Disney Cruise with a Toddler: What We Actually Experienced on the Disney Treasure

We promised we would report back, so here we are!

If you read our first post before we sailed, you know I went into this trip equal parts excited and nervous. Excited because it's Disney. Nervous because I'm not a Disney encyclopedia and everyone on the internet seemed to be. And while I am an avid cruiser, this was my first-time Disney cruise and I wasn't entirely sure what I was walking into.

What I can tell you now, on the other side of it, is this: it exceeded every single expectation I had. And I had some pretty good ones. But I also learned a lot. Things I wish I had known before we boarded. Things nobody really tells you until you are standing there figuring it out in real time. So that's what this post is. The real, honest, detailed account of what it's actually like to sail on the Disney Treasure with a toddler, and what you need to know before you go.

Planning Is Not Optional. It's Everything

I said in my first post that we weren't going full Disney spreadsheet mode. And we didn't. But I will tell you this: seven nights on the Disney Treasure was barely enough time to see and do everything available. And we mostly stayed on the ship for two of our three ports.

In Tortola we got off briefly and walked the port area for a short time before heading back onboard. In St. Thomas we got off, walked the port, and took the Skyride to Paradise Point, which whisks you 700 feet above St. Thomas Harbor for absolutely breathtaking views of the Caribbean (highly recommend!). But even with two low-key port days we still felt like we were moving quickly to fit everything in.

There are experiences on a Disney cruise that will completely pass you by if you aren't in the know before you board. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where little ones get the full princess or knight transformation experience, books out fast. The Royal Gathering, where you get to meet multiple princesses at once in an intimate setting, is the kind of thing that creates lifelong memories and also sells out completely if you wait too long.

The lesson here is simple: plan ahead, and plan more than you think you need to. Not because you have to do everything. But because the things worth doing require you to know they exist in the first place.

Pro Tip: Even if you don't make a reservation for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, you can still stop by for a free "pixie dusting" where they put sparkles in your hair.

First Things First: Start With the Ship

One of the most important things I didn't fully appreciate before booking is that choosing a Disney cruise is not just choosing Disney. It's choosing a specific ship and that matters more than you might think.

Every Disney ship has its own theme, its own restaurants, its own shows, and its own character lineup. The Disney Treasure, which is the ship we sailed on, has a theme inspired by adventure and exploration and it's stunning. The restaurants onboard were 1923 (named for the year Walt Disney founded his first studio), Coco, and Marvel- and each one is completely different in look, feel, menu, and entertainment.

Do your research on the specific ship before you book because the experience varies significantly. This isn't like other cruise lines where the ships feel fairly similar across the fleet. Disney is intentional and immersive on every vessel and the details matter.

Check-In at Midnight. Seriously.

This is one of the most practical tips I can give you and it's one that our Disney specialist at Embark made sure we knew before we sailed. Disney Cruise Line opens online check-in at midnight (usually 30 days before the sailing), and checking in the moment that window opens is how you secure an early boarding time. An early boarding time means more time on the ship on day one, which matters a lot when there's this much to experience - especially if you have a shorter sailing.

Some reservations also open at the midnight check-in window. Certain experiences, dining add-ons, and spa bookings become available and they fill up quickly. Other things can be booked as soon as you book your trip. Do not wait on those. The earlier you plan the better your chances of getting exactly what you want.

Pro Tip: Grab the booking even if you're unsure, you can usually cancel for free up to 48 hours before embarkation.

We took Disney transportation from Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort, where we stayed in the treehouse villa before our sailing (video coming soon by the way), and it was completely seamless. The transportation handled everything including our bags, which magically appeared in our rooms once we boarded the ship. One of the unexpected benefits was that we didn't have to stress about a specific check-in time at the port because Disney coordinates all of that when you use their transportation. If you are staying at a Disney resort before your cruise, this is definitely something worth looking into.

Rotational Dining: Here's How It Actually Works

Disney's rotational dining was one of the things I was most curious about going in because it's so different from what we're used to on Royal Caribbean.

Here's the simple version: you are assigned to three restaurants and you rotate through them over the course of the cruise. Your dining team, your server and assistant server, rotates with you to every restaurant so they get to know your family, your preferences, and in our case our toddler's quirks by day two.

