Disney debuts new ship with preview of Disney Wish, its most ambitious ship to date
Disney Cruise Line has at last provided us with a preview of Disney Wish, and the wait was worth it. The cruise line’s newest ship will not only be its largest, but will also be the most ambitious it has ever put to see, with new entertainment, dining and accommodations.
Disney Wish will introduce the cruise line’s first-ever Disney attraction at sea, a 760-foot water ride that soars above the ship and over the water, with animated shorts themed around “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse”.
The entire pool deck area will be divided into three uniquely themed districts with fun water features, quick and casual dining options, and dedicated space for families, children and adults to relax. 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 themed around Toy Story will be available on deck 14 forward.
At the stern of the upper deck, guests aged 18 and older will find a secluded adults-only district called Quiet Cove. The Disney Cruise Line guest favorite, Cove Cafe will be found here.
The chic poolside lounge will offer gourmet coffees, teas, specialty drinks and treats throughout the day. The cafe and wider Quiet Cove will get a fresh new look that reflects the Oceania-inspired artistry of Disney’s “Moana.” When it comes to kids spaces, the preview of Disney Wish revealed dedicated clubs for every age group.
“There is no doubt that kids are going to have the time of their lives aboard the Disney Wish,” said Danny Handke, Senior Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering. “The nursery is a fanciful playground perfect for curious little ones.”
“The tween and teen clubs are so stylish that adults will wish they could hang out there, too,” he added. “And where else in the world can kids explore a super hero headquarters, a royal kingdom and an Imagineering lab in a matter of steps? Put simply, it’s great to be a kid on a Disney cruise.”
Aboard Disney Wish the Oceaneer Club and Marvel Super Hero Academy will be joined by the all-new Fairytale Hall, a trio of activity rooms where kids will join some of their favorite Disney Princesses and Frozen Queens at Rapunzel’s Art Studio, Belle’s Library, and Anna and Elsa’s Sommerhus.
The new Walt Disney Imagineering Lab is a first-of-its-kind opportunity for kids to discover the secrets of world-renowned Disney Imagineers with hands-on activities and inventive experiments, including the opportunity to build and (virtually) ride their own rollercoaster.
There will also be an Its a Small World Nursery for passengers 6 months to three years, and the Edge and Vibe hangouts for kids between 11 and 17.
New entertainment concepts were also announced in the preview of Disney Wish.
The Grand Hall (themed around a fairytale castle and offering surprise entertainment aboard an atrium stage); Luna (a town square space that will transition from a daytime setting for family fun into an elegant evening venue for adult-exclusive entertainment); and Hero Zone (a futuristic sports arena where physical activity will blend with entertainment in a game-show style setting).
Signature Disney musical productions will be held in the 1,274-seat Walt Disney Theatre, a three-deck space inspired by a magical forest and Disney’s film “Fantasia.” As part of its line-up of theatrical productions, the Disney Wish will feature a reimagined adaptation of “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular,” as well as other yet-to-be-revealed productions.
Disney Wish will also feature two boutique cinemas, Wonderland and Neverland, which will be the first in the cruise industry to offer Dolby Atmos 3D audio technology.
Adults only areas aboard Disney Wish will include a number of new spaces.
“Our guests are often surprised by just how much fun and relaxation there is for adults on a Disney cruise,” said Laura Cabo, portfolio creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering.
“With the Disney Wish, we wanted to give our adult guests even more variety and options to customize their experience,” she said. “Whether they’re looking for elegant sophistication with just a touch of pixie dust, or full-scale immersion into some of their favorite Disney stories… adults will experience legendary Disney storytelling in all-new ways aboard the Disney Wish.”
New to the cruise line is the Star Wars-inspired Hyperspace Lounge, a high-end bar styled as a luxurious yacht-class spaceship offering panoramic views of the galaxy and immersive entertainment and cocktails inspired by the George Lucas films.
The preview of Disney Wish also included a range of specialty dining options, from Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement and The Rose, an upscale suite of epicurean excellence exclusively for adults, inspired by the elegant icons of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Beauty and the Beast.”
Also for adults is the Senses Spa and Senses Fitness, which will be larger and offer state-of-the-art treatments and excercise spaces and equipment. A full list of new spa and salon experiences will be released later in the year, Disney Cruise Line said during the preview of Disney Wish.
Disney Wish will sail its maiden voyage on June 9th, 2022, followed by a season of three- and four- night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, from Port Canaveral, Florida. Bookings open to the general public on May 27th, 2021.
