Hei Hei Cafe Disney Treasure Review

What Makes Hei Hei Cafe a Standout Spot on Disney Treasure?

Hei Hei Cafe became our go-to hangout on board, even with kids in tow.

We visited at least twice every single day because the drinks here really were that good and the team made us feel at home.

The highlight for us had to be the pistachio lattes and the espresso martinis—my wife and I may have actually planned our afternoons around picking one up after pool time or post-dinner before a show.

Kevin at the bar deserves a special shoutout; every time we stopped in, he greeted our family with a big smile and somehow remembered our preferences by day two.

Even if you are not a huge coffee drinker, resting here for a morning treat is a must if you want a break from the busy dining spaces, or an early-morning start while the kids dash excitedly to the kids club.

How Did We Find the Rotational Dining and Kid-Friendly Meals?

I had read a bit about rotational dining before the cruise but actually experiencing it blew us away.

The Disney Treasure has three main restaurants and you get to try each one.

Every meal genuinely felt special and we never had a single bad meal the whole week—we were honestly shocked by that.

Our boys loved that the kids menu never felt like an afterthought and that dessert was always part of the adventure.

It was actually easier getting them to eat here than at home, thanks to things like Mickey-shaped pasta and surprise character themes in the decor changing each night.

If anyone in your family has food allergies or dietary restrictions, be sure to let your server know from day one; ours talked to the chef for a peanut allergy and even had Mickey waffles made special for our younger son.

Which Activities Will Keep Young Kids Smiling All Day?

Every parent wants to know—what actually keeps little ones busy and happy?

The kids clubs on Disney Treasure more than delivered.

We signed our boys up for the Oceaneer Club during embarkation and it quickly became our five-year-olds favorite place on the ship.

He was absolutely obsessed with the Marvel Super Hero Academy; we seriously could not believe when he begged us to drop him off, since hes usually glued to our side.

The Marvel area lets the kids go on missions, meet superheroes, and even design their own gear—I honestly wanted to check it out myself.

Our three-year-old preferred to stick with us but still had plenty to do with open play, crafts, and their own indoor slide.

There are different clubs for different ages from toddlers to tweens, so everyone is safely separated but all the kids get something themed just for them.

If you want some adult time, book a spot at the spa or just relax upstairs at the Cove Café (which is adults only), knowing the kids are happy and secure thanks to a check-in and wristband system.

For more ideas of what kids love, I recommend seeing what we enjoyed at our list of educational and enjoyable games for kids, many of which would fit perfectly on downtime at sea or in your stateroom.

Are the Pools and Water Attractions Worth the Hype?

Our family spent hours at the pools and splash pads every single day.

The AquaMouse water coaster is the big attraction—I saw just as many adults laughing on this as kids, and my five-year-old could not get enough.

Lines for AquaMouse were longest right after breakfast, but later in the afternoon or early evening meant much shorter waits, which made for a really fun way to wrap up pool time.

There are several pools and even the splash pads felt thoughtfully designed; smaller kids have a water playground right outside the main pool area, so you can relax in a chair while watching them.

The lifeguards were everywhere and honestly some of the best weve seen (and we do a lot of family resorts back home).

If you get a little worn out, grabbing a towel and watching the view is almost as good as swimming; my boys alternated between water play and eating endless soft serve ice cream steps away.

What Was It Like Visiting Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point?

We had planned to stop in Jamaica but due to a schedule change we ended up with double the Disney private island time, and we were so happy it worked out that way.

Castaway Cay is the classic beach day with tons of kid-friendly activities, sandy swim areas, and a huge slide right off the dock—our kids could have stayed forever.

Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point had a more Caribbean vibe with breathtaking views and a gorgeous new splash playground, and it wasnt nearly as crowded as we expected even with the ship at full capacity.

Both islands were great for families; we rented floats, checked out the playgrounds, and the island lunch barbecue was a hit with everyone (hot dogs, burgers, and fresh fruit—so simple but tasty after time in the sun).

If youre planning shore days, pack water shoes and lots of sunscreen, because kids will be in and out of the water all day, and the walkways can get hot.

How Did We Personalize Our Stateroom and Get Involved with Disney Traditions?

Decorating your stateroom door is seriously popular on Disney cruises and we had a blast making ours unique with magnets.

This turned into one of the most fun parts of the trip—strangers left Mickey-shaped trinkets and sweet little gifts for our boys, which made it feel like magic was happening every morning.

We did not bring a fish extender, which is a sort of pocket organizer you hang outside your door for organized gift exchanges, but found out about it when we saw people collecting little surprises every day.

I wish we had looked up fish extender groups on Facebook before we sailed; if youre even a little crafty or like meeting other families, this is a super fun thing to participate in.

There are tons of themed magnets available on Etsy or Amazon, or you can print your own at home—just remember to use strong magnets because the ship doors take a beating.

What First-Timer Mistakes Did We Make (and How Can You Avoid Them)?

One thing that caught us by surprise was just how seriously many families take dressing up for themed dinners and special nights.

