The Disney Believe keel laying ceremony has taken place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and Disney Cruise Line marked it with a custom-minted coin bearing a portrait of Tinker Bell. The coin was placed temporarily under the ship’s keel, and its design mirrors the Tinker Bell artwork that will soon grace the Believe’s bow. Disney announced the milestone on October 5, and the ceremony itself was held on September 29.
Why A Coin Goes Under The Keel
The keel is the structural center beneath a ship, running all the way from bow to stern. Setting a specially crafted coin beneath it is a maritime custom Disney traces back to ancient Greece and Rome, and the tradition is said to bring good fortune to the ship and its future crew before it ever sets sail.
For the Believe, the coin ties straight back to the ship’s exterior. Disney revealed at D23 in August that Tinker Bell will appear on the bow, while Woody and Buzz Lightyear ride along on the stern. Disney says Tinker Bell’s image will give the ship “a sprinkle of faith, trust, and pixie dust,” helping future guests believe in the promise and possibility of their dreams coming true.
Where Construction Stands
The keel laying follows the float-out of the first of the ship’s three gigablocks in mid-September. That section holds the midship, including the Grand Hall, which Disney has themed to Moana. Work on the second gigablock is now underway, and Disney has said the forward section comes next, followed by the aft. Gigablocks are huge sections built complete with walls, plumbing and wiring, and once all three are finished they are welded together to form the ship.
Disney says progress on the ship “hasn’t slowed down,” and it still expects the Believe to set sail in late 2027. It is the fourth ship in Disney’s Wish class, following the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny.
Homeport And Itineraries Come October 7
Disney will hold a livestream on Wednesday, October 7, at 4:30 p.m. ET to reveal the Believe’s homeport, itineraries, new venues and entertainment. The show will stream on the @DisneyParks YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok accounts. We have more on what Disney plans to reveal during the October 7 livestream.
The ship’s new venue concepts and entertainment experiences will be shaped by stories including Encanto, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moana and The Little Mermaid, but where the Believe will sail from is still under wraps.
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