CELEBRATION, FL — There’s nothing like a little Disney magic – or in this case, a 144,000-ton Disney Wish – to keep spirits hopeful as the industry looks forward to travel’s restart in the months to come.

Bookings for Disney Wish, the fifth ship in the DCL fleet, open in less than a month, for sailings starting in June 2022. For Disney Cruise Line fans, it can’t come soon enough.

Arendelle A Frozen Dining Adventure on Disney Wish

Consumers and the trade got a sneak peek at the new ship with a special virtual event that included a 30-minute ‘ship tour’ in ‘Once Upon a Disney Wish’, followed by a panel discussion hosted by Disney Imagineers and the Disney Cruise Line team.

Starting June 9, 2020 the Disney Wish will set sail its inaugural season of three- and four-night cruises to Nassau and Castaway Cay from its new home port of Port Canaveral. Bookings open to the general public on May 27, 2021.

With new dining, entertainment and attraction concepts inspired by Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars adventures, new accommodation options with four royal suites, a Marvel Super Hero Academy at Disney’s Oceaneer Club and more, vacationing on the ship “will be truly like a magical spell,” says Shelley Gold Witiak, DCL’s Director, Hotel Operations at yesterday’s panel discussion.

DISNEY WISH ACCOMMODATION

The ship’s 1,254 staterooms include 53 concierge staterooms and 23 concierge suites. Some 90% of the Disney Wish staterooms will be outside staterooms, including 948 verandah staterooms (70%) and 185 oceanview staterooms (20%). The other 10% are inside staterooms. More than 900 of the staterooms offer connecting doors.

The 4,000-passenger ship has more than double the number of premium concierge staterooms and suites, including Disney’s first-ever staterooms located above the bridge, with floor-to-ceiling windows with unbeatable ocean views. Concierge guests have access to an exclusive lounge with private sun deck.

Opulent accommodations on Disney Wish in the Princess Aurora Royal Suite

Disney Wish will also debut four royal suites that accommodate up to six guests. Two of the four royal suites are two-storey suites, the first of their kind within the Disney fleet.

With all the Disney Wish accommodation, “we took a look at what works on our other ships, and what can be improved upon,” said Witiak. “We added more storage options. We kept the queen beds.” There are also pull-down beds from the ceiling and pull-out sofa beds to maximize sleeping space.

POOLSIDE ATTRACTIONS & THEMED DISTRICTS

The first-ever Disney attraction at sea, the 760-foot water ride AquaMouse, immerses guests in ‘The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse’ with animated show scenes, lighting and special effects.

Disney Wish – Quiet Cove

It’s the star attraction in an expansive district themed to Mickey and friends. In addition to AquaMouse, the area will feature six pools, staggered among tiered decks and surrounded by lounge chairs. There’s also an all-new Toy Story-themed district designed especially for families with toddlers and young children. And for the adults, there’s Quiet Cove with its own infinity pool, poolside bar and cafe.

DISNEY WISH DINING

Three new family dining concepts will debut on Disney Wish:

• Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure is Disney’s first Frozen-themed theatrical dining experience
• Worlds of Marvel is the first-ever Marvel cinematic dining adventure, where guests will play an interactive role in an action-packed Avengers mission
• 1923, named for the year The Walt Disney Company was founded, celebrates the company’s legacy in style, paying homage to the golden age of animation

Premiere dining on Disney Wish at Enchante by Chef Arnaud Lallement

Disney Wish will also offer a variety of dining options ranging from quick bites, casual dining and 24-hour room service, to specialty treats, gourmet cafes and premium dining exclusively for adults.

FOR THE ADULTS

Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge is a high-end bar styled as a luxurious yacht-class spaceship. The richly themed, immersive experience will be reserved for adults every evening, offering interactive tasting experiences and signature beverages.

Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge onboard Disney Wish

Palo Steakhouse is an evolution of the Palo restaurant that Disney cruisers know and love, now combining the relaxed sophistication of authentic Italian dining with the classic refinement of a modern steakhouse in a genteel setting. Enchanté features a gourmet menu crafted by three-Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement. And finally, The Rose is a chic lounge at the entrance of Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. The Rose is the perfect setting for a pre-dinner aperitif or after-dinner cocktail.

Senses Spa will feature private treatment rooms, lavish spa villas, and steam and aromatherapy rooms, while the reimagined Senses Fitness will offer state-of-the-art exercise and wellness facilities.

Other adult-exclusive spaces on board the Disney Wish will include the Quiet Cove pool district; a variety of gourmet cafes, relaxed bars and upscale lounges; and more.

ENTERTAINMENT

In keeping with Disney Cruise Line tradition, Disney Wish will offer spectacular stage shows, deck parties, character experiences, fun family activities, contemporary cabarets and more.

The Grand Hall will evolve from a fairytale gathering space into an environmental theatre through the magic of built-in special effects and the first-ever atrium stage on a Disney ship. Dedicated shows and interactive entertainment will come to life all around the hall.

Luna is a brand-new entertainment hub that will transition from a daytime setting for family fun into an elegant evening venue for adult-exclusive entertainment, offering a variety of live shows and interactive programming throughout the day.

Hero Zone is a futuristic sports arena where physical activity meets imagination, with action- packed challenges and game show-style competitions for families to take on together.

The crown jewel of entertainment spaces onboard the ship, The Walt Disney Theatre, will offer original Broadway-style stage productions developed exclusively for Disney Cruise Line.

The Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas are intimate screening rooms that will provide guests more options than ever to watch classic and first-run films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and more.

FOR THE KIDS

It is truly impossible for a kid to be bored on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Here are some of the highlights for younger passengers onboard Disney Wish:

Disney’s Oceaneer Club (ages 3 – 12)

Marvel Super Hero Academy is a high-tech Avengers headquarters where young “recruits” will train to be the next generation of Super Heroes with the help of their own heroes, like Spider- Man, Black Panther, Ant-Man and the Wasp.

Marvel Super Hero Academy at Disney’s Oceaneer Club

Fairytale Hall is a royal trio of activity rooms where princesses and princes will 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.

Walt Disney Imagineering Lab is a first-of-its-kind opportunity for kids to discover the secrets of world-renowned Disney Imagineers — the creative masterminds behind Disney theme parks, resorts and cruise ships — with hands-on activities and inventive experiments.

It’s a Small World Nursery (ages 6 months to 3 years)

It’s a Small World Nursery will offer babysitting services in a whimsical environment inspired by the beloved Disney attraction of the same name.

Edge (ages 11 to 14) and Vibe (ages 14 to 17)

Trendy hangouts where tweens and teens will chill and play in their own way, with dedicated programming designed to engage the unique interests of these age groups.