A Whole New World of amazing spectacles await you
Ever wanted to watch a retelling of Frozen or maybe Aladdin aboard a cruise ship? How about Beauty and the Beast, or even a story where Goofy becomes the real star and puts Mickey on the sidelines? Well, friends, Disney Cruise Line has shows for every taste, all of them based on your favorite Disney IPs… except Zootopia. C’mon, Disney, Zootopia rules—let’s bring Judy and her friends onboard!
Every single Disney cruise ship has at least three shows, each of which will take place at least once during your trip. Every show is performed at least twice in the evening, taking into consideration the times for rotational dining. Some shows repeat and are featured on more than one ship, like The Golden Mickeys, which is performed on both the Disney Dream and Wonder. Still, we can say that every Disney ship has at least one show that is essentially exclusive to it, which is a great incentive for you to go on every cruise possible!
Shows also take place inside the Walt Disney Theatre, a beautiful venue on every cruise ship that resembles an old theater from the 1940s. It definitely has a classy look, with a large stage and beautiful, imposing velvet curtains. Be sure to arrive early, as these shows can get pretty crowded.
Here is a list of every show available so far:
Disney Dream
- Beauty and the Beast
- The Golden Mickeys
- Disney’s Believe
Disney Wonder
- Frozen: A Musical Spectacular
- The Golden Mickeys
- Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic
Disney Fantasy
- Frozen: A Musical Spectacular
- Disney’s Believe
- Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular
Disney Magic
- Tangled: The Musical
- Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic
- Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story
Disney Wish
- Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular
- Disney Seas the Adventure
- The Little Mermaid
Disney Treasure
- Beauty and the Beast
- Disney Seas the Adventure
- Disney: The Tale of Moana
What we like about Disney Cruise Line’s Stage Shows
I mean, what’s not to like? These shows are all incredibly fun and a big highlight of your trip. Disney - and, let’s be fair, every cruise company out there - markets these shows as Broadway-level spectacles, but they don’t quite reach those heights. That’s not to say they’re bad, oh no! It’s just that Broadway shows usually run for two hours and feature live musicians performing the soundtrack. Disney’s shows, on the other hand, are about an hour long, and while the actors do sing live, the orchestra is actually pre-recorded.
Of course, this doesn’t take away from the spectacle, especially considering that we’re on a cruise ship. The sets can’t be as complex as those in venues specifically built for huge shows on land, and you also have to consider that sometimes the sea is rough, and you can feel the ship slightly bouncing. It’s impressive what these actors can do, honestly.
As for the actual quality of the shows, I’d say that most of them are amazing. There isn’t really a show I’d call bad. A few years ago, there was a Toy Story show that was considered below average, and Disney was quick to replace it with something else. Considering that each ship has three different shows, there’s a good chance you’ll love at least one of them.
Some fan favorites include Frozen: A Musical Spectacular, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular. These are all incredible spectacles with stunning backdrops and plenty of actors on stage at once. I’d say these musicals are similar in structure to a Walt Disney World show—you have scenes where the story moves forward with character interactions, followed by musical numbers. You’ll hear some amazing songs performed live, like “A Whole New World,” “Let It Go,” “Be Our Guest,” and many more. The sets, however, are indeed more elaborate than what you’d find at Disney World, featuring more intricate set pieces, along with both dance and action sequences.
Some shows are based on Disney as a whole and feature multiple musical set pieces from a variety of Disney movies. One example is Seas the Adventure on the Disney Wish, which mixes songs and characters from The Princess and the Frog, Finding Nemo, and even Frozen, featuring songs like “Into the Unknown”, “How Far I’ll Go”, and even “Go the Distance” from Hercules.
There’s nothing I’d call bad about these Disney stage shows. They are definitely a highlight of your trip, and every passenger has their own favorites. Children love them. Adults love them. So relax and, just like in Beauty and the Beast, be a good guest, sit down and enjoy these amazing spectacles.
Disney Cruise Line Stage Shows FAQ
What is the runtime of a Disney stage show on a Disney cruise?
Disney stage shows usually run for about an hour.
What are the best Disney stage shows on a cruise ship?
That’s a very subjective question, but some fan favorites include Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular, Beauty and the Beast, and Frozen: A Musical Spectacular.
How many times does a stage show take place on a Disney cruise ship?
Each show will usually happen once during your cruise and take place twice per day, with consideration given to the times for rotational dining.
Do Concierge stateroom perks grant me better seats for the Disney Cruise stage shows?
Yes. Concierge-level guests enter the Walt Disney Theater earlier than other guests, giving them the chance to grab the best seats in the house. Concierge guests gather in the Concierge Lounge approximately 30 minutes before the show and then enter the theater via the backstage, avoiding the standard line outside.
Which Disney ship has the best stage shows?
That’s a tough question! If I had to pick just one, I’d say the Disney Fantasy has the best collection of stage shows. It features Frozen: A Musical Spectacular and Aladdin, two of my absolute favorites.
