Cruise or parks with a 1 and 3 year old???

[Spooner11]

I had planned on doing the Land and Sea trip next spring, but I just called the Cruise # and they said that they may not be offering those trips next year, that is why they haven't been posted yet. Sooo... my husband and I are trying to decide which to do. As of next spring, our kids will be ~15 months and 3.5yrs. I say cruise because it is more contained and will be better with the little ones. My husband wants to do the parks b/c he wants to stay at the animal kingdom lodge. I feel like the parks may be a little too much for them at that young age- too much walking, waiting, sun. I need some advice! thanks!

 

[WantToGoNow]

I personnally would choose the parks. There's so much to see and do and children really love it. I have not been on a cruise but I can't imagine there being as much to interest very small children unless you pretty much leave them in he childcare areas to play. I'm also pretty sure that un-potty trained children on not permitted in the pools on the ship even with swim diapers on.

 

[nessz79]

I've heard cruises can be great with kids, but we have yet to take our kids on one. I think that they should be able to swim relatively well. I'm a little paranoid, but I have this terrible fear of them somehow drowning somewhere...there's just water everywhere. However, don't consider my paranoia- I'm sure it's safe.

The kids' programs are supposed to be great with some cruise lines, but I think they tend to be better with slightly older kids (potty trained and up?).

I would say the parks would have more for your kids to do.

 

[Ears]

We have done the land/sea vacations twice, once without kids, once with. Last year we went with the kids, they were 7 and 5. The childrens programs were great on the Disney Wonder. I can't comment about the younger kids programs. If Disney Cruise line is not going to offer the land/sea option, just book the 2 seperately, if I'm not mistaken it's also cheaper to do it that way. Just book the cruise after the parks. Then you'll have more time to recover before going back to real life. With what ever you chose have fun. We did 4 days land/ 3 sea.

 

[mjkacmom]

We have done the land/sea vacations twice, once without kids, once with. Last year we went with the kids, they were 7 and 5. The childrens programs were great on the Disney Wonder. I can't comment about the younger kids programs. If Disney Cruise line is not going to offer the land/sea option, just book the 2 seperately, if I'm not mistaken it's also cheaper to do it that way. Just book the cruise after the parks. Then you'll have more time to recover before going back to real life. With what ever you chose have fun. We did 4 days land/ 3 sea.

We booked ours separate, as well - we did 6 days at the park, 3 night cruise, and it was cheaper this way. We rented DVC points, and got balconies.

 

[PatricenPete]

We love to cruise. We have been on 5 cruises - 4 of them Disney and 1 of them Royal Caribbean. That being said, I don't think that I would ever cruise again with a child under age 3. My daughter was 8 months on her first cruise and she got horribly sick. She caught the Norovirus on the second to last day of our cruise and was just throwing up for 3 days straight. She ended up in the emergency room due to dehydration and high fever (104.3).

The pediatrician at the ER was actually shocked that we had decided to take an 8 month old on a cruise, he said that he would not recommend taking kids on a cruise until they are at least 2 just because a virus like the Norovirus knocks a young child out so much worse than an older child or adult. I spoke with our pediatrician about it and while she didnt 100% agree with the ER doc, she did say that you need to take extra precautions when traveling with a wee one.

We have done the parks several times with our kids and have never had any problems. Our kids always have a great time and as crazy as it sounds it is actually very easy to relax in the parks. We usually spend a few hours in a park in the morning and then come back to the room for naps and a swim in the pool and then go to another park for dinner and stroll in the evenings.

 

[roxannex]

We've been to Disney several times with our son and in December we did the 7 day Disney cruise. IMO, they are just totally different experiences. I did really enjoy the cruise and so did our son, but a cruise is a cruise and Disney is Disney. I guess I mean that if you really want to experience Disney you have to go to Disneyworld...the cruise isn't a comparison.

But if you want a great, child centered cruise, go on the cruise!

 

[SLK1]

Keep in mind that the cruise will take kids in the Kids Club at the age of 3. If you're fine having your child with you 100% of the time, then that's fine. If not, you have the option of a nursery, but you pay extra for that. We have done the cruise with a baby and we agreed we should have waited until she was older. There are some things on the cruise (like a certain dining option or show) that can't be done again if your young one is tired and cranky and has to go back to the room. The parks do offer a bit of flexibility, especially if you're staying on property. Having said all that, I would go to the parks now, but start immediately saving up for a cruise in a few years...definitely worth it!!!

