Glacier Viewing Day on a Disney Alaska cruise! Should you book the Glacier Explorer, or just enjoy the view from the ship?
If you’re wondering this, you’re not alone. It’s one of the first things families ask when they start planning excursions.
We booked it on our September sailing on the Disney Wonder (my husband, our two high school sons, and me). It isn’t cheap at $369 per person for ages 10 and up, and the afternoon tour sold out the moment it was released. So, was it worth it? Let me tell you!
In this post, I’ll share what the tour is like, how to book it before it sells out, what to wear (I almost lost my Mickey ears!), and whether it’s worth the price. For the whole trip, check out our complete guide to a Disney cruise to Alaska.
Quick Summary: Is the Disney Cruise Glacier Explorer Worth It?
Yes, if you want to see a huge glacier right in front of you. From the ship, you can see floating ice, but not the glacier up close.
- 💵 Price: $369 for ages 10 and up, $259 for ages 3 to 9 (Disney’s official price, and what we paid).
- ⏱️ Length: About 2.5 to 3 hours on a small boat you board straight from the ship.
- 🎟️ Booking: Our afternoon tour sold out right when it was released. Book early and keep checking the app.
- 🧤 What to Wear: A down jacket, a knit hat, gloves, and hand warmers, even on a sunny day.
Read on for how to book it, what we saw at Dawes Glacier, and what to wear (trust me, it’s colder than you think!).
Expert take by Tomo: Based on our family’s Glacier Explorer tour from the Disney Wonder in September 2026, on my 9th Disney Cruise.
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📋 Table of Contents (tap to open)
What Is the Disney Cruise Glacier Explorer?
Let’s start with the basics.
The Glacier Explorer is a Disney Port Adventure on Glacier Viewing Day. On this day, the Disney Wonder doesn’t dock. It sails into the fjords, and you transfer straight from the ship onto a small boat that gets much closer to the glacier.
Our small boat pulled right up next to the Disney Wonder, with ice floating all around, and we walked right on from the ship. The tour was run by Allen Marine, a local company. Their logo was even on our drink cups.
- Price: $369 for ages 10 and up and $259 for ages 3 to 9. This is Disney’s official price, and it’s what we paid. Prices can change, so check the latest on Disney Cruise Line’s Glacier Explorer page.
- Length: About 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Our time slot: The afternoon tour, meeting at 2:45 PM.
- Where we went: Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier. In 2026, tours were avoiding nearby Tracy Arm after a large landslide.
- Adults only option: There’s also an adults only version of this tour, but you can still buy the Glacierita on the family tour.
Good to know: on the way back, the Disney Wonder had moved a little farther from the glacier. I think it’s because ours was one of the later tours.
How to Book the Glacier Explorer (and Why It Sells Out Fast)
This tour goes fast. Like, really fast!
We wanted the afternoon tour so we wouldn’t miss the outdoor character greetings in the morning. That time slot sold out right when it was released.
My tip: book the moment excursions open for your sailing. And if it’s sold out, don’t give up! You never know when a spot will open up, so keep checking the Disney Cruise Line app.
Dawes Glacier Up Close: What We Saw
I still can’t quite put it into words.
The glacier was huge and so, so blue, right in front of us. I just kept staring at it, trying to burn the view into my memory. It was so worth it.
We got lucky with the weather, too. It was sunny in the morning and a little cloudy in the afternoon, but no rain, so we had beautiful views the whole time.
And the best part? Seeing it with our sons. Learning up close that glaciers are slowly disappearing got all of us thinking about the environment.
Along the way, we also passed the pretty Wedding Cake Waterfall.
The View You Can’t Get From the Ship
You might be wondering, “Can’t I just see the glacier from the ship?”
From the Disney Wonder, you can see ice floating in the water. But you can’t see the glacier up close like this. If you want to see a big glacier right in front of you, this tour is for you!
And here’s a view you only get from the small boat: our Disney Wonder, surrounded by icebergs.
Bring a camera if you have one. Between the glacier, the icebergs, and the ship, you’ll be snapping pictures nonstop!
Food, Drinks, and the Glacierita
Yes, there are snacks! On our tour, they served donuts, salmon, and crackers with dip. There’s also a small counter on the boat selling snacks, water, hot cocoa, and drinks.
And the star of the show? The Glacierita! It’s an emerald green margarita with real glacier ice. There’s an adults only version of this tour, but you can still buy a Glacierita on the family tour.
For the kids, there’s a fun blue cider, so everyone can toast to the glacier!
What to Wear on the Glacier Explorer
Even in early September, with the sun out, it was cold! The wind on the small boat is no joke, especially out on the deck. Here’s what worked for our family.
1. Wear a knit hat, not Mickey ears
I started out in my Mickey ears, and they almost flew right off in the wind! So I took them off. A knit hat stays put and keeps you cozy.
2. Bring your warmest jacket
I wore a thick jacket, and my husband and sons wore down jackets. All four of us wore knit hats. I put together a list of the jackets and cold weather gear we actually wore on ShopMy.
3. Pack gloves and hand warmers
Down, a knit hat, and gloves were just right. And I was so glad we brought hand warmers!
4. Bring a camera, and hold on to your phone
A camera is a must. Just hold on tight to your phone when the boat speeds up!
5. Pack seasickness medicine if you need it
If anyone in your family gets seasick, bring Dramamine. My seasickness tips for Disney Cruises cover what helps.
🧊 Before You Go: Glacier Explorer Checklist
- Passport and room key: Everyone needs both, kids included.
- Snacks: Only sealed snacks. No meat, no opened snacks, and no fruit.
- Water bottles: No disposable plastic water bottles.
- Layers: Dress warmer than you think. The wind on the boat is strong.
Our Honest Take: Is It Worth It?
Yes! But to be honest, it isn’t cheap, and it wasn’t always comfortable.
At one point, it got so cold that I escaped inside to warm up. Once I sat down, I didn’t want to get up again. Lol
Still, seeing that glacier together as a family was totally worth it. We were lucky it didn’t rain, but I’d happily go again even in the rain. It was that beautiful.
If the price is holding you back, I share how we lowered our cruise fare in my guide to saving on a Disney Cruise with a GTY stateroom.
Disney Cruise Glacier Explorer FAQ
Is the Disney Cruise Glacier Explorer worth the price?
For our family, absolutely. We paid Disney’s official price: $369 for ages 10 and up and $259 for ages 3 to 9. It was cold, but we’d do it again in a heartbeat.
How do you book the Glacier Explorer before it sells out?
Book as soon as excursions open for your sailing. Our afternoon tour sold out right when it was released. If it’s sold out, keep checking the Disney Cruise Line app.
What should I wear on the Glacier Explorer?
Dress for cold and wind, even if it’s sunny. A down jacket, a knit hat, and gloves were just right for us, and hand warmers helped a lot. Leave the Mickey ears in your stateroom.
Can’t you just see the glacier from the ship?
You can see floating ice from the ship, but not the glacier up close. If you want a big glacier right in front of you, take the small boat.
Got Questions?
Planning your own Glacier Viewing Day? I’d love to help! Leave your questions in the comments below, and I’ll answer them there. For more from our Alaska cruise, follow along on Instagram @tomo.travel.camping, and save this post for your planning!
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