[♪ theme music playing]
-[child gasps] -[panther growls]
[Groot chuckles]
[♪ theme music ends]
[ship horn blows]
[Walt Disney] We know what our goals are. We know what we hope to accomplish.
It seems like only yesterday that Disneyland was just an idea
and some plans on paper.
[narrator] Through the years, every choice, every story,
every mouse-eared gamble steered Disney
towards something bigger.
Disney Cruise Line.
[narrator] Launched in 1998, the fleet had grown into six ships.
Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
-[narrator] Not to mention… -…Disney Wish, Disney Treasure.
[narrator] But with the seventh one on the way,
where would Disney Cruise Line go next?
We really needed to lean in to our Disney storytelling.
That's where we can go the next step.
We had so many great things to offer our guests.
And so, in designing the ships,
we made sure that there was something for everyone.
Many new chapters will be added.
And, of course, we had our Disney storytelling and characters
throughout the ship.
Storytelling is core to everything that we do
-at Disney, and at Imagineering. -That's it!
It's about creating immersive stories that become shared experiences.
[narrator] The seventh ship in the fleet would
take storytelling experiences to a whole new level.
Bringing to life new heroes.
Who doesn't love Spider-Man?
-Hercules! -Black Panther.
[narrator] And some classic villains finally get their moment in the spotlight.
We dance, we kiss, we schmooze, we carry on, we go home happy.
What do you say? Come on.
[narrator] Drawing from the Disney stories that lit up movie screens
and the imaginations of kids watching them.
Since I was a kid, I've always loved Cruella.
I was the kid wearing the Spider-Man Underoos.
[narrator] And some of those kids didn't just dream.
I didn't know what it was but I knew I wanted to do it.
-[narrator] They decided… -I gotta do this. This is so cool.
[narrator] Fast forward a few years later,
and there they are stepping aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship.
Not as passengers, but as storytellers.
Almost as if it was destiny.
Talk about destiny.
It gives me the chills.
This is what I've always dreamed of doing.
[narrator] But to see what magical tales they tell,
like all good stories, we have to start at the beginning.
By the mid-2010s, Disney's film studio had expanded with…
-Pixar. -Lucasfilm.
Marvel Studios.
With early prep for a new streaming service,
and the growing success of Disney Cruise Line,
Disney had become a true entertainment empire.
The acquisitions have given us so many more stories to tell
and provided us with, you know, so much more to essentially create from.
How could they resist not expanding even more?
Guests are always asking what will we think of next.
We had so many things to tap into.
We can actually use even more of our intellectual property
across a larger fleet.
[narrator] In 2016, Disney unveiled an entirely new class of cruise ships.
The Wish Class ships.
We were building three ships in this Wish Class.
[narrator] And to build these next storytelling vessels,
Disney went back to the same shipyard
that brought their most recent ships to life.
Meyer Werft shipyard.
[narrator] In Papenburg, Germany.
And, to dream up the interior designs, Disney called in Laura Cabo.
I am the Portfolio Executive Creative Director.
[narrator] Whose job title barely scratches the surface
of what she actually does.
That means I am the orchestra leader for hundreds of creative people
that work across our ships.
[narrator] So, Laura grabbed her baton and got to work.
My assessment was we really needed to lean in to our Disney storytelling.
Our ships look very much the same on the outside.
They all have the same beautiful Disney look.
And I thought the next step is to really make each ship have their own personality.
And that that personality would be inspired by themes
that run throughout the Walt Disney Company.
[narrator] Laura and her team searched deep
into the Disney vault for stories that could shape each ship's personality.
The first ship in class,
and the Wish, it's all about Disney's castle on the seas.
The theme is all about wishing for something deeply in your life
and making those dreams come true.
So, the next ship, we wanted it to be really about adventure.
It was such a wonderful adventure.
That became the Treasure.
And that was all about what really is the true treasure in life
are those relationships with your family and friends.
And those memories that you make together.
And then, the third ship. That was a little harder.
[narrator] Disney was adding a third ship to a class for the first time.
Number seven in the fleet.
And, if it was gonna make a splash, it needed a big idea.
So, Laura Cabo and I sat down and we just started writing down words.
Disney attributes, Disney themes.
We pitched a lot of different things.
Many of which, of course, never saw the light of day.
[narrator] But, remember, Bob Iger had been unlocking new worlds for Disney with…
-Pixar. -Lucasfilm.
Marvel Studios.
[narrator] To Laura and Claire, this new cast of characters
really expanded the possibility of what kind of story
a Disney cruise ship could tell.
We were like, "What about this notion of heroes and villains?"
[narrator] That one felt like a winner.
The theme really is all about unlocking the superpowers within you.
What is your destiny?
[narrator] The third ship in the Wish Class would be…
[Cabo] Disney Destiny.
[narrator] And while her sister ships had their own personalities…
The Wish's motif is enchantment. The Treasure's motif is adventure.
