It’s time! It’s finally time to board Disney’s newest cruise ship, the Disney Wish!

The anticipation for this ship has been building for years, especially since it was delayed due in part to the global pandemic. But, the ship finally sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and arrived at its home port in Port Canaveral the other day. Now, we’ve been invited to come aboard the ship to check everything out before its maiden voyage on July 14th, so come along with us!

Christening

This morning, we attended the Christening ceremony for the Disney Wish! A lot of Disney characters were there, including Captain Minnie and Captain Mickey, of course.

We also heard from Disney CEO Bob Chapek and Chairman Josh D’Amaro. During the ceremony, Disney honored the Wish’s godchildren — all the Make-A-Wish kids!

There were lots of musical performances, and even more characters joined later on.

After the ceremony, it was time to head to the ship!

Boarding

Before we got on the ship, there were some safety protocols we had to follow. Disney Cruise Line is currently requiring all vaccine-eligible Guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing. This is a requirement for everyone ages 5 and older. We also had to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 2 days before setting sail. If you don’t do this, you have to be tested at the terminal.

The terminal was pretty busy today — a lot of people are excited to see the new ship. Guests entered the terminal by showing their Port Arrival Form to the Cast Members outside, and then we waited in line to check in.

Once we were inside, we confirmed our reservation at the front desk…

…and we got in one more line to board the ship!

Before we get on, let’s check out what it looks like from down here! The Disney Wish has 1,250 staterooms, so it’s pretty big!

Also, you can find Rapunzel on the back of the ship, painting!

When you first enter the Grand Hall, kids will get a “royal greeting,” getting a special wishing wand they can use to make the “first wish” of their vacation during a boarding celebration.

When we got on the ship, we headed to the atrium, which Disney has described as “a bright, airy, and elegant space inspired by the beauty of an enchanted fairytale.” And y’all. This space is STUNNING.

And we’re ON! ✨ Look how stunning this ship is 🥺 pic.twitter.com/7qqEwHRfbv

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) June 29, 2022

 

 

 

 

The atrium has multiple levels, so you can see balconies all the way up. The staircases have gold-colored swirls, and the room’s design draws your eye up to the beautiful ceiling.

There’s a stage set at the front, with a balcony above the stage.

While we were there, we spotted some characters up on the balcony greeting guests.

And that CHANDELIER!

As is Disney Cruise Line tradition, a beloved Disney character is featured at the bottom of the grand staircase in the Grand Hall. On the Disney Wish, that character is Cinderella!

She’s joined by Jaq and Gus…

…and Lucifer the cat isn’t far behind.

You can also see her gorgeous glass slipper on display nearby.

Upper Deck

On the main deck, there are several screens behind a large stage, which is where you may see announcements or watch Disney movies playing during the day.

Right now there aren’t any chairs set up on deck, but usually this area is where guests can lounge by the pool (which was covered at the time).

See those big white pipes? Those are part of the AquaMouse!

DFB on deck 🚢😎#mediaevent #hosted #DisneyWish pic.twitter.com/fVAkV48eUw

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) June 29, 2022

 

 

 

 

The AquaMouse

The AquaMouse is Disney’s first attraction at SEA! It’s a “wild water ride” that loops 760 feet around the upper deck.

You’ll get in a 2-seater ride vehicle and go up into a tunnel that will take you into the world of Disney animated shorts.

Who’s down for a ride on the AquaMouse? 💦 #DisneyWish #hosted #mediaevent pic.twitter.com/YBIRhbTAbT

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) June 29, 2022

 

 

 

 

You can either get “Scuba Scramble” or “Swiss Meltdown” as your story, and you’ll see the story playing out on the screens around you!

Like many Disney attractions, there is a height requirement to ride the AquaMouse. Guests must be at least 42″ tall to ride.

We’ll be riding the attraction soon, so stay tuned for more details and a full ride-through!

Pools and Splash Zone

There are several pools on the upper decks — a total of 10 pools and water play areas, in fact — each named after a Disney character!

They can be covered to create an entertainment space instead, so they won’t be available during events like the Pirate Party.

And for the little ones, there’s a Toy Story Splash Zone, which has Toy Story characters that squirt water!

