Your social media feed has probably been flooded with all sorts of tips and tricks to hacking the Disney Adventure cruise, AKA Asia’s first-ever Disney cruise ship, since the media preview voyage took off on 5th March 2026.
If you’re looking for calm amidst all that chaos, we’ve gotchu. Here’s our guide to things to do on the cruise, sorted by deck, so you won’t get lost on the mammoth ship like we did (repeatedly) – but really, that’s all a part of the Disney magic, innit?
Table of Contents
We start at Deck 5, which is the lowest level that guests get to access; everything below that is staff’s quarters. Here, you’ll find Tiana’s Bayou Lounge, a New Orleans French Quarter-style lounge inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
Think canopies of magnolia, Spanish moss and twinkling fairy lights, character-printed coffee (from USD2.50, ~S$3.20) and tipples, with cushy seats, live singing, and even trivia nights.
You won’t be able to walk past the lounge and miss World of Disney Too – one of 2 gift shops on this deck. World of Disney Too stocks merch from across most of the Disney universe, whether it be Duffy & friends, Big Hero 6, Disney Princesses, or Marvel. Think of it as your one-stop shop if you’ve left all your shopping to the last minute.
Then there’s World of Disney, just around the corner and on both sides of a long corridor leading to the escalators. This is where all Disney cruise paraphernalia and Disney Adventure-exclusive cruise-themed items can be found.
What we mean is that while other shops might have Disney Adventure- or cruise-exclusive merch too, they would be shop-specific: for example, the Treasures Untold store at Disney Discovery Reef would stock Nike x Disney cruise, or Pandora x Disney cruise items, but World of Disney’s exclusive merchandise would be classic navigator-themed.
There are 2 restaurants on board the Disney Adventure where you are invited to draw a figure on your placemat and watch it get animated on digital screens around the dining hall. Animator’s Palate on Deck 5 is one of them.
If you’ve taken other Disney cruises before, you’ll recognise Animator’s Palate from Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream, or Fantasy. On the Adventure, the restaurant transforms from black-and-white to a colourful feast for the eyes, and pays homage to the art of filmmaking.
Guest Services, centrally located in Midship, on Deck 6, is where you’ll head for any and all queries you may have while you’re on board. We ran into a little emergency on board, and were thoroughly impressed with and appreciative of how discreetly the staff had provided assistance – ladies, if the restrooms on board run out of feminine hygiene products, get help here instead of hunting down a toilet attendant.
This is also where every tips and hacks video has directed you to go to pick up your commemorative pin or certificate. There are 7 pins for birthdays, special occasions, anniversaries, and the like, while the certificate is to commemorate your very first Disney cruise, if that applies.
Yes, you do get them here for free, but they’re only meaningful if the occasion is whatever you are claiming it is, amirite?
Just across from Guest Services is the Town Square, an easy gathering point in the middle of the ship where you can hang out in air-conditioned comfort without buying a drink. You could call this the heart of the ship, with its grandiose Disney Princess mural of a double-volume ceiling, a 2-storied screen, and a stage.
If you haven’t been able to bump into or book a meet-and-greet with any of your favourite Princesses, you must try to score a reso at the Royal Gathering, where you’ll meet multiple Disney Princesses all in one session.
The Town Square is also where many a complimentary activity is held, and they’re free for all to attend. Some of these include origami-folding workshops, and Disney character drawing masterclasses, just to name a few. If you’re looking for some slower-paced Disney action, without having to get out into the sun, this is where you’ll want to head.
Pro tip: Check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app (App Store | Google Play) for the full daily breakdown of activities on board, and you can bookmark the activities you’d like to go for, if they don’t need reservations. Turn on notifications, and you’ll get a ping 15 minutes before the activity starts, and a reminder of where to head.
In between the activities and the meet-and-greets, keep an eye – or ear – out for the live performances at the Town Square. There was a violinist, live band, and even a jazz sing-a-long that we walked past the Town Square during our voyage. Plus, you won’t even need to order anything to sit back and chill to the tunes here.
