It’s no secret that Disney Cruises are my favorite way to vacation, but now that I have a three-year-old, I have learned that not all family vacations are created equal. If you have young children, you’ve likely been in this situation before. You do so much preparation and packing for a vacation, only to get there and have your kids totally off their sleep schedules, having meltdowns, deciding they’re a picky eater, don’t want to wait in lines, or just want to swim at the hotel pool and nothing else. In the end, you do create special memories and capture great photos, but often come home feeling less than recharged. I have found that Disney Cruise Line is the one vacation where my entire family can have fun, squeeze in some relaxation, and generally have a stress-free vacation. If you’re debating taking a family Disney Cruise, here are the reasons I think you’re going to love it!
So Many Character Interactions
There are characters EVERYWHERE onboard Disney Cruise Line – the nightly shows, deck parties, the Oceaneer Club, plus plentiful meet and greet opportunities in the atrium. The best part of all, the lines all move quickly to meet characters and you’ll likely stumble upon spontaneous character interactions. The nightly shows, especially the first night of the cruise, are loaded with a wide variety of characters offering a rare opportunity to see all your kids’ favorite movies live and in person.
Youth Activity Clubs
The “it’s a small world” Nursery and Oceaneer Club are an absolute GAME CHANGER to how you vacation as a family. These programs allow you to drop off your child in a safe and controlled environment where they have fun doing all the things they love. For example, Chewbacca and Rey might show up to teach children to pilot the Millennium Falcon or characters from Toy Story might host a toy soldier boot camp. These interactive spaces are a kids’ playground x 1,000 and a mini theme park at sea.
All of these spaces also have open houses throughout the sailing, so the entire family can go in and enjoy them together. This is also a great way to introduce your children to all the fun they can have while the adults get to enjoy their own amenities like the adult-exclusive pool, Senses Spa, Palo, trivia, and beverage tastings. And just like the rest of the Disney Cruise Line crew, the youth activities counselors are world-class and will make your kids feel comfortable and have the time of their lives.
Pools Galore
If I’ve learned one thing about having a child, kids LOVE a splash pad and a pool. I don’t know how many times we’ve visited a Disney Park and I cannot get my kid out of the splash pad to go on rides. Each Disney Cruise Line ship has numerous pools and an immersive splash pad that could keep any child happy the entire cruise. While kids do have to be potty-trained to enjoy the pools onboard, the splash pad is specially designed for younger children. Ensuring there is something for every age group. Plus, your older/ taller children can enjoy an interactive slide like the AquaMouse or AquaDuck on select ships. Not only will your family have a great time at these pools, you’re always steps away from included dining options and your stateroom. And nothing tires kids out quite like a pool day, ensuring good sleep for everyone!
Simplified Travel
Disney Cruise Line offers the chance to travel the world while only having to unpack once. You also don’t have to pack extra snacks or beverages since they’re provided, and there are no theme park essentials needed. You also have your luggage dropped off and picked up directly from your stateroom door, making the process of getting on and off the ship so simple.
No Waiting in Lines
Other than a short line for characters and the AquaDuck/ AquaMouse, there is no waiting in lines or planning every minute of your day. You can leisurely experience the ship and do all the activities your entire family wants to enjoy without hassle. As a Disney fan, this is such a different experience from being in the theme parks. You’ll likely find yourself enjoying the opportunity to slow down and make new Disney memories. You’ll also find everyone is very happy with unlimited ice cream, Disney movies, multiple pools, and magical character moments.
Simplified Nap Time
When you’re on the ship, you’re never too far away from your stateroom. Meaning you can get to your room quickly for nap time. This really takes the pressure off the schedule and ensures a good nap actually happens. The stateroom host can also set up your little one’s own bed with character sheets and a bed rail or a Pack-N-Play so they have their own space. You’ll also be happy to know there are blackout curtains for verandah and ocean view staterooms, and you are allowed to bring your sound machine from home onboard with you. I also find that the close proximity of the staterooms often allows the parents to more easily trade off who stays in the room for nap time and who gets to still have fun onboard.
All-Inclusive Budgeting
Vacations can get expensive fast and while Disney Cruise Line is not inexpensive, it offers so much value. Because the price of the cruise includes so many activities onboard, plus unlimited dining, budgeting for the vacation costs is a lot easier. My son can be a picky eater and we often waste kids’ meals when he can’t decide what he wants to eat. It’s such a relief to have unlimited options and not feel like you’re wasting money.
Something for Everyone
I hear from my Dreams Unlimited Travel clients ALL the time how the entire family had a great time – grandparents, parents, kids, cousins, friends, everybody! It’s almost hard to explain this until you experience it for yourself, but the entire family has fun both all together and individually. So much of this is made possible by the youth activity clubs for kids ages 6 months to 17 years old. These programs are geared towards each age group and are a secure program, giving the parents peace of mind to enjoy the adult amenities. Especially for children ages 3 – 10 years old, the Oceaneer Club is a kid’s dream come true.
I’ll also let you in on a little secret – Disney Cruises are awesome for adults! I went on many Disney Cruises before having my son and I enjoyed each one more than the last. From the mixology classes to the spa, to the serene adult pools, to ordering wine and cheese to the stateroom to watch the sun set on the ocean, it’s a dream come true for adults too. As a parent, it’s almost hard to imagine being able to have a vacation like this, also with your young children, but it’s possible. And even better, you make memories with your children that you will treasure for a lifetime.
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