If you’re seeking a magical holiday experience for all the family, especially your little ones, then Disney cruises are a fantastic option. Geared towards creating unique and imaginative memories at sea, Disney Cruise Line is a master at delighting and entertaining children of all ages. So, what can you expect from Disney Cruises kids’ activities that will bring a smile to your children’s faces?
In this blog, we explore the top six kids’ activities on Disney Cruise Line that make sailing on their ships so whimsically spectacular.
What do Disney cruises have for kids?
Disney Cruise Line designed its cruises with children in mind, as well as those who are young at heart, too. Seeking to make every moment magical, Disney cruise activities for kids offer everything from fun-filled kids clubs, bright and brilliant Disney-themed entertainment, exclusive activities and momentous Disney character encounters.
Here are our top six kids’ activities on a Disney cruise:
1) Character meet-and-greets
If your child is a Disney fan, they will absolutely love the character greetings. From time-honoured favourites like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy to more modern icons like Frozen’s Elsa and Anna, meeting these characters is guaranteed to be a special moment for your little ones.
Along with chance encounters with your favourite Disney character as you wander around the ship, there are also designated Meet and Greet Locations where you’re guaranteed to see your child’s best Disney pal and take a snap of this memorable encounter. Often, these locations are in central areas of the ship, such as the Lobby Atrium, Gangway, Disney’s Oceaneer Lab and Disney’s Oceaneer Club.
Other incredible Disney character events include the hugely popular Princess Gathering, the Heroic Encounters during Marvel Day and the Royal Court Royal Tea, hosted by Disney princesses. It’s worth noting that these events are ticketed and may vary according to each sailing.
All Disney cruises also host final farewell parties, where you and your children can share a goodbye hug with these much-loved Disney characters.
2) Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab
Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Lab are two connected venues where children aged 3 to 10 years can enter worlds of fun and fantasy and enjoy the best time on board. Run by specially trained Youth Activities counsellors, Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Lab are effectively Disney’s answer to cruise line kids’ clubs, where your children can enjoy a colourful array of themed activities, games and adventures.
Disney’s Oceaneer Club is on all five of Disney’s ships. It allows children to discover multi-themed magical lands that feature character performances, storytelling, dress-up opportunities and spectacular play areas.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Oceaneer Lab is on all ships except Disney Wish. Providing creative and imaginative youth activities, Disney Cruise Line offers engaging experiences here for all ages, from preschoolers to tweens. For example, your children can explore the Animator’s Studio and Craft Studio and enjoy Disney-themed art activities, The Wheelhouse, which involves an action-packed hunt for treasure, and Playmation, where they’ll face game missions in a battle against the Disney villain.
3) AquaDuck Water Coaster
If you’re sailing on a Disney Fantasy or Disney Dream cruise, kids’ activities have to include a go on the 765-foot-long AquaDuck water coaster. Great for adults, too, this exhilarating water slide snakes up, down and all around the ship, with transparent and uncovered sections delivering thrilling bird’s-eye views, as long as you still have your eyes open!
4) Water play areas for toddlers
If you’re looking for Disney cruise activities for toddlers, each of its ships has a dedicated water play area for this age group. There’s Nemo’s Reef on Disney Dream and Fantasy, Dory’s Reef on Disney Wonder, Nephews’ Splash Zone on Disney Magic and Toy Story Splash Zone on Disney Wish.
Designed for younger children, these play areas have a variety of brightly coloured water features, like pouring paint cans, leaky pipes and moving wheels, all created for some exciting splashing fun.
5) Disney Broadway-style shows
Onboard Disney shows are sure to be a hit with the whole family, with stunning performances and extraordinary sets, costumes and visuals that bring Disney’s magic to life. Across its ships, you’ll find some spectacular shows, including The Little Mermaid on Disney Wish, Frozen, A Musical Spectacular on Disney Wonder and Fantasy, and Tangled: The Musical on Disney Magic.
With songs to sing along to and life-sized characters before their eyes, your children will be mesmerised from start to finish.
6) Pirate Night deck parties
Themed deck parties are sure to be a highlight of your Disney Cruise, and what could be more impressive than seeing your vessel turn into a pirate ship for the night!
Disney’s attention to detail is second to none when hosting these popular events. Start with a pirate-themed feast, where the menu includes Jolly Rogers Barbecue Rib Salad and Pirates Gold-en Pot Stickers, all served by waiters dressed for the occasion and greeting you with a cheerful Ahoy! Then, head to the deck to enjoy a dance party and show, accompanied by your favourite pirate-ready Disney characters. The night concludes tremendously with a fireworks display, sure to bring out the ‘Arrrs’ from all the spectators.
Many ships host other sensational, themed events, too, from Frozen and Pixar Pal parties to Star Wars Day at Sea, where a complete day is dedicated to a galaxy full of Star Wars celebratory activities.
What is the best Disney cruise for children?
When choosing the best Disney cruise for children, you’ll find many similarities across Disney’s five ships. All offer imaginative kids’ clubs, character meetups, themed activities and wacky water-play areas.
Disney Wish, the cruise line’s newest ship, may slightly have the edge when looking for kids’ activities on a Disney cruise, with a few more options than the other ships. You’ll also benefit from marginally bigger rooms that are Disney-themed.
However, when choosing the best Disney cruise for your family, a major deciding factor may be the itineraries available. Disney Cruise Line has plenty of options worldwide to choose from, with its ships sailing from locations in the Caribbean, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.
Whichever of the Disney cruises you choose, there’s no doubt that you’ll be amazed by the cruise line’s innovation and care in creating wonderfully immersive Disney experiences that you and your children will love and that ensure long-lasting memories.
