Disney Treasure is Disney Cruise Line’s sixth ship, so it’s hard to believe it’s the first to incorporate theme park attractions into its onboard offerings.
And, with the fleet increasing to 13 ships by 2031, these park-based experiences could motivate “theme park-only” clients to transition to Disney Cruise Line clients, as well.
“We brought world-class storytelling, immersive experiences and ocean cruising together, but we’ve also created special nods to our parks,” said Jodi Bainter, vice president of domestic leisure sales for Disney Destinations. “I love what’s happening as we think about cruising, and we think about theme parks and how those vacations now complement each other.”
Elyssa Antonelle, co-owner of MickeyTravels, agrees that the ship represents new opportunities to convert clients into cruisers.
“If clients love the parks, they’re going to find that love with the feel of an all-inclusive vacation,” she said. “If they love Disney, this is it.”
I love what’s happening as we think about cruising, and we think about theme parks and how those vacations now complement each other.
Disney Treasure — sister ship to Disney Wish and the upcoming Disney Destiny — set sail on its maiden voyage on Dec. 21, giving passengers unique opportunities to first experience three spaces honoring beloved Disney attractions: the Haunted Mansion Parlor, based on the Haunted Mansion ride; the Skipper Society lounge, themed to the Jungle Cruise; and the Periscope Pub, inspired by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
“Disney Wish is like Fantasyland, so we decided that Disney Treasure should be our Adventureland ship,” explained Danny Handke, senior creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering. “And if we’re going to lean into Adventureland, then why not have a Jungle Cruise-themed bar and lounge, and why don’t we do 20,000 Leagues and the Haunted Mansion?”
And after experiencing these new ship attractions myself, my only thought was, “What took so long?”
The Haunted Mansion Parlor invites clients into the iconic mansion, almost as if they'd stepped out of their Doom Buggies mid-ride.
© 2024 Disney Cruise Line/Kent PhillipsHaunted Mansion Parlor
The most highly anticipated space onboard Treasure is the Haunted Mansion Parlor, where clients are invited into the iconic mansion, almost as if they have stepped out of their Doom Buggies mid-ride.
The immersive lounge was designed as a love letter to Disney’s haunted attractions worldwide, from the original Haunted Mansion at Disneyland in California to Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland and Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris.
“We wanted [Haunted Mansion Parlor] to feel different than any other bar experience we’ve ever done — more theatrical, with events happening around you all the time,” Handke said. “We’ve taken a seven-minute, ride-through experience and made it a 45-minute bar and lounge where you can immerse yourself in the Haunted Mansion story.”
In addition to the “I’m not supposed to be here” vibe, there are plenty of spooky happenings all around, so clients will need to “look alive” to catch them — even Madame Leota herself has been known to materialize in the mirror behind the bar.
Signature cocktails include The Final Vow and Last Catch served in exclusive, tiki-style mugs; The Chilling Challenge, which comes accompanied by a “Death Certificate;” and the Restless Spirits Experience for Two, revealed to those who complete a ghostly riddle. "Spirit-free" concoctions include flavored soda "potions" in custom-branded bottles.
“Sitting in the Haunted Mansion Parlor is the ride, but to the nth degree," said Tim Elrod of Travelmation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “This is what we all want — and knowing they have more ships coming, what’s next?”
The Haunted Mansion Parlor is open to all passengers until 9 p.m., when it transitions to an adults-only lounge.
The Skipper Society is the watering hole where Jungle Cruise skippers relax after a long day cruising Disney rivers around the world.
Credit: 2024 Disney Cruise Line/Kent PhillipsSkipper Society
The centrally-located Skipper Society is the watering hole where Jungle Cruise skippers relax after a long day cruising Disney rivers around the world. An old-timey radio even broadcasts communication between international skippers in different languages.
“Skipper Society is the club where skippers go to unwind after their shift, so you’re stepping off the attraction and into their space,” said Megan Moore, interior design principal at Walt Disney Imagineering. “And while it’s not based directly on the ride, we’ve hidden references for fans to discover.”
According to Imagineer Karyn Poore, those nods include props, artwork and replicas of items featured in the attractions, such as vines on the ceiling from Disneyland’s queue.
On the menu are “punny” tropical libations (it’s the skipper’s hangout, after all), including the Hippopotomai-tai, Piranha Punch, non-alcoholic Jungle Juice and the Skipper Sipper, served in an Ems Empress Boat Mug (the Treasure’s conveyance was on the Ems River).
The Skipper Society is open to all passengers all day.
Periscope Pub is Inspired by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attractions at Disneyland Paris, Tokyo DisneySea, and Walt Disney World.
Credit: 2024 Disney Cruise Line/Kent PhillipsPeriscope Pub
Inspired by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attractions, including the walk-through experience at Disneyland Paris and submarine-style ride at Tokyo DisneySea, the space is also intended to pull at the heart strings of clients who fondly remember Walt Disney World's now-closed 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage.
“We’re always looking to bring new guests onboard — and we hadn’t done [attraction-themed spaces] before — so, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea really made sense for a ship,” said Tim Hall, senior design manager at Walt Disney Imagineering.
Like the Haunted Mansion Parlor and Skipper Society, Periscope Pub features nods to all versions of the attraction, from the entrance marquee inspired by Tokyo’s ride to a hand-carved replica of the squid from Paris’ experience and cast member costumes reminiscent of Magic Kingdom’s ride.
Clients should also check the pressure gauge behind the bar, with depth markings representing all the Disney ships (718 is Treasure); the latitude and longitude underneath mark the location of German shipyard Meyer Werft, where the ship was built. Another fun fact? Underwater footage on the ceiling was filmed in the 5.7-million-gallon aquarium in Epcot’s The Seas With Nemo & Friends Pavilion and during sea trials.
The menu features "pub grub" such as burgers, wings and a giant German pretzel; seafaring cocktails, including the Narwhal and the Diver; and three signature "Unchartered Beers" on tap (each of the three lounges has exclusive brews).
Periscope Pub is open to all guests during the day and transitions to adults only after 9 p.m.
“For a lot of our clients, Disney cruises are driven by experience,” said Greg Antonelle, co-owner of MickeyTravels in Windemere, Florida. “These lounges give people opportunities to experience the theme parks in the middle of the ocean.”
