We Sailed On The Disney Treasure! - The Night Before Sailing, Embarkation, Plaza De Coco
The family and I are embarking on our first ever Disney Cruise aboard the Disney Treasure, BUT FIRST! We spend the night at Disney's All-Star Music Resort ahead of the cruise. Join us as we do a little resort hopping, then follow us along as we board the Disney Treasure, experience Let's Set Sail and have our first dinner of the trip at Plaza De Coco.
Come Sail Aboard the Disney Treasure: Day 0 & Embarkation Day
Come sail aboard with us on the Disney Treasure.
Hey everybody, welcome to the channel. I’m Joe, and last month my family and I set out on our very first Disney Cruise aboard the Disney Treasure. This is going to be a full series covering each day of the trip, everything we did, and a few things we learned along the way.
But before we could set sail, we had to get to Florida.
Day 0: Getting to Walt Disney World
We flew into Orlando a day early and checked into Disney’s All-Star Music Resort. Since our room wasn’t ready yet, we dropped our bags with luggage services and grabbed a bite at the Intermission Food Court.
Quick tip if you’re trying to keep costs down at Disney Resorts: order the kids meals. They’re still a solid portion size, come with sides and a drink, and are noticeably cheaper.
We didn’t have park tickets for this day or for the day after the cruise, so we decided to make the most of it by doing some resort hopping.
Resort Hopping Around Walt Disney World
The plan was simple: explore as many resorts as possible and use as many different transportation options as we could.
We started by taking a bus to Magic Kingdom, with the goal of hopping on the Monorail and checking out a few resorts along the loop. First stop was Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which is just a short ride away and famously has the monorail running right through it.
We popped into Bayview Gifts to browse some merch. As expected, there was a ton of holiday-themed stuff alongside the usual Disney gear. We also took some time to admire the architecture and design details, including some really impressive tile work.
Originally, we planned to continue on to the Polynesian, but we got word that our room was ready back at All-Star Music. After an early travel day, rest won out.
We looped back to Magic Kingdom via the Monorail and caught a bus back to the resort.
While everyone else took a break, I took the opportunity to explore All-Star Music and ended up filming a full walkthrough of the resort. If you’re curious about that, there’s a whole video dedicated to it.
Once everyone was recharged, we were back on the move.
Skyliner, BoardWalk, and a Mozzarella Stick Worth Talking About
We hopped on a bus to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, then took the Skyliner over to EPCOT. From there, we walked over to Disney’s BoardWalk.
And yes, we made a very important stop at Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs.
Specifically, for the foot-long mozzarella stick.
It delivered.
We noticed they’d changed up the marinara sauce since our last visit, which was a nice little upgrade.
To save some steps, we grabbed a boat back to the Skyliner and made one last stop at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. We explored the grounds, checked out the merch, and took in a healthy dose of oversized nostalgia.
There’s a lot of holiday merchandise here too, along with the usual resort-specific items. At one point, we found ourselves debating whether giant ornament decorations would be a good idea at home. (They would not survive five minutes.)
And just like that, day zero wrapped up. Early night, because the next morning was a big one.
Embarkation Morning: Let’s Go to Port Canaveral
It’s embarkation day.
We were up early at All-Star Music, grabbing coffee and getting ready for Bell Services to collect our bags. Since we were taking the Disney Cruise Line shuttle, they handled luggage transfer directly to the ship.
That alone simplifies things quite a bit.
We grabbed a quick breakfast and made our way to the bus, arriving just a few minutes behind schedule. But the delay came with a moment we didn’t expect.
One of the cast members working the shuttle was celebrating his final day on the job, and the send-off was fantastic. A lot of laughs, a lot of energy, and a pretty memorable way to kick off the trip.
The ride to Port Canaveral takes about 45 minutes, and as you get closer, you start to see ships from all different cruise lines lined up at port.
Then we got our first real look at the Disney Treasure.
That’s when it starts to feel real.
Why the Disney Shuttle Changes Everything
Taking the Disney Cruise Line shuttle comes with a few perks that are absolutely worth noting.
We had already completed online check-in about 30 days in advance, which normally determines your boarding group. But because we were on the shuttle, we were assigned a special boarding group that allowed us to enter the terminal almost immediately upon arrival.
On top of that, our luggage was already taken care of. No hauling bags, no dealing with porters. It just magically appears at your stateroom later.
If you’re arriving on your own, you’ll need to hand your bags off to porters at the terminal, so make sure you have cash to tip. They’re not Disney employees, so tipping is expected.
What You Need Before You Board
Before entering the terminal, you’ll want your port arrival form ready. This gets emailed to you ahead of time.
If something goes wrong and you don’t have it, don’t panic. We had someone in our group run into that issue, and it was resolved quickly with ID verification.
Speaking of which, you’re going to need proper identification. In most cases, that means a passport. There are some exceptions for U.S. citizens, but it’s always safer to double-check ahead of time.
