The clock is ticking…
Disney Destiny bookings officially open tomorrow for Pearl members, and on September 12 for the general public. This means we are getting closer and closer to enjoying a world of villains and heroes aboard a luxurious cruise line, filled with new shows, brand-new restaurants, and activities. Oh, and Mickey Waffles too, of course. Please let’s not forget about them.
Don't forget that Famvia will be hosting a livestream this Friday, September 6, at 1:00 PM EST on Facebook to talk about the Disney Destiny. What will we be talking about? I mean, the better question is what we are not going to be talking about. Bookings, the new Lion King restaurant, the Haunted Mansion Parlor, the new Hercules show and, of course, Mickey Waffles.
To celebrate this very special occasion, we wanted to share some of our thoughts about what we hope to experience on this brand-new ship. As Mickey often says in Hollywood Studios’ Fantasmic, let's let our imagination run wild. It’s time to share some ideas and hopes for what we would all love to see on the new Triton-class ship, setting sail November 20, 2025.
More random events inside their bars
One of the most hyped bars across all cruise lines is the Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge aboard the Disney Wish. This cozy space feels like a cantina from a galaxy far, far away, with elegant decor reminiscent of the most upscale neighborhoods of Coruscant or perhaps a beautiful location on Naboo. It's a fun bar, no doubt! The drinks are cool, and there's even a large LCD screen that simulates space, displaying various Star Wars-themed backgrounds.
I do miss random events happening there, though. What I mean is that you don’t see staff members walking around dressed as aliens, or anything particularly exciting happening on that big LCD screen. C’mon, we’re inside a Star Wars bar - it would be amazing to have something extra to immerse us even more. I’m not asking for Han Solo to shoot first, but some aliens walking in and interacting with guests would be a nice touch. Even better, adding more interactive elements throughout, like an arcade machine designed specifically for the bar, would be fantastic.
The Disney Destiny will feature several new bars, including ones themed around Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s time to take the immersion in these spaces to the next level, Disney! How about having the Headless Horseman make an entrance in the Haunted Mansion bar, or Jack Sparrow drop by the Pirates of the Caribbean bar? There are so many opportunities to create something incredible, especially with the Haunted Mansion, where Disney could incorporate special effects, from the distant sound of storms to rattling chains and much more.
Be Prepared… for the new dining options as well
The main new restaurant aboard the Disney Destiny is based on The Lion King and is called Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King. We know this will be a dinner show, much like Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure and Rapunzel’s Royal Table. I won’t lie, I’m super excited for this one, as The Lion King is my favorite Disney movie. I don’t expect Elton John to show up singing Circle of Life, but I do have high hopes for this new complimentary restaurant.
Concept art shows performers dressed similarly to those in The Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom. I don’t expect we’ll see puppetry here. While puppetry plays a big role in The Lion King Broadway musical and the Animal Kingdom show, it might be too much for a restaurant, especially with a stage smaller than what you’d find in a theme park. I imagine the experience will begin with performers singing Circle of Life, and that they’ll return periodically to perform other songs like I Just Can’t Wait to Be King and Can You Feel the Love Tonight. And please, have someone singing Be Prepared there.
I'm excited to see what they’ll bring to the table in terms of food as well. Should we expect something like Simba’s Ice Cream Sundae? Pumbaa-inspired dishes featuring boar meat? Or perhaps a dish called Mufasa’s ribs, named after Scar throws him off the cliff? Okay, maybe I’m getting a bit ahead of myself. I’m sure Disney will be creative with the menu… just probably not that creative.
Entertainment options and... where is Star Wars!?
There will be plenty of exciting new entertainment options aboard the Disney Destiny. Heroes and villains are the stars of the cruise, so expect to meet characters like Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, Hercules, and other Disney figures you don’t typically encounter in the theme parks. There will also be a new show based on Hercules, a Cruella de Vil piano lounge, a Doctor Strange-themed bar, and much more. That’s a lot of cool stuff!
Oh yeah, there will be a new AquaMouse, featuring an animated movie based on Heroes & Villains. Honestly, I’m not too concerned about the initial cartoons in AquaMouse - the ones that play on the screens as you go up the ramp. What I really want is for Disney to shorten the time it takes for the ride to actually start. On the Disney Wish, it takes nearly two full minutes for your raft to complete this section, which is a lot, especially considering that the slide portion itself lasts only about one minute. C’mon, Disney, let’s make the initial section shorter, give the slide portion more time, and add more outdoor space so we can enjoy views of the ocean and the main deck as we slide down.
Also… where is Star Wars, Disney? It seems that Marvel will be a major focus on the Disney Destiny, but there’s no mention of Star Wars anywhere. Wait, I think there is a small mention of Star Wars Cargo Bay appearing there, but that is an experience aimed at children exclusively, and certainly not a big part of the Disney Destiny. Since this ship is themed around Heroes & Villains, I’d love to see something featuring Jedi vs. Sith. Imagine a main show in the Walt Disney Theatre with lightsaber duels and new, amazing songs inspired by John Williams’ work. That would be incredible.
Destiny Awaits you in 2025
These are just a few ideas that came to mind. Relax, Disney, those are all free of charge. What about you, friends? What would you love to see aboard this new ship? Make sure to connect with us on social media, and don’t forget to join our livestream this Friday, September 6! Send us your questions, share your ideas, and let’s embrace Destiny together.