-[narrator] The Disney Destiny's motif of… -Heroes and villains.
[howling, cackling]
[narrator] …was a rather stark departure from the previous themes.
This is the first time we've had a dedicated villain space.
What we've learned over time is that our villains actually hold
a pretty special place in our guests' hearts.
And that, you know, sometimes being a little bad is fun.
Precisely.
[narrator] And, from Cruella to Thanos, to the Empire,
villains have a way of stealing the spotlight.
I think that's what all the villains want.
They're kinda cute.
[narrator] New ships meant new stories. And thousands of more guests.
As the Disney Cruise Line grew,
they went hunting for an island destination
where guests could go beyond the beach and dive into the local culture.
They found it in…
Disney's Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, on the island of Eleuthera.
[narrator] The island of Eleuthera is a narrow strip of paradise in the Bahamas.
Known for its pink sand beaches and vibrant Bahamian charm.
I was working with Joe Rohde at the time.
[narrator] You mean retired Imagineer and Disney legend, Joe Rohde?
-That's correct. -[chuckles]
He came back and said, "This is the most magical place on the planet."
You can hear the birds chirping.
You can hear the crabs walking in the nighttime.
It's a serene, peaceful environment.
[narrator] Disney didn't just want a postcard-perfect backdrop,
they wanted to lean into Bahamian culture and actually celebrate it.
The locals wanted to know, "Are you gonna embrace the culture
of the Bahamas and-and Eleuthera?"
[narrator] And they delivered.
When you come to Eleuthera, we want you to feel like you're in Eleuthera.
If you look at the design of our buildings,
our buildings they look like conch shells.
You know, Bahamian vernacular,
our barbecues are named True True and True True Too.
And those are Bahamian sayings.
[narrator] But the real pulse of the island lives in Junkanoo,
with its vibrant colors, big beats and pure Bahamian energy.
We do Junkanoo performances twice a day.
-[horns playing] -[rhythmic drumming]
And when they hear the sounds of the goatskin drums
and the horns and the cowbells starting to play,
we see guests just coming from all over.
So, it's really awesome to see that. They have a great time.
[narrator] From Junkanoo to local cuisine,
Bahamian culture flows through every part of the island.
All that the artwork that you see in the building,
local artists from this island.
We were very intentional of making Disney Lookout Cay authentically Bahamian.
[narrator] Capturing the look and feel of the Bahamas was one thing,
but Disney wanted the island's people to be a part of its story too.
Disney providing meaningful opportunities
throughout our communities that really tangible.
You can see it. You can feel it.
[narrator] From port adventures and recreation experiences to hospitality,
opportunity was abundant.
We've created so many jobs and so many opportunities
for this island of Eleuthera.
Before, our children would graduate
and they would take meaningful employment on Nassau.
They would not come back to Eleuthera because there was no opportunity.
You would see dilapidated buildings, no one's living there.
It's just abandoned because people had left.
When Disney Lookout Cay opened the first day,
hope came alive.
If you ride through those communities now, you see those buildings are so beautiful.
People are now building new homes.
You can hear parents saying, "My child is gonna go to college."
Because now they have the resources.
The future is bright for the people of Eleuthera.
[narrator] While the stories and culture of Eleuthera
await every guest who steps ashore,
they've got to get there first.
-So it's off to Papenburg, Germany… -[sheep bleats]
…where engineers like Philip were making sure
the ship itself was part of the story.
[Gennotte] As a child, young boy, I would build boats and planes.
And there was a day where I literally was studying the plan
of the next one I wanted to build,
studying how I would build it.
And there was a moment thinking,
"Hold on, this drawing here, right, who-who does that?"
[narrator] Young Philip soon discovered that was called a naval architect.
Okay, that's what I want to be.
I'd like to try and become a naval architect.
[narrator] And Philip didn't just chase that dream,
he docked it from naval architect
to project manager at Walt Disney Imagineering.
He helped steer the design of Disney's next class of ships.
[Gennotte] We're all about stories.
So when we started to design the Wish Class ships,
we looked at what else could we do to take it to the next level.
[narrator] Because Philip's team doesn't just design the structure of the ship.
They cover everything from very technical, mechanical,
all the way through the entertainment systems,
to the creative for the interiors.
[narrator] And for the Wish Class they wanted…
The latest technology of entertainment equipment
for the lighting and sound.
And to be able to offer something unique and special to our guests.
[narrator] But it was the technology upgrades
that the guests wouldn't notice that Philip was really excited about.
Environmental technologies had further evolved,
so we really made a couple of big steps.
[narrator] Every Disney ship saves energy, but on the Wish Class ships,
they turned efficiency into an art form.
Or maybe even a superpower.
The next level of efficiency that we can achieve is product propulsion.
[narrator] The Wish Class ships use a new propulsion system known as Azipod.
