Disney’s Massive New Ship Debut Hit by Mattress Shock and Early Letdowns
Key Aspects:
Some surprisingly poor details have emerged from Disney Adventure‘s maiden voyage from Singapore.
Thin mattresses and an inoperative roller coaster are the lowlights circulating on social media.
Fortunately, there are also many great reviews and fun options onboard for everyone to enjoy.
Disney Cruise Line is known for many superlatives, including spectacular service, extraordinary theming, decadent menus, and outstanding entertainment. It stands to reason that guests onboard Disney Cruise Line’s newest, biggest ship would be in for even more wows.
The first reviews are trickling in from Disney Adventure‘s maiden sailing from Singapore, however, and not all the notes are exceptional.
Popular YouTuber Theme Park Express has shared some first impressions from the ship’s March 9, 2026 departure on social media. During the 3-night cruise to nowhere, there was time to check out all the ship had to offer.
Unfortunately, not all the offerings were as amazing as expected. Of greatest concern was the size of the interior stateroom, along with the condition of the mattresses (if they can be called mattresses!) and noise.
Theme Park Express had an interior stateroom on Deck 13, a first-in-fleet feature for Disney Cruise Line with interior staterooms having views overlooking public spaces. In this case, the stateroom overlooked Disney Imagination Garden. While the view was lovely and convenient, the noise was not so pleasant.
“There’s definitely noise [bleeding] through even with the door closed and locked,” Theme Park Insider noted.
This type of stateroom is currently the cheapest onboard Disney Adventure, but that doesn’t mean it really is “cheap” for upcoming sailings. The cheapest rates for 3-night sailings in the coming months start at roughly $700 per person.
The room, which can sleep four, is surprisingly bare-bones and doesn’t have a traditional bed. Instead, two couches pull out at night, while two more bunks are lowered into position for additional guests.
When the beds are made up for the night, along with ladders to access the upper bunks, there is very little floor space to move around in the stateroom. Even more surprising, however, is the state of the bedding.
“I DON’T EVEN HAVE A **** MATTRESS!” said Theme Park Insider. “They just put a cover and a thin pad on the couch cushion!”
In the photo, it appears a mattress topper is layered over the couch cushion (which itself is fairly thin) and held in place with thick elastic straps. This would create a very firm feeling for sleepers, which might be fine for some travelers but could be very uncomfortable for others.
Other less-than-pleasant surprises onboard include a much darker color palette in the Walt Disney Theater than onboard other ships in the fleet, as well as lackluster menus in some restaurants. Of course, menu offerings are always subjective and not everyone shares the same tastes.
Finally, one exciting feature of the ship just wasn’t available to the initial cruisers. Ironcycle Test Run, the longest roller coaster at sea and a first for Disney Cruise Line, was never operational during the voyage.
While it isn’t unusual for different attractions to have downtime, the loss of one of the ship’s most unique attractions is certainly disappointing to guests.
In response to onboard feedback and frustrations, Disney Cruise Line did offer guests $100 of onboard credit that was posted on the last night of the sailing.
“We understand that you may not have been able to experience everything you had hoped to enjoy on the cruise,” a letter delivered to guests’ staterooms read. “As a thank you for sailing with us and for your understanding – we are pleased to extend an onboard credit of $100 per stateroom.”
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Theme Park Insider notes that while the gesture is a nice one, it’s not very useful for those who might not spend much onboard. The credit is exclusive to purchases during this specific cruise and cannot be transferred to any future sailing.
Some Spectacular Fun Aboard
All the reviews aren’t negative, however. Despite some glitches and disappointments, Theme Park Insider not-so-subtly shares the best points of the voyage as well.
“‘Remember’ is [hands] down the BEST Disney Cruise Line show ever created! It left everyone in our group in literal tears (including me) by the end,” they said. “The puppetry is incredible and the whole company is fantastic! Disney truly brought Pixar to life with this show and gave us a story that left me wanting another hour in show length.”
Equally enthusiastic was the response to the “Lion King Celebration in the Sky” fireworks show, which Theme Park Insider calls the “crown jewel” of the fireworks displays the cruise line puts on. The pyrotechnic entertainment was nearly 12 minutes long, definitely longer than most at-sea fireworks displays.
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Other great details that wowed guests were the dynamic lighting in the Animator’s Table restaurant, fantastic menus in select restaurants, and the classic Mickey churro waffles that made a highly anticipated appearance on the last morning of the cruise.
It’s not unusual for brand new cruise ships to experience some glitches or be missing some finishing touches while the details of new operation are ironed out. Hopefully Disney Adventure‘s upcoming sailings will be smoother and better than ever, giving all 6,700 guests onboard amazing adventures to enjoy.
Disney Adventure will remain homeported from Singapore for several years, offering 3- and 4-night cruise to nowhere itineraries that will immerse guests in every adventure onboard.
Disney’s Massive New Ship Debut Hit by Mattress Shock and Early Letdowns