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Fulfilling the needs of children and families during their precious vacations is one of the things that Disney does best, and Disney Cruise Line is no exception.
Children may choose to participate in organized programs in the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab or they can enjoy a variety of activities that are available throughout the day in other areas of the ship. Slipping and sliding down the chute into Mickey’s Pool, splashing and having fun in the sun in Goofy’s Family Pool, stretching in a morning workout at Goofy’s Family Fitness, family line dancing, and ping pong are just some of the available physical activities that you’ll find aboard Disney’s ships. For more relaxing entertainment, watch a first-run Disney movie in one of the theatres, play a board game or learn how to draw a Disney character. Play video games or see some of the live entertainment shows featuring some of Disney’s most beloved characters; the fun is yours to discover aboard one of the Disney Cruise Line ships.
Throughout the day, Disney characters appear in several locations around the ship to meet and greet the little cruisers (and big ones, too!). The Oceaneer Club and the Oceaneer Lab offer age-specific programs with lots of fun, interesting hands-on activities to keep the younger set entertained. In fact, some parents say that they hardly see their kids at all during their cruise.
NEED TO KNOW INFORMATION
YOUTH CLUBS
Kids’ Clubs Hours
With the exception of Embarkation Day, the operating hours for the Oceaneer Club and Lab are typically 9:00 am to midnight or 1:00 am, but they can vary so you’ll want to check for those details on your specific cruise. Fewer activities are scheduled and hours can be shorter when the ship is in port. Later in the evening, mats are provided for younger children whose parents may be out past the little one’s bedtime.
Checking Kids In and Out
Parents should plan on checking in their kids for the programs on Embarkation Day. Kids don’t have to participate then, but that’s the best time to get the paperwork completed, get your child’s ID bracelet, and learn the check-in/check-out system. This can be done at the port before you even board the ship. Check the Disney Cruise Line app for check-in times once you’re onboard. Parents can also receive messages using the DCL app on their mobile devices. The clubs will use these to contact parents if needed.
All children must wear their wristband which contains vital information such as their name, age group, stateroom number, pertinent medical information, and whether or not they have parental permission to sign themselves out of the clubs on their own – this privilege is only available to kids ages 8 and older; younger kids are not able to sign themselves out. Because of the computer chip in the bands, counselors can check in a computer at any given time and know exactly where a child is. When checking in and out, the child will tap their band to a scanner at the club’s entrance. This pulls up their information in the computer for the counselors. A password will be required by the adult checking the children out.
Special Needs
Children with special needs are welcome; simply give the Oceaneer Club or Lab advance notice so that they can schedule an extra counselor if need be. Some counselors know sign language and can assist children who are hearing impaired. With cast members from over 50 countries around the world, many foreign language needs can also be handled.
“it’s a small world” NURSERY (6 months – 3 years) | Dream, Fantasy, Magic, Wish, and Wonder
This is a group babysitting center specifically designed for little ones ages 6 months to 3 years of age. This is the only option open to parents of the little ones as there is no in-room babysitting service on the ship. Unlike the planned programs for the older children, the nursery has a per-hour charge with a minimum of 1 hour. For additional children in the same family, the charge is a little less per hour for an additional child. Cancellations can be made without penalty up to 4 hours in advance.
The theming is inspired by the Disneyland Resort classic attraction and original artwork by Mary Blair. The floor even has a blue “river” running down the middle of it. The nursery is filled with hands-on features that will keep the kids busy for hours, such as horns to honk, wheels to spin, and buttons to press. Kids will enjoy the crafts, books, and games and love sitting at tables that are just their size. There is a second room that is kept dimly lit and calm, perfect for naptime.
There are a maximum of four infants (those not yet walking) and 16 toddlers allowed, depending on the number of counselors on hand. Parents are required to provide their own diapers/Pull-Ups, baby wipes, extra clothing/pajamas, pre-made bottles of milk/formula labeled with the child’s name, baby food in jars, sippy cups, and security items such as blankets, pacifiers, or a favorite toy. Parents will need to keep a close eye on the chat feature in the DCL app so they can be reached in case of a medical or emotional need. Caregivers are not qualified to administer medication but there is a trained CPR/First Aid crew member present at all times.
“it’s a small world” Nursery must be reserved in advance. 10 hours worth of reservations can be made online up to:
You can also make or alter your reservations during the open house on Embarkation Day on a first-come, first-served basis. Because space is extremely limited, be sure to book your child’s nursery stay as soon as you are able. Additional times may be added later based on availability.
Each day from 8:00 – 9:00 am, parents may join their toddlers in the nursery for family playtime. This may be a good way to introduce nervous children to their new surroundings.
