We stayed in an inside stateroom on the Disney Wonder during our 4-night cruise from San Diego to Mexico. Traveling with our two young kids, we got to experience what it’s like to stay in a standard inside room and compare it with a verandah stateroom we’d stayed in previously.
While the room had everything we needed, there were a few things we would prioritize differently when booking our next Disney cruise.
🚢 CastleHoppers Quick Review
⭐ Overall: Good, but we’d choose a different room next time
💰 Price: One of the more affordable Disney Cruise Line stateroom categories
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly: Yes, sleeps up to four guests
📍 Location: Midship, Deck 6, Room 6581
🔁 Would we book again? Possibly, if the price difference were significant
The Bottom Line
Our inside stateroom was comfortable and had the essentials for our family of four. We especially liked the midship location and the opportunity to save money compared with booking a more expensive stateroom category.
However, after staying in a verandah room on the same ship, we realized how much we appreciated having additional storage and a split bathroom.
The biggest drawback for us was the room layout. With the kids sleeping closer to the entrance, we had to be extra careful when moving around the room during naps.
For families looking to save money, an inside stateroom is worth considering. But for our family, we’d lean toward a different room configuration for future cruises.
What We Liked
- 💰 Lower price point: Inside staterooms are generally the least expensive category, making them a good option for families looking to save on their cruise.
- 📍 Midship location: We liked being conveniently located for getting around the ship. Midship rooms can also feel less movement than rooms toward the front or back, depending on sea conditions.
- 🧳 Functional storage: The room had a closet, dresser drawers, and space underneath the main bed for luggage.
- 🛏️ Sleeps four: The room had a queen bed, a convertible couch, and a pull-down bed, along with a curtain to separate the sleeping areas.
What We Didn’t Love
The biggest drawbacks came down to three things.
- ❌ The room layout: Our kids slept closer to the entrance, which made it harder to move around without disturbing them during naps. In our previous verandah room, we preferred having a more separated area that we didn’t need to walk through while our daughter was sleeping.
- ❌ Less storage: While the inside room had enough storage, our previous verandah stateroom had an additional dresser with around four to five extra drawers. With two young kids, that extra space made organizing our belongings much easier.
- ❌ The single bathroom: We had everything in one bathroom rather than a split bathroom with separate spaces for the toilet and shower. When one person was showering and another needed to use the bathroom, having everything in one room was less convenient.
For our family, a split bathroom is definitely something we’d prioritize on future cruises.
Our Tips for Booking a Disney Cruise Stateroom
Compare the layouts. Don’t choose a room based on category alone. Look at where the beds are positioned and consider how the layout will work for your family.
Think about naps and bedtime. If you’re traveling with young children, consider whether you’ll be able to move around the room without disturbing them.
Consider the bathroom configuration. A split bathroom can make a big difference when four people are sharing one stateroom.
Weigh the savings against the space. If an inside room is significantly cheaper, the savings may be worth it. Think about whether the additional space and amenities of another room category would make a meaningful difference to your family.
Who Is a Disney Wonder Inside Stateroom Best For?
An inside stateroom is a good option for families who want to keep costs down and mainly need their room for sleeping and getting ready.
If you plan to spend most of your time enjoying the ship’s activities, dining, and entertainment, you may not need a verandah.
For families with young kids who value a more convenient sleeping arrangement, additional storage, and a split bathroom, it may be worth comparing other stateroom options before booking.
🏰 CastleHoppers Verdict
For our family, the Disney Wonder inside stateroom was perfectly functional, and we appreciated the lower price point and midship location.
However, having experienced both an inside stateroom and a verandah room, we found that the layout and bathroom configuration made a noticeable difference to our overall experience.
Would we rule out an inside stateroom in the future? No. If the price difference were significant, we’d still consider one. But if the budget allowed, we’d prefer a room with a split bathroom and a layout that better suits traveling with young kids.
Ultimately, the best stateroom comes down to your family’s priorities and how much you’re willing to spend for additional space and convenience.
🎥 Want the Full Review?
Watch our full Disney Wonder inside stateroom tour on YouTube to see Room 6581, including the sleeping arrangements, storage, bathroom, and everything we liked and disliked about the room.
We hope this helps you choose the right stateroom for your next Disney cruise!
