Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What is a Split Bathroom?

Many Disney Cruise Line staterooms have split bathrooms, with the tub and toilet in separate rooms with separate doors. Each half of the split bathroom has a sink, so this family-friendly arrangement allows two people to wash up at the same time. For example, one person can shower while another brushes their teeth or uses the toilet in privacy. Let’s take a look at what you can expect to find in a DCL bathroom.

On the toilet side, shown below, you’ll find a toilet and sink, along with a mirror and a few shelves for toiletries you’ve brought with you. A hand towel and tissues will also be found in the toilet half of the split bathroom. At least one side of the split bathroom will also have a sharps container; I find it’s often on the toilet side.

On the tub side, shown below, the typical setup includes another sink/mirror combo, more toiletry shelves, and of course, the tub. The shower is an overhead fixture with a detachable head that can be used as a hand shower; you’ll find shampoo, conditioner, and body wash all within the shower enclosure. Since this side has the bath, you’ll also find a full set of bath towels. Both sides of the split bathroom have the same decor; the picture below is from the Disney Wish, a different ship.

A split bathroom with a tub/shower in one room and a toilet in the other is by far the most common arrangement in Disney Cruise Line staterooms. But it’s not the only one. Accessible staterooms may have roll-in showers instead of tubs, and some categories of inside staterooms (including all the inside staterooms on the Wish and her sisters, the Treasure and Destiny) do not have split bathrooms.

Split bathrooms do exist on other cruise lines, but they’re rare; on Disney Cruise Line, they’re the norm. Your bathroom will be cleaned once a day by your stateroom host to make sure it is always shipshape.

In addition to the bathroom in your stateroom, you’ll find public bathrooms – including accessible stalls – throughout the ship, and especially near popular venues like dining rooms, pools, and theaters. And for those times when even a split bathroom can’t get the job done (say, four people returning from a sweaty Port Adventure and trying to shower before dinner), you’ll also find showers at the fitness center on each ship.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is for first-time Disney cruisers looking to learn about the DCL experience. Got a Disney Cruise Line term that you want to see explained? Suggest it in the comments below!