeah…that Cinderella looks possessed. I’ll likely be seeing her in my nightmares. 😬
September 19…still testing and adjusting. Kids club stuff still not working, the game adventure still not working, specialty cups ran out first day, merchandise not being stocked for every cruise (they actually said try back in a couple weeks😂) they had park merchandise not cruise merch🙄
Disney can't seem to get Star Wars down. Hire Lucas and say "build me a bar", done! And I want to be able to go to that bar anytime I want, and not have a cast member timing me. That hotel, opps I mean movie, opps I meant hotel, ah I mean that new bar is a huge miss.
So sad, out Nightingales experience was awful… the ice drink was good…the staff was horrendous…people were leaving because servers were so bad. They ignored everyone. The piano player never said a word and at the end got his music and walked out without a word…meanwhile the bayou was rocking but standing room only🤷🏻♀️
That barber shop/manly bourbon bar sounds great! I recoiled a bit at the $33 dollar drink though. Absolutely agree that the marvel and Star Wars areas sounds like the weakest parts of the ship, wonderful themed spaces can still exist without explicit IP integration.
i much prefer cabanas to the marceline market. Again, the salad offerings were a fail.
Interesting opinions, thanks for sharing!
Actually I’d LOVE the Marvel and Star Wars theme areas, it just looks like they weren’t done well. It needs to be interactive. The kids areas with those themes look so much better than the restaurant/bar.
Ok with the atrium, I’m not the biggest fan of the new style. But what you were saying how the dining room in the atrium didn’t match the lobby theming, it hasn’t matched in any of the other ships where the lobby is art deco and the dining room is princess themed.
To me the pool space is horrible on the Wish, what they did here makes no sense for a cruise
FAILED DESIGN.
The Wish is a bargain engineered mess of disparate interior design stories with cheap materials and way too much WHITE paneling and paint. We cannot recommend this ship compared to the others in the fleet. It's like Carnival tried to make a "Disney" ship and this is the result. Your review was kind.
Didn't the woman who designed the ship say at D23 that she's never even been on a cruise or something like that??
Could you potentially make a video discussing the positive and negative aspects of accessibility on the Disney Wish. You particularly mentioned your mother has mobility issues, and loves to swim, so I was wondering if you were able to use a pool lift to help her get in the pool?
Oh I would love this! I have mobility issues as well. I’d love to hear about how the ship being so spread out will affect my vacation. I don’t walk long distances well, I can’t stand in long lines. Hearing about these issues would be key for me. Maybe feature a small interview with your mom on her perceptions. Nobody wants to be the one who sits on the side.
Also the fitness center is a joke, they might as well
Just use that space for something else as that is the worse fitness center I have seen in a new cruise.
Such a great review and overall commentary on the Disney exec management mindset lately. Thank you so much for the thorough, honest, and truly insightful reviews. My first DCL experience was November 2021, 7 day western Caribbean on Fantasy and we loved it so much we booked a placeholder for later and booked the Wish for may 2023. I’m honestly considering cancelling our cruise and going with Royal Caribbean after a lot of other videos I’ve seen so far on the Wish. I think you hit the nail on the head; folks are saying it feels smaller and has less things to do on ship because there is less space devoted for general “included with admission” fare-paying guests. Seems Disney is catering more to this “preferred guest” AKA, “ultra-rich-with-money-to-burn” demographic, and they’re leaving my middle class family in the dust. I’m not already paying way higher than the typical market cruise fare to be Disney’s afterthought demographic. Looks like my family could have more options for fun activities that are INCLUDED on other cruise lines. Perhaps Im being too negative and just need to save judgment for after I experience it myself, but so far, from what Im seeing of all the Wish content (WDWNT so far has the best coverage), it seems underwhelming overall. I’ve loved Disney since I was a kid 30+ years ago, and I truly hope the company as a whole turns things around and doesn’t forget about the bulk of their customers (regular middle class demographic) who are already paying a LOT for that top-tier brand experience.
been on the wonder and fantasy and Dream, your 100% right, the wonder is still the absolute BEST of the ships, and we have been on it 3 times, and look forward to it every time. it just has a feeling in it that the other bigger ships don't. I equate it to why people love Disneyland the best when its darn near the smallest park.
I still think Disneyland is the most overrated park ever.
Tom you must always go to Castaway Cay cause Disney did get that island right. it’s beautiful, relaxing, you can get drinks, and food. Get in calming Bahamian waters you just slow done and go ahhhhhh! So don’t pass it up again it’s a must.
