Look for hidden Mickeys in ship designs. The iconic three-circle head of Mickey Mouse acts as an emblem for Disney, and is hidden in many places, such as wallpaper, carpeting, chair backs, bar stools, and even on Castaway Cay island, where Disney Cruise ships sometimes dock.
Save the hassle of packing baby supplies by ordering them in advance through the Babies Travel Lite program. Supplies will be delivered to your stateroom. Wear swimsuits on arrival to the ship. Wearing a swimsuit means that guests can drop luggage off quickly and hurry to the pool. A good spot at the pool is hard to get, so every minute counts. Pack for casual and dressy casual events, though dining at some restaurants, such as Palo, requires men to wear jackets and women to don cocktail dresses. Ships also feature formal nights, where tuxedos or formal suits are suggested.
Cruise goers can save money by booking in groups. Special discounts are offered for military personnel, travel agents and cast members, so check to see how to qualify for those discounts. Also, look into low-traffic cruise dates for some of the best deals. Ask for a secret porthole stateroom; these rooms are sold at inside stateroom prices but are outside cabins with limited-view portholes.
Get there early. Early arrivals typically spend less time at check-in, and rooms are frequently available before the scheduled time. Once on the ship, cruise goers can begin hanging at the pool or enjoying any of the other amenities the ship has to offer.
Book activities and dinner reservations in advance, as these fill up quickly. Disney offers online bookings for many restaurants and activities. If cruise goers are members of the Castaway Clubs, they can make reservations as early as 120 days in advance; non-Castaway Club Members must wait until 75 days prior to embarkation.
Upon arrival at dinner, families may check into the dine and play program. This program brings children their meals quickly and then allows parents to sign their kids into an after-dinner play program, so the adults can enjoy their own private meal served at a leisurely pace. Dine and play is open to kids ages three to 12.
