Don't let expectations get in the way of fun
A trip on Disney's newest cruise ship reminded me of an important lesson about travel and entertainment: Don't let your expectations prevent you from having a good time.
The Disney Cruise Line's new, 4,000-passenger Disney Wish welcomes its first guests in Florida this month, but Disney invited several hundred reporters onboard for a media preview at the end of June. I was looking forward to three much-hyped new experiences on the ship: the AquaMouse water coaster, which Disney called its “first attraction at sea”; an all-new Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge; and a Marvelthemed interactive dinner show called “Avengers: Quantum Encounter.”
None of the three delivered what I expected.
The AquaMouse promised show scenes not found on the AquaDuck water coasters aboard other Disney cruise ships. But the new show tunnel on this coaster's lift hill looked more like — in the words of one reader — a “CT scan tube.” The tube included some basic screens showing clips from a new Mickey Mouse cartoon, but otherwise this was pretty much the same ride as the AquaDuck.
Which is great. Once I let go of my expectation for a more immersive attraction experience, I loved getting soaked on the launches and taking in the amazing views from the ride's clear tunnels atop the ship.
Fans online have been dragging the Wish's Hyperspace Lounge for its lackluster theming, inspired by a lounge in “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” the lowestgrossing live-action “Star Wars” film. It's also a tiny space, forcing many passengers to wait for a seat. But while waiting, I fell in love with The Bayou, a “The Princess and the Frog”-themed lounge just outside the Hyperspace Lounge entrance. It's a delightful space, adorned with magnolia blossoms and serving fun drinks and bites.
The promised interactivity in the Marvel show turned out to be pressing a button on a “glow with the show”-style “quantum core” centerpiece at each table. But the show, presented on screens throughout the restaurant, offered funny bits with Paul Rudd's Ant-Man, followed by a thrilling new live-action Avengers battle, all set on the ship.
After my top three experience did not go as planned, I braced myself to endure the Wish's new “Frozen”-themed dinner show, hoping that having to hear the umpteenth performance of “Let It Go” would not spoil my appetite too much. But “Arendelle — A Frozen Dining Adventure” turned out to be my favorite thing on the trip. Designed to look like a hallway and banquet room in Arendelle Castle — complete with views of the sea — the space hosts a musical engagement dinner for Anna and Kristoff, to which we all are invited. The best part? Elsa does not sing “Let It Go” — Kristoff and Oaken do, in a hilarious and endearing “bachelor party” scene.
Lesson learned. Sure, do the research in advance to find what destinations interest you. But when you get there, be willing to set aside your expectations and allow yourself to experience the place and the moment for what they are. That flexibility might be what is needed for your vacation “wish” to come true.
FINDING NEMO SUBMARINE VOYAGE >> Disneyland will reopen the attraction July 25, according to the Disney Parks blog. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage has remained closed since the park reopened in April 2021 after a yearlong pandemic closure while Walt Disney Imagineering and Disneyland crews refurbished the classic 1959 attraction.
BIPPITY BOPPITY BOUTIQUE >> It reopened after the pandemic closure as a retail-only location — without the popular makeover service that transforms kids into their favorite Disney princess or knight. Disneyland has been hiring licensed hairstylists and cosmetologists at recent job fairs. Fairy Godmother apprentices — aka Disneyland employees — will once again offer hairstyling, makeup and costuming services to turn kids age 3-12 into their favorite Disney characters starting Aug. 25.
MAIN STREET U.S.A. SILHOUETTE STUDIO >> The Silhouette Studio — where Disneyland artists hand-cut silhouette busts in about a minute — has remained closed since the pandemic reopening of the park. Disneyland is hiring part-time silhouette artists, according to Disney Careers.
TARZAN'S TREEHOUSE >> Disneyland will reimagine the Adventureland attraction with a new theme and backstory, according to Disneyland officials. The treehouse experience isn't going away, but the Tarzan theme won't return when the attraction reopens. The walkthrough attraction's new theme, backstory and reopening date have not been announced.
MICKEY'S TOONTOWN >> Imagineering is reimagining it with new interactive play areas for young children as part of the launch of the new Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway dark ride in 2023. The new additions will include a water play area and fountain at the center of the reimagined land dubbed Centoonial Park, and a Dreaming Tree with a grassy play area. The entire cartoon-themed land is closed for construction. The recently revamped Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin is expected to return along with Mickey and
Less certain is the future of a few locations that have remained closed since the pandemic reopening of the parks more than a year ago.
STAR WARS LAUNCH BAY >> Once home to Innoventions, America Sings and Carousel of Progress, this space has long been the white elephant of Tomorrowland. The Star Wars Launch Bay attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida is set to reopen Sunday. Disneyland's massive attraction building would likely be repurposed or torn down with any makeover of the futuristic land.
BLUE SKY CELLAR >> Blue Sky Cellar has always been a placeholder attraction that put to use the former Seasons of the Vine Theater, which once hosted a short movie about winemaking. Imagineering has used the theater sporadically as a showcase for upcoming projects. The space could be used for sneak peeks of Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, the “Princess and the Frog” makeover of Splash Mountain or other upcoming projects in the pipeline.
RADIATOR SPRINGS CURIOS >> The souvenir shop has yet to reopen its doors along Route 66 in California Adventure's Cars Land. Like many retailers, Disneyland has faced supply chain issues and hiring challenges following the pandemic's disruption of the economy.
HYPERION THEATRE >> California Adventure's Hyperion Theatre remains dark after Disneyland brought back parades, nighttime spectaculars, stage shows and other large-scale entertainment that had remained sidelined due to pandemic concerns about attracting big crowds. End-of-run notices were sent to more than 200 actors in “Frozen: Live at the Hyperion” during the pandemic closure. Disney has a number of popular film franchises that could be adapted for the 2,000-seat theater, which has housed Broadway-style productions.