Today back in 1999, the Disney Wonder arrived at Port Canaveral for the first time after leaving Italy. Below is a shot of the ship pulling into port behind its sister ship the Disney Magic.

As the second ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Wonder has many unique features that distinguish it from the other ships, including the Ariel statue in the atrium, Triton’s restaurant, Route 66, and Donald and Huey on the ship’s stern.

This year, the Disney Wonder voyaged to Hawaii for the first time, made its first call to Seattle and soon will depart for cruises to the Caribbean from Miami in December. That’s a lot of firsts for this classic Disney Cruise Line ship!

Read more about Disney Wonder in the posts below:

• Enjoy the Lasseter Family Winery Port Adventure on Disney California Coastal Cruises
• Disney Alaska Cruise: A Ship Off the Old Glacier
• Disney Wonder Calls on Seattle for the First Time

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Filed: Disney Cruise Line

When the Disney Wonder sails to Hawai’i in October for a second time this year, guests will have plenty of fun ways to experience the breathtaking beauty of the islands.

We developed tons of fantastic Port Adventures so that Disney cruisers can get the most from this tropical paradise vacation. Here are a few of my favorites:

Kualoa Ali‘i (Royal) Experience (Honolulu, Oahu) – Explore Kualoa Ranch, the site of many feature movies and TV shows such as “Jurassic Park” and “Lost,” and follow it up with a private picnic-style lunch. It’s the perfect match of breathtaking vistas and dramatic cliffs paired with the delicious flavors of the islands!

Colors of the Sunset Haleakalā Adventure (Kahului, Maui) – A brilliant sunset tour to famous Haleakalā Crater and upcountry Maui, featuring a dairy goat farm tour, lavender garden tour, wine tasting and a 3-course dinner. If you’re looking for a luxurious intimate experience, this is the tour to choose!

Haleakalā Crater by Horseback (Kahului, Maui) – Ride the Sliding Sands Trail into the world famous Haleakalā Crater, descending 2,500 feet to the crater floor below, where you’ll enjoy a well-deserved picnic lunch. This is an incredible way to see the crater!

If you’re saying “aloha” to Hawai’i with Disney Cruise Line this fall, when the ship’s in port, venture ashore!

Read more about Disney Cruise Line’s voyages to Hawai’i in the posts below:

• Aloha Spirit Fills the Disney Wonder
• Disney Wonder Calls on Hawai’i for the First Time
• Disney Cruise Line Doubles the ‘Aloha’ with Second Hawaiian Cruise

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Filed: Disney Cruise Line

Excitement has been brewing since Disney Cruise Line announced Pixar-inspired California Coastal cruises sailing this fall. Aboard the Disney Wonder, Pixar characters like Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear will visit with guests, and artists and filmmakers from Pixar Animation Studios will make special presentations, including sneak peeks of future Pixar films.

What’s more, special Port Adventures will allow you to see the best of California, and as a wine lover, one I am particularly excited about is the excursion out of San Francisco to the Lasseter Family Winery in Sonoma Valley.

Guests will explore the family’s private vineyard, owned by Nancy and John Lasseter (Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation and Pixar Animation Studios), and sample some of the unique red wine blends offered under the Lasseter label. With Nancy as your host, you will be granted exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the heart of the winery and into the vineyards to taste different grape varietals right from the vines.

After tasting five Lasseter Family wines you will have leisure time at the beautiful Lake Serendipity, a rarely-seen jewel of the estate.

If this is a Port Adventure you want to experience, click the Facebook “like” button below and tell us in the comments which part you’d enjoy most.

Check out these posts for more Disney Cruise Line news:

• Disney Cruise Directors: Bringing the Fun to You
• Disney Cruise Line Announces Pixar-Inspired California Coastal Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line Guests to Discover the Beauty of San Diego This Fall

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Filed: Disney Cruise Line

Hello Disney Parks Blog fans! I’m Jimmy, cruise director on the Disney Wonder. Originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, I now call Gold Coast, Australia, home with my wife and three amazing children. I have been with Disney Cruise Line since December 1998, when I began working in Youth Activities on the Disney Magic.

I’m writing to you now from the pristine waters of Alaska as we make our way through the summer cruise season here. People say a picture is worth 1,000 words. In Alaska, I say a picture cannot truly describe what you see. Everything from whales, dolphins, seals, bears and bald eagles to 7,000-foot snowcapped mountains and fresh fallen icebergs is like a live-action postcard.

