Cruise next year, or another WDW trip?

[niklynn1]

We just returned from our first WDW trip and we had a FABULOUS time! I had originally thought this would be our "once in a lifetime" Disney trip, but can now understand how/why people quickly become Disney addicts. Before we were even off the plane I was thinking about a return trip. Here is my question to those of you with experience. My kids will be 9 and 12 by next year's vacation. I'm trying to decide if a return trip to WDW would be best or maybe this time trying the Disney Cruise Line. Any input from those of you who have done both would be much appreciated!

 

[kapica3]

Hard choice. Being you have only been to the World once, I would opt to go again. There are still many more things to explore I believe and your kids have not yet reached that awful "teenage" stage. I would do WDW once more time before trying a cruise. Just IMHO.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Both are wonderful! What would your dh and children enjoy more?

I love cruising because it truly is a very relaxing type of vacation. I have learned to take a lot of down time when in WDW so I can feel relaxed. A lot of families do so much at WDW that they need a vacation from their vacation.

Your other choice would be a land/sea vacation which is the best of both worlds.

 

[niklynn1]

The kids had a wonderful time in WDW, but none of us have ever cruised before so this is why I'm wondering which would be best. Not having been on a cruise before, I'm not sure how it compares to WDW trip.

 

[ktpool]

If I were you, I would do both by booking the Land/Sea (or seperately.)

Oh, wait...I AM doing both

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Both are fun! We are addicted to cruises. My only complaint is having to pack dress up clothes for cruises. I don't mind dressing up for dinner, it's just making room in the suitcases that stresses me.

The excursions are exciting. Sometimes being on the ship can get a little on the boring side after a few days, if you aren't interested in laying by the pool or shopping the same boutiques over and over. But then there's all that food. Yum.

 

[scrappinmom]

I was in the same "boat" as you! My dh doesn't "get" Disney. So last year I took my 2 girls (then 5 &9) to WDW, we had a great time! It was supposed to be our only trip without Dad. We've been 3 other times when they were smaller. BUT I found that the girls being old enough to ride everything, AND still loving meeting all the characters was SOOOO much fun, that were going back again this October. I had thought about a cruise as well. I think maybe after we go this time and do 2 more MNSSHP's and eat in a few more places we want. THEN I'll try a cruise. Good luck with your decision!!!

 

[puffkin]

I think your kids are at a great age to enjoy the cruise. Since it would be your first cruise I would book the 4 day cruise and than follow it up with a few days in Disney. It is usually cheaper to book both parts seperate than to do the land sea. That way, if you don't like cruising, you will still have WDW to look forward too. If you like the cruise, then you can try a longer one next time. There is so much to see and do at WDW though, that I would try to squeeze in a few more days there before your kids get too old (at which point they would probably prefer Universal).

 

[belle&beast]

We did the land and sea package for our honeymoon in 2000 and took our kids 2 and 4 this year to WDW. We cannot wait for them to be old enough to enjoy the cruise because then we can do the land and sea again!!! I think your kids are at a perfect age to join in the activities for them available on the cruise. Check into pricing- it seems to be quite a bit more now than it was 6 years ago, but you can get the best of both worlds with the land and sea. We did 4 days in the parks and 3 at sea. It was our first cruise ever so we opted to have more time on land in cse it wsn't for us. We had a wonderful time and didn't even take advantage of the characters on the ship! I can't wait to go again!

 

[barkley]

we've done wdw 3 times, and we've done the disney cruise 3 times (4 day and 2- 7 days). my kids are 9 and almost 12, their last cruise was in nov 05 and just as on previous disney cruises they adored it. they love the kids programs (we have to MAKE them spend time with us) and we love the adult and family stuff.

i would'nt do another land/sea package because either i'm exhausted by the time we embark (if the land is first) or i lose my sense of relaxation (that the cruise provided) running around the parks upon return.

try the cruise, but be warned-if you think wdw is addicting-you aint seen nothing yet!

 

[pigget74]

I say do both, just because that is what we are doing. Going on the 4 day cruise and then stopping for three full days at Disney. We booked the cruise seperatly through Dreams Unlimited at the top of the board. The cruise is a lot of fun. My kids this year will be 12, 9, and 18mths. My 12 and 9 year old are always talking about the cruise and can't wait. Good luck.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

try the cruise, but be warned-if you think wdw is addicting-you aint seen nothing yet!

Well said! There's a whole other message board for cruise addicts. www.cruisecritic.com Then you click on boards. They discuss every little detail just like we do here on the DIS. You can even chat with people who be on your sailing. Royal Carribbean throws a party for these folks who have met and chatted about their cruise ahead of time. Fun! I am unsure if Disney throws a party likewise.

 

[eeyoregon]

We took our 1st Disney Cruise a few months ago. My DS's are 10 and 13 and had the most wonderful time on the cruise as did I (single mom). We did 2 1/2 days at WDW after the cruise because we just had to have some time at the parks. I highly recommend Disney Cruise Line!!

Something to keep in mind should you do a land/sea combo: the "cruise sickness" (also know as Norovirus) does exist, despite the impressive cleanliness precautions on board. My DS 13 came down with it 24 hours after leaving the ship and was beyond sick. Not a special way to end your dream vacation. He was too sick to fly = had to change flight and stay extra night on property = extra $$$.

 

[lauritagoddess]

If you're doing land/sea, what do you prefer, doing the parks first and then cruising or vice versa?

 

[8 Ears]

Yup! What the others have said! Do the Land/Sea, and be sure to have have enough extra $$$ to book your next cruise while on board.

 

[ADisneygirl]

I agree with the others -- do the land/sea if you can. We arranged our own though because we wanted the land part after the cruise and the deal Disney does is the land part first. We needed a Disney fix after we disembarked from the ship.

What a fabulous cruise it is! We were first time cruisers and we loved it! We have done two of the Disney cruises now, the first being about 5 years ago and are thinking of another next summer.

 

[DVC Mary]

Since you can't do a 7 day w/ the Magic in the Medit, I would do a 4 day cruise w/ your own land before. I think a Disney cruise would be great w/ those ages b/c of the security aspect w/ kids those ages. I felt so secure I even let my 9 1/2 yr old try sign & in out privileges on our last sea day. It was great to let him stretch his wings under the protection of Disney. He loved it.

Many people also love RCI w/ tweens. Have fun whatever you decide!