Anyone's kids ever "disappointed" with cruise?

[oakleycat]

We always do parks first (Universal for us) because it's so nice to relax after all that running around. My kids (now 8 and 10) also prefer to cruise and pick a cruise over parks if we can only do one.

 

[SDJEL]

My kids love! the cruises and ask repeatedly when we are next going ( ages 9, 14 & 15). Even with that all 3 of them would prefer to do the parks. I feel that we've been to the parks twice in the last few years and that is plenty for now. My husband and I much prefer the cruises because we can unwind and relax.

 

[hnthomps]

My kids were 2 and 4 when we cruised the first time, march 2016. They loved it (though, fair warning, we really wish we had waited until the little one was 3 and could have participated in so much more). We did their first park trip in March 2017 (so, 3 & 5), and they told us over and over they would have rather gone on the boat. They really didn't like waiting in lines. But, obviously, your mileage may vary. If they really like meeting characters, then they'll like the cruise a lot.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Our first cruise with our son he was 7 years old. We did four nights at WDW followed by four nights on the Wonder. He had a blast in the kids club, couldn't get him out. Second time was the same; 4 nights WDW/4 nights Wonder.
When we asked him after the second cruise which he likes most he said Disney Cruise Line.
I would do a split vacation just to test the water. And as many others have written I would do the WDW parks first followed by DCL, we find the cruise much more relaxing.

 

[mmouse37]

Another vote for doing parks first. Our gang had always been die hard WDW fans...couldn't get enough park time. Then we went on the maiden voyage of the Magic back in 1998 and we were hooked!!! My kids still love WDW but MUCH prefer the cruise. They are now all adults and 2 of them have kids of their own and we brought the babies on their first DCL trip last August. Getting yet another generation hooked on DCL!!!! The babies have also been to WDW twice and they are not even 2!!

I don't enjoy staying out in the hot sun in line anymore so I like to get all that stuff done before the cruise and then just relax and enjoy all the cruise has to offer. I like knowing I have to be at dinner at a certain time so I don't have to hear "where are we eating tonight and did you make reservations" which I hear all the time at WDW. I know I just show up at the assigned MDR at 8:15 and I am happy.

Also, I hated the few times we did the parks after the cruise because it was not fun having to pay for everything out of pocket after the ease of pre payment on the cruise.

MJ

 

[LSUfan4444]

My wife and I are planning to take our kids (will be almost 4 and just over 2) on there first cruise. We are thinking of doing a few days in park either before or after

My wife thinks the kids will be disappointed after going to the parks for a few days with all the rides

I would rather do few days first , then do the cruise

Also can anyone share their experience with transportation? Did they find it easier cruising first, or staying at WDW?

Ive only done one land and sea trip and I did the parks for 3 days before and after the cruise.

We did not notice many differences with either park trip. They were different in terms of execution but we didnt find any where easier or more fun perse.

Things to think about are is laundry. If you're traveling in the summer it might be good idea to do some laundry at some point in the middle of the trip (either before going on the cruise or before going to the parks) so where would you prefer to do it (for us, than answer was at the resort). Also, what day does your cruise disembark and is that a day you would prefer to fly home or would does it work better for work/vacation schedules to fly home on a different day? When we get off the boat we do express disembarkation and rent a car from Alamo and return that car to the Alamo location at the Swan and Dolphin so we can easily have time to walk off the boat normally by 7:15 and are at out home resort by 8:30 (after a quick grocery stop). We have the car dropped off and are at either Epcot or Hollywood Studios by 9:30 or 10 am.

Bottom line is there is no right answer here, there is not "better" option. Each are different and either can be a success so I suggest picking the best itinerary that gives you the best value and plan the park days how it fits your schedule the best logistically and financially.

Success will be found more in how you plan your trip and what you do rather than whether you go to Magic Kingdom before or after your cruise.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

I would do parks for then the cruise just because the parks are exhausting and the cruise is not (as much). Our kids have been on four cruises since 2009, so at your kids' ages, and absolutely loved and love them. I don't they would be able to pick between the parks and the cruise given the choice honestly. Your kids will be very entertained on the ship. I wish your youngest was 3 only so he/she could go to the clubs, but there is still plenty of open houses for you to take him/her.

 

[DisneyConvert]

To each his (or her kid's) own, but if one's children don't like a Disney Cruise . . . well,
.
I would think they would be a relatively small portion of the population.

 

[Jess_S]

I agree with the sentiment that the parks can be overstimilating for smaller kids. We did a 5 day trip with my son at 3 and he was in meltdown mode near the end. On a 7 day cruise, he had fun but never got to the point of exhaustion because it was easier to mix in relaxation. (In particular, he napped in his stroller in ports whereas he absolutely refused to nap at WDW). I personally thought DCL was a superior vacation with a young child.

 

[Ragnrok23]

Thank you everyone. My oldest has already been to WDW 4 times and the younger one 2 times. It looks like we aren't going to do any parks, just one or two nights at a WDW hotel before the cruise

I am a little worried that the youngest won't be able to do the kids club with her older brother, they love to do everything together!