10 Character Encounters on the Disney Destiny You Don’t Want to Miss!
Character interactions on Disney Cruise Line are one of the reasons many families love their cruise vacations. On the Disney Destiny, there are so many characters to meet and interact with in whole new ways, some exclusive to the Destiny. Fans of Disney and Marvel Villains will love the opportunity to interact with their favorite troublemakers. Keep reading to discover the ten character encounters on the Disney Destiny you don’t want to miss, along with tips for finding them!
1 – Hero Minnie
Captain Minnie Mouse debuts a brand-new look exclusively for the Disney Destiny. Inspired by the ship’s “heroes and villains” theme, Minnie dons a new superhero ensemble as she boldly leads guests toward their vacation destinies.
TIP: Look for Hero Minnie as you board the Disney Destiny above the main stage in the Grand Hall. Also, be sure to check the DCL Navigator app for scheduled times to greet Minnie in this exclusive outfit on the Destiny.
2 – Captain Minnie
Captain Minnie Mouse also welcomes guests aboard the Disney Destiny in her Captain’s outfit, inspiring the next generation of sailors to chart their own course for adventure at sea.
Tip: You’ll see Minnie in this classic Disney Cruise Line outfit during the Sail Away party and also during certain scheduled greeting times. Once on board, check the DCL Navigator app for scheduled greeting times.
3 – Fab 5
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Goofy delight guests in the Grand Hall of the Disney Destiny, sharing smiles and creating unforgettable moments on the high seas.
TIP: The Fab 5 generally greet guests in their sailor outfits on the first day and last evening. Also, check the schedule for the “Character Dance Party,” where the Fab 5 come out to dance in the Grand Hall. You can also find the Fab 5 in different island outfits on both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. As always, check the DCL Navigator app for scheduled times.
4 – Loki
The Disney Destiny introduces a brand-new line-up of interactive “meet-and-play” experiences with favorite heroes, villains, and mischief-makers, taking traditional character greetings to a wickedly fun new level. Loki, the fan-favorite character from Marvel Studios’ films and the “Loki” television series, will try to declare himself ruler of the ship and its occupants, creating chaos throughout the voyage with grand proclamations, questionable storytelling, surprise competitions, and more.
TIP: “The Legend of Loki” is a scheduled show that you’ll find in the DCL Navigator app. We watched this show on the first day of our cruise. Loki arrives to cause trouble and tells stories of the gods of Asgard and the trials of the God of Mischief. Since he is trying to claim his rightful place as the king of the Disney Destiny, some story points may not be as accurate as he thinks they are. After the show, Loki greeted the crowd for some quick photos.
TIP: The “Celebration of a King” is another show you’ll want to make time for if you’re a Loki fan. The show starts as a tribute to King T’Challa of Wakanda, but unfortunately, Liki crashes the celebration and assumes the celebration is for him instead. He again tries to declare himself king of the ship and demands that guests kneel before him. Check the DCL Navigator for when this show will run in the Grand Hall.
5 – Zayah & Gamble
Zayah and Gamble, two traveling storytellers on the Disney Destiny, entertain guests in the Grand Hall and beyond with their enchanted trunks that react to the powerful energy and magic of classic Disney villains.
TIP: Zayah and Gamble were terrific during our cruise. They are around and about, especially around the Grand Hall. If you see them arrive, something good is going to happen next!
6 – Spider-Man
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man also appears on the Disney Destiny throughout the cruise. Spider-Man takes center stage during the Sail Away Party to defeat a foe and save the day!
TIP: Like Hero Minnie, we saw Spider-Man greeting guests as they arrived on the ship on day one. Spider-Man’s appearance during the Sail Away Party happens at the beginning, so don’t be late to the party if you want to see him! Kids in Oceaneer Club can also join Spider-Man in the Marvel Super Hero Academy. Finally, guests can also see Spider-Man and his Spider Bots on the stern of the ship, the first time a Marvel character has been put on the stern of a Disney Cruise Line ship!
7 – Under Her Spell: A Maleficent Encounter
In the Saga entertainment lounge on the Disney Destiny, the mistress of all evil cast spells that transform the venue into three distinct domains, leaving only the bravest among them to approach Maleficent for an up-close and personal demonstration.
