Updates from the Disney Treasure: “Disney The Tale of Moana” Debuting at the Walt Disney Theatre

Welcome to the official ship’s log for the Disney Treasure! Follow along for an exclusive look into the complex ship building process as we document all the important milestones of the Disney Treasure’s journey. The Disney Treasure’s story began with the start of construction in January of 2023 and has continued to evolve ever since. Return here for the latest developments in the Disney Treasure’s progress as the world patiently waits for Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship to officially set sail in 2024. The adventure is just beginning!

NEW – In December 2024, the curtain will open on a brand-new original Broadway-style production on the Disney Treasure. Joining a dazzling lineup of fan-favorite shows including “Beauty and the Beast” and “Disney Seas the Adventure,” will be none other than “Disney The Tale of Moana.” Debuting exclusively at the Walt Disney Theatre onboard the Disney Treasure, “Disney The Tale of Moana” will bring the adventurous journey of Moana, inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios film, to center stage for the first time. The show will follow Moana as she embarks on an incredible journey to save her island after she is chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti. Fans of the original film will recognize many beloved characters like Gramma Tala, Maui and Tamatoa when they appear on stage, as well as songs from the film’s iconic soundtrack. 

More about this imaginative, one-of-a-kind show will be announced at a later date.

Disney Announces New ‘Wish Together Sweepstakes’ Giving Away Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line Vacation

Disney has announced a new “Wish Together Sweepstakes” in honor of the upcoming animated film “Wish.” The winner will receive a vacation to Walt Disney World and a trip on the Disney Cruise Line.

The “Wish Together Sweepstakes” gives fans a chance to win a dream come true on land and sea with a very special family vacation for four.* The prize includes a 3-night stay in a Club Level Concierge room at a Disney Deluxe Resort hotel at Walt Disney World Resort along with a Disney Cruise Line vacation to The Bahamas aboard the Disney Wish in a 1-bedroom Concierge Suite with verandah and an array of merchandise from shopDisney and more. But the best part is that for every free entry received now through Jan. 31, 2024, Disney will donate $5 to Make-A-Wish up to $1 million to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.**

The sweepstakes opens today and runs through January 31, 2024. See the terms and conditions below:

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter the Sweepstakes between 10/4/23 at 2:00 AM PT and 1/31/24 at 11:59 PM PT. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C.; 13+. Limit 1 entry per person per day. GRAND PRIZE WINNER MUST BE ABLE TO TRAVEL MAY 3, 2024 – MAY 10, 2024 OR AUGUST 23, 2024 – AUGUST 30, 2024. Maximum donation is $1 million dollars. Donation by Disney to Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. Visit http://disneywishtogether.com/rules for full details on how to enter, eligibility requirements, odds of winning, prize descriptions, and limitations. Void where prohibited.

“Wish” Merchandise Donations

Disney is also donating 10% of each individual item’s sale price of brand-new merchandise from “Wish” up to $1 million to Make-A-Wish for all products from this collection purchased at U.S. Disney stores, shopDisney.com, Disney-owned locations within Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and select Disney Cruise Line sailings.

To learn more about the “Wish Together” sweepstakes, explore the enchanting “Wish” product collection, and discover other ways you can contribute to the magic of Make-A-Wish, visit Disney.com/WishTogether.

**Donation will be made directly to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America on or before March 31, 2024 following completion of Sweepstakes period on Jan. 31, 2024.  No fees or other amounts will be deducted from donation by Disney.

Disney Plans to Expand Parks Investment, Doubling Capital Expenditures Over 10 Years

The Walt Disney Company is developing plans to accelerate and expand investment in its Parks, Experiences and Products segment to nearly double capital expenditures over the course of approximately 10 years to roughly $60 billion, including by investing in expanding and enhancing domestic and international parks and cruise line capacity.

Today, Senior Disney executives, including Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro, gathered with Wall Street analysts and investors at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida for an investor summit focused on Disney’s Parks business and its track record of investing aggressively and intelligently in experiences that leverage the powerful and ever-growing library of Disney stories, which has proven incredibly effective.

“We’re incredibly mindful of the financial underpinning of the company, the need to continue to grow in terms of bottom line, the need to invest wisely so that we’re increasing the returns on invested capital, and the need to maintain a balance sheet, for a variety of reasons,” said Bob Iger. “The company is able to absorb those costs and continue to grow the bottom line and look expansively at how we return value and capital to our shareholders.”