We showed up in our usual new shirts and dresses and immediately wished we had coordinated Mickey outfits or pirate costumes like almost everyone else on Pirate Night.

A quick tip from what we learned: bring some fun accessories (pirate hats, light-up necklaces, or Disney-themed shirts) so your family feels part of the fun, especially if your kids love getting in the spirit.

Another mistake was not researching fish extenders before our cruise; joining an exchange group online before you sail is something I highly recommend to boost your family’s fun onboard.

Don’t forget to pack essentials like sunscreen, reusable water bottles, and autograph books for characters—you can save extra by bringing these from home rather than buying them onboard.

How Did We Feel About the Entertainment and Character Experiences?

The shows on Disney Treasure are worth blocking time on your schedule for; our boys sat wide-eyed through the Broadway-style performances and honestly, my wife and I loved them just as much.

Do not miss the original shows in the main theater or the deck parties—Pirate Night fireworks are hands-down a highlight, but know that if your littlest ones start to fade, you can sometimes catch a great view from your stateroom window if you are on the right side of the ship.

Meeting Peter Pan changed my five-year-old’s view of the whole cruise—he spent the next two days quoting lines and pretending to fly around the cabin (nothing makes you appreciate family travel more than your child suddenly falling in love with a new story).

Character meet-and-greets take place throughout the day, and the Navigator app will keep you posted on times and locations.

Just expect a bit of a wait for popular characters like Captain Mickey or Elsa, but the crew keeps the lines moving and the photos are 100 percent worth it.

If you want tips on making the most of Disney meet-and-greets with shy or hesitant kids, check out our advice for helping kids feel more comfortable in social settings.

Were There Any Hidden Gems for Adults While the Kids Were Busy?

One of the best surprises for us was how easy it was to enjoy some grown-up time, thanks to the kids clubs.

We took the chance to drop our boys at the Oceaneer Club and sneak away for a spa treatment and a coffee date at Hei Hei Cafe—it honestly felt like a bonus vacation within our family trip.

The Senses Spa is beautiful and almost always has availability for at least a small treatment if you book early enough, and the adult-only bars never felt crowded or noisy even on busy evenings.

If you can snag a reservation for Palo or Enchante (the upscale adult-only restaurants), do it—dining here gave us the best date night we’ve had since before having kids.

And pro tip: if your little ones get as attached to the kids club as ours did, let yourself enjoy the adult amenities guilt-free, because the cast members really do keep your kids safe and entertained.

What Practical Tips Helped Make the Cruise Smoother for Our Family?

Packing can make or break your experience, especially with young kids, so here’s what worked best for us: plenty of swimwear, comfortable walking shoes, a small first-aid kit, and those reusable water bottles mentioned earlier (hydrates the whole crew without running to drink stations nonstop).

Magnets for the stateroom door were a fun way for the boys to spot our room quickly in the long hallway, and it gave us a daily ‘treasure hunt’ feeling.

We pre-loaded the Navigator app before sailing so we could check schedules, dining times, and event reminders even without cell service at sea—it was our family’s central headquarters all week long.

Bring extra cash for tipping—while gratuities are included, the level of service from cast members deserves a little something extra, especially for those who go above and beyond (shoutout again to Kevin at Hei Hei Cafe for memorizing our order and always making us feel welcome).

If you are planning downtime in your stateroom or want quiet activity ideas for kids during sea days, having a pack of cards or a few favorite board games can be a lifesaver—our favorite picks come from our own family board game collection that works just as well at sea as at home.

How Did the Overall Atmosphere Make a Difference for Our Family?

We were amazed at how the Disney Treasure never really felt crowded, despite sailing with thousands of guests.

There was always somewhere to relax, whether at the pool, a lounge, or along the deck, and we never waited long for elevators or activities except a couple busy times at the Hero Zone obstacle course.

One of the best parts as parents was how judgment-free everything felt; kids were running, giggling, and sometimes melting down, and nobody batted an eye because everyone was in the same boat—literally.

The accepting vibe helped our normally reserved five-year-old come out of his shell, and our three-year-old made spontaneous friends with other kids at every turn.

Watching the fireworks from our port window instead of the crowded deck was one of those ‘wow, we are really doing this as a family’ moments that I’ll never forget, especially after finding out the fireworks were even made with fish food for the ocean (Disney truly thinks of it all).

Were There Any Challenges or Limitations to Be Aware Of?

Pros

• Constant access to family-friendly activities and attractions for all ages
• Rotational dining quality is consistently high, including fun themes and excellent allergy accommodations
• Outstanding staff who remember you and often feel like part of your vacation family
• Kids clubs are secure, varied, and a great way for parents to relax while kids genuinely have fun
• Ship never feels crowded, tons of spots to unwind
• Private islands provide relaxing and safe beach days with built-in shade and lifeguards
• Door decoration and fish extender traditions make every day fun for the kids

Cons

• Theme night costumes and fish extender info are not well advertised before cruising—easy to feel left out if you are a first-timer
• Specialty items (costumes, souvenirs, themed magnets) can get expensive onboard compared to buying in advance
• Packing for kids (especially swim and sun gear) takes some planning and extra luggage space
• Early mornings for popular activities like AquaMouse or Hero Zone are sometimes met with lines, but off-peak hours help
• Some reservations (adult-only restaurants, spa) fill up fast and can be tough to snag once onboard
• If your child is hesitant with new experiences, initial kids club separation might be bumpy—though the staff is great at helping ease nerves

What Did We Love Most and Would We Cruise Disney Treasure Again?

