The Disney Adventure, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet and currently the largest in the fleet, brings the magic of Disney storytelling to the seas from Singapore, its home port.
The Disney Adventure offers three-day (Monday to Wednesday) and four-day (Thursday to Sunday) cruises to nowhere. In other words, the ship itself is the destination. And there is a lot packed into it.
From themed areas inspired by Disney, Pixar and Marvel stories to Broadway-style shows, kids clubs and character encounters, the Disney Adventure brings the flavour of a Disney theme park onboard a ship.
DISNEY ADVENTURE CRUISE: Guide and Tips to Disney's Latest Ship
JURONG EAST SWIMMING COMPLEX: Family-friendly Splash Pad, Lazy River and Wave Pool
There are over 40 entertainment experiences onboard the Disney Adventure. You can find beloved favourites like Disney’s Seas the Adventure and character meet-and-greets, along with exciting new offerings exclusive to the ship.
We recently sailed on a four-night voyage to explore what families can expect onboard. Here is a guide to the ship’s themed areas, dining, activities and useful tips for navigating everything on offer.
Overview of the Disney Adventure Cruise Ship: Getting Around
The Disney Adventure is a very large ship, with more than 2,000 staterooms and capacity for up to 6,700 guests, supported by a dedicated crew. So don’t be surprised if at first you find the scale of the ship overwhelming, it just means that there is more to explore!
Decks 5 to 19 are open to guests, with Deck 19 being for Concierge guests only. The top, open decks are Decks 17 to 19. Fortunately, despite its scale, we found the ship easier to get around than we imagined. Clear signage, directories and interactive location maps are placed throughout the ship.
Here is a tip: green carpets mark the forward areas while blue carpets indicate aft, and in the cabin corridors, the ears of the Mickey icons woven into the carpets always point forward. It is a small detail, but once you notice it, it becomes a surprisingly useful way to orientate yourself.
Elevators are plentiful and the ship is stroller-friendly, making it easy for families with young children to move between decks.
The ship has seven themed areas and once you get to know them, they can be a useful “mental map” of where things are onboard Disney Adventure.
Inside the ship, Town Square sits squarely midship, serving as a central orientation point.
On the outdoor decks, Imagination Garden occupies the midship area, forming the central gathering space for many of the ship’s activities, while Discovery Reef and Wayfinder Bay are located towards the rear or aft in ship-speak.
Key to the World Card
We checked in at the Marina Bay Cruise Terminal and then were let onboard the ship. Everyone in our stateroom (including the kids) also received a Key to the World card.
This functions as the central access card for the Disney Adventure cruise and it is used to:
- access staterooms
- make onboard purchases
- play arcade games
- check children into youth clubs
- disembark the ship
The card is a convenient “passport” to life onboard the ship. Needless to say, keep it carefully while onboard.
Another useful tool is the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. It is indispensable for navigating everything the ship has to offer.
Using the app, you can:
- View full daily schedules of activities
- Create personal schedules by “hearting” activities
- See pre-assigned dining and show rotations
- Check facility and restaurant hours and menus
- Make bookings for events like the character meet-and greets
- Receive notifications
- Send onboard messages to those who share your stateroom
- Track account charges
- View and purchase photos taken by Disney photographers
The app works throughout the sailing as long as your device is connected to the ship’s wi-fi network (even if you have not purchased internet access) and are logged in using your stateroom number.
Exploring the Disney Adventure Cruise Ship: 7 Themed Areas
One of the defining features of the Disney Adventure is its seven themed areas spread throughout the ship.
1. Disney Imagination Garden
Spanning two decks, Imagination Garden is the heart of the ship. It functions similar to the Main Street of a Disney Park.
At one end sits a castle, designed to look like a pop-up castle in a storybook. The Sorcerer Mickey topiary on the upper deck is a landmark of the Disney Imagination Garden.
At the other end of the Disney Imagination Garden is the Garden Stage. Performances take place here throughout the day and night.
The drop from Deck 11 down to Deck 10 creates amphitheatre-style seating for performances. Garden-view rooms with verandahs overlook the space, offering “box seats” to the many shows held here.
