Disney entertainment, even on the Disney Cruise Line, is magical. From character meet and greets, to parties on deck, to live shows, to nightclubs, the Disney Dream has a slew of entertaining options for those on board.
What makes the entertainment on Disney’s Dream even better is that most of it is included in the price of your cruise.
Let’s take a look at all of the ways you can stay entertained during your cruise.
UPDATE: Disney Cruise Line sailings resumed Aug. 9, 2021 with the Disney Dream. The information below may be impacted by current reopening procedures. Please visit our Disney Cruise Line is returning guide for the most up-to-date information.
In this article
Character Meet & Greets
You can meet a variety of characters once you’re on board. Character locations and times can vary so we recommended that you check your Personal Navigator (a summary of your activities delivered daily to your stateroom) or the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for the current lineup.
There is also a digital board in the Lobby Atrium with information.
Characters are subject to change, but these are the ones you are most likely to see:
- Mickey Mouse
- Minnie Mouse
- Donald Duck
- Daisy Duck
- Chip ‘n Dale
- Goofy
- Pluto
- Cinderella
- Jake
- Doc McStuffins
- Sofia the First
- Queen Elsa (reservation required)
- Princess Anna (reservation required)
Here are the locations where characters gather:
- Lobby Atrium
- Gangway
- Disney’s Oceaneer Lab
- Disney’s Oceaneer Club
- Donald’s Pool area
Some of these are only photos locations, meaning autographs aren’t allowed due to time constraints.
There are opportunities to have professional vacation photographers take your photo with the characters, but you’ll need to purchase a photo package beforehand.
Goodbye Party With Characters
The night before guests disembark, they can say goodbye to characters with the Sea Ya’ Real Soon! Party in the Atrium Lobby.
Frozen Meet And Greet
You can meet Anna and Elsa, but you’ll need tickets to do so. You can make reservations online at My Cruise Activities within your advance booking window or you can visit Guest Services when on board.
Princess Gathering
Princess appearances vary based on schedule and ship, but they could include Belle, Aurora, Rapunzel, Tiana, Ariel, Cinderella, and Snow White.
When meeting Disney Princesses, you’ll need a reservation. You can book a time slot at My Cruise Activities within your advance booking window or you can visit Guest Services when on board.
Character Reservations
Guests can attend every ticketed character event, including the Princess Gathering and the Frozen Meet and Greet once per cruise.
Once your cruise is paid in full, you can make reservations online within your advance booking window, which is determined by your Castaway Club membership level:
- First-Time Guests: 75 days prior to sail date
- Silver Castaway Club Member: 90 days prior to sail date
- Gold Castaway Club Member: 105 days prior to sail date
- Concierge Guests and Platinum Castaway Club Member: 120 days prior to sail date
Deck Parties
Ain’t no party like a Disney Cruise Line deck party. There are several deck parties that take place on select sailings. From Pirates of the Caribbean, to the Fab Five, the Dream has some exciting deck events that will make your time even more enjoyable.
Pirate Night
On select itineraries, you can channel your inner pirate during Pirate Night. The evening includes:
- A pirate-themed dinner in one of the Main Dining restaurants. Each guests will get a party bandana, dine on dishes like Jolly Rogers Barbecue Rib Salad or Pirates Gold-en Pot Stickers.
- A “Pirates in the Caribbean” show on the pool deck, along with dancing with Disney Characters and interactive games. There are also fireworks during the show, weather permitting, of course.
- There’s even a fun family game show in the afternoon.
Sailing Away Deck Party
The Sailing Away Deck Party allows guests to celebrate the start of their cruise with a bon voyage party. There will be music, confetti, and streamers rocketing through the air as “When You Wish Upon a Star” plays. The following characters might make an appearance as well:
- Captain Mickey Mouse
- Minnie Mouse
- Donald Duck
- Daisy Duck
- Goofy
- Pluto
- Chip ‘n Dale
Live Shows & Entertainment on Disney’s Dream
You can also watch Broadway-caliber shows on Fantasy in the Walt Disney Theatre on Deck 3.
There are two live productions each evening, taking dining schedules into consideration. For example, if you’re going to the first seating for dinner, then you should go to the second performance.
Here are the three shows available on Dream:
Beauty and the Beast
Inspired by the Beauty and the Beast film, this musical tells a tale as old as time. This is also the first-ever Disney Cruise Line live-production of BATB. Along with favorites from the animated movie, there are two new musical numbers written by famous Disney composers Alan Menken and Tim Rice.
Disney’s Believe
This musical is about a workaholic father, Dr. Greenaway, reconnecting with his daughter through Disney magic. With help from Aladdin‘s Genie and other characters, Dr. Greenaway goes an a journey into the world of Disney stories.
You can expect songs from:
- Aladdin
- Cinderella
- Peter Pan
- Mary Poppins
- Beauty and The Beast
- The Lion King
- The Princess and the Frog
This is quite the elaborate production with more than 300 costumes, 200 wigs, and 200 moving scenic elements.
The Golden Mickeys
Mickey and friends give this tribute to Disney movies by putting a twist on a Hollywood-style awards show that teaches others that we are all winners. There’s even a red carpet pre-show for guests to walk.
Songs from Tarzan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, The Lion King, Tangled, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, and more will be performed.
Movies & Theaters
There are two theaters on board the Fantasy for guests to enjoy live stage shows and movies.
Buena Vista Theatre
On Deck 4, you can watch movies in the Buena Vista Theatre, including Blockbusters, Disney classics, and 3D movies. There are showtimes throughout the day to accommodate everyone’s schedules.
Walt Disney Theatre
In addition to live musicals, you can also watch movies at the Walt Disney Theatre. Check out 3D films and even Disney movie premieres. Regarding the latter, this allows guests to attend a film’s nationwide opening at the same time it debuts onshore.
Nightclubs & Lounges
There are several nightclubs and lounges on board that offer a variety of activities during the day (some even for families) and others that are strictly adult-exclusive, specifically at nighttime.
Beverage Tastings
Beverage tastings are adult-exclusive and offer samplings of select beverages. The informative seminars vary based on the ship and itinerary.
You should check the daily onboard activities for times and location. Additional fees also apply. You can make reservations online through the Planning Center or any time during your cruise.
Tastings include: Amari, whiskey, beer, bourbon, champagne, chocolate and liquor, cognac, martini, mojito and caipirinha, rum, stem-to-stern wine, and tequila and margarita.
D Lounge
D Lounge can be found on Deck 4 and is available for everyone, including kids. Singing, dancing, games, trivia, karaoke, and live entertainment are all featured.
Even at night D Lounge transforms into a family-friendly nightclub. There’s also a full bar with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Evolution
During the day, families are invited to have fun at Evolution. The club is located on Deck 4 and inspired by butterflies. Families can participate in a range of activities, like dance classes, bingo, and arts and crafts.
At night, Evolution becomes an adult-exclusive nightclub. From dancing, games, karaoke, and cabaret, there’s plenty of fun to choose from.
Of course, there’s a bar that serves signature butterfly-themed libations, along with beer, wine, champagne, and more for an additional price. There are also mocktails, soft-drinks, coffee, tea, and juice.
Holiday Cruises
There are multiple holiday-inspired Fantasy cruises, including:
- Halloween on the High Seas
- Thanksgiving at Sea
- Very Merrytime Cruises
- New Year’s Eve
Stay tuned for guides on each of these special events.