The atrium lobby of the re-imagined Disney Wonder saw some major changes during her extensive dry dock in 2016. The most drastic change was the removal of the starboard staircase followed by the replacement of the Chihuly chandelier. The Ariel statue was repositioned in th same fashion as Helmsman Mickey on the Magic.
I was really disappointed by the night light that replaced the Chihuly on the Magic. However, I love the new chandler on the Wonder.
Ariel has been relocated to the landing of the lone staircase on the asymmetric landing outside Triton’s which flows into a symmetric carpet design that plays off the ceiling design work.
The Guest Services and Port Adventures desks were de-imagined with the removal of the awesome glass elements that played off the glasswork of the windows across the atrium at Triton’s and to a lesser extent the unimaginative Little Mermaid murals. Personally, I would have preferred these two areas went unaltered.
In my opinion, the changes to Guest Services and Port Adventures is one of those areas DCL did well on the Magic, but just phoned it in on the Wonder. All in all, I smitten with the chandelier.
What’s your favorite part of the Disney Wonder’s atrium?
I do not care for the new chandelier, didn’t like the one on the Magic either. I thought the Chihuly chandeliers were unique and beautiful.
I agree. Love Chihuly’s work and those chandeliers were amazing!
Agreed, although I think I looks better than the magic rendition , compared to the chiluly that was there it looks like a cheap replacement , thumbs down
We have smaller Chihuly glass pieces in the Palmer Art Museum at Penn State… they are highly valued… I suspect the ones in the Magic and Wonder became too valuable and endangered with sea travels… His work is highly respected in the top tier hand glass circles. Everyone loves Chihuly glass! The replacements just don’t hold a candle to the Chihuly pieces. The Mouse lost on this one!
From what I’ve learned following the removal of the Magic’s, the installations on the Magic & Wonder were not glass, but a composite material for the marine environment that would not be prone to shattering with the vibrations.
Interesting, did not know that Scott… but do you happen to know why the replacement on both? Is it/was it a safety thing, or something different, or something new altogether? Just curious. Thanks
I suspect one reason they were replaced was to open up the space, allowing for better views of the atrium events from higher decks.
Both atriums look huge after there respective re-imaginations. I think the new chandeliers work to create space but their now as interesting as the originals.
Sometimes changes just aren’t good… I vote to bring the originals back to both ships or put them in the two new ships being developed. When are they due to be
launched, Scott?
New ships are scheduled for 2021 and 2023.
I do believe that the new chandelier on the Wonder is connected some how to the Little Mermaid theme, I could be wrong, though personally I like all the changes to the atrium and lobby areas, I think some changes are mandatory for any updating to ships. It keeps them fresh and current.
This reminds me of the Carousel from Logan’s Run. Heh.