BREAKING: Oriental Land Co., Owners of Tokyo Disney Resort, Will Operate New Disney Cruise

The Oriental Land Co., Ltd., who owns and operates the Tokyo Disney Resort, has announced that Disney cruises are coming to Japan, and a license agreement was concluded today with The Walt Disney Company to conduct cruise business in the country that is home to what many consider to be the best Disney theme parks on earth.

As part of the Oriental Land Group’s goals for the year 2030, they were looking for new business opportunities beyond the operation of Disney-licensed theme parks and resort hotels in Japan. OLC says their decision was based on the potential growth of the cruise market in their country, the experience the Company has gained in its theme park and hotel operations, and its strong relationship with the Disney Company which will serve as a great advantage
for this business opportunity.

The Oriental Land Company has commissioned MEYER WERFT to build the Disney Wish-class cruise ship (i.e. Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, Disney Destiny). This newest ship to be announced will be the 4th in said class, with the Disney Adventure in a class all its own. The Adventure will operate out of Asia as well, but out of Singapore and will be Disney-owned-and-operated.

Bernard Meyer signed the shipbuilding contract today in Tokyo. The new ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2028. OLC, which operates the Disney theme parks in Japan, is expected to commence operation of the ship by early 2029. The expected cost is 330 billion yen.

“I am very happy to sign this contract today and win OLC as a new customer from Japan. This order contributes to the long term development of shipbuilding in Papenburg.”

Bernard Meyer

“We have long-term relationships with both Meyer Werft and the Oriental Land Compa-ny. We are delighted to be working with both of them to create a Disney cruise experi-ence for the Japanese market.”

Thomas Mazloum, president, Disney Signature Experiences.

MEYER WERFT has already delivered the Disney Wish, the first ship in the Wish class, to Disney Cruise Line in 2022. The two sister ships Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny are already under construction in Papenburg and will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.

This would mark the first time that Disney cruise ships are owned and operated by an organization outside of the Walt Disney Company.

Tom Corless