Currently the two biggest announcements for 2027 at Disney are moving in about the same timeline toward completion in 2027–and yet they couldn’t be more different than the other. This week the Disney Cruise Line announced not only that the Disney Believe is setting sail on December 18th of next year, but they announced much of what this fourth Wish-class ship is going to be like. At the same time, Monstropolis, which is slated to have at least Phase One open in 2027, likely during the last months of the year. What’s surprising is how the excitement for one is waning while the interest in the other is building. Why? We’ll look at both creations and see what is going on. Both are being built in the context of an earlier design–Believe being a Wish class ship, and Monstropolis, being built in the foot print of what was largely a Muppet experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Yet one seems somewhat like a re-tread, while the other is becoming more and more its own creation. Join us as we look at 2 Imagineering offerings being created in 2 different ways.

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The following is a summary of what we discuss on the podcast. Imagery and additional links will help you to better get a sense of what this land has come to represent.

Disney Cruise Line: Believe

Setup

DCL knew that it would need to open up reservations for the new Disney Believe by October to start filling up the ship in time for its maiden voyage in December 2027. Smartly, it chose not to dump those details at D23 where it would be lost in the details of so many other things. There they just announced the end of 2027 as a date and the Grand Hall being Moana themed. Everything else DCL decided to “hold hostage” when they invited bloggers and social influencers for a few days on the Disney Wish, before it made the announcement this last week. These guests spent the first few days really putting everyone through a bunch of different scavenger hunts, hopefully to excite the audiences they were creating social media for to watch the actual announcement live. It didn’t hurt Disney that by comping all of these people they were dependent on for positive marketing with a free cruise that they knew it would be very difficult for such influencers to say anything too negative about what the Believe would have. So the response was tepid at best, but not negative.

The problem is that as the 4th and final Wish-Class ship, does Disney Believe stand on its own or does it feel like things have been copied over? Let’s look at what’s unique and what’s not.

Unique

Grand Hall

Of course as announced prior the main atrium is Moana themed her own statue. “The heart of the ship will be an architectural meeting of the sky and sea, with details inspired by the film and its Pacific Islands setting. From carpet adorned with ocean-hues to the ceiling scattered with constellations, and railings inspired by designs found within Moana’s skirt, the sea will most certainly call you to this central gathering place. Not to be missed will be the Grand Hall’s chandelier, which is modeled after the ocean’s fluid movement and has the heart of Te Fiti hidden within.”

Wishing Well

This is inspired by Disney’s first full length feature film. The bar space will evoke the film’s gothic castle and will feature a beautiful stained glass art piece mimicking the castle windows. In the seating area, you will enter the enchanting castle courtyard under a canopy of white blossoms and red apples, with the colors of Snow White’s gown incorporated into the furnishings. Lastly, the performance area will feature hand-carved wood framing, paying homage to the Seven Dwarfs’ cottage.

Sea Notes

An iridescent piano lounge inspired by Ariel’s grotto. With a pearlescent piano, one of Ariel’s forgotten treasures, at the center of the space, along with nods to both the film and the movie’s ocean setting, the piano lounge will be filled with nostalgic melodies and an expertly crafted menu of cocktails and non-alcoholic sips.

Disney Encanto

With the Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hits, this should be equal if not better than the Moana musical on the Treasure. This could pave the way for a Broadway musical as the Casa Madrigal comes to life. This could be really powerful, and for me, a reason to certainly visit this ship over the Wish or the Destiny.

Other

• Entertainment Hub–Based on Zootopia and named Gazelle
• Skygazers–an observatory-themed pub–few details but could be really cool. But the pirate pub on Cask and Cannon. But that’s no Beak and Barrel
• Monster’s Inc. entrance to children’s play area
• Big Hero Sips–Deck 5–Great theme–not enough space
• Cafe Kakamora–Deck 6–Great theme–not enough space
• Magic Kingdom Tower Suite–Doesn’t have the same look and feel as the Disneyland Dream Suite above Pirates of the Caribbean

What Feels “Dialed In”

• Disney Seas the Adventure–Same on all four ships
• Tangled the Musical–Same as on the Magic, but with a reimagined set design and special effects
• Marceline Market
• Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods
• Joyful Sweets–Same as on the Wish
• Hero Zone–themed still after The Incredibles
• Haunted Mansion Parlor. This is already on the Treasure and the Destiny. Strange that there isn’t more effort to incorporate the Star Wars theme. Again, the Disney Wish version isn’t Olga’s Canteen. But there are many ways to interpret Star Wars on a cruise ship, and Star Wars fan voyages have been very popular over the years.
• 1923–Some change out of props and artifacts, but not a different design like you see from Triton’s to Lumiere’s
• Worlds of Marvel–with baby Groot & Rocket
• Oaken’s Table: A Frozen Family Feast–” a traditional Sommerhus courtyard tucked deep within an enchanted forest with a family-friendly feast inspired by Nordic flavors” Feels too much like Arendelle” A Frozen Dining Adventure that offered a “Nordic-inspired dinner show”

