Best DCL tips for kids

[MeyersDVM]

We are going on our first cruise (Wonder 4 night Halloween sailing) and would love to know any special things I should make sure my kiddos don't miss. I have read (and reread!) all the threads about tips, things to bring for my stateroom, but haven't read that much about kid stuff
DDs are 4 and 2 1/2- we have APs so they get to visit WDW several times a year. One of our faves from the parks is the Pirate Punch with the light up Buzz or Tink. Those are some of our most treasured souvies! I am bringing pillow cases to Guest Services for signatures. What other activities or other tips can you share for this age group?

Thanks

 

[disneyfool_1202]

Not sure if you have boys or girls but the characters are always a big hit - especially the princesses. But the line for princesses gets HUGE. Last cruise my DD was 3 and totally in love with every princess so I left the cabin early (about an hour before the character meet and greet) and left them with daddy while I waited in line. I am SO glad I did. I wasn't the only one either - I was in line total for almost 1.5 hrs and I was near the front. DH came and found me and kept the kids busy walking around periodically checking back in so they wouldn't have to stay in line too long. Seeing the look on DD's face (and DS who was 4.5) was worth every minut of waiting!!!!!

Some of the activities in the kids club also, depending on their likes. If your kids are to young to be left alone in the kids club, you can still participate in any activity as long as you stay with them.

 

[MeyersDVM]

Thanks!

Any other ideas?

 

[Princessandthemommy]

Just got off the wonder last month it was myself and DD3 here are some of my tips.

- Of course bring princess dresses.
- Get cameras for the kids. (DD3 took some awesome pictures with my camera, I wish she had her own
- Let the girls call room service themselves- and order Mickey Bars, they will take thier orders. (that just tickled DD3 pink) however when we got to WDW hotel she thought she could just pick up the phone and order.
- Bring a few small toys to dinner to keep em' busy
- If you have late dinning, do the dine and dash.
- If you walk the halls ways during dinner you may just run into a princess. (during dinner at AP, we had a bath-room run and ran into Bell, Cinderella, and Peter Pan, all in the Hall way, of course I left my camera at the table
- Locate the restrooms and keep a mental note of them....
- I had some confetti type stickers that I would sprinkle on DD3 right before she woke up from her nap...and would tell her tinker bell came and sprinkled pixie dust on her.
- Of course join your meet group and participate in the FE if you can
- Hang out with them in the clubs.... it was a blast
- I took DD3 on deck 10 one day for girl time, we had lunch, watched the movie in the big tv, and even took a nap.
- OF COURSE LET THEM HAVE ALL THE FUN, THEY CAN.
- One don't- DD3 and I sat in the front row center of the Golden Mickey Awards.... DD3 who is not afraid of a lot did not, and I mean did not like the scene with sea witch from little mermaid. (No on the front row)..kinda scared me!!!!

Awe... we lost our light up tinker bell and that is the one thing I miss the most. She did not know I had it and every now and then at night I would make it light up and she really thought tink was in the room.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

Awe... we lost our light up tinker bell and that is the one thing I miss the most. She did not know I had it and every now and then at night I would make it light up and she really thought tink was in the room.

OMG that is SO cute!!!!

 

[pudinhd]

Fabulous ideas!! We are cruising with 2 of my nieces in 2012 (once DCL releases the dates…) and hopefully my nephew & other niece. My husband & I have cruised DCL twice, but we don’t have kids. I can’t wait to hear more stories to make the cruise magical for them! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[IWannaBeAMousketeer]

Dinner can get long with the little ones, so a few nights we asked that our kids meals be brought out with our appetizer/salad course. When the kids were finished eating, one of us ran them to the clubs. We enjoyed the rest of dinner and they were having a ball!

