3 day v. 4 day (besides the obvious)

[InstImpres]

We are thinking of doing the cruise with one of our next 2 trips to Disney. Besides having a whole day at sea can anyone give me some pros to things that are specific to one cruise or the other (for instance, my DD is a character lover, is there an extra character party or something on the longer cruise)

Hope this makes sense
Thanks in advance
Sandy

 

[smchan]

The pro of the 3 day is minimal vacation time required since the cruise leaves on a Thursday and returns on a Sunday, though if it's back to back with a Disney trip, that probably doesn't matter.

In my opinion, the cruise is a better value that WDW, and I enjoy it better, so I'd be inclined to spend more time on the cruise and less at Disney. JMHO, of course.

Sam

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by smchan

In my opinion, the cruise is a better value that WDW,
Sam

Sam -

What type of things let you to this conclusion? Though I consider myself WDW Savey, I am WD Cruise ignorant.

Thanks again

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by InstImpres
What type of things led you to this conclusion? Though I consider myself WDW Savey, I am WD Cruise ignorant.

Honestly, it's probably more my perception than anything. If you were to compare the current "kid's stay free" package at WDW and a good food budget to a DCL discounted cat. 11 room for a family of 4, it's probably a wash.

Whenever I go to WDW, I feel like there's a vacuum cleaner attached to my wallet; particularly in the restaurants! Without a package deal, my typical WDW costs are roughly $190 per day for tickets (family of 4, 5 day park hopper), $150-$200 for food (eating food that's comparable to DCL anyway), and $100 per night for lodging. The total cost works out, more or less, to be the same as a cruise on Disney.

The difference is that I like paying the upfront cost of the cruise, I know my food is included, and the only additional cost I have to incur are the tips. I guess it's a psychological advantage for me and my family knowing most expenses are paid upfront as it's really difficult for me to enforce one at WDW without ruining the trip for my family. My wife hates it when I saw "we've spent our food money for the day, we have to go offsite and eat fast food" or "your souvenir budget is already gone." (Yes, I married a virtual princess.)

Otherwise, it's difficult to compare objectively. WDW is different. More activities and more to see but less initimate and more "demanding" or tiring on me. (I'd much rather spend a day swimming at CC than hoofing it around Epcot - but that's just me.)

The reality for my family is that my wife and kids love WDW, I'm outnumbered, and I'm probably going to end up buying a DVC membership for them. They deserve it. As long as I get a relaxing cruise here and there, I'm happy.

Sam

 

[ohiominnie]

Sam, I sent you a PM


Sandy,
BOTH are great! We recently (May) went on a 4 day. It didn't seem long enough. We swore we'd NEVER ever ever do a 3 day. In fact, my 9 yr old dd said "it'd be a waste of my time."

That said, we went on a 3 day in September!! And it was all about the amount of vacation time my dh could take. He could sneak a Thursday/Friday off better than a Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday vacation. It turned out to be a BLAST!!! After all, 3 days on the ship was 1000% better than 3 days at home in grey cloudy Ohio!! We've decided it's a nice weekend getaway.

You can't go wrong either way. I could never choose ONLY cruise for the rest of my life b/c there is too much at WDW that I would miss. But I totally agree with Sam, I don't FEEL like I'm spending as much on the cruise b/c they aren't asking for money for every single thing that I eat!

HTH

 

[westjones]

If you are a DVC member and want to spend time at WDW and go on the cruise in the same week, the 3 day works better with the DVC points. You can stay Sunday-Wednesday nights at WDW on points, then go to the cruise on Thursday-Sunday (when points are higher for DVC).

Also, the cruise is very relaxing, so going to the parks first is better for us because we are tired after that, and the cruise is a great way to end our trip.

On the other hand, we are thinking of doing 2 week vacations in the future and we want time to drive from Indiana, so now we are leaning towards the 4 day cruises because we can go the first week to WDW, then go on the cruise Sunday-Thursday the following week and have Thursday-Sunday to drive back home when we get off the cruise.

So I think you have to consider the amount of time you have for your vacation. If you are flying or driving. And if you want to go to WDW and go on the cruise.

If you only want the cruise, then the 7 day is the best way to go! It is wonderful!

But all the BEST parts of the cruise is offered on both the 3 and the 4 day cruises. You will have a great time no matter what you decide to do.

DJ

 

[Babadee]

Two big pros for the four day were:

It gives the captain an extra day to dock at Castaway Cay should the regularly scheduled day be to windy.

Our personal experience was the four day was less of a zoo as far as kids were concerned which meant it was less wait for our kids to see the characters.