Taking a Disney vacation is exciting whether it's the one of the world-class theme parks or aboard one of Disney's magical cruise ships! At sea, however, you won't find endless attractions like Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and Expedition Everest.
Instead, Disney figured out how to bring the excitement from one of their theme park attractions to their cruise ships with the launch of the AquaDuck on Disney Dream. This unique water coaster travels around the aft of the ship and is included in your cruise fare!
Sailing on the Disney Magic? You’ll experience the AquaDunk, a trap-door waterslide that starts with a fast drop and then moves into an overseas tube.
The Disney Wish and Treasrure feature an upgraded version of the AquaDuck, The AquaMouse, which was dubbed as the "first-ever Disney attraction at sea."
The AquaDuck, AquaDunk, and AquaMouse are generally in operation daily, but you’ll want to check the Daily Navigator or the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app to see the specific operating hours for the day. We’ve found that the lines (especially for the AquaDuck) can get long during a day at sea but usually ease up later in the day.
On port days, the queues are often shorter, so if you are departing the ship later in the morning at your port of call, visit the AquaDuck, AquaDunk, or AquaMouse first. Typically each day, guests line up right before the attraction opens for the day, which is another way to ride without a long line.
During one day at sea on the Disney Fantasy, my family booked an afternoon excursion and our kids enjoyed spending the morning riding the AquaDuck over and over again.
Like attractions at Walt Disney World, signs let you know how long you can expect the wait from various points of the queue. After riding it once, you’ll have a good idea of how fast the line moves.
AquaDunk
The AquaDunk is an exciting, thrilling waterslide that starts with a steep drop before going into an overwater clear tube that shoots over the ship. It was added to the Disney Magic during its 2013 renovation, and the Disney Magic is the only ship with an AquaDunk. It has not been added to the Disney Wonder.
While climbing the stairs to the top, you’ll see some storyboards showcasing the “history” of the AquaDunk. As the story goes, Donald’s nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie helped create the design of the AquaDunk. The storyboards show that several prototypes were tested by Donald before arriving at the final version of the AquaDunk that guests can experience.
The AquaDunk is located on Deck 13 at the forward funnel. You must climb up a few steps to reach the top platform where you enter the ride. Leave your shoes in the cubbies at the bottom, because you won’t be able to keep them with you.
After you reach the top, you’ll be guided into a clear capsule, where you’ll stand up vertically and cross your arms. Once in position, you’ll countdown to the exciting point when the bottom platform quickly opens, rapidly dropping you into the clear tube. The ride down is 212 feet (3 stories!) and goes by very quickly.
The AquaDunk is a single-rider waterslide—there’s no tube or float to ride in. Guests must be at least 48 inches, and there’s a measuring stick at the bottom of the stairs. It's best to measure before ascending the stairs, so your kids won’t have to wait in line only to be disappointed at the top if they aren’t tall enough.
Guests can’t carry any loose objects like phones or cameras on them, and you can’t have any exposed metal or buckles on your swimsuit. Expectant mothers can’t ride, and guests must be in overall good health.
AquaDuck
The AquaDuck is a water coaster that was first introduced with the debut of the Disney Dream and later with the Disney Fantasy. It’s an exciting water ride but it is definitely more gentle than the AquaDunk.
The 765-foot ride is located on the Deck 12 aft area of the ship and includes a 4-deck drop. Like the AquaDunk, the storyline of the AquaDuck involves Donald Duck and his three nephews who “designed” the ride.
Leave your shoes and towel in the cubbies at the bottom of the stairs before walking up to the top. The AquaDuck includes a two-person raft, so you can ride with someone else. After you get into position on the raft, a small conveyor belt moves to lead the raft right onto the coaster.
The actual ride takes you through a clear tube that goes up and down as you travel across the aft of the ship. There’s a steady spray of water to keep you moving, until the raft lands in water at the end. In general, while you will get wet, you won’t be submerged.
The AquaDuck is especially beautiful at night as it is lit up. While it’s a short ride, it’s much longer than the AquaDunk.
Like the AquaDunk, you can’t have any loose objects with you. You must be 42 inches or taller to ride and 54 inches or taller to ride alone on the raft. You also have to be at least 7 years old to ride alone, and 14 years or older to supervise a child under the age of 7. Snorkel or swim masks are not permitted on the ride.
The AquaMouse
Available exclusively on the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, the AquaMouse has been dubbed the "first-ever Disney attraction at sea" and is an updated version of the AquaDuck. It will also be available on the Disney Destiny. All three slides have a different theme!
Inspired by Mickey Mouse animated shorts, riders will embark on a roughly two-minute immersive journey that includes video screens and sound effects. Be prepared for a whooping 60 water nozzles to spray you throughout the ride!
Ride restrictions are similar to those of the AquaDuck:
- You must be 42 inches or taller to ride accompanied, and 48 inches or taller to ride alone.
- Those under 7 must be accompanied by a guest 14 years or older.
- No loose articles permitted (cell phones, sunglasses, cameras).
Jodi Grundig
Jodi Grundig has loved traveling since she was a child. As the mom of a seventeen-year-old son and eighteen-year-old daughter, she has spent much time traveling with kids, and has taken many cruises over the years. Jodi lives in Massachusetts with her family and is the founder of Family Travel Magazine.
