111: Behind the Magic with Guest Creator Melissa from Happy Haunts Plan Magic
On this episode of The Well Hello Magic Podcast, I’m joined by Melissa from Happy Haunts Plan Magic, and you are going to love this conversation.
Melissa is the owner of Foolish Mortal Planning Co. and a trusted Disney travel expert who has helped hundreds of families plan intentional, thoughtful, and magical Disney vacations. Recently, she had the rare opportunity to be one of the very first people in the world to step onboard Disney Destiny, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship.
Through her partnership with the travel agency A Mouse in the Beach, Melissa was invited on the very first preview sailing of the Disney Destiny — a three-night experience designed exclusively for travel professionals to fully explore the ship before it opens to the public.
If you’re considering a Disney Cruise, curious about Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, or specifically looking at the Disney Destiny for a future vacation, this episode gives you a firsthand, expert-level look at what families can expect.
What a Disney Cruise Line Preview Sailing Is Really Like
One of the most helpful parts of this episode is Melissa breaking down how preview sailings work.
Many families wonder:
What is a Disney Cruise Line preview sailing?
Who gets invited on preview cruises?
How much of the ship can you actually see?
This was a three-night preview sailing designed to give travel professionals access to as much of the ship as possible in a short amount of time. Melissa explains how the itinerary is structured differently from a normal cruise, with the focus placed on ship exploration rather than port stops.
Because of this format, she was able to tour:
Dining spaces
Lounges and bars
Entertainment venues
Stateroom categories
Kids clubs and youth spaces
Public gathering areas
Themed spaces unique to the Destiny
This section of the episode is especially helpful for listeners who want to understand why early previews matter and how travel advisors gather the information families rely on when booking a brand-new ship.
First Impressions of the Disney Destiny
Melissa shares her first impressions of the Disney Destiny — including what surprised her, what stood out immediately, and how the ship feels compared to others in the Disney Cruise Line fleet.
The Disney Destiny is built around heroic and villainous storytelling, and Melissa explains how that theme is woven throughout the ship in a bold but intentional way. Rather than feeling overwhelming, the design blends dramatic storytelling with classic Disney Cruise Line polish.
The ship features themed spaces inspired by stories like Hercules and Guardians of the Galaxy, creating an atmosphere that feels cinematic, modern, and immersive while still working for families.
Melissa talks about:
The overall tone and energy of the ship
How the theming compares to other Disney ships
Whether the Destiny feels more adult, more family-focused, or balanced
How the atmosphere might appeal to different types of travelers
Dining, Entertainment, and Onboard Spaces
Because this preview was focused on exploration, Melissa was able to spend time in many of the ship’s key spaces, giving her a well-rounded view of what guests will experience.
She shares insights into:
Dining venues and how they feel thematically
Entertainment areas and layout
Lounges and adult spaces
Where families may naturally gravitate
Which spaces she expects to be the most popular
We talk about how the Disney Destiny brings new energy to Disney Cruise Line while still honoring the things families already love about cruising with Disney.
This portion of the episode is especially helpful for listeners trying to decide which Disney ship fits their family best.
Staterooms, Kids Clubs, and Family Spaces
Melissa also dives into the areas that matter most to families: staterooms and kids clubs.
Parents often ask:
Are the staterooms different on the Disney Destiny?
What are the kids clubs like on the new ship?
Will the Destiny work for young kids, teens, and tweens?
She shares what she noticed about:
Layout and flow of staterooms
How family-friendly the ship feels
Youth spaces and theming
Why certain design choices will matter for real families
Because she was able to tour the ship without crowds, Melissa picked up on small details that often get missed once a ship is fully sailing — details that can make a big difference for families, couples, multigenerational trips, and first-time cruisers.
Who the Disney Destiny Is Best For
Throughout the episode, we talk about who the Disney Destiny is best suited for.
Melissa offers thoughtful insight into:
Families with kids
Couples without kids
Multigenerational groups
First-time Disney cruisers
Experienced Disney Cruise Line fans
She also shares why she believes the Disney Destiny will quickly become a favorite ship in the fleet and what sets it apart from other Disney ships.
What Surprised Her Most
One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is Melissa sharing what genuinely surprised her.
This includes:
Design choices she didn’t expect
How cohesive the villain-and-hero theme felt
How the ship balances bold storytelling with comfort
Which spaces she thinks guests will immediately fall in love with
Her perspective is especially valuable because it comes from seeing the ship before public sailings, when every detail is still brand new.
🔍 Questions We Answer in This Episode
These are the exact search questions families and Disney fans are already Googling — and what this episode answers:
What is the Disney Destiny cruise ship?
What is it like onboard the Disney Destiny?
Who got to preview the Disney Destiny first?
What is a Disney Cruise Line preview sailing?
Is the Disney Destiny good for families?
How is the Disney Destiny different from other Disney ships?
What are the themes on the Disney Destiny?
What dining options are on the Disney Destiny?
What are the kids clubs like on the Disney Destiny?
Is the Disney Destiny good for first-time Disney cruisers?
Will the Disney Destiny be good for multigenerational trips?
What makes the Disney Destiny unique?
Guest: Melissa from Happy Haunts Plan Magic
✨ Owner of Foolish Mortal Planning Co.
✨ Disney travel expert helping hundreds of families
✨ One of the first people in the world to preview the Disney Destiny
✨ Invited on the inaugural preview sailing through A Mouse in the Beach
Find Melissa on Instagram:
📸 @happyhauntsplanmagic
https://foolishmortalplanningco.my.canva.site/contact
A Mouse and A Beach Travel Co.
Complimentary Quote:
https://forms.gle/eYex11Y6ffLTtY2y7
Terms & Conditions:
https://www.amouseandabeach.com/terms
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is especially helpful if you:
Are considering a Disney Cruise for the first time
Are deciding which Disney Cruise Line ship to book
Want real insight into the Disney Destiny
Are planning a family, couples, or multigenerational cruise
Want expert information from someone who has actually been onboard
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone researching the Disney Destiny or planning a future Disney Cruise.
