
Tips for Taking a Toddler on the Disney Wish
Taking any trip with a toddler can require a little more preparation, but Disney Cruise Line makes it easy for parents and kids alike to enjoy their vacation. Here are some tips on what to request, pack, and do for your toddler to ensure your trip on the Disney Wish is smooth sailing!
What to Request

Stateroom Amenities
As with Disney resorts, you can request a complimentary pack and play for your stateroom. You can also request a Diaper Genie. They are available upon request from your stateroom host.
First Dinner Seating
When vacationing, keep a similar schedule to your daily routine to help avoid any meltdowns. Requesting the first dinner seating at 5:45pm for your rotational dining at 1923, Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, and Worlds of Marvel lets your toddler eat dinner and go to bed at a reasonable hour. You can make this request on the Disney Cruise Line website.
If your toddler happens to have a meltdown at dinner anyway, the cast members are incredibly helpful and can pack up your food to enjoy in your stateroom. You can even watch the Broadway-style shows as you eat in your room if you go to the Walt Disney Theatre channel on your television.
“it’s a small world” Nursery
If you plan on having any adult-exclusive meals at Palo Steakhouse or Enchanté or any port adventures that have an age minimum, be sure to reserve time for your toddler to visit the “it’s a small world” Nursery. At the nursery, which is available to little ones ages 6 months to 3 years, Disney counselors will look after your toddler and offer activities such as story time, movie time, and arts and crafts. You can reserve “it’s a small world” Nursery through the Disney Cruise Line website or navigator app when your window opens to book onboard activities. This will depend on your Castaway Club status. “it’s a small world” Nursery costs $9 per hour.
What to Pack

Lots of Diapers and Wipes
Mickey’s Mainsail (one of the souvenir shops aboard the Wish) has a small selection of baby products, such as diapers and wipes, but it’s best to bring more than you think you’ll need. The ones in the store are pricey with a limited inventory and range of sizes. Don’t forget to pack swim diapers as well for the splash pad and Castaway Cay!
Plenty of Clothes
Toddlers can get pretty messy, so it’s helpful to have extra clothes. It’s also good to bring a few swimsuits to have in rotation for all the water fun. If you prefer to pack light, you can take advantage of the Fairytale Fresh Laundry on Deck 8 ($3 for the washer and $3 for the dryer). They sell laundry detergent and fabric softener for $1 each, but you can always pack your own if you prefer a specific type.
Sippy Cups
The pool deck offers fountain beverages 24/7, but your child may still be more comfortable drinking from a sippy cup. If so, pack sippy cups plus a travel bottle brush and drying rack to clean them during the trip.
Pre-Packaged Snacks
If your toddler has a favorite snack, remember that you can only bring factory-sealed packaged foods onboard. Snack packs and small, single-serve products can be good options to pack since you can’t take any opened snacks off the ship at the end of the cruise.
Stroller?
Onboard, you may not need a stroller as much as you may think. There’s certainly less distance to travel on the Wish than there is in any of the theme parks! With the ship’s hallways and staterooms being rather narrow, it can be harder to get around with a stroller. Plus, it’s often faster to get around the ship if you don’t have to wait for the elevator. If you do plan to bring a stroller, bring a small one that folds, so you can tuck it under the bed. Alternatively, you can use one of the complimentary strollers from Guest Services or one of the complimentary wagons on Castaway Cay.
What Not to Miss

Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck
If your child prefers to stay with you instead of being dropped off at the “it’s a small world” Nursery, he or she may want to try Toddler Time in Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck on Deck 2. During specific hours, toddlers (and their parents) can enjoy the ship-themed playroom. There’s a slide, things to climb, toys, and even a ship bridge where tots can have fun pressing buttons and turning the steering wheel. Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck is also available during the open house, but those hours tend to be busier and include older kids. You can find the hours for Toddler Time in the navigator app.
Toy Story Splash Zone
This adorable Toy Story-themed splash pad is located on Deck 12. It has lots of water features with all your favorite Toy Story characters like Woody and Buzz Lightyear. There are also 2 slides in the splash pad, but note that they can be surprisingly fast!
Arts & Crafts at the Bayou
During the daytime, the Bayou hosts different arts and crafts activities. You can decorate a magnet for your stateroom door or make a memory page to remember all the fun times you had on the Wish. These activities are truly for all ages, and toddlers can help scribble with washable markers. Keep an eye on the navigator app for the activity times. There are no reservations or extra fees for these crafts.
Use the DVC Rental Store’s Disney Cruise Swap Program to get the best point value on a Disney cruise! If you’re more interested in a cash stay, contact our friends at Be Our Guest Vacations who can help guide you every step of the way to your dream cruise vacation.