The Disney Cruise Line is popular with families, and with even more ships on the horizon, now is a great time to plan a cruise vacation. While many families are familiar with the Disney theme parks, fewer know exactly what activities and amenities the cruise ships offer.
Some families may also be concerned about booking a Disney Cruise Line vacation because they aren’t sure what their kids can do while on vacation. Luckily, all of the Disney Cruise Line ships offer so many things for families to enjoy – regardless of the ages of your kids.
Here are the top Disney Cruise Line activities for kids of all ages. Keep in mind that the ships do differ, so you’ll want to look at the specific ship that you are sailing on to see what activities are offered on that ship.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and purchasing and/or clicking on some of the links (or calling the number) may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. We’ve been on a media preview cruise and two cruises as part of Disney Social Media Moms (as well as 15+ cruises that I paid for on my own). All opinions are my own.
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.
Top Disney Cruise Line Activities for Kids
When choosing your Disney Cruise Line itinerary, I recommend booking an itinerary with at least one day at sea. There’s so much to do, so you’ll want at least one full day to explore the ship and enjoy everything offered.
Kids’ Clubs
The youth clubs on the Disney Cruise Line are world-class. Even my kids, who never loved kids’ clubs, spent so much time at the ones on the Disney Cruise Line.
There are several different youth clubs on board, separated by age. These include:
“It’s a small world” nursery is available for kids from 6 months to 3 years old. It requires reservations and has an hourly fee.
Disney’s Oceaneer Club—For kids ages 3-10, this club offers play spaces, including themed areas that vary by ship.
Disney’s Oceaneer Lab—This youth club is also for kids ages 3-10 but focuses more on interactive play and educational experiences.
Edge Tween Club—This tween club is Available for kids aged 11 to 14 and offers TVs, games, and activities perfect for this age range.
Vibe Teen Club – Vibe is offered exclusively to teens in an environment they will love.
The Hideaway – New on the Disney Wish and the Disney Treasure, the Hideaway is meant exclusively for teens and young adults aged 18-20. It is a section of the teen club converted in the evenings.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
If your kid loves costumes and dress-up, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on the Disney Cruise Line can be lots of fun. There are several packages to choose from, including princess, knight, and sea captain packages.
On Pirate Night, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is converted to Pirate League. You’ll get to choose from a few packages to be transformed into a pirate.
You can book the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in advance before your cruise. That’s the best option because availability is limited, and it is pretty popular with kids.
Movies on Board the Disney Cruise Line
There are several different places to see movies on the Disney Cruise Line. First run movies from Disney brands (including Pixar, Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars), play in the indoor theaters on the ships.
You can find the schedule on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. While I generally don’t like staying indoors on a cruise, this can be a great option when the weather isn’t cooperating or I’m on a longer cruise.
On the pool deck, you can also watch some of the most popular Disney movies outdoors. FunnelVision is a large movie screen on one of the ship’s funnels. Movies play throughout the day. That schedule is also located on the app.
Character Greetings
Want to see some of your favorite characters? There are lots of different character meet and greets on the Disney Cruise Line. This includes the Fab Five, princesses, and other popular characters.
You’ll want to check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App to see the full schedule. Characters also greet guests on Disney’s Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Broadway-Style Shows
The entertainment on the Disney Cruise Line is top-notch. Three Broadway-style shows play in the Walt Disney Theater on the Disney Cruise Line ships. They include shorter versions of popular shows like Finding Nemo and Frozen, along with Disney Cruise Line originals.
These shows play at least twice an evening. Regardless of your dining time, there will be a show that works for your schedule. These shows are popular and can’t be reserved, so arrive early for the best seating options.
Game Shows and Trivia
One of our favorite Disney Cruise Line activities is the family game shows and trivia offered throughout the day. While some of these are adult-only, there are many family options through the days and evenings.
The schedule for these is located on the app. Like other DCL activities, these are pretty popular, and seating can be limited. So arrive early to get a good seat.
Water Slides, Pool Deck, and Splash Pads
When I go on a cruise in the Caribbean, I love taking advantage of the nice weather. There are lots of ways to get some sun and fun on the Disney Cruise Line.
Each ship offers several pools, including main pools on the active pool deck and adult-only pools. There are also water slides and splash pads – options vary by ship.
The Disney Cruise Line also offers some exciting slide options. These include the AquaDuck on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the AquaMouse on the Disney Treasure and Disney Wish, and the AquaDunk on the Disney Magic.
The AquaMouse is especially fun. It’s considered the first Disney attraction at sea. You’ll travel up to the top of the ride on a two-seater float while watching a series of Mickey shorts. Then, you’ll sail through the clear water tube around the ship along the pool deck.
Sports Deck
Each ship offers a sports deck if you want to stay active while on the Disney Cruise Line. Activities can vary, but include basketball, mini golf, virtual sports simulators, and ping pong. Where available, the virtual sports simulators need to be reserved in advance, but the other activities are usually first-come, first-served.
