Day 2 on the Disney Magic, and in today’s post, we will focus a little bit on the entertainment you will find on the ship. In yesterday’s post, we focused on some of the negatives of the ship, but today we will highlight some of the star attractions. The entertainment on the Disney Magic is a bit of a mixed bag, but the star is, without doubt, Disney Dreams.
Mrs Modernlifeisgood’s Birthday
Yesterday was Mrs. Modernlifisgood’s birthday, but we ignored her special event in this blog due to how many other issues we had to discuss. However, Disney has lived up to its reputation of being a fantastic place to celebrate birthdays. We have marked a couple at Walt Disney World in the past, but a Disney Cruise is equally good. The crew members were brilliant, happily greeting her everywhere. In addition, during our meal, the waiters brought a cake, but due to regulations, we could only clap instead of singing!
However, today there was a treat at our door when we woke up; a Disney Magical Moment certificate- Well Done Disney! The Magical Moment proves you don’t have to be flash to make an impression.
Entertainment on Disney Magic
There is only one production show on Disney Magic, but it is a cracker. The phenomenal Disney Dreams will be getting performed on each cruise. We previously saw the show on the Disney Wonder, and it is better than anything we have seen on any other cruise. Disney Dreams showcases the very best of Disney productions and is something you shouldn’t miss, but the problem is that it is pretty hard to miss it.
Before we boarded the Disney Magic, I had to get up at 5 am several weeks back to make show bookings. At the time, guests were advised that Disney would significantly reduce theatre capacity. Now things have changed, and those bookings are no longer needed. You only need to keep one seat gap between other guests at the theatre in what is otherwise a full capacity theatre. I have to admit I am unhappy with this as we were sold a socially distanced experience. In addition, the ship which is allegedly running at reduced capacity is showing Disney Dreams five times instead of the standard two. Now Disney Dreams is very good, but even seeing it twice on the same cruise would feel a little excessive.
I can’t complain that Disney only offered one production show as that was advertised before we booked the cruise:
To promote physical distancing, each itinerary will offer one West-End-style live show performed multiple times with reduced capacity. Showtimes are conveniently scheduled before or after your scheduled dinner. 4-night cruises will also include an additional live variety show.
However, I wonder whether Disney and I have a different interpretation of what a “variety show” is. I have made a Google search, and it appears that Collins Dictionary has a similar definition to mine:
a theatrical show consisting of a series of short unrelated performances or acts, such as comedy turns, songs, dances, sketches, etc
Collins Dictionary
What variety acts are included in the Disney Variety show? A magician! Nothing else, just a magician.
I have explained previously that we are writing these posts with a few days delay, and we have already seen the magician. The magician is brilliant and very funny, but his show could hardly be considered a variety show. Unfortunately, I think the lack of options is deplorable by Disney. As I explained in my Anthem of the Seas posts, Royal Caribbean had several headliners on certain days, plus two production shows. Unfortunately, I think one production show and one magician for a 4-day cruise is unacceptable for any cruise line, but I think it is an embarrassment for Disney.
Of course, production shows are not the only way to judge the entertainment on a cruise ship. Disney has characters around the ship, but currently, they are socially distanced. In addition, they had Freezing the Night Away as a deck-based show. Traditionally, this is part of a deck party, but it is a short early evening show in these Staycation cruises, including various character appearances. I wasn’t impressed but as Miss. Modernlifeisgood pointed out I wasn’t the target audience.
In addition, there are various quizzes and games throughout the ship. However, there aren’t that many, and there are some long gaps in the timetable. Unfortunately, the lounges are very small on Disney Magic, and it isn’t uncommon to find the Promenade Lounge full to capacity. I do wonder what would happen if the good weather we have experienced this week should change.
Perhaps one of my biggest concerns over the entertainment on Disney Magic is the quality of entertainers. Some quiz hosts would struggle to find a job at Pontins, but the hosts in the adult-only Fathoms are superb. A good entertainer can bring any gameshow or quiz to life, but some of the family entertainers are incredibly poor.
Animator’s Palate
Dinner tonight was at Animator’s Palate. Animator’s Palate was one of the highlights of my last Disney Cruise on the Disney Wonder. Tonight, it also didn’t disappoint. Fantastic food and brilliant service, but the star attraction is the show.
Tonight’s show was called Animation Magic which traditionally is only available on 7-night cruises. However, due to social distancing, it is currently on shorter cruises. Diners draw a cartoon character, and then through some very clever technology, your character becomes part of the show interacting with Disney classic stars.
Animator’s Palate really is the best of Disney and perhaps is the best entertainment offering on the cruise. It is a pity you can’t buy a video of the animation; I am sure it would be a big seller.
c
Read More
Just two more days to do on our fantastic United Kingdom 2021 Staycation. To read more of our adventures, click here.
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