“We have an ambitious growth story that is supported by a proven track record and a bold vision for the future of our Parks business,” said D’Amaro.

Central to the business’s growth strategy will be a focus on stories, scale, and fans.

STORIES

All over the world, Disney leverages its incomparable library of intellectual property through immersive storytelling experiences in its Parks and Resorts, on board its cruise ships, and through its consumer products and licensing business. The Parks business serves as a powerful platform where Disney’s beloved stories come to life in innovative ways, and where fans across generations and geographies can connect with and explore the Disney brands and franchises they love, from Avatar to Zootopia, and everything in between.

Disney continuously reimagines its theme park offerings to appeal to more guests by incorporating new stories from its popular films and series. Disney Parks has seen growth following previous periods of significant investment, which included the additions of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure and Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris, and more.

Today, as Disney considers future growth opportunities, there is a deep well of stories that have yet to be fully explored in its theme parks.

Already, new Frozen-themed lands are coming to Hong Kong Disneyland, Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris and Tokyo Disney Resort, as well as a Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disney Resort. However, Disney will explore even more characters and franchises, including some that haven’t been leveraged extensively to date, as it embarks on a new period of significant growth domestically and internationally in its parks and resorts.

“We have a wealth of untapped stories to bring to life across our business,” said D’Amaro. “Frozen, one of the most successful and popular animated franchises of all time, could have a presence at the Disneyland Resort. Wakanda has yet to be brought to life. The world of Coco is just waiting to be explored. There’s a lot of storytelling opportunity.”

SCALE

Today, Disney has the largest physical footprint of any global theme park travel business, with 12 parks across six sites around the world.[1] Its newest resort, Shanghai Disney Resort, opened in 2016. Disney Cruise Line visits 94 ports in 40 countries, and Disney’s industry-leading consumer products division brings Disney IP into fans’ homes across the globe.

Notably, Walt Disney World Resort is twice the size of the island of Manhattan, Disneyland is the most “Instagrammed” place on Earth, and tens of millions of guests travel on Disney’s transportation networks each year.

Disney’s Parks business is a key driver of value creation for the company, and positive segment results in recent past quarters through FY23Q3 have come in part from strong performance at Disney’s international parks, particularly those in Asia. Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland, which have both shown meaningful growth coming out of the pandemic through Q3 FY23, have even further growth opportunities with the expansions set to open later this year.

However, in addition to development plans already underway, there is significant room for further expansion on land and at sea.

“We stand alone when it comes to scale,” said D’Amaro. “And while our scale is impressive, we have no shortage of space or regions of the world in which to tell new stories.”

In fact, Disney Parks has over 1,000 acres of land for possible future development to expand theme park space across its existing sites – the equivalent of about seven new Disneyland Parks.

Meanwhile, Disney Cruise Line serves as a powerful ambassador for the brand in ports and markets around the globe beyond its theme parks, including Australia and New Zealand for the first time later this year, extending the reach of Disney’s high-quality experiences. As previously announced, over the next two years, Disney will nearly double the worldwide capacity of its cruise line, adding two ships in fiscal year 2025 and another in 2026, delivering even further growth potential and introducing new markets to Disney experiences, including a new homeport in Singapore beginning in 2025 to expand its reach further into the Asia-Pacific region.

FANS

Today, Disney has seven of the top ten most attended theme parks in the world, including Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park, which has been the #1 attended theme park on earth for decades. Disney Parks welcome approximately 100 million guests each year.

Yet there is still enormous untapped potential for reaching more consumers. According to Disney’s internal research, there is an addressable market of more than 700 million people with high Disney affinity it has yet to reach with its Parks. In fact, for every one guest who visits a Disney Park, there are more than ten people with Disney affinity who do not visit the Parks.[2]

“Ultimately what is most important to us is the relationship that we have with every guest,” said D’Amaro. “Guests can spend a day with us at our Parks, a week with us on a Cruise, or the rest of their lives with us through Disney Vacation Club membership.”

As Disney expands its footprint and offerings, not only will the company be able to reach more of its existing fans, but it will create new fans and loyal consumers.

As the company develops plans to accelerate and expand investment in its Parks business, it looks forward to introducing fans to more of the most powerful characters and stories, expanding its global footprint, advancing its state-of-the-art commercial capabilities, and leveraging its unmatched global talent to forge relationships with new generations of fans around the world.

