Set your sights on the horizon because Disney Cruise Line’s next ship is officially starting to take shape!
Disney just gave us our biggest look yet at the Disney Believe, the next ship joining the Disney Cruise Line fleet, and this one is setting sail with a theme centered around something Disney knows pretty well: believing in the impossible.
During Horizons at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney Cruise Line Portfolio Executive Creative Director Claire Weiss revealed new concept art and details for the Disney Believe, including our first look at its Moana-inspired Grand Hall, Toy Story stern characters, and Peter Pan-inspired bow artwork.
And thankfully, this isn’t another Disney project that’s five years away. The Disney Believe is scheduled to begin sailing in late 2027.
Meet the Disney Believe
The Disney Believe will be the fourth ship in Disney Cruise Line’s Wish class, joining the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny.
While those ships share the same general class and layout, Disney has increasingly given each one its own storytelling identity.
The Disney Wish is rooted in enchantment. The Disney Treasure centers its experiences around adventure. The Disney Destiny celebrates heroes and villains.
Now, the Disney Believe will focus on belief — including belief in magic, family, nature, and yourself. Disney says the stories found throughout the ship will connect back to that overarching idea of believing in something fantastical.
And there’s probably no better Disney character to represent that sense of exploration and belief than Moana.
Moana Is Taking Over the Grand Hall
One of the biggest D23 reveals was our first look at the Disney Believe’s Grand Hall.
Like the Disney Wish, Treasure, and Destiny, the Grand Hall will act as one of the ship’s primary gathering spaces. But aboard the Believe, the entire space will be inspired by the optimistic spirit of exploration found in Disney Animation’s Moana films.
At the heart of the space will be a bronze-cast statue of Moana, looking toward new horizons.
And she isn’t alone. Pua and Heihei will be right there with her.
Disney’s first rendering also shows influences from the South Pacific setting of the Moana films, with artisanal Polynesian finishes intended to honor cultural traditions from the region incorporated throughout the Grand Hall.
So while the Believe may share its bones with the other Wish-class ships, its first impression should look considerably different.
Woody and Buzz Are Taking Over the Stern
Disney Cruise Line ships have a long tradition of featuring beloved Disney characters on their sterns, and the Disney Believe is keeping that tradition alive with two Pixar icons.
Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story will appear on the stern of the Disney Believe. But they’re not simply hanging around back there.
Disney’s new rendering shows larger-than-life Woody and Buzz sculptures working together to write the Disney Believe’s name across the back of the ship using giant yellow crayons.
And there’s another fun twist.
Instead of using the traditional looping Disney Cruise Line lettering seen on the other ships, Woody and Buzz will write “Disney Believe” in lettering inspired by the famous block-style Toy Story font. Honestly, that’s an adorable little detail.
Tinker Bell Is Going on the Bow
Then there’s the front of the ship. Disney Cruise Line’s signature hand-painted bow artwork will continue aboard the Believe, and this time Tinker Bell gets the spotlight.
Disney revealed that Tinker Bell will appear as she did in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 1953 Peter Pan. And the design goes beyond Tink herself.
She’ll be surrounded by silhouettes of Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook, and other characters from the movie, appearing to fly through the swirling filigree decorating the ship’s bow.
Between Moana looking toward the horizon, Woody and Buzz working together on the stern, and Tinker Bell bringing a little pixie dust to the bow, Disney is already making the Believe’s theme pretty clear.
More Disney Stories Are Coming Aboard
And the D23 reveals are only the beginning. Disney says the Disney Believe will feature new, one-of-a-kind venue concepts and entertainment experiences inspired by several beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios stories.
So far, Disney has specifically named:
- Encanto
- Frozen
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- Moana
- The Little Mermaid
Disney hasn’t revealed exactly what each movie will inspire yet, so we’ll have to wait before we know whether we’re talking restaurants, lounges, entertainment, kids’ spaces, or something else entirely. But it sounds like there’s still a LOT left to reveal.
Disney Is Taking Us Behind the Scenes as the Believe Is Built
Here’s something else that’s pretty fun for Disney Cruise Line fans. Disney has launched an official Disney Believe Ship’s Log, which will follow the ship throughout its construction and development.
Disney says future updates will take fans virtually inside the building dock at Meyer Werft Shipyard, offer glimpses at Disney artists’ sketchpads, take us into rehearsals for Broadway-style stage productions, and provide other behind-the-scenes looks as Disney Cruise Line, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Disney Live Entertainment bring the ship to life.
So this definitely won’t be the last time we’re talking about the Disney Believe before she sails.
When Will the Disney Believe Set Sail?
Disney confirmed that the Disney Believe will begin sailing in late 2027. Disney has not yet revealed the ship’s inaugural sailing date, homeport, or itineraries in this announcement.
But after D23, we finally have a much clearer picture of what will make this ship unique. The Disney Believe is still more than a year away, but we’re officially starting to see what Disney Cruise Line has planned for its next chapter at sea.
Keep checking back with Theme Park Scope for the latest Disney Believe updates, Disney Cruise Line news, D23 announcements, new ship details, itineraries, dining experiences, entertainment reveals, and everything coming next to the Disney Cruise Line fleet.
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