Disney Cruise Line has revealed its next new ship, the Disney Destiny, which is themed around Heroes and Villains. This offers a sneak peek at the latest addition to the DCL fleet, with important info, concept art, and details, plus our commentary about the good and bad (get it?) of this thematic choice. (Updated July 31, 2024.)
For those confused by the Disney Cruise Line fleet expansion, let’s start with that. The Disney Destiny is the third Wish-class ship that will join the fleet in 2025 with the Wish (obviously, it’s right in the name of the class) being first and the Disney Treasure (aka Adventureland on the Ocean) being the second, with its maiden voyage on December 21, 2024.
But wait, there’s more. In addition to this trio that was first announced years ago and has been underway for a while, there are two new-ish additions. The first of those is the Disney Adventure, the former Global Dream ship that Disney acquired partially completed in a fire sale. That’ll set sail out of Singapore starting in 2025 and has nothing to do with the rest–it’s colossal compared to the Wish-class. Finally, there’s the new Disney cruise ship just announced for Oriental Land Company, which is the fourth in the Wish-class and will set sail in 2028/2029 out of Japan. Got all of that? Now let’s talk Disney Destiny…
The Disney Destiny’s Heroes and Villains theme will draw on the legacy of beloved Disney stories, characters and theme park attractions, to forge a cruise vacation that will empower guests to embrace their own calling aboard every unforgettable voyage. Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering teams were inspired by the dynamic duality of every great Disney story, where opposing forces of light and dark drive characters to rise to their purpose, when developing the Disney Destiny.
Onboard, guests will encounter heroes and villains alike – including those from beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios stories like “The Lion King,” “Hercules” and “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” – within the spaces, experiences and entertainment throughout their voyage.
Disney Cruise Line has now started to reveal the substance of the Destiny Destiny, so let’s have a look inside the ship…
De Vil’s Piano Lounge – An evening at De Vil’s piano lounge will be a lavish affair emblematic of the bar’s namesake, the fabulously over-the-top villain Cruella de Vil of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” and the acclaimed 2021 live action film.
Cruella’s infamous flair for style and wickedly bold attitude will be reflected in the Hollywood Regency-inspired aesthetic of the adult-exclusive lounge, where everything will be adorned in her signature color palette of red, black and white. Amid sultry tunes from the spotted piano, guests will wind down in style with trendy martinis, chic cocktails, and glamorous wines and bubblies.
One side of De Vil’s will be open to the Grand Hall, allowing guests to sit back with a drink and a prime view of the ship’s premier gathering space. Whether patrons choose to bask in Cruella’s legacy or savor the energy and entertainment of the Grand Hall, their experience at this one-of-a-kind lounge is sure to be anything but “miserable, darling.”
Cask and Cannon – In this lounge, guests will “Drink Up, Me Hearties, Yo Ho!” and join the ranks of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” for an evening of revelry, recreation and — of course — rum. Inspired by the iconic characters and scenes from the beloved Disney Parks attractions around the world, the new pub will be an eclectic yet cozy watering hole furnished with treasures “acquired” (read: pillaged and pilfered) during the pirates’ many voyages around the globe.
Visiting buccaneers will regale one another with tales of their own high seas’ adventures, cheer and jeer during live televised sporting events, and indulge in an extensive menu of rare, specialty and vintage rums and a selection of “bootlegged” brews developed specially for the venue and served straight from the barrel in true pirate style.
AquaMouse “Sing a Silly Song” – The Disney Destiny will introduce a quirky new storyline filled with Disney Animation villains to AquaMouse, Disney Cruise Line’s signature attraction at sea — a 760-foot-long water ride towering over the upper decks of the ship. Featuring an original soundtrack written exclusively for Disney Cruise Line by Emmy award-winning composer Christopher Willis and lyricist Elyse Willis, the new show will exemplify the signature silliness of Mickey Mouse animated shorts.
In “Sing a Silly Song,” Mickey and Minnie will lead guests on a seemingly ominous trek to the peak of Villain Mountain. When faced with some of the most fearsome villains of Disney Animation lore, the duo will employ a silly song — and a bit of pixie dust — to transform each chilling encounter into a wacky surprise. Guests will laugh and splash along as Queen of Hearts (“Alice in Wonderland”), Scar (“The Lion King”), Chernabog (“Fantasia”) and others find themselves in unconventionally hilarious situations.
“Sing a Silly Song” will be one of four shows available on AquaMouse aboard the Disney Destiny, all complete with music, lighting, special effects and splashtacular surprises.
Haunted Mansion Parlor – Foolish mortals will be welcomed to sip spirited craft cocktails among the 999 happy haunts of Disney Parks lore at the Haunted Mansion Parlor. Reminiscent of a first-class drawing room from the classic cruise liners of the golden age, this experience — which will first debut aboard the Disney Treasure in December 2024 — will invoke inspiration from the original theme park attraction with a nautical twist exclusive to Disney Cruise Line.
