Cruise or Land - Please help me decide!

[Tink n Poohbear]

This is by far the best "dilemma" I've ever had. But, I'm still having a hard time making a decision. So, which would you choose:
1. A 3 night Disney cruise for 4
or
2. A 3 night land stay at the Grand Floridian with 3-day passes for 4.

Here's the lowdown: I've earned a free cruise through my company. Since more consultants qualified than what they expected, there aren't enough cabins left on the ship. So, they are offering 15 famillies the land option instead.

Here's some background on our situation: We recently had twins bringing our family to a total of 5. Maritime laws prohibit any more than 4 people in a stateroom, so we would have to upgrade to a family suite which would cost us $1000. We also decided to extend the trip to go to the parks, so we'd have to get hotel and passes for 3 of us as well. So, with the cruise, we'd end up paying about $2000.

The plus in taking the cruise is that if we don't go now, we never will. Since we are now a family of 5 and will always have to get a suite if we ever cruised, we will NEVER be able to afford to go on a cruise again. But then again, my DDs are only going to be 4 mos, so they'll never know the difference. And my DS is only 3, so I'm not sure how much of a difference it will make to him.

Then again, we'd probably never be able to afford the Grand Floridian either, so that's a big plus for the land.

What would you do?

 

[Amy&Dan]

I would probably do the cruise if you think it is your one and only chance. Also, with the age of your kids it would probably be the most relaxing. Have you been to WDW before and plan on doing that again (Grand Floridian aside)? If all else fails, flip a coin!

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Congratulations, Tink, on earning the free vacation!

Am sure you are going to get lots of different opinions but I would GRAB THE LAND TRIP!!! AND THE GRAND FLORIDIAN TO BOOT!!! AND TICKETS TOO!!!!

I would pick the GF over a Disney stateroom any day -- then adding to it that you'll have to pay $1K+ to upgrade because there are too many of you for the stateroom -- not even close, for me (even though I assume you will be responsible for your own food if you chose the land trip)!!!!

And they'd give you the park tixs as well (which you'd be paying for it you went the cruise and then the parks)!!! TAKE THE LAND!!!

As an aside, did you price both options (GF+tixs or Disney cruise)? Which one is more expensive? Congrats. again on earning this!

 

[Tink n Poohbear]

As an aside, did you price both options (GF+tixs or Disney cruise)? Which one is more expensive? Congrats. again on earning this! [/QUOTE]


The cruise value is about $2300 and the land is about $2100. But, with the cruise, I have to pay an additional $1000 to upgrade to a 5 person suite as well as port fees (not sure how much those cost). With the land, Ill have to pay for the meals.

I think I'm kind of talking myself into the land because it would be the wiser economical choice since we won't have to pay so much out of pocket. Plus, my husband and I went on the DCL 4 years ago. But, if they get more than 15 families wanting to switch to land and I'm not selected, I sure won't be too upset!

 

[ELIAS64]

Take the land option. Even Disney can't stop swells in the ocean. The Grand Floridian as you know is the most elegant Disney Hotel. It can't compare to a State room with a small bathroom on the cruise ship. Take the kids on the little power boats on the seven seas lagoon and you won't miss a thing...

 

[rcraw45425]

The Floridian is wonderful! Enjoy!

 

[3xthecharm]

A cruise in the future might not cost as much as you think. We are a family of 5 and are staying in two SPH rooms instead of a suite. It is much cheaper.

Remember only potty trained children are allowed in the clubs and the pool on the cruise.

 

[ktglads]

I would go land. You are going to be able to move at your own pace and have the luxury of staying at the Grand Floridian. 3 days of food for basically 2 and a half people are not going to cost you $1000. You will make out better on land in the end financially. Plus, there is a lot more for the younger ones to see at the parks than on the boat.

 

[turnlisa]

I actually had our cruise booked and paid the deposit. After realizing how much I was going to be missing the parks and the fact that I get motion sickness really easily, I decided that I didn't want to pay $4000 to be sick for 7 days! If it were me, I would pick the parks just because your oldest (the 3 year old) will truly find the trip to the parks magical.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

. . . Remember only potty trained children are allowed in the clubs and the pool on the cruise.

Oh, my gosh, I forgot to write that in my previous post!

