Big Disney Wish Announcements by Disney Cruise Line!

Disney Cruise Line made major announcements regarding the Wish, to include when reservations are open. We will look at signature features of this new ship, the first of the Triton class of three ships to be built. We’ll look at the top deck with all of its pools and water features. We will check out all the hangouts for kids. We’ll overview entertainment and look at the different staterooms being offered. And finally, we’ll check out the cuisine being offered. This is not just a remodeled ship like the Dream and Fantasy. While the exterior follows the familiar design of the previous two, major changes have been made throughout the ship in where all of its features are going. Plus, a heavy dose of Disney Magic attends to all of it. We’ll look not only at the ship from stem to stern, but also discuss when Disney is opening up reservations and discuss the progress of reopening the entire fleet.

Key notes, images and videos can be found below, but our podcast carries narrative of the entire experience. You can find the podcast here on Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, MyTuner, and ListenNotes. Please subscribe! 

Signature Features

The Theme of Enchantment. “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.”

The Grand Hall with Cinderella. Rather than being referenced as an atrium, the open entry space when you first arrive will be referenced as The Grand Hall. The iconic statue placed in this space will feature Cinderella. The chandelier will reflect her dress (though upside down) coming alive with magic. This is intended to address the question what would it be like in a castle.

Minnie Mouse at the Helm. Disney also revealed that the bow of the Disney Wish will feature the same artwork of Captain Minnie. Fans may spot Mickey, Pluto, and more friends in the bow’s filigree design too.

Rapunzel in Arrears. Rapunzel will be the first female character to grace the stern of a Disney Cruise Line ship. “Spirited, smart, curious and above all, adventurous, Rapunzel embodies the wish and desire to see and experience the world,” according to DCL. She will appear to “decorate” the ship’s exterior with Pascal the chameleon at her side.

Top Decks

Make a splash! Sunshine meets fun time on the upper decks of the Disney Wish, home to 10 pools and water play areas—inspired by Mickey and his pals. Or

AquaMouse. Disney’s first attraction at sea is the AquaMouse. The excursion company is Port Misadventures. It’s themed to the Mickey and Minnie scenes in a new title called Scuba Scramble. Join Mickey and Minnie on an exhilarating water adventure into a colorful cartoon world inspired by the famous Mickey Mouse animated shorts. Awash in “immersive” show scenes, music, lighting and special effects, this fun-filled water experience invites Disney fans to glide up, down, around and off the side of the ship through 760 feet of twisting tubes—providing breathtaking views of the ocean—before splashing down into a lazy river.

Pools & Play Areas–10 pools and water play areas altogether.

• Looks like 5 Pools on one end where Mickey used to be.
• Family Pool is U-Shaped with seating facing the FunnelVision

Toy Story Splash Zone. To swimfinity and beyond! Toy around at Toy Story Splash Zone, featuring larger-than-life rubber bath toys.

Slide-a-saurus Rex Family Slide. Seemingly larger than the traditional Mickey hand slide.

Quiet Cove. Retreat to this relaxing, adults-only refuge—featuring an infinity pool, bar and poolside lounge—dedicated to swimming, savoring drinks and soaking up the sun. Separated from the bustle of family activities, this adults-only escape spans an entire section of the ship’s upper decks. Flanked by two jacuzzi spas, this pool looks out the rear of the ship. The entirety sits much higher on the 13th floor and is more remote. Cove Cafe sits adjacent to this space.

Hero Zone. Action-packed physical challenges and game-show-style competitions can be found at this groundbreaking recreation space where families are invited to play together. Sports court, game floor, playground, movie theater. This space occupies the former adult swim area.

Kid Hangouts

Oceaneers Club. There is a secret entrance to the club, which is a slide from the grand hall down to the 2nd floor. Plus a special entrance will be available for adults called a door. Three major areas are intended this space dedicated to 3-12 year olds.

• Marvel Super Hero Academy. Building on the Marvel theme, kids will sling webs with Spiderman when he makes an appearance. Kids will also choose their own hero suit and put it to the test.

• Fairytale Hall: Inside Fairytale Hall, young royals can craft floating lanterns at Rapunzel’s Art Studio, act out their favorite stories in Belle’s Library, and even create their own ice magic at Anna & Elsa’s Sommerhus. 

• Walt Disney Imagineering Lab. Disney imagineers first of its kind interactive lab. Kids can also tap into their own imaginations and design their very own roller coaster in the style of attraction classics like Big Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain—and climb into a specially designed capsule to actually ride it!

Vibe. Teens 14 to 17 years of age can socialize inside an exclusive space inspired by cozy Parisian lofts and lavish pop art at Vibe. Vibe is on deck 13 and is adjacent to the Hero Zone.

Edge. Tweens ages 11 to 14 in search of fun and games should look no further than Edge, a colorful New York City-inspired hangout. Edge is on deck 5.

“it’s a small world” Nursery. In this whimsical daycare center inspired by the beloved Disney attraction, little cruisers 6 months to 3 years of age can relax and play, while being looked after by specially trained counselors and visited by some special Disney friends.

Entertainment

Walt Disney Theatre. Two floors and themed to a magical forest. Behold dazzling Disney magic inside a luxurious setting inspired by the fantastical floral worlds of the animated classic Fantasia.

