Tell me why I should (or should NOT) change my WDW trip to a land/sea trip!!!!

[DrRae2B]

OK I'll make a loooong story short:

We currently have a WDW trip (our first one as a family) planned: May 9-16th, in Port Orleans Riverside, MYW with Deluxe Dining, 4 day park tix. Those going on this trip are: Me(28), DH(30), DD(4), and Dsis(14).

We crunched some numbers and figured out that, for an additional $300, we can replace those last 3 days of our trip with a 3 day Disney cruise on the Wonder (sailing on May 13). This would be our first cruise (I went to the Bahamas waaaay back when I was 15, on a cheap little day cruise and have ALWAYS wanted to go back, but have never had the chance).

I originally posted this question on the Family board, but I figured I'd put it here so I can get some more opinions and get a better idea of the pros/cons of both options.

So, to all you DCL experts: tell me why I should (or should NOT) morph my 8 day WDW trip into a 7 day land/sea one??

I'm all ears (heh heh....).

 

[disney 2010]

This will give you a little taste of each and cruising is great
It doesn't give you much time in WDW. It depends how much you were hoping to see/do there.
We did 10 days in WDW and a 4 day criuse this year ( both were 1sts for my kids) and it's the cruise talk the most about when we can do it again.

 

[DrRae2B]

Thank you for the quick reply!

Anyone else?

 

[kcashner]

3 nights on the Wonder is really not enough. That is a 2 1/2 day trip by the time you are on...thru the safety drill, etc. You'll lose that most of that day with transportation, etc. Can you do the 4 night sailing instead? It's really MUCH nicer with a sea day, etc.

Personally, I'd give up deluxe dining (and go to regular Disney Dining Plan) in order to have more ship time!

 

[aurorafan65]

do it! our first try on DCL was the Land & Sea - our kids were 4 & 6 at the time, I thought it was a nice balance because they really didn't/couldn't stay at parks all day. I thought the short trip on the ship was good because personally I was worried because I get very motion sick so I thought a short try was better than longer. It is short but its so much fun! BTW - didn't have any motion problems

 

[jlwhitney]

I agree with others do the 4 day if you are going to do a cruise since the day at sea is a must to really find out what a cruise is all about.

since the 9th is a sunday you would do the cruise first and then head to disney on 13th...you will be off the ship by 9 ish and to disney no later than 11 am so you would have most of the day there.

Good thing about may at that time is you are not in peak season for crowds. I was there that time last may and crowds are doable.

Ways to swing the cost (maybe even be able to give you an extra day if you can) would be to defiantly drop to the regular dining plan. 1 table service, 1 snack and 1 quick service is really a lot of food. Snack can be a bagel so there is breakfast. Get the refillable mugs at the resort (12 bucks each)...have all the soda, coffee , tea you will ever need from then on. If you add a day to your trip don't get the park hopper and do a park a day.

If you have a car run into town and grab snacks....you can take food into the park (hey now you have extra snacks) or pack some fruit snacks or things like them in your suit cases/ carry ons.

Need more tips let me know.

I do not think you would regret the 4 day cruise...if you love you would regret you only did a 3. And the best part is if the cruise is not what you had hoped for then you have the parks to end the trip on a very positive not.

Key to remember: you can't do everything in either place in a week or so, so don't plan on it and do your homework and know what you must do and what you can miss.

Hope this helps!

 

[tjbaggott]

I suggest what previous posters have said about dropping to the regular dining plan. We did the regular dining plan this past fall and even then it was difficult to get to those sit down meals (they took time away from the parks, and we never seemed to be able to properly organize our time around those meals). So to have the deluxe dining plan, I couldn't imagine, and you only have 4 days in the parks. If you can swing the 4 day cruise, I'd go for that rather than the 3 day (3 days is just NOT enough), but if you can't, I'd definately throw in the cruise anyway, 3 is better than nothing.
We did a 4 day WDW and 4 Night cruise for our very first trip 4 years ago, and it really did feel like a WHIRLWIND TRIP! Magical though, and left us all saying we HAD TO DO IT AGAIN!

