The first few hours on a cruise ship are nuts. You can’t get to your stateroom until 1:30 and you are dreading the safety drill. On top of that your kids are tired and cranky and still wondering why they haven’t seen Mickey Mouse yet. Follow these pro tips though and you’ll have a near private experience with the characters as they get ready for the Sail Away party.
Coffee with Baileys at Cove Cafe
After the safety drill, book it over to Deck 10 mid-ship. This is where Cove Café is located. Parents if you get there quickly, go inside and get yourself a coffee. You can even get them to put a little something in there to get through the day.
Now that you’re happy, go outside the café where the elevators are and wait. You’ll probably notice that there are a few crew members dressed in all white. They are usually quite social and will have a conversation with you. It’s these crew members that are waiting for the right time to lock the elevator so that they can go down and pick up some of your favorite Disney characters.
Once its the right time, you will see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale come out of the elevator. Get your cameras ready!
Goofy coming out of the elevator on Deck 10 Midship
You never know what to expect.
Goofy pointing.
The characters will wait up here for a little bit. Sometimes they go into the room in the middle.
Disney characters entering the green room on Deck 10 before the Sail Away party
Sometimes they act a little silly.
Disney characters getting warmed up for the Sail Away party on the Disney Wonder.
The characters will usually interact with you (especially if you have children with you).
Minnie Mouse greeting people
Goofy is usually pretty entertaining.
Goofy shoving a cast member back into the elevator
You should set your expectations correctly though. The characters may choose a different route to enter on your cruise. Also, I know this doesn’t work on the Disney Fantasy as the characters come out from a different location. Also, the characters may or may not let you take pictures with them. It really just depends. Remember, they are about to go on stage and they have a schedule to maintain so don’t be “that Mom”.
Seeing the characters up this close and personal does me with a cost. You will likely not have a good place to stand once the Sail Away party starts. If you can split up that might be a good plan.
Sail Away party on the Disney Wonder
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