2nights or 5 nights

[Kel82]

We are planning a big Disney trip for sept 2017 2 adults and 2 children (5 and 7). We are going to disneyland, Legoland, the Safari park and possibly Sea world. My original itinerary had us having 7 days allocated for Disneyland and California Adventure Park. At the end of the trip we had 3 nights spare we were just going to go to one of the near by beaches. That was until I discovered a 2 night disney cruise leaving san diego that would fit in perfectly. However then I was worried that 2 nights just wouldn't do a disney cruise justice and was it pointless? I looked a bit more and found a 5 night cruise which would give us a lot more time on the ship and make it a little more worthwhile unfortunately this is a very popular cruise and the only room we could get would be a verandah room which pushes the budget way out, while still affordable it definitely makes the holiday more then originally planned also the only dining option we could get is the second sitting and that does worry me with 2 small children. Doing the 5 day cruise also stuffs up my original itinerary but I can work around it. It just means only having 5 days at both disney parks and possibly having to do Legoland and the Safari park on the weekend.

Ok so after all that information is the 2 night cruise really not enough time? is the 5 night cruise definitely a better option?

 

[ImDMous]

I always say longer is better for cruises. Our first was a 3 night and our last was 15 so you can see the way we're going.

I would say the MAX you need at DL is 4. In that time you should be able to see everything once and anything you want to twice or more.

If you can afford the 5, do it! I don't think the second dining will be a problem. They have dine and play for second seating where kid's club CMs come to the front of each restaurant about half way through the meal and take the kids to club if they want to go so they don't have to sit through a long dinner and you get some time to relax. The kid's food is brought so they are finished by then.

 

[MPS516]

A 2 night cruise is basically 1 day. Your embarkation day is pretty well shot until after the salty drill, then you are getting ready for the show. We have never had a problem with late dinner since you can snack all day (pizza, chicken fingers, burgers, salads, wraps, ice cream, . . .) and DDs would do dine and play. Servers got kids fed right away and the counselors came and got everyone about 1/2 way through.

We would definitely do the 5 day cruise and adjust our DL time.

 

[bbel]

The two day cruises were the craziest cruises I've ever seen.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Do the verandah room with the five day cruise and cut your park days to 3.

P.S. You shouldn't have much trouble switching your dining to the earlier time, just call back and ask, may take a phone call or two. If you don't get it by the time you're ready to cruise, go to guest services and ask, they'll do their best to accommodate you.

 

[mmouse37]

I say go for the 5 days on the cruise...you won't regret it. You only 2 days tops to see both parks (2 days each park). That should be plenty of time there.

We always did 2nd seating and it was never a problem but you can be put on a waiting list once you book and you have a very good chance of it being fulfilled by the time the cruise comes around.

You can also now book the verandah cabin and keep looking for an ocean view or inside cabin to open up. You could then downgrade your cabin and get a refund (before your PIF "paid in full" date). Between now and your cruise I would be surprised if a different cabin category did not pop up.

MJ

 

[Shanti]

The only dining option we could get is the second sitting and that does worry me with 2 small children.

Even if you can't initially book main dining, you can ask to be placed on the wait list, and if you do, your chances of being switched to main dining by the cruise (& you can request again onboard, if necessary) are good.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I would go with the 5 day and cut back one day at Disneyland, and eliminate legoland.

 

[Kel82]

Eliminating Legoland doesn't help it will be done after the cruise (5 night cruise will be in the middle of the trip where as 2 night one was at the end) plus my 7 year old would never forgive me. Thanks though everyone you have defiantly helped me make up my mind on what I want to do

 

[GatorMomInNC]

5 and 7 is perfect age for Disney Cruise, your kids will love it! Plus 5 day cruise will be so relaxing for you after running a around Disneyland. Sounds like a fantastic vacation--I'm jealous!