TIP: Saga can be found on Decks 4 and 5 of the Disney Destiny, not too far from the Grand Hall. This was a popular show during our cruise, and you’ll want to arrive early to get a seat. The effect during this show includes lighting, fire, rain, and smoke! Check the DCL Navigator app for showtimes.
8 – Dr. Facilier
Guests aboard the Disney Destiny may encounter the swindles and scams of the playfully sinister practitioner of the macabre, Dr. Facilier, in the upper levels of the Grand Hall or in his own makeshift parlor, inviting guests in for a card trick or sleight of hand – he’s just here to make new friends.
TIP: Dr. Facilier proved very popular during our cruise. His parlor on Deck 5 is quite small and can only fit a few people at a time. There are multiple opportunities to interact with Dr. Facilier; however, if it’s important to you, be sure to line up early! Find showtimes in the DCL Navigator app.
9 – Captain Jack Sparrow
Exclusively aboard the Disney Destiny, Pirate Night festivities begin with an all-new meet-and-play experience as Captain Jack Sparrow commandeers the ship for the evening – even turning the ship’s chandelier into a pirate spectacle for the night. The fan-favorite rogue explores the ship, possibly finding his way to the fittingly themed Cask & Cannon pub in search of rum or finding unsuspecting guests to join his rowdy crew.
TIP: Captain Jack is available to greet guests in the early evening of Pirate Night. Also, be on the lookout for Jack during the “Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party.” After the fireworks at sea, we went straight to the Cask & Cannon pub and caught Jack leaving. If you want to see Jack in the pub, you’ll need to skip the fireworks, which start at the end of the “Pirate’s Rockin’ Party Parlay” and head straight to the pub once the fireworks begin.
10 – Cruella de Vil
Two brand-new entertainment experiences with Cruella de Vil offer unique opportunities to interact with Cruella. The first, “Wretched Runway: A Cruella Fashion Show,” is a chance for fashion-forward cruisers to put their personal style to the test with the fearsome fashionista herself. As guests show off their most villainous, heroic, and Cruella-inspired couture, the reigning rogue en vogue provides live commentary – and advice – on the spectator’s fashion choices.
During “Treblemaking with Cruella,” guests will learn that Cruella can’t stand Roger Radcliffe’s classic tune of “Cruella de Ville.” She insists that guests help her rework the song with new lyrics that do justice to how marvelous she is. With the help of Zayah and Gamble (see #5), guests in the piano bar quickly come up with new lyrics. No song will ever be the same, so every experience is new!
TIP: The “Treblemaking with Cruella” was one of the highlights of our cruise. Cruella was amazing, and the whole songwriting experience was so fun. Be aware that De Vil’s piano bar is a small space, and so space is extremely limited. Line up early for this experience if you want to make sure you get a seat! Again, check the DCL Navigator app for showtimes. “Wretched Runway: A Cruella Fashion Show” takes place in the Grand Hall!
Thinking About a Cruise?
If you’re thinking about booking a Disney Cruise, now is the perfect time to do so! We highly recommend booking with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner to ensure you are well taken care of and get all the discounts available to you. For more details and help booking your vacation, call (407) 442-0227. You can also get a no-obligation, FREE vacation quote by clicking here. Their services are free to you, and they can answer any questions you may have.
More Disney Destiny Coverage
We’ve got so much to share with you about the Disney Destiny! Be sure to check out our Instagram Stories sharing photos and video from our time on the ship! We’ll be posting many articles on the Disney Destiny soon!
Click here to view our Day 1 Instagram Story of our Disney Destiny Preview Cruise.
Click here to view our Day 2 Instagram Story of our Disney Destiny Preview Cruise.
Click here to view our Day 3 Instagram Story of our Disney Destiny Preview Cruise.
Click here to learn about the Disney Destiny’s Christening Ceremony.
Click here for “Family Dining on the Disney Destiny – What You Need to Know”
Editor’s Note: Disney Cruise Line provided us with a complimentary Disney Destiny Preview Cruise with special media-specific events and tours during the cruise. However, as always, the thoughts and opinions about Disney Cruise Line contained in this article are entirely our own.
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