New Experiences Announced for the Disney Destiny
Disney Cruise Line provided some new details about the Disney Destiny. Here’s what we know so far.
Whether you’re Team Heroes or Team Villains, the Disney Destiny, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, has epic magic in store. From a Cruella de Vil-inspired piano bar to a “Disney Hercules” stage show, you’ll find all-new adventures at sea plus plenty of returning guest favorites. (Photo above: Disney Destiny Grand Hall.)
Disney Destiny Grand Hall
Disney Destiny will debut on Nov. 20 in Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale. The ship will sail four- and five-day itineraries that visit Nassau and Disney's two private islands in the Bahamas, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and Castaway Cay.
As part of the media preview at the Disney Destiny Showcase, Disney offered a peek behind the scenes at some of the experiences onboard. Some are heroic, some are a little more nefarious, but all embrace the dynamic duality of every great Disney story. Here are a few of Disney Destiny’s must-dos.
Behind the Scenes at “Disney Hercules”
Disney offered a sneak peek at the all-new “Disney Hercules” show coming to the Disney Destiny. A panel of the creative team offered details on how this classic Walt Disney Animation Studios film is coming to life in the Walt Disney Theater. Show Director Kevin Wilson explained that “Disney Hercules” will feature all the same music and characters, but that “the music, we were able to make it a little more pop, contemporary.”
Disney Hercules show on the Disney Destiny
The show will also feature a new song, “Shooting Star,” which was originally supposed to be in the film but never made the final cut. The set, too, will juxtapose a modern aesthetic and a Grecian feel. Michael Serna, executive creative director, points out that staircases coming from stage right and stage left will propel scene transitions, lending a more modern touch. Meanwhile, there will be a Grecian aesthetic with pillars and a gazebo.
As for the costumes? Think fashion. Show Director Marcel Wilson shares that the gods and goddesses have “beautiful, enormous headpieces that are ornate, and dramatic draping. Even our Grecian townspeople, it’s not fashion, but it still gives a runway vibe, so we still have the Grecian aesthetic.” And of course, expect the Disney Destiny theme of light vs. darkness to appear here, too—some of the costumes will light up!
If you’ve seen “Disney The Tale of Moana” onboard the Disney Treasure, you’ll be familiar with the show’s puppets. Creative Director Jeff Conover explains: “We love puppetry. We love to play with scale. It brings the emotions to another level.” He shared a peek at a brand-new rendering showcasing Hercules battling the hydra, featuring puppets!
“The concept art here, for me, captures exactly what we’re trying to achieve,” said Conover. “Larger than life. We’re doing some really interesting stuff, not just with the hydra, but also with some of the titans from the film and utilizing some technology here at the Walt Disney Theater that has never been used before.”
Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King
A new restaurant, Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, will debut aboard the Disney Destiny. From windows overlooking different times of day on the savanna to tranquil instrumental music playing in the background, this restaurant will reflect the heart of the “Lion King” story. “When you step into this space, you’re transformed into the Pride Lands,” said Show Director Paul Bryant. “Can you guys hear the soundscape? We really wanted to dive into the authenticity of the musicians and their instruments.”
Pridelands: Feast of The Lion King
Disney also offered a peek at cast costumes, place settings, and even a hyena sipper featuring Ed and a Timon popcorn bucket! As for the food and drink, Disney offered two drinks coming to Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King—Can You Feel the Rum Tonight? and Smily Yet Satisfying (a sweet, gummy-inspired beverage perfect for the kids and the kids at heart). The food was inspired by the Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King menu.
De Vil’s Piano Lounge: No evening is complete without a devilish drink or two with Cruella De Vil herself. A preview of De Vil’s lounge featured the Hollywood Regency architecture, glamorous cocktails, and a spotted piano that will be onboard the Disney Destiny. And just like at the lounge itself, this evening’s guests were recruited for a little musical mischief.
The lounge will feature strawberry shortcake popcorn and specialty cocktails. The Fashionista consists of strawberry and banana-infused tequila. The zero-proof Fearless Sir Galahad has a syrupy sweet scent and spicy flavor profile.
The Sanctum: Guests will be able to venture into a world of powerful sorcerers inside The Sanctum, a lounge inspired by Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange.” Designers were inspired by the New York Sanctum, with some details from the film’s Chamber of Relics, plus suspended spell books and other enchanting Easter eggs.
While the drinks themselves are impressive, even more breathtaking are the interactive elements that give this space an otherworldly feel. Said Sophie Leroux, assistant cruise director: “The first time I saw this [Circle of the Cosmos], I thought, ‘Is that glass supposed to be upside down?’ It is. That’s one of the coolest parts!”
Grand Hall: Another Marvel Super Hero makes an appearance in the Grand Hall: T’Challa, aka Black Panther. While the Grand Hall statue is the bronze sculpture typical of all Disney Cruise Line Grand Halls, this is the first time the team is bringing in silver accents, reminiscent of the Black Panther’s suit. You can also see purple accents, which is the vibranium activating in the Black Panther’s suit.
“This is a whole new look and feel,” said Walt Disney Imagineer Beth Burkhardt says of the Grand Hall. “Lighting is used in a new way, so we can completely transform the space…It’s going to be changing to each hero or, very possibly, some villains making their way to the Grand Hall.” Expect epic shifts in lighting for our heroes and a more eerie transformation for certain villains, plus a breathtaking chandelier inspired by the meteorite that brought vibranium to Wakanda.
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Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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Where will Disney Destiny be Sailing?
Disney’s newest ship is now structurally complete. See where she will and when.
The Disney Destiny will be homeported at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship's maiden voyage is scheduled for November 20, 2025.
Disney Destiny’s bow depicts Minnie Mouse in a hero costume.
The Disney Destiny is the third ship in the Wish Class, joining the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure.
The ship will offer four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean.
Most cruises will include a stop at Disney's Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
The ship's itineraries include ports such as Nassau, Bahamas, and Cozumel, Mexico.
The Disney Destiny's maiden voyage will be a four-night cruise that stops at both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay.
Port Everglades is one of only two ports worldwide where Disney operates year-round. The other is Port Canaveral.
The Disney Destiny cruise ship's theme is heroes and villains, inspired by the dynamic duality of Disney stories.
How the theme is reflected on the ship:
Art
The bow features Minnie Mouse in a heroic pose, and the stern features a statue of Spider-Man
Entertainment
Includes Broadway-style shows, character encounters, and interactive storytelling
Dining
Includes a Hercules-inspired walkup cafe called Megara and a Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods
Staterooms
Includes Hercules-themed rooms, including a 1-bedroom Concierge Royal Hero Suite and a 2-bedroom Concierge Royal Hero Suite
Lounge
De Vil's piano lounge is inspired by Cruella de Vil and features a Hollywood Regency design
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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New Details Revealed on Disney Destiny - Disney Cruise Line
Details on the Disney Destiny - Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line revealed the first details about its next ship, the Disney Destiny, as it reached a new construction milestone this week with a keel laying ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
With the good luck garnered by this maritime tradition, this ship of legends and lore is beginning to take shape.
The Disney Destiny is scheduled for delivery in 2025 as part of a multi-year expansion of the Disney Cruise Line fleet that includes the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, the Disney Adventure that will homeport in Singapore, and the new island destination in The Bahamas, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Guests sailing on the Disney Destiny will encounter heroes and villains alike – including those from beloved Walt Disney Animation stories like The Lion King, Hercules and One Hundred and One Dalmatians – within spaces, experiences and entertainment throughout their voyage.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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