From ‘Snow White’ to ‘Encanto’? Our Disney Believe venue-by-venue predictions
Disney has started dropping clues about what awaits aboard the Disney Believe, but plenty of blank spaces remain. Before those answers arrive, we’re making our predictions—based on which Disney movies are confirmed features and what the first three Wish-class ships have already taught us.
Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny share the same physical blueprint, but Disney Imagineers have become remarkably creative about reinventing familiar spaces to fit each ship’s overarching story.
A piano lounge inspired by Cinderella on one ship becomes a jazzy “The Aristocats” hideaway on another and a Cruella de Vil hangout on the next. A traditional nautical pub evolves into worlds inspired by “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
Now it’s Disney Believe’s turn.
An introduction to Disney Believe
Disney Believe is built around the theme of promise and possibilities, with “Encanto,” “Frozen,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Moana” and “The Little Mermaid” among the stories Disney says will shape its venues and entertainment.
A few prominent pieces are already in place. Moana has claimed the Grand Hall, where a bronze statue will depict the wayfinder looking toward the horizon alongside Pua and Heihei.
Outside, Tinker Bell will adorn the bow, joined in the filigree by Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook and other characters. At the stern, Woody and Buzz Lightyear will appear to draw the Disney Believe’s name with oversized yellow crayons, replacing Disney Cruise Line’s familiar script with playful “Toy Story”-style block lettering.
Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line
Our method for Disney Believe predictions
Disney has described the ship as celebrating belief in magic, family, the power of nature and yourself. We’re using that idea as our guide, but we’re also looking closely at the blueprint Disney has established across Wish, Treasure and Destiny. Which spaces stay the same? Which are reimagined? And what patterns emerge when they change?
We have some experience to draw from. I’ve sailed on more than 15 Disney cruises, including three aboard Disney Wish. Two of those Wish sailings included media experiences that took us behind the scenes and let us learn directly from Disney Cruise Line leaders and the creative teams responsible for bringing these ships to life.
Photo by Dani Meyering
And our predictions are about to get put to the test. Members of Attractions Magazine staff are boarding Disney Wish for a special Disney Believe reveal experience, including a scavenger hunt designed to uncover more about the new ship.
Disney may prove us completely wrong on some of our predictions. That’s part of the fun of making our picks before we know the answers.
Piano lounge: We predict “Snow White”
Location: Deck 3, off the Grand Hall
Wish-class precedent: Nightingale’s (Wish), Scat Cat Lounge (Treasure), De Vil’s (Destiny)
Confidence: High
This intimate cocktail lounge changes with every Wish-class ship, but music remains central to its identity. Wish turned to Cinderella and “Sing Sweet Nightingale,” Treasure brought in the jazz-loving cats of “The Aristocats,” and Destiny gave Cruella de Vil her own glamorous piano bar.
For Disney Believe, we predict “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The wishing well offers an elegant centerpiece for a cocktail lounge, while “I’m Wishing” provides the musical connection. More importantly, Snow White’s wish for a different future fits Believe’s larger theme of promise and possibilities without requiring the venue to recreate the Seven Dwarfs’ cottage.
Other possibilities: “Frozen” is our strongest alternative. One member of our sailing party predicts an Arendelle-inspired piano lounge, and Disney has already confirmed “Frozen” among the stories influencing Believe. But for now, we’re sticking with the wishing well.
Open lounge: We predict a Parks-inspired surprise
Location: Deck 3, near the Grand Hall
Wish-class precedent: The Bayou (Wish), Skipper Society (Treasure), The Sanctum (Destiny)
Confidence: Low
This open lounge has become one of the most flexible spaces on the Wish-class ships. Wish drew from “The Princess and the Frog” for The Bayou, Treasure looked beyond Disney animation to the Jungle Cruise attraction for Skipper Society, and Destiny entered the Marvel universe with the Doctor Strange-inspired Sanctum.
Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line
Given the variety of this space’s theme, this could be another opportunity to pull from Disney Parks history. A classic attraction centered on imagination, dreaming or looking toward the future would fit Believe’s theme of promise and possibilities while continuing the willingness to look beyond animated films established by Skipper Society.
