We’ve been doing plenty of speculating around here about what might be coming aboard the Disney Believe, and while I wasn’t part of our recent DCL Show discussion, I’ve certainly been doing some dreaming of my own, so I thought I’d share here. Disney Cruise Line has only revealed a handful of details about its newest Wish-class ship so far, which means there are still plenty of restaurants, lounges, entertainment spaces, and other surprises waiting to be announced.
But there’s one idea I cannot get out of my head.
Please give me a Neverland Lounge.
When Disney revealed that Tinker Bell would appear prominently on the bow of the Disney Believe, I was ridiculously excited. She’s shown in the new artwork alongside silhouettes of Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook, and other characters from the 1953 animated film, all flying through the swirling filigree. Disney could have chosen Tinker Bell alone, but bringing the rest of Peter Pan into the design immediately made me wonder whether Neverland might have a larger presence somewhere aboard the ship.
And if it does, I know exactly where I want it.
Imagine Walking Into Neverland at Night
The Wish-class of ships each have a walk-through lounge right in the middle of the majority of the shops onboard, and that’s where I think this lounge idea belongs. I don’t want this lounge to look like somebody decorated a bar with Peter Pan merchandise. I want to walk through and feel as though I’ve stepped into Neverland after dark.
Picture tiny points of light overhead that resemble stars, and lush foliage creeping around the edges of the room. There could be enormous leaves and twisted tree roots worked into the architecture, with little glowing details tucked into places you’d only notice after you’ve been sitting there for a while. Somewhere in the distance, we might see the silhouette of Captain Hook’s Jolly Roger sitting in the lagoon.
And there absolutely needs to be pixie dust. Lots of it.
Not everywhere. That’s where Disney could make this space really beautiful rather than turning it into something that feels like a children’s play area. I’d love to see tiny trails of warm sparkling light moving subtly through the room, almost as though Tinker Bell has just zipped past. Maybe every so often, the lights flicker and a little trail of pixie dust travels across the ceiling.
You’d know exactly who was responsible.
Give Us Mermaid Lagoon, Skull Rock, and the Jolly Roger
Neverland gives Imagineers an unbelievable amount to work with because it isn’t just one setting. You’ve got Mermaid Lagoon, Skull Rock, the Lost Boys’ hideout, the Jolly Roger, and Pixie Hollow, all wrapped into the same world.
Instead of just recreating one, I’d love to see each area included. One seating area could feel like you’ve wandered into Mermaid Lagoon, with light effects moving across the walls like water is reflecting nearby. Another corner could be darker and more moody for Skull Rock.
Captain Hook’s section practically designs itself, with nautical details, old maps, lanterns, ropes, and maybe a subtle hint or two to indicate that the crocodile is closeby. And Pixie Hollow, well, that would be where the Pixie Dust Tree climbs the walls and a sculpted Tinker Bell could be flying above.
The bar itself could even look as though it belongs somewhere between the Lost Boys’ hideout and a shipwreck that’s been reclaimed by the island. Give it enough texture and detail that you could sit there three nights in a row and still find something you hadn’t noticed before.
This is Disney Imagineering. I know what they’re capable of.
And Think About That Drink Menu!
Oh, I could have entirely too much fun with this part.
A Tinker Bell cocktail practically has to sparkle, although I’m going to need Disney to resist the urge to make everything fluorescent green. Give me something elegant with a tiny glowing or shimmering effect instead. Captain Hook deserves a darker rum cocktail, while Mermaid Lagoon could inspire something tropical and blue. There could be a nonalcoholic drink for Peter Pan and something involving a ticking clock for the crocodile.
I’d even love a small menu of shareable bites rather than making this a full restaurant. The newer Disney ships have shown just how much fun Disney can have when it builds an intimate lounge around a particular story, and Neverland feels like one of those worlds that could support an entire menu without Disney having to try very hard.
And yes, I would order something solely because it came with a tiny Tinker Bell garnish. I know who I am.
Tinker Bell Already Belongs to the Disney Believe
This is the part that keeps bringing me back to the idea.
Disney has described the Disney Believe as a ship built around promise and possibility, with its stories tied together by belief in magic, family, nature, yourself, and something fantastical. Moana will anchor that idea in the Grand Hall, where a bronze statue of her with Pua and Heihei will look toward new horizons. Woody and Buzz will appear on the stern, while Tinker Bell and the characters of Peter Pan will fly across the bow.
If you’re building a Disney ship around the idea of belief, it’s awfully hard for me not to think about Tinker Bell.
After all, Neverland is a place reached by flying toward the stars with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust. The entire story depends on accepting that something impossible might actually be possible. That’s pretty darn close to the theme Disney has already told us it wants the Believe to embody.
So now I’m planting my flag.
Give us a Neverland Lounge aboard the Disney Believe.
Make it beautiful enough for adults to want to spend an evening there, whimsical enough that we notice new details every time we visit, and immersive enough that we briefly forget we’re sitting inside a cruise ship. Let Tinker Bell dart across the ceiling, put the Jolly Roger somewhere in the distance, hide a crocodile or two for us to find. Oh, and give me a gorgeous cocktail while you’re at it.
Disney Cruise Line hasn’t announced anything suggesting that a Neverland Lounge is actually coming to the Disney Believe, so for now, this is entirely wishful thinking on my part. But Disney has promised new, one-of-a-kind venue concepts aboard the ship, and we’ll learn much more during its big Disney Believe reveal on October 7.
Until then, I’ll be over here believing.
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