Ahoy there, Rosemary!
Welcome aboard planDisney! It sounds like you're getting ready to set sail on an unforgettable Disney adventure—and what an exciting voyage it’s going to be!
Now let’s
dive into Edge, where tweens rule the seas! Edge is specially designed for
Guests ages 11 to 14 (age 10 with guardian consent), and while it offers loads of fun like karaoke, video games, creative challenges, and even the occasional ship-wide scavenger hunt, it also comes with a bit more independence than the
Oceaneer Club and Lab. Here's the catch: Edge doesn’t have a check-in or check-out system, and Cast Members don’t generally track when a child enters or leaves. Kids can come and go as they wish during programming hours, and while this feels like a dream come true for some kids, I know for some parents, it can feel like uncharted waters.
Your concern is completely valid—especially if your son doesn’t have a phone or a way to contact you onboard. So, here’s a good first step: once you’ve boarded the ship, head over to Edge during open house hours and speak directly with the Youth Counselors. While they can’t provide the same check-out control as the younger kids' spaces, they’re incredibly understanding and want to help your family feel comfortable. Your son may be able to let the Youth Counselors know that he is ready to leave and they can send you a message via the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App. While I can’t guarantee this specific arrangement will be possible, it’s absolutely worth the conversation. You also never know what other pixie-dusted solutions the Youth Counselors might have up their sleeves!
And here’s a trick that’s helped my family:
Bring a magnetic whiteboard to hang on the inside of your stateroom door! These doors are metal, so the whiteboard sticks perfectly and turns into a fun and practical message board. My kids use it to leave little notes like “At Edge!” or “Went to deck 11 for pizza!” We would update the board with our location as well so the kids could find us if they needed to. It’s a simple way to keep tabs on everyone’s location, and it adds a touch of fun and independence for your tween—kind of like their own captain’s log!
Rosemary, I can tell you from experience—once your son steps into Edge, he’s going to have the time of his life. And you’ll get to soak up some magical moments too, knowing he's having fun in a safe, supervised, and seriously cool space. With some preparation and maybe a little sprinkle of pixie dust, I’m confident this cruise will be one for the memory books.
Sea ya real soon as May brings sunshine, magical ports, and maybe a Mickey bar or two,
Dustin