In only a few short months, Disney Destiny, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, will set sail. Its creative team is on a roll, preparing to bring its brand-new, Broadway-style stage show, Disney’s Hercules, to life. And they’re putting it all together inside Disney Cruise Line’s Toronto-based rehearsal studio, four floors beneath the surface. I got a rare behind-the-scenes look at the magic in progress. It was complete with singing Muses, massive puppets, and a whole lot of mythological flair. Not my usual Monday, but when Disney invites you into the underworld, you say yes.
Disney is destined for the seas
It’s a celebration of the world’s greatest heroes — and villains — aboard the Disney Destiny. Iconic Disney, Pixar, and Marvel heroes and villains will embark on the newest themed ship, planned to set sail on Nov. 20, 2025. It’ll kick off its inaugural season with four- and five-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean.
It’s hard not to get excited about its big debut at sea, but let’s rewind a bit to where and how the magic is being made. There’s an entire journey of creativity, collaboration, and, of course, Disney spark that is being put together in the shadows.
Before the curtain rises
I was part of a select group that had the opportunity to tour the Disney Cruise Line facility. The adventure began almost immediately, where we were treated to sneak peeks of other Disney productions in the making before jumping right into Hercules.
The space feels almost endless, with multiple rooms designed to help the production team prepare for more than one show at a time. And despite being underground, the rooms reach up to 30 feet, which is perfect for when Peter Pan needs to practice his flying. The rooms are actually equipped with the proper tools to ensure a seamless transition to the seas.
For Hercules, though, the height also serves another purpose: its larger-than-life puppets.
Puppetry at work
These aren’t your average hand puppets. We’re talking elaborate, custom-built pieces that bring the mythological creatures to life on stage.
As I stepped into one of the rehearsal studios, I came face-to-face with the show’s towering titans: Rock and Ice. Performers are strapped inside the nine and 13-foot creations, which is just incredible.
The shock factor doesn’t end there. I also saw the infamous Hydra heads, which play a huge part in the show.
What surprised me the most was that performers don’t need prior puppetry experience. Though I am sure it’s a bonus, all of it is learned right here in Toronto. From basic movement to full-stage interaction, they get amazing hands-on experience.
I even had the chance to get into one of the Hydra heads. It served as my cardio for the day, considering these pieces are a little heavy and need a lot of arm movement.
The way you move the puppet, even through subtle movements, shows great emotion. A slight tilt of the head can turn a simple creature into a fully realized character. It was truly a memorable experience.
That wasn’t the only lasting impression I had from the day. It wouldn’t be complete without the Muses.
Muses meet 2000s R&B
You could hear and feel the soul in their voices as the Muses took the stage, giving us a taste of what they have in store for the show.
I could sit here and tell you that the original Disney Hercules soundtrack is iconic and shouldn’t be played with, which is true. But I’d be lying if I said the rejuvenation on those hits isn’t exactly what we needed.
These dynamic performers maintained the gospel sound but gave us a bigger, brighter and energetic version, inspired by early 2000s R&B vibes: Destiny’s Child meets Broadway.
The performer who will be playing Meg even stopped by and sang a snippet of “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love).”
My group got the chance to partake in a little Muse action, practicing a small dancing portion of their “Zero to Hero” performance. Let’s just say I’ll stick to writing.
Another instant classic
To wrap up the experience, we were treated to a performance by the crew and the man himself, Hercules, performed by Corey J. Bradford.
A sight for sore eyes, his charm and stage presence truly packed a heroic punch. If this performance was enough to blow me away, I can only imagine what the full production will bring when it’s ready to hit the seas.
It’s truly inspiring to see what the crew has put together. You can feel the love, passion and dedication in every note, movement and mythological detail. Trust me, it’s going the distance.
The classic Disney Hercules story has always been my favourite. Love, danger, heroism, and Danny DeVito? There’s just so much to appreciate.
And soon, it’ll all be reimagined aboard the Disney Destiny, sailing into action this November.
Until then, I know what I’ll be watching this weekend.
The author was hosted by The Walt Disney Company (Canada).
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Karen Doradea
Senior Staff Writer, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.
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