We got a night off of our last stay at Wilderness Lodge because we kept getting locked out of our room. That’s what I expect from Disney management. It’s a shame people weren’t being taken care of on the Wish. May check it out next year.
greeting
The biggest issue I see is that they made the ship’s godmother the make a wish kids and yet the ship is not disability accessible or friendly. The service dog area is clearly designed to appeal visually to others than for functionality, there are no elevators midship for easy access to the three levels of the atrium or the oceaneer’s club as not everyone can use the stairs.. The touch sensors on the elevators are not visually disabled friendly etc. so the whole make a wish kids thing was just for show, profit and tokenism. It’s becoming more clear that Disney sorely lacks universal design consultants when making new experiences and it’s really upsetting.
Yup, even worse, the much-lauded, over-hyped SLIDE (🙄 seriously, it's not THAT innovative) isn't even accessible for disabled kids. There's ZERO ACCESS for disabled kids from the lobby to kid's club, so disabled and sick kids have to be HUMILIATED, turned away, and told to hike through the confusing ship hallways to the far away elevators, go down, then backtrack all the way back... just to get the same access that ONLY the "superior" able-bodied kids and adults get.
Lovely message.
Bigotry & discrimination, first thing, in the lobby, on a ship that claims to be all about sick & disabled kids.
It's really obvious, Chapek Disney is EXPLOITING WISH KIDS to squeeze profit - but those kids aren't actually PEOPLE.
If the first thing a disabled or sick kid (including MAW kids) experiences entering this ship is EXCLUSION from the play area, then that's DISGUSTING and CRUEL and unacceptable.
And I say that as a mom of *two* Make-A-Wish Alumni kids.
I haven't even mentioned all the *other* accessibility failures. A Promanade deck/jogging track with STAIRS?!?
No Cove Cafe or adult area for disabled folx, stairs only. No access to pools, no Braille, no captioning systems, no plugs for CPAPs...
It's all just INEXCUSABLE and disgusting.
Hyperspace Lounge is peak Disney not understanding at ALL what people want from Star Wars. I even ENJOY a lot of Disney's Star Wars stuff and I have no idea who this stuff is made for. Everything outside of Galaxy's Edge feels.... just weird.
I will never understand how they KNEW that Hyperspace Lounge would be THE most popular thing on the entire ship, and yet dedicate the smallest amount of space possible to it. The jewelry store that is literally next door to the lounge would have been the perfect space for this venue, but I guess the store makes more money?
It’s almost as if Disney enjoys trolling themselves. The Canto Bight scene in The Last Jedi was meant to show the the evils of extreme wealth and luxury, and Disney literally made the Starcruiser for the ultra wealthy
Lol... I don't go on a cruise for art work. Thank you for your honest review. This will help many people for sure. If Disney watched these videos and learned from them, they would be so much better.
We were waiting for your review to decide if we wanted to sail. Looks like we’ll book that trip to Sedona. 🤣
The grand atrium is underwhelming overall. I love the chandelier, but it seems too small for the space. I appreciate that they tried something different, but there's just something off about it. I don't know if it's the flooring or if it's too simplistic... I can't put my finger on it. I'd have to see it in person, but that probably won't happen.
You are so right about Disney doing more screens as a saving gesture. Disney used to be about how to do something marvelous that will delight. Now its all about how can we save some bucks.
Thank you Tom
For someone that never got to experience any if these cruise ships yet
You helped make some good knowledgeable to help us select a good fit for when we do book ourselves!
The pools are WAY too small and too shallow.
Another outstanding review Tom! I was hoping this ship would be the next big thing but based on your review I think I’ll book another trip on the Fantasy👍
I love the honest review. Disney has been dropping the ball far to much lately. That being said I still can’t wait to go on this ship someday.
Can you pick not to go to marvel diner? There is no one in my party likes marvel.
You simply don't go to the venue. You can't switch out that rotational option with another, but you can choose to either go to Palo or Enchante if you can get a reservation, top deck venues, or room service.
Love your thoughts Tom!!! I love the Fantasy, nothing will ever take its place. Thanks for your insight and cannot wait till your next trip.
First off: I haven't finished watching the review, but after reading some of the comments... I have a few concerns with this ship.
I was planning on doing my second cruise next year in October with my sister and mom, and it will be on the Wish. My mom has a fear of being trapped under the ocean, but she fell in love with the Wish and wanted to try cruising, but only on this ship. At first, I was excited to be on a Disney Cruise again and I thought that the Wish would be made with the same amount of care that the other four ships had. Now, I think that I have to reconsider the trip.
