Disney Cruise Door Decorations Guide: Magnets, Fish Extenders, Tips, and Rules
- Ashlie & Lauren
- Jun 25
- 5 min read
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Decorating your stateroom door on a Disney cruise has become a tradition for us and many other families sailing on Disney Cruise Line. Not only is it fun to show off your favorite Disney characters, but it’s a great way to locate your door when hallways and doors look very similar on ships.
Disney Cruise Door Decoration Tips
Follow the Guidelines
Disney has recently updated their guidelines for stateroom door decorations. Per Disney’s website:
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.
Note that magnets will not adhere to Concierge stateroom doors on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, as these doors are wooden.
Pack Your Door Decoration Items in Your Carry-On
Disney Cruise Line allows one carry-on bag and personal item per person on your embarkation day. Along with medications and other important items, we try our best to remember to pack our door decorations in our carry-on. This way we can start decorating even if our checked bags haven’t arrived!
Fish Extenders on a Disney Cruise
Another tradition on a Disney Cruise are fish extenders. I’m going to be honest, I really didn’t quite understand what this was on our first cruise, and the more I researched it, the more stressed I became and didn’t want any part of it. It involved joining a Facebook group by a certain time and exchanging gifts for a certain number of people.
I am happy to report that it’s not that complicated, and it’s one of my kids’ most favorite parts of the cruise. You can absolutely do it the traditional way, but a lot of people like us just bring a hanging pocket organizer and hang it around your stateroom number (this is still allowed per Disney).
Even without joining a group, we are often gifted and pixie dusted with items that my kids adore. We also bring small items like stickers and keychains to give to others who have fish extenders hanging outside their staterooms. Again, this is NOT necessary, it’s just another way to add a little fun to your cruise.
Disney Cruise Themed Stateroom Decor
There are so many wonderful themed areas aboard a Disney Cruise Ship. From Princesses to Marvel heroes, each ship has so many Disney themed restaurants, lounges, and theatres. Your Disney stateroom also might have a themed room such as Hercules, Baymax, and Cinderella, just to name a few!
So we’ve put together a few easy themes that can correlate with your room or just show off your favorite character! All these ideas are items that are approved per Disney’s guidelines, just make sure you’re attaching your items with magnets, not adhesives!
Toy Story Themed Disney Cruise Stateroom Decorations
Even though Toy Story is an absolute classic, Toy Story 5 has reignited all the love for this beloved franchise. This theme is perfect for any fan of Toy Story, or if you’re lucky enough to be on a sailing that includes Pixar Day at Sea.
Disney Cruise Line celebrates Pixar Day at Sea on select sailings. This day is dedicated to all things Pixar, with special meet and greets with rare Pixar characters, specially themed meals and exclusive entertainment. Use just some or all of these ideas for your door!
Hercules Themed Disney Cruise Stateroom Decorations
As a 90’s kid, Hercules is one of my favorite Disney movies. When the themes were announced for the Disney Destiny, I was so excited to be able to see elements of this movie incorporated throughout the ship’s lounges, entertainment, and rooms!
If you are trying to match your stateroom decor to your room’s theme, you can check your app prior to sailing. It’s not necessary to match - you can simply just celebrate this stellar movie and soundtrack!
Villains Themed Disney Cruise Stateroom Decorations
Speaking of the Destiny, this ship is themed around Heroes and Villains. If you’re team villain, this door decor is for you!
Disney also has a Halloween on the High Seas sailing on select dates September through October. But, villains can be fun year-round, so don’t be afraid so show off your wicked side no matter the cruise!
Stitch Themed Disney Cruise Stateroom Decorations
On our last Disney Cruise, we waited until the last second to plan our door. Luckily, Amazon came through and had some cute Stitch decorations.
We also like to add a whiteboard to our door to ask questions throughout the cruise. Just make sure you secure it with a magnet hook, not an adhesive!
Alaska Themed Disney Cruise Stateroom Decorations
Since it’s Alaska season, I thought I would create a theme for anyone sailing to Alaska on the Magic and Disney Wonder this summer. One of the highlights is seeing Mickey and Minnie in their exclusive Alaskan outfits, so I love that these magnets showcase their style!
We absolutely loved our Disney Alaskan Cruise and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who’s been thinking about it! We have a lot of vlogs and blog posts you can check out to find out more information.
Even if you choose not to decorate your door or participate in fish extenders, I would still encourage you to walk around and check out other people’s decorations. Our kids love wandering around the halls and seeing how other people express their favorite characters and creativity!
As always, let me know if you have any questions. Happy sailings!