By the end of the cruise, our family had a list of things we want to do again: return for more pistachio lattes at Hei Hei Cafe, up our door decoration game, and maybe even get matching pirate outfits for Pirate Night next time.

Best of all, our boys surprised us by growing braver, making new friends, and begging to check out the kids clubs instead of just sticking with us, which meant my wife and I actually had space to take a break and reconnect too.

If you are on the fence, my honest advice is go for it; I traveled in with only moderate Disney fandom and left planning our next cruise before we even unpacked at home.

If you want some new ideas for keeping kids busy at home (or before the trip), you might want to check out our recommendations for fun group games that work for larger gatherings, which are perfect for gearing up family excitement before sailing.

What Would I Change or Prepare Differently Next Time?

Based on everything we learned, there are a few things I will absolutely do differently for our next Disney Treasure cruise to make it even smoother and more magical for everyone.

I plan on researching and joining fish extender groups online before we travel, so our family can take part in all those surprise gifts and traditions right from the start instead of learning about them halfway through the cruise.

I will shop for Disney-themed outfits and accessories ahead of time, especially for Pirate Night and rotational dining evenings, so we are better coordinated and really look the part—this will help our kids feel even more included and excited.

Another lesson is to pack more strategically for both sea days and shore excursions, building an essentials kit with things like travel-sized sunscreen, non-spill snack containers for the boys, and packs of cards or games for quiet moments in the stateroom.

Next round, we will also make sure to book adult dining and spa experiences online as soon as our reservation window opens; last-minute reservations were hard to get, and planning early gives you more flexibility to enjoy couple time while the kids play.

If your crew is into relaxing gameplay together, it helps to bring compact board games that travel well—our go-to favorites were a hit and they take up almost no space.

For long lines or quiet breaks, introducing kids to a new relaxing game or calm activity takes away a lot of stress and keeps everyone feeling engaged.

How to Make the Most of Your Money and Plan for Extras

If you are like me and want to keep costs under control, my biggest advice is to bring basics from home and budget extra for gratuities and special treats.

Sunglasses, sunscreen, costumes for the kids, autograph books, and stateroom door magnets are all so much cheaper off the ship—plan a small Amazon or Target shop before your cruise and pack it all in advance.

Have an envelope of small bills for tipping crew who go above and beyond—you will want to add a little extra when you meet folks who make your week memorable, like our friend Kevin at Hei Hei Cafe.

Room service breakfast is included in your cruise fare, which is perfect for an in-cabin pajama morning or for feeding hungry little ones before the busier main dining rooms open.

If you have kids who enjoy themed experiences or exclusive souvenirs, set aside a “fun fund” just for these attractions onboard; it keeps surprises from overwhelming your budget.

Essential Disney Treasure Tips that Made a Difference

After a week onboard with two high-energy boys, there are a few tips I wish someone had given me before we set sail, so here they are:

Always fill out your post-cruise survey with “Excellent” scores in every category—Disney expects these ratings, and anything less, even “Very Good,” can actually hurt the chances for hard-working crew members to get promotions or perks.

Pack well for sea and shore, including a change of clothes in your day bag for kids after splash pads or beach time, and do not forget something special for room decoration—magnets or a fish extender if you want to go all out.

Make sure to download the Disney Navigator app at home and log in as soon as you step onboard; this is your real-time guide to all dining, activities, and character times, and you can even message your partner or older kids when you split up on the ship.

Use off-peak times for popular activities—Hero Zone and AquaMouse are fun, but lines drop dramatically in the late afternoon or just before dinner, meaning less waiting and more playing for your family.

If there is an event or experience your child is excited for, arrive ten minutes early so you do not have to jockey for space or wait for another round.

What Lasting Memories Did Disney Treasure Create for Us as a Family?

We went in hoping for good family time, but Disney Treasure gave us way more—watching our five-year-old step out of his shell in the Marvel Super Hero Academy, late-night laughter as we decorated our stateroom door, and my wife and I actually having a date on vacation for the first time in years all turned the week into something bigger than a trip.

The best part was seeing both our boys soak up new experiences and leave the cruise asking to go again before we had even packed our bags.

Even just sitting together watching fireworks from our porthole window made for one of those memory-core parenting moments.

Everything from the little surprise gifts on our door to the staff remembering our favorite drinks to the friendly vibe around the pools meant every day was filled with magic in a real and low-stress way.

If your family is looking for adventure with built-in fun for kids and some much-needed downtime for parents, I cannot recommend Disney Treasure enough for your next vacation.