When musicians put on concerts, they have to make sure that the stage is safe, not only for them, but for the fans who came to listen to their music. Everything, from the sound system, to the lights, to the wires that power them, all have to be checked to make sure that they don't fall or catch on fire. If one tiny bolt is out of place, then the whole show, and the lives of everyone there, is in jeopardy.
I brought this up because of the little things that the commentators have said that worries me. Some of the details felt like that they weren't finished. Places that felt like they were crammed in at the last minute. An armrest broke off from under a guest as they were using it. The rugs are already pulling away from the floor. Doors are already falling off their hinges.
All of these small things makes me wonder if the frame of the ship was built correctly. They make me wonder if the ship is really safe to sail. I don't want to be in a ship that becomes a submarine. Especially if it is a design flaw.
It is the attention to detail that makes anything look and feel safe. And I no longer feel safe with this ship, and I will NOT put my family in danger.
Now to see if I can finish the review.
Tom's reviews of the Marvel and Star War's restaurant and bar can be summed up by this
Where's the love?"
You hit it on the head about the Marvel and Star Wars elements not working on a cruise ship. Those two IPs need to be immersed/surrounded by other things that match their IP. You’re always in a bar on a cruise ship. You know that. So putting a “window” looking out into space doesn’t work. You don’t buy it. Same goes for Marvel trying to be some sort of high tech facility. YOU’RE ON A CRUISE SHIP! That’s why the one bar that’s themed nautically works. I get that Disney always wants to promote their heavy hitters but there’s a time and place that needs to be included, otherwise it just doesn’t ring true. You don’t suspend your disbelief.
As to the ship not being ready for the public, this is Showbiz 101. Never show your audience a work-in-progress. In 1964 Walt had a bunch of World’s Fair and Illinois big wigs seated in the theater to see the Lincoln figure before the Fair opened, but the figure wasn’t ready, so he told them there would be no show. That’s what entertainment professionals do. Interestingly one of the biggest examples of this mistake was showing Light Magic (remember that show?) to AP holders before it was ready and calling it a “technical rehearsal”. It wasn’t ready and that impression of it doomed the show. I say it’s interesting because that was done on Paul Pressler’s watch, who many people compare Chapek to. Two non-entertainment guys who shouldn’t be running an entertainment company.
Glad I'm giving this a miss. I really don't like the shows going on during my meal. I like to eat in peace. The cruise staff are always wonderful.
I was on the cruise after yours, and thankfully, the Olaf animatronic was fixed and was awesome. Hope you get to see it next time!
Agreed with most of your points. My wife and I saw a lot of wallpaper peeling (especially the long hallway to the Arendelle restaurant) and carpeting peeling up in the main theater. Very bad show, and it was very obvious.
The gigantic spaces allotted to the upscale third party retailers was gross. Barely ever saw anyone in them, either. That's space you could have used to make the Hyperspace Lounge the proper size and not be such a pain to get into. The other ships still have that stuff, but it's much more appropriately sized.
All that said, there are some great things on this ship. Arendelle and 1923 were wonderful and unique. A lot of the lounges were top notch, especially Keg & Compass. Marceline Market was nice, and the quick serve food was a huge step up (especially the BBQ and the Mexican food). Shows were all fun and well done. It's different than the other ships in look, which is what I wanted - don't need a clone of the other 4. And the cast, as always on DCL, was incredible.
We're going to go back on a Halloween cruise next year, and we'll see what's changed/hopefully improved upon. Hopefully they also learn some lessons here and apply those to the other 2 new ships.
I’ve crusies the wish 2 times as a 18 year old and they don’t have much to do. My first sailing was on the maiden and it was quite depressing because it’s like the 18-20s crew memebers didn’t even care. The second time was a little better because the crew stepped up their game for the 18-20s they actually wanted to get to know us and hang out with us. But the shows are the worsts of the fleet the food is better and it feels like a one stop cruise, u cruise on it once and it feels like u can’t do anything new. I gotta say the crew and the people u meet on it are what make it better. I’m a fantasy and dream baby I spent my childhood on those ships. The Wish isn’t a finish they are still missing components like the glass to the jewelry store is not complete and u can reach in, the grand stair case railings are lose and it felt like it was gonna break. Small things but it feels like they tried to hit a deadline too much and didn’t give it enough love. There are crew who are hating on the ship saying that when delayed the ship they should’ve delayed it longer. I love DCL and the crew but the wish in my opinion is a fail
The deadline existed but it was moved several times. There were big problems with the main staircase. The substructure of the stairs was installed late (May), so that there was not enough time to finish the stucco and railing in time.
Magic and Wonder the favorites? I don't know about the Magic but just got
off the Wonder Alaska cruise and ship needs to head to DRY DOCK FAST. Motor
sounded horrible enough to keep me awake at night.