On the Disney Treasure our three restaurants were 1923, Coco, and Marvel. 1923 is split into two sides, a Walt Disney side and a Roy Disney side, both beautiful and both different. Coco and Marvel each have a different show every time you visit, so even though you eat at the same restaurant twice the menu and experience is completely different each time.

Pirate Night is one evening where every restaurant serves the same pirate themed menu regardless of your rotation. Disney assigns which restaurant you eat at that night so you don't get to choose. We were assigned to 1923 for Pirate Night and ended up eating there three times total across the sailing. More to come on Pirate Night!

IMPORTANT! Early dining fills up extremely fast. If you don't get it initially, ask to be put on the waitlist because spots do open up and it's worth pursuing, especially with young kids.

There is no buffet for dinner, but it is open for breakfast and lunch. Alternative dinner options if rotational dining is not your thing are the food stalls by the pool area (our ship had options for pizza, burgers, BBQ and tacos) and of course, room service. Room service was free and we actually used it for the first time on a cruise. It was a great way to enjoy a little snack while we unwound from the day and watched a Disney movie (there are hundreds of movies and TV shows on-demand in the room to choose from).

The food overall was consistent and good. Nothing was bad. But if I'm being completely honest, nothing was particularly memorable either. The dining experience is more about the immersion and the entertainment than the cuisine itself, and viewed that way it delivers.

There were also two adult-only specialty restaurants that looked incredible: Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. We opted to skip the specialties this trip since we were traveling with a larger group and kids.

Pro Tip: Don't miss out on Mickey Churro day at the buffet and some restaurants for breakfast! But go early because it gets busy.

And side note: Soda is also included throughout the cruise and on their private islands, Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point at Lookout Cay. Alcoholic beverages are a la carte. There is no drink package on Disney Cruise Line the way there is on other lines so factor that into your planning.

The Shows Are Worth Waiting For: And You Will Wait

I mentioned in my first post that I was excited to see how Disney shows compared to Royal Caribbean and I have my answer now. They are incredible!

We saw Moana and Beauty and the Beast and both were Broadway caliber productions that pleasantly surprised me with their quality. Beauty and the Beast had a technical issue during our showing but it was handled quickly, the show was reset, and they continued. Even with the hiccup it was one of the best things we experienced all week.

Here is what you need to know before you go: you can't reserve seats ahead of time for the main shows. We waited about an hour in line for Beauty and the Beast so we could get good seats. You also can't hold seats for other people in your group. Plan accordingly, get there early, and know that it's worth the wait.

Pro Tip: Booster seats for young kids are available inside the theater.

Characters Are Everywhere, But Lines Are Real

Meeting characters is one of the true highlights of a Disney cruise and the good news is there are opportunities throughout the day and evening and multiple chances throughout the trip to see your favorite characters.

The important thing to know is that there is always a line. Always, and while Disney Cruise Line doesn't have the Lightning Lane system from the parks, it is much more manageable than park lines. What's nice is that everything is tracked and scheduled in the Disney Cruise Line app so download it before you board and check it regularly. Character meet and greet times, show schedules, dining assignments, activities, all of it lives in the app.

And sometimes you get lucky, and see the characters as they are walking around the ship. We had a chance encounter with Aladdin and he was kind enough to stop and talk to us, and take a picture with our daughter. This just added to the magic of our trip!

If you're torn between a Disney Cruise or visiting the Disney Parks, and characters outweigh the rides - I would recommend going with a Disney Cruise. You get more opportunities to meet the characters, don't have to worry about the sun and heat, and know exactly who is going to be where and when. Again, it's very important to research the ship, because not all characters are on all ships. So if there is someone you really want to see, you need to plan for it.

Entertainment: Everywhere, All Day

Disney doesn't let you get bored. Ever.

The themed bars throughout the ship are beautifully designed and worth exploring on their own. There are singers performing in various venues throughout the day and evening. Bingo. Storytellers. Activities happening constantly in almost every corner of the ship.

We also toured the spa on the first day. It was stunning. We didn't book any services because the days filled up faster than we expected with other activities around the ship, but I wish we had planned that ahead of time because it had all the frills. If a spa experience matters to you, book it early through the app before you board. They do offer specials and coupons once onboard if they have available times.

