Disney Cruise through the Eyes of a Toddler

Shared by: Racquel Cadogan

What’s a good age to take a child on a Disney cruise is the million dollar question? Well…. any age is perfect to be honest you just have to believe in the magic.

Let’s take a ride through the eyes of a toddler. Being a toddler you are just learning to speak properly. You’re not 100% potty-trained however Mummy and Daddy fully understand your lingo. You are in love with Mickey and Minnie thanks to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse TV show. Suddenly one day the phone rings and it’s none other than Mickey Mouse himself telling you he can’t wait to see you because you’re coming to visit him on a Disney cruise.

Now the fun begins; imagine getting questioned by a toddler. Mummy, Mickey Mouse called me. She cannot contain her excitement trying to explain the call meanwhile I’m trying to calm her down because I have no clue how to do CPR <wink>. Yes we are going to Mickey’s boat to visit him and his friends for a week. Now the entire world knows because she is telling everyone she encounters for the next week before we leave. Yep even the cashier at Walmart knows.

As she gets closer her eyes start to sparkle, her smile is broad and nothing in the world matters.

The day is here we are in an Uber and what does she see in the distance — Mickey’s boat. “Don’t try to explain to a toddler it’s a ship.” You will lose the battle. Terminal arrival, she is completely in shock on how big the boat is. Everything is smooth sailing. Then you hear the loudest scream ever. Now I panic because clearly someone is about to steal my child who I’m holding by the hand only to realize she saw Mickey Mouse and she is about to make a run to him and can’t because I’m holding her back. I temporarily get the situation under control so we can approach Mickey to get a picture. As she gets closer her eyes start to sparkle, her smile is broad and nothing in the world matters. She is standing with Mickey Mouse, the mouse she’s been watching on TV is giving her a high five. She’s talking him to death and he seems to be understanding, kudos to him because I could not even understand her at this point. Nothing melts your heart more as a parent and brings a special type of joy that only an actual experience can explain.

We are now on the “boat” and off course my toddler is the center of attraction. Every cast member makes her feel like she’s the most important person in the world. She is trying to convince me and her dad that she’s now an official princess. We could leave now and go home and it would be so worth it. Her best vacation ever but the fun has only just begun.

And we’re off to the pool because that’s the happening place to go once you’re on board. Guess what we walk right into — the Eye Scream. Which toddler doesn’t love ice cream? Now she can have it whenever she wants (with mummy’s approval, of course). Around the corner we see the pool. She’s ready to go in, ice cream in hand and all. I immediately explained to her she can’t because she not completely potty trained but we can go to the splash area. Expecting disappointment from her I was quite surprised she was fine once she saw the splash zone. Which toddler needs a pool when the splash zone simply has everything your heart desires? Colorful breathtaking fun and a lot of toddlers just like you. Toddler friendships were created. Listening to the conversations was just hilarious. It’s wonderful how the magic of Disney made the kids friendly, caring and of course, sharing. Not once a parent had to discipline a child.

Yep all this in the first few hours on-board. My toddler was in for a lifetime experience, the sail away party. Words can’t explain. She said it was a Mickey and Minnie party and she was there with them just like the TV Show. Which she thinks she will see on tv when she gets home. Who am I to spoil it? Dinner time we arrive and there are 2 glasses with juice with a drawing of Mickey’s head along with her name on it and another girl’s name. She’s excited now we tell her the other girl’s name. They next family comes along and as they are getting seated my daughter immediately calls out the little girl’s name and everyone is surprised. Simply Magical. A bond is created. There shared apple juice which just happened to be their favorite. Don’t ask me how Disney knew; they never asked me.

Their every wish was granted.

These two princesses had an amazing time. They order their own meals: chicken nuggets and mac and cheese. The cast members treated them like royalty. They entertained them in every way possible. We the parents enjoyed our meals without having to be interrupted to do anything. This continued for the 7 magical days. The girls had a time with the staff. Their every wish was granted.

I can go on and on about this wonderful adventure that my toddler enjoyed but I would leave some of the magic for you to experience with your toddler. My toddler was only 2 1/2 when she had this experience. I can safely say she will never forget it as she still talks about it and her daily question is when we are going back on Mickey’s boat.