My family and I recently booked a four-night cruise on the Disney Dream out of Port Canaveral. We have cruised with Disney several times in the past, but this was our first time as parents. We definitely had to alter our expectations on what we could and could not accomplish on a cruise with a little one!
Gone were the lazy days of soaking up sun in the “Adults Only” sections of the ship. But we definitely wanted to grab some rest and relaxation on the vacation, see a movie, and try the champagne tasting at the champagne bar, Pink.
We decided to book some time for our eleven-month-old in “it’s a small world” nursery. Here are some basic details:
Location:
The nursery is located midship, Deck 5 on the Disney Dream and Fantasy.
Price:
It’s a Small World Nursery is an add-on service. It costs $4.50/half hour, or $9.00/hour for your first child and then $4.00/half hour, or $8.00/hour for every additional child. If you need to cancel your appointment, contact the nursery at least four hours before your appointment. If you are a no-show, you will be charged the full amount of your reservation.
Reservations:
You can reserve time in “it’s a small world” nursery before you board the ship! Advanced reservations can be made online. I use my Disney Cruise Line app to do this!
- Concierge and Platinum Guests: 120 days before sail date
- Gold Castaway Club Guests: 105 days before sail date
- Silver Castaway Club Guests: 90 days before sail date
- First-time cruisers: 75 days before sail date
For those first-time cruisers who worry that all the time slots will be taken – don’t! I was able to reserve while I was onboard. Travel Genie Tip: Cast Members suggested reserving time for the last day in advance, because those slots fill up quickly!
What To Bring:
- You are required to provide your own diapers and wipes.
- You can bring bottles or baby food.
- A pacifier or baby blanket if desired.
- Extra clothing, just in case!
Insights From A New Mom
I was so impressed by the service that cast members provided that I wanted to share some insights with you.
1. Friendliness. This seems an obvious point, but the Cast Members at “it’s a small world” nursery really go above and beyond to make you and your child feel comfortable. During the ship’s open house hours, which take place on the first day of the cruise, Cast Members interacted with our little one.
While I was filling out necessary paperwork on health, food preferences, and so forth, the Cast Members were making our little one laugh so hard, he had a fit of the giggles! Cast Members remembered his name each time he arrived. Cast Members make sure your kiddos are entertained. Kids play games, interact with one another, watch movies, have storytime, and make crafts!
2. Secure: “it’s a small world” nursery is very secure! Upon booking, Cast Members will give you a special Mickey Mouse band for your child to wear and scan each time he or she visits the nursery. When you fill out the initial paperwork for your child, you can designate others who can pick up your child at the nursery, but they need to provide the secret code word to Cast Members at the front desk. You will also need to sign a check-out form.
3. Quiet Area for Naps: Upon entry to “it’s a small world” nursery, Cast Members will ask if your little one is due for a nap. If so, they will take your kiddo to a large, quiet, and darkened napping area. The area, kept separate from the bright-lit playroom, consists of several rocking chairs, cribs, and changing tables. If your baby is anything like mine, he needs a bit of quiet to get a good midday nap in. Our kiddo slept surprisingly well and never emerged from the nursery cranky!
4. Health: “it’s a small world” nursery Cast Members are super careful when taking into account the health of your child and of other children under their care. If your child is running a slight fever, you will be notified on your Wave phone (a portable phone located in your stateroom that you can take with you throughout the ship and at Castaway Cay) and/or on the Disney Cruise Line app. Cast Members will ask you to take your child to the medical dispensary. If they cannot reach you by the Wave phone or on the DCL app, they will take your child to the medical dispensary. Children who are showing signs of illness must be cleared by the medical dispensary before being permitted to return to the nursery.
5. Keeping Tabs: Cast Members at “it’s a small world” nursery are terrific at keeping track of what your child did during their stay at the nursery. Upon pickup, they will give you a breakdown of what your child ate and drank, how many diapers they went through, and if they napped and for how long.
6. Wiggle Room: Did that wine tasting take a little longer than you envisioned? Do you need a few minutes before your baby’s Nursery drop-off time to get settled in for your spa treatment? Well, we learned from Cast Members that “it’s a small world” nursery has about a fifteen-minute grace period, meaning that you can drop off and/or pick up your baby fifteen about minutes prior to your drop-off time and fifteen minutes after your scheduled pick-up time without you incurring an additional fee. They may change this policy in the future, so make sure to check with your Cast Members during your visit!
All in all, I was more than pleasantly surprised with “it’s a small world” nursery and would definitely recommend it. If you’d like to talk with me more about my experience, you can schedule a complimentary consultation here.