TAKE THE LAND TRIP!!! FYI, I have twins, too, and the thought of those tiny bathrooms and space is making me queezy (sorry, I know this is your decision, and you'll have a great time no matter which way you go).

Let us know what you decide, and here's some pixie dust!

 

[barkley]

you have twins and a 3 year old? i would do the cruise! unless you have someone that is coming along to give you a little break i can't imagine how exhausted you're going to end up with 3 very overstimulated little ones.

our son was only 3 when we did our first disney cruise and he enjoyed it every bit as much as he did the parks (probably more so because there are much more opportunities to play in cool, shady areas, the characters were much more accessable/came to flounders and played with him, he adored the pools, and he was only a few steps away from his bed when he needed to nap). at 3 and under (at least for my kids) the true magic was in the characters, the music and the colors-they can get all of this on the cruise, be treated like little princes and princesses, and you will find no more accommodating people to help at meals, playtimes...plus you and your husband will get some well deserved relaxation.

CRUISE, CRUISE, CRUISE!

 

[moinab]

I agree this is a tough decision. You will get more people on this forum suggesting the land option, but if you post on the cruise forum, you will definitely get more people pushing for the cruise. I'm a huge fan of both, but I am leaning toward the parks, due to the extra expense (port fees for our 5 month old DD were approximately $100 on our 3-night DCL cruise, 2 years ago) and the ages of your children. Would you be travelling with anyone who can watch the babies for you, or will you be incurring the additional expense of using the nursery? Just another thing to consider.

We went to WDW 17 times last year with a 4 year old and a high-maintenance 1 year old. It is not exhausting, as long as you take it at their pace. Staying at the GF will make a big difference, since you can easily pop back and forth to MK.

As another poster mentioned, don't rule out a future cruise, because many families of 5+ get the two connecting staterooms versus the suites. It's a much more affordable option, especially if you can convince grandparents to come along and share the expense of the extra room!

What time of year is your trip? The one thing that might push me back toward the cruise is a trip during the summer. Personally, I can't tolerate the parks when they are extremely crowded and unbearably hot. I live in FL, so I'm used to the heat and humidity, but factoring in the crowds makes it seem so much worse!

Still, though, I think I would choose the parks. LOL!

I just looked back at your posts and discovered that you and your DH have already been on a DCL cruise. I would definitely say choose the parks, then!

 

[ragdoll]

Never say "never" about a future cruise. Here's a suggestion. Do the land this time and put the additional money that the cruise would have cost into a future cruise fund. Sure it will probably take years to save but your kids will be old enough to really enjoy it then. A dollar here and a dollar there added to the fund can add up quicker than you think. There are many ways to save depending on how bad you really want to cruise. I would almost give an arm and a leg but that's just me. You and your wife could put money in the fund instead of buying each other holiday gifts. Order pizza instead of going out and put the extra in the fund. You get the picture...

Anyway, to me saving hard is worth it to cruise. Maybe it isn't that important to you. Each to his own. Just a suggestion...

Either way have a great trip!

 

[mousemom218]

Oh, what a wonderful decision!
Ordinarily I would say cruise cruise cruise--but with such little kids, you may not get the relaxation the cruise experience requires. And 3 days goes so quickly! Do the land now and hold off til the kids are older for the cruise.
You can't lose either way!

 

[Cara]

I may be wrong about this, but can't you have an infant in a pack 'n play in addition to the usual four people in a DCL cabin?

We did a cruise last year, and it was AWESOME. However, our daughter was nine and was old enough to enjoy everything.

Whatever you choose I know you will have a WONDERFUL time!

 

[Tink n Poohbear]

Thanks so much for all the input! We decided to switch to the land package and we were one of the 15 famillies selected, so GRand FLoridian here we come!

Cora, we thought we would be fine in a regular cabin too since both girls would be in one pack-n-play, but Disney said no, we'd have to upgrade to a family suite.

While we would have LOVED to go on the cruise, we decided that the land would probably be a better option for us right now. My DS3 is not fully potty trained yet, so he couldn't participate in the ship's activities. My mom and brother are going to go with us to help with the kids at the parks. They were already planning to be there while we were on the ship, so now we'll all be there at the same time. Not to mention, this saves us a ton of money in the upgrades!

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Cara]

Tink, it stinks that you needed a family suite, even though at least one child would be in the pack 'n play. Still, no WAY can I be sorry that you are going to the GF! Congrats!