NEW YORK -- The new spaces on the Disney Treasure that were inspired by Disney park attractions were standouts during a media preview of the ship while it was docked in the Hudson River here.
The ship was christened on Tuesday night.
Crewmembers said reservations will be required to visit one of the most hyped spaces on the ship, the Haunted Mansion Parlor. Located midship on Deck 3, the bar sits in the same location as Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge on the Treasure's sister ship, Disney Wish.
The parlor is based on Haunted Mansion attractions at Disney's theme parks around the world, said Danny Handke, creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering. The parlor also has a "nautical twist" inspired by its location. It's the first Haunted Mansion-inspired bar Disney has ever created, said Handke.
The space is dark, with seating throughout that would be at home in any of the attractions around the world. That includes a replica of the attraction's famed burgundy "face armchair," whose white stitching resembles a face. The iconic purple wallpaper from the attraction bedecks the walls. A large fish tank sits in the center of the room, and other paintings and curiosities populate the space.
Crewmembers said reservations will be required to visit the Haunted Mansion Parlor. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
"In this experience, the room comes alive around you, and depending on where you're sitting in the lounge, you might see or hear something different every time," Handke said. "It's definitely one of those spaces where you want to come back again and again and sit somewhere else, to try to see and hear the entire experience."
Much like the attraction, guests will go through different phases of the experience. In the beginning, the ghosts are trying to break through to have a party with the humans. When they are unable, the famed Madame Leota steps in to lead a séance from inside her crystal ball (her head appears in the mirror behind the bar, floating as it does on the attraction).
"Afterwards, we have a big swinging wake with the rousing song, 'Grim, Grinning Ghosts,'" Handke said.
A Jungle Cruise-themed bar
Just outside Haunted Mansion Parlor sits another lounge inspired by the parks: Skipper Society.
Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
Taking its cues from the classic attraction Jungle Cruise, the space features lush foliage and plenty of nods to the attraction and the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd., which "operates" the cruises in the parks.
Eagle-eyed guests will catch plenty of references to the Jungle Cruise, from telegrams addressed to the character Alberta Falls to lighting fixtures over the bar that resemble the pith helmets favored by some early tropical explorers.
Two spaces that will likely be especially popular with guests are round tables that flank the bar in their own nooks, which are decorated with plenty of Jungle Navigation Co. items.
Two decks up, guests will find Periscope Pub, the Disney Treasure's take on a sports bar. There are 16 beers on tap, the most fleetwide.
Lots of Easter eggs in Periscope Pub
Periscope Pub was inspired by the 1954 film "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and Disney's now-closed 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage attraction. The attraction was located in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The Disneyland version still operates, but as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, rethemed to include characters from the 2003 Pixar film.
"The minute you walk through our portal entry, you are truly in a submarine," said Alexis Cummins, principal graphic designer for Walt Disney Imagineering.
Periscope Pub was inspired by the 1954 film "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
A "glass ceiling" reflects shades of blue with sea life swimming by. The space includes many rivets, also reminiscent of a submarine.
"We've leaned into that design aesthetic, and you're truly on board with Captain Nemo," she said.
The pub features a number of props, like a replica of a Nautilus submarine and a hand-carved squid, a nod to the attraction Les Mysteres du Nautilus in Disneyland Paris, said Tim Hall, senior design manager for Walt Disney Imagineering.
Behind the bar, a depth and pressure gauge features different numbers representing the depth of the submarine. Various numbers on the gauge also refer to the different hull numbers of Disney cruise ships; at Periscope Pub, it points to 718, the hull number of the Disney Treasure. The bottom of the gauge features a latitude and longitude that is the location of the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, which built the Treasure.
"You'll see different gauges and stuff around the bar," Hall said. "They all have really cool, fun Easter eggs in them, including some more numbers on the depth and pressure gauge, which some of our more passionate fans will be able to figure out."
The Grand Hall's inspiration
A statue of Aladdin and Jasmine in the Grand Hall. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
The Grand Hall on the Disney Treasure was inspired by design from Asia and Africa, and in particular, Disney's 1992 animated film "Aladdin," said Jennifer Tinn, director of marketing for Disney Cruise Line. It features a statue of Aladdin and Jasmine riding the magic carpet.
Katrina Alvarez, principal interior designer for Walt Disney Imagineering, pointed to the room's chandelier. It's dynamic and constantly changing throughout the day, she said, and it pays homage to the statues on each of Disney Cruise Line's ships (like a shell for the Little Mermaid, whose likeness is on the Disney Wonder).
The carpet on the floor is reminiscent of a fountain, with different levels of water "spilling" from other decks of the ship and culminating in the Grand Hall.
The Grand Hall is home to a stage where performances will be held regularly. That includes new storytelling performances from characters created just for the Disney Treasure, Coriander and Sage. The nomadic travelers share stories with cruisers, like the tale of Aladdin or the Madrigal family from the 2021 animated film "Encanto."
While the ship is home to three Broadway-style shows, Disney wanted "a more intimate performing style," said Ben Schrader, a writer and show director with Disney Live Entertainment.
An ofrenda outside Plaza de Coco. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
A stage adaptation of 'Moana'
The Disney Treasure is home to a brand new stage show, "Disney The Tale of Moana," which will be performed at the Walt Disney Theater.
It's the first stage adaption of the 2016 film "Moana," said Jenny Weinbloom, vice president of live entertainment for Disney Signature Experiences. Disney created the show with the help of a team, including Broadway director Connor Gallagher and puppet designer Michael Curry, who created the puppets used in "The Lion King" on Broadway.
Dinner takes a theatrical spin at Plaza de Coco, a new restaurant concept for Disney Cruise Line on Deck 5. The colorful space is highly themed to the 2017 Pixar film "Coco."
Cruisers will dine there twice, seeing a different show each time. The shows heavily feature music and dance, provided by the character Miguel and a number of other performers.