Disney Cruise Line is expanding its fleet and has announced extensive auditions in various cities to recruit performers for its growing number of ships. These casting calls, shared by Disney Auditions, highlight the diverse entertainment options being developed, including Broadway-style musicals and culturally themed dining experiences. This initiative reflects Disney’s commitment to positioning cruise vacations as a premier experience, one that is distinct from traditional theme park stays. With new vessels and innovative entertainment concepts, Disney is investing in live performers to enhance the cruise experience and differentiate itself in a competitive market.
January 2026 Audition Schedule for Disney Cruise Line
Disney has scheduled in-person auditions across four major cities beginning in January 2026:
- Los Angeles, California: January 12, 2026
- Atlanta, Georgia: January 14, 2026
- Phoenix, Arizona: Date TBD (online submissions for in-person auditions)
- Las Vegas, Nevada: Date TBD (online submissions for in-person auditions)
The geographic spread of audition locations indicates Disney is casting wide net to attract talent from across the country, recognizing that qualified performers may not be concentrated in traditional entertainment hubs like New York or Los Angeles.
Musician Positions Across Multiple Genres
The Los Angeles and Atlanta auditions will focus heavily on musicians capable of performing across diverse styles and cultural traditions. Disney is seeking:
General Musicians:
- Electric Guitar with Vocals: Must be strong frontperson with large repertoire spanning multiple genres, highly proficient in classic 80s rock, jazz, and swing
- Bass (Electric and Upright): Must read music, improvise solos, blend with other musicians, proficient in 80s rock, jazz, and swing
- Drums: Master percussionist excelling at 80s rock who can adapt to swing and jazz, must read music
- Piano with Vocals: Large repertoire from classical to popular hits, strong Disney song familiarity, showmanship expertise for various venues
Culturally Specific Musicians:
- Mariachi-Style Guitarrón: For Plaza de Coco themed dining on Disney Treasure, skilled in Mariachi standards with spirited showmanship, vocals and minimal dialogue required
- Mariachi-Style Vihuela/Guitar: Primarily vihuela with ability to switch to guitar, Mariachi standards proficiency, vocals and dialogue required
- Mariachi-Style Violin: Mariachi standards expertise, engaging animated performance style, vocals and dialogue required
- African-Style Percussion: West African drum technique with djembe proficiency for Lion King dining celebration and Sounds of Wakanda Marvel show, light choreography required
The Mariachi positions reveal Disney’s Plaza de Coco dining experience on Disney Treasure will feature live authentic Mariachi performances rather than recorded music or generic approximations. Performers must demonstrate skills in huapangos, son jalisciense, rancheras, and boleros while maintaining engaging stage presence.
The African percussion ensemble supports multiple entertainment offerings, including Lion King-themed dining that celebrates Simba’s journey and Sounds of Wakanda, a new show honoring Marvel’s Wakanda culture. This dual usage demonstrates how Disney maximizes performer versatility across different shows and experiences.
Broadway-Caliber Theater Productions on Disney Cruise Line
Disney is casting mainstage dancers and vocalists for full-scale musical theater productions that rival what’s offered at theme parks or regional theaters. Current shows requiring performers include:
- Disney Hercules
- Disney Tale of Moana
- Beauty and the Beast
- Tangled: The Musical
- Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular
- Multiple additional productions
Dancer Requirements:
- Training in ballet and jazz required
- Some roles require tumbling and/or tap
- Intentionally inclusive BIPOC casting approach
- 8 weeks rehearsal in Toronto, Canada
- 6-month contracts onboard
- Competitive pay, travel, room and board, contract completion bonus, guest dining privileges
Vocalist Roles Being Cast:
Female-Presenting Roles (ages 20-35): Anna, Anne Marie, Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Elsa, Fairy Godmother, Mary Poppins, Mamà Imelda, Meg, Merida, Moana, Mrs. Potts, Princess Jasmine, Princess Tiana, The Muses, Pocahontas, Rafiki, Rapunzel, and more
Male-Presenting Roles (ages 20-35): Aladdin, Flynn Rider, Genie, Grand Duke, Héctor, Hercules, Kristoff, Miguel, Oaken, Olaf, Peter Pan, Prince Charming, Prince Eric, Prince Naveen, Sebastian, Stabbington Brothers, Tui, and more
Disney’s extensive character roster means multiple shows run on various ships, requiring performers to take on different roles. This repertory format allows for rotating productions, giving repeat cruisers new experiences on each sailing.
