SIGN UP NOW

This past weekend, Disney hosted our family aboard the Disney Wish, and wow, what an adventure! We spent three nights aboard the ship on our sailing to the Bahamas (and three nights definitely didn’t feel like enough)! Narrowing down our favorite parts wasn’t easy, but here are the five things we’ll be talking about for years to come.

We were invited aboard the Disney Wish as part of a hosted media trip. Our cruise fare was covered by Disney, but all opinions, experiences, and magical moments shared here are entirely our own.

 

---

🏰 For no-cost assistance with planning your next Disney cruise, check out Travel Mom Squad’s booking partner Mouse Counselors! And yes, booking through Mouse Counselors codes as travel. 😉

---

 

(1) Youth Clubs: Where Kids Rule the Ship

While Molly and her best friend (who sailed with us) have aged out of Disney’s Oceaneer Club, I can see why kids aged 3-10 can’t get enough of it! We were lucky enough to get a private tour of the club one morning during our sailing, and Molly and her friend were both wishing they were still 10 so they could spend even more time there. Between the Marvel Super Hero Academy, Star Wars: Cargo Bay, and Fairytale Hall, they were in Disney heaven.

Access to the Oceaneer Club is included with your cruise fare, and the club is open from 9am to midnight daily. 

 

 

 

What we loved:

• Safe, secure check‑in and check‑out
• Friendly, high‑energy staff who make the kids feel right at home
• Activities that keep little ones engaged for hours
• The slide they can take from the deck above straight into the Oceaneer Club

 

 

 

Pro tip: Don’t skip the open houses—parents and kids of all ages can explore the spaces during this time, too!

Check out our “Disney Wish” highlight on Instagram for a full walk-through of the Oceaneer Club. 

 

(2) Staterooms: Space for the Entire Family

After non‑stop fun, our stateroom became our little oasis. Disney’s split bathrooms were a lifesaver for getting everyone ready, and there was plenty of storage for all of our gear—we loved being able to store our luggage under the bed.

 

 

 

The subtle Disney touches (like artwork and hidden details) made the space feel special without overwhelming the cozy vibe. Each room has as different theme, and we were lucky enough to get a room with a Moana theme (my favorite)! Bonus points for sipping morning coffee on our verandah with endless ocean views.

We were in a Category 4A—Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah on deck 11. Our stateroom host transformed the couch into a bed and also pulled a second bed + ladder from the ceiling each evening while we were at dinner, and put it all away each morning while we were at breakfast. 

 

 

 

 

(3) Entertainment: Broadway at Sea

We loved the nightly broadway-style shows that are also included in your cruise fare. Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular was our favorite—the genie was hilarious! And Pirate Night (complete with fireworks!) turned the top deck into one giant family dance party.

The first night, we also saw the “Disney Seas the Adventure” show which was a great way to kick off the cruise! It featured all of the classic Disney characters and some princesses. 

 

 

The character meet‑and‑greets were also pure Disney magic. Watching the kids hug Captain Minnie and interact with the princesses was a highlight! The Princess Gathering is a complimentary (but ticketed) event. Make sure you reserve your spot as soon as your booking window opens as it does sell out (but it’s the perfect way to meet all the princesses without having to wait in long lines).

 

 

Pro tip: Bring an autograph book for your kids. They’re never too old for autographs, and it helps break the ice with the characters! 

 

(4) Lounges & Bars: Grown‑Up Magic

While the kids were off having their adventures, we found our happy places. For a quieter moment, Nightingale’s (inspired by Cinderella) offered piano music and a glass of something sparkly, reminding us that Disney cruises aren’t just for kids. The pianist even took requests and played some Taylor Swift for me our first night!

 

 

We also loved The Rose (inspired by Beauty and the Beast). The views while at sea are stunning. We went at sunset and it was adults-only perfection! 

 

 

If you want to bring the family, The Bayou (inspired by The Princess and the Frog) is the perfect New Orleans‑inspired setting to enjoy a cocktail (or mocktail) and some beignets. 

 

 

Finally, if you have a Star Wars-lover in the family, the vibes at Hyperspace Lounge can’t be beat. It turns adults-only at 9pm, but before then is a family-friendly spot that makes you feel like you’re in a galaxy far, far away. They have fun mocktails for the kids, too!

 

 

(5) Dining: A Taste of Disney Magic

Mealtime was an adventure in itself. With Disney’s rotational dining, we experienced three very different (and equally delicious) restaurants. When you book your cruise, you can select either early dining (5:45pm) or late dining (8:15pm). You are assigned a restaurant each evening, and your servers move with you, so you get to know them, and they get to know you. This is one of my favorite features of Disney cruises! On the Wish, the restaurants were:

• 1923—named for the year that the Walt Disney Company was founded. 
• Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure for live musical fun with Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and the rest of the gang.
• Worlds of Marvel for tasty bites and superhero surprises.

With your cruise fare, you can order as much food as you want at dinner each night. Want to try every single dessert? You can! I was truly impressed by the creativity and quality of the food on board. 

 

 

 

 

Ted and I also had brunch at Palo (the Wish’s adults-only steakhouse) on the day we were docked at Nassau. While premium meals like brunch or dinner at Palo are not included in your cruise fare, it costs just $55/person and is well worth it! (In full disclosure, Disney covered brunch for the two of us, but it was my favorite meal of the trip and I would have gladly paid for it!)

The menu is all-you-can-eat, and while there is an additional charge for alcoholic beverages, you’ll get one glass of prosecco or a mimosa included with your brunch. Make sure you reserve a table as soon as your booking window opens if you’re interested in dining at Palo as it does fill up quickly. 

 

 

Pro tip: 24-hour room service is also included with your cruise fare! They aren’t listed on the menu, but you can order Mickey bars via room service as well. 😉 

 

Bottom Line

Our weekend on the Disney Wish was everything we hoped for . . . magical, relaxing, and full of those “remember when . . .” moments we’ll talk about for a long time.

Would we sail again? Without hesitation. In fact, we already have a cruise booked for December aboard the Disney Magic. Molly said, “Do we really have to wait until December?!” Disney impressed the tweens, which is no easy feat!

 

Related Posts

Ultimate Disney Cruise Credit Card Strategy

Disney Reader Success Story

Disney Trip Planning Made Easy