But What Did Your Children Think?

[mickeydonalgoofyyyy]

I am so appreciative of everyone's contributions to these boards. Thank you. Ok I have a 3 yo DD and 6 yo DS and am anxious that we do not take a 7 day cruise and return with my children disappointed. They are not huge ride kids but love the whole atmosphere of WDW. Did anyone have trip remorse related to their children's enjoyment? Please understand that they are not difficult to please but we have never considered this expensive a trip that has not included the magic kingdom.

Thank you ,

 

[allears]

Quite the opposite, we started cruising with DCL in 2000, our kids were DD 13, DS 10 and DS 4 1/2. They loved it! We have been on six subsequent cruises since with number 8 coming up this week. They still love it, even as my DD has moved to adulthood. Each age group has found something they've enjoyed, we've loved spending time together as a family and we've seen some cool places and met great people.

Our youngest son, now 12 thinks he owns the ship, and can't wait to get back on board. They are all big Disney fans like their folks, love the shows, appreicate the level of service and know that they have been very, very fortuneate that their parents developed this addiction to DCL.

All that being said, every family and kid is different. You will get as many varied repsonses almost as their are kids. Only you can know your kids well enough to know if they'll enjoy the experience or not.

 

[lbgraves]

My kids were 3 and 5 on our first cruise. We went for one day to MK for the very first time two days before the cruise. I have to say that the kids had so much more fun on the cruise! For one thing DD has always been reserved and clingy. She had never spoken in her preschool class for 1 1/2 years to that point. Having Cinderella call her by name every day, the room host and servers doting on her like she had never experienced before and having so many adults treat her like a little princess brought her out of her shell completely. Her PS teacher called me her first day back in class to tell me that they heard someone talking in the room and started searching and checking the latches on the doors to see what kids had wandered into the room. They were amazed when they realized that it was DD who was telling another child about her cruise. They said that they just sat around on the carpet with the kids and listened to her talk about it and tell everyone what she had done because they had never heard her voice before. She had only just whispered thank you, shook her head yes or no and hugged to say thank you or I'm sorry. So yes, I have to say that a DCL cruise can have a big impact on kids those ages.

 

[disneynewbee]

My kids were 3 and 5 on our first cruise. We went for one day to MK for the very first time two days before the cruise. I have to say that the kids had so much more fun on the cruise! For one thing DD has always been reserved and clingy. She had never spoken in her preschool class for 1 1/2 years to that point. Having Cinderella call her by name every day, the room host and servers doting on her like she had never experienced before and having so many adults treat her like a little princess brought her out of her shell completely. Her PS teacher called me her first day back in class to tell me that they heard someone talking in the room and started searching and checking the latches on the doors to see what kids had wandered into the room. They were amazed when they realized that it was DD who was telling another child about her cruise. They said that they just sat around on the carpet with the kids and listened to her talk about it and tell everyone what she had done because they had never heard her voice before. She had only just whispered thank you, shook her head yes or no and hugged to say thank you or I'm sorry. So yes, I have to say that a DCL cruise can have a big impact on kids those ages.

This is so great to hear since I have an extremely reserved 3yo We are doing Disney and the cruise and she says how excited she is about Disney World but I'm afraid when she gets there she will freeze (she does this a lot where she is so excited for something then just freezes up in fear). At least I know that if she doesn't enjoy that part she has another chance on the cruise.

 

[mickeydonalgoofyyyy]

Lisa, what a wonderful story that is about the impact the cruise had on your daughter. Thank you.

 

[lbgraves]

This is so great to hear since I have an extremely reserved 3yo We are doing Disney and the cruise and she says how excited she is about Disney World but I'm afraid when she gets there she will freeze (she does this a lot where she is so excited for something then just freezes up in fear). At least I know that if she doesn't enjoy that part she has another chance on the cruise.

Don't be disappointed if your DD doesn't seem to be as open when in WDW or on the cruise. DD never said a word to Cinderella...just stood there with her jaw hitting the floor and nodding her head. LOL! We didn't realize the impact it had on her until after her teacher had called us. Of course, the fact that the face characters do have the chance to connect to the kids like that on the ship is an amazing opportunity. We have never had that happen since the first cruise though in quite the same way. The second day Cindy was coming out of Shutters and we were heading to the theater. She called out to DD when there was quite a bit of distance between us and DD had not noticed her yet. She got down on the floor at their level and introduced herself to DS since he had been in the club the previous day when she had signed their books. She asked them about their day and their plans for the next and complemented them on their PJs [Mickey and Cinderella of course ] I left a note at GS on Friday night addressed to Cinderella thanking her for being so sweet with the kids. It really was a magical moment for us and touched my heart. I still get chills and tear up when I think about it.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I cannot imagine they would be disappointed on a Disney cruise. I just can't see it happening.
My kids DO like rides, they DO love Disney World (and now Disneyland) -but how they react after a WDW trip vs a cruise is a huge difference. When we are leaving WDW there is mild sadness that it's over... when we leave a Disney cruise it's a HUGE sadness and it goes on and on and on.... LOL That's the only down part about Disney cruises- they don't want it to end! Even when we went on the 15nt- still unhappy about leaving, sadness when considering how long it would be before we cruise again, etc. And when we left the last cruise they knew it would be about 2 years before we'd cruise again- our cruise plans changed and now we're going again end of May (a mere 8mo instead of 2yrs in between cruises- AND we only decided on this recently so really only 5mo to wait once we knew) and STILL they wish it would hurry up already because they say it's too long to wait.
LOL

