The Sweetest Secret, Revealed: How Our Disney Cruise Surprise Went
By: Anna Trosper
January 20, 2026
If you read my last blog, you know I had been holding onto one of the biggest secrets of my life — surprising my niece, her daughter(5), and my great-nephew (10) with their very first Disney Cruise. Well… the secret was revealed, the bags were packed, the Magic was boarded, and I can officially say it went even better than I ever imagined.
The Night Before: Still No Clues
We left for Galveston the day before our cruise, just like planned, and the kids still had absolutely no idea what was coming. We stayed at Home2 Suites by Hilton Galveston, and it turned out to be the perfect pre-cruise hotel for our family.
The room was spacious with two queen beds and a separate living area, which gave everyone room to spread out and relax. The beach was right across the road, and the hotel was just minutes from the cruise pier — honestly, the location could not have been better.
After checking in, we headed out for dinner and then made a stop at Rainforest Café. If you’ve ever been there with kids, you know it’s an adventure all on its own. We even took the kids on the little ride there, and they absolutely loved it. We finished the evening with a walk along the beach, telling them we’d spend more time exploring Galveston the next day. Still… not a single suspicion.
The Morning of the Cruise: Mickey Finally Spills the Secret
The next morning, we woke up early, waiting for the moment. We had scheduled a Disney character call, and when the phone rang, we put it on speaker so everyone could hear — and so I could record the kids’ reactions.
The call came… Mickey and Minnie announced the surprise… and the kids completely lost their minds. Screaming, yelling, jumping, pure joy. Exactly what we had hoped for.
Now here’s the funny part — I was sure I hit record. Turns out, I didn’t. Thankfully, Disney called back three more times(not sure why, but thank you, Disney magic!), and I did manage to record the call so you can hear what they say when they announce the surprise. Even without the first recording, the memory is burned into my heart forever.
After that, there was no slowing them down. They were ready to GO.
Matching Shirts & Off to the Port
We quickly got everyone into our matching cruise shirts, grabbed our bags, and headed to the port. The drive from the hotel to our parking area took about five minutes, which made the morning incredibly stress-free.
Our boarding time was 11:45 a.m., and we arrived around 11:00 a.m., so we waited outside for a short while. Thankfully, the weather was beautiful, and the excitement made the wait fly by.
Once it was time, security and check-in went smoothly. We were assigned boarding group 6, so the wait to board was short — and by this point, the kids were practically vibrating with excitement.
First Steps Onto the Disney Magic
Boarding the ship was everything we imagined it to be. Hearing our family name announced, stepping into the grand atrium, and watching the kids take it all in was emotional in the best way.
Our first stop was the kids’ clubs to get them checked in — which they were immediately obsessed with — and then straight to Cabanas for lunch. I’m pretty sure they thought they had died and gone to heaven with all the food choices. Plates were piled high, desserts were sampled, and smiles never left their faces.
Stateroom Magic Begins
At 1:30 p.m., the staterooms opened, and we headed down to check ours out. Walking into the room felt like the official start of our cruise. I had ordered the Very Merrytime Christmas stateroom package, and it added such a fun, festive touch — but that deserves its own blog (and yes, I’ll be sharing all about it next!).
Photo: Stateroom / decorations
Looking back, every single detail was worth it. The secrecy, the planning, the nerves of pulling it all off — all of it paid off in those moments of pure joy. Watching children experience a Disney Cruise for the first time is something I’ll never forget.
This trip reminded me why I love what I do. Travel isn’t just about destinations — it’s about memories, surprises, and moments that families talk about for years to come.
And this is just the beginning. I’ll be sharing more blogs about our sailing, including everything from the dining experiences, kids’ clubs, and deck parties, to the incredible Disney Cruise Line crew who truly make the magic happen. There is so much to talk about, and I can’t wait to relive it all with you.
If this story has you dreaming about surprising your own family with a Disney Cruise or planning a special trip, I would love to help make that magic happen for you. Whether it’s your first cruise, a holiday sailing, or a once-in-a-lifetime surprise, I’m here to help every step of the way.
You can reach out to me anytime at:
Let’s plan something unforgettable together.
✨ Let the magic continue. ✨