Planning first DCL cruise

[Skippyboo]

There are also movies on your stateroom tv that you can watch on demand. The newer ships you can also watch your stateroom tv via the DCL app on your phone.

Hero Zone is an inflatable obstacle course that they set up on Wish, Treasure, Destiny. When not set up, area is an indoor basketball court area with a second floor with foosball, air hockey, ping pong.

Dream , Fantasy has Aqua Duck which is a 2 person raft water coaster. If you ever have gone to Typhoon Lagoon and did Crushin Gusher it’s very similar.

Wish, Treasure, Destiny have Aqua Mouse which is similar but a better raft with seat backs and Mickey cartoons telling a story during the lift hill.

The Disney Islands have activities like snorkeling (extra $), bike rentals($) Castaway has a play structure with slides that dumps you in the ocean. Plus they have lunch available which is included in cruise price so don’t have to add extra cost of port excursions . Plus plenty of free lounger and umbrellas .

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

Ok good to know! what is the Hero Zone?

Check this out and hit read more. The Incredi course is fun and has the ability to do a family obstacle course challenge

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/en-as/onboard-activities/hero-zone/

 

[Dug720]

Thanks for the tip about going to ice breakers the first night!
If my husband and I want to try Remy, Enchanted, or Palo for one or two nights - how do we do dinner for the kids those nights - buffets before kids club? Or do we sit with them for the main dining room, without eating, and reserve our dinner time during the second show time?

No buffet in the evening. The dining team will take care of the kids - I've heard many tell parents to send the kids.

 

[sponica]

Thanks for the tip about going to ice breakers the first night!
If my husband and I want to try Remy, Enchanted, or Palo for one or two nights - how do we do dinner for the kids those nights - buffets before kids club? Or do we sit with them for the main dining room, without eating, and reserve our dinner time during the second show time?

Mine are still younger (almost 5 and almost 9) so we'll go to dinner with them and then leave whenever they're done. My oldest lived in the kids club on her first cruise, so she inhales her food to get back to the kids club as soon as possible.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Hi! We are regular Royal Caribbean cruisers- family of six. I've been dreaming of trying a DCL cruise for years and I think we may try to get one scheduled for next year!
Our oldest two kids will be 10 and 11, is there enough to keep them entertained? They are used to the activities on RCCL things like roller blading, bumper cars, rock climbing, pools etc. They also love Adventure Ocean. How are the activities for tweens on DCL? Any specific ships better for these ages?
My younger two will be 5 and 8 and I know they're just going to love DCL.

I'm also under the impression that the shows are more family friendly on DCL, and we're really happy about this. These were something we just usually skipped for the kids (we would usually go see shows when they were in Adventure Ocean.) How do the show times work with the kids club on DCL? Can you do both the show as a family, as well as evening kids club for the kids?

Any tips for us as new DCL cruisers? Thanks in advance!

Disney Cruises are heavily themed to exactly as it’s called-Disney. As long as your kids are as much fans as I am, it’s definitely worth that deposit. Disney cruises have an emphasis on theming and although there are some extreme activities on some ships like AquaDuck, it’s not as big of a selection as what you would find on Royal or Carnival. The dining on the cruises is immaculate and is themed towards different Disney aspects such as animation (in Animators Palate), Marvel, and even a restaurant dedicated to Tiana.

If this is your first time, take in all that rotational dining. It is worth it for the ambience and that great cast member service. They have very nice menus appropriately themed as well. If you choose a ship that has AquaDuck, go on it. It is an awesome slide that takes you all over the ship. And most importantly, take in as much of the onboard activities! Don’t be the one group on board that hides in their stateroom on their iPads or Netflix for most of the cruise. A Disney Cruise is the best time to take a break from those.

I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun onboard!

 

[jimmymc]

I think all of those ages will love the kid clubs. When they aren't in the pool, dinner, or a show, this is where many of the kids spend time. They are normally open from morning until well after dinner, so they can eat and see the main theater show, then return to the clubs for a few hours before bed. The shows are family-friendly, and if the kids like Disney movies, they'll like the shows. Since Disney only uses early and late set dining times for the main restaurants, plus alternating showtimes to accommodate both, you don't need to worry about scheduling in the shows. The Pirate Night deck party comes after the second dinner and show are finished.

For tips, a lot of activities and excursions will sell out before the cruise begins, some even sell out to the longtime cruisers who get to book them earlier. For your first cruise, have backups and more backups if you really want to do some excursions or specific activities on Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay. Dinner times are usually around 5:45 and 8:00, so get your request in early if you prefer one or the other.

The upcharge restaurants are adults-only and pretty fancy. Unless you want to plan a specific date night, assume you'll be taking the kids to your rotational restaurant every night. The buffet usually isn't open for dinner, so the only other alternatives are the counter service food at the pool deck or room service.

Definitely see all the theater shows and deck parties you can, especially the pirate night and musicals based on a specific movie (like Aladdin on the Wish or Moana on the Treasure).

 

[Cruisinonlydisney]

A cruise for your kids is what they make of it. There may not be rock climbing walls, bumper cars, etc…..but tell them to immerse themselves in the activities the youth counselors provide. My 16 year old son, who loves everything about Vibe, has made buddies for life in that club. He is still FaceTiming with friends from around the world two years later.