Why We Always Book Concierge on the Disney Wish (And Why You Should Too)

Written By Angela Austin

Family Fun · by angela lani

If you've been going back and forth on whether to splurge on concierge for the Disney Wish, let me just save you the mental energy: do it.

I know, I know. It sounds extra. It sounds like a lot. But after three years of sailing on the Disney Wish with our family of five — with kids who are now 12, 9, and 6 — I can tell you with full confidence that concierge is not a luxury. It's the whole experience. And once you do it, you won't go back.

What Concierge Actually Gets You

Let's start with the basics. When you book concierge on the Disney Wish, you're not just getting a nicer room (though the 1-bedroom with verandah that we get is absolutely perfect for a family of five — enough space that everyone isn't on top of each other, and that verandah? Chef's kiss.).

You're getting:

  • Priority booking for everything — excursions, dining, activities — before general guests can even log on

  • A dedicated concierge team that handles everything for you, from the moment you board to the moment you leave

  • Your own private concierge lounge — this is a big one. It's your sanctuary on the ship. Food, drinks, snacks available throughout the day, and the vibes are just different up there.

  • Open bar — yes, really. And the specialty drinks are incredible. The concierge team actually learned my go-to drink and had it ready for me. Every time. That kind of attention to detail is what makes it feel so special.

  • Your own private pool — no fighting for chairs, no crowds. Just your family and fellow concierge guests in a much more relaxed, exclusive setting.

  • Special food options just for concierge guests — and let me tell you, the food is TOP TIER. We're talking elevated, thoughtful, delicious. It's not your average cruise buffet situation.

  • A seamless, stress-free experience that honestly makes the whole trip feel effortless

And that last one? That's the one that keeps us coming back every single year.

The Cabana Is Worth It — Book It Early

One of my biggest tips: get your cabana secured as soon as your concierge booking window opens.

Castaway Cay is Disney's private island and it is stunning, but the cabanas go FAST. As a concierge guest you get early access to book, so use it. Don't wait. Don't think about it. Just book it.

Having a cabana on the island is a completely different experience — it's your own little home base on the beach, with shade, snacks, and space for the whole family to spread out. With three kids at different ages and energy levels, having that anchor point on the island is everything.

One thing that surprised us the first time: on the Bahamas day (we do the 3-day cruise), we actually don't get off the boat. And honestly? We don't need to. When you're in concierge, the ship on a port day is basically yours. It's quiet, the pool is uncrowded, the lounge is peaceful, and you can actually relax in a way that's hard to do when everyone is on board. We love that day just as much as any other. So don't feel pressured to get off at every stop — sometimes staying on the ship is the move. 😊

Outfit Planning Is Half the Fun

Okay, real talk — one of my favorite parts of the whole trip is planning our outfits.

Pirate Night. People go all out, we were casual :)

The Disney Wish has themed nights and each one is an opportunity to get cute. My advice: plan your looks in advance, coordinate the family without being too matchy-matchy, and don't forget comfortable shoes because you will be walking and dancing and living your best life.

I start planning outfits about a month before we sail. It sounds extra but it brings me so much joy and honestly the kids get into it too.

"Just Save Your Money For Concierge"

Oh, the food in concierge is….incredible.

I get asked all the time — is concierge really worth it? Should we just book a regular room and use the extra money for excursions and extras?

My answer, every single time: save your money and put it toward concierge instead.

Here's why. When you're not in concierge, you're spending mental energy and time managing everything — booking windows, dining reservations, trying to grab a cabana, figuring out excursions. It adds up. And on vacation, especially with kids, that stress is real.

Concierge removes all of that. Your team handles it. Everything is taken care of. You show up and you just... enjoy your family. That is priceless to me.

After three years of doing this with a family of five, I genuinely don't think I could go back. The seamlessness of it, the ease, the way it makes the whole trip feel elevated and special — it's worth every penny.

Quick Concierge Tips for Families

  • Book the 1-bedroom with verandah if you have a larger family — the space is so worth it and the verandah is magical at night

  • Use your early booking window the moment it opens — don't sleep on the cabana

  • Plan your themed night outfits ahead of time — it's fun and one less thing to stress about on the trip

  • Let the concierge team do their job — they are incredible and genuinely want to make your trip perfect. Ask them anything.

  • Go in knowing it will be seamless — because it will be. That's the whole point.

We sail every year and every year I fall more in love with this experience. If you have questions about the Disney Wish concierge experience, drop them below — I could talk about this forever. 🤍

— angela lani

Angela Austin