Disney Wish: A Palace At Sea
In April, Disney released some exciting details about the 5th ship to join the fleet: The Disney Wish. The Disney Wish will begin sailing in the summer of 2022, but, already, plans are being made about what will be aboard the ship, and it's pretty exciting.
Entertainment
Inside, the standard theater has become "La Luna", a two-story theater with an LED screen for movies AND a stage for live shows. It will offer family style entertainment during the day, and then turn to more adult entertainment in the evenings. And it will feature a full service bar.
Outside, the Wish promises more pool space, spanning two decks. With a total of SIX pools, this is the most pools ever seen on a Disney ship, and there will be space for families to lounge in between the pools. Similar to other Disney ships, some pools are geared toward adults and quiet space, while others are more shallow for young children and contain interactive features. There's sure to be something to please everyone.
But we aren't quite done with the aquatic offerings. Many were excited when 10 years ago, the Dream came out with the Aquaduck - a Donald Duck themed watercoaster that wrapped the ship. But I think we all know the fate of Donald Duck, right? He's always overshadowed by Mickey. And that story continues with the introduction of the Aquamouse (yep, no rivalry there at all!).
Here's what makes the Aquamouse a big deal. It is the first ride billed as an "attraction at sea". So think Aquaduck, but with a story brought to life by LED screens and scenes. Guests will board a two seat "ride vehicle" and ascend into a tunnel where they will see scenes that set the story. At the height of the tunnel, guests are released into a water ride around the upper decks, into a funnel, and then over the side of the ship with views of the sea. This ride will be over 2 minutes in length and have a height requirement of 42" to ride. There will be more than 60 water effects, including the blasters seen on the Aquaduck. Basically, it sounds like the Aquaduck on steroids.
Moving away from pools, but staying outside, Disney embraces the popularity (and their ownership) of Marvel by introducing the Hero Zone. The Hero Zone will be part of the ship that "celebrates physical activity". Sometimes, it will be a free style zone for activities, but at other times, it will transform into a place to host competitions including family obstacle courses. You'll find me on the viewing balcony overlooking the fun.
Kid Stuff
Disney Cruise Line is known for its absolutely extraordinary kid's locations. Parents can usually rest easy that they can drop the kids off at a kid's club for a few hours and the kids won't miss them one bit. I remember dropping my munchkin off at a kid's club on the Dream that was themed like Andy's bedroom in Toy Story, and the Wish takes this one level further too, starting with a secret slide from the lobby that kids can use to access the kid's club on the deck below.
So... what's in the kid's club? Lots of cool things. Rapunzel has an area set up as an art studio, Belle has a vast library for the readers, and Anna and Elsa invite guests to play in a frozen wonderland in the Princess themed club. Or your kids can cross over to the Marvel themed club. For slightly bigger kids, we're most excited about the Imagineer's lab where kids can learn the tricks of Imagineering to design a rollercoaster and then... get this... board a simulator to ride it. ...Think I can pass as a 12-year-old? Because I really am jealous.
Adult Stuff
But... I'm not jealous for long because there are a few lovely areas just for adults as well, starting with the Star Wars themed lounge called Hyperspace Lounge. Inside, you will enjoy simulated views of galaxies, ships, and planets drifting by while enjoying a tasting menu including Star Wars themed drinks. My only question is whether these will be the same drinks you can find shoreside at Oga's Canteen or new inventions.
And then you have the premium dining. Quick refresher: Disney ships use a rotational dining service that is included in the price of the cruise. You (and your servers!) rotate each night to a new table service restaurant where you can order anything off the menu and as much of it as you like. The restaurants are themed and have themed menus and should please just about anyone for no additional charge.
But if you want a little something extra special, Disney ships also usually have one or more premium restaurants. You will have to reserve space at these and pay extra to dine at them, but the food is truly exceptional. And the Wish has two such restaurants plus a lounge for adults only.
The first of these restaurants is the tried and true Palo. Palo is a mainstay from other Disney ships and offers Northern Italian cuisine as well as a vast array of wines.
The second is a new restaurant inspired by Lumiere and headed by a three Michelin star chef, called Enchante. Enchante obviously draws from Beauty and the Beast, but being a premiere restaurant (and the fanciest of those aboard ship, similar to Remy on the Dream), the elegance will be taken up a notch. Of course, French cuisine is served here.
Attached to Enchante is what Disney is billing as a third adult dining location, called the Rose, which keeps the Beauty and the Beast theme and will serve small plates and drinks.
New Rotational Dining Experiences
I'll admit, when I first saw a list of the three rotational dining restaurants that all guests are assigned to aboard the Wish, the biggest question in my mind was "Where is Animator's Palate?" After all, there is an Animator's Palate aboard each other Disney ship and it is well loved and was my most enjoyable meal aboard the Dream.
But if Disney teaches me anything, it is that initial disappointment that something you loved well is gone is always replaced by awe over what is replacing it. And after reading more, these three rotational dining restaurants sound really neat.
The first is Arendelle which is Frozen-themed. Now, I'm a long-suffering Frozen mom, so I could roll my eyes at this, but here's what got me: dinner theater. Yep. This is going to feature a staged engagement party for Anna and Kristoff, followed by live Nordic music from the frozen soundtrack, but played in a traditional way. And the menu will include Nordic cuisine.
In fact, Disney sort of embraced the dinner theater vibe in their next restaurant as well, Worlds of Marvel. Oh, you know Disney is looking to capitalize on the Marvel name and again, I could roll my eyes, but then the idea and the menu sound pretty exciting. At this restaurant, guests will play a role in the Marvel cinematic universe in an interactive theater style dinner. And the menu will include a vast variety of tastes from African cuisine representing Wakanda, Eastern European cuisine representing Sokovia, and New York cuisine representing Spiderman. I'm imagining a bagel, some borscht, and some bobotie. It's quite the combo, but I trust Disney will make it work.
The third restaurant, while not quite as interactive or dinner-theater-ish, is actually my favorite sounding one, called 1923. It is named after the year the Disney Company was formed and has two dining rooms: Walt and Roy. ...Hang on. I have something in my eye... It will be themed in the elegant 20s fashion, and feature a menu focusing on fresh and in season ingredients. That just sounds like a breath of fresh air after being roped into adventures at the other two places.
If you go on a four night cruise, you repeat a rotation. I can't even decide which one of these I'd like to repeat, but I think it's a toss up between Worlds of Marvel and 1923.
Also...
We are loving the color theme of the wish. From the atrium to the staterooms, we are seeing sky blues, sparkling champagne gold, and lots and lots of pixie dust. Elegant! Check out this stateroom concept:
Even after the year that has been, I almost want to book a cruise right now for 2022 aboard the Wish to experience it for myself.
Would YOU cruise in 2022 if you could? Are you excited for the Wish? Tell us over on our Facebook page, where you can follow us to see new posts every week. Until next time...
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