The venue will follow the nostalgic art style of the 1969 Disney Parks classic, blending humor with Disney’s distinct brand of spooky storytelling. Legendary characters from Haunted Mansion attractions around the world will come out to socialize in mysterious ways throughout the experience, along with a few new seafaring arrivals and an original storyline focused on a ship captain. A custom musical arrangement inspired by the attraction’s original score will set the stage for an ever-escalating anthology of illusions that immerses guests into the next chapter of Haunted Mansion lore.
At the Haunted Mansion Parlor, grim grinning guests will sample a selection of ghostly cocktails that capture the spirit of the story, and an exclusive array of haunted homewares and spooky souvenirs inspired by the bar will materialize in shopping venues aboard the ship. Here’s Everything We Know About the Haunted Mansion Bar (So Far).
Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King will join the ranks as a first-of-its-kind Disney dining experience, bringing the iconic songs and legendary moments of the renowned animated classic to life for your family throughout dinner.
A colorful ensemble of live musicians and storytellers will take the stage to present a musical journey through the award-winning soundtrack as you dine. During special intervals throughout the meal, the band and performers will revisit the iconic songs from “The Lion King” using authentic African instruments and theatrical props to represent the story and characters.
When dining at Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, guests will delight in:
- Productions of “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata;”
- A mashup of “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Be Prepared,” a fun take that highlights the hero-villain dynamic of the story;
- An instrumental version of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” paired with a beautiful interpretive dance; and
- A moving rendition of “He Lives in You” from the sequel film and Broadway show.
The savanna-inspired venue will bring unique depictions of animals and nature to life through lighting and special effects, while the window-lined back wall will transform from stunning sunrises to enchanting sunsets throughout the meal. Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King’s uniquely themed menu will underscore beloved music during this soulful celebration of family and Simba’s journey to embrace his destiny.
Edna Mode’s Lab – The famed fashion designer from Pixar Animation Studios’ “The Incredibles” films whips up outfits for the world’s most famous Supers, will be transformed into a one-of-a-kind confectionary at the brand-new Edna Á La Mode Sweets aboard the Disney Destiny.
Inspired by the “Auntie Edna” short film, the lab’s modern sewing equipment will be repurposed as sweet-making mechanisms meant to entertain Jack-Jack, the unpredictable and hilariously unstable super baby. The results: a marvelous selection of handmade gelato, ice cream, cookies, candies and specialty treats served among the lab’s bolts of fabric, costume models and picture-perfect sculptures of both Edna and Jack-Jack — one hard at work, one hungry for “num nums.”
Just off the Grand Hall, two casual walk-up cafes will serve a mighty selection of coffee, tea, specialty beverages and snacks:
Café Megara – Named for the witty and independent heroine of Disney Animation’s “Hercules,” will pay homage to the film’s ancient world of Greek gods and legendary heroes. With a unique “Greco disco” design, the vibrant space will be filled with the lightning bolts and clouds of Mount Olympus, vases featuring the Muses, nods to Pegasus and waves on the ceiling.
Café Merida – Inspired by the flame-haired heroine of Pixar’s “Brave” with a Celtic-centered design that invokes her family’s Scottish Highlands heritage. Special touches include a tapestry hung from a mounted bow, while glowing lights above the bar will pay tribute to the will-o’-the-wisps, ethereal blue flames that lead travelers to their destiny.
Characters – Both heroes and villains from across the Disney universe will take center stage aboard the Disney Destiny. Guests will encounter formidable foes — including Maleficent, Hades, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee and Oogie Boogie — through a variety of shows, meet-and-greets and special appearances throughout the ship, along with some of Disney’s most mischievous and misunderstood personalities, like Captain Jack Sparrow, Bruno and Loki.
The Disney Destiny will also introduce exclusive ways for guests to interact with their favorite villains, rogues and mischief makers during all-new events and activities. This will complement a host of popular programs from across the Disney Cruise Line fleet, including a frighteningly fun dance party in Oogie Boogie’s shipboard lair and an interactive Disney trivia event that often gets interrupted by a cast of Disney villains.
With luxurious accommodations that embrace the duality of the Disney Destiny in every great story, a hero’s welcome will be waiting for guests aboard the Disney Destiny. Each stateroom will showcase custom artwork depicting the epic journeys of famous Disney legends, evoking a sense of awe and inspiration as families rest, reconnect and dream of far-off places.
Like every Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Destiny will offer spacious, comfortable and functional staterooms that uniquely meet the needs of families. Most staterooms will feature Disney Cruise Line’s signature split-bath concept, and many will offer the option of a connecting door that adjoins staterooms to accommodate larger groups.
Concierge guests aboard the Disney Destiny will receive a premium level of dedicated service and access to exclusive areas and amenities throughout their voyage, including a concierge lounge and private sun deck.
Large, lavishly appointed concierge staterooms and suites will draw guests into the enigmatic world of Disney Animation’s “Fantasia” through elegant, watercolor-style artwork illustrating the rich color palette, otherworldly spectacle, and dynamic duality of the classic film.
