Combine DCL/WDW or take two separate trips?

[ghtx]

After many family trips to WDW, we will be taking our first DCL trip in June 2017. I am 90% sure we will be going on the 5-night Bahama cruise on the Dream leaving June 2nd. I also want to take a trip to WDW that summer. But, I can't decide if I should combine the two trips - 4 or so days at WDW followed immediately by the cruise - or take two separate trips - the cruise in early June and 4 or so days at WDW over Labor day weekend. We live in Atlanta, so we can drive not fly (~6.5 hours to WDW and ~ 7.5 hours to Port Canaveral).

Advantages of combining trips:
Won't have to drive down and back to central Florida twice
One big long vacation to get away
Synergies between visiting WDW and taking a Disney cruise
Schools in Atlanta get out early (right before Memorial Day), so WDW in late May won't be peak-summer crowded

Advantages of two separate trips:
Will get two separate vacations!
Won't be doing "too much" on either vacation - one will be just for WDW and one will be just for DCL
WDW will be less crowded in September than in late May/early June

I admit that I am leaning towards two separate trips, since I like the idea of two separate vacations and being able to focus on one great trip at a time. But I can't tell if it's too crazy to drive from Atlanta to central Florida twice in one summer. Or maybe I'm missing something great about combining a DCL trip with a WDW trip that's better than two separate trips.

Any advice? TIA.

 

[Donna M]

Since we have to fly, we save a lot of money by combining WDW with our 4 day cruises. We really enjoy staying at Disney before and after the cruise. We will visit the parks before and then relax after the cruise.

If driving isn't a big deal for you, then I would do two separate trips. That way you can concentrate your anticipation and planning on one trip at a time.

 

[tee11]

Hmm. We just had to make that decision, and decided to combine! But we live much further away, 14 hours driving without traffic.
I think it depends on distance to Orlando, and on your family -- do you have young kids, or older kids, for example?
Otherwise the two vacations sound great (June cruise and Labor Day WDW!!)!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

After many family trips to WDW, we will be taking our first DCL trip in June 2017. I am 90% sure we will be going on the 5-night Bahama cruise on the Dream leaving June 2nd. I also want to take a trip to WDW that summer. But, I can't decide if I should combine the two trips - 4 or so days at WDW followed immediately by the cruise - or take two separate trips - the cruise in early June and 4 or so days at WDW over Labor day weekend. We live in Atlanta, so we can drive not fly (~6.5 hours to WDW and ~ 7.5 hours to Port Canaveral).

Advantages of combining trips:
Won't have to drive down and back to central Florida twice
One big long vacation to get away
Synergies between visiting WDW and taking a Disney cruise
Schools in Atlanta get out early (right before Memorial Day), so WDW in late May won't be peak-summer crowded

Advantages of two separate trips:
Will get two separate vacations!
Won't be doing "too much" on either vacation - one will be just for WDW and one will be just for DCL
WDW will be less crowded in September than in late May/early June

I admit that I am leaning towards two separate trips, since I like the idea of two separate vacations and being able to focus on one great trip at a time. But I can't tell if it's too crazy to drive from Atlanta to central Florida twice in one summer. Or maybe I'm missing something great about combining a DCL trip with a WDW trip that's better than two separate trips.

Any advice? TIA.

I would do separate trips based on the drive time. We live in AZ about 6 hours from Disneyland and are annual passholders, usually go 5-6 times/year. My wife is a teacher and really looks forward to getting a Disney fix every break. If we lived in ATL we'd do at least 4 cruises/year.

 

[Ofinn]

We have done a few WDW/Dream vacations. I would say combine. I love long vacations.

 

[ldo]

I would take 2 trips. I might even drive down a day or so prior to cruise and go to DTD and hang out at the pool to stretch out the 4 day cruise.

 

[Laundress]

If it were me I would make two trips. devote time to each experience.

 

[CScott095]

We have also combined the trip, spending two days at WDW prior to embarking. That being said, we live in Colorado and fly, so it gives us time to resolve any baggage issues. This year we decided to do Universal for two days and spent our first two days at sea just relaxing after two action packed days of adventure park stuff.