Disney Cruise or WDW first w/ little ones?

[happybratpack]

OK, I'm trying to plan out a vacation for January to take the stepkiddos to WDW for their first trip. (will be 3 and 7) We want to also do a 3 or 4 day Disney cruise with it but I can't figure out what would be better for them - WDW first then cruise or vice versa? If we do the cruise first will they be too wiped for WDW? What have you done?

Thanks!

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Everyone we spoke with including Sue Ellen at DU recommended doing the cruise second as a relaxing way to "recover" from WDW. We are going with a 3 and (turning) 5yo.

 

[savs]

The cruise is way more relaxing!!! Oh to be going on a cruise again......I'm so jealous!!!

In my opinion the children would love to go and spend a few days with Mickey at the parks, then taking a cruise to wind down the vacation. Both are very fun to do. I know you'll enjoy your vacation either way you choice to do it.

When I ask my boys what they would rather do....they both answer the take a Disney cruise.

 

[MNmom]

Our personal experience is that the 3/4 day cruise is NOT relaxing. We had a very hard time because we didn't want to miss anything. You don't want to miss any of the shows/characters/ports etc and on the shorter cruise you only have one chance to do it.

Our solution!!!! Do the 7 day cruise and plan a trip to the parks when the kids are a bit older. We have done 2 7day cruises and they are truely relaxing. You have 2-3 days to enjoy the ship and there is more time to enjoy the little things. I think it would be too much for ME much less my three kids to try to do both on one trip and you end up not really enjoying either because you are sooo rushed.

We are now planning a trip to WDW since my DS(6) has never been. He loved the cruise when he turned 4 but is now ready for TOT, Splash Mtn, Star Tours and Test Track. The only problem is my DD(12) doesn't even want to go to the parks anymore...she only wants to go on the cruise. Poor baby will have to suffer and go to WDW with her family this summer

Good Luck and you will have fun whatever you do

 

[savs]

Our personal experience is that the 3/4 day cruise is NOT relaxing. We had a very hard time because we didn't want to miss anything. You don't want to miss any of the shows/characters/ports etc and on the shorter cruise you only have one chance to do it.

:

This I don't have 1st hand experience on , but I can say that the 7 day is just wonderful. With the 7 day you have a few days at sea, that way you can get everything done on the ship and then when you dock you can concentrate on everything off of the ship (which for us, was mainly playing at a beach).

 

[ktglads]

No kids but we did the cruise first (3 days) and then WDW (5 days) and then Unviersal (3 days). The 3 day cruise is rather rushed as you have a port/show every day so you are busy the entire time. I feel that I was way more relaxed at WDW than on the cruise, but then again I've been before, knew I was going back in 4 months, so if something got missed, then it could easily be seen again later.

For a first trip, I think I would choose one or the other. Otherwise, I think you will feel very rushed on both and possibly not enjoy either as much as you would have had they been independent trips. January would be a great time to introduce the kids to the parks with no crowds!

 

[undertheradar]

You have kids, so this should be easy. Do the parks first and then do the cruise. I suggest this because your wallet will enjoy the benefit of the inclusive meals on the cruise. Otherwise, your kids will want all of the food they see at the parks(after being able to eat what they wanted on the cruise). Having 3 kids in our family, believe me when I suggest that you will be glad that you did your "A'la Carte" portion first.