What to Expect on Your Disney Cruise Embarkation Day with Kids
Disney Cruise embarkation day is one of my favorite days of the entire trip. It’s the moment when the wait is finally over and the trip you booked months, or even a year ago, is finally here.
Whether it’s your first Disney Cruise or one of many, there’s nothing quite like stepping into the atrium for the first time as they call your family’s name and welcome you aboard. There’s an excitement in the air that you can feel as families get ready to set sail.
That’s not to say embarkation day doesn’t come with a few challenges, especially with young kids. But, with a little preparation and the right expectations, it’s all very manageable.
In this post, we’ll walk through what to expect on your Disney Cruise embarkation day and how to navigate it with young kids. My family and I recently returned from a sailing on the Disney Wish, and we’ll share the tips that helped make our first day go smoothly.
Boarding the Ship
As you make your way down the covered walkway from the terminal to the ship, you’ll be greeted by Disney Cruise Line Cast Members ready to officially welcome you aboard. As a fun option, you can give the Cast Member a name you’d like announced as you enter the ship. Some families choose their last name, while others, like ours, use their kids’ names. It’s a really special moment that our kids always enjoy. The Cast Members in the atrium will clap as you enter, and just like that, you’re officially on board.
The atrium looks a little different on each ship in the fleet, with its own color palette, theme, and bronze character statue. Take a moment to soak in the details as you make your way farther inside. Look up at the chandelier, check out the stage area, and notice the balcony above. On our sailing, Cinderella and Prince Charming were waving to guests as they boarded. There’s also a beautiful bronze statue of Cinderella near the main staircase on the Wish. It’s even more impressive in person, and it’s worth coming back later once things settle down to take it all in.
If it’s your first time on board, head toward one of the main hallways and look for the directional signs to get your bearings. Depending on your boarding time, we usually like to make our way to our stateroom first.
Head to Your Stateroom (When Available)
Staterooms are typically ready around 1:00 PM. There are large doors leading to the stateroom hallways that will remain closed until Disney is ready to let guests begin making their way to their rooms.
Your room key on board Disney Cruise Line ships is called a “Key to the World” card. This card is an important part of your trip and is used to enter your room, make purchases, and get on and off the ship. You’ll also find helpful information on it, including your Muster Drill assembly station. The cards for everyone in your stateroom will be left in a sealed envelope just outside your door so there’s no need to stop by Guest Services to pick them up.
Once inside your room, you’ll need to place one of the cards into the slot near the door to turn on the lights. If you have a MagicBand+, referred to as a DisneyBand+ on Disney Cruises, it can be used in place of a Key to the World card for many functions, but you’ll still need the card for the light switch in your room.
If timing allows, stopping at your stateroom first when traveling with little ones can make the rest of the day much easier. We like to drop off any carry-on bags, give everyone a chance to use the bathroom, and change our younger son if needed. Checked bags will be delivered later in the afternoon and placed outside your room in the hallway.
This is also a great time to try and meet your stateroom host. You’ll have the same Cast Member throughout your trip, and they do an incredible job helping your family feel comfortable in your stateroom. They’ll introduce themselves and ask if there’s anything they can assist with. In our case, he made sure a Diaper Genie was set up for us and confirmed how we wanted the beds arranged for our kids each night.
Disney Cruise Line really does a great job understanding the extra logistics that come with traveling with little ones and offers several complimentary items to help make your stateroom setup easier for families. If you’d like a more comprehensive look at some of those items available for families, you can read our full guide here.
When we originally booked our cruise, I had requested bed rails for each of the kids’ beds, but we found out once on board that they weren’t available. Our stateroom host knew exactly what to do and created barriers using rolled up blankets and towels. It actually worked better for our kids than traditional bed rails since they were softer and covered the full length of the bed. It was a great example of how helpful they can be in making your stay more comfortable.
As an added fun detail, during turn-down service each night while you’re at dinner, your stateroom host will leave a towel animal on the bed along with a few chocolates. It quickly became something our kids looked forward to every evening.
