Disney's Magic & Wonder
Port Canaveral, Florida

Project Type: New Construction
Launch Date: August 1998 (Magic),
August 1999 (Wonder)
Client: Disney Cruise Lines
AD Scope: Acoustics, Sound Isolation,
Noise Control

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In August of 1998, The Walt Disney Company inaugurated Disney Cruise Line with the Disney Magic, a 964 foot long, 83,000 ton cruise vessel accommodating 2,400 guests in true Disney fashion and style. A year later, her sister ship, Disney Wonder, was christened and joined the Magic at their Port Canaveral, Florida, home.

Each ship boasts a 1,700-seat theatre with full rigging capabilities, a cinema, 5 nightclubs and lounges, 5 restaurants, a sports bar, a health spa, outdoor sports and an entire deck dedicated to children’s activities. AD was retained as acoustic designers to Walt Disney Imagineering to assist in acoustical design of all of the public areas and spaces within both ships. The highly themed interior designs coupled with sophisticated audio and video systems and the rigorous limitations of ship construction demanded a significant amount of coordination with the interior designers, technical and entertainment systems designers and architects to provide an acoustical design that was integral to all other aspects of the design, including the audio and video systems.

During the construction phase of both ships, we were retained by Walt Disney Imagineering as advisors for the sound isolation and mechanical systems noise control aspects of the project as well as to inspect the interior acoustics design aspects. This advisory role required coordination with the shipyard and their contractors as well as with the architectural and show designers to ensure that guests are provided the best acoustical experience possible.