Welcome aboard, Heather! I always like to hear from another Ohio family, like mine, that is excited to plan a magical adventure at sea with Disney Cruise Line! A Disney cruise is the perfect vacation for
families with little ones because so much is included! Your son will be able to join in on the fun at the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, either during Open House hours when parents stay with their kids, or during regular programming time when the kids stay with the amazing counselors for the best activities at sea. Parents get to sneak away to take advantage of the Adult Exclusive venues and activities on the ship. Later on, everyone is back together again for the family entertainment and activities for which Disney is best known.
My kids have had passports since they were small. I recommend passports for everyone if you have time, as it adds security that if you were to find yourself in an unforseen emergency or medical problem in a foreign port of call, you could more easily get home. That being said, on sailings that begin and end in U.S. ports of call, passports are not required, so you can read more about the required documents you'd use instead on the
Passports and Travel Documents page.
My family and I always use Disney's ground transfers when we sail because letting Disney do the driving makes our transitions from land to sea and back again super easy. Your son would be charged regular price for transfers, but again, there is no easier way to begin and end your cruise than riding on the motorcoach, while your son watches classic Disney cartoons on the screens and catches his first glimpse of the ship waiting for him! It's so magical!
Have fun planning, and please stop back with more questions, Heather! We're happy to help!
Marcy