Disney is in its villain era with the brand-new Disney Destiny. Here are 6 cool things you’ll only find on this new ship

What if you didn’t just wait in line to meet Disney’s heroes and villains for a quick photo or to see them do a little show on stage, but instead you became a part of their story … or maybe more accurately, they became a part of yours?

Disney Destiny is partly all the things you might already know and love about Disney Cruise Line, with its included rotational dining, calls to Disney’s island destinations in the Bahamas and photo ops with traditional characters like Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale and all their friends.

However, after getting a chance to go on the three-night media preview cruise for Disney Destiny, I’d say it is partly something else, too.

The onboard experience is not only immersive, but interactive, in a way that almost harkens back to the experience on the short-lived but nonetheless unique and outstanding Star Wars Starcruiser experience, where you lived the story. This is just on a more scalable and less intense level.

Here are my first impressions of Disney’s newest addition to the fleet, Disney Destiny, and things you can only find on this ship that aren’t replicated on any of Disney Cruise Line’s other six vessels.

Villains are (mostly) in charge

From the planned park expansion to the offerings on this ship, Disney is in its villain era, and I’m here for it.

On Disney Wish, the first of the three newest ships to debut back in 2022, Cinderella is firmly the belle of the ball, with everything ranging from the glass slipper in the atrium to the décor color palette, to much of the artwork; it’s a lovely ship built for a princess.

But unlike all the other Disney ships that veer more toward princesses, Mickey, or Minnie, Disney Destiny is lovely in a different way.

It is a ship the villains can comfortably call home in a variety of spaces and interactions, and I’d say this is one of the things that makes this ship incredibly unique.

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You can see Maleficent cast fiery spells, Cruella critique your fashion choices, watch Dr. Facilier do parlor tricks, see Loki seize the ship for himself and so much more. For my older children and myself, this is exactly the kind of somewhat edgier Disney entertainment that makes the most sense for our not-so-little-kid era.

Pride Lands Feast of the Lion King

Like the other Disney ships, there are three included restaurants that you will rotate through with your serving team on Disney Destiny. That part is the same, but Pride Lands Feast of the Lion King is an all-new restaurant with a dinner show that you will only find on Disney Destiny.

And it’s not only all-new; it’s outstanding.

Don’t get me wrong, the “Frozen”-themed dinner show that occupies this physical space on Disney Wish can be a lot of kid-pleasing fun, but the princesses already have plenty of square footage on that ship. It’s exciting to experience something that may fit in the same footprint but that feels worlds apart.

This new show has heart, emotion, authenticity and serves up new-to-Disney Cruise Line flavors. It’s an experience that goes well beyond a cartoonish rendition of “Hakuna Matata,” and instead is one that may become a core memory of your sailing.

3 unique themed bars and lounges

I love a good themed bar, and Disney Destiny has three singular ones you won’t find elsewhere.

De Vil’s Piano Lounge

With its spotted piano, catchy tunes and unique drinks, this is an absolute must-visit. For the full experience, try to time it with when Cruella is likely to stop by. Speaking of getting the full experience, order the “Perfectly Wretched” cocktail that comes with “lipstick,” “perfume” and other accouterments.

Cask & Cannon

This Pirates of the Caribbean-themed pub was a fun spot for a beer while watching a game on the TV or a predinner pretzel to snack on, especially if you had the late dinner seating like we did and get a little hungry around happy hour time.

The Sanctum

This space is a perfect blend of cool but comfy, even if you aren’t into the lore of Dr. Strange.

But if you are into Dr. Strange … that’s even better as this space really brings his Sanctum to life. Here you can get a drink that “floats,” bubbles that smoke, or go for the “Mirror Dimension” cockTAIL with vodka, lychee, fresh lemon juice, pink peppercorn and more in a glass that will light up with your touch.

New Hercules Broadway-style show

Disney ships go all-out on the Broadway-style nighttime shows.

They are often the type of show that you’d pay $100-plus per person to see on Broadway or the West End, but instead of doing that, you can just waltz into the Walt Disney Theater on various nights of your sailing, sit in any available seat and get that caliber of entertainment before or after your dinner at no extra charge.

Some of the ships have one show that you can only enjoy on that ship, and for Disney Destiny, right now, that is “Hercules.”

But don’t think this is just the cartoon film version brought to life. Yes, you’ll find the iconic songs from the cartoon (and more), but it “goes the distance” even further thanks to a mix of gospel and pop with impressive puppetry and technology.

It’s modern, it’s fresh, it’s fast-paced and it’s 75 minutes of pure fun.

Marvel-themed grand hall and much more

If anyone in your crew is into Marvel, this is the ship for them.

While all three of Disney’s newer Wish Class ships have the World of Marvel restaurant and a Marvel-themed Super Hero Academy space in the kids club, this is the first ship that really dives deep into Marvel. It starts with the Wakanda-themed Grand Hall that you enter as soon as you step on board. Or more accurately, if you count Spider-Man swinging from the stern, the Marvel universe on this ship actually starts before you step aboard.

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SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

The immersive Marvel universe you’ll find on Disney Destiny extends to many of the characters, shows, artwork and even the previously mentioned Sanctum lounge, which is straight out of the world of Dr. Strange.

And if you have a similar vacation budget to that of Tony Stark, you can book the two-story Tower Suite that is themed in his honor and sleeps up to eight guests across three impressive bedrooms.

And just like it isn’t only the kids who like the Marvel films and franchise, not all of the Disney Destiny Marvel-themed offerings are for the kids. In fact, one, a nighttime show entitled “With Great Power” where the often R-rated Deadpool makes a (recorded) appearance, is only for adults 18 and older.

Ideal sailing out of one of the easiest ports in the U.S.

Disney Destiny isn’t the first or only Disney ship to sail out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, but it is the first Disney ship to have a long-term home port based out of there. That means that if you sail on Destiny, at least for the foreseeable future, you know you are going to get to sail out of what I’d say is one of the absolutely easiest major ports to navigate in the country.

If you haven’t been to Port Everglades, I think it is one of the easiest ports because it is just two miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Additionally, there are several solid hotels very near the port, including the one I just stayed at and loved, Pier 66.

But you have the option to use your Hilton, Marriott or other major points and stay nearby, too.

On top of that, many of Destiny’s sailings for the upcoming couple of years are four- and five-night sailings, which I’d argue are a sweet spot for many families. Three nights, in my opinion, is really too short to get the full experience on the ship and, of course, more nights are always better than fewer, but five nights is a great compromise for budget and schedule.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

Additionally, many of Destiny’s sailings will include both Disney island destinations in the Bahamas, which is essentially the perfect itinerary for easy fun in the “Disney Bubble.”

Bottom line

I’ve been lucky enough to sail on all seven of Disney’s ships, and I truly didn’t think that Disney Destiny would dethrone my previous favorite (Disney Treasure), but somewhere along the way, the villains won me over and I can’t wait to get my family back on board one day for more mischievous fun with Loki and friends.