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Disney Wish Cruise Review: Tips, Tricks, and What Families Should Know Before You Go

We recently returned from a sailing aboard the Disney Wish and had a great time exploring everything the ship has to offer. If you're considering a Disney cruise with kids, there is no shortage of activities, entertainment, character experiences, and family-friendly fun.

A Disney cruise offers many of the things families love about Disney vacations, but with a more relaxed pace. Instead of rushing from attraction to attraction, you unpack once and spend your days enjoying the ship, the entertainment, and time together as a family.

One thing worth mentioning is that I have only sailed on the Disney Wish, so I can't personally compare it to Disney's other ships. However, one thing I've consistently heard from experienced Disney cruisers is that the Wish can feel a little less intuitive to navigate. There are more hallways and separate spaces to walk through when getting from place to place, whereas some of the other Disney ships are said to have a more open layout. It wasn't a major issue for us, but it did take a day or two before we felt comfortable finding our way around.


Bonus Tip: Give Yourself a Day to Learn the Ship

The Disney Wish is a large ship, and it may take a little time to learn where everything is located. We occasionally found ourselves taking the long way around or walking through multiple hallways to get where we wanted to go.

By the second day it felt much easier to navigate, so don't stress if you spend the first day checking the map frequently. That's completely normal!


Tips and Tricks for Families Sailing on the Disney Wish

1. Take Advantage of the Kids Clubs

One of the biggest highlights for our kids was the Oceaneer Club, which is designed for children ages 3–10. It includes multiple themed spaces where kids can play, explore, create, and interact with Disney stories in a way that feels much more immersive than a typical kids club.

Disney also offers clubs for ages 11–14 and 14–17, so older kids and teens have spaces designed specifically for them. Families traveling with little ones will appreciate that there is even a nursery available for babies and toddlers ages 6 months to 3 years.

One tip I would highly recommend is taking advantage of the Open House on embarkation day. During this time, families can explore the kids clubs together before the clubs officially begin operating. This is also a great time to complete registration so that dropping your kids off later in the cruise is quick and easy.

My kids are pretty shy, and even after seeing all the fun activities available, they were still hesitant to leave us. Looking back, I wish we would have encouraged them to spend a little time in the club earlier in the cruise. Toward the end of our trip, we let them go into the kids club while we waited just outside for a few minutes. Knowing we were nearby gave them the confidence to explore on their own. They didn't stay long because we had dinner reservations, but that short experience made a huge difference. After that, they kept asking to go back. If I could do one thing differently, it would be introducing them to the kids club earlier in the cruise so they could have enjoyed it even more.

One thing to note if you have younger children traveling with older siblings: my kids are 4, 5, and 8 years old. My 5 and 8-year-olds were able to move around the Oceaneer Club much more freely, while my 4-year-old was required to stay with a counselor-led group. I completely understand the safety reasons behind that policy, but it did mean he couldn't simply follow his siblings wherever they wanted to go. His older brother and sister could join him, but he couldn't always join them. Because of that, he didn't enjoy the experience quite as much as the older two. I think kids who are 5 and older may get a little more out of the experience since they have more freedom to explore the different areas on their own.


2. Don't Miss the Broadway-Style Shows

The Disney Wish features three incredible live theater productions:

  • Disney Seas the Adventure

  • The Little Mermaid

  • Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular

Even if your family doesn't normally attend live theater, these productions are worth making time for. The costumes, music, sets, and special effects were impressive, and our kids were entertained the entire time.

Disney offers two showtimes each evening to accommodate the different dinner schedules. I believe the shows were around 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM. Since our dinner seating was at 5:45 PM, we attended the later show each night.

Most of the performances lasted about 45 minutes to an hour. While 8:30 PM was a little late for our younger kids, the shows did such a great job keeping their attention that they stayed engaged despite being tired from a full day of fun.


3. Ride the AquaMouse

The AquaMouse was one of our family's favorite experiences on the Disney Wish.

Part water slide and part water coaster, it takes riders over the edge of the ship with special views of the open ocean below. It's a fun mix of Disney storytelling, water slide thrills, and amazing scenery that makes it a unique experience for both kids and adults.

One tip we learned is to plan your rides strategically. Riding early in the day can help you avoid some of the longer waits, but one of the best times to ride is while the ship is in port. Many guests leave the ship to explore, which often means significantly shorter lines than on sea days. We found this to be a great time to enjoy the attraction with less waiting.


