First Look–Disney Wish Celebrates Walt Disney’s Legacy

The Disney Wish will offer some amazing dining venues for guests. Disney Cruise Line has given details on two new dining options on the ship: 1923 and Marceline Market.

From a Disney Cast Member;

When the Disney Wish sets sail on its maiden voyage on July 14, guests from around the world will have a brand-new way to experience the magic of a Disney vacation at sea.

Our newest ship is a celebration of nearly 100 years of enchanting Disney stories. Filled with one-of-a-kind experiences inspired by Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar adventures, the Disney Wish embodies the spirit of forward-thinking innovation and visionary storytelling heralded by Walt Disney himself.

In fact, Imagineers were so inspired by the creative hallmarks of The Walt Disney Company that they decided to celebrate this legacy in the design of two beautiful dining venues: 1923 and Marceline Market.

Today, I’m thrilled to give you a first look at these very special spaces, each a loving tribute to the heritage and history of The Walt Disney Company.

1923

Animation has been at the heart of The Walt Disney Company from the very beginning. When Walt and his brother Roy started the company on Oct. 16, 1923, it was Hollywood’s first cartoon studio … and it was only a matter of time before their animated films revolutionized the entertainment industry.

Named for the year The Walt Disney Company was founded, 1923 is one of the three main dining venues families will enjoy each night on board the Disney Wish. This elegant restaurant combines classic Hollywood glamour with a dash of Disney whimsy, providing an inside look at the evolution of Disney animation.

Adorning the walls and ornate glass cases around the restaurant are more than 1,000 drawings, props and other tools of the trade showcasing 16 Disney films that embody the ship’s themes of enchantment and wish fulfillment. Many of these stories also hold a significant role in the history and legacy of the company, such as:

    • “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937), the world’s first feature-length animated film ever.
    • “Fantasia” (1940), a boundary-pushing project that introduced Fantasound (the precursor to stereophonic sound).
    • “Cinderella” (1950), which ushered in a new golden age of animated features.
    • “The Little Mermaid” (1989), a generation-defining classic that paved the way for “Beauty and the Beast” (1991), “The Lion King” (1994”) and other animated tales we know and love today.

Even the menu at 1923 pays tribute to the company’s roots in California, with sophisticated dishes inspired by the fusion of cultural flavors found throughout the Golden State. The diverse menu will mirror the region’s unique blend of Asian, European and South American cuisines and a superlative selection of world-famous Napa Valley wines.

Marceline Market

Long before he was a pioneer in the entertainment industry, Walt was a young boy growing up on a farm in Marceline, Missouri. Considered his most formative years, Walt’s time in Marceline inspired many of the stories he would tell later in life. It’s where he developed a love for animals and steam trains, themes that continue to influence Disney films and theme park attractions, and it’s also the inspiration behind Main Street U.S.A. at our parks around the world.

At Marceline Market — the stylish food hall aboard the Disney Wish where guests will enjoy casual, walk-up dining throughout the day — each of the 10 food stalls is themed to a beloved Disney animated story, from classics such as “Alice in Wonderland” (1951) to more recent films like “Zootopia” (2016). This fun design twist presents favorite characters as honorary “shopkeepers,” offering a wide-ranging variety of freshly prepared cuisines for the whole family to enjoy, including American classics, international specialties, comfort foods, seafood, soups and salads, vegetarian and plant-based fare, baked goods, and desserts.

These enchanting new restaurants are just a taste of the incredible experiences and immersive storytelling awaiting guests aboard the Disney Wish. If you want to see more, tune in next Wednesday, June 29 at 11 a.m. EST for the debut and christening of our newest ship right here on the Disney Parks Blog!

Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship Arrives in Port Canaveral

The Disney Wish, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, has arrived home! The Disney Wish arrived in Port Canaveral in Florida and is gearing up for its inaugural cruise in July.

From a Disney Cast Member;

I’m excited to share that our ship has come in! Just yesterday, the fifth and newest ship in our Disney Cruise Line fleet arrived at Port Canaveral in Florida after traveling nearly 4,768 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean from Bremerhaven, Germany.

This historic moment has been six years in the making, and included classic Disney-style fanfare, beloved characters and, of course, the iconic and fanciful “When You Wish Upon a Star” pouring from the ship’s horn as the Disney Wish sailed into port for the very first time.

Our incredible ship of wishes will immerse guests in Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar adventures in brand-new ways, and is filled with one-of-a-kind entertainment including AquaMouse — the first-ever Disney attraction at sea — all-new family dining experiences themed to “Frozen” and Marvel, and so much more.

