Disney Believe Keel Laying Ceremony Features Tinker Bell

Disney Cruise Line held the keel-laying ceremony for Disney Believe at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on September 29, 2026. The event featured a custom-minted coin bearing a portrait of Tinker Bell, temporarily placed beneath the ship's keel to bestow good fortune.

The ceremony, attended by Disney Cruise Line and shipyard executives, included celebratory confetti. The specially crafted coin features Tinker Bell in a sassy pose with the ship’s name at the bottom. Its edge mimics the rivets of a porthole, while the reverse side shows the ship’s bow profile, hull number S723, and the Meyer Werft name. This maritime tradition dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. The Tinker Bell portrait mirrors the artwork that will eventually grace the ship's bow.

Construction Progress and Ship Design

Construction of the 144,000-gross-ton Disney Believe is well underway. The first gigablock, comprising the midship portion, was floated out from the Meyer Werft shipyard in mid-September 2026. Work is now progressing on the ship’s second gigablock, which will be the forward section and include the main show theater. The aft section will be assembled last.

Disney Believe will be the fourth Wish-class ship in the fleet when it debuts in late 2027. The vessel breaks two long-standing Disney traditions. It will be the first Disney cruise ship to feature Tinker Bell on the bow instead of a variation of Mickey or Minnie Mouse. Her image 2026, is surrounded by a filigree featuring silhouettes of other Peter Pan characters. Disney says the image is intended to imbue the ship with a sprinkle of faith, trust, and pixie dust.

The ship's name on the stern will also debut a new thick, block font, replacing the classic swirly font used on all other Disney vessels. This block font is familiar from the Toy Story franchise and matches the stern characters, Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

New venues and entertainment on board will be inspired by several Disney franchises. These include Encanto, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moana, and The Little Mermaid. The Grand Hall statue will be Moana.

Upcoming Reveal and Promotional Context

Disney Cruise Line will host a major livestream reveal for Disney Believe on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. ET. The presentation will be attended by the Dreams Unlimited Travel team aboard the Disney Wish. The event is expected to announce the ship's homeport, initial itineraries, onboard entertainment, and new venues.

The ship's overarching theme is promise and possibilities. Many specifics about the experiences have not yet been revealed. Themes for lounges, the AquaMouse slide, and live entertainment are among the expected announcements. Disney will share these details during the October 7 livestream.