Disney Cruise Line unveils details for Disney Believe, adding an exclusive Encanto musical and a new Frozen dining experience

Disney Cruise Line has released new details for its next ship, Disney Believe, laying out a slate of entertainment and onboard spaces that will be rolled out when the vessel sails for the first time on December 18, 2027. The company said the ship will be built around a theme of belief, with new productions and story-driven venues planned across dining, shows, and adult and family programming.

Disney Believe will depart from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, offering four- and five-night sailings from south Florida to the Caribbean and The Bahamas. The itinerary plans call for stops at one or both of Disney Cruise Line’s island destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Disney also framed the launch as part of a broader expansion of the Disney Cruise Line fleet, which it said will reach 13 ships by late 2030.

The ship will be the fourth vessel in the Wish class, joining Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny. Disney Believe’s “central gathering space,” the Grand Hall, will be designed to capture an architectural meeting of sky and sea, including a statue inspired by Moana, along with visual and material design elements that reference ocean hues and marine-inspired lighting. Disney said the hall will incorporate an ocean-hued carpet with bioluminescent colors and a chandelier modeled after the sea’s fluid movement, with the heart of Te Fiti hidden within.

On the entertainment front, Disney said it will introduce the world’s first stage adaptation of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto, branded as “Disney Encanto,” and debuting exclusively on Disney Believe. The release describes the story as following Mirabel on a quest to save her loved ones and their miraculous home, drawing from diverse Colombian cultural influences in costuming, scenic design, and traditional dance styles. It also cited the inclusion of songs from the film, including “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure,” which are associated with Disney Legend Lin-Manuel Miranda’s work on the original movie.

Disney Believe will also expand its stage lineup with “Tangled: The Musical,” a show that Disney said debuted previously aboard Disney Magic, with a reimagined set design and special effects for the new ship. In addition, Disney said “Disney Seas the Adventure,” an original show for the Wish class featuring Disney and Pixar characters and iconic songs, will round out the Broadway-style productions onboard.

Beyond the Walt Disney Theatre, Disney said an entertainment hub called Gazelle will be inspired by the bustling metropolis from Zootopia. Disney described day programming designed for families, including trivia, games, and immersive character encounters, while nighttime programming will shift toward adult-focused experiences such as silent discos and variety acts. The company also said Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from Zootopia will star in a new family show that will ask guests to help solve the ship’s “latest case.”

Disney’s release highlighted multiple adult-oriented venues and recurring Disney Cruise Line experiences. It said a new restaurant will join the ship alongside two returning venues from the Wish class, while adult-only spaces will include new bar and lounge designs and menus tailored to the ship’s themes. Among the features, Disney described “At Sea Notes,” an iridescent piano lounge inspired by Ariel’s grotto, with an ocean-themed look and a pearlescent piano centerpiece. It also described “Wishing Well,” a centrally located lounge designed with cues from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and “Skygazers,” an observatory-themed pub that includes thematic drinks and the option to watch live sports broadcasts.

The company also said Disney Believe will bring back popular attractions and expand family spaces. AquaMouse, described as a 760-foot-long water ride that brings riders into a Mickey Mouse animated short, will return with Mickey and Minnie embarking on “Port Adventures,” including sequences such as “Swiss Meltdown” and “Sing a Silly Song.” For younger guests, Disney said a Toy Story-themed water area for toddlers and young children will include a splash zone, wading pool, family waterslide, and smoothie bar. Disney said Oceaneer Club and related youth spaces will include programming for children aged 3 to 17, with multiple themed play zones and Disney character activities facilitated by Disney-trained counselors.

Disney did not provide pricing, capacity, or details on when reservations will open, and it did not outline whether the new Encanto stage production and Gazelle programming will be performed on every sailing or on a rotating schedule. The company also did not specify which exact ports beyond the two island destinations will appear on every itinerary variation, focusing instead on the ship’s homeport, sailing length, and overall stop framework.

As Disney Believe moves toward its 2027 launch, the key question for cruisers and industry observers will be how quickly the new entertainment formats scale across the ship’s calendar, especially for an Encanto adaptation positioned as exclusive to the vessel. The next watch items are likely to be reservation timelines, itinerary release cadence for 2027 sailings, and how Disney continues to translate its film and park IP into cruise experiences as the fleet expands toward 13 ships by late 2030.