In true Disney fashion, Disney Cruise Line broadcast an incredibly produced reveal video highlighting many of the new features coming to their brand new cruise ship Disney Wish. Hosted by Disney Cruise Director, Ashley Long, with help from Captain Minnie, Fairy Godmother and more, we got our first glimpse of what to expect when the ship launches in June 2022.
Keeping What Works
From a distance, Disney Wish looks a lot like most recent ships Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, and continues the classic ocean liner hull design. Disney Cruise Line’s ships have been successful from day one and they’ve kept the charm and core features that their guests are looking for. With that said, this ship takes many of the original concepts and enhances them in ways that make Disney Wish feel very different.
Top Deck Fun
One the most anticipated activities are the water play areas onboard. Disney has been an innovator in this area with the introduction of AquaDuck, the first water coasters at sea and onboard Disney Wish, the brand new AquaMouse, builds on the excitement of a thrilling ride with interactive elements featuring Mickey, Minne and friends. While riding a two-person raft, guests ascend into a magical tunnel that will teleport them into the cartoon world of “Scuba Scramble,” a new animated short that plays out through oversized virtual portholes. Along the way, they’ll encounter more than 60 water effects that bring the subaquatic hijinks to life – all perfectly synched to an original musical score. At the height of the show, guests will blast out of the tunnel and embark on a wild water ride around the upper decks.
Families will have more pools, more deck space and more dining than ever before in an expansive pool district themed to Mickey and friends. Located on decks 11 and 12 midship, this area will include six pools of various sizes and depths. Throughout the day, guests will enjoy a variety of poolside entertainment on Funnel Vision, a jumbo LED display that screens Disney movies, TV shows, live sporting events and more. For guests seeking a laid-back environment, another family pool will be available on deck 14 forward.
Children will have a tub-full of fun in the Toy Story Splash Zone, a fantastical water playground where Woody, Buzz and friends will be adorably reimagined as larger-than-life rubber bath toys that move and spray water at kids’ whim.
At Quiet Cove, guests ages 18 and older will find a secluded adults-only district dedicated to lounging, sipping and soaking. Set away from the bustle of family activities, this relaxing refuge at the back of the ship will offer breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean from a luxurious infinity pool.
Imaginative Kids Spaces
The Disney brand is synonymous with kids and fun, so it’s expected that onboard Disney Wish there is going to be some of the most endearing and sophisticated new spaces for kids and teens.
Children ages 3 to 12 will enter the captivating worlds of favorite Disney stories in the reimagined Disney’s Oceaneer Club, a real-life wonderland of immersive spaces specially designed to unlock their imaginations. With the club located on deck 2, parents will be able to check in their children in the Grand Hall on deck 3 and then send them “down the rabbit hole” on a twisting slide that lands directly and securely into the central hub.
Marvel Super Hero Academy is a high-tech Avengers headquarters where young “recruits” will train to be the next generation of Super Heroes with the help of their own real-life heroes, like Spider-Man, Black Panther, Ant-Man and the Wasp.
Fairytale Hall is a royal trio of activity rooms where kids will join some of their favorite Disney Princesses and Frozen Queens as they 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.
Walt Disney Imagineering Lab is a first-of-its-kind opportunity for kids 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. Sorcerer Mickey, the ambassador of Walt Disney Imagineering, may even stop by to lend a wand to the newly minted magic makers.
For the littlest cruisers ages 6 months to 3 years, It’s a Small World Nursery will offer babysitting services in a whimsical environment inspired by the beloved Disney attraction of the same name. Here, little ones will play games, make crafts, watch movies, read books and even spend time with special Disney friends under the expert care of Disney-trained counselors.
At Edge, tweens ages 11 to 14 will have fun, make friends and play games in a bright, colorful hangout inspired by a chic New York City loft. A faux-grass picnic area and graphic art displays called “photo walls” will provide ample opportunities for tweens to capture cool, shareable vacations pics that will be the envy of their friends back home.
At Vibe, teens ages 14 to 17 will meet new friends, watch movies, play games and participate in entertaining activities created just for them. Inspired by a Parisian artists’ loft, this stylish space features classic architectural elements with an electric retro twist, with vibrant neon signs and funky pop art.
Be Entertained
Disney guests can expect to be entered with some of the best shows and live entertainment at sea. Disney Cruise Line is combining innovative design and technology to create the next generation of family entertainment venues on board the Disney Wish. These imaginative environments will surround guests in storytelling in all-new ways, putting them front and center as they play a part in the magic.