 

[dragonfly08]

One thing I'd add is to be flexible! For us, that was learning not be disappointed that our kids didn't like the clubs. I'd read so many threads about how wonderful they were, and how much the kids loved them and didn't want to come out. And my four year old HATED being there! She cried if she even thought we were going to suggest it. DH and I had really looked forward to at least a little alone time, since we don't get that at home, and it just didn't happen, right down to having to cancel our Palo brunch reservation at the last minute. But it was ok! We pulled out the Navigator, found some fun activities, and went with it. I didn't get brunch, but my girls and I did get to dance with Minnie, learn to draw Mickey, and make some cool towel animals!

 

[AbsyBabsy]

Don't forget to build in nap time. On our first cruise for some reason I completely forgot about naps and by day 3 she was ready to have a melt down - it can get quite overwhelming. You won't want to stop for naps because there is so much to do but I highly recommend it!

 

[tvguy]

For my kids, we were able to get them to take some risks on what they ordered at dinner . Their first impluse would have been Hot Dog, Chicken Tenders, or burger. But they started READING the menu, and asking the servers questions.
The both tried escargot...filet.....squash soup....and discovered they were pretty good.
And they always knew if they didn't like what they ordered, they could order one of their standbys to replace it.

 

[lovethedream]

For my kids, we were able to get them to take some risks on what they ordered at dinner . Their first impluse would have been Hot Dog, Chicken Tenders, or burger. But they started READING the menu, and asking the servers questions.
The both tried escargot...filet.....squash soup....and discovered they were pretty good.
And they always knew if they didn't like what they ordered, they could order one of their standbys to replace it.

We did the same thing, but we only told them what it was after they tried it.

 

[AbsyBabsy]

For my kids, we were able to get them to take some risks on what they ordered at dinner . Their first impluse would have been Hot Dog, Chicken Tenders, or burger. But they started READING the menu, and asking the servers questions.
The both tried escargot...filet.....squash soup....and discovered they were pretty good.
And they always knew if they didn't like what they ordered, they could order one of their standbys to replace it.

I completely agree with this! My 10 year old daughter also tries things she would never even be in the same room with at home! Her favorite is the swordfish. On our last 7 night cruise she and her friend (met through the boards) both tried it an loved it so much, they tried to order it the next night! It was not on the menu, but the next evening our waiter arranged for them to have the swordfish from the other restaurant. They LOVED it!! (and the girls are still friends!)

 

[ericalynn1979]

BE FLEXIBLE.

Don't overschedule your time on the ship, spend some just hanging out on the pool decks, you never know who will walk by. And my best tip for you is to ALWAYS have your camera with you, out and ready to take photos.

My most sad lost moment this past week was when I was sitting by the pool with DD and Goofy walked out. My camera was safely on the chair behind me (away from the water). She hopped out of the pool, ran up to Goofy, gave him a high five, and ran back into the pool. Less than 30 seconds of precious memories!

 

[Princessandthemommy]

Don't forget to build in nap time. On our first cruise for some reason I completely forgot about naps and by day 3 she was ready to have a melt down - it can get quite overwhelming. You won't want to stop for naps because there is so much to do but I highly recommend it!

I agree trying to get a nap in can be over looked or forgotten. When i would try to get DD3 to nap she thought she was in trouble, we normally don't have problems w/nap's. its so much to do and you nor the kids want 2 miss out. it helped one day when we had lunch on deck10 and i let her lay out & we chatted & looked @ the water. i told her we needed to rest our bodies. with it being quite up there she got some rest (of course after the pool, had to get her tired first). but yes get some rest, some how.

 

[wld4mky]

"Frienship Rocks" usually on the Thursday of the 7night cruise. Held in the Walt Disney Theatre , the kids go and get to dance on stage and get a free t-shirt.It was between 5 and 5:30pm. We missed it but our table mates did it. "Tea with Alice"
You must get tickets at guest services but it is free. Good for boys and girls.

 

[lbcrosby]

We went when our DS was 7 so we were at a different level. You mentioned the pillowcases to get signed but along with that you might want to consider getting a plain white picture mat and have the characters sign that. The pillowcases are long stashed in the back of our closet but we still have that hanging on our wall with one of our family Disney pictures.