Disney Cruise Line: Experiencing the Pools as a Family with Young Kids

There is nothing quite like being surrounded by the great open ocean while enjoying some freshwater pools on the ship! Pools and other water fun are probably the most popular areas of the entire cruise ship – for all the right reasons. Before you hit the water, check out a few things you may want to know before experiencing the pools as a family with young kids.

1 – Ship Pools Vary

While the five Disney Cruise Line ships have many shared qualities, a few key differences exist, including the pools available on each ship. When your kids see the AquaDuck in a commercial, you don’t want them assuming that will be on their ship if you haven’t booked the Dream or Fantasy. Here is a rundown of the pools on each ship:

• Disney Dream:
  • AquaDuck – height 42 inches or taller
  • Donald’s Pool – adults and children ages 3 and older
  • Mickey’s Pool – ages 3 and older
  • Mickey’s Slide – ages 4 to 14; height at least 38 and no more than 64 inches tall
  • Nemo’s Reef – ages 3 and younger (swim diapers required)
  • Whirlpool Spa tubs – adult supervision required for Guests under age 16
• Disney Fantasy:
  • AquaDuck – height 42 inches or taller
  • AquaLab – ages 3 and older
  • Donald’s Pool – adults and children ages 3 and older
  • Mickey’s Pool – ages 3 and older
  • Mickey’s Slide – ages 4 to 14; height at least 38 and no more than 64 inches tall
  • Whirlpool Spa tubs – adult supervision required for Guests under age 16
  • Nemo’s Reef – ages 3 and younger (swim diapers required)
• Disney Magic:
  • AquaDunk – height 48 inches or taller
  • AquaLab – ages 3 and older
  • Goofy’s Pool – adults and children ages 3 and older
  • Nephews’ Splash Zone – ages 3 and younger (swim diapers required)
  • Twist ‘n’ Spout Slide – height at least 38 and no more than 64 inches tall
  • Whirlpool Spa tubs – adult supervision required for Guests under age 16
• Disney Wonder:
  • AquaLab – ages 3 and older
  • Goofy’s Pool – adults and children ages 3 and older
  • Mickey’s Splash Zone & Dory’s Reef – ages 3 and younger (swim diapers required)
  • Twist ‘n’ Spout Slide – height at least 38 and no more than 64 inches tall
  • Whirlpool Spa tubs – adult supervision required for guests under age 16
• Disney Wish:
  • Six Family Pools on Decks 11 and 12 include (children under 12 must have adult supervision):
    • Mickey’s Pool
    • Minnie’s Pool
    • Daisy’s Pool
    • Pluto’s Pool
    • Donald’s Pool
    • Goofy’s Pool
  • Chip ‘n Dale’s Pool on Deck 14 (children under 12 must have adult supervision)
  • Toy Story Splash Zone on Deck 12 – toddlers and children up to six years old
  • Slide-a-saurus Rex on Deck 12 – double-looping waterslide for guests 38″ or taller
  • Trixie’s Falls – a six-inch-deep wading pool with a small fountain and waterfall
  • Quiet Cove Pool – guests 18 years of age and older

2 – AquaDUCKvs. AquaDUNK

With these two names being so similar, understanding the difference can be confusing! The AquaDUCK is located on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Children and adults can ride as long as they are 42 inches or taller. This is a water coaster with a two-person tube that is propelled by water through a tubing system around the ship. The AquaDUNK is located on the Disney Magic and was built with teens and adults in mind. For this one, you have to be 48 inches or taller to ride. Step into a capsule-like tube, count down, and you’ll be dropped down a waterslide. AquaDunk is the more thrilling and intimidating of the two, while the AquaDuck is the much more family-friendly experience.

3 – AquaMouse – the First Disney Attraction at Sea on the Disney Wish (and Coming to the Disney Treasure)

On the Disney Wish, guests can enjoy the first Disney attractions at sea on the AquaMouse! Complete with show scenes, lighting and special effects, and “splashtacular surprises”, this first-of-its-kind water ride sends guests on a fun family adventure through 760 feet of winding tubes suspended high above the upper decks.  Guests need to be 42 inches or taller to ride. Persons under seven years of age must be accompanied by someone 14 years of age or older. To ride alone, you must be at least 48″ tall. This attraction is very popular and a whole lot of fun!

