Credit: DisneyDisney Cruise Line’s newest procedure effectively locked hundreds, if not thousands, of guests out of character meet-and-greets and souvenir shopping. Families stood in a winding line at Guest Services to complain about the protocol during the first press sailing of the Disney Adventure.
Disney Adventure
The Disney Adventure is Disney Cruise Line’s newest and largest-ever vessel. The Walt Disney Company purchased the near-complete ship after its original owner went bankrupt, leaving it sitting in a German warehouse. Now, Disney Adventure is preparing for her maiden three- and four-night voyages, departing from Singapore.
This is Disney Cruise Line’s first ship designed for the Asian market. It features several firsts for the company: entertainment offerings and shopping inspired by Duffy and Friends, the Ironcycle Test Run roller coaster at sea, and Disney Imagination Garden, an open-air interior courtyard with a stage.
Guests Locked Out of Disney Character Greetings and Souvenir Shopping
Thousands of journalists, influencers, vloggers, and other invited guests are currently sailing on a press voyage of Disney Adventure. One of the outlets on the Disney Cruise, WDWNT, was among the countless visitors unable to access the character meet-and-greets and souvenir shopping opportunities available only via the Disney Cruise Line app.
On X (formerly known as Twitter), @WDWNT shared a photo of guests lined up for Guest Services after the timeslots for character meet-and-greets and shopping access sold out instantly. It’s free to book the timeslots, but failing to get one could mean missing the opportunity to hug Duffy the Disney Bear or buy a souvenir t-shirt for the entire vacation.
There’s a giant line at Guest Services because the booking for character meet & greets and shopping aboard the Disney Adventure filled near instantly. We were told erroneously that the shops would be standby tonight, but I guess not.
Why wasn’t this communicated to guests properly?
There’s a giant line at Guest Services because the booking for character meet & greets and shopping aboard the Disney Adventure filled near instantly. We were told erroneously that the shops would be standby tonight, but I guess not.
Why wasn’t this communicated to guests… pic.twitter.com/gIohstSMVm
— WDW News Today (@WDWNT) March 10, 2026
Guests were even more furious when the merchandise locations on board the Disney Adventure failed to open via a standby queue on the final night of the sailing as promised. That meant that anyone unable to book a timeslot never had the chance to shop.
Disney Cruise Line did not publicly respond to the complaint.
How would you have responded in this situation? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments!