anyone ever do the 4 day DCL and FOLLOW it with your DVC stay?

[Rock'n Robin]

I am looking at my 2003 vacation. I would like to take it over the July 4th week.
DD is interested in a local musical theatre camp--I talked to the director and he said she could not do it this year as she'd miss 7 days (our trip is July 7-16). It is a 6 week thing.
If we did DVC from June 26-29 and DCL from June 29-July 3 (2003) she'd still miss over 5 days and get shut out again.
Now if we do the 3 day cruise we are all set--BWV from June 29 to July 3 and DCL from July 3 to July 6. But if I want to do the 4 day, it would be better to do the cruise and THEN stay at WDW for 3 nights. Plus the camp is off July 3 and 4 so she would only miss 3 days.
Has anyone ever done this? I know a LOT of you have done hotel and then DCL, but what about the other way around? Is it doable, or should I just go with the 3 night cruise?
Robin M.

 

[DVC-Don]

We are cruising on the Disney Wonder (cat 6) next February and staying at the VWL for 3 nights right after in a 1 bedroom.

 

[fireplug]

We sailed on the Magic in 2000 and then stayed at wilderness lodge for 3 days.
In dec we intend on staying at WLV for 4 days and take a 3 day Wonder cruise and then BCV for 3 days . I hope all our dates are still available in May when we call

Just 231 days to go!

Steve

 

[TnRobin]

That is what we did on our first cruise - a 4 day cruise followed by 3 days at DVC. We also did it so that it would work out as a Sun to Sun thing. Also you get an extra day at the park. You will be off the ship by 9:00 and at DVC by 10:00 or 10:30. You will have the whole day.

 

[msdis]

We stayed 1 night at VWL before the cruise, then the 3 day cruise, then we were supposed to be there 5 more nights till 9/11 sent us packing 3 days early. It was shaping up to be one of our best trips ever since we had let our AP's expire and we were just relaxing, no parks. We would definately do that schedule again.

 

[ErinC]

We're doing this in May. We leave on the 4 day cruise the 19th, and we will spend 23rd- 27th at WLV. Hopefully it will be fine. I'm sure Memorial Day will be crowded, or at least more that we are used to. We usually go in the of season but DD, started Kindergarten this year. Her last day of school is the 17th, so this was the earliest we could go. At least we beat the point increase for the summer season. My only concern for you would be the miserable heat in July. But if that's the only time you can go, than it's better than not going. Erin

 

[Janis]

Rock'nRobin,

We did it both ways and preferred the WDW stay after the cruise. The first time when the cruise was over we wished we were going to WDW, so for our second cruise that"s how we planned it!

Janis

 

[zurgswife]

I think if I did a short cruise 3 or 4 days I would definatley spend a few days at Disney....To come that far and not spend a few days at Disney would be to difficult...

 

[KennyK]

Hi Rock'n Robin

This will be our first DCL cruise, but we have a 4 day Wonder booked for Oct 13, 2002 followed by 3 days DVC at WLV. How can anyone go on a Disney Cruise and not go to WDW after or before.

We also booked the transfer package from the airport and then from the ship to the Villas, as Wilderness is one of the stops.

In order to get around once we get there, we reserved a national rental car which we will pick up at the Swan, as this has a National rental desk.

This will be our second trip to WDW for the year, both on points. We have reserved 2 studio's at WLV as we have 5 people. Myself along with DW, DD, DGS, and DD's friend. DD is 29, DGS is 9 and DD's friend is also 29.

We have a cat 4 rm 8554 reserved. Can't wait. read the Dis boards everyday for tips.

Good luck

kenny k

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Oh we would definately do WDW--but if we do the 3 day we'll do WDW before DCL, if we do the 4 day we'll do DCL and then WDW. Either way it will be July 4th week.
The other consideration is that if we do the 4 day, we will for sure have to pay cash for a room because our points will be all gone--unless we don't go in 2004, and that is NOT an option!!

Robin M.

 

[MdmMim]

We've cruised on DCL twice, with our third booked for 2003. Both times, we stayed at WDW prior to the cruise and returned for a few days after. It's such a great feeling to get off the ship, after having had a super time, and head for WDW! Ths ship docks, you grab your bags, but you know your vacaton is not over! I love heading back to WDW! It's the icing on the cake!

 

[WDWLVR]

Robin we are doing that in two weeks. We leave Saturday and plan to spend that day down in Port Canaveral. We'll wave goodbye to all the lucky people sailing on the Magic Saturday night and then we'll board the Wonder on Sunday. When we get back on Thursday we'll be spending the next two nights at VWL and then head home again on Saturday night.

Our home is BW, but when I was able to get in at VWL I thought it would be great to give it a try.