Disney Destiny Reaches New Milestones

I hope you’re ready to meet your Destiny — because I sure am! 🛳💫

Disney Cruise Line’s next ship, the Disney Destiny, is coming to life right before our eyes — and friends, she is already a showstopper. From heroic statues and room décor fit for royalty to Spidey-inspired stern magic and Jack-Jack-approved sweet shop surprises, this ship is going to be an unforgettable blend of power, playfulness, and pixie dust.

Disney Destiny Reaches New Milestones
Concept Art: Disney Cruise Line

This week, Disney gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the shipbuilding progress — and you know I couldn’t wait to dive in and break it all down for you. So grab your Mickey ears, turn up the Spotify playlist (yep, there’s a Spotify playlist!), and let’s take a peek at all the latest from the future home of magical adventures.


🕷️ Spider-Man Swings into the Stern Spotlight

For the first time ever, a Marvel Super Hero is claiming the stern spotlight aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship — and I think this will be a BIG hit with Marvel fans all over the world. The Disney Destiny’s stern character will be none other than Spider-Man, joined by his adorable, gadget-loving Spider-Bots, all busily “decorating” the ship’s filigree with web-slinging flair.

Disney Destiny reaches new milestones. SpiderMan Stern Design
Concept Art: Disney Cruise Line

This massive sculpture is currently in its final stages and will soon be installed on the back of the ship. I can already picture the incredible photo ops — and yes, I’m expecting Her Universe and the Disney Store to produce some dazzling Spidey themed-merch 😍 that will need to be photographed with Spidey on the stern!


🎨 Stateroom Art with Legendary Vibes

One of my favorite details on Disney Cruise ships? The custom mural above the bed — and the Destiny is taking it to the next level.

Each stateroom on the Destiny will feature gorgeous, oversized headboard artwork celebrating the duality of heroes and villains, with stunning tributes to characters like Hercules, Mulan, and Merida. These illustrations are cinematic and bold, bringing Disney and Pixar storytelling right into your personal space. It’s like sleeping under the stars and a storybook. ✨

These art pieces are stunning. I want ALL of them. In my house. {sigh}. But seriously, aren’t these so beautiful? Such a dreamy quality.


Edna & Jack-Jack Steal the Spotlight (and the Cookies)

Calling all Incredibles fans — the Edna À La Mode Sweets shop just keeps getting better. Two brand-new life-size statues are coming to this sugar-coated space, and they’re straight from the Auntie Edna short film.

You’ll see Edna Mode attempting to entertain the ever-unpredictable Jack-Jack using an assortment of sweet treats — and you just know something’s going to explode in the most adorable way. I’m ridiculously excited about this one. I mean, you all know how much I love Edna Mode!


🖤 A Marvel-ous Welcome in the Grand Hall

Ready for your jaw to drop?

For the very first time, the Grand Hall’s signature statue — the one that welcomes every guest as they board — will be a Marvel hero. And not just any hero: it’s T’Challa, the original Black Panther.

Standing tall on a rocky outcropping with a panther by his side, this bronze statue is accented with shimmering silver and deep purple tones that reflect Wakanda’s strength, elegance, and pride. I think the Black Panther is quite a departure from the statues we normally see in the Grand Hall–and I think the impact on Marvel fans from all over the world will be BIG.

Disney Destiny Black Panther Heroes and Villains
Concept Art: Disney Destiny

🎵 The Official Disney Destiny Spotify Playlist is Here!

Want to start setting the mood? Disney has launched an official Disney Cruise Line playlist on Spotify, featuring Disney favorites that tie into the various ships’ venues and themes.

🎶 Expect songs from:

      • The Lion King to prep you for Feast of The Lion King (Disney Destiny)

      • Hercules to get hyped for the new Broadway-style show (Disney Destiny)

      • 101 Dalmatians to set the vibe for De Vil’s lounge (Disney Destiny)

Disney Destiny, Spotify Playlist
Disney Cruise Line OFFICIAL Spotify Playlist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know this may seem a little silly upon first glance and not really newsworthy. But these playlists are usually very good and I really wanted to share with you. Disney has been doing a really good job curating their various playlists over the last few years. I really enjoy them, especially the ones they put together for the races. It’s really fun on a dull, ordinary, gray day to put on a Disney Spotify Playlist and just let it go. Usually within a song or two, my mood is lifted and I’m feeling pretty terrific!

📝 Brooke’s Tip: Queue it up for your next walk or while packing your cruise outfits. Instant mood booster.


🌊 Float Up Complete! The Destiny Has Touched Water

Disney Destiny Major Milestone
Photos: Disney Cruise Line

Big moment alert! The Disney Destiny has officially touched water for the first time. The process, called the “float up,” flooded the shipyard chamber with water from the Ems River and gently lifted the ship from its resting place.

With the final block now in place, the ship is structurally complete. (Does anyone else get emotional watching time-lapse videos of Disney construction projects? No regrets. Don’t worry, you’ll get your chance. That video is coming up below.)

Here’s what’s next:

        • Systems testing begins (including the main engines)
        • Interior detailing continues
        • Iconic exterior elements (like the bow artwork!) are being finalized

🦸‍♀️ Minnie Mouse Shines on the Bow

And speaking of exterior elements… the Disney Destiny’s bow art will feature Captain Minnie Mouse in an epic new heroic look — cape billowing, stance strong, fully embracing the heroes and villains theme.

