Happy Halfway to the Holidays…well, almost! Summer officially starts next week, which means it’s that time of year to start the countdown to the holidays. From June 13 through 15, celebrate #HalfwaytotheHolidays with us as we give you a taste of the season with announcements, sneak peeks, special treats and of course holiday fun. To prepare for all the festive fun, we’re kicking off with our Halfway to the Holidays Foodie Guide.
One of the best parts of the holidays is the delicious eats and sips you can indulge in. And what Halfway to the Holidays celebration would be complete without some? At Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, even aboard Disney Cruise Line on the high seas, we’re unwrapping some returning favorites and new delights for this limited time.
Let’s take a peek!
Disneyland Resort
Disney California Adventure Park
Cozy Cone Motel 1 (Available June 13 through 15; mobile order available)
Egg Nog Slush with Rumchata topped with whipped cream and sprinkles (New)
Pacific Wharf Café (Available June 13 through 15; mobile order available)
Mickey Gingerbread
Downtown Disney District
Kayla’s Cake (Available June 13 through 15)
Gingerbread Man Macaron: Gingerbread man printed macaron with gingerbread buttercream (New)
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Gasparilla Island Grill (Available June 13 through 15)
Brownie Tree Pop: Returning from the annual Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Gingerbread House, a chocolate brownie dipped in white chocolate with rainbow sprinkles
Gingersnap Cookie: Returning from the annual Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Gingerbread House, a traditional gingersnap cookie topped with candied ginger
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Wish and Disney Fantasy
Joyful Sweets and Sweet on You (Available June 12 through 18 aboard the Disney Wish and June 10 through 17 aboard the Disney Fantasy)
Happy Santa Cupcake: Celebration cupcake with vanilla frosting and Christmas sprinkles
Available on Various Disney Cruise Line Ships
Preludes and Buena Vista Theater:
Reindeer Sipper: Available on the following sailings:
Disney Fantasy: June 10 through 17
Disney Wish: June 12 through 18
Disney Wonder: June 12 through 19
Disney Magic: June 15 through 19
Preludes, Buena Vista Theater, and Luna Libations (Aboard the Disney Wish):
Christmas Rotating Tin Popcorn Bucket with butter-flavored popcorn; available on the following sailings:
Disney Fantasy: June 10 through 17
Disney Wish: June 12 through 18
Disney Wonder: June 12 through 19
Disney Magic: June 15 through 19
Cove Café and All Specialty Coffee Locations
Holiday Stainless Steel Tumbler: Available on the following sailings:
Disney Fantasy: June 10 through 17
Disney Wish: June 12 through 18
Disney Wonder: June 12 through 19
Disney Magic: June 15 through 19
From holidays to everyday excitement, there’s no limit to the fun that can be had at Disney Parks and aboard Disney Cruise Line! Keep your eyes peeled next week for more Halfway to the Holidays announcements.
Happy Halfway to the Holidays!
(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)
As part of our Silver Anniversary at Sea celebration this summer, guests are invited to partake in new offerings across our fleet. Guests will be able to meet favorite Disney Characters dressed in new, shimmering outfits, enjoy festive décor, limited-time food and beverage and more.
As a reminder, the 25th anniversary fireworks show will be featured on most 4-night or longer sailings visiting The Bahamas, Caribbean and the Mediterranean this summer. Seamails are being sent to guests on select Silver Anniversary at Sea itineraries with more information about their sailing’s entertainment offerings. Guests sailing on Silver Anniversary at Sea Sailings aboard the Disney Fantasy and Disney Magic will not be receiving Seamails.
Sailings receiving these Seamails include:
3-night Silver Anniversary at Sea Sailings aboard the Disney Wish : The fireworks presentation during 3-night cruises will be our popular Pirate’s Night fireworks, weather permitting.
4-Night Disney Wish Sailing Departing July 3: This sailing will feature two fireworks presentations, weather permitting. Instead of the 25th Anniversary themed fireworks, this sailing will feature our July 4th fireworks and our popular Pirate’s Night fireworks.