 

[MiniGirl]

Keep in mind that the cruise will take kids in the Kids Club at the age of 3. If you're fine having your child with you 100% of the time, then that's fine. If not, you have the option of a nursery, but you pay extra for that. We have done the cruise with a baby and we agreed we should have waited until she was older. There are some things on the cruise (like a certain dining option or show) that can't be done again if your young one is tired and cranky and has to go back to the room. The parks do offer a bit of flexibility, especially if you're staying on property. Having said all that, I would go to the parks now, but start immediately saving up for a cruise in a few years...definitely worth it!!!

This is exactly what I was going to say. We LOVED our DCL cruise and the kids ask almost every day when we can take another, but our kids were 5 and 8 at the time. The kids were able to enjoy the kids' clubs and dh and I were able to enjoy some time (and meals) without the kiddos. The nursery is an additional charge and it is also first come first serve.

Plus, I don't think 15 months is too young for WDW. Just take your time and know that you won't see it all, but have a great time seeing through your childrens' eyes. Watching my girls watch the fireworks is what made me fall in love with Disney. I enjoyed it before that, but seeing it through their eyes was indeed MAGIC.

Oh.... and welcome to the DIS.

 

[two-foxes]

I would do the parks. We have been avid DCL cruisers and took DS last Sept for the first time when he was 14 months. Perhaps it was the fact that DH and I were so used to cruising on our own, but it was tough. Very fun, but tough. You have set dining times for dinner, which DS rarely made it through, he was too young to sit through the shows, the only part of the pools he could use was the Mickey ears along with the 10 other diaper-wearers and every other big kid running through it....(this was before the Magic went in Dry dock). The things that were great...he LOVED deck 4...as a brand new walker, he had the space to roam there and it was so fun to see him stare down at the ocean. The crew is amazing with kids...Flounders was great! The ease of character interactions at different locations on the ship. DS loved meeting Mickey and Donald with smaller waits (w/planning) than the parks. And the simple best is CC...doesn't even need explaining...we had a blast! Nothing takes away the fun of cruising, but things seemed soooo limited what he could do or what we could do as a family. It was a test cruise for us, which worked out well, because with #2 on the way, we know we will wait until the baby is 3 before we go on another family DCL cruise.

DS has been to the parks 3 times...at 6 mo, 14 mos and 20 mos. The variety of what he can do there is much better than on the ships. It is that simple...you can see a short show, you can ride on many rides that little infants and tots can go on, the parades, the fireworks, the variety of dining establishments that you pick your dinner time on (a must with little ones!) DH and I have also used Kids Nite Out for DS and it was a great way to have one night to ourselves....and by all accounts, DS had a blast, too!

Simply, having done both, we have decided the parks will be our route until 2012, when we will do our next cruise...sounds so far away!!! But then ALL of the family can get the most of the DCL experience....and cruise on the new ships! We have our next WDW trip planned for next year, when the DS will be 3 yrs and the LO will be 15 mos. I just think the flexibilty of the parks is the way to go for the tots.

 

[smiths02]

I probably would not want to take a child under 5 on a cruise because I would worry about hospital access, getting sick, falling over board, etc. I know I worry too much

 

[LilGMom]

We are waiting to take a cruise until the youngest turns at least 4. He and his brother will be in the same "kids club" which gives me some comfort. My boys have gone to WDW numerous times and love it. There are things that the youngest can't do due to height but it works out because there are things that the oldest doesn't really care to do (like Dumbo) that the youngest loves. So while DH has the oldest on something with a higher height restriction it gives me time alone with the youngest.

 

[aidtrismommy]

We did 6 days at Disney recently with the same age children and both kids did great. We saw countless characters, rides, etc. (the obvious stuff disney has to offer) We were considering a cruise but it was too expensive and to face facts...I am not a beach person. I don't do well in the heat and I feel like a cruise is really outdoors and hot. (I have cruised many times, not Disney though) It will be endless sunblock, swim diapers, sand everywhere, etc. I am also terrified of my kids somehow falling over the edge. I definately want to cruise Disney but I will wait until my kids are older. I can't handle washing sippy cups in the bathroom, packing tons because there are no washing machines (that I know of) Those are just my thoughts.

 

[two-foxes]

I can't handle washing sippy cups in the bathroom, packing tons because there are no washing machines (that I know of) Those are just my thoughts.

There's laundry rooms....its a fight to use them sometimes, and you have to wake at the crack of dawn, but they have them! And although I still vote for the OP to head to the parks, the washing of the sippies in one of the bathroom sinks (thankfully, there are two in most staterooms) wasn't that bad..It was one thing I was a bit worried about, too!

 

[Pixieflip]

We've done both and for your kids' ages, we'd say parks for sure. 15 months is NOT too young, plus they are free. Oh, the wonder and joy they have at that age! And 3?? Perfect age for so much of the magic!! I wouldn't miss that for anything.

Cruising is fun, but you can always save that for future trips when they'll be able to enjoy the excursions and shopping and dining and cruise things.