cruise vs. wdw??

[kandcsmom]

Hi, my family and I just returned from a wonderful week at WL in May. We are now trying to plan a trip for next April - and are thinking of the DCL or a week at another deluxe resort at WDW. Cruise prices are a bit higher than I had thought so we thought it might be worth going back to WDW instead. Has anyone done both? Anyone have thoughts they can share? FYI - I have 9 yr old and 5 yr old...who both LOVED the parks.

 

[LKS]

Well, not everyone may agree with me, but we got off the 3 night cruise and immediately said we wished we had spent that money to go to WDW. Well, the kids would cruise again, but my husband and I would go to WDW.

Now, the cruise was pretty nice, but there were many disappointments. Our ship was unable to dock at Castaway Cay and we were very, very disappointed because that was what we had most looked forward to. We had bought the kids their own snorkel gear and taught them to snorkel in the bathtub. The two oldest cried when we couldn't dock. We also thought the pools on the ship were horribly crowded. We didn't like the spa and thought the facials were a waste of money. My husband and son enjoyed playing basketball, but there was only one ball on the ship and it was hard for them to play much at all.

On the plus side, the cabins were gorgeous and we had one with a balcony which we loved. The food and the restaurants were also very good. My mother, the kids and I enjoyed the shows - they were very high quality. My husband and I did the wine tasting and the kids LOVED the kids clubs. We also saw the Tigger movie in the very packed theater on the "Castaway Cay" day at sea, even though there were very few entertainment options that day since we were supposed to be on the beach. We even enjoyed Nassau, which some complained about.

We ALWAYS have fun at WDW. You have a lot more control over what you do there.

 

[blanq]

We have an 8 year old son who we have taken to WDW 3x and on a 7 day cruise through DCL once, although his dad and I have cruised on other lines without him. Our son loves WDW, but I honestly think he would tell you that his very favorite vacation was our disney cruise. We will be cruising again later this year, although not through DCL (as we want to experience some other ports). Really, the two vacations are so very different IMHO.

Honestly when we leave WDW we usually feel like we need a vacation (lol) as our weeks at WDW are always go, go, go. A cruise vacation is so very relaxing to us, there are interesting ports to see and explore, everything is done for you and is at your fingertips, the island breezes and blue waters of the caribbean are amazing, the spa is ahhh, the DCL ships are beautiful and comfortable, the dining experiences are unique and memorable, and well, I could pretty much go on and on. One note I will make is that our DS did not like the DCL kids club, although I think he probably is in the minority from what I have gathered through reading the DCL cruise board.

In my experience of talking with others no one has lukewarm feelings about a cruise experience...they either love cruising or they don't. We are a family who loves it and I would encourage you to try it. One thing you might want to consider is a split vacation, trying the 4 day Wonder cruise and a 3 day WDW stay. It might be a nice way to get your cruising feet wet, and to see if a longer cruise might fit your family at some later time.

 

[melomouse]

kandc'smom - Welcome!

I am combining 6 days at WL this summer, followed by a 4 day Carnival cruise. After MUCH shopping and debating, and knowing that tho I LOVE WDW, it's not terribly "restful", I booked the 4 day cruise at a great rate. Though I have not been on a Disney cruise, I have been on 7 others, three with my son who is now 10. He was 2, 3 and 4 on his previous trips and it was he who begged to go on a ship again this summer after 2 1/2 weeks in Orlando last August. Camp Carnival is great, rates are very reasonable, and, honestly, less than 1/2 the price of DCL. I think they are outrageous!
I'm one of those people who doesn't have to stay on property necessarily - last year our stay was split between on and off. It was also very difficult because my husband, chronically ill, took sick day 2 and stayed in Celebration Hospital until his death early September.
His wishes for the children were to take the youngest on a cruise, and he really wanted to stay at WL, too. This year my mom is joining us from Texas and since her first time at WDW, I would like it to be special, too.
Having cruised on ships from the highend to the low-end, I think any day at sea is great - relaxing, soothing, serene or wild as you wanna be. My son was able in the past to sit through sitdown formal dinners, enjoy Kids'Clubs and have a ball. This from a kid who had trouble separating, eating any more than chicken fingers or McD's, and still has trouble wiyth transitions. My daughter, now six, I'm sure will be fine. My son can't wait - they have the best of both worlds.
I'm going on & on here - but I think maybe consider a combo - and definitely don't get stuck on only cruising Disney.You can enjoy WDW, drive to Port Canaveral, and be on a really nice ship for the end of your wonderful vacation.
I'm willing to pay too much for staying in the world, for food, for passes, but I'm not willing to dish out twice as much for their ships. I know what's out there, and if I'm going to pay Disney prices for a ship - it will be on another, more upscale line.
Just my opinion. I know others may feel differently. Good luck and keep us posted about your plans!