10 Tips for Show Etiquette Onboard a Disney Cruise

Broadway-style shows onboard a Disney Cruise are a must-see. Disney puts on some amazing shows, and they want everyone to enjoy them! It’s a lot easier to enjoy them if everyone follows some very simple rules of etiquette when watching. Here’s my list of 10 of them!

1. Get There On Time – There’s not a ton of space between rows in the theaters, so if you arrive late, you’re probably going to be climbing over people who may have to stand to let you by. Even if you’re at the end, you’ll block people’s views behind you when coming in and sitting down. Be on time!

2. Turn Off Your Phone – There is nothing happening that can’t wait an hour. Turn off your phone. If you check it, even for a second, it’s like a distracting spotlight for everyone around you.

3. Don’t Talk – Just like it amazes me when people talk during movies at home, it amazes me when people do it on the ships during the shows. People around you cannot hear when you are talking. No matter how quiet you think you are being.

4. Don’t Sing Along – Slightly controversial. These shows are full of music we all know and love. But these songs are being performed by incredibly talented cast members. Everyone around you wants to hear them. Not you. No matter how good you may sound.

5. Don’t Let Your Kids Get Up – Several shows have at least one instance where there are actors in the aisles during the performance. It’s hard to keep the kids sitting still when confetti and bubbles are falling. But for their safety and the safety of the performers, you need to.

6. Don’t Bring Light-Up Toys – Light-up toys are like a beacon in a dark room. It’s one of the reasons they are so appealing to the kids! Don’t bring them to the shows. Save them for the deck parties.

7. Take Off Your Ears – Who doesn’t love good Mickey ears? The people behind you, that’s who. Take them off for the show, and you can immediately pop them back on!

8. Don’t Try to Take Pictures – Disney no longer allows photos during the performances. Don’t try to sneak one. There are far better ones online that you can show your friends at home.

9. Don’t Save Seats – Disney will announce this over and over before the shows – don’t save seats. Clearly, there are exceptions. If you are waiting for the show to start and one or two people in your party need to run to the bathroom or out to get snacks, that’s perfectly acceptable. I’m talking about the family of ten that sends two people to hold down a row of seats for everyone. If you care enough about getting good seats for everyone, you’ll care enough to all go early.

10. Don’t Leave Early – It’s so cringy to me when people start flooding out of the show during the final bows or the final announcements. Where is everyone in such a hurry to get to? Use some common courtesy and stay for that extra 60-90 seconds. Whatever it is can wait.

Was that too harsh? Do you have any I should add?