Oriental Land Names Disney Imagination for Tokyo Debut in 2029

Oriental Land Co. on Oct. 13, 2026, named its first Japan-based Disney cruise ship Disney Imagination, with service from Tokyo scheduled for spring 2029. Ariel and Sebastian from The Little Mermaid will appear on the stern, where Ariel uses her dinglehopper to paint the vessel’s name.

The Wish-class vessel will launch Disney Cruise Line Japan, a Disney-branded cruise business operated by OLC, which owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort under license from Disney. The company intends to develop cruising into another principal business alongside its theme parks and hotels.

“We will establish a new culture of family entertainment cruises where everyone, from children to the elderly, can take center stage,” OLC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Yumiko Takano said at a press conference.

Natacha Rafalski, president of Disney Signature Experiences, attended the naming ceremony in Tokyo. “We are honored to extend the magic of Disney cruising to fans in new markets,” she said.

Short cruises from Tokyo

Tokyo International Cruise Terminal will be the ship’s primary homeport, and operating plans call for two- to four-night itineraries. The target market includes families, younger guests and inbound international travelers.

At approximately 140,000 gross tons, the ship will accommodate about 4,000 passengers in roughly 1,250 staterooms. OLC’s financial plans project prices ranging from ¥100,000 to ¥300,000 per person for the most common stateroom categories.

The operation will be managed through Oriental Land Cruise Co., Ltd., an OLC subsidiary established in March 2026 and led by President Ryotaro Shiiba. OLC has also entered an agreement with Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha and Yusen Cruises Co., Ltd. to help operate the ship.

Construction and investment

The project follows the Disney–OLC partnership announced in July 2024. Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, is building the vessel, and hull construction began in October 2026.

The design is based on Disney Wish, with modifications tailored to the Japanese market. The LNG-fueled vessel is expected to operate under Japanese registry with approximately 1,500 crew members.

OLC has budgeted ¥290 billion for the ship and a further ¥40 billion in contingency funds, bringing the planned investment to ¥330 billion.

Theater, dining and family spaces

The onboard entertainment plan includes a theater seating more than 1,300 guests for original stage productions, including Broadway-style entertainment. An outdoor deck stage will host Disney character shows, while other programs and character greetings will take place throughout the vessel.

Characters will appear in Disney cruise-specific attire. Dedicated areas will provide programs for children, tweens and teens, alongside separate adults-only spaces.

Approximately 30 food and beverage venues are planned, including three main dining restaurants with different themes and menus, plus cafes and bars. Shops will carry merchandise exclusive to the ship.

Disney plans to announce additional onboard experiences and detailed itineraries later. Delivery is scheduled for autumn 2028. Reservations are expected to open about six months before launch.