This is part three in a six-part series reviewing my experience aboard the Disney Wonder. In January, 2009 I was invited to attend a Mommy Blogger Disney Cruise aboard the Disney Wonder. The event was sponsored by BSM Media and Disney. They paid for everything and wined and dined me within an inch of my life. However, the deal was that if I chose to write about the experience (hello? blogger?) I would be honest and completely transparent in my review. This series reflects my own opinions about my experience aboard the Disney Wonder.

As you can imagine, Disney knows how to cater to families. While on my Disney Cruise in January, I was surprised to find so many options for family entertainment, though. After all, just how much can you do on a ship in the middle of the ocean? Turns out, a lot. Be prepared for your kids to prefer their own kid clubs to your planned activities. I've said it before, and I 'll say it again: I was amazed at the offerings. When I saw the activities offered to every age of child I knew immediately that had my kids been with me, I wouldn't have seen much of them (unless I promised to take them swimming). These clubs are like summer camp on steroids.There are two things I want to tell you before I explain the kids' clubs:1. The only club that requires reservations is Flounder's Reef Nursery. However, I was assured that reservations are easy to get and no one is turned away for lack of space. When booking the ship, DCL pays close attention to how many guests are 3 months to 3 years old and they don't overbook. Before I cruised on the Wonder, I had thought it was a mad dash to make sure your kids had a spot in the club! I had envisioned crazy moms like me staking out a claim and waiting in line in the wee hours of the morning just so our kids would have some fun time. This is not an issue. Relax. Take a deep breath. Enjoy.2. Beginning March 15 Disney Cruise Line launched a cruise-industry first: A service that allows parents traveling with young children to pre-order baby supplies prior to their cruise and have them delivered direct to their staterooms. This new service eliminates the challenges of packing for infant travel and reduces the family’s luggage load. In a word: awesome.The Disney Wonder offers activities for everyone in your family, no matter what their age is.

Flounder's Reef Nursery

Flounder's Reef Nursery is for children ages 3 months to 3 years. True to form, Disney is always ahead of the curve. Flounder's Reef was the first at-sea nursery! The nursery isn't open 24/7, but has specific hours of operation. You'll receive a list of the hours and instructions on how reserve your child's spot in the nursery with your cruise itinerary.

Disney Wonder's Oceaneer Club

The Oceaneer Club caters to kids ages 3 through 7, but offers activities and play space according to age. The Oceaneer Club offers an amazing space that looks like Captain Hook's pirate ship!Ages 3-4 will have a chance to interact with Snow White, go on a treasure hunt for musical instruments (culminating in a concert, of course!), and can train to be a Mouseketeer!Ages 5-7 can join Professor Goo to make Flubber, or make chocolate chip cookies, or take a field trip on Castaway Cay to discover the skeleton of a giant whale or shark teeth![gallery]

Disney Wonder's Oceaneer Lab

The Oceaneer Lab caters to kids ages 8 through 12, but offers activities and play space according to age. This space is tween heaven. It offers computers and gaming, pajama parties, karaoke, art activities, and sports challenges.

Ages 8-9 can produce a commercial, create and race a soap car in the Piston Cup Championship, make cookies, or take a field trip to Castaway Cay to find buried treasure or take part in a very wet team competition called Gotta Get Soaked!

Ages 10-12 can compete in Ship Factor (teams compete in areas like Gum Grab, Marshmallow Toss, and a blindfolded obstacle course), join in the Splish & Splash Pool Party at the Mickey Pool, or Search for Atlantis in a quest on Castaway Cay.

Disney Wonder's Aloft Teen Club

Aloft is a teen club for, you guessed it, ages 13-17. No one over 18 is allowed in! Disney has really gone all out on this club. When we visited (a very big deal, I assure you--we were all over 18) the place was buzzing with Rock Band tournaments and various Wii tournaments. It really is a teen paradise offering soft drinks, smoothies, plasma-screen TVs, MP3 players, quiet places to talk or read, board games, and comfy places to chill and talk.One of the coolest things Disney offers Aloft guests is its own version of a Facebook-type of application that allows the teens to check what their friends are doing for the day and post their own schedules. This app is called TORCH and is only available onboard a Disney ship.If your kids are all about the sports, don't worry, Disney Wonder has an area for basketball and soccer!Honestly, you can see why I wanted make sure you knew about all the adult-only activities last week! If your family finds out they have their own space and activities on board, you may end up needing that Vista Spa information!

The Complete Disney Cruise Line Series:

1. Disney Cruise Line: The Disney Wonder2. Adult Experiences on Disney Cruise Lines (you don’t need the kids to enjoy DCL!)3. Family-Friendly Experiences on Disney Cruise Lines (it’s more than you think!)4. Castaway Cay (Disney’s very own island!)5. Food (Wow! So many restaurants, so much food!)6. Entertainment (Yes. It needs its own post!)You can see all 40 (yes! forty!) of my videos at NewBaby.com (it's not just for moms and babies, you know).

< Prev		Next >