Two quick-service restaurants are located within the space:
- Gramma Tala’s Kitchen – Polynesian and Asian flavours
- Mowgli’s Eatery – Indian cuisine
2. Town Square
Spanning Decks 6 and 7, you can think of Town Square as the living room of the ship. And it is a “royal space”, inspired by Disney royalty and featuring characters and stories from classic princess films.
At its centre sits the bronze statue of Snow White at the wishing well, the signature statue unique to this ship.
Guest services are located here, in an area designed to resemble Snow White’s grotto, with seven service counters surrounding the statue.
Town Square also has a stage that plays host to smaller indoor performances and character meet-and-greets.
Two F&B outlets are located here:
- Spellbound – a Wicked Queen-inspired lounge
- Enchanted Summer Restaurant, split into dining areas themed after Disney’s Frozen and Tangled
3. Discovery Reef
Discovery Reef is inspired by Disney’s and Pixar’s sea-inspired stories such as “The Little Mermaid” and “Finding Nemo”. The themed area is home to several quick-service dining outlets:
- Ohana’s Grill – burgers
- Cosmic Kebabs – Middle Eastern cuisine
- Bewitching Boba & Brews – bubble tea and smoothies
Discovery Reef leads towards the aft via a pathway lined with specialty restaurants including:
- Palo Café & Trattoria – Italian cuisine
- Mike & Sulley’s – Japanese cuisine
- Taverna Portorosso
The retail store Treasures Untold, modelled after Ariel’s grotto in “The Little Mermaid”, sits in this space and offers higher-end Disney merchandise and exclusive collections.
The Reef View Rooms With and Without Verandahs overlook Discovery Reef.
4. Wayfinder Bay
At the aft of the ship is Wayfinder Bay, an open-air amphitheatre space inspired by Disney’s “Moana”.
The stage is framed by the open sea behind the ship, giving performances a dramatic natural backdrop. The pool becomes part of the stage during performances, most notably the Moana: Call of the Sea show.
Outside of showtimes, the space serves as a swimming pool area with deck chairs arranged amphitheatre-style around the stage.
In the evenings, the area takes on a relaxed southern-island vibe, with quiet live music enjoyed as the sea breeze blows.
The Wayfinder Bar is located here and Oceanview Rooms overlook Wayfinder Bay.
5. San Fransokyo Street
Inspired by the world of “Big Hero 6”, San Fransokyo Street is the ship’s family entertainment district. The area is designed to resemble a lively street lined with stylised storefronts.
It is home to the youth spaces Edge and Vibe. This is also where can find The Baymax Arcade which houses a whole slew of arcade games. These are free to play and can be activated by tapping the Key to the World card.
One highlight of The Baymax Arcade is the Hiro Training Zone, a multiplayer simulator where up to four players can “train” together.
Want to chill out and catch a movie? The Baymax Cinema has four screening rooms with movies scheduled to play throughout the day
Retail outlets at San Fransokyo Street include:
- The only Duffy & Friends store outside a Disney park
- A National Geographic store
Thirsty after all that play? The Alley Cat Cafe is also located at San Fransokyo Street.
6. Toy Story Place
When you think of a cruise, you may think of swimming in the pool or lying out one the sundeck. If that is your idea of the cruising lifestyle, head to the uppermost decks where you will find Toy Story Place.
The ship’s colourful water play area is inspired by the Toy Story universe. The most prominent water play feature is Jessie & Woody’s Wild Slides, a pair of slides spanning three decks. The height requirement is 120 cm, so they are not just for the kids.
Other water features include:
- Toy Story Splash Pad – for ages 4 and below
- Flying Saucer Splash Zone – for ages 8 and below
Up for a dip? The Sunnyside Pool is one of the ship’s main family pools.
Dining options at Toy Story Place include:
- Pizza Planet – get pizza by the slice
- Wheezy’s Freezies – soft-serve ice cream for those hot days
- Pixar Market Restaurant – buffet breakfast and lunch and table service at dinner
Besides Toy Story Place, the ship has a few more spots where you can take a dip. At the aft of the ship on Deck 18, the Infinity Pool sits beside the Infinity Bar, offering views out to sea.
A private pool on Deck 19 within the concierge area is available exclusively to guests staying in Concierge Rooms and Suites.
You can pick up a pool towel for your use at all the pool areas.
7. Marvel Landing
Marvel Landing is the ship’s mini amusement park, located at the top of the ship on Deck 18.
