A toddler’s broken femur on a Disney Cruise Line ship quietly prompted changes to one of the vessel’s play areas, and the news came straight from the boy’s mom.
What Happened on the Disney Dream
Instagram user Courtney Livingston (@courtneylivin) shared video footage this week from a recent trip aboard the Disney Dream, revealing that Disney Cruise Line had modified the Nemo’s Reef splash pad following an injury her young son sustained on a previous sailing. On that earlier trip, Livingston’s son fell from a coral-shaped play structure in the Finding Nemo (2003)-themed water area and broke his femur.
After my son fell and broke his leg on the Finding Nemo Splash pad on the Disney Dream, they made it safer! Yay for change! Would you take your child on this play area?! 👇🏽✨ Follow for more Disney tips and updates! 🐭 🚢 ⚓️
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Disney Cruise Line responded by gifting the family another voyage on the Disney Dream. When Livingston returned, she found the coral structure had been removed entirely and the flooring replaced.
“The rest of the splash pad is the same…,” Livingston wrote. “Play at your own risk!”
What Changed — and What Didn’t
It remains unclear whether the removal of the coral play structure is a permanent decision or whether Disney Cruise Line is working on a safer replacement. The Disney Fantasy features an identical Nemo’s Reef splash pad, but the cruise line has not confirmed whether that ship underwent the same modifications.
Nemo’s Reef is designated for guests aged four and under, with parental supervision required at all times. Disney has not issued any public statement regarding the splash pad changes or addressed the circumstances surrounding the toddler’s injury.
Did you notice any other changes during your most recent Disney Cruise Line vacation? Disney Fanatic would love to hear from you in the comments!