This plus…
A more hydrodynamically efficient hull shape.
[narrator] And the use of a special coating
reduce the ship's drag in the water.
Super efficient. Hydrodynamically, a dream.
We also realized that if we want to become more efficient overall,
we want to include newer technology to recover heat,
and not just let it go out into the atmosphere.
[machinery whirring]
[Gennotte] When engines are running, they create a lot of heat.
So, instead of letting it go, we'll reuse it, which is awesome.
Now that's a good job.
[narrator] That heat is used to warm the fuel
before it's used to power the ship.
And those super-charged efficiencies didn't stop backstage,
they flowed straight to the guests, keeping the fun going at any time.
The outdoor sports area, what if we bring that inside
so it can be used at any time of the day and it can be multipurpose?
[narrator] All those clever tweaks made the Wish Class ships
the efficiency heroes of the Disney fleet.
Power saved, performance delivered, one wave at a time.
They are super efficient, very Disney, and still very elegant.
[narrator] Finally, the big moment!
Guests step aboard the Disney Destiny and are greeted by the Grand Hall.
When I watch people come onto the Disney Destiny for the first time
and experience the Grand Hall, it is absolutely amazing.
[Hage] The Grand Hall is the guests' first impression when they come onboard.
They're hit with that initial wow
and that immersion into the story of the ship.
[narrator] And what was that story again?
Heroes and villains.
[laughs]
When you think about walking into one of the cruise ships, right?
Its elegant finishes and elegant furnishings,
the finest tiles and marble and carpets.
[narrator] And the pièce de résistance…
Beautiful statue.
[narrator] A signature of every Disney Cruise Line ship.
And the beautiful statue for the Disney Destiny is…
We of course brainstormed through all different kinds of characters.
[narrator] With so many heroes…
-Hercules. -Thor.
-Mufasa. -Deadpool.
-Iron Man. -Cruella de Vil.
-[record scratches] -[narrator] Oh, okay. Sure.
-There are also villains to choose from. -Huh?
[narrator] Making a decision on the centerpiece
for the Grand Hall was gonna be tough,
but the stern had already found its friendly neighborhood hero.
It's Spider-Man.
Disney Cruise Line has been putting signature characters on the stern
since the Disney Magic.
Each one adding that final flourish
like they're literally painting the ship themselves.
But they've never called in a superhero for the job until now.
This is so cool because this is the first time
we've ever been able to bring a Marvel character to the stern of our ships.
And it's Spider-Man.
Who doesn't love Spider-Man?
He's the Mickey Mouse of Marvel.
[narrator] That's a new one, I like it.
So, how did Spidey get up there anyway?
-Get this on both of these. -Where's he at?
There he is!
[narrator] What's his secret?
I don't know if there's a secret to Spider-Man.
[narrator] I mean, I kinda think that's his whole thing, right?
There are so many constraints for attaching a giant Spider-Man figure
to the back of a cruise ship that I don't know.
[narrator] Thankfully, he doesn't have to.
I fortunately get to strip a lot of the practical concerns out of my mind,
and just look at what's the best version of a pose,
what's it gonna look like from as many cool angles as possible.
[narrator] Ryan's whole gig?
Designing Spider-Man gear for the films and cruise ships.
Spider-Man. Spider-Man's one of those classic Marvel designs.
That is the challenge because the design is inherently incredible
and you're just trying to do it justice.
[narrator] And for the stern of the Disney Destiny,
he really thwipped the landing.
[Weiss] You've got this incredible, dynamic Spider-Man,
like, captured in frozen motion.
And then you have the Spider-Bots, who are silly and they're comical.
And I think that sort of balance of the humor and the levity is really fun,
because this is also supposed to be fun.
[crowd cheering]
I was fortunate enough to work on the design for the Spider-Man parks' suit.
[narrator] And the suit for the parks, the ships,
and even the Spidey on the stern all have elements that tie them together.
But the most important thing for Ryan is that you believe.
[Meinerding] I grew up loving Marvel characters, Marvel comics.
I was the kid wearing the Spider-Man Underoos.
Having that sort of passion and-and love for them
drives a lot of what I do to try and bring the characters to life
and make them feel as real as possible.
If you're gonna take a picture with Spider-Man…
[narrator] That's John Stamos.
…you feel like you're actually with Spider-Man.
That was not a suit that you could just buy at a… at a costume store. [chuckles]
[narrator] But remember the theme of the ship is…
Heroes and villains.
-[laughs] -[narrator] Okay, Jafar, we get it.
And the Disney Destiny showcases the contrast between them
throughout the ship.
Our stair towers are a great example of this.
We have different color palettes for our forward and aft stairs.
Our forward stair is all about villains.
When we think of villains, the animation, it's a little bit more angular.
The color palettes feel a little bit more eerie.
You might see purple, red, green.
