The Disney Wish graced this summer’s issue of D23 Magazine, and the story inside is chockfull of newly revealed details about the ship. Here’s everything new we learned about the ship’s restaurants, shows, and more!
We already know the Disney Wish will have a Grand Hall, instead of just an atrium. It will be a dedicated performance space with a purpose-built stage. The first performance guests experience will be the “First Wish,” when they are announced while boarding the Disney Wish — this is standard to all Disney Cruise Line ships, but “First Wish” will have more magic. Kids will receive “wishing wands,” which they will use to create an “enchanting effect” throughout the Grand Hall. There will be a musical moment with new characters Lady Lily (named for Walt Disney’s wife Lillian) and Lord Leopold.
The hall will include a bronze Cinderella statue, with Jaq and Gus peeking out from beneath her ballgown. D23 gave us a closer look at the two mice.
The sail away party on deck 11 will be called “Set Sail on a Wish.” It will feature a new song, “Set Sail,” and “Welcome” from “Brother Bear.” More characters will appear in “Set Sail on a Wish” than any of Disney’s other sail away parties. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Goofy, and Daisy will of course be present, as will the Fairy Godmother and “some royals.”
The Walt Disney Theatre, a staple of Disney Cruise Line ships, will have enhanced sound and lighting, plus additional lifts on the stage.
“Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” will return to Disney Cruise Line on the Disney Wish with new effects, including a more interactive set, zip line, and fly rigging.
The modern retelling of “The Little Mermaid” will open with a giant treasure chest on stage before the show starts. A band of storytellers will find the treasure chest and use it to tell the story, which will focus more on the relationship between Ariel and Triton. Some of the film’s classic songs will be reimagined. “Poor Unfortunate Souls” will be more soulful and jazzy, while “Daughters of Triton” will be kicked up a notch as a hybrid of pop, Motown, and funk.
The third broadway-style show, “Disney Seas the Adventure,” sees Captain Minnie granting Goofy’s wish to try being captain. Tinker Bell will help Goofy on his journey. He will meet characters like Crush, Tiana, Hercules, Elsa, Merida, and Moana. The finale will feature Peter Pan, Belle, Donald, and Daisy, before it takes the adventure from the stage through the house to the Grand Hall for a meet and greet.
The Disney Wish will be the first Disney Cruise Line ship to have two movie theaters: the Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas, inspired by the Cheshire Cat and Tinker Bell respectively.
On pirate night, guests will be able to join the Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party featuring an ’80s hair band with a drummer named Bubbles. The party is anchored by Captain Redd, the great-great-granddaughter of the pirate Redd from the Pirates of the Caribbean rides. She will introduce four more captains, including Jack Sparrow. There will be performances of “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life For Me),” “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” the latter featuring a trampoline. The pirate fireworks are set to a score performed by the Budapest Orchestra, accompanied by the live band.
Guests will be able to play Disney Uncharted Adventure on their Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. This interactive experience takes guests all over the ship as they search for the Wishing Star. They will then be able to gather in the Luna space on the final day for a group game.
The “kiss good night” on the last night of each voyage will be called “Wishing Ever After.” Guests will gather in the lobby as the Wishing Star in the chandelier is lit. It will happen twice on the final evening and end with a character meet and greet.
There will be 1,254 staterooms on the Disney Wish. This is about the same number of rooms as on the Disney Dream and Fantasy, but the ship is slightly bigger and the rooms will have enhancements such as more storage space, extra shelving for toiletries, and a large drawer-style refrigerator. The storybook-inspired rooms will feature artwork from various films including “Moana,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Princess and the Frog,” and “Cinderella.” The image in D23 showed a landscape from “Frozen” above the bed.
Instead of Cabanas, the Disney Wish will have Marceline Market, a quick-service space with ten food stalls. The restaurant is inspired by Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, reimagined with Disney characters running the shops. There will be a kitchen goods shop run by Remy and a home goods store run by Aladdin and Jasmine. The food stalls will include Asian-inspired dishes, comfort food, a seafood station, and salads. There will also be a full bar.
