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The latest Disney Cruise Line dry dock has wrapped up, and the Disney Wonder is back at sea looking better than ever. Disney pulled back the curtain on what happened while the ship was out of the water, from miles of fresh carpet to a brand-new look for the tween club, and shared a rundown of recent upgrades on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Magic too. The Chip and Company team can’t wait to step aboard and see all of it in person.
What Happens During a Disney Cruise Line Dry Dock
A dry dock is exactly what it sounds like: the ship is lifted out of the water so crews can handle inspections, maintenance and renovations all at once. Each Disney ship typically goes through one about every five years. Disney says it uses that window not just for upkeep but to refresh guest spaces and add new experiences, bringing together shipboard teams, technical specialists, Walt Disney Imagineers and skilled tradespeople on a tight timeline.
Related – Disney Cruise Line Shares Upcoming Dry Dock Updates for Disney Fantasy
Disney Wonder Returns From Dry Dock
The Disney Wonder came out of dry dock a few weeks ago, and the scale of the project is impressive. Disney shared a few eye-popping numbers from the work:
- 12+ miles of new carpet installed throughout the ship, which Disney compares to the length of 46 basketball courts
- A new, more sustainable hull coating covering an area equal to about 10 football fields
- More than 100 projects completed across the ship in just 14 days
- Nearly 1,000 crew and cast members pitching in to get it done
That colorful new carpet alone is reason enough for us to want to walk the Wonder’s hallways again. The ship’s famous stern, with Donald Duck and nephew Huey hanging from the ship’s name, also got some attention while the ship was out of the water.
Related – Disney Cruise Line Ends Its 2026 Alaska Season by Giving Back to Local Communities
New Additions on the Disney Fantasy
The Disney Fantasy picked up several guest-facing upgrades during its own recent refresh:
- Ramone’s Cantina: A new quick-service dining spot inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Cars
- Senses Spa & Salon: Updated spa spaces
- Fantasy Tower Suite: A brand-new suite inspired by Fantasia
- New bulbous bow: A redesigned section of the bow below the waterline that helps the ship run more efficiently
A Fantasia-themed suite and Cars-inspired eats on the same ship? We’re already daydreaming about that sailing.
A Refreshed Edge Club on Three Ships
Tweens sailing on the Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will find a reimagined Edge club with a bold new color scheme and modular pieces that can be rearranged for different activities. The bright Mickey and Minnie artwork alone has us wishing we were still in the tween age range.
Upgrades Below the Waterline for Magic, Wonder and Fantasy
Some of the biggest work is the kind guests will never see. The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder both received advanced hull coatings, while the Disney Fantasy got its new bulbous bow. Disney says these improvements help the ships perform better and support its environmental goals by reducing impact on the ocean.
Imagineers Bring the Story to Every Space
Walt Disney Imagineering plays a big role in every dry dock, planning how each refreshed space can become more immersive and more useful for guests. Alexis Cummins, creative director with Walt Disney Imagineering, said each project is a chance to add new magic by looking at how guests actually use each area of the ship and blending those needs with fresh storytelling.
Tracy Wilson, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Cruise Line Operations, said every enhancement starts with asking how the guest experience can be made better. “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 said. Disney also noted that nearly 90 percent of its cruise guests rate their experience as “excellent.”
The Teams Behind the Transformation
Thousands of experts work around the clock during a dry dock, with marine and technical teams handling the heavy lifting, designers and Imagineers overseeing guest areas and crew members getting the ship ready to welcome guests back. The upgrades reached behind the scenes as well, including a reimagined crew dining area.
From Shipyard Back to Sea
With the Disney Wonder sailing again, guests boarding now will find refreshed spaces and new details waiting to be discovered, and the Chip and Company team can’t wait to explore every one of them. The full behind-the-scenes look is available on Disney Experiences.
