Family, travel, mom blog | Theme Park Mom (Leigh Caldwell)

The final building block of the Disney Dream was hoisted into place today at the German shipyard where Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship is being built.

The ship was built in 80 blocks that were then put together. This last one was a 260-ton portion of the ship’s bow, complete with the signature Disney Cruise Line golden filigree.

Now the attention shifts to inside the cruise ship, where all of the interiors need to be completed in time for the first cruise on the Disney Dream in January 2011.

“With the steel construction process complete, we’re now looking forward to exciting new milestones such as the installation of AquaDuck, the first water coaster at sea,” said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. “Each day, the ship gets closer to its Maiden Voyage, and it is clear that the Disney Dream is destined to be one of the most spectacular ships afloat.”

The Disney Dream will sail alternating three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. During summer 2011, the ship will sail four- and five-night itineraries with two stops at Castaway Cay.

You can already book a Disney cruise on the Disney Dream, before it even leaves the shipyard. I recommend contacting the travel agents at Enchanted Destinations to book your Disney cruise. They are experts on the ships and itineraries, and they know how to get you the vacation of your dreams at the very best price available.

Have you thought about trying a cruise, but you don’t want to commit to a long one? Disney Cruise Lines is offering a 2-day cruise from Los Angeles next year, and it might be a great opportunity to give cruising a try.

The Disney Wonder is moving to the West Coast next winter to offer cruises to the Mexican Riviera and to Alaska. In between its arrival in L.A. and the first Mexican Riviera cruise, Disney Cruise Lines has decided to offer a 2-night “cruise to nowhere” January 21-23, 2011.

What’s a “cruise to nowhere?” Just what it sounds like! You get two nights on board the Disney Wonder, but it won’t be stopping in port anywhere. It’s a great chance to check out all the activities available on the ship.

It’s also a great price. Inside cabins start at $438.86 for TWO adults. That’s less than $250 each. And it includes the taxes and government fees.

Disney is calling this cruise a “weekend getaway,” and I think it would be a great little trip for anyone close to Los Angeles. You could try cruising for the first time, try Disney Cruise Line for the first time, or at these prices, try a more luxurious cabin than you would normally book.

You can book this Disney cruise through Enchanted Destinations.

The Disney Dream doesn’t even set sail until Jan. 26, 2011, but I am practically packing my bags already. I am so excited about this new cruise ship.

Al Weiss, the president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, spoke to the media tonight about the new ship. He says the Disney Dream combines the grand traditions of oceanliners with “Disney imagineering and 21st Century technology.” Here are my Top 5 favorite things the Disney Imagineers have dreamed up for the Disney Dream:

1. The AquaDuck: It’s a water coaster on a cruise ship! But beyond that hype, the AquaDuck looks totally fun. It will take riders out the side of the ship in a translucent tunnel over the water. I can’t wait to ride it. This is a point-of-view animation of the AquaDuck produced by Disney Cruise Line:

2. “Disney Immersion” for the kids: Children will be able to shrink down to toy-size and play in Andy’s Room from “Toy Story” aboard the Disney Dream. They can play with Mike and Sully on the “Monsters, Inc.” Laugh Floor, or they can visit TinkerBell in her fairy forest. These fun rooms are all part of the children’s programs on the new ship.

3. Virtual Portholes: Even the inside cabins will have portholes on the Disney Dream. These video screens will have live video of the view outside the ship. And animated characters such as Peach the starfish from “Finding Nemo” will also drop by the virtual porthole to pay cruisers a visit.

4. Cocktails at Skyline: This lounge aboard the Disney Dream will have tall “windows” that give an aerial view of famous city’s skylines. Imagine telling your friends you were able to visit Paris, London and Tokyo on your Caribbean cruise. What’s more, the skyline views will change from day to night along with the time of day during your Disney Cruise.

5. Senses Spa & Salon: Massages, facials, steam and hydrotherapy. Need I say more?

The new Disney Cruise Line ship doesn’t sail until next year, but you can book your Disney Dream cruise right now. The Dream will sail from Port Canaveral on Florida’s East coast. You can cruise to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

It’s one year until the maiden voyage of the Disney Dream. To mark the occasion, Disney Cruise Line is releasing new details about some of the recreation choices on the ship.

Here are some of the family activities that will be available on the upper decks of the Disney Dream:

Deck 13 – Goofy’s Sports Deck

• Walking path – will ring the outside of the deck
• Goofy’s Golf  – miniature golf course with a “goofy” twist
• Two digital sports simulators – play virtual games of soccer, tennis, basketball and more
• Full basketball court that can also be used for volleyball
• Two miniatures sports courts for children’s soccer and basketball
• Table tennis
• Foosball tables

Deck 11 – Pools and water fun

• Nemo’s Reef (shown above) – water play area for kids that’s shaded from the sun
• Quiet Cove Pool and Cove Bar – adults-only pool and pool bar area
• AquaDuck – water coaster that traverses the upper decks of the Disney Dream ship
• Donald Pool – family pool, including a giant screen where movies will be shown
• Mickey Pool – kid’s pool shaped like Mickey Mouse

The Disney Dream is already accepting reservations for many cruises in 2011. The earlier you book a Disney cruise, the more money you can save on your vacation.