DCL Cruise or WDW?

[traveljen1027]

Hi all - we have a 7 day DCL cruise booked for October 2010, but now I'm thinking of switching to the WDW resort. We have 2 small children - our DD will be 6, and our DD will be 1.5 - and we've been to WDW exactly one time to spend one day at the Magic Kingdom before our DCL cruise 2 years ago. I'm kind of excited to spend an entire week at WDW, but am worried about the baby...will it be difficult to have a good time with him in tow? Will we be able to enjoy the rides? Restaurants? Shows? Anyone have any experience with this or advice? It's a tough choice because (I think) both are equally good choices, but never having truly spent any time at WDW, especially with an infant, I'm really nervous about making a change. Right now we are thinking of staying at the Port Orleans French Quarter (Sat-Sat) and adding the deluxe dining plan - trying to make it comparable to what we'd receive on the cruise - and then attempting to see the dinner shows, character dining, etc. Help!! Also, its the last week of October, so I believe the Halloween stuff will be going on...will that make the trip better/worse?

 

[nenner1]

I'm a cruise girl myself...of course I'm local so we can and do go to the parks at a drop of a hat.

Are you thinking you might want more of an opportunity to relax- that would be the cruise for sure. Especially for the opportunity to relax without the kids for a minimal charge (6 year old in the club and the baby in Flounders reef) Babysitting in WDW is more expensive.

Parks with an 18 m/o isn't really all that easy but neither is a cruise. (I'm going on a cruise in 23 days and we just got back from Disapalooza weekend so I've done/doing both recently/soon) But yes I do think the little one will enjoy the parks. MY DD loved going "weeeeeeeee!" and the lights, music, etc. Absolutely loved it.

Again though all things being equal I would totally go with the cruise...but it is a tough dilemma. Maybe a day or two at the parks before the cruise?

HTH a little, you have a tough decision ahead!

 

[nicki.momof3]

We have 3 young kids (started travling to WDW 1+ time a year when they were 2,3,4). WDW is fun for young kids and you can do a ton. A mid day nap is needed for us and we are ready to go all night.

DCL is AMAZING. However, a huge plus (for you and the kids) to a DCL vacation are the kids clubs. They are so cool and the kids love going in them. They doing the most amazing activities all the time. Our kids love the PJ parties, princess parties, science labs, and so on. Kids can stay in the clubs without a parent at age 3 and potty trained.

We shared a table with a family on our last DCL 7 night trip and they had a 2 year old. It was a challenge because he always wanted to go into the clubs with the other kids and could only go with a parent.

DCL costs a lot for a family for 7 nights I personally would wait until all your children are old enough to go into the clubs - it is also great to have some adult time (have a nice dinner at Palo's).

You could always pay to send the little one to flounders but it just isn't as cool as the oceaners club.

 

[kkmcan]

How about both? We've done 4 nights at WDW followed by a 3 night cruise and we've also done 2 nights at WDW followed by a 4 night cruise. We booked them separately (costs less). It's nice to rush round seeing WDW and then head off to paradise to relax!

You get a taste of both. We just got back last week and I'm ready to do the whole thing over again. Except I'd like at least 5-6 days in the parks and a 7 night cruise this time.

 

[happymommy]

I'd do just Disneyworld. I've done both, WDW many many times, and the cruise once. On the cruise, there is much less to entertain a one year old. Much less. My kids didn't like the clubs (but they were a bit older). There is so much more freedom at WDW.

I loved Disney with the kids when they were really little. They loved so much, especially the shows and rides. On the cruise, it's more fun for kids a bit older than yours, or teens. My son was at an in between age, and really we are not at all into characters anymore. So I won't do a Disney cruise again (another comparable cruise can cost half, plus Disney cruise wasn't NEARLY as good with my son's food allergies as WDW).

I find Disney with a very young kids so easy. The cruise was not as easy with my kids at all. And way more expensive.

 

[sweetpeakaris]

I would stick with the cruise, you and the kids will love it!! You can always do Disney once the baby is old enough to really enjoy it.

 

[traveljen1027]

Thanks all! We have been on DCL before when our oldest was 3 and a half, and she loved it...well, we all loved it...but we're just tempted to try something different. I love the relaxation of the cruise, but since we've never been to WDW, it just sounds fun. I know our DD would have fun in Flounder's & in Mickey's Ear, but I think he'd also enjoy the sites at WDW. I guess we just have to decide what we want more - relaxing vacation, or site-seeing vacation, LOL. I would do a land/sea vacation, but after cruising a few times, I know that 3 or 4 days just isn't enough for us...I wish our DD had a 2 week fall break so we could do some time at WDW and the 7 day DCL.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Thanks all! We have been on DCL before when our oldest was 3 and a half, and she loved it...well, we all loved it...but we're just tempted to try something different. I love the relaxation of the cruise, but since we've never been to WDW, it just sounds fun. I know our DD would have fun in Flounder's & in Mickey's Ear, but I think he'd also enjoy the sites at WDW. I guess we just have to decide what we want more - relaxing vacation, or site-seeing vacation, LOL. I would do a land/sea vacation, but after cruising a few times, I know that 3 or 4 days just isn't enough for us...I wish our DD had a 2 week fall break so we could do some time at WDW and the 7 day DCL.

I 100% agree 3-4 night crusies just are not enough. We also need 7 nights. If you have never been to WDW that is where you need to go. YOur DD will LOVE it and so will you. There are ways to build relaxation into your day - the pools at many of the resorts are great and relaxing.