Ahoy, Holly!
Congratulations on your very first Disney Cruise! Your sailors are great ages to experience all the magic and wonder only available aboard Disney Cruise Line! The Disney Cruise Line
packing list is a great resource as you gather everything you need for your days at sea. My kids spend a lot of time in the youth spaces, so I always pack a pair of closed toe shoes and comfortable play clothes for the day time. I also like to bring a few snacks from home to have in our stateroom. Any food brought onboard must be pre-packaged and unopened, but it's great to have when we head off the ship. The Disney Characters love signing autographs, so an autograph book is great to have for each child. They are available in the shops onboard. If you miss seeing some of the characters, don't miss the Sea Ya Real Soon! Party on the last night. Lanyards for your crew are also helpful because it keeps your "Key to the World" cards safe and easy to access. Your card will be your shipboard ID, your charge card, and will open your stateroom door! It will also have your dining table number listed on the front as well as your dining rotation and emergency drill station.
If you haven't already, be sure to download the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App (free for Apple or Android devices). It's great because it will keep you up-to-date on all the ship's happenings and will allow you to text others with the app. The paper version of the app is "The Personal Navigator." I like to bring along highlighters so my kids can mark which activities they don't want to miss. The nightly shows are fabulous, and the rotational dining provides a one-of-kind meal experience each evening! Also, check out the first-run movies in the Buena Vista Theatre.
Best wishes for magical time!
Nancy