Disneyworld expert, DCL newbie: Order of embarkation priorities?

[rockawaybeachgirl]

Hello all - as the title states, I am a WDW/DVC veteran but a first time Disney cruiser. My husband and son are first time cruisers, period, so this is all unchartered water for us. In starting our research, it seems like there is varied advice on things to do ASAP after boarding the ship, so I was hoping to get some suggestions given our circumstances. Our son is twelve and is on the autism spectrum. While I think he will absolutely love the kids club, he will def need to be 'walked around' it before it's operational to get the lay of the land in order to be comfortable going by himself during the cruise. Also, he loves waterslides and will want to try the Aqua Duck, and I've heard the best time to do that is prior to sail away. Lastly, I've heard lunch can get bananas later during the embarkation process. Honestly though, I'd rather eat a big breakfast and suck it up for lunch if it means getting him comfortable/happy.

I should also mention that I don't care about the spa and we don't plan on any signature dining, since it's our first cruise and we only have 3 nights.

So, if you were us, in what what order would you do kids club tour, lunch, and pool/slide? Thanks in advance!

 

[Mommb]

The kids' club tour can come last, since that will be available all afternoon. Note that at 12, your son could go to both the Oceaneers Lab and Edge -- you may want to bring him by both (unless you don't want him having the ability to check himself out, in which case he can't do Edge).

My family has never done the Aqua Duck, but it makes sense that it gets busier the later it gets. If making your son happy is a priority, I would let him do the slide, then head to lunch, and do the kids programming walk-around after lunch.

 

[catsrgr8]

I highly recommend eating lunch in the sit down restaurant for lunch of embarkation day. One of the 3 restaurants will be open and it was a really nice and relaxing way to start our trip.

It also sounds like exploring the kids club during open house would be great for your son, and the first day is a great opportunity to do this.

It would probably depending on timing regarding heading to the kids club vs aqua duck first. Not sure what time your PAT is at.

 

[Geomom]

Which ship are you going on?

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

Which ship are you going on?

Sorry, I should have said. The WISH

 

[Geomom]

I haven't been on the Wish, but as far as lunch, in addition to Marceline Market buffet and the sit down lunch option, the quick service by the pool should be open too (on Wish it's BBQ, tacos, chicken/burgers/fries, pizza, soft serve ice cream, etc.),. So that should be a quicker food option.

Definitely hit the kids clubs before dinner during open house times.

As far as Aquamouse, it depends on how early you board (how many others have the same idea.). You won't have access to your room until around 2pm, luggage arrives closer to 4-5pm. And don't forget about the 4pm mandatory muster drill... everything will shut down from 3:45-4:30? And then the sail away show should be around 4:30pm. (Main pool is usually closed/covered up for people to views the show.)

 

[katmigordon]

If he'll have a choice is your child more comfortable with older or younger kids? I know for many of us on the spectrum we have an easier time with those younger - because our social development is a bit stunted. How lucky he is to both have parents who are so thoughtful and attentive to his needs and to have a chance to make a choice like this for this vacation.

The kids' club tour can come last, since that will be available all afternoon. Note that at 12, your son could go to both the Oceaneers Lab and Edge -- you may want to bring him by both (unless you don't want him having the ability to check himself out, in which case he can't do Edge).

My family has never done the Aqua Duck, but it makes sense that it gets busier the later it gets. If making your son happy is a priority, I would let him do the slide, then head to lunch, and do the kids programming walk-around after lunch.

 

[katmigordon]

You might also consider a bit of room service for lunch that day if possible - that way the number of new experiences all at once can be limited to help avoid overwhelm.

I haven't been on the Wish, but as far as lunch, in addition to Marceline Market buffet and the sit down lunch option, the quick service by the pool should be open too (on Wish it's BBQ, tacos, chicken/burgers/fries, pizza, soft serve ice cream, etc.),. So that should be a quicker food option.

Definitely hit the kids clubs before dinner during open house times.

As far as Aquamouse, it depends on how early you board (how many others have the same idea.). You won't have access to your room until around 2pm, luggage arrives closer to 4-5pm. And don't forget about the 4pm mandatory muster drill... everything will shut down from 3:45-4:30? And then the sail away show should be around 4:30pm. (Main pool is usually closed/covered up for people to views the show.)