For thrill seekers, the main attraction is the Ironcycle Test Run, the longest roller coaster at sea, measuring 250 metres in length.
In addition to Ironcycle Test Run, there are two other rides at Marvel Landing: Pym Quantum Racers and Groot Galaxy Spin.
Pym Quantum Racers is where riders get to steer Pym Tech-modified mini-cars on an oversized toy set track, while Groot Galaxy Spin is a playful ride where guests get to pilot a Nova Corp Bass Jumper spacecraft.
Here are the height requirements for the three rides:
- Ironcycle Test Run: at least 120cm and not taller than 195 cm
- Pym Quantum Racers: 89 cm
- Groot Galaxy Spin: 81 cm
Children under seven must be accompanied by someone 14 years or older for the latter two rides.
Also, keep a look out for Marvel characters who you may be able to spot roaming the top deck for photo opportunities.
Kids Clubs for Different Ages
Want to keep the kids entertained? This is a Disney ship and therefore it should come as no surprise that the Disney Adventure offers various youth spaces, with programming designed for different age groups.
“it’s a small world” Nursery (Ages 6 months – 3 years)
The nursery caters to babies and toddlers. Drop-off sessions require reservations, which can be made by phone or at the nursery desk. Drop-off care costs USD10 per hour.
There are also Open House hours when families can enjoy the space together.
Activities at “it’s a small world” Nursery are child-led rather than formally programmed.
The nursery includes a darkened crib room where babies can be put down for naps according to parents’ instructions.
Disney’s Oceaneer Club (Ages 3 to 10)
This is the largest Oceaneer Club on any Disney Cruise Line ship. The club offers both drop-off and Open House hours where families can enjoy the space together, with scheduled activity running during both.
The space includes four themed rooms:
- Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, which includes a space where kids can design and ride their own virtual roller coaster
- Andy’s Toy Box, a playground filled with larger-than-life toys including a Slinky Dog slide and giant pinball machine, and etch-a sketch board
- Marvel WEB Workshop, featuring superhero-themed simulators and activities
- Fairytale Hall, a princess-themed space for crafts and games
Kids are supervised by a crew of trained counsellors during drop-off.
Upon registration, kids will receive a wristband for check-in, which allows the counsellors to locate them anywhere within the club. Parents retrieve children using a secret password system.
Take note that children must be potty-trained for drop-off sessions.
Edge (Ages 11-13) and Vibe (Ages 14-17)
Older kids will find themselves hanging out at Edge and Vibe, located within the San Fansokyo Street themed area. Edge is a space for tweens while Vibe is for teens. They function like large lounges where young people can hang out, make friends and play games together.
Counsellors are present to supervise and organise scheduled activities. Youth can check themselves in and out independently using their Key to the World card.
Dining on Disney Adventure
The Disney Adventure has an incredible six main dining restaurants:
- Navigator’s Club which honours the prestigious maritime tradition of exclusive “captain’s table” dinners
- Hollywood Spotlight Club which evokes the glitz and glamour of the golden age of Hollywood
- Animator’s Palate which is adorned with film strips and props from favourite movies such as Disney Animation’s “The Little Mermaid” and “Encanto” and Pixar’s “Toy Story.”
- Animator’s Table which features authentic artwork from iconic films such as Disney Animation’s “Aladdin” and “Frozen” and Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” showcasing the process of transforming a hand-drawn sketch into living animation.
- Enchanted Summer Restaurant, a cozy village dining hall inspired by Disney Animation’s “Tangled” and “Frozen.”
- Pixar Market Restaurant, a celebration of Pixar films, where each dining area captures the spirit of one of the studio’s beloved films, from “Inside Out” and “Monsters University” to “Turning Red,” “The Incredibles” and more.
Guests have the opportunity to experience three of the six locations on every sailing, thanks to the Disney Cruise Line’s signature rotational dining system where guests rotate between restaurants while their servers follow them throughout the sailing.
The system allows for guests to try out different experiences while still retaining some level of familiar service.
Dinner
There are two dinner seatings available. They are typically at 5.45 pm and 8.15 pm and can be selected during booking.
