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Sailing the Disney Wish with a Toddler


The Disney Wish is a fantastic ship with plenty of activities for all ages, including toddlers. Here are some tips to make the most of your cruise with your little one:

Before You Go

  • Pack Smart: Bring essentials like diapers, wipes, and your child’s favorite snacks. Don’t forget swim diapers for the splash pads. Please note all snacks must be sealed in original packaging and fruit is not allowed to be brought onboard the ship. Our favorites are That's It Bars, Animal Crackers, and un-opened, commercially-packed applesauce pouches.
  • Stroller: A lightweight, foldable stroller is handy for navigating the ship and ports of call. The smaller the better here, our Bugaboo Butterfly fits in the overhead compartments on airplanes, but couldn't get past the bed in the stateroom so we kept it folded in the closet while not out and about.

Onboard Tips

    • Nursery Services: Take advantage of the “It’s a Small World Nursery” for babysitting services. You can enjoy some adult time while your toddler is well cared for. At time of writing, it was $9 an hour and advance reservations are highly recommended as it can book up fast and maintains strict ratios to ensure proper care for babies and toddlers.
    • Character Meet-and-Greets: Check the Navigator app for times and locations of character appearances. These are magical moments for little ones! 
    • Dining: The rotational dining system means you’ll experience different themed restaurants. The servers are great about bringing toddler meals out first so they can eat and entertain themselves. For breakfast we loved grabbing Mickey Waffles at Marceline Market, and for lunch we grabbed some tasty treats from Mickey's Festival of Food and brought it back to our stateroom to settle down for naptime afterwards. Inform the staff about any dietary needs for your toddler and they are sure to accommodate.
    • Pools and Splash Zones: The ship has a toddler-friendly splash zone, “Toy Story Splash Zone.” Perfect for some water fun!
    • Shows and Entertainment: While some of the main theater shows might be too long for a toddler, we found the deck parties to be the perfect balance of entertainment, length and fun! You can catch the full-length stage shows on your stateroom TV if you miss them in the theater.

    Port Adventures

    • Choose Toddler-Friendly Excursions: Look for excursions that are suitable for young children. The Disney Cruise Line website provides details on age-appropriate activities.
    • Stay Flexible: Sometimes the best plan is to have no plan. Enjoy the ship’s amenities if your toddler needs a break from excursions. With the Wish having short 3 and 4 day itineraries, it is easy to fill the whole trip with shipboard activities and never need to leave the ship (we didn't!)

    Extra Magic

    • Themed Days: Participate in themed days like Pirate Night. Dress up and enjoy the festivities! Seeing everyone dressed up and in the spirit is one of my favorite parts of Disney cruises.
    • Interactive Play Areas: Explore areas like the Oceaneer Club during Open Houses and Toddler Time, which has spaces designed for younger children. 

    General Tips

    • Nap Time: Plan activities around your toddler’s nap schedule to avoid meltdowns. But also be flexible and go with the flow. My kiddo was too excited the first day to nap at all, and we just didn't stress about it and were ready to take him to bed when he was ready for it.
    • Family Photos: Purchase the photo package in advance so you have one less thing to worry about on the cruise. Then, take advantage of the ship’s photographers at backdrops, on Castaway Cay and with the characters to capture special moments of the whole travel party.
    • Emergency Kit: Have a small kit with essentials like band-aids, sunscreen, and any medications your child might need.

    Enjoy your magical cruise! Do you have any specific activities or ports you’re particularly excited about? 🚢✨

    Planning a Disney Cruise Line vacation? We are here to help! Contact your Kingdom Konsultant travel professional or submit a request form for a free quote today. Make sure to check out our Disney Cruise Line page for more posts.

    We Want to Hear From You

    Have you sailed on the Disney Wish with a toddler? What tips would you add to our list? Let us know in the comments.

    Maci Schau

    Maci is an avid foodie and loves trying out new restaurants and seasonal food offerings in the parks.  You can email Maci at maci@kingdomkonsultant.com.

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