“Throughout our history, we’ve created enormous growth by investing the right amount of capital into the right projects at the right moment,” said Iger. “We are planning to turbocharge our growth yet again with a robust amount of strategic investment in this business.”

What’s New & Coming to the Disney Treasure in 2024

Via DisneyLists.com

Disney Cruise Line has revealed its newest ship, the Disney Treasure, with the world premiere of “Unlocking the Disney Treasure.” The ship will embark on its maiden voyage, a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida, on December 21, 2024, followed by an inaugural season of seven-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral with stops at Castaway Cay. The Treasure, the sister ship to the Disney Wish, will debut with new venues as well as reimagined familiar spaces. Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club members can book a Disney Treasure cruise as early as September 12, 2023, and bookings will open to all guests on September 20, 2023.

I recently enjoyed learning about the Disney Treasure aboard the Disney Wish, where Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering Cast Members shared their excitement about what’s coming to the new ship.

Walt Disney had a passion for traveling. For Walt, exploring the world and keeping that spark of curiosity in his spirit was essential.” ~ Grandma Quinn, the narrator from “Unlocking the Disney Treasure.”

 1 –Adventure Awaits

The inspiration for Disney Cruise Line’s sixth ship is the theme of adventure. Pam Rawlins, Executive Producer, Walt Disney Imagineering, shared that they were inspired by Walt Disney’s love of traveling all around the world. Walt’s spirit of adventure – that’s what’s on the Disney Treasure. While cruising, not only does the ship take you to amazing real-world beautiful places, but also into “fantastical stories [Disney] brings to life on the Disney Treasure.”

“The Disney Treasure will bring brand-new stories to life, blending one-of-a-kind experiences with the extraordinary entertainment, world-class dining and unparalleled hospitality that make every sailing so memorable,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line. “As we chart a course for adventure, we’re so excited for families to discover the excitement and exploration that awaits onboard the sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet.”

“Adventure awaits!” ~ Captain Minnie

2 – Sister Ship to the Disney Wish

Since the Disney Treasure is the sister ship to the Disney Wish, which debuted in 2022, guests will find many fan-favorite familiar spaces of the Wish, now themed to adventure. From bow to stem, the entire ship immerses guests in Disney storytelling inspired by beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar and Disney Parks adventures to life like never before. The spaces onboard the Disney Treasure will invite guests to step into colorful plazas in Mexico, navigate the many winding rivers of the world, dive below the ocean’s surface, and more. Adventure awaits guests on the Disney Treasure.

Brand New Dining & Entertainment

Adventures from the vibrant, heartfelt worlds of Disney and Pixar will lend inspiration for two venues onboard the Disney Treasure. Marvel Fans will enjoy a new exclusive show aboard the Disney Treasure.

3 – Plaza de Coco

When it was announced that a new and first-of-its-kind theatrical dining experience themed to the Disney and Pixar film, “Coco” was coming to the Disney Treasure, there were many cheers in our theater! It’s so exciting to see “Coco” get some serious love from Disney and guests aboard the Treasure will be able to enjoy two unique dining experiences during their seven-night cruises at Plaza de Coco.

This theater-in-the-round entertainment venue will feature dining tables surrounding a central stage, with performances and show effects that will spread throughout the room. The story of Miguel and his familia will continue where it left off on screen as they gather in Mariachi Plaza to take guests on a colorful, music-filled journey that celebrates family memories and togetherness with a dinner menu of modern twists on traditional Mexican fare and a lineup of live entertainment. Families will be invited to join Miguel, his parents, Enrique and Luisa, and Abuelita Elena for a festive gathering that honors the heritage of music and love that runs deep in the Rivera family.

Families will also gather for a second night of food and entertainment at Plaza de Coco, where Miguel will reunite with his great-great grandparents, Hector and Mama Imelda, by transporting them to the town square in Santa Cecilia with the help of his magic guitar. Together, Miguel and his ancestors will celebrate Día de los Muertos – Rivera family style, with a unique lineup of memorable songs from the film.

4 – Jumbeaux’s Sweets

Next, the sweetshop, Jumbeaux’s Sweets, will be reminiscent of the popular ice cream parlor, Jumbeaux Café, from the bustling mammal metropolis featured in Disney’s “Zootopia.” Surrounded by playful pink interiors, Victorian-style architecture and an endearing sculpture of Officer Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, guests will be served humor and heart by the cone full. From bunnies and elephants to sloths and foxes, all are welcome to indulge in more than 20 flavors of handmade gelato, 16 flavors of ice cream and sorbets, specialty treats, candies and more.

