Aboard Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Treasure, guests can experience the first-ever Broadway-style production of Moana. Disney The Tale of Moana brings the heart of the 2016 animated film to life with breathtaking puppetry, new music, and powerful storytelling.
As the show begins, the Walt Disney Theatre transforms from the island of Motunui into the vast Pacific Ocean. Moana’s epic journey to restore the heart of Te Fiti unfolds in an immersive blend of song, dance, and larger-than-life visuals.
A Cultural Celebration
The performance honors Pacific Island cultures through language, costume, and movement. The choreography, led by Connor Gallagher and Peter Rockford Espiritu, includes the first-ever live staging of “Warrior Face,” a traditional Haka-inspired moment. Songs are sung in Tuvaluan, Tokelauan, and Samoan.
A highlight is the massive puppet of Te Kā, the lava monster, which towers over the audience before her transformation into the benevolent Te Fiti. It is Disney Cruise Line’s largest puppet to date.
Creative Collaboration
Disney The Tale of Moana was developed over four years. According to director Connor Gallagher, the creative team collaborated early and often to bring the story to life. They began with workshops using simple props to find the emotional heart of the story before adding special effects.
“We wanted it to be a spectacle without losing the heart and the emotion,” Gallagher said.
The storytelling is further enhanced by the show’s narrator: the spirit of Moana’s grandmother. Subtle references in the set design nod to the vibrant cultures that shaped Moana’s world.
A Cast Connected to the Story
For Kaena Kekoa, who plays Moana, the production is deeply meaningful. “Everybody loves Moana, and everybody can relate to her,” she said. “We are all Moana.”
Gallagher added, “This show means so much to the people who brought it to life. Many of the cast members have been involved since our first workshop in 2020.”
More Magic on the Disney Treasure
The Walt Disney Theatre also hosts two other shows. Beauty and the Beast, based on the 2017 live-action film. And Disney Seas the Adventure. But it’s clear that Disney The Tale of Moana is quickly becoming a guest favorite. For its emotional depth and visual brilliance.
