Oriental Land Co., Ltd. (OLC) has unveiled Disney Imagination as the name of the first Disney cruise ship scheduled to sail from Japan in spring 2029. The ship will operate from Tokyo under Disney Cruise Line Japan, a Disney-branded cruise business managed by OLC, which also owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort under licence from Disney.
The announcement was made during a ceremony in Tokyo attended by Yumiko Takano, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Oriental Land Co., Ltd.; Ryotaro Shiiba, President, Oriental Land Cruise Co., Ltd.; Natacha Rafalski, President, Disney Signature Experiences; and Tracy Wilson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Disney Cruise Line Operations.
The launch will mark Disney Cruise Line’s entry into the Japanese cruise market, expanding the brand’s presence in Asia through its longstanding partnership with Oriental Land Group.
Natacha Rafalski, President, Disney Signature Experiences, said, “Today’s announcement of the Disney Imagination marks a significant milestone in the continued expansion of Disney Cruise Line and in our long-standing relationship with Oriental Land Group.”
She added, “We are honoured to extend the magic of Disney cruising to fans in new markets and create opportunities for Japanese guests to experience a Disney vacation at sea.”
Disney Imagination to join the Wish-class fleet
Disney Imagination will be the newest addition to Disney Cruise Line’s Wish-class fleet, featuring entertainment, dining experiences and family-oriented onboard activities associated with the cruise brand.
Continuing Disney Cruise Line’s tradition of incorporating Disney characters into its ship designs, the vessel will feature Ariel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Little Mermaid on its stern.
The design will depict Ariel alongside Sebastian and other characters from the film, using a dinglehopper to write the ship’s name. The artwork reflects the vessel’s theme of imagination, creativity and exploration.
The new ship is being developed to introduce Disney’s cruise experiences to families in Japan, combining the brand’s storytelling and entertainment with a dedicated cruise offering for the Japanese market.
Further details regarding Disney Imagination’s onboard facilities, entertainment offerings and sailing itineraries will be announced at a later date.
AloJapan.com