So there I was last week on a nice fall day entering an office labeled MCC Limited in a rather non-descript building in downtown Toronto. Little did I know that behind a quite ordinary office door would be yet another Disney triumph in imagination, pulled off once again by its vaunted team of Disney Imagineers.

You see, Disney uses this Toronto base to rehearse and produce onboard entertainment for its cruise ships. And with the 4,000-passenger Disney Dream set to debut in January, the folks at Disney Cruise Line were hard at work creating yet another onboard spectacular.

I was part of a small group of press who were invited to experience at least some of the new signature show being created for Disney Dream, titled rather appropriately “Disney’s Believe.” We got a chance to speak with the Disney Imagineers, the show’s director, the actors and other Disney executives in charge of entertainment. Even better, we got to see a preview of three of the major musical numbers from the show.

When Disney Cruise Line launched Disney Magic back in 1998, it also decided it would work to revolutionize cruise ship entertainment. Indeed, Disney rather ambitiously decided it would offer top-flight shows just as it did in its theme parks, movies and animated features.

Now I’ve never been a huge fan of cruise ship entertainment, which in the past has often been no more than warmed over Broadway revues. But when Disney Magic entered service, I recognized immediately that it offered something very different – original shows (Disney shows, of course) that you couldn’t see elsewhere on land or at sea. The ship also introduced one of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced theaters at sea.

Of course, that’s meant Disney has had to continually update its onboard entertainment and its performance venues. Disney Dream will have not just one of the most advanced theaters at sea – it will feature a performance venue that is even more sophisticated than those found on Broadway or anywhere. The 1,340-seat theater will span three decks with orchestra and balcony seating and an art-deco styling recalling luxurious show places.

When the Disney Dream sets sail in January, it will raise the bar even further with elaborate original musicals, over-the-top deck parties and the largest fireworks spectacular aboard a cruise ship. Headlining the musical repertoire is the signature “Disney’s Believe,” an original, 50-minute stage spectacular. With a top rank musical score that includes 18 different musical numbers, the lavish production tells the story of a workaholic father who reconnects with his daughter through the power of magic and learns a valuable lesson about what is important in life.

The musical opens in the garden of Dr. Cornelius Greenaway, a brilliant botanist obsessed with cultivating his precious plants and creating the perfect hybrid flower. Dr. Greenaway is so preoccupied with his garden that he overlooks the birthday of his daughter, Sophia, who then makes a special birthday wish. This is Disney, after all, so the impossible happens: Genie from Disney’s “Aladdin” appears to make her wish come true. Joined by a host of other characters, Genie takes Dr. Greenaway on a journey into the world of Disney stories.

Through a series of production numbers, Dr. Greenaway learns that magic is real and is embodied in his beloved daughter. More than 20 of Disney’s most beloved characters take the stage during “Disney’s Believe,” including Cinderella, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Belle, Rafiki, and Princess Tiana. And those musical numbers rival the best that Broadway has to offer.

Some of the top-flight talent that is creating “Disney’s Believe” includes creative director Shelby Jiggetts-Tivony, with a long background developing Disney shows, as well as extensive theatrical experience. Gordon Greenberg (who reminded me a bit of a young Matthew Broderick) is the show’s director, with long experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions in New York and London. Book, music and original lyrics were created by award-winning composer Kirsten Childs, a playwright with extensive Broadway and theatrical experience, who also serves as a professor at New York University’s Tisch Schools of the Arts.

“Disney’s Believe” also isn’t the only production onboard Disney Dream. The ship also will feature “The Golden Mickeys,” an awards-style show celebrating the musical heritage of Disney animated films – and a show that is already a Disney Cruise Line guest favorite. On the Disney Dream, the show gets even more new musical numbers, enhanced technology and dazzling special effects.

“Villains Tonight” is yet another Disney onboard musical focusing on the world of the Disney villains but with a comical spin. The show, which has already debuted on Disney ships, is a fun-filled musical comedy starring Hades (of “Hercules”), who embarks on a quest to bring evil back into the Underworld.

In addition to the nightly stage productions, Disney Cruise Line will feature a “Sailing Away” a “welcome aboard” show on deck starring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other Disney characters. On a special night each cruise, the entire Disney Dream will be transformed into a pirate ship with two new events. The evening kicks off on the Donald Pool stage with “Mickey’s Pirates in the Caribbean,” a family-friendly interactive show featuring famous Disney characters. Guests become members of Mickey’s Pirate Crew as they participate on a series of pirate-themed musical numbers set to popular hits.

Later in the evening, a special appearance by Captain Jack Sparrow, from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, kicks off “Club Pirate,” a high-tech, open-air dance party on the upper decks of the ship. Guests can dress up as pirates as they dance during this family-friendly party featuring special effects.

As an addition to the “Pirates in the Caribbean” celebration, the skies above the Disney Dream explode with fireworks during “Buccaneer Blast,” a pyrotechnic spectacular choreographed to a dramatic score featuring songs from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, Peter Pan and the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the Disney theme parks.

 Starting in January the ship will sail alternating three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. During summer 2011, the ship will sail four- and five-night itineraries with two stops at Castaway Cay. For more information, call 847-885-7540

Disney Cruise Line (DCL), at a press event in New York City, unveiled plans to sail from three new homeports in 2012 – New York, Seattle and Galveston, Texas – providing travel agents the opportunity to offer their clients more choices than ever with several new planned itineraries. Beginning May 25, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail a total of 20 cruises from New York – including eight-night cruises to the Bahamas and five-night cruises up the New England coast to Canada, as well two-night cruises that will give a sampling of the Disney Cruise Line experience over a weekend.

