9 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Disney Cruise

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all my journeys, it’s that Disney Cruise Lines are a game-changer for family vacationers. As I reflect on my first Disney Cruise experience, I can’t help but think about the many hidden gems and insider tips that would have made my family’s maiden voyage even more enchanting (which is saying a lot, because our first cruise was so very magical).

If you’re gearing up for your own Disney Cruise, hold onto your Mickey ears as I share the secrets I wish I’d known before embarking. Let’s dive deep and make your Disney Cruise epic!

1. Join Your Cruise Facebook Group for Passenger-Led Fun

There’s no camaraderie like Disney Cruise camaraderie. Before you even set foot on the ship, you can get to know fellow Disney Cruise passengers through Facebook groups. Connect, ask questions, and learn from seasoned cruisers. To join, go to Facebook and search for the dates of your cruise and the name of your ship, you’ll find a group for your specific cruise. This is one of my very favorite Disney Cruise tips because it really adds to the magic of your voyage. Some of the optional fun you can choose to join in the Facebook group are:

• Fish Extender Groups
  • Fish extenders are a unique Disney Cruise tradition. You’ll hang a fish extender outside your stateroom door to join a circle of gift-giving. Leave and receive surprises for your group members that’ll add an extra layer of joy and connection to your voyage.
  • Typically one of the featured posts in your cruise Facebook Group will be a link to sign up for fish extender groups. You’ll provide details for everyone in your travel party including ages, interests, shirt sizes, etc. The rule of thumb is to gift things you would appreciate receiving, and some people really go all out. My kids love passing out the gifts as much as they love receiving them!
  • Don’t forget your fish extender gift tags!
• Pixie Dust
  • Pixie dust is a Disney term for enhancing a guest experience. Disney cruisers have taken over the term to turn everyday moments into enchanted memories by ‘pixie dusting’ (surprising with gifts and treats) their fellow passengers. You can sign up for pixie dusting in your facebook group – particularly if you are celebrating something – or you can simply get lucky onboard. My daughter received a bubble wand from a random passenger on our first cruise and she still talks about it.
• Cruising Ducks
  • While other cruises lines have adopted this tradition, it all started on Disney Cruises and continues to be a fun tradition. Passengers leave rubber ducks around the ship for others to find—you can hide and/or seek ducks throughout your cruise, a super fun tradition that adds an element of whimsy to your voyage. Don’t forget your cruising duck tags and use #cruisingducks to post on social media.

2. Magnets Are A Big Deal on Disney Cruise Lines

The walls and doors of your stateroom are magnetic, and those who are in the know, know how to take advantage of that fact.

• Decorate Your Stateroom Door
  • You’ll definitely want to decorate your stateroom door – it’s super fun for kids and it’s a great way to find your stateroom in a sea of white doors. There are all kinds of cute magnets from custom creations to porthole masterpieces to toddler magnet sets.
• Make the Most of Your Space
  • Magnet hooks on the walls throughout your stateroom are a genius way to stay organized. We use them for hanging wet towels and swimsuits, our keycard lanyards, hats, etc. It’s a great space-saving tip.
• Magnet Exchanges
  • There are also fish extender groups dedicated to magnet exchanges. These are also a great pixie dust item for your fellow cruise passengers!

3. Disney Cruisers Dress Up

No one takes dressing up as seriously as Disney cruisers. They embrace the cosplay and have fun with it. Personally, I prefer dressing myself and my family in Mickey & Friends apparel throughout the cruise. But if you are into dressing up, you certainly won’t be alone! Cruise passengers dress up to match the theme of their rotational dining restaurant, for their princess meet and greets, and of course, for Pirate Night – a swashbuckling soirée. Bonus Disney Cruise Tip: You might need extra luggage space for all your costumes!

