The Disney Wish Has Just Received a Magical Update

It’s the spirit of the season, you can feel it in the air… The Disney Parks and Resorts are getting us all in the Christmas mood. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom is under way, the Disney gingerbread displays are all practically complete, the Disney Springs Christmas Tree trail has begun, and we’re just days away from the International Festival of the Holidays arriving in EPCOT theme park. 

And in the last couple of days, Disney Cruise Line have started to decorate the cruise ships for the Holiday season. The decorations have arrived just in time for the first of the Verry Merrytime Cruises.

Very Merrytime Cruises

During the Holiday season, Guests of Disney Cruise Line get to experience holiday wishes coming true at sea. The seasonal celebration features festive entertainment, yuletide activities and holiday decor, in addition to the usual Disney Cruise Line experience.

The first Very Merrytime Cruise of the season is taking place as we write; it is a 3-night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral on the Disney Wish. Unfortunately, the usual itinerary has been altered due to Tropical Storm Nicole. To begin, there was a delayed departure from Port Canaveral, after a delayed arrival into the port due to closure following the tropical storm. The delayed departure resulted in a second change to the itinerary, with the first full day being spent at sea rather than visiting Nassau. The Cruise will still feature a stop at Disney Castaway Cay.

Disney Wish Christmas Decor

The atrium of the Disney Wish is truly stunning. Everything from the stage, to the incredible chandelier, the beautiful ceiling, and the color scheme, emulates grandeur, elegance, and magic. If we’re honest, we didn’t think it could get any more perfect. That is, until now…

As part of the first Very Merrytime Cruise that the Disney Wish is hosting, the atrium of the Disney cruise ship has been transformed. In true Disney fashion, the transformation took place overnight, providing Guests with a wonderful Christmas surprise when they woke up for their day at sea.

The Christmas decorations that adorn the Grand Hall of the Disney Cruise Line ship are golden wonders. Gold garlands, decorated with warm white lights and golden baubles, are draped from the balcony railings. The huge Christmas tree is also gold, and decorated with an assortment of golden baubles. The tree is finished with a beautiful base, and topped with a golden spire. The decorations really do compliment the statue of Cinderella (1950) perfectly.

Festive Entertainment

Not only will Guests be joined by favorite Disney characters dressed in festive attire throughout each Disney Christmas cruise, but they will also be treated to festive entertainment, no doubt including Christmas movies, and be able to take part in activities filled with yuletide fun.

Whilst Guests will get to experience the festive decorations from the minute they board the ship, the first evening will feature the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Once lit, the Christmas tree and garland lights will twinkle throughout the cruise.

Guests will also have chance to join Mrs Claus for story time in the Grand Hall. She will take to the stage, and share Christmas stories with Guests of all ages. This may just be your chance to see your favorite Disney pals help her to tell the story too. Be sure to stick around after story time, for a surprise character dance party. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Chip and Dale will be wearing their Christmas outfits, so be sure to wear yours too.

Gingerbread Displays

The Disney Wish isn’t the only cruise ship that is hosting the Very Merrytime Cruises; they will be taking place across all of the Disney ships throughout November and December. The Disney Fantasy is also currently hosting the Very Merrytime cruise, sailing around the Eastern Caribbean. During this Christmas season, the Disney Magic will be sailing from Galveston, the Disney Dream will be sailing from Miami, and the Disney Wonder from San Diego.

Each of the Disney ships will feature their own Christmas tree and decorations, as well as hosting festive activities and yuletide events. Additionally, Disney Cruise Line will continue its yearly tradition of featuring a gingerbread house in the atrium or each of its ships. Created by the pastry teams onboard, each gingerbread display will be uniquely different, with the Disney Wish featuring an 8-foot-tall, and eight layer masterpiece. Not only are the gingerbread displays to be enjoyed by Guests, but they will also be judged as part of a competition to see which member of the fleet has the best gingerbread house. 

There is still plenty of available left on the Verry Merrytime Cruises, so if you haven’t yet booked onto one, and don’t want to miss out on the Christmas fun at sea, then check out the Disney Cruise Line website to see dates and availability. Very Merrytime Cruises run though to the end of December. Guests can sail on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, however availability on these dates is limited. Be sure to make a booking quickly if you plan on sailing on these dates.

Whether you’re booked onto a Very Merrytime Cruise or have a Walt Disney World  or Disneyland California vacation planned for the festive season, make sure to plan ahead. You don’t want to miss out on all of the festive fun that is in and around the Disney Parks, Resorts and cruise ships.