Disney Cruise Line reveals new villain-inspired spaces and characters coming to Disney Destiny in 2025
A voyage aboard the Disney Destiny will be a unique one within the growing Disney Cruise Line. Unlike the line's current newest ship, Disney Wish, where the theme is one of enchantment with very Cinderella-inspired beauty and light everywhere you turn, Disney Destiny, which sets sail in 2025, has an intriguing "darker" side, too.
As all good storytellers know, for a character to rise above and become a hero, an opposing force must help drive them there. That duality of good and bad, light and dark, and hero and villain is present in virtually every great Disney story ... and in its upcoming new ship.
To that end, Disney Destiny is embracing not only the heroes of the stories, but also the villains who help create them. You'll find those darker, more complicated characters throughout the ship, including in some all-new spaces inspired and dedicated just to them.
With bookings likely to open in the coming months, Disney Cruise Line is dedicating three days this week to Disney Destiny announcements. On Tuesday, the line shared details about Disney Destiny's all-new "Lion King"-themed dining experience, the ship's home port (Port Everglades), its cabins and more.
But be prepared, because Wednesday's announcement is all about the villain-inspired spaces and characters you'll find when the ship sets sail in late 2025.
Related: How to save money booking a Disney cruise
All-new villain-themed lounges
When it sets sail next year, Disney Destiny will have two brand-new lounges celebrating some of our favorite villainous characters you love to "hate" — and one "happy" bad-guy-themed haunt you'll also find on Disney Treasure when it sets sail in December 2024.
De Vil’s piano lounge
All-new to Disney Cruise Line on Disney Destiny will be De Vil’s piano lounge, themed to the red, white, black and notorious Cruella de Vil herself.
Sometimes, on a large ship, location is everything, and Disney shares that one side of De Vil’s will be open to the Grand Hall, which will make it very easy to pop in before or after doing almost anything else on the ship — such as dropping off your kiddos at the Oceaneer Club.
Leaning into not only Cruella's signature colors (and spots), this adults-only lounge will also feature a glamorous Hollywood regency style you might expect from somewhere this villain would visit.
Inside the lounge, you can expect moody tunes (from a spotted piano!), on-trend cocktails, wine and martinis. After all, Cruella's downfall was, at least in part, her pursuit of style, so you should expect nothing less in her lounge.
Cask and Cannon
Yo ho, yo ho, it's a new pirate-themed watering hole for us!
In addition to the usual beverage lineup, this "Pirates of the Caribbean"-themed pub will feature an extensive rum menu, including some rare and vintage rum selections. The menu will also include beer options that were developed just for this location (and served straight from the barrel, of course), so you can have something unique to enjoy while you watch sports and more on the pub's TVs.
Haunted Mansion Parlor
In keeping with the ship's theme of a dichotomy where both lightness and darkness can exist in harmony, expect a return of the Haunted Mansion Parlor and its "happy haunts." This ghostly parlor will make its debut on Disney Treasure later this year and then will "materialize" again on Disney Destiny in 2025.
This space replaces the "Star Wars"-themed bar, Hyperspace Lounge, that is found only on Disney Wish.
This lounge brings in the magic, humor and styling of the classic Haunted Mansion attraction at Disney parks but does so in the setting of a first-class drawing room from the golden age of classic ocean liners.
Don't be surprised if some classic characters from the Haunted Mansion attraction, along with some of their new seafaring friends, come out to socialize while you're enjoying their parlor and its ghoulish beverages.
Related: Everything we know about Disney Treasure
New ways to interact with villains on board
It's not all about photos and meet-and-greets with Mickey and beautiful princesses on Disney Destiny.
Also climbing on board will be characters with a more complicated past. Think Maleficent, Hades, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, Oogie Boogie, Captain Jack Sparrow, Bruno and even my personal favorite, Loki.
Cruisers will also have new ways to interact with these characters, such as at (interrupted) trivia events and even at dance parties in Oogie Boogie’s shipboard lair.
Villains make their way into the AquaMouse storyline
The 760-foot on-deck water ride, AquaMouse, will be on Disney Destiny, just like on Disney Wish and Disney Treasure. However, this time, it will showcase a fourth new show with villains from the Disney Animation Archive and feature a soundtrack written just for Disney Cruise Line.
In the new “Sing a Silly Song” story, Mickey and Minnie will trek to the peak of Villain Mountain, where you may encounter notorious favorites such as the Queen of Hearts (“Alice in Wonderland”), Scar (“The Lion King”) and Chernabog (“Fantasia”).
Bottom line
With five ships currently sailing guests everywhere from the Mediterranean to Alaska and four more ships actively on the way, Disney Cruise Line is in a rapid expansion mode. However, it isn't just pressing "copy-paste" as it grows from one ship to the next. Instead, thus far, the line is doing a great job at providing each ship with some unique offerings and spaces all its own, such as leaning into not only the heroes but the villains on this coming new ship.
Stay tuned Thursday, as Disney announces even more information about Disney Destiny and some of the ways it will be an experience all its own.
Planning a Disney cruise? Start with these stories:
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.