Planning a Disney Magic cruise with your kids? One of the best ways to prepare is by watching classic and modern Disney movies together! This guide covers the must-see Disney movies and shows to watch before your cruise, so your children will recognize their favorite characters and make the most of every magical moment onboard.
What Did We Know Before Our Disney Magic Cruise
I felt so excited to take my boys on our Disney Cruise. I wanted to see their faces light up as they met Disney characters. But we had a problem. I hadn’t introduced my kids to many classic Disney movies.
Before our Disney Cruise, I knew I needed to train them, but I wasn’t sure where to start. I started putting on classic Disney movies at dinner. I hesitated to put on some of these older movies because I wasn’t sure my kids would be interested. We had limited success with the older movies like Robin Hood when I tried before.
Luckily, the boys got into some more modern ones, like Aladdin and The Lion King. The Pixar movies also grabbed their attention. I would say we covered most of the important ones.
For those of you traveling soon, here are the characters I recommend spending time with your kids before your cruise, whether to introduce them or refresh them before boarding the Magic.
Must-Watch Disney Movies Before Your Disney Magic Cruise
Mickey Mouse & Friends: The Heart of Disney Magic
- Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale are central to the Disney Magic experience, appearing in various costumes and settings throughout the cruise.
- Recommended viewing: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Mickey’s Funhouse, or classic Mickey cartoons to introduce these characters in a fun, accessible way.
Disney Princesses You’ll Meet Onboard
Princess meet-and-greets are a highlight, with frequent appearances by:
- Rapunzel (Tangled)—often featured in stage shows and themed dinners.
- Belle (Beauty and the Beast)—appears at meet-and-greets and themed restaurants.
- Tiana (The Princess and the Frog)—featured in shows and character greetings.
- Ariel (The Little Mermaid) and Cinderella—regulars at princess gatherings.
- Watching these movies will help your children recognize and enjoy these interactions.
Marvel Heroes on the Disney Magic
- Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, and Black Panther are present, especially during special events like Marvel Day at Sea.
- For younger kids, Spidey and His Amazing Friends or Super Hero Squad are great animated introductions.
Toy Story Fun in the Kids’ Club on the Disney Magic
- Woody, Jessie, and the Green Army Men are part of the kids’ club activities, and Andy’s Room is a major attraction.
- Watching Toy Story and Toy Story 2 is recommended, with Toy Story 3 as a bonus if time permits.
Disney Animation & Pixar
- Encanto: Mirabel and Bruno sometimes appear, and themed backdrops are available for photos.
- Frozen: Anna and Elsa feature in shows and meet-and-greets.
- Moana: Occasionally shown in movie screenings.
- Coco: Music and video clips may appear, though character meet-and-greets are rare.
- Other Pixar films like Monsters Inc. or Finding Nemo are less prominent but can be a fun addition if your family has time.
Bonus Movies for Extra Magic
- Fantasia: Wizard Mickey may appear at special dinners, tying into this classic.
- Peter Pan: Captain Hook is featured during pirate-themed events.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Captain Jack Sparrow is a star on Pirate Night.
- Pinocchio: Themed restaurant decor.
- Star Wars: Occasional photo ops, though not a significant presence on Disney Magic
Summary Table: Must-See Movies by Character/Theme
| Disney Character | Recommended Movie/Show |
| Mickey & Friends | P |
| Princesses | Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, The Princess and the Frog, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella |
| Spider-Man | Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, Spider-Man: Homecoming |
| Captain America | B |
| Black Panther | Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, Black Panther |
| Woody, Buzz, Jessie | Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3 |
| Maribel and Bruno | Encanto |
| Moana | Moana |
| Peter Pan | Peter Pan |
| Captain Jack Sparrow | Pirates of the Caribbean |
| Pinocchio | Pinocchio |
| Coco | Coco |
| Jedi, Darth Vader, Etc | Any Star Wars, Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorian, (optional) |
Things to Know About Characters on the Disney Magic Cruise
I’m glad we spent the time going through so many of the classic movies and shows. My kids enjoyed meeting the characters they had seen on TV.
The Disney Cruise app does a great job of telling you when and where the characters will show up, but be warned, there will be a line, and if you’re not there early, you might not get to meet the character.
The princesses have a meet-and-greet that you can sign up for in advance. They will group and allow you to join at your chosen time. I didn’t experience this since I have two boys, and they weren’t interested in them.
We enjoyed meeting the Marvel characters despite the limited number of meetings and the long lines. We got in line to meet Captain America, but we never made it to meet him. Instead, after waiting almost an hour, they traded him out of Spider-Man. Sadly, they only had one day scheduled for these meetings.
However, on the last full day at sea, Captain America and Black Panther wandered around the pool deck. We just missed missing them that time as well.
Enjoy Your Time
Those are the major (and minor) movies I experienced on my cruise, the Disney Magic. Of course, you’ll have a good time if your kids don’t know everyone, but when my kids saw someone they knew, their faces lit up.
Having only gone on one Disney cruise, I’m unsure how often things change. So things might have changed onboard since then, but if you’re looking for the movies you should see before going on the Disney Magic, these should get you pretty set.
Now, enjoy studying and have a blast on your cruise! And let me know what your favorite Disney movie is in the comments below!