And everything's a little bit more rougher in the shapes.
We have different villains' artwork that is on each of the stair landings.
And our elevator door etchings, the carpet patterns are much more angular.
And then we wanted to use the color green to tie it all together.
So our forward stairs truly is
a celebration of a variety of different villains.
[narrator] But, as you'll recall, there's more than one set of stairs.
[Burkhardt] We have different color palettes for our forward and aft stairs.
In our aft stairs, we have a blue palette.
[Schott] There's a great Black Panther piece
that you encounter on the stairwell between Decks 3 and 4.
It is an amazing piece and is part of the story that we're trying to tell.
As we're in the aft, blue, heroes stair, everything's a little softer.
So if you look at a hero like, I'll use Hercules for example,
you know, even like the details on his chin in the animation,
everything has a nice swirl to it.
Mickey Mouse, he's three circles.
Everything's softer, curved details.
You may see the same patterns as the villain stair,
but everything is done in a smoother way.
[narrator] While the staircases keep good and evil politely separated,
everyone knows the real drama lives in the theater.
And on the Disney Destiny, like all Disney Cruise Line ships,
the curtain rises on a variety of entertainment.
Including spectacular Broadway-style shows at the…
[Case] Walt Disney Theater.
That's the crown jewel for us of entertainment.
[narrator] With its sweeping art deco design,
the Walt Disney Theater is the centerpiece of entertainment
across the Disney Cruise Line fleet.
It's a really large theater with amazing technology.
The shows we do there are… [exclaims] …phenomenal.
[narrator] From Frozen,
Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Moana.
Disney has filled its theaters with unforgettable stories.
But on the Disney Destiny, a brand-new hero takes the stage.
It's Hercules.
[♪ heroic music plays]
When you think hero and you think villain, you think of Hercules and Hades.
Yes! Hades rules!
Hercules is the quintessential heroes and villains story.
He's one of us and also one of the gods.
-A god? -How cool is that?
[narrator] To bring this quintessential story to the Walt Disney Theater stage,
Disney called in one of their own.
I actually started as a performer in the theme parks,
which was a pretty amazing job.
[narrator] Since then, Michael's stepped out of the spotlight
and into an executive creative director role.
Same magic, different title.
I really did choose to take on Hercules,
'cause I really wanted to work with the directors.
[vocalizes]
The Wilson brothers both worked at Disney in the past
when they were younger as performers.
But they're truly directing and choreography visionaries
from a contemporary standpoint.
We were really thoughtful in adapting Hercules
to really focus on that incredible, iconic score.
♪ Zero to hero Just like that ♪
[Serna] All the songs you love are there,
but we are adding one song that was cut from the film originally.
-[grunts] -This is great!
[narrator] So what's it called?
"Shooting Star," was actually written to be what "Go the Distance" became.
We really developed "Shooting Star" as a vehicle for Meg
to get to know her a little better.
What do you know.
But it's also a duet between her and Hercules
as they're getting to know each other and falling in love.
Sometimes at night, when it's quiet, I just like to look up at the sky.
Any answers up there?
Maybe.
♪ And I see a shooting star-- ♪
-[record scratches] -Wait, wait, wait, wait.
We're not sharing this now. Are we?
No, I don't believe so. Gotta come on to the cruise to see it.
[Serna] One of the things we really have that's exciting in the show
is our use of puppetry.
I think a lot of people think of puppets
like you would a small hand-and-rod puppet.
[narrator] Honestly, that is what I was picturing.
These are enormous puppets.
We have a rock titan and an ice titan. And these are massive stilted figures.
Puppetry has turned out to be just a really great way
to bring our characters to life in a different way.
[grunts, groans]
What is great about a puppet versus a robot
is it's a human being controlling it.
[groans] There's nothing better than getting crushed by a rock.
[Serna] And there's something you can't replace with that,
the idea of a human being bringing their experience,
their sort of performance to it.
Big slams.
Takes a few days to get used to something this big,
but feels really cool and amazing being able to just swing around the puppet.
[narrator] Yes, these puppets are big.
These are enormous puppets.
[narrator] Sorry, these puppets are enormous.
But Disney needed an even more enormous puppet to take on Hercules.
Our Hydra puppet. Which is our five-headed purple beast.
We're talking ten-feet tall.
I'm here with our buddy, the Hydra, who will be fighting Hercules.
-[Hercules grunts, groans] -[Phil] Keep it moving! [groans]
And they have to eat Hercules at one point.
And we want to see the head cut off, right?
[narrator] Isn't this a family show?
Slicing the head off might surprise some people.
[grunts]
But it's a big part of the story.
That wasn't so hard.
[narrator] Easy for you to say. You're a god after all.
But after all that work, it all leads to sharing this spectacular version
of the Hercules story for the very first time.
[Serna] I love theater.
To me, every new show is fresh and different.