The fairytale castle-inspired Grand Hall will sparkle and shimmer with enchantment as it evolves from an elegant atrium into an environmental theater with the help of a hidden layer of special effects and the first-ever atrium stage on board a Disney ship. From the ornate stage to the grand staircase to the starry chandelier above, dedicated shows and interactive entertainment will come to life all around guests in this magical new venue.
Hero Zone is a futuristic sports arena where physical activity will blend with imagination, alternating between an elaborate family obstacle course and a free-play sports hub.
The Disney Wish will premiere two brand-new, original stage shows in the Walt Disney Theatre. Also as part of its line-up of theatrical productions, the Disney Wish will feature a reimagined adaptation of “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular,” a guest-favorite show from across the fleet.
The Disney Wish will elevate the onboard cinematic experience with two intimate screening rooms steeped in Disney storytelling. The Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas will be the first in the cruise industry to offer Dolby Atmos 3D audio technology for the most immersive movie-going experience on the high seas.
Dining Experiences
Disney Wish will debut three brand new family dining venues.
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure is Disney’s first “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience, bringing the kingdom 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.
Worlds of Marvel is 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.
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.
The Disney Wish will continue Disney Cruise Line’s innovative family dining concept, where guests experience one of three imaginative restaurants each night accompanied by a dedicated service team that is assigned to their family throughout the voyage.
Palo Steakhouse ($) is an evolution of the Palo restaurant that Disney cruisers know and love, now combining the relaxed sophistication of authentic Italian dining with the classic refinement of a modern steakhouse in a genteel setting inspired by Cogsworth, the tale’s majordomo-turned-enchanted-clock.
Enchanté ($) will offer the most luxurious dining experience on board, featuring a gourmet menu crafted by three-Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement — of L’Assiette Champenoise, near Reims, France — one of the culinary masterminds behind the French-inspired fine dining experience at Remy aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
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, guests will enter The Rose through a corridor of beautiful, bespoke artwork commissioned exclusively for the Disney Wish.
For the first time on a Disney ship, 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 the films.
Accommodations
Funnel Suite
A first-of-its-kind Wish Tower Suite, set high in the forward funnel of the Disney Wish will be Disney Cruise Line’s most unique accommodation yet. With nearly 2,000 square feet of living space, it will comfortably sleep up to eight guests with two main bedrooms, a children’s room, a library that converts to a bedroom and four-and-a-half bathrooms.
The magnificent living room will be flanked by an open dining area, a large pantry and a bar, all offering extraordinary views across the upper decks to the horizon through an expansive two-story window wall.
Located on the upper-level loft, the main bedrooms will be lavish and serene with king beds, walk-in closets and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the living area below to the views beyond. The main bathrooms will each have double vanities, soaking tubs and rain showers.
What’s more, this enchanting new suite will feature artwork, iconography and materials inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana.” Throughout the suite, creative ornaments and custom artwork will offer sophisticated nods to the characters and locales of this beloved film.
Staterooms & Suites
Every level of accommodation has been designed to provide a luxurious, peaceful retreat designed with families in mind. worlds and restful imagery of enchanted Disney fairytales through glittering gold-leafed headboard murals and framed pieces commissioned exclusively for the Disney Wish.
Every stateroom aboard the Disney Wish has been designed with ample room for families, plenty of storage space and upscale amenities. Most of the ship’s 1,254 staterooms will offer an ocean view — including 877 (70%) with a spacious verandah — and there will be 451 connecting doors that adjoin rooms to accommodate larger families.
The Disney Wish will elevate the concierge experience with 76 concierge staterooms and suites – more than double the number available on other Disney ships. Accommodating up to five guests, these rooms will feature spacious living areas, king beds, luxurious finishes and premium amenities.
The Disney Wish will also debut four royal suites that celebrate the gilded world of Disney Animation’s “Sleeping Beauty,” with two Princess Aurora Royal Suites and two Briar Rose Royal Suites. Each pair includes a single-floor option and a two-story configuration, the first of their kind for the Disney fleet.
Itineraries & Reservations
Starting with the inaugural five-night sailing on June 9, 2022, that includes two days at sea and stops in Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney Wish will sail alternating three- and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral.
Bookings open to the general public on May 27, 2021 for Disney Wish cruises departing June through September 2022. Castaway Club members, Disney Vacation Club members, Adventures by Disney Insiders and other select Disney guests will have early booking opportunities beginning May 17.
