Headed on the Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish with a toddler? Keep reading for 10 must-do activities onboard with your littlest sailors!

If you’re traveling on the Disney Wish with a toddler, you’re probably wondering what there is for them to do onboard. With high energy levels that don’t seem to ever run out, it’s important to keep them busy after all! Disney’s Oceaneer Club is only available for children ages 3-12, but there are still plenty of other ways to keep your littlest travelers busy.

10 Activities Your Toddler Will Love on the Disney Wish

From a toddler-only playroom, to meet and greets, to water activities, and more, we’re bringing you 10 of the best things you can do on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish with your toddler!

Toddler Time at Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck

If you’ve got a kiddo with lots of energy to burn off, Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck is the place to visit! Located on Deck 2, the nautical-themed playroom features a small playset with a slide and plenty of things to climb on, touch, and play with.

Photo by WDW Magazine

The playroom is open to all toddlers and their families at select times during the cruise (look for “Toddler Time” on the daily activity schedule), and, if you visit early enough in the day, you can even explore the Oceaneer Club with your little one before it opens to the older kids.

Minnie’s Captain Academy

Located inside Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck, Minnie’s Captain Academy is a signature activity that happens only once per cruise. During the “training session,” toddlers get to experience even more fun inside the Captain’s Deck with games, dance parties, and maritime “drills” that focus on STEAM principles (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics). Your little ones will be jumping, singing, dancing, and more to impress Captain Minnie who declares them as honorary captains at the end of the event.

Toy Story Splash Zone

If your toddler isn’t potty trained just yet, they won’t be able to play in any of the pools onboard the Disney Wish due to health and safety standards, but they can still have fun in the water! The Toy Story Splash Zone is designed with your toddler in mind with larger-than-life Toy Story characters that look like bath toys.

Photo by Danny Shuster

In the splash zone, you’ll find pop jets, geysers, bubblers, and two toddler-sized water slides (though the toddlers slide down fast, so be ready to catch them!). Plus, the area is well-shaded, so you don’t have to worry about your kids getting sunburnt while they have a blast playing in the water.

“it’s a small world” Nursery

Your toddler may not be able to play in the Oceaneer Club, but there is a space designed exclusively for them if you need a break. The “it’s a small world” Nursery is the “daycare” for babies ages 6 months to 3 years old. It’s not necessarily new to the Disney Cruise Line, however, the space has been totally redesigned for the Disney Wish!

Photo by Danny Shuster

With toddlers in mind, the nursery features three rooms including a decompression room, nap room, and playroom. Each space features murals and decor from your little one’s favorite Disney and Pixar movies so they won’t miss out on any of the Disney fun while you’re enjoying some adult-only time to yourself onboard.

Photo by Danny Shuster

Keep in mind that “it’s a small world” Nursery is an additional cost on top of your cruise fees. Due to the size of the space reservations are required and can be made prior to your cruise on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, on Embarkation Day, or anytime throughout your cruise.

Toddler Storytime

While “it’s a small world” Nursery is normally closed for toddlers and their families unless they have a reservation, the nursery opens up for a limited time for storytime. During this activity, young kids and their families are invited into the playroom to listen to a Disney story.

Photo by Danny Shuster

This is a great opportunity to check out the nursery if you don’t plan on sending your baby or toddler there during your trip. Plus, your little one is sure to enjoy the interactive and fun Disney story.

Jack-Jack’s Diaper Dash

See if your toddler has what it takes to win it all during Jack-Jack’s Diaper Dash! This signature Disney Cruise Line event puts crawling-aged kids to the test as they race other babies to the finish. Bring all the toys, snacks, and treats you might need to convince your little one to be the first one across the finish line.

Unlike other ships, the diaper dash on the Disney Wish takes place in the Hero Zone on Deck 12, but there’s still plenty of seating both on the floor and in the atrium of the gym. So, you’ll get the best view of the cutest race onboard even if your toddler is disqualified (a.k.a. already walking).

Character Meet and Greets

A Disney Cruise is one the best places to meet your favorite Disney characters and it’s no different on the Disney Wish! Throughout the day, characters can be found in the Grand Hall greeting guests on Decks 5, 6, and 7. Depending on when you’re passing by, you can meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto, plus a variety of Disney princesses like Belle, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Tiana, Moana, and more.

Photo by Danny Shuster

The meet and greet lines can get long, so try to arrive 10-15 minutes early to guarantee you’ll meet the characters you want.

Character Dance Party

If there’s one thing that’s universally loved by toddlers, it’s dancing. And, on the Disney Wish, your little ones can dance their heart out with Mickey and his pals during the Character Dance Party. This fun event typically takes place in the afternoon on your day at sea in the Grand Hall and consists of high-energy music and lots of Disney characters.

Note that this is not a meet-and-greet opportunity but is instead a fun opportunity for your little ones to interact and dance with their favorite pals.

Arts and Crafts Onboard

Throughout your cruise, the entertainment team hosts craft times where you can do things like color, make buttons, and more with your toddler. Some of the activities are geared toward older children, but they are simple enough that an adult can guide little ones through the process without any trouble. 

Even if your little one doesn’t feel like sitting down for a craft during the activity time, stop by and grab some art supplies for later. These crafts can be a great distraction technique for meals and other slow times while onboard.

Exploring the Ship

It doesn’t take a lot to entertain a toddler and sometimes it’s best to just let them run around and explore. Check out the outdoor walking decks on Deck 5 or let your kiddo walk around the Grand Hall while you sip on a cocktail. This activity is simple, but it’s a great way for you to see the ship and get some energy out before bedtime. 

Photo by Danny Shuster

We’ve found that the best time to explore the ship is when it’s docked at a port of call since many guests choose to get off the ship during this time leaving more space for your toddler to run around.

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