Everything you need to know about what's onboard the Disney Wish cruise ship

Apr 29, 2021 in "Disney Wish"

Disney Wish virtual tour
Posted: Thursday April 29, 2021 12:00pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney Cruise Line today unveiled details on its next ship, the Disney Wish featuring first-of-a-kind experiences including a Disney attraction at sea and a Star Wars lounge.

“With the Disney Wish, we’re continuing our tradition of delivering the most magical and relaxing vacations at sea, combining legendary service and entertainment with imaginative storytelling and all the care you expect from a Disney vacation,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “Our newest ship will celebrate everything that families love about sailing with us, from the incredible dining experiences and character interactions, to dazzling shows and the crew’s thoughtful attention to detail. We can’t wait to welcome our guests aboard the Disney Wish as we expand the reach of our world-class fleet.”

The Disney Wish will sail its maiden voyage — a five-night cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay — on June 9, 2022, followed by an inaugural season of three- and four-night cruises to the same destinations from Port Canaveral, Florida. Bookings open to the general public on May 27, 2021. Contact our travel sponsor Kingdom Konsultants now for more details on how to book, and see how to place an early booking for the Disney Wish Summer 2022 itineraries.

“Daring to dream even bigger, our Imagineers are creating a breathtaking new world of enchantment aboard the Disney Wish,” said Laura Cabo, portfolio creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “This motif provides the perfect platform to infuse Disney storytelling into every aspect of the design, giving the Disney Wish its own unique personality and a completely new look unlike anything else at sea.”

Here is a rundown of everything announced so far for the Disney Wish.

AquaMouse and Pools

The Disney Wish will feature a brand-new family water attraction and three themed districts that offer dedicated space for families, children and adults alike.

Guests will be immersed in “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” animated shorts aboard the first-ever Disney attraction at sea, AquaMouse. Complete with show scenes, lighting and special effects, and splashtacular surprises, this wild water ride will zig, zag and zoom through 760 feet of winding tubes suspended high above the upper decks.

Families will have more pools, more deck space and more dining than ever before in an expansive district themed to Mickey and friends. In addition to AquaMouse, the area will feature six pools — spaciously staggered among tiered decks and surrounded by lounge chairs.

An all-new Toy Story-themed district has been designed especially for families with toddlers and young children. This whimsical water wonderland will include a splash zone, wading pool, family waterslide and smoothie bar.

For adults, Quiet Cove is a peaceful refuge dedicated to lounging, sipping and soaking. Set away from the bustle of family activities, this secluded adults-only district will feature a luxurious infinity pool, poolside bar and chic cafe.

Family Dining

Three brand-new family dining concepts range from theatrical entertainment to cinematic adventure to sophisticated elegance.

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

Worlds of Marvel is the first-ever Marvel cinematic dining adventure, where guests will play an interactive role in an action-packed Avengers mission that unfolds around them, complete with a menu inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

1923, named for the year The Walt Disney Company was founded, 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.

In addition to elaborately themed, upscale restaurants, the Disney Wish will 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.

Entertainment

Disney Cruise Line is combining innovative design and technology to create immersive entertainment environments that will surround guests in storytelling in new and unexpected ways on board the Disney Wish.

The Grand Hall will evolve from a fairytale gathering space into an environmental theater 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, putting guests front and center as they play a special role in the magic.

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 will blend with imagination during action-packed challenges and game show-style competitions for families to take on together.

The Walt Disney Theatre is an opulent show palace that will come alive with 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.

Clubs for Kids of All Ages

With dedicated clubs for every age group and imaginative programming facilitated with the care and expertise of Disney-trained counselors, children will be immersed in Disney storytelling on board the Disney Wish.

Children ages 3 to 12 will enter the worlds of favorite Disney stories in the reimagined Disney’s Oceaneer Club, a real-life wonderland featuring more spaces and stories than ever before. Expertly developed programming combines deeply engaging, enriching activities with special playtime with Disney friends – and when characters stop by, they stay to play, offering uniquely interactive, memorable character experiences exclusive to Disney Cruise Line.

