As the wind blows and spooky season grows, embark on the Disney Destiny for Halloween on the High Seas sailings.
During your cruise, enjoy trick-or-treating, Mickey’s Mouse-Querade Party, and an exclusive new Halloween character only found on the Disney Destiny.
Meet Solara, the newest Enchanted Pumpkin Tree in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. She is adorned with glowing gourds and glistening dew.
The inspiration for Solara began with the theme of the ship, heroes and villains. And for Halloween, Disney Live Entertainment explored the duality of the season where guests can choose to celebrate Halloween: with fright, delight or a little of both.
Fun Facts about Solara:
- You can find her sisters on other Disney ships! Boo, on the Disney Wish, and Ginger, on Disney Treasure.
- Solara’s name is inspired by “Sol,” the Latin word for sun.
- Along with her 26 pumpkins, you can find 31 ember jewels on Solara.
Creating Solara for the Disney Destiny
Disney Live Entertainment created a Halloween story that would fit into the world of Zayah and Gamble, the Destiny-Seekers. These two storytellers have discovered many tall tales of magical trees from all around the world.
And since Solara is the newest pumpkin tree, upon discovering Solara, Zayah and Gamble made assumptions about her origin, fate, and, of course, destiny. The pair each have a “side” of Halloween they prefer to celebrate. Gamble is sillier, while Zayah is destined for the more mysterious side.
Once these narrative elements for Zayah and Gamble were in place, Disney Live Entertainment brought Solara’s visual identity to life. It was essential that she remained unique to the Halloween Tree grove across Disney Cruise Line.
“Every new show is an exploration of learning and creating new things – which is so exciting,” shared Philip Kelley, show director for Disney Live Entertainment who helped to bring Solara to life. “We got to play with her design trying various lighting effects, some worked and some didn’t. Once we got her into the space we had great discoveries with moving her sound around the three decks as well as incorporating all the amazing lighting of the Grand Hall.”
Solara holds her arms wide, proudly displaying two sets of 13 carved pumpkins representing the two “sides” of Halloween, Delight and Fright, for all to see. She is a character that feels both classic and completely unique.
How to Make Magic with Solara
There are many opportunities to interact with Solara during your voyage. Find her in the Grand Hall on the evening of embarkation day for “The Tale of the Enchanted Pumpkin Tree,” an original show. There, Zayah and Gamble share the legend of Solara and bring her to life.
As our storytellers try to figure out which is the best way to celebrate Halloween, you will pick a side and join in a spellbinding chant for Delight or Fright! Solara helps you see that both can exist together for the best celebration just before showering everyone with orange and green confetti pumpkins. Once she has been awakened, you are welcome to take photos with Solara for the rest of the voyage.
“I love watching the guests’ first reactions to seeing her on embark day, getting excited to see what she’ll look like fully lit. Her carvings are a secret until the show. She truly is a new Halloween character people want to ‘meet’,” said Phillip.
Halloween on the High Seas sailings on the Disney Destiny
Celebrate Halloween on the High Seas aboard the Disney Destiny on select 3-, 4-, and 5-night sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
