f you’ve ever experienced a Disney Cruise, you already know—there is truly nothing quite like Disney Cruise Line. With its exceptional service, immersive storytelling, and magical touches around every corner, it’s no wonder Disney Cruise Line was named the World’s Best Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure in 2022!
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to sail on multiple Disney ships, and while each one brings that signature Disney charm, every ship also offers unique experiences that set it apart. What makes the Disney Wish so special is how it blends the very best features from all the previous ships into one breathtaking, next-generation vessel.
From cutting-edge entertainment to innovative dining experiences and stunning design inspired by beloved Disney stories, the Wish is a ship unlike any other. Last week, we took you behind the scenes of the top adults-only zonesonboard. But today, we’re turning our focus to the incredible kid-friendly spaces that make the Disney Wish a dream come true for young cruisers.
Whether your child is into superheroes, princesses, science, storytelling, or galaxy-hopping adventures, there’s something aboard the Disney Wish that will spark their imagination and keep them entertained from sunrise to bedtime. Let’s dive into the amazing spaces created just for kids!
The ship offers a number of experiences for the entire family, but children will likely have the most fun with the ship’s large and new selection of entertainment onboard. Just like most of Disney Cruise Line’s ships, the Disney Wish too will have an Oceaneer Club, but this one is totally different and cool.
To start, kids wanting to get into Disney’s Oceaneer Club will take a twisting slide entrance straight from the ship’s Grand Hall on deck three to deck two. Following a check-in with a Disney cast member (or “counselor” as they call them) at the top of the slide, children ages 3-12 will slide down the “rabbit hole” to the elite club.
There is a staircase just around the corner for adults and for children that do not want to take the slide. Once you climb through the “rabbit hole” you are taken to a whole new Wonderland that features places for children to imagine, play, and have an excellent time aboard the ship. Trust us… They won’t want to come back to you!
(Look how cute the bathrooms are!)
Inside Disney’s Oceaneer Club, kids will find activities from the worlds of ‘Marvel,’ ‘Star Wars,’ Walt Disney Disney Imagineering and so much more.
Star Wars: Cargo Bay
Taking a page from the new Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, this area of the ship is designed to make anyone a Star Wars fan! It doesn’t matter which side of the force you are, the Star Wars: Cargo Bay will fully immerse children into a galaxy far, far away.
Kids will come face-to-face with otherworldly creatures, interact with popular characters and even take part in a first-of-its-kind experience, “Star Wars: Creature Challenge.” When kids enter they will be given a data pad to scan tags around the cargo bay. The data pad will give them all the information they need to learn about the creature, how to feed it and how to take care of it, and they learn about all of them. Of course, there is always a challenge with Star Wars, and something is going to happen. You’ll also be visited by a couple friends to help along the way, Chewbacca and Rey!
Marvel Super Hero Academy
There is a new Marvel area in Disney’s Oceaneer Club on the Disney Wish! “Marvel Super Hero Academy” offers a fun and interactive way to bring their favorite Marvel movies to life.
The space has a bunch of exciting activities, including “Avengers: Mission Training.” You’ll be recruited to train alongside a number of superheroes such as Spiderman, Black Panther, Ant Man and the Wasp as they gear up to virtually fight Ultron, an android supervillain from the films. Kids will be given a magic band ti customize their super suite so they can battle on Ultron.
There are some really great entertainment programs where kids learn what it takes to be a superhero. Because that’s the whole idea behind the Super Hero Academy – the superheroes are coming to the academy to train the future heroes of the world. So the kids can train right besides them!
Other activities include “the Power of Pym” with Ant Man, “Challenge of the Taskmaster” with Black Panther and even a demonstration with Spiderman.
If you are a jealous parent at home, don’t worry! You’ll get to check it all out during the open house.
Walt Disney Imagineering Lab
Do you have a future Imagineer at home? Well, they might be after you cruise on the Disney Wish! The Walt Disney Imagineering Lab is a brand-new location developed just for the ship. Kids get to discover the secrets of Disney Imagineers with hands-on activities and inventive experiments. All around the room are models and drawings from popular attractions including Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Cars Land, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Tron Lightcycle/RUN.
You can even have the chance to create your own roller coaster and then climb into a capsule where they virtually ride their imaginative masterpiece at the Ride Studio(see in the video above).
Fairytale Hall
Inside the Fairytale Hall in Disney’s Oceaneer Club, children will find themselves in the worlds of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘Frozen’ and ‘Tangled.’ This is similar to other Disney Cruise Line ships but is still a beautiful set up and place to visit for pinces and princess from any land.
Children can craft floating lanterns at Rapunzel’s Art Studio, act out their favorite stories in Belle’s Library and even create their own ice magic at Anna & Elsa’s Sommerhus. There are also movies playing to just relax and enjoy some downtime.
Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck
Imagineers also developed a new space for younger children in mind that is being called the Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck. The nautical-themed playground is filled with an array of maritime-themed physical and sensory-style games and activities.
The signature experience is a high-energy training session for kids to exercise their bodies (through games, dancing and maritime “drills”) and their minds, testing their imagination and ingenuity during a series of challenges tied to STEAM principles. Check out the video below:
Kid’s Club Hangouts
We didn’t forget abut the big kids. If you thought the Vibe and Edge on other Disney Cruise ships was cool… Wait until you see the Disney Wish! Not only d they have newly designed Vibe and Edge. They brought brand new third location, The Hideaway! Outside of Disney’s Oceaneer Club, these three hang-out spots are just for children ages 11-14.
All three spaces are bursting with creative design details, comfortable lounge space, high-tech entertainment and a packed schedule of can’t-miss activities. Both Edge and Vibe offer a main lounge space with cozy furnishings, an oversized LED screen and plenty of room to hang out as a group, as well as comfortable niches for solo gaming and movie watching. Each venue will include complimentary refreshments: Edge will have a soda bar, Vibe will serve soda and coffee drinks and The Hideaway will offer smoothies.
Hero Zone Sports Arena
Last but definatkey not least… There is another brand new family-zone to kee you active on the ship! Disney is inviting the whole family to enjoy the Hero Zone.
Just around the corner from Vibe and the Hideaway, families can play basketball and soccer and even take part in the “Incredi-Games.” The blow-up obstacle course involves physical challenges themed to the characters from Disney and Pixar’s “The Incredibles.” On the top level of the Hero Zone, families can sit back and relax or enjoy a friendly competition in a variety of table-top games.
it’s a small world Nursey
Now for the very little ones, age 6 months to 3 years old, there is a special place aboard the ship just for them. The “it’s a small world nursery” located on Deck 2 of the ship. All Disney Cruise ships have the nursey onbiard but this has to be the cutest one I have ever seen. There you will find a gorgeous area where babysitting services will be provided. Children in this area will be able to play games, make crafts, watch movies, read books and spend time with Disney friends.
The nursery is open today from 9 am through 11 pm daily, giving plenty of opportunities for childcare whenever families may need it throughout the day. Inside, qualified and experienced counselors will ensure the little guests will be looked after and entertained to the highest standard, putting parents’ and carers’ minds at ease while they enjoy some kid-free time on their vacation.
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