Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, has her christening ceremony today (June 29th) in Port Canaveral ahead of the maiden voyage on July 14th.
During the christening ceremony, Disney will share more details about the ship’s offerings, including their first-ever attraction at sea the AquaMouse, the Star Wars: HyperSpace Lounge, and the exclusive dining experiences themed to Marvel and Frozen.
Immediately following the ceremony, the Disney Wish embarks on a 3-night media preview sailing before returning to Port Canaveral to prepare for the 5-night maiden voyage on July 14. (We’ll be onboard these next few days, stay tuned to MiceChat.com and our social channels for all things Disney Wish!)
Disney is streaming the christening ceremony today beginning at 11am Eastern (8am Pacific), tune in here:
The Disney Wish Godchildren: Rather than one godmother, Disney has honored all Make-A-Wish children, including past, present, and future recipients, as godchildren of the Disney Wish. This is the first time in Disney Cruise Line history that children are being recognized in this important role that symbolically bestows good fortune on the newest ship. The godchildren join the fleet’s group of godmothers including Patty Disney, Tinker Bell, Jennifer Hudson, and Mariah Carey.
About the Disney Wish
The completely reimagined vessel brings familiar services, but with all-new designs and themes. The Wish is not the same experience as Disney’s 4 older ships. Let’s take a look at what we know so far and peek at some stunning concept art. (And check back throughout the week as we update this article with photos and video from the Wish)
Inspired by Disney fairytales, The Disney Wish is referred to as a “Castle at sea” by Disney Imagineers. When you first step on board, you will notice the Grand Hall, with Gothic, Baroque, and French Rococo-inspired designs.
Cinderella is the inspiration for this space. You’ll find her at the base of the massive atrium staircase, cast in bronze. The stained glass surrounding the upper decks are in her signature colors. The carpeting has familiar icons from the film with hints of her carriage and the light fixtures feature her glass slipper. The magnificent focal point of the room is the glistening chandelier, which is inspired by the moment when the Fairy Godmother transforms Cinderella’s dress.
“Enchantment is about unlocking the wonder in everything we do and experience,” said Laura Cabo, portfolio creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “For the Disney Wish, we are creating a signature design language that exudes this emotional magic like only Disney can, by infusing every inch of this enchanted ship with more Disney stories and characters than ever before. The Disney Wish will be a place where families really do get to wish upon a star.”
This glamorous ship will feature unique architecture and a thematic foundation not found on other Disney Cruise ships. For example, Imagineers have added a special curvature to the deck that makes it look whimsical and magical. Once this ship sails, a wide range of stories will be represented from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.
Don’t worry, Captain Minnie Mouse has it all under control.
Most folks who set sail wonder about two things, the food, and the entertainment. The Disney Wish has both in abundance…
All-new Dining Experiences Aboard the Disney Wish
There are three new family-friendly restaurants in rotational dining aboard the Disney Wish (you move to a different dining room each night, but your servers move with you so you can get to know your team). PLUS, additional signature dining experiences are available at an additional fee.
The main rotational dining rooms couldn’t be more different from each other and from dining on the previous Disney ships:
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure welcomes guests to Queen Anna and Kristoff’s royal engagement party, picking up where “Frozen 2” left off. This is a sort of dinner theater establishment with live entertainment. Guests will enjoy sing-a-longs, an Olaf puppet, and a view of the northern lights… courtesy of real Disney magic.
Worlds of Marvel Dining Experience transports guests to an Avengers adventure with a menu inspired by superhero films. You become part of a story as it unfolds all around you. Sounds adventurous.
1923 is a restaurant inspired by Walt Disney and the formation of the Disney Studios in 1923. An upscale and glamorous setting evoking Hollywood in its golden age and Disney animation at its foundation. Of course, that means a California-inspired menu with fresh flavors. There are two main rooms in this establishment, one honoring Walt Disney and the other inspired by his brother Roy.
All three signature dining experiences have subtle Beauty & the Beast tie-ins and are located in the same spot:
The Rose is a high-end lounge that serves Beauty & the Beast-inspired drinks and small plates. It’s the portal to the two restaurants as well…
Palo Steakhouse (which is also offered on Disney’s other ships) has been reimagined and has nods to the character Cogsworth from the film. But you’ll still find the upscale Italian dishes and steaks you’ve come to expect from this beloved dining experience at sea.
Enchanté is a new concept by Chef Arnaud Lallement and is the fanciest restaurant on the ship. The gourmet menu may remind you of the high-end Remy restaurants on Disney’s previous big ships (the Dream and the Fantasy). You may note nods to the character Lumiere.