Seven special oceanview rooms located directly above the bridge and adorned in the distinctive iconography of Pixar’s “The Incredibles” will provide awe-inspiring, floor-to-ceiling views. The boldly themed IncrediSuites will invoke the exhilarating exploits of “The Incredibles” through a streamlined mid-century modern aesthetic inspired by the Pixar films.
In four royal suites of heroic proportions, guests will be empowered by epic stories to embrace their own destinies. Celebrating the majestic powers and noble heroism at the heart of Disney Animation’s “Hercules,” the Hero Suites will be inspired by Greco-Roman architecture, colors and patterns.
In terms of commentary, I like what we know of the Disney Destiny so far. The ship has an excellent name that’s strong and sharp. As someone who is very much over the grabbag of generic Disney buzzwords (like wishes, dreams, magic, fantasy, or wonder) that are so open-ended they could mean anything and everything, I also really appreciate the narrowing of focus.
To be fair, those names all made sense for ships when the Disney Cruise Line fleet was a lot smaller. They needed all-encompassing terms that could include a diverse selection of stories and intellectual property. You don’t want to have only two cruise ships, one of which is named the Disney Sivako that’s all themed to blue alien cats; and the other named the Disney Aristocatship, all themed to fancy felines. (Those are actually excellent ideas, but I digress.)
In all seriousness, the fleet was too small before and it would’ve excluded too many characters and IP if the focus were that narrow. I really love what Disney Cruise Line has done with the Disney Treasure and now the Disney Destiny with the Heroes & Villains or good versus evil dichotomy. To be sure, these concepts will still attempt to be as inclusive as possible so that they don’t alienate any potential guests, but they can have a bit more thematic cohesion.
The Disney Wish was a bit of a thematic hodgepodge, so it’s good to see the other ships in the Wish-class attempting to be more defined (I’d expect the fourth one to be more all-encompassing since it’s Japan’s first, but it at least should be good thanks to OLC’s involvement and budget). Admittedly, it also helps that I love Adventureland and Heroes vs. Villains.
Beyond that, I’m looking forward to the other characters and stories the Disney Destiny showcases. Disney Cruise Line has our attention with Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, which is a great start. Disney has already demonstrated it can do Lion King musicals of this variety really well, as the various versions of Festival of the Lion King and Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands are all fantastic. Now add food to that? Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King should be purrr-fect. (Lions are cats, so perhaps this actually is my feline ship finally realized.)
I’m looking forward to seeing which other films have a significant substantive (meaning not just staterooms or regular ole lounges ‘inspired’ by them) presence aboard the Disney Destiny. Hercules, Emperor’s New Groove, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Pocahontas, and Mulan are all strong options that would make a lot of fans really happy.
These all came at the tail end of the Disney Renaissance and have been notably overlooked in the parks, despite their prime demo coming of age and having kids of their own. (The trailer seems to hint at some of these characters having a presence aboard the Disney Destiny, but I wouldn’t necessarily put too much stock in that.)
As a child of the early 1990s, I would personally prefer to see the Disney Destiny ‘play the hits’ from then. Jafar, Ursula and Scar are all-time great villains that don’t get quite enough attention. And of course the actual classics–Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, Prince John (Robin Hood in general), and so forth.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of Villains Tonight, but revisiting that concept or–can you imagine–Fantasmic on the High Seas?! There’s a tremendous amount of potential for not just stage shows, but also the rotational dining, bars, and pretty much every venue on the ship. I really hope Imagineering is able to go all-in and every venue leans into heroes and/or villains.
It’s probably a stretch, but I also wonder if the Disney Destiny will be a testing ground for certain concepts and characters for the Villains area ‘Beyond Big Thunder’ in Magic Kingdom. While that’s still blue sky and Walt Disney World hasn’t confirmed that’s what it’ll be…it’s far and away the best concept for an expansion. So much better than a single IP land, which would be incongruous with the rest of the park. Obviously, much of what’s on cruise ships doesn’t translate to theme parks (or vice-versa), so it’s not like the Disney Destiny will have rides–but I could see a stage show, restaurant or bar making its way from ship to shore.
That’s my preliminary take on the Disney Destiny and its Heroes & Villains, Good vs. Evil duality. I like that Disney Cruise Line is willing to go all-in on a singular concept rather than playing it safe with something generic and crowd-pleasing. I also think it’ll pay off, with fans of heroes and villains appreciating something unique and novel over the sea of sameness. Here’s hoping that Imagineering is given the creative latitude to make something unique and inspired that gets fans excited about heroes and villains, and proves to be a distinct draw for the Disney Destiny. We’ll update you throughout the week as Disney Cruise Line pulls back the curtain on more of what’s inside the Disney Destiny, so stay tuned!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of the Disney Destiny and Heroes & Villains theme? Excited about Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King? Does this have you looking forward to the third Wish-class ship? Do you plan on booking a cruise aboard this ship, or are you awaiting more details? Do you agree or disagree with our take about the more focused themes for the Treasure and Destiny? Any questions? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