4. The Disney Cruise App Will Be Your BFF

The Disney Cruise app is your trusty sidekick for your tip, and you’ll never want to be without it. You’ll rely on it to discover the day’s activities and meet & greets, connect with fellow passengers, navigate the ship, and more. Unlike the cumbersome parks app, this one is user-friendly and ensures you don’t miss out on any of the fun.

5. You’ll Still Need to Plan Ahead

While you certainly can enjoy your Disney Cruise with little-to-no planning on your part, there are some things that you’ll need to be proactive for – these popular attractions need a reservation and they fill up incredibly fast.

• Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique
  • Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique offers a coveted opportunity to transform your kids into beloved Disney royalty. Whether they aspire to be a prince, a princess, or a buccaneer for Pirate Night, this enchanting experience guarantees magical memories (albeit at a premium price). Make your reservation as soon as your window opens, and if you’re not able to snag one, keep checking as your cruise approaches, there are sometimes cancellations. If you still can’t get one, check with the boutique once you’re onboard, we’ve often had luck finding a last minute appointment.
• Royal Gathering
  • If you want to meet the Disney Princesses, you’ll need to book the (free) Royal Gathering and, as you can probably guess, it books up. While the princesses do occasionally wander the main hall for informal chats, the Royal Gathering offers the best odds for meeting them all in one magical sweep.
• Specialty Dining
  • If you’re interested in one of the adult dining options aboard the ship, you’ll need to book it in advance. I’ll be honest, since we always travel with the kids and love the rotational dining so much, we have never eaten at an adult dining restaurant (although I hear they’re fantastic!) There are also fun kid-friendly specialty options like Royal Court Royal Tea and Olaf’s Royal Picnic, that will need your advanced planning.
• Port Adventures & Onboard Activities
  • If there is something your family is really looking forward to doing on your Disney Cruise, you’ll want to plan ahead. Some of the port adventures are popular (like swimming with Dolphins in the Bahamas – although we thought this experience was overrated), and do sell out. Same goes for some onboard activities, like tours, tastings, and spa and salon appointments. Plan ahead so you’re ready to book as soon as your reservation window opens.

6. Staying On Board While at Port is a Great Option

On our first Disney Cruise, an unexpected illness kept us on the ship during a port stop. Surprisingly, that day became the highlight of our entire trip. Now, we always pick one port day to stay onboard. With fewer people around, we can enjoy the ship’s fun without the usual crowds. It’s like a calm escape that adds an extra layer of relaxation to our adventure.

If you’re traveling on the Disney Wish, we recommend staying on board during your stop at Nassau. You won’t want to skip Castaway Cay!

7. DO NOT MISS THE SHOWS!

As a mom with a Type-A personality and toddlers to care for, I’m vigilant about bedtime routines. During our maiden cruise, I unintentionally missed the first two shows due to this. However, on our last night, I decided to make an exception and allowed our daughter to stay up later, so we could enjoy the Aladdin performance. Let me emphasize – it was beyond amazing and left an indelible mark in both my daughter’s and my own memory. Having seen Aladdin on Broadway, I must admit that I even preferred the cruise version. Instantly, I regretted not attending the other shows and made a promise to allow our kids to stay up for all the future Disney cruises we embark upon!

8. Pack Water Bottles

This suggestion might appear simple (and not environmentally conscious), but trust me, it’s essential. Access to water stations isn’t as convenient as you might expect, often being quite a distance from your stateroom. Attach a luggage tag (provided by Disney in advance) to a case of water bottles and include it with your checked luggage. You’ll be grateful you did every time you have hydration at your fingertips throughout the entire journey.

9. Disney Cruises Are A Game Changer for Family Vacations

Honestly, the most surprising thing I wish I knew before sailing is how much I’d love Disney Cruises. A Disney Cruise is what I hoped a Disney World vacation would be – all the magic without the challenges or big crowds. I am fully converted to the Disney Cruise life, at least while the kids are little, and we’ve already booked two more.

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So as you embark on your own adventure, armed with these insights, I hope your journey is nothing short of wonder-filled. Bon Voyage!