Before you head back out, it’s a good idea to grab anything you might need for the next few hours. If you don’t plan on returning to your stateroom right away, pack a small diaper bag, grab your stroller, and bring along anything your kids may need so you’re not going back and forth. Make sure you have your Key to the World cards or MagicBands with you as well, since you’ll need them for your Muster Drill later.
Get Set Up in the Navigator App
Once you’ve had a chance to drop off any carry-on bags and see your stateroom, take a few minutes to get set up in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. Open the app on your phone and connect to the Disney Cruise Line guest WI-FI. Access to the guest WI-FI in this way is free.
There are internet packages available for an additional cost if you are looking to use more features on your phone or tablet, including streaming services, YouTube, and social media. This is something you can set up later in the day once things slow down a bit, rather than trying to do it right away after boarding.
The Navigator app will show you daily activities, and you can favorite the ones you’re interested in to receive a notification when the start time is approaching. On your first day, take some time to explore what’s available and pay close attention to information regarding your Muster Drill and rotational dining details.
Some key activities to look out for on your first day include:
Muster Drill time and location
Kids Club open houses
Sail Away Party start time
Rotational dining restaurant assignment and menu
If you have any issues connecting to the WI-FI or getting your Navigator app set up, you can stop by Guest Services and they’ll be happy to help.
Grab Lunch
After getting settled, one of the next things we usually do is grab lunch. Disney Cruise ships offer a wide variety of food options, from quick service to sit-down restaurants, and even room service. There’s always something available no matter what time you’re ready to eat.
Depending on your boarding time, the buffet option (Cabanas or Marceline Market) is usually open until around 2:00 PM. You can also check the Navigator app to see which restaurant is open for a sit-down meal. If you’re looking for something quick and easy, we like heading up to the quick service options located on Deck 11 on the Disney Wish, called Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods. Here you can find pizza, burgers, hot dogs, BBQ and of course soft-serve ice cream.
My kids are pretty picky eaters, but they love the pizza on board, which makes it an easy option for us on that first day. Having quick service options like this is especially helpful when you’re traveling with little kids since you don’t have to spend time searching for something they’ll eat or waiting too long for food. There’s also usually plenty of seating on deck, so it’s easy to find a spot and relax while you enjoy the views.
Complete Your Muster Drill
Regardless of how many cruises you’ve taken, the Muster Drill is a mandatory safety drill that all guests are required to attend. The exact timing can vary, but on our recent sailing, our all aboard time was 3:00 PM and the Muster Drill began shortly after at 3:30PM. The length of the drill can vary as well, since Cast Members need to wait for all guests to check in before it can begin.
Assembly stations are assigned based on your stateroom and can be located throughout the ship. Some are indoors, while others are outside. On a previous sailing, our assembly station was inside the Walt Disney Theater, where we were able to sit comfortably while we waited. On this trip, our location was outside on Deck 4, and we were standing the entire time.
Be sure to confirm the details of your assembly station in the Navigator app, on your Key to the World card, or on the safety information that’s posted on your stateroom door. If you have trouble finding where you need to go, any Cast Member can point you in the right direction. This is also where having your Key to the World cards or MagicBands with you comes in handy, since you’ll need it to check in at your assembly station.
All activities on the ship will pause during the Muster Drill, and it’s important to arrive on time. For families with young kids, especially those who have trouble standing still or don’t like to be held for long periods of time, I highly recommend bringing a stroller if your assembly station is outdoors or doesn’t have obvious seating. My toddler had a hard time standing still for the length of our drill, especially since we ended up waiting more than 20 minutes for it to begin.
As part of the drill, the ship will test its alarms. There will be several short bursts followed by a longer sound that is quite loud. If you have kids who are sensitive to loud noises, be prepared to cover their ears or bring headphones for that portion. You’ll be notified in advance before that process begins so you have time to prepare.
