What I’m Most Excited to Experience on My First Disney Treasure Cruise

I have sailed with Disney Cruise Line many times...17 sailings to date to be exact.

I know the rhythm of embarkation day, the excitement of hearing my family’s name announced and the feeling of realizing that, for the next several days, the hardest decision may be whether to order one dessert or two.

But next week, I am doing something new. I am boarding the Disney Treasure for the first time!

As a Platinum Castaway Club member and a travel advisor who plans Disney cruises regularly, I already know quite a bit about the ship. I have studied the deck plans, followed its debut and helped clients decide whether Treasure fits their families.

That is valuable knowledge. But there is a difference between knowing what a ship includes and knowing how it actually feels to sail on it. Next week, I get to find out!

First, I Want to See How Treasure Feels Compared With the Wish

The Disney Treasure and Disney Wish share the same basic ship design, which means parts of Treasure should feel familiar the moment I board.

I already know where many of the major spaces should be. I understand the general flow of the ship. I know the layout has some features I love and a few quirks that can take first-time guests by surprise.

But Treasure tells an entirely different story. The Wish is rooted in enchantment and fairytales. Treasure is inspired by adventure, exploration and beloved Disney Parks attractions.

I am especially curious to see whether changing the themes changes the entire personality of the ship or whether it still feels primarily like the Wish wearing different clothes. That is the kind of question a deck plan cannot answer.

The Grand Hall Is My First Must-See

When you board a Disney cruise, your family is announced and you step directly into the ship’s atrium. It is one of those little Disney Cruise Line moments that never stops feeling special.

On Treasure, the Grand Hall is inspired by Aladdin, with Aladdin and Jasmine riding the Magic Carpet as its central statue. The warmer colors and adventure-inspired design are very different from the Cinderella elegance of the Disney Wish.

I have seen plenty of photos, but photos never fully capture the scale, atmosphere or small details of a Disney ship. I want that first look for myself.

Yes, the Haunted Mansion Parlor Is High on My List

Was there ever any doubt? 😂

The Haunted Mansion Parlor may be one of the most anticipated spaces Disney Cruise Line has ever created. It combines the storytelling of the classic Disney Parks attraction with the setting of a mysterious drawing room aboard an old cruise liner.

I want to see the portraits, notice the changing details and experience the effects that make the room feel alive with happy haunts. I am also curious about the practical side of visiting it. How busy does it become? When is the best time to go? Is it a place where you want to stay awhile, or does it feel more like a space guests visit once for the novelty?

Those are the details that matter when I later help clients plan their time onboard.

I Cannot Wait to Dine at Plaza de Coco

I enjoy Arendelle aboard the Wish, but I am excited to experience a completely different rotational dining story on Treasure.

Plaza de Coco is inspired by Pixar’s Coco and continues the story of Miguel and his family through live music, entertainment and Mexican-inspired menus. Treasure’s longer itineraries allow the restaurant to offer two distinct evenings instead of repeating the same experience.

And I have to be honest: Plaza de Coco may already have an unfair advantage with me. I LOVE Mexican food. If I am going out to dinner at home, there is a nine-out-of-ten chance I am choosing a Mexican restaurant. So while I am excited to see how the story develops across both nights and how the entertainment feels in person, I am equally excited to experience those menus.

I want to see how well guests can view the entertainment from different parts of the restaurant, whether the atmosphere feels as lively as it looks in photos and, of course, which dishes become my favorites.

This is still a cruise, after all. The food research is very important. 😂

The Tale of Moana May Be the Experience I’m Most Excited About

I love Disney Cruise Line stage productions, and Disney The Tale of Moana is one of the biggest Treasure experiences I have not yet seen.

The show is the first stage adaptation of Moana created for Disney Cruise Line. It uses music, puppetry and theatrical effects to retell Moana’s journey across the ocean. This is exactly the kind of production Disney often does beautifully: a familiar story told in a way that could only happen inside the Walt Disney Theatre.

I am going in with high expectations, but I am also trying not to watch so many clips beforehand that I spoil the moments meant to surprise me.

I Want to Explore More Than the Famous Spaces

Haunted Mansion Parlor and Plaza de Coco receive much of the attention, but several smaller spaces are also on my list.

I want to visit Skipper Society, inspired by Jungle Cruise, and see how much of that attraction’s personality appears in the details. I want to explore Periscope Pub, inspired by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Jumbeaux’s Sweets, inspired by Zootopia. I want to find the art, background details and quiet corners that do not always appear in promotional photos.

Those smaller discoveries are often what make a Disney ship feel special. They are also the things I can only explain well after I have taken the time to notice them myself.

I’m Excited to Experience Halloween on the High Seas Aboard Treasure

This will not be an ordinary Treasure sailing. We are boarding during Disney Cruise Line’s Halloween on the High Seas season...on actual Halloween!

That means themed décor, character costumes, seasonal entertainment and an extra layer of atmosphere throughout the ship. I am particularly excited to see how Treasure’s adventure theme and Haunted Mansion storytelling pair with Halloween. Of all the Disney ships, this feels like a particularly fun one to experience during the spooky season.

I’m Also Paying Attention for My Clients

Yes, this is my vacation. I plan to enjoy it, laugh with my friends, eat too much food and give myself permission to experience the ship instead of turning every moment into work.

But being a travel advisor changes the way I notice things. I naturally pay attention to questions like:

• How easy is the ship to navigate?

• Which spaces become crowded and when?

• How does the longer itinerary change the pace of the cruise?

• Which experiences need to be prioritized?

• Where can adults find a quieter atmosphere?

• What will families with young children love most?

• What might surprise someone who has already sailed the Wish?

• Which stateroom locations seem especially convenient?

Marketing tells you what a ship offers. Firsthand experience helps me explain what those offerings mean for your family. That does not mean every family should choose exactly what I choose. It means I return with better questions, clearer comparisons and more honest recommendations.

What Will Become My Favorite?

Right now, I can guess.

Maybe it will be the Haunted Mansion Parlor. Maybe The Tale of Moana will completely win me over. Maybe Plaza de Coco will become my favorite rotational dining experience.

Or maybe it will be something I am not expecting at all.

That is the best part of boarding a new ship. Even after all my research and all my Disney cruises, there is still something left to discover. When I return, I will share what lived up to the hype, what surprised me and who I think will love the Disney Treasure most.

Until then, I have a ship to explore.

For a firsthand comparison from someone who has already sailed both ships, read Laura’s companion article: Disney Treasure vs. Disney Wish: What’s Different and Which Ship Is Right for You?

Are You Considering the Disney Treasure?

The right Disney cruise depends on much more than which ship is newest. Your travel dates, itinerary, budget, stateroom preferences and the experiences your family values should all be part of the decision.

I help families compare those details, prepare for their sailing and make the most of their time onboard. My planning assistance is included when you book your Disney cruise with me, and eligible sailings may also receive onboard credit of up to $1,000.

If the Disney Treasure is calling your name, I would love to help you decide whether it is the right ship for your family.