If you plan to sail with Disney Cruise Line on your next vacation, you might just want to bring some friends for the trip. A new sensation has taken over the high seas. Guests on Disney cruises hide rubber ducks around the ship for everyone to find. While the activity started as a way to bring some additional magic to children on board, a lot of the crew have learned to embrace it as well! Let’s break down their feedback on the fad and how they have learned to participate in the experience.
Make Room, Donald Duck
The concept of this recent sensation is simple. Guests aboard Disney Cruise ships purchase or make small rubber ducks before they take their vacation. Many people theme these little guys around famous Disney characters or movies. They then attach customized tags to the ducks and hide them in random locations around the ship during their stay onboard. The tags explain to anyone who finds these rubber ducks just how to participate in the game.
Basically, if you find a duck while exploring a ship, such as the Disney Fantasy or Disney Wish, the tag will tell you to keep it or hide it again in a different spot for a new person to find. Guests have stumbled upon the toys in many locations, including the Walt Disney Theater and the stairwells on their climb back to their staterooms. Children, in particular, love finding these rubber ducks, as most are adorably dressed as a character they recognize.
The craze has gotten so popular that social media groups have sprung up to facilitate the process of participating and assigning rules to follow. Contributors must keep the rubber ducks a safe experience by not allowing obscene or political-themed creations. Those who find them are also encouraged to take a picture with the duck and share it on social media.
Involving the Disney Cruise Line Crew Members
When the fad started, many Disney Cruise Line crew members had no idea why these rubber ducks appeared onboard. They would often throw them away or ignore them. However, as it became more popular, they embraced the appeal. They now see it as a fun way to engage with their Guests.
“Is hiding those rubber ducks around the ship actually condoned by CMs or condemned?” A Reddit poster asked on the official DCL subreddit. “I saw a blog post about it where someone claimed Cast Members liked it, but others argued against it. I had no idea it was a thing.”
A crew member responded to the inquiry by saying that most of them think it’s great. In fact, some crew members will even collect the rubber ducks and display them in their cabins or office.
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The official Facebook group for hiding the ducks has also confirmed that the crew seems to love participating in the event. They go as far as to say some love it more than the Guests. Crew members on ships are often at sea for long periods of time and away from their families. Activities like this are a fun way to brighten their days and help them escape the intense work they undertake.
So next time you head off for a high-seas adventure, consider bringing some rubber ducks with you. It may seem silly, but you could just help bring some magic to another person on board!