Disney Wish, the fifth Disney Cruise Line ship, was announced during the D23 Expo 2019 by Disney CEO Bob Chapek. It is the first of three new vessels joining Disney’s award-winning fleet through 2025.
An immersive and magical experience, the Disney Wish is absolutely overflowing with Disney attractions and environments. Bar a hot crustacean band, it has something for everyone, from fairytale worlds to heroic challenges and galactic showdowns.
“Our guiding principles in designing the Disney Wish, it had to be uniquely Disney,” said Pam Rawlins, executive producer for Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI).
“We had to pull from a rich storytelling. We had to be very family friendly and create experiences to immerse our guests into the worlds of Disney.”
For its latest ship, Disney has created spellbinding spaces. These are inspired by Frozen, Toy Story, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars, Tangled, Marvel, Inside Out, The Incredibles and The Little Mermaid.
Highlights range from Disney Cruise Line’s first actual ride to its only Star Wars lounge for adults, as well as a Frozen-themed theatrical dining experience. An Avengers offering is the company’s most ambitious dining experience ever, while Star Wars: Cargo Bay is the first attraction of its kind.
AquaMouse and attractions on the Disney Wish
Firstly, AquaMouse is the first-ever Disney attraction at sea. The water ride features animated shorts, special effects and tubes suspended above the upper decks. Guests board the ride vehicles before ascending into a tunnel that teleports them into a new animated cartoon called ‘Scuba Scramble’. This is viewed through oversized virtual portholes.
Riders meet curious sea creatures and beloved Disney characters, also enjoying more than 60 water effects. ‘Swiss Meltdown’, another new animation created for AquaMouse, takes guests on a sledding excursion. The cartoon is inspired by Yodelberg, one of the Emmy Award-winning Mickey Mouse shorts.
“There are many fun Disney easter eggs to catch during a ride on AquaMouse, such as an appearance by the abominable snowman from the Disneyland attraction Matterhorn Bobsleds,” said Danny Handke, senior creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering.
Guests blast out of the tunnel for a wild water ride around the upper decks. They also experience stunning lighting effects and views of the ocean. At the end, a soaring loop then takes riders over the edge of the ship, with views down to the deep blue sea.
“This is at the level of what you’d find at our theme parks,” said Laura Cabo, portfolio creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering. “Storytelling, getting wet, going fast.”
In addition to AquaMouse, Disney Wish has three themed districts. Firstly, more pools, deck space and dining is available in an expansive Mickey district. Secondly, the Toy Story zone is a family-friendly water wonderland. There’s a splash zone, wading pool, waterslide and smoothie bar. Finally, the third district, Quiet Cove, is a peaceful adults-only area with an infinity pool, poolside bar and cafe.
Toy Story Splash Zone
Disney’s new Toy Story district is a water playground with larger-than-life rubber bath toys that move and spray water. The bathtub-style splash zone features toddler-sized slides, pop jets, geysers and bubblers.
Also on offer is a double-looping waterslide called Slide-a-saurus Rex. This sends little ones plunging ‘down the drain’ when the bathtub overflows. Other features are Trixie’s Falls, a wading pool with a small fountain and waterfall, and Wheezy’s Freezies, a smoothie bar.
Frozen dining and family-friendly food
Disney’s first Frozen-themed ‘theatrical dining experience’ is called ‘Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure’. Characters such as Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf all make an appearance. Guests enjoy Nordic-inspired cuisine as well as immersive live entertainment.
The show up where Frozen 2 left off. Elsa and Olaf host the party, while food is provided by Oaken’s ‘Hearty Party Planning Service… And Sauna’.
There are Nordic renditions of Frozen songs, with guests sitting at tables around a centre stage while invisible fibre optics embedded in the ceiling bring to life Elsa’s icy magic. Panoramic windows reveal the aurora borealis.
Avengers: Quantum Encounter
The ‘Worlds of Marvel’ restaurant is home to Avengers: Quantum Encounter, Disney Cruise Line’s most ambitious dining experience ever. Guests play an interactive role in this Avengers-style mission. Additionally, dishes are inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“It’s like dining inside an epic Marvel movie. Throughout dinner, guests take part in a hands-on demonstration of the latest and greatest Pym Tech, the Quantum Core, hosted by Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne (Ant-Man and the Wasp),” Handke said.
“But when Ultron turns up with an army of robot sentries eager to take control of this world-changing technology, Ant-Man and the Wasp will need all the help they can get to save the day – calling on Captain America, Captain Marvel and even the brave diners of the Disney Wish for back-up.”
