Photos: ‘Disney’s Believe’ and ‘Golden Mickeys’ Additions on Disney Dream
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A friend of Stitch Kingdom, who has had the blessed opportunity to sail upon the Disney Dream prior to its inaugural launch on January 26, has provided us with several photos from the ship’s entertainment offerings.
First up is cruiser favorite the ‘Golden Mickeys’ which has received enhancements that are exclusive to the new ship. A whole new segment featuring Ariel and her friends from The Little Mermaid in an under the sea aerial ballet adventure. Also added to the show is Disney’s newest princess, Rapunzel, from Disney’s Tangled, who joins beau Flynn Rider in a faithful re-creation of the romantic boat ride scene. Also promised to the lineup is a Beast who transforms from creature to prince right in front of the audience’s eyes in the Beauty and the Beast segment.
In the all-new production titled ‘Disney’s Believe,’ Dr. Cornelius Greenaway is a brilliant botanist obsessed with cultivating his precious plants who is so preoccupied with his garden that he overlooks the birthday of his daughter, Sophia. Saddened, Sophia makes a special birthday wish and the impossible happens: Genie from Disney’s Aladdin appears to make her dreams come true.
Billed as the most ambitious staged productions for Disney Cruise Line to date, the fifty-minute long show features over 20 beloved Disney characters and 18 musical performances. The show also features a grey-furred Baloo who’s also fully articulated, as Mickey Mouse and Timon are in their respective productions at the Walt Disney World Resort.
For more information on the new show and other changes to the entertainment offered on board the Disney Dream, see our initial report.
Categories: Disney Cruise Line, Theatre Tags: Believe, Disney Dream, Golden Mickeys
Video: ‘Disney Dream’ Christening at Port Canaveral
With a dash of Disney magic and a surprising twist, a helicopter hoisted a 16-foot “champagne bottle” across the bow of the Disney Dream during a christening ceremony yesterday morning officially welcoming the newest ship to the Disney Cruise Line family.
Serving the traditional role of godmother for the Disney Dream christening was Jennifer Hudson, the Academy Award and Grammy Award winner whose own dreams of stardom began when she was a performer on the Disney Wonder ship in 2003. Hudson was joined onstage by Disney CEO Bob Iger and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs, as the enormous “champagne bottle” filled with dreams of adventure, romance and fun was lifted into the air and broken across the bow of the 130,000-ton ship.
The spectacle befit a ship brimming with innovative “wows” – including gallery art that comes alive, the first water coaster aboard a cruise ship, Magical Portholes that provide inside staterooms with a real-time ocean view, a full-blown shipboard fireworks show, personal interaction with animated characters, play floors like gigantic video games, and original Broadway-style stage spectaculars.
“For over a decade, Disney Cruise Line has been making vacation dreams come true for millions of families and we continue that tradition today with the launch of the Disney Dream,” Iger said. “The mix of imagination and innovation found on the Disney Dream is unparalleled and elevates the family cruise experience to new heights.”
The 4,000-passenger Disney Dream sails its maiden voyage out of Port Canaveral, Fla., on Jan. 26. It joins the 2,700-passenger Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, with the Disney Fantasy scheduled to join the fleet in 2012.
“The addition of the Disney Dream provides an opportunity to extend our horizons and open up Disney cruising to more families,” Staggs said. “From the majestic beauty of Alaska, to the culture and history of Europe, to the fun and sun of the Caribbean, families looking to take a Disney cruise have more options than ever before.”
Video and photo courtesy Disney Cruise Line
Categories: Disney Cruise Line Tags: DCL, Disney Dream, Events
Peek Inside Spring 2011 Issue of ‘Disney twenty-three’ Magazine, Available February 1
The spring issue of Disney twenty-three magazine hits stands February 1, loaded with articles to delight both Disney fans and the general public.
The cover story gives readers a stem-to-stern tour of Disney Cruise Line’s awe-inspiring new ship, Disney Dream, a mighty 4,000 passenger vessel equipped with cutting-edge technology and activities and entertainment for ultimate family fun on the high seas. Featuring an exclusive guided exploration of this third and largest ship in the Disney fleet, the spring issue of Disney twenty-three lets readers learn exciting details from the Imagineers who helped transform their creative vision into one of the world’s most spectacular floating vacation spots.
Imagineer Joe Lanzisero steers readers through the ideas that percolated early on in the minds of his fellow Imagineers as the seemingly impossible details for the Disney Dream took shape and became reality. Readers will discover how the design team conquered new cruise challenges such as providing every stateroom on board with an ocean view (even the interior cabins!) as well as giving guests a way to safely steal a look 12 feet over the side of the ship itself. In talking about the design process, Lanzisero claims it was “…like watching a great musician or a great dancer create. It just happens before your eyes; you never think about what goes into it.”
