My family and I just recently returned from an unforgettable and magical Disney Cruise! I have been on a handful of cruises with other cruise lines and Disney Cruise Line blew my expectations out of the water. Today, I am going to share with you 11 essential Disney Cruise tips for families, so when you are ready to set sail with your family, it will be a breeze!
Join the DCL group on Facebook (there is one for 2023-2024 and one specifically for the week you’re going on your cruise)
They have strollers at guest services! This was a MASSIVE blessing for us, for one I had no idea strollers were an option on cruises and two, we flew into our port so bringing a stroller would have been awkward to accomplish. After two days of carrying our two-year-old (because the thought of a good time for him was running up and down all the stairs.) we were exhausted and on a whim I went to guest services to see if, by chance, they had strollers and to my surprise they did! AND They are complementary however if you don’t return them ~$200 comes out of your account.
Bring your yeti/Stanley. DCL is one of the few cruise lines that have a soda bar open 24/7 with Coke products! If you have read my bio, then you know I am a Coca-Cola addict and the thought of going one day without a cola has me on edge. That being said, make sure to bring your reusable cup. My family and I bought Stanley dupes on TEMU and I downloaded an SVG from Etsy that was Halloween/Disney-themed and made everyone themed cups with my Cricut! It was super cute and fun.
Consider the Photo Package. I know it’s not in everyone’s budget, it is a little pricey and of course, it’s not a necessity if you’re trying to cut corners due to cost but the photos just turn out so much better than your cell phone. My mom opted for the photo package thinking that we all could use it since we were a group however that is not the case – the person who purchased the photo package and those in the same cabin as that person will be included only ( we were a group of eight, and we were all in separate cabins.) So a word to the wise, if you go in a group and you are interested in the photo package for your whole group, make sure at least 1 person from each cabin has purchased it.
The best floors are 7-9 mid-ship. I recommend these floors and this part of the ship, firstly, all the hot spots (ie. your dining rooms, character meets, pools, activities) are on these floors, additionally, when a big event happens and nearly all of your cruise mates are attending, it takes FOREVER to catch an elevator ( especially with a stroller.) We had to take the stairs multiple times due to the elevator overload. We were on the 7th floor, mid-ship and I feel like that was a sweet spot.
Take advantage of room service. Room service is nice if you have littles with you. Our two-year-old didn’t love the environment at the breakfast buffet, it was super busy, and loud, and he hid under the table the whole time. The last two mornings we utilized the room service. We just filled out the paper door hanger with everything we wanted and placed it on our cabin door handle the night before. It was fantastic and no tears!. Of course, it is available any time of day, you can call the room service line on your cabin phone and they’ll take care of you.
You can use gift cards to pay for your cruise. We bought 10- $100 Disney cards from Target every time we wanted to pay on the vacation and if you use your Target red card you get 5% off. So there’s a little savings there! Also, you can add your gift cards to your account at guest services when you arrive. That way you kind of have “on-board credits”. My mom would gift us Disney gift cards for our birthdays and Christmas and by the time we arrived on vacation day we had a nice start to our account to buy souvenirs, adult beverages, or anything else that may be an additional cost.
Plan. If you want to do anything extra during your vacation (bibbity boutique, fancy sit-down dinner, wine tasting, excursions, etc) plan and make your reservations as soon as you’re able everything books quickly! Keep in contact with your cruise planner (the Disney employee who assists you while booking your cruise) they can inform you of those dates to be aware of. We missed out on some awesome dining opportunities and beverage tasting because we didn’t stay on top of the dates to schedule.
Pack n plays are available if needed. This is something you can ask for ahead of time or once you have boarded the boat and gained access to your room you can ask for your Stateroom Host to bring one to you, so no need to pack one. Additionally, if you have littles in diapers, they also provide diaper genies.
Download the DCL app before you go! Your itinerary is digital. That’s how you know when/where your dinner is as well as character photo opportunities. Another cool feature is the instant messaging! Everyone in your group who has downloaded the app, once on the ship you can link up and essentially text message each other through the app!
If you’re going for Halloween, DRESS UP. Everyone dresses up and if you don’t, you’ll stick out! (Same for Pirate Night) Make sure you plan out a great costume or even a group costume. Once it is dress-up night, you’ll see what I mean. Some families go all out and it is amazing to see the creativity!
In conclusion, our Disney Cruise experience was nothing short of enchanting, and I’m thrilled to share some valuable tips that made our family vacation truly magical. From discovering unexpected perks at guest services to cruising with our favorite beverages in hand, these 11 essential tips are sure to make your Disney Cruise with family an unforgettable breeze.
Joining the DCL group on Facebook proved to be a game-changer, offering a wealth of insights and connections for a smoother journey. The availability of strollers at guest services was a massive blessing, providing unexpected convenience for families with little ones.
Carrying a reusable cup for the 24/7 soda bar and considering the Photo Package added extra flair to our cruise, capturing moments that went beyond the capabilities of our cell phones. The ideal cabin floors, room service delights, and the convenience of using gift cards for payments all contributed to a stress-free and enjoyable voyage.
Planning ahead emerged as a key theme, ensuring we didn’t miss out on unique dining experiences and activities. Utilizing gift cards and taking advantage of available amenities, such as Pack n Plays and the DCL app, streamlined our cruise experience.
And of course, for those embarking on a Halloween adventure, dressing up is a must! The creativity and excitement during themed nights add an extra layer of fun to the cruise.
In the end, our Disney Cruise was not just a vacation; it was an immersive and carefree journey filled with memories that will last a lifetime. As you plan your adventure, I hope these tips enhance your experience and bring the same enchantment to your family’s seafaring escapade!
Have you been on a Disney Cruise? What are your favorite tips and tricks? Leave them in the comments below!
