In one year, on June 9, 2022, Disney Cruise Line will launch its newest cruise ship – the Disney Wish. Based upon the popular “Wish Upon a Star” song, the Disney Wish is providing elaborate theming of several popular Disney properties including Star Wars, the Avengers, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Toy Story, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, and even Walt Disney Imagineering.
“Daring to dream even bigger, our Imagineers are creating a breathtaking new world of enchantment aboard the Disney Wish,” said Laura Cabo, portfolio creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “This motif provides the perfect platform to infuse Disney storytelling into every aspect of the design, giving the Disney Wish its own unique personality and a completely new look unlike anything else at sea.”
The 3-story tall Grand Hall, inspired by fairytales, will be home to dramatic evening shows where glittering trails of pixie dust climbing columns to the ceiling. Shimmering magical lighting will also encompass the room’s chandelier, which also sports a wishing star.
The ships will contain a number of attractions, experiences, and even an imaginative Walt Disney Imagineering-designed water ride. Here’s a run down of what to expect:
Disney Wish Experiences
There are a wide variety of experiences on the Disney Wish, including:
Walt Disney Theatre – “An opulent show palace that will come alive with original Broadway-style stage productions developed exclusively for Disney Cruise Line. This elegant, 1,274-seat theater will be designed to evoke an enchanted forest, imbuing the atmosphere with a sense of magic inspired by scenes from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ legendary film ‘Fantasia.'”
Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge – “Guests will embark on a space-jumping tour of the Star Wars galaxy at Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge, a high-end bar styled as a luxurious yacht-class spaceship. This richly themed, immersive experience will be reserved for adults every evening, offering interactive tasting experiences and signature beverages inspired by destinations such as Batuu, Tatooine and Mustafar.”
Toy Story Splash Zone – This is a Toy Story water-themed area for families with younger children to play. Kids can splash, slide, and swim with many of the popular Toy Story characters.
AquaMouse – This is an exciting water ride with a storyline that takes you inside a Mickey Mouse animated short titled, “Scuba Scramble.” Like with rides at Disney theme parks, this one contains visual effects, show scenes, elaborate lighting. The water ride spans 670 feet of the upper deck of the Disney Wish.
Walt Disney Imagineering Lab – “A first-of-its-kind opportunity for kids ages 3 to 12 to discover the secrets of world-renowned Disney Imagineers — the creative masterminds behind Disney theme parks, resorts and cruise ships — with hands-on activities and inventive experiments.”
Fairytale Hall – “A royal trio of activity rooms where princesses and princes will let their creativity shine at Rapunzel’s Art Studio, read and act out stories at Belle’s Library, and test newfound icy powers at Anna and Elsa’s Sommerhus.”
Marvel Super Hero Academy – “A high-tech Avengers headquarters where kids ages 3 to 12 will train to be the next generation of Super-Heroes with the help of their own heroes, like Spider-Man, Black Panther, Ant-Man and the Wasp.”
The Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, Fairytale Hall, and Marvel Superhero Academy will all be part of Disney’s Oceaneer Club, complete with a secret entrance – a hidden slide in the Grand Hall that takes kids directly to the fun.
Disney Wish Food and Entertainment
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure – “Disney’s first “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience that will bring the world of Arendelle to life through immersive live entertainment — featuring favorite characters like Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf — and world-class cuisine infused with Nordic influences.”
1923 – “Named for the year The Walt Disney Company was founded, 1923 is an elegant celebration of the company’s legacy, paying homage to the golden age of animation and offering a tasteful tribute to its Californian heritage with dishes inspired by the state’s unique fusion of cultural flavors.”
Worlds of Marvel – “The first-ever Marvel cinematic dining adventure, where guests will play an interactive role in an action-packed Avengers mission that unfolds around them, complete with a worldly menu inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”
The Rose – “Guests will savor an upscale suite of epicurean excellence exclusively for adults inspired by the elegant icons of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Beauty and the Beast. The Rose is a chic lounge at the entrance of Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. Inspired by the fateful flower at the heart of the story, The Rose will be an idyllic setting for a pre-dinner aperitif or after-dinner cocktail.”
Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement – “Guests will savor an upscale suite of epicurean excellence exclusively for adults inspired by the elegant icons of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement will offer the most luxurious dining experience on board, featuring a gourmet menu crafted by a three-Michelin-starred chef and a romantic design inspired by the film’s candelabra maitre d’, Lumiere.”
Palo Steakhouse – “Guests will savor an upscale suite of epicurean excellence exclusively for adults inspired by the elegant icons of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ Palo Steakhouse is an evolution of the Palo restaurant that Disney cruisers know and love, now combining the relaxed sophistication of authentic Italian dining with the classic refinement of a modern steakhouse in a genteel setting inspired by Cogsworth, the tale’s majordomo-turned-enchanted-clock.”
The Wish Tower Suite
One new feature not found on any other Disney Cruise Line ship is the “Tower Suite.” This is an actual suite located in the forward funnel of the ship, offering one-of-a-kind views.
Called the Wish Tower Suite, this magical funnel dwelling is referred to as a “1,966-square-foot penthouse in the sky.”
“Each of our theme parks has a majestic icon that captures our guests’ imaginations,” said Cabo. “On a Disney cruise ship, that beacon of magic is our signature red funnels. For the first time ever, guests aboard the Disney Wish will be able to book an incredible two-story suite that’s actually located within one of our funnels. With the Wish Tower Suite, we are creating a breathtaking experience that continues our tradition of the most unique and enchanting accommodations at sea.”
The Wish Tower Suite contains two main bedrooms, a kids’ room, a library that can convert to a bedroom, and four-and-a-half bathrooms.
Disney Cruise Line says the Disney’s Moana movie serves as the inspiration for the suite design and color palette.
Here’s how Disney describes the sculpture that is in the suite:
The piece de resistance will be a hand-crafted porcelain sculpture that comes alive in an only-Disney-can-do way. When guests arrive home to the Wish Tower Suite, they may discover the statue pulsing in myriad hues of green amid soft chimes that recall the film’s distinctive soundtrack, revealing itself as the heart of Te Fiti. The special lighting and audio effects will eventually fill the room to provide a truly magical, one-of-a-kind greeting.
Disney says the suite will be filled with Moana-inspired decorations, including a custom canvas painting showing Moana sailing on the seas.
Disney Wish Donation
To celebrate the launch announcement of the Disney Wish, Disney made a $1 million donation to the Make-A-Wish organization.
The first cruise for Disney Wish will be a five-night adventure to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay on June 9, 2022. Bookings for future cruises can be made at the Disney Wish Website.
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Feature Photo of Disney Wish Grand Hall: (©Disney)
All images: (©Disney)