Disney Tricks That May Work In The Parks But Not On Your Disney Cruise

You are a seasoned Disney traveler. You know all the Disney tricks for visiting the parks and they’ve served you well.

But you’re about to embark on your first Disney Cruise.

And on our first Disney Cruise we received a quick lesson on how much we didn’t know. The tricks that saved us in the past would be useless on a cruise.

Arriving Early

You’ve heard me say it a hundred times: “Get to the parks at least 30-45 minutes before they open.”

On a Disney Cruise? Getting there before your scheduled arrival time just adds more (boring) wait time to board the ship. We have arrived early in the past and that just gave my sons (and my husband)  more time playing on their devices. Not an exciting way to start a vacation.

Oh sure, there’s Mickey Mouse to keep you entertained. But if you’re scheduled arrival time is 12:30pm, that’s when you’ll be boarding.

Leaving The Light On

You know you’ll be arriving back late so you leave the light on – less chance of stubbing a toe searching around in the dark in unfamiliar surroundings.

Not possible on a Disney Cruise ship.

Unless you come prepared.

Your Key to the World card (room key and charge card) is your activation for the electricity. You just slip your card into the slot by the door.

But if you’re juggling a number of key cards in one room like us, no one wants to have to leave theirs in the slot. We bring an extra card (a gift card will do, an old hotel key or one from a previous cruise) to slip into the slot.

Some people get all fancy and glue a magnet to the back so it can be left attached to the wall for easy storage. But we’ve found that just tilting it gently on its corner in the slot will do the trick.

And Speaking About Electricity, What About Charging Your Devices?

While you’re having fun in the parks, there is no trick to charging your iPod or Kindle. You just plug it in and leave the room and it’ll be ready when you get back.

On a cruise, as explained above, the electricity goes out once you leave the room.

But not if you have your handy, dandy extra key card.

Keep the key in the slot and your devices will be ready when you get back. But, Disney has this system in place to conserve energy on their mega ships. To be respectful, we choose a time of day when everyone can re-charge. Once the devices are at 100%, the electricity goes back off.

Using A Nightlight And A Noise Machine

At the Disney resorts, there is rarely a need for a nightlight or a noise machine. Simply leave the curtains open a crack or turn the fan on in the bathroom.

But on a Disney ship? Well, there are no streetlights left on at sea. And a ship can creak and groan in ways we’re not used to.

We bring our favorite “sleep maker.” Be it an actual while noise machine  or your favorite app on your phone. For nightlights, and to help conserve energy, you can use a battery powered tealight (we’ve found them at Dollar Tree) or even a glow stick will work.

Staying Organized

We can drive to Walt Disney World. The amount we bring is never an issue. Luggage, duffel bags, backpacks, pop up hampers, over the door organizers. If I think we’ll need it, I bring it.

But it’s tight quarters on a Disney Cruise ship. And over the door organizers (used in the standard way) are not allowed.

If you’d still like to use your “over the door organizer” you’ll have to get crafty. Attach magnets. Thread through some kitchen twine and attach to the wall with a magnetic hook. You get the idea. Just don’t hang over the door. They can scratch the door and  you may get fined.

Pop up hampers just take up valuable space. Empty at least one suitcase (which you have stored under the main bed – there’s 13 inches of clearance), unzip about 12 inched and voila! Your very own makeshift “pop up hamper.” And you don’t even have to pack up on your last night. All your dirty clothes are already tucked away.

It’s a whole new ballgame when you take a Disney Cruise. But with a few adjustments to your tried and true tricks you’re sure to have a magical vacation!