Disney Cruise Line Updates: A First Look at Disney Believe and a New Class of Disney Cruise Line Ships
By Disney Destinations
First Look: Disney Believe Grand Hall and More
Setting sail in late 2027, the Disney Believe promises new one-of-a-kind venue concepts and entertainment experiences that will be shaped by some of Disney’s most beloved stories, including Disney Animation’s “Encanto,” “Frozen,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Moana” and “The Little Mermaid.”
Claire Weiss, Portfolio Executive Creative Director, took to the D23 stage to spotlight new details about the Disney Believe during the event’s highly anticipated Horizons: D23 Disney Experiences Showcase. The announcement included a first look at plans for the ship’s Grand Hall and distinct exterior artwork, including character sculpture models for the ship’s stern and artwork that will be embossed on its bow.
Like its sister ships – the Disney Wish, the Disney Treasure and the Disney Destiny – the Disney Believe’s Grand Hall will serve as a central gathering space for guests, themed to a beloved Disney story. Onboard the Disney Believe, the Grand Hall will be infused with the optimistic spirit of exploration from Disney Animation’s “Moana” films.
A bronze cast statue of Moana, accompanied by her faithful companions Pua and Heihei, will be a focal point inside the venue, gazing proudly toward new horizons. The never-before-seen rendering also hinted at influences from the film’s idyllic South Pacific setting, which will be layered with artisanal Polynesian finishes that honor the cultural traditions of the region.
The whimsical details designed for the Disney Believe’s exterior hull were also unveiled. Following a well-established Disney Cruise Line tradition, each new build, including the Disney Believe, features its own unique character artwork, adding nostalgic touches of Disney magic to every ship.
A new rendering showcased larger-than-life sculptures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear hitching a ride on the Disney Believe’s stern. The dependable duo from Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story” films will appear working together to etch the ship’s name across the back of the vessel with large yellow crayons. In place of the classic looped calligraphy seen stamped across the Disney Cruise Line fleet, Woody and Buzz will opt for playful lettering that mimics the franchise’s famous block-style font.
D23 attendees and livestream viewers also learned that the Disney Believe’s bow will be decorated with a delicate, hand-painted filigree of Tinker Bell as she first appeared in the Walt Disney Animation Studios 1953 classic “Peter Pan.” The spunky fairy will be flanked by the silhouettes of Peter, Wendy, Captain Hook and other characters from the film flying amid the swirling design.
“This ship celebrates belief in magic, family, the power of nature, and belief in yourself,” Claire told the audience. “And all the stories we tell onboard will be tied together by the core Disney notion of believing in something fantastical.”
Disney Cruise Line Shares First Look at New Class of Ships
The Disney Experiences Showcase, Horizons: A Carousel of Progress also provided a sneak peek at the entirely new class of ships Disney Cruise Line will debut in 2029.
Announced during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa back in 2024, Disney Cruise Line is expanding its fleet to 13 over the coming years. The Disney Believe, setting sail in 2027, will be the fourth ship in the Wish class. After that, it’s time for a new story at sea with the launch of three new ships in a brand-new class.
While details are still locked away in a treasure chest, these three ships will introduce an entirely new class to the fleet and occupy a unique place in Disney Cruise Line’s growing lineup. Positioned in size between Disney’s classic ships and its newer vessels, this class opens the door to exciting possibilities for future itineraries and experiences around the globe.
The new ships are “right in the middle of our classic ships and our newer ones. That gives us some amazing opportunities to visit new places and reach brand new audiences we haven’t before.” For those unfamiliar with the size and scale of a Disney Cruise Line ship, that translates to bigger than the Disney Wonder, but smaller than the Disney Wish!
That sweet spot in size gives Disney Cruise Line even more flexibility as it continues to grow around the world, bringing unforgettable vacations to new destinations and welcoming even more families aboard.