If you’re bringing alcohol onboard, there are limits. Two bottles of wine or a six-pack of beer per person, and it must be in your carry-on. Same goes for soda. You can bring as much as you want, as long as it’s factory sealed and also in your carry-on.
Boarding the Disney Treasure
Once your group is called, you make your way through the terminal, walk under the iconic Mickey ears, and step onto the ship.
And then it happens.
They announce your family name as you board.
It’s one of those moments that hits harder than you expect. The crew is lined up welcoming you, characters are waving from above, and the scale of the atrium hits you all at once.
It’s a lot. In the best way.
First Steps Onboard & Getting Connected
One of the first things you’ll want to do is connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi.
The Disney Cruise Line app works for free on the ship’s network and is essential for keeping track of everything. Schedules, dining rotations, muster drill times, messaging your group, it’s all in there.
If you want full internet access, there are paid packages available, but they’re priced per device, per day, and they add up quickly.
First Food Stop: Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods
Before our rooms were ready, we made our way to Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods on the main deck.
This is your go-to quick service area, with options like:
Goofy’s Grill for burgers and chicken tenders
Donald’s Cantina for tacos and bowls
Daisy’s Pizza Pies
Minnie’s Delights for soft serve
Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue
Naturally, the first order of business was ice cream.
Then came the chicken tenders.
And listen… the hype is real. These things hit different. Big, crispy, perfectly cooked. A strong opening statement for the cruise food scene.
Carrie and Abby grabbed tacos and sampled a lineup of sauces, each with its own personality. Lime-forward, smoky, spicy, all doing their thing.
We even took a moment to officially “cheers” our first cruise.
Stateroom Upgrade: Worth It?
Before boarding, we stopped at Guest Services to check for any available upgrades.
We had originally booked interior rooms, which are the most affordable option. But for $229, we were able to upgrade to ocean view rooms.
More space, natural light, and a window to the outside. For that price, it was an easy yes.
One cool detail, even before we received our Key to the World cards, our MagicBands were already programmed to unlock the room.
Room Tour & A Quick Reality Check
The room itself was great. Spacious, well-designed, and themed beautifully.
But here’s the lesson.
Location matters.
We went from midship to the very front of the ship. And if you’re prone to seasickness, that’s where you’re going to feel the most motion.
I was fine. Carrie was fine. My daughter… not so much on day one. She bounced back after that, but it’s something to keep in mind when choosing your room.
Exploring the Kids & Teen Spaces
We checked out the Oceaneer Club for kids, and it’s honestly incredible. Fully themed spaces, interactive experiences, and enough going on to keep them busy all day.
There’s a Marvel section, a Star Wars cargo bay, an Imagineering lab, and even areas for storytelling and crafts.
For teens, there’s Vibe. For tweens, there’s Edge. Both are more relaxed hangout spaces with games, activities, and incredible views.
And for the younger kids, there’s even a Toy Story splash zone on deck.
Muster Drill (Yes, It’s Required)
Before sailing, everyone has to attend a muster drill.
It’s a safety briefing that covers what to do in case of an emergency, where to go, and how to use your life vest.
Once it started, it was quick and efficient. Getting everyone gathered took a bit longer, but overall, it’s a small time investment for something important.
Sailaway Party: Let’s Set Sail
With the drill done, it was time for the sailaway party.
Music, characters, energy, and that moment when the countdown hits and the ship officially sets sail.
It’s the kind of thing that pulls you right into vacation mode.
Dinner at Plaza de Coco
Our first rotational dining experience was at Plaza de Coco, themed around the film Coco.
Night one focuses on preparations for Día de los Muertos, and the atmosphere feels like a lively family gathering.
The food leaned heavily into Mexican cuisine, with dishes like tortilla soup, enchiladas, short ribs, and a lineup of desserts that did not mess around.
Highlights included:
The chicken tortilla soup, which had great texture and flavor
The pork tenderloin, cooked perfectly
The salmon salad, which Abby called one of the best she’s had
The coconut tres leches cake, which immediately became the dessert to beat
Dessert overall was a win across the board, especially the chocolate tart and the coffee crème.
A Surprise Gift in Our Stateroom
Back in the room, we found a surprise waiting for us.
Turns out, it was a gift from our travel agent at Pure Magic Vacations.
A backpack, a towel, and a water bottle. A really thoughtful touch that we weren’t expecting.
And honestly, this is where using a travel agent really shines. They don’t cost you anything, they help with bookings, keep an eye on deals, and can step in when you’re not able to.
It’s one of those things that just makes the whole process easier.
Final Thoughts on Day One
And that wraps up our first day aboard the Disney Treasure.
We couldn’t have asked for a better start. From embarkation to dinner, everything just clicked. It set the tone for the rest of the cruise in a big way.
Next up: a full day at sea.
If you’ve ever taken a cruise, what was your first one? And if you haven’t, what would you want your first to be?
And as always… whatever you do, make it magical.
