Another success by Disney is their first river cruising season, which is half over at this time.The Ama Viola is only offered by Disney from June through August, but may be extended in 2017 into May and September. With this seven-day Danube sailing from Vilshofen, Germany to Budapest, Disney is looking forward to expanding to a second river cruise on the Rhine next summer.

The Ama Viola was built with family-friendly design details, including connecting staterooms and suites suitable for three and four member families, something not found on most river cruise ships.

Planned family friendly experiences include movie nights and dance parties for kids. Disney Cruise Line fans will recognize the pirate party with face painting.

Kid-friendly excursions include a walking tour of Bratislava, Slovakia, where kids can complete a puzzle of landmarks; a salt mine tour in Salzburg, Austria, with train rides and wooden slides going into the mines; an Austrian park where kids can walk above the treetops on wooden ledges; and a marionette show offering children a chance to go backstage and try manipulating the dolls themselves.

Parents will appreciate touches such as the tour of Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, where Adventure Guides take the kids through garden mazes and to a children's museum nearby, giving adults a chance to explore on their own.

Launching this first of a kind product for Disney has been a learning experience and the program is constantly being tweaked. The minimum age for river cruising with Disney next year is being raised from 4 to 6, but Disney still recommends 8. The line also adjusted its dining options. Kids can now choose to eat in the lounge, supervised by Adventure Guides who hang out and play games, giving parents a chance to eat alone. Teens may eat together in the wine cellar. The main dining room does have a kids menu for when families wish to dine together.

Disney also learned with its bicycling excursions to increase the minimum age from 12 to 14 with the challenging rough roads and non-English street signs.

With Disney's expansion to two rivers next year, the Ama Kristina will sail the Rhine with 170 passengers.

They will also focus on the adult only market with perhaps a wine cruise to tie into the Epcot wine and food festival.

At this time, cruise fares include daily shore excursions, WiFi, gratuities, all onboard and some off-ship meals; unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks with every lunch and dinner  and onboard entertainment including classes for the kids.Basic cruise prices start at 44719 for adults and $4489 for children. A three-day Prague extension package is also available.