Recently I had the opportunity to cruise on Mickey’s newest ship, the Disney Fantasy. Being a press trip, there were lots of Disney reps onboard able to answer my many questions. This was my first Disney cruise and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but that experience left me was over the top impressed. I mean, it’s Disney, and Disney operates on a whole other level.
Since my trip, the question that I’m asked most frequently is if special needs kids can go to the youth clubs and how that might work. Since my daughter wasn’t with me, I can’t provide first hand information, but I did tour these areas and asked tons of questions. I then followed up with a Disney Cruise Line specialist with more questions after I returned home. Here’s what I learned.
Oceaneers Lab on the Disney Fantasy Cruise
Youth Clubs available on the Disney Fantasy:
- Oceaneer Club – General activity center for ages 3-12
- Oceaneer Lab – Group activity center for ages 3-12
- Edge – Space and activities just for tweens 11-14
- Vibe – Teen-exclusive area and activities for 14-17
Youth Club Crew Member’s Perspective on Special Needs
I spoke to one of the crew members in the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab about my daughter, who is in a wheelchair, non-verbal and blind. He said that they have worked with many kids of various levels of special needs and felt like they were almost always able to work something out, that many of the crew members had education or training with special education. He said that they do their best to accommodate kids, and I could see V spending a couple of hours at a time there during a cooking or lab activity. Everything that I saw was accessible, and there was a child in a wheelchair in the Oceaneer Club while I was there – he was having a great time.
Disney Cruise Line Special Reservations’ Perspective on Special Needs
Later in an interview with Carol Carbrey, Disney Cruise Line’s Special Services Manager, I asked about how the kids clubs worked for special needs children. She advised to call Disney Cruise Line Special Reservations Line (407) 566-3500 with any questions and to book you trip. So I thought I’d try this for myself to see what they’d say. I called and pretended that I was planning my own trip. I did not tell the rep I was writing about this until later in my call; I wanted to find out how these questions were answered off the record.
After the conversation with Disney Cruise Line Special Reservations I was so ready to book a cruise for our family! She was knowledgeable and excited about all of the options for V. She reassured me that they work with a wide range of kids, and suggested that, in addition to having a conversation when you book your cruise, you should also make a plan with the Oceaneer Club manager when you register after boarding.
Here’s an overview of our conversation:
Q: My special needs child wears diapers, but on your website it says children must be fully potty trained. Does that mean my child cannot attend?
A: Your child can absolutely attend the youth programs. The crew members are not able to change your child, but your child can participate in between changing. Basically you would need to plan your child’s visit around their toileting schedule, or check in at specified times to “take care of business”.
Q: The web site also says the clubs cannot accommodate one-on-one kids, my child will need help pushing her chair and engaging in activities. She’s considered a one-on-one at school. Does this mean she’s not eligible for the kids clubs?
A: There is a small child to leader ratio, so there are many hands available to help. Disney crew members are well trained and experienced with kids of all needs. They cannot guarantee one-on-one care, but they will have what they need.
Q: What if my child needs me, how will you find me on the ship?
A: Every stateroom is equipped with Wave phone that you can take with you to the spa, or movie, or pool side – however you plan to spend your day. You can call and check in and the crew members can easily get in touch with you.
Q: What about children with food allergies?
A: These things will be part of the plan you put together when you register your child upon boarding the ship. Side note: From first-hand experience, I have a gluten allergy and this was happily accommodated with really great alternatives. The made-to-order gluten-free cinnamon sugar-sprinkled waffles and donut holes were sooo good, honestly the best I’ve had.
Q: What about accessibility on the ship and at Castaway Cay?
A: Read about Disney cruise accessibility here.
My goal is to be honest and help share solutions so that families with special needs kids can get out and enjoy life, and maybe you as a parent can get some rest and relaxation. I know how restful and fun the cruise was for me, and I was pleasantly surprised by how the special needs accomodations. If you are interested in a Disney Cruise, call the Disney Cruise Line Special Reservations Line (407) 566-3500 to ask more questions and make your reservations.
Now…what are you going to do with your time while your special needs kid is on their own adventure? Stop back tomorrow for my next Disney cruise post “Things for Parents To Do on a Disney Cruise.”
Disclaimer – Disney hosted me on the Disney Fantasy Inaugural Preview Cruise, but the opinions and experiences are my own.
8 Comments
We will be cruising on the Wonder this summer (2018). It will be our first cruise as well. I called their number and talked with a lady who was not in charge of the Wonder but one of the others. Apparently it’s one representative per ship but they can all help you. After talking with her and again with the Wonder rep, they were strongly stressing that because my girls are not potty trained nor ambulatory and need someone else to push them that I probably wouldn’t be able to leave them there. I had told her about the diapers and reading or being told what you wrote above about coming in to change them myself but she said that it’s not acceptable. And because they can’t wheel themselves around that it wouldn’t be suitable as there wouldn’t be anyone to help them out. The other gentleman strongly suggested that they only go during Kid’s Club open houses when I can be with them as well. If I had heard this from them before learning about the other more accepting info I would have thought twice about booking. Anyway, I am going to hope for the best and talk with the club manager once onboard. Wish me luck!
Hmmmm…it’s been a few years since I wrote this, let me follow up with Disney and see what they say. Thanks!
Great information! I love this blog! I have found it very helpful in planning trips. We had already booked our cruise because cruising is so easy with our daughter who is in a wheelchair. We live in Orlando and know Disney to be above and beyond when it comes to creating a full experience for families with accessibility needs. Although the focus of our vacation is to have family time together we started to wonder if we were going to be able to take advantage of some of the adults only activities. I called an information line, but did not get the level of info you did on the number you called.
Keep up the good work! Your readers appreciate it!
Thanks Julie! I’m sorry the rep you talked to wasn’t as helpful. I’d love to hear back about your cruise!
Have you checked into Autism of the Seas? According to what I have read they have special trained staff on certain cruises. As well, they have other staff options if you are not on one of their cruises. They offer cruises on various cruise lines including Disney.
We have two disabled daughters, one who is in a wheelchair and non-verbal. Our other daughter has High functioning autism, anxiety and mood disorder. Iam currently trying to decide if I could take them either back to WDW or on a cruise. We love Disney and have had wonderful family vacations with Disney.
Jamie, you must be super mom! 🙂 I’ve never worked with Autism of the Seas, but we’ve talked online a little and they sound like a great group. I’ve been aboard a Disney cruise on a press trip without my daughter and investigated the cruise as an option for her. A Disney cruise with Autism of the Seas seems like a perfect combination, especially if your daughter has anxiety disorder or sensory issues. There are so many activities and options for families- all onboard in a relaxing environment, and you are always never more than 5 minutes from your room when you are onboard. It sounds like you’ve done WDW – what was your experience like?
I have a 13 year old son who has autism. His has the abilities of a 4 year old. He doesn’t need one on one but as close to it as possible. He doesn’t know social rules so well. What do you suggest. I want him to have all things that typical children have, but not a cost. I am very protective as all special needs mothers.
Are you talking specifically about a Disney cruise? Call Disney Cruise Line Special Reservations Line (407) 566-3500 and explain your needs, they were seriously amazing to work with. Ask about his age, too, once they are over 12 the options sometimes are different. Another thing to look at – I met a travel agent who worked with many parents with special needs kids and I was told that Beaches Resort will provide a one on one for your child. Oh! And when I was at the Orlando Ritz they had a very nice kids club, an attendant there told me that they have families with special needs kids that return every year just because their kids enjoy the activities there so much. The trick is to ask specific questions revolving around what your child needs, the person on the other end of the phone doesn’t understand our lingo as special needs moms.