The Disney Destiny is a completely different kind of sailing for Disney Cruise Line, leaning into heroes and villains, big storytelling moments, and a few surprises you won’t find anywhere else. From over-the-top stage moments to interactive shows that pop up throughout your cruise, there’s a lot to keep track of.
I recently returned from a 5-night sailing aboard Disney’s newest stateside ship, and want to recommend a few activities and moments you won’t want to miss when you set sail! There really is SO much to do and take in, but here are a few of my favorites…
Catch Zayah & Gamble in… ANYTHING
You’ll hear their names early and often. Zayah and Gamble pop up across the ship — starting with the Sail Away deck party on embarkation day, to closing out the Farewell Show on the last night — with live storytelling moments in between that pull you right in.
I know they won’t last forever, but I have become quite attached to the current version of Zayah and Gamble onboard. They are extremely charismatic, their chemistry with each other is impeccable, constantly bouncing off of each other, and their delivery, impressions, and improvisation are downright hilarious. Throughout the voyage, you’re in on the story unfolding around you on the Disney Destiny. You get the inside jokes formed at certain activities, and you become attached to these original characters only found here.
Don’t miss Zayah and Gamble’s story re-tellings of The Princess & The Frog and Sleeping Beauty in the Grand Hall, where everyone is in on the show, complete with props and on-stage audience participation. Planning tip: these happen once on each sailing!
For the 18+ crowd: catch Treble-Making with Cruella. This is an exclusive activity for the Destiny, where Zayah and Gamble crash De Vil’s (the piano bar) and mingle for a few, before Cruella comes crashing in. From there, it’s up to the storytelling duo, the talented pianist, and whoever is present at the lounge to write new lyrics for Cruella that she’ll actually appreciate… “unlike that Roger”. Planning tip: This happens multiple times during your sailing. Show up 30-45 minutes before the app’s stated show time and enjoy a drink or two… this fills up fast since it’s a super small venue.
Get These Over-The-Top Drinks
Speaking of ordering a drink or two… Looking to tap into that kid-like fun while still enjoying a grown-up drink? Don’t play it safe with the bar menus. I walked away from this sailing with two experiential drinks highlights:
Over at Cask & Cannon, the Dead Man’s Chest is an arrr-dorable experience for two. For $25, you get two drinks served with gold (chocolate) doubloons to keep, served inside a treasure chest filled with smoke. Made with Zacapa 23 Solar Rum, Pineapple Lime Juice, Agave Nectar, and Coconut Froth, the taste is great too!
Back at De Vil’s, The Perfectly Wretched is for my fellow makeup besties. The drink itself is made with Belvedere 10 vodka, elderflower, lime, agave, cucumber and strawberries. But the best part are the edible cosmetic accompaniments: “served with a side of lipstick, face powder, and perfume for a true fashion lover” — all on a mirrored vanity tray.
The lipstick is a tube of frozen fruit jello made with Chambord (black raspberry liquer), the face powder is made of sugar and fine edible glitter (and SO much fun to shake into the glass), while Taittinger Champagne fills the perfume spritz bottle.
I guarantee you’ll get that “this is why I booked this cruise” kind of moment when you have one of these sitting in front of you.
The Heartbeat Rotation in the Haunted Mansion Parlor
Much like the Treasure’s, one of my favorite Haunted Mansion Parlor show moments has carried over to the Destiny. This is where we Disney Park fans can step inside and really take in the eerie elegance of one of our all-time favorite attractions.
Illusions and ghostly humor we know and love are found throughout. Most importantly, the parlor heavily pays homage to Rolly Crump, one of the founding fathers of the iconic attraction.
However, every few minutes, there’s an atmospheric rotation where the parlor seems to come alive. These include synchronizations to the song “Grim Grinning Ghosts” or Leota’s wind-chilled seance. But you don’t want to miss the heartbeat rotation, as a nod to the original Bride in the Attic scene. The pulsing red lights paired with cleverly synchronized effects speak to our historic Haunted Mansion-loving souls.
Oh, and don’t miss the Destiny-exclusive souvenir mugs found here!
‘With Great Power’ Adult Comedy Show
Another adults-only activity that cannot be missed is the Marvel-themed With Great Power, taking place in Saga. It leans more into PG-13 comedy (a Disney R-rating you could say). I mean, even Deadpool shows up. The Elixir Hall is a sort of pre-show featuring one of the talented singers from the Walt Disney Theater. Of course, you shouldn’t pass this up either, along with your chance at a good seat for the main show.
Zayah and Gamble tie into this one too, which makes the whole thing feel even more connected. It’s kooky, actually funny, and easily one of those “did that really just happen?” shows you’ll be talking about well after the cruise is over.
AquaMouse: Villains Mountain
The AquaMouse features four themed variants, including one all-new version built around Disney villains.
You’ll see playful Mickey Mouse Shorts-style scenes featuring the Headless Horseman from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Scar from The Lion King, The Skeleton Dance (!!) from Silly Symphonies, and Chernabog from Fantasia.
Pro Tip: Ride this while docked at Castaway Cay. Lines drop way down, and if there’s no one waiting, Cast Members will let you loop it again without getting off — very Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover energy.
‘Destiny Discovered’ Farewell Show
At the end of the sailing, everything wraps up in the Grand Hall around 10:30 PM with Destiny Discovered.
Like other Disney Cruise Line finales, it pulls together music, characters, and a few emotional moments with ship’s heroes & villains theme woven throughout. The Black Panther, Cruella, Loki, Mirabel, and many others appear, as well as Mickey and the gang to wish you a “sea ya real soon”.
Zayah and Gamble wrap it up with a literal close of their giant Destiny storybook:“We have come to the end of this chapter, but our story is far from over. We will meet again.”
The music builds, everyone’s together in the Grand Hall, and your favorite characters wish you farewell. The curtains close… cue the tears. The only thing left to do is to book your next Disney Cruise so you have a countdown before disembarking, right?
There’s a lot more packed into the Destiny, like the unique, villainous encounters with Dr. Facillier and Maleficent. This list also doesn’t include the various heroes and villains-themed artworks I found myself gawking at, which make this a sort of Disney museum at sea (more on that later), but these are some of the activities that truly defined my voyage. I hope you find this helpful on your next cruise on the Disney Destiny. Happy sailing!
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