I think any kids- of any age- will like it for different reasons, but I honestly can't imagine any child being "unhappy" that they were on a Disney cruise. Unless they got really sick or something else (beyond Disney's control and beyond anyone's control) -just can't see it happening. There is going to be SOMETHING they love about it, I'd say 99.999999999% positive about that.

 

[M&M mom]

I cannot imagine they would be disappointed on a Disney cruise. I just can't see it happening.
My kids DO like rides, they DO love Disney World (and now Disneyland) -but how they react after a WDW trip vs a cruise is a huge difference. When we are leaving WDW there is mild sadness that it's over... when we leave a Disney cruise it's a HUGE sadness and it goes on and on and on.... LOL That's the only down part about Disney cruises- they don't want it to end! Even when we went on the 15nt- still unhappy about leaving, sadness when considering how long it would be before we cruise again, etc. And when we left the last cruise they knew it would be about 2 years before we'd cruise again- our cruise plans changed and now we're going again end of May (a mere 8mo instead of 2yrs in between cruises- AND we only decided on this recently so really only 5mo to wait once we knew) and STILL they wish it would hurry up already because they say it's too long to wait.
LOL

I think any kids- of any age- will like it for different reasons, but I honestly can't imagine any child being "unhappy" that they were on a Disney cruise. Unless they got really sick or something else (beyond Disney's control and beyond anyone's control) -just can't see it happening. There is going to be SOMETHING they love about it, I'd say 99.999999999% positive about that.

Thank you to all that have posted. I have been worried that my kids wouldn't enjoy the cruise as much as WDW but now after reading these posts I think they will really love it.

 

[kcashner]

My DD has cruised on DCL at least once a year from age 7-17. She likes WDW, but she LOVES the cruise.

Our ideal vacation is a few days at WDW and then a 7 day cruise, but when we have to choose one or the other, we choose the cruise.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

We've been taking my DD to WDW since she was 9 months old. We go a couple of times a year. We got off our first cruise (7 night Eastern) on January 24th. On the last night we went to the 'Til We Meet Again event. At the end when they are saying good-bye she burst into tears. It took me a few minutes to get out the problem because she was crying so hard. She finally got out "I don't want to get off the boat."

As you can see by my ticker, the next trip is already booked! Go, enjoy and have fun!!

 

[fairfax]

My children are 3 and 5 and about to go on their fifth Disney cruise. They love being on the ship! The kids club, the pool, the characters -- everything is exciting to them. It is much more special to them than the parks.

 

[lbgraves]

We've been taking my DD to WDW since she was 9 months old. We go a couple of times a year. We got off our first cruise (7 night Eastern) on January 24th. On the last night we went to the 'Til We Meet Again event. At the end when they are saying good-bye she burst into tears. It took me a few minutes to get out the problem because she was crying so hard. She finally got out "I don't want to get off the boat."

As you can see by my ticker, the next trip is already booked! Go, enjoy and have fun!!

Your DD isn't the only one who cries when they get off the ship. I tear up every time. I cry at the Till we meet again. I bawl like a baby at Dreams even through we have probably seen it 9 times including matinees. This last time was the best because it was the first time seeing the technical changes. I LOVE the setting for the final scene now on the rooftops with the fog instead of them just being in the bedroom. It gave me chills.

 

[mickeydonalgoofyyyy]

Wow! Thank you everyone! You have convinced me ... I think I have convinced DH that we will have a great time with a 7 nt even if we can not afford to tack on a couple days at WDW. Your stories make me wish we did this sooner!
Thanks!!!

 

[stlkeeler]

I took my DD and DGD 6 on the Wonder last summer. They had a great time and I booked a Western while onboard but we didn't tell my DGD, yet. A few weeks ago, we were looking at the photography boards and she says, "Grandma, I really, really want to go to Disney world." We have never been there and I want to go, too. I asked her, "Do you want to go to WDW or the Mickey boat?" She thought a long time and finally, "The Mickey boat!" I don't know what I'd have done if she didn't want to go back on the boat!! One of the things that most impressed her was that Cinderella "talked to her eyes." (She bent down and looked in her eyes when talking to her - I can't get in photobucket right now or I'd post a pic)

 

[sftnslky]

Sadly a few of my kids are the minority.. I usually don't post on threads like this due to the EXTENSIVE flames towards me in the past on this subject, but wanted you to see the other side in case it happens to you, you won't feel like the freak family that we do.

