Disney Cruise Hacks: Must-Know Tips for First-Time Cruisers
We just got off our first Disney Cruise, and let me tell you, it was an experience. As a super planner, I did my homework. I read every blog, listened to every podcast, and watched every YouTube video to make sure we were fully prepared. But even with all that research, there were still a few surprises along the way.
If you already have your first Disney Cruise booked and are wondering what to expect, this is for you. This is not a guide to convince you to take the cruise—trust me, you should! Instead, this is the real talk you need to know before you go.
1. Buy the Unlimited Photo Package
I hesitated on this one, but it was 100% worth it. Disney photographers are everywhere, character meet-and-greets, nightly dinner and randomly around the ship with nice backdrops. It is a great way to capture incredible family moments without awkwardly asking a stranger to take your photo over and over. The best part is that they take individual shots, sibling photos, and full family pictures, so Mom is always in the picture too! We left with almost 200 photos.
2. Ask Your Stateroom Host for Character Sheets
Ask your stateroom host if they have Disney character sheets to put on the beds. It is not guaranteed, but it is a small touch that adds extra magic for the kids.
3. Stagger Your Character Line Strategy for Back-to-Back Meet & Greets
Character meet-and-greets are a huge part of the Disney experience, but the lines can be long. If you have multiple adults in your group, you can save time and avoid meltdowns with a little strategic planning.
Save this Tip! Character lines stay open for 15 minutes past their scheduled start time. If Mickey is scheduled from 10:00 to 10:30 AM and Minnie from 10:30 to 11:00 AM, their lines actually remain open from 10:00 to 10:15 and 10:30 to 10:45. As long as you are in line within that window, you are guaranteed to meet them.
To maximize your time, have one adult get in line with the kids toward the end of the first character’s window while another adult waits at the start of the next line. For example, Mom and the kids hop in Mickey’s line at 10:15 AM while Dad secures a spot at the front of Minnie’s line at 10:30 AM. By the time Mom and the kids finish with Mickey, they can walk right over and join Dad, avoiding another long wait. This strategy keeps the wait time down and lets the kids stay engaged.
4. Join the Fish Extender Exchange (or at Least Hang a Bag for Pixie Dust!)
Fish Extenders are a fun, unofficial Disney Cruise tradition where families exchange small gifts with other cruisers. You will need to sign up for a group before your cruise, through your sailing’s Facebook group, and hang an organizer outside your stateroom door to collect goodies.
Even if you do not officially join a Fish Extender group, it is still worth hanging something outside your door. Random acts of “Pixie Dust” are common, and we received tons of unexpected surprises from other cruisers.
5. Adults-Only Areas & Atrium Bars = Better Drinks
If you plan to enjoy a cocktail, know that the drinks in the main pool areas are just okay. The lounges in the adult only areas or the atrium bars are much better. There is also a minimally advertised morning mimosa and Bloody Mary special daily until noon.
6. Manage Food Expectations
The food was okay, but definitely not mind-blowing. Maybe it is because we are from New Orleans, but we were underwhelmed. The best meals we had were from the quick-service hot dog and burger spots and room service. If you go in expecting Michelin-star quality meals, you might be disappointed.
7. Service & Cleanliness = A+
While the food was not a highlight, the service and cleanliness on board were next level. Disney takes this seriously, and it shows. Our stateroom was spotless, and the cast members were amazing. Everywhere we looked, someone was cleaning, and any staff member was happy to help at any time.
8. Pack Snacks
There are no vending machines or quick spots to grab chips or candy, so bring your kids’ favorite snacks from home. A secret tip is that you can order Uncrustables from room service even though they are not on the menu. I ordered several at a time and saved them for port days, which was a lifesaver.
9. DO: Do Laundry
Yes, you are on vacation, but packing light and doing one or two quick loads of laundry mid-trip makes a huge difference. The machines are easy to use, and you will not have to overpack or travel home with wet or dirty laundry.
10. Consider the First Day a Wash
Embarkation day is chaotic. Between travel, security, waiting for your stateroom, and exploring the ship, do not expect to do much else. Use this day to settle in and take it easy.
11. Prepare for Motion Sickness (No Matter What)
Even if you’ve never been seasick before, bring Dramamine, Zofran, motion sickness bands, or whatever works for your family. The ship’s movement can sneak up on you, and it is better to be prepared. Sea sickness hit both of my kids, and one ended up in the cruise ER, which was very helpful but also very expensive.
12. Skip the Lanyard
Many blogs will tell you to bring a lanyard for your Key to the World card. Unless you love wearing things around your neck, skip it. I kept mine in my fanny pack or a phone wallet. Plus, I did not want a lanyard in all my photos.
13. Pack Your Patience & Boredom Busters
There will be downtime while waiting for characters, shows, or just hanging out in the room. Bring small activities, little toys, coloring books, or games to keep the kids entertained.
14. Don’t Rely on the Kids’ Club
While Disney’s kids’ clubs are great, not every child will enjoy them, so plan accordingly and don’t assume they will want to attend. If you’re concerned about your child feeling overwhelmed, try sending them when a structured activity is scheduled. When I did this, my 5-year-old stayed much longer than he did during open free play.
15. Pack Flashlights
The staterooms get very dark at night. A small flashlight or nightlight is a must, especially if you have little ones who might wake up or if you need to move around after they are asleep.
16. Get on Board as Early as Possible—Your Port Arrival Time Matters
Time on the ship is precious, and boarding early makes a huge difference. Checking in at midnight on your assigned check-in date can help secure an earlier boarding time. Using Disney Cruise Line transportation also guarantees an earlier port arrival time.
It can be the difference between getting on the ship in the morning or waiting until mid-afternoon.
17. Take the Longer Cruise, Trust Me
If you are choosing between a three or four-night cruise and a five or seven-night cruise, go for the longer trip. Just as you start getting into the groove, the shorter cruises are over. Some families opt for a shorter cruise to “test” how their family will handle it, but I recommend going with the longer one. More time means a more relaxed experience! Fun fact: my youngest didn’t experience seasickness until day six. If we had taken a shorter cruise, we would have never known!
18. Do the Fun Stuff- Door Decorating and Matching Shirts
Definitely plan to participate in fun the fun Disney Cruise traditions like door decorating and wearing matching shirts, it adds to the experience. You don’t have to do anything fancy. I printed images from online, laminated them, and glued magnets to the back. It was simple, affordable, and made our door easy to spot. For the shirts we did matching shirts for our embarkation day and pirate night.
19. Bring a Power Strip or USB Hub
The outlets were surprisingly limited or not in the most practical spots in the room. This will be a challenge if you to charge multiple devices daily. Take my advice and bring a non-surge-protected power strip or a USB hub to keep everything charged.
20. Plan for a More Chilled Nightlife Experience
Unlike other cruise lines, Disney does not have a casino, comedy clubs, or many late-night adult shows. Most of the evening entertainment revolves around bars, lounges, and family-friendly activities. If you are looking for things to do after the kids go to bed, you’ll be limited to a drink at one of the lounges, watching an evening movie on Funnel Vision or going to bed earlier than normal. This is a also a good time to take advantage of the adults-only hot tubs and pool areas, which are much quieter at night.
Final Thoughts
If you have your first Disney Cruise coming up, I hope these tips help you feel even more prepared. No matter how much you research, there will still be surprises, some good and some annoying, but overall, Disney is amazing at creating magic. We had a blast and will be returning.
Agreed about the food. We were not impressed. Thanks for the list.