Disney Believe Cruise Ship’s Exclusive Additions & Returning Fan-Favorites, Booking Dates & New Details

Disney Cruise Line has pulled back the curtain on the fleet’s next new ship, the Disney Believe. Here’s everything you need to know about the confirmed new and returning venues, entertainment, dining, along with previously unannounced details about some of the new additions that DCL shared with DTB. Plus, our verdict on the reveal and why Believe strikes us as a “best of” ship.

Let’s start with the basics. The Disney Believe sets sail for its maiden voyage on December 18, 2027 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Bookings open to the general public on October 19, 2026, and before that, for pre-sales pursuant to the following schedule:

  • Monday, October 12, 2026: Pearl Castaway Club Members
  • Tuesday, October 13, 2026: Platinum Castaway Club Members, Golden Oak and Walt Disney World Club 33 Members
  • Wednesday, October 14, 2026: Gold Castaway Club Members
  • Thursday, October 15, 2026: Silver Castaway Club Members, Disney Vacation Club Members and Adventures by Disney Insiders
  • Monday, October 19, 2026: General public bookings open

If you’re interested in booking the Believe for opening season, we recommend working with Be Our Guest Vacations, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner in advance. Be Our Guest Vacations is our preferred travel agency, and they have many agents with extensive cruise experience and expertise.

The Disney Believe will offer four- and five-night sailings from south Florida to the Caribbean and The Bahamas, making stops at one or both of Disney Cruise Line’s island destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Disney Believe will be the fourth in the Wish class, joining its sister ships Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny.

Before digging into new details about the Disney Believe, let’s start with a rundown of the many popular venues and experiences aboard the Disney Believe that are being ported over from other Triton class ships, including the following:

  • Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party
  • Hero Zone
  • Disney Uncharted Adventure
  • Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas
  • 1923
  • Inside Out: Joyful Sweets (Plus new “Inside Out 2” statues)
  • Worlds of Marvel (“Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix”)
  • Haunted Mansion Parlor
  • Palo Steakhouse
  • Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement
  • The Rose Lounge
  • Quiet Cove (adults area)
  • Toy Story water play area
  • Aquamo
  • Senses Spa and Senses Fitness
  • Untangled Salon
  • Hook’s Barbery
  • It’s a Small World Nursery
  • Edge (tweens club)
  • Vibe (teens club)
  • The Hideaway (hip hangout for older kids)

Now, let’s turn to what’s new and notable aboard the Disney Believe…

Grand Hall

The Disney Believe’s central gathering space will embrace the spirit of exploration and the power of nature with an architectural meeting of the sky and sea as a statue of Moana, along with her trusty companions Pua and Heihei, guide visitors on their upcoming voyage.

This heart of the ship will incorporate influences from the film’s Pacific Islands setting and design elements inspired by the sea itself, including an ocean-hued carpet adorned with bioluminescent colors, and a chandelier modeled after the sea’s fluid movement with the heart of Te Fiti hidden within.

Also revealed are two Story Sea-kers who will inhabit this (and other) spaces aboard the Disney Believe: Percival and Professor Philomena. Percival and Professor Philomena are counterparts to Sage and Coriander aboard the Disney Treasure, which are the storytelling heart and soul of that ship.

Percival is a self-certified scholar and amateur stargazer, and Professor Philomena is a plant-ologist and nature empath. They’re pictured in the Grand Hall concept art above, but you’ll find them throughout the Believe. We’re very pleased to see the ‘Story Sea-kers’ become their own thing that’s part of every new ship.

Disney Cruise Line separately shared with DTB that there will be constellations in the ceiling via fiber optic lighting, and other lighting effects that’ll be utilized for character encounters similar to the Disney Destiny.

If you’re wondering why the new concept art doesn’t emphasize the chandelier or lighting, expect to see more on the Grand Hall revealed at a later date, likely as part of an entertainment showcase. In looking back at the Destiny, that came after the ship’s big reveal.

It’s our expectation that the Grand Hall will draw inspiration and share some stylistic bloodlines with Aulani. The architectural and design details obviously won’t be identical or anything close to it, but you should be able to spot Aulani’s influence on the Grand Hall.

The Moana connection will also extend beyond the statue, with the character’s skirt inspiring the furnishings throughout the space. Meanwhile, the ocean-inspired carpet will continue flowing all the way to Sea Notes…

Sea Notes

At Sea Notes, guests will venture into an iridescent piano lounge inspired by Ariel’s grotto. Chic and contemporary design blends with whimsical artistry from the beloved Disney Animation film, “The Little Mermaid.”

