05/07/2026
We are safely home… and what an awesome experience. ❤️
Disney Cruise was something our family had been planning for many years. We never imagined we’d finally get to experience it in Singapore, one of our favorite places to visit.
As many of you know, traveling is a luxury for our family, just as it is for many autism families. We don’t just pack our bags and go.
Our plan actually started years ago and set in motion months ago.
Long before the luggage came out, we were reading social stories, setting expectations, watching videos, talking about airports, security checks, airplanes, Singapore, different foods, crowds, emotions, and eventually the cruise itself.
For Ethan, preparation is part of the journey.
With that said, here are our…
Top 10 lessons we learned from our Disney Cruise
1. Singapore is expensive… download Grab before you arrive.
Unlike us, learn from our mistake. 😅 We forgot to set up Grab before landing and paid S$70 for a ride that should’ve only cost around S$30. Ouch. 😂 Download and activate Grab before your trip and enjoy SG. Plenty of beautiful places to visit. Your wallet will thank you. For us, Grab was a must since we were traveling with a wheelchair. Otherwise, Singapore’s MRT is incredibly convenient, affordable, and probably the best way to get around.
2. Respect your embarkation time.
No Filipino time here. 😂 Too early, you’ll just be standing around. Too late, you’ll be stressing yourself out. Disney has this down to a science. Just show up at your assigned boarding time, and you’ll be walking onto the ship before you know it.
3. Don’t overpack snacks.
Trust me on this one. There is food everywhere. You’ll eat… walk around… somehow get hungry again… then eat some more. We probably gained 10 pounds in just a few days! 😂 I swear, Disney’s unofficial activity is eating.
4. The dining team became part of our family.
The food was amazing! Even in the Navy, everyone knows one golden rule: don’t bite the hands that feed you. 😄 Be nice to your cooks and waiters. Trust me on this one. They just might hook you up with extra appetizers, desserts, or even something that’s not on the menu. 😉
5. WiFi isn’t cheap. Plan ahead.
Want to stay connected? Better budget for it. 😅 We ended up buying two WiFi plans so two devices could be online at the same time. The damage? Around S$300 for just three days. Painful? Absolutely. Necessary? Also yes. 😂 Decide ahead of time who actually needs internet… because Mickey doesn’t accept cash for WiFi.
6. Decorate your cabin door… and bring a few giveaways.
At first, I didn’t understand why Nikki and Paige were spending so much time designing and printing magnets and Disney stickers before the trip.
Then we got there.
Almost every cabin door was decorated with magnets, family names, favorite characters, and little baskets or holders. Families would quietly leave small gifts, stickers, bracelets, magnets, or little surprises for others to take. It wasn’t about the value. It was about sharing a little Disney magic with complete strangers.
Watching Paige proudly decorate our door, and later seeing Ethan smile whenever we walked back to “our” door, became one of those memories we’ll never forget.
7. Disney isn’t just for kids.
Parents, this one’s for you. 😄 Disney has plenty of adults only spots where you can relax, grab a drink, or just enjoy a little peace and quiet. Once the kiddos are asleep, or having a blast at one of the kids clubs, go enjoy yourselves too. Parenting doesn’t take a vacation, but for a little while… it comes with a timeout. 🍹😂
8. Book your character meet and greet early.
Don’t wait on this one. 😅 As soon as you get on the ship, ask a Cast Member how to book the character meet and greet appointments. They fill up fast! Trust me, it’s the best way to get great family photos, collect autographs, and actually have a few moments with the characters instead of snapping a quick picture and moving on.
9. Celebrate the little moments.
One of our favorite memories wasn’t one of the Broadway shows or even getting off at port. It was watching Pluto slow down, spend extra time with Ethan, and meet him where he was. Those few minutes reminded us that sometimes the smallest gestures create the biggest memories.
10. Just go…
There will never be a perfect time. Life gets busy. Money comes and goes. Kids grow up faster than we realize. If it’s something you’ve been dreaming about and you’re blessed enough to make it happen, just go.
Dress up. Wear the matching shirts. Put on the costumes. Dance with the characters. Be a kid again.
Years from now, you probably won’t remember what it cost, but you’ll never forget the smiles, the laughter, and the memories you made together.
Thank you, Disney Cruise. Thank you, Singapore.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who followed along with our journey. We hope that by sharing our family’s experience, especially as an autism family, we can encourage another family to make memories of their own.
Because sometimes the best adventures aren’t the easiest ones… they’re simply the ones worth preparing for.
❤️
Pang Arboleda
Alexa Garcia Arboleda
