ONBOARD THE DISNEY DESTINY -- I walked down the long hallway into Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King brimming with anticipation.
The venue on the new Disney Destiny promises dinner and a show with musical numbers from "The Lion King," and it was the experience I was most excited about on a three-day preview sailing.
"I Just Can't Wait to Be King?" performed right in front of me while I dine? Sign me up.
My greeter eagerly told me that I'd have a good view when I shared my table number, and as we arrived at my table after wading through a sea of compactly situated seating, I saw what she meant. Just a few other tables separated mine from the stage at the room's center.
Décor in the wide room includes screens imitating windows, with the shadows of trees and giraffes lit against sunset shades. Poles throughout glow at the top with similar hues.
Shortly after ordering my three-course meal of papaya salad, shrimp curry and a coffee crème dome, the lights dimmed, and a singer entered the stage, letting out the iconic cry marking the beginning of "Circle of Life."
The show's cast is small -- two primary singers, three percussionists and a dancer -- but each brings enough energy to the stage to make the cast feel twice that size.
The performance walks diners through the film's story from the perspective of storytellers. Don't expect costume changes or to see Pumbaa and Timon appear on stage.
It is also, of course, abbreviated to suit the length of a comfortably paced meal in which dinner mates aren't pausing between bites to converse.
I enjoyed my meal, particularly the papaya salad, and loved the entertainment, too.
I can't vouch for the seating at the edges of the room. But while the performers are captivating, the music and the ambience of the room provides an immersive experience that I'd imagine could be enjoyed from anywhere.
Disney Cruise Line’s production of “Hercules" rivaled the best visuals you'll find on Broadway. Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line
Bold visuals in 'Hercules'
Later that evening, I attended "Hercules," the new mainstage show Disney Cruise Line is debuting on the Destiny.
The production value rivaled the best visuals you'll find on Broadway. It's clean, colorful and eye-catching at every turn. That includes the scenes with the boldest visuals -- the Hydra Hercules battles or smoke-filled bubbles descending from the ceiling -- as well as the more subdued scenes, though few moments feel truly quiet visually.
There are some present-day references in the script, including one line that elicited laughter theater-wide, and the songs have also been modernized with new R&B and pop arrangements. One new song debuting in the show was written for but not included in the film.
The actors truly bring the characters, and soundtrack, to life.