4-night Silver Anniversary at Sea Sailings aboard the Disney Wish Departing June 12, June 26, July 24 and Aug. 7: The fireworks presentation on these sailings will be our popular Pirate’s Night fireworks, weather permitting. Due to the speed and location of the ship on the other evenings, we are unable to present a second set of fireworks.
4-night Silver Anniversary at Sea Sailings aboard the Disney Dream Departing Aug. 26 and Aug. 30: The fireworks presentation on these sailings will be our Silver Anniversary Fireworks at Sea presentation, weather permitting. Due to the speed and location of the ship on the other evenings, we are unable to present a second set of fireworks.
Alaska Silver Anniversary at Sea Sailings aboard the Disney Wonder: Fireworks are not offered on Alaskan cruises. During Alaska sailings, Freezing the Night Away with Anna, Elsa, and Friends deck party will be presented instead of pirate night fireworks and 25 anniversary fireworks.
Select Disney DreamSilver Anniversary at Sea Sailings: Due to the speed and location of the ship, fireworks are not offered on select European cruises.
From the magical mountains of Colombia to the bustling streets of New York City, the colorful worlds of two fan-favorite Disney films – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” – have come to life for the first time on the high seas with the debut of new family-friendly experiences aboard the Disney Magic. In addition to “Encanto”-themed entertainment and a “Soul”-inspired lounge, the ship’s concierge accommodations were enhanced with new theming and spacious refurbishments during a three-week dry dock project in Freeport, The Bahamas.
“An Encanto Celebration” Brings the Family Madrigal to the High Seas for the First Time
Guests can join the fantastical family Madrigal during an all-new immersive experience, “An Encanto Celebration,” designed to engage families through music, crafts and storytelling. The interactive experience gives guests an opportunity to meet and take photos with Mirabel and the family member we don’t talk about, Bruno, during their Disney Cruise Line debut. Families can also join a spirited sing-along of beloved “Encanto” songs and create butterfly and flower crafts inspired by the film. During the show, guests can experience a true taste of South America thanks to a selection of local Colombian beers, cocktails and sodas along with film-inspired mocktails.
New Soul Cat Lounge Hits the Right Note for Evening Entertainment
The heartfelt story of “Soul” was the inspiration for the brand-new Soul Cat Lounge designed to look like Joe Gardner’s favorite music spot from the film, the Half Note Lounge. The space, located on deck three near Rapunzel’s Royal Table restaurant, instantly transports guests to a classic New York jazz club appointed with decorative details like brick walls, wood accents and plenty of rich leather seating around a stage set for live music, so guests can grab their partner and head to the dance floor for a swinging good time each evening.
The Soul Cat Lounge is adorned with custom artwork from Pixar featuring nods to the film including record labels, concert posters and portraits of jazz legend Dorothea Williams and her bandmates. Thoughtful “Soul”-inspired details are subtly layered throughout the design including record players, instruments and Joe’s hat.
Adults can enhance their big city experience with table-side Manhattans and martinis or choose from a selection of native brews and cocktails made with New York spirits. A fun collection of mocktails, specialty coffees and sodas are also on the menu. In addition to new drink options, guests can take a bite of Little Italy with an order of zeppoles, the classic Italian pastry similar to a fried doughnut, while enjoying the live music.
Redesigned Concierge Retreats Provide an Elevated Experience
For guests seeking the ultimate comfort and service at sea, the concierge spaces aboard the Disney Magic have been elevated and enhanced. The concierge lounge was reimagined and expanded to feature a sophisticated new theme and tropical color palate inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” and an additional outdoor covered seating area on deck 10 where guests can relax with a refreshing beverage while enjoying the ocean breeze. All concierge suites, including one- and two-bedroom accommodations and the two signature royal suites, have been completely refurbished with fresh fixtures, furniture and elegant artwork, further elevating the premium experience for concierge guests.