 

[mevelandry]

We are planning a big Disney trip for sept 2017 2 adults and 2 children (5 and 7). We are going to disneyland, Legoland, the Safari park and possibly Sea world. My original itinerary had us having 7 days allocated for Disneyland and California Adventure Park. At the end of the trip we had 3 nights spare we were just going to go to one of the near by beaches. That was until I discovered a 2 night disney cruise leaving san diego that would fit in perfectly. However then I was worried that 2 nights just wouldn't do a disney cruise justice and was it pointless? I looked a bit more and found a 5 night cruise which would give us a lot more time on the ship and make it a little more worthwhile unfortunately this is a very popular cruise and the only room we could get would be a verandah room which pushes the budget way out, while still affordable it definitely makes the holiday more then originally planned also the only dining option we could get is the second sitting and that does worry me with 2 small children. Doing the 5 day cruise also stuffs up my original itinerary but I can work around it. It just means only having 5 days at both disney parks and possibly having to do Legoland and the Safari park on the weekend.

Ok so after all that information is the 2 night cruise really not enough time? is the 5 night cruise definitely a better option?

5 nights with verandah = perfection.

3 nights go by so fast, I think 2 nights might leave you hungry for more.

Second seating is not that bad and I think you can put yourself on a list if there's cancellation. + don't forget there's a buffet and counters that are open during that time.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

3 nights go by so fast, I think 2 nights might leave you hungry for more.

Is that an option? Do the land trip you had originally planned, do the 2 night cruise, as kind of a preview, and then book a longer cruise while on board get the 10% discount? That way, you can have the full land trip, the 2 night cruise and another cruise (5 or 7 days long) later.

Sorry. I don't mean to be spending your money. Just giving you wonderful options!

 

[mevelandry]

Is that an option? Do the land trip you had originally planned, do the 2 night cruise, as kind of a preview, and then book a longer cruise while on board get the 10% discount? That way, you can have the full land trip, the 2 night cruise and another cruise (5 or 7 days) later.

That's not a bad idea.

 

[Jess_S]

I vote for the 5 nights with the extra 3 days coming from your Disneyland time. I love Disneyland. I lived in Southern California for 10 years and we went there at least once a year. But I think you can fully enjoy and appreciate both DL and California Adventure in 4 days.

(As a note, I had much better luck with a rope drop strategy at Disneyland than Disney World. You can still get on tons of rides at DL with minimal wait if you are willing to get there as soon as the parks open, which is easy if you are staying on site since the hotels are walking distance. At WDW, I found that by 9:30 on a 9 am rope drop day, waits were already starting to get long).

 

[mamilovesdisney]

I was on the first 2 day out of San Diego and I seriously was left feeling like I blinked and it was over. Having said that, if my choice is between no days and just 2 then I pick the 2 Anything upwards is a no brainer. I did my 2 days followed by 3 at Disneyland and it was truly one of my best Disney trips ever!!!!!

 

[dclpluto]

2 night cruise is way way way way too short. A 5 night cruise is also way short. But of course a lot better than a 2 night.

 

[Kel82]

Is that an option? Do the land trip you had originally planned, do the 2 night cruise, as kind of a preview, and then book a longer cruise while on board get the 10% discount? That way, you can have the full land trip, the 2 night cruise and another cruise (5 or 7 days long) later.

Sorry. I don't mean to be spending your money. Just giving you wonderful options!

lol I love this option however we are from Australia and I can't see us doing this trip at least for another 5 years and given that we don't know what will happen in the future I feel it is better to experience it now then risk missing out plus the kids will be 5 years old and while I am sure a 10 year old would still love it I am not sure how a 12 year old boy would feel about it.

 

[surran12]

If it may be years before getting back over to do a cruise I would highly encourage the 5 day cruise. It is such a relaxing a fun experience. Both my children DD5 and DS9 love both the park and cruise but have a strong preference for the cruise and if you're still getting 3 days or so at the parks before hand I think it'll be the perfect option for you all. Whatever you decide have fun planning

 

[Kel82]

thanks again I have now booked the 5 night cruise and I feel happy with that. We now have 5 days at disneyland and 5 nights on the disney wonder I think we should definitely have our fix of disney after that.

quick question is there any point doing character dining at the park if we are going on the cruise? is character dining included or extra on the cruise?

Also are best best of doing Bibbidi Bobbidi boo on the boat or at the park?

 

[Cackyschmackers]

@Kel82 Great decision! ! You will NOT regret it! ! Happy sailing!