Out of our 4 kids... 2 of them HATE the cruise..they HATE HATE HATE the clubs, the pools are to cold for them, the spas to crowded, and WAY to many kids running wild, the lack of "fun" things to do is upsetting to them, and the HUGE line to meet the characters is frustrating to them. We have even tried bringing a close friend of their's with us, but she also hated the cruise and even called her Mom begging to go home. We invited her to come along with us this Sept and she declined.

We continue to re-book because we feel it is the best value for our family. We have tried Disneyland, but with my Fibromyalgia the stress and all the walking, it causes pain that is so unbearable I end up in bed for days. So that we can be together as a family and be in the heart of "Disneyness" we choose the cruise. Besides our two kids that hate it always do find ways to occupy themselves. They love the karaoke, the dance party's and the shows. They love being able to order room service and watch Disney Channel to there hearts content. We usually have to drag them kicking and screaming on board, but once on board and the extra freedom that they have changes the negative to positives. And besides as my DH says to them... "When you pay for it, you can choose were we all go"

 

[ArielsMommy]

We took our first DCL cruise on the Wonder in Dec against DH's better judgement. DD turned 7 on the cruise. He was very impressed with the level of service and attention to our DD, that we are talking about going on the Magic this Dec. As for DD, she cannot stop raving how she wants to go on the Magic because 4 days was not enough!! She pretends she is a cast member from the cruise every day, even casting family members in the stage shows!! Your kids will love it. Have a great vacation.

 

[carmie3377]

We have been to Disney 6 times since 2003 (DL first time, WDW since). Our DD loves it. However, we decided to do a 7 nt Disney Cruise this time (Dec 09). DH asked if I thought DD would be disappointed and I was hoping she wouldn't be. Well, a couple of weeks ago, she asked "Momma, can we please, please, please go on a Disney Cruise?" I was so happy. I hope she's not disappointed because she loves the rides at WDW and talks about them all the time. Here's hoping all our kiddos have a great time!

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

My daughters had a wonderful time. They are ages 4 and 6. We went on our first cruise last december 08. They are asking me when we are going to be going on another Disney cruise. At this point I'm looking to see where we can fit it in the budget. I don't know when we will be going back, but I do definitely know that we will be going back. I asked my dd what things were their favorite on the disney cruise and their answers were the character meetings and the swimming pool.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

My kids were 3 and 5 on our first cruise. We went for one day to MK for the very first time two days before the cruise. I have to say that the kids had so much more fun on the cruise! For one thing DD has always been reserved and clingy. She had never spoken in her preschool class for 1 1/2 years to that point. Having Cinderella call her by name every day, the room host and servers doting on her like she had never experienced before and having so many adults treat her like a little princess brought her out of her shell completely. Her PS teacher called me her first day back in class to tell me that they heard someone talking in the room and started searching and checking the latches on the doors to see what kids had wandered into the room. They were amazed when they realized that it was DD who was telling another child about her cruise. They said that they just sat around on the carpet with the kids and listened to her talk about it and tell everyone what she had done because they had never heard her voice before. She had only just whispered thank you, shook her head yes or no and hugged to say thank you or I'm sorry. So yes, I have to say that a DCL cruise can have a big impact on kids those ages.

Oh my goodness - this made me tear up! What a wonderful story.

My three older boys, when asked whether they'd prefer a cruise or WDW next year, all in unison said, "CRUISE!!!" No question. They LOVED the freedom they were given on the ship and I think it made them appreciate the family time we had together even more. There was no fighting (really! - I think they were too tired!). My dd, however, kept asking when we were going to see the princess castle and ride the Dumbo ride. Even now, two weeks later, she's still asking. So, next year, we'll do a little of both!! LOL

Character meetings are VERY important to my dd. There was SOOOO much of that on the ship! We ran into Goofy "exercising" once on deck 4. We had a deck chair next to Lilo on deck 9. We rarely waited in lines. (Except for teh princesses - even my 2 yo was willing to wait for them!!!LOL)

Anyway, we loved the cruise and certainly didn't feel like we were missing out!!

 

[jewelmicky]

Last Feb we did the Land/Sea with the grandparents and a cousin.....This year when planning our "just us" trip, I asked my DD6 what she wanted to do. We have only done short 3 and 4 day cruises, and I really want to do a longer one....or spent the entire week at WDW, so we can ENJOY it and not run around like maniacs.

So, when I asked my DD....she shouted " THE SHIP!" Without hesitation. We like rides, but live close to Cedar Point and go a couple times a year. There are Characters on Board and all kinds of kids. I think the DCL experience is more "intimite".....you get to know your servers, your stewards, your table mates....and see the same people for the whole time. It's very comfortable and feels like HOME. WDW is HUGE and I feel very isolated sometimes among all the crowds and bussle.