All About Disney Cruise Line Children’s Program

Looking for a special experience gift? Maybe a multigenerational cruise on this line would make your family ecstatic.

For a line that’s focused on kids and their families, and which offers comfortably casual cruise experiences, Disney has created elegant, modern ships with features that can be appreciated by young and old alike. The oversize staterooms can accommodate a family of four (some family cabins hold six); all have bathtubs (a must for little kids), TV, hair dryers, and safes; and about 40% have verandas. Some cabins have the luxury of an added half-bath.

As might be expected from Disney, the children’s programs are exceptional at every level, from the nurseries to the teen options. There are hands-on science programs, high-tech interactive programs, treasure hunts, and just about everything to amuse, entertain, and enrich young passengers. Depending on the ship, older kids might get video games, listening stations, smoothie bars, and even outdoor hot tubs. The technology throughout the newer ships—high-speed computers, motion sensors, and LCD screens—is so dazzling that adults, too, are drawn to the interactive “art” and the “magic” floors.

Disney has wisely created adults-only areas (restaurants, lounges, clubs, and spas) on all ships, as well as on the line’s private island, Castaway Cay. The Disney Dream, for example, has a section called The District, which encompasses several lounges and nightclubs and caters to adults in the evening. As the passenger list is composed mostly of families, the adults-only areas are generally pleasantly uncrowded.

Disney cruises are best for anyone who loves the magic of Disney and wants a big-ship cruise experience rich with activities for the whole family. They’re perfect for family reunions and multigenerational families who understand and appreciate the Disney product.

MINIMUM AGE

Your child needs to be at least 6 months of age on the day of sailing for most itineraries. The minimum age for transatlantic and Panama Canal itineraries is 1 year of age on the day of sailing.

BABYSITTING

Care for children from six months to three years of age is available at the It’s a Small World Nursery. We highly recommended that you make reservations prior to your cruise for the It’s a Small World Nursery due to limited availability. And additional fee does apply.

PREGNANCY POLICY

Women who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date or who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy during the cruise will be refused passage due to safety concerns.

Neither a doctor’s medical statement nor a waiver of liability will be accepted. In addition, Disney Cruise Line cannot be held responsible or liable for any complications relating to pregnancy at any stage.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

Infants and Toddlers (0–3 years)
It’s A Small World Nursery – It’s a Small World Nursery, a delightful nursery for young children located on Deck 5, Midship on the Disney Dream, Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, and Disney Fantasy, is a themed space inspired by the classic Disneyland Resort attraction (with original artwork by Mary Blair) that provides care for little ones aged six months to three years. It’s a Small World Nursery is available at an additional charge and must be reserved in advance: $4.50 per half hour for the first child and $4.00 per half hour for any additional children in your family.

Children (3–11 years)

Disney’s Oceaneer Club
A children’s activity center located on Deck 5, Midship, Disney’s Oceaneer Club is the perfect place for kids to dress up as their favorite princess or hero, play computer games, and enjoy a wide variety of supervised themed activities throughout the day.

Disney’s Oceaneer Club includes four distinctly themed play areas, computer banks with child-friendly computers, a reading area, a small stage for games, multiple televisions, play structures, and a giant TV screen.

What makes Disney’s Oceaneer Club even more magical is an endless supply of toys and games, an open seating area for arts and crafts, and ongoing Disney movies. Mats for naps are also available.

Children are invited to partake in a wide range of delightfully themed activities available at Disney’s Oceaneer Club. While some activities are recommended for certain age ranges, participation is based on a child’s interest level and maturity—not age. As a result of this, siblings and friends aged 3–12 can play together without restriction.

Although subject to change, activities at Disney’s Oceaneer Club may include:
Disney’s Once Upon a Time – Bartleby the Bookmaker leads the kids through the art of bookmaking and wows them with his very special talent: When he reads the books, he makes the characters come to life!

Puzzle Playtime with Mickey and Friends – Mickey Mouse and his pals stop by to play some of their favorite games with Disney Cruise Line’s youngest cruisers and their families.

Disney Infinity Game Room – Archery challenge, Disney Racers, Infinity Draw and more!
You can register your child for Disney’s Oceaneer Club either at the terminal or on board the ship. Upon boarding the ship on embarkation day, both children and parents must check in at the front desk at Disney’s Oceaneer Club. During this confirmation process, parents will fill out final paperwork and children will receive a wristband indicating that they are part of Disney’s Oceaneer Club.

During the registration process, parents are invited to tour the facility, meet the counselors, and learn more about the many activities offered.

Children aged 3–12 with special needs are welcome at Disney’s Oceaneer Club. Simply let the counselors know in advance and they will accommodate you as best they can.