Disney twenty-three’s spring issue also includes an exclusive interview with Sir Elton John discussing his participation in Disney’s new animated feature film, Gnomeo & Juliet, a picturesque and comedic retelling of Shakespeare’s traditional love story that now stars garden gnomes. Sir Elton talks about how the film inspired him to spoof his own music, adding that “every artist should have a sense of humor about himself. Nothing is sacred. I think poking fun at yourself is one of the greatest things you can do.” He also chats about recording a duet with Lady Gaga called ‘Hello Hello” and provides surprising insight about other songs included in the film.
The spring issue also celebrates the 25-year collaboration between composer Danny Elfman and filmmaker Tim Burton, presenting fans with a retrospective of the quirky fruits of their collaborations. Elfman reveals the creative process behind their sometimes funny and sometimes eccentric, but always unforgettable, creations.
There’s much more in the spring issue of Disney twenty-three, including:
- GOOD TASTE IS TIMELESS: Highlights the history and tradition of the refreshing beer called Radeberger that is served at Epcot’s Germany Pavilion.
- INSIDE AT DISNEY’S EXCLUSIVE TALK, SQUAWK & SQUEAK CLUB: Disney twenty-three chats it up with the personalities who give voice to Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto. Plus meet the all-star cast of Disney Channel’s new animated series, Jake and the Never Land Pirates.
- THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME: Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline leads a rich trip back in time, packed with vivid photos and travel tales giving readers an incredible insight into Walt and Lilly’s voyages abroad.
- SEAS THE DAY: Take a dive at Epcot: It’s a whole new world as Disney twenty-three Editor-in-Chief Carmen Capone goes scuba diving and comes face to face with a shark!
- THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: Richard Kraft, agent to musical talents Danny Elfman, Alan Menken, Richard Sherman and others, packs his Encino, California, home with vintage Disney treasures… including, of course, a Dumbo attraction vehicle from Walt Disney World.
- 23 QUESTIONS WITH… Imagineer, attraction designer and Disney Legend Bob Gurr.
- A WALK WITH WALT 1939: WORLDS TO CONQUER: Even as Walt crafted his groundbreaking Fantasia, construction crews were breaking ground on his brand new studios in Burbank.
- D SOCIETY: Alan Menken, Leonard Maltin and some very popular D23 Members (even a duo direct from Tokyo!) are all in the spotlight.
- PHOTOfiles: Disney twenty-three’s ninth installment of rare pictures from the Disney Photo Library takes readers from a 1941 photo shoot with Walt to visits back home to Marceline and to the set of Mary Poppins.
- GOOD MOUSEKEEPING: This issue of Disney twenty-three debuts a new column featuring classic Disney comics originally published in the 1930s and early 1940s in Good Housekeeping magazine. Once a staple in the pages of the magazine, these charming and nostalgic illustrations now come alive in the pages of Disney twenty-three where fans can appreciate them anew.
And there’s even more for Disney fans to explore! As with every issue of Disney twenty-three, D23 Members receive an added bonus. This issue comes with an exclusive D23 Expo 2011 luggage tag featuring the beloved chipmunks Chip and Dale that will be shipped to members exclusively. To become a D23 Member and learn more about membership and the spring issue of Disney twenty-three, visit www.disney.com/D23. Disney twenty-three is also available at select retail locations for $15.95.
Categories: D23 Expo Tags: D23, DCL, Disney Dream, Elton John, Gnomeo, Gnomeo and Juliet, Tim Burton
Disney Dream Official Maritime Plaque Exchange Commemorating Inaugural Call Takes Place at Port Canaveral
The traditional plaque and key exchange for Disney’s newest ship, the Disney Dream, took place today commemorating the ship’s inaugural call on the port with an official maritime ceremony onboard. Several elected and local officials participated in the event including Gov. Rick Scott and Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer J. Stanley “Stan” Payne, along with Captain Tom Forberg of the Disney Dream and Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz.
The launch of the Disney Dream is expected to bring sizable economic benefits to Port Canaveral and the region including nearly 450 jobs and thousands of additional cruise guests. The 130,000-ton ship will call Port Canaveral home and sail three-, four- and five-night Bahamian itineraries beginning with the ship’s maiden voyage on Jan. 26.
