We did the Panama Canal Cruise on Disney when my son was 7. The kids club had a sleepover night and I was so nervous about it but he was excited to go and loved it! The counselors on the ship are awesome.
Awesome! We cruised in 2019 with a very shy 5 year old who didn't talk much. The counselors were awesome. We did Open house and talked to some of them and introduced her, and then dropped her off later that night. She cried at first, but a counselor scooped her up and got her involved immediately. After that she was begging to go in!
Thanks for the bottled water reminder! I need to order some for our cabin. We always book a verandah cabin. We’re doing early dining because we usually eat early. So excited!!
Great tips we are excited. We still have an entire year to wait but excited to go next September. It will be Halloween on high. First cruise together and first Disney. Our boys will be 8, 10 and 4. We def plan to do all the things. Good tips on patience with kids club. No one talks about what if your kid does not want to go at first. I’m like statically some kid out there needed an adjustment. I’m mentally preparing for that especially with my middle son. He has anxiety in new spaces, people etc. (high functioning autism) so it may take a couple days for him but hopefully I’m wrong. A couple months before we also will begin to talk and show him cruise videos because so he is familiar. We are on 6 day cruise.
Starting to plan a first cruise with our family. Older daughter (10) is also on the spectrum/autistic. I have looked into Autism on the Seas but I really like what I’m seeing with the Disney-specific cruises (and did one myself when I was 11), and inclusion is a big deal. If you have already gone, what was your experience? How did your son do? How supportive was Disney?
For any other family members/folks on the autism spectrum or sensory issues who are exploring Disney cruises, I found this great webinar: ru-vid.comgZBGf-OJTL8?si=cR0pbRyxm_ck4vm2
Taking our first cruise with the grandkids in February. We have cruised 15 times, all Disney and have never paid attention to “kids stuff”. But now I’m on a mission to learn all I can. Thanks for all the tips!
Thank you for all of the great tips. Going on our first cruise ever on Fantasy in September. We have a 6 year old son and 14 year old daughter. I would like to know if kids need a lanyard and do you even recommend lanyards. Thank you! Steve
You're very welcome, Steve! I'm glad to hear you found the tips helpful for your upcoming cruise! Regarding lanyards, they can be quite handy for kids! We would recommend! I hope you and your family have an incredible cruise! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Bon voyage! 🚢😊
This was very helpful. Thanks for sharing. During dinner at each restaurant, is there a show the kids can enjoy while eating? And if so, does it start at the beginning, middle or towards the end of dinner? If they go back to the kids club during dinner, wouldn't they miss the show?
Did the little ones need a passport? We’re going on the Wish and my child’s passport is getting delayed because the passport department didn’t accept a 5 year no contact DV (judge signed copy), as a reason enough why we can’t get a signature from her father. I have to write them a long letter this week explaining that. We got the cruise booked for early next year. If the kids don’t have a passport, can they get off the ship at Nassau and Castaway, and be let back in? My child will be 4 next year
Hey there! All the kids need is a copy of their birth certificate and yes they can get off at the port. You can go on the Disney Cruise website and it will let you know all the requirements!