4 – Packing for the Pool

Towels are provided on deck, so you don’t have to worry about hauling them around or trying to fit them in your luggage. You can also leave the pool vests at home as these are provided, as well. Personal floaties are allowed (such as water wings), but large floats like tubes or pool noodles are not. Snorkel gear is not permitted in the pools, so save that for your day at Cape Canaveral! Your child is welcome to use goggles in all pools except when riding the AquaDunk on the Disney Magic. Lastly, if your child is still in a swim diaper, be aware that he or she will not be able to get into the pools, whirlpools, or use slides. Children who are not potty trained can wear swim diapers in the children’s splash areas.

5 – Sunscreen & Shade Your Kiddos

Keep sunscreen on the kiddos by reapplying regularly. The pools are open to the sun, so you’ll need to be aware of how your kids are doing. Hats, sunglasses, and swim shirts are helpful. There are some lounge chairs directly in the sun, but do your best to grab one in the shade so you and your kids can have some time out of the sun when needed.

6 – Attentive Lifeguards – But…

Lifeguards are on duty whenever the pools or slides are open to ensure rules are being followed. Keep in mind that while there are lifeguards, adult supervision is still required for children under the age of 16. As parents, we felt reassured knowing lifeguards are present and attentive, but we, too, were right there where we could see our child, and they could see us. We think because it’s a cruise setting and people feel like their child can’t really go far, that they’ll just leave the babysitting to the lifeguards. We saw this several, several times. Lifeguards will do their best to help your child in an emergency, but they are not responsible for your child.

7 – Super Fun Cast Members

If the massive pool front screen with Disney films being played isn’t enough, Cast Members are constantly offering games and activities for the kids at the pool. These games typically include some form of water play or allow kids to sit poolside to play. We’ve learned if you have a shy child, it is sometimes difficult to push them into the crowd to get them to join in. Don’t hesitate to let your child watch the games if they simply don’t want to participate. Keep an eye on your Navigator App as this will have a poolside game/activity schedule.

8 – Expect a Crowd

It gets crowded… very crowded! To be honest with you, we were in shock at just how packed the pools got during peak hours. It seemed like every child on the boat was in the pool. Disney does, however, have regulations and only allows a certain number of kids in the pool at once. Don’t expect your child to be able to get in and swim across the pool during peak times. It’s more like getting in and wading in one spot. The small whirlpools located to the side of the pool areas on each ship are open for kids, but again – it’s like taking a bath with 30 other people.

9 – Best Times to Swim

Since we’re talking about the crowds, let’s talk about the best time to take a swim! The pools/slides are typically open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. They do have early closings if there is a special nighttime event on the pool deck. We’ve also seen random closures that seemed to relate to too many kids in the pool, an object in the pool, or other reasons we are unaware of. They did reopen pools rather quickly after these unexpected closures. The best times to swim are first thing in the morning or late in the evening. The middle of the day is peak time, so avoid it if you’re looking to avoid crowds. Port days are another great time to swim if you don’t have many port adventures and find yourself back on the boat early.

10 – Eat Up with Poolside Dining

Something about swimming and the sun makes us hungry! Our kids always want a snack or drink when we go to the pool. The best thing about the cruise is all your poolside snacking and dining is right there. Just steps away from the pool, and you can enjoy pizza, sandwiches, fries, fruit, chips, ice cream, water, soda – all sorts of stuff! Plan to take swim breaks and eat up at one of the convenient poolside dining options. Oh, and parents – there is an adult beverage called the “Drink of the Day” available at the poolside bars. Get a souvenir glass on your first day and have a “drink of the day” refilled in the glass for a reduced price. Kids are happy, as are you!

Have a blast splashing around on the Disney Cruise Line!