Thousands of visitors lined the shore, celebrating the occasion with Captain Mickey Mouse and, of course, a fireworks spectacular. This special maritime event, known as “Float Out,” marks the biggest construction milestone for the Disney Fantasy to date, less than 90 days before the ship welcomes guests for her maiden voyage.

The entire “Float Out” process took about two hours. Instead of watching a two hour video of the Fantasy moving a few hundred yards, we have a nice time lapse video for you, so you could get a glimpse at this magnificent ship as she emerged from the dock.

The goal of the game is to help the Muppets find their missing props so they can take the stage for a big performance. Guided by a map and using a unique game card that is held up in front of select pieces of Enchanted Art, guests unveil clues that help find the missing props.

Disney has provided us with some cool behind the scenes video of the Muppets as they film scenes for the upcoming game.

“Wishes” takes guests on a musical journey with three best friends visiting Disneyland Resort to celebrate their high school graduation.

Each is unsure of what the future holds for them, so they make a wish to go on the “Ride of Our Lives” – the show’s opening musical number. Next they’re taken to an enchanted world where Disney characters materialize to guide them on their journey.

Some of the familiar tunes you’ll hear and faces you’ll see include:

“I’ve Got No Strings” from “Pinocchio” featuring Pinocchio and marionettes

“Hakuna Matata” from “The Lion King” featuring Timon and Pumbaa

and “Reflection” from “Mulan” featuring Mulan

Disney Cruise has also promised a few behind the scenes videos of “Wishes” in the coming days, we will post them here once released.

The Muppets are the stars of a new adventure game, “The Case of the Stolen Show,” which takes guests on an interactive quest around the ship via more than a dozen pieces of Enchanted Art and physical clues.

The goal of the game is to help the Muppets find their missing props so they can take the stage for a big performance. Guided by a map and using a unique game card that is held up in front of select pieces of Enchanted Art, guests unveil clues that help find the missing props.

Take a look at these behind-the-scenes shots of Kermit and the some of the other Muppets on set as they begin filming for this game.

Cruise Critic, the influential cruise news website, honored Disney Dream as “Best New Ship.” It also honored the Disney Dream for “Best Inside Cabins” and the entire Disney Cruise Line fleet for “Best Standard Cabins.” The honors were among the website’s 2011 Editors’ Picks Awards recognizing the top cruise lines, ships and ports.

Porthole Cruise Magazine bestowed three awards on Disney Cruise Line in its 13^th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards – “Most Family-Oriented Line,” “Best Children’s Programs” and “Best Entertainment.”

And finally, in its 18^th annual Thea Awards, the Themed Entertainment Association honored the new Animation Magic show at Animator’s Palate on the Disney Fantasy with the “Ingenious Use of Technology” award. The awards committee noted the show’s “amazing animation” and called it “a refreshing take” on interactive technology. Animation Magic will debut on the Disney Fantasy, which sails its maiden voyage on March 31, 2012.

Disney Cruise announced 2013 itineraries for the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. These 2013 are now available to book.

Disney Dream

The Disney Dream will continue sailing 3, 4 and 5 night Bahamian cruises during all of 2013, including stops in Nassua and Castaway Cay.

Disney Fantasy

The new Disney Fantasy will continue sailing 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises during all of 2013, including stops in St. Thomas, Cozumel, Key West and Castaway Cay among other destinations.

Itineraries for the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder have not yet been released for 2013, as they should once again see some unique cruising destinations and ports. Once their itineraries are known, we will post them here for you.

For more information about the 2013 Disney Cruises, please contact our great sponsor Mouseketrips.

The AquaLab, a new addition to deck 12, is a fanciful wet play area filled with pop jets, geysers and bubblers – designed to drench the entire family. The AquaLab will be located just behind the entrance to the AquaDuck.

As the story goes, AquaLab was created by Donald Duck’s nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie. But now they’re away – leaving young cruise guests to operate AquaLab and keep AquaDuck running! By turning wheels and moving levers at three wacky aqua stations, guests “control” the speed and temperature of AquaDuck. At a leaky wall, kids cover holes in squirting and spurting pipes with their hands. In another area, water leaks and sprays from the Ducky Dinghy, suspended overhead.

Also new to deck 12 is another area for families to cool off – a wading pool with a fountain. This area has ample seating and lounge chairs under a canopy, offering a respite in the shade.

And, there’s even a brand-new water feature exclusively for adults. Satellite Falls, a circular splash pool with benches and a gently falling rain curtain, provides cool comfort on deck 13 forward.

It is nice to see Disney adding a few unique touches to the Fantasy. I hope these make it onto the Dream soon, some very nice additions for adults and kids.

This newly announced Hawaiian Disney Cruise will depart October 14, 2012, from Los Angeles. The Disney Wonder will sail through the breathtaking Hawaiian Islands, calling on Kahului, Maui; Nawiliwili, Kauai; Honolulu, Oahu; and Hilo. Plus, this special 14-night voyage includes a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, and eight fun-filled days at sea.

Disney Cruise guests will experience the famous beaches of Waikiki on Oahu, see the views from high atop the summit of Haleakala Crater on Maui, take in the lush tropical gardens and waterfalls of Kauai and, on the Big Island, explore the natural wonders of the world’s most active volcano.

Bookings for this addition Hawaiian Disney Cruise open today, September 23, at 8 am ET for guests who are Platinum and Gold Castaway Club Members. Silver Castaway Club Members and first-time Guests can book beginning Monday, September 26, 2011. At this time, bookings are only available by phone at (800) 951-3532 or through a Disney Cruise Line travel agent.

For more information about this special Disney Cruise, please contact our sponsor Mouseketrips.