Disney is in its era of villains with the new Disney Destiny. Here are 6 cool things you’ll only find on this new ship

What if you didn’t just line up to meet Disney heroes and villains for a quick photo or watch them do a little show on stage, but instead you They became part of their story… or perhaps more accurately, they became part of yours?

Disney Destiny is pretty much everything you may already know and love about Disney Cruise Line, including its options. rotating dining roomcalls to Disney island destinations in the Bahamas and photos with traditional characters like Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale and all their friends.

However, after having the opportunity to participate in the three-night media preview cruise for Disney Destiny, I’d say it’s partly something else as well.

The onboard experience is not only immersive, but also interactive, in a way that almost harkens back to the experience aboard a short-duration ship, but nonetheless unique and exceptional. Star Wars Starcruiser Experiencewhere you lived the story. This is simply on a more scalable and less intense level.

Here are my first impressions of Disney’s newest addition to the fleet, Disney Destiny, and things you can only find on this ship that aren’t replicated on any of Disney Cruise Line’s other six ships.

The villains are (mostly) in charge

From the planned park expansion to this ship deals, Disney is in its villain era and I’m here for it.

In Disney’s WishCinderella, the first of three newest ships set to debut in 2022, is firmly the queen of the ball, with everything from the glass slipper in the atrium to the color palette of the decor and much of the artwork; It is a beautiful ship built for a princess.

But unlike all the other Disney ships that lean more towards princesses, Mickey or Minnie, Disney Destiny is charming in a different way.

It’s a ship that villains can comfortably call home in a variety of spaces and interactions, and I’d say this is one of the things that makes this ship incredibly unique.

You can watch Maleficent cast fire spells, Cruella criticize your fashion choices, see Dr. Facilier perform parlor tricks, watch Loki take over the ship, and much more. For my older kids and I, this is exactly the kind of slightly edgier Disney entertainment that makes the most sense for our age of not-so-little kids.

Lion King Festival in the Pride Lands

Like the other Disney ships, there are three included restaurants that you will rotate through with your service team on Disney Destiny. That part is the same, but Pride Lands Feast of the Lion King is a brand new restaurant with a dinner show that you’ll only find at Disney Destiny.

And not only is it brand new; It is exceptional.

Don’t get me wrong, the “Frozen” themed dinner show Taking up this physical space on Disney Wish may be a lot of fun for kids, but the princesses already have a lot of square footage on that ship. It’s exciting to experience something that can fit in the same space but feels like a world apart.

This new show has heart, emotion, authenticity and offers new flavors on Disney Cruise Line. It’s an experience that goes far beyond a cartoonish rendition of “Hakuna Matata” and can instead become a central memory of your sailing.

3 unique themed bars and lounges

I love a good themed bar and Disney Destiny has three unique ones that you won’t find anywhere else.

De Vil’s Piano Room

With its stained piano, catchy tunes and unique drinks, this is an absolute must-visit. To get the full experience, try to time when Cruella is likely to stop by. Speaking of getting the full experience, order the “Perfectly Wretched” cocktail that comes with “lipstick,” “perfume,” and other accessories.

Barrel and Cannon

This Pirates of the Caribbean themed pub was a fun place to grab a beer while watching a game on TV or a pretzel before dinner to snack on, especially if you dined late like we did and got a little peckish around happy hour.

The Sanctuary

This space is a perfect combination of cool and comfortable, even if you don’t like the story of Dr. Strange.

But if you like Dr. Strange… that’s even better as this space really brings his Sanctum to life. Here you can have a drink that “floats,” bubbles that smokes, or opt for the “Mirror Dimension” cocktail with vodka, lychee, fresh lemon juice, pink pepper and more in a glass that will light up with your touch.

New Hercules Broadway-style show

Disney ships go all out for Broadway-style nighttime shows.

They are often the type of show you would pay over $100 per person to see on Broadway or the West End, but instead of doing that, you can simply walk into the Walt Disney Theater on several nights of your sailing, sit in any available seat, and get that level of entertainment before or after your dinner at no additional cost.

Some of the ships have a show that you can only enjoy on that ship, and for Disney Destiny, right now, that is “Hercules.”

But don’t think this is just the cartoon movie version brought to life. Yes, you’ll find the iconic songs from the cartoon (and more), but it “goes even further” thanks to a mix of gospel and pop with impressive puppets and technology.

It’s modern, fresh, fast-paced and it’s 75 minutes of pure fun.

Large Marvel themed room and much more

If anyone on your crew likes Marvel, this is the ship for them.

While Disney’s three newest Wish Class ships have the World of Marvel restaurant and a Marvel-themed Super Hero Academy space in the kids’ club, this is the first ship to really dive deep into Marvel. It starts with the Wakanda-themed Great Hall which you enter as soon as you board. Or more accurately, if you count Spider-Man swinging from the stern, the Marvel universe on this ship begins before you step aboard.

The immersive Marvel universe you’ll find in Disney Destiny extends to many of the characters, shows, artwork, and even the aforementioned Sanctum Hall, which is taken straight from the world of Dr. Strange.

And if you have a vacation budget similar to Tony Stark, you can book the two-story Tower Suite themed in his honor and sleeping eight people in three stunning bedrooms.

And just as it’s not just kids who like the Marvel movies and franchise, not all of Disney Destiny Marvel’s themed offerings are for kids. In fact, one, a late-night show titled “With Great Power,” where the often R-rated Deadpool makes a (taped) appearance, is only for adults 18 and older.

Ideal sailing from one of the easiest ports in the US.

Disney Destiny is not the first nor the only Disney ship to set sail Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdalebut it is the first Disney ship to have a long-term home port outside of there. That means that if you sail in Destiny, at least for the foreseeable future, you know that you will be able to sail from what I would say is one of the easiest major ports to navigate in the country.

If you haven’t been to Port Everglades, I think it’s one of the easiest ports because it’s only two miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Plus, there are several solid hotels very close to the port, including the one I just stayed at and loved, Pier 66.

But you have the option to use your Hilton, Marriott or other hotspots and stay nearby too.

On top of that, many of Destiny’s trips for the next few years are four- and five-night trips, which I would say is a sweet spot for many families. Three nights, in my opinion, is too little to get the full experience on the boat, and of course more nights are always better than less, but five nights is a big commitment in terms of budget and schedule.

SUMMER HELMET/THE TYPE OF THE POINTS

Additionally, many of Destiny’s voyages will include both Disney Island destinations in the Bahamaswhich is essentially the perfect itinerary for easy fun in the “Disney Bubble.”

In a nutshell

I’ve been lucky enough to sail on all seven Disney ships and I really didn’t think Disney Destiny would dethrone my previous favorite (Disney Treasure)but at some point, the villains won me over and I can’t wait for my family to get back together one day so I can have more fun with Loki and his friends.