Disney Magic: Halloween on the High Seas – Day 1: Fort Lauderdale, Rapunzel’s Royal Table and Tangled: The Musical

Intro

After an unforgettable 22-night adventure on Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, I was ready to set sail again—this time, on a completely different kind of voyage. For my third Disney Cruise, I couldn’t have been more excited to embrace the magic of Halloween on the High Seas aboard the Disney Magic. Not only was this my first Halloween-themed Disney Cruise, but it was also my inaugural visit to Disney Cruise Line’s newest private destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

Before boarding, I took the chance to explore Fort Lauderdale, soaking in its vibrant atmosphere. From breathtaking views of New York during my JetBlue flight to a relaxing stay at the Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port, the city was the perfect pre-cruise stop. Highlights included mouthwatering tacos at El Camino, strolling down Las Olas Boulevard, and a little retail therapy at Primark in Sawgrass Mills. Watching the Disney Magic from the sky and counting down the days on the Disney Cruise Line app added to the excitement.

This cruise promised to combine the enchantment of Disney with the spooky charm of Halloween—and I couldn’t wait to share every moment of it, from themed parties to exploring new destinations!

From New York to Fort Lauderdale

I decided to travel to Fort Lauderdale a few days before the cruise, just because I think it is dangerous to travel on the same day. Also, the cruise started on a Monday, so it was just easier to fly on Friday and spend the weekend in Florida. This trip had a few different components, including a first part exploring Fort Lauderdale, then the Halloween on the High Seas aboard the Disney Magic, and then an Orlando theme park to finish it all, but that will come way later on these posts. For now, I was passing by the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York, on the way to Fort Lauderdale. Hey, I was going to be on the Men In Black attraction in a few days!

Took a quick nap, and woke up almost landing, and oh surprise, the Friday-Monday itinerary on the Disney Magic had just departed, so I was able to see it from the plane. I was so excited to see it!

And soon we were landing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

I was able to get a room at the Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port & Convention Center, very close to the Disney port, using my Chase points, transferring them to my Hyatt Account, and well, I liked the room a lot.

It was very spacious, and had everything I needed.

Exploring Fort Lauderdale

This weekend was going to be to relax, and exploring a little bit of Fort Lauderdale. It is funny that this was the first city I ever visited in the United Stated, but never really came back. I just pass by it from Miami to Orlando or vice versa, but never get to enjoy it. For dinner, I went to El Camino in Las Olas Boulevard, and oh boy, these tacos were amazing.

Las Olas Boulevard looked like the go-to area to go hang and have a drink or a bite. I would definitely be back during this trip.

After a Saturday picking up my mom at the airport, since she would join me on this cruise, it was now Sunday, and the Disney Cruise Line app reminded me that it was only 1 day before the cruise!

That Sunday was basically to get ready for the cruise, so we went to Sawgrass Mills, and spent all day basically shopping, and buying presents for family and friends. A friend joined us and we all went to Primark, a retail store from Ireland, that I had known in Paris, Brooklyn and Amsterdam, and that now opened the stores in Fort Lauderdale.

The sunset on the way back to the East of Fort Lauderdale was amazing.

And well, as promised, I was back in El Camino with mom and friend eating the best food in Fort Lauderdale. Although, I was about to have a lot of free food on demand on the Disney Cruise lol.

We finished the night seeing the actual sunset from the Las Olas Oceanside Park by the Fort Lauderdale beach.

4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale: Day 1 – Embarkation

It was finally here. The way we would embark the Disney Magic for the first time, and the app was telling me the same. It was time to go to the Fort Lauderdale port.

This whole cruise was a surprise for my mom. We checked out of the hotel, after getting Starbucks around, and took an Uber to the Port Everglades Cruise Terminal 4, which was probably like 7 min. When we arrived, I showed the cruise to my mom and told her we would go in it now. She was in shocked for a couple of seconds lol, but she loved the surprise. She had been in the Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruise before with me.

The check in and boarding process was very organized. I was not expecting the terminal to be Disney themed as like the one in Port Canaveral, but it was nice we had the Disney fantasy ever since we stepped on the cruise terminal.