What I love about Hercules is that while it may look different,
it's gonna feel like the Hercules you love and know.
I can't wait for guests to see Hercules.
[narrator] After the show, there's nothing better
than sinking into a cozy lounge seat.
And here at the center of the ship is The Sanctum lounge.
It's inspired by Doctor Strange.
My name is Dr. Stephen Strange.
Okay.
[narrator] Didn't know you were a full-name kind of guy.
[Iger] The acquisitions of Marvel resulted in us expanding
in our entire experiences business.
[Burkhardt] The interior design is inspired by The Sanctum in New York.
We'll choose color palettes and pull patterns and design motifs
that are inspired by the Chamber of Relics within that building.
The hero shot when Doctor Strange rises up and you got the window behind him…
that is right there behind the bar, so you… Immediately that sets a tone.
We wanted to have some magic in the space. It just felt right.
[narrator] So Disney called in their very own illusionist extraordinaire,
Daniel Joseph.
My favorite Marvel character is Doctor Strange.
Dr. Stephen Strange.
[narrator] Literally no one calls you that.
I started at a young age making haunted houses in our basement.
And I would make fog machines and little animatronics
using parts and pieces
from things other people would throw out or give me to take apart.
At about eight or nine years old,
I went on a family trip to Walt Disney World,
and we're going through the Haunted Mansion.
[automated voice] Welcome foolish mortals.
I'm looking all around me to try to figure out how all this is done.
And realized there's people that do this for a living. They made this place.
Just like I make the thing in my basement.
Walt Disney was obviously a great storyteller,
but he always used innovation to advance the immersion of that storytelling.
There will always be something new and unusual.
Constantly allowing you to go through the frame and be in the story.
I didn't know what it was, but I knew I wanted to do it.
[narrator] Clearly, he solved the mystery because Daniel's been conjuring
some of Disney's coolest illusions for a while now.
Like the Haunted Mansion Parlors on the Disney Treasure and the Disney Destiny.
[Joseph] Creating an illusion is tricking the eye,
tricking the senses to make you think that you're experiencing something that isn't.
The best way to get there
is really thinking about things in a topsy-turvy way.
[narrator] Back in The Sanctum,
in collaboration with the food and beverage team,
Daniel is using that topsy-turvy thinking to make a different kind of spirit float.
We were able to come up with some neat, new beverages
that even have some special effects in them.
[narrator] Mixology meets sorcery.
Uh, hold on.
Come with me.
[narrator] If you follow Strange all the way to the top of the hero stairs…
Actually, you may want to take the elevator.
You'll find the Disney Tower Suite,
Disney Destiny's most luxurious accommodations,
and the ultimate representation of the ship's theme.
It's Tony Stark.
We wanted something… It to feel like something that…
Where Tony Stark would be.
Which means having nods to the Marvel universe
but in a very subtle, sophisticated way.
Something that could be in his Malibu residence.
[Crosby] A place where Tony Stark would wanna be.
[narrator] Every hero needs a hideout.
Every villain needs a lair.
And, on the Disney Destiny,
it's the villains' turn to bask in the spotlight.
Or, at least, the dramatic lighting.
Did you hear that, my pet?
This is the first time we're really bringing our villains into story moments.
All hands on deck!
This will be your home.
-[cackles] -Let the game begin!
We are going to have opportunities for guests to encounter, to interact,
and to play with some of the most iconic and wicked villains in the Disney canon.
Ooh, I quiver with fear.
[narrator] And who helps crank up that fear factor?
Disney Live Entertainment creative director Jen Bascom, of course…
-[laughs] -…who was brought in to work her magic.
She's the one making sure the villains steal the show.
We have an experience with Maleficent
where she casts spells and the room around you literally changes.
We want to deliver wow experiences that feel like they do in the movies,
where it feels like magic.
The program is called Under Her Spell.
Will you join me in casting a spell?
What do you know of Prince Phillip?
-Ooh. -[audience laughs]
[Case] Yes, you can get eye-to-eye with Maleficent if you dare.
For me, I am actually scared of Maleficent,
so I might hang back a little. [chuckles]
-[cackles] -[narrator] Same.
After all that dark magic,
guests might be ready for a breath of fresh air on deck.
But don't head out just yet.
Cruella's inside…
My favorite classic Disney villain is Cruella de Vil.
Anita, darling.
-Because she is flawed… -What?
…she is messy…
Why, you imbecile.
…but she's fabulous at the same time.
I worship furs.
Maybe I just described myself. I don't know. [laughs]
-It's Cruella De Vil! -Oh!
What is this?
Cruella De Vil, she's this larger-than-life personality.
Very dramatic.
[groaning] No!
So, we wanted a space that felt like she would want to be in.
You know, she's a fashion designer.
So, it's got really nice, luxurious velvets and heavy textures.
[Bascom] And the colors just feel like lipstick.
