Even with three brand new ships on the horizon, the Disney Cruise Line is continuing to enhance its existing fleet. The Disney Dream just received a new stage show of “Beauty and the Beast,” and the Disney Magic has been scheduled for another upgrade.

“Beauty and the Beast”

Following the popularity of the recent live-action film and classic animated movie, “Beauty and the Beast” is now playing to guests as a live performance on the Dream. The fairytale is presented via timeless storytelling as well as state-of-the-art technology in the 1,340-seat Walt Disney Theatre, employing expert costuming and puppetry along the way.

, Disney Cruise Line Readies Magic Redesign, Intros Beauty and the Beast on Dream
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line ~ Steven Diaz, photographer)

Settings like Belle’s provincial French town and the Beast’s castle are brought to life thanks to a music box motif from set designer Jason Sherwood (“Paint Your Wagon,” “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular”) and video designer, Aaron Rhyne (“Frozen, A Musical Spectacular,” Broadway’s “Anastasia”).

Director and choreographer Connor Gallagher (“Tangled: The Musical,” “Found”), writer Sara Wordsworth (“Frozen, A Musical Spectacular,” Broadway’s “In Transit”) and four-time Tony Award-nominated lighting designer Japhy Weideman additionally bring their creative talents to the forefront.

, Disney Cruise Line Readies Magic Redesign, Intros Beauty and the Beast on Dream
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line ~ Steven Diaz, photographer)

The musical numbers from composer Alan Menken and lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice bring it all together including the new “How Does a Moment Last Forever” and “Days in the Sun.” Plus, arrangements and orchestrations by Matt Castle and Frank Galgano (“Into the Woods”) give a distinct stamp to the production show’s sound.

, Disney Cruise Line Readies Magic Redesign, Intros Beauty and the Beast on Dream
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line ~ Steven Diaz, photographer)

Also featured are favorite songs such as “Belle,” “Something There” and “Beauty and the Beast” customized for the stylized show, as well as the popular “Gaston” and “Be Our Guest,” which received a full reimagining.

Lastly, the enchanted objects are uniquely realized with a combination of costuming and puppetry by costume designer Sarah Cubbage (Broadway’s “Skylight”) and puppet designer Jeff Conover. The characters of Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth are thus acted out in actual scale.

, Disney Cruise Line Readies Magic Redesign, Intros Beauty and the Beast on Dream
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line ~ Steven Diaz, photographer)

The Disney Dream sails three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas year-round from Port Canaveral, Florida.

UPDATE: Here’s a video from the rehearsals of this new show posted by Broadway World

 

Disney Magic Redesign

Also, by March 2018, the Disney Magic will be enhanced with new experiences for all ages.

, Disney Cruise Line Readies Magic Redesign, Intros Beauty and the Beast on Dream
Disney Magic
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line ~ Matt Stroshane, photographer)

For families to enjoy together, Carioca’s is being swapped out for Rapunzel’s Royal Table – themed to the animated film “Tangled” and occupied by Princess Rapunzel herself and the Snuggly Duckling Thugs. Making for a more interactive experience will be live entertainment set in the kingdom of Corona – a regal ballroom in the royal castle to be exact.

Glowing wish lanterns and Rapunzel’s artistic drawings will don the space where the King and Queen of Corona welcome guests to celebrate Rapunzel’s birthday and the anniversary of her return to the kingdom.

During dinner, singing and dancing will be led by the characters as well as the maître d’ and a house band, all while themed menu items are served, before a final parade. The new venue is an ideal accompaniment to the ship’s “Tangled: The Musical” performance.

Just for kids, Disney’s Oceaneer Club will be updated with Club Disney Junior replacing the current Mickey Mouse Club area, and only for teens, Vibe will be redone into a “trendy urban loft environment” complete with a fresh coffee and smoothie bar.

Meanwhile, adults alone have a newly redesigned tropical Cove Café to look forward to adjacent to the Quiet Cove Pool and Signals Bar, which will also be updated. What’s more, the Senses Spa’s Rainforest Room will be refreshed with steam and hydrotherapy.

All of this is, of course, in addition to the ship receiving regular extensive maintenance work.

The Disney Magic’s new features will be introduced on March 9, 2018 with four- and five-night voyages from Miami, Florida to Key West, Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. On May 14, 2018, the ship will then reposition to Europe for the summer.

What do you think about the additions to the Disney Dream and Disney Magic? Tell us in the comments section below…

Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a dedicated Disney fanboy and cruise travel journalist with over 175 sailings under his belt and a fresh, youthful perspective on the cruise industry. He has been cruising – and more importantly, visiting Disneyland – since before he was even two years old thanks to his parents’ shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. He now explores the world with his beautiful wife and fellow Disney aficionado Heidi by his side. Jason is the founding editor of PopularCruising.com and regular producer of videos for the Popular Cruising YouTube channel, as well as cruise editor at TravelAge West. He also contributes to Cruise Critic and Porthole magazine. You can follow him at the following social media networks: YouTube, TwitterFacebook, Instagram