cruise first then WDW or vice versa?

[sgtpet]

My family went on a 4 day cruise and then spent 4 days at WDW. I will not do that again. The cruise gives you a more relaxed feel where at WDW it is more movement less lounging. I feel it would be better to finish a vacation relaxed. Therefore in the future we will go to WDW first then cruise.

 

[music777.com]

I can do it either way but my DW insists that we cruise last so she can relax and do the spa thing. Who am I to argue. I'm just glad to be going.

JJ

 

[brack]

Why not before and after a cruise? You can sleep when you're not on vacation!

My DW and I spent three days at WDW before a two week DCL cruise then three days after at WDW. I still cried when I had to go home.

This was only our second longest Disney vacation. We have spent 23 straight days at WDW. Needless to say that we love it.

 

[CM_Mom]

We did the 7 day and then 4 at WDW. I agree that coming off the ship and staight home is too much of a shock to the system. Besides the walking at WDW helps erase the calories from the ship.

The main thing we did different this trip (all adults) than before when the kids were younger is to pace ourselves and agree that we weren't going to try to do EVERYTHING. We went to all 4 main parks but NOT in the kamakazie attack mode where you schedule yourself and start at 9:00 am and finish at 9:00 pm.

We had 2 80 something ladies with us so we enjoyed the parks at a leisurely pace although DD and I did some of the "fun" rides while DH and the ladies did more sedate things.

Since we prefer the Magic where DD works, it's takes fewer vacation days to add on to the end.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I don't really think there's a wrong decision here, as both parks and the cruise are Disney!

However, I used to wonder why Disney 'packaged' the land/sea in that order. Till we cruised! I thought it would be such a letdown to get off the cruise and go home. (It is. )

The parks are such a high-energy vacation for us (which we love, don't get me wrong), but we just can't fathom the thought of going to WDW after the cruise, as we're well-rested, but tired too! (I know that sounds crazy )

I'd like to do three days at the parks before our 7-day western next year.

And CM_Mom, you said one can 'walk off the calories' at the parks after the cruise...who are you kidding? I put on weight at WDW too! (The Brown Derby Cobb salad, the dessert buffet at Chef Mickey's, the Food and Wine festival at Epcot (in November), etc).

 

[AnnaS]

We took our first Eastern Magic cruise in July 01. Nnight before at the Radisson. It was a big letdown after the cruise. We were depressed and wanted more. My friends had stayed a few additional night at WDW. We made sure if we cruised again, we would add a few nights. We did the Western last year July 03 and added 4 nights at OKW to unwind, relax and take it easy. We thought it worked out fine and were very happy. Of course, if I had no choice and had to stay before the cruise I would do that also. Again, it's personal for the first time and each family/person experiences and thinks differently - ask your family, take a vote or toss a coin. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[prymsu]

For me personally I like saving the cruise for last. It is so relaxing that i can't imagine doing the resorts afterwards.

 

[disneyjunkie]

My son and I are taking our first cruise next April. We're doing 2 nights at WDW, 4 night cruise, then 3 more nights at WDW.

 

[disneyholic family]

we were at WDW both before and after the cruise...
7 days before and 3 days after...
it's fortunate that we had the 3 days at WDW, as we were so very disappointed by the cruise this time, the 3 days at WDW perked us right up again....

 

[CdnMom2]

We're planning (so far) for our early December 2005 trip to do 5 days WDW before the 4-day Cruise. We will probably do 3 days in the Parks with Hoppers and some Dtn Disney & Disney Quest & a full day of rest. Can't wait to see all the Christmas magic at the Resorts again & the Osborne Lights so we'll be plenty busy. Then off to the Port -- possibly stay near Port the Saturday night before. After the cruise we're planning to move to on-site at Universal & relax that Thursday. Then hit Universal Studios & IofA for 1 full Friday of commando fun Open to Close on the 1-day we have left on our 3-day passes purchased for our last trip. Then we have lots to talk about & some of us get to sleep for the 2 to 3 day drive back home.

I've read a lot about the let-down factor here and with such a long drive ahead of us I'm sure we really would feel a big let-down leaving straight away. Revisiting Universal first should help us with that! My plan B was to tack on the day at Dtn Disney with Disney Quest (never been) at the end. Something to ease the pain!

 

[LakeAriel]

Myself at DD are doing VWL from Sunday night till Thursday morning to board the Disney Wonder. For one, the points at the VWL are alot less those days. After the cruise we will board Amtrak. I plan to use my train trip back to New York as my "reality" buffer. We don't fly so we will each have our own sleeper to unwind for 24 hours. We will probably only move to get meals!
PS
Tip: Use American Express rewards to pay for your Amtrak tickets. I got $300 off my trip because Amex is all I use!