The Best Things to Eat and Drink on Disney's First New Cruise Ship in a Decade
Steven Diaz
For the first time in forever — a decade, to be exact — Disney Cruise Line has unveiled a brand new ship. The Disney Wish set sail on June 29 from Port Canaveral, Florida, after a fireworks-capped christening ceremony featuring its most iconic characters. The 1.2-million-square-foot floating Wish has interactive entertainment, Aqua Mouse — Disney's first attraction at sea — and, of course, a host of imaginative restaurants and bars.
While many of the dining options might be familiar to frequent Disney Cruisers, several offerings are brand new, including Arendelle, Worlds of Marvel, and the Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge.
From smoking Star Wars-themed cocktails to a celebratory Frozen feast, read on for some of the best bites on board the new Disney Wish.
For casual food truck vibes
Midday (or late-night) eating happens at Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods, with newcomers Mickey's Smokestack Barbecue and Donald's Cantina joining old favorites like Daisy's Pizza Pies and Sweet Minnie's Ice Cream. It's easy to try a sample of options from the carnival-meets-food-truck layout, but don't miss the breadcrumb-crusted mac and cheese, jalapeño corn muffins, smoked chicken, and pulled pork doused with barbecue hot sauce at Smokestack.
Amy Smith
For a Nordic, Frozen-inspired feast
In true Disney fashion, dinner isn't just a meal; it's story time. A long hallway embellished with Scandinavian designs transports diners to Arendelle, where they'll be guests at Princess Anna and Kristoff's engagement celebration hosted by Elsa, Olaf, and goofball trader Oaken. From a stage in the center of the 700-seat dining room, the Frozen cast (including a talking Olaf) sings along to a dinner of Nordic-inspired dishes like smoked salmon and kjottkake, or Norwegian meatballs.
For Marvel superfans
At Worlds of Marvel, follow along on an adventure with Ant-Man and the Wasp while feasting on dishes inspired by Wakanda, Sokovia, and other locales in the cinematic universe. The grand finale is an ice cream sundae festooned with a mini sprinkled donut.
Amy Smith
For a little glitz and glamor
At restaurant 1923 — a nod to the year the Walt Disney Studios was founded — steak and seafood dishes are the focus. Guests are surrounded by animation sketches, studio artifacts (like the black and white photo of animators surrounding a live deer, sketching photos for Bambi), and a general air of Old Hollywood glamor.
Premium adults-only dining happens on deck 12 amid waterfront views. At Palo Steakhouse, named after the Cogsworth the clock from Beauty and the Beast, find A5 wagyu alongside handmade gnocchi. Meanwhile, Enchanté is helmed by chef Arnaud Lallement, who's also behind three-Michelin-starred L'Assiette Champenoise near Reims. The entrance to the swank French restaurant is marked by a larger-than-life, golden chandelier reminiscent of Champagne bubbles, and service options include a pre-fix dinner, brunch, or "Just Desserts"—six courses of upscale sweets.
For a Star Wars drinking experience
Kids can hit the Oceaneer's club while the grown-ups gather in the fine-dining restaurants, or some of the themed bars. Star Wars fans won't be the only ones drawn to the Hyperspace Lounge, where the backdrop to the bar looks like a spaceship with a window to the galaxy. Watch while the bartender puts the finishing touch on The Chancellor, the $20 cocktail made with Hennessy James, Calvados Menorval 1972 — a spherical cloud of cinnamon smoke added at the end to give a final stellar flare.
Amy Smith
Or, Grogu fans will love the Temple Twist, a booze-free cocktail made with apple, mint, pineapple, and kiwi, swimming with tiny bubbles reminiscent of Baby Yoda's favorite snack. Also on offer: the $5,000 Kaiburr Crystal, which comes with a cocktail, three shots (including Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 23 year Bourbon), and one ticket into George Lucas' private Skywalker Ranch.
For more themed bars
Next door at the Cinderella music-themed Nightingale's, the piano tunes aren't the only entertainment. Theatrical cocktails like the coconut Frozen Bubble, built inside a hollowed-out, spherical ice cube, add a little show to your post-dinner drinks. Find a beer-lover's oasis at the Keg and Compass, and order one of the three beers brewed especially for the Wish, including Uncharted Lager, Twisted Tentacle Ale, and Maelstrom Stout. (Three more signature brews from the same American craft brewer are also on offer — Batuuan Harvest Brew (a watermelon sour) and Mustafarian Black Ale (which tastes like chocolate peanut butter) in the Hyperspace Lounge and a piña colada-flavored light lager in the Cove Cafe on deck 14.) After 5 p.m., visit Hook's Barbery not just for a hot shave, but for whiskey tastings in the hidden bar.
Amy Smith
The $50 signature cocktail at the Rose, the ship's swishy lounge tucked beside Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté, is aptly made with Komos Reposado Rosa tequila, Grand Marnier Cuvée Louis Alexandre, and Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé. Feeling flush? Order a $600 pour of rare Taylor Fladgate port, or Watenshi Japanese gin.
On the opposite end of the spectrum but no less delightful are the frozen cocktails at Wheezie's Freezies by the Toy Story splash pad on deck 12. Especially the Dole Whip spiked with rum, or a mixture of the pineapple along with strawberry daiquiri and pina colada—casually dubbed the Infiniti Swirl by one bartender.
For all-day desserts
Anytime of day, opt for a treat in Joyful Sweets, the Pixar-themed dessert bar with 40-some flavors of gelato, a rainbow of toppings, and technicolored cupcakes. The peanut butter and jelly gelato and mousse-topped lemon cupcake make for a sweet end to an epic day at sea.
