Disney Wish is a cruise ship built for Disney Cruise Line, a cruise line operator based in the US, at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.
It is the first in a series of three new Wish-class cruise ships that are expected to join the company’s fleet by 2025.
The keel-laying ceremony for the Disney Wish cruise ship was held in April 2021, while the first steel was cut for the vessel in March 2020. The ship set sail for its maiden voyage in June 2022.
Disney Wish cruise ship design and features
Disney Wish is larger than Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the first two ships in the fleet that entered service in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Its design centres around the theme ‘motif of enchantment’, which is expressed through a range of Disney stories that are represented onboard, including Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel.
The Disney Cruise Line tradition of an elegant, classical exterior design is continued with Disney Wish in the emblematic colours of Mickey Mouse, a cartoon character created by The Walt Disney Company. The new cruise ship features filigree artwork of Captain Minnie Mouse on the bow while the stern features a custom sculpture of Rapunzel, a fictional character in one of Walt Disney’s feature films.
The 341m-long, 144,000t Disney Wish can accommodate up to 4,000 guests.
The ship features The Grand Hall, a three-storey fairy tale castle-inspired atrium with bright, airy, and elegant space, which serves as the gateway for guests as they first step onboard.
The Grand Hall includes an oversized chandelier and its design is finished with Gothic, Baroque, and French Rococo architectural influences that are prominent in the columns, carvings, trimmings, and adornments of the hall.
The base of the grand staircase in the Grand Hall features a bronze statue of the Walt Disney character Cinderella. Other design features of the Grand Hall include stained glass railings and floor carpeting embellished with icons from the film Cinderella. The hall also includes delicate metalwork and light fixtures inspired by Cinderella’s carriage and glass slipper.
Staterooms and accommodation
The ship has 1,254 storybook-inspired staterooms including four categories – Inside, Outside, Verandah, and Oceanview. Some of the staterooms are accessible to passengers with disabilities. Most of them provide ocean views with spacious verandahs. In addition, there are 451 connecting doors to accommodate larger families.
The Standard Inside stateroom has more space than that of similar category rooms on other cruise ships while the Deluxe Oceanview stateroom offers passengers views from the window of the room.
The Deluxe Oceanview stateroom with veranda is equipped with more square footage and a private place offering views of the sea. Staterooms in the Concierge category include one- and two-storey royal suites with verandahs, one-bedroom suites with verandahs, and family staterooms with verandahs. Concierge guests can enjoy an exclusive lounge with a private sun deck.
Every stateroom on the Disney Wish is designed to be a luxurious and enchanting retreat, inspired by Disney stories. These rooms offer ample space for families, abundant storage, and upscale amenities, with most featuring Disney Cruise Line’s signature split-bathroom concept for added comfort.
Additionally, the Disney Wish introduced four royal suites, lavishly appointed to accommodate up to six guests. These include two unique two-storey suites featuring elegant designs such as spiral staircases and two-deck-high stained-glass friezes.
Entertainment options aboard Disney Wish
The Disney Cruise Line merged advanced design and technology to craft the next generation of family entertainment venues on board the Disney Wish. The ship offers a robust menu of world-class entertainment infused with Disney storytelling, bringing to life the characters of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.
The Grand Hall transforms from a gathering space into an enchanting theatre using built-in special effects and featuring the first-ever atrium stage on a Disney ship.
The ship features Luna and Hero Zone, the first-of-its-kind venues for immersive shows. Luna is an entertainment hub, which features a two-storey LED screen wall, a stage and a bar offering a variety of family-friendly live shows. Hero Zone is a futuristic sports arena featuring physical activities mixed with imagination.
The magical forest theme-based Walt Disney Theatre features original Broadway-style stage productions developed exclusively for Disney Cruise Line. The Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas are intimate screening rooms, which offer a wide range of options to guests, including classic and first-run films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and more.
Additional leisure activities
Frozen-inspired Olaf’s Royal Picnic offers an interactive experience with Olaf, Anna, Elsa and Kristoff with live musical performances of the movie’s songs.
Travellers can also indulge in a unique Star Wars experience and Broadway-style production of “The Little Mermaid“; and much more.
For children aged three to 12, the reimagined Disney’s Oceaneer Club provides an array of spaces and activities inspired by Disney stories. Marvel Super Hero Academy, Fairytale Hall, and Walt Disney Imagineering Lab offer engaging experiences tailored to their interests, while It’s a Small World Nursery provides babysitting services for the littlest cruisers.
Tweens and teens aged 11 to 17 have their own trendy hangouts at Edge and Vibe, with programming designed to engage their unique interests.
Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge is an exclusive bar styled as a luxurious spaceship, offering an immersive tour of the Star Wars galaxy.
The Senses Spa provides indulgent spa and beauty treatments designed to promote serenity and well-being. Featuring private treatment rooms, lavish spa villas, and steam and aromatherapy rooms, the spa offers a range of rejuvenating experiences.
Additionally, the reimagined Senses Fitness provides state-of-the-art exercise and wellness facilities for guests seeking to maintain their health and well-being during their cruise.
Water activities details
The Disney Wish elevates the cruise experience with a new family water attraction and three themed districts catering to families, children, and adults.
AquaMouse immerses guests in “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” animated shorts, featuring show scenes, lighting, special effects, and surprises along 760ft of winding tubes above the upper decks.
Family District, the Mickey and Friends-themed district offers six pools, ample deck space, and dining options, with AquaMouse as a highlight.
Toy Story-themed District, designed for families with toddlers and young children, includes a splash zone, wading pool, family waterslide, and smoothie bar.
Quiet Cove is an adults-only retreat, which provides a serene environment with a luxurious infinity pool, poolside bar, and cafe, away from family activities.
Dining options onboard Disney Wish
The Disney Wish introduces three new family dining concepts, making dinner a unique and interactive experience with favourite Disney stories.
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure is Disney’s first Frozen-themed theatrical dining experience, featuring live entertainment with characters such as Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf, and cuisine inspired by Nordic flavours.
Worlds of Marvel is the first Marvel cinematic dining adventure where guests participate in an Avengers mission with a menu inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The restaurant 1923, named after the year The Walt Disney Company was founded, celebrates the company’s legacy and the golden age of animation, offering dishes inspired by California’s diverse cultural flavours.
Additionally, Disney Wish offers various dining options, including quick bites, casual dining, 24-hour room service, speciality treats, gourmet cafes, and premium dining exclusively for adults.
Guests can indulge in exquisite dining experiences at Palo Steakhouse, Enchante by Chef Arnaud Lallement, and The Rose. All three eateries are inspired by Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Palo Steakhouse offers a fusion of authentic Italian dining and modern steakhouse elegance, set in a genteel ambience inspired by Cogsworth from Beauty and the Beast.
Enchante, curated by three-Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement, offers luxury dining with a gourmet menu in an intimate, romantic atmosphere reminiscent of Lumiere, the film’s candelabra maitre d’.
The Rose, a chic lounge at the entrance of Palo Steakhouse and Enchante, provides an idyllic spot for pre-dinner aperitifs or post-dinner cocktails, inspired by the iconic flower from the beloved story.
The ship features a signature sweet shop, Inside Out: Joyful Sweets. The Pixar film-inspired dessert shop offers handmade gelato, ice cream, candy and novelty treats.
Propulsion and performance of Disney Wish
Disney Wish cruise ship within the Triton-Class production series is equipped with a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered propulsion system. It is the first ship among the Disney Cruise Line fleet to feature an eco-friendly LNG drive system.
The system can eliminate CO₂ emissions, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur oxides. The ship can achieve a cruising speed of 19.5 knots and a maximum speed of 23 knots.