??? 15th Anaversary, w/3 kids under 10, MIL, DW and I, 7day-DCL or LasVegas, or ?

[ejigs]

Planning to celebrate our 15th anniversary mid august 2003.

DCL – would have to be a verandah room!
+Romantic
+Relaxing
+Exotic islands
+Activities for the kids.
-$$

Las Vegas – nice room but view won’t matter.
+Shows (but could be $$)
+Grand Canyon
+Hoover Dam
+$$
- not much for the kids ???

We’ve been to WDW 3 times in the last 4 years so we are ok with the cruise only option. We (the DW and I) have been to Las Vegas so no preconceptions there.

Questions:

- Is there a verandah room on DCL that will sleep6 (3 adults, 3 children)? I know at some of the Disney resorts there are room occupancy limits but you can sneak an additional body or two in…..not that I would do that….but I’ve heard tell.

- $ wise are we talking 2 or 3 times as much for DCL?

- DCL is “all inclusive (meals)” so are the two trips comparable?

I’m biased towards DCL. DW is looking at the $$.

Other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[kramer_clan]

Having been to Vegas and done several 4 night cruises and one 3 night cruise, I would definitely opt for DCL!!!

We would love to take our kids to Las Vegas since we were married there in 1996, but we have decided to wait until they are older. The youngest is now 13. There is really nothing for the kids to do until they can be on their own.

While it is true that the cruise would be more money, I think that everyone in your family would benefit from the experience. You could even think about re-newing your vows onboard.

Vicki

 

[wovenwonder]

You would have to book two staterooms --- but that would work out to your advantage! You and DW in a nice verandah room and MIL and 3 kids in a connecting room OR an inside room across the hall.

Only the high category suites sleep 6 -- and that would be pricey.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

My vote is for DCL for anniversary! We were celebrating our 15th on our first cruise (3 day) in 1998 when DCL was very new and didn't know what to expect. Our servers picked up on a conversation about a gift DH bought me at WDW for our anniv. Made it quite special.

They must have logged something too because when we booked our next cruise the CM asked if we'd like to commerate our 20th anniversary. We did book the trip for this purpose but hadn't said anything! Talk about customer service software!

Anyway, go for the cruise, book the verandah and enjoy! You didn't mention age of kids but I'd vote for across the hall!

 

[Mjasp]

We just celebrated our 25th anniversary on the May 11th cruise and with small kids (mine are 6 and 11) It is the best of 2 worlds.
Romance and privacy for you 2 if you want it and plenty of family time if you want it. I say go for the cruise. Been to Las Vegas also and the kids will IMO be bored after the first day or two.

Let us know what you decide

Joanna

 

[Minnee]

Mid-August is HOTTTT in Las Vegas!!! I live here!! We head for the beach then! Come to Las Vegas in the winter, not when it's 115. It seems like all the major hotels don't have as much for children, as they did a few years ago. MGM had a theme park, it's now closed.
IMO.... do DCL. Everyone will have a great time!
Have a great anniversary where ever you spend it!

 

[DisneySlave]

The Hoover Dam is a Dam,they dont have tours since 9/11 which is the only reason to go. The Grand Canyon is the jewel of AZ besides Curt Shilling,but in Aug it is the busiest time for the park with families on vacation(I go in Oct when the temp is 75 and no one there) Vegas is cheap food,cheap rooms but they get you in the casinos and the shows(avg show is $45-$65) Go DCL!!!

P.S. nice picture,SpongeBob Rules!

 

[MrsG]

We just celebrated our 25th on the Western (kids were left at home) and if you are looking for time to yourselves, DCL hands down. We hardly saw any children around, they were busy in their clubs, and most of the parents we met said their children would rather be in the clubs than with them. (I'm sure this was no reflection on them as parents but it was a reflection on how great DCL is for kids).

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by DisneySlave

The Hoover Dam is a Dam,they dont have tours since 9/11 which is the only reason to go.

I was surprised to hear this... Hoover Dam attracts a <i><b>lot</b></i> of visitors. So I went to the Hoover Dam web site. It appears they've created a new tour that meets the newly tightened security requirements. It's called the Discovery Tour (<i>click <a href="http://www.hooverdam.usbr.gov/service/NewTour.htm"><font color=blue>here</font></a> for more information</i>).

