There are a lot of Disney Cruise Line tips floating around out there. I think by now most people know that room service is included and available 24/7. But do you know about some of the secret items that you can get from room service that are not necessarily on the menu?
Keep reading to find out!
Here is a list of my Top 10 Disney Cruise Line Hacks, sure to help you get the most out of your already magical cruise.
1. Popcorn Buckets
These reusable buckets can be purchased at Preludes outside of the theaters onboard. Once you have finished off your first round of popcorn, refills are only $1.50. That’s a great value, but here are where the real hacks come in:
- Keep your bucket at home after the cruise and bring it back for your next cruise. You automatically get that $1.50 refill price without having to start over with buying a new bucket.
- Use the bucket as a sand pail at Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay. They are the perfect size for sand castles and saves you from having to pack sand toys.
- Use them to pack fragile items in your luggage. We once bought some glass ornaments which we wrapped in a t-shirt and then put snugly in our popcorn bucket. This helped add a layer of protection in our suitcase.
- Make your own kids’ meal container. My son loves chicken tenders so before leaving the buffet one day, we loaded our bucket with fries and chicken tenders so he could have a portable snack!
2. Get a table first at Cabanas or Marceline Market
Speaking of the buffet, I highly recommend that your party find a table before getting your food for breakfast or lunch.
My family does this together and then one adult hangs back to hold our spot while the other goes up with the kids to make their plates.
Otherwise it can get stressful if you get separated and do not know where to find your family. Walking around with your hands full of food or drinks is also not fun!
3. Royal Gathering wait list
The Royal Gathering is the coveted event where 4-5 princesses gather in the grand hall to meets guests for pictures, autographs, and conversation. Guests love this setup because they get to meet all of the princesses at one time instead of having to piece together character meet and greets. You are also allowed to take a bit more time with each princess so it feels a little more personal.
What’s the catch?
This event is free but must be reserved prior to the cruise. There is a certain window of time that opens online where you can reserve a spot for this event, but it fills up quickly. I have missed it every time.
I thought I would try my luck with Guest Services when I got onboard and guess what? It has worked more than once!
I simply asked to be added to The Royal Gathering wait list. They usually ask if one of the days work better than another and then they add us to that list.
We were notified via the Navigator app that we had been added!
There is no guarantee that this will work every time, but it is worth a try.
4. Bring a reusable water bottle
I drink a lot of water so I knew the small disposable cups available at the drink stations onboard were not going to cut it. Therefore, I pack a reusable water bottle for me and the members of my family. That way we have water (or whatever fountain drink we want) on hand at all times. It helps us avoid expensive bottled water or creating more trash with the disposable cups.
*Mom mistake- for our first cruise I ordered from Etsy these beautiful, durable, reusable water bottles etched with Mickey and Minnie images along with each family member’s name.
I was prepared!
The problem? These were 32oz. metal water bottles. Perfect for me and my husband, not so much for my 5 and 7 year old children.
They were bulky and heavy for the kids to carry around. So when you pack a water bottle for your kids, maybe choose something smaller than 32oz!
5. Laundry
Doing laundry on the ship tends to be a polarizing subject. Some people refuse to do laundry on vacation and are willing to save that for back home. Others (like me) are willing to do a load or two so that they do not have dirty laundry piling up in their stateroom or smelling up their luggage.
I think this decision depends on how long your cruise is. Three to four nights- you can probably get away without doing it. Five or more nights- you might want to get some stuff washed!
Either way, we bring a collapsible mesh laundry hamper to keep in our stateroom closet. We throw everyone’s dirty laundry in there to keep it contained and our stateroom tidy. It has handles so we are able to easily carry it to the laundry room.
If you do decide to do laundry on the ship take into consideration that it can sometimes be hard to find an open washer and dryer. The best time to do laundry is early in the morning. The laundry rooms are less crowded because people are not up and moving yet or they may want to head straight to breakfast.
*Cruise courtesy- Please do not start your laundry and then leave it in a machine all day. You will get a notification on your Navigator app when your wash or dry cycles are done.
Laundry on the ship is not costly, about $4-$5 per load. But my hacks to save money here are to pack your own travel detergent or detergent pods from home. Also make sure to choose the correct setting on the dryer so that you do not have to run it more than once .
6. Souvenir Cups
This one is short and sweet. You may order an alcoholic beverage or two, especially on the pool deck, that come in a tall, plastic, Disney Cruise Line cocktail cup.
Guess what? This cup is yours to keep!
Easy, peasy, fun, souvenir cup. You’re welcome!
7. Bring your own snorkel gear
If you think you will snorkel on Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay, I highly recommend you bring your own snorkel gear.
Renting snorkel gear from DCL is not expensive, but for around the same price you could buy your own gear online. There are a lot of great options that are not too big or bulky for traveling. This is especially a great idea if you think you will go on multiple vacations where snorkeling is a possibility.
DCL of course cleans and sanitizes their gear between uses, but it may give you peace of mind to know that you are the only person who has had that breathing tube in their mouth. Having your own snorkel equipment also ensures you will have the proper fit for you and can get in the water right away.
Make sure you look for the hidden treasure chest on Castaway Cay!
8. Brownie Sundaes
While you are on Castaway Cay, here is a fun little dessert trick to try!
At lunchtime you will be treated to a delicious BBQ buffet. They almost always have brownies for dessert. Get an empty cup from the drink station, put a brownie in it, head over to the soft serve ice cream machine, and fill that cup up with your flavor of choice on top of the brownie! Voila- a brownie sundae!
There may not be hot fudge or a cherry to put on top, but this is a great way to mix up that plain cone or brownie by itself!
9. Mickey churro waffles
Have you heard about Mickey churro waffles or seen pictures of them posted on social media? They. Are. Amazing.
They are also highly coveted on Disney Cruises because they are only offered on one day of your sailing, and only in Cabanas/Marceline Market.
That day is typically the last full day of the cruise. Don’t skip your breakfast buffet this day!
(Just so y’all don’t get mad at me- the Mickey churro waffles are not guaranteed on any cruise. Make sure you ask your server early on in your cruise if and when the churro waffles will make their appearance.)
10. Secret room service menu items
Finally, number 10 of these Top 10 Best Disney Cruise Line Hacks, those secret room service items.
On our first cruise I was searching our stateroom for a room service menu but could not find one. That’s because there is not a paper menu floating around anywhere. It can be found on your Navigator app!
Room service is in fact included, although it is customary to tip the cast member who delivers your food a few dollars. The menu offers some basic appetizers- my favorites are the buffalo wings and All Hands On Deck cheese tray- as well as entrees, drinks, and desserts.
But what they do not list on their menu are:
- Mickey Ice Cream Bars- These are a Disney staple! They are typically on the kids’ dessert menu in the dining rooms each night but if you want one sent up to your room just ask! Make sure you or your kids are available to eat them right away or they will melt!
- Uncrustables- This is a new discovery for me and I’m pretty psyched about it. Uncrustables are a great, portable snack and the perfect option for my kids (plus they are thrilled to get the real deal since I usually make my own version at home). Order some of these to eat on the long walk off the boat to Lookout Cay. You’ll be happy you did!
Final Thoughts
There you have it- my Top 10 Hacks for your next Disney Cruise! You certainly do not have to do any or all of these, but I hope the information helps make your cruise a little less stressful and a lot more fun!
What are some of your favorite Disney Cruise Line hacks? Comment below!
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