Welcome Aboard, Sarah!
Planning your first Disney Cruise is so exciting! I know that you will have MANY questions along the way, so please visit us at the Disney Parks Moms Panel often.
On our first cruise, my youngest daughter was five years old. She fell in love with the
Oceaneer Lab and Oceaneer Club! She would go there to draw, play games, make Flubber, and see characters that I didn't even know were on the ship. In the few moments that our girls were NOT in the kids' clubs, we participated in Family Game Shows, went to Disney trivia games, and attended a scrapbooking class.
Each night before dinner, we got cleaned up and attended the Broadway-style shows in the Walt Disney Theatre. Between the show and dinner, we had the opportunity to meet a variety of Disney characters, usually dressed to the nines, with little to no wait. On one of our days, there was a Princess Gathering, where we met four princesses in the atrium, all in a row! (You need a ticket for this now, it can be acquired at Guest Services).
As with most vacations, I'm sure your family will find themselves at the pool quite a bit. Depending on the ship, you might find yourselves twisting and turning on the Twist n Spout or shooting through the Aquaduck. In either case, a good time is in store for everyone!
Adults will find solitude at the Quiet Cove pool, especially with a drink of the day in hand! There are also adult offerings like wine tastings, mixology class, and nightly adult entertainment in the nightclubs and lounges.
One thing I have learned, on your first Disney Cruise, you could not possibly do everything there is to offer! So be sure to book your next cruise while you are onboard.
I hope this helps with your planning!
Happy Cruising, Tracy V.