Cruise or Parks?

[basketlacey]

We are heading down next week to WDW and my whole family is extremely excited! We are thinking of booking a bounceback offer for next year but only if the discounts extend into November.

I would love to take a trip between Christmas and New Year's. I know the parks are packed during that time. But is that a good time to cruise? My kids have never been on a cruise but DH and I love to travel that way.

What age is "too old" for kids to appreciate a Disney cruise? If my kids love the magic of the parks - will they love this too?

Is Christmas a good time to go?

 

[BriarRosie]

Regardless of going on a trip to the parks or on a cruise, the weeks between Christmas and New Years are going to be peak season holiday pricing. Extremely rare to find discounts because of the popularity of the timeframe.

I would personally pick a cruise over the parks simply because the crowd levels would be way past my comfort zone. But that's just me. Some people love it, but I wouldn't. Cruises can't be booked past their passenger capacity levels.

 

[sayhello]

From what I've seen, the weeks between Christmas & New Year's are "Holiday" specialty cruises on DCL, and tend to be more expensive, longer cruises. They also tend to be pretty popular. You might want to look at the availability for December of next year before you make a decision.

Sayhello

 

[ragtopday]

What age is "too old" for kids to appreciate a Disney cruise? If my kids love the magic of the parks - will they love this too?

I just want to address this, and say, there is no age too old! We traveled in Summer 2009 and in our party we had 7 kids who ranged in age from 5 to 17. They all had a great time! The teens found their own group of friends in the teen clubs, while the younger kids spent more time with us (the parents). We all got together for excursions and most meals, but had time on our own too. Characters are on board, but if they are not your or your kids' thing, it's easy to pass on them. Shows and movies are Disney owned/themed, but again, not required.

I can't comment on your time frame, but we absolutely love Disney cruises and I actually prefer them to the parks <gasp!>.

 

[basketlacey]

Regardless of going on a trip to the parks or on a cruise, the weeks between Christmas and New Years are going to be peak season holiday pricing. Extremely rare to find discounts because of the popularity of the timeframe.

I would personally pick a cruise over the parks simply because the crowd levels would be way past my comfort zone. But that's just me. Some people love it, but I wouldn't. Cruises can't be booked past their passenger capacity levels.

This is exactly what I was thinking about the capacity. The parks will be more crowded than we are used to during our fall trips but the cruise can only be as full as there are rooms!

From what I've seen, the weeks between Christmas & New Year's are "Holiday" specialty cruises on DCL, and tend to be more expensive, longer cruises. They also tend to be pretty popular. You might want to look at the availability for December of next year before you make a decision.

Sayhello

Hmm - I didn't think about the pricing being at a premium. This may sway us to stick to fall.

I just want to address this, and say, there is no age too old! We traveled in Summer 2009 and in our party we had 7 kids who ranged in age from 5 to 17. They all had a great time! The teens found their own group of friends in the teen clubs, while the younger kids spent more time with us (the parents). We all got together for excursions and most meals, but had time on our own too. Characters are on board, but if they are not your or your kids' thing, it's easy to pass on them. Shows and movies are Disney owned/themed, but again, not required.

I can't comment on your time frame, but we absolutely love Disney cruises and I actually prefer them to the parks <gasp!>.

That is great to hear about the cruise. I know there are cruises on other lines that are a lot cheaper but we wouldn't have the Disney experience. I don't see them outgrowing it. My oldest is planning trips for the next 5 years right now!!!