Yes, shoot as many pictures as you can, but do not get lost behind the lens of your camera. Take a moment and enjoy for yourself the beauty that is Alaska. Here are some personal recommendations to make the most of your Alaskan adventure:

• Be prepared for the weather! I know its summer, but this is Alaska so dress warm and layer clothing. (You can always remove clothing should it get warm.)
• No matter what the weather has in store, be out on deck during the scenic voyage through Tracy Arm! You need all five senses to fully immerse yourself in this spectacular area.
• Maximize your time in the Alaska ports of call with Port Adventures, without a doubt the best way to plan your time ashore. Some of my favorites are riding the White Pass Rail, dog sledding on Mendenhall Glacier, taking a float plane to the beautiful Misty Fjords and enjoying the famous Butchart Gardens. (Remember, space is limited on our Port Adventures so be sure to plan ahead.)
• Finally, don’t blink! Without a doubt you will miss something.

Thanks for welcoming me as a new author to the Disney Parks Blog. I look forward to welcoming you aboard the Disney Wonder for your adventure to the Great Land!

Read more about Disney cruises to Alaska in the posts below:

• Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Exploring Ketchikan, Alaska
• Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Exploring Juneau, Alaska
• Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Exploring Skagway, Alaska

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Filed: Disney Cruise Line

Yesterday the Disney Wonder sailed out of Seattle for the first time, marking the start to Disney Cruise Line’s summer Alaska season.

The Seattle city skyline is just the beginning of the breathtaking views guests will enjoy on the seven-night Alaska Disney cruises which sail to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.
Seattle is the second iconic U.S. city Disney Cruise Line sailed out of for the first time this week, following Disney’s first-ever sailings out of New York City on Friday. Which of this year’s new Disney Cruise Line homeports do you want to cruise from the most – Seattle, New York or Galveston, Texas?

Read on for more Disney Cruise Line news:

• Disney Cruise Line Greets New York City with World’s Largest Bumper Sticker
• Exclusive New York City Tours for Disney Cruise Line Guests
• Disney Cruise Line Needs Your Help!

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Filed: Disney Cruise Line

From a greeting with a local children’s choir to an orchid shower and lei presentation, the aloha spirit was alive in each of the Hawaiian ports of call that welcomed the Disney Wonder for the first time last weekend.

Celebrating the ship’s arrival gave us a unique opportunity to collaborate with our friends from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i.

Cast members from Aulani welcomed the crew of the Disney Wonder and presented a traditional Hawaiian paddle to the captain so that the ship could always carry a part of Aulani with it. Disney Cruise Line bestowed a piece of mooring line to Aulani, representing Disney magic that ties the ship to the resort.

Captain Fabian, Captain Mickey Mouse, and Elliot Mills, Vice President & General Manager of Aulani.

The Captain and his team in Maui.

In Honolulu, a beautiful rainbow shone overhead – a symbol of good luck – to bless the ship’s arrival ceremony, which included local port officials and community leaders including Governor Neil Abercrombie and Mayor Peter Carlisle.

Guests participated in unique port adventures in each destination, ranging from a hike past a scenic waterfall to a special visit to Aulani, where Hawaiian culture, history and traditions are celebrated.

In addition, crew members and Disney characters visited a local hospital for senior citizens in Kahului and an immersion school in Maui to spread the Disney magic across the islands.

Tagged: Aulani, DCL, Disney Wonder

Filed: Aulani, Disney Cruise Line

What a sight! This weekend, the Disney Wonder was spotted sailing through the Hawaiian Islands for the first time, on a special 15-night voyage. Here in this photo, she is cruising past iconic Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach in Honolulu.

The good news for you? Disney Cruise Line is offering a second 14-night Hawaiian voyage that will depart from the Port of Los Angeles on October 14, 2012. Stops for both voyages include Hilo, Hawai’i; Kahului, Maui; Honolulu, Oahu; Nawiliwili, Kauai; and Ensenada, Mexico.

Let us know in the comments if you wish you were saying “aloha” to these gorgeous islands today or if you’re sailing on our next Hawaiian cruise in October.

Read more of the latest Disney Cruise Line news in the posts below:

• Family Entertainment on a Disney Cruise
• And This Year’s Award for Disney’s Planet Challenge Goes To…
• Who Has More Fun on a Disney Cruise – Adults or Kids?

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Filed: Disney Cruise Line