Credit: DisneyWhen Disney Cruise Line promised its most imaginative ship yet, fans expected magic. What they didn’t expect was to come face-to-face with one of Disney’s most powerful icons of darkness — in a way unlike anything Disney has ever done before.
Onboard the Disney Destiny, the all-new cruise ship launching in November 2025, guests can now experience “Under Her Spell: A Maleficent Encounter” — an interactive introduction and meet-and-greet that’s redefining what character experiences look like at sea.
The moment you step into the encounter space, it’s clear this isn’t your ordinary photo opportunity. This is theater. This is immersion. This is Disney magic reimagined through the lens of its most commanding villain.
A Spellbinding First Impression
The Disney Destiny is Disney Cruise Line’s first ship built entirely around the theme of heroes and villains. From the moment guests board, they’re swept into an epic story that unfolds across the decks — one that celebrates the eternal clash between good and evil. And nowhere is that story told more vividly than in Maleficent’s dramatic debut.
“Under Her Spell” begins not with a simple wave, but with a performance. As lights dim and ethereal green mist fills the air, haunting choral music sets the tone. Guests watch as the mistress of all evil appears in a swirl of magic, commanding the space before a single word is spoken. For a few mesmerizing minutes, Maleficent doesn’t just arrive — she owns the stage.
Then, when the music fades and the tension breaks, guests are invited forward one by one. What follows is part meet-and-greet, part stage show, and part interactive experience — and all Disney.
FIRST LOOK at “Under Her Spell: A Maleficent Encounter” on the Disney Destiny! #DisneyDestiny #DisneyVillains
This was a brilliant 10 mins introduction to a meet & greet! Can’t wait for something like this environment to be built for real in Villains Land at Magic Kingdom! pic.twitter.com/X5bdYAi8Ma
— DSNY Newscast (@DSNYNewscast) November 11, 2025
A Meet-and-Greet Unlike Any Other
Instead of a standard character queue, the Maleficent encounter unfolds as a mini production. Cast Members play along, setting the mood and leading guests through the experience as though they’ve entered her enchanted domain.
Maleficent herself is every bit as regal and intimidating as you’d hope. Her movements are slow and deliberate, her voice echoing with authority. But there’s also playfulness — a subtle smirk, a hint of humor — that makes the moment feel dynamic and alive.
Behind her, the set comes to life with glowing thorns, shifting colors, and spell-like lighting effects that pulse with each of her gestures. Guests aren’t just taking photos; they’re part of the moment. Some are even “chosen” to assist her with a mock incantation before taking their photo in front of a towering dragon wing backdrop.
The entire encounter runs about ten minutes from start to finish, but every second feels purposeful. It’s the kind of immersive, atmospheric entertainment that Disney has been striving to perfect — one that blurs the line between attraction and interaction.
The Disney Destiny: Where Heroes and Villains Rule the Seas
Maleficent’s show-stopping presence fits perfectly within the Disney Destiny’s overall design. The ship celebrates both sides of the Disney legacy — the courageous and the cunning.
Across the vessel, guests encounter themed venues and attractions inspired by both the heroic and villainous corners of the Disney universe. There’s a lavish lounge inspired by Cruella de Vil, dripping in black, white, and red elegance. In another corner of the ship, Dr. Facilier’s Voodoo Parlor invites guests to test their luck with a few “spirited” cocktails.
The Grand Hall itself — the heart of every Disney cruise ship — reflects this duality. By day, it glows with shimmering golds and blues evoking nobility and light. But when night falls, the lights shift, and the Hall transforms into something darker, with emerald tones, shadow projections, and villainous motifs that seem to emerge from the walls themselves.
Even the entertainment lineup continues this duality. Guests can watch Hercules: Zero to Hero, a larger-than-life stage show featuring the multi-headed Hydra, or enjoy Frozen: A Musical Spectacular, Disney Seas the Adventure, and The Lion King’s all-new “Feast of the Pride Lands” dining show. It’s storytelling on a grand scale — and The Destiny brings it all together at sea.
Maleficent and the Future of Villains in Disney Parks
The timing of “Under Her Spell” is no coincidence. Just as the Disney Destiny prepares for her maiden voyage, Walt Disney World is breaking ground on a long-awaited new expansion: Villains Land at Magic Kingdom.
Announced during the 2024 D23 Expo, this all-new area will sit “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” and mark the park’s largest expansion in history. Disney has described it as a place where “once upon a dream” becomes “once upon a nightmare,” and where villains like Maleficent, Ursula, Hades, and the Evil Queen finally take center stage.
It’s not hard to see “Under Her Spell” as a sneak peek into what’s coming to Magic Kingdom. The encounter aboard the Destiny feels like a proof of concept — a test run for a new kind of storytelling that blends live performance, character interaction, and richly themed environments.
Guests and fans alike have already noted the similarities between the encounter’s setting and the early concept art for Villains Land. The glowing thorns, the gothic textures, the spellbinding music — all of it could easily translate into the dark, immersive spaces that await park visitors in the coming years.
A New Era of Disney Storytelling
For decades, Disney has celebrated heroes — from Cinderella to Simba to Spider-Man. But lately, it’s the villains who are stealing the spotlight. Experiences like “Under Her Spell” show just how powerful these darker narratives can be when given the same creative energy and emotional depth as their heroic counterparts.
What’s remarkable is how natural it feels aboard the Disney Destiny. Instead of breaking from the company’s core values, it deepens them — reminding guests that even in a world of happily ever afters, the story isn’t complete without a little bit of darkness.
This Maleficent experience is more than a meet-and-greet. It’s a symbol of where Disney storytelling is headed: toward more immersive, emotionally charged, cinematic worlds that extend beyond the theme parks. Whether you’re sailing across the Caribbean or strolling down Main Street, U.S.A., it’s clear the Disney of tomorrow wants you to live the story — not just watch it.
“Under Her Spell: A Maleficent Encounter” may be only ten minutes long, but it’s one of the most ambitious character experiences Disney has ever attempted. It combines theater, design, and interactivity in a way that leaves a lasting impression — one that feels both intimate and epic.
For guests setting sail on the Disney Destiny, it’s a must-see highlight. For fans eagerly awaiting the opening of Villains Land at Magic Kingdom, it’s an exciting preview of what may be to come.
In the end, Maleficent’s magic lies not just in her power or presence, but in how she makes you feel — enthralled, enchanted, and yes, a little under her spell.