The Disney Parks Blog held a Disney Cruise Line Meet Up on the morning of April 9, 2015 at the Atlantic Dance Hall. A fitting location considering the building is surrounded by boats, a boardwalk, a yacht club and a beach club. The meet up focused on sharing additional information on the previously announced entertainment offerings coming to the ships beginning this summer. Cruise Director, Ray Smale was on hand to introduce the show directors of Freezing the Night Away, Star Wars Day at Sea, and Tangled: The Musical.
Star Wars Day at Sea
Show director, Michael Roddy took the stage to discus the 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Fantasy Featuring Star Wars Day at Sea sailings scheduled for early 2016. Roddy shared some detail about the deck parties and the collaboration with Lucas. The Star Wars Day at Sea will feature characters from both the light and dark side spanning the entire Star Wars saga. The day will conclude with a fireworks spectacular set to the iconic John Williams score. It was reaffirmed that there will still be a Pirates IN the Caribbean night, but it will not include fireworks during the these select Star Wars Day at Sea sailings.
During the Q&A, the question of future Star Wars integration was asked. Roddy, would not let out any further details only to say it is possible and they are always looking at future itineraries to see where events like this would fit. Ray also added that guest feedback will also play a role in any future Star Wars entertainment on the ships. For now, it is exclusive to the eight sailings aboard the Disney Fantasy.
Frozen
For the most part, the Frozen offerings will be limited to the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder this summer while sailing in Scandinavia and Alaska. The Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy will see a light coating of Frozen with expanded meet and greet opportunities with Anna, Elsa and Olaf. This meet and greet will also occur on the classics.
The Freezing the Night Away Dance Party with Anna, Elsa and Olaf will be interactive and feature a sing-a-long on the top decks according to show director, Denise Case.
For those sailing to Castaway Cay, Summertime Freeze will offer guests non-alcoholic drink options such as Olaf’s Flurry Freeze and Sven’s Carrot Delight. The concept artwork for the new structure was revealed during the event. A grand opening date has not been announced.
The live stage show, Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic will be revised to include Anna, Elsa and Olaf which will feature the songs In Summer, For the First Time in Forever and Let it Go.
To close out the Frozen portion of the presentation, Rachel Copeland took the stage to sing Let it Go.
Tangled: The Musical
The most exciting part of the meet up, at least for me, was when Gordon Greenberg, show director for Tangled: The Musical took the stage to share more about the all new hour-long stage show premiering aboard the Disney Magic in November. Greenberg shared some new concept art of Rapunzel and Flynn floating under the floating lanterns during the I See the Light segment. Greenberg went on to explain how the lanterns will envelope the audience in the Walt Disney Theatre.
Remember those amazing puppets created for The Lion King on Broadway? Well, the same designer, Michael Curry created Maximus for Tangled: The Musical! Curry also came up with some unique methods and stylings for Rapunzel’s long locks to the stage.
The performers have been rehearsing in Toronto for approximately a month with Alan Menken on hand. If you do not want to watch the entire video embedded below, at least watch the Tangled: The Musical sneak peek around the 25 minute mark.
During the Q&A, Frank from Tampa who also happens to be one of our regular readers asked if this will be replacing Villains Tonight! Ray took the lead on this and basically said the idea is to diversity the shows on the ships. As we previously reported, Villains Tonight! is going away on the Disney Magic when Tangled debuts, but will remain on the Disney Dream…. for now.
Character Meet and Greets
The meet up concluded with themed deserts, as well as meet and greet opportunities with a couple of Storm Troopers, Anna, Elsa & Olaf and Rapunzel & Flynn.
The complete video of the Disney Cruise Line presentation, as well as the question and answer segment runs just under 45 minutes and is embedded below.
Hands down, the best part of the event for me was the sneak peek of Tangled: The Musical and I cannot wait to see the new show.
Which of these new entertainment options, if any, are you most interested in seeing? Did you already book one of these sailings because of these offerings? If so, let us know in the comments below.
UPDATE: DCL Published the following wrap up video of the event.
I am anxious to see Tangled the Musical as well but not thinking my boys will be too interested. I do find a lot of the shows are centered toward more girls. But I also don’t think we will be sailing on the magic ANYTIME soon which makes me very said. We just got off the Magic in January. Working on a Grand Slam. Disney Dream is up next.
I also can’t wait to see Tangled!!! Was hoping for a sneak peek on the EBTA but I guess we will have to wait until Fall.
You look great Scott!! Looking forward to the Transatlantic next month.
Did they say how long the meet and greets with Anna, Elsa and Olaf will last? I know it says summer. We are going in September on the Disney Dream. My son would love to meet Olaf.
Marissa, Exact details were not revealed.