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A ship with character 🛳️

Disney Destiny Cruise Director Trent Hitchcock poses with Haley Coomes and Chip & Dale. (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

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The Disney Destiny is full of heroes, villains, and legends.

Hi friends, it’s Haley. Welcome aboard to a special edition of In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops. Be prepared for a Destiny photo dump.

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship has officially set sail, and I was lucky enough to join one of its media sailings.

With so many activities on board, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — in the best way — and I covered a lot of ground while at sea.

Jen Bascom, Creative Director of Disney Live Entertainment talks to Haley Coomes in the Grand Hall on the Disney Destiny. (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

Every Disney cruise ship features a jaw-dropping Grand Hall, but the Marvel theme on the Destiny makes it especially memorable. The characters add an interactive experience that stands out as much as the showpiece Black Panther statue.

The ingredient list for Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums can be seen at Edna Á La Mode Sweets. (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

Superheroes and villains have a strong sense of style, and that can be seen on display with sweets and suites.

I tried a few items at Edna Á La Mode Sweets, including the signature sundae served in a Jack-Jack car souvenir dish. If you have a sweet tooth, you won’t be disappointed.

I got to spend a short time in the Iron Man-themed tower suite. The 2,000 square feet of living space is the ultimate superhero experience, but I felt it could have used J.A.R.V.I.S. After all, Tony Stark was a pioneer when it comes to AI. That drew out a chuckle in the room when I brought that up.

A look inside De Vil’s Piano Lounge (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

I’m still in awe at what Imagineers came up with for a pair of adult escapes.

Knowing very well what I was walking into, I made sure to wear Cruella’s signature colors to match De Vil’s Piano Lounge, the most stylish space on the ship, in my opinion.

My favorite nod to “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” is a prop on display behind the bar. It’s the villain’s vibrant red vintage telephone.

Cruella de Vil's red telephone (left) and portrait (right) at De Vil's Piano Lounge. (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

Don’t skip The Sanctum — the Doctor Strange–themed lounge oozes sophistication, and practically every drink on the menu is a spectacle.

An alcove at the Sanctum. (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

The Destiny is paradise for millennials based on what was picked for a musical dining experience and the headline stage show.

Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King offers a lively mix of flavors and music. My favorite moment was seeing Disney voice legend Jim Cummings in the audience lift his lion grand-cub to the performers during “Circle of Life,” echoing the film’s famous scene. If only that could be a regular part of the show.

Interview setup at Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King. (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

I could talk about Disney Hercules for eons.

Disney Tale of Moana on the Disney Treasure was my introduction to Broadway on the high seas, as the ensemble of puppeteers and dancers was incredible.

The Hercules cast brought down the thunder, and the puppets in this production are truly titans.

Before starting this Destiny assignment, I was most eager to see the show and learn about the production.

Behind the scenes at Disney Hercules on the Disney Destiny. (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

Universal Orlando

Rolling out the details 📿

Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval. (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

The good times will be rolling before we know it at Universal Studios Florida.

Universal announced the dates for its Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval celebration and package offerings.

We don’t know yet what the food and concert lineup will be.

Holiday cheer and Butter Beer 🎄

A decorated queue entrance at Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. (Universal Destinations & Experiences)

The holidays have officially arrived at Universal Orlando Resort.

Favorite experiences have returned, like the holiday parade and Grinchmas, and for the first time, Epic Universe is decked out, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.


SeaWorld Orlando

New depths at SeaWorld 🐟

SEAQuest (United Parks & Entertainment)

SeaWorld Orlando is expanding beyond its “Coaster Capital of Orlando” reputation by developing innovative new attractions.

Starting next year, SeaWorld Orlando guests can experience the ocean like never before on SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, an immersive underwater adventure with cutting-edge technology and stunning ocean scenes.

The attraction vehicle was shown off on the IAPPA floor this week.


Gatorland

The gift of Gatorland 🐊

Gatorland jaw entrance (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

I am at a point in my life where I prefer giving and receiving gifts that are experiences.

For your holiday shopping consideration, Gatorland is launching Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals that will please a Florida resident in your life.


Be sure to post your holiday photos on our PinIt! page. There’s an “In The Loop” channel.

As always, keep me in the loop through my email or reach out to me on X or Instagram.

- Haley


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