The Treasure Sets Sail December 21, 2024!
That and more details from the Disney Treasure reveal today!!
Today was a big day for Disney Cruise Line with Disney releasing a fresh set of details on the Treasure. While a few things remain unknown (what will happen to Hyperspace lounge, how will the Haunted Mansion figure into the ship, what the third stage show will be onboard), we got a heap of details on what spaces are changing, and what spaces are the staying same.
We also got confirmation on the Treasure’s anticipated itineraries, maiden voyage date, and when bookings will open:
As we suspected, the Treasure will be sailing 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral.
The Treasure’s Maiden Voyage will be a 7-night Eastern Caribbean from Port Canaveral, departing on December 21, 2024 (no word on whether the sailing will be a Very Merrytime Sailing in addition to the Maiden Voyage).
Booking for the Treasure will open to Castaway Club members “as early as September 12, 2023), and will go on-sale on to the general public on September 20, 2023. (Note: no word yet on how DCL will tier booking, or the timing for booking for those below Pearl Castaway Club status.)
We’re a bit surprised to see the Maiden happen over Christmas; but we also see this as a clear indicator that Disney will not be moving the Maiden Voyage date this time around as canceling Christmas vacation plans for guests for yet another delayed Maiden Voyage would be a true PR nightmare. We expect Disney to take delivery several months ahead of the maiden to ensure the ship is ready on time for guests.
With that, it’s time to find out what we got right and what we got wrong from our predications. So, Buckle-up because we’re full steam ahead and have a lot to cover!!!
Overall Design and Theming
Perhaps unsurprisingly the word of the day for the Treasure is “adventure.” All of the spaces and theming onboard are intended to reflect that theming. More importantly, and perhaps disappointingly to some Disney Cruise Line fans, don’t expect any significant redesigns to spaces onboard the ship. We’ll touch on some of this more below, but for now it means:
No updates to the adult pool area;
No continuous running track on the ship; and
A return of an “open concept” Luna
While we certainly would have liked some changes to the layout, given the Treasure is the sister ship of the Wish, we are not surprised by these decisions. As disappointing as these decisions may be to some, we think any shortcomings in the layout and design are more than made-up for by the new theming coming to the Treasure. We are truly excited for some of the new experiences onboard, so let’s dive right in.
Restaurants and Bars
First up, restaurants. Here, we were mostly right, although it turns out the placement of some hints on the treasure map Disney sent were red herrings, because they don’t correspond to where those IPs (or intellectual properties) will be used on the ship.
As for adult venues, we nailed it. Enchanté, Palo Steakhouse and the Rose Bar will all be returning on the Disney Treasure. No word on menus, but given the spaces will be nearly identical to those on the Wish, we expect very similar, if not identical offerings onboard. In fact, we’ve heard that unless we hear otherwise from Disney, we should expect things to be identical between the Treasure and the Wish.
As we suspected, also returning are the fan favorites Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods and Marceline Market.
In addition, we also nailed the theming of the new sweet ship onboard, with the Zootopia-themed Jumbeaux’s Sweets replacing Inside Out: Joyful Sweets from the Wish. We’re personally excited to get a jumbo-sized Jumbeaux Pop onboard!!
We also correctly surmised that 1923 and Worlds of Marvel will be making their return on the Disney Treasure. Disney has also confirmed, as we suspected, that Worlds of Marvel will indeed have two shows - the existing Ant-Man and the Wasp show, as well as a secondary show. We suspect this will be themed to Spiderman, but details are still yet to come on the second dinner show.
We were a bit off-base on the third rotational dining restaurant onboard. We should have stuck with our original guess, because Plaza de Coco is coming to the Disney Treasure in place of Arendelle from the Wish.
This one is certain to be a crowd pleaser with modern Mexican-inspired fare and two different stage shows. The first show will pick-up where the classic Coco story left off as Miguel and his familia gather in Mariachi Plaza for a fun-filled evening of colorful, music-filled journeys that celebrate family memories. We’ve heard the second show is set to feature the store of Coco’s great-great grandparents. The video and art make these shows look simply amazing and we cannot wait to try them out on the Treasure!
As for bar spaces, in addition to the Rose, we learned about two new bars onboard. The first is the Skipper Society which will be replacing the Bayou from the Wish.
