What Parents Need to Know About ‘Disney the Tale of Moana’ Aboard the Disney Treasure
Every family needs a vacation once in a while. Whether for spring break or a special occasion, families that travel together – even just a quick getaway – have stronger bonds. A favorite family vacation is a Disney Cruise, and one of the best parts of a Disney Cruise Line voyage is catching Broadway-quality performances each evening with your kids.
On a DCL sailing, families can dine at a Disney-themed restaurant then see a theatrical show, with plenty of time left over for activities like the ship’s kids’ club or a family game show. On Disney’s newest cruise ship, the Disney Treasure, there’s an all-new evening show, “Disney the Tale of Moana,” and it fits right in with the ship’s overall theme of adventure.
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New DCL Show – What is ‘Disney the Tale of Moana?’
“Disney the Tale of Moana” is a brand new show that’s currently exclusive to the Disney Treasure and features breathtaking puppetry, show-stopping choreography, and actors who truly make guests feel like the film “Moana” is popping off the screen and onto the stage in front of them.
The hour-long retelling of Moana’s story of adventure takes place two times (usually around 5:45 or 6 and again around 8:15 or 8:30) on one evening during the Treasure’s 7-night itinerary.
The tale is narrated by the spirit of Moana’s grandmother (Gramma Tala) and begins on the fictional island of Motunui. From there, the ocean comes to life as Moana restores the heart of Te Fiti and saves her island. And yes, all the hit songs from the film are performed on stage, from “Shiny” to “You’re Welcome” to “How Far I’ll Go.”
Connor Gallagher, director and choreographer of “Disney the Tale of Moana,” says while parts of the show were a challenge to create, seeing the final result has been worth it. “Every time I look at it, I’m still surprised,” Gallagher told Orlando Parenting.
But what goes into taking an iconic Disney film off kids’ tablets and onto the stage? “I spent a lot of time watching the film and taking in the essential moments—the moments that would really translate well to the stage,” said Gallagher. “It’s really about finding a visual language. How do you tell an action-adventure story on stage? That’s often very hard to do, so we use a lot of narration and puppetry to bring the story to life on stage.”
Heihei and Pua Are Missing?!
In addition to beautiful puppets and a touching narration by Gramma Tala, there are beautiful dance numbers, exciting lighting effects, and powerful musical numbers. But fans of “Moana” may notice two things missing: the characters Heihei and Pua from the animated film.
“Heihei and Pua benefit from close-ups and animation,” Gallagher explained. “They have this comic relief and energy that is really adorable but the minute you put it on stage, you’ve got two actors on a canoe that have to move around and suddenly you have four extra bodies puppeteering? To what end? This show honors [Heihei and Pua] in other little ways like little Easter eggs people will have to be looking out for—little things in the set and its carvings. That allows us to really focus on the Moana-Maui journey. In a version where you have to streamline, some things have to go.”
What ‘Moana’ wants families to know about ‘Disney the Tale of Moana’
In “Disney the Tale of Moana,” the titular character is played by Hawaii native Kaena Kekoa. As a mom of two, I’m here to vouch: Kekoa plays Moana to such a degree that your kids truly will think the iconic character has come to life to perform for them on the Walt Disney Theater stage.
But what does this real-life Moana want families to know about the show?
“It’s a dream come true being able to play such an iconic character on the stage,” she said. “The Disney Treasure is built for families, with families in mind, so what better show than ‘Moana’ and also ‘Coco’ in the Plaza de Coco (the Coco-themed restaurant on board the Treasure) to showcase families and legacy? That’s what our show is about: It’s about carrying on our ancestors’ stories and passing them down to generations to come, so it’s perfect.”
Tips for watching ‘Disney the Tale of Moana’
- “Disney the Tale of Moana” is so incredible, you might want to see it twice. On my Treasure sailing, we caught the 8:30 p.m. show but wished we’d seen the 6:00 p.m. one too. Since it’s a 7-day cruise, consider a quick dinner at the buffet or order room service (a DCL fan favorite) to catch both showings.
- Moana magic is in full swing during the show, making it a great night for kids to wear Moana or Maui costumes or bring along their Heihei and Pua plushies to cuddle.
- Look out for special Moana photo ops in the Grand Hall, including a Heihei magic shot—perfect for themed outfits.
- Actors move through the aisles, and bubbles fall from the ceiling during the show. If your child is sensitive to sensory effects, sit in the balcony (deck 4). For a more immersive experience, grab a seat on the main level (deck 3).
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