In this area, kids can also find a “Slide-a-saurus Rex” family slide!

Quiet Cove

Quiet Cove is an adults-only area of the deck, where you’ll find an infinity pool, whirlpool spa, and bar.

The area is meant to be themed after Moana.

The area is great as a place to relax and watch ocean views, or you can head to the bar to grab a cold drink!

Attached to the Quiet Cove outdoor space is the Cove Café, which has more seating as well as food and drinks available for purchase.

An inside peek at the adults-only Cove Café on the #DisneyWish 👀 #mediaevent #hosted pic.twitter.com/z5Jf5Vl175

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

You must be 18 years or older to enter this space.

Staterooms

You’ll find the staterooms on the lower decks of the ship.

And if you take the elevator, be sure to appreciate the Cinderella-inspired wallpaper inside!

The Disney Wish staterooms feature an all-new “enchanted” look. Most of the ship’s staterooms offer an ocean view, and 70% of them have a veranda.

The decorations in the hallway aren’t quite as grand as the atrium, but you can still see Cinderella touches, like the designs on the lighting fixtures!

And there are cute little pumpkin coaches on the room numbers of each stateroom.

We’re heading into our stateroom now — let’s check it out!

Welcome to our crib 😎 Well, stateroom that is 😂 We got a ‘Frozen’ room! What do you think? pic.twitter.com/PHvr7KrHyT

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) June 29, 2022

 

 

 

 

Our room was Frozen-themed, so you can find little touches from the movie in the decorations. The entrance is a little tight, as most cruise staterooms are fairly small.

However, the room opened up and was actually a good size. There was a bed on one side with side tables on either side. Both tables had outlets above them for easy charging, and there were lamps on either side as well. If you look carefully at the winter landscape above the bed, you might see some Frozen friends!

The sitting area had a couch, a table, and some cabinets for storage space. See that square above the couch?

That actually comes down as another bed!

There’s a vanity area with more storage space and a lit mirror. Staterooms also have connecting doors, so if your party has 2 rooms, you can open the doors to connect them.

The bathroom in our room was actually split into 2 parts, with the shower and a sink in one room…

…and the toilet with another sink in a separate room.

Our room did have a verandah as well!

Outside, there were a couple of chairs and a small table.

This seems like an ideal spot for enjoying a snack while watching the waves roll by.

Click here for a FULL tour of the Disney Wish staterooms.

Royal Suites

There are 4 royal suites on board, which can accommodate up to 6 guests each. These 2-story rooms have first-class amenities and an elegant spiral staircase and private verandah in each one.

We toured the Princess Aurora Royal Suite, and there are also Briar Rose Royal Suites. We’ll have that tour available for you to see soon!

The Tower Suite

The Disney Wish also has one VERY fancy room on board that’s actually located inside the forward funnel.

The Tower Suite is themed to Moana and includes 2 main bedrooms, a children’s room, a library that converts into a bedroom, and 4.5 bathrooms. The 2-story penthouse is 1,966 square feet total.

There’s a dining area, a pantry, and a bar, along with some of the best views to be found on this ship.

Click here for our FULL TOUR of the Tower Suite.

Dining

Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure (Rotational Dining)

Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure is the world’s first Frozen-themed theatrical dining experience. We checked out the entrance area, and we’ll have a full review of the restaurant for you soon!

The area leading up to the restaurant looks just like Anna and Elsa’s castle in Arendelle.

You can even find portraits of the queens and their family in the hallway! And more nods to the movie — including the dolls that Anna and Elsa play with — can be found in the dining room.

We can’t wait to eat here soon. This spot is one of the 3 rotational dining restaurants on the Wish. Guests will get to eat at all 3 of these restaurants during their voyage.

Some of the other restaurants are not included with the cruise, but you can pay extra to eat there.

Worlds of Marvel (Rotational Dining)

Worlds of Marvel is another of the 3 rotational dining experiences, so every guest on board will get the chance to eat here.

We got dinner AND a show at Worlds of Marvel aboard the #DisneyWish ⚡️ #mediaevent #hosted pic.twitter.com/rj9fg2XYLg

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

It’s themed after the Avengers, with Ant-Man and The Wasp hosting.

