A Parent’s Guide to Disney Cruise Line Kids Clubs
One of the biggest reasons we LOVE Disney Cruise Line is the incredible kids clubs. These aren’t just playrooms, they’re fully immersive, age-specific spaces designed by Disney Imagineers, staffed by trained counselors, and included in your cruise fare.
Whether you’re sailing with toddlers, elementary-age kids, tweens, or teens, Disney Cruise Line offers safe, fun, and unforgettable experiences for every age, while giving parents time to relax, too.
Let’s break it all down 👇
“it’s a small world” nursery
Ages: 6 months – 3 years
Additional fee required
Perfect for families traveling with babies and toddlers, the nursery provides a calm, caring environment inspired by the iconic attraction. Cost is currently $9 per hour for the first child and $8 per hour for additional children in the same family. Fees are charged to your onboard account at the time of service. You need to cancel at least 4 hours in advance to avoid a cancellation fee.
What to Expect:
Trained childcare counselors
Age-appropriate toys, books, and movies
Nap areas and quiet play
Flexible scheduling (hourly)
💡 Good to know: Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made in advance or onboard (subject to availability). Each family can reserve up to 10 hours in advance, but additional hours can be booked onboard based on availability.
You can make reservations when your booking window for onboard activities opens up based on your Castaway Club status:
Concierge & Pearl Castaway Club members – 123 days in advance
Platinum Castaway Club members – 120 days in advance
Gold Castaway Club members – 105 days in advance
Silver Castaway Club members – 90 days in advance
First-time cruisers – 75 days in advance
Disney’s Oceaneer Club & Oceaneer Lab
Ages: 3 – 10 years
Included in your cruise fare
This is where Disney Cruise Line truly shines. Kids can move freely between the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, which are connected spaces filled with interactive adventures. The best part, it is totally free and available until midnight on most evenings (I’m looking at you cruise lines that charge an hourly fee after 10pm…)
Highlights Include:
Themed areas inspired by Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and classic Disney
Hands-on activities, crafts, games, and storytelling
Character visits and surprise appearances (our daughter has decorated cupcakes with Donald, made slime with Stitch, and read stories with Belle!)
Group activities led by Disney counselors
Once onboard, check the Disney Cruise Navigator app to see scheduled activities during your cruise.
💡 Parent perk: Kids are grouped by age, and parents can sign children in and out at any time during open house or operating hours.
Edge on the Disney Treasure
🧑🚀 Edge
Ages: 11 – 14 years
Included in your cruise fare
Edge is designed specifically for tweens who want independence—but still enjoy Disney fun.
What Makes Edge Special:
Teen-only lounge spaces
Video games, dance parties, trivia, and crafts
Chill hangout vibes (no little kids!)
Supervised but not structured
This is often where kids make their cruise best friends.
Vibe on the Disney Treasure
🎧 Vibe
Ages: 14 – 17 years
Included in your cruise fare
Vibe is a stylish, modern space created just for teens.
Teen Favorites:
Music, movies, and gaming
Social events and themed nights
Lounge areas (some ships even have outdoor decks!)
Freedom to hang out without parents hovering
💡 Parents love this because teens stay entertained—and actually want to go.
Open House & Family Time
Throughout the cruise, Disney offers Open House hours, when:
Parents can explore the kids clubs with their children
Families can enjoy the spaces together
Younger kids can ease into the experience
This is a great way to help first-time cruisers feel comfortable.
Once you are onboard and connected to the ship’s wifi, you can check out the schedule for Open House hours. Feel free to visit any of the clubs during this time, it’s fun to check them out!
Disney Oceaneer Band and DisneyBand+
A Disney Oceaneer Band is a bracelet provided to children ages 10 and under for use on board the ship, allowing them access in and out of Disney's Oceaneer Club and Disney's Oceaneer Lab. An Oceaneer Band does not offer features such as stateroom access, photo linking or magical moments and must be returned at the end of your sailing.
Children who are 10 and under and registered for youth club activities can use their DisneyBand+ to access Disney's Oceaneer Club and Disney's Oceaneer Lab. Guests must wear their DisneyBand+ on their wrists. It’s a good idea to charge the band beforehand, but we can issue a Disney Oceaneer Band if the DisneyBand+ battery runs out of power during the fun.
Please note: you must return your Disney Oceaneer Band at the end of your cruise to avoid being charged a fee.
What Parents Can Do While Kids Are at the Clubs
While kids are off having the time of their lives, parents can:
Relax at the adults-only pool
Visit the spa or fitness center
Enjoy a quiet dinner at Palo or Enchanté (adults-only dining)
Watch live entertainment or enjoy a drink by the pool
✨ It’s a true vacation for the whole family.
Why Families Love Disney Cruise Line Kids Clubs
Included in your cruise fare (except the nursery)
Trusted Disney-trained staff
Safe, secure check-in and check-out system
Something for every age
Kids actually want to go
Many parents tell us their kids ask to stay longer—and that’s a win.
🚢 Thinking About a Disney Cruise?
If you’re considering a Disney Cruise Line vacation and want help choosing the right ship, itinerary, or stateroom for your family, I’d love to help!
✨ My Disney Cruise Line planning services are complimentary when you book through me, and I’ll help with:
Ship and itinerary selection
Dining and activity planning
Nursery reservations and kids club tips
Onboard planning strategies
I also have a limited time offer to earn onboard credit available!
Booked on your own in the past 30 days?
If you booked directly with Disney and are not paid in full, you may be able to transfer to me and receive my complimentary planning services and onboard credit. Submit the Disney Cruise Transfer Form here!