“We are extremely proud of the Disney Dream and all its innovations, but we are even more excited to finally see this ship here at home in Port Canaveral,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. “Port Canaveral has been our home since we launched our first ship here in 1998 and continues to provide our guests with an amazing cruise terminal facility which has been recently expanded and enhanced.”
In order to accommodate the new and larger Disney Dream, construction enhancements have been made to extend the dock facility and expand the terminal to allow for the additional guests. Port Canaveral also constructed a brand new multi-level parking structure that connects the terminal via a sky-bridge walkway.
In keeping with tradition, Karl and Captain Tom hosted port officials and community leaders onboard the 4,000-passenger ship as part of the inaugural call ceremony where plaques were exchanged amongst the leaders. The guests also had a chance to catch a sneak peek of some of the innovative features aboard the ship such as the AquaDuck – the first water coaster at sea, and the ship’s immaculate and art-deco inspired lobby, featuring a dazzling chandelier and Admiral Donald statue.
With the arrival of the Disney Dream in Port Canaveral, preparations are underway for its inaugural cruises and events, including the traditional christening of the vessel. Other Disney Dream inaugural events include a Benefit Preview Cruise in support of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, sailing Jan. 21-23.
Designed to build upon Disney’s commitment to delivering unparalleled family cruises, the Disney Dream, which was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, is the first of two new ships for Disney Cruise Line. A sister ship, the Disney Fantasy, which is currently under construction, will arrive in early 2012 to sail seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral.
The addition of two new ships allows Disney Cruise Line to offer more variety of itineraries and sail to more destinations around the world, including a permanent reposition of the Disney Wonder to the West Coast of the U.S., sailing Mexican Riviera and first-ever Alaskan itineraries, and another summer venture for the Disney Magic to sail Mediterranean itineraries. New ships Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy will homeport in Port Canaveral, and sail Bahamian and Caribbean itineraries, respectively.
Photo courtesy Disney Cruise Line
Categories: Disney Cruise Line Tags: DCL, Disney Dream, Events
Video: Disney Dream Arrives at Port Canaveral (HD)
The newest entry into the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Dream, arrived at her home port of Port Canaveral from her inaugural stop at Nassau early yesterday morning to great fanfare. Hundreds of Walt Disney World cast members were on hand at Jetty Park to welcome her home where she is currently being prepped for her a series of trial runs, including the christening cruise, prior to her official maiden voyage on January 26.
Stitch Kingdom contributor prd3000 was on-hand to capture the momentous occasion and has shared his incredible HD video of the arrival with us, which you can watch in the video below. At approximately 1 minute in is when you can hear the Disney Dream play the iconic ‘when you wish upon a start’ Disney Cruise Line horn followed by a series of fireworks at sea, a feat that can only be accomplished by Disney Cruise Line.
Be sure to check out prd3000′s other high quality and exceptional videos from Walt Disney World on Vimeo.
We will be aboard the maiden voyage and look forward to bringing you more extended coverage from the Disney Dream.
Categories: Disney Cruise Line Tags: DCL, Disney Dream
Photos: Disney Dream Arrives in Port Canaveral
Fireworks light the morning sky as the Disney Dream, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, arrives Jan. 4, 2011 for the first time to her home port of Port Canaveral, Fla. after traveling approximately 6,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from Bremerhaven, Germany. The 4,000-passenger Disney Dream will welcome guests on her maiden voyage on Jan. 26, 2011, and is scheduled to sail three-, four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island Castaway Cay, from Port Canaveral. Photo by Phelan Ebenhack.
Photo by Gene Duncan. Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line
Categories: Disney Cruise Line Tags: DCL, Disney Dream, Events
Video: Imagineering Puts Finishing Touches on Disney Dream; Hi-Res Images of Exclusive Vinylmation
As the newest entry into the Disney Cruise Line fleet prepares to make her on-sea debut, Walt Disney Imagineering provides us this glimpse into providing the final touches on the interior of the ship. The lengthy video gives some great imagery of nearly-finished areas including the awe-inspiring atrium and its incredible LED-lit chandelier.
Via its official vinylmation blog, Disney Design Group also decided to reveal the vinylmation figures that will be exclusive to the Disney Dream when it makes its maiden voyage on January 26. The 9″ figure, designed by Dan Howard, is similar to those previously released for the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. It will retail for $44.95 and is limited to an edition size of just 750 pieces. The two 3″ Admiral Donald figures will come as a boxed set (including a Vinylmation Jr figure) and were designed by Lisa Badeen. The boxed set is limited to just 1,000 pieces and retails for $24.95. Not only available to just those sailing on the maiden voyage, the ability to purchase the Vinylmation figures is restricted to a Random Selection Process (RSP).
