Go shorty, it's the Kids Club!

I think it goes without saying but everything about a Disney Cruise is geared towards kids. No matter if you're truly a kid or a kid at heart. One of the biggest and best things on a Disney Cruise is the kids club. We only personally experienced the Oceaneer's Lab and Club but I am going to touch on all of them.

Small World Nursery serves the little ones, from 6 months to 3 years old. Covid has affected the operation but it is slowly coming back to full capacity and hours. The nursery did not have an open house but it sounds just perfect for the tiny tots. It consists of 3 different areas; an acclimation zone, designed to help the younger kids to adjust to the space, a central play area featuring a "Small World" attraction with interactive play areas, and lastly a separate quiet room for naps. While we were sailing reservations were needed and an additional fee is in place for this club.

The Oceaneer's Lab and the Oceaneer's Club is for the 3 year olds (that are potty trained) up to the 12 year old crowd. These are the two that my little boy enjoyed during our cruise. He would beg me daily to go to the clubs! Most of the time I would drop him off for a certain activity and he would forget what I dropped him off for. There is just so much going on in both the lab and club. The kids even get their own character experiences. My little boy got to make space slime with Stitch and even went to Pluto's pajama party featuring Goofy! Everything in this space is made for the little ones. The bathrooms feature toilets and sinks made for the younger guest.

Kids can be dropped off and picked up between 9 a.m. and midnight. Children have to be registered and on the first day of sailing they'll receive a special magic band to wear while they are there. Parents with kids 3 to 7 years must sign in their children. And the kids need to scan the magic band to enter and exit. Parents will also need to pick their kids up and have a secret password to check the kids out. Ages 8-12 can come and go as they please but still have to scan their band. I will tell you I was a bit jealous I missed out on some of the activities in the kids club! On the Fantasy the Oceaneer's Club was my boy's favorite, and it makes perfect sense because this side is for the younger kids and the lab is geared to older kids. These clubs are side by side and the kids can move freely around each side, both with plenty of Cast Members around to supervise and lead different activities. Oceaneer's Club features Pixie Hollow, Andy's Room, Star Wars Command Post, Marvel Superhero Academy, a small stage for games, and lots of TV's to watch any and all Disney's movies! We did not get to tour the Lab side but I'm sure it's just as amazingly themed! The Lab features Animators Studio, Craft studio, the Wheelhouse, and the Media Room.

The tween clubs are just as cool. Edge is for ages 11-14, so If you notice their is a little overlap in age so your 11/12 can decide if they want to do the younger club or the tween club. At the Edge, tweens can watch movies, play games, do arts and crafts or just enjoy hanging in their own special space with kids that are the same age. It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 1 a.m daily. Disney also offers this age group free form structured activities which vary but on several different days I noticed this age group participating in scavenger hunts around the ship.

Vibe is from ages 14 to 17. We were able to tour this space and dare I say it was one of the coolest areas on the ship! From the almost hidden entry that leads to an epic entrance to their very own private classic Mickey shaped pool. Yes, you read that right the teen club has its own private pool and lounge area at the front of the ship on deck 5. To access this area the teens receive a special coded Key to the World card. The pool deck also features ping pong, Foosball, and giant checkerboard. Even though it is a teen space there are still cast members that serve as chaperones in this space. There are video and virtual reality games, TVs for movies, and board games. The space even hosts dance parties, karaoke competitions, and group games. Vibe also features a coffee bar that also serves non alcoholic beverages. So needless to say I was jealous of this space.

Last but not least is the 1820 society. Disney is so AMAZING that they even try to make sure the 18-20 year olds have things to do so this age group can meet up and hang out. Even though they don't have a designated area on the ship their meet ups generally happen in the adult areas on the ship. The cruise line hosts different gathering and activities on the ship and at Castaway Cay. They also get special perks like free coffee and beverages at the specialty coffee shop onboard.

Disney also takes care of the kids on their private island Castaway Cay! When you arrive at Castaway Cay there is also Scuttles Cove for ages 3-12 years. You're welcome to drop your kids off here and experience the Island on your time. Scuttles Cove is usually open during your day at Castaway Cay. Weather could impact if it is open or not. The same cast members that are on the ship will be the same friendly faces you'll find keeping an eye on your little ones while you enjoy the island. The older kids all have areas made for them and lots of different activities are planned during the day as well. The 1820 society also has plans for this crew plus this group can get bicycles for free to cruise around the island.

That was a lot of information! But don't worry you don't really have to keep up with this at all! The Disney Cruise App. makes it easy to keep up with all the happenings on the ship and on Castaway Cay. Everyday it will refresh and show you all the character meet and greets, activities, shows, and movies for that day. The app. allows you to favorite the stuff you would like to do that day and it will even send you a reminder so you can't forget. While on the cruise you won't be able to use your cell phone like normal but the cruise app. will work the whole time.

All of the kids clubs are AWESOME and it's amazing that so much thought and care went into planning activities for every age on the cruise! It's truly what sets Disney Cruise Line apart from all the competition! I'm definitely hooked now! I can not wait to go again in the Spring on the newest ship in the fleet, the Disney Wish!