Thousands of Disney Guests Receive Warnings as Civil Unrest Forces Vacation Changes

Disney is making waves this holiday season by rerouting several trips, affecting thousands of vacationers.

Despite all the effort that goes into planning a Disney vacation, things can – and do – still go wrong from time to time. In recent years, we’ve seen everything from hurricanes to pandemics to wild bears (yes, really) disrupt Disney days to varying degrees, with even Mickey Mouse unable to prevent the consequences.

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The latest disruption to Disney vacations comes in the form of civil unrest. Recent months have seen frequent and escalating protests in New Caledonia. Tensions initially flared in May, sparked by political reforms introduced by French President Emmanuel Macron. His voting reform efforts have fueled divisions between New Caledonia’s Indigenous Kanak community, who favor independence, and the settler communities loyal to France.

This unrest has led to violent demonstrations, roadblocks, and other disruptions across the islands, prompting advisories from various governmental bodies. The Australian government’s Smartraveller has recommended tourists “reconsider your need to travel” to the region, while the U.S. Department of State has issued a Travel Advisory Level 3 for New Caledonia, citing a heightened risk of violence.

Credit: Disney

Changes to Disney Cruise Line Voyages

In response, Disney Cruise Line has modified two upcoming itineraries.

As per Cruise Passenger, guests booked to sail from Sydney on the Disney Magic on December 28 received notification that their planned visit to Nouméa would be replaced with stops in Eden and Hobart, Australia. Similarly, the January 16 sailing has been rerouted to New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Disney had already adjusted a route in October that was set to pass through Nouméa, substituting it with alternate ports for a voyage from Honolulu to Sydney.

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Despite Disney’s caution, some cruise operators are maintaining their schedules for New Caledonia. Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises, for instance, have announced plans to continue with their planned routes to the islands. This disparity in approaches has sparked mixed reactions among travelers.

At the same time, many Disney customers have expressed gratitude for the cruise line’s proactive safety measures, stating that had they ported in Nouméa, they would’ve chosen to remain aboard and enjoy the ship’s immersive experiences and amenities, such as the restaurants, Rapunzel’s Royal Table and Animator’s Palate, the Broadway-style show “Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story,” and the high-speed water slide AquaDunk.

Others, however, have questioned why Disney is taking such precautions when other lines are pressing ahead with stops in Nouméa, viewing the decision as overly cautious.

Credit: Disney

Disney Guest Safety

Disney’s commitment to guest safety has become especially pronounced in recent years as the company navigates the risks posed by the pandemic and extreme weather events. As recently as October, Disney was forced to shutter all four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort for a day due to Hurricane Milton, which left some areas of the resort impacted by flooding and storm damage.

For now, Disney guests affected by these rerouted itineraries will have the option to explore substitute destinations. As for the future, the Disney Cruise Line has yet to announce whether it plans to adjust more routes to avoid New Caledonia or if it will reinstate these stops once conditions stabilize.

For vacationers heading out this winter, Disney’s cautious approach signals a clear message: while unpredictable circumstances may sometimes interfere with Disney’s plans, guest safety remains the priority.