A Dream Come True: My First-Ever Disney Cruise Line Experience Aboard the Disney Fantasy

Posted:  Disney Cruise Line Events Trip Reports

For as long as I can remember, a Disney Cruise has been one of the top items on my Disney Bucket List. I’ve always been curious: could a Disney Cruise possibly be as magical as the parks? The answer is yes! As a lifelong Disney fan, sailing with Disney Cruise Line was everything I hoped it would be.

David’s Vacation Club Rentals team member Mya poses with a smile while sitting on a porthole window bench aboard the Disney Fantasy.

If you had told me before I joined David’s Vacation Club Rentals that I’d not only go on a Disney Cruise but get to do so alongside my incredible team for a very special occasion, I wouldn’t have believed you. Yet in April 2025, DVCR celebrated its 20th anniversary with a fabulous Fan Cruise aboard the magnificent Disney Fantasy, and I had the absolute honor of joining in on the fun.

A bronze statue of Minnie Mouse with an umbrella, the atrium icon on the Disney Fantasy, is seen atop a marble pedestal reading “Disney Fantasy” in gold lettering with the Disney Cruise Line logo.

As this was my very first Disney Cruise Line sailing, I wanted to share my highlights, experiences, tips, and a few hot takes with you!

 

Two Pre-Cruise Tips:

1. Explore the Deck Plans Online: Head to the official Disney Cruise Line website and look up the deck plans for your ship. While each ship has maps posted near the elevators onboard, I found it incredibly helpful to have a general understanding of the layout in advance. It made navigating the ship much easier once onboard!

The exterior of an elevator on the Disney Fantasy. The floor indicator is a miniature ship with Mickey’s hand pointing at the deck number the elevator is currently at.
2. Start a Walking Challenge: There’s a lot of walking involved on a cruise—whether exploring the ship or walking to and from activities and ports. I suggest doing a walking routine or challenge in the month leading up to your cruise to help build endurance. Also, pack more than one pair of comfortable shoes. Trust me, your feet will thank you!

The Magic Begins at Port Canaveral

Although I had known for months that I was going on the cruise, it didn’t truly feel real until we arrived at the terminal at Port Canaveral. Seeing the Disney Fantasy in person for the first time, glistening in the sun, was everything! As I rode the escalator up to the terminal and spotted Cast Members in Mickey gloves enthusiastically waving us in near the iconic Mickey-shaped entrance, I was overwhelmed with joy. It was happening!

Large figures of Dumbo and Timothy Mouse are seen pretending to paint the exterior of the Disney Fantasy cruise ship. In yellow writing, the words “Disney Fantasy, Nassau” are painted on the ship.

 

The moment we stepped onboard was pure Disney magic. Cast Members welcomed us onto the ship with cheers and applause, even announcing our group while Mickey Mouse himself waved from the upper level. I felt truly special—seen, celebrated, and ready for adventure! The Atrium was breathtaking with its elegant design and golden glow, and I couldn’t wait to see more.

Captain Mickey Mouse in his white and blue costume waves to guests boarding the Disney Fantasy.

 

Our 20th Anniversary Events Onboard

As part of our 20th Anniversary celebration, we hosted a variety of exclusive events for our wonderful guests who joined us:

  • A Welcome Reception and Farewell Reception to connect and reflect
  • A “Find the Ears” challenge where some of our DVCR team members wore custom Mickey Ears, and guests had to find us to win a prize
  • DVCR Bingo, where guests collected signatures from our team members, as well as the influencers and content creators who joined us to complete their boards
  • Scavenger Hunts both onboard the ship and on Disney’s private islands in the Bahamas for an extra dash of fun and friendly competition
  • A Door Decorating Event filled with creativity, color, and incredible displays
  • A Mixology Session that brought everyone together over laughter and tasty creations

It was such a joy seeing guests participate, get competitive, and make new memories with us.

Several colorful markers sit next to a wooden anchor decoration to be decorated during an arts & crafts event during a day at sea aboard the Disney Fantasy.

Guests and team members of David’s Vacation Club Rentals enjoy a Mixology session in Animator’s Palate onboard the Disney Fantasy cruise ship.

