So it seems the feature that’s attracting the most attention on the new Disney Dream is the Magical Porthole. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, the inside staterooms on Disney’s newest cruise ship (those without a real porthole or window) come with a virtual porthole, complete with views of the ocean as it rushes past and Disney characters that stop to peek into the cabin.

Folks say they’d trade a stateroom with a verandah just to have one of these virtual windows on the world. When I first saw them, I thought the ocean views were Disney-fied: almost-real waves seen through an almost-real porthole. But it turns out, as you’ll see when you watch the video below, the water views are real-time, from four video cameras positioned at various places around the outside of the ship. So if your cabin is aft, you’ll see the view from the aft camera – just like the folks in the staterooms with windows!

But Bob Zalk can explain it much better than I can. Check out the video below:

You know, Disney could make a fortune marketing this concept to apartment-dwellers, and businessmen without corner offices. Although I’m not sure I’d want Goofy peering through my window when I’m changing clothes!

Have you experienced a Magical Porthole in person? We’d love to hear about it! And when you share your picture or story, you’ll automatically be entered into our drawing for a Canon Powershot digital camera.