 

[DrRae2B]

Haha. We won't be doing 3 meals a day, most days -- several of them are 2 credit meals (which is the reason we decided with the DxDDP).

With that said, though, do you think 4 days in the parks are enough? We don't 'need' to do everything (not even the parades), we just want to ride a little and see the more important things. (As a matter of fact, Animal Kingdom is a park that we could really care less about-- I just want to ride EE and Kali, and possibly see a few animals and do the Bugs Life show).

See, I guess we really don't know what to expect... we've been to WDW before, but like I mentioned in another post, our experience was VERY "watered down" (two days TOPS in the parks, and fast food the whole time!). My current plan for the 7 night trip only has 4 day tix because I figured one day per park would be enough for us. (We were actually going to do a day offsite at IoA or SeaWorld). Our current plan:

5-9 Check in POR, chill at resort
6:45pm- Dinner @ Ohana

5-10 Magic Kingdom Day
8:20 AM- B @ Crystal Palace
11:45 BBB for DD4
12:50 Lunch @ CRT
6:45 pm Dinner @ Tony's

5-11 Animal Kingdom Day
8:20 am- Bk @ Tusker House (SERIOUSLY considering cancelling this!)
12:30 pm- Lunch @ Yak and Yeti
6:45 pm- Dinner @ Jiko

5-12 DHS Day
11:45 am- Lunch @ 50's Prime Time
4:30 pm- Dinner @ Hollywood Brown Derby (Fantasmic dining package)

5-13 Open day
8:00 pm- Dinner show- Aloha Polynesian Luau

5-14 Epcot Day
12:00 noon- Lunch @ Teppan Edo
6:45pm- Dinner @ Coral Reef

5-15 Open Day (DTD??)
12:00 noon- Lunch @ Planet Hollywood
7:10 pm- Dinner @ Yachtsman Steakhouse

5-16 Check out day
8:15 am- Breakfast @ O'hana

So... there is the current plan. If I decided to cancel 3 days, I would obviously rearrange the park days and cancel a few meals (keeping the ones in the parks, obviously), and just plug the cruise in leaving on Thursday.

This may very well be our only vacation for a looong time (as in, YEARS), because I'm in the process of finishing up my biology degree and will be applying to medical school soon. If I get in, I seriously doubt we'd be able to vacation during those 4 years of hell, so I guess I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself to get the most out of it NOW (I know, I know... bad idea). Plus, adding days onto the plan are NOT an option because DH is at the mercy of his employer, who forbids any store managers from taking longer than 1 week of vacation at any time.

I'm so sorry if I seem clueless, but I AM!!, and that's why I'm so desperate for people [who know what they are talking about] to input their suggestions (but please, be nice to me!).

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. If anyone else has had experience with the 7 day land/sea trip (especially as a first experience),I would love to hear your accounts of how it went (especially with young kids). Thank you!!!!

 

[AngolaHeartsDisney]

My first land and sea was on my honeymoon.. and we have never turned back! It has been 7 years now and had done this land and sea for years. The problem is that 3 and 4 days on the cruise are not enough and now we have been doing 3-4 days at the park and the 7 day cruise!! My daughter is now 3 and we have been taking her since she was an infant... this is disney full circle..

My best advice- do the quick dining plan
4 days in the park- hit the highlights- no schedule
3 day cruise


PS- We have gone during this time of the year... the lines are so short you can make a lot of head way...

 

[LMCmom25kids]

My first land and sea was on my honeymoon.. and we have never turned back! It has been 7 years now and had done this land and sea for years. The problem is that 3 and 4 days on the cruise are not enough and now we have been doing 3-4 days at the park and the 7 day cruise!! My daughter is now 3 and we have been taking her since she was an infant... this is disney full circle..

My best advice- do the quick dining plan
4 days in the park- hit the highlights- no schedule
3 day cruise


PS- We have gone during this time of the year... the lines are so short you can make a lot of head way...