Sail Away Party
Shortly after the Muster Drill finishes, the Sail Away Party begins on Decks 11 and 12. Getting there can be a bit tricky since most guests are heading to the same place at the same time, and the elevators tend to fill up quickly. If you’re able to, taking the stairs is often the faster option.
Where your assembly station is located can also make a difference in how easy it is to find a good viewing spot. If you’re closer to the upper decks or able to get there quickly, you may have a better chance at finding a spot with a clear view.
On our first sailing, we tried watching from Deck 11, but it was extremely crowded and we were so far from the stage that we could only really see the screen. On this trip, we headed up to Deck 12 instead to try looking down on the stage. It worked a little better, and we were able to find enough space for the kids to see, even if the rest of us didn’t have the best view.
There’s definitely a bit of strategy involved if you’re hoping for a great view, like heading there right away or taking the stairs if possible, but a lot of it comes down to timing and location. If you don’t end up with the perfect spot, don’t stress too much. The large screen still gives you a good view of the show, and my kids were dancing and having a great time regardless.
The show itself is a fun way to officially kick off your cruise. Mickey, Minnie, and their friends take the stage to sing and dance, getting everyone excited for the trip ahead. At the end, the ship’s horn sounds, marking the official start of your sailing.
The show lasts about 30 minutes and is worth attending, especially if your kids enjoy seeing characters and being part of the excitement. If you’re on Deck 12, it’s also a great opportunity to take in the views as the ship begins to pull away from the port.
Afternoon Free Time (Before Dinner)
After the Sail Away Party and before dinner begins, you’ll have some free time to explore. My kids were really excited to check out the pools and splash pad, so that’s where we decided to head.
One thing to keep in mind is that only potty-trained kids are allowed in the pools. Since my toddler wasn’t, he spent his time in the splash pad, which does allow swim diapers. On our sailing, the lifeguard was also asking parents for their children’s ages and mentioned that the splash pad was limited to kids ages 4 and under. Because of that, my preschooler ended up swimming in a nearby pool instead.
This age restriction wasn’t something I was aware of before our trip, so my older son was a little disappointed he couldn’t use the splash pad like he had on a previous cruise when he was younger. He handled it well though and still had a great time in the pool. It’s something I’d recommend preparing your kids for ahead of time though so there aren’t any surprises.
If you have the first dinner seating at 5:45 PM, there isn’t a lot of time before you eat, but there is enough to explore the ship or make a quick stop at the pools. On our sailing, the shops didn’t open until 5:30 PM, so you can either stop in quickly before dinner or take a stroll through afterward, which is what we usually chose to do.
Kids Club Open House
Another activity to keep an eye out for throughout embarkation day is the Kids Club open house. Disney Cruise ships have several kids clubs, each designed for a different age group. During your cruise, each one will offer an open house where parents can accompany their kids inside for a limited time. During the open house, your kids can explore all the different areas and get familiar with what’s offered. If your little ones are unsure whether they want to spend time in the kids club, this is a great way to help them feel more comfortable before going on their own later.
The timing of the open house may vary depending on the length of your cruise. For our recent trip, the open house for the Oceaneer Club that my preschooler would visit took place on embarkation day. We ultimately chose to grab something to eat, go swimming, and watch the Sail Away Party instead of attending. At the time, my son wasn’t really interested in going, so it wasn’t a priority for us.
Later in the trip, when he decided he wanted to try the Kids Club, he was very hesitant and ultimately didn’t end up going on his own.
If you think your kids might be interested in the kids club, you can pre-register during online check-in to save time once you’re on board. If not, you’ll need to take a few minutes to complete that process before they can play. If your child already has a MagicBand+, be sure to bring it since it can be used for check-in. Otherwise, you’ll need to purchase a band on board for $25 and either return it at the end of your trip for a refund or keep it as a souvenir.
