Building the Dream

On June 12th, 2010 the Disney Magic arrived at the Port of Dover in the United Kingdom to begin the inaugural Northern European Capitals / Baltic Cruise. While St. Petersburg, Russia was probably the most anticipated port of call for the 1900 passengers onboard, for seven fortunate guests, the Port of Warnemunde, Germany was the highlight. It was there that they had the opportunity to tour Disney Cruise Line's newest ship - the Disney Dream. MousePlanet reader, Linda Neeley and her daughter Jamie were two of these fortunate guests, and were kind enough to share photos from their experience.

Early on the morning on June 16th, while most passengers boarded trains to Berlin, Linda and Jamie boarded a bus that took them to the local airport. There, they boarded a private plane to Papenburg, home of Meyer Werft, the shipyard building the Disney Dream. Once in Papenberg, they were taken to a local hotel where they met Captain Tom and the Imagineering team for lunch and an overview of the construction process. After lunch, it was on to the shipyard, where they toured both the visitor's center and then the ship itself.

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Since they were visiting an active construction site, safety boots and personalized hard hats were provided for safety. A hall where the ships are assembled is visible in the background. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Meyer Werft CEO Bernard Werft greets the visitors. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Bernard Werft autographs Jamie's hard hat. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

The seven guests visiting the shipyard's visitor center. DCL Captain Tom is on the left. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Looking at a model of the shipyard. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Linda and Jamie pose with the new Admiral Donald lobby statue. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Jamie demonstrates a raft that will be used on the AquaDuck water coaster. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

The Disney Dream is visible from the Visitor's Center with a new Aida Cruise Line ship in front of it. Photo by Linda Neeley.

The Disney Dream is visible from the Visitor's Center with a new Aida Cruise Line ship in front of it. Photo by Linda Neeley.

The Disney Dream is visible from the Visitor's Center with a new Aida Cruise Line ship in front of it. Photo by Linda Neeley.

The Disney Dream is visible from the Visitor's Center with a new Aida Cruise Line ship in front of it. Photo by Linda Neeley.

After exploring the Visitor's Center, the tour proceeds to the ship itself. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Imagineer Megan Labhart lead the walking tour of the ship. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

The loading area for the AquaDuck on Deck 12. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Exploring Deck 12 of the Disney Dream, and looking at the AquaDuck support pillars. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Exploring the Disney Dream. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

An Imagineer explains how the AquaDuck will work. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Linda and Jamie Neeley next to the newly painted funnel of the Disney Dream. Note the white tube to the rear of the funnel - this is where the AquaDuck passes through the funnel. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Looking down from Deck 12 to Deck 11 to the new adults-only Quiet Cove Pool area. Most of the teak decking has already been installed. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

On Deck 13, the guests get a closer look at the uppermost parts of the ship. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Looking to the bow of the ship, and Vibe, the new teen hangout where they are getting their own "splash" pools. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Sitting in a pool in Vibe, the new teen hangout onboard the Disney Dream. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Captain Tom shows off his domain, the ship's bridge. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Teak decking being installed on the decks of the new Royal Suites. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Enjoying a Royal Suite hot tub. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Stateroom halls are already getting finishing elements, as seen by the paneled walls. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Several staterooms onboard the ship are already finished. Here, Linda and Jamie Neeley sit on the bed of an inside stateroom. The much touted Virtual Porthole is visible behind them. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

A look inside the new Palo restaurant. The interior work is just beginning. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

Inside the new restaurant, Remy on Deck 12 of the Disney Dream. The artwork represents what the space will look like once it it fitted out by the shipyard. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

The bow of the Disney Dream, at an angle only possible to see while the ship is in dry dock. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

The ship is built in blocks that are then assembled in this hall. The bow was the last block attached to the ship, and the seam is still visible. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.

The stern of the ship. This is one of the last exterior areas still needing paint. The scroll work forming the ship's name is visible. Photo © Disney, courtesy of Linda Neeley.