Marvel Roller Coaster & Rides Coming to New Disney Cruise Ship!
Disney Cruise Line is unveiling all-new details about the themed areas aboard the Disney Adventure, which is the colossal ship that is not part of the Wish-class. This shares concept art and details about the Marvel rides, San Fransokyo Street, Wall-E stage show, rotational dining, and much more!
As a reminder, the Disney Adventure is the seventh ship joining the DCL fleet and it’ll be based out of a home port in Singapore starting in 2025. It will join the existing 5 ships plus the Disney Treasure after that sets sail starting in December 2024 along with the upcoming Disney Destiny and all of the other ships announced at D23 that will be added to the fleet between 2028 and 2031.
Beginning in 2025, the one-of-a-kind Disney Adventure will sail three- and four-night cruises from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre for at least five years as part of a collaboration between Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board. Singapore’s strategic location, world-class air connectivity and port infrastructure make it a thriving cruise hub in Southeast Asia, a diverse region that is home to over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Bookings for the Disney Adventure are scheduled to open on December 10, 2024. Details on pricing and sailing dates will be released on November 14, 2024.
“As part of our unprecedented expansion for Disney Cruise Line, we are committed to delivering exceptional experiences that bring our special brand of cruising and the best of Disney storytelling to new guests on new shores,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line. “When the Disney Adventure sets sail in December 2025, guests throughout Southeast Asia will have the opportunity to experience the magic of their favorite Disney, Pixar and Marvel stories, in their very own backyard.”
Disney Cruise Line guests can look forward to an exceptional experience anchored in world-class entertainment, themed dining and artful accommodations. On the Disney Adventure, this magic will come alive through seven uniquely themed areas: Disney Imagination Garden, Toy Story Place, San Fransokyo Street, Town Square, Wayfinder Bay, Disney Discovery Reef and Marvel Landing.
At Marvel Landing, super hero fans will unite for Avengers-level adventures on the upper deck of the Disney Adventure. This heroic zone is a first for the Disney Cruise Line fleet and will celebrate the larger-than-life personalities from the Marvel Universe, including all-new attractions and experiences inspired by favorite Marvel characters, plus a sleek sundeck with an infinity pool and bar for snacks and beverages.
Marvel Landing will honor a wide range of MCU stories and characters through innovative designs decked out in signature Stark-itecture style. The area will be infused with colorful displays and graphic-style murals featuring Iron Man, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel and more.
Three brand-new attractions will be found on Marvel Landing. On Ironcycle Test Run, guests will power up on the first roller coaster on a Disney Cruise Line ship and the longest at sea, at over 820 feet, as they test-drive Tony Stark’s latest Ironcycle prototype on a thrilling high-speed circuit.
The two-seater ride vehicles, fashioned after the iconic red-and-gold Iron Man suits, will offer a rapid-fire driving lesson from Tony Stark’s virtual assistant F.R.I.D.A.Y. Guests will go on a gravity-defying race suspended up to 30 feet above the upper decks of the ship. (Between high demand and low capacity, we’re worried about how long the wait times will be for this, presumably short, roller coaster.)
The Disney Adventure’s most inventive guests will not shrink from the opportunity to experiment with new Pym Technology gadgets on Pym Quantum Racers. Inspired by the action-packed car chase scene in Marvel Studio’s “Ant-Man and The Wasp,” guests will take the wheel of comically outsized toy cars and zip around a full-scale toy set track, navigating a host of giant and tiny obstacles along the way.
Guests will soar above the upper decks of the Disney Adventure as they fly their own Nova Corp Bass Jumper vehicles aboard Groot Galaxy Spin, inspired by Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Riders will lift and drop their vehicles as they spin around, immersed in the vibrant colors and awesome mixtape of classic tunes broadcasted by Groot.
Guests on an urgent mission to relax will power down at Infinity Pool and Bar, the official headquarters for unwinding and refueling between heroic adventures at Marvel Landing. Situated in a prime location at the back of the ship with panoramic ocean views, this stylish retreat will offer hero-worthy snacks and refreshments in a relaxing environment, featuring playful nods to the Infinity Stones embedded in the design.
The Disney Adventure will offer entertainment on an equally epic scale. Expect to encounter unforgettable character meet & greets, dazzling Broadway-style shows, signature events, first-run films, private karaoke rooms, game shows and more.
Sure to make a lasting impression is the all-new stage show, “Remember” debuting at the Walt Disney Theater. A heartfelt tale of love and longing, the show stars Wall-E and Eve along with a colorful supporting cast.
After an unexpected reboot of Eve, Wall-E will call on heroes from Pixar Animation Studio’s “Coco,” Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin,” and other classic films to help restore his loved one through the power of music, hope and treasured memories. (This sounds awesome–great to see Wall-E finally get the love it deserves!)
Go on a hilarious adventure helmed by everyone’s favorite roguish pirate in Captain Jack Sparrow & The Siren Queen. Sing and groove along to classic Disney tunes during Mickey’s Color Spin Dance Party! Get physical with the Baymax Super Exercise Expo. (This was an opening day stage show at Shanghai Disneyland–I can’t believe it’s coming to a cruise ship, of all places.)
