Don’t get caught off guard by these unexpected rules on your next Disney Cruise Line sailing!

There are SO MANY things to look forward to on a Disney Cruise, from dining in the intricately themed restaurants to taking in all the onboard entertainment! As you’re getting ready to set sail, you might review some of the big-picture rules and policies, like banned items and dining room dress codes, to make sure nothing gets in the way of embarking on your incredible vacation. But here are five bizarre rules that you might be surprised to find out about on board!

Crawling Babies ONLY in Jack-Jack’s Diaper Dash

One of the free onboard activities typically offered on Disney Cruise Line sailings is Jack-Jack’s Diaper Dash, a short race in which parents can enter their babies to see who has the most future superhero potential by crawling to the finish line the fastest. The rules state that all racers must be crawlers only — NO WALKING allowed in the Diaper Dash!

Any babies that walk during the race will be disqualified. That means if your little one happens to take their first steps during the Diaper Dash, they’ll be eliminated! Which is a bummer, but would make an already memorable milestone that much more unforgettable.

Jack-Jack’s Diaper Dash is usually offered at least once per sailing (although schedules are subject to change), so keep an eye out for it on the daily schedule of the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App if you’d like to enter your superbaby when you sail!

Only Open One Door at a Time

One of the room types you can book on a Disney Cruise is a verandah stateroom, which includes a private outdoor balcony connected to your room. But beware that there is also an additional rule attached to this type of room!

Guests are advised NOT to open both the verandah and stateroom doors simultaneously, as this may create a wind tunnel effect that could cause the doors to slam unexpectedly.

This is a rule that might sound totally random at first glance, but after learning why it exists (or seeing the wind tunnel effect in action when someone breaks it…), it’s easy to see that its purpose is to keep you safe!

Curfew Hours

If you’re sailing with someone under the age of 18, this one’s for you! There’s a curfew on Disney Cruise Line that states guests under the age of 18 must be in their stateroom (or supervised by an adult in their party) between the hours of 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM.

Most of the activities, pools, and restaurants on Disney Cruise ships are closed by the time the curfew kicks in at 1:00 AM, so it shouldn’t keep anyone from having a must-do experience. But, if you do have a teenager who wants to explore the decks without the daytime crowds, heads up that they’ll need adult supervision during those late-night hours!

Shop the Items in Your Stateroom

Have you ever been on vacation and fallen so in love with a soft blanket or fuzzy towel that you wished you could take it home with you? Well, on Disney Cruise Line, you can…for a price! Select items in the staterooms, including the bed throws, towels, and laundry bags, are available for purchase.

Guests interested in purchasing something from their room can see their Stateroom Host or Hostess for applicable pricing. Keep in mind that anything removed from the room may be charged directly to your stateroom account anyway, so don’t try to get around the cost by sneaking something into your suitcase at the end of the trip!

Onboard Credit Limits

FYI, for the “put it on my tab” travelers! When guests complete the online check-in for their cruise, they have the option to put a credit card on file to automatically charge their onboard purchases to. But if you were planning on waiting until the end of your trip to settle the bill, heads up, there is an onboard credit limit based on the length of your cruise — 2 to 5 nights: $300, 6 to 9 nights: $500, 10 nights or greater: $700.

Once a guest’s account reaches the credit limit based on their sailing length, Disney will automatically process payment on the credit card, and the process will be repeated each time the limit is reached.

From safety measures to eligibility for onboard activities, these are a few of the weird Disney Cruise Line rules that might catch you by surprise! We’ve got more tips on all things Disney vacation coming your way, so keep an eye on DFB for the latest updates!

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