Construction of the Disney Believe reached a significant milestone on September 18, 2026, when the first of three massive structural sections — known as a "gigablock" — was floated out at the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
A gigablock is more than just a hull segment; it arrives fully fitted with walls, plumbing, and wiring already in place. This first gigablock represents the midship portion of the ship and notably includes the Grand Hall, one of the signature gathering spaces aboard Disney Cruise Line vessels.
Two more gigablocks are still to come. Shipyard crews will next build the forward section, then the aft, before all three are welded together into a complete ship. A float-out is essentially a buoyancy test, confirming that a section or full vessel performs as expected when placed on water.
The Disney Believe is on track to launch in late 2027, with four additional Disney Cruise Line ships planned to follow in subsequent years. For Disney fans already dreaming of a sailing, it's a tangible sign the ship is taking real shape on the water.
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Information for this article came from WDW News Today.