Deck 6 is also home to the Enchanted Summer Restaurant, one of the dining experiences on board the Disney Adventure. TL;DR, there are 2 wings to this restaurant: the Olaf and Maximus dining halls, each done up to transport you to the worlds of Frozen and Tangled.
Get your fill of Mickey waffles at the buffet breakfasts and load up at the buffet lunches, but come dinnertime, this is one of the rotational dining experiences that you might be pre-assigned, with table service course meals.
Note that while you can walk through the Olaf wing during most times of the day, the doors in between the Walt Disney Theatre and the restaurant are shut by around 5pm, when they close it off for the first dinner service at 5.45pm.
Spanning 3 entire decks in the Forward section of the ship, you have the Walt Disney Theatre, a grand performance venue where you can watch Broadway-style live shows like Disney Seas the Adventure and Remember, an all-new show that’s making its debut on the Adventure.
Pro tip: Bring along some tissues to Remember, and watch it twice if you can book yourself in – we did. Even if the show doesn’t make you tear up, you can look forward to bubbles, smoke bubbles, confetti, and even snow.
For a boozy retreat, Deck 6 houses Spellbound and the Buccaneer Bar, plus a secret bar that’s the Marvel Style Studio by day turned speakeasy by night. The Poison Apple (USD70, ~S$89.69) is a Disney Adventure-exclusive cocktail at Spellbound that’s served in a specialty mug. You can take this mug, designed to look exactly like the Wicked Witch in Snow White & The Seven Dwarves, home after you’ve finished the drink too.
If you didn’t already notice, the bars are all villain-themed, with Buccaneer Bar drawing inspo from Peter Pan.
And P.S.: The Marvel Style Studio is where the kids will want to visit in the day for a Marvel-coded makeover.
Overlooking Town Square is Diamonds & Wishes on Deck 7 of the ship, AKA the jewellery store. This is where, at a specific time each day as scheduled on the Navigator App, you’ll be able to collect a complimentary daily charm and a bracelet, which you can hang the charms on.
he boutique holds daily raffles and contests, such as a Guess the Carat game, with jewellery and vouchers to be won.
You might be familiar with Bacha Coffee and TWG Tea, which you’ll have seen in malls like MBS and ION Orchard; they each have a standalone shop above Town Square, with cruise-exclusive blends that are inspired by Disney classics.
Over at Bacha Coffee, the space, and Disney blends, have been inspired by Aladdin, while you’ll find Beauty & The Beast-themed tea blends at TWG Tea. Prices are, as is everything on the cruise, in USD, so take note.
Otherwise, you can always load up on your caffeine fix at any of the restaurants on board – they all stock regular Bacha drip coffee and TWG tea bags.
For every kid who wants a Marvel makeover, there’ll be those who want something more royal. At the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, that’s exactly where their wishes will come true. Unfortunately, this service is only available to children – unless you can fit into a large child-sized costume.
Expect to pay USD229 (~S$293.40) for a full makeover, inclusive of a Disney princess or knight outfit that you can take home. If you want to feel like you’ve been dusted with magic too, pop in for a sprinkle of glitter so you feel and look extra glitzy too.
Across from the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a row with the Disney Studio and Royal Studio at either end. If you’re looking to snap a Disney Princess-esque photo, take note that the entrance to the Royal Studio is inside D Lounge. You’ll get your pick of props, including Rapunzel’s floating lantern, Cinderella’s glass slipper, or Snow White’s apple, amongst others.
Then, at Disney Studio, they’ve got props like Thor’s hammer, the Tesseract cube, Loki’s Scepter, and even Thanos’ Infinity Gauntlet.
After a full day of fun on board, you can take it even further with a karaoke session at one of the 3 karaoke rooms that are accessible through D Lounge. Each sesh comes with popcorn, drinks and treats, too, so make sure to book it once you get on board. The song list, of course, is full of Disney favourites.