Shows include:

• Disney’s Aladdin: A musical spectacular re-imagined
• Two other original shows to be named

Two other entertainment venues for cruising:

• Grand Hall Stage for fun and theatrical surprises in the Grand Hall.
• Luna. An all-new entertainment venue featuring family fun by day and elegant entertainment at night. This is a two story venue.

Cinemas! There is not one but two cinemas in what are smaller spaces, but offering more variety. Catch first-run films inside Wonderland Cinema and Never Land Cinema, 2 lush screening rooms inspired by Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland offering the latest visual and audio technology.

Staterooms & Suites

All staterooms follow a strong theme to princesses. They have high-end amenities with a very clean look and feel.

State Rooms. Spectacular ocean views are yours to enjoy in this redesigned home-away-from-home on the high seas that includes a private verandah, a queen-size bed, a pull-down bed, a sitting area with a convertible couch, and a split bathroom—plus a variety of upscale amenities. These seemed to all be Cinderella themed. Bunk bed looks up into stars.

Concierge State Rooms. Disney storytelling soars to new heights inside these rooms that feature a premium level of service. Stay in a Tangled-inspired cabin, or rest in one of 7 special The Little Mermaid-themed spaces featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to sea.

Royal Suites. First-class amenities, extravagant details and plush furnishings inspired by Sleeping Beauty abound in our 4 Royal Suites—2 of which feature 2 levels, a spiral staircase and a stained glass work of art. These are the first ever two story royal suites.

Cuisine

3 entirely new concepts replacing the formal dining spaces found prior.

Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure–This is a Frozen theatrical dining experience, without including frozen foods. World-class cuisine with Nordic influences. Queen Anna and Kristoff are celebrating their engagement and have invited you, their honored Guest, to join them. Behold festive musical performances from Elsa and Olaf as you devour hearty Norwegian-inspired cuisine made by Oaken himself. It’s a dinner worth melting for! This will be on the 5th floor.

1923. Classic Hollywood elegance with an infusion of flavors based on California cuisine. Named after the year The Walt Disney Studios was founded, this sophisticated dining establishment celebrates the unwavering spirit of the original studio that started it all. Travel back in time as you dine amid storyboards, sketches and props that illustrate the early animation process, while delighting in some of the tantalizing flavors found throughout the Golden State. This is on Deck 3, the same floor as the Grand Hall.

Worlds of Marvel. This is an interactive Role Play Marvel cinematic dining adventure. Assemble for a heroic dining adventure of epic proportions! Explore state-of-the-art tech at the Avengers Technology Showcase while indulging in flavorful global cuisines—from classic all-American fare to rich African flavors—inspired by some of your favorite heroes. During dinner, leap into your own action-packed Super Hero story, where an Avenger or two might turn to you to help them save the day! This is set for Deck 4.

• Belle & The Beast Suite. This space is found on the 12th floor facing the rear of the ship. It includes the following three offerings:

• The Rose Lounge. Sip a cocktail surrounded by antique mirrors and floating rose petals at this elegant, adult-exclusive lounge reminiscent of the enchanted castle from Beauty and the Beast.

• Palo Steahouse. Reimagined with decor inspired by Cogsworth. This serves up subtle nods to Beast’s loyal majordomo throughout its magnificent décor. It offers a scrumptious selection of premium steaks and exquisite Italian dishes.

• Enchante. Inside this opulent adults-only restaurant inspired by Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast, innovative international cuisine crafted by 3-Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement.

Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge. A luxury spaceship with galactic views. Watch worlds drift by at this stylish space bar boasting stellar views, where you can sit back and sip on some out-of-this-world concoctions while being transported throughout the Star Wars galaxy. Families are invited to experience this interstellar watering hole during the day, but at night, the lounge jumps to lightspeed and becomes a haven for adults only, offering interactive tasting experiences and signature beverages inspired by the hit films.

Cabanas. A space is set aside, but no word as to what this might be called or how it might be themed. May be some counter cafes adjacent toward the pool.

Casual Outside Counter Service. Yet to be titled or described. But Wheezies Freezies is found next to the Toy Story Splash Zone.

Other

• Senses Spa and Senses Exercise are on the 5th floor and include two small pools in the front nose of the ship.
• Adult Clubs. No mention, but the space usually occupying it is now dedicated to Worlds of Marvel. The funnel on Decks 14 & 15 are still available.
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Location yet to be specified.
• Pirate Night and Fireworks. Nothing yet mentioned.
• Satellite Falls. Probably not happening.
• Glass Elevators. They will not look down on the Grand Hall like they looked down on the atriums prior.
• Lighthouse Point. Earlier podcasts noted that their environmental impact study had been completed. Probably construction will start within this year. An opening date is yet to be announced.
• When Can We Book? Early booking for Castaway Club members and select Disney Guests begins May 17, 2021. Booking opens to the general public on May 27, 2021.

Book Your Next Trip

Are you ready to book your next cruise or return to Disney after COVID? The best person to answer that question is David Zanolla, owner and agent of Out The Door Travel, LLC. There’s no cost–but it could save you a lot of time–and even money–especially when you put it in the hands of someone who really knows Disney and travel. Call today at 309-863-5469 or reach out to him via zanolla@otdtravel.com