The food here is inspired by Wakanda, Sokovia, and New York. You can get appetizers like Steamed Bao Buns and Fried Shrimp, entrees like a Berbere Spiced Pork Chop and Schnitzel, and desserts like Sticky Date Pudding and Key Lime Pie.

But guests here will do more than just have dinner — the restaurant also has an interactive element, where you can be part of an “action-packed Avengers mission.”

And don’t forget to look around at all the interesting decor! Check out some Pym tech and gadgets from Tony Stark. Every table has an interactive Quantum Core, which becomes part of the story.

Click here for our FULL REVIEW of the Worlds of Marvel restaurant.

1923

1923 gets its name from the year the Walt Disney Company was founded. This restaurant is part of the rotational dining and it’s elegant theme celebrates the legacy of Walt Disney.

Think Golden Age Hollywood interspersed with props and drawings from Disney films.

Enchanté (Signature Dining)

One of the signature dining locations here is Enchanté, which is inspired by Lumière from Beauty and the Beast. This restaurant, along with Palo Steakhouse, is adults-only and does cost extra.

It’s one of the fanciest options for a meal on board, which makes it great for celebrating special occasions.

The menu was created by three-Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement. And the restaurant looks beautiful!

There’s an impressive chandelier near the front of the restaurant as well, which we think would make Luimière proud.

Don’t forget to look out for Lumière himself!

You can book reservations at Enchanté and Palo before your voyage.

Palo Steakhouse

Speaking of Palo, we had a chance to dine there. It’s another adult-exclusive restaurant themed to Beauty and the Beast. As you can see, you can dine with a great view, too.

You’ll find classic Italian dishes here, along with a variety of steaks.

This restaurant also has an extensive wine list.

This is also a restaurant that costs extra on the ship.

Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge

The Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge is a themed lounge area that’s only for the adults. The decor is inspired by the Star Wars movies, and guests can watch various planets pass by through the virtual “window” behind the bar. The scenes outside change about every 7 minutes.

You’ll see locations like Tatooine, Mustafar, Batuu, Coruscant, and the Moons of Endor. And the drinks are inspired by the Star Wars stories as well.

Kids can come to the Hyperspace Lounge during the day, but it’s adults-only in the evenings.

The Bayou (Lounge)

We were blown away by the gorgeous Bayou lounge! The theme for this spot is Princess and the Frog, and you’ll see magnolia blossoms on the ceiling and lily pad decorations.

Here, guests can order creative cocktails, specialty coffees, and signature beignets, and there will be live entertainment as well.

Food and drinks here are not included in the cost of the cruise.

Nightingale’s (Lounge)

Remember when Cinderella’s step-sister sings “Sing Sweet Nightingale” in the movie? Ya, we’re pretty sure the music at Nightingale’s Piano Bar on the Wish will be a little more impressive than that.

This spot has live entertainment as well as fine wines and hand-crafted cocktails.

We tried their signature cocktail, the Sweet Nightingale, which costs $20. It’s made with Hendricks Amazonia, Passion Fruit, Rosemary, and Mint.

You’ll find this spot just off the lobby area on the Wish.

Click here for our full review of Nightingale’s.

The Rose (Lounge)

Between Enchanté  and Palo, you’ll find the Rose, which is an adults-only lounge dedicated to Beauty and the Beast.

The Beast’s rose and enchanted mirror are here, too.

The Keg & Compass (Signature Pub)

The Keg & Compass is a pub with decorations inspired by “a late 1800’s Norwegian sailor’s map room,” with details all around the dining room. Make sure you look up at the map on the ceiling — the bartender told us there are a LOT of Easter Eggs up there!

On the menu at Keg & Compass, you’ll find beers, ales, IPA, ciders, cocktails, wine, and some “pub grub” snacks.

Marceline Market

Marceline Market is named after Walt Disney’s childhood hometown of Marceline, Missouri. It’s a dining location that serves flavors from all over the world, inspired by marketplaces in various countries.

There are 10 food stations here in total, and each is themed to a Disney movie. The idea is that each station has a Disney character shopkeeper.

