What to Pack for a Disney Cruise with Young Kids: Our Must-Have Items
Packing for a cruise is always a balancing act—you want to be prepared without overstuffing your suitcase. Add young kids into the mix, and suddenly “just in case” items start piling up fast. On our first Disney Cruise Line sailing aboard the Disney Wish, we traveled with our two daughters (ages 3.5 and 4.5). I learned quickly which items were worth their space in our bags—and which were game-changers for cruising with little ones.
Here are the items that made our trip smoother, easier, and more magical.
1. Foldable Step Stool
If you bring only one “extra” item for kids, let it be this. Cruise ship bathrooms aren’t exactly designed for preschoolers. A lightweight, foldable step stool gave our girls the independence to wash their hands and use the restroom without help. We bought a $10 version on Amazon, and it folded flat enough to slip right into a suitcase.
2. Collapsible Hamper
Four people in one stateroom means dirty clothes add up fast. A collapsible hamper was one of my favorite packing wins—it tucked easily into our luggage on the way there, then gave us a single place to stash all our laundry. When it was time to do a wash mid-cruise (yes, Disney has self-service laundry rooms), I could just grab the whole hamper and go.
3. Magnetic Hooks
Here’s a fun Disney cruise fact: the stateroom walls and ceilings are magnetic. We brought along a pack of extra-strong magnetic hooks and instantly doubled our storage space. We hung everything from tote bags to damp swimsuits, keeping the room much more organized.
4. Sound Machine
Cruise ships are never truly quiet. On the Wish, I could hear footsteps from the deck above and the occasional burst of hallway chatter. A portable sound machine was essential for keeping our girls asleep during early bedtimes (and honestly helped me sleep better, too).
5. Bubble Wands (Purchased at Home)
Disney sells bubble wands onboard, and kids everywhere had them—especially fun on the verandah or at deck parties. We avoided the onboard markup by buying ours ahead of time. The girls were thrilled, and we didn’t have to deal with “please, please, please” in the gift shop.
6. Extra Bags for Souvenirs
Between fish extender gifts, kids’ crafts, and all the little trinkets that mysteriously appear on vacation, we came home with more than we packed. A foldable duffel bag was the perfect solution—it took up no space on the way there, then served as our “souvenir bag” on the way back.
7. Ziploc Bags (Quart & Gallon)
These were the unsung hero of our trip. Gallon bags were perfect for stashing wet swimsuits, organizing snacks, and—my favorite parenting hack—saving food for later. At rotational dining, there’s no easy way to get takeout boxes. More than once, I slipped my daughters’ barely-touched burger or muffin into a baggie for later, which saved us from late-night “I’m hungry” meltdowns.
8. Snack Strategy
Speaking of food: while the buffets and restaurants are excellent, timing doesn’t always line up with kids’ hunger. Breakfast at Marceline Market was my secret weapon. I’d grab extra cereal boxes, pastries, or fruit to keep on hand throughout the day. Pair those with the Ziplocs, and we always had something ready for the girls without waiting on room service.
Why These Items Matter
On a cruise, your stateroom is your family’s home base. The right small items—like a step stool, hamper, or sound machine—can make that space more comfortable and manageable, especially with young kids. And the organizational hacks (hooks, bags, extra snacks) are what keep things running smoothly when routines go out the window.
These aren’t the flashy things you’ll find on a packing list, but they’re the items that made our trip easier. And when you’re chasing two preschoolers across the Disney Wish, “easier” is priceless.
✦ Want a custom cruise packing list tailored to your family’s ages and needs? Tomato Town Travel can help plan every detail of your Disney Cruise Line vacation—right down to what’s worth packing and what you can leave at home.