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

If he'll have a choice is your child more comfortable with older or younger kids? I know for many of us on the spectrum we have an easier time with those younger - because our social development is a bit stunted. How lucky he is to both have parents who are so thoughtful and attentive to his needs and to have a chance to make a choice like this for this vacation.

Thank you for your reply- younger kids for sure. In addition to being on the spectrum he has apraxia, which affects his language development and makes it hard for him to keep up verbally with kids his age. Once of the reasons we’re going in June is because he turns 13 at the end of July so this will be his last chance to try the younger club (which I think he will love!). And thanks for the comment, due to his special needs he goes to school year round so only has one week off in June and 3 in August so we try to make it special for him.

 

[NAB]

You might also consider a bit of room service for lunch that day if possible - that way the number of new experiences all at once can be limited to help avoid overwhelm.

Can’t do lunch room service in the cabin first day because they only open at 2:00 . Then the luggage is being delivered to the cabins after they are open.


I think the best thing to do is grab food from the Market which is buffet more choices place they have a kids section if your child just wants chicken fingers etc. You can always bring your food from the Market out by the pool table If you find it too cowarded.

Or eat at the poolside places hamburgers and BBQ are good.
Especially if you decide to do the Aquaduck and have your bathing suit on under clothes because again the cabins aren’t ready to go too.

Lots like to go to the sit down restuarant but that takes a lot of time .

Definitely go to the kids club after eating , it is open house and you as a parent is aloud to go in , once dinner starts it is no longer open to adults . Does have open house during other times watch the navigator.

By the time you do these 2 things it will be time to go to the cabin . You also have the muster drill soon after this and than the sail away party.

After saying this go with the flow. Do you have first or second dinner , I heard the Aquaduck is not busy when people leave to go get ready for first dinner.

 

[MomOTwins]

We went on the Wish, and did it in the following order 1) lunch (Marceline); 2) kids club (explored it until the rooms became ready; 3) Aquamouse (changed into swimsuits as soon as rooms were ready).

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

Can’t do lunch room service in the cabin first day because they only open at 2:00 . Then the luggage is being delivered to the cabins after they are open.


I think the best thing to do is grab food from the Market which is buffet more choices place they have a kids section if your child just wants chicken fingers etc. You can always bring your food from the Market out by the pool table If you find it too cowarded.

Or eat at the poolside places hamburgers and BBQ are good.
Especially if you decide to do the Aquaduck and have your bathing suit on under clothes because again the cabins aren’t ready to go too.

Lots like to go to the sit down restuarant but that takes a lot of time .

Definitely go to the kids club after eating , it is open house and you as a parent is aloud to go in , once dinner starts it is no longer open to adults . Does have open house during other times watch the navigator.

By the time you do these 2 things it will be time to go to the cabin . You also have the muster drill soon after this and than the sail away party.

After saying this go with the flow. Do you have first or second dinner , I heard the Aquaduck is not busy when people leave to go get ready for first dinner.

Thank you so much for this! I think this may be the path we follow. We have requested the second seating. 5:45 is waaaaay to early for us. We live at the beach here in NYC and in the summer months we're often on the beach until 6pm or so and eat late, so an 8:15 dinner is not crazy for us. Interesting tip about the AquaMouse and the first seating!

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

We always do sit down lunch on Embark day. When we Sailed on 11/28 on the wish, sit down lunch was in Arendelle Deck 5 Aft.

We always avoid Cabanas (In this case Marceline) because everyone goes there.

 

[Weedy]

Here’s a nice booklet for kids that lets them know what to expect when cruising
https://www.travelingears.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/My-Disney-Cruise-Adventure-Booklet.pdf

 

[Weedy]

One thing that may be difficult for your son is the lifeboat drill (it’s difficult for a lot of people ) Everyone is required to attend but Disney allows people that have difficulty to show up early and not have to stand in a packed area on deck

 

[Weedy]

This us from the Disney website with additional information for families sailing with autism and other disabilities.
https://origin-dscribe.s3.amazonaws...ities/DCL-Information-for-ASD-13-Dec-2019.pdf

 

[Weedy]

Another good time to try the Aqua Duck is on Castaway Cay Day.
Check the Navigator app and see what time they are open on that day and either go a little later to Castaway or come back early.
There is still food available on the ship and it’s practically empty.
Unfortunately the app won’t start working until you are on the ship (sometimes in the cruise terminal).