NEWS: Disney Wish Sets Sail After Christening Ceremony Celebration

The Disney Wish, the fifth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, was christened on June 29, 2022, during an unforgettable celebration filled with spectacular musical performances, special guests, and characters from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar stories. With an astounding assembly of princesses, heroes, Jedi and pals on stage, three Make-A-Wish children stole the show as they played a historic role in the celebration. Learn more below.

“The Disney Wish embodies the incredible magic that only Disney can deliver,” said Bob Chapek, chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company. “It celebrates nearly 100 years of Disney storytelling excellence, bringing fantastic worlds and beloved characters to life like never before through innovative technology and new approaches. Every element of the Disney Wish reflects our relentless focus on our guests, and everything they love about Disney.”

Tony Award-winning entertainer Anika Noni Rose, the Disney Legend known for voicing Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog,” performed a stirring rendition of the beloved Disney Parks ballad “Wishes,” evoking the spirit of optimism and wonder woven into the fabric of Disney’s enchanting new cruise ship.

The event culminated with the ceremonial breaking of a champagne bottle like only Disney can do, with a dash of pixie dust and a symphony of pyrotechnics, special effects, music and fanfare.

The newest Disney Cruise Line ship is infused with more storytelling than ever before and filled with one-of-a-kind entertainment and innovative “firsts” from bow to stern.

These include the first Disney attraction at sea, family dining adventures themed to “Frozen” and Marvel, an immersive tour of the Star Wars galaxy, interactive virtual quests that unlock hidden magic around every corner, original Broadway-style stage productions, signature fireworks at sea, imaginative clubs for kids of all ages, and an expanded collection of experiences exclusively for adults.

“We’re constantly innovating and creating big, bold experiences for our guests that connect them to our stories in amazing new ways,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “With the Disney Wish, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with awesome new entertainment and experiences and combining them with Disney Cruise Line fan-favorite offerings. This new ship is one more symbol of our incredibly bright future, and just the beginning of where we can go.”

You can watch the entire ceremony below!

Disney Cruise Line announced that all Make-A-Wish® children, including past, present and future wish recipients, will be honored as godchildren of the Disney Wish, which sets sail this summer from Port Canaveral, Florida. Disney Cruise Line also continues to support the transformative work that wish-granting organizations do every day through newly announced initiatives which include an exclusive merchandise collection and the donation of a stateroom aboard a sailing of the Disney Wish.

Redefining the longstanding maritime tradition of appointing a ship “godmother,” this is the first time in Disney Cruise Line history that children are being recognized in this prestigious role which symbolically bestows good fortune on the vessel and its travelers.

The godchildren of this unique ship of wishes will join the magical group of godmothers for the Disney Cruise Line fleet including Patty Disney, Tinkerbell, Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey.

“Make-A-Wish children and their families are brave, determined, resilient, and some of the most inspirational people you could ever meet,” said Bob Chapek, chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company. “Wishing is a transformative experience that brings hope and joy, and it is our privilege to proudly recognize children who strive to overcome challenges as our Disney Wish godchildren. Working with Make-A-Wish to support children with critical illnesses and making magic when it is needed most will always be a priority for The Walt Disney Company.”

During the Disney Wish christening ceremony, Make-A-Wish children will recite the blessing for the newest ship, evoking the spirit of optimism The Walt Disney Company is known for. The event will be an unforgettable celebration of enchantment that will showcase the innovative new ship and celebrate Make-A-Wish as a key part of making wishes come true aboard all Disney Cruise Line ships.

Since 1980, Disney and Make-A-Wish have helped grant life-changing wishes for more than 145,000 children with critical illnesses around the world. Historically, one out of every two wishes granted in the U.S. through Make-A- Wish has been a Disney wish, with many of these wishes involving visits to global Disney destinations and sailings with Disney Cruise Line.

“The selection of Make-A-Wish children as the godchildren of the Disney Wish is another example of how Disney and Make-A-Wish continue to find innovative ways to bring joy to the lives of wish kids and their families,” said Richard K. Davis, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “We are honored to partner with The Walt Disney Company and we look forward to granting countless more wishes together.”

Disney Wish Limited Edition Merchandise Collection

In celebration of the Disney Wish and the incredible power of wishes, Disney Cruise Line has worked with Make-A-Wish to create an exclusive line of merchandise that includes a Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse plush, ear headband, trading pin, spirit jersey and tumbler.

Disney will donate 10% of the purchase price from the sale of every item in the Disney Wish Limited Edition Collection now through July 18, 2023, to Make-A-Wish to grant even more life-changing wishes. The full Disney Wish Limited Edition Collection is available aboard the Disney Wish, and select items are available on shopDisney.com beginning July 18, 2022.

Wish-Granting Donation

Disney Cruise Line also donated a stateroom aboard a sailing of the Disney Wish, an initiative that raised more than $260,000. Proceeds will benefit Make-A-Wish and Give Kids The World Village, a nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides children with critical illnesses and their families from around the world with magical week-long wish vacations at no cost.