Actors to reprise their roles for the cinematic dining adventure include Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man) and Evangeline Lilly (the Wasp). Anthony Mackie (Captain America), and Brie Larson (Captain Marvel) also returned to their roles.
Disney has designed the restaurant with immersive cinematic technology. Hundreds of screens and special effects are embedded throughout. Every table has its own Quantum Core. When enough of these are activated at the same time, the entire venue becomes supercharged. Energy pulses through the power channels in the walls and ceiling.
“Outfitted with state-of-the-art Pym Tech and decked out in signature Stark-itecture style, the venue offers surprises in all shapes and sizes – from the tiniest design Easter eggs to the larger-than-life story that takes place,” said Handke.
1923 and Marceline Market on the Disney Wish
Named after the year the Walt Disney Company was founded, 1923 is an elegant restaurant. It pays tribute to the golden age of animation. Dishes are inspired by California’s fusion of cultural flavours.
Marceline Market is a food hall on the Disney Wish. It celebrates Walt Disney’s childhood on a farm in Marceline, Missouri. Each of the 10 food stalls is themed to a Disney animated story, from Alice in Wonderland (1951) to Zootopia (2016).
Found on the upper decks, Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods is an open-air eating place with five food stalls. These are Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue, Donald’s Cantina, Daisy’s Pizza Pies, Goofy’s Grill and Sweet Minnie’s Ice Cream. It is reminiscent of the seaside boardwalk setting from the Mickey Mouse animated shorts.
Star Wars lounge and adults-only F&B
For the first time on a Disney Cruise Line ship, adults can also enjoy a high-end Star Wars bar. The immersive watering hole serves beverages themed to locations such as Batuu, Tatooine and Mustafar. In addition, it provides interactive tasting experiences.
The venue is designed to look like a stylish starcruiser, much like Dryden Vos’ ship in Solo: A Star Wars Story. The bar features a virtual ‘window’ into the galaxy. Customers enjoy views of famous Star Wars spaceships and locations. A holotube presents holographic models of nearby ships.
Beauty and the Beast eateries
Honouring Beauty and the Beast’s Cogsworth, Palo Steakhouse is another restaurant on the Disney Wish for adults. “As you dine in this sophisticated setting, you’ll notice subtle theming centered around everyone’s favorite punctual and precise clock, Cogsworth,” said Cabo.
Inspired by the film’s maitre d’ Lumiere, Enchanté by chef Arnaud Lallement is the most luxurious dining experience on the ship. Cabo said it “celebrates the light and frivolity of Cogsworth’s quick-witted colleague, Lumiere”. The Rose is a stylish lounge based on the flower in Beauty and the Beast.
Keg & Compass, Nightingale’s and The Bayou
The Keg & Compass is a drinking establishment that celebrates the sea. Designed to look like a late 1800s Norwegian sailor’s map room, it pays homage to characters such as Ursula and Moana.
Nightingale’s is a piano bar themed to Cinderella’s rendition of ‘Sing Sweet Nightingale’ in the 1950 film. Guests can enjoy fine and fizzy wines and cocktails.
A New Orleans-themed lounge, The Bayou is based on The Princess and the Frog. Brimming with magnolia blossoms, lily pads and twinkling fireflies, the lounge evokes the magical marsh seen in the Disney film. As well as drinks, the menu offers beignets.
Immersive entertainment on the Disney Wish
Immersive entertainment is available across the ship. The grand hall transforms into an ‘environmental theatre’ thanks to built-in special effects and Disney Cruise Line’s first-ever atrium stage. Shows and interactive experiences come to life around the grand hall.
World-class entertainment created for the Disney Wish includes stage shows, deck parties, character experiences and family activities. The Wonderland and Never Land cinemas screen movies from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm. The Walt Disney Theatre also stages Broadway-style productions developed exclusively for Disney Cruise Line.
Stage adaptation of The Little Mermaid
Taking place in the Walt Disney Theatre, ‘Disney The Little Mermaid’ is an original stage adaptation of the 1989 film. It presents iconic scenes, music and characters from the film. It also boasts innovative theatrical design, dazzling special effects and a reimagined script and score.
‘Under the Sea’ is the biggest production number. Myriad sea creatures and characters such as Sebastian and Flounder appear on stage. Throughout the show, state-of-the-art video projections transform the theatre into a 360-degree underwater environment.
The performance offers new orchestrations of songs such as ‘Under the Sea’, ‘Part of Your World’, and ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’. Cutting-edge puppetry animates sea creatures and characters, including Sebastian, Flounder, Scuttle, and Flotsam and Jetsam.