If you miss out on booking the private karaoke rooms, there are also open mic karaoke sessions each evening at D Lounge, and trivia night games.
It’s a little impossible with everything that’s happening on the Disney Adventure, but should you find yourself sleepless at night, Big Hero Arcade on San Fransokyo Street is the place to be. Inspired by Disney’s Big Hero 6, this fantastical street is, if you haven’t guessed it already, a fictional location that’s both San Francisco and Tokyo at once.
Big Hero Arcade, by the way, is open 24/7, with Disney-fied versions of beloved arcade games like Floor is Lava, Sushi Ninja and Bejewelled. The best part of all is that all of these are free – all you have to do is tap your stateroom card, which is also known as your Key to the World.
Right at the far end of San Fransokyo is the Baymax Cinema, which screens Disney, Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel movies from as early as 7am, all the way to midnight showings.
Grab a popcorn from the Alley Cat Cafe while you’re here – though the cafe has limited operating hours.
If San Fransokyo had an alias, it would definitely be Teen Heaven, because hidden off the main thoroughfare are Edge and Vibe – clubs and hangout spaces respectively for tweens aged 11 to 14, and teens aged 14 to 17, with table tennis, board games, video games, foosball, and a fridgie full of soft drinks.
Access to these spaces is only possible through tapping their Magicband wristbands, which are issued and tagged to their unique birthdays – a security feature we’re sure many parents would appreciate. And unfortunately, if they haven’t turned 11 or 14 by the date of your cruise, they won’t be permitted to enter either.
Somewhat out of place in San Fransokyo is the Duffy & Friends Shop, and National Geographic Shop, though we’re pretty sure the former will be more of a highlight for most. Where World of Disney Too has a section for Duffy and friends, this isn’t a mere corner, but an entire shop dedicated to the crew – the first time ever that a Duffy & Friends Shop is appearing on a Disney cruise ship.
While you might be tempted to get a headstart on the shopping from Day 1 of your cruise, do note that none of the shops are open when the ship is in port. The shops will only open from around 10.30pm that night, and you’ll have to reserve a slot through the Navigator App to enter. They’ll operate as usual for the rest of the trip, but will not be open on the last morning.
Another paid experience on board the Disney Adventure is the Royal Society for Friendship and Tea, which takes place in the Hollywood Spotlight Club on Deck 8. Adult princess wannabe’s, you’ll have to be tagged to a child to gain admission to this event, as only families with children aged 3 to 12 years old can join the Royal Tea.
Priced at USD250 (~S$320.30) per child, and USD70 (~S$89.69) an adult, this is not your average high tea for sure, but it’s a confirm, chop, stamp, guaranteed way to meet and mingle with multiple Disney Princesses all in one place, in an afternoon of songs, stories, and even a take-home gift.
The Royal Tea might come at a premium, but what doesn’t is dinner at Hollywood Spotlight Club. However, you’ll have to cross your fingers and pray that you get assigned to a meal there, because it is a rotational dining experience which most, but not all, guests will get to try.
Prepare to be blown away even merely upon entrance into the restaurant, because you’ll be walking through a lengthy corridor of twinkling bulb lights – very old Hollywood, very glamorous.
In fact, we thought the dress code for a dinner here ought to be retro Hollywood glam, as you dine with live performances by Mickey, Minnie and friends on stage, accompanied on the piano and live singing.
They do come around too, so be prepared to jump out of your seat for a photo op.
There’s truly a dedicated zone for kids of all ages on the Disney Adventure, with Disney’s Oceaneer Club that caters to everyone between the ages of 3 to 10 years old. We loved the automatic handwashers that everyone has to use before entering the space, and the ultra kid-friendly loos within – decked out in decor based on iconic Disney Pixar films.
