Meet Solara, the Disney Destiny's New Pumpkin Tree for Halloween on the High Seas
Solara, the Newest Pumpkin Tree aboard the Disney Destiny | Photo Disney Cruise Line
Disney Destiny just got its first Halloween addition. Solara, the ship's brand new pumpkin tree, lit up in the Grand Hall ahead of the Destiny's inaugural Halloween on the High Seas sailing on September 7, and she's a bigger production than she looks from the floor of the Grand Hall.
Solara Joins Disney Cruise Line Fleet's Pumpkin Tree Family
Every Disney Cruise Line ship has its own named pumpkin tree during Halloween on the High Seas, each with its own design tied to that ship's decor. Solara is the Disney Destiny's contribution to that tradition, installed in the ship's Grand Hall ahead of its very first fall sailing season. In a behind the scenes video shared by Disney Cruise Line, Philip, a Show Director with Disney Live Entertainment, explained Solara exists to take the duality of the Destiny's own theme, heroes and villains, and bring the two together in a celebration of Halloween.
Solara, the Pumpkin Tree in the Grand Hall of the Disney Destiny | Photo Disney Cruise Line
It's a Full Show, Not Just a Lit Statue
In that same Disney Cruise Line Instagram video is what makes Solara stand out from her sibling trees. The lighting isn't limited to her carved jack-o'-lanterns. It extends into the architecture around the Grand Hall, into the Vibranium chandelier overhead, and into the diamond shaped fixture above the stage, all cued together for dramatic effect.
The audio side gets just as much attention. Philip walked through a mixing board with five channels labeled for specific spots around the atrium, right, center, surround left, surround right, and rear, all placed to carry dialog and sound design through the space and give the whole scene what he called that “immersive feel.”
PLAN A CRUISE > Fall 2027 - Spring 2028 Disney Cruise Line Itinerary Release
Solara, the Pumpkin Tree. Is she silly or Spooky? | Photo Disney Cruise Line
There's a live element too. In the video, Stoytellers guests know as Zayah & Gamble, rehearse right at the base of the tree, working through blocking with their director so their movement lines up with the story, the tree, and the lighting cues all layer into ta cohesive space and story.
It's built, in Philip's words, so that everything works together, which tracks with what we saw on camera, and is in line with the other performances in the Grand Hall we experienced on the Maiden Voyage of the Disney Destiny last November.
Sketches of Pumpkin Trees for the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, and Disney Fantasy |Photo Disney Cruise Line
Every Ship's Pumpkin Tree, Now All Seven Named
Solara completes the set of seven.
Reap lives aboard Disney Magic
Bog aboard Disney Wonder
Grim aboard Disney Dream
Muckelbones aboard Disney Fantasy
Boo aboard Disney Wish
Ginger aboard Disney Treasure
Solara aboard Disney Destiny
Seven ships, seven trees, seven distinct personalities, and Solara fits right into that lineup as a genuinely fresh design rather than a reskin of an existing one.
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Close-up of Solara on the Disney Destiny | Photo Disney Cruise Line
Planning Tips If You Want to See Solara
Since Solara debuted with the Destiny's first Halloween on the High Seas sailing on September 7, 2026. All Disney Destiny itineraries through the end of October will have her lit and ready in the Grand Hall.
If you’re wondering, the Disney Destiny’s last Halloween on the High Seas itinerary this year sets sails October 28, 2026 on a 4-Night Bahamian Cruise. That cruise also stops at Disney’s Lookout Cay and as of publishing there’s still plenty of space available including a few sailing that offer 25% off the voyage fare.
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Date: September 21, 2026
Ship: Disney Destiny
Discount: 25%
Category: Verandah (VGT)Debark from Fort Lauderdale, Florida with stops at:
Disney Castaway Cay
Nassau, Bahamas
Disney Lookout Cay
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Date: October 10, 2026
Ship: Disney Destiny
Discount: 25%
Category: Verandah (VGT)Debark from Fort Lauderdale, Florida with stops at:
Disney Lookout Cay
Falmouth Jamaica
George Town, Grand Cayman
Cozumel, Mexico
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Date: October 17, 2026
Ship: Disney Destiny
Discount: 25%
Category: Verandah (VGT)Debark from Fort Lauderdale, Florida with stops at:
Disney Lookout Cay
The official night one storytelling ceremony that first lights her jack-o'-lanterns is worth planning your evening around. But it's worth swinging back through the Grand Hall more than once during your cruise too, since the tree isn't a one moment experience, it's staged more like a recurring show than a static photo op.
Alright, that’s all for now. See ya next time.
