Cruise after WDW trip or as separate trip

[RoseMom]

Trying to decide if we want to add a cruise onto the end of our 7 night WDW trip in December or wait and do a cruise as a separate trip. Cruise would only be 3-4 nights. Kids 6 and 15. We are DVC members so our trips are not rushed at WDW where we feel like we have to fit everything in. Still, if you did a cruise right after WDW, did you still enjoy it or too tired? This would be our youngest child’s first cruise so wanting to do a shorter cruise to make sure he doesn’t get sea sick. Since we do typically fly down, thinking about adding shorter cruise onto this vacation since the kids have a longer break from school.

 

[DCL First]

Me and DW usually do the park’s first than the cruise , this time for our
40 th Anniversary we are doing a 4 night Wish Cruise then 4 nights
at Animal Kingdom Lodge , just switching things up . You’ll have a Great time and the cruise will let you wind down and relax .

 

[Girl of the South]

I like the relaxing cruise AFTER a park visit. But if you get to have a chill time at the park, I guess it doesn’t matter. I also would do 4 nights, minimum. You’ll have fun, either way!

 

[hardcorestitch]

Trying to decide if we want to add a cruise onto the end of our 7 night WDW trip in December or wait and do a cruise as a separate trip. Cruise would only be 3-4 nights. Kids 6 and 15. We are DVC members so our trips are not rushed at WDW where we feel like we have to fit everything in. Still, if you did a cruise right after WDW, did you still enjoy it or too tired? This would be our youngest child’s first cruise so wanting to do a shorter cruise to make sure he doesn’t get sea sick. Since we do typically fly down, thinking about adding shorter cruise onto this vacation since the kids have a longer break from school.

I would actually recommend shifting the cruise FIRST then do WDW. It will give you something to look forward to once you face the terrible disembarkation day!

 

[Mommb]

Since you can go back to your room to rest easily and frequently on a cruise, I find cruises much less stressful and tiring than the parks. I prefer the parks first, then a cruise. There is plenty to do on a cruise without much walking.

Cruises in late December will be more expensive than at other times, so a 3- and 4-night cruise would be good. If your family enjoys it, you can look into a longer cruise at another time.

 

[JoeFromSeoul]

We travel in from Korea, so we usually do both. We call it our Disney Surf-n-Turf. I’ve done parks, then cruise and cruise, then parks. I definitely recommend the parks first, then cruise for recovery.

 

[Love4Eeyore]

Another vote for preferring the parks before a cruise!

 

[DVC Jackie]

Another vote for parks first… no better way to unwind than on a cruise!

 

[Amunet]

I like doing the park after the cruise because it makes disembarkation much less sad. It also allows you to be rested before hitting the parks so you will have more energy to do them after a relaxing cruise.

 

[Flcruising]

Trying to decide if we want to add a cruise onto the end of our 7 night WDW trip in December or wait and do a cruise as a separate trip. Cruise would only be 3-4 nights. Kids 6 and 15. We are DVC members so our trips are not rushed at WDW where we feel like we have to fit everything in. Still, if you did a cruise right after WDW, did you still enjoy it or too tired? This would be our youngest child’s first cruise so wanting to do a shorter cruise to make sure he doesn’t get sea sick. Since we do typically fly down, thinking about adding shorter cruise onto this vacation since the kids have a longer break from school.

I understand you are asking about doing a cruise either after WDW or on a separate trip. You aren't presenting the option of doing a cruise first.
Therefore I would consider a separate trip. This leaves open the option of selecting a different port rather than PC.

 

[Cfabar1]

Not sure where you're coming from, but my view is you're already here, and there are a lot of discounts on the FL based cruises...

You can easily get from your DVC to PC with Disney's transfers. You can also use the bright line to get down to FLL and then take an uber to Port Everglades...

I'd tack it on, and if you like it, consider a longer cruise at another time.

 

[imbelle]

I like the "sandwich" method of flying down a few days prior to the cruise, getting some park time in, cruising, and then tacking a few park days on the end. Takes the stress out of the embarking/disembarking timing. It's also less sad to end the trip at the parks because I know I will be back there sooner than I will be going on my next cruise.

 

[John VN]

We just shortened the individuals so the total was a OKW DVC + DCL + OKW DVC

 

[Chuck96]

I've never combined the two, but we prefer a day at WDW (and a resort stay) the night before embarkation AND the day/night after disembarkation. Heading straight to the airport is emotionally rough. Let me get a day at Disney Springs to get a Dole Whip and ease out. That said, with a 4 night (which we haven't done in a while), I'd probably add two days of parks afterwards!

 

[jimmymc]

Cruise after WDW is fantastic. IMO it's not that relaxing to do a 4 night cruise as a dedicated trip, you feel pressured to do too much in a short time and inevitably end up missing things.

 

[bbn1122]

I am a DVC member too.

My family has never combined the two. We have stayed at VB a few nights before our cruises or a couple of nights at WDW but no parks. We have even done 2 nights before and after the cruise at WDW, but two different resorts. That is a lot of fun. It just keeps the Magic going.

 

[o&smom]

We had a funny experience with cruising first and then time at WDW... we almost forgot we even took a cruise. I would cruise second if you can or go at another time.

 

[hardcorestitch]

We just shortened the individuals so the total was a OKW DVC + DCL + OKW DVC

Awesome! You made a great decision not going straight home after a Disney cruise!