The first, full-fledged Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise in nearly three years was one for the ages, sailing in September aboard the Disney Wonder to majestic Alaska. Featuring custom décor, daily in-room gifts and an envelope-pushing lineup of special entertainment, the 7-night sailing marked the triumphant return of what has long been a highlight on our community calendar. Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, Disney Theatrical Productions, the Walt Disney Archives, Disney Character Voices, Disney Publishing and Disney Parks Live Entertainment were among the partners who contributed to an entertainment lineup that included an astounding 23 unique shows and experiences (up from the 11 presented when a Member Cruise last sailed to Alaska in 2015). Here’s a look at just a few of the highlights.
Look for our traditional spread of Member photos when our “Family Album” feature returns in our next issue. Email your photos for consideration, placing “Family Album” in the subject line, to DVCMemberStories@Disney.com. Remember to include your name, home town and “Member Since” year, along with your signed release form. Print the form online at disneyvacationclub.com/releaseform, scan your completed form and attach it to your email.
A merry menagerie of Arctic animal puppets – loaned to Disney Vacation Club by Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – created magical moments for Members on deck during one of the sailing’s most tranquil days.
Celebrity Chef Art Smith (whose Disney Springs restaurant, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, is a Member favorite) prepares some of his favorite Disney dishes live on stage. Members enjoyed several of Chef Art’s culinary creations throughout the voyage.
A brave (and talented!) Member volunteers to sing with Michael James Scott, the current Genie in Aladdin on Broadway, during an unprecedented experience that invited Members to sing Disney hits with actual Disney stars.
Star Wars star, fashion designer and mental health advocate Ashley Eckstein leads Members through a morning of mindfulness exercises based on her hit digital series “Star Wars: Mindful Matters.”
Legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios animator and director Eric Goldberg teaches Members to draw Disney characters during an interactive workshop inspired by the hit Disney+ Original Series “Sketchbook.”
Equally legendary Walt Disney Imagineer Tania McNight Norris made a surprise appearance and posed for photos with Members in front of one of her most famous creations – the iconic Haunted Mansion purple wallpaper.
Among the voyage’s daily in-room gifts were these Disney nuiMO plush toys, custom outfitted for this Member Cruise by the aforementioned Ashley Eckstein and official voice of Mickey Mouse Bret Iwan.