You're just in a big Cruella kiss. [laughs]
Now I feel as good as I look. [laughs]
I cannot wait for guests to experience Cruella in this space.
Oh! Brilliant, darling.
[Burkhardt] We have "how marvelous"
on the floor in a mosaic right when you walk in…
How marvelous.
…with a specific number of paw prints
that might be significant for guests to find there.
"Fifteen puppies stolen." [laughs]
She loves her spots,
so you're greeted with a spotted piano right as you walk in.
Behind the piano, we have a fiber optic
that will look like the window of the house.
There's a scene in the film where she walks up to the door.
Her silhouette just kind of flashes into the space.
So, from time to time, you'll actually see that
with lighting in the space where she'll look like she's popping in.
[barking]
The Ken Anderson, hand-drawn look was so distinct.
So, our carpet design in the space
actually has a little bit of that hand-drawn feel to it
with some spots mixed in as well.
Cheerio, darlings! [laughs]
[narrator] Of course they still have kids' spaces.
Come on, it's Disney Cruise Line.
Pixar and Disney are so detail-oriented. People might say it's a little crazy.
Most everyone's mad here.
You think that nobody will notice, but people will feel it.
[narrator] From immersive spaces filled with your favorite characters,
a one-of-a-kind water coaster attraction,
-to Pixar-themed spaces like… -[Sounart] The Toy Story Splash Zone.
[exclaiming]
[narrator] …and an Incredibles-themed Hero Zone with…
…an inflatable obstacle course.
-[narrator] And… -Jack-Jack's "Cookie Num Num" game.
[babbles]
It's kind of like a Whac-A-Mole style game
where you try to collect as many cookies as you can really fast.
[narrator] When the kids are done, they can swing by Edna À La Mode Sweets
to get their own sugar fix.
Edna Mode.
[gasps]
Edna is a designer.
This is mega-mesh. Outmoded, but very sturdy.
Who better to design desserts than Edna?
[scoffs] I used to design for gods.
[Sounart] Seeing the kids actually playing in the play area
is one of the most fun things for me.
Hopefully, you inspire future Imagineers. [chuckles]
[narrator] And, as with all things Disney…
Everything comes back to storytelling.
No matter what we're working on,
one of the things that we ask ourselves is "What's the story behind it?"
[narrator] And nowhere does the story shine brighter than in the Grand Hall.
And they told us it's going to be heroes and villains.
And that Grand Hall is gonna feel like Wakanda?
Oh, my God.
We are home.
[narrator] In order to create an authentic Wakanda experience…
We knew we needed to look deeper
at what are, sort of, all of the iconic design, moves and details
that we can incorporate in this grand hall.
[narrator] So, Disney reached out to the best.
[Cabo] That led us to Ruth Carter.
I am a costume designer.
[narrator] That's the understatement of the multiverse.
Ruth E. Carter has not one but two Oscars
for designing the costumes for the Black Panther movies.
Now, you may be wondering,
"Why ask a costume designer to consult about designing a grand hall?"
For me, I'm creating the garments, uh, based on the environment.
[narrator] And Ruth's vast experience in the world of Wakanda
was essential to getting the details right.
[Cabo] Just having her replay to us all the research she did for the film
was really exciting.
I'm a costume designer, you know, sometimes we make things up.
But, at least with Wakanda, it was made up.
Wakanda really doesn't exist, but it is based on a real place.
[narrator] And real research
that brought in ideas and cultures from all over Africa.
Looking at the stacked jewelry, the different patterns,
understanding colors, what colors meant.
[narrator] The team built on the spark Ruth's ideas had ignited.
Applying those concepts in beautiful ways throughout the Grand Hall.
These details at the tops of the columns inspired by Queen Ramonda's crown.
Of course we have the purple heart-shaped herb,
the pattern that's in T'Challa's suit…
The Okavango triangle…
[Burkhardt] …is the pattern that makes up the glass railing.
We created this triangle which was like the sacred geometry of Africa.
[N'Jobu] Millions of years ago,
a meteorite made of vibranium, the strongest substance in the universe,
struck the continent of Africa.
Our chandelier in the space is inspired by the meteorite
that brought the vibranium to Wakanda.
It's this beautiful sculptural piece in the space.
It'll be color-changing.
It'll completely transform the space, cascading rhythms.
And then in the carpet, it radiates out like this source of energy and light.
[narrator] That light isn't just for show.
It's what turns the Grand Hall from a hero's haven into a villain's stage.
Depending on who's crashing the party.
In the Grand Hall, Loki is onboard.
Loki shows up and the whole place transforms.
And he declares himself the king of this vessel.
It's so fun. You're gonna love it. I know I'm dying.
I, like, want to jump out of my chair but I'm trying to be an adult.
[narrator] Oh, go for it. It's Disney Cruise Line!
Where a seat at the dinner table will always be waiting for you.
