Ahoy there, Katherine! Welcome aboard planDisney! I'm so glad you're considering embarking on an incredible adventure with your entire crew aboard the
Disney Wish! I know my family is super excited to be able to experience all the new spaces, dining options, activities, youth activity clubs and more, so you're in good company!
My wife and I cruised for years without kids of our own, but 10+ cruises as the "cool aunt and uncle" meant trips to the Open Houses at
Disney's Oceaneer Club, Disney's Oceaneer Lab, Edge, Vibe...and way back when, as a teen myself at what used to be "Common Grounds."
Hey, it was the early 2000s...and Disney Cruise Line knew every kid wanted to hang out in a coffee shop like that show with a bunch of friends met at...
I think your kids are in the perfect age ranges to create a ton of magical memories aboard the Disney Wish. While we still don't know some of the specifics of what is in store for us, what we DO know is how amazing the youth activities crew members are when it comes to ensuring your little castaways are taken care of. While your older sailors can check themselves into and out of the clubs, when little ones need their parents, though, Disney Cruise Line has that covered, too!
First thing's first, you'll want to be sure that you have your
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app downloaded - you'll need this everywhere around the ship, so getting familiar with it will come in real handy! One of the best features is the ability to chat with your family, new friends, the Port Adventures and Onboard Vacation Planning crew, and yes, the youth activities crew right in the app! If you've dropped your littlest sailor off to play, you'll be messaged through the app that they would like to be picked-up. I'll warn you though, there is so much fun to be had in those kids spaces (and I can't wait to see those on the Disney Wish, too!) that just like when the oldest one stopped looking back when dropped off at school, your 3- and 5-year-olds may just give you a wave and play to their heart's content!
A reminder that all youth club attendees must be toilet trained to be able to be left at the club!
Now to your question about whether a 3-night itinerary is "worth it." To that I say a full-voiced "ABSOLUTELY!" Some may say that a short cruise "isn't enough time" but let me tell you, it is the "planDrew-approved" way to see if cruising is something your family would like to do more and more! My first cruise was longer, but my wife's was a 3-night cruise on the Disney Dream, and let me tell you did she ever have the time of her life. From the amazing dining, incredible service, and activities galore, 3-nights is all it took for her to get hooked!
With the Disney Wish also taking over 3- and 4-night itineraries from Port Canaveral, it's a great way to start building toward Silver, Gold, and Platinum
Castaway Club status! I always tell my family and friends - just go on a Disney Cruise, you won't be disappointed. A 3-night itinerary on the Disney Wish will allow your family to experience each of the new restaurants and offers plenty of time to discover the activities onboard - at least enough to make you want to come back and do it all again, this time as a Silver Castaway Club member!
I hope that's enough to get you to chart a course for adventure, Katherine! Thank you for your question, and if you have any others as you continue planning, please drop me another line here at planDisney!
Fair winds, following seas, and happy planning!
Andrew