You can get American classics, comfort food, seafood, vegetarian and plant-based food, baked goods, and more here. Most food is served buffet-style, so guests can grab a plate and visit the various stations to choose their food. There’s also a beverage bar.

This restaurant serves breakfast and lunch in the “walk-around” style, and it’s a table service spot for dinner.

Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods

Located on the upper decks is the Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods. Several quick-service restaurants make up this festival, including Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue, Donald’s Cantina, Daisy’s Pizza Pies, Goofy’s Grill, and Sweet Minnie’s Ice Cream.

Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue had BBQ Smoked Brisket Carving, St. Louis Pork, Smoked Chicken, BBQ Smoked Pulled Pork, and Smoked Kielbasa Sausage.

Sides include Baked Mac & Cheese, Collard Greens, Sweet Potato Fries, and Texas Jalapeño Corn Bread.

There were several condiments available on a cute little cart in front of the counter!

Goofy’s Grill was serving up American food like burgers, hot dogs, and chicken tenders.

These fast food-style restaurants are typically open all day, and most of the food here is included in the price of your cruise.

Inside Out Joyful Sweets

Joyful Sweets is a candy shop, ice cream parlor, and bakery all rolled into one. It’s all themed to the Pixar movie Inside Out.

In the display cases, you’ll find cupcakes, cake pops, macarons, and more.

And there are a LOT of ice cream flavors to choose from, as well as a variety of toppings!

Note that the treats here do cost extra — they’re not included in the cost of the cruise.

More Food Options

Also on the upper deck, there was a station serving grab-and-go ice cream cones…

…and you know we had to try one! (Specifically for scientific purposes. Our conclusion: It was delicious.)

You can also stop by Wheezy’s Freezies for a frozen drink!

There were various slushies available when we stopped by, some of which were not included in the price of the cruise. Of course, we had to get a treat — for science!

Refreshing!

See a FIRST LOOK at all the menus onboard the Disney Wish here.

Entertainment

Characters

We’ve already seen several characters on board! There were princesses greeting guests from the balcony in the atrium, including Rapunzel and Belle.

And several characters came for the Sail Away party on the upper deck! We saw Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto.

Then Moana came out, followed by Rapunzel and Flynn, Cinderella and Prince Charming, and Tiana and Naveen!

Disney has said that there will be several character meet-and-greet locations on board, so we’ll keep an eye out for more Disney friends.

Pirate Night

On the 2nd night of the cruise, we had Pirate Night! Guests were encouraged to dress up, and we all met on the upper decks for a Pirate Party.

The party was hosted by Captain Redd from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. To complete the event, there were fireworks!

Wonderland Cinema

We visited some of the entertainment spots on board as well! First up is the Wonderland Cinema, which is a movie theater on board!

The gallery is themed after Alice in Wonderland, and it has so many beautiful nods to the movie.

There’s a big mural of Alice and the Cheshire Cat outside…

…and the entrance has more artwork from the movie!

Don’t miss the subtle decoration on the floor at the entrance to this theater.

Even the seats inside are themed to playing cards.

You can see which movie is playing on the screen outside the theater.

While we were here, Lightyear was the movie of choice.

Walt Disney Theatre

The Walt Disney Theatre is where guests can watch Broadway-style shows, including Seas the Adventure, Disney’s Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular, and an adaptation of The Little Mermaid.

Seas the Adventure stars Captain Minnie and Goofy as they embark on an adventure and meet several Disney friends along the way. We saw scenes from movies like Princess and the Frog, Frozen, and Finding Nemo as part of the show.

Some songs that you’ll hear in the show include  “Into the Unknown,” “Touch the Sky,” and “I Can Go the Distance.”

Luna

Luna is an event space on board, which is where you’ll find activities (like trivia nights) and live entertainment. It’s inspired by the Disney Pixar short, La Luna.

Guests will get to participate in different themed nights at Luna.

During Villains Game Night, for instance, “guests will attempt to answer Disney trivia questions amid the jeers and sneers of nefarious Disney foes, including Cruella de Vil, Gaston, Hades, Maleficent and more, who will join on screen.”

Triton Lounge

We also stopped by the Triton Lounge, which is another event space on board.

Guests can visit for game nights and live entertainment throughout their voyage!