OCEANEER CLUB (ages 3-12) | Dream, Fantasy, Magic, Wish, and Wonder
The Oceaneer Club is the place where your kids will want to spend all their time on a Disney Cruise. The fantastical decor will transport them to the wonderful world of fairies, monsters, toys, and undersea journeys. The Club and Lab are connected with a secure, kids-only hallway, so children can go between the two areas freely.
The Club is set up with a central rotunda as the hub, and the other rooms branch off from there. The rotunda’s ceiling is covered with constellations of Disney characters. A stage allows kids to express their creativity and storytelling, plus is the perfect place to host the Disney characters when they visit! A large-screen plasma TV show movies and occasionally allows Crush the turtle to come to visit and chat with the kids!
There are activities featuring some of your favorite Disney characters, including friends from Disney Junior. Kids can become doctors at Doc McStuffins‘ Toy Hospital, build cars during Mickey Mouse and the Roadster Racers, have a tea party while they Fancy It Yourself with Fancy Nancy, or show their moves at the Dancelvania Dance Party with Vampirina.
The Oceaneer Club on the Disney Wish is going to be a bit different from the other ships. Firstly, parents will be able to check their children in from the Grand Hall on deck 3 and then send them “down the rabbit hole” on a twisting slide that lands directly and securely into the central hub… how cool is that?! This space on the Disney Wish will include Marvel Super Hero Academy – a high-tech facility for training the next generation of heroes; Fairytale Hall – a royal trio of activity rooms inspired by Rapunzel, Belle, and Frozen friends; and Walt Disney Imagineering Lab – a unique opportunity for kids to discover the secrets of world-renowned Disney Imagineers. Rounding out Disney’s Oceaneer Club are two brand-new spaces – Star Wars: Cargo Bay and Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck. You can learn more and see photos of each of the spaces on our Disney Wish page.
SCUTTLE’S COVE (ages 3-12)
On Castaway Cay, a special kid’s play area called Scuttle’s Cove is open from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. On this day, kids can ONLY be checked into the club at Scuttle’s Cove – there is no onboard program until after 4:00 pm. Plenty of fun activities are planned, including a “dig” and treasure hunt. Parents can be assured that Scuttle’s Cove is not near the water and that kids checked into the program on Castaway Cay will not be taken near the water by the counselors. Lunch will be served at Scuttle’s Cove as well. Parents and children must check in and out at the desk and their security is of the utmost importance here.
OCEANEER LAB (ages 3-12) | Dream, Fantasy, and Magic
Imagination rules at this play space that’s dedicated to exploration, where children are invited to play inventive games, perform wacky experiments and participate in all kinds of educational activities amid distinctly themed rooms.
Disney’s Oceaneer Lab will take kids on a great adventure full of maps, constellations, and even a stage for all of their greatest performances! This stage is one of the main gathering spaces in the Lab – perfect for kids to listen to stories and act out their own. Individual computer stations will allow them to enjoy interactive games. Disney movies will be shown on the 103-inch plasma TV; animated characters will come to life on this screen and interact with the kids. The main room is also the beginning of a ship-wide adventure where kids will become explorers and hunt for clues. On ships where both are present, the Club and Lab are connected with a secure, kids-only hallway, so children can go between the two areas freely.
EDGE (ages 11-14) | Dream, Fantasy, Magic, Wish, and Wonder
Edge is the “tween” club – only kids ages 11 – 14 can enter! It has a great location on Deck 13 inside the Forward Funnel on the Dream and Fantasy. On the Magic and Wonder, it is located on Deck 9, Midship. Edge is decorated in bright colors and retro decor.
Dream and Fantasy
Disney knows how much kids love technology, and Edge is full of it! There are individual computer stations with notebook computers available to play games and access a special onboard social media application designed just for them. With this application, kids can leave each other messages and post photos and videos for their new onboard friends.
Kids can create their own photo postcards and star in video karaoke using green-screen technology.
One whole wall of the club is an 18-foot long, 5-foot tall video wall, perfect for video games and watching movies. This video wall can be used as one large screen or separated into any combination of individual screens.
Ready for a dance party at any time, there is a lighted dance floor with colored lights on the ceiling. A 10-foot video screen comes down from the ceiling to provide music video backgrounds and lighting effects.
One of the great things about Edge’s location in the funnel is the views of the pool decks below. The windows are made so that kids can see out, but guests on the decks can’t see in. Another cool feature is that the AquaDuck water coaster winds through the funnel and three portholes in Edge give silhouetted views of the riders as they zip through the funnel.