My advice really only pertains to your dining plan. We have been to WDW several times over the years. We have 5 kids and the dining plan really is a good value. We always do the regular dining plan. We are on vacation and enjoy getting one sit down meal per day. It may not be important to some, but think about it...... your day is quite full of activities.... rides, shows, walking, walking and more walking. We don't get it why some people are ok with basically eating fast food style meals all day, every day of their vacation. No big deal... it's just not for us. So.... I would say, do the regular dining (not the quick service) also, the deluxe is quite a lot of food. I have heard from others, it's just not worth it. Just weigh things out the best you can. I know that you mentioned that some of your meals took two dining credits. Oh, I also read on the boards that it is less costly to put together your own land and sea pkg rather than having it put together through Disney. Keep reading the boards and you'll be fine. Have a great time!

I goofed.... didn't mean to quote "Angolahearts disney".... ( sorry )

 

[DrRae2B]

... I am thisclose to booking. Seriously. AND.... I'm getting excited!

GIVE ME MORE!! I need specifics!- link me to trip reports, pics, whatever! Lol.







BTW- if anyone thinks this is a stupid idea, dont be afraid to tell me so. My husband told me I'm being ridiculous for wanting to "change everything around" this close to our travel dates. Is he right?

 

[LMCmom25kids]

When you first click on "DCL Forum" you should see near the top... DCL Trip Reports. Go there!

 

[jewelmicky]

Another vote for the switch.

Our 1st two trips where land/sea.....now our next one planned is the 14 night Transatlantic!

For us.....4 days is really enough in the parks....a 3 day cruise is NOT really "enough".....so I would suggest taking advantgage of the discount to rebook on board for the future cruise you will want to take after a taste of the 3 day.

 

[disney 2010]

WOW that's a lot of eating We did the DDP in Jan myself DH DS 13 and DD 9. We found one sit down meal a day really controlled our schedule I can't imagine doing it 3 times in one day. Most meals were huge! By the end of our 10 days we would do a hearty quick serve breakfast have our snack in the afternoon and 5:30-6pm sit down dinner. Worked great and was PLENTY of food

$$ could be saved on your meals for sure! DO the cruise It really was an incredible 1st time experience.

 

[cissy]

Is Dsis 14 a fourteen year old or a fourteen month old??? It makes a HUGE difference in how you will vacation.

 

[ldo]

Having been to WDW many time and cruise everything from 2 day cheaposto the Bahamas in college and when 1st married to 7+ nights, I saw go for it---for only $300 more, you'll have a ball. The cruise is a totally different experience. I agree 3 days is really just 2 1/2 days and a 4 day is better---but if the 3 days works for you--go for it--I suggest that you skip getting off the ship at Nassau (not much to see, unless you go to Atlantis--and many on our ship last year were disappointed by the crowds) and just stay and enjoy the ship that day--you'll save $ by not getting excursions and you won't feel rushed and you'll get to do more as most will be off the ship--this is our plan next year on our 4 day on the Dream--we want 2 ship days. I would also consider dumping DXDDP, and I would dump the luau. You'll get plenty of island flavor on the cruise and you get SOOO much food on the cruise, I think after DXDDP, you'll not enjoy the cruise food nearly as much. We are big foodies and even we would be overwhelmed by all those TS meals--if you do a big lunch like CRT--skip TS breakfast and dinner, if you do a TS dinner, you don't want a TS lunch, unless it's a lighter one. You could easily knock out a few TS meals have a decent CS instead--Epcot has tons of great places to eat CS, and the AK grill place is very good, as well. Plus, you will be spending so much time on TS meals, that you will miss a lot of the parks--one TS meal a day is perfect, esp. while in the parks. Have fun and good luck with med school (DH is a vet). Elaine

 

[DrRae2B]

Is Dsis 14 a fourteen year old or a fourteen month old??? It makes a HUGE difference in how you will vacation.