4. Check Out Hero Zone

When our kids needed a break from swimming, Hero Zone was a fun place to burn off energy.

This recreation area includes:

  • Basketball courts

  • Ping pong

  • Air hockey

  • Organized activities

  • Special events like a giant inflatable obstacle course

Check the daily schedule because activities can change throughout the cruise.


5. See Characters Often

One thing we loved compared to Disney World was how easy it was to meet characters.

Throughout the cruise characters that were available to see were:

  • Mickey

  • Minnie

  • Donald

  • Daisy

  • Pluto

  • Goofy

  • Chip and Dale

  • Spiderman

  • Ant Man

  • Wasp

  • Black Panther

  • Captain Hook

  • Jack Sparrow

  • Bluey/Bingo

As well as several princesses including:

  • Tiana

  • Cinderella

  • Rapunzel

  • Belle

Character lines were generally much shorter than what we've experienced in the Disney parks, and there were opportunities throughout the cruise to see characters in different outfits and settings. Even if you missed one appearance, there were usually several more opportunities to see them later in the cruise. This was especially true for the main characters like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and the princesses who seemed to make appearances throughout the sailing. We loved that the character meet-and-greets felt much more relaxed and easier to fit into our schedule than they typically do at Disney World.


6. Save Room for Ice Cream

The cruise ship offers "free" unlimited soft-serve ice cream, which was a huge hit with our kids. I say "free" because you don't pay for it when you get it, but let's be honest, it's probably built into the cost of the cruise somewhere along the way!

No matter where we were headed, it seemed like someone in our family was asking for another ice cream cone. Between pool breaks, afternoon snacks, and evening treats, the kids enjoyed multiple cones throughout the cruise.

The Disney Wish also features an Inside Out-themed ice cream shop that was another favorite stop for our family. Unlike the soft-serve stations, this ice cream does cost extra and is purchased separately. We enjoyed mixing things up with some specialty ice cream creations and fun toppings in between all the soft-serve cones. It was a fun treat and a nice change of pace during the cruise.


7. Enjoy the Rotational Dining Experience

One of the most unique parts of a Disney cruise is the rotational dining system.

During our sailing we enjoyed:

  • Worlds of Marvel

  • Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure

  • 1923

  • Pirate Night

Each restaurant offered its own atmosphere, entertainment, and menu while allowing us to keep the same dining team throughout the cruise.

It was fun experiencing a different restaurant each night because every dinner felt unique. From the interactive Marvel experience to celebrating Anna and Kristoff's engagement at Arendelle with Elsa, Olaf, and friends, there was always something new to look forward to.

One thing we especially loved was keeping the same wait staff throughout the cruise. By the second night they already knew our preferences, remembered our kids, and went above and beyond to make every meal special. They truly got to know our family and spoiled us beyond measure. It was one of those little touches that made the Disney cruise experience feel extra magical.


8. Enjoy the Pools, But Know What to Expect

There are multiple pools on the Disney Wish, giving families several places to cool off and have fun throughout the day. The pools are fairly shallow, with depths ranging from about 2 to 4 feet.

Our kids still had a blast splashing around and playing in the water, but it's a little different than spending time at a typical neighborhood pool. Because the pools are smaller, fairly shallow, and shared by thousands of guests, they can get crowded during peak times. Due to the shallow depths, the pools are more for splashing, playing, and cooling off than they are for traditional swimming.

Families with younger children will also appreciate the Toy Story-themed splash area designed for kids ages 4 and under. It features fun water play elements and gives little ones their own space to splash and explore.

That said, the pools and splash areas were a great way for our family to cool off, relax, and have fun between all the other activities happening around the ship.


9. Download the Disney Cruise Line App

One hidden gem on the Disney Wish is an interactive game built into the Disney Cruise Line app.

Families can complete missions, search for clues throughout the ship, and interact with special displays using their phones.

Our kids loved hunting down the locations and completing the challenges. It became a fun activity whenever we had a little downtime between other events.


10. Don't Try to Do Everything

This might be our biggest piece of advice.

There is so much happening every day that you simply won't be able to do it all—and that's okay.

Pick the experiences your family is most excited about, leave room for spontaneous fun, and enjoy the slower pace. Some of our favorite memories came from moments we never planned.