Character Performers and Face Characters
Disney seeks performers for both fully costumed character roles and face character positions requiring physical resemblance to specific characters.
Fully Costumed Characters:
- Height ranges: 4’8″ to 6’4″
- Versatile performance in meet-and-greets, production shows, special events
Look-Alike Face Characters:
Female-Presenting: Anna, Ariel, Belle, Black Widow, Captain Marvel, Cinderella, Cruella, Elsa, Gamora, Maleficent, Merida, Mirabel, Moana, Mulan, Ms. Marvel, Okoye, Princess Jasmine, Princess Tiana, Rapunzel, Rey, Snow White, Shuri, Wasp, and more
Male-Presenting: Ant-Man, Aladdin, Black Panther, Bruno, Captain America, Captain Jack Sparrow, Dr. Facilier, Doctor Strange, Flynn Rider, Hawkeye, Hiro, Kristoff, Loki, Peter Pan, Prince Charming, Prince Naveen, Shang-Chi, Star-Lord, Oaken, Spider-Man, Thor, and more
The Marvel character integration demonstrates Disney’s strategy of bringing entire portfolio of intellectual properties to cruise experiences, not limiting ships to classic Disney animation. Guests can meet Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy characters alongside traditional Disney princesses and princes.
Immersive Storytellers and Interactive Entertainment
The most innovative casting calls seek performers for immersive storytelling roles that represent evolution beyond traditional scripted shows:
Fortune Teller & Storyteller:
- Female-presenting actor, ages 20s-30s
- Strong improvisational abilities
- Quick-witted, deliciously wicked character who carries magical “Book of Stories”
- Part of Traveling Medicine Show duo with magical influence over stories
- Singer and musician a plus
Peddler of Elixirs & Storyteller:
- Male-presenting actor, ages 20s-30s
- Strong improvisational abilities
- Entrepreneurial showman selling tiny potions like “Dumb Luck” and “Captivating Charm”
- Part of Traveling Medicine Show duo
- Singer and musician a plus
Coriander:
- Female-presenting actor, ages 21-35
- Highly experienced in improv and sketch comedy with musical theater background
- Performs in Treasure Found, Jungle Cruise Interactive Story Adventure, and more
- Comfortable with physical comedy
Sage:
- Male-presenting actor, ages 21-35
- Highly experienced in improv and sketch comedy with musical theater background
- Performs in Treasure Found, Jungle Cruise Interactive Story Adventure, and more
- Comfortable with physical comedy
These roles focus on collaboration and creativity in developing characters for interconnected immersive shows that bring Disney stories to life. The improvisational aspect makes performances feel spontaneous and tailored for each audience, fostering unique experiences that encourage repeat cruise bookings.
What the Casting Reveals About Disney Cruise Line Strategy
Disney Cruise Line is becoming a popular choice for many families. Cruises are all-inclusive, which means families don’t have to constantly plan, make reservations, or face extra costs as they do at theme parks. With dining, entertainment, and accommodations included in a single price, families who find planning Disney World trips complicated and expensive see great value in cruising.
The quality and variety of entertainment on cruises can match or even surpass what theme parks offer. Onboard, guests often return to entertainment venues during their trip, creating stronger connections with performers. This is different from theme parks, where guests spread out across large areas.
As Disney grows its fleet and enhances its entertainment options, Disney Cruise Line aims to be more than just an alternative to theme park vacations. It offers convenience, variety, cultural experiences, and all-inclusive value that traditional resorts often can’t match.
