Welcome back, Deanna! Disney offers two
Wave Phones for each stateroom (more can be requested from Guest Services for a fee if necessary) so that guests can keep in touch both onboard the ship and at Castaway Cay.
When the kids are in the Youth Clubs, the counselors there can call or text you to let you know if the kids are ready to go. The grandparents can call you and vice versa, or text you, if they're texters! Each Wave Phone has it's own number. If you're staying in stateroom 5520, for example, your first Wave Phone can be reached by dialing 55201. The second will be 55202. So, it's easy to call other family onboard to meet up, as all you need to know is their stateroom number and which phone they each have.
Be sure to download the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App (available in the App store prior to sailing, and then accessible once you're onboard). You'll want this app on your phones for sure, as you can access the schedule of events and activities for each day through this free service while you're onboard! But, there is a new feature that is being tested within the app that enables guests to use onboard chat on their own phones without incurring additional wifi fees. It's not widely available on all four ships yet as it's still in the testing phase, but we got to try it out last week on the Dream and it was so easy! I like texting with with my own phone better than the Wave Phones, as I'm more used to it, so now being able to do so through the Navigator app was a great bonus! Perhaps this may be available for your Disney Cruise by then too. If it is, you'll receive a note in your stateroom with details. If not, the Wave Phones are easy to figure out, so you're covered either way!
Have fun planning, Deanna!