If you’ve spent any time in Disney Cruise Line Facebook groups or scrolling #DisneyCruiseTok, you’ve probably seen elaborately decorated stateroom doors covered in magnets, family names and Disney characters. It can make it seem like every single cruiser participates.
The truth? They don’t.
Decorating your Disney Cruise Line door is one of those beloved Disney adult traditions that’s grown over the years, but it’s absolutely not a requirement. Plenty of guests never decorate their doors at all and still have an incredible vacation.
That said, if you love adding a little extra Disney magic, it’s a fun way to personalize your cruise, celebrate special occasions and make it easier to spot your room after a long day of adventures.
If you know you’ll suffer major FOMO with a naked door, here’s everything you need to know before you start designing your masterpiece.
Why Do People Decorate Their Disney Cruise Doors?
For many guests, decorating their stateroom door is simply part of the excitement leading up to vacation. Some families create matching themes for everyone traveling together. Other groups celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, first cruises, family reunions or holidays. Some guests even hide little surprises or participate in magnet or pin exchanges with other cruisers.
It’s one of those little extras that can make your vacation feel even more personal.
Just remember: don’t let social media convince you it’s something you have to do. On most sailings, you’ll see a mix of decorated and undecorated doors. In fact, on all of our cruises, I’d say the majority of doors are not decorated. Both are completely acceptable.
Tips for Decorating Your Disney Cruise Door
Before you order a stack of magnets, keep these tips in mind.
- Stick with magnets. Disney Cruise Line stateroom doors are magnetic, which makes decorating incredibly easy. Magnets stay put without damaging the door and are the only decoration method you should plan to use. Bonus tip: Walls on some of the newer ships are also magnetic!
- Less can be more. A few well-designed magnets often look better than covering every inch of the door. Plus, they’re easier to pack and store for future cruises.
- Personalize it. Adding your group name, hometown, favorite Disney characters or your cruise year makes your decorations feel unique. We also add our socials and have connected with fellow cruisers on several occasions.
- Think reusable. Quality magnets can last for years. If cruising becomes your new favorite vacation, you’ll be glad you invested in decorations you can bring back again and again. Or if you’re a teacher, like me, you’ll use them quite a bit in the classroom, too. 😉
- Keep valuables off the door. Even though Disney cruises are typically safe, magnets or other items on display occasionally disappear. Stick with inexpensive decorations and avoid displaying anything sentimental or irreplaceable.
Disney Cruise Door Decoration Rules
Disney Cruise Line has a few simple but strict guidelines to keep everyone safe and the ships looking beautiful. The first set of rules are directly from Disney Cruise Line, while the remaining are understood guidelines throughout the DCL community.
- Please avoid using tape and other adhesives, including gel adhesives, to affix items to your stateroom door, as this can damage the door’s finish.
- Using over-the-door hanging organizers is prohibited, as they may cause scratches or other damage to stateroom doors and trim.
- Items of value should not be used to decorate your stateroom door. Disney Cruise Line is not responsible for damage to or loss of these items.
- As a courtesy to other Guests, sound or video elements should not be used.
- Decorations should only be placed on doors and are not permitted on corridor walls or ceilings.
Guests who damage doors in violation of these guidelines will be assessed a $100 fee per incident to cover the cost of repairs.
- Don’t block important information. Every stateroom door has safety information, room numbers and emergency signage. Your decorations should never cover any of these.
- Keep decorations fairly flat. Bulky decorations or anything that sticks out into the hallway can become safety hazards.
- Be respectful. Keep decorations family-friendly and avoid anything offensive or inappropriate. Remember, thousands of guests of all ages will walk by your door throughout the cruise.
Disney Cruise Door Decoration Ideas
Need a little inspiration? Here are some fun themes that are always popular.
- Your family’s favorite Disney movie
- Holiday decor (for the nearest one, or go completely off and decorate for Halloween in June…it’s your door)
- Birthday or anniversary celebrations
- “First Disney Cruise” magnets
- Matching magnets for travel groups
- Interactive decor like Question of the Day, pin trading or pixie dusting.
Magic Tip: You can find custom and general magnets through small shops online or even in the cruise gift shop. Printable magnetic sheets make personalizing a breeze, but my favorite hack is Shutterfly magnet sales. Every other month or so, Shutterfly will offer $1 magnets. These are pretty good quality, sturdy and stick well.
Is Decorating Your Door Worth It?
If crafting makes you happy, absolutely.
If you’d rather spend your vacation budget on an extra specialty coffee, a Palo dinner or another souvenir, skip the door decorations without a second thought.
Disney Cruise Line is magical with or without magnets on your door. Decorating is simply one more way to make your vacation feel like yours.
Whether your stateroom door is completely bare or covered from top to bottom in Mickey magnets, the memories you make onboard are what you’ll remember long after you return home.
Ready to set sail?
Get in touch with us today to start your voyage! Enjoy complimentary concierge travel planning when you book with us!