The Pools: Smaller Than You Think but More Than You Expect

The pools on Disney Treasure are smaller than what you would find on a large Royal Caribbean ship. That's just a fact. But there are several of them and they are thoughtfully designed for different ages and energy levels.

There's also an adults only pool area where you can enjoy a quiet and calm atmosphere with beautiful views. We didn't spend as much time there as we would have liked but knowing it exists is important if you sometimes just need a moment to breathe.

One thing we weren't expecting: mandatory pool breaks. Every pool clears out for approximately ten minutes at regular intervals throughout the day. Disney frames these as built-in bathroom breaks for little ones, which is actually brilliant, but it catches first-timers off guard if you don't know it's coming.

The first time it happened I thought something was wrong. By the second time we knew what was going on and we were grateful for the forced pause.

There's also a Toy Story themed toddler splashpad on the Disney Treasure. This is where our daughter (who is still in diapers) lived. It had two slides on either side, and various water spouts for the kids to play with. It never felt over crowded, but they also enforced the age rule and kept it to kids 4 years old and under. We learned about this when our 5 year old niece was turned away.

Castaway Cay: Disney's Private Island

Our third port was Castaway Cay, Disney's private island, and it's exactly as beautiful as every photo you've ever seen.

One important thing to know going in: there are no pools on Castaway Cay, and the splashpad area they had on the island (at least the area we were in) was for a lack of a better term, dinky. With the fun splashpad they have on the ship, this one was a bit of a let-down.

But, the beach! Gorgeous, white sand, crystal clear water. They also have water jungle gym structures in the water that older kids absolutely love, but for toddlers it is pure beach day mode.

We took the tram to the farthest beach and when we arrived it was already packed. No chairs, no shade, nowhere to set up for a group of eight. For about ten minutes we slightly panicked and didn't know what to do. And then we started walking back in the direction of the ship and found an entire section of unoccupied chairs and shade completely untouched.

The lesson: don't assume the farthest beach is the best beach. Walk around. Explore a little. There's more space than it initially appears and the crowds are unevenly distributed.

Food on the island is casual and included. Think burgers, chicken sandwiches, side salads, the kind of beach cookout food that somehow tastes incredible when you are eating it in flip flops with the ocean in front of you.

The Community: Nothing Prepares You for This

I have had the opportunity to cruise a lot on various cruise lines, and I have never experienced anything like the Disney cruise community.

People go ALL OUT. We are talking door decorations that look like they took weeks to plan, Fish Extenders (a gift exchange system where passengers leave small gifts in bags hanging from each other's door handles), coordinated family outfits, full character costumes, and something called pixie dusting where fellow cruisers leave small surprise gifts for strangers just to spread joy.

It's heartwarming and slightly overwhelming and unlike anything I have experienced at sea. If you want to participate in any of it, especially Fish Extenders, look into it before you board because there are groups that organize it ahead of sailing. There is usually a Facebook Group for your sailing dates and you can meet the people you will be sailing with, see what group activities are being planned and get the inside scoop on some things.

One detail I didn't expect and loved immediately: when you first board the ship they announce your family by name. "Welcome The Cavallaro family." It sounds like a small thing but in that moment walking onto the Disney Treasure for the very first time it felt like the whole ship was welcoming us. It's hard to express that feeling of being announced and first stepping on to the beautiful ship, there were definitely some happy (and nostalgic) tears, but it set the tone for everything that followed.

Pro Tip: Most doors had some type of decoration and a lot of people got creative! We had a few Disney themed magnets and we were under-decorated in comparison to most. It's become a fun tradition, and is also a great way to remember and find where your room is. Just remember - some things might wonder off so don't decorate with anything you would be heartbroken to lose.

Pirate Night

Speaking of going all-out... every sailing has a Pirate Night and it's exactly what it sounds like. Disney distributes a bandana to every guest and most people come to dinner in pirate themed outfits. We saw some elaborate costumes with accessories and face paint so regardless of how into it you want to get (or don't) you'll fit right in!

The night ends with a deck party and a fireworks show at sea. I will keep it real with you: two of the three children in our group fell asleep while being held for the fireworks show and slept right through the whole thing. Toddlers and late night deck parties are a combination that requires realistic expectations. The fireworks were late, the little ones were exhausted, but it was still a magical evening even with sleeping babies in our arms.