One fun detail on the Disney Wish is that the Oceaneer Club has a slide that takes kids from Deck 4 down to Deck 3 directly into the club. On our next trip, we’re planning to make time for the open house, even if it’s just for a quick visit.
First Night of Rotational Dining
On Disney Cruises, there are two seating times for dinner that are selected when you initially book your trip. The early seating begins at 5:45 PM, and the later seating begins at 8:15 PM. The earlier time is especially popular for families with young kids.
When we booked our trip about four months before sailing, we were assigned the later seating but requested to be added to the waitlist for the earlier time. About two months before our trip, we received a notification that our request was accepted and we were moved to the earlier seating. If you’re interested in changing your dining time, you can also try to stop by Guest Services once you’re on board, although it’s not guaranteed they’ll be able to make the switch.
During your cruise, you’ll rotate between three different main dining restaurants. Depending on the length of your sailing, you’ll likely visit at least one of them more than once. Your assigned restaurant for each night can be found in the Navigator app under the “My Plans” section, along with your table number. It can save a little time to check your table number ahead of time so you can share it with the Cast Members when you arrive, but if not, they can easily look it up for you.
Each restaurant has its own theme and menu. On our first night aboard the Disney Wish, we dined at World of Marvel, which was a big hit with everyone. There was a fun show playing on screens with some of our favorite Marvel characters, interactive elements my preschooler loved, and even a surprise visit from Spider-Man at the end of the meal.
Meals typically include appetizers, entrees, and desserts, and you’re welcome to order as much as you’d like. If you’re traveling with infants, you can also ask your server about options like pureed baby food, including applesauce or vegetables.
One thing that really stood out to us was the service. Your table will have a dedicated Server and Assistant Server who stay with you throughout your trip, even as you rotate between restaurants. They quickly learn your preferences and often bring drinks or favorite items without you needing to ask. My kids are very picky eaters and only wanted plain cheese pizza. Our server made sure they had it every night, even when it wasn’t listed on the menu.
Dinner took about an hour and a half each night on our sailing, and for such a busy restaurant, we found the pacing to be really well done. One thing that helped us was deciding what everyone wanted ahead of time. They also tend to bring kids’ meals out first, which helped keep things moving for our family.
If you plan to head somewhere after dinner, it can be helpful to bring your stroller with you. There’s stroller parking available outside each restaurant, which made it easy for us to continue exploring the ship without needing to go back to our stateroom first.
Evening Activities (or Take It Easy)
After dinner, check the Navigator app to see what shows and activities are available for the evening. The app includes a brief description of each event, recommended ages, and the approximate length. Depending on your sailing, you may find trivia events, movies, character appearances, and even Disney Broadway-style shows throughout the trip.
If everyone is tired after a long travel day, though, there’s nothing wrong with keeping your first night simple. One of our favorite low-key options was grabbing an ice cream cone from Deck 11 and finding a spot to watch a movie on Funnel Vision. My kids absolutely loved it, and it ended up being one of the things they remembered most from the trip.
There’s just something special about sitting out under the stars, watching a Disney movie on the big screen, and enjoying a quiet evening together as a family.
Wind Down for the Night
When you’re ready to turn in for the night, you’ll return to a fun towel animal waiting on the bed along with a few chocolates as a treat. This is usually when we try to do as much of our normal bath and bedtime routine as possible, since following a familiar schedule helps our kids settle down and fall asleep a little easier.
One thing we really appreciated about our stateroom was the split bathroom design, which helped make our nighttime routine feel much smoother. We found the tub to be surprisingly spacious, and I liked that it had an actual door instead of a shower curtain. One difference between the bathrooms on the Disney Wish and the Disney Fantasy is that the tubs on the Fantasy are round, while the tubs on the Wish are rectangular. If you’re interested in seeing more about how our stateroom on the Disney Fantasy was set up for our family, you can also take a look at our full stateroom tour here.