Each night, you will either have dinner and a show,
or you will have a show and then dinner.
But the main thing is is that you're in a different restaurant every evening.
[narrator] And just like rotational dining on the other ships,
your waiter stays with you through each night's meal.
And while the ship still offers favorites like 1923 and Worlds of Marvel,
the Disney Destiny takes dining to a wild new level.
Pride Lands is our Lion King themed entertainment restaurant
on the Disney Destiny.
Our guests enter onto the savanna where we gather for a beautiful meal.
When you walk in, the tapestry along the walls
are very iconic to all the different areas of Africa that The Lion King was based on.
[Burkhardt] The space will kind of activate.
So, as you're having dinner, you may see items in the column come to life,
some windows with animals appearing.
You are immersed in this soundscape of live African drummers.
The drum is basically the heartbeat of African culture.
[narrator] The drums echo through the Pride Lands,
guiding every guest to their seat.
And, once you're there…
[announcer] Our story begins.
Storytellers, singers and musicians representing the African diaspora
take the stage and bring to life the story of The Lion King.
♪ Till we find our place ♪
Now, [speaks indistinctly]! That works.
-All right. -All right.
[narrator] And who's the creative director leading this pride
of storytellers, singers and musicians as guests feast each night?
That would be Paul Bryant.
We really wanted to keep it uplifted and energetic and fun
for the families and also for the performers.
So there's no Mufasa.
[Simba] Dad?
You know the story. [laughing] I don't need…
[narrator cries] Yeah, I do.
I have been affiliated with The Lion King for quite some time.
[narrator] Another epic understatement.
Paul was the creator of the Disneyland show Tale of the Lion King.
And now I get to do another version on the Disney Destiny. I love it.
We took some musical numbers from the Broadway show, the film,
and then we actually created one number that has never been heard before
that is being introduced into this show, which is called "Serengeti Rain."
[♪ "Serengeti Rain" plays]
[♪ song ends]
I'm not gonna give too much away. [laughs]
[narrator] So, with the script and songs written,
it was time to get the stage ready.
Enter the illusions and effects department.
Doing restaurants on a cruise ship is really, really difficult.
Every single inch has to count.
And then on top of that, all the walls are metal.
So all these savanna vistas that are throughout the Pride Lands space
had to be figured out super, super early on.
I didn't want to do it with video.
We wanted to do it in kind of an old-school theater way.
So, we did a few mock-ups of that, where we built one of the sections
of window and tried different fabrics, tried different printing techniques,
and then really played with lighting and theater design
to make this space transform into looking out into the vista of the Pride Lands.
And then, throughout your evening kind of change to silhouetted, beautiful animals
in grass reeds and everything like that,
that really hearken back
to the opening scene of The Lion King, which is so iconic.
What a great magic trick, to transform the space while you're eating.
[narrator] And that magic extends to every detail of design.
Transforming the dining experience into an evening in the Pride Lands.
When we get the theme, we design the napkins, the plates,
table numbers, the centerpieces, the silverware. All those small things.
[narrator] Turns out it really is the little things. Who knew?
Then we go together with Entertainment, uh, we bring it on board.
Once we get on the ship,
there will actually be time for us to rehearse in the venue with the servers
because everybody's doing their job.
[Picket] Once that show starts rehearsing on stage, and we see their movement,
we really are going to be serving around them.
[Bryant] And make sure we're not trampling over servers, and there's not, you know…
they're coming out with a flambé or something.
Flambé!
[narrator] It's kind of like choreography.
Girl, it's all choreographed. [laughs]
This is your chance now. Shine.
For me, The Lion King speaks to every single ethnicity, every single race.
It's all about family.
So, to bring this to Disney Cruise Line
with this authentic music, with this authentic cast,
with this authentic sound, flavors, taste, costumes,
is just absolutely a joy for me, a pleasure…
and an honor.
If you can find the joy in what it is that you're doing,
anything is possible.
Do not tell me what is possible. Tell me the truth.
[narrator] The truth is, it's finally time to reveal the statue in the Grand Hall.
But I'm paw-sitive you've already sniffed it out.
It's the Black Panther.
So strong and powerful.
Go big or go home.
It's our first time having a Marvel character in the Grand Hall too.
T'Challa is very unique. He's unlike what we've done before.
He's still a bronze sculpture,
but he has a completely unique patina which we were very excited about.
[Crosby] They infused these hints of purple, and when the light hits it…
Uh, I'm not gonna pretend to be an expert on the technology of it.
Thank you.
[Crosby] We know from the films that Black Panther with his vibranium suit,
when he takes a hit,
it kind of glows purple and then it redirects that energy out.
With the costume mixed with the sort of glowing elements
that were meant to represent the kinetic energy
he has stored in the suit, all that stuff looked incredible.
He looks great.
What I love about the sculpture on board is it really has this incredible power.