There it was! The Disney Magic! This sailing was going to take us to the Disney’s new destination: Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and to Nassau in The Bahamas.

4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale: Day 1 – Cabanas, Room Tour and Sail-A-Wave Party!

We were inside! Third Disney Cruise, after Disney Dream a few years ago, and the Disney Wish just recently. And of course, as soon as we got in, we went into the buffet, which here is located in Cabanas. You all know how I love seafood when travelling, especially on a cruise. I mean, it is all included in the price. And sodas! A big difference with Royal Caribbean is that sodas are included.

My little dessert was a chocolate mousse and a cookie hehe.

It was a beautiful sunny day, to depart from Fort Lauderdale, and the Celebrity Reflection was also on the port. They would probably have to move first, before we head out.

Rooms were ready, as announced by the captain, and now we went to 6085, an interior room, and our home for the next 4 nights.

The room was actually bigger than what it looks in photos, but we were excited regardless of spend the most time outside, and just use it to sleep and change basically.

My mom would sleep in the convertible sofa (turns into a bed), she insisted since it was lower than the main bed.

Time for another coffee, and this time it was in Cove Cafe, probably one of my favorite spots in any Disney Cruise, because it is located in the Adults Only area, and well, because it serves really good coffee. For the first time, I got a latte with something stamped on it, this time a Mickey Pumpkin!

Another difference with Royal Caribbean, is that the Mandatory assembly drills are still in person in the Disney cruises. I feel like this sucks a lot of time from our Day 01, and Disney should start thinking in ways to do this from the app or somehow easier.

And after all that was done and finished, we got to explore the ship a little bit more, and there it was, the Pumpkin Tree at the Lobby Atrium. Does not it look so amazing??

It was time for the Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave Party! on the top deck, and oh boy, it was sunny! But we tried to make the most of it. Love how the Disney inspired honks mark the official start of this sailing.

Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy were really working hard while we departed from Fort Lauderdale.

After that, Mickey was meeting guests around the cruise…

…but we decided to go to a Port and Shopping Giveaway at Fathoms. We did not win anything, but at least we know we would not be back on these ones. Just like in Royal Caribbean is just a waste of time lol.

4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale: Day 1 – Rapunzel’s Royal Table

Another difference with Royal Caribbean, and that I love from Disney, is that they have rotational dining. Meaning they have 3 different Disney themed restaurants, and they would rotate the guests each night to a different one. For our first night, it was Rapunzel’s Royal Table. I was so excited to visit this restaurant and see the show they do.

All the lanterns were so beautiful.

The show was divided in parts, with music in between to allow guests to eat dinner.

For starter, I got the Crispy Arendelle Shrimp. Anything seafood I am going to get.

My main dish was the Pan Seared Sea Bass Filet. It was very delicious.

I also got the lobster salad. I cannot let pass an opportunity to eat free lobster lol.

And Rapunzel’s Fry Pan Sweet Bread could not be missed, since it is so iconic from this restaurant!

The dinner ended with the introduction of Flynn Rider and I See the Light. The tears!!!

4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale: Day 1 – Night Entertainment and Tangled: The Musical!

We came back to our stateroom, and a snake (?) was waiting for us.

Not too long after, we went to the Pumpkin Tree lightning at the Lobby Atrium. It was really cool seeing the light show it has and everyone applauding the moment.

After that, we went for a quick drink at Keys, while listening Disney hits from 100 years of Disney with Justine. We kinda had to rush, because in minutes the main show of the night was going to start…

…and tonight, it was Tangled: The Musical at Walt Disney Theatre. The Broadway-style show was beautiful. Definitely, something that defers strongly from Royal Caribbean is the constant entertainment, and the quality of these productions. It was just amazing.

Mickey was again meeting and greeting after the show.

And Donald too, in their Halloween attire.

We ended the night going to a showing of Deadpool and Wolverine, which was still in the movies. But they instead showed the first episode of Agatha All Along, which I LOVEEEE, but I had already seen. Everyone naturally started complaining and leaving, and so did we!

But this is just the start of this 4-night itinerary, do not miss the next blog post, this time from the beautiful new Disney destination: Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point!