Like many we were excited when they announced there would be a live stream reveal for the new Disney cruise ship Disney Believe from onboard the Disney Wish. Ideally we would love to have been there in person, who wouldn't want to be? Eagerly we sat notepad in hand ready for the stream to begin. This is what we found out.
First up, her home port and the date of her maiden voyage
The Disney Believe sails her maiden voyage on 18 December 2027. This news made me smile. Could I persuade Mr Disney to sail on the maiden voyage? Her home port will be Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, with a series of short four and five night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. This piqued my interest more.
When you can book
Bookings open in stages, each at 8am US Eastern time, which is 1pm in the UK.
- Pearl Castaway Club: Monday 12 October 2026
- Platinum Castaway Club: Tuesday 13 October 2026
- Gold Castaway Club: Wednesday 14 October 2026
- Silver Castaway Club: Thursday 15 October 2026
- Eligible Disney Vacation Club members and Adventure Insiders: Thursday 15 October 2026
- General public: Monday 19 October 2026
So what was announced during the presentation from onboard the Disney Wish?
The Grand Hall
Moana sings about the place where the sky meets the sea, and that is where the Grand Hall takes us. We love Moana and are so excited to hear that the Grand Hall will be themed around her. She will stand proud at the foot of the flowing staircase, and the concept art shows the hall finished in ocean colours and constellations. The chandelier moves like the sea, with the heart of Te Fiti hidden inside.
Dining
This was something we were very excited to hear about, as we love the show restaurants on the Disney Wish and Treasure (we have yet to sail on the Destiny). The new rotational restaurant is Oaken's Table: A Frozen Family Feast. It is a dinner show set in Oaken's summer house, in a corner of Arendelle we have not seen before, where he is hosting a family reunion with his family band and Queen Anna.
We already know the other two. 1923 and Worlds of Marvel both return, and Worlds of Marvel brings the Groot Remix show from the Treasure and Destiny. Palo Steakhouse and Marceline Market are back as well.
There are two new coffee shops, Cafe Kakamora for Moana and Big Hero Sips for Big Hero 6. Inside Out: Joyful Sweets returns from the Wish with new treats and extra emotions from Inside Out 2, and new figures of Anxiety and Envy will be found in this location.
Bars and lounges
Stargazers is an astronomer's observatory with towering bookshelves and celestial maps, and Jiminy Cricket and Mufasa appear in its night sky. Disney called it a place where grown-up dreamers can dream.
The Wishing Well takes its theme from Snow White. It is a courtyard under a canopy of white blossoms and red apples, and there is an Evil Queen potion on the drinks list. You will find it on deck 3 off the Grand Hall, where The Bayou is on the Wish.
The Haunted Mansion Parlor returns too, with a new selection of drinks. The Believe will be its third ship. We do like the Haunted Mansion Parlor. However, it would have been nice to have a new theme for this ship.
The other bar we were a bit disappointed in was the piano bar. With all the hints of Rapunzel, we had hoped it might become the infamous Snuggly Duckling, with Hook Hand maybe appearing to come and play. Instead it is Sea Notes, themed to Ariel and The Little Mermaid and built around a pearlescent piano from her grotto. As disappointed as we were, the concept art shows this will be another fun, colourful venue.
Shows and entertainment
Encanto is getting its first ever stage adaptation, and it will play only on the Believe. Lin-Manuel Miranda announced it by video. This one we are excited to see, as we do love Encanto.
Tangled joins it in the Walt Disney Theatre. Disney described it as a familiar tale with all new special effects and set designs, and Susan Egan sang a number from it on the night.
Gazelle is a multilevel entertainment hub themed to Zootopia, in the space Luna has on the Wish and Sarabi has on the Treasure. You can meet Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde there and help them solve a case.
The tower suite
The tower suite is themed to Magic Kingdom, with lights styled as the balloons and fireworks of Main Street. It is two storeys with floor to ceiling windows and sleeps around eight. We do love the concept of the tower suite and hope to stay in one some day.
Youth activities
We have a 2319! Everyone who has seen Monsters, Inc. has heard that expression, and having the entrance to the Oceaneer Club themed to Monsters, Inc. sounds very apt indeed. The new entrance is inspired by Monstropolis. It will be interesting to see if there is any other Monsters, Inc. theming once inside the Oceaneer Club.
Our thoughts on the Disney Believe
Disney Cruise Line have come up with a few really great ideas and are also bringing on board some of the fan favourites. With over a year still to go until her maiden voyage, we will be watching closely to see how these concepts go from ideas to reality, and will bring our verdicts as they happen. Will we sail on her? Only time will tell.