Final Thoughts

If you're looking for a family vacation that combines Disney magic with a more relaxed pace, the Disney Wish is a great choice. Between the incredible entertainment, character experiences, themed dining, kids clubs, and family activities, there was never a shortage of things to do. At the same time, it felt much less stressful than trying to fit everything into a Disney World vacation.

The Disney Wish created so many special memories for our family, and it's a trip we would happily recommend to any family considering their first Disney cruise.

Games

Disney Games for Kids: Fun Ideas for Family Game Night

If you have Disney fans in your house, you know how much kids love anything that brings their favorite characters to life.

Whether it is princesses, Pixar movies, or classic Disney characters, themed board games are a fun way to bring a little bit of that magic into your home.

We always enjoy finding games that everyone can play together, and Disney-themed games are usually an easy win. They are familiar, fun, and a great option for family game night.

Here are some Disney games that have been fun for our family and would be a great fit for any Disney lover.


Disney Eye Found It!

If your family loves Disney and enjoys games that keep everyone engaged, Disney Eye Found It! is one we come back to again and again.

What makes this game stand out is how different it feels every time you play. The board is packed with detailed Disney scenes, and each round challenges players to find specific hidden objects. Even though you’re using the same board, it never feels repetitive because you’re always searching for something new.

Why We Love It

  • Perfect for mixed ages – Younger kids can spot big, obvious items while older kids (and adults!) hunt for trickier ones

  • Cooperative gameplay – You work together, which keeps things positive and fun

  • Great attention builder – It naturally helps kids focus and stay engaged

  • No reading required – Easy for younger kids to jump right in

A Game That Grows With Your Family

One of the best parts about this game is how it adapts to your kids. When they’re younger, it’s all about finding simple objects and enjoying the colorful Disney scenes. As they get older, they start spotting harder items faster and even competing a little more.

It’s one of those rare games that doesn’t get old quickly, which is a huge win for family game night.

🛒 Find Disney Eye Found It on Amazon


Disney Code Names

If your family enjoys word games with a little strategy, Disney Codenames is a fun way to bring Disney into game night.

The goal is simple: give one-word clues to help your team guess the right Disney characters on the board. It sounds easy, but it takes some real thinking!

How We Play with Younger Kids

With our kids (ages 4, 5, and 8), we’ve found the best setup is for my husband and I to be the clue givers, while the kids are the guessers.

Being the clue giver actually takes a lot of thought. You have to connect multiple cards with one clue while avoiding the wrong ones, which can be challenging even for adults. We’ve let our kids try being the clue giver, and while they can do it, it definitely takes practice and a lot more thinking than they’re usually up for during game night.

Why We Love It

  • Great for teamwork

  • Builds thinking and word association skills

  • Easy to adjust for younger kids

It’s a game that grows with your family and one that gets even better as kids get older and start creating their own clues.

🛒 Find Disney Codenames online


Disney Hedbanz

Disney HedBanz game

This is a fun and interactive game for the whole family.

Each player wears a headband with a Disney character card they can’t see and asks yes-or-no questions to figure out who they are.

Why We Love It

  • Easy for younger kids to play

  • Lots of laughs and silly moments

  • Quick and simple to set up

Our kids love asking questions like “Am I a princess?” or “Am I an animal?” and trying to guess as fast as they can.

It’s one of those go-to games when you want something light, fun, and easy for the whole family to enjoy.

🛒 Find Disney Hedbanz on Amazon


Disney Guess in 10

If your child loves guessing games but doesn’t want to wear a headband, Disney Guess in 10 is a great alternative.

Instead of wearing a card, players ask up to 10 questions to figure out the Disney character on the card. It feels very similar to Hedbanz, but a little more relaxed and flexible.

Why We Like It

  • No headbands needed

  • Easy for younger kids to jump into

  • Encourages thinking and asking good questions

It’s a great option if your kids enjoy guessing games but want something a little simpler or less silly than wearing the headbands.

🛒 Find Disney Guess in 10 on Amazon


Disney Parks UNO

Disney Parks UNO is a favorite in our house and we play it almost daily.

If you already know how to play UNO, you can jump right in. The fun twist is the special Mickey Wild card, which lets you switch hands with another player. That something our kids always get excited about! They actually call this game "Mickey Uno" because of that special card.

Why We Love It

  • Familiar and easy to play

  • Fun Disney-themed cards featuring rides and characters

  • The Mickey Wild card adds an extra layer of excitement

Each card has a special Disney ride, park, or character on it, which makes it even more fun for Disney fans.

