Destination Disney

A World Devoted to Fun and Fantasy

It should come as no surprise that the Disney Cruise Line provides superior programming for children. There is fully supervised activities and entertainment for five distinct age groups.

Kids can be dropped off for a few hours or the whole day. Participation in planned activities is purely by choice. Your kids can pick and choose what they would like to participate in based on their interests and energy levels. And, parents are given pagers while their kids are clubbin’ so everyone can stay in touch.

The Oceaneer’s Club is for ages 3-7 and the Oceaneer’s Lab is for 8-12. Within these environments ages are further segmented: the 3 and 4 years olds are grouped together while the 5-7 year olds play. In the Lab, 8 and 9 year olds are grouped while the 10-12 year olds comprise another age grouping.

Disney provides trained counselors to keep the kids entertained. Many of these care providers have degrees in childhood education. The counselor to child ratio is the best of any cruise line: one counselor to every 15 children for 3-4 year olds and one counselor to every 25 children for 5-12 year olds.

For children younger than 3, or who are not potty-trained, there is Flounder’s Reef Nursery.

It can’t be said enough…the Disney Cruise Line’s children’s programs are truly wonderful. Your kids will not want to leave!

Flounder’s Reef Nursery
For children between 12 weeks of age and 3 years old, or who are not yet potty trained, Flounder’s Reef Nursery is the full-service childcare center located on deck 5 aft, near the Buena Vista Theater. This are is warm, cozy and supplied with cribs, age-appropriate toys, Disney movies and Disney-themed décor. Here, little ones can receive the special attention of trained caregivers. The sitters who work in this area are hand picked and extremely caring and dedicated.

The Nursery is typically open from 1-4pm and again from 6pm until midnight. The schedule can vary, however, especially on port days when the Nirsery may be open extended hours to accommodate guests going ashore.

Reservations are required. And there is an additional charge (unlike the other children’s programs). Currently, rates are $6.00/hour for one child, additional children in the same family are $5.00/hour. There is a two-hour minimum. You can make reservations in advance online through the “My Disney Cruise” link on www.disneycruise.com or ask your AAA Travel Professional for help. If you don’t reserve in advance, visit Flounder’s Reef shortly after boarding on embarkation day. This is a popular place and there are a limited number of spaces available – they do book up.