Wow, the more i watch this video the more i see how Disney quality has gone down. chapek has really changed things for the worse.
They want 'whales'............. thank you, thank you.
Looking forward in light of the promo in Thursday show
Reviews are simply subjective, it’s really up to you to decide. Yes, this review can aid in the decision for anyone that is on the fence. But like anything else new, there will be things that will change, get improved, etc. The people that go and sail the first 6 months, or so, will enjoy it, but the ones that sail a year or two later, that will be where the true enjoyment will come. I hope that nobody is surprised to see things that don’t seem good, especially when it’s so early in its sailing. My suggestion, wait a couple years, save your money, don’t give in to your emotions.
I feel that the artwork on the atrium would have been better. It felt like it was plastered on plastic walls and not centered in some cases. They could have gone beyond and covered the full wall. But they didn't.
In the other hand, I'm surprised They won't try to expand the Crush style meet & greet with rocket or other characters by using AI voice synthesizers.
WDW News, Tom, Before the T.V. show "The Love Boat" some cruise ships were very run down. With door handles coming off in your hand wardrobe doors not in there tracks, lights not working etc. In some places it looks like the Wish has just gone straight there. Some Cruise Lines are now going after the more affluent clientell. So on these ships they have a "Street" of up market shops I.E. Hermes, Prada, Tiffany's, Saville Row Tailers, Etc. Maybe Disney will be dipping it's toes into these waters. All we can do is wish the "Wish" all the best. Cheers, Chris Perry.
Tom is really good at fluently and coherently staging his thoughts, very well done on the review. This is why I mostly don’t do early adoption / first rider for most things as I don’t want my experience to be tarnished by them still working the kinks out… Disney or some other company. Either way thanks for sharing all this great info.
This is amazing. Love an honest review. Any reviews of the stage shows?
I’m going on the wish in a week and a half. I am really nervous about the quality of the ship. Is there enough on the ship, or do you think we should have waited a few months to go on the wish?
There’s enough, but shows are missing, the AR phone game still won’t debut, etc.
I call him Paychek
Vloggers Kyle Pallo and JoJo were on the same cruise and ate at Arendelle's on the final night and the animatronic Olaf was there.
They were on the cruise after I believe
I really liked and appreciated your review. Our cruise is in December and I’m really hoping they iron out all the issues. I think you should go again and give us some updates. We’ve done all four ships and I have to agree the Wonder is my favourite.
Thank you for the Honest Reviews 😌
I have not watched the full video yet but me and my husband have watched multiple other UA-cam videos of the Wish Walkthrough and we both have said it doesn’t feel like a family cruise ship. It looks very fragile and that kids running in the halls or touching stuff would not be accepted. Also we noticed there is very little free activities to do that will not have a huge wait line with it. And most of the new areas of the ship or bigger areas of the ship comes with a price tag on them. They build all these little cafe to take up space on the ship just for them to all be addition free drink options. Also they build that huge spa area yet the spa is also an addition fee option. The free options like meeting princesses or that new sports zone are extremely busy and with the limited hours of operation you will deal with long lines to wait for that experience. I am sorry but if I am spend thousands to be on this cruise with me kids the last thing we want to do is stand on lines that are as long as the park lines because these free events and activities are so limited on board the ship. I mean what is so relaxing and amazing about having my kids stand in line for a bounce house on our thousand dollar Disney cruise vacation when I can take them to our bounce house company here at home and they don’t have to wait in any lines. Disney have always promoted their cruise for people who love Disney but hate the Disney crowds and the Disney planning. Yet here is the Wish where you have to deal with the Disney crowds and lines and have to rush to get reservations. And if you get a late time boarding time your really screwed in getting those hard to get and high demand reservations because they made that high demand lounge the smallest lounge ever and they opened the reservations the moment boarding starts when it should be a reservation you can make 10 days prior to sailing in the app or they wait till after sail away party to open the reservation system so everyone can have an equal opportunity to get them.
Wow, seems like a real mixed bag! We went on one Disney cruise a year before Covid and one of the original cruise ship. We really enjoyed it but probably won’t be able to afford another one for a long while. The “new” stuff on this ship isn’t generally impressive to me other than the lobby. I feel like I can get an equivalent of most of the new areas at the parks.
Thanks Tom. You can always count on you to tell you exactly how it is!
Thank you sir for another honest review.
I for one really appreciate that you try to look at these experiences from the viewpoint of the full-price-paying customer and use those expectations to measure the success of the execution of the onboard elements.