Another show in the Walt Disney Theatre, ‘Disney Seas the Adventure’ features popular songs and characters. These include ‘Almost There’ from The Princess and the Frog and ‘Go the Distance’ from Hercules. In the show’s grand finale, a cavalcade of characters also join Captain Minnie and Goofy on stage.
Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party
During every voyage, guests can dress up in swashbuckling attire for the Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party. There are fantastic fireworks and live music, as well as stunts and special effects. Captain Redd is hosting the gathering, which includes a rendition of ‘Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)’.
The Incredibles game show
The Incredi-Games is a game show-type attraction in the Hero Zone. Based on Pixar’s The Incredibles, the Incredi-Games is an interactive obstacle course with physical challenges. These include Mr. Incredible’s Power Punch, Jack-Jack’s Whack-A Rac and Elastigirl’s Stretch-O-Rama. Guests can also enjoy Dash’s Mad Dash Mayhem, Violet’s Force Field Swing and Frozone’s Ice Slide.
The Hero Zone is a futuristic sports hub where guests can find action-packed challenges and competitions for families.
Jack-Jack’s Incredible Diaper Dash is available for the ship’s youngest visitors. Little ones simply speed crawl across a track in a bid to win the title of ‘Diaper Dash Champion’. Other activities range from basketball and soccer to air hockey, foosball and shuffleboard.
Cool clubs for kids on the Disney Wish
Disney’s Oceaneer Club is a fleet-wide activity centre for children. Exceptional experiences on the Disney Wish include the Marvel Super Hero Academy, Fairytale Hall, Star Wars: Cargo Bay and Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck.
For a scavenger hunt, the hub of Disney’s Oceaneer Club transforms into the ‘Snuggly Duckling’ tavern from Tangled. Meanwhile, cruisers aged between six months and three years old are cared for at the ‘It’s a Small World Nursery’. Here, babysitting services are provided in a whimsical environment based on the theme park attraction.
“We completely reimagined Disney’s Oceaneer Club,” Handke said. “We have new characters to meet. There’s always something fresh and new every time they come back.”
Fairytale Hall on the Disney Wish
The next attraction is Fairytale Hall, a trio of activity rooms. It comprises ‘Rapunzel’s Art Studio’ and ‘Belle’s Library’ as well as ‘Anna and Elsa’s Sommerhus’.
Anna and Elsa’s Sommerhus “will allow kids to test newfound icy powers during ‘Frozen Fun’, a series of gesture-based games hosted by none other than everyone’s favourite snowman, Olaf”, said Cabo. Children can also enjoy “snowball fights with friendly trolls” and “hunt for the mischievous Snowgies”.
Marvel Super Hero Academy
Children train alongside the likes of Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Ant-Man and the Wasp at this high-tech Avengers HQ.
After arriving, kids then select a suit similar to those worn by Marvel heroes like Iron Man and Captain Marvel. “Then it will be time for ‘Avengers: Mission Training’, a gesture-based technology game where they put their new suits and skills to the test as they virtually battle bad guys,” Handke said.
Star Wars: Cargo Bay
Star Wars: Cargo Bay is a stellar space for peculiar creatures and characters from the world of Star Wars. Children taking part in this first-of-its-kind immersive experience play as creature handlers, learning to manage a porg, worrt and Loth-cat.
Throughout the cruise, kids can use AR-enabled datapads to track and study the creatures during special assignments. The signature experience at Cargo Bay is an interactive ‘Star Wars: Creature Challenge’. Here, children can feed creatures as well as meeting some of the most dangerous beasts in the galaxy.
“Kids are tasked with taking care of these creatures as they’re being transported to Batuu,” Handke added. “We have a Loth-cat, we have porgs, we have a dianoga that they get to interact with.”
Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck
Designed for the youngest sailors at Disney’s Oceaneer Club, Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck is a nautical-themed playground. Physical and sensory games and activities include pipe slides as well as crawl-throughs. The signature experience here is ‘Minnie’s Captain Academy’.
‘Minnie’s Captain Academy’ is a training session made up of physical activities, from playful games to dancing. Children can take on a series of mental challenges in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).
Outdoor Oasis and relaxation for adults
Disney Cruise Line’s first-ever outdoor spa retreat, Outdoor Oasis at Senses Spa, is a reimagining of the signature Rainforest experience. As well as the fleet’s first ice lounge, facilities include heated ergonomic loungers, sensory spa shows, and sauna, steam and dry chambers.
Untangled Salon and Hook’s Barbery
Cleverly named after Tangled, the Untangled Salon is decorated in shades of purple and gold with floating lantern light fixtures. Services include haircuts and styling. Gets can also treat themselves to manicures, pedicures, teeth whitening and skin treatments.