A fan-favorite of the fleet, “Disney Seas the Adventure” will also take to the Walt Disney Theater stage, guiding guests on a musical journey through beloved stories featuring iconic Disney songs and characters.
Beyond Broadway-style musicals, Disney Adventure will debut new shows at the state-of-the-art Disney Imagination Garden stage. Set in front of three-deck-high LED screens, the Garden Stage will host an exciting lineup of shows all day long.
With Disney Cruise Line’s signature rotational dining, you’ll have three distinct dining experiences during your voyage. These restaurants will bring the magic of Disney characters and storytelling to every meal.
Offering dinner with a flair, the Navigator’s Club and Hollywood Spotlight Club will recall the traditions and glamour of the golden age with signature entertainment and special appearances by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck.
Enchanted Summer Restaurant will bring the worlds of Disney Animation’s “Tangled” and “Frozen” to life in a cozy village dining hall. In the Maximus dining room, you’ll step into a colorful, hand-painted rendition of “Tangled” while the Olaf dining room will feel like a summer snow day in the kingdom of Arendelle.
At Animator’s Palate and Animator’s Table, the legacy and artistry of Disney and Pixar animated films will set the stage for a magical evening. As you dine, your own drawings will star alongside famous characters in a show-stopping, on-screen animated finale shown throughout the dining rooms.
Pixar Market Restaurant will be a celebration of Pixar films, and is located near Toy Story Place. Each dining area will capture the spirit of one of the studio’s enduring films from “Inside Out” and “Monsters University” to “Turning Red,” “The Incredibles” and more.
The Disney Adventure will also have two premium dining restaurants. Palo Trattoria will serve exquisite Italian fare for adults only.
At the all-new Mike & Sulley’s – Flavors of Asia, you can satisfy your monstrous appetite with four distinct experiences: a full-service Japanese steakhouse, a lively teppanyaki room, a chic bar with Omakase-style dining and outdoor dining featuring sushi and sashimi.
If grabbing a bite or a tasty tea is more your preference, you can visit different quick-service restaurants throughout the ship including Gramma Tala’s Kitchen, Mowgli’s Eatery, Stitch’s ‘Ohana Grill, Cosmic Kebabs and Palo Café.
At Bewitching Boba and Brews in Disney Discovery Reef, popular bubble teas and other wickedly delicious concoctions will be available in a vibrant environment inspired by the ocean’s most sorcerous sea witch, Ursula.
San Fransokyo Street is inspired by the eclectic world of Disney Animation’s “Big Hero 6.” This is a vibrant street market perfect for family entertainment with interactive games and activities, shops, cinemas and more, plus endearing encounters with the larger-than-life Baymax himself.
You’ll be able to put your hero skills to the test in the Hiro Training Zone, an immersive training simulator built by boy genius Hiro Hamada. The active, full-body experience will have groups of four running, dodging and blocking their way across a high-tech gaming floor.
If soaking up the sun is more your style, you’ll find an open-air oasis at Wayfinder Bay. Tucked away at the back of the ship, this relaxing pool area will feature plush seating offering some of the ship’s most stunning views of sea and sky.
Guests of all ages can cool down with a frosty beverage from Voyager Bar or chill out in the wading pool with built-in sun shelf. Paired with a jumbo LED screen, the wading pool will double as a one-of-a-kind performance venue for live shows and interactive events including “Moana: Call of the Sea,” a musical adventure that retells Moana’s epic quest across the ocean.
A world of possibilities will await the youngest guests onboard the Disney Adventure. Disney Cruise Line’s signature spaces for kids from six months to 17-years-old – including it’s a small world nursery, Disney’s Oceaneer Club, Edge and Vibe – will bring their favorite stories to life in dedicated areas designed just for them.
With plenty of space for play, storytelling, creativity, arts and crafts, gaming, watching movies and, of course, meeting their favorite Disney characters, kids can learn, explore and make memories of their own all while under the supervision of Disney-trained counselors.
On the upper decks, Toy Story Place will take kids “to infinity and beyond” in a colorful, larger-than-life toy land with a large family pool, whirlpools, slides, splash pads and dining options, plus outdoor screenings of Disney movies, trivia and more.
When it’s time to take a break during a busy day onboard, adults can retreat to a selection of different spaces – from relaxing with a treatment at the spa, practicing yoga or grabbing a juice at the Fitness Center, or enjoying an intimate dinner at one of the ship’s premium restaurants.
Throughout the ship adults will also find lively bars and lounges including the Buccaneer Bar, where a swashbuckling good time will await thanks to a collection of high-end brews and live sports broadcasts, and Spellbound, a shadowy lounge inspired by the Queen from Disney Animation’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” serving up delicious potions and cocktails.
Turning to commentary, we’ll once again start by reiterating that the Disney Adventure is the former Global Dream, which former CEO Bob Chapek acquired for $40 million when the ship’s previous owner filed for bankruptcy before completing the vessel.
