Disney Magic at Sea on the Disney Wonder - Part 3 of 4
DISNEY'S OCEANEER CLUB & OCEANEER LAB 
Children between the ages of 3-12 years old when we were onboard (this has since changed to 3-10 year olds), were able to visit 2 of the 4 kids clubs onboard, where they can interact with many Disney Characters. The Oceaneer Lab is about learning while having fun, where as the Oceaneer Club is about all things Disney Fantasy.
It is a requirement that upon boarding the ship on Embarkation Day that both children and parents/guardians check-in with the front desk of either the Disney Oceaneer Club or Lab to confirm kids club details, and for the kids to collect their Youth Activities Magic Band if they didn't receive it during the check in process at the terminal, this band gives them access to both the kids clubs. The kids clubs are specific kids only, except for a couple of times during the cruise when there is an 'Open House', this allows parents to come in and check it out, but otherwise it is an ADULT FREE ZONE! During the Open House times, you will find one club is Open House the other is not, this is because kids cannot be left alone in the kids club during Open House session, an adult needs to remain with them at all times, so if your wanting a drop and go, just head to the other club, they are both on the same deck.
Inside the Oceaneer Club, kids step into the world of some of our favourite Disney movies with activities filled full of surprises. Pop into Andy's Room from Toy Story, reach for the sky and ride the Slinky Dog Slide, head into the Marvel Super Hero Academy and try being an Avenger or be ready to get cold as you step into Frozen Adventures with different games and sing-a-longs to get the kids ready for the royal coronation.
Different Disney Characters pop into the club throughout the day, to enhance the kids excitement, whether its Captain Mickey or Captain Minnie for a dance off competition to the Mickey Mouse Club House tunes, or Thor popping past to let you test out your strength with his hammer. ** There is also a secret kids only tunnel that connects the Club and Lab together (as the foyer is inbetween them both) this enables the kids to move between the two spaces safely.
I asked each of my kids what was their favourite parts of kids club onboard the Disney Wonder, Callum said it was being able to manouver and sail his own Disney Wonder ship, that was pretty cool (see photo below) as well as being put in charge of the Slinky Slide for 15 minutes (long story, but it paid off in the end), we don't think the power went too much to his head, but he was told the slide was his to patrol and he needed to make sure everyone was safe and not silly (thank goodness there was no fatalities during that time, he's very responsible, as anyone who knows him knows). When I asked Elliana her favourite activities, she said it was being able to create her own Mr Potato Head Character in Andy's Place, you could make him look however you wanted him to look, it was pretty cool and all the different arts and crafts they could do.
For the older kids, there is Edge which is a lounge exclusively for tweens between 10-14 years old and Vibe for 14-17 year olds. These clubs are completely separate and are located up on the Pool Deck. In Edge, Tweens can kick back in a common lounge area, play videogames and participate in arts and crafts. They even have some themed nights, where they go on scavenger hunts and sing karoke. Vibe is a 'teens only" exclusive space designed to resemble a hip urban coffee shop, where they can listen to music, watch TV and other activities, chaperoned by some of the coolest counselors at sea.
CHARACTER EXPERIENCES AND PARTIES 
There is never a dull moment around the ship, with a character experience happening somewhere and you can't put a price on it. Kids of all ages love meeting a real Disney Princess or Superhero, whether it be during photo times that are noted on the Navigator App, in the Dining Room, Kids Club visits or just wandering around the ship. I wasn't a huge fan of this the long line up of guests to meet some of the Disney Characters, because our cruise was a short 3 night sailing, the queues to meet the characters were ridiculous all the time and I understand that, everyone wants their photo, but I refused to excessively line up to meet someone. Something that can be pre-booked in before you sail is The Royal Gathering, this is an allocated time slot when you get to meet with 4 different Princesses, we had Belle, Cinderella, Ariel and Tiana. You get the time to not only talk to them briefly but get a signature and photo with them, not only the professional photo but they will take photos on your own camera or phone, so you are not pushed into having to purchase the cruise lines photos.
Throughout the cruise you will see on the Navigator App that there is different themed experiences happening around the ship, maybe its Trivia based on a certain Disney movie, arts and crafts or even different Celebrations, much like the Encanto Celebration one Elliana and I went along too. We created butterflies to start with, had a dance party, conga line all while having special guests Mirabel and Bruno visit (whom we don't talk about).
Throughout the day or night in our case, onboard you will find there are gatherings
that happen without a lot of notice and these are alot of fun. You could be walking through the foyer and find yourself in a Heroic Encounter, where some of your favourite Marvel Heros might come along for a meet up, this is pretty exciting when you have a 7 year old girl who loves her Marvel.
You might even find yourself amongst a Disney Character Dance Party, which is held in the ship foyer. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale would make their way down the grand staircase to start the party off and get the room moving and grooving. They then rotate around the room on the lower level, amongst all the passengers so everyone gets the chance for an up close and personal dance moment with the characters. At the end, there were confetti cannons going off from the upper decks of the foyer, this was a lot of fun, a not to be missed moment onboard the Disney Wonder.
BIBBIDI BOBBIDI BOUTIQUE - A Fairytale Transformation
This experience I would have to say was probably my absolute favourite, getting to watch my little girl transform from the beautiful little girl she is, into an elegant Princess (or Queen Elsa in our case). This is where fairytale transformations come to life with help from the Fairy Godmother's Apprentices and a wave of the magic wand.
There are a number of different packages you can purchase when onboard, starting from US$99.95. You can go the full treatment by 
purchasing a Princess Gown and Shoes, but we went with the Deluxe Carriage Package, and you will see soon why. There are so many different options for those wanting to dress up, where you can purchase the Princess gown of your choice, like Belle, Ariel, Jasmine, Elsa or Anna and of course Cinderella, whom was very popular. But with Elliana's package, instead of a dress, which she didn't need, she had her hair done (even got to keep the Tiara and Mickey Clip), shimmering makeup and face gem, glittering nail polish applied (I might need to borrow it), a Princess sash and bag to keep all her new goodies safe, as well as a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique T-shirt, which is currently pride of place in the draw, waiting to be pulled out first as soon as it is clean.
Last but not least, the special glittery Pixie Dust which comes out of a magic wand, is sprinkled over the top to give you that extra sparkly. To say this experience was breathtaking, is an understatement. To be able to watch your own little girl, have her dream moment of being transformed into a Princess, that you know she already is, pure happiness. It is an experience Elliana will remember, happily ever after!
Just so you know, boys are not forgotten, they can also head into the BBB and be dressed up as a Royal Knight, Pirate or even Captain Mickey himself.
ROYAL COURT ROYAL TEA PARTY
After Elliana's BBB transformation, we had another surprise planned which was the Royal Court High Tea Party. This can only be booked by cabins with passengers that fall into the age group of 3-12 years old and each child must be accompanied by an adult. It is where you get to have a tea party starring Disney Princesses.
Elliana donned her Queen Elsa gown and was introduced into the party as 'Miss Elliana of the Disney Wonder' to meet with Lady Chamomile and Chef Brule, as well as Belle, Ariel and Cinderella for a whimsical teatime like you were out of a storybook.
No only did we dine on a selection of savory and sweet treats, royal tea (apple juice for the kids) each child recieved an assortment of keepsake gifts of their teamtime experience.
Keep an eye out for Part 4 and the final of the Disney Magic at Sea Blog for details on Disney's award winning Theatre Performances, Upper Deck Pool area, Marvel's Heroes United spectacular and Fireworks. Yes, you read that right!