No ship is completely unique–well other than the Disney Adventure. And in all fairness, most can’t tell a Magic from a Wonder or a Dream from a Fantasy. So in some ways, there really is more that’s different on these four Wish-Class ships than we’ve seen before. Still, it’s hard to say that Believe stands out in any particular way that makes it its own creature. And for many it simply feels like Wish. 2.0. There are just too many times here that it feels like those working on Believe just “dialed it in”

Monstropolis: The City Frightful

The juxtaposition of this is that it’s HUMAN day. This is a cultural exchange holiday that stands for “Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice.” The day has been set up by the Department of Human Relations, and you are invited to visit Monstropolis. But The City Frightful can’t just look like another urban area you would find the in U.S.–as frightful as some of those metro areas can be. It’s got to look, well, somewhat Monster Inc. frightful. What’s impressive about this buildout is that it really isn’t slapping a new coat of paint and some new signage on old Muppet locations. I’ve never seen so much scaffolding on buildings. It really is seeking to create something really different looking than you would find anywhere else. This is important, because while there have been some attractions like Monster’s Inc: Mike & Sully to the Rescue at Disney California Adventure, and a better version of that at Tokyo Disneyland, this is an opportunity to do something really different. And that’s more than just adding a big indoor roller coaster–as exciting as that might be. This is a one off experience. It is not being “dialed in”

Wall Displays and video give you a sense of what the possibilities are of “designing on Monstrous Scales” so to speak. There are so many elements at play just on the outside such as new and uniquely designed:

• Entry gates
• Fountain
• Lighting structures
• Bus stops
• Pavings
• Signage for random things like the Monstropolis Postal Service
• Door bells and door knobs
• Building facades that hide the old theater wall

Even critters are strangely different in the same Monster type of way with rabbits having three ears, or squirrels having three eyes.

The Glob Theater

The show has a new song, “Welcome to Monstropolis” created by Disney Legend Randy Newman.

“Mike and Sulley will be our hosts,” Chris said. “Sulley has been working on a small, homespun show, but Mike – ever the showman – has a few surprises up his sleeve that he thinks will bring down the house. Hopefully not literally.”

Mike’s intent is to highlight how similar monsters and humans really are.

Here are somethings we seem to know: The Lobby, formerly the one used for Muppets 3D, seems to offer Monster Concessions. It has a more formal look and feel more appropriate to a theater lobby, as opposed to the warehouse look Muppets had. Cross beams, chandeliers, drapes and marquee ping pong style lights are all a part.

• Inside the proscenium has been completely changed out–Miss Piggy statue was recently auctioned or sold. The new proscenium has big eyes and lots of tentacles.
• You sense Mike, Sully and other monsters in foreground could be animatronics. But they might be part of the screen image as well.
• There are some animatronics such as the octopus style band player and the television camera person, who is struggling with a 3 eared bunny rabbit.
• The balcony is playing video of what the television camera person is recording.
• One monster is flying on a jet style skating board through the world opening from one door to a door opening into another world
• A canister is flying through the air, released by CDA or Child Detection Agents who end up struggling on a circus net below, suggesting that the show is somewhat 3D in nature.

Monsters University Alumni Club

We know in some way attached to the counter service restaurant, but not necessarily part of the restaurant will be a The venue will feature references to the university’s clubs, fraternities, sororities, and famous graduates. “Inside the Alumni Club is the elite Scarer’s Club, honoring the school’s legendary scarers from years past.” Perhaps this will be something like the wedding venue that was in Pizza Rizzo, but will be a meet ‘n’ greet with Mike & Sully.

Scareporium

This plays soon the Emporium store model that was part of the Disney Parks, and is a primary shopping location offering souvenirs for humans visiting the monster world. … a shop where all of us human tourists can grab a great souvenir to remember our visit.” It’s uncertain if this is the “It’s a Wonderful Shop space, or if it’s something else. Studio 1 which did the merchandise for this corner of the park has been knocked down and it’s not offering that component.

Grossly Fun Food

Now we get to the newer announcements made this week around food & beverage.

Harryhausen’s

At Harryhausen’s, Imagineers are building what you saw in the film – including its head sushi chef, a new Audio-Animatronic figure you’ll see using eight talented tentacles to prep food in the center of the dining space. The table-service restaurant will offer a vibrant dining experience 

“In a place like Harryhausen’s, it’s the swanky place that you go for a night out, but we want it to be fun for guests of all ages,” said Evan. “Making sure that the menu appeals to younger guests, to older guests, and then challenging ourselves and taking things that we love and saying, is there something we can add that gets people talking about it and gets them to come back because it’s delicious and entertaining.”

