The Disney Magic was the first ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet which set sail in 1998 following a partnership with Premier Cruise Line which ended 5 years earlier. The Disney Magic was built in two parts at Fincantieri shipyards in Marghera and Anconda, Italy. Final construction took place in Marghera and the Disney Magic first set sail from Venice on July 1, 1998 and arrived at Port Canaveral for the first time on July 15, 1998. Patricia Disney was name the godmother of the Disney Magic during a christening ceremony at Port Canaveral on July 28, 1998 ahead of the Maiden Voyage on July 30th.

The bow features Sorcerer Mickey leading the way and Goofy finishing up the paint job on the aft name plate.

The interior design is art deco with a modern, sleek flare with straight lines and slender forms.

In September and October 2013, the Disney Magic underwent a transformation in Cadiz, Spain that included adding a duck tail extension along with many spaces re-imagined.

Fincantieri published a data sheet for the Magic Class ships. A 2001 brochure from Disney Cruise Line included a fact sheet with many fine details.

Over the years, Disney Cruise Line published a Disability Access Guide for the Disney Magic: 2020, 2015, and 2014.