Rotational dining venues are pre-assigned. Guests dine at either:
- Navigator’s Club or Hollywood Spotlight Club
- Animator’s Palate or Animator’s Table
- Pixar Market Restaurant or Enchanted Summer Restaurant
The Disney philosophy is that “every venue is a stage.” This means that dining is not just about food. For example, at Navigator’s Club, we experienced a lively show featuring Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy. At Animator’s Palate, our drawings were brought to life on screen.
Breakfast & Lunch
Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style at Pixar Market Restaurant or Enchanted Summer Restaurant, with table-service breakfast available at Navigator’s Club.
Or you can grab a bite at quick-service dining options around the ship including:
- Gramma Tala’s Kitchen: Inspired by the scenery and island flair of Disney’s “Moana”, the menu ishowcases the diverse flavours of the Pacific and Asia.
- Mowgli’s Eatery: Inspired by “The Jungle Book”, this restaurant serves Indian cuisine, including vegetarian and regional dishes.
- Ohana’s Grill: A chill, beach-style hangout inspired by the Hawaiian setting of Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch”, this diner dishes up burgers, sandwiches and classic American fare.
- Cosmic Kebabs: Inspired by Marvel Studios’ “Ms. Marvel”, this quick-service restaurant offers a menu of pitas and kebabs.
- Bewitching Boba & Brews: Featuring vibrant pop art, bright neon lights, and nods to Ursula, the sea witch from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”, this is the ship’s bubble tea joint.
- Pizza Planet: This 24-hour Toy Story-themed counter beside Sunnyside Pool offers a variety of pizzas by the slice.
Room service is also available if you miss your dining slot or just want to take things slower.
Unfortunately, none of the restaurants on Disney Adventure are halal-certified. However, it is possible to request for halal-certified meats at the rotational dining restaurants. Of the quick-service options, Cosmic Kebabs is the one that does not use pork or lard.
Specialty Dining
The ship also offers specialty restaurants for guests seeking a more premium dining experience. These restaurants require reservations and additional charges.
- Palo Café & Trattoria – an adults-only specialty restaurant serving Italian cuisine and wines
- Mike & Sulley’s – a family-friendly specialty restaurant offering Japanese cuisine. It has four distinct experiences: a full-service Japanese steakhouse, a lively teppanyaki room, a chic bar with Omakase-style dining, and an outdoor sushi and sashimi offering
Shows & Entertainment
Entertainment on the Disney Adventure centres on the ship’s themes of adventure and friendship, bringing together beloved Disney stories, music and characters.
These are the headline productions, but entertainment continues throughout the day and night across multiple venues, from stage shows and deck performances to character appearances and themed activities around the ship.
Walt Disney Theatre
The 1,200-seat Walt Disney Theatre hosts the ship’s large-scale stage productions. Two headline shows are presented during the sailing.
The signature Disney Seas the Adventure, typically shown on the first two nights, follows Goofy and friends on a nautical adventure, drawing on songs and characters from Disney’s ocean-inspired stories.
Later in the voyage comes Remember, a Broadway-style production created especially for the Disney Adventure. The show stars WALL-E and brings together Disney favourites from 100 years of storytelling in a moving celebration of friendship, with classic and newer Disney films woven together through music, projections and stagecraft. It is a dazzling production and a must-watch.
Showtimes for these two shows are pre-assigned and coordinated with dining seatings, allowing guests to enjoy both dinner and the evening show.
Performances at Imagination Garden
Disney Adventure has a second major performance stage and it can be found outdoors at Imagination Garden. The Garden Stage hosts performances throughout the sailing, including:
- Mickey’s Sailaway Party which takes place upon departure
- Avengers Assemble, featuring flying superheroes and pyrotechnics
- Duffy & the Friend Ship, a must see for the little ones
- Baymax Super Exercise Expo, an energetic exercise session disguised as fun
With amphitheatre-style seating around the garden, the space becomes a lively gathering point for shows throughout the day and night.
Moana Outdoor Show and Fireworks
At the aft of the ship, Wayfinder Bay hosts Moana: Call of the Sea, a musical presentation inspired by the story of Disney’s “Moana”. The show makes creative use of both the stage and the pool, with performers traversing both land and water.
Another highlight which happens only once during the sailing is The Lion King: Celebration in the Sky, a 15 minute fireworks show set to narration by Shah Rukh Khan and the sweeping music of The Lion King.