This new bar will feature subtle theming to the Jungle Cruise attraction found at Disney parks around the globe. Disney has been reinforcing the “playful” nature of the theming - so we may perhaps some “punny” bar staff dolling out fan favorite lines from their favorite skippers. Notably, Disney confirmed that the bar will focus on the ride theming, and not incorporate elements from the Jungle Cruise movie. So, don’t expect to see photos of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at the bar. Disney did not suggest any tie-ins with the Society of Explorers and Adventurers as we originally thought. Also, no word on the drink menu as of yet, but we’re hoping maybe a few tiki-inspired cocktails make an appearance. Nonetheless, we suspect this bar will be a welcome addition to Disney Cruise Line.
Also announced is the new 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea themed Periscope Pub, replacing the Keg and Compass from the Wish.
The theming of this bar looks amazing and is inspired by both the 1954 movie, and the beloved Walt Disney World attraction that was open from 1971-1994. No word on visuals, sound effects or if the pictured periscopes might actually have some fun images or effects, although Disney notes the pub will enable guests to “dive into the mythical depths of uncharted oceans amidst the submarine-styled interiors and take a look at the watery world below through an intriguing glass ceiling. Disney has confirmed the portholes, like those in Keg Compass, will look out onto the ocean. That seems like a miss from a theming standpoint for a space that is meant to be underwater. We would have liked to have seen Disney perhaps use its magic porthole technology here, or even make this a replacement for Hyperspace Lounge to take advantage of the screen technology in that space. That said, we still can’t wait to check out this space onboard.
No word on whether Nightingale’s will make a return or perhaps be re-themed, and perhaps most disappointing is that we still don’t know what will become of Hyperspace Lounge. We still hope to see at least one of these spaces transformed into a Haunted Mansion themed bar. We’ll have to wait for future updates for more information.
The Theaters, Shows and Adult Spaces
As for theaters, the Walt Disney Theater will be getting an adventure-themed color scheme and decor.
Disney also revealed that Seas the Adventure will be returning on the Treasure, and that another favorite stage show, Beauty and the Beast (currently on the Dream) will also be running on the Treasure.
Disney has confirmed that there will be a third stage show onboard, but has not released any details. Given the other announcements, we still predict this will be a Moana themed show, although given the new theming for Luna, it’s possible we might see the Lion King make its debut on Disney Cruise Line. Again, we’ll have to wait for further announcements.
Speaking of shows, there’s no word on new deck parties, but Disney did confirm that Pirate night and the Pirate’s Parlay Deck Party and fireworks will all be returning on the Treasure.
The Neverland and Wonderland cinemas will also both be returning on the Wish.
Also returning is a Luna-like space on the Treasure; Sarabi, named after the lioness matriarch from the Lion King.
Much like Luna, Sarabi will be a two-story amphitheater space that will double as both a family activity space during the day, and an adult show space at night. Despite guest feedback, Sarabi will remain open air like Luna.
The Pool Deck, Adult Pool Area and Aquamouse
The pool deck layout will remain unchanged on the Treasure, incorporating the tiered pool complex that we’ve come to know from the Wish.
Also returning to the Disney Treasure are the Toy Story Splash Zone, Trixie’s Falls wading pool, the Slide-a-Saurus Rex waterslide, and the Weezy’s Freezies smoothie bar, all of which can also be found today on the Wish.
Similarly, the adult pool area, or Quiet Cove, and Cove Café will remain unchanged on the Treasure, with an adult infinity pool off the back of the ship, a bar space, and the Cove Café tucked just around the corner.
We know some had hoped this space would be enlarged, but it looks like Disney was not able to overcome existing design constraints to make that happen.
The Aquamouse will also return with its two existing shows from the Wish moving over the Treasure. Disney will also be debuting a third show for its water-thrill attraction at sea titled Aquamouse: Curse of the Golden Egg.
This new show experience on the Aquamouse will take riders through a “zany misadventure into an ancient temple.” Disney has said this show will eventually also make its way to the Aquamouse on the Wish.
The Kids Club and Activity Spaces
The Oceaneer’s club, It’s a Small World Nursery, Edge and Vibe will all be returning on the Disney Treasure.
The Oceaneer’s club will continue to serve kids aged 3-12, and feature Walt Disney’s Imagineering Lab; the Star Wars: Cargo Bay; Marvel Super Hero Academy, Mickey and Minnie’s Captain’s Deck; and Fairytale Hall.
We were hoping for some re-theming to the Oceaneer’s Club on the Treasure, but given how popular that club has been on the Wish, it’s perhaps unsurprising to see Disney continue with the successful formula from that ship.
