In October 2023, Disney Cruise Line first announced its newest ship, the Disney Treasure, will have a new Broadway-style musical to entertain guests called “Disney The Tale of Moana,” and now we have more details on that show.
The Details
Debuting exclusively at the Walt Disney Theatre onboard the Disney Treasure, “Disney The Tale of Moana” will follow Moana as she embarks on an incredible journey to save her island after she is chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti.
With set design and music bursting with elements of Pacific Islands culture which inspires the classic coming-of-age tale, this innovative production will immerse audiences in a transformational adventure across land and sea in the first stage adaptation inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios film.
“Disney The Tale of Moana” will begin in modern day on the fictional island of Motunui, in a set design filled with hints of brilliant cultures of the Pacific Islands that will appear throughout the show.
The spirit of Gramma Tala, the show’s narrator, will introduce her granddaughter, and through vibrant dance and songs in a mix of languages including Tuvaluan, Tokelauan and Samoan, we will learn how the ocean chooses young Moana for an incredible journey to restore the heart of Te Fiti.
Some of the characters will be brought to life on stage using puppets. The massive, fiery Te Kā will be a puppet of a scale Disney Cruise Line has never before produced. When Moana meets Te Kā and restores the heart of Te Fiti, the giant Te Kā puppet will shed its fiery shell and become the gentle island goddess, Te Fiti herself.
Disney Live Entertainment creative director of puppetry and articulation, Jeff Conover, teamed up with master puppet designer Michael Curry, whose creations are featured in Disney’s Tony Award-winning musical “The Lion King” on Broadway, to create these characters that will amaze those in the audience.
Even the stage will transform throughout the show. For instance, during “How Far I’ll Go,” The Walt Disney Theatre will transform from the island of Motunui into the open ocean as Moana’s journey moves from her home to the great voyage that she’s longed for her entire life.
Twinkling stars will swirl overhead and a giant, glowing manta ray will emerge and soar above the audience as a newfound sense of courage fills Moana. The manta ray is the spirit of Gramma Tala, illuminating the way for Moana on her journey to save her people.
There will even be a new song in the show, “Warrior Face.” It will be performed in the show when the demigod Maui teaches Moana how to face her fears before entering the Realm of the Monsters to face Tamatoa.
“Disney The Tale of Moana” will join the other announced live shows for the ship, “Beauty and the Beast,” and the original stage spectacular “Disney Seas the Adventure.”
Book Your Cruise
The Disney Treasure will sail 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries beginning December 2024. Bookings are available now.
If you don’t want the hassle of dealing with all of the details of your trip, please contact The Disney Blog’s own authorized travel planning expert, Stacey at Pixie Vacations.
Booking your travel with Stacey helps support this blog, and you’ll have access to her wealth of Disney and cruising knowledge to help you book your trip. Thank you!