Heads-up to anyone who plans on driving to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas... <i><b>do not take US-93 to Arizona via the Hoover Dam!!!</b></i> The roadway is only two lanes and has several steep switchbacks as it descends into Black Canyon and climbs back out on the Arizona side. Traffic backs up for miles in each direction. It's worth the extra miles to take the alternate route via Laughlin.

The Grand Canyon is the jewel of AZ besides Curt Shilling.

Hey!!! What about about the Big Unit? They're both really good.

 

[MFan]

Originally posted by ejigs
- Is there a verandah room on DCL that will sleep6 (3 adults, 3 children)? I know at some of the Disney resorts there are room occupancy limits but you can sneak an additional body or two in…..not that I would do that….but I’ve heard tell.

It will be impossible to "sneak" anyone into a cabin. Unlike land based hotels, you can't get anyone onboard unless he/she already has a paid space on the ship.

 

[DisneySlave]

Did not know about the new tour,was there last Feb and no tour and had to be escourted across the dam. On RJ,we need to give Curt his due(except for last night),We here in AZ are getting spoiled like you all in Hotlanta got with Maddux and Glavin

# 100

 

[prymsu]

If it were my choice i would opt for the cruise over Vegas any day!

 

[natsmom125]

Never been to Vegas..but dh's business manager goes all the time. He just went there and brought us back a book about Kids and Vegas. There is nothing for the kids to do while you are in
the casinos. No kids clubs or anything like that. I think only one
or two hotels have kids clubs or kids care and its like The
Baligio(spelling) and I think the MGM...can't remember.

I"d opt for DCL or something else.

Phyllis

 

[4nana]

C R U I S E

 

[Mjasp]

4nana...CUTE!!!!!!!!!

 

[hokie5cruiser]

I vote for the cruise. I immediately thought of MIL and 3kids in cat 10 across hall from you and dw in cat 6w/veranda. The cat 11 was plenty of room for our 4, while my parents had the veranda to celebrate their 41st anniversary! Happy Anniversary!

 

[rae519]

Voting for the cruise! It is worth the money because you will have both adult private time (try Palo's - the adult only restaurant, and a nice couple spa treatment) - plus depending on your children's ages, there is soooo much for them to do - they really won't want to be "bothered" with you! (Just kidding there!)

There are deals out there. Try American Express Caribbean Magic package for a good deal with onboard credit. Several travel agents including Dreams Unlimited will give rebates and you can't beat the price for what Disney gives you.

Good luck wherever you go!

Rae

 

[Minybear]

I just left Las Vegas last week. There are a few things for kids. They are trying to be more family orientated, but in my opinion not succeeding. Plus if you go out on the strip itself you will see men at the street corner handing out stuff you don't want your childen to see. Also everywhere I turned there was people selling timeshare. If you take one of their timeshare 90 minutes sessions you get some free shows.

If you go to the Luxor (which from the inside looks like the Contemporary). They have some good things for everyone regarding the pyramids.

At the Las Vegas Hilton: If you like Star Trek they have Star Trek Experience which includes merchandise from expensive to inexpensive stuff from Star Trek. They also have a Star Trek ride which you get to ride on a Star Trek Shuttle and get to go on the bridge (Star Wars ride at MGM is better). This ride cost approx $20 per person for a while day.

Caesars Palace in the Forum has the Atlantis ride which is very short $10 per person.

MGM has the Lion Habitat. I saw 2 lions. To me AK is better.

Mandialin Bay has the Shark Attack which is $15 per person. Its like going to Sea World going to their shark exhibit.

Depending on where you eat you could get a prime rib dinner or a steak dinner for $4.95 per person. This is just a gimic to get you into their hotel due to the gambling.

Your children will have more fun at DCL.

 

[mcnuss]

CRUISE!



We are going to celebrate our 10th anniversary. my 40th b-day & DH's 45th and are taking our DD8. I cannot think of anyplace better for people who love Disney. I've been to Vegas and I personally do not believe it is a healthy environment for children. And it's not just the gambling....there is a lot of "sin" in "sin city" if you know what I mean, and I for one am not up to the task of explaining some of the tawdrier aspects of life to my 8 yo!

 

[goofydadeo]

Take the cruise - the kids clubs will give you and your spouse a lot of great time together!!! That's half the reason we cruise so often - the kids have a great time and so do we!