Hopefully, your follow-up voyages will be improved but as you mentioned previously this is NOT their first attempt at executing a themed cruise liner so the level of expectation should match their level of experience.
Wow man, you have a totally different take on this than i do, but I can respect that. Not all things are for everyone. I’ve been on 11 Disney cruises now (3 outside of Disney) and we’ve been on all their ships and just got off the Wish last week. We thoroughly enjoyed the theming, design and feel of the ship. Nothing has been the same on any of their ships since the restart, and this was our 3rd Disney cruise since the restart, so those experiences that are lacking since, are the same across their fleet. I went on the cruise with others who had been on plenty of cruises, other vloggers, and some who were 1st time Disney cruisers, and most seemed to really like the ship. Now, it was NOT without its problems, that’s for sure, but we did enjoy the ship very much in the 4 days we were on board. Personally my biggest disappointment tho was in the Marvel restaurant. Altho wonderfully themed, the dinner experience was boding and weak. The Arendale restaurant however surprised me a lot as i was not looking forward to it and it was just amazing (we were lucky enough to have great seats, it is a real problem if you are too far from the stage).
We went with folks who had been on more cruises and we talked to a lot of veterans who were on the boat and a good amount agreed with many of these points. Some people felt differently of course. Everyone has different expectations though, and thus different opinions.
Great review Tom. Thanks for keeping it real. I’ll stick with the Dream instead.
Tom, I haven’t been on the wish yet. We’re sailing this September. And I have a feeling I’m going to feel the same way you felt… Disney is one gigantic money grab… it’s sickening. I will sail this cruise and go back to dream and fantasy
So disappointed in the whole "Avengers" dinner offering.
It's worse if the food was TERRIBLE. What a failure.
Where's the Pym's kitchen offerings? Where's food FUN? Size differences? Huge pretzel bread? Boba? Dry ice? Glow cubes? Weird salt, pepper shakers & sugar cubes. Neon dishes. Big/little dishes. Test tubes. Beakers. Better lighting.
And a table arrangement that DOESN'T trip up the poor servers.
This is BASIC stuff. 🤷
Those gigantic food props they paraded around were just TERRIBLE, people LAUGHED they were so CHEAP and BAD.
The donut looks like a pool toy. Literally ZERO effort put in.
I was hoping for a *projection show* dinner, with classic characters on the table cavorting around your dishes, or Marvel characters on the table top (how PERFECT for Ant Man & The Wasp!)
You would think that a projection dinner show was a NO BRAINER?
It's easy & cheap.
Other cruise lines have VERY, VERY, beloved projection shows ("Little Chef") who does a show about "cooking" your food in weird, wonderful ways.
Projection shows aren't even THAT expensive these days (projection tech has come a long way). Disney already does PLENTY of projection shows elsewhere.
What gives?
When a "low end" cruise line offers BETTER dinner entertainment over the premium Disney offering... something is very wrong.... or very LAZY.
I'm sorry, but I am a huge Disney Fan, but only a so-so Star Wars Fan. I hate that Star Wars is part of Disney. I loved watching the Star Wars movies, but NEVER wanted them to be a part of Disney. I was born in 1955, so I'm as old as Disneyland. I went to Disney World in 1972. I just want old time Disney, not all of the other companies, that Disney swallowed up. This all makes me so sad!
I been waiting on this video!
So many cast members NOW (not just “before”), make me feel special and appreciated. Disney makes me feel special and appreciated now. My glass is half full…:)
I think they continue to work on the food…1923 was the best food. We loved all the dining. Really enjoyed breakfast and lunch at 1923 also. It was nice on the last night to have a nice quiet dinner.
Kids areas definitely took precedence over adult areas and on our sailing out of 3100 guests only 600 were kids …sooooo🤷🏻♀️
I think that is why adults are not loving the Wish.
Lounges and cove area are way too small.
How did they build a bigger ship and every area is smaller and crowded🥴
(I know…too many empty high end shops, too many concierge rooms, what a waste the super large suite. The hero zone is also going to be a one and done. Kids areas huge).
I would loose my mind for a SEAs themed ship. Big Thunder, Jungle Cruise, Mystic Manor..... imagine the possibilities.
I paid more than $300 per day per person at Disneyland (no hotel). There were issues, we received amazing customer service, had a great time, and I'll visit again for sure (even if I over-paid way too much).
54 Minutes - "let's talk about bars"...that got my attention!!! Loved the Jaws reference too.
Tom-I appreciate and enjoy your review. I am going on the Wish September 2nd and can't wait; but I think your comments are spot on rather than the many reviews just brushing over what works and what doesn't.