Within the Oceaneer Club are various zones such as Andy’s Toybox, a Toy Story-inspired playground, a Fairytale Hall where Disney Princesses might appear, the Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, with roller coaster simulators where kids might even design their own roller coasters or make goo with Stitch, and even a Marvel Web Workshop.
As with Edge and Vibe, adults are not permitted to enter except during Open House hours – at these times, children are not allowed to be unattended in all of these areas. And parents, you’ll be happy to know that when your kids are ready to leave, you’ll receive a ping through your Navigator App.
At the Oceaneer Club, you and your child will also have to agree on a designated Safe Word, which you or a trusted family member will have to use at pick-up.
For an indoor playground where you can drop the younger kids off, head to Mickey & Minnie Captain’s Deck, or the adjacent It’s A Small World Nursery, which takes the littlest of guests from the age of 6 months to 3 years old.
There are dedicated Disney Youth Counsellors who’ll feed, change, and even nap your babies in their specially designed Nap Room, and you’ll be as surprised as we were to find out that these services, chargeable by the hour, are available till 12am daily.
Just in case you’ve forgotten that there’s a sister restaurant to Animator’s Palate, here’s Animator’s Table on Deck 9. Unlike Animator’s Palate, which can be found on other Disney cruise ships, Animator’s Table is the first of its kind, debuting on the Adventure.
Here, guests pay homage to the magic of paint and ink illustrations, the walls of the restaurant adorned with classic artworks that have formed the backbone of every Disney film since the beginning. As the night progresses, you’ll find your very own art joining those hallowed ranks too.
Where Deck 9 might seem a little less interesting, Deck 10 is where all the action takes place. Starting from the AFT section of the ship, there’s Wayfinder Bay, where you’ll get real Potato Head Bali vibes on tiered decks of lounge chairs, all facing the sea and wading pool.
This is where Moana: Call of the Sea is staged – a live-action extravaganza of song and dance summing up the film’s story. And if you find yourself needing a drink while the kids frolic in the pools, Wayfinder Bar has got your back. Apart from the Moana show, this is the perfect spot to catch a nightcap, with live performances as the sun sets into the night.
Should you be interested in more premium dining than the rotational experiences, Disney Adventure’s got you covered too. There’s Mike & Sulley’s, offering omakase and teppanyaki – we spied a USD200 (~S$256.24) menu option which had us scurrying away, and PALO Trattoria, an adults-only Italian restaurant.
Other Disney cruise ships have PALO restaurants, but this particular one has been designed to bring the Italian Riviera to mind, inspired by the Disney Pixar film Luca.
P.S.: The USD55 (~S$70.47) unlimited brunch at PALO Trattoria is meant to be an excellent, and more wallet-friendly, alternative to the other lunch options on board.
If you recall our earlier mentions of the villain-themed bars on board, here’s another to add to the list – Bewitching Boba & Brews, a The Little Mermaid-themed drinks shop in Disney Discovery Reef that’s frankly, more Ursula than Ariel.
Helmed by NaiSnow, you’ll find fruit and veggie smoothies here alongside oat popping boba BBT. FYI, this is the first Disney cruise ship to serve bubble tea.
For a levelled-up version of the daily charms, head to Treasures Untold for Disney x Pandora charms, as well as other, more high-end Disney collabs. This smaller store also showcases the ship’s Local Artist series, featuring designs by Singaporean visual artist Danielle Tay.
Outside of meal hours, you can head to Deck 10 for a whole bunch of fast casual eateries: Mowgli’s Eatery and Gramma Tala’s Kitchen, which operate from 12pm-5pm, and 10pm-12pm daily, Cosmic Kebabs, and Stitch’s Ohana Grill.
Mowgli’s Eatery, Gramma Tala’s Kitchen, and Cosmic Kebabs function like cai png stalls, where you can pick whatever you like on a platter or bowl. Feel free to bring the food back to your room for snacktime too.
The Disney Cruise Line Sail Away Party, which runs twice on the afternoon you depart, might be a quintessential Disney cruise show that you’ll want to catch at the Disney Imagination Garden: Garden Stage, but don’t write this venue off just yet.
