If you adore Walt Disney World or Disneyland but have yet to experience a Disney cruise, as a popular song from Carousel of Progress suggests, now is the perfect moment.

The Disney Treasure, the latest ship from Disney Cruise Line, is embarking on its inaugural voyage this Saturday. This ship uniquely encapsulates the spirit of Disney parks with three lounges inspired by attractions and an extraordinary suite celebrating EPCOT.

“The experience here is truly unlike any other on our Disney ships,” stated Jason Roberts, a senior producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, during a preview event for YSL News. “For theme park fans, we’re bringing these stories to life in a whole new dimension.”

Here’s what fans of Disney parks can look forward to while aboard the Disney Treasure.

Haunted Mansion Parlor

The Haunted Mansion Parlor is Disney’s inaugural bar inspired by the famed Haunted Mansion ride.

“We transformed the seven-minute ride experience into a captivating 45-minute journey right here,” mentioned Danny Handke, creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering.

The parlor is brimming with nostalgic references such as the ride’s recognizable wallpaper, cobweb-covered fixtures, and portraits that shift dramatically before guests’ eyes. Depending on where you sit, each visit offers a fresh perspective.

“You’ll see familiar figures manifest in the mirror, like Madame Leota and the Hitchhiking Ghosts, welcoming visitors aboard,” he shared. “And in the ghostly fish tank, we have tombstones humorously detailing the fates of some of our aquatic friends.”

The elaborately designed fish tank, featuring ghostly fish skeletons that occasionally surface, is a fresh addition for Haunted Mansion enthusiasts, yet Handke noted it was initially envisioned by the late Disney Legend and Imagineer Rolly Crump for the unused Museum of the Weird concept from the 1960s. Crump played a significant role in creating the original Haunted Mansion, and a bust honors him in the parlor. “Our carpets reflect many of Rolly’s original artistic concepts.”

New elements also introduce a captivating narrative about a captain and his sinister mermaid bride, along with a fresh drink menu that includes the Chilling Challenge, a phrase familiar to fans of the attraction.

Skipper Society

Adjacent to the Haunted Mansion Parlor lies the Jungle Cruise-themed lounge named Skipper Society.

“This is the typical hangout for our skippers. It’s like their clubhouse,” explained creative director Megan Moore from Walt Disney Imagineering. “Our servers carry on the tradition of cheesy jokes, so you really feel as if you’ve just stepped off the ride.”

Patrons will enjoy humorous signage at the bar that channels the ride’s timeless whimsy, featuring delightful phrases like, “Today’s special: Yes, it is,” and “Make sure to mention Skipper Society to your friends; it’ll help keep the crowds away.”

Throughout the day, Moore mentioned that visitors will enjoy the same background tunes that set the mood in the ride queue. “If you linger in that area, you’ll catch some of the radio announcements, too,” he added.

The main seating area features a canopy that mimics the experience of being on a boat during a Jungle Cruise.

Karyn Poore, a set decorator at Walt Disney Imagineering, shared another hidden detail: “Our vessel, the Ems Empress, is named after the Ems River—the very place where the Treasure departed for open waters. So, you’ll find many references to both the attraction and Disney Cruise Line within the decor.”

The artwork displayed on the walls carries significance as well.

“Look closely, and you’ll notice some of the faces are project team members,” Poore explained. “We had a fun ‘skipper day’ to honor the talented Imagineers and cast members who contributed to this project.”

Periscope Pub

Periscope Pub serves as the sports bar on the ship, cleverly styled to resemble a submarine from the classic tale, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

“We drew inspiration from various attractions and the film; we’ve even added a few nods to the original novel,” said Tim Hall, a senior design manager with Walt Disney Imagineering.

While younger guests may not be familiar with the 1954 movie or remember the Magic Kingdom’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction (which closed in 1994), attractions like the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride at Tokyo DisneySea and Les Mystères du Nautilus at Disneyland Paris remain popular.

“Once they explore this unique space, they’re likely to have many questions about its origins and the creative elements we’ve used in the submarine theme,” added Alexis Cummins, principal graphic designer with Walt Disney Imagineering. “This might spark their curiosity to check out the Jules Verne story or watch the film.”

One of Hall’s favorite hidden features is a depth and pressure gauge located behind the bar.

“The top depth markings correspond to the fleet’s ship hull numbers, with the dial indicating 718, the hull number for the Disney Treasure,” he explained. “At the bottom of the gauge is the latitude and longitude for Meyer Werft, where the ship was built. There are other interesting numbers on there that sharp-eyed fans may decipher,” he added.

Another hidden detail is presented on the ceiling screens.

“You’ll see various underwater creatures up above, creating the illusion of being beneath the waves. You can spot fish, sharks, and countless marine animals,” said Cummins. The Imagineers captured these scenes at EPCOT and during the Disney Treasure’s sea trials before its transatlantic journey.

The story continues below.

EPCOT-inspired Tomorrow Tower Suite

While areas like Periscope Pub, Skipper Society, and Haunted Mansion Parlor are open to all until 9 p.m. (after which they become adults-only), only a limited number of guests will have access to the exclusive Tomorrow Tower Suite, likened by Disney Cruise Line to be the “quintessence of luxury.”

This two-story suite, located in the forward funnel of the Disney Treasure, boasts a private elevator, spiral staircase, living room, dining area, and a wet bar with pantry. It includes 4.5 bathrooms and is designed to comfortably accommodate up to eight guests across two main bedrooms, a children’s room, and a library that can serve as an additional bedroom.

This suite features references to EPCOT through geometric designs on the wallpaper and flooring, playful Figment figures, artwork reminiscent of Walt Disney’s original Progress City concept for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, and sparkling light fixtures in shared spaces.

“The part of the Tomorrow Tower Suite that captivates me the most is the extraordinary chandelier in the living room,” shared Shelley Gold-Witiak, director of Hotel Operations. “When sunlight streams through the windows and illuminates that stunning chandelier, it creates a dazzling display of colors that fills the entire living room. It’s truly breathtaking.”

More to Discover

Guests on the Disney Treasure can look forward to numerous new attractions, including Disney’s inaugural stage adaptation of “Moana” titled “Disney The Tale of Moana,” the first theatrical dining experience inspired by “Coco,” named Plaza de Coco, as well as a Zootopia-themed sweet shop called Jumbeaux’s Sweets and the first piano bar themed after The Aristocats, known as Scat Cat Lounge.

For theme park enthusiasts, there will be plenty of reasons to revisit these attraction-inspired venues.

“If you’re familiar with the attraction, you typically move through it quickly, just observing the scenes,” explained Roberts. “However, being able to sit back and relax while surrounded by this theme allows you to feel like you’re part of the story, not just a spectator. That’s the ultimate experience we aim to provide for our guests,” he added.

The reporter on this piece had the opportunity to board the ship courtesy of Disney Cruise Line. YSL News retains editorial independence regarding reviews.