I can’t believe that we’re getting so close to the debut of this enchanting new ship!

Be sure to tune in for the Disney Wish christening live at 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 29 on the Disney Parks Blog or on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok.

The Disney Wish will sail year-round from Port Canaveral, offering a series of three- and four-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Disney’s private island oasis, Castaway Cay, beginning July 14. For more information or to book a Disney vacation at sea, visit disneycruise.com.

Disney Cruise Line to debut Disney Wish on June 29

Join us on June 29 at 11 a.m. EST for the incredible debut and christening of Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish!

Live from Port Canaveral, Florida, this unforgettable celebration of enchantment will showcase the world’s first look inside our innovative new ship and will feature special guests, spectacular musical performances and characters from your favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars adventures.

You definitely won’t want to miss this incredible event that includes an exclusive look inside some of the ship’s most highly anticipated features — like AquaMouse, the first-ever Disney attraction at sea; first-of-their-kind dining adventures themed to “Frozen” and Marvel; an immersive lounge set in the Star Wars galaxy; and a real-life wonderland for kids at Disney’s Oceaneer Club — plus special appearances from our crew members on board the Disney Wish. 

Here’s a sneak peek of the new enchantment coming to the high seas in just a few short weeks.

Disney Wish is on Its Way

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship is slated to arrive at Port Canaveral in only a few weeks, and details about the many events celebrating her arrival have just been released.

According to CruiseHive.com, the highly anticipated Disney Wish cruise ship is scheduled to arrive at Florida’s Port Canaveral on June 20. That day will mark the first of several events planned to celebrate the arrival of the new Disney cruise ship and to welcome her to the Disney Cruise Line fleet of ships.

Details related to the christening ceremony and maiden voyage of the new Disney Cruise Line ship have just been announced, as well as details about her arrival at her homeport in the Sunshine State.

The celebratory events taking place in honor of the new cruise ship will take place over several days–and all will take place before the Disney Wish makes her very first passenger voyage.

According to documents just approved this week by Port Canaveral commissioners, the Disney Wish will enjoy multiple celebrations as she finally, officially joins the Disney Cruise Line fleet–the first in the fleet to be in Disney’s Titan class of ships.

The Disney Wish, the first cruise ship to be added to the Disney Cruise Line fleet since the Disney Fantasy joined the fleet in 2012, is set to arrive in Port Canaveral on Monday, June 20. The ship’s arrival, along with the official welcome, will comprise an early morning event, scheduled for between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

The event will take place at two locations at Port Canaveral–Terminal 8 and Terminal 10, both of which are located at the north end of Port Canaveral’s channel adjacent to the west turning basin. Media personnel will likely be located at these terminals as well, hoping for the perfect shot of the ship’s first entry into the port.

Port commissioners award cruise terminal contracts for Disney project

Disney Cruise Line ships usually dock at Terminal 8, but Terminal 10 has been used by Disney ships occasionally. Terminal 10 will likely be used more frequently by Disney once the Disney Wish joins the fleet.

Disney has planned a fitting welcome for the cruise line’s first new ship in 10 years, complete with fireboats, tugboats, a water salute, and “special effects,” for which no details were given.

Though she arrives at Port Canaveral on June 20, the Disney Wish won’t welcome any passengers aboard for more than 3 weeks.

Watch the Disney Wish’s Epic Journey to the North Sea!

Last week, the Disney Wish celebrated its latest milestone, which means we are one step closer to the ship’s delivery. Today, we’re taking a journey from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany to the North Sea, where the Disney Wish entered open water for the first time.

It took about 24 hours to complete the trip on the River Ems – traveling a distance of 26 miles at the slow and steady pace of two knots. The voyage included navigating locks, drawbridges and tight clearings along the way. Watch the video below to see the action!

This shipbuilding milestone involved great teamwork, precision and attention to detail. The conditions have to be just right to sail the River Ems (including – believe it or not – a full moon to raise the tides for the ship to clear the river’s depth). That’s not the only factor. The ship must travel backwards, stern-first! Our stern character, Rapunzel, led us fearlessly to the Disney Wish’s new destination.

Not only is this an important tradition for the shipyard and the Walt Disney Imagineering Germany team, it is special to locals in the Papenburg and Leer area. The occasion brought out many marveling spectators along the route. Families even got to wave to some special friends!

Now that the Disney Wish has arrived in Eemshaven, Netherlands, we will begin a series of tests known as sea trials. Before we know it, summer will be here and we will be welcoming Guests aboard the Disney Wish to experience their favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories like never before.