We first sailed on the Magic's 3rd cruise in 1998. We've stayed in categories 11, 7, 6, and on this sailing stayed in a cat 4 (Family Verandah Stateroom). We sailed a 4 day cruise at Florida Resident rates (there are also military rates) and 3 adults (my husband, our 19 y.o. son, and me) stayed in a cat. 4 for approx. $2000 which included tips, some bingo, port parking and a few incidentals. Florida resident rates run about 1/2-2/3 the rack rate - the catch is that they're not always available and only available within 60 days of sailing.
We chose the cat. 4 stateroom because our son is 6'4" and thought the extra room would be nice as they offer a murphy bed next to the verandah window. However, we discovered that the murphy bed in the down position obstructs access to the verandah - which my husband and I like to enjoy at night. So the remaining nights, our son slept on the sofa bed. He actually liked the sofa bed better as the murphy bed has a metal bar at the end and his feet weren't as comfy hanging over as they were on the soft ended sofa bed. I'm sure for families with 2-3 older children - each child having his/her own bed could be a real advantage. And as with all Disney staterooms, a curtain separates the 'adult' sleeping area from the children's. The cat. 4 staterooms have the aforementioned murphy bed, sofa bed plus a 'pull down from the ceiling' bunk type bed. Even with all 3 beds in the sleeping position, there is still a little wiggle room for everyone in the room. The split bathroom plan is like the other 5-10 categories with the exception of the toilet bathroom being just a little larger. The vanity spans the entire length of the room and the toilet isn't on 'an angle' like in cats. 5-10. The only thing about the bathrooms I'd like to change is to have a curved shower curtain as the space in the shower/tub is a little tight. I'd really prefer a walk-in shower (no tub) w/ glass or solid type door - but understand that really isn't as practical for families with small children.
There are plenty of food options - the rotation dining in the evening, and the buffet on deck 8 aft are the favorite choice of many. However, we prefer the quieter breakfasts and lunches in Triton's - there is a more limited menu - but we just like having our food served to us instead of the buffet style where there are just too many little fingers in the food. Breakfast is also served in Parrot Cay on deck 3 aft and there is always the room service menu if you prefer. Since this was our son's first cruise as an adult - and it was his belated high school graduation gift, we treated him to Palo for dinner and again for the brunch! Both were a hit - esp. the brunch! (We did sail once during his teen years, but he didn't really enjoy the teen activities - but he's probably not a 'typical' teen as he doesn't care for rock music or much of pop culture. He did enjoy the Oceaneer Lab during our first 4 cruises - so much so - we had a hard time getting him to join us for dinner & shows.) We had early dining and our 3 table mates were 3 ladies from Canada who were delightful and on their 1st Disney cruise - but from their reactions - it won't be their last. If you don't have enough in your party to fill the table, you will be assigned table mates for the cruise. Not all of the table mates we've been assigned have been as pleasant. However, I think they do try to put families with children with the same, adults w/ adults, etc. The food itself is good - considering the volume and limited options - is quite well done. I've read that some of the other cruiselines may have better - but I'm not cruising just for food - in my book - any food that is well prepared, well served and varied selection is just fine.
quiet location; forward, port; staterooms 8010, 8012, 8014 and 8510, 8512, 8514 have a little more shade over balcony as there is a little overhang from deck 9 - makes the rooms a tad cooler from less direct sunlight - nice!