Hook’s Barbery offers cuts and shaves, as well as nail and skin care. The decor includes a wooden map of Never Land. The barber’s lanterns come to life with audio effects to signify Tinker Bell jumping from one fixture to another. Hook’s Barbery also contains a hidden bar serving bourbon, vintage whisky and port, and aged rum. Its namesake is, of course, Peter Pan’s Captain Hook.
Unique retail: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Kids can get magical makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Hairstyling, makeup, costumes and accessories are included. The Imagineering team has created a storybook salon for the new vessel. Design elements are borrowed from Cinderella.
On top of princess, pirate and knight makeovers, young cruisers also get to become Captain Minnie Mouse and Captain Mickey Mouse for the first time ever.
Joyful Sweets
The ship’s sweet shop is designed to resemble the Headquarters. This is also known as the control centre inside Riley Andersen’s mind in Pixar’s Inside Out.
A colourful and saccharine world, Joyful Sweets sells decadent desserts. These include edible Memory Orbs and more than 40 flavours of gelato and ice cream. Cupcakes are themed to Riley’s emotions – a red velvet cupcake represents Anger while a sweet lemon cupcake is Joy.
Disney Uncharted Adventure on the Disney Wish
This state-of-the-art experience turns smart devices into enchanted spyglasses – a tool that lets guests solve puzzles, conquer quests and ‘save the day’ on the Disney Wish. Once guests make a reservation, they can unlock Disney Uncharted Adventure on the Play Disney Parks app.
“While guests will need a mobile device to play, this isn’t a traditional mobile gaming experience,” said Davey Feder, software product manager at Walt Disney Imagineering. “This is a heads-up, active experience that can be played with family and friends. The magic will happen all around the ship.”
“The spyglass is not where the adventure takes place – it’s just the tool that brings the ship to life, opening portals into new worlds and allowing guests to interact with them,” Feder added.
Even before the ship sets sail, Minnie and Mickey help guests prepare for the trip. Once on board, guests can use their spyglasses to reveal views of the stars above, with constellations appearing as Disney characters. What’s more, they can go to Motunui, New Orleans and Never Land.
“We are infusing the Disney Wish with innovative technology, like augmented reality and physical effects, to create a hidden layer of magic that can only be unlocked with Disney Uncharted Adventure,” Feder said.
“Guests might admire a beautiful painting today without realizing that, hiding right beneath the surface, there’s a hoard of mischievous Kakamora from the world of Moana just waiting to escape and wreak havoc on the ship. A digital menu board might showcase what’s for lunch in the afternoon, but later it will host a cooking lesson in Tiana’s own kitchen.”
Designing the Disney Wish
Storytelling is also embedded across the cruise experience. Walt Disney Imagineers created an enchanted new look for the Disney Wish. Tangled’s Rapunzel and her sidekick Pascal adorn the ship’s stern. In addition, a bronze statue of Cinderella is located at the base of the grand staircase and Captain Minnie Mouse is pictured on the bow for the first time on a Disney vessel.
The grand hall is an elegant space that looks like a fairytale castle. Trails of pixie dust climb the columns, while the chandelier is a swirling spiral of crystal gems crowned with a wishing star.
Luxurious accommodation
All 1,254 staterooms on the Disney Wish have a luxurious and peaceful design. Most of them have an ocean view, and 70 percent of them also boast a verandah. Meanwhile, Disney’s first-ever staterooms are located above the bridge. These come with floor-to-ceiling windows and incredible views.
The Disney Wish also has four Sleeping Beauty-themed royal suites that feature extravagant details. These include a pair of two-storey suites – the first of their kind in the Disney fleet. The Wish Tower Suite is in the forward funnel of the Disney Wish.
A 1,966-square-foot penthouse in the sky, it is the most unique accommodation on a Disney ship to date.
The departure of the Disney Wish
The Disney Cruise Line christened its new ship on 29 June, before it set sail on its maiden voyage on 14 July. Disney Cruise Line took delivery of the Disney Wish on 9 June during a traditional maritime ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany. After the event, Captain Marco Nogara then took the helm of the ship for the transatlantic voyage from Bremerhaven to her home in Port Canaveral, Florida.
Departing from Port Canaveral, the Disney Wish is sailing to Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, in the Bahamas. In Nassau, guests can enjoy breathtaking beaches and activities such as swimming, snorkelling and shipping. Reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests, Castaway Cay is home to turquoise waters as well as white sand beaches.
Images: Disney Cruise Line
