In 2015, we had a chance to cruise on the Disney Dream. Disney Cruise Line is all about the families. Here are 10 reasons why cruising with kids on the Disney Dream is the perfect vacation:
You are disconnected from social media. Face it, we spend too much time on our phones, tablet, computers, etc. When you are on a Disney cruise, you have to pay extra for the luxury. By not having ready access to the internet, you’ll find yourself engaging more with your family.
You can party together. Disney throws some fun parties onboard the ship. You’ll get to sing and dance with the characters as the ship pulls out of port. You can dress up in your Pirate best and attend a show with Pirate Mickey and watch fireworks shoot out over the ocean. On the last night, you can say “See Ya Real Soon” to Disney characters and even meet up with them after the performance.
You can play together. The Goofy’s Sports Deck has a 9 hole Putt Putt course, basketball court, table tennis and foosball table. We had so much fun playing Putt Putt together and you can stop by at your leisure.
You can swim together. On deck 11 you’ll find 2 different pools, a splash area, a hot tub and the famous AquaDuck. Put on your bathing suits and spend some time splashing and playing together. You can even watch a Disney movie on the Funnel Vision. Just try to visit early in the day or late in the evening when it isn’t crowded.
You can meet characters. On top of all the fun the ship has to offer, you can meet over 15 different Disney characters. Seeing the joy on your child’s face as they hug Mickey for the first time is an incredible moment. There is magic on the ship.
You can compete together. Check the Navigator each day for various events around the ship. Some of the clubs host trivia challenges, karaoke contests, races and more during the day.
You can soak up the sun together. All itineraries on the Disney Dream include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s own private island. Here you will find a family beach with beautiful, calm waters. There is also a floating playground that will appeal to both parents and kids. You can rent bicycles, feed stingrays and a number of other fun excursions too.
You can eat together. Each evening you visit one of the 3 main dining rooms. Each dining room is themed with families in mind and will please both adults and children. Animator’s Palate is the one that I think kids will love the most, so make sure you don’t skip this meal! And just before bed, you can order warm cookies and milk from room service. Kids always love that!
You can see the shows together. Each evening Disney presents a different Broadway type show in the Walt Disney Theater. These shows are incredible and include singing and dancing characters and a storyline that will interest both parents and children. And if you have downtime, you can see a Disney movie in the Buena Vista Theater. These are usually movies that are currently in the theaters back home or are about to be released on DVD. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and you can see a movie before it is released to the public.
You can play separately. Disney cruise ships have incredible kids clubs for children ages 3-17. These clubs have multiple themed areas for kids to play as well as organized events to engage them with their peers. Sometimes characters even stop by for special parties or meet ups. My kids absolutely loved the kids clubs and we had a hard time pulling them out of there.
While the kids are in the clubs, parents can visit the adults only area of the ships including their own pool with a swim up bar. You can also visit the spa, have an adults only dinner at Remy or Palo, visit one of the multiple adult only clubs (each feature a different theme) or just head back to your stateroom for room service and a nap. With the Wave phones, your kids or a Cast Member can call you if you are needed.
With so much to do on the Disney Dream, you’ll leave the ship feeling more connected with your family. It is the perfect vacation to rejuvenate your relationships.