5 – Worlds of Marvel – New Exclusive 2nd Show on the Disney Treasure

Another exciting dining adventure on the Disney Treasure will be Worlds of Marvel, Disney Cruise Line’s immersive Marvel-themed dining experience. This fan-favorite show, which debuted on the Disney Wish, celebrates favorite Avengers characters and stories, including an amazing interaction with Spider-Man. Because of the seven-night itineraries, the Disney Treasure will offer an exclusive second show, menu, and special entertainment, all inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We loved our time at Worlds of Marvel on the Disney Wish and are very excited to check out the second show on the Disney Treasure.

Disney Theme Park Adventures on the High Seas

For the first time, the nostalgia and lore from beloved theme park attractions will come to Disney Cruise Line with a unique lineup of Disney Parks-inspired venues aboard the Disney Treasure.

6 – Skipper Society

Fans of Disney Parks’ iconic Jungle Cruise will be thrilled to learn that a new themed lounge near the Grand Hall, Skipper Society, is coming to the Disney Treasure. Nothing says adventure more than the Jungle Cruise and its trusty, dry-witted skippers who lead world-famous tours across treacherous waterways. It’s the first time Disney will bring the attraction to sea. The Skipper Society will offer natural colorways and camp-style furnishings, paired with sly tributes to the Skippers, which will offer an elevated yet playful atmosphere. Guests will discover references to the famous attraction throughout the space, from a whimsical monkey-shaped chandelier to postcards and luggage tags brought back from travels abroad. Beneath a canopy of untamed jungle foliage, guests will indulge in themed cocktails and light snacks and enjoy live entertainment.

We heard from Daniel Cowan, Senior Manager, Dining Standards and Service Excellence, Disney Cruise Line, who shared they have exciting food and beverages planned, including a hand-held waffle that looks amazing. It will be a different experience than, say, Trader Sam’s at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

7 – Periscope Pub

Another announcement that brought cheers was that Disney Cruise Line will debut the Periscope Pub. The lounge will become Disney Cruise Line’s first venue inspired by the spellbinding adventure of Walt Disney’s 1954 film, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” and the celebrated Disney Parks attraction that was open at Walt Disney World from 1971 to 1994.

During our time on the Wish, we had the chance to experience this space and see what it would be like on the Disney Treasure with a Virtual Reality headset. The design of the submarine-style interiors will call upon 19th-century steampunk influences with polished metals and industrial touches throughout. The colors and design of the space are fantastic all the way down to the rug, which will be embroidered with a bold print to honor Captain Nemo’s fabled nemesis, the giant squid. The coolest spot in the space is the entire ceiling, where you can look out and see the ocean since you’ve been transported under the sea! This casual venue will be the ideal onboard locale for guests to unwind and watch live sports, news, and major broadcast events while ordering from a menu of craft brews and light bites.

8 – Paging Mr. Morrow

The last space on the Disney Treasure is inspired not by a theme park attraction but an entire theme park! The Tomorrow Tower Suite is inspired by the Walt Disney World Resort theme park, EPCOT, with an energetic design that embraces the adventures of the future. Throughout the suite, dynamic art pieces, molten metal accents, and futuristic, colorful glass accents will evoke the distinct atmosphere of EPCOT’s World Discovery neighborhood. Set high in the ship’s forward funnel, and this one-of-a-kind suite will overlook the top deck of the Disney Treasure and glimpse the unbounded open horizon through an expansive two-story window. With nearly 2,000 square feet of living space, the Tomorrow Tower Suite will comfortably sleep eight guests and feature designated areas for eating, sleeping, and playing, as well as other perks like a full kitchen and private ensuite elevator.

“Every adventure holds its own special kind of treasure.” ~ Grandma Quinn, the narrator of “Unlocking the Disney Treasure.”

Classic Disney Adventures in Familiar Spaces

There’s more adventure on the Disney Treasure with reimagined areas from classic Disney adventures.

9 – The Grand Hall

The Grand Hall is the heart of a Disney Cruise Line ship, and every space is unique. The Grand Hall of the Disney Treasure will embody the ship’s theme of adventure, with statues and décor that call on the gilded palace and wonder of Agrabah from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ classic tale, “Aladdin.” The space will serve as the ship’s most prominent gathering space and will offer its own dedicated entertainment moments and surprises.

