Disney Cruising is truly a special way to adventure on the high seas. Families go all out when they sail with Disney and one of my favorite things to see every time we sail is the awesome Disney Cruise door decorations that people put out on their doors. If you are here reading this I am betting you are prepping to set sail really soon. So prepare yourself for some door decorating inspiration!
Why Decorate Your Stateroom Door?
Beyond the fun factor, there's actually a very practical reason to decorate your door. Cruise ship hallways are long and all of the doors basically look the same so when you decorate a door it makes it incredibly easy to spot your room after a long day of adventures. Plus, it's a wonderful way to connect with fellow cruisers and spread a little extra Disney magic through the hallways!
How to Hang Your Decorations
Good news, hanging decorations on a Disney Cruise is easy! The doors on Disney cruise ships (except Concierge rooms on the Dream and Fantasy) are magnetic. Hanging your door signs is as easy as using magnets. If you buy decorations, they'll likely already have magnets attached. If you're making your own, a simple adhesive backed magnet on the back of each piece does the trick.
If you are incorporating your door number into you design plan keep in mind the stateroom number shapes vary across ships. The Magic, Wonder, Dream, and Fantasy have round stateroom numbers, while the Wish, Treasure, and Destiny have rectangular ones.
Choosing a Theme for your Door
Milestone Celebrations
Birthdays, anniversaries, or a first cruise are all great reasons to go all out with themed magnets that let your hallway neighbors know you're celebrating.
Here is a beautiful example of someone celebrating their wedding anniversary on a Disney Cruise.
Lean into Ship Themes
Shown below is a Hercules door on the Disney Destiny. This is the exclusive show to that ship. Another idea for the Destiny is Lion King (for Pridelands) or Marvel characters like Black Panther, Spiderman and Loki who frequently stop in around the ship.
Light Up Custom Cruise Ships
Seasonal Themes
If you're sailing on a special seasonal cruise, lean into it! For Halloween on the High Seas cruises, Mickey Pumpkins and Nightmare Before Christmas are favorites among cruisers. And for a Very Merrytime Christmas cruise, festive holiday décor looks absolutely magical in those glittering ship hallways.
Favorite Character
If you have a favorite don't be afraid to share it! I was obbessed with this family who showed off thier love for Tangled.
And can you tell this family is a big fan of the Little Mermaid.
DIY vs. Ready-Made Decorations
So your ready to get started on your door plan? You've got two great paths here:
Make Your Own — Tools like a Silhouette Cameo or Cricut make it easy to cut custom designs. You can design them in Canva for free, laminate them, and add adhesive-backed magnets to the back. If you are looking to reduce your DIY steps I recommend using printable magnet paper and print images right from your home printer.
Buy Ready-Made — If DIY isn't your thing, you're in luck. Etsy has hundreds of personalized Disney Cruise magnets to choose, and Amazon has a wide selection of waterproof magnetic decorations as well. Prices are generally very affordable, ranging from around $7 to $15 for most sets.
No matter the route you go remember you can always elevate your look by adding Battery-operated string lights. They are totally allowed within DCL guidelines. The only rules are that nothing blocks the door number or causes a safety hazard.
Start Planning Your Door Now!
Whether you go all-out with a custom theme or keep it simple with a few character magnets, decorating your Disney Cruise stateroom door is one of those little touches that makes the trip feel even more special. Walking the hallways and admiring everyone's creativity is a vacation highlight all on its own. Now get crafting! Your magical door is waiting! 🚢✨
I have been visiting the parks annually since my parents first brought me at just a year old. Recently I was able to fulfill my life long dream of being a Florida local and moved from the wintery Northeast to the sunshine and fun of central Florida. Now I am hoping to share my Disney knowledge with you so you can have the best vacation possible!
