Anna vs. Elsa Royal Suite on Disney Adventure: Which Should You Pick?

What do the Anna and Elsa Royal Suites have in common?

There are only two Royal Suites aboard the Disney Adventure, and I've had the privilege of touring and experiencing both. Before we get into the differences, know that you are getting the same suite category and the same basic luxury either way. Disney lists these Royal Suites at up to 2,461 square feet including the private balconies, accommodating up to six guests. ▶ 1:33 ▶ 5:29

These aren't simply oversized staterooms. They're designed like luxury residences: an enormous living room, a dedicated dining area with a bar, a beautiful main bedroom, a separate children's bedroom with bunk beds, and two in-suite bathrooms. I love that the children aren't sleeping on a sofa two feet away from mom and dad. They have their own room. ▶ 5:51

Both suites also have a Murphy bed in the living room, which Helene, one of our Concierge hosts, told me sleeps two guests, plus a kitchen area with a fully stocked refrigerator, a wine cellar, coffee and tea setup, and a freezer with Mickey bars on a stick (they look a little different here in Singapore) and ice in the bottom, so no need to call down for it. ▶ 2:35 ▶ 2:39

Difference one: Elsa's winter wonderland or Anna's summertime in Arendelle

The biggest difference is immediately obvious: the theme. Elsa's suite is a celebration of her ice magic, with snowflake patterns and Frozen-inspired touches surrounded by soft blues, grays, periwinkle, and purple. When I walked in, everything looked like ice, right down to the icy chandelier over the dining table. What I really appreciate is how sophisticated it feels. This isn't a Frozen-themed children's room; it's a luxury VIP suite that uses Frozen as its design inspiration. ▶ 1:56 ▶ 1:04

Walk into the Anna Royal Suite and you go from that cool, icy palette to the warmth of summertime in Arendelle: deep greens, rich wood tones, her signature purple accents, sparkling light fixtures reminiscent of rustic tree branches, and floral patterns inspired by Anna's wardrobe. You'll find her tiara and books on the shelves because she loves to read, green chenille chairs, shimmering pillows, and gold accents everywhere. ▶ 2:44 ▶ 5:18

Helene summed up the contrast nicely. In the Elsa suite the chandelier looks like icicles coming down, and in Anna's it looks like leaves. The Elsa bathrooms are all silver, while Anna's are gold, which she told me is actually her favorite. My favorite piece of art on the ship hangs in Anna's hallway: a 3D, almost laser-cut scene with Arendelle in it, and another of Olaf, Anna, and Elsa walking in the woods. ▶ 21:52 ▶ 17:39

Difference two: you're booking the location and the view, too

Both Royal Suites are on Deck 18 in the premium Concierge area. The Elsa Royal Suite is 18106 and the Anna Royal Suite is 18206, and because they're positioned on opposite sides of the ship, what you see outside is different. This is something I want my Melissa VIP Magic guests thinking about: the interiors are spectacular, but you're also booking your location and your view, and depending on the sailing, port, and direction the ship is docked, what you see can change. ▶ 3:32 ▶ 3:56

The Anna suite is port side at the very front. The living room wall is floor-to-ceiling windows onto the wraparound verandah, and Helene described it as at least a 180-degree view, from all the way aft along the side to all the way forward where the ship is heading. Captain's view. From the side balcony you're actually above the bridge, and you can look down on the Concierge lounge's outdoor area. Docked in Singapore, I could see the Ferris wheel and Marina Bay Sands from the verandah. ▶ 1:49 ▶ 12:33 ▶ 34:33 ▶ 36:09

Elsa's suite also has those forward-facing views; in my description of that tour I called it feeling like the ruler of the North Mountain. So I would never tell a guest to choose solely on Anna versus Elsa. We need to look at the whole experience. ▶ 5:08 ▶ 4:20

How do the bedrooms and bathrooms compare?

In the Anna master there's a king-size bed with a velvety Anna-green back panel, Frette linens, Mickey on the pillowcases, a chaise lounge, a desk, a huge flat-screen TV, and electric drapes, so you don't even have to get out of bed to open them. The master bath has gold hardware throughout, a steam shower with a rain shower overhead, Bulgari products, a lighted makeup area with a Dyson hair dryer, and a bathtub. Helene told me bathtubs are not common on this ship: the two Royal Suites have one, plus two other suites, and the rest are showers. ▶ 22:36 ▶ 28:56 ▶ 29:20

The Elsa master has a chaise lounge, a huge flat-screen TV, plugs right in the side table, and Elsa artwork on the walls. Its bath is silver and marble, with a beautiful tub, his-and-hers sinks, a separate toilet area, and a standup shower that is huge. The closet has your Concierge robes, shoe shine kit, a makeup area, and the safe. ▶ 3:27 ▶ 4:21

The children's bedroom is where families really win. In Anna's it has two beds, its own ensuite bathroom with a glass rain shower, two sinks, and Bulgari products, a desk with a makeup mirror, raised ceilings, a TV, and a closet that even had children's robes. It also opens onto its own small port-side balcony with two chairs. Elsa's has the same idea with themed bunk beds, a chair, two ottomans, a TV, and its own closet. ▶ 17:39 ▶ 20:00 ▶ 1:29

The verandah and private whirlpool

Both Royal Suites feature two private balconies and your own private whirlpool, and this may be one of my favorite parts of the entire suite. Come back after a busy day, pour yourself a drink, get into your whirlpool, and look out over the ocean. No crowded pool deck, no searching for a chair. ▶ 6:15 ▶ 6:38

Anna's wraparound verandah is huge: a table that seats six, two chaise lounges with green-accented pillows, a sofa lounge area, and the hot tub with green accent tiles. For moms, the verandah door has a lock mounted more than six feet up, so little ones really can't reach it. Elsa's verandah has its own jetted hot tub and plenty of seating too. You can have Palo delivered and eat outside, but it's really hot in Singapore, so we preferred the inside dining table. ▶ 30:33 ▶ 31:23 ▶ 5:32

Difference three: how each suite feels, and who each one suits

My third difference is more subjective, but after seeing both in person I think it matters. Elsa feels cooler, calmer, more contemporary, almost serene. Anna feels warmer, richer, and to me a little more residential. If you were spending your Disney Adventure vacation here, which one feels like you and your family? ▶ 4:43 ▶ 5:06

If your family loves a clean, elegant, winter-wonderland look, or you have an Elsa fan who will light up at the icy chandeliers, choose Elsa. If you want a cozy, woodland, home-like space with gold finishes, choose Anna. For a large group, Helene showed me that Anna connects to suite 18200, also Anna-themed, through a little hallway, and the verandah opens up between them; she said the Elsa side has its own same-themed connecting suite. That turns six guests into twelve and one suite into almost a big apartment. ▶ 31:48 ▶ 32:10

Whichever sister you pick, your Concierge host is part of your vacation every day. You can have the most beautiful Royal Suite in the world, but it's the dedicated Concierge service that turns a beautiful room into a luxury experience. Neither suite is better, but one may absolutely be better for your family. ▶ 8:36 ▶ 10:05