The image in the magazine shows a map-like mural that seems to represent the ten food stalls. It features characters from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Ratatouille,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Zootopia,” “Tangled,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Bambi,” and “Pinocchio,” as well as a drawing of Walt and Mickey.
Next door to Marceline Market will be Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods. This quick bites area will have five kiosks: Sweet Minnie’s Ice Cream, Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue, Goofy’s Grille, Daisy’s Pizza Pies, and Donald’s Cantina. The room service kitchen is attached to this “festival of foods,” so guests can order more options to their room than ever before.
Inside Out: Joyful Sweets will also be near Marceline Market and Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods. The sweet shop will have light effects corresponding to different food items — so you might get a different show depending on what you purchase.
Two of the table-service restaurants will be divided into two spaces for a more intimate and personalized dining experience.
At 1923, off the Grand Hall, guests will be seated in either the Walt dining room or Roy O. dining room. 1923, named for the year The Walt Disney Company was founded, will have 800 pieces of artwork, including 50 character maquettes and 24 multiplane camera cel setups representing 16 animated films. Imagineers consulted the Walt Disney Archives and Animation Research Library to recreate various artifacts representing the founding of the studio and the animation process. The California-inspired cuisine will be a fusion of Asian, European, and South American flavors.
Worlds of Marvel will also be divided into two spaces. We’ve heard a lot about this restaurant’s dinner show, “Avengers: Quantum Encounter,” starring some of the Avengers. The experience opens with a presentation by Ant-Man and The Wasp titled “Miracles from Molecules,” a reference to defunct Tomorrowland attraction Adventure Thru Inner Space. Photorealistic CGI will show the heroes fighting on deck of the Disney Wish and, apparently, a giant seagull attacking.
There will also be a dinner show at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. At this theater in the round, guests will experience hidden lighting and theatrical effects in a castle ballroom as Olaf is throwing a party for Anna and Kristoff. Olaf will visit each table, so guests can interact with the happy snowman. The entrees include seared Chilean sea bass and juniper-spiced roasted free-range chicken.
Guests will also be able to reserve a spot for Olaf’s Royal Picnic.
The adults-only restaurants will be inspired by “Beauty and the Beast,” with Palo Steakhouse representing Cogsworth and Enchanté inspired by Lumiere.
As for bars, there will be the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge, open to families during the day. The Nightingales piano bar, inspired by “Cinderella,” will be just off the Grand Hall. The Keg & Compass sports bar will feature a giant map on the ceiling including various sea-related characters, including Moana and Ursula. The Bayou, a more informal lounge inspired by “The Princess and the Frog,” will be “outdoors” under a canopy of twinkling fireflies with two gazebos.
The Oceaneer Club will have real props from various Disney Parks, including a Country Bear Jamboree hat. For young adults, there will be The Hideaway, featuring a dance floor and DJ booth. The Hero Zone sports arena, for kids and families, will have a villains bash hosted by Oogie Boogie.
As for pools, there are six small pools on split levels across the midship, meaning everyone will have a great view of the ocean. The Quiet Cove, for adults only, will have an infinity pool and “Moana”-inspired café. Toddlers and young children will enjoy the “Toy Story”-inspired pool district including a splash zone, wading pool, and Slide-a-saurus Rex family waterslide.
There will be a secluded pool area perfect for families seeking a calmer environment. This Chip ‘n Dale Pool will be on deck 14.
Senses Spa will now include an outdoor space including whirlpools, loungers, and an “ice lounge.”
And of course, there is the AquaMouse, billed as Disney Cruise Line’s first attraction. This water slide will have two different stories, which we now know will operate on different days. The “Swiss Meltdown” story will include music from the Matterhorn at Disneyland. Disney Uncharted Adventure will also let you control the ride’s lighting.
Finally, D23 revealed a few more details about the two salons aboard the Disney Wish. Untangled Salon, inspired by “Tangled,” will have all-ages hairstyling and beauty services. Adults at the salon will be able to have champagne. In the evening, it will host beverage tasting experiences.
Hook’s Barbery will also have beverage tasting experiences at night. It will operate as a salon, with a hidden speakeasy featuring a pre-Prohibition range relying on bourbon and whiskey.
What are you most excited about on the Disney Wish? Let us know in the comments!
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