A magical adventure awaits preschoolers when they toddle onboard a Disney cruise. Little sailors aboard all four Disney Cruise Line ships can march with Mickey Mouse and rub shadows with Peter Pan, as Disney Cruise Line draws on a treasure trove of characters and the active imaginations of little ones to serve up a healthy dose of fun.
Playtime
Young seafarers 6 months to 3 years old enter a whimsical world inspired by the classic Disney theme park attraction at It’s a Small World Nursery (Disney Fantasy, Disney Dream, Disney Magic) and enjoy life “under the sea” at “The Little Mermaid”-themed Flounder’s Reef Nursery (Disney Wonder). In these immersive spaces, trained counselors care for and entertain children with toys, books, videos, crafts and games. And favorite Disney characters may pop in to surprise the little sailors from time to time. The nurseries offer some of the longest operating hours and lowest hourly rates for baby and toddler care in the cruise industry.
Preschoolers ages 3 and up spend their days at sea in Disney’s Oceaneer Club, a child-friendly oasis that transports them to magical lands filled with arts, crafts, storytelling, music, dancing and more. The Oceaneer Club features age-targeted spaces and uniquely themed areas inspired by Disney whimsy, including adventuresome toys, fanciful fairies and brave superheroes.
Disney’s Oceaneer Lab has a seafaring twist with a pirate-theme, taking preschoolers ages 3 and up on a nautical journey of discovery, exploration and adventure. Here, kids can participate in crazy interactive science experiments, character experiences, sing-alongs, sports challenges and more.
In both the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream, kids can have real-time conversations with Crush, the animated sea turtle from “Finding Nemo” and Stitch, the mischievous animated space alien. A Magic PlayFloor gives little ones the chance to soar above London with Peter Pan or hop around the bayou as frogs.
Preschoolers can also engage with their favorite Disney Junior characters during high-energy dance parties, featuring fun activities from “Jake & the Neverland Pirates” and “Sofia the First.” And the Disney Junior fun doesn’t stop there. In the Oceaneer Club, little ones can go on an interactive Little Einstein’s adventure to explore nature, geography, art, music and more.
Dining
Dine and Play allows families to enjoy dinner together, then gives youngsters more time to enjoy youth activities while parents relax at the end of the meal. With Dine and Play, parents check their children into evening youth activities during second seating in all of the main dining rooms. Families enjoy dinner together, then youth counselors whisk children away to play so the grown-ups can savor some time together in the adult-exclusive areas of the ship until as late as midnight.
In the dining rooms, parents can also look for foods with a Mickey Check, which are guaranteed to be nutritious and meet Disney Nutrition Guidelines. Back in the kids’ clubs, preschoolers can devour a tasty meal of pizza, macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers and other kid-friendly staples with fresh fruit and juice served in the playroom.
Fun in the Sun
On the ship’s upper decks, dedicated pool areas for small children feature a huge spiral slide and interactive water play areas just for toddlers, with pop jets, fountains and other delights. At the family pool, youngsters can swim while enjoying Disney films on the giant Funnel Vision LED screen. Preschoolers can also enjoy the sports deck with their families, or participate in outdoor games hosted by youth counselors.
During a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, young ones can splash down for water games and other wet fun during the Caribbean Beach Party at Scuttle’s Cove. And family time on Castaway Cay is an adventure for preschoolers who join parents and older siblings for a fossil dig sure to turn up whale bones and sharks’ teeth.
Families can register their preschool-aged children for the kids clubs either online before cruising or after boarding the ship. While children are enjoying the most extensive youth activity areas at sea, parents can enjoy their vacation “worry-free,” thanks to complimentary phones that allow crew or kids to contact parents anytime and anywhere on the ship.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.
