Recently, the Disney Wonder went into dry dock for 14 days in Victoria, British Columbia, at the Seaspan Victoria Shipyards. While there, over 100 projects were undertaken as crews worked on renovations, updates, and routine inspections. This is a part of the Disney Cruise Line’s efforts to make sure that every Disney cruise is exceptional for guests who go aboard their ships.
The Disney Wonder is the second oldest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Those who cruise aboard her wouldn’t be able to tell, however. Disney goes to great lengths to keep this ship, and all its ships, looking beautiful and offering magical experiences. The Disney Cruise Line gave a behind-the-scenes look at what happened when the Disney Wonder recently went into dry dock. Take a look below at this fascinating process!
While in dry dock, the Disney Wonder received important maintenance work. Disney Cruise Line also used the opportunity to enhance guest experiences, refresh onboard spaces, and continue to invest in the future of this ship (and the whole fleet). During the course of the ship’s time in dry dock, the plethora of projects were highly coordinated to bring together shipboard teams, technical experts, Walt Disney Imagineers, and skilled craftsmen to transform the ship in a very short time.
Beyond Maintenance
In general, a Disney ship goes into dry dock every five years. This allows the cruise line to complete essential maintenance and also introduce enhancements to keep the guest experience fresh, relevant, and distinctly Disney.
The Disney Cruise Line spends years planning, collaborating, and innovating so that these projects can be successful. Every space aboard the ship is evaluated as teams consider how favorite experiences can be improved, meaningful improvements introduced, and other ways to exceed guest expectations. The result is that once a ship returns to service, it will retain its character that guests love while also moving forward into the future.
Recently, the Disney Wonder returned to service from dry dock. It joined the Disney Fantasy and Disney Magic, other ships that had recently received dry dock enhancements that reflect the Disney Cruise Line’s commitment to creating magical experiences for all of its guests.
Disney Wonder By the Numbers
Disney Cruise Line
- Over 12 miles of new carpet laid, the same length as 46 basketball courts
- New, sustainable hull coating is equal to painting 10 football fields
- More than 100 projects were completed throughout the ship over 14 days
- Nearly 1,000 crew members and cast members contributed to the success of the project
The Disney Fantasy received enhancements that included the addition of a new Cars-inspired quick service dining location, Ramone’s Cantina, updates to Senses Spa & Salon, and the debut of the new Fantasy Tower Suite inspired by Fantasia. The Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, and Disney Wonder all saw the Edge club get updates that include a vibrant new color scheme and modular elements that can adapt for a variety of activities.
Investments in the Guest Experience
“At Disney Cruise Line, every enhancement we make begins with a single question: How can we make the guest experience better?” said Tracy Wilson, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line Operations. “These investments are designed to build upon the experiences our guests already know and love while adding thoughtful, new touches that make vacations even more memorable.”
Wilson shared how these enhancements reflect Disney Cruise Line’s belief that innovation should never be limited solely to new ships. Disney believes that each vessel in the fleet should be continually evaluated and enhanced. This is all part of efforts to make sure that these ships continue to offer the most beloved vacation experiences at sea.
What this has resulted in is industry-leading guest satisfaction scores. Nearly 90 percent of Disney Cruise Line guests rate their experience as “excellent.”
“Whether guests are sailing for the first time or returning for another family vacation, they can expect to discover something new while still finding the experiences they know and love,” Wilson said.
Disney Storytelling
Storytelling plays an important role throughout the process of bringing a ship in the fleet of the Disney Cruise Line to dry dock.
Disney Imagineers work hard to bring refreshed and reimagined spaces to life. This ensures that all of the enhancements reflect the creativity, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that Disney is known for. The work is way more than updating finishes or furnishings. Teams carefully plan how each space throughout a ship can be used to be more immersive, more functional, and more engaging for guests.
“Every dry dock is an opportunity to reinvigorate spaces with new magic by responding to how guests use areas of the ships. We also carefully consider blending those needs and bringing new, unique storytelling to life on ships,” said Alexis Cummins, creative director, Walt Disney Imagineering.
Below the Waterline
Some of the work that takes place in dry dock takes place below the waterline. This is work that isn’t visible to guests but still makes for a better experience one way or another.
The projects below the waterline allow Disney to invest in the long-term efficiency and sustainability of the fleet. Technical teams continue to work towards Disney Cruise Line’s environmental goals as they complete extensive work to help ships operate more efficiently. One of the ways this was done is with advanced hull coatings that were put on the Disney Wonder and Disney Wonder. The Disney Fantasy received a new bulbous bow. All of these enhancements help improve performance and help minimize the environmental impacts of these ships.
Guests may never see these enhancements. However, they are an important part of keeping ships operating at their best while also supporting a more sustainable future. These invisible enhancements, coupled with the guest-facing enhancements, reflect Disney Cruise Line’s holistic approach to investing in its fleet.
Transformational Teams
It takes thousands of experts to work together to transform a ship. This process happens during a carefully planned timeline. Both marine and technical teams come together and coordinate complex operational projects. Designers and Imagineers are tasked with overseeing the enhancements in the guest spaces. Crew members work on preparations to welcome guests back on board. Everyone works together around the clock to complete the hundreds of tasks that are required before welcoming guests back onboard.
Along with the enhancements for guest-facing areas, crew spaces are also improved. This includes a reimagined crew dining location to help crew have a space that supports them as they deliver Disney magic day in and day out.
Returning to Sea
Upon completion of the work done at a dry dock, when a Disney Cruise Line leaves to return to service, guests get to enjoy refreshed spaces, updated experiences, and new details that are waiting to be discovered.
Just as the parks continue to never be completed, the Disney Cruise Line also believes that it should evolve and innovate so that its ships can continue to delight guests for years to come. Investing in these beloved ships throughout its fleet ensures that they will continue to be places where guests can make magical memories for years to come.
What do you think of this look behind the scenes at the Disney Wonder in dry dock? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
