Remember when we told you that the Disney Magic cruise ship was about to get a full makeover?? Well, today we have an awesome photo tour for you!!

The Re-Imagined Disney Magic

The Disney Magic – The original cruise ship of the Disney Cruise Line – first set sail in 1998. Fifteen years later, she has just launched again after a lengthy stay in dry-dock where she spent her time being “re-imagined.”

Re-imagining is more than simply being refurbished or refreshed. Some spaces around the ship were entirely redesigned while others were enhanced. She sure is a beauty!

Since the re-imagined areas are primarily public spaces, this, of course, means that some of the dining areas and adult lounges were re-imagined or refreshed as well! Though some spaces, already timeless, remained unchanged or just refreshed.

Let’s have a look inside this amazing vessel and see what’s new!

Carioca’s

The biggest update to the dining scene on the Disney Magic is the addition of Carioca’s.

What was previously Parrot Cay now pays homage to one of Donald Duck’s top amigos… Jose Carioca!

We’ll explore Carioca’s in-depth another post here on DFB, but for now let’s enjoy a glance at the spot that transports you to Rio de Janeiro, no matter which waters you may be sailing!

Along with the new surroundings comes a brand new menu featuring South American specialties. We’ll share our review in a later post, but here’s a tantalizing preview!

Animator’s Palate

Animator’s Palate has also received a sleek refreshment, though the fun-loving, whimsical theme remains happily the same.

Following the process of animation from initial pencil sketch to final inked-and-painted story, your surroundings magically change throughout the meal from black and white…

…into COLOR! The changes are subtle at first, but they positively burst at the end!

The story here brings moments from Disney classic films into a montage of moving moments that are sure to make even the most stoic of passengers reach for his napkin claiming he “has something in his eye.”

There is another change here… on cruises of 7-nights or longer, Animator’s Palate features the Animation Magic show — previously featured only on the Disney Fantasy — where guests become “Disney Animators”!

Yep! You draw a picture at the beginning of the meal, and you’ll see your “character” dance across screens by the end!

Lumiere’s

Lumiere’s is unchanged. It remains a beautiful, elegant tribute to Beauty and the Beast featuring French cuisine.

Nods to the film are in some places obvious, as in this mural depicting the ballroom scene.

In other places the tributes are less obvious, but lovely all the same. Look up, and you may spot an enchanted rose with fallen petals.

Paloa

Then, of course, there is the adults-only Palo.

The luxurious restaurant featuring fine Italian cuisine has not been redesigned, however it has been beautifully enhanced with details, including this river of light in the ceiling that echoes the winding water paths of Venice.

(Can you spot Mickey?) 🙂

Other lighting fixtures add to the beauty.

The addition of gondola-style poles stand in honor of what gives Palo it’s name (“palo” meaning “pole” in Italian).

The food remains, thankfully, DIVINE.

And the view isn’t bad, either…

After Hours

Speaking of places just for adults, there is a whole new array of lounges and nightclubs to enjoy!

While families are welcome into these spaces during the day, after nine o’clock these areas are strictly for guests 18 and older.

The area that was once Beat Street is now appropriately named After Hours.

Keys

We’ll visit these spots again, but let’s take a quick stroll through the sophistication of Keys, the piano bar.

O’Gill’s Pub

Next we’re off to O’Gill’s Pub to enjoy a pint along with some live music or televised sporting events.

Fathoms

For those wishing to dance the night away or enjoy fun adult-only entertainment such as comedians or audience-participatory game shows, there is Fathoms.

A fathom is a unit measuring the depth of water, and these jellyfish creatures on the ceiling show you that you are, indeed, fathoms below the water’s surface!

Cabanas

And finally, for everyone, there is Cabanas! Formerly Topsiders, this breakfast and lunch buffet offering indoor and outdoor seating has received a makeover complementary to the fleet’s newest ships, the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy.

Cabanas’ colorful themeing represents an Australian beach complete with umbrellas and seagulls!

I especially loved the wooden art pieces offering tribute to Finding Nemo.

I’m looking forward to sharing a little more with you about some of the amazing spaces in coming weeks! Until then, I wish you smooth sailing :)!

Share your thoughts on the new restaurants and re-imagined spaces aboard the Disney Magic! Join the discussion by leaving a comment below!