Cruise or WDW w/ 3 & 5 yo

[jomayer]

I just this week found this forum and it's all new to me. I am trying to decide between a Wonder 4 night cruise in May with DH and DS 5 DD 3 (first cruise for all of us) or WDW (we've never been as a family - I went when Space Mountain opened if that tells you how long ago it was!) for 4 nights the end of June. It works out to be just about the same price when everything is considered. My husband is worried there won't be enough to do on the cruise for DD 3. She can be shy, but with attention fits right in and doesn't need us around. He's worried that if she doesn't do the Ocean Club (?) if there is enough for her to do otherwise. If the club is fun I'm not concerned about her going. DS 5 fits in anywhere and is excited about a cruise, but as most kids bores easily. I don't want to hear, "I'm bored!" I'm worried the pool will be so crowded on the cruise, it will be a chore. Are our kids too young for cruise?

In WDW we'd have to stay at the Dolphin in Junior Suite due to availability (wanted to do WL, but full and YC/BC too expensive.) We need a somewhat partitioned room for kids or they will never sleep. I planned on signing them up for a night in Dolphin Club and the Pirate Cruise. Would like to get away for a little with DH at night. I think they would have a blast at either, but any opinions which would be best for us?

 

[Karel]

I think it decides what kind of vacation you want. I guess it would be too much for you to take the seven night land and sea? The cruise is laid back (well sort of), activities rather than running from ride to ride. There are Navigators on line you can look at - I'm sure some one will post the links. WDW can really tire a person out, especially a three year old. And it'll be hot that time of year, so you'll want a mid day break

The cruise - well, the pools are small, smaller than a hotel so they do get crowded. But there are 'off times' where it's easy to take a dip. And there's shows and other family activities your daughter can do with you. And she might end up going to the club one or two hours a day.

Read some trip reports, maybe. It's hard to give that kind of advice, because people are looking for different things. But no, I don't think your kids are too young for either.

As for a room at WDW, why not try two rooms at All Stars if you are looking for separate space for your kids. But they will sleep at WDW - they will be exhausted after a day of running around.

 

[Michelle]

Hi jomayer, and welcome to the Cruise Board!

It's a tough call for what is best for you guys. You definitely would have a BLAST on the cruise and there is plenty to do as a family if your 3-year-old does not take to the Club. Most kids do love the Club (mine included) but for some kids it's not their cup of tea.

One other consideration is the kid's clubs at the Dolphin (and at all the WDW resorts) have a minimum age of FOUR for acceptance, so if you're planning an adults night out if you choose the land trip only you would need to hire an in-room sitter. On the ship you could definitely enjoy an adult's night out (with no extra charge) as long as the kids enjoy the Club.

A WDW vacation is great too; although more strenuous than the cruise, with all the walking. Ideally I'd do the cruise and a couple of days at WDW but if you can't quite swing that then I vote for the cruise now and WDW later when the kids are older and more apt to enjoy the rides (and the kid's clubs at the resorts).

Good luck deciding!

 

[Mjasp]

I'm not positive but I think the ages groupings are 3-5 yr olds on the ship, so your daughter will be with your son and may take to it better.

WDW is fun, but can get overwhelming for the little ones and the heat is oppresive.

 

[bennett]

We were questioning the same thing some time ago and decided on the cruise-I thought WDW would be too exhausting for a 4 and 5 year old after a few days-the cruise is what you make of it--you can be on the go constantly or relax-we are going to WDW for 2 days prior then the 7 day cruise. Whatever you decide it will be fun!!

 

[G's mommy]

The age groupings on the cruise are now 3 & 4 year olds together and the 5-7 year olds in a seperate group. Your children won't be together unless you move your son down to the lower age group. They will not move your daughter up. If your son is a young 5, he may be OK with this, but the activities in the older group may better suit his age. Also, your daughter must be completely potty trained, no pull-ups allowed.

We have cruised twice, the first year my son was 3 1/2 and the second time, he was 4 1/2. He loved the Oceaneers Club both years. This year we are going in November and he will be 6, so will move up to the 5-7 age group.
This group gets to spend some time in the Lab as well as the Oceaneers Club. The cruise is awesome. Yes, the pools are very crowded on days at sea.
This can be overwhelming if your children aren't real comfortable in the water and used to lots of splashing. The Mickey pool is only about 18 inches deep all over, so it is mostly smaller children and their parents. There are alot of activities during the day and you can always check the club schedule and see what they have going on.

