4 Night Bahamas Cruise or 4 nights Polynesian at WDW

[Tashamu2004]

We're big Disney World people. We pretty much go annually since having kids. My husband is getting a little tired of it, but I have found its the EASIEST place in the world to make the kids happy... That being said I'm trying to do something different next year and try a cruise. The 4 day Bahamas one is the only one that fits our vacation window. We could either do this or do 4-5 nights at the Polynesian. What would people who have done both Disney world and a cruise suggest? Our kids are 5 and almost 3 at the time of the trip. Thanks!

 

[dclpluto]

Well since you posted this on the DCL forum you are probably leaning towards the cruise. Enjoy your cruise

 

[2DisPrincesses]

We are having the exact same dilemma for our October trip. We are booked at the Poly, but just returned from our first time on DCL. It was amazing and is my new favorite- SO relaxing! I think we have decided to do Poly one last time this fall as we didn't do the Halloween Party last year. After this trip we will be cruising for a while!

 

[dsdeleon]

DCL is more addicting to me than WDW. It's like the best of WDW ++++ all in one place.

 

[Tashamu2004]

It's definitely more relaxing than Disney World? That would probably sway my husband... That and babysitting lol

 

[dsdeleon]

My husband is the same way, burned him out on WDW. It is soooo relaxing and leaving the kids in such excellent care and doing adult stuff (mixology, serenity bay, etc) definitely won him over. He needs more nights, more islands now.

 

[Hundredacre]

In you have not done dcl you should try it

 

[Tashamu2004]

Neither of us have been on any type of cruise ever.

In you have not done dcl you should try it

 

[2DisPrincesses]

In you have not done dcl you should try it

We hadn't either. My girls are older than yours, 7 and 10, but they LOVED the kid's club. It was so nice to drop them off and go do what we wanted to do. Most of the time, when we went back to pick them up, they didn't want to leave so we left them there longer.

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

We're big Disney World people. We pretty much go annually since having kids. My husband is getting a little tired of it, but I have found its the EASIEST place in the world to make the kids happy... That being said I'm trying to do something different next year and try a cruise. The 4 day Bahamas one is the only one that fits our vacation window. We could either do this or do 4-5 nights at the Polynesian. What would people who have done both Disney world and a cruise suggest? Our kids are 5 and almost 3 at the time of the trip. Thanks!

I love DCL! Great vacation for the adults and kids. Easy with young kids since everything is easily available (food, room, entertainment). I really found the cast members to be helpful with my DD who was 18 months at during our last cruise. I would ask other posters about your almost 3 year old though. The nursery is for under 3 so your kids might be separated. There is open family play time when you can all attend. I'm not sure if your almost 3 year old would be in the same area as the 5 year old if you want to leave them on your own. I can't remember if I've read something about DCL being lenient with the age cut off for each play area. Just something to consider and clarify. Have fun either way!

 

[NJMomto2]

I don't find WDW the least bit relaxing compared to the cruise. The cruise will be cheaper, more relaxing, and my 3 year old called it paradise!

 

[Flossbolna]

One of the advantages of a cruise that it is all in one package. You are fed on the ship (nearly all food is included, alcohol is not, adult only speciality restaurants are not). There is plenty of entertainment from kid clubs to character meets to fun events for the whole family - or just for the adults. There are shows every evening, most of them with Disney characters and such. There is a movie theater showing the latest Disney films. If one of your reasons for going to WDW is that you want something easy that makes your kids happy, I would think the cruise would give you the same (and might even top the WDW experience in that regard).

A few things that cruise ships don't offer: the excitements of the rides - however being on a ship is kind of one massive amazing ride on its own. And while there are pools, they are tiny and very very very crowded. Think of the most crowded pool you can imagine and then double the amount of people. If your kids think that pool time is very important, you will need to find off times (like in the mornings or while everyone is at the show) to go and swim.

Personally, I love both. And if your DH is not so much into WDW anymore, this might be a good break for the whole family. If everyone decides that WDW gave you the better experience, then you know what you are going to do the next year.

 

[drnp]

I say do the cruise, especially since you've done WDW so many times and have never done DCL. A word of warning though, you won't know what do with yourself since you won't be making ADRs and FP+ selections in advance. You'll constantly feel like you should be doing something in the planning stages.

 

[Tashamu2004]

I say do the cruise, especially since you've done WDW so many times and have never done DCL. A word of warning though, you won't know what do with yourself since you won't be making ADRs and FP+ selections in advance. You'll constantly feel like you should be doing something in the planning stages.

Ha, it's funny you say that! I hardly know what to do with myself with not being able to plan plan plan! It'll probably be good for me

 

[FigmentSpark]

Not true! There are door magnets to design, order/make and FEs to plan and prepare.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Since your husband is tired of WDW, book the cruise.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We love the poly-trip planned and coming up fast, and we love the cruise. Cruise is much more relaxing. Poly is so beautiful. Hard to pick! Having a 16 year old boy-all the food he could ever want to eat on the ship is a big plus! We have a trip to the Poly planned in a few weeks and I shudder to think of what my food bill will be! He even asks- "Mom will I get enough food on the Poly trip"? Yikes!!!

 

[The Sasquatch]

we do both every time now since we tried the cruise in 2013. You have to come in the day before at least so why not do a 3 night Dream and 2 nights at Poly. Just when we thought we would rather just do the cruise we spent 8 nights at WDW post-cruise and had an awesome time. We have a 7 night Fantasy booked for October and I am debating going on a 4 night Dream to get more WDW in.

 

[Tashamu2004]

we do both every time now since we tried the cruise in 2013. You have to come in the day before at least so why not do a 3 night Dream and 2 nights at Poly. Just when we thought we would rather just do the cruise we spent 8 nights at WDW post-cruise and had an awesome time. We have a 7 night Fantasy booked for October and I am debating going on a 4 night Dream to get more WDW in.

I'm definitely thinking of doing a little bit of both. Were going to at least do Epcot the day before the cruise to see the Anna Elsa ride and drink around the world but I might stay at a cheapie WDW hotel if we won't be there long. Two nights at WDW would prob be worth a poly stay! Do you think the 3 night one is long enough aboard?

 

[asamklove]

We cruised DCL when kids were 2&4 and 4&6....SO GREAT!
It allows the perfect mix of adult time, family time, one on one time - relax together, play together...and eating is SO pleasant! There are so many food options (all of which require ZERO effort on your behalf) - it's so nice to have a break from food prep!