The Grand Hall is another area where we were able to view what the Grand Hall will look like on the Disney Treasure. The colors are so rich and deep. We’re especially excited for the statue of Aladdin, Jasmine, and Magic Carpet that appears to float in the air. There are always great activities in the Grand Hall, and this “Aladdin” themed area is perfect for the Disney Treasure.

New Casual Walk-Up Cafes

Just off the Grand Hall, two casual walk-up cafes will serve a selection of coffee, tea, specialty beverages, and snacks. With brand-new themes, these elevated environments draw inspiration from two brave Disney Princesses – Moana and Mulan – and celebrate their adventures in all-new ways.

11 – Jake Cricket Café

Jade Cricket Café, inspired by the classic Disney film “Mulan,” will honor the Fa Family’s “lucky” cricket, Cri-Kee, who will be represented by a jade sculpture on the bar top. From the central moon gate to the plum blossom flowers adorning the walls, symbols of Mulan’s strength, beauty, and heritage can be found throughout the café’s design. The striking blue walls and glimmering metallic counters will also be reminiscent of Mulan’s armor.

12 – Heihei Cafe

Named for Moana’s trusty sidekick, Heihei Café will echo the scalloped seashells and reflective blue waters of the storied Southern Pacific Isle of Motunui as it’s portrayed in Disney’s animated feature “Moana.” The venue will feature furniture stylings that pay homage to a traditional construction technique used by the Polynesian people to craft seafaring vessels and offer an idyllic place for guests to energize their morning, regardless of how far they go during their next adventure.

10 – AquaMouse: Curse of the Golden Egg

The AquaMouse, Disney Cruise Line’s attraction at sea, debuted on the Disney Wish. Disney Cruise Line is bringing the AquaMouse: Curse of the Golden Egg to the Disney Treasure. Guests will experience an all-new adventure that follows Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on a zany misadventure into an ancient temple. Guests will journey with the pair as they embark on a tour of mysterious ruins for a glimpse of the legendary treasure within and encounter a series of hilarious mishaps and booby traps that take the trek in unexpected directions. Suspended high above the upper decks, powerful jets will propel two-person ride vehicles through 760 feet of winding tubes, offering breathtaking views of the ocean and the ship below.

11 – Sarabi

Fans of the Disney Wish’s Luna will love the redesigned space on the Disney Treasure. Sarabi will be the central hub for a multitude of daytime activities and adult-exclusive evening entertainment and will evoke the natural beauty and openness of the savanna where its namesake, the lioness matriarch from Disney’s “The Lion King,” lived.

12 – Adventurous Accommodations

Finally, the artful accommodations aboard the Disney Treasure will be inspired by classic Disney tales of adventure. The 1,256 staterooms onboard will feature custom artwork and design elements that evoke the exploratory spirit of beloved Disney and Pixar films including “Aladdin,” “Pocahontas,” “Up” and “Encanto,” while the concierge and royal suites will bring to life the incredible character journeys – and some beloved feline sidekicks – from “The Lion King,” “The Jungle Book” and “Aladdin.”

Disney Cruise Line to Reveal All-New Disney Treasure on Aug. 30

Tune in Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. ET for the grand virtual reveal of the Disney Treasure, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, during the world premiere of “Unlocking the Disney Treasure: Adventure Awaits Onboard Disney’s Newest Ship”.

This video will debut never-before-released details about the Disney Treasure, showcasing the world-class dining, immersive family entertainment and unique spaces coming to the sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. The Disney Treasure will blend one-of-a-kind offerings with unparalleled hospitality that distinguishes every Disney Cruise line vacation.

Those who have been following along may have already seen several Disney Treasure sneak peeks, including how the ship’s design will be inspired by Walt Disney’s love of exploration and will feature the theme of adventure.

We’ve also shared details about the ship’s Grand Hall, which is inspired by the grandeur and mystery of a gilded palace, draws on real-world influences from Asia and Africa and pays homage to the far-off land of Agrabah from Disney’s classic tale, “Aladdin.” 

For the latest updates from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, visit our first-ever ship’s log to find more details on the Disney Treasure’s Keel Laying Ceremony, bow filigree, a first look at the ship’s stern characters and much more.