It’s a Small World nursery will continue to offer reserved baby-sitting for Disney’s youngest cruisers, kids 6 mos. to 3 years-old.
Edge (serving tweens 11-14) and Vibe (serving teenagers 14-17) will also return on the Disney Treasure in spaces similar to those found on the Wish.
Also returning is the Hero Zone, an indoor multi-purpose and sports space that first debuted on the Disney Wish. From the artwork Disney has released it also appears the popular Incredi-Course and Incredi-Games will be making their return to the Hero Zone on the Disney Treasure.
We’re especially excited to see the Hero Zone returning as we think this was one of the smartest design decisions Disney made on the Wish-class ships, and the space has opened up so many new possibilities since its debut, including the Oogie Boogie’s Villainous Nightmare Bash recently added to the Wish.
The Spa and Rainforest Room
Senses spa and the Rainforest Room will also be returning to the Disney Treasure, with few, if any, noticeable changes from the Disney Wish.
We’re definitely excited to see the Rainforest Room make a reappearance in the same form as the Wish. The addition of the outdoor space was a game-changer. With the Treasure set to sail 7-night itineraries, it means even more opportunity to take advantage of this amazing spa space. No word on new treatments onboard, as we saw with some of the “Zero-Gravity” massage experiences on the Wish, but we anticipate the Treasure’s treatment menu will mirror the existing menu on the Wish.
Disney did note a “reimagined Senses Fitness” that “will offer state-of-the-art exercise and wellness facilities. It’s unclear if this just means a return of the existing space on the Wish, of if there might be some upgrades to the space on the Treasure. We suspect the former. Although, given that Disney is persisting with the promenade deck layout from the Wish, it’s possible we might see some additional fitness upgrades as a way to address guest feedback.
Also returning are the Untangled Salon and Hook’s Barbery.
Both spaces have become quite popular on the Disney Wish, and we’re excited to see them return on the Treasure. Hook’s Barbery, in particular, has been a very unique space, doubling as a salon space for men’s grooming treatments during the day, and a speakeasy-style bar at night, serving some truly fantastic smoked Old-Fashioneds.
Rooms and Suites
The 1,256 staterooms and suites on the Treasure will follow the same designs as those found on the Wish, but will be re-themed to align to the overall adventure theming of the Treasure. Disney has said 70% of the rooms onboard (877 rooms) will have verandahs.
Rooms on the Treasure will feature theming inspired by beloved Disney films “Aladdin,” “Pocahontas,” “Up” and “Encanto.”
Disney has also teased that Concierge rooms and suites onboard will be themed to the “Lion King,” “The Jungle Book” and “Aladdin.”
According to Disney: “The adventure-inspired accommodations aboard the Disney Treasure will also extend to four royal suites that pay tribute to the faithful feline companions of daring Disney characters. The upscale designs will include the Bagheera Royal Suites, honoring the noble panther from ‘The Jungle Book’ and the lush forests he calls home, and the Rajah Royal Suites, themed to Princess Jasmine’s protective tiger who dwells in the royal palace of Agrabah in the classic Disney film, ‘Aladdin.’”
Also returning is the Tower Suite in the forward funnel of the Disney Treasure.
Disney has confirmed that the suite will be named the “Tomorrow Tower Suite,” and will be themed after EPCOT. At nearly 2,000 square feet, the suite can accommodate eight guest and will feature “designated areas for eating, sleeping and playing as well as other perks like a full kitchen and private ensuite elevator.” The suite will feature “dynamic art pieces, molten metal accents and futuristic, colorful glass accents throughout the suite.” The EPCOT theming is an interesting direction and we’re not sure how it fits the overall “adventure” theming throughout the rest of the ship. Nonetheless, it looks stunning! We do hope Disney is able to make the dynamic art pieces work in the suite, as they had teased similar kinds of pieces for the Moana-themed suite on the Wish but engineered them out of the final room design.
Altogether, today’s announcements about the Treasure have us pretty excited to get onboard. Longer itineraries are a big plus for these newer suites, given how much there is to do onboard. The new bar and restaurant theming really hits the mark this time around and we’re excited to see what these spaces look like once completed. We were fans of the Wish, but suspect we’ll be even bigger fans of the Treasure. Can’t wait to hear more in the coming months about additional spaces that weren’t discussed in today’s announcement, and also about the new stage show coming to the Treasure. Stay tuned for more!