What are Disney cruise AquaDuck, AquaDunk and AquaMouse?

When it comes to kids clubs, onboard entertainment and service, Disney Cruise Line blows just about every other mainstream cruise line out of the water. However, it doesn’t quite have the top-deck “wow” factor of other brands. On its ships, the main attractions tend to be the pools and water rides, which include AquaDuck, AquaDunk and AquaMouse.

But what are they, and what sets them apart? With names so similar, it can be difficult to know the difference. Here, I’ll go over what each attraction entails, what you should know before you ride and the ships on which you’ll find them.

What is the Disney Cruise Line AquaDuck?

Of these three Disney cruise waterslides, AquaDuck was the first to debut. It was rolled out on Disney Dream in 2011, and a second followed when Disney Fantasy began sailing a year later in 2012.

Named after Donald Duck, AquaDuck is billed as a “water coaster,” which means that instead of just hopping into the slide and careening down several decks, you sit in a two-person raft. That allows you to sit somewhat upright during your journey.

During the ride, you’ll wind down four decks and pass through the ship’s funnel. If you look down through the clear tubing, you’ll catch a view of the pool deck and ocean below. It’s definitely fun but might not be as heart-pounding as some other thrill slides you might have tried. Tip: Ride at night for an even better experience that includes colorful lights.

Passengers must be at least 42 inches tall to ride. To ride alone, you must be at least 54 inches tall and 7 years old. Children younger than 7 must be accompanied by someone who meets the two-person height requirement and is at least 14 years old. Passengers cannot wear loose items, snorkels or swim masks on AquaDuck.

What is the Disney cruise AquaDunk?

Disney Magic is currently the only ship to house AquaDunk. The vessel was retrofitted with the waterslide during a massive refurbishment in 2013.

Of all of Disney’s waterslides, AquaDunk is the fastest and most thrilling. It’s a true waterslide in the sense that it doesn’t use rafts. Instead, cruisers step into a pod at the top of the slide and wait for the floor to drop out from under them. When that happens, they shoot down through 212 feet of clear tubing, including a section that takes them 20 feet out over the side of the ship, above the open water below.

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You must be at least 48 inches tall to ride AquaDunk, and it’s an experience that requires passengers to go one at a time. Goggles, swim masks and snorkel equipment are not allowed on AquaDunk.

What is the Disney cruise AquaMouse?

Disney claims AquaMouse is the first theme park-style attraction at sea (although I disagree that it’s theme park-caliber). It debuted on Disney Wish in 2022, elevating the brand’s waterslide-style rides to the next level.

The experience starts with passengers sitting in two-person rafts, which are slowly drawn uphill on a conveyor belt. During the climb, passengers can watch one of two special animated shows via screens that line the walls.

The first one, Scuba Scramble, takes riders on an under-sea trip as Mickey and Minnie try to start their own shore excursion company. The second show, Swiss Meltdown, involves a mountaintop sledding excursion gone awry.

When riders reach the top, the fun truly begins with drops, twists and turns to follow.

Sister ships Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny are set to offer their own versions of AquaMouse. Respectively, the ships will feature Curse of the Golden Egg, which sees Mickey and Minnie searching for treasure in an ancient temple, and a villain-themed show with baddies from the Disney Animation Archive, including the Queen of Hearts from “Alice in Wonderland,” Scar from “The Lion King” and Chernabog from “Fantasia.”

Does Disney Wonder have a waterslide?

Yes. However, although Disney Wonder has a waterslide, it’s not one of the line’s branded Aqua-slides. Instead, it’s a pretty standard waterslide that’s part of the AquaLab children’s water play area. The yellow tubing, which is open to the sky, provides a somewhat leisurely, winding ride designed for children and teens rather than thrill-seekers.

Note that Twist ‘n’ Spout is also on Disney Magic and Disney Fantasy. Cruisers must be at least 38 inches tall to ride. Goggles, swim masks and snorkel equipment are not permitted on Twist ‘n’ Spout.