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.

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.

For the littlest cruisers 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) are 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.

Exclusively for Adults

Adults aboard the Disney Wish will escape, relax, dine and play in more ways than ever with exclusive venues and entertainment tailored just for them, featuring elevated interpretations of Disney stories through sophisticated theming that ranges from subtle inspiration to full-scale immersion.

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 will be reserved for adults every evening, offering interactive tasting experiences and signature beverages inspired by destinations such as Batuu, Tatooine and Mustafar.

Aboard the Disney Wish, guests will savor gourmet meals and exceptional beverages at Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement and The Rose, an upscale suite of epicurean excellence exclusively for adults, inspired by the elegant icons of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Beauty and the Beast.”

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 inspired by Cogsworth, the tale’s majordomo-turned-enchanted-clock.

Enchanté will offer the most luxurious dining experience on board, featuring a gourmet menu crafted by three-Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement. This romantic and intimate venue will evoke the dazzling spirit of the film’s candelabra maitre d’, Lumiere.

The Rose is a chic lounge at the entrance of Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. Inspired by the fateful flower at the heart of the story, The Rose will be an idyllic setting for a pre-dinner aperitif or after-dinner cocktail.

Senses Spa is a tranquil oasis offering indulgent spa and beauty treatments, drawing on the serenity of natural elements to promote pampering and relaxation. The 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.

Accommodations

With an all-new look and feel steeped in enchantment and inspired by dreamy Disney stories, every stateroom on board the Disney Wish will be a luxurious, peaceful retreat designed with ample room for families, plenty of storage and upscale amenities. Most will feature Disney Cruise Line’s signature split-bathroom concept for utmost comfort and function.

Most of the ship’s 1,254 staterooms will offer an ocean view — including 877 (70%) with a spacious verandah — and there will be 451 connecting doors that adjoin rooms to accommodate larger families.

The Disney Wish will elevate the concierge experience with more than double the number of premium concierge staterooms and suites, including Disney’s first-ever staterooms located above the bridge, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal breathtaking ocean views overlooking the bow of the ship. An exclusive lounge with private sun deck will be the perfect place for concierge guests to relax, sip a cocktail and enjoy a premium level of dedicated service throughout the voyage.

The Disney Wish will also debut four royal suites – richly adorned, lavishly appointed suites that accommodate up to six guests and feature extravagant details and first-class amenities.


These include a pair of two-story suites, the first of their kind within the Disney fleet, which will feature stunning statement pieces like an elegant spiral staircase and a spectacular two-deck-high stained-glass frieze.

Bookings open to the general public on May 27, 2021. Contact our travel sponsor Kingdom Konsultants now for more details on how to book.

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vikescaperNov 04, 2023

After wrapping up my first ever cruise, I figure I may as well follow up on this….. For backstory, I have never been on a cruise but my mom and sister have been. Out stateroom was midship on deck 7 and we were pretty much equidistant from both elevator banks. I never had any real issues with the elevators but I will say that I used the stairs 90% of the time so I could burn off all those ice cream cones I was eating. My mom is in her 70’s and my sister is in her mid 40’s and has had knee issues most of her life so they used the elevators more than I did. They did have to wait longer for the elevator during peak times but never really complained about it. I did find myself getting lost a few times but after I started to pay more attention to signage, I was fine. The adults only section did feel like an afterthought and I didn’t go into those pools. I don’t know if it is feasible but maybe they could extend the adults only section to the forward section of deck 14 as that felt like wasted space. We didn’t really spend much time in the lounges but ended up in Keg and Compass a few times. I really enjoyed that space. I was looking forward to Hyperspace Lounge but was let down by it. We also found ourselves in the movie theaters a few times and enjoyed those spaces. The seats are very uncomfortable, though. Overall, my family did enjoy our time on the Wish and thought she was a beautiful ship. We would have liked more time on it so we could do more exploring but there is always next time!

DisAlJul 16, 2023

I was watching the Port Nassau webcam this afternoon as the Wish was backing out from the dock. It then started pulling back in. I had to leave before they finished but I wonder what was going on.

