Disney Cruise Line Debuts New Experiences

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.

Encanto Interactive Experience Opening Soon

Disney is finally bringing the hit film Encanto (2021) to life with an all-new interactive experience opening soon!

Since the hit film’s debut, fans have been eager to see Disney bringing this beloved story to life at Disney Parks, being beyond thrilled when Mirabel debuted at Disneyland Resort and later at Walt Disney World Resort, which was also home to several breathtaking Encanto-inspired topiaries during EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival.

And while Disney teased a possible project bringing a massive new land inspired by Coco (2017), Encanto, and even Disney Villains to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, there is still no official timeline for an actual project inspired by the heartwarming Colombian story just yet.

However, Disney just announced an all-new immersive Encanto-themed experience welcoming Guests soon!

Fans can say “¡Hola, Casita!” in the latest collaboration between CAMP and Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Disney Encanto x CAMP.” This 6,000 6,000-square-foot experience, inspired by the film and created in partnership with Disney, will open its doors in New York City on October 8, transporting families into the colorful world of Disney Animation’s Encanto and enjoy an exciting hour-long visit filled with candlelight, cumbia and – most of all – magic.

Per Disney Parks Blog:

Guests will be able to climb up and around Antonio’s room and join the rainforest adventure, spin through Isabela’s flower-filled room, or slide down into the Courtyard. Fans will find new interactive scenes, uniquely created for this experience, including Luisa’s and Pepa’s never-before-seen rooms, and even cousin Dolores’ Soundscape Door!

Disney encanto x camp store

And fans can shop until they drop in La Placita for exclusive, bespoke, customizable clothing, books, and colorful felt jewelry, all displayed in a series of beautiful, themed merchant carts.

CAMP describes this unique experience as follows:

For the first time ever, La Familia Madrigal are opening their doors … and you’re invited! It’s the world’s first immersive Disney Encanto experience: a real-life Casita, complete with secret passages, interactive magic, live music, and surprises behind every magic door.

From Antonio’s rainforest to Isabela’s floral wonderland and Luisa’s happy place, CAMP’s Disney Encanto experience is bursting with magical fun. Oh, and we don’t talk about this, but you might see Bruno’s room, too!

On top of all that, we brought the fun of the Disney Encanto town square to CAMP. All kinds of merchants have cooked up custom-made, exclusive goods inspired by the world of Disney Encanto, from chain-stitched apparel to handmade flower crowns that you’ll only find at CAMP.

Casita x camp store

The Disney Encanto x CAMP Experience opens on October 8 at CAMP’s Flagship Store located at 110 5th Avenue, New York. Tickets for this exclusive experience are limited and can be purchased here. The immersive experience will be available in New York for a limited time before moving to another CAMP location near you. You can click here for more information on the experience.

Disney announces a new “Encanto”-themed attraction coming to Magic Kingdom

President of Disney Parks, Products and Experiences announced today, alongside Disney’s Chris Beatty and Disney Animation’s Jennifer Lee, that Magic Kingdom will soon welcome an Encanto-themed attraction.

Disney’s Encanto is Walt Disney Animation’s 60th full-length animated feature film. It opened at the box office during the week of Thanksgiving in 2021, and then it debuted on the Disney+ streaming platform just in time for Christmas.

Encanto tells the story of the amazing Madrigal family living deep in the Colombian mountains. The family has been given a gift–one that has bestowed a special ability or talent on every member single Madrigal–all except one, named Mirabel.

Mirabel is often reminded that she’s the “unspecial” Madrigal–the only Madrigal whose emotions don’t cause weather disturbances, who can’t make herself turn into another person, who can’t heal others with food. But Mirabel–and the other Madrigals–soon learn that there’s more to the so-called “unspecial” Madrigal than anyone ever knew.

Disney’s Encanto created an entirely new group of Disney fans–those who love the story, the colors, the excitement, the music, and the pageantry of Encanto, and now, Disney Parks is finally getting in on the joy of the animated film, as Josh D’Amaro announced on Sunday during the 2022 D23 Expo Parks Panel than an exciting Encanto-themed addition is in the planning stages for Magic Kingdom.

The new addition will feature casita, the house where all of the Madrigal family lives, as well as an introduction to all the members of the family as Mirabel introduces Guests to her lovely family members, like Abuela, Tia Pepa, Dolores, Camilo, and others.

Though we don’t have any details as of yet–and we have no opening date or exact location of the new addition, we gather from what D’Amaro, Beatty and Lee said, that the new Encanto-inspired attraction will be part of a greater expansion at Magic Kingdom, which has also not yet been given an opening date.

Villains Land Teased By Disney

The Walt Disney Company has always been a champion of imagination, and loves bringing everyone’s favorite Disney films, animations, and ideas to life.