This is where you’ll catch Duffy and The Friend Ship, an all-new stage show starring Duffy and his pastel-coloured crew.
Fans of Big Hero 6, there’s no better way to kickstart your day than with an invigorating workout at the Baymax Super Exercise Expo. This family-friendly exercise regime is suitable for everyone both young, old, and any age in between.
To get your adrenaline pumping, you mustn’t miss Avengers Assemble!, where your favourite Avengers will face off against Loki and Red Skull. There are pyrotechnics, zipwire stunts, and even the viral Bye Bye Bye dance by – you guessed it – Deadpool himself.
As with most of the shows, there are 2 showtimes so that everyone can catch the acts regardless of your dinner time bookings.
That’s not to say that the Garden Stage and Imagination Garden have nothing going on for the rest of the cruise – in fact, this is where character meet-and-greets, as well as Character Dance Parties and Mickey’s Color Spin Dance Party are held.
Even after night falls, guests are invited to join the silent disco, AKA the quietest clubbing experience you’ll ever encounter. The tunes are pre-set, but you’ll get to turn up the volume on your own headset, and get movin’.
If you’ve nicked a nail, or just want some TLC, Infinite Bliss Spa by Elemis is your answer. Treat yourself to a hair wash, massage, facial, or a mani pedi on the high seas, ensconced in the calming scents and sounds of a high-end salon.
For something more OTOT, there’s the Rainforest Room, where you can book a Day Pass (USD79, ~S$101.22), for all-day access to a plethora of uber luxe pickings. Do note that this is a clothes-on spa.
Think: heated loungers with full-length windows overlooking the sea, hot and cold plunge pools, aromatherapy steam rooms, and even a salt room. Stress ain’t got nothin’ on you here
Instead of just spa bliss, we acknowledge the other half of the population, for whom pain is pleasure – for that, there’s the Disney Adventure’s Fitness Centre, kitted out with state-of-the-art equipment including treadmills so you can get in your power walks to sea views, load up on the weights machines, and finally, a juice bar and meditation room, just ‘cause.
Walk up the steps from the Imagination Garden, and you’ll find yourself at one of the grandest photo points on board: the fabled Disney castle presiding over Garden Bar. You’ll want to spot all the Disney characters hiding in the “trees” lining the paths too – we saw familiar favourites like Thumper, Mushu, and Meeko.
Yes, the Disney Adventure only sails for 3- or 4-night cruises, but we get it if you still would like clean clothes. For that, you’ll want to head to Deck 16, where the Fairytale Fresh Laundry is located. There’s a full suite of washing machines, dryers, and even ironing boards with irons, so you won’t have to go to dinner with wrinkled tops.
We’re finally hitting the top decks of the ship, where Toy Story Place takes centre stage, and where kids will probably spend a bulk of their pool time. The Flying Saucer Splash Zone will suit kids of all ages, while the Toy Story Splash Pad! is designed for even smaller ones.
While the kids are away, the adults will appreciate the Sunnyside Pool, where one might do short laps or take a whirl in the jacuzzis. Plenty of beach chairs, plus towels, are available, so sunbathing is always an option.
Hydration-wise, there are multiple beverage stations dotted around Deck 17, with coffee, tea, soft drinks, water, and ice on tap. But on the sustenance side of things, here’s what you want to check out: Wheezy’s Freezies for all the soft serve you can eat, and Pizza Planet.
Poolside snacks really don’t get better than unlimited freshly grilled pizzas and ice cream.
Then, there’s Pixar Market, where we absolutely loved the sky-high sea views at this buffet. If you time it right, you might even catch the Moana show at Wayfinder Bay during lunch. Or you could come really early, and you might see some sunrise views while you have brekkie.
There are only 2 water slides on board: Woody and Jessie’s Wild Slides, but that’s no less fun, since there’s an abundance of other activities on the Disney Adventure.