 

Activities & Entertainment Onboard

Disney Cruise Line knows how to keep guests entertained! Some of my favorite activities included:

  • Trivia games that sparked our competitive spirits and brought our team closer
  • Line dancing classes, arts & crafts, and even towel and napkin folding tutorials
  • Karaoke nights, where I cheered on brave singers, including our team member Nick
  • Watching musicals in the theater, including Frozen, A Musical Spectacular, Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular, and Disney’s Believe (Hot Take: Disney’s Aladdin was my favorite of the three, but I didn’t always love Genie’s Gen Z-style lines that were unlike the film.)
  • A Silent Disco, which was just as fun and hilarious as it sounds
  • The fireworks at sea were absolutely unforgettable! There’s nothing like watching a dazzling fireworks show while standing on the deck of a Disney ship in the middle of the ocean. It is neat to know that the fireworks turn into fish food

A trivia answers page and yellow pencils as well as a drinks menu sit on a white circular table in The Tube activity venue onboard the Disney Fantasy.

The stage in the Walt Disney Theatre is set for a production of Frozen, A Musical Spectacular as the audience awaits the show beginning.

 

Influencers, Content Creators, and Guests

It was an absolute joy to follow along with the posts and stories shared by the content creators and influencers who joined us throughout the trip. Each update offered such a fun and heartfelt glimpse into their experiences onboard. Their creativity, enthusiasm, and genuine excitement were truly infectious.

David’s Vacation Club Rentals team members Kristen and Mya pose in a group smile with a number of Disney Influencers and Content Creators while sailing on the Disney Fantasy.

What made the experience even more special was the opportunity to meet them in person and learn more about how they got started, and what inspired them to begin creating content was both insightful and inspiring. Every single one of them was a pleasure to work with—kind, professional, and full of positive energy. Here is a list of the creators who joined us for the sailing (be sure to check them out if you don’t follow them already!):

meg.for.it /nursemegrn

wdwmagazine

bibbidibobbidi_broke

britini_dangelo

josiemaida

magicbymikaila

bethanyvinton

allisonmertzman

the.worden.fam

myadventurebook__ 

themainstdishpodcast 

One particularly memorable moment for me was joining in on a podcast hosted by The Main St Dish. It was such an exciting experience to participate in a conversation recapping the Disney Cruise. You can listen to the episode here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themainstdish/episodes/Disney-Cruise-Recap-and-Q–A-e32dq5e

Our celebratory Fan Cruise couldn’t have happened without our incredible guests and the DVC owners we work with, and one of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was the opportunity to connect with so many people in person. 

Team members of David’s Vacation Club Rentals mix and mingle, sharing smiles and laughs with guests and DVC owners during an activity onboard the Disney Fantasy.

Engaging in heartfelt conversations, hearing how long they’ve been part of our journey, and learning about the ways we’ve been able to assist them over the years was truly humbling. Listening to their cherished Disney memories—some spanning decades—was a powerful reminder of our meaningful role in helping families create magical vacations for over 20 years! I remain incredibly grateful for the chance to be a part of the magic.

 

My Soft-Serve Obsession (With a Bonus Tip!)

I have a soft spot (pun intended) for soft-serve ice cream and Disney Cruise Line delivered. I had it every single day—sometimes multiple times a day—and it still wasn’t enough. I may or may not have also enjoyed a cone or two while visiting Disney’s private islands.

David’s Vacation Club Rentals team member Mya poses with a smile and a soft-serve ice cream cone on the Disney Fantasy.

Pro-tip for fellow soft-serve lovers like me: Swing by the beverage station before grabbing your cone—pick up a cup to fill with soft-serve. You can then add a little soda for a float or place a cone on top for a fun twist. You could even fill your popcorn buckets or reusable cups to minimize trips (no judgment here, as I will be trying it in the future!).

 

Hot Takes on Dining Aboard the Disney Fantasy

Let’s talk dining! Here are my honest takes:

Churro Mickey Waffles (these were only available one morning at Cabanas during our sailing) are worth waking up early for. I love classic Mickey Waffles, but these were next-level. If you spot them, grab them!

2 Churro Mickey Waffles covered in cinnamon sugar are seen on a white and yellow plate along with bacon, sausages, a donut, and a small bowl of maple syrup.