Disney was rumored to be the only interested buyer after negotiations with two other parties failed. This gave Disney complete leverage, with the insolvency manager’s choices being Disney or selling the ship for scrap metal. There was reportedly resistance to the latter route, as it hurt morale at the shipyard.
Long story short, Disney got the ship for a song and is now investing roughly $1 billion to reimagine the interior into something properly themed and befitting of the Disney brand. We’re now seeing the fruits of that, and even though it’s still early, I’ve gotta say that I’m impressed.
Continuing along, I want to reiterate and double-down on my first impressions of the Adventure: from what we’ve seen so far, I like it more than the Wish-class ships, which feel a bit tired. Like they’re committed to the formula of the legacy ships, but are trying to reinvent the wheel in ways that (for me at least) simply makes them look like cheap knockoffs of their clearly superior predecessors. By contrast, this is totally fresh, and all the better for it.
Sometimes, Imagineers do their best work when forced to work within certain parameters, getting creative and solving problems along the way, rather than being given a blank slate. We’ve seen this in the past with certain ‘against-all-odds’ ride reimaginings, and now it appears they’re doing more than just making lemonade out of lemons with the colossal Global Dream, which was very much an “un-Disney” cruise ship as originally envisioned.
With that said, the jury is obviously still out until we see the Disney Adventure in person. The ginormous ships offered by offered cruise lines do absolutely nothing for me–they give me modern day Titanic vibes. (And, it should go without saying, but not in a good way.) There’s the possibility that the Adventure will have that vibe to it; or that the rides will feel cheap, ostentatious, and without redeeming merit; that the fit and finishings feel cheap and out of place–not on the same level as the concept art.
Whatever the case, I’m really looking forward to the rest of the Disney Adventure unveil. It’s fresh and exciting, and hopefully it goes on to inspire Disney Cruise Line and Imagineering to think outside the box for all of those ships they’ve committed to between 2028 and 2031.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Thoughts on this sneak peek of the Disney Adventure? Does this seventh ship interest you, or is being based out of Singapore a non-starter? What do you think about the company acquiring the partially-completed Global Dream ship and transforming it into the Disney Adventure? Think this is a good addition to the fleet or at-odds with the existing ships? Confident that Imagineering can transform this into a ‘Distinctly Disney’ (Cruise Line) ship, or think it’ll stick out from the rest? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I was a bit bummed to read “out of Singapore”…doesn’t mean 100% non-starter, but it certainly makes it more difficult. Do I fly half way around the world to board a special Ironcycle? Super cool but there needs to be more…
OMG, OMG, OMG. Should not have read this before bedtime. I am bursting with excitement. We will be booking for Dec 2025 on opening day! My biggest concern is there’s no way we can enjoy everything in 3 or 4 days, but my kids have never seen Singapore or SE Asia and it’s really hard to justify a week of DCL when there are so many opportunities for cultural enrichment (and relaxing beach days) in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
This ship look staggeringly beautiful. Thought this was going to be disney lite cruise but looks like they are going all out and it will be the best ship in the fleet.
However, I just cant see how the economics stacks up. Singapore is a tiny country of only 6 million people. It does get 13 million tourists a year but even when you add all those people thats still only 19 million. It doesnt seem enough people to justify a full year of a ship the disney wonder size let alone one that is three times as big at disney prices. Outside school holiday season after the first 6 months on those 4 day weekday cruises (assuming the 3 days are over a weekend) I think the ship will be a deserted ghost town. They surely are going to have to change the itineraries and and make this regulalry do 7 plus day trips throughout asia with ports to get enough people outside school season.
Based on the media event in Singapore where they announced this information last month–where the invited press and influencers came from all over Asia–they are aiming to bring people to Singapore from all over the continent. Plus, since this is in partnership with the Singapore tourism board, I assume the goal is to bring significantly more tourists into the company by enticing them with this cruise, rather than simply relying on the number of tourists who are currently visiting Singapore. (After all, there are many diehard Disney fans who have been to Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Shanghai, but they never would have gone without the presence of Disney in those locations.)
Excited to have a ship in Singapore. I didn’t know until I read your article that this ship was not started by Disney. Interesting. Also it seems like marketing is heavy on destiny with barely a word.
That sounds great, and I agree I’m more excited about that the Wish class. I think a trip to Singapore, with the obvious flight stopover from where I live in Tokyo… :), will be in my future.
I’ve always been surprised they’ve never done rides on DCL – it seems like an obvious thing to leverage as “free unlimited Disney rides” would almost certainly allow them to push the price point of the cruises. Obviously the catch is the rides have to be decent quality or it damages the brand. Personally, I was hoping they’d use some of that cavernous casino space they don’t need for a simulator type ride, which can be inside and doesn’t take up too much room.
Something like Star Tours, or (even better) a modified version of WEB Slingers (less moving around to reduce space required).
Still, even without the top deck rides this sounds great and I’d like to try it.