We also have gone to WDW every year since he was 2 1/2. I have to say that this past January ( at 5 1/2 years old) was the best year ever. He finally "graduated" to the big rides and was able to enjoy most all of the attractions. We were also able to ditch the stroller this year, which made getting around much easier. I think 5 is a great age for WDW. You just have to know your own children and know what they can handle and what they can't. If you have a hardy 3 year old who can handle alot of excitement and activity, then she will have a blast. Our son has always been up for most anything and was one who could ride in the stroller all day and just cat nap when he needed too. We have always gone in early Dec and January to avoid the heat and the crowds. Just don't go over Christmas, it is a nightmare. We have gone the past 2 years on New Year's week and despite the weather being cold, have had a great time and very little waiting in lines.

Whichever you decide, you'll have a great time.

 

[sandee]

The heat at WDW in late June is awful. I remember how excited I was when I took my entire family to WDW after school got out. There were 7 of us, and the heat was a real problem. My DGrD was 4 at the time and wanted to do nothing but stay at our hotel and swim. I know people suggest going to parks in early a.m. and returning at night,and maybe if she'd have been older it would have worked, but she was cranky from having to get up and out the door early every day and cranky at night despite an afternoon nap. She is 10 now and has been to DW many times since that trip, but it was a nightmare that time. I wish they'd had DCL back then. Air conditioned clubs, fun activities, great pool, macaroni and cheese every night...my DGr.D loves the Magic and the Wonder cruises and we adults have had some great times too. I guess you know which I think you should choose!

 

[Casey's mom]

The kids will love either trip. I agree with Karel -- it depends on what kind of vacation you are looking for. We have taken our kids to WDW a number of times and cruised twice (with #3 in a few weeks). My DDs are 5 and 4. They love going to WDW, but it is very tiring for them and we use a stroller. Our park days usually consist of arriving at opening and leaving by lunchtime (1 or so) to head for the hotel pool. If they aren't too tired,we may go back at night for parade or fireworks. Any more time at parks would be too exhausting for them. The cruise is far more relaxing, but still really fun for the kids as they get to swim in a pool shaped like Mickey's head and meet lots of characters. My DDs enjoy the activities in the clubs and are looking forward to going back in March. They are a little shy as well and that has not been a problem for them. The pool do get crowded, but it never bothered my kids, and if you go at off-peak times, they can sometimes have the pool mostly to themselves.

We have not cruised, however, without spending a little time at WDW, which you may be able to do if you plan your flights right. Last June, we flew down early Thursday and boarded the ship for our 3 night cruise. We had rented a car and parked it at the terminal. The last morning of the cruise, we were off the ship by 8 and headed to the Magic Kingdom for the day. We got there around 9:30, stayed til 2:30 or so (plenty -- it was a HOT day) and headed to the airport for our 5:30 pm flight home. We packed a lot into 4 days. For our trip next month, we are flying down Friday morning, spending the afternoon swimming and animal watching at AKL (where we are spending the night), having dinner at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort (very fun character dinner for the kids -- Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald Duck etc.) then heading to the ship the next morning. The day we get off the ship, we are planning to (once again) head right to the Magic Kingdom for the day with a brief stop to drop off our luggage at the Polynesian, where we are spending the night and having dinner at O'Hana's (also a fun place for kids, but not a character dinner).

Bottom line -- a combination of the two has worked well for us and may work well for you if you want to get a little taste of each. And it can be done without committing to a more expensive 7 night package. Maybe you can do a 3 night cruise with one night (or maybe 2) at WDW. If the WDW hotels are too expensive, it sounds like there are some great deals to be had on some nice hotels just outside of the WDW property where you could get a lot more space for less money. That would allow you to stretch that dollar a little further and allow your family a little of each experience.

You will have a great time whatever you decide!

 

[Trinity]

I have only been to Disney World once and I had enough fun to last me a lifetime, and I went when I was 9 years old. I highly recomend it. They have a lot of fun stuff and disney characters everywhere you look.

The cruise on the other hand is suppost to be a blast. We are going on the cruise in Aug. The cruise has special activities for kids in three age groups. Each group goes to a different area of the ship and each has different activities. The groups are headed by councilers, so your daughter might make some friends.

I hope you find the right vacation that fits your needs.

- Trinity
(Kelly)
Now age 13