To see the vinylmation set’s box, as well as many of the other items available to Disney Dream maiden voyage participants via RSP and auctions, you can check out the official merchandise list here.
I am pleased to announce that I will be participating in the maiden voyage and look forward to bringing you first-hand reports of my experiences from the ship as well as hopefully returning with some of the exclusive merchandise pictured.
Categories: Disney Cruise Line, Merchandise Tags: Collectibles, DCL, Disney Dream, Merchandise, VCD, Vinylmation, walt disney imagineering, WDI
Disney Cruise Line Takes Helm of Disney Dream from Meyer Werft in Ceremony
Disney Cruise Line recently took possession of its newest ship, the Disney Dream, from the Meyer Werft shipyard in a traditional maritime ceremony aboard the ship in Bremerhaven, Germany. The Meyer Werft flag was lowered, while the Disney Cruise Line flag was raised, transferring ownership from the shipbuilder to Disney.
The milestone closes the book on the ship’s construction journey, which began nearly two years ago in Papenburg, Germany, and signals its readiness to welcome guests on its maiden voyage, set for Jan. 26, 2011, from Port Canaveral, Florida.
“The Disney Dream is an extraordinary ship, in part because of the collaboration of the superb shipbuilders at Meyer Werft and the innovative technology and storytelling that our Disney team has developed and implemented aboard,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. “I cannot wait for our guests to experience this newest addition to our fleet, a ship that will delight and surprise all ages.”
From a water coaster at sea called AquaDuck, and inside staterooms with virtual views, to Enchanted Art that immerses guests in stories, and fine dining at Remy, the Disney Dream will deliver family cruise experiences like no other. The shipboard experience remains focused on the legacy and heritage of The Walt Disney Company’s most known assets – master storytelling, world-class entertainment and legendary guest service.
“It gives me great pride to deliver the Disney Dream, which is the largest ship that Meyer Werft has ever built,” said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft. “Over the last few years, I have seen this ‘dream’ transform from the design phase to a magnificent reality, which guests will soon be able to enjoy for years to come. To make this dream come true, it takes a special partnership. The collaboration among Disney Cruise Line, Meyer Werft and its suppliers has been excellent and very creative.”
Meyer Werft and Disney first signed a contract to build two new ships in April of 2007. Shortly thereafter, planning for the design of the ships began and construction started with the first steel cutting in Papenburg, Germany, on March 2, 2009. Since the recent completion of the ship’s float out from the shipyard and conveyance along the River Ems, the test-and-adjust period has been in full swing, including sea trials and a brief dry dock in Hamburg, Germany. The ship will remain in Bremerhaven for another week while additional crew members board, and supplies and provisions are loaded. The Disney Dream is scheduled to depart on Dec. 19, for its transatlantic voyage to the U.S., with an expected arrival on Jan. 4, 2011.
Captain Tom Forberg will officially take the helm of the Disney Dream for Disney Cruise Line. As part of the Disney Cruise Line ship construction team, Captain Forberg has been with the company for 15 years and was responsible for launching Disney’s first two ships, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.
The Disney Dream is scheduled to sail three-, four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas, from Port Canaveral. Sister ship Disney Fantasy is currently in production at the Meyer Werft shipyard and is scheduled to set sail on its maiden voyage on April 7, 2012. It will sail seven-night alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries, also from Port Canaveral.
Categories: Disney Cruise Line Tags: DCL, Disney Dream
Video: AquaDuck on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream In Action
Disney Cruise Line has shared with us this video of the innovative AquaDuck Water Slide in action aboard the Disney Dream which is now undergoing testing outside the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany where it was constructed.
An industry first of its kind, the 765 foot long AquaDuck takes the rider on a journey around up, down, around and off the side of the ship, through the Forward Funnel and — following a massive 4 deck-tall drop — into a lazy river.
Categories: Disney Cruise Line Tags: AquaDuck, DCL, Disney Dream
Photos: Disney Dream Departs Meyer Werft Shipyard in Germany
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream, one of the longest ships in the world and the largest ship to be built in Germany to date, left the shipyard yesterday evening with the aid of a tugboat. The ship will remain in the Meyer Werft shipyard’s harbor where she will first undergo a series of several technical tests as internal construction is completed.
She is expected to be conveyed down the river Ems at an as-of-yet specified date in mid-November at which point she’ll begin crossing the Atlantic for her anticipated January 4 arrival at Port Canaveral.
Photos courtesy Walt Disney World Resort.
Categories: Disney Cruise Line Tags: DCL, Disney Dream, Events
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