Magic and Wonder:
Located on Deck 9 midship, Edge is a tweens-only space open from 9:00 am – midnight daily.
Tweens can play video games, sing karaoke, watch TV, and use the computer lab. The space is filled with couches for hanging out, arts and crafts tables, and flat-screen TVs. Counselors will keep the kids busy until midnight with activities such as:
Wish
At Edge, tweens ages 11 to 14 will have fun, make friends and play games in a bright, colorful hangout inspired by a chic New York City loft. A faux-grass picnic area and graphic art displays called “photo walls” will provide ample opportunities for tweens to capture cool, shareable vacation pics that will be the envy of their friends back home.
Located on deck 5, the exclusive entrance to Edge will be hidden behind a framed piece of art that reimagines world-famous paintings in a pop art-inspired compilation of Disney characters, including Minnie as the ‘Girl with the Pearl Earring’ and Donald as Salvador Dali.
VIBE (ages 14-17) | Dream, Fantasy, Magic, Wish, and Wonder
Vibe is exclusively for teens ages 14-17. Located on Deck 5 forward on the Dream and Fantasy and Deck 11 Midship on the Magic, this 9,000 square foot club is hip, yet casual. All the furniture is modular, allowing teens to move it around and lounge wherever they want.
Technology reigns here at Vibe, and the central area of the space is a media room, complete with a 103-inch LCD screen with digital surround sound, perfect for watching movies and playing video games. Computer stations allow access to a special onboard social media application designed just for them. With this application, kids can leave each other messages and post photos and videos for their new onboard friends.
The room’s walls are lined with built-in oval seats made to look like portholes. These nooks are perfect for hanging out and watching TV, reading, or listening to music.
A dance club area lets teens test out their DJ skills, spinning and mixing tracks for the dance party. The floor is lit with colorful lights and features a video wall. A stage will play host to talent shows, karaoke contests, and dance competitions.
Just like the adult clubs, Vibe offers a fountain bar serving non-alcoholic drinks, such as soda, juice, smoothies, and coffee drinks.
On the Dream and Fantasy, the fun doesn’t stop inside the club. A private deck area outside means teens never have to leave! Chairs and loungers are great for sunbathing, and when the sun gets too hot, there are two wading pools, fountains, jets, and misters to help cool you down. If sunbathing isn’t your thing, ping pong and foosball are available as well.
Disney Wonder:
Vibe, the club for teens 14-17, is designed to look like a hip, loft apartment/coffee shop. Couches, chairs, and a dance floor come together to create an environment perfect for this age group, so the teenagers have a place to meet, have some fun and call their own. There’s one computer station found here that’s exclusive to the use of the teens. Alcohol-free drinks will be available at the ‘bar’, and there is plenty of seating for talking and socializing. Teen fun focuses on parties, pizza, dancing, karaoke…all the things teens like to do. Teens also have special activities created just for them. Highlights include:
Disney Wish
At Vibe on the Disney Wish, teens ages 14 to 17 can meet new friends, watch movies, play games and participate in entertaining activities created just for them. Inspired by a Parisian artists’ loft, this stylish space features classic architectural elements with an electric retro twist, with vibrant neon signs and funky pop art. Combine those with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, and every angle in Vibe will offer a selfie-worthy backdrop for the trendiest teens on the high seas.
THE HIDEAWAY (tweens & teens; 1820 Society) | Wish
For the first time on a Disney ship, the Disney Wish features a third retreat for tweens and teens: The Hideaway. This hip, new hangout offers older kids and young adults another place to relax, sip a smoothie, listen to music, and more in a posh setting complete with a dance floor and DJ booth – perfect for karaoke contests and dance competitions.
The Hideaway is adorned in a vibrant color palette, retro-inspired design details, a stylized “Hiya, pal” mural, and disco ball lights. Adjacent to Vibe, this flexible venue can be opened to the teen club, closed off for tween activities, and even reserved especially for guests ages 18 to 20.
CHILL SPA (ages 13-17) | Dream, Fantasy, and Magic
Senses Spa isn’t just for adults! Chill Spa for Teens is located inside Senses Spa – Deck 11 on the Dream and Fantasy and Deck 9 on the Magic. Guests ages 13 – 17 have their own space with two treatment rooms with showers and a separate seating area just for the teen guests. Special spa treatments have been designed just for them, including facials, massages, body treatments, manicures, and pedicures. Some highlights are:
Senior Editor at The DIS and DCL Fan | Disney Vacation Club Member | Thrilled to have been a ’13/’14 Disney Parks Moms Panelist (now planDisney) | Lover of all things Disney; the Magic of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line | ºoº
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