Disney Cruise Line has provided a new update on the progress of the Disney Wish’s construction. This is currently happening in Papenburg, Germany at the Meyer Werft shipyard. The Disney Wish has two major updates that were shared via the Disney Parks Blog. The two updates are the wheelhouse installation and also the installation of the bow.
Wheelhouse Installation
The wheelhouse or bridge is where the captain and officers command the ship. Philip Gennotte, Portfolio Project Management Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering Germany shared about the progress and importance of the installation of the wheelhouse in the progress of building the Disney Wish.
Gennotte said, “The wheelhouse for the Disney Wish is nearing completion and is part of a huge block to be installed on the ship in the building dock. We have all eagerly awaited this moment, as this block will truly give the Disney Wish an identity. I would even go as far as saying that it gives our ship a face!”
He continued saying, “The wheelhouse was very carefully designed both from a navigational and functional means but also from an aesthetical point of view. With the lifting and installation of this very large and very wide block, the next milestone in the impressive construction process is achieved. The second main building part of the Disney Wish, the entire foreship, has now been constructed.”
Looking forward, Gennotte said, “The next step will be to get the first building part, the so-called gigablock, to be “married” to the foreship. Following this, the remaining aft blocks will be lifted and installed to complete the entire ship. So more to come very soon!”
Bow Installation
The bow is an iconic part of a ship that is also often one of the first things people see upon the approach of a ship. The installation of the bow is another big milestone in the completion of the Disney Wish.
Gennotte shared about the bow saying, “Just installed is the impressive bow of the Disney Wish, where Captain Minnie will be featured in a beautifully designed medallion and filigree. As part of the shipyard’s high-tech block building principle, the bow block has been lifted and installed to reveal the graceful bow of the Disney Wish. This block is just one of nearly 100 total blocks, and the tip of the bow alone weighs an impressive 500 metric tons!”
It took just under 10 hours to complete the lifting, installation and then welding the bow block to the ship. All of this was done with the help of a gantry crane that suspended the bow during this process. Now that the bow block is installed, there are 30 more blocks that still need to be installed to complete the ship. Then the Disney Wish will have its maiden voyage in the summer of 2022.
What do you think of these milestones happening for the Disney Wish? What do you think about the Disney Wish? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!