The Disney Difference — How Disney Cruise Line Parts the Waters

by Marika Flatt and Gracie Watt on April 26, 2022 in Travels,
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Disney’s Wish is a dream come true!

Disney’s fifth ship, the Disney Wish Cruise, is open with new additions, and setting sail on its maiden voyage this summer, followed by three- and four-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, from Port Canaveral, Florida.

When it sets sail this summer, the newest Disney Cruise Line ship will be filled with innovative new experiences steeped in Disney storytelling, including the first-ever Disney attraction at sea, immersive dining experiences themed to “Frozen” and Marvel, and a high-end lounge set in the Star Wars galaxy.
Photo courtesy Disney

Where the Cool Kids Hang

When you think of Disney, you think kids. And Disney Wish has revamped spaces, designed as clubs for the cool kids. 

Avengers Club

Children ages 3-12 are invited to spring into action alongside some of their favorite Marvel superheroes like Spider-Man and more.

Fairytale Hall is a royal trio of activity rooms where kids ages 3-12 let their creativity shine at Rapunzel’s Art Studio, read and act out stories at Belle’s Library, and test newfound icy powers at Anna and Elsa’s Sommerhus. Photo courtesy Disney

Star Wars Galactic Creature Keepers

This adventure allows kids to step into an interactive space, modeled after a high-tech cargo bay. They also have the opportunity to feed lifelike, interactive creatures. More kid experiences include the Imagineering Lab where they can build and ride their own roller coaster, and Fairytale Hall, where they can create floating lanterns. 

Teens

Edge 

The tween hangout, Edge, is a New York City-inspired hangout for ages 11-14, where they can enjoy video games, scavenger hunts and more. 

Vibe

Vibe, a club for ages 14-17, provides teens a special key card to the door to the club. (Parents have to call from a phone outside the door.) Teens can also see themselves in the photo frames that rotate on the walls and can film a movie too. There’s also a coffee and soda bar. 

For the first time on a Disney ship, the Disney Wish has a third club for tweens and teens: The Hideaway. This hip new hangout offers older kids and young adults a chill place to relax, listen to music and more in a posh setting complete with a dance floor and DJ booth. Photo courtesy Disney

The Hideaway

Older teens and young adults can also check out The Hideaway, an all-new space designed just for them.

One of the exciting things for both kids and parents is the freedom of the new Wish cruises. In order to stay in touch on the boat, guests can utilize the wave phones in their rooms, but most will utilize the Disney Navigator app which can be used without Wi-Fi.

For the first time on a Disney ship, guests will embark on a space-jumping tour of the Star Wars galaxy at Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge, a high-end bar styled as a luxurious yacht-class spaceship. This richly themed, immersive experience is reserved for adults every evening, offering interactive tasting experiences and signature beverages inspired by destinations such as Batuu, Tatooine and Mustafar. Photo courtesy Disney

Adulting Additions

Adults need to have fun, too! Hence, the need for new adult exclusive opportunities. 

Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge

Watch worlds drift by at this space bar where you can sit back and sip on some unique concoctions while being transported throughout the Star Wars galaxy. Families are invited to experience this interstellar space during the day, but at night, the lounge becomes adults-only, offering tasting experiences and beverages inspired by the hit films.

Onboard Oasis at Sea

Retreat to this relaxing, adults-only refuge with its infinity pool, bar and poolside lounge, all  dedicated to swimming, savoring drinks and soaking up the sun.

With an all-new look and feel steeped in enchantment and inspired by dreamy Disney stories, every stateroom on board the Disney Wish is a luxurious, peaceful retreat designed with ample room for families, plenty of storage and upscale amenities. Ninety percent of the ship’s 1,254 staterooms offer an ocean view.
Photo courtesy Disney

Cabins with Caché

The tradition of storytelling can be found inside all staterooms on the Disney Wish, thanks to artwork and subtle touches that celebrate elements of Disney films—from castles to the spirit of the sea.

Disney Dining Difference

Arendelle: A Disney Dining Experience

Be a part of the world’s first Frozen-themed, theatrical dining experience as you’re transported to the Kingdom of Arendelle aboard the Disney Wish. Soak in festive musical performances from Elsa and Olaf as you devour Norwegian-inspired cuisine. It’s a dinner worth melting for!

Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure is Disney’s first “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience that brings the world of Arendelle to life through immersive live entertainment — featuring favorite characters like Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf — and world-class cuisine infused with Nordic influences. Photo courtesy Disney

Worlds of Marvel

Join Ant-Man and the Wasp during “Avengers: Quantum Encounter”—a demonstration of superhero technologies. Here you can use an interactive Quantum Core at your table to shrink and grow objects as you take part in an Avengers mission that unfolds around you. All the while, enjoy a worldly menu inspired featuring a range of all-American fare to African flavors.

1923

Named after the year Walt Disney Studios was founded, this dining establishment celebrates the spirit of the 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 flavors found throughout the Golden State.

Named for the year The Walt Disney Company was founded, 1923 is an elegant celebration of the company’s legacy, paying homage to the golden age of animation and offering a tasteful tribute to its Californian heritage with dishes inspired by the state’s unique fusion of cultural flavors. (Photo courtesy Disney

Evening Entertainment

Lesley Dallas, Fantasy’s Cruise Director who has been a part of Disney Cruise Line for 15 years says it best: “We’re introducing some of the smallest cruisers to live theater. Believe is our signature show and Frozen is the newest.” Dallas says, “We are a floating resort. People feel inner peace when they see the ocean. But we get to add in the best entertainment Disney has to offer. The pirate night theme is one of our most popular, as is Nightclub Under the Stars for all ages.” Or, sit back and be entertained by shows that take some favorite stories and turn them into live fantasy, including a theatrical adaptation of the beloved 1989 Disney animated film, The Little Mermaid. 

“Disney The Little Mermaid” is an original Broadway-style stage adaptation of the renowned 1989 Disney Animation film developed exclusively for the Disney Wish. During this one-of-a-kind theatrical production, audiences will rediscover the iconic scenes, acclaimed music and beloved characters of “The Little Mermaid” while experiencing the story like never before. Photo courtesy Disney

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Cover photo courtesy Robert Fiebak

Marika Flatt, Outstanding Austin Communicator 2021, is the Travel Editor for Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She began her travel writing career with Austin Woman Magazine when it premiered in the fall of 2002. Now, she writes “The Texas Traveler” section for Austin Woman Magazine and can be seen on TV shows across Texas, offering travel tips.

Gracie Watt is the Editorial Assistant at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and a senior at St. Edward’s University in Austin, studying Journalism. When she’s not writing, Watt enjoys singing, playing the guitar and doing volunteer work. @graciethatgirl