While adults are enjoying the Quiet Cove, Satellite Falls, and Europa areas of the new Disney Fantasy cruise ship reserved for ages 18 and up, toddlers to teens have plenty of exclusive spaces of their own with an endless supply of interactive entertainment and places to just hang out.
Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab
Of all the areas Disney Cruise Line offers for younger passengers to call their own, the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are the most elaborately designed with children ages 3-12 in mind. While on the Disney Dream Christening Cruise last year, I extensively explored the Oceaneer Club’s many themed play areas, featured rooms inspired by the Pixar films “Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story,” and “Finding Nemo,” seen in the video tour below.
Video: Oceaneer Club and Lab tour on the Disney Dream
Those same areas have been duplicated on the Disney Fantasy, so instead of spending more time there, I wanted to focus on what I didn’t have a chance to experience last time around.
The counterpart to the Oceaneer Club’s play areas is the Oceaneer Lab, offering more hands-on interactive fun utilizing a variety of technology. I accompanied Imagineer Bob Zalk on a tour of the area, during which he described the need to surpass existing entertainment offerings kids find at home.
With today’s video games and high-definition television making technologically-advanced fun available at any time, Disney felt the need to go the next step, developing a “magic play floor,” comprised not only of HD displays but also light pads that prompt kids to jump, stomp, tap, and swipe their feet to control on-screen activities and games. It’s certainly unlike any video game children will find at home. Games featured on the magic play floor include pounding out a pizza and shooting “TRON”-inspired discs. Kids are encouraged by Cast Members to literally jump into the game. It burns off excess energy through a familiar video game environment taken to the next level.
Video: Oceaneer Lab interactive play floor and Stitch on the Disney Fantasy
Other interactive features in the Oceaneer Lab include the ability to converse with the sometimes-loveable character Stitch, from Disney’s animated film “Lilo and Stitch,” as seen the video above. Stitch is never shy to pack each conversation with plenty of gross-out humor and mischief.
These interactive features, among others, offer kids a chance to experience something together, and more importantly separately from their parents, in a safe and fun-filled atmosphere that encourages them to just be kids and have a good time.
Slideshow: Oceaneer Lab on the Disney Fantasy
“it’s a small world” Nursery
For children not quite old enough for the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, toddlers and babies ages 3 months to 3 years will find quiet comfort with engaged playtime inside the “it’s a small world” themed nursery, patterned after the famous Disney theme park attraction of the same name.
Video: “it’s a small world” nursery on the Disney Fantasy
On the Disney Fantasy, the nursery has been expanded from the Disney Dream, replacing an unnecessarily large sleep area in the back with added colorful play areas instead. The “it’s a small world” nursery is available as a daycare to parents willing to pay by the hour and offers only a positive environment for young children. No discipline is dealt out here, providing a place to play when kids are awake, and a comfortable spot to lay down when it’s time to nap.
Slideshow: “it’s a small world” nursery on the Disney Fantasy
Vibe and Edge
Teens too old for the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab can socialize in their own private oasis on the front of the Disney Fantasy, an area restricted only to those ages 14 to 17 years. 12 and 13 year olds will find their own small club called Edge in a separate area of the ship, concealed within one of its smoke stacks. Both areas are identical to those found on the Disney Dream, a quick video tour of which can be seen below.
Video: Vibe teen club on the Disney Dream
Highlights in Vibe include plenty of familiar console video games, snacks, soft drinks, room to lounge, Disney-hosted games and activities, and, seen in the photos below, a private pool area. The multi-colored rainbow corridor entrance enhances what feels like a secret passage into the Vibe club. Edge offers similar activities for pre-teens and the youngest of teenagers, without the pressure of being lumped in with the older crowd.
Slideshow: Vibe teen club on the Disney Fantasy
No matter the age of children on a Disney Fantasy vacation, Disney provides separate, private, safe, and exclusive areas tailed to each age group’s needs and wants. Whether it’s the quiet comfort of a nursery for toddlers, freedom to socialize for pre-teens and teens, or high-tech play areas for the rest, the many children’s areas on Disney Cruise Line will entertain and excite any kids on board.
