Things To Do Before A Disney Cruise

If you are planning on taking a Disney cruise, it can be a little overwhelming to think of everything that you need to do before you leave. But preparing in advance will make for an even better experience, so check out this list of things to do before a Disney cruise, and get ready to cruise! Once you get on board, you’ll want to relax and enjoy your vacation.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and purchasing and/or clicking on some of the links (or calling the number) in this post may result in a commission paid to us at no additional expense to you. We have traveled on one media cruise and two cruises as part of Disney Social Media Moms. I’ve paid full price for thirteen additional cruises over the years.

Things to Do Before A Disney Cruise

Get Your Dining Time Booked

The Disney Cruise Line offers two meal times – the main seating (between 5:45 pm and 6:15 pm) and the second seating (between 8 pm and 8:30 pm). The first seating fills up quickly, so if that’s what you want, be sure to reserve it early – when you book your cruise vacation.

A waiting list is available if you are unable to find the time you want. Additionally, you can request to switch meal times once onboard. However, it’s easiest to do it in advance.

If you don’t get the time that you want, don’t worry. We typically eat pretty early at home, and once ended up with the later time because we booked our cruise last minute.

It was fine, however. Because the nightly shows generally run at the opposite times as dinner, you’re either going to eat late or watch the show late. There are lots of places to grab a quick bite if you get hungry before your seating.

Plan Your Hotel the Night Before

If you are flying into your port of call, I recommend arriving the night before. That way, you won’t have to worry about flight delays and can schedule an earlier onboard time (if that’s something you’ll need to do). During our 2022 sailing, our bags were left behind in Boston. It was great to have that extra day to wait for them to arrive before boarding.

When staying overnight, you can choose to stay by the port, at the airport, at Walt Disney World (if cruising out of Port Canaveral), or somewhere else in the area.

When we cruise out of Port Canaveral, we stay at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport. See reviews on TripAdvisor.

During my cruise on the Disney Magic, we decided to stay near the Miami airport at a Homewood Suites. It had a free shuttle from the airport, and is a quick ride to the Miami Cruise Port. Alternatively, you could choose to stay in South Beach, right in the center of the action. We enjoyed our stay at the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse South Beach.

Book Transportation to the Port

If you are flying to your port, you’ll need to get to the port somehow. Disney shuttle buses are available for an additional fee (depending on the port), or you can rent a car and drive to the port yourself (remember that parking at the port is available, but costs extra).

Private transportation, including car services or Uber, is also an option. For Port Canaveral, I find that Disney transportation is the best option, because it’s easy and convenient. You can also book one-way transportation if you aren’t going directly back to the airport or Walt Disney World.

Check-In As Soon As You Can

When you complete the Disney Cruise check in process, you can choose your onboard time (those who book transportation through Disney will no longer choose an onboard time) and book your excursions and special dinners.

So, when can you check in to your Disney cruise? Silver Castaway Club members (one cruise) can check in 33 days before sailing, gold members (five cruises) can check in 35 days before sailing, platinum members (ten cruises) can check in 38 days before sailing and pearl members (twenty-five cruises) can check in 40 days before sailing.

If this is your first cruise, you’ll need to wait until 30 days before sailing. Since the earlier onboard times are typically taken first sure to check in as soon as possible.

Additionally, there’s a separate booking window for reserving port excursions (including the ever-popular Castaway Cay cabanas), adult dining, and other onboard experiences. Silver Castaway Club members (one cruise) can book 90 days before sailing, gold members (five cruises) can check in 105 days before sailing, platinum members (ten cruises) can check in 120 days before sailing and pearl members (twenty-five cruises) can check in 123 days before sailing.

Why check in early? Some excursions and Palo times do book up in advance, so you’ll get the best availability by booking early. It’s also extremely difficult to get a cabana at Castaway Cay, so you’ll want to try for one as soon as you can if you want one.

When you check-in, you’ll also fill out the guest information form and the payment authorization form for your onboard purchases, and upload your passport and headshot. Be ready with all of those things for your entire family when you check-in.

Schedule Your Excursions and Any Special Meals

When your booking window opens, you are also able to book port excursions and meals at Palo and Remy/Enchante (if your ship has Remy or Enchante). Again, these are all limited, so book as soon as possible.

You are usually not charged right away – but confirm that when booking. Changes can often be made, but you’ll want to have a good idea of what you want to do and availability may be limited when you go back in to make changes.

I’d recommend doing some research on your ports of call well before your booking window opens. Decide what types of things you want to do at each location. You’ll have lots of options, from educational things to more adventurous activities. Some families may decide to do a mix of things during their cruise.

You don’t necessarily need to do an excursion at each port. Some people choose to stay onboard because the ship can be much quieter with most people gone.

You can also opt to do your own thing – by taking a cab or just walking around the port. Research that first, however, because you want to make sure it’s safe, that you won’t get lost, and that you can definitely make it back to the ship in time for all aboard.

Booking an excursion from the cruise line can be the safer option with regards to getting back on the ship before it leaves. It will also be refunded if your cruise has to miss that port for weather or other reasons.

Special Services

If you need special services on board, like a Sharps box, a communication kit (for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing), or a wheelchair-accessible room, you can fill out a form you’ll find online during the check-in process. Because my daughter has food allergies, I like to make sure that it is noted on our reservation.

You’ll also want to call if you have any special requests. Guarantees aren’t offered, but you can always request a specific dining rotation or server. On our second sailing of the Disney Fantasy, I called and requested our favorite server who we had on our first sailing.

He was still on the ship, and they were able to make sure we got assigned to him. Of course, crew members are always moving around, so there’s no guarantee that your favorite will still be on board.

If you have a specific restaurant you love, and your cruise is at least 4 days, you may want to request that you eat at that spot more than 2 or 3 times. My kids love Animator’s Palate, so we’ve asked to be assigned to that restaurant three times on a seven-day sailing.

Sign Kids Up for Youth Clubs

Disney Cruise Line’s kids’ club is free to attend, but you’ll save time by registering your children in advance. Don’t worry – you won’t have to select attendance times! Once your kids are registered and have their bands, they can go in and out as many times as you’d like.

There are also open house times on the first day where you can go in and see what the clubs are like.

Fish Extenders

Fish extenders are totally optional, but they are a really fun way to enhance your cruise. To participate, first find your cruise on Facebook and join your cruise group.

Then you can sign up for a fish extender exchange if someone is organizing one. Then, you’ll need to buy/make a fish extender to hang on the “fish” near your stateroom door.

Finally, you’ll need to make or purchase a bunch of fun little treats for your fellow cruisers.

My kids love prepping our fish extender gifts before we leave, and then always enjoy coming back to the room for a new surprise. It’s a lot of work, but can be rewarding.

Here’s everything you need to know about Fish Extenders.

Get Decorations for Your Stateroom Door

Lots of families decorate their stateroom doors before going on a Disney cruise, so check out my post on decorating your Disney Cruise Line stateroom door. You’ll want to purchase or make these decorations well before your sailing.

When booking a Disney Cruise, I recommend booking with Get Away Today. Plus, when you mention Family Travel Magazine, you get an extra $25 on board credit! Give their agents a call at 877-510-2929.

On a separate note: For cruises leaving from Port Canaveral, we stay at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport. Check prices and reviews here.