Staterooms on Disney Adventure
The Disney Adventure offers a range of accommodation options including:
- Inside Staterooms
- Oceanview Staterooms
- Verandah Staterooms
- Suites
Inside staterooms are further divided into No View, Garden View (overlooking Imagination Garden) and Reef View (overlooking Discovery Reef).
We sailed in a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. The deluxe rooms comfortably sleep four, with a queen bed and pull-out sofa bed.
Standard rooms also sleep four using pull-down bunk beds.
Larger families may prefer suites, which can accommodate four to six guests. Adjoining rooms are also available.
The premier room tier, Concierge rooms and suites, comes with access to exclusive concierge lounge areas, sundeck, pool spaces and services.
Disney Adventure Cruise Ship Room Features
Rooms are themed, and ours featured Spider-Man artwork on the walls.
A thoughtful feature for families is the split bathroom design, which separates the shower and toilet from the sink area. This allows two people to make use of the bathroom to get ready at the same time.
Privacy curtains help divide the sleeping area from the sitting space — useful if children need to go to bed earlier.
Rooms also offer adequate storage, USB and power outlets, and verandah rooms have high balcony railings and heavy sliding doors that only adults can easily operate, adding an extra layer of safety for families with young children.
You get coffee and tea, along with a kettle and a hairdryer in the room.
However, we also found that there were minimal amenities provided as part of the stateroom. There was a bar of bath soap along with dispensers for soap, shampoo, body gel and lotion. So, remember to pack your own toothbrush and toothpaste. We requested for a shower cap but ended up having to head down to the guest services desk to pick up one rather than have housekeeping send it up to us.
Practical Facilities for Guests and Families
There are practical amenities onboard Disney Adventure that make sailings easier.
Wi-Fi with Internet Access
If you want to stay connected to the rest of the world through the Internet, you will need to purchase one of the Wi-Fi packages that are available onboard.
The Basic plan, suitable for messaging, social media and video calls, costs USD26 for one device for 24 hours, or USD88 for a four-day package.
The Premium plan, designed for full internet browsing and streaming, costs USD42 for one device for 24 hours, or USD140 for four days. Packages for multiple devices (up to four) are also available at higher rates.
Laundry Room
A large self-service laundry room is located on Deck 16 midship, equipped with washers, dryers and ironing facilities.
Machines are operated using the Key to the World card.
Medical Centre
The Health Centre, located on Deck 9 forward, provides non-emergency medical care during daily clinic hours.
Guests can obtain consultations and purchase common medications, while motion sickness pills are available free of charge.
Pharmacy and Essentials
A small section within the World of Disney Store on Deck 5, near the checkout counters, carries basic travel essentials including over-the-counter medicines, toiletries, diapers and bottle-cleaning supplies.
Photography Services
Disney photographers are stationed throughout the ship — including character meet-and-greets, themed photo backdrops and roaming deck photography.
Photos can be viewed and purchased through the Navigator app, with packages available for 10 photos, 15 photos or unlimited downloads.
Purchasing photos before disembarkation is the easiest option, as post-cruise access requires logging into a separate website.
Spa & Fitness
The fitness centre features a row of sea-facing treadmills, and a comprehensive suite of equipment, allowing guests to work out while looking out across the ocean.
Next door is the spa. Aside from the 15 treatment rooms, the highlight is the Rainforest Room, an adults-only thermal suite with heated loungers, aromatherapy steam room, sauna, whirlpools, hot and cool plunge pools, whirlpools and specialised showers.
A day pass to enjoy the Rainforest Room only costs USD79.
Shopping on Disney Adventure
Shopping is an integral part of Disney cruise experience, and Disney Adventure has almost 17,000 sq feet of different retail spaces that offer both classic Disney merchandise and ship-specific collections.
The largest continguous retail space onboard is the World of Disney and World of Disney Too stores on Deck 5, which carry a wide range of Disney merchandise including apparel, toys, collectibles and cruise-exclusive items. Nearby, Art of Disney offers Disney-themed artwork and collectible pieces for fans and collectors.
At Discovery Reef, Treasures Untold offers a more curated retail space inspired by Ariel’s grotto in “The Little Mermaid”. It. features higher-end Disney merchandise and exclusive collections.
