4 year old: Land/Sea Package vs. 7 Nights

[CarnotaurDad]

Good morning,

I am looking for some advice on whether to do the land/sea package or the 7 night cruise with my wife and 4 year old daughter. Our 4 year old loves Disney and will have already been to DisneyWorld twice before the cruise.

Has anyone taken a 4 year old on the 7 night cruise? Our biggest concern is that she would get bored or not be interested in the activities for a full 7 nights.

If we do the land/sea package, we are looking at the Polynesian Resort as our hotel. Has anyone had experience there with a 4 year old?

Thanks in advance for the responses. If there is any more information I can provide that would be helpful, please let me know.

CarnotaurDad

 

[MNmom]

Hey CarnataurDad-

I cruised 2 years ago with a DD4 and DD7 (and grandma) on the 7 night Magic. I found that the trip was truely a vacation with tons of activity (clubs, swimming, beaches, animal adventures-Coral World, characters, character shows, movies, and great family time) without the RUSH to see and do everything. We totally took the pressure off and relaxed, slept in and didn't stress out. It was probably the best family time/vacation we have ever had.

I have heard many reports from folks on the 3/4 day cruises and they always say that there is just not enough time. They are so busy rushing around that they need a vacation when they return. I have also heard people say that the parks and the cruise on one vacation is just too much for kids and adults.

We asked our girls(now 6 and 9) if they would rather return to FL. with their brother (3 1/2) to the parks or go back on the cruise and they both screamed---THE CRUISE!!! We are sailing on the Magic, this time on the Western Itinerary on Jan. 17th 2004. I am very excited about the week and plan to take the same, no rush-no stress attitude. I do hope that we get back to the parks in a couple of years. I don't want to be too old to scream my lungs out on the TOT and TT!!

Good LucK and Happy Planning

 

[Robert and Kelley]

We have done both the land cruise and the 7 day cruise. Our kids were a little older than 4 though. I can say that on the 7 day cruise they will have enough activities to keep your daughter occupied and have a wonderful time.
We cruised the 3 and then the 4 day cruises and it was not enough time on the ship. The 7 day cruise is our favorite. My kids are 12 and 10 and both want to do a cruise again next year. In fact we are booked 1/17/04 for the Western itenerary again.
I think the key with either cruise is to get your daughter to club the first day so she gets to know other kids there.
The only thing you miss with the 7 day cruise is the parks. The characters and Disney touch are all over the cruise.

 

[MNmom]

Hey Robert and Kelley-

We are on the same cruise!!!! Very cool. 7 day cruise is the way to go.!!!

 

[flexsmom]

I vote for the 7-night. We did the 3 Day land/4 Night cruise last October with DD who was then 3 1/2. She loved WDW, but we found that we lost 1/2-day or so transferring to the ship and we were wiped out after the 3-days whirl-winding through the parks. We decided that from now on we would separate the two events to give plenty of relaxation time built in if we choose to do WDW, and more than 4 nights on the ship to enjoy everthing! Your DD will have more than enough to do on the 7-night!

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

After reading the responses and giving it some thought, we decided to take our DD on the 7 night cruise!

It appears that there is a lot to do but it can also be very relaxing and that is what we are hoping for. Can't wait to take her to the Disney Dreams show!!!