What Should We Expect on the Disney Believe?
In a few days, the Walt Disney Company will reveal new details about the next ship in its fleet.
So, what should we expect Disney to announce about the Disney Believe?
Here’s What We Already Know
At the 2024 D23 Expo, Josh D’Amaro, then the Chairman of Disney Experiences, revealed a deeper commitment to Disney Cruise Line.
D’Amaro promised a dramatic escalation in the number of ships in the fleet. By 2031, the company will own and operate 13 vessels.
Photo: Disney
Disney also confirmed a fourth ship in the Wish class, which was something of a surprise. At the time, we’d believed that the Disney Destiny would become the final Wish class vessel.
We’ve since learned that the Disney Believe will follow in 2027.
Photo: Disney
Disney has thoughtfully invited MickeyTravels and several others to a reveal party for its next ship. From October 5th – 9th, the Disney Wish will host invited guests on a sailing that will reveal new details about the Disney Believe.
We already know some of the basics, though.
Photo: Natasha Rafalski on LinkedIn
Since it’s a Wish class ship, it should host 4,000 passengers across 1,254 staterooms. The ship will also measure 1,119 feet long and likely weigh at least 144,000 gross tons.
Obviously, the numbers have a touch of wiggle room, but that’s how the Wish class has operated thus far.
Disney Believe
Disney has already revealed that Moana will hold court in the Grand Hall. She will appear as the Grand Hall statue, and she’ll be joined by Hei Hei and Pua.
Photo: Disney
Meanwhile, Tinkerbell will anchor the bow of the ship, and Woody and Buzz will do toy things on the stern.
Beyond that, the Disney Believe largely remains a mystery.
Photo: Disney
So, let’s speculate about the upcoming announcements.
Staples of Wish Class Ships
Since Disney has already designed three Wish class ships, we know some of the features found on all of them. For starters, the Believe will host three rotational dining restaurants, plus a pair of fine dining staples.
I fully expect Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement to be paid dining options. If not, Disney will sub them out for something similarly upscale.
Palo Dinner – Disney Fantasy
We can also safely expect one or both of 1923 and Worlds of Marvel, as the other Wish class ships feature each one. The mystery involves the third rotational restaurant option, the one that includes dinner and a show.
Thus far, Disney has offered shows based on Coco, Frozen, and The Lion King.
Plaza de Coco
A couple of obvious options for the Believe are Moana, due to the Grand Hall, and Tangled, because of the upcoming live-action remake.
However, Disney could just as easily do something less expected, like Beauty and the Beast. I think we may get a sneak preview of this dining experience on the media cruise.
Photo: Disney
Similarly, each Disney cruise offers a trio of Broadway-quality shows. My family and I were just lucky enough to see Disney Hercules for the first time.
This state-of-the-art presentation features a giant sea serpent that I can’t believe someone built for a Disney cruise. Presumably, this show is the bar the Believe must clear with its high-profile show.
Photo: Disney
I won’t bother to guess which of Disney’s 60+ stories it will select as the anchor production. However, I fully expect Disney The Tale of Moana to be one of the other options.
Photo: Matt Stroshane/Disney
The Quick Service restaurant will almost assuredly be another Marceline Market, and I’d expect a few outdoor dining options in this category, too.
What Else Should You Expect?
Disney has yet to announce the theme, but they describe it as a celebration of “belief in magic, family, the power of nature, and belief in yourself.”
The company previously described the Believe’s design as “promises and possibilities.”
Photo: Disney
Whether that’s the theme of the ship remains a topic that Disney should clarify during the media event. Disney promises experiences featuring “Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars,” celebrated in “new and exciting ways.”
Based on its success on the Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny, I expect a Haunted Mansion Parlor on this ship.
Disney
Similarly, Disney should offer experiences akin to Periscope Pub, The Sanctum, and Skipper Society. So, pick your favorite theme park attraction and speculate whether it’ll get a bar on the Disney Believe.
Cask and Cannon
I’ve seen online speculation about the Beak and the Barrel as a possibility, but Disney has already done that with the Cask and the Cannon, so I don’t necessarily buy it. What’s clear is that fans adore these unique cruise engagements, as I personally witnessed a couple of weeks ago.
People lined up for hours ahead of time for De Vil’s and Dr. Facilier’s Parlor.
DeVil’s
As such, Disney should be all in on this concept for the Disney Believe.
I have no idea which franchise/characters they’ll choose, but if it’s anything like Cruella, it’ll be wildly popular.
Other Expected Announcements
Lately, Disney has utilized Fort Lauderdale as a second main port in Florida. While online speculation has raised the possibility of a Galveston, Texas, home port, the more likely scenarios are Port Everglades and Port Canaveral.
Presumably, Disney will confirm which one in a few days.
Port Canaveral
Along those lines, the company may reveal the exact dates for the maiden voyage. Then again, I’d understand Disney being gun-shy after it missed its target date for the Disney Adventure.
That’s not the only recent example of this happening, either.
Photo: Disney Adventure
So, it’s possible the company may wait until it’s sure the ship is ready before announcing cruise dates. I expect confirmation, though. After all, we already know some Disney Cruise Line itineraries for 2028.
Generally, Disney has stuck with basic three- to five-day itineraries for its newest ships, at least initially. I’d expect confirmation of primarily sailings to the Bahamas as the initial offerings.
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
Disney will also provide details about the Oceaneer Club and other children’s activities. Oh, and fancy suites have become a thing on the Wish class ships.
Disney has already done Iron Man and Spaceship Earth, so it’ll be fun to see what’s next.
Oceaneer Club
Finally, you should expect a bunch of Disney Believe merchandise reveals, and I’ve got good news on this front. I sailed on the Destiny almost exactly nine months after its maiden voyage, yet it still had plenty of inaugural voyage items.
So, what excitement do you think is in store for the Disney Believe?
Tune into MickeyBlog from October 5th through October 9th to learn more about the next gorgeous ship in Disney’s fleet.
