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- Oct 27, 2011
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I'm not sure about trip reports -- there may be some here: https://www.disboards.com/forums/disney-cruise-line-trip-reports.10/
My DD was 7 on our first cruise, but developmentally more like a pre-schooler. She enjoyed the Oceaneer Club, I think particularly Andy's Room. We didn't leave her there for long, though; usually about an hour or so except the last afternoon may have been 2-3 hours. Cinderella came and read them a story then they did a related craft. We were on a 4-night cruise so not a lot of time in the Club.
Since your girls are 4-yrs-old but developmentally younger -- I suggest you go to the Club on embarkation afternoon and speak with the CMs. Are the girls able to self-propel their chairs? Can they function in a group environment (like a preschool)? If they need direct assistance, your best bet is to bring them during Open House times so they can participate but an adult in your party can be there to help as needed. If they are mobile and able to be independent in a group setting, you can try drop-off for secured programming. I'd recommend starting with a short time period (30 minutes) to see how they do, and extend from there. The Club has kids ages 3-12, so it is a buy place for any of the young preschoolers and CMs try to be aware of that. But if your girls' physical or cognitive development is more at the toddler-stage, the Club may not work out for secured programming until they are older.
Outside of the Club, there are preschool-age programs that should be noted in the Navigator. I think the Club is open for preschoolers only each morning. And there is a Disney Junior wake up activity in the lobby. There are splash areas for young kids, and the Mickey pool if they are out of diapers (no swim diapers allowed in the pools). I guess that may depend on their mobility and your own comfort taking them into those areas. There are dance parties in the atrium and I have seen young children in wheelchairs happily enjoying that! Castaway Cay has wagons available to borrow on a first-come first-served basis. Our server and assistant server have always been great, not only with our own daughter but other kids at our table as well. They'll help cut food, if the kids have favorites they'll remember and try to make sure that is available each night, and we've had serving staff who did magic tricks or told jokes to the kids while the parents ate. If your girls have specific dietary needs, you'll want to let DCL know ahead of time.
Do you have an accessible stateroom booked? While those will have floor space to maneuver the wheelchairs, be aware they come with a roll-in shower and not a tub (I'm thinking with young kids you may prefer a tub). There are category 8a staterooms with a similar layout (floor space) but with a tub. So you may want to consider stateroom needs.
For info about excursions it would be helpful to know what itinerary you will be cruising. Many port cities are not as accessible as most U.S. locales (lacking curb cuts, stairs/steps, narrow doors, etc.).
I recommend contacting DCL's Special Needs department: email SpecialServices@disneycruise.com or phone (407) 566-3602 and there is a form online that you may need to share info as well.
Enjoy your cruise and feel free to ask more specific questions as they arise.
My DD was 7 on our first cruise, but developmentally more like a pre-schooler. She enjoyed the Oceaneer Club, I think particularly Andy's Room. We didn't leave her there for long, though; usually about an hour or so except the last afternoon may have been 2-3 hours. Cinderella came and read them a story then they did a related craft. We were on a 4-night cruise so not a lot of time in the Club.
Since your girls are 4-yrs-old but developmentally younger -- I suggest you go to the Club on embarkation afternoon and speak with the CMs. Are the girls able to self-propel their chairs? Can they function in a group environment (like a preschool)? If they need direct assistance, your best bet is to bring them during Open House times so they can participate but an adult in your party can be there to help as needed. If they are mobile and able to be independent in a group setting, you can try drop-off for secured programming. I'd recommend starting with a short time period (30 minutes) to see how they do, and extend from there. The Club has kids ages 3-12, so it is a buy place for any of the young preschoolers and CMs try to be aware of that. But if your girls' physical or cognitive development is more at the toddler-stage, the Club may not work out for secured programming until they are older.
Outside of the Club, there are preschool-age programs that should be noted in the Navigator. I think the Club is open for preschoolers only each morning. And there is a Disney Junior wake up activity in the lobby. There are splash areas for young kids, and the Mickey pool if they are out of diapers (no swim diapers allowed in the pools). I guess that may depend on their mobility and your own comfort taking them into those areas. There are dance parties in the atrium and I have seen young children in wheelchairs happily enjoying that! Castaway Cay has wagons available to borrow on a first-come first-served basis. Our server and assistant server have always been great, not only with our own daughter but other kids at our table as well. They'll help cut food, if the kids have favorites they'll remember and try to make sure that is available each night, and we've had serving staff who did magic tricks or told jokes to the kids while the parents ate. If your girls have specific dietary needs, you'll want to let DCL know ahead of time.
Do you have an accessible stateroom booked? While those will have floor space to maneuver the wheelchairs, be aware they come with a roll-in shower and not a tub (I'm thinking with young kids you may prefer a tub). There are category 8a staterooms with a similar layout (floor space) but with a tub. So you may want to consider stateroom needs.
For info about excursions it would be helpful to know what itinerary you will be cruising. Many port cities are not as accessible as most U.S. locales (lacking curb cuts, stairs/steps, narrow doors, etc.).
I recommend contacting DCL's Special Needs department: email SpecialServices@disneycruise.com or phone (407) 566-3602 and there is a form online that you may need to share info as well.
Enjoy your cruise and feel free to ask more specific questions as they arise.
