Recommend March 2011 - (Page 14)

DISNEy DREAM cruise The AquaDuck! water coaster spans four decks in height. I adria valdes onboard review january 2011 If there’s one brand that knows about making a lasting impression, it’s Disney. From its iconic films and beloved characters, to its showstopping hotel properties and theme park attractions, Disney seems to deliver every time. That’s why when Recommend headed to Port Canaveral, FL, in January for the inaugural sailing of Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Dream, we were curious—as was the 4-year-old “junior editor” we brought along—to see if they’d be able to top themselves, yet again. And boy, did they. The third ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet—joining the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder—this 4,000-passenger vessel is a bedazzling setting for a family vacation with elaborate decor, fantastic culinary offerings and truly impressive entertainment options. “Disney Cruise Line has put itself back in the forefront with this ship, while staying true to who they are,” says Michelle Fee, CEO, Cruising Planners. “While they’re not everything for everybody, Disney knows who Disney is and they know the market they are going after. They do family vacations and they do them well.” family fun abounds From the moment that guests step on board the Disney Dream, they enter a world that is—in true Disney fashion— enchanting and aweinspiring. Technology and creativity come together in all the right ways 14 march 2011 with atrium “paintings” that come to life, “Magic” portholes in inside staterooms that feature high-definition, real-time views of the outside of the ship, and restaurants with a few enjoyable surprises. But before passengers take time to explore the ship’s interior, recommend—especially if traveling with children anything like our 4-year-old jr. editor—they head to deck 11 to cool off from all the excitement with some poolside fun. Here, kids will love Nemo’s Reef Splash Zone, a water play area complete with pop jets, bubblers and fountains inspired by Disney Pixar’s “Finding Nemo.” There’s also the 2-ft.-deep Mickey’s Pool and the adjacent Donald’s Pool, where guests can watch movies on the giant FunnelVision LED screen or dance on the pool deck with Chip ‘n Dale, just two of the many characters you’ll spot on board. But our favorite amenity here was the AquaDuck!, which takes the average water coaster and turns it into an exhilarating flume ride with twists, drops and uphill accelerations. Some 765 ft. in length and spanning four decks in height, the AquaDuck! uses high-powered water jets to push riders on rafts through a clear tube that goes around the perimeter of the ship—and at one point even taking passengers 12 ft. over the side of the ship at just the right speed, allowing them to enjoy views of the ocean 150 ft. below. While the AquaDuck! isn’t too scary for kids, there is a height requirement of 48 inches to ride. But parents need not feel guilty to enjoy this continued on page 16 recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend March 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Disney Dream
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Baja Airventures
Central Gems of Japan
2011 Guide to Latin America
The Tastier Side of Central Japan
Ireland With Brian Moore International Tours
Exploring Antiquity: Egypt, Israel & Jordan
Sailing Into Antiquity on the Nile
Florida's Ever-Changing Hotel Landscape
Riding North America's Rails
Small Ships in the Old South
Turks & Caicos Keeps Expanding
St. Lucia—Beyond the Pitons

Recommend March 2011