Haha!! Sorry... 14 YEARS. As in, hardcore TEEN. As in, purple-streaked hair, "lemme sleep till afternoon" teen.

When we were originally researching ideas for this vacation, we had decided on the cruise. Waaay back in August. Well, you know how plans evolve and such, and ours was no different. That's how we ended up with our current 7 night plan. Well.... now we've come full circle and now think we'd like to go back to that original land/sea plan.


... OH and btw, I know it's a LOT of food. And I know I'm insane for doing it. I know! But you guys just don't get it.... I've NEVER (as in, EVER!) had food at Disney World.... I would hate myself if I didn't do all those. I'd feel like I missed out. And like I said, it's not like I can just say, "Oh well... we'll do it next year," cause there likely won't BE a 'next year' trip for us (next year might be my first year of medical school!)....
... (Is it REALLY way too much, or is it just *possibly* too much??....).


.... I suck at this planning thing.... groan.

 

[disney 2010]

I totally get what your saying our WDW trip was a once in a lifetime ( or very long time) trip as well. My concern is you have planed 3-5 hours of dinning on your MK day...... You may miss a whole lot of MK because you made your meals a priority. WDW dining is alright but you will get way better meals on your cruise and have way more time to enjoy them.
Enjoy your trip no matter what you choose to do you'll have a great time
Disney is truly the happiest place on earth.

 

[ldo]

and it's A LOT of time---each TS meal takes a good 2 hours--you check in, might have to wait 15 minutes (or longer) for your table, and then there is the meal. Portions are large. You will spend most of your time in restuarants and although they are fun and good food, you'll miss SOOOO much at the parks, esp. if you are going on the 3 day cruise--trust me, a TS lunch OR dinner each day is fine. For ex., on your MK day, you will take at least 1.5 hours to eat at CP, then you have very limited time until you have to get to BBB, and then straight to CRT for at least 2 hours---so you really only have from 3-6:30 for MK, and a little after 8 PM, as dinner would last until at least 8 PM----I would rather eat a CS breakfast at the hotel, or use a couple snack credits and get a muffin and coffee in MK and get some rides done before BBB (9-11:30 is one ride Dumbo, 1 SMall world, 1 peter pan, and maybe 1 other), then have my big lunch at CRT and have from 3-close to enjoy the rest of MK. There are a lot of decent CS meals that are not burgers and fries--if you still want DXDDP for those 4 days, then go for it---you can always cancel most TS restuarants at any other TS place, even in different parks--except CRT--which used to be 24 cancel (and of course you'll keep that one).
HAve fun, Elaine

 

[Blanche_Neige]

and it's A LOT of time---each TS meal takes a good 2 hours--you check in, might have to wait 15 minutes (or longer) for your table, and then there is the meal. Portions are large. You will spend most of your time in restuarants and although they are fun and good food, you'll miss SOOOO much at the parks, esp. if you are going on the 3 day cruise--trust me, a TS lunch OR dinner each day is fine. For ex., on your MK day, you will take at least 1.5 hours to eat at CP, then you have very limited time until you have to get to BBB, and then straight to CRT for at least 2 hours---so you really only have from 3-6:30 for MK, and a little after 8 PM, as dinner would last until at least 8 PM----I would rather eat a CS breakfast at the hotel, or use a couple snack credits and get a muffin and coffee in MK and get some rides done before BBB (9-11:30 is one ride Dumbo, 1 SMall world, 1 peter pan, and maybe 1 other), then have my big lunch at CRT and have from 3-close to enjoy the rest of MK. There are a lot of decent CS meals that are not burgers and fries--if you still want DXDDP for those 4 days, then go for it---you can always cancel most TS restuarants at any other TS place, even in different parks--except CRT--which used to be 24 cancel (and of course you'll keep that one).
HAve fun, Elaine

I agree, I was stuff just reading the itinarary

I would also dump the deluxe dining plan. basic dining is plenty for us (1 TS, 1 CS & 1 snack)...

We are also thinking of doing a land and see next year on the wonder