Shore power technology was also installed as part of the ship’s dry dock project, continuing Disney Cruise Line’s longtime dedication to minimizing its impact on the environment. When available at the port, this will allow the Disney Magic to “plug in” to the port’s electrical grid, reducing the ship’s emissions.
The newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line Fleet, Disney Wish, is having a rough time. Its current voyage has been anything but smooth sailing as the ship encountered multiple problems. The issues began right away and did not get better as the journey went on. Reports state that this has been par for the course as Disney Wish seems to be encountering problems regularly.
To begin with, there were issues with embarkation. Computer issues delayed boarding, which, if you’ve ever cruised before you know that embarkation days are not the way anyone wants to begin their cruise. Boarding the ship is stressful enough without a backlog of people to wade through. There are reports that this same issue with computers preventing timely boarding occurred last Friday as well during a 3-night sailing.
Once everyone was on board, the shop was full steam ahead to Nassau…until it wasn’t. An undisclosed “technical issue” caused Wish to be delayed by several hours. No one knows what the issue was but passengers report that thrusters had to be used to keep the ship on course. Usually, the engine is enough to keep the ship headed in the right direction, thrusters only ever get used for setting sail and docking typically which suggests that Disney Wish is having engine problems.
Nevertheless, the ship was finally able to dock and guests on board were able to depart and enjoy a day in the Bahamas capital city! As far as the guests knew, all was going according to plan. Onboard though, the crew was living a much different reality. Crew members and mechanics were seen scurrying around the ship, presumably attempting to fix the technical issue that caused the delay.
When passengers arrived back on board, however, they were told that they were essentially stuck. The issues facing the ship had not been fixed and the ship would not be departing. Since there was no way to know when the ship would be able to leave, guests were not able to leave the ship. The ship remained docked overnight on Saturday rather than heading to Castaway Cay.
Received this about 30mins ago from a passenger:
“There is some sort of ‘technical’ issue with the #disneywish. We didn't arrive to Nassau until 10:45. Captain Andy informed guests he did not know when they will depart Nassau and that fireworks were cancelled. Lots of confusion”
The ship was able to set sail finally at 11:00 am on Sunday but due to inclement weather, the planned Castaway Cay stop had to be canceled. Due to the very unorthodox sailing guests were compensated and the canceled fireworks were rescheduled.
We will keep a close eye on Disney Wish and watch to see if the issues facing the ship resolve. Disney Cruise Line is currently one of the most expensive companies to cruise with so we want our readers to be well informed of any potential pitfalls to expect before they hit the high seas with Mickey and Friends.
Disney Cruise Line’s 25th “Silver Anniversary at Sea” season kicks off today, and if guests are planning to sail this summer, we wanted to round out everything they need to know before stepping aboard! While the Disney Wish’s anniversary sailings begin today, these offerings will be added to each ship throughout the coming weeks.
From a first look at the character ensembles to a celebratory song, new entertainment, merchandise, food and beverage offerings and a Castaway Club tier created for our most frequent cruisers, there are so many shimmering details we don’t want everyone to miss!
New looks for characters
To celebrate the signature color of the celebration – Shimmering Seas – here’s a first look as all our favorite Disney friends join Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse with coordinated anniversary looks! While our favorite characters will don outfits that feature swirling designs reminiscent of ocean waves and multi-toned fabric, guests can get in the action with their own shimmering ensemble.
“Shimmering Seas” song
Whether guests are sailing or not, they can celebrate the anniversary season with a brand-new melody! “Shimmering Seas,” a signature song created especially for the “Silver Anniversary at Sea,” celebrates 25 years of magic at sea in an upbeat tribute to Disney Cruise Line’s past, present and future. If guests are on board this summer, be sure they keep their ears peeled for this celebratory tune!