Within San Fransokyo Street, guests will also find a Duffy & Friends store, notable as the only Duffy retail location outside a Disney park. A small National Geographic store nearby carries exploration- and nature-themed merchandise.
Two notable retail experiences onboard are the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Marvel Style Studio.
At Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, younger guests can be transformed into their favourite Disney characters, with princess makeovers for girls and knight transformations for boys.
Meanwhile, the Marvel Style Studio allows both kids and “kidults” to transform into their favourite Marvel superheroes. Afterward, many guests head to the Marvel-themed backdrop outside the kids clubs for a photo opportunity.
Both experiences are paid activities requiring advance appointments.
There are also a few retail outlets with a local Singapore touch. Bacha Coffee and TWG Tea both operate dining-retail spaces onboard, offering brews created exclusively for the Disney Adventure, alongside their signature products.
Some Tips for Your Sailing onboard Disney Adventure Cruise Ship
Here are some tips and things to note to maximise your experience onboard Disney Adventure.
Tip 1: Take note of your port arrival time and items that are prohibited onboard
It is a good idea to stick to the port arrival time assigned to you on online check-in. We noted that the Marina Bay Cruise Terminal authorities were very strict about this, with guests arriving before their assigned time not allowed to join the queue.
Also, read the list of items prohibited onboard sent out pre-sailing so that you can avoid bringing them along. We had a charging extension cord that was not allowed and it was taken away from us when we boarded, and returned at the end of the cruise.
Scrolling through the full daily schedule in the Navigator app can feel overwhelming — there are so many things happening across the ship. One useful trick is to search by keyword based on your family’s interests.
For example, searching “Avengers” at the start of the trip will surface all Avengers-related activities happening during the sailing — from shows and kids club activities to photo opportunities and retail experiences.
But do remember to also check the app daily as some activities like photo-taking opportunities and kids club activities are added progressively.
Tip 3: Pace yourselves
With the plethora of programming and activities on board, families with young children in tow are realistically not likely to be able to do and see everything.
We found that even with a 9-year-old, we all needed daily downtime. Also, while there are generally multiple timings available for most shows, photo ops and meet-and greets, it was still hard to get everything in without the pace becoming frenetic.
Prioritise using the app as your guide, and make room to unwind with options like chilling by the shaded Infinity Pool and bar at the aft or even indulging in unlimited Disney programmes on the TV in your stateroom.
Tip 4: Plan open deck activities in the early morning or evening
It can get uncomfortably hot out in the open sea in the late morning and early afternoon, so the activities at Toy Story Place and Marvel Landing on the upper decks are best done in the morning and evening, unless you don’t mind braving the heat to skip the crowds. Do note however, that evenings are when the rotational dining experience and headline shows take place.
Separately, remember to bring hats and sunglasses and even an umbrella for the Moana: Call of the Sea show which is held outdoors at the Wayfinder Bay, as the showtimes are scheduled in the early afternoon.
Food & Beverages
Tip 5: Refill 24-7 at free flow drinks service counters
All food, apart from menu in the two specialty restaurants, is included into the fare. That includes room service. Alcoholic and speciality drinks are chargeable while soft drinks, juices, tea and coffee are not. Drinks at all the bars and lounges, room service and the bubble tea shop are chargeable.
There are, however, four 24 hour-free flow soda fountains – one in the Imagination Garden, one in the Discovery Reef and two on the open upper decks – where you can fill up your water bottles, enjoy a soft drink or get a cup of tea.
There are also water fountains on the upper decks and tap water in your stateroom is potable.
Tip 6: Look out for Mickey-themed food
The dining needs of children are well taken care of on the cruise, from a children’s corner at every buffet, to children’s menus or options at table service meals. Children can also order from adult menus (and vice versa!).
Servers take note of food allergies and dietary requirements from Day 1 and the kitchen prepares these foods separately. As a result, my son’s special meals did sometimes take a bit longer to arrive, but he was kept busy with character appearances or activities in the children’s menu.
Spark joy for kids at mealtimes by keeping a lookout for the Mickey-themed food. Two popular items are the Mickey churros waffles, available at the breakfast buffets, and the coveted Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar, which can be ordered it off menu at the rotational dining restaurants without extra charge.