If you are sailing with very young children, manage your expectations for Pirate Night accordingly. The magic is still there. It just might be experienced slightly differently than you planned.

The Kids Club: Genuinely Unbelievable

I want to give the Oceaneer Club its own section because it deserves one. We toured it on the first day and I was not prepared for what we walked into. It's massive. Beautifully designed, thoughtfully organized, and filled with activities that engage kids at every level. There is even a slide kids can take from the floor above to enter. There's arts and crafts, themed activities throughout the day, and character visits like Belle who came to read a story to the kids.

After the first afternoon no adults are allowed inside. Disney Cruise Line has a very organized system for drop-off and pickup. Only designated adults with a unique secret password can pickup their kids from the club. The staff was great and very communicative, the two kids in our group that went always came back absolutely glowing about it and excited to go back.

For toddlers the programming is age appropriate and the space feels safe and welcoming. It's one of those features that sounds nice on paper and then completely exceeds expectations in person.

The Rooms: Comfortable but Compact

Our balcony room was well designed and efficiently laid out. The setup had a split bathroom, shower and tub combo in one area and the toilet separate, which is incredibly practical with a toddler. Another member of our group had an interior cabin with a single bathroom configuration.

The rooms are not large. If you are coming from a large ship like Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas, temper your expectations on space. One thing worth noting: the elevators on Disney Treasure are small. After a show when every family with a stroller is trying to get to their deck at the same time it can feel a little chaotic. Take the stairs when you can.

Pro Tip: If you are like us and like to travel with an over-the-door shoe rack for extra storage space, they don't allow the over-the-door hooks. Instead we used magnets.

Disney vs. Royal Caribbean: A Question We Get Asked All the Time

People ask us constantly how Disney compares to Royal Caribbean and I want to address this directly because it's the wrong question.

They aren't the same type of vacation. They aren't trying to be. Comparing them is like comparing a Broadway show to a theme park. Both are incredible. Both have tremendous value. They just deliver completely different experiences.

Royal Caribbean is massive, activity-packed, flexible, and incredibly diverse in what it offers. Disney is immersive, intentional, character-driven, and built around a specific kind of magic that is hard to replicate anywhere else.

On a seven night Disney cruise we were busy. Extremely busy. I knew we would be, but I didn't fully anticipate exactly how much we would be cramming into the week. It was an absolute blast and there isn't anything I would have done differently, but it was also a go-go-go experiential adventure and if we are being fully honest, we needed a vacation from the vacation.

The Moment That Made the Whole Trip

In my first post I worried about overstimulation and I want to share how that actually played out. There were moments throughout the week where we just knew - we could see it in her face and her energy and we would call it for the night or head back to the room for a nap. No drama, no pushing through. We just followed her lead and it made everything easier.

But then there was the Moana meeting.

We had talked to her about it while in line, practicing high-fives, encouraging her to say hi, and even blowing kisses. She was engaged and excited and completely confident that she was ready for this.

And then we walked up, and she got nervous. The way toddlers always do when the thing they have been anticipating is suddenly right in front of them and real. She got a little shy, and a little uncertain.

But she was there, she was in front of Moana. And that's the part she won't remember but we always will. It was worth every penny, every bit of planning and every moment of uncertainty that came before it.

Would We Do It Again?

Yes. Without hesitation, yes.

Not immediately, because there's so much of the cruise world left to explore and Disney is an investment in time and money that deserves a thoughtful approach. But absolutely yes, we will be back on a Disney ship again someday. And if you're considering it, especially with young children, especially with a Disney-obsessed toddler, I want to tell you what I wish someone had told me before we went.

You don't have to be a Disney expert. You don't have to plan every minute. You don't have to speak fluent Disney to have an extraordinary experience on one of these ships.

You do have to plan more than you think, book things earlier than feels necessary, check in at midnight, download the app, and ideally have someone in your corner who knows the details you do not know to ask about yet.

That's what our Disney specialist at Embark Cruises was for us. And it made all the difference.

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Thinking about a Disney cruise for your family? We would love to help you plan it. Contact Embark Cruises at info@embark.cruises or call us at 203.303.4774. Visit us at embark.cruises.

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