Themed food and beverage
The “Silver Anniversary at Sea” won’t just be pleasing to the eyes and ears, it will be a celebration for your taste buds as well! Sweets treats made just for the season include a 25th cupcake, a Mickey chocolate sphere, chocolate cream cookie, Captain Minnie crisped rice treat – and if that’s not enough, signature desserts in the family dining venues will be getting a tasty enhancement with a special 25th chocolate piece to add to their already stunning presentation!
For those over 21, the signature Jubilee by the Sea cocktail – complete with sparkly, silver dusting and a shimmering blue sugar rim – will be available at select lounges, while a special anniversary Coca-Cola bottle, specialty coffee mug, 25thanniversary beer mug and a “Silver Anniversary at Sea” popcorn bucket will provide dual use both on the cruise and as a special keepsake at home.
New entertainment
In 1998, Disney Cruise Line made history as the first cruise line ever to produce a fireworks show at sea, and these sparkling displays have remained a quintessential part of the Disney Cruise Line experience since. During most Bahamian, Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises this summer that are four nights and longer, the night skies will light up with a shimmering new show that will uphold the cherished Disney tradition of fireworks and honor Disney’s continuing legacy of adventure. The dazzling spectacle will be set to the tunes of iconic and beloved Disney music and will be anchored by the new signature song.
Also in honor of our “Silver Anniversary at Sea,” we are reimagining the time-honored tradition of a Captain’s Reception into the Shimmering Seas Soiree, a regal gathering with all the pomp and circumstance this milestone deserves. On one evening each cruise, guests will be invited to join their ship’s captain, cruise director and some favorite Disney friends in the atrium for a festive anniversary toast.
Shimmering touches
Throughout the 25th anniversary celebration, guests may notice shimmering touches across all five ships, as well as special décor in Disney Cruise Line terminals and a limited-time look for Key to the World cards. On board, shimmering blue accents will adorn each ship’s atrium, while a special anniversary icon will provide the picture-perfect backdrop for a commemorative photo.
Speaking of picture-perfect, the celebratory season isn’t limited to just the high seas! Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in The Bahamas, is also celebrating 25 years and will be decked out with anniversary decorations, along with a special surprise shimmering makeover to Mount Rustmore, a Guest-favorite photo spot.
Themed merchandise
The Shimmering Seas collection features light blue colorways and sparkling fabrics that are reminiscent of sunshine reflecting upon turquoise waters, along with festive silver accents. Shimmering accessories include a new Loungefly backpack and ear headband, new clothing pieces – including a spirit jersey and embroidered Nike polo – and a new line of commemorative jewelry. Guests can also plan to save a little room in their suitcase for other limited-time gifts, including a “Silver Anniversary at Sea” ornament, trading pin and collectible ship replica.
All-new Castaway Club tier
For nearly two-and-a-half decades, members of the Castaway Club have played an integral role in the Disney Cruise Line story. To honor this special anniversary, a new membership tier named “Pearl” was added to honor the valued relationship we have formed with guests over the years and is inspired by the time it takes for a pearl to be formed in nature. With the launch of Pearl today, cruisers who have sailed on at least 25 Disney Cruise Line vacations will have access to more rewards and perks than ever before, including unlimited digital downloads from Disney Cruise Line professional photographers, an early booking window for new itineraries, the ability to schedule on board activities before anyone else, a special gift (one per stateroom) and complimentary dinner at Palo.
Castaway Club Gift
If guests are still working their way toward the Pearl Castaway Club tier, don’t worry – we still have a special gift for them! Castaway Club members who sail during the “Silver Anniversary at Sea” this summer will receive a limited-edition framed art print (one per stateroom) to commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime celebration while supplies last. As shown above, this design was created by Disney artist Joe Kaminski, whose work is featured in The Art of Disney galleries, Disney resort hotels and Disney Cruise Line ships.
Sailings featuring “Silver Anniversary at Sea” festivities kick off across the fleet this month and will sail through September. We can’t wait for everyone to experience all the shimmering fun as we celebrate 25 years of Disney Cruise Line! Bon voyage!