The centerpiece of the Sea Notes space is a pearlescent piano, one of the forgotten treasures from Ariel’s secret grotto. Patrons will enjoy nostalgic melodies while sipping from a menu of handcrafted cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.

There are two drinks here that are sure to be crowd pleasers. Both served in an opulent seashell-inspired glass, the Sea Salt Martini is made with Mermaid Sea Salt Vodka, whereas the non-alcoholic Under the Seaweed features Lyre’s Tequila Alternative.

Sea Notes should offer a smooth transition from the Grand Hall, and has the potential to follow the formula of De Vil’s Lounge aboard the Disney Destiny. This venue has promise, especially if there ends up being an occasional spontaneous character component to complement the pianist. Already, the space looks elegant and oceanic.

Wishing Well

Adults will step into a vintage storybook at Wishing Well, a centrally located gathering space inspired by Walt Disney Animation’s 1937 film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

Guests will be invited into an enchanting castle courtyard under a canopy of white blossoms and red apples, with furnishings draped in the colors of Snow White’s gown, and hand-carved wood framing on the stage that will nod to the Seven Dwarfs cottage.

The ornate bar, featuring a beautiful stained glass art piece, will evoke a gothic castle. The lounge will host a variety of activities and feature live musical performances to enjoy while serving up a selection of mocktails, cocktails, spirits, and coffees.

We were told that the design intent of Wishing Well is to tell the complete story of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” from the entrance to the seating area to the bar itself. Imagineers felt it important for the 1937 film to have a prominent presence aboard the Believe, as Walt Disney’s strong belief in the story inspired him to take a huge risk making the movie. Of course, Walt was fully vindicated (and then some), and that success ultimately helped build the company into what it is today.

Skygazers

Skygazers will be a venue where time stands still. Within this magical observatory-themed pub, dreamers and wish-makers will gather beneath the story-filled evening sky.

Towering bookshelves, astronomical instruments and celestial maps, including props and nods to classic Disney stories, will adorn the walls of this astronomer’s laboratory. Perfect for viewing live sports broadcasts or lively conversation, guests will sample from a themed menu of custom-made craft brews, specialty cocktails and light bites.

With its theme, dark woods and rich colors, Skygazers sounds to me like something straight out of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers. Disney Cruise Line has confirmed no such SEA integration, but here’s hoping. The space as described evokes Fortress Explorations at Tokyo DisneySea, which is the birthplace of SEA.

Oaken’s Table: A Frozen Family Feast

Everyone has a seat at Oaken’s Table: A Frozen Family Feast, a brand-new, untold chapter in the “Frozen” story featuring favorite characters like Oaken, Anna and Kristoff. Set in a sommerhus courtyard deep within the forest, Oaken and his family will invite guests to dine together while enjoying the musical stylings of his cousins, who will play their own reimagined renditions of famous tunes from the popular “Frozen” soundtracks.

Oaken’s Table: A Frozen Family Feast was the biggest question mark for me after the Believe reveal, so I spoke with Disney Cruise Line representatives, who shared a lot more about the space. First and foremost, this is not a clone of Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. That much seems apparent based on the name and description, but I was nevertheless curious about just how much daylight there is between the two.

As it turns out, a lot. This is better viewed as a sequel to Arendelle as opposed to a clone. Oaken’s Table is essentially a family reunion, revolving around humor and rowdiness, as opposed to the more princess-centric Arendelle production. Oaken’s Table features the titular character and his three cousins, and will feature remixes of Frozen songs in a more punk-esque style.

Guests will enter Oaken’s Table through an enchanted forest, heading deeper into the woods until emerging in an open courtyard. The show is set in summer time, and is not related to Frozen 3; consider it a separate side story. While it’s far from Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Sea, it does have that same general ethos to it.

Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure is our favorite of the entertainment dining venues aboard the Wish-class ships. After experiencing it again last night, I was reminded just how excellent it is (not that I needed a reminder), and found myself thinking: I want more of this.

More specifically, I was reminded that the highlight of that show is the segment performed by Oaken and Kristoff, which is downright hilarious (and when the most cameras come out). I definitely want more of that humor and heart, and if Oaken’s Table can deliver on that, it’ll be a win.

