Disney Imagination is the name of the first Disney cruise ship to sail from Japan. The new Wish-class ship from Disney Cruise Line Japan will sail from Tokyo starting in spring 2029, with Ariel from The Little Mermaid on the stern. Disney Imagination will be the first ship for Disney Cruise Line Japan, run by Oriental Land Co., the company that owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort under license from Disney.
It is the same partnership behind Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, where Oriental Land is adding two new Tomorrowland attractions in 2027. The ship was first announced in July 2024, and the name was revealed on October 13 at a ceremony attended by leaders from both Disney and Oriental Land.
The ship is based on the Disney Wish design, with changes for Japanese guests. Reports put it at about 140,000 gross tons, with roughly 1,250 staterooms and room for about 4,000 guests. It will sail under Japanese registry, mostly from Tokyo International Cruise Terminal, on short sailings of two to four nights. Oriental Land is investing about ¥290 billion in the ship, roughly $1.83 billion at today’s exchange rate. Reported pricing puts the most common staterooms at ¥100,000 to ¥300,000 per person, or about $630 to $1,890. Disney has not announced itineraries or booking dates.
The theme is imagination, and the stern sets the tone. Ariel will be shown drawing the ship’s name with her dinglehopper, joined by Sebastian and friends from under the sea. “We are honored to extend the magic of Disney cruising to fans in new markets,” said Natacha Rafalski, president of Disney Signature Experiences.
Disney Imagination is part of the biggest growth stretch in Disney Cruise Line history. Disney Adventure began sailing from Singapore in March as the line’s first ship in Asia, Disney Believe joins the Wish class in 2027, and Disney announced a new class of three ships at D23 that is planned for 2029.
Our take is that Tokyo is a natural home for Disney’s next ship. Tokyo Disney Resort has some of the most devoted fans anywhere, and a short two to four night sailing could pair easily with a few days at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. And yes, plenty of EPCOT fans heard the name Imagination and thought of Figment right away. Disney has not said anything about a purple dragon on board, but we will be watching for it
