Disney Cruise Line is set to debut an exhilarating new stage production, Disney Hercules based on the popular 1997 animated film of the same name, to launch aboard its forthcoming ship, the Disney Destiny. Scheduled to set sail in late 2025, this Broadway-style show reimagines the beloved classic with a contemporary twist, aligning seamlessly with the ship’s overarching “heroes and villains” theme.
Disney Hercules remains faithful to the original film’s narrative, spotlighting iconic songs such as “Go the Distance,” “Zero to Hero,” and “I Won’t Say I’m in Love.” These favorites are revitalized through fresh musical arrangements that blend the soulful essence of gospel with the vibrant energy of pop concerts. The Muses take center stage as narrators, guiding audiences through Hercules’ epic journey of heroism and self-discovery.
During an exclusive preview of the Disney Destiny, members of the press were invited to a presentation hosted by creative director Michael Serna to talk about the impending production. Among the panelists were: show directors Kevin Wilson, Marcel Wilson and creative director Jeff Conover.
As the set was being designed, the creative team prioritized movement, both literal and emotional. “We wanted to make sure the set could transform fluidly, creating spaces that immediately tell the audience where we are, whether that’s in the clouds of Mount Olympus or back down on Earth,” the team shares. The result is a stage in constant motion, with stair units and bridges moving in a choreographed dance as dynamic as the story itself.
With so many iconic locations to visit — Mount Olympus, Thebes, the Underworld — every piece of scenery serves a purpose, helping the audience journey through time and myth. At the heart of this transformation is set designer Milagros Ponce de León, known for her stunning work on Tale of the Lion King. Her vision brings both grandeur and intimacy to each scene.
What makes this production truly special, though, is its blend of innovation and heart. “We really wanted those elements to feel fresh and new,” says Kevin, one of the show’s creative leads. “But it still had to carry the soul of the story, the Hercules we all know and love.”
One of the show’s most magical touches is its opening: a museum gallery filled with Grecian artifacts, where gods and goddesses stand frozen as statues. It feels like a Hercules exhibit visited by people from around the world, until the myth comes alive before your eyes.
After months on a worldwide casting tour, the creative team assembled an extraordinary cast to match the show’s epic scale and timeless heart.
Ken, one of the show’s directors, couldn’t hide his excitement: “I’m really, really excited. We went to London, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and wrapped in New York. And everywhere we went, the energy in the room was just electric.”
What they discovered was more than talent, it was passion. “People love this story. The nostalgia around Hercules is real, and the young talent walking into those auditions brought such raw energy. For many of them, these roles were once just dreams, now they’re standing in the spotlight.”
And yes… they found him. Hercules. Check out this incredible performance below of “Go The Distance” by Corey Bradford the new Hercules for Disney Destiny.
As the curtain rises on Disney Hercules, audiences will find themselves face-to-face with a rogues’ gallery of underworld mischief and mythical mayhem. Hades, Pain, and Panic all make a show-stopping appearance, vividly brought to life in dazzling theatrical form. But it’s the Hydra sequence that pushes the boundaries of what stagecraft can do.
“This is one of those scenes that always stuck with me in the film,” says Jeff, a member of the creative team. “The Hydra battle feels completely insurmountable. You cut off one head, and two more appear. It’s relentless. And bringing that to the stage? That felt like our own version of an impossible task.”
Yet the team leaned into the challenge with fearless creativity. Through the innovation of large-scale puppetry and groundbreaking stage technology, they’re doing more than recreating a moment, they’re making it feel impossible and then showing triumph in overcoming it.
“You might’ve caught glimpses from our Puppet Workshop,” Jeff adds. “We’re crafting something really special — not just the Hydra, but the Titans as well. And we’re utilizing technology in the Walt Disney Theatre that has literally never been used before.”
This isn’t just a stage show, it’s an immersive feat of theatrical engineering. With each monster and mythic force Hercules faces, the audience is right there with him on the edge of their seats, cheering him on. The Disney Destiny is ready to set sail November 20th 2025, kicking off 4-5 night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean.