Other possibilities: “Frozen” could easily occupy a sophisticated central lounge, particularly if Disney draws from Arendelle instead of recreating an existing concept. We also wouldn’t rule out an entirely different Disney property that hasn’t been announced for Believe.
Immersive lounge: We predict Journey Into Imagination
Location: Deck 3, midship
Wish-class precedent: Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge (Wish), Haunted Mansion Parlor (Treasure and Destiny)
Confidence: Medium-low
This enclosed lounge has hosted some of the Wish class’s most immersive concepts. Hyperspace Lounge takes guests through the “Star Wars” galaxy, while Haunted Mansion Parlor uses changing portraits, ghostly effects and an original nautical storyline. Notably, Disney chose to repeat Haunted Mansion Parlor from Treasure to Destiny.
Photo by Kent Phillips: Disney
We’re taking a bigger swing for Believe: Journey Into Imagination with Figment and Dreamfinder. Imagination making the impossible possible fits the ship’s theme, and this space gives Imagineers plenty of opportunities for changing displays, inventions and unexpected Figment appearances. We’d envision a sophisticated Dreamfinder workshop or salon.
Other possibilities: Haunted Mansion Parlor could simply return. Not every venue has to match a ship’s overarching theme, and Disney has already repeated this one. If it does change, “Frozen” and “The Little Mermaid” are also strong possibilities, with either story lending itself to environmental effects that transform the room. However, an interactive lounge based on “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is another prediction from our sailing party, which could be a natural transition from The Haunted Mansion motif on the Treasure and Destiny.
Pub: We predict “The Little Mermaid”
Location: Deck 5, near the Walt Disney Theatre
Wish-class precedent: Keg & Compass (Wish), Periscope Pub (Treasure), Cask & Cannon (Destiny)
Confidence: Medium-high
The Wish-class pubs share a consistent thread: the sea. Wish has the old-world nautical Keg & Compass, Treasure dives beneath the surface with the “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”-inspired Periscope Pub, and Destiny turns to the seafaring world of “Pirates of the Caribbean” for Cask & Cannon.
That makes “The Little Mermaid” our pick for Disney Believe. Ariel’s fascination with the world beyond her own also fits the ship’s promise-and-possibilities theme particularly well. We could envision something more akin to a sophisticated seaside tavern in Prince Eric’s kingdom, with subtle references to Ariel’s collection, Scuttle, Sebastian and other elements of the film.
Other possibilities: Disney could continue the maritime pattern with another Parks attraction or an original nautical concept, as it did with Keg & Compass. “The Little Mermaid” is one of Believe’s confirmed inspirations, however, and this feels like a particularly natural home for it.
Stage show: We predict “Encanto”
Location: Walt Disney Theatre, Decks 3 and 4
Wish-class precedent: “Disney The Little Mermaid” (Wish), “Disney The Tale of Moana” (Treasure), “Disney Hercules” (Destiny)
Confidence: Medium-high
Each Wish-class ship has introduced a new Broadway-style production built around a different Disney animated film. For Believe, our prediction is “Encanto.” The Madrigal family offers an ensemble of recognizable characters and songs, while the magical Casita could give Disney’s theatrical designers plenty of opportunities for transformations and effects unique to the stage.
It also fits Disney Believe’s theme particularly well. Mirabel spends much of “Encanto” searching for her own place in a family where everyone else seems to possess an extraordinary gift.
Other possibilities: “Encanto” may make more sense as Believe’s musical rotational dining experience. A celebration with the Madrigal family, live music and Colombian-inspired food fits the formula established by Arendelle, Plaza de Coco and Pride Lands remarkably well. We don’t expect Disney to do both, so “Encanto” is the property we’re watching most closely as the Believe reveal begins.
Musical dining: “Encanto” (if we’re wrong about the show)
Location: Deck 5 aft
Wish-class precedent: Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure (Wish), Plaza de Coco (Treasure), Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King (Destiny)
Confidence: Medium
Musical rotational dining has become one of the defining experiences aboard the Wish-class ships. Each combines dinner with live entertainment built around a Disney film: a royal engagement celebration in Arendelle, a family reunion in Santa Cecilia and a musical celebration of “The Lion King” in Pride Lands.
Photo by Carly Caramanna
If “Encanto” isn’t Disney Believe’s new stage production, this is where we think it goes. Casita and the Madrigal family seem almost tailor-made for this format. A family celebration could unfold throughout dinner with live music and characters, while Colombian flavors would give Believe a dining experience distinctly different from its sister ships.
Other possibilities: If “Encanto” takes the stage, this becomes one of our biggest mysteries. “Ratatouille” has an appealing combination of food, music and an against-the-odds story that fits promise and possibilities, but we’re less confident Disney will go in that direction because of Remy premium dining.
Sweet shop: We predict “Frozen”
Location: Deck 11
Wish-class precedent: Inside Out: Joyful Sweets (Wish), Jumbeaux’s Sweets (Treasure), Edna À La Mode Sweets (Destiny)
Confidence: Medium-high
The Wish-class sweet shop changes with every ship, pairing ice cream, gelato and elaborate desserts with a colorful animated world. “Inside Out,” “Zootopia” and “The Incredibles” have filled the role so far.
Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line
For Believe, we predict “Frozen.” An Arendelle sweet shop surrounded by ice, snow and Scandinavian details feels almost tailor-made for a venue specializing in frozen treats. It would also give one of Disney’s five announced Believe inspirations a substantial home without repeating Wish’s Arendelle restaurant.
Other possibilities: Here’s where we’ll throw in a couple of curveballs. “Lilo & Stitch” could support a colorful tropical sweet shop with Hawaiian-inspired flavors and shave ice, while “Toy Story 5” would be a timely choice that could extend Woody and Buzz’s already-confirmed presence on Believe.
Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line
What about AquaMouse, Toy Story and the other Disney Believe spaces?
Not every space aboard Disney Believe needs a dramatic reinvention. Toy Story Splash Zone has appeared on Wish, Treasure and Destiny, and Woody and Buzz are already confirmed for Believe’s stern, so we expect that children’s water-play area to return. Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas have also remained consistent across the three ships, as have rotational restaurants 1923 and Worlds of Marvel.
Photo by Dani Meyering
AquaMouse should return as well, although we’re watching for a new animated adventure created specifically for Believe. We’re also curious about the flexible entertainment space known as Luna on Wish, Sarabi on Treasure and Saga on Destiny.
Staterooms: new story themes
Wish-class precedent: Cinderella, “Frozen,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Moana,” “The Little Mermaid” (Wish); “Aladdin,” “Pocahontas,” “Up” and “Encanto” (Treasure); “Hercules,” “Mulan” and “Brave” (Destiny)
Our predictions: “Snow White,” “Peter Pan,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Elemental”
Confidence: Medium
Stateroom artwork has become another way each Wish-class ship expresses its larger theme, and so far the primary stories have changed from ship to ship. That gives us a wide-open field for Believe.
Photo by Kent Phillips, Disney
For promise and possibilities, we’re predicting a mix of generations. “Snow White” begins with a wish and is already a confirmed Believe inspiration. “Peter Pan” makes belief part of its magic and connects with Tinker Bell on Believe’s bow.
“Rand the Last Dragon” centers on rediscovering trust and believing a broken world can be restored. It would also bring a more recent film into the mix.” Pixar’s “Elemental” follows Ember as she discovers her future doesn’t have to be the one others envisioned for her.
Our Disney Believe predictions at a glance
After comparing Disney Believe with its three Wish-class sister ships, here’s where our predictions landed:
- Piano lounge: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”
- Open lounge: A Disney Parks-inspired concept
- Immersive lounge: Journey Into Imagination with Figment and Dreamfinder
- Pub: “The Little Mermaid”
- New stage show: “Encanto”
- Musical dining: “Encanto,” if it isn’t the stage show
- Sweet shop: “Frozen”
- Staterooms: “Snow White,” “Peter Pan,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Elemental”
- Returning spaces: We expect Toy Story Splash Zone, Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas, 1923, Worlds of Marvel and AquaMouse to return, although AquaMouse could get a new animated adventure.
These Wish-class ships are packed with thoughtful details, and part of the fun is seeing how Disney reimagines familiar spaces to tell completely different stories from one ship to the next.
Stay tuned as we report from aboard Disney Wish during the special Disney Believe reveal experience and find out how many of our predictions come true.
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