I also recommend bringing a few small bath toys, a plastic cup, and travel-size bottles of your kids’ soap to make bath time easier. While there is a dispenser with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower, my kids have sensitive skin so we prefer bringing our own products. The bottom of the tub also has a textured non-slip surface that worked really well for us, and we didn’t have any issues with slipping.
There’s also a retractable clothing line inside the tub area that’s perfect for hanging wet bathing suits so they can dry overnight before the next day.
On our recent sailing, we stayed in a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with a Verandah. My older son slept on the Murphy bed while my toddler used the pull-down sofa bed. With the blanket and towel barriers set up by our stateroom host, both kids were actually really comfortable and slept well through the trip.
The verandah curtains are blackout curtains and do a great job keeping the room dark, even during the daytime. There’s also a curtain that separates the main bed from the living room area. While it isn’t fully blackout, it still blocked enough light that we were able to keep a dim bedside light on and watch TV after the kids went to sleep without any issues.
If you’re still hungry at the end of the night, don’t forget that room service is available at no additional cost. You can order directly through the phone in your stateroom, and we typically found it took about 30 minutes for food to arrive. While room service itself is included, it’s still customary to tip the Cast Member delivering your food.
Your stateroom TV also includes live channels along with on-demand Disney movies and shows. Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with ending the night with chicken tenders and a Disney movie while getting ready for the next day.
Before heading to sleep, I also recommend taking a few minutes to check the Navigator app for the following day’s schedule. If there’s anything on your must-do list, you can favorite activities and receive reminders before they begin. If your ship is stopping at a port the next day, the app will also include important information like debarkation times, required documents, and other helpful reminders.
Be Flexible with Your Kids’ Schedules
If you’ve traveled with young kids before, you probably already know that the day doesn’t always go exactly as planned. Disney Cruise embarkation day is no different. There are parts of the day that can feel especially busy, like going from lunch to the Muster Drill to the Sail Away Party, so some aspects of your usual routine may look a little different than they do at home.
On our recent sailing, the boarding process took a little longer than we expected, and lunch ended up being later than my kids typically eat. Having snacks packed in our carry-on bag made things much easier while we waited.
Nap time on embarkation day can also be tricky. There’s a lot happening around the ship, announcements throughout the afternoon, and the required Muster Drill to work around. We’ve personally never been able to get our toddler down for a nap on embarkation day and now just plan for it not happening. I did see plenty of younger kids successfully taking stroller naps or sleeping while being held, but my toddler has always struggled with naps even under the best conditions, so I knew it probably wasn’t going to work for us.
If your kids normally take stroller naps, your stroller choice may matter more than you expect. We brought an umbrella stroller because it was lightweight, compact, and much easier to navigate through the ship’s narrow hallways. However, it definitely wasn’t the most comfortable option for naps.
It’s also important to expect a later bedtime than usual. At home, our kids are typically asleep between 7:00 and 7:30 PM, but on the cruise we were often just finishing dinner or still exploring the ship around the time.
My best advice is to keep the parts of your routine that matter most when you can, but try not to put too much pressure on yourself to keep everything exactly the same. A little flexibility goes a long way on embarkation day.
Final Thoughts
Embarkation day is such an exciting start to your cruise. From hearing your family’s name announced as you step onboard to finally seeing the atrium in person, the entire day feels filled with excitement. There’s so much to look forward to during those first few hours on the ship.
You’ll spend the day exploring, watching the Sail Away Party, enjoying your first rotational dining experience, and settling into your stateroom for the week ahead. For our family, ending the night with a Disney movie on Funnel Vision was one of the highlights of the entire day.
At times, embarkation day can feel a little busy, especially with young kids. Between lunch, the Muster Drill, activities around the ship, and adjusting to a different schedule, some parts of the day may not go exactly as planned. But if you have a general idea of what to expect and stay flexible with your kids’ routines, it’s all very manageable.
More importantly, embarkation day sets the tone for the rest of your cruise. It’s your chance to settle into the ship, start exploring everything there is to do, and begin making memories together as a family before your adventure officially gets underway.