For hundreds of years it has been a maritime custom to name a godmother for a new ship. In the past, the godmother was either royalty or an accomplished military or political figure. More recently, godmothers have been actresses or celebrities and in the case of the Disney Wonder, Tinker Bell. A ship’s godmother blesses the vessel before its first official sailing.

The Christening Ceremony for the Disney Cruise Line fleet’s newest ship, the Disney Dream takes place this week. As is the custom, there will be an official godmother who will give the new ship her personal blessing. Joining her on the ship that day will be four of Disney Parks’ vacation “Fairy Godmothers.”

Andi Sims, a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel is the 2011 Disney Cruise Line Specialist Mom. She along with Bernie Edwards, Ritzy McCarthy, and Jill Cooper will set sail on the Disney Dream right after the ceremony on a special Christening Cruise.

They will be the eyes and ears for you, our guests. The Moms will study all the amazing new features aboard the Disney Dream, one of the most technologically advanced cruise ships in operation. It features the AquaDuck, a first-of-its-kind water coaster that takes guests 12 feet over the side of the ship, “paintings” that come to life, an animated sea turtle who chats with people about living in the ocean and Peter Pan takes children on a virtual flight as the floor below their feet turns into the rooftops of London.

This week we announce the official godmother for the Disney Dream. Watch the Dream’s Fairy Godmothers and other VIP guests during the live webcast of the Christening Ceremony and cruise at www.disneycruise.com/dream beginning January 19 at 10:30AM EST. For opinions and advice about Disney Cruise Line or other Disney vacation destinations, ask Andi and her friends at www.DisneyWorldMoms.com.

via Moms Panel: Champagne Across The Bow « Disney Parks Blog.

It’s hard to believe that the Disney Dream is almost a reality. With the Maiden Voyage just a few days away, I can’t help but think of the amazing memories that Guests will be making with their families and friends on the newest Disney Ship.

At Disney Theme Park Merchandise, it’s our job to turn your magical moments and memories on Disney Cruise Line into keepsakes that will last a lifetime. With the help of our talented Disney Design Group Artists, we have created new merchandise especially for the Maiden and Inaugural Voyages of the Disney Dream to help make your family’s vacation even more memorable. While there are too many new items to show you, I wanted to share a few of my personal favorites – I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Like all of you, I can hardly wait to set sail on the Disney Dream (my family and I have already booked our trip). The number one thing we’re excited for: the AquaDuck. We are already guessing who’s going to be screaming the loudest when we fly out of the new water coaster. When I saw the AquaDuck Three-Dimensional Picture Frame, I immediately knew that this would be the perfect way to crown the winner of our family scream contest. Not only does the frame have space for a 3” x 4” picture, but it represents one of the icons that make the Disney Dream so spectacular. We haven’t even set sail yet, but I’ve already cleared a spot on the mantle for the AquaDuck Picture Frame.

Disney Pins are such a big part of Guests memories in Disney Parks and on Disney Cruise Line, so we couldn’t launch the Disney Dream without a special compilation of limited edition Disney Pins. In keeping with the spirit and tradition of Disney Pin Trading, our talented Disney Design Group has created a colorful assortment of Disney Dream Trading Pins that embody the spirit of the Disney Dream. The new collection of pins feature beloved Disney Characters and experiences that are truly unique to the Disney Dream.

And of course, the shops wouldn’t be complete without Disney Dream Exclusive Vinylmation. For the Inaugural Voyages, we have created an assortment that includes a limited edition of 1,000 3” Vinylmation 2-pack that features Admiral Donald, plus a Vinylmation Jr. Also be on the lookout for 9” Disney Dream Vinylmation that draws inspiration from the hull of the Dream.

I wish that I could show you all of the new and unique items that we have created just for the upcoming Disney Dream Voyages – there’s so much to see! If you want to see an even bigger sampling of the commemorative pieces that have been created especially for the Inaugural Voyages of the Disney Dream, take a look at DisneyUrl.com/MaidenVoyage. And don’t forget, if you’re sailing on the Maiden Voyage of the Disney Dream, make sure you submit the Random Selection Process Form to sign up for these special commemorative pieces!

How do you commemorate your Disney Cruise Line vacations? Do you have a special keepsake from one your past voyages? Share it with us in the comments.

via Merchandise Memories on the Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog.

Last week, the Disney Dream arrived in Florida and only two weeks remain until the new ship’s maiden voyage on January 26th.

Aboard the ship, crew members continue making final preparations for her debut, fine-tuning every last detail so that everything’s pixie dusted when guests arrive.

It’s an exciting time filled with anticipation and lots of hard work. For so many, it’s really the culmination of a dream come true, if you’ll pardon the pun.

Meanwhile, back on land, preparations of a different kind are taking place for another exciting event. We can’t have a maiden voyage without a christening, right? It’s a time-honored tradition in the maritime industry and trust me when I say that this one will be spectacular.

Best of all, you’re invited to watch it live!

On Wednesday, January 19th, we’ll be streaming a live webcast of the Disney Dream christening ceremony beginning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, direct from Port Canaveral in Florida. The program will be available at www.disneycruise.com/dream and here on the Disney Parks Blog.

Don’t miss it!

During the show, we’ll also answer some of your questions about the Disney Dream and Disney Cruise Line, including our 2011 itineraries to the Mexican Riviera and Alaska aboard the Disney Wonder, and to Europe aboard the Disney Magic.