• Jedi Training: Experience the Force-Onboard the Disney Dream. Take your first step into the larger world as you learn the ways of the force.
• Doctor Strange: Defy the Dark Dimension-Onboard the Disney Fantasy. Join Doctor Strange as he teaches the ways of the Mystic Arts.
• Thor Becoming Worthy-Onboard the Disney Magic. Join Thor to become part of the next generations of super heroes.
• Frozen Adventure: On the Disney Wonder. Prepare for a royal coronation with Anna and Elsa.
• Marvel’s Avengers Academy – Aboard the Disney Magic you can let your young crime fighters help with special missions and operations—Avengers’ style.
• Marvel’s Superhero Academy – Aboard the Disney Wonder, Disney Magic, and Disney Fantasy. Master the mystic arts with Doctor Strange! Use immersive gaming and interactive portals to unleash your inner strength, become an Avenger and learn the true meaning of super powers!
• Star Wars Command Post – Aboard the Disney Fantasy Battle the Dark Side! Train with Jedi or X-Wing pilots connect to legendary spacecrafts via an interactive “holotable” and combat First Order Stormtroopers face-to-face!
• Star Wars: Millennium Falcon play area is new aboard the Disney Dream. This play area features arts, crafts, broadcasts of Star Wars Rebel, and computer stations with games from the Disney XD show, Star Wars Rebel.
• Mickey Mouse Club – A fun space where kids can make crafts, enjoy games, and play with Goofy Gears.
• Dining at Disney’s Oceaneer Club – Children are invited to enjoy lunch and dinner at Disney’s Oceaneer Club on select days.
• Royal Court Tea Aboard the Disney Fantasy – This special activity is offered during 7-night itineraries aboard the Disney Fantasy. Enjoy a royal teatime that includes visits from Disney Princesses.

Disney’s Oceaneer Lab – Disney’s Oceaneer Lab—a children’s activity center located at Deck 5, Midship aboard the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, and Disney Wonder—is the ideal place for children to play and learn while at sea thanks to the plethora of imaginatively themed activities and games available daily.

Disney’s Oceaneer Lab is a play space designed for children and dedicated to adventure and exploration. It’s an ideal location for children ages 3 to 12 years of age to play, featuring a seemingly endless supply of toys, games, and Disney movies. It is a space for educational experiments with a variety of supervised activities throughout the day. There are individual computer stations, and in addition it is the staging area and starting point for a ship-wide quest game, in which young explorers gather and decipher clues during an exciting adventure around the ship.

Disney’s Oceaneer Lab is designed with delightful amenities, including:

• A stage in the main hall where kids can hear stories of great expeditions and star in their own swashbuckling plays.
• A 103-inch plasma screen, which displays Disney movies and interactive animated characters, including Disney’s mischievous animated alien Stitch, whose unrehearsed, real-time antics are sure to bring laughter.
• A workshop and laboratory where kids concoct crazy experiments, stretch their culinary skills, and participate in other hands-on activities.

Children are invited to partake in a wide range of delightfully themed activities available at Disney’s Oceaneer Lab. While some activities are recommended for certain age ranges, participation is based on a child’s interest level and maturity—not age. As a result of this, siblings and friends ages 3-12 can play together without restriction.

Although subject to change, activities at Disney’s Oceaneer Lab may include:

• Zootopia Mystery Trek-Help your favorite Zootopia characters solve a secret.
• Super Sloppy Science with Professor Make-O-Mess – Professor Make-O-Mess is a world-famous scientist who is known for performing the sloppiest science experiments around. Now teens can partake in some educational fun as the professor offers some hands-on training that will surely having them laughing and learning.
• Dining – Children are invited to enjoy lunch and dinner at Disney’s Oceaneer Lab.

Parents should note that children have the ability to move back and forth between Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab during most operating hours to experience activities. Youth activity counselors will be on hand to direct children. The workshop and laboratory connect Disney’s Oceaneer Lab to Disney’s Oceaneer Club.

Themed Spaces – Branching off the Oceaneer Lab’s main room are several themed play spaces:

• Media Room – Children can kick back and relax in bean bag chairs and watch movies, play video games, or even read a book.
• Animator’s Studio – Designed as a working animation studio, this room allows children to create original, hand-drawn art or learn how to sketch their favorite Disney characters. With the help of a youth counselor, kids can even design and bring to life computer-animated characters.
• The Wheelhouse – This space is all about technology, featuring numerous computers and large, high-definition LCD screens. Here, young technophiles can compete in a unique Pirates of the Caribbean game exclusive to DCL.
• Sound Studio – This interactive area is dedicated to children who appreciate music and want to create it.
• Craft Studio – Children seeking a more tactile artistic experience can escape from technology to this creative studio and create hands-on arts and crafts projects.

Tweens and Teens (11–17 years)

Edge, a tweens-exclusive space located at Deck 13 inside the Forward Funnel aboard the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy, as well as on Deck 2, Midship aboard the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, is a scenic spot where kids ages 11 through 14 can play videogames, watch television, listen to music, surf the Internet, and partake in various activities with kids their own age.

Vibe, a teens-exclusive space located at Deck 11, Midship aboard the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, and Deck 5, Forward aboard the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy, is a hip hotspot featuring an indoor lounge and breezy sundeck where teens aged 14 through 17 can listen to music, watch television, and play videogames inside—or catch some rays and splash it up out on deck.