LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- "Your Destiny awaits." That was the sign-off from a Disney communications executive to a roomful of media about to get the latest on Disney Destiny, the Disney Cruise Line ship debuting this November in Fort Lauderdale.
And among the reveals for those following their destiny to the Destiny: appearances by Spider-Man and the Black Panther; a literal taste of the goodies from the ship's Incredibles-themed sweet shop; and a peek at some of the themed merch that will be for sale on the Destiny.
Drinks to be served at Sanctum: The bubbly Vapors of Valtorr and Circle of the Cosmos, served in an upside-down martini glass. Photo Credit: Rebecca Tobin
With a theme of "heroes and villains," the Destiny will play up many of Disney's main characters and give passengers a chance to mingle with some of the most memorable antagonists. In fact, participants on this trip weren't even out of the introductory welcome speech before an angry Maleficent from "Sleeping Beauty" arrived on the scene.
One of the new spaces on the ship will be a cocktail bar called Sanctum, themed to the headquarters of Doctor Strange of Avengers fame. A rendering of the bar shows Doctor Strange's Window of the Worlds will form part of the back bar. Guests can lounge on blue velvety banquettes and sip on drinks like the nonalcoholic Circle of the Cosmos (served in an upside-down martini glass) or a bubbly, purple mule-esque drink called the Vapors of Valtorr.
Media also saw a small-scale replica of the statue that will grace this ship: It's Black Panther, accompanied by a panther. The atrium, or Grand Hall in Disney Cruise Line parlance, will also host appearances by "villains, rogues and mischief makers of Disney and Marvel lore," the line said, including Loki.
In-cabin art will showcase various Disney heroes (Merida, Mulan, the Incredibles, Fantasia-era Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey.)
The sweet shop will be called Edna a la Mode's. (Of course it is: Remember how the family had to tempt Jack Jack with cookies in "Incredibles 2"?) Several treats were display, including Violet's Cupcake, a purple-hued sponge cake with chocolate mousse topping.
Imagineers and the Disney Cruise Line assistant cruise director talk through some of the features of the upcoming Disney Destiny, including a rendering showing a revised design for the ship’s atrium. Loki is up on the balcony. Photo Credit: Rebecca Tobin
Participants got a bit of a sneak peek of the main-stage show on the Destiny, which will be an updated version of "Hercules." The show's directors, Marcel and Kevin Williams, promised a show with all the favorite musical moments (plus a bonus song that was struck from the 1997 movie version called "Shooting Star"), but with fresh, modern choreography and also what promises to be some pretty cool puppetry.
After an extensive casting, Marcel Williams said proudly, "We found our Hercules!" It is actor Corey J. Bradford, who appeared on stage for a rendition of "I Can Go The Distance."
Merchandise on display was heavy on designs of the primary Disney characters (Mickey and his gang) with a comic book-style coloring. And we met the ship's Hero Minnie, who was kitted out with a space-age dress and belt and superhero boots and gloves (but no cape, I noticed).
Update and correction: This report was updated April 14 with new information throughout. An earlier version of this report incorrectly spelled the bubbly drink bound for the Sanctum cocktail lounge. It is Vapors of Valtorr.