Disney Believe's First Gigablock Just Floated Out, Here's What That Means for 2027
Disney Believe Midship Gigablack Float Out at Meyer Werft Shipdyard in Papenberg, Germany | Photo Disney Cruise Line
D23 2026 gave us our first real look at the Disney Believe, the next Wish-class ship joining Disney Cruise Line's fleet in late 2027. That reveal was 3 new pieces of concept art with a few theming details. Now Disney Parks Blog has an actual construction milestone to report, the first of the ship's three gigablocks officially floated out at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on September 18, 2026.
What Is a Gigablock Float-Out?
Great question! If you're not deep into cruise ship construction, a gigablock is exactly what it sounds like, a massive prefabricated section of the ship's hull. Think of it as a giant LEGO. This particular gigablock is the midship section of the Disney Believe. This is where you’ll eventually find the Moana statue announced at D23 earlier this summer.
Artist rRndering of Disney Believe | Photo Disney Cruise Line
Disney describes gigablocks as part a big 3D puzzle. These large pieces are built in a covered dry dock and includes electrical wiring, plumbing, walls, and more. Each large section is then floated out into open water once it's structurally sound enough to move.
Meyer Werft, the German shipyard that has built every Disney Cruise Line ship since Disney Magic launched back in 1998, builds its vessels this way in a handful of huge modular sections rather than one continuous build. Each section gets floated out on its own timeline, and the yard eventually welds all of them together into the completed hull.
Every float-out is a checkpoint toward the ship taking shape, and the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny all went through the same multi-gigablock process before their eventual debuts.
Moana Statue in the Grand Hall of the Disney Believe | Photo Disney Cruise Line
Theming Details Are Still TBD
The construction news doesn't change any of what we already know about the Disney Believe's design, and honestly, that's still the more exciting part. We know from D23 that the Grand Hall is getting a full Moana treatment with a bronze statue of Moana herself . The stern features Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story and a crayon style lettering spelling the ship's name. Tinker Bell shows up on the bow through hand painted filigree work. Onboard entertainment and additional themes are expected to pull from Encanto, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Nightmare Before Christmas, Monsters, Inc, The Little Mermaid, and more.
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Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story will adorn the stern of the Disney Believe | Photo Disney Cruise Line
What It Means for Your 2027 Disney Cruise Plans
There's still no confirmed homeport, itinerary, or booking window for the Disney Believe, so a float-out milestone doesn't move up your planning timeline in any concrete way yet. What it does tell you is that construction is well underway and on track consistent with a late 2027 debut. Basically, we’re well beyond concept art. If you've been holding off on getting excited about this one until it felt real, this is a decent moment to start paying closer attention.
We are practically frothing for more info and my hunch is bigger news is right around the corner.
Alright, that’s all for now. See ya next time.
