The Disney Wonder was the second ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet which set sail a year after her sister ship, Disney Magic. The Disney Wonder was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. the Disney Wonder first set sail from Venice on July 14, 1999 and arrived at Port Canaveral for the first time on August 2, 1999. Tinker Bell was name the godmother of the Disney Wonder during a christening ceremony on October 1, 1999 ahead of the Maiden Voyage on August 15th.

The bow features Steamboat Willie at the helm leading the way and Donald doing his best to finish up the paint job on the aft name plate while under duress from his nephew Huey who found a pair of scissors.

The interior design is art nouveau with a more natural whimsical feel.

Between September and November 2016, the Disney Wonder underwent a transformation in Cadiz, Spain that saw 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. Onboard, select guests were given an Engineering Technical Information handout exploring the engine room.

Over the years, Disney Cruise Line published a Disability Access Guide for the Disney Wonder: 2014 and 2012.