Check on the screens outside the lounge entrance to see which events are coming up soon.

Activities

Hero Zone

The Hero Zone is a sports area with all kinds of games inside!

You can play basketball, table tennis, or a variety of other sports.

At certain times during the cruise, the Incredi-Games course was set up, which is like a big inflatable obstacle course.

There are different challenges inside, which are each themed to a different member of the Incredibles family.

You can race your friends and family through the course!

Teen/Tween Clubs

Edge is the tween club on board, and it’s for kids ages 11 to 14 years old.

There are counselors inside the hang-out, and kids can play games, watch movies, and try (non-alcoholic, of course) drinks from the solar bar.

The space also has photo walls, where kids can take photos!

Vibe is the hangout for kids ages 14 to 17 years old. This space also has games, movies, and more activities.

The decor is supposed to resemble a “Parisian artist’s loft.” There are bright neon colors, pop art, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

There’s also a (alcohol-free) bar in this club, and don’t forget about the foosball table!

Disney’s Oceaneer Club

Kids ages 3 to 12 can visit Disney’s Oceaneer Club, as on the fleet’s other ships. The new Club on the Disney Wish is reimagined with a LOT of immersive spaces. Those spaces include the Marvel Super Hero Academy, Fairytale Hall, Star Wars Cargo Bay, and Walt Disney Imagineering Lab.

At the Super Hero Academy, kids can interact with Marvel characters like Ant-Man, design their own super-suit, and train to fight bad guys. We saw a workstation with all kinds of cool equipment…

…and a space for hero training!

At Fairytale Hall, kids can meet Disney princesses to do some arts and crafts with Rapunzel, read books with Belle, or learn ice powers with Anna and Elsa.

Star Wars: Cargo Bay is where kids can learn all about the creatures from a galaxy far, far away. Inside, you’ll find a porg, a Loth-cat, a worrt, and more! Rey and Chewbacca are usually here to help the kids “feed” the animals. Kids will be givens assignments and AR (augmented reality) data pads to study and track the creatures, and when something goes wrong, they can help Rey and Chewie save the ship!

And the Walt Disney Imagineering Lab has a Ride Studio where kids can create a coaster and then virtually ride it!

Mickey & Minnie’s Captain’s Deck has a nautical-themed playground as well as other sensory activities for little ones.

All of the above activities are for kids ages 3 to 12.

It’s a Small World Nursery (ages 6 mos. to 3 years)

For some of the littlest passengers on deck, the It’s a Small World Nursery is where they can play games, make crafts, read books, and even see some characters.

Disney counselors offer babysitting services here, so adults can drop off their kids for the activities.

Shopping

There are several gift shops on board, most of which can be found on deck 3, between the atrium and the Walt Disney Theatre.

Treasures Untold is a shop in this area, and it has Pandora jewelry, Dooney & Bourke bags, and plenty of Cruise Line collectibles.

Mickey’s MainSail (deck 5) is where you’ll find more Cruise Line merchandise, including collections designed just for the Wish.

Head to the upper decks to find swimwear, towels, and other pool essentials.

Salons & Spas

Hook’s Barbery

Hook’s Barbery is a barber shop with decor inspired by the villain in Peter Pan.

Services include cuts, shaves, nail care, and skincare. This spot also has a hidden bar stocked with pre-Prohibition bourbons, vintage whisky and port, aged rum, and premium spirits.

Untangled Salon

The Untangled Salon has decor inspired by Tangled — don’t the curtains look just like Rapunzel’s hair?!

You can book appointments for haircuts, hair styling, manicures and pedicures, teeth whitening, and more here.

The salon treatments do cost extra — they’re not included in the cost of the cruise.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

There are a few Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations on land, but there’s one on the Wish as well! This salon is for kids ages 3 to 12 years old, and it has options to get your hair done like a Disney princess, have your nails and make-up done, and be transformed into a princess, including a gown!

We’ll be updating this post throughout the day, so make sure to stay tuned to DFB for more news and updates.

Click here to see EVERYTHING you need to know about the Disney Wish!

Will you be sailing on the Disney Wish anytime soon? Tell us in the comments!

Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of the Disney Wish. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