Disney is pulling out all the stops creating magical experiences for all ages on board their newest cruise ship, the Disney Wish, which debuts with itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Bahamas in June 2022. Indeed, there are some adult-only spaces that have us thoroughly enchanted, from Nightingale’s piano bar to Senses Spa to an infinity pool oasis just for grown-ups.
However, it’s the kids’ spaces on the Disney Wish ship that have been truly elevated with brand-new, never-seen-before interactive activities. Disney’s Oceaneer Club for ages 3 to 12 is introducing themed adventures featuring Star Wars and Frozen characters, as well as Marvel superheroes that will have kiddos entertained and enthralled for hours.
Here’s the scoop on what’s new in the Disney Wish Oceaneer Club, as well as other kid-centric areas and experiences onboard:
1. Star Wars: Cargo Bay
In a totally immersive experience in the Oceaneer Club, children will be charged with transporting a “menagerie of exotic beings… including a porg, Loth-cat, worrt, and more” across the Star Wars galaxy, notes the Disney Parks Blog. As handlers, they’ll not only study the life-like creatures but they’ll also have to deliver Rey and Chewbacca back to the Resistance!
2. Fairytale Hall
Kiddos who adore all things princess will have a ball interacting with their favorite Disney characters in the Oceaneer Club. They can create floating lanterns in Rapunzel’s Art Studio, act out stories in Belle’s Library, and create ice magic at Anna & Elsa’s Sommerhus.
3. Marvel Super Hero Academy
Kids suit up and battle the bad guys alongside Spider-Man, Black Panther, Ant-Man, and the Wasp in the Oceaneer Club. They’ll even learn how to “create and test their own Pym Particles, the technology that allows heroes to shrink and grow objects (and themselves),” reports the Disney Parks Blog.
4. Walt Disney Imagineering Lab
The creative people who design Disney attractions are called “Imagineers.” In the Oceaneer Club, kids can be Imagineers for the day by designing their own roller coaster, along with the likes of Big Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain, and then actually climb aboard to ride it.
5. Snuggly Duckling Scavenger Hunt
There’s still more fun when the hub of Disney’s Oceaneer Club transforms into the Snuggly Duckling tavern from Tangled. Here, kiddos work together with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider to find the missing pieces of the Snuggly Duckling sign.
6. Mickey & Minnie Captain’s Deck
Disney’s Oceaneer Club is open to kids ages 3 to 12. But activities for 12-year-olds aren’t necessarily appropriate or engaging for 3-year-olds. That’s why Disney created the Mickey & Minnie Captain’s Deck for the littlest cruisers. It’s a nautical playground with slides, crawl-throughs, and busy boxes designed like ship controls. Sounds like Mickey and Minnie will also make surprise appearances there!
At certain points on the voyage, reports the Disney Parks Blog, this colorful play space will be open to families for group play, as well as the toddlers from “it’s a small world” Nursery (which is for ages 6 months to 3 years).
7. Edge For Ages 11 To 14
Tweens and teens are definitely not left out of the action on the Disney Wish cruise ship. At Edge, tweens can hang out in a space inspired by a New York City loft, says the Disney Parks Blog. Here they can make new friends while playing video games, snapping pictures in front of colorful photo walls, and enjoying other age-appropriate programming under the eye of friendly counselors.
8. Vibe For Ages 14 To 17
Similarly, older teens have their own activities and events at Vibe, which is inspired by a worldy Parisian artists’ loft. The Disney Parks Blog says, “The décor will feature an electric retro twist, with vibrant neon signs and funky pop art throughout, accentuated by a larger-than-life, brightly painted Mickey Mouse statue” — more selfie scenes!
9. The Hideaway For Tweens, Teens, Young Adults
Brand new for Disney cruise ships, The Hideaway is a flexible, more sophisticated space adjacent to Vibe, designed to encourage not only relaxing among new friends, but also dancing and karaoke under disco ball lights. The area will be open for different age groups — tweens, teens, or even young adults ages 18 to 20 — for optimal interactions and programming, plus a whole lot of fun.
Still More Fun For The Whole Family
It wouldn’t be a Disney cruise without exciting, interactive adventures the entire family can enjoy together. Here’s just a peek at some of the imaginative entertainment:
- Disney Uncharted Adventure: Using high-tech augmented reality and physical effects, guests journey with their favorite characters throughout the cruise, using a smartphone as an “enchanted spyglass” to find fragments of a Wishing Star.
- AquaMouse: This water slide features 760 feet of twisting tubes that are accompanied by animated Mickey Mouse scenes, music, lighting, and special effects, not to mention breathtaking views of the ocean below.
- Toy Story Splash Zone: This water-play area has larger-than-life bath toys to climb on, plus a Slide-a-saurus Rex family slide.
- Hero Zone: A recreation space features game-show-style competitions on a sports court and playground.
- Walt Disney Theatre: Live entertainment here includes Broadway-style shows, including Disney’s Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular as well as two new original productions.
- Luna: This entertainment venue showcases live music, comedy acts, and family game shows by day, and “elegant entertainment” by night.
Immersive Dining Experiences
Finally, dinnertime is funtime on the Disney Wish, as children can interact with some of their favorite characters at these dining venues:
- Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure: Norwegian-inspired cuisine is on the menu here, where guests are entertained by musical performances from Elsa and Olaf.
- World of Marvel: Ant-Man and the Wasp make appearances while cruisers enjoy dishes from a worldly menu including classic American fare and African flavors.