Now, they’re considering bringing something that Disney fans and Park Guests have been asking for, for ages — an entirely Villain-themed land!

The Villains in the Disney Parks have always been a huge draw — with Guests loving to interact with Villainous face characters like Gaston from Beauty and the Beast (1991), Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty (1959), and Cruella De Vil from One Hundred and One Dalmatians / 101 Dalmations (1961).

Unfortunately, until now, Guests have only been able to meet and interact with these coveted Villains either at Halloween Events (like this mind-blowingly realistic Ernesto de la Cruz Meet N’ Greet at this year’s Oogie Boogie Bash) or around at their “heroes” or “good counterparts’” lands and areas within the Disney theme parks.

At this year’s D23 Expo held in California, Disney Parks Head Josh D’Amaro took to the stage to share several brand-new concepts that the Imagineering team are looking to put into action. D’Amaro brought out Chris Beatty and Jennifer Lee, and the Disney team opened up about what they’ve been cooking behind the scenes — and gave the crowd a sneak peek at a Villains land concept that they’ve been playing with.

After discussing the potential of a Coco and Encanto land that might be entwined together somehow over at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, the gathered Disney team began talking about one of the strongest, most iconic and also beloved portions of the Disney canon — the Disney Villains — in all their maniacally evil glory!

This proposed “Villains Land” would be placed right behind Big Thunder Mountain at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom over in Orlando, Florida, tucked alongside or behind the bright, colorful world of Coco and Encanto.

They then shared this new concept art of a new Villains Land, and proposed the concept of:

Villains looming over Casita Madrigal, and what could be beyond Big Thunder Mountain.

This announcement was met with thunderous applause and much shouting from the assembled Disney Parks fans!

All of this would undoubtedly fill a missing void in the Disney Parks for an enhanced Villain experience — and is something that fans have been dying to see for years. The new concept images definitely look cool, and we’re excited to see where this delectably evil new Land over at the Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom might have in store for Disney Park Guests.

Disney Bringing ‘Encanto’ Back to the Big Screen

The “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” might have simmered for now, but Encanto (2021) still remains one of the most exciting Disney properties released in recent years.

Encanto‘s traditional theatrical outing was short-lived, hindered by the pandemic crisis and subsequent protocols. However, a flashy Disney+ release on Christmas Eve proved to be the perfect formula for the House of Mouse, and the rest is history. Even with continued strong viewership on Disney’s growing streaming service, Encanto will once more return to the theater with an exclusive new opening act.

From its lukewarm beginnings in November 2021, when it netted just over $200 million worldwide, the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic made a triumphant comeback when it was released on Disney+ the following month. Since then, Encanto has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. The sleeper hit has been decorated with multiple awards such as the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 94th Academy Awards and hit numerous accolades in the music industry.

“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” made Disney history after reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100, overtaking Frozen‘s (2013) “Let It Go”, and beating the previous record holder, “A Whole New World” from Aladdin (1992). Further commercial success came with the Original Soundtrack hitting the coveted number one spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 and U.K. Album Charts, thanks, in part, to popular songs like “Bruno”, “The Family Madrigal”, “Waiting On A Miracle”, “Surface Pressure”, and “What Else Can I Do?”.

encanto madrigal family mirabel gift

Many Disney fans likely discovered Encanto through Disney+, as well as its popularity on social media in spaces like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, meaning the opportunity to see it in theaters had already been and gone. However, Disney has announced Encanto‘s return to the company’s own movie theater — the El Capitan Theatre in the heart of Los Angeles.

Luisa, Mirabel, and Isabela in 'Encanto'

In addition to Encanto, Disney and Pixar Animation Studios’ Coco (2017) will also have showings at the El Capitan; both are being released on the big screen to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Per a press release:

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – August 26, 2022 – Tickets are on sale now to watch Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” September 9-12 and Disney’s “Encanto” September 16-22 presented by Disney+ at the El Capitan Theatre this September.

Before each showing of “Coco,” guests can see the Mariachi Divas, Ballet Folkórico De Los Ángeles and a Fiesta of Lights featuring music from the movie as they enter the theatre. Guests can also take photos at a “Coco”-themed photo op featuring a replica of Ernesto de la Cruz’s guitar.

While Coco audiences will get the exclusive themed experience detailed above, those seeing Encanto will be treated to a new opening act from Mirabel Madrigal herself. That’s right, Disney says “Moviegoers can watch Mirabel live on stage before each showing of Encanto.” Mirabel joined the Disney Parks team in Disneyland Resort last year and finally made her debut at the Walt Disney World Resort over the summer, her appearance at the El Capitan is sure to make these showings of Encanto even more memorable.