Chip ChippersonJul 06, 2023

And on top of that, the narrow-but-deeper design makes it so that most of the people in the elevator have to step out each time someone in the back is getting out at their floor. It slows down an already slow process.

LAKid53Jul 06, 2023

Given the lack of midship elevators and that the Wish's predominantly are smaller, yes, the elevators get crowded.

jaklgreenJul 06, 2023

Yeah, way too many people try to cram into the elevators.

Chip ChippersonJul 05, 2023

It's an issue when people overcrowd the elevators, forcing people to move as close to the walls as possible. It happened several times on my cruise in December. With the elevator situation already less than ideal, I'm sure the extra stops weren't helping matters.

jaklgreenJul 05, 2023

I wonder why so many people had problems with this. I have sailed on the Wish and never had any issues with staying far enough away from the buttons to not set them off. I actually like the no touch buttons because I didn't have to touch them. After the one cruise when a guy came into Cabanas and refused to wash his hands before going to the buffet, claiming that he "took a shower that morning", I don't want to touch anything. LOL

Disney AnalystJul 05, 2023

SplashZanderMar 25, 2023

The 8th isn’t meant for American markets. So that does nothing. With the Wish in Florida during the summer, they moved the Dream to the very expensive European market (effectively adding a second Magic to Europe. Then they retained the Magic in Florida. The Treasure will push one of the larger ships out west, replacing the Wonder, which will go to Australia, an entirely new market. So in terms of existing markets, they’re adding one Magic to Europe and one Wonder out West, and two big ships to Florida, which is the same expansion as when they added the Dream and Fantasy. They wouldn’t have built Lighthouse Point and their Fort Lauderdale port if they were planning on going back down to 5 ships (ignoring the Asia exclusive). Castaway could’ve easily handled an extra ship (compared to 4) if they retired Magic and Wonder. That’s not what they’re doing. Not in the short term, and not in the medium term. They might 15-20+ years, but it’s hardly imminent. The Dream going to Europe has made those cruises, especially verandahs, incredibly more affordable. Big win in my book. They were initially only adding two ships, but they clearly saw the growth potential and added an extra. The 8th ship is a different story, but it seems Disney deems it too good of an opportunity to fail. Minimal risk super high potential reward. Buying the ship seems like some Michael Eisner craziness, but should be a separate product in a completely different and new market.

ToTBellHopMar 24, 2023

I personally do not think they will be able to support their fares with 8 ships but I would assume (hope?) they’ve studied this in depth and concluded otherwise with data to inform some sort of strategic plan. But, this company has management who live quarter-to-quarter, so you’ll have to pardon me for fearing that hasn’t happened and Chapek just bought a huge ship as a vanity project that would be his legacy (had he not promptly been fired).

SplashZanderMar 24, 2023

Had a conversation with someone almost a decade ago about how the magic and wonder were likely heading towards retirement in the next few years. I disagreed then and I disagreed now. The magic and wonder can live for many more decades if Disney desires. I don’t see them getting retired barring some massive unforeseen circumstance. While a lot of ships are retired and scrapped within a couple decades, none are In the condition of the magic or wonder, and while the smaller ships are undoubtedly more costly to run per passenger, their cost to sail is usually higher than the bigger ships, and they can sail to ports too small for the larger ships/itineraries with insufficient demand for a bigger ship. The magic and wonder provide crucial flexibility to DCL’s fleet, and I really don’t see them being retired unless they’re replaced by comparably sized ships (which wouldn’t happen this decade at the earliest, and would just burn a lot of money).

ToTBellHopMar 24, 2023

It‘s like if Jimmy Carter were a boat.

Andrew CMar 24, 2023

Was on the Magic in December...seemed in good shape to me at least from a public space condition. DCL does well to keep their ships in good shape. Also, I love the size....

ToTBellHopMar 24, 2023

I’m sure they’ll be lovely lifeboats for the Global Dream when they are inevitably retired from cruising in the next few years. You don’t really see ships around anymore from before 1996, so the time is coming soon for Magic.