When the Disney Treasure sets sail on its maiden voyage in December, Moana fans on board will find out just far Moana will go – at least how far she’ll sail in the Caribbean. Just a few weeks after Moana comes back to the big screen in Moana 2, which releases Nov. 27, the first “Moana” stage show will premiere on board the new Disney Treasure ship’s first Caribbean cruise.
While movie theater audiences on land watch Moana journey to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Disney cruise passengers in the Walt Disney Theatre on board the Disney Treasure will be immersed in Moana’s first adventure across land and sea.
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The Broadway-style show “Disney The Tale of Moana” will follow Moana as she embarks on a journey to save her island after she’s chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti. Fans of the Walt Disney Animation Studios film will recognize many beloved characters like Gramma Tala, Maui and Tamatoa when they appear on stage, as well as songs from the film’s popular soundtrack.
This the first at-sea production involving Moana.
Image source: Disney Cruises.
Disney cruise passengers will join Moana on a Pacific Islands-inspired adventure
Set design and music inspired by Pacific Islands cultures will transport passengers from the Caribbean to the fictional island of Motunui where the spirit of Gramma Tala, the show’s narrator, will introduce her granddaughter, Moana. Through dance and songs performed in a mix of languages including Tuvaluan, Tokelauan, and Samoan, audiences will learn how the ocean chooses young Moana for an extraordinary journey to restore the heart of Te Fiti.
As Moana begins her transformational voyage to save her people, the Walt Disney Theatre will transform from the island of Motunui into the open ocean. The spirit of Gramma Tala will illuminate the way for Moana in the form of a giant, glowing manta ray that soars above the audience.
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When demigod Maui teaches Moana how to face her fears before entering the Realm of the Monsters to face Tamatoa during her journey, the show will feature the first stage performance of the song, “Warrior Face.” Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda for the first Moana film but ultimately never used, “Warrior Face” is inspired by traditional Haka, a ceremonial dance of Māori culture. Other songs performed in the stage show will include fan favorites “You’re Welcome,” “We Know The Way,” and “How Far I’ll Go.”
Puppetry will bring favorite characters from the film to life throughout the stage show culminating with the largest puppet Disney Cruise Line ever created towering over the audience when Moana meets the fiery lava demon Te Kā. As Moana restores the heart of Te Fiti, the fifteen-foot-tall Te Kā puppet will transform into the gentle, life-giving island goddess, Te Fiti herself.
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The Disney Treasure features a variety of adventure-themed experiences
The lineup of Broadway-style shows that will be performed in the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the Disney Treasure also includes popular “Beauty and the Beast” and “Disney Seas the Adventure” shows. Infused with a theme of adventure, the Disney Treasure will invite passengers to experience themed spaces and experiences inspired by a variety of treasured stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney Parks attractions.
In addition to the Broadway-style retelling of “Moana,” the ship features immersive dining experiences inspired by Pixar’s “Coco” and Marvel Super Heroes, a Mickey Mouse-themed water attraction, fireworks at sea, imaginative kids’ clubs, and new Disney Parks-inspired lounges for adults, including the first-ever Haunted Mansion bar.
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The Disney Treasure will depart on its maiden voyage on Dec. 21, a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral. The ship’s inaugural season offers a range of seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruise itineraries sailing from Port Canaveral.
Sister ship to the Disney Wish that launched in 2022 and the Disney Destiny that will set sail in November 2025, the Disney Treasure is the sixth ship to enter the Disney Cruise Line fleet. The cruise line’s multi-year expansion plan includes seven more ships setting sail by 2031.
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