Inside Disney Destiny’s Unique Restaurants, Shows, and Experiences

You might think that if you’ve seen one Disney cruise ship, you’ve seen them all. But anyone who has sailed on more than one Disney ship knows that this couldn’t be further from the truth. Case in point: the all-new Disney Destiny, set to debut on November 20, kicking off an inaugural season of four- and five-night voyages to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean from Port Everglades, Florida.

My family and I were among the first to experience the Destiny at sea during a preview earlier this week. This was our fourth Disney cruise and, as with the others, we discovered many experiences and locations entirely unique to the new ship. Here’s a look at the restaurants, shows and experiences you’ll find on Disney Destiny and nowhere else.

1. Villain Encounters and Storytelling Experiments

One of the most striking features of Disney Destiny is its immersive storytelling, which leans heavily on the setting of the company’s famous villains. In fact, Destiny’s entire theme is “heroes versus villains,” a motif that’s visible from the moment you step aboard into a large room inspired by Wakanda and Marvel’s Black Panther.

In my exclusive interview with Yolanda Cade, VP of Communications and Public Affairs at Disney Signature Experiences, she told me, “What makes Destiny different is just this theme of heroes and villains and how it comes to life. These are stories we’ve never told before. On Destiny, our guests will be able to meet and play with some of their favorite villains, and that’s not something you’re used to doing.”

Indeed, the very first encounter with the characters on board is a complete storytelling experience in which Loki arrives in the Great Hall and immediately asserts that he is now the king of the ship. This storyline plays out throughout the journey over several dedicated programming blocks, culminating on the final day when another hero arrives to free Destiny from Loki’s grip.

Destiny also incorporates the villains beyond these theatrical moments in the Great Hall. Characters such as Cruella de Vil and Maleficent appear during staged encounters, often supported by dynamic lighting and sound cues that enhance their entrances. These interactions are intentionally designed to balance flair and playfulness without veering too scary, making them accessible to families while remaining distinctly dramatic.

Some villain encounters also tie directly into the ship’s specialty locations and evening entertainment. For example, Cruella makes appearances tied to the adults-only De Vil’s Piano Lounge (more on this new space below), while other villains appear during themed parties or limited-time events that play with the ship’s heroes-versus-villains narrative. The costume, staging, and performance choices are even more theatrical than standard character encounters. From what I’ve observed, villains don’t just pose for photos: they are in full control of the spaces they inhabit.

Even areas such as the ship’s two stair towers and elevator lobbies are treated like vast art galleries, with the front staircases dedicated entirely to villains ranging from classic animation to Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. These details and character encounters create an atmosphere where the villains play a central role in the guest experience, not found anywhere else in the Disney Cruise Line fleet.

2. Pridelands: Lion King Festival

Disney Destiny’s new flagship dining experience is called Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King, an iconic location not available anywhere else in the Disney fleet. Designed to feel like you’ve stepped straight into the savannah-inspired world of The Lion KingPridelands is a theater-in-the-round space specifically designed for live storytelling to accompany your dining experience. On my preview cruise, the excitement about this pre-dinner experience was evident and I’m happy to report that the excitement was well deserved.

The menu, developed specifically for the new venue, features African-influenced flavors, cocktails and mocktails. Food East suitably delicious, but it’s the powerful performance that elevates this space into a one-of-a-kind experience, drawing on many elements of the hit Broadway musical. Throughout the meal, musicians and performers appear on a central stage to reinterpret key moments and songs from the film, with lighting, sound design and visual effects supporting the immersive spectacle. The rousing performance begins before the first lesson and continues with interludes that tell the story of The Lion King through familiar songs like “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata.”

3. Disney’s Hercules

THE Hercules The Disney Destiny stage show is an all-new musical created specifically for this ship. I always look forward to Broadway-style performances on Disney cruise ships, and this one exceeded even my highest expectations. Based on the several-minute standing ovation at the end, I feel safe saying I was hardly alone.

The production combines impressive physical sets with cutting-edge digital and practical effects to reimagine the story of Hercules’ journey from “zero to hero” in a way that stays true to the spirit of the animated film while taking full advantage of the live stage environment. New arrangements of songs like “Go the Distance” and “Zero to Hero” are paired with choreography and staging designed exclusively for Destiny’s Walt Disney Theater, giving the musical an exclusive feel that sets it apart from other productions on board.

One of the series’ most breathtaking moments is its Hydra Battle, which uses practical creature effects to bring the three-headed monster to life in a thrilling action sequence that truly has to be seen to be believed. At a backstage open house for members of the media after the show, I was able to get up close and personal with the larger-than-life hydra puppets. They’re huge and incredibly detailed, of course, but what struck me most was how they raised the bar for what’s possible in live-action sequences at sea.

While this version of Hercules has a clear multi-generational appeal, I think the combination of action and puppetry will particularly appeal to younger audiences who may not yet realize how exciting a live show can be compared to something on screen.

4. De Vil’s Piano Salon

Speaking of those unique spaces for villains, the Disney Destiny is the first ship in the DCL fleet to feature a dedicated lounge focused on a villain. De Vil’s Piano Lounge is one of the ship’s most notable adults-only spaces, blending Cruella de Vil’s Dalmatian-inspired style with the atmosphere of an upscale cocktail lounge.

“This is the first time we’ve had a dedicated villain space on board,” said Beth Burkhardt, interior design manager at Walt Disney Imagineering, during a media Q&A panel aboard the preview cruise. “By researching different spaces on the ship, we saw how to use heroes and villains to connect all of these spaces together.”

At its center is a piano (spotted, of course) where live musicians perform jazzy reinterpretations of Disney classics and villain-themed tunes. The drinks menu builds on Cruella’s dramatic style with theatrical cocktails.

5. The sanctuary

One of my favorite places in Destiny is another new space called The Sanctum, an open lounge lightly themed to Marvel’s Doctor Strange. As a fan of the films and the comics they are based on, I enjoyed the atmosphere of Bleecker Street and the many hidden Easter eggs. The decor and general atmosphere are reminiscent of the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Master of the Mystic Arts without being so thematic that non-fans feel out of place.

The menu leans heavily on theatrical mixology, making Sanctum one of the most experiential bars in Destiny. You can order “enchanted” cocktails mixed at the table with smoke, levitating or glowing elements, and fun presentations. Some drinks even incorporate interactive components – ingredients added in sequence to “activate” the spell – while non-alcoholic options are given the same level of drama.

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