Encanto Broadway Style Stage Show

“Disney Encanto” will debut exclusively on the Disney Believe, adapting the Academy Award-winning Walt Disney Animation Studios film for the Walt Disney Theatre stage.

Following Mirabel on a quest to save her loved ones and their miraculous home, this production is inspired by diverse Colombian cultures with vibrant costuming, creative scenic design and joyful, traditional dance styles, along with Disney Legend Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hits from the movie like “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure.”

Expect “Encanto” to basically follow the formula of “Moana” aboard the Disney Treasure in terms of cultural authenticity, staging, and signature set pieces. Stay tuned for more on this when it comes time for the entertainment showcase, but even as of the big Believe reveal, this is easily the frontrunner for best addition aboard the new ship.

A hit show from the Disney Magic, “Tangled: The Musical” joins the theatrical lineup on the Disney Believe with a reimagined set design and special effects exclusive to the new ship. The story and script will remain the same for “Tangled: The Musical,” but it’ll receive technology and set upgrades to take advantage of the larger, modern theater aboard the Triton class.

“Disney Seas the Adventure,” an original show for the Wish class featuring beloved Disney and Pixar characters and iconic songs, rounds out the Broadway-style shows coming to the Disney Believe.

Zootopia Entertainment Hub

Beyond the Walt Disney Theatre, guests will discover Gazelle, an entertainment hub inspired by the bustling metropolis from Disney Animation’s “Zootopia” films. For those who are unfamiliar with this ‘entertainment hub,’ it’s a two-story multi-purpose venue located just off the ship’s midship area, near the cinemas and Skygazers Pub. Gazelle is in the same space as Luna aboard the Disney Wish.

By day, Gazelle will be home to a variety of fun for families, such as trivia, games and immersive character encounters, but as nighttime comes around, cruisers can try everything with adult-exclusive entertainment, silent discos and variety acts. Percival and Professor Philomena will host a show that should rival those aboard the Treasure and Destiny.

For the first time onboard Disney Cruise Line, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from “Zootopia” will star in a new family show that will ask guests to help them solve their latest case. The interactive experience is the evolution on the Maleficent meet-and-play experience inside Saga aboard the Disney Destiny, or the Dr. Facilier encounter on a larger scale.

New Believe Cafes

Two new cafes, Big Hero Sips and Café Kakamora, will debut onboard the Disney Believe, both featuring a delicious array of coffee, tea and specialty beverages. (Same space from the Treasure pictured above.)

Big Hero Sips will be a warm and inviting coffee shop inspired by San Fransokyo from Disney Animation’s “Big Hero 6.” Café Kakamora, named after the curious piratical coconut creatures that are both friend and foe to Moana, will draw inspiration from the storied island of Motunui.

I’m fairly indifferent to the themes of these cafes; I just care that they look classy and feature fun character integrations. There’s the potential for both to do exactly that, and Big Hero Sips gets the DTB stamp of approval for the name alone. Disney needs to lean back into puns like this; they’re a lot of fun.

Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods Changes

Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods will return to the upper deck as an open-air food court with themed food stalls, including barbeque, cantina bowls and salads, pizza, burgers and soft-serve ice cream.

Exclusively on the Disney Believe, hungry cruisers will be able to try the brand-new Pluto’s Pita Platters, which will join the tasty lineup of food stalls with a Mediterranean-inspired menu bursting with flavorful culinary treats, including mouthwatering kebabs and pitas with an assortment of garnishes and dips.

Pluto’s Pita Platters takes over half of the space from Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue, which has two ordering bays on the other Triton/Wish-class ships. It’s our understanding that Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue has seen its popularity decrease (which we’ve also observed–it’s often the least busy of the bunch now) and Disney has determined it doesn’t need double the capacity. We view more variety as a win, especially as big fans of Mediterranean cuisine. DCL could use some lighter options to help offset the dozen soft serve cones I consume per day.

Oceaneer Club Changes

As is the case with the other Wish-class ships, there will continue to be the same set spaces for different ages of kids and young adults. Our focus here is the Oceaneer Club, where little cruisers will enter one of five areas: Marvel Super Hero Academy, Fairytale Hall, Star Wars: Cargo Bay, Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, and Mickey and Minnie’s Captain’s Deck.