Ship Activities
Tip 7: Book character meet-and greet- sessions early
Character meet and greets take place throughout the cruise. Sessions with more popular characters like Mickey, Minnie, the Disney Princess and Baymax require a booking, which can be done via the Navigator App. But even with an assigned timeslot, you will likely have to queue for your turn, so remember to turn up early!
Don’t fret if you don’t manage to get a booking though. The characters do roam the decks for impromptu photo ops. We were told that the Disney Princesses tend to appear in the areas around Town Hall and the Marvel characters on Avenger Landing. The Oceaneers Club is also a spot frequented by many characters, so you can try your luck there.
Tip 8: The best spot for viewing the fireworks
The Lion King: Celebration in the Sky fireworks show is a crowd favourite. The show takes place entirely in the night sky, with narration and music so you can view it anywhere on the upper open decks 17 to 19.
The fireworks are released on the starboard side, so stand portside if you want to get a shot of the fireworks with the ship in the foreground. However, take note that the areas fill up quickly, so it is worth arriving early if you want to get a particular view.
Tip 8: Observe or participate in Disney Cruise Line subculture activities
Disney Cruise Line subculture centres on immersive fan traditions, including cabin-door “fish extender” gift exchanges, character “pixie-dusting” (surprising others with small unexpected gifts or gestures) and “Disney Bounding” (dressing as characters in casual clothes).
If your family wants to participate in some of these, you’d have to do your homework and prepare some before coming onboard.
But an easy way of joining in the the fun is just to decorate your stateroom door. The stateroom doors are made of metal so any sort of magnets work. And if you haven’t brought any, we saw many magnet sets on sale in the retail stores.
Other activities that you could participate in onboard including collecting a free charm bracelet as a souvenir. Visit the jewellery shop Diamonds & Wishes on Deck 7 on the first night to get the bracelet, and return daily for new complimentary charms. Be warned that the queues for this were extremely long.
You could also collect free badges by visiting Guest Services and mentioning the keywords “Happy Birthday”, “Happy Anniversary”, “Happily Ever After”, “I’m Celebrating”, “Just Graduated”, “I Lost a Tooth” or “Magical Moments”. There are seven distinct designs to collect.
Additionally you can ask for a “First Magical Cruise” certificate if it’s your first time on a Disney Cruise.
Our Reflections and Thoughts on Sailing Aboard the Disney Adventure Cruise Ship
Finding your own pace and spaces
The four days we spent on the Disney Adventure were exciting – and exhausting. While we started out trying to experience as much listed in the app we could, we gradually found ourselves returning to a smaller subset of favourite spaces.
The rotational dining experience ensured that we had a good representation of dining experiences, even if we didn’t get to dine at every restaurant. And we ended up bypassing the many in-app lunch options for the hidden gourmet hotdog stand and bubble tea more than once.
We also quickly realised that different spaces and experiences – however exciting they sound – are best suited for certain age groups. For example, aside from the Ironcycle Test Run (which we didn’t get chance to try) and Jessie & Woody’s Wild slides, my 9 year old found the activities on the outdoor decks more suited for younger children. His favourite themed area was San Fransokyo Street, hands down.
With the benefit of hindsight, we would also have better balanced our time between shows and experiences and space to relax and chill. The beauty of the Disney Adventure is that it allows for both.
Is the Disney Adventure worth It for Families?
The Disney Adventure commands a premium relative to other cruises sailing from Singapore. But there are several reasons why we would consider it.
The immersiveness of the Disney Adventure experience is unbeatable. It isn’t just the entertainment and programming, but the design details in both public and private spaces, the Disney sound tracks in every lift, corridor and public toilet, and even the fact that every PA announcement is preceded by the “When you Wish upon a Star” theme.
With us being on the inaugural sailings, the ship’s facilities are also spanking new and in pristine condition.
The Disney service is also excellent, with every member of the crew – from the room attendant and servers, to the kids club counsellors, and even the photographers, retail and amusement park staff – obviously trained not to just to serve, but to engage guests.
While extras (e.g. specialty dining, make-over experiences, photo packages) are not inexpensive, it is perfectly possible to have a great time within what is included in the fare.
Among the Disney cruises, the Disney Adventure is probably the most accessible by dent of it being home-ported in Singapore and because the cruise-lengths are short relative to other Disney cruises.
If there was going to be a Disney Cruise we would take, this would be it!
Book tickets for Disney Adventure
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