Rotational Dining Rankings:

1st: Enchanted Garden – I loved the atmosphere, which reminded me of The Princess and the Frog and the New Orleans Bayou. The food was excellent, and the ambiance stole my heart.

2nd: Animator’s Palate – Fun visuals, great lighting effects, and appearances by Nemo and friends made this dining room memorable, though the food was just okay.

3rd: Royal Court – Beautiful, but felt underwhelming compared to the others. 

A big plus: Our rotational dining server always had our drink preferences ready. It’s those thoughtful touches that make the experience feel personalized!

A silver table number marker with the dining room’s name cut into it “Enchanted Garden” sits atop a white tabletop in front of a glass of water.

Crush from Disney’s Finding Nemo is seen chatting with guests in the Animator’s Palate dining room onboard the Disney Fantasy.

A Cinderella-inspired silver table number marker sits atop a white tablecloth in front of glass wine glasses and cups in the Royal Court dining room on the Disney Fantasy.

 

Island Days: Castaway Cay & Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

We had the chance to visit both Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and both were breathtaking. I especially enjoyed learning about Bahamian culture and history on Lookout Cay, and I didn’t mind the walk from the ship at all.

The Disney Fantasy cruise ship is seen floating on the water under a sunny blue sky from across the pier at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

My favorite island moment? Floating and relaxing for hours at Serenity Bay on Castaway Cay. Pure bliss!

Guests enjoy the Pelican Plunge waterslides, ocean waters, and beaches at Disney Castaway Cay under a sunny sky.

Hot Take: I actually preferred staying on the ship rather than getting off at port. Exploring the ship when it’s quieter is so much more relaxing, and I don’t feel the pressure of rushing back before departure. Sometimes, staying onboard is the real hidden gem!

 

Other Personal Highlights

One of my favorite highlights was waking up early, grabbing a cup of coffee, and stepping out onto my stateroom balcony to watch the sun rise over the open ocean. There was something so peaceful and magical about seeing the horizon light up surrounded by nothing but water—it felt both serene and surreal and completely different from watching a sunrise at home.

An orange and yellow sunrise alights the morning sky in the horizon over the ocean as seen from the Verandah of a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah on the Disney Fantasy.

Exploring the ship itself was another standout experience. The Disney Fantasy is absolutely stunning, and I found myself constantly admiring the elegant design, intricate artwork, and thoughtful touches throughout. From themed decor to carefully curated details in the hallways and lounges, every corner of the ship felt intentional and immersive.

The sun rises over the exterior decks and pool of the Disney Fantasy. The ship’s logo is seen displayed on the giant funnel screen as the morning sky brightens.

Character meet-and-greets onboard had a charm all their own. Unlike the parks, these interactions felt more relaxed and intimate, allowing us to connect with our favorite Disney characters in a unique setting—whether it was a surprise encounter in a hallway or a scheduled photo opportunity in a beautifully themed location. The characters often had a little extra time to chat, play, and pose, which made the moments feel so special.

Several David’s Vacation Club Rentals team members pose with Goofy during a special meet and greet event on the exterior deck of the Disney Fantasy.

 

What’s Next on My Cruise Bucket List?

This incredible experience made me fall in love with Disney Cruise Line, and now I’m eager to sail again. My top dream ships to experience next include:

  • Disney Wonder, especially to dine at Tiana’s Place
  • Disney Treasure, for Jumbeaux’s Sweets, The Tale of Moana stage show, and the Haunted Mansion Parlor
  • Disney Destiny and Disney Adventure – both are now officially on my radar!

 

Final Thoughts

I feel incredibly grateful to have been a part of this celebration. Sailing with Disney Cruise Line for the first time, connecting with the wonderful folks who sailed with us, and spending quality time with my DVCR teammates was something truly special. Everyone can officially confirm now that David is indeed a real guy—and he’s created something truly magical!

David Mullet, the owner and president of David’s Vacation Club Rentals poses with a smile while relaxing on a lounger on the Disney Fantasy.

Who knows? Maybe there will be another Fan Cruise in the future—five or ten years from now—and maybe next time you’ll join us for the adventure!

I’d love to hear about the highlights, personal experiences, helpful tips, or unique perspectives you’ve gained from your previous sailings with Disney Cruise Line!  

 

~ Mya

 

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