Disney Treasure to Debut Original Stage Musical "The Tale of Moana"

Disney Cruise Line has revealed details about "Disney The Tale of Moana," a world-premiere stage production debuting exclusively aboard the Disney Treasure in December 2024. The show — the first-ever stage adaptation of the beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios film — features large-scale puppetry, new songs, and Pacific Islands-inspired design that transforms the Walt Disney Theatre into an immersive ocean voyage.

Disney Treasure to Debut Original Stage Musical "The Tale of Moana"

Disney Cruise Line has unveiled the first details of "Disney The Tale of Moana," an original stage musical set to debut exclusively aboard the Disney Treasure in December 2024. The production marks the first time the beloved animated film has been adapted for the stage, blending Pacific Islands culture, large-scale puppetry, and new original songs with the Grammy Award-winning soundtrack audiences already know.

Key Details

Record-Scale Puppetry Anchors the Production

To realize the show's mythological scope, Disney Live Entertainment creative director of puppetry and articulation Jeff Conover collaborated with master puppet designer Michael Curry — the creative force behind the Tony Award-winning Broadway staging of The Lion King. The centerpiece is a massive puppet of Te Ka, the fiery demon at the climax of the story, crafted at a scale Disney Cruise Line has never attempted before. In the show's emotional climax, the Te Ka puppet sheds its volcanic shell and transforms into the gentle island goddess Te Fiti as Moana restores the heart.

New Song "Warrior Face" Makes Its Stage Debut

One of the production's marquee additions is the song "Warrior Face," performed for the first time in any stage format by Moana and Maui. The number occurs when the demigod teaches Moana to face her fears before confronting Tamatoa in the Realm of the Monsters. "Warrior Face" joins the original film's Grammy Award-winning soundtrack highlights, including "You're Welcome," "We Know The Way," and "How Far I'll Go."

Pacific Islands Culture Woven Throughout Set and Story

The production opens in the present day on the fictional island of Motunui, with a set design that weaves in visual cues from the brilliant cultures of the Pacific Islands — elements that thread through every scene. The spirit of Gramma Tala serves as narrator, guiding the audience through vibrant dance and songs performed in a mix of languages including Tuvaluan, Tokelauan, and Samoan. The multilingual approach reflects the source material's deep commitment to authentic cultural representation.

Setting the Scene in Innocent Warrior from Disney The Tale of Moana coming to the Disney Treasure
An early look at the Motunui set design for "Disney The Tale of Moana" aboard the Disney Treasure.

The Theatre Itself Becomes Part of the Story

During the show's signature "How Far I'll Go" sequence, the Walt Disney Theatre undergoes a full transformation — shifting from the shores of Motunui to the open ocean as Moana embarks on her voyage. Overhead, twinkling stars swirl across the ceiling while a giant, glowing manta ray — the spirit of Gramma Tala — soars above the audience, lighting the way for the young wayfinder.

Transforming The Walt Disney Theatre in How Far I'll Go from Disney The Tale of Moana coming to the Disney Treasure
The Walt Disney Theatre transforms into the open ocean during "How Far I'll Go."

What This Means for Cruise Guests

"Disney The Tale of Moana" joins an already-strong entertainment lineup aboard the Disney Treasure, sitting alongside fan favorites "Beauty and the Beast" and "Disney Seas the Adventure" in the Walt Disney Theatre. For guests booking sailings on the Disney Treasure from its December 2024 debut, the production represents an exclusive at-sea experience unavailable anywhere else. Itineraries and booking information are available at DisneyCruise.com.