The Vault: Disney Cruise Line’s 2002 – 2004 Vacations Booklet

I recently received scans of Disney Cruise Line’s 2002 – 2004 Vacations planning book. Considering I have a few older publications and such, I figured why not start, The Vault, a new series to take a look back at the history and evolution of Disney Cruise Line.

The 2002 – 2004 Vacations booklet is a magazine of sorts providing a look at the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder in relatively their original configurations, as the ships were just a few years old when the document was published. I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane to the simpler times with two classic ships sailing to The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Special thanks to Scott Weinfeld for taking the time to scan this booklet.

DCL 2002 2004 Vacation Booklet

The Magic and Wonder of Disney Cruise Line

The first section of the booklet is a teaser for a memory filled vacation of a lifetime.

Welcome Aboard! Your Tour fo the Disney Ships

The first big section is focused on highlighting the various aspects of the ships including an introduction to rotational dining, entertainment options such as Hercules The Muse-ical, and the exclusive venues for dedicated to kids and others reserved just for adults.

Entertainment

Dining

Especially for Kids and Teens

Especially for Adults

Your Stateroom at Sea

Disney Cruise Line Destinations

During this time period the destinations were limited with two ships sailing from Port Canaveral compared to today. Ok, I realize there still isn’t much variety from Port Canaveral, but this is why I love the Classic ships, the variety when it comes to itinerary options. Anyway. The photo used to begin the destinations section is a composite of the Disney Magic steaming by Trunk Bay in St John, USVI. Two of my favorites in one photo!

At the time, all voyages lead to Disney’s island paradise, Castaway Cay.

3- or 4-Night Bahamian Cruise Getaway

The Disney Wonder was sailing the 3-night and 4-Night Bahamian Cruise Getaways to Castaway Cay and Nassau. On select 4-night departures, the sea day was swapped with a stop in Freeport, Grand Bahama. The 4-night sailings left on Sundays and the 3-night cruises on Thursday.

Disney’s Caribbean Cruises

  • 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
  • 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise

After the launch of the Disney Wonder, the Disney Magic transitioned to the 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises both ending with a Friday stop at Castaway Cay just like the Disney Fantasy does now. The 7-night Western Caribbean cruise featured stops at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and one of my favorite stops, Key West. The 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise had stops in St. Maarten and St. Thomas.

7-Night Land and Sea Vacation

Walt Disney World’s proximity to Port Canaveral made it ideal for Disney Cruise Line to offer 7-Night Land and Sea Vacation options with options to select 3/4-nights at Walt Disney World with 4/3-night Bahamian Cruise on the Disney Wonder.

Plan your Disney Cruise Line Vacation

Walt Disney World Resort Accommodations

For land and sea vacations, or just a brief pre-/post-cruise stay, Walt Disney World offered cruises a chance to stay in the middle of the magic.

Deck Plans and Pricing

Oh how times have changed, a 7-night Caribbean cruise starting between $3,899 – $4,999 for the Royal Suite. Just go ahead and ignore the prices as you look at the old deck plans for the Magic & Wonder.

Shore Excursions

The Port Adventures section was not very detailed, but completely understandable as even today options sometime vary by cruise and/or time of year.

Packages Plans

Special Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line packaged options were available including a family reunion, romance, a romantic escape, as well as weddings and vow renewals. Our first Disney Cruise was part of our Land and Sea. We had a Walt Disney World wedding followed by a honeymoon cruise aboard the Disney Wonder then some more time back at the parks. We actually did a Land – Sea – Land vacation and to this day, I recommend saving the cruise for after the parks.

DCL 2002 2004 Vacation Booklet

Disney Cruise Line Facts

The following fact sheet is the most comprehensive fact sheet I’ve ever come across for the ships. It included details down to the number of lifeboats and life rafts, square footages of various areas, and total seas in the various venues. Incredible.

DCL 2002 2004 Vacation Booklet

Air Programs

At the time, Disney was offering convenient air program that included round-trip air transportation, motor coach ground transportation and baggage transfers for a hassle-free vacation experience from a list of cities.

Questions and Answers

Rounding out the booklet were some FAQs covering some of the more commonly asked questions.

Terms and Conditions

Disney saved the best for last, in an easy to read fine print.

Finally, the backside of the 2002 – 2004 Disney Cruise Line Vacations booklet featuring the backside of Mickey, Minnie, and some young guests at Castaway Cay looking at the stern of the Disney Magic.

DCL 2002 2004 Vacation Booklet

A pdf version of the Disney Cruise Line 2002 – 2004 Vacations booklet is available for easy downloading.

Thanks again to Scott for scanning this booklet. I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane. If you have anything similar tucked away in a closet let me know. I’d love to share it in a future article.

2 Replies to “The Vault: Disney Cruise Line’s 2002 – 2004 Vacations Booklet”

  1. Bob

    Just saw on November 1st after the Dreams dry dock they are doing a 7 day eastern Caribbean cruise also noticed the Fantasy is mixing in a bunch of 3,4,5 day cruises. My guess is to prepare the crew for when the new ships get in the mix. Any other ideas?

    Reply
  2. Sydney

    I remember when we went on the Wonder in May 2004 and the 4 of us were the only British people on the boat

    Reply

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