Spoiler alert: The red slide is the faster one.
Don’t be like us and search for an actual running track – all it means is an unobstructed path around Deck 18, measuring in at approximately 600m a lap.
The crowning glory of the Disney Adventure is undoubtedly the Ironcycle Test Run, a 250m-long roller coaster that’s the first roller coaster on a Disney cruise ship, and the longest roller coaster at sea.
Not to spoil it for you, but here’s what to expect: you’ll be launched at a pretty high speed for your first lap, and you get to control the speed on the second. We defo recommend going full throttle for the best wind-in-your-hair experience.
Ironcycle Test Run might not be kid-friendly, but Pym Quantum Racers definitely is. Think bumper cars, without the bumping, and in slow-mo.
There’s also Groot Galaxy Spin, another kid-approps ride that’s like the classic Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride in Disneyland. With your joystick, you get to move your carriage up and down, as you spin around like on a carousel.
If Deck 17 with its pizzas and soft serves are too far away, head to the Infinity Bar, located by the Infinity Pool, for hotdogs with a view. Take your pick of chicken or beef, and go ham on the assorted toppings and sauces.
Close out your Disney cruise adventure like only Disney can – with fireworks to Shah Rukh Khan narrating The Lion King: Celebration in the Sky, another first-of-its-kind show.
Pro tip: Head up 30 minutes before show time to chope your spot. The fireworks are launched from the starboard side, AKA the right side of the ship, so go early to pick your viewpoint.
Don’t leave your character meet-and-greets to chance – log into your Navigator App once you board to book sessions with all of the Disney characters you want to see. You’ll want to arrive early or on time to join the queue, and bring your Key to the World card with you, because that’s how you’ll authenticate your reservation and access your photos afterwards.
While the meet-and-greets are free, the photos are not. But you can pass your camera to the staff to help you snap pics.
Since the Disney Adventure is still on its first few voyages, it’s likely that they’ve not ironed out all the kinks. When we were on board, room service was available till 1am, with exclusive dishes like dan dan noodles, alongside cheese platters, and chicken tenders with yuzu mayonnaise.
For some zen, we recommend walking out of the lobbies to the promenade deck. This is where you’re more likely to catch the sea views, salty sea breeze, and even the sunset without having to jostle with the other 6,699 passengers on board.
One of the exits to the promenade deck that we spotted was off from the lift lobby, just before San Fransokyo Street.
With a maximum passenger capacity of 6,700, it’s little wonder that a crew of 2,700 is needed to staff the ship, providing a standard of care that makes you feel extra special. Take a peep at their name tags to find out where the staff hail from, and see how many of the more-than-70 nationalities on board you can spot.
As part of this Disney-level service, the crew of staff that you’ll meet at your pre-assigned meals will follow you throughout your journey. When they whip out magic tricks at your dinners, show them some love – we found out that each crew member has to have their own bag of tricks, ready to entertain you, and all future guests they’ll meet on board.
Weather permitting, you must head out or up to the uppermost decks to catch the sunset. There’s something magical about watching the sun disappear over the horizon, and the light fade when you’re out on the high seas.
The pools remain open till late, so you can still venture to Deck 17 to catch some night air and lounge, away from the rest of the ship.
When the crowds have all headed indoors or to bed, take a wander around the ship – the illuminations turn it into a most fantastical place, with Disney tunes playing softly in the background.
And if you book an inward-facing stateroom, all you’ll have to do to enjoy this view is step out onto your verandah.
Disney stan or not, we’re pretty sure that the Disney Adventure will have everyone who boards the ship a convert by the end of the trip.
For more Disney content:
Photography by Hui Wen Chan.
Shop your favourite Aussie brands.
Each promotion pack comes with a random design.
There are limited vouchers up for grabs, so hurry and lace up.
Here's everything you need to know on getting to Johor Bahru from Singapore.
There are limited stocks on each day, so it’s best to head down early.