It’s a simple, fun game that never gets old and is always a hit with the whole family.

🛒 Find Disney Uno on Amazon


Disney Matching Game

The Disney Matching Game is a simple, classic that’s perfect for younger kids.

Players take turns flipping over cards to find matching pairs, featuring fun Disney characters like Mickey, Ariel, and Stitch.

Why We Love It
  • Easy for little kids to learn

  • Great for memory and focus

  • Quick and fun to play

This is one of the first games our kids could play on their own, and it’s still a fun, low-key option for family game time.

🛒 Find Disney Matching on Amazon


Disney Spot It

Disney Spot It! is one of those games that gets everyone focused and excited right away.

The goal is simple: find the one matching symbol between two cards as fast as you can. There’s always a match but it’s just a race to spot it first!

Why We Love It

  • Quick and easy to learn

  • Keeps kids engaged and focused

  • Great for all ages

  • Easy to throw into a bag or purse and play anywhere

It’s fast-paced, a little competitive, and perfect for short bursts of fun during family game night.

🛒 Find Disney Spot It online


Disney Mickey and Friends Monopoly

If your family enjoys longer game nights, Disney Monopoly is a fun way to bring a classic game into your Disney collection.

Just like traditional Monopoly, players move around the board buying and trading—but this version features Disney characters, locations, and fun themed details throughout.

Why We Love It

  • Familiar gameplay that older kids can learn quickly

  • Fun Disney-themed board and pieces

  • Great for family game nights when you have more time

This is a great option for families with slightly older kids who are ready for a longer, more strategic game. It’s a fun way to mix a well-known classic with Disney characters your kids already love.

🛒 Find Disney Monopoly on Amazon


Whether you have a house full of Disney fans or just one child who loves all things Disney, these games are a fun way to bring a little extra magic to family game night. We have enjoyed finding games that everyone can play together, and the familiar characters always seem to make them even more exciting. Hopefully this list helps you discover a new favorite game to add to your collection!

Lifestyle

Summer Bucket List

At the start of Summer 2025, we created our very first family summer bucket list, and it quickly became one of my favorite traditions. In fact, I already know it’s something we’ll do every year from now on.

We sat down together as a family and let the kids dream up all the things they wanted to do during the summer (within reason, of course!). I purchased an editable bucket list printable on Etsy that included 50 spots to fill in, along with little checkboxes so we could mark each activity off as we completed it.

Since we already had a few trips planned, we added things like "visit a new state" and "go tubing" to the list because we knew those adventures were coming. But some of our favorite ideas came straight from the kids, things we never would have thought to add ourselves.

What I loved most was how useful the list became throughout the summer. On rainy afternoons, scorching hot days, or those moments when everyone was bored and asking, “What should we do today?” we could simply pull out the bucket list and choose an activity together. It turned ordinary days into memories and gave us so many fun experiences we might have otherwise skipped.

Looking back, this simple bucket list ended up being one of the best things we did all summer.

Shop Summer Bucket List


Why a Summer Bucket List Works for Families

  • Gives kids ownership of summer plans

  • Reduces "I'm bored" complaints

  • Encourages family time

  • Creates anticipation and excitement

  • Helps balance screen time with activities

  • Makes summer memories more intentional


How We Created Our Family Summer Bucket List

  1. Gather everyone together.

  2. Let each child suggest ideas.

  3. Mix free activities with special outings.

  4. Add any planned vacations or events.

  5. Print and display the list somewhere visible.

  6. Check off activities as you complete them.


Summer Bucket List Ideas for Kids

  • Visit a playground (we picked 10-12 playgrounds for the summer)

  • Have a picnic

  • Catch fireflies

  • Make homemade popsicles

  • Camp in the backyard

  • Visit a zoo

  • Fly a kite

  • Have a water balloon fight

  • Go berry picking

  • Build a fort

  • Make sidewalk chalk art

  • Visit a splash pad

  • Watch a sunset

  • Go fishing

  • Paint rocks

  • Have a movie night outdoors


Where We Kept Our Bucket List

We hung ours on the refrigerator where everyone could see it. Seeing those empty checkboxes slowly fill up throughout the summer became almost as fun as the activities themselves.