Disney Destiny major Milestones. Hero Minnie.
Concept Art: Disney Cruise Line

This hand-painted masterpiece continues Disney Cruise Line’s time-honored tradition of making each ship’s bow design uniquely magical. I love love love Minnie Mouse and it is so fun to see she’s taking a “leading” role on the Destiny. I mean, how cute is she?!?!?!

Disney Destiny Hero Minnie
Hero Minnie! Photo: DisneyCruiseLIne

🎥 Watch the Destiny Come to Life

Want to see this ship’s progress in action? Disney released a time-lapse construction video that shows the Disney Destiny being built alongside the Disney Treasure in Germany. It’s SO satisfying and magical to watch — from the skeleton of steel to the floating icon she’s becoming. [I am a sucker for these time-lapse videos, they are so fun to watch! It really does almost seem like magic!]

✨ Final Thoughts from This Future Passenger

This ship has me dreaming in purple, gold, and heroic flair. From the iconic art to the character reveals to the jaw-dropping details behind the scenes, the Disney Destiny is shaping up to be pure magic at sea.

The countdown to November 20 is ON — and whether you’re planning to book the maiden voyage or dreaming of a 2026 sailing, I hope you’re just as excited to meet your Destiny as I am.

💌 Ready to start planning your own legendary voyage? I’d love to help you get started! Email me and we can get started on all those Disney Cruise Line dreams!!

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Are you ready to plan your next Magical vacation? I’d love to help! email Brooke@disneycastledreaming.com for a free, no obligation quote today!

 

 

 

Epcot IllumiNations Reflections of Earth Final Show Date Announced

We knew it was coming.  Disney has announced the final show date for Epcot’s long running nighttime entertainment spectacular, IllumiNations Reflections of Earth.  Knowing this announcement was coming didn’t make hearing the actual date of the final show any easier.

The final show of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth will be September 30, 2019.

Epcot IllumiNations Reflections of Earth Final Show Date Announced
IllumiNations Reflections of Earth to End September 30, 2019

An Important Part of Epcot History

IllumiNations Reflections of Earth premiered in October 1999 as part of the Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration.  Airing nightly for almost 20 years, IllumiNations has been an integral component of hundreds of thousands of family vacations. (And probably MILLIONS of photographs–in my collection alone!)

IllumiNations starts every night at 9 pm, and takes place on the World Showcase Lagoon.  One of the great things about the show is that there are great viewing spots for the show all the way around the Lagoon.  The show is filled with fireworks, lasers, pyrotechnics, beautiful music, screen projections, and dancing water.  IllumiNations is a 14 minute show that never fails to move me, no matter how many times I have seen it.

Frank and I love IllumiNations so much, we even included it as part of our wedding day for our guests!  At the end of our wedding day, we hosted a private dessert party in the United Kingdom pavilion for our guests because we wanted to make sure everyone had an opportunity to see this wonderful show.

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It was a wonderful way to end our wedding day, but IllumiNations has been a beautiful way to end countless Epcot days over the years.  Many families watch from the same spot every time, while others try to watch from different countries each time.  I’ve found the show looks different from the Fast Pass viewing area than it does from the UK or Germany, for example, at least to me.  Even the way the torches light in front of each country’s pavilion, and each pavilion lights up near the end of the show touches my heart.  It just feels like the whole world coming together in that moment.

I’m really going to miss you, IllumiNations Reflections of Earth!

Inside Disney Parks “Live” Stream of IllumiNations

Inside Disney Parks live streamed last night’s showing of IllumiNations Reflections of Earth.  While there is other “stuff” included in the stream, the entire show is included here in all it’s high definition video glory.  It’s not quite as good as being there, of course, but if you won’t get a chance to get down to Epcot to see it one last time before it closes, this might help.

IllumiNations starts at about 6:40.

What’s Next?

On October 1, 2019, Epcot’s new show will debut.  It’s called Epcot Forever, and promises to include music from favorite Epcot attractions from the entire history of Epcot.  Imagineers are promising the new show will include many of the elements we have loved from Illuminations–fireworks, lasers, dancing water, pyrotechnics–and more, new technologies that we haven’t seen before.  They’ve promised dancing kites in the sky, and tell us the new show is going to be a kind of “fusion” of all the things we’ve loved in the past and a celebration of the new things that are coming to Epcot in the future.

I guess we will have to wait and see.  I’m sure the new show will be spectacular.

Twenty years has been a good long run for IllumiNations Reflections of Earth, but I’m still sad to see it go.  I know, I know.  Change is GOOD.  Right? Really, I know.  Change is good.  I’ll just keep telling myself that….

Are You Ready for Epcot Forever?

So are you ready for the new show?  Or are you sad the old show is leaving?  Did you know this was coming, or did this announcement of an IllumiNations Reflections of Earth final show date catch you off guard?

What are your favorite memories from IllumiNations Reflections of Earth?  Any magic moments that you’ll never forget?

If you are a fan of Epcot nighttime entertainment, please click “Like” below and share if you are excited about the new show.

Happy Dreaming!

Brooke

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P.S. If you’d like to plan a visit to Disney this summer to catch Illuminations Reflections of Earth, I would love to help plan your trip.  Disney has select Resort Hotels at 25%, and other offers are available.  Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com today!