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How to Choose the Right Stateroom for your Family on Disney Cruise Line


Disney Cruise Line staterooms are among the first in the industry to be made specifically with families in mind but how do you choose the right stateroom for your family?  I'm glad you asked!  There are many things to consider before choosing your stateroom like how many people will be cruising with you and how much time you plan on spending in your room.  Here are some questions you should ask yourself that will help you determine which stateroom is right for you and your family.

How many people will be joining you on the cruise?  If you are traveling with 3 to 4 guests, you won't have any trouble finding a stateroom that fits your needs.  You can choose from Inside Staterooms all the way up to the suites and have plenty of room for your family.  If you are traveling with a larger party, it may seem like there are less options but there are many options for you as well!  The largest stateroom on the Magic and Wonder sleeps up to 7 and the largest stateroom on the Dream and Fantasy sleeps up to 5. The largest stateroom on the Wish, Treasure, and Destiny sleeps up to 8 guests. 
Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
Instead of booking a suite, it can often be less expensive to book two staterooms in a lower category. If you do split up, please note that at least one adult must be in each stateroom. There are numerous staterooms on Disney Cruise Line that are connecting staterooms so your entire party can stay together!  Open up the door between your rooms and you can instantly turn your two staterooms into one joint living space.  For even more fun, the verandahs between the connecting staterooms can be opened for one large private balcony.  Now your entire party can enjoy the luxuriousness!

Does anyone suffer from motion sickness?  If you suffer from motion sickness it doesn't have to be a deal breaker for taking a cruise.  There is medication that you can take or bracelets that you can wear to help you but, you can also help yourself when choosing a stateroom.  Choose a room mid-ship and on a lower deck as those rooms don't move as much as the rooms forward or aft.  You may also want to consider getting a room with a verandah.  I personally suffer from motion sickness but a little fresh air can do wonders.

View from a private verandah
Does anyone get claustrophobic?  Disney Cruise Line staterooms are some of the largest in the industry so you may not have a problem even if you do suffer from claustrophobia.  However, if the thought of being in the middle of a large ship surrounded by multiple decks and partially underwater freak you out, you may want to choose a stateroom with a verandah on a higher deck.  The rooms are very spacious by cruise line standards but the extra space for the verandah and being able to step outside whenever you like right from your room will make you feel a lot more comfortable!

Do you want to be close to the adult only pool area or the restaurants?  Before you choose your stateroom, take a look at a deck plan to see what's near your room.  You will be using the stairs or elevators closest to your room most often so take that into consideration.  A forward room is closer to the adult only pool area but is farther away from the restaurants.  If you are concerned about doing a lot of walking, a mid-ship room might be the best choice since it's in the middle of the ship.
Lots of storage space available under the queen-size bed
How much time do you plan on spending in your room?  Do you plan on spending all of your time lounging by the pool?  Are you only going on a 3 or 4 night cruise?  If so, a stateroom with a verandah might not be necessary for you.  Do you plan on relaxing in your room for a midday break with your family of 5?  Do you love the idea of spending your time enjoying the sun and sea on your own private verandah?  If so, a stateroom with a verandah might be a must for you and your family.  Only you know how much time you plan on spending in your room during your cruise so take that into consideration when picking a stateroom.
Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
A great resource to use when choosing your stateroom is the deck plan. Visit the deck plans on the Disney Cruise Line website for   Once you have answered these questions and looked at the deck plan, you can use the list below for additional help in selecting your stateroom.

Disney Cruise Line Staterooms

Inside Stateroom with Magical Porthole
Standard Inside Stateroom
Sleeps: 3 to 4
Size: 184 to 169 square feet
View: No exterior view or Magical Porthole with real-time views
Room configuration: Queen bed and upper-berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)

Deluxe Inside Stateroom
Sleeps: 3 to 4
Size: 204 to 214 square feet
View: No exterior view or Magical Porthole with real-time views 
Room configuration: Queen-size bed, single convertible sofa, upper-berth pull down bed

Oceanview Stateroom
Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom
Sleeps: 3 to 4
Size: 204 to 218 square feet
View: One large porthole window or 2 small porthole windows
Room configuration: Queen bed, single-sleeper sofa and upper-berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)

Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom
Sleeps: 3 to 5
Size: 237 to 241 square feet
View: One large porthole window
Room configuration: Queen bed, single convertible sofa, upper-berth single pull-down bed and single wall pull-down bed (for rooms that sleep 5)

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
Sleeps: 3 to 4
Size: 246 to 268 square feet
View: Private verandah (some with partial views)
Room configuration: Queen bed, single-sleeper sofa and upper-berth single pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)

Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
Sleeps: 4 to 5
Size: 284 to 304 square feet including verandah
View: Private verandah (some staterooms in this category include a solid white wall verandah)
Room configuration: Queen bed, single convertible sofa, upper-berth single pull-down bed and single wall pull-down bed (for rooms that sleep 5)

Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom (on Wish, Treasure & Destiny)
Sleeps: 5
Size: 357 square feet
View: Floor to ceiling ocean view
Room configuration: 1 queen bed with open frame, single sleeper sofa, upper-berth single pull-down bed and a single wall pull-down bed

Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
Sleeps: 5
Size: 296 to 306 square feet including verandah
View: Private verandah
Room configuration: Queen-size bed, double convertible sofa, upper berth pull down bed, full bath (vanity, sink, round tub and shower), half bath (vanity, sink and toilet)

Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah
Sleeps: 4 to 4
Size: 608 to 614 square feet including verandah
View: Private verandah
Room configuration: Varies by ship but typically includes 1 bedroom with queen-size bed, living area with double convertible sofa, single wall pull down bed in living rooms, walk-in closet, 2 bathrooms, wet bar, whirlpool in the master bathroom

Concierge 2-Bedroom Suite with Verandah (Available only on Magic & Wonder)
Sleeps: 7
Size: 945 square feet including verandah
View: Private verandah
Room configuration: 2 bedrooms (a queen-size bed in the master bedroom and 2 twin beds in the second bedroom), living area with convertible sofa, 2.5 bathrooms including whirlpool tub, walk-in closets, wet bar

Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah Sleeps: 6 to 
Size: 1,029 to 1,781 square feet including verandah
View:  Private verandah
Room configuration: Varies by ship

Choosing a stateroom can be confusing, especially for first time cruisers, but with Disney's spacious staterooms, it's hard to go wrong. Hopefully these questions and list of staterooms will help you in choosing the perfect stateroom for your family's next Disney cruise!
Planning a Disney Cruise Line vacation? We are here to help! Contact your Kingdom Konsultant travel professional or submit a request form for a free quote today. Make sure to check out our Disney Cruise Line page for more posts. 

We Want to Hear From You

What stateroom would you choose on Disney Cruise Line? Let us know in the comments.

Ashley is a Gold Castaway Club Member and has sailed on all of the Disney Cruise Line ships. You can email Ashley at ashley@kingdomkonsultant.com.

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