Our Favorite Bucket List Activities

A few activities quickly became family favorites. One of the biggest hits was visiting 12 different parks, which pushed us to explore new playgrounds and parks instead of always going to our usual spots. The kids also loved making fun desserts and immediately asked to add that to this year's list again. Our local library's summer reading program was another must-repeat activity that kept them excited about reading all summer long. And of course, picnics, s'mores, and camping remain staples on our bucket list every year. They're simple, inexpensive, and always create some of our favorite family memories.


If you want to make some fun desserts, check out my Visual Recipe Cards For Kids: Fun Summer Recipes blog post for some fun ideas!


Summer doesn't have to be packed with expensive vacations or elaborate plans to be memorable. Some of our favorite moments came from simple activities we completed together from our bucket list. If you're looking for a way to be more intentional with your family this summer, I can't recommend creating a summer bucket list enough.

Lifestyle

Inside Kid and Play: Peoria’s New Indoor Play Place for Kids

Kid and Play is a brand-new indoor play center in Peoria, Illinois designed for kids to climb, run, explore, and burn off energy in a safe indoor environment. The space features large playground structures, slides, climbing areas, arcade games, and interactive play experiences geared toward younger children and elementary-aged kids.

What stood out most to us was how much there was for kids to do. My kids immediately took off exploring and stayed busy the entire visit. It's a great option for rainy days, hot summer afternoons, or long winter months in Illinois. The good news is there is no time limit on how long you can play. Once you pay, you can play all day!

Kid and Play also offers birthday parties, food and drinks, daily admission passes, and monthly memberships for families who plan to visit regularly.


Play Areas by Age

One thing I really appreciated about Kid and Play was how the play areas are divided by age group. Instead of one giant overwhelming space, they created separate areas designed for different stages and activity levels.

Little Play (0–2 years)
A softer toddler-focused area designed for younger kids to safely explore and play.

Big Play (2–6 years)
This section felt perfect for preschool and younger elementary-aged kids with climbing structures, slides, and interactive play.

Mega Play (4–13 years)
The largest and most active area with bigger climbing zones and obstacle-style play for older kids.

As a parent, I liked that younger kids weren’t constantly getting run over by bigger kids, and each of my kids was able to find an area that fit their age and comfort level really well.


Thoughtfully Designed Play Spaces

One thing that really impressed me about Kid and Play was how well they used the space. It feels like there is something fun tucked into every corner. As the kids climbed through the play structures, they kept discovering little swings, hidden spots to sit, climbing features, and small interactive areas built throughout the fort-style setup.

Instead of just having a few slides and open areas, the entire space feels thoughtfully designed to keep kids exploring. Whether they were climbing above, crawling underneath, or weaving through the structures, there always seemed to be another little feature waiting to be discovered. It made the whole place feel much bigger and more immersive than I expected.


Some of My Kids’ Favorite Features

One of my kids’ favorite spots at Kid and Play was the tubing slide where kids pull their own tube to the top before racing down. They went down it over and over again all morning.

They also loved the hanging ball swings suspended over the giant bouncy net area. It gave them a place to climb, bounce, swing, and just play!

Another highlight was the giant light-up tunnel slide that drops into the ball pit. The glowing lights inside made it feel extra fun and of course the ball pit at the bottom was a huge hit too. The slide is pretty fast too which surprised us all the first time they went down!


Arcade Games and Snack Options

In addition to the playground areas, Kid and Play also has a small arcade section with a mix of kid-friendly games.

There’s also a small café area called Wild Bites Café where families can order snacks, drinks, and a few quick meal options. The menu is fairly simple but convenient if you plan to stay awhile. They offered things like:

  • pretzels

  • nachos

  • pizza

  • chicken strips and fries

  • slushies

  • Dippin’ Dots

Pricing overall felt pretty comparable to what you’d expect at most indoor play places or entertainment centers. The arcade games and food are optional, so you can easily just pay for admission and spend your time in the playground areas if you want to keep the visit more budget friendly.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was really impressed with Kid and Play. Between the age-divided play areas, creative use of space, and the variety of activities throughout the playground, it felt like there was always something new for the kids to discover.

My kids stayed busy the entire visit and were already asking when we could come back before we even left. If you’re looking for a fun indoor activity in the Peoria area, especially for rainy days, winter months, or hot summer afternoons, this is definitely a place worth checking out for families with young kids.


For more information about Kid and Play, including hours, pricing, memberships, and birthday party information, visit their website: Kid and Play

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