7 day cruise with MVMCP

[Popovich]

Has anyone had a good experience combining a 7 day cruise with a 3 night WDW visit to include the MVMCP??

Our other choice is to do the 7 day cruise in another month (maybe Feb or May??) and doing a separate trip to WDW for MVMCP in early December. I just hate to pay for airfare for all 4 of us twice in one year if I can avoid it!

We are thinking of going on the 7 day in early December '04 and having a 3 night park stay before the cruise to do MVMCP.

Any advice or comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[hawkrn]

several of us on the boards who are going on this year's Xmas Western are going to MVMCP the night before the cruise. We think it's perfect! (exhausting, but perfect)

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Julie - agree - more Disney bang for the buck!!

Popovich, I guess it would depend on the age of your children - mine are teenagers, so while they do not like getting up at 7:30 a.m. during vacation, they will do so gladly on cruise day!

If I had little ones, I would think twice about it - maybe do the MVMCP two nights before the cruise --

We are doing a two night stay, and do not plan to go to a park on the day before the cruise, just to the party that evening. We will spend the day relaxing, touring the other resorts and viewing their holiday decorations, and maybe a trip to DTD.

Hope this helps!

 

[WDWLVR]

I would definately do the parks first and then the cruise. The cruise is a great way to relax so do the parks and then relax! Especially if you pick the Eastern- then your first two days are at sea and a great way to unwind from a trip to the parks.

 

[Popovich]

Our kids are will be 5 and 7. This year and last year we did 8 night trips to WDW with parks most days and relaxing at night.

This trip would be more low key. We would probably just visit MK 1 day and for the party. The other days would be a few hours at MGM and AK since we will have an annual pass.

I think we will do at least a 3 night stay before the cruise, 4 if I can work it out. The MVMCP would be on the 1st or 2nd night at WDW before the cruise.

The day before the cruise we would probably do MK in the morning until lunch then back to the hotel for hanging out and dinner.

How does that sound?? Is it too much??

 

[jiminy579]

Last year we did a 4 night cruise, then hit Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, and by the time it was all said and done, could only do 1 day of park hopping. We were so beat!! I never could understand how a family could go to WDW and end up playing miniature golf, but sure enough......there we were! It just sounded so laid back and relaxing after going full speed.

This year we are going to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party the night before we set sail on our 7 night Eastern. We are planning on 2 maybe 3 days of theme parks after the cruise, but will definitely go at a slower pace this time around. I read your last post and what you wrote sounds great. The fact that you are going to the parks before your cruise is wonderful!! I hope you have a great time!!

 

[webray]

Wow, what a great idea...the best of both worlds. Christmas decorations/parties at wdw and a 7 day cruise.

I would do it for sure!

 

[skoi]

Never did it, but please let us know how it works out. We're planning something similar for next Halloween-- five days at WDW for MNSSHP then the Eastern Halloween cruise.

Have fun. Maybe in 2005 we'll try MVMCP.

Julie

 

[nisiemouse]

We are only going on a 4 night cruise but planning on 3 nights at WDW with MVMCP Dec 2004. I have never been to MVMCP and can't stand the thought of being so close to WDW and not spending a little time there.

 

[Popovich]

Nisiemouse,
Yes, I think that's it. I can't stand to be so close to WDW and not go the the parks. Even if it is only 3 or 4 days I'll be happy just to be there and see holiday decorations!!

Julie,
We just came back from the Halloween party and it was terrific. I think you would really enjoy it. Try to go early in the month of October if you can. I think the later parties get more crowded the closer it gets to Halloween.

Do you think a 7 night cruise is too ambitious for our first cruise???I was thinking that by the time we learn where things are and get the hang of things it would be time to get off the ship on a 4 night cruise but maybe it's better to ease into cruising.

Any advice??

 

[Travelingmice]

It sounds like you have a good plan. We are doing very similar this December. We are doing a week at WDW and the 12/6 Western. We are going to MVMCP on 12/4.

My theory is that as long as you've been there before, you really don't need to make yourself crazy trying to see everything in the few days you are there. Last year we did 3 WDW days before the Eastern cruise. It was great. We've been often enough that when DS (not quite 3 at that time) wanted to spend a half hour chasing little lizards around we didn't care, we just enjoyed him being happy

As to starting with the 7 day - its the best. Our first was a 4 day and by time we were settled into the routine it was time to get off. I think the 7 day is the way to go.

 

[nisiemouse]

Popovich: We started off planning a 7 day cruise for June 2005. It just seemed so far away and the Dec 19th, 2004 4 day cruise was during value season and worked out perfectly for us to go when the kids are out of school (we may take them out one day early for MVMCP). I am one of those people who want to be home by Christmas. There was not a 7 day that worked with the kid's school schedule during Christmas (our school makes it to difficult to take them out for vacations). I sort of thought a 4 day might be good for us for a first cruise but you can bet if I like it I'll be booked for the Western before I get off the boat.
I would not hesitate to do a 7 day for a first cruise if you can.
Denise

 

[skoi]

Popovich, thanks for the info. We'll be at WDW the week before Halloween, so we can go on the Halloween cruise. We weren't planning to cruise again next year, but it just worked out that way. A 7 day is not too ambitious for the first time, IMO. We just took our first cruise-- 7 day Western-- it was great.

Have fun.

Julie