For 2012, all DCL ships, including Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, will be sailing in North American or Caribbean waters. That means no Disney ship will visit Europe in 2012. Disney Magic has a full schedule of sailings out of Barcelona this summer.

DCL President Karl Holtz said the time was right to focus on more regional cruises and open up new homeports in the U.S. market. He said this will expose more guests to the DCL experience. At the same time, Holz said DCL fully expects to return to Europe in 2013. Meanwhile, New York City tourism officials said they expect Disney Magic to bring 45,000 passengers a year generating $11 million to the city in 2012.

The eight Bahamas cruises out of New York will include a day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; a stop in Nassau, Bahamas; and a stop at Port Canaveral, Fla., giving passengers an opportunity to visit Walt Disney World Resort. As part of this itinerary, each guest will get a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and roundtrip transportation between their Disney ship and the resort as part of the cruise packages. DCL said rates for the new eight-night Bahamian cruise itinerary departing from New York start at $1,240 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

The nine five-night cruises out of New York up the New England coast will call at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick. In these Canadian ports, clients can view natural vistas, explore historic sites, visit cafes and shops, and browse Canada’s oldest farmer’s market. DCL said rates for the new five-night Canadian cruise itinerary departing from New York start at $715 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Three two-night cruises (June 15, July 13 and Aug. 10) out of New York are aimed at providing families looking for a quick getaway with a day at sea over a weekend and a taste of the Disney cruise experience. Rates for the new two-night cruises start at $370 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Eight-night sailings from New York depart May 25, June 2, June 22, June 30, July 20, July 28, Aug. 17 and Aug. 25. Each sailing will feature two days at sea, a stop at Nassau, a stop at Castaway Cay, a stop at Port Canaveral, and two more days at sea before returning to New York. Five-night Canada sailings will depart New York on June 20, June 17, July 8, July 15, Aug. 5, Aug. 12, Sept. 2, Sept. 7, and Sept. 12. Each sailing will feature a day at sea, a stop at Halifax, a stop at Saint John, and another day at sea before returning to New York.

Beginning Sept. 22, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail 12 seven-night cruises from the Port of Galveston to the Western Caribbean. Ports of call include Grand Cayman and Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel. Sailings will include three days at sea to explore the ship and three days in port to shop, snorkel or visit beaches. Rates for the seven-night Western Caribbean cruise itinerary departing from Galveston start at $840 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Seven-night Western Caribbean sailings depart from Galveston on Sept. 22, Sept. 29, Oct. 6, Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 10, Nov. 17, Nov. 24, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. Sailings feature two days at sea, a call at Grand Cayman, a call at Costa Maya, a call at Cozumel, and a day at sea before returning to

Beginning May 28, 2012, the Disney Wonder will sail 14 seven-night Alaska cruises from the Port of Seattle to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. Disney Wonder begins Alaska itineraries this fall sailing from Vancouver but is switching to Seattle in 2012. DCL also is working closely with Alaskan tour operators to create exclusive-to-Disney family-friendly Port Adventures that allow guests to best experience Alaska’s natural beauty and rich history. These include excursions to view brown bears, bald eagles or humpback whale; explorations of glaciers and fjords in Juneau; fishing for wild salmon or learning about Alaska culture in Ketchikan; or panning for gold with Donald Duck and taking a scenic railway journey in Skagway. Rates for the seven-night Alaska cruise itinerary departing from Seattle start at $917 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Seven-night Alaska sailings depart on May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, Aug. 6, Aug. 13, Aug. 20, and Aug. 27. Sailings feature a day at sea, a call at Tracy Arm, a call at Skagway, a call at Juneau, a call at Ketchikan, and a call at Victoria before returning to Seattle

Disney Wonder is scheduled to continue sailing seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles for the majority of the year – throughout winter, spring and fall. Rates for the seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary departing from Los Angeles start at $707 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. In addition, the Disney Wonder will sail four seven-night Pacific Coast cruises from Los Angeles (on Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7), calling on San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico. DCL said rates for the new seven-night Pacific Coast itinerary departing from Los Angeles start at $770 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

For the first time, the Disney Wonder will offer a special 15-night voyage to Hawaii from Los Angeles, calling on Hilo; Kahului, Maui; Honolulu, Oahu; Nawiliwili, Kauai and Ensenada, Mexico. Rates for the 15-night Hawaiian itinerary (departing April 29, 2012) start at $1,800 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral in 2012. The Disney Fantasy will depart on her maiden voyage on March 31, 2012 out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries – alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Special Eastern Caribbean sailings in November and December 2012 stop at St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Rates for the seven-night Caribbean cruise itineraries on the Disney Fantasy start at $959 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Five-night itineraries include two stops at Castaway Cay. Rates for three- and four-night Bahamian cruises on the Disney Dream start at $471 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Until she is repositioned to New York, Disney Magic will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries and four- and five-night Bahamian cruises. All pricing reflects a category 11C standard inside stateroom, government taxes and fees not included. Bookings for the entire 2012 schedule open on April 8, 2011