We want to hear from you so put your question in a comment on this blog post, send it via Twitter to @DisneyCruise or write a comment on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DisneyCruiseLine.

via Disney Dream Ready for Her Closeup « Disney Parks Blog.

Today the plaque and key exchange for the Disney Dream took place, commemorating the ship’s inaugural call on Port Canaveral in an official maritime ceremony. Newly elected Gov. Rick Scott, along with other local officials participated in the event with Disney Dream Captain Tom Forberg and Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz.

In keeping with tradition, Karl and Captain Tom hosted the port officials and community leaders for the official ceremony in the ship’s grand atrium lobby. Plaques and gifts were exchanged amongst the leaders and Captain Mickey was also on hand to celebrate the occasion.

As Disney’s newest and largest ship, the 130,000-ton cruise liner will call Port Canaveral home and sail three-, four- and five-night Bahamian itineraries beginning with the ship’s maiden voyage on Jan. 26. In order to accommodate the new and larger Disney Dream, construction enhancements were made to extend the dock facility and expand the terminal to allow for the additional guests. Port Canaveral also constructed a brand new multi-level parking structure that connects the terminal via a sky-bridge walkway.

The launch of the 4,000-passenger ship is expected to bring sizable economic benefits to the region including nearly 450 jobs and thousands of additional cruise guests.

via Disney Dream Commemorates Maritime Plaque Exchange with Governor « Disney Parks Blog.

Ahoy!

Early this morning our newest cruise ship, the Disney Dream, finally arrived home to Florida’s Port Canaveral after sailing several thousand miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

For everyone on board – like me – it was an emotional moment to see hundreds of Disney cast members waving and cheering while fireworks burst above in the pre-dawn sky. A crowd of about 2,000 people turned out in the dark to see the ship pull in, which was a wonderful welcome.

The arrival of the Disney Dream in Florida marks the end of the ship’s nearly two-year construction journey and the start of an exciting new era for Disney Cruise Line guests, one that will send our existing ships on adventures to other parts of the world.

On Thursday, in fact, the Disney Wonder will depart for West Coast-based itineraries including the Mexican Riviera and our first-ever cruises to Alaska. This summer, the Disney Magic will return to Europe for visits to popular ports in Italy, France and Spain, plus stops in Tunis in northern Africa and the island nation of Malta.

During the trip home I had a chance to meet and talk with dozens of Disney Dream crew members, many of whom will be familiar faces to repeat guests who’ve sailed on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder over the past 12 years. Everyone is so excited to welcome the first passengers aboard later this month.

We all agree that as beautiful as the Disney Dream is, what’s been missing up to now are the Disney Cruise Line guests who’ll bring the ship to life with their smiles, laughter and enthusiasm. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most and I’m glad we’ll get to share it with you on the Disney Parks Blog.

In the meantime, before the ship can sail her maiden voyage on January 26th we have to christen her, right? It’ll be spectacular and I can’t wait to tell you what we’ve got planned. First I have to unpack, though.

It’s good to be home.

via Welcome Home, Disney Dream! « Disney Parks Blog.

via Disney Cruise Line « Disney Parks Blog.

Hello from aboard the Disney Dream somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean…

The ship’s making steady progress on her way to Florida’s Port Canaveral and the mood among the cast and crew on board is jubilant. We can’t wait to bring her home and finally share her with the many Disney Cruise Line fans who’ve followed the Disney Dream over nearly two years of construction and preparation.

With New Year’s Eve fast approaching, we have so much to toast and celebrate. The ship will arrive next week and on January 26th she’ll depart on her maiden voyage to the Bahamas. What better place to welcome the new year than Pink, the ship’s chic, champagne-inspired lounge?

Here’s what will greet guests entering the nighttime entertainment zone exclusively for adults at the aft end of Deck 4. On the right is the entrance to Pink, one of five interconnected lounges within The District.

Inside, the cozy cocktail bar is designed in the French art nouveau style with much of its inspiration drawn from the characteristics and culture of champagne. Back-lit glass “bubbles” dot the walls, with playful pink elephants from Disney’s animated classic “Dumbo” appearing within. Behind the bar, glass droplets in pink and gold (not shown in these pictures) will suggest bottles bursting with bubbly.

“This space is all about romance,” Imagineer Michael Davie said in a recent blog video and it’s easy to see why. Accented with luxurious velvet, marble and wood finishes, it’ll be the perfect spot for an after-dinner cocktail or a champagne toast.

Here’s a peek at Pink as the club looked a few weeks ago, with several pieces of furniture and décor yet to be installed.

I’m not entirely sure what time zone I’m in, so I’ll wish you an early Happy New Year from all of us aboard the Disney Dream. Here’s to a prosperous 2011 at sea and on land.

Cheers!

Pink Bubbles Over with Romance Aboard the Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog.

 

via Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog.

Disney Cruise Line took delivery of the Disney Dream earlier this month but work is far from over. Now that the ship is officially ours, a new phase of construction has begun. With little more than a week remaining before the ship arrives in Florida, Imagineers and crew members are working around the clock to apply the finishing touches as the ship makes her transatlantic voyage from Germany to Port Canaveral.

What are they working on? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look.

via Behind-The-Scenes Video: Imagineers Adding Finishing Touches to Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog.