As you’d expect on a Disney-owned and operated cruise line, the main stage shows on Disney Cruise Line ships are a spectacle of magic and entertainment.
Attending one of these kid-friendly, Broadway-style musicals is a great way to end an exciting day at sea. These shows are large-scale productions, separate from the deck parties and other live entertainment that takes place on the ship.
Typically, there are two different showings of each musical: one that accommodates guests from each of the two dining times. However, for a brand-new, popular musical, they may also add an additional show earlier in the day.
Keep in mind that schedules can always change, so it’s important to check the Daily Navigator or the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for specific details on available shows, dates, and times. They typically run around 60 minutes long, so you’ll still have plenty of time for other activities.
If you are eyeing a certain ship, you might be wondering, "What shows are on the Disney Fantasy?" Offerings vary, and the shows on Disney Magic are different than those onboard Disney Dream.
Here are some of the Disney cruise shows that you can expect to find available across their fleet of five ships. Spoiler alert: You are in for a treat no matter what magical ship you decide to sail on!
Read more: Guide to Disney Cruise Line
Beauty and the Beast
Playing exclusively on the Disney Dream is Beauty and the Beast. This beloved show is reimagined for the cruise line audience and includes new musical numbers in addition to the songs everyone already knows and loves. It’s a shorter version than the movie, so it’s great for little kids to follow along.
One of the more innovative aspects of this new show is the giant LED walls and projections that help set the stage. The images on the screen work well as set design and background, so you really feel transformed into the show. The costumes are also fantastic; it’s really one of the better shows currently running on the Disney Cruise Line.
Frozen: A Musical Spectacular
With the popularity of the Disney movie Frozen, it should come as no surprise that Disney created a musical specifically for those to enjoy at sea. Frozen: A Musical Spectacular currently plays on Disney Wonder and Disney Fantasy.
This delightful show utilizes projectors, puppets, beautiful costumes, and more to showcase the fictional world of Arendelle. The musical includes the popular songs from the first movie, including "Let It Go," and complete with snow falling down on the theater. Even if you’ve seen the movie lots of times, it’s still worth it to see this live stage show.
Plus, it pairs well with the Frozen Deck Party onboard Disney Wonder when cruising through Alaska.
Tangled: The Musical
The Tangled: The Musical stage show is the perfect complement to Rapunzel’s Royal Table restaurant on the Disney Magic.
The show, which currently only plays on Disney Magic and is great for guests of all ages, includes three new songs written by Academy-award-winning composer Alan Menken and Grammy-award-winning lyricist Gleen Slator, as well as the popular original songs from the movie.
The musical includes a beautiful set and costumes, as well as puppets to bring some characters to life. Master puppet designer Michale Curry worked hard to bring the art of puppetry to a whole new level with Maximus!
It’s a lot of fun and is definitely worth seeing if you are on the Magic!
The Golden Mickeys
This awards-show musical takes place on the Disney Dream and the Disney Wonder and is a tribute to Walt Disney movies!. Leading up to the main event is a pre-show, complete with a red carpet and interviews. You’ll see it as you walk towards the Walt Disney Theatre.
The actual show starts out with the shy stage manager having to fill in for a non-show host, so it follows the “believe in yourself” theme woven into many Disney movies and shows. There are awards given for various categories and the show includes performances from popular Disney movies including The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan, and Mulan.
Other familiar tunes from movies like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story 2, and more will be played!
Disney’s Believe
This sweet father/daughter tale is shown on the Disney Fantasy and the Disney Dream. It tells the story of a botanist dad who doesn’t believe in magic, while his young daughter, Sophia, does. When he forgets her birthday because he’s focused on growing his plants, she makes a birthday wish for him to believe.
In addition to these main characters, Disney’s Believe also includes some classic Disney characters, like the Genie from Aladdin, Mary Poppins, and Rafiki. It includes original songs as well as music from popular Disney shows, including Peter Pan, The Lion King, and Aladdin.
Genie takes Sophia's father on a magical journey where "the doctor makes a personal discovery—magic isn't fantasy, but a remarkable reality that has touched both him and his daughter."
Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic
Disney Dreams currently plays on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. Like Disney’s Believe, it’s an original story that serves as the catalyst for many popular Disney musical characters and songs to make an appearance.
In this show, a young girl learns to believe in herself as she is visited by beloved characters such as Peter Pan, Minnie, and Mickey. It’s a cute story and it is fun to see scenes from so many popular musicals in one show.
"It is truly an enchanting experience to behold—for both young and old!"
Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular
Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular is a dynamic stage musical playing on Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish, the cruise line's newest vessel at sea.
It showcases not only the popular music and characters from the movie Aladdin but also some great technology. Jafar, for instance, magically transforms into a gigantic snack and then shrinks back into the magic lamp. And, of course, we cannot forget to mention the whimsical flying carpet scene!
Despite seeing this show multiple times (both on Broadway and on the ship), it is still one of my favorites. It’s so entertaining and fun to watch.
Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story
Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story plays on Disney Magic and is different from the original classic tale of Cinderella. This version takes place in an alternate world where the glass slipper is destroyed before Cinderella can try it on.
It includes the same popular characters from the original tale, as well as a new villain: the wicked Fairy Godfather Franco DiFortunato!
DiFornato and Cinderella's stepmother scheme a plan that guarantees one of her 2 stepdaughters will receive a wedding proposal from the prince, so DiFornato sends them all back in time on a mission to destroy the slipper!
Read more: I tried the cheapest Disney Cruise line cabin I could find and here's how it went
Disney Seas the Adventure
Disney Seas the Adventure is an original production that is available exclusively onboard Disney Wish.
After Captain Minnie passes the reigns to Goofy, he sails into uncharted waters on a journey to find his own inner captain.
Along the way, he encounters characters from The Princess and the Frog, Finding Nemo, Frozen, Moana, Hercules, and even Brave!
The Little Mermaid
While sailing across the ocean, why not catch a show about life underneath the sea? The Little Mermaid has been redeveloped for the Disney Wish.
Not only are there jaw-dropping 360-degree visual effects that will make everyone gasp, but there's also a reimagined script, so it'll be a brand-new adventure for the entire family.
Even the original award-winning score got a revamp for guests onboard Disney Wish to enjoy. Plus, some favorite characters are really brought to life with cutting-edge puppetry, including Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle.
Read more: What's it like to go on a Disney cruise as an adult without kids? I loved the escape it offered
What shows will be onboard Disney Treasure?
Onboard the highly-anticipated ship Disney Treasure, guests will be able to watch Beauty and the Beast, along with Disney Seas the Adventure.
For the first time, there will be a Moana production onboard a Disney Cruise, too: "Disney: The Tale of Moana." This show will be exclusive to the Walt Disney Theatre onboard the Disney Treasure, meaning that you won't be able to see it on any other Disney ship, even the relatively new Disney Wish.
Disney Treasure's maiden voyage is slated for December 2024. This 7-night cruise from Port Canaveral will sail to the Eastern Caribbean.
Jodi Grundig
Jodi Grundig has loved traveling since she was a child. As the mom of a seventeen-year-old son and eighteen-year-old daughter, she has spent much time traveling with kids, and has taken many cruises over the years. Jodi lives in Massachusetts with her family and is the founder of Family Travel Magazine.