“Some of the menu items being explored at Harryhausen’s include iconic ramen bowls inspired by traditional Japanese flavors, but with monster-sized personality. The dishes will feature familiar, classic ingredients like rich tonkotsu broth and alkaline ramen noodles, plus a few others with playful, monster-y twists like fishcake sliced to look like eyeballs and green eggs.” Green eggs sounds like something somebody created for another theme park in this town. Hmmm.

Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza

This is the six-legged mascot of Fear Tech from Pixar’s film Monsters University.

In the movie, Archie becomes a campus celebrity and the target of a major prank when students from Monsters University “borrow” him. The quick-service restaurant in the upcoming Monstropolis land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios adopts his name and likeness as a nod to that rival college mascot.

This is your favorite college pizza experience. It’s intended to be home to Blort, the most popular Monstropolis soda–especially on MU campus. Right now it looks to be a purple (Ube?) frozen concoction with “Scream Apple Foam” on top. Not sure this will be the next Butter Beer, but here’s to hoping.

Of course the big issue is the pizza, which is not shown in their videos, and while every four year old was “okay” with what was served at Pizzeria Rizo, no one else was.

This is a huge opportunity for the studios, not just the pizza, but in establishing a place guests can go, visit and enjoy. Prior it was a “dead end” to the exit of Muppet’s 3D, but with the Monstropolis Factory coaster coming on board, this stands to be one of the most popular spots throughout the day, and not just a dead end by 4:00 in the afternoon.

Monstropolis Factory

Then we have the ride coming just beyond this, probably in the first half of 2028. Consider that the footprint of this is roughly 365 feet by 330 feet at its widest points. That’s well over the length of a football field in each direction.

Let me know, which offering by Imagineering are you most excited by?

Summary

Probably 1/3 of guests on a Disney cruise are repeat visitors. Probably much more are repeat guests at a Walt Disney World theme park like Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Either way, repeat visitation is critical. Creating unique experiences and offerings are everything. Dialing it in or simply copying and pasting is a risk in the long term. What stands out in Disney Parks and experiences is that very little is the same as anything else. There are hundreds of eateries, restaurants and snack bars across Walt Disney World property. Other than an Ice Cream cart, no one is the same as the other. The same goes for retail. And for every attraction on property. And that’s so much of what contributes to this being the most Magical Place on Earth. Now the question is, how does that formula work for Disney Cruise Line.

Want to Visit Disney?

Hopefully this podcast has made you realize you need help and support in planning your next trip to Disney. David and Leah with Zanolla Travel know Disney in ways few do and they can make your next trip on land or sea an exciting one–or at least less stressful! Be sure to contact them as you explore your next vacation, whether it is a Disney theme park vacation, a cruise, or an Adventure by Disney. There is no charge to utilize their services, but it will save you enormous time getting all the details right, and with their insight you can be assured you’re going to experience the best trip possible. Contact them today!

Disneyland Insights: Inspiration, Ideas & Magic for You and Your Organization

For over a year I’ve been capturing and sharing stories of Disneyland, while creating a new online tool for you to explore all of them in one place. It’s called Disneyland Insights: Inspiration, Ideas & Magic for You and Your Organization and it’s an interactive, multimedia experience. This is truly designed for those who are seeking to find new ideas that will guide you to 

1. Provide Individual & Organizational Leadership Excellence
2. Create Employee Engagement & a Team Culture
3. Offer a Superior Customer Experience

Not only does the content through examples, stories and models play to these themes, but each section provides “Souvenirs for You and Your Organization”. They are reflective questions that may be used to better the work or operation you may be lead or be part of. And in that instance, it is more of a business focus. In fact, many may utilize funding set aside in their organization for training and development to purchase this volume.

Click here to order Disneyland Insights: Inspiration, Ideas & Magic for You and Your Organization. It’s also available on the show notes page of our podcast. Whether you’re on a comfy sofa at home or on Main Street, U.S.A. this experience allows you to navigate through all nine lands to explore some 100 locations where you can find Disney insights that will be inspire and guide you and your organization. 

Books From Your Host at Disney Insights

Also, if you’re looking to grab something today, go to Amazon where you will find four of my books available for purchase. Three explore Disney at length, and one explores world class businesses to include Disney. Check them out!

My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available! 

Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. 

Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.

Thanks for joining us for this podcast. Know that as in the title of my organization, Performance Journeys, it’s as much about the journey as it is about performance. Find the second star to the right, and keep going straight on till you reach it. Follow the compass of your heart, and know that with a smile and a song, a little faith, effort and pixie dust, your dreams can come true. After all, if we can dream it, we can do it. Until next time, bright suns, we’ll see you real soon!