How Disney Wish's Little Mermaid Show Was Costumed with Ocean-Recycled Plastic

The Broadway-style production of Disney The Little Mermaid aboard the Disney Wish features costumes crafted from a surprising material: recycled plastic recovered from the ocean. More than 60 percent of all fabric used in the show was made from ocean-recycled fibers, with 22 of 25 costumes meeting that standard. The production also pioneered a waterless dyeing method, saving tens of thousands of gallons of water compared to traditional processes.

The theatrical production of Disney The Little Mermaid aboard the Disney Wish is more than a spectacular stage show — its costumes are a feat of sustainable design. Over 60 percent of all fabric in the production was woven from recycled plastic fibers, some recovered directly from the ocean, then crafted into materials that mimic fine silk, chiffon, and cotton.

From Ocean Debris to Stage-Ready Fabric

Disney Cruise Line's costume design team set an ambitious sustainability goal from the outset: every fabric choice in Disney The Little Mermaid would reflect the story's ocean-themed heart. Working alongside fabric technology specialists and sustainable textile suppliers, designers sourced recycled plastic debris — including material pulled from the sea — and processed it into fibers capable of replicating the look and drape of luxury textiles.

The resulting fabrics were then colored using a waterless digital printing process rather than conventional water-intensive dyeing. Designers first perfected color palettes and bold patterns through small-batch experimentation before translating their work into digital art files sent to the waterless printer — eliminating the vast water consumption associated with traditional garment dyeing.

A Fleet-Wide Sustainability Commitment

The recycled-fabric initiative aboard the Disney Wish represents a broader shift across the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Crew member uniforms at locations such as deck bars and the Cabanas buffet restaurant have already been transitioned to fabrics made from recycled water bottles fleet-wide. Additional sustainable costume programs are planned for other areas of the ships.

Disney Cruise Line frames these changes as part of the garment and costume industry's ongoing sustainability transformation — and as proof that high-performance, long-lasting stage costumes can be produced responsibly at scale.

Why This Matters for Guests

For travelers who prioritize environmental responsibility, the Disney Wish offers a rare combination: world-class entertainment built on sustainable production values. Every performance of Disney The Little Mermaid in the Walt Disney Theatre carries the story of those recycled fabrics with it — a fitting backdrop for a tale set beneath the waves. Browse sailings at DisneyCruise.com.