Disney Cruise Line launches its newest ship, the Disney Treasure, on December 21 — and its promise of adventure for the whole family extends even to the dining experiences. The ship is packed with specialty cafes, lounges, and smaller restaurants to cater to individual tastes, as well as buffet-style meal offerings at Marceline Market and Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods. But each night, denizens of the Treasure be the cruise line's guests at one of three designated restaurants: Worlds of Marvel, 1923, and Plaza de Coco.

While a version of the first two already exists aboard the Disney Wish (albeit with some changes that will be described below), Plaza de Coco is an entirely new creation with a full performance on each night that celebrates Mexican culture and furthers the narrative of the Avengers-level crisis with Groot, that merit the ship's name of Treasure.

ScreenRant had the chance to preview the Disney Treasure on a three-day press trip, where we were treated to one night of fine dining at each of the cruise ship's main restaurants. Though guests on the ship's official voyages will have two nights at each location, they can get a sneak preview of what to expect from the menu, atmosphere, and entertainment from each. ScreenRant also interviewed Ed Whitlow, Director of DCL Artistic Operations, and Mario Trujillo, cultural consultant for Plaza de Coco, about the story expansion that Coco fans can enjoy there.

Worlds Of Marvel Welcomes The Guardians Of The Galaxy

Groot needs cruise-goers to help with a tiny problem.

On the Disney Wish, Ant-Man and the Wasp host “Avengers: Quantum Encounter,” which is an experience that Worlds of Marvel will repeat on the Disney Treasure. But since the Treasure takes its travelers on a 7-night voyage, there is a second adventure for travelers to embark on. “Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix” is more Guardians of the Galaxy-themed, with Rocket and Groot introducing the night's activities to the audience before the genetically engineered raccoon scampers off and leaves his Flora colossus in charge.

The decor is very high-tech, with Avengers symbols on one's charger plates and a Quantum Core at every table, which lights up and whirrs in synchronicity with its neighbors. Kids (and parents) will have fun with interactive Avengers trivia as they wait for the next course of their meal. Aside from pop quizzes, the screens throughout Worlds of Marvel will also display story highlights of Groot's adventures, as well as snippets from other Marvel characters — including a look at some of the Young Avengers together.

Check out our dining recommendations below:

1923 Transports Disney Treasure engers To The Past

Take a tour of Disney's storied animation history here.

The California-inspired menu of 1923 is a trip back in time to the Golden Age of animation, as the restaurant is named after the year that The Walt Disney Company was founded. The Disney Treasure iteration is pretty similar to the Disney Wish one, but there is always something new to discover from the rows and rows of concept art and other drawings that reflect back on the early years of the House of Mouse and lead engers back to the present. Though there isn't a specific event or performance to indulge in, the two nights spent at 1923 are sure to be laid-back yet refined.

Dining service is performed by the same staff every night regardless of which restaurant you are at, but the Old Hollywood atmosphere of the restaurant elevates the experience, allowing the adults in the party to have a perfectly relaxed evening. In fact, I would be remiss to not mention that my favorite meal on the Disney Treasure came from 1923, as the menu items may appear simple but are rich and full of flavor. The chocolate lava cake, in particular, is something to write home about — and you simply must have the lobster tail.

Here are some other menu item recommendations:

Plaza De Coco Welcomes Back The Rivera Family

in on the festivities with two nights full of lively performances.

Perhaps the most intricate of the Disney Treasure dining experiences, Plaza de Coco is brand-new and clearly made with love. From the moment visitors enter the long hallway, they are immersed in the story of the Rivera family, complete with an ofrenda for Mama Coco and the other loved ones who have ed on. The huge dining area surrounds a stage where audiences can enjoy folk dances from Mexico and a real-life Mariachi trio as they partake in authentically delicious Mexican dishes.

But Plaza de Coco is about much more than the music and dining (both of which are amazing). The story is really what makes the experience worthwhile, as a teenage Miguel Rivera prepares to celebrate Día de los Muertos with his family while also attempting to achieve his dream of becoming a Mariachi himself. I don't want to spoil too much, but Night 2 takes place in the world of the dead and features a grand finale with Miguel's ancestors that will bring tears to your eyes as you take another bite of your unbelievably delectable “ Me” Sundae.

Below are some menu recommendations:

A Closer Look At Día De Los Muertos Celebrations In Plaza De Coco

ScreenRant: How did you decide to separate the two nights of storytelling between the Rivera family and the Dia de los Muertos celebration?

Ed Whitlow: We just wanted to make sure that we took the opportunity to re-immerse the guests into the world of San Cecilia, and that takes a little bit of time. It affects not only the entertainment but also the dining choices and the overall ambiance of the room. We wanted it to feel warm and family-like and just have everybody feel like they've stepped into the film and gotten used to these characters again. We also pick up from the end of the film, so it's three years later and Miguel's a little bit older now. He's a teenager, and we're learning a lot more about him.

As far as going to the Night 2 show, we really wanted it to be a joyous celebration, and that's what Dia de los Muertos is to us. It is all about celebrating all those family from before and making wonderful memories along the way. That's what inspired us to do those two nights.

Mario Trujillo: I think what you'll find very unique is the entertainment on each one of those nights. We have a beautiful folclórico dancer from Mexico, and we have a Mariachi trio that serenades our guests with beautiful melodies and stirring rhythms from Mexico with songs such as "Cielito Lindo" that are recognizable in some way or that we know guests have heard, and they're very culturally performed songs. We cast the Mariachi musicians from Mexico, and they bring their craft onto the stage and share it with our audience.

ScreenRant: As cultural consultant, was there a vetting process for what you wanted to include to have that most authentic experience?

Mario Trujillo: My role as cultural consultant was mostly based on the music selection and the musicality of the trio performers. Some of it then moved over to costuming. Our costume designers had never built Mariachi costumes, so I was able to share some on how to respectfully represent the culture.

The music selection was also vetted, like the lyrics to the songs. There were a lot of cultural songs that speak of heartbreak and treachery, and we wanted to make sure we had a selection our guests would love; that they would engage and connect with. It was such an honor to be part of that.

ScreenRant: You mentioned Miguel is a teenager now. Are there any other little story details that fans should be on the lookout for when it comes to beloved characters?

Ed Whitlow: One of the things that's great about seeing him actually growing up is that he's becoming a Mariachi player. His goal is to be with this wonderful trio that Mario has created, and that's a special little nugget — especially at the end of the show. I won't give away too much, but one of his family really urges him to go for it, and you see all those Mariachi players bringing him into their family. We have so many families here, so it's significant that he's ing sort of a new family while we're all one family together.

ScreenRant: Do you each have any recommendations from the menu that you like best so far, or that you think everyone should try?

Mario Trujillo: I do. On the Night 2 menu, the mole [sauce] is absolutely delicious. I love mole, and I'm a mole snob because I'm Mexican, so I was pleasantly surprised. We have a Hispanic chef who did their homework. They have the spice down to an amazing flavor.

I also recommend enchiladas, which have a really nice red chile taste. I'm very impressed and very happy that Disney really honed in on the cultural aspect. For the chocolate tart on the Night 1 menu, they import the chocolate from Mexico.

Ed Whitlow: I'm a sweets fan, so I think the flan's amazing. And the coconut tres leches cake.

More About Disney Cruise Line's Disney Treasure

Set your com toward the Disney Treasure, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, where the spirit of adventure meets the daring tales of classic Disney films and Disney park attractions. The Disney Treasure will embark on its maiden voyage — a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida — on December 21, 2024, followed by an inaugural season of 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral.

View Disney Treasure's itineraries on the Disney Cruise Line website.