Ahoy there, Akeea! Welcome to planDisney!
Wow, booking a cruise for your daughter's birthday? That's quite the gift! I think someone's in the running for "Parent of the Year!" And here I thought throwing a birthday party for my son with an "Enchanted Tiki Room" theme had me at the head of the pack!
In any case, I am so excited for you and your crew to experience
everything that's included in a Disney Cruise Line vacation! From
Broadway-caliber stage shows and entertainment, to delicious
gourmet dining options, and all the magic in-between, you'll be making magical memories in no time!
It looks like you'll be sailing on a 5-Night Baja itinerary on the
Disney Wonder! Consider me triple jealous: you'll be on my favorite ship, visiting some of my favorite Ports of Call, and celebrating
Halloween on the High Seas - now that's what I call a planDrew-approved vacation!
If by "parties" you mean deck parties and themed nights - you'll be happy to know that itineraries 4-nights and longer typically have a
Pirate Night scheduled which includes the Buccaneer Bash Deck Party, a special pirate-themed dinner menu, and a host of other activities on one day of your cruise! Be sure to pack your best pirate costume to wear - it's best to blend in so the pirates think you're part of the crew! Oh, and speaking of costumes, since you're on a Halloween on the High Seas itinerary, you'll also have Halloween-themed activities throughout your cruise - and the Mickey's Mouse-querade party is definitely one of the highlights!
Which days these parties are held varies by ship and itinerary, so be sure to have the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app downloaded! Once you board, you'll be able to see the detailed schedule of all the activities in the most up-to-date schedule around!
Now when it comes to staying onboard when at a Port of Call, now you're REALLY speaking my language! While we love exploring new itineraries, sometimes we do repeat a sailing and treat the entire cruise like a bunch of sea days! The great news is there's ALWAYS something fun happening onboard - from the fun in Disney Oceaneer's Club and Oceaneer's Lab, to the pools and splash pad areas topside, to other spaces like D-Lounge that host all sorts of family fun, there's no shortage of things to do!
So whether you're looking to drop your 3-year-old off at the youth clubs (remember: all children must be fully toilet trained!) so you can escape to the adults-only areas of the ship, or want to be exploring the Disney Wonder as a family, you're sure to find plenty of activities to fill your days onboard. Again, I'd suggest checking the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for what's happening at any moment all around the ship!
Oh, and don't miss the opportunity to catch a first-run movie in the Buena Vista Theatre!
Well, Akeea, I hope that gives you a few ideas for how to spend some of your time on your daughter's birthday cruise! With all the amazing fun that's just a few months away, I can't wat for you to see the look on her face as she experiences all of the magic!
Thank you so much for your question, and if any others bubble to the surface as you continue planning, please drop me another line here at planDisney!
Until then, I'll SEA ya real soon!
Andrew