Exclusive to the Disney Believe, the entrance to Disney’s Oceaneer Club will be themed to “Monsters, Inc.,” featuring caution tape with the iconic “Caution: 2319” warning, which signals a monster’s contact with a human item, and even a figure of Mike Wazowski himself with his laugh canister.

Believe Staterooms

Aboard the Disney Believe, the staterooms will feature new papercut-style artwork inspired by Disney stories like “Moana,” “Coco” and “The Lion King” and more. We had the chance to get an up-close look at these, and they’re all fantastic. My personal favorite is “Toy Story,” which looks like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad meets Toy Story Mania at first glance. “Zootopia” is another really good one.

As can be expected of the modern staterooms aboard Disney Cruise Line, they’ll all feature ample storage, with most also having the signature split-bath concept, roomy closets and elevated bed frames with generous under-bed space. Most staterooms include a sweeping view of the ocean, with 70% including a spacious verandah and more than 450 connecting doors to accommodate larger families.

There will also be a Concierge Lounge offering a premium level of dedicated service and exclusive access to areas and amenities over the course of their sailing. Four royal suites offer extravagant details, upscale furnishings and first-class amenities. Finally, the Believe Tower Suite purports to draw inspiration from the Magic Kingdom.

Believe Reveal Verdict

Ultimately, the Disney Believe strikes me as the “greatest hits” ship of the Triton-class. Whether that’s a good or bad thing probably depends upon your perspective. If you’re reading this and are a DCL diehard, there’s a decent chance you were hoping for more originality, unique venues, and deviations from the existing trio of ships.

While I’m told there are still more surprises to come and ways that differentiation will be achieved, along with iterative improvements that should address some top fan complaints about the Wish class, there’s also undeniably a lot of overlap. I was personally hoping for more brand-new venues and experiences, especially given the gap in development and the clear direction the parks have gone in moving away from clones.

On the other hand, if you’re a first-timer or primarily a parks person who wants to dip your toes into the Disney Cruise Line world, the Disney Believe might sound fantastic. From my perspective, this essentially plucks the best ideas from the Wish, which is my least favorite ship in the fleet (although I’ll admit it’s grown on me with each subsequent sailing–and Halloween on the High Seas helped tremendously), and puts them into the superior template of the Treasure.

At least on paper, almost everything about the Disney Believe sounds to me like the spiritual successor to the Treasure, retaining its best ideas and borrowing from the Wish. Obviously it’s still early, but the ship has the potential to supplant the Treasure as our personal favorite in the fleet. There are also still surprises to come, and although I have zero inside information (no one would tell me anything despite how many times I asked), I’m still not convinced Haunted Mansion Holiday Parlor is off the table.

If Disney gets the Grand Hall, Oaken’s Table, Skygazers, Wishing Well, and Sea Notes right (I’m just going to assume Encanto will be amazing as the last two ships have given me no reason to expect otherwise), the Disney Believe has the potential to be both a ‘best of’ ship and one that brings enough originality to the fleet to convince repeat cruisers that it’s a must-do ship.

Planning to set sail aboard one of the DCL ships? Read our comprehensive Disney Cruise Line Guide to prepare for your voyage, plus plan entertainment, activities & excursions, and learn what to expect from your Disney cruise! For personalized planning & recommendations, click here to get a cruise quote from Be Our Guest Vacations, a fee free Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. They can find you all of the current discounts, and help you plan the details of your cruise!

Your Thoughts

What do you think of the Disney Believe reveal? Excited for the Grand Hall, Gazelle, Oaken’s Table, Skygazers, Wishing Well, Sea Notes, or anything else? Disappointed about the clones, or pleased with the idea of a ‘greatest hits’ ship of Wish-class highlights? Agree or disagree with our assessment? Any other thoughts or ideas about this? If you have questions or thoughts, please share them below and we’ll try to respond!

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4 Comments

  1. I’m excited for it. It was never going to be a revolutionary change, and taking whats worked on other ships and adding new items makes sense.

  2. I am not too convinced by the theme ; it sounds like a mix and match of individual venues with little in common. And what’s the point of Haunted Mansion for the theme ??

    It is a bit uninspired for me. Maybe they ran out of ideas but that doesn’t sound right. There are tons of “on theme” ideas… si I guess it was a process of validation ?

    Otherwise you find it funny you categorise pita as an healthy or light option !

  3. We saw the live reveal! Exciting! Going in The Treasure in January. When Susan walked thru audience singing, did we see you and your daughter in audience a little ways back?! So exciting

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