Of course, adults will need a space to escape and Disney is tying Star Wars into that experience…
Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge won’t be a grimy “Galaxy’s Edge” type of establishment, but rather an elegant lounge offering drinks with names inspired by the films. The design evokes a lavish star cruiser (not unlike Dryden Vos’s ship in Solo: A Star Wars Story). A giant window into space will allow guests to see ships, planets, and other locations from the Star Wars universe, and a “holo-tube” will show images of Star Wars characters and items.
Splash Down on the Disney Wish
There are a number of pool deck advances on the Disney Wish. Not only will this ship have more pools and overall pool space than any other Disney ship, but it will also have some pretty cool attractions as well.
Disney claims that their new 2-minute long AquaMouse water coaster is their first-ever “attraction at sea.” Although, we all know that the Dream and Fantasy have a somewhat shorter version of this attraction called the AquaDuck. Though, this new ride does have some pretty cool show scene enhancements, including video in the tubes.
The new 2-seat raft ride offers 760 feet of tubes and flumes above the pool deck, including a tie-in with a new animated Mickey Short called “Scuba Scramble,” which provides the theme for the attraction. And, of course, you’ll get the same stomach-churning view of the ocean below from clear tube portions of the ride.
There’s also a Toy Story Splash Zone for kids, an 18+ area for the older kids, and a main pool with the classic Disney FunnelVision screen high above (showing films and entertainment throughout the voyage).
But adults aren’t left out. At the aft of the ship, and with stunning views, is an adults-only area called the Quiet Cove, which has Disney’s first infinity pool. A café and bar round out this adult experience.
Disney Wish Entertainment!
Like just about everything else on the Disney Wish, entertainment will be unique on this ship, giving regular cruisers a reason to book this vessel even if they’ve already been on another Disney ship.
- In the main atrium (that we showed you above) is a new Grand Hall stage, which is utilized for all sorts of events, entertainment, and character interaction.
- The ship has a mixed-use family venue called Luna, where you might do crafts, learn new things, or take in entertainment.
- There’s a “Hero Zone” sports area.
- And the spectacular Walt Disney Theater (the largest on the ship) features “Disney’s Aladdin A Musical Spectacular” in addition to two new stage shows: “Seas the Adventure!” starring Goofy and favorite Disney characters, along with a contemporary take on “The Little Mermaid”.
- Of course, there are a number of lounges and performance areas throughout the ship, so entertainment will be everywhere.
- Two new movie theaters, the Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas, offer classic and first-run films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and more.
Disney Wish Kids Clubs
One reason families like to sail with Disney is the kid’s clubs which keep your little ones entertained and give the adults time to relax on their own.
- As on other ships, it’s a Small World Nursery is for babies and toddlers six months to three years of age.
- An Oceaneer Club for kids ages three to 12 has zones themed to Marvel Super Hero Academy, Fairytale Hall, and an all-new Walt Disney Imagineering Lab. It’s here that your kids can design their own roller coaster and then ride it in the design lab. Parents can even check out their kid’s creations during special tours and open houses.
- EDGE is a space for young teens 11 to 14 years of age and has a New York City look.
- VIBEis for teens 14 to 17 years of age and has an artsy French theme.
So, your kids are set for the cruise, can make new friends, and you don’t have to entertain them. Disney does all the work!
Disney Wish Enchanted Hotel at Sea
The rooms on the Disney Wish have been given a fairytale makeover. The light color scheme with artistic enhancements feels more elegant than other Disney ships. And for those who want a step above, there will be 76 concierge staterooms (more than any other Disney ship).
The Concierge Lounge is significantly enhanced for the Disney Wish and tripled in size from the Dream and Fantasy. Concierge will offer a full bar, light bites, a kids’ area, and a private sun deck with whirlpools, and a wading pool!
In total, the Disney Wish has 1,254 staterooms, most with an ocean view. New one-bedroom suite designs are inspired by Disney’s “Tangled.” and for the first time, there will be suites located above the bridge, which will have truly forward-facing ocean views. Four of the suites will be two-story with spiral staircases.
While the Disney Wish will initially have excursions to Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island), they are also actively working on a new island experience called Lighthouse Point. The early design work for this new port of call was led by legendary (but now retired) Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde. With three new ships on the way, Disney needs more recreation space than Castaway Cay can provide alone.
The Disney Wish is the first of three new Disney Cruise ships Disney has ordered. The other two ships, not named yet, are believed to be set for completion by 2025. All of the new ships will be powered by natural gas and will be larger than the current Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
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Let Us Hear From You
Are you interested in this brand new Disney Cruise ship? What do you think of the new designs and themes so far?
We’re aboard for the Disney Wish christening cruise – stay tuned to MiceChat.com and our social channels for our coverage!
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