7 Ways the Disney Fantasy is Different than the Disney Dream

March 2, 2012 -- My first thought when I boarded the Fantasy cruise ship was – "oh, you look just like the Dream!" Now, anyone who has a sibling that looks just like them knows how annoyed the Fantasy will likely get after hearing this constantly over the next few months. And while the Disney Fantasy does in fact bear a serious resemblance to the Disney Dream, there are differences. Call them sister ships, but don't call them identical twins.

(Disclosure: The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News.)

1. Itineraries
This is the most important and most fundamental difference between the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy. While the Dream sails three, four, and five-night Bahamas itineraries, the Disney Fantasy will alternate seven-night itineraries in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
2. Design
While the Disney Dream is all about the angles of art deco, the Disney Fantasy has a slightly softer look and embraces Art Nouveau. However, there are still some Art Deco elements on Fantasy, most notably in the Buena Vista Theatre which is identical to the Buena Vista Theatre on the Disney Dream .
3. Adult Areas
The adults-only area of the ship devoted to bars and lounges on Deck 4 is known as Europa on the Disney Fantasy and is meant to make passengers feel as if they're clubbing in Europe. On the Dream, this area is called The District and there is no Europe theme. Both have five bars in the adult area; the only overlap between the two is the Skyline Lounge, where the "skyline" view transforms to a different city every few minutes.

On the upper deck of the Fantasy, the 18-and-over-area is more spacious than that of the Disney Dream and has its own heated pool with waterfall – another new addition. It's named Satellite Falls and passengers are able to view television on deck, also a new feature.
4. Restaurant Experiences (sort of)
While you'll recognize the same restaurants on the Fantasy as the Dream, there are a few changes. Most significantly, the one-on-one conversations with Crush, from the movie Nemo, that happen in Animator's Palette on the Dream don't happen on the Fantasy. Instead, diners are given placemats to draw on and by the end of the meal, each person will see his or her drawing come to life in animation with Disney characters on screens around the restaurant.

The restaurant known as the Royal Palace on the Disney Dream is called the Royal Court on the Fantasy and they differ in the details of their design elements. Most notably, the Royal Court has several mosaics inspired by the Disney princesses. Hint: see how many Cinderella slippers you can count at the Royal Court – they're everywhere, from the chair backs to the light fixtures.

5. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
One major addition to the Disney Fantasy is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where little girls get made up and dressed up to look like their favorite princesses by "fairy-godmothers-in-training." On Pirate Night, the boutique transforms into the Pirate League so kids and parents alike can get made up together.
6. Interactive Games
The enchanted artwork -- paintings that come to life when they sense a person in front of them -- on the Disney Dream are also found on the Disney Fantasy with a few enhancements such as scenes from Fantasia and Dumbo.

The Muppets make their debut on the Fantasy, taking a starring role in the interactive "The Case of the Stolen Show." Guests make their way around the ship with a map and a unique game card in hand to solve the mystery.

7. Live Shows
A seven-night sailing requires more shows than a shorter itinerary, so the shows on the two ships differ not just in subject but also in number. The Fantasy has five in all , compared with three on the Dream. Fantasy's productions include a welcome and closing show; a production of Aladdin; and Believe, the only show on Fantasy that is also seen on Dream. Brand-new to the Disney Fantasy is Wishes, which features three teens on the eve of their high school graduation who learn the importance of staying a kid at heart.