And of course, he's got his companion of the black panther next to him.
It's this perfect sort of blend of all of the things
we want to bring life on the ship.
I think that sense of wow will envelop the families and the children
that come to see Black Panther in the Grand Hall.
[narrator] And remember,
while the Grand Hall may shine with the Wakanda theme,
it is built to transform.
Ready to whisk guests anywhere, anytime.
[Crosby] We have a lot of characters that come in and out of these spaces.
So it had to feel like a place where, yes, Black Panther would feel at home,
but also a lot of the Disney characters could also exist.
There were lots of internal discussions
about how do we bring our heroic female characters down the stairs,
you know, past this really strong Black Panther?
I'm a big tough girl. I tie my own sandals and everything.
They're not just passive. They're strong women who do big things.
Then save the world.
[narrator] So, female characters walking past the Black Panther…
-Not a problem. -Are you finished?
Artwork's up, carpet's in, and the Bubble Wrap's finally coming off.
[horn blows]
[narrator] And the Disney Destiny, the third ship in her class
was ready to say auf Wiedersehen to the Meyer Werft shipyard
and head home for her christening in Fort Lauderdale.
Welcome to the next chapter in the Disney Cruise Line story.
[Minnie Mouse] We are ready to set sail toward our destiny.
I christen thee, Disney Destiny!
[audience cheers]
[narrator] Every great story has a beginning.
For the Walt Disney Company, it was the dreamers at the helm.
Each one steering the company into a new era.
From Walt's boundless imagination…
I think Walt would love the fact that we're in the cruise business.
[narrator] …to Michael Eisner's fearless ambition…
If you're gonna do a cruise, make it the best.
[narrator] …to Bob Iger's galaxy-sized vision.
The expansion of the Disney Cruise Line is very much a part of our decision
to turbocharge our entire experiences business.
We're bringing Disney on the sea to so many more people around the world.
[narrator] Each captain steered Disney's storytelling in a new direction,
and, without even realizing it,
was quietly shaping the destinies of ships, island destinations
and the storytellers who'd one day sail them.
And with more stories and more ships on the horizon,
the magic of Disney at Sea is only just getting started.
[♪ "Circle of Life" plays]
It takes a village. And this is an amazing village to be a part of.
That's what makes it so special and so exciting.
[Joseph] If I were to tell my eight-year-old self
when I was making these haunted houses and taking things apart and all that,
"You're actually training yourself to do exactly the kind of thing
you're gonna do in 30 years,"
it gives me the chills.
[Sweeting-Miller] Disney providing meaningful opportunities
throughout our communities,
hope came back.
I get emotional about this.
Hope came back to the people of Eleuthera.
This has really been one of those hero's journeys
to get us to this moment on the Destiny, where it feels like a destiny fulfilled.
It's really kind of magical and special to get to be a part of that.
I'm truly honored and blessed to be a part of this.
I mean, talk about your destiny. This is what I've always dreamed of doing.
[Iger] Our cast members really tell the Disney story
at the highest level of quality there is,
and it just makes me extraordinarily proud.
[roars]
[♪ "Circle of Life" continues]
[narrator] The cast members' stories are now set in steel and paint,
but the guests, they're still writing theirs.
One unforgettable moment at a time.
Be brave.
Chase the dream.
I mean, honestly, it's an honor.
It's like a dream.
[narrator] Take the journey.
That's why we do this.
The ocean chose you.
[narrator] Find your destiny!
-[♪ "Circle of Life" ends] -[audience cheers]
[producer] Who is your favorite Disney character, and why?
-Oh, that's a hard one. -Ooh.
It's a really difficult one.
-Um… -It changes a lot.
That's a hard question, to be asked what your favorite Disney character is.
-I love Lilo. -Jiminy Cricket.
-Dug from Up. -Minnie Mouse.
Miss Daisy Duck. She knows what she wants, she knows how to get it,
and she's just amazing.
-Cinderella. -Stitch.
-Dumbo. -Beaker from The Muppets.
-Winnie the Pooh. -Rapunzel.
-Baloo. -Deadpool.
That's interesting.
-My favorite Disney character is Goofy. -Goofy.
-I just love Goofy.
I grew up watching Goof Troop on Disney.
He absolutely makes me laugh.
He just likes to be happy. Just joyous and jubilee.
My favorite Disney character is Buzz Lightyear.
It's Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast.
Sadness from Inside Out.
My favorite Disney character is Donald Duck.
He is the emotional expression a human can never really have.
He's either really angry and intense, or he's really happy and over the top.
My favorite Disney character has got to be Mickey Mouse.
You would laugh at an old guy who has as many Mickey Mouse shirts as I do.
That beaming smile of Mickey Mouse, you can't help but smile back.
He's been there, uh, since the beginning of Disney Cruise Line.
Every time Captain Mickey shows up, we're able to make people smile,
and that's pretty awesome.