In a press briefing today Disney unveiled new features that will be aboard its newest cruise ship launching in March 2012, the Disney Fantasy. The 4,000-passenger ship is similar to the recently-launched Disney Dream, including many of the same popular features like the AquaDuck water slide and Magical Portholes, and Enchanted Artwork, but will also include many new experiences.
To start, the Animator’s Palate restaurant, which is featured on every Disney Cruise Line ship, will feature a new dinner show called “Animation Magic” staring Mickey Mouse. This will accompany Turtle Talk with Crush, already part of the Animator’s Palate experience on the Disney Dream.
Sorcerer Mickey will magically appear on the walls (video screens) inside the restaurant and cause black-and-white Mickey drawings to come to life in full color. That moment will be followed by a “Be Our Guest” montage of food-related Disney fun. There’s more to the show, but it’s no fun if all is spoiled here.
In place of the Disney Dream’s Royal Palace restaurant will be the Disney Fantasy’s Royal Court, with a similar Disney Princess theme inspired by Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty.
The adult entertainment district aboard the Disney Fantasy will be called La Piazza at Europa, inspired by Italian cities including such details as Venetian masks, a Vespa, and a vintage carousel.
Nearby, O’Gill’s Pub at Europa will offer plenty of Irish fun and drinking.
Ooh La La at Europa will be a lounch inspired by a French boudoir featuring comfortable chaise lounges.
The Disney Dream features a Skyline lounge offering lifelike views of United States cityscapes. On the Fantasy, it will be Skyline Europa, featuring views of European city skylines, including Paris, London, Barcelona, Athens and St. Petersburg.
Another club on the Disney Fantasy will be The Tube at Europa, inspired by the London Underground.
In addition to the new restaurant show, Disney will include Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular on board, a popular show at the Disney California Adventure theme park for many years.
Another park-to-cruise attraction will be the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique“>Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where children can get made over in “Captain Mickey Mouse” and “Princess Minnie Mouse” packages similar to those offered in the theme parks. On special Pirate nights, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will transform into the Pirates League, offering guests a chance to become swashbucklers at sea.
Each Disney Cruise Line ship features an icon bronze statue in its main atrium and on the Disney Fantasy it will be “Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse.
The Disney Fantasy will sail Caribbean itineraries featuring a mixture of stops at St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Disney’s private Bahamas island, Castaway Cay. The maiden voyage is scheduled for the end of March 2012.