Disney Magic or Disneyland?

[mickeymom22]

Okay, talk to me about your experience on the Disney Magic. That ship is calling for me for some reason!

My family and I have been on a 3 night cruise on the Dream, and we loved it! We are WDW veterans and are also looking into going to Disneyland. I don't think we can do both any time soon, so talk me into why we should cruise specifically on the Magic vs. a Disneyland trip!

Thank you for time and opinions!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Which cruise are you looking at -- European, or Caribbean?

What time of year are you considering? Disneyland gets very crowded, so we only go during the off-season. The Magic is more "intimate" than the Dream -- we prefer the smaller size, but you might prefer the bells and whistles of the Dream class.

We've been to WDW and DLR and prefer the drier climate in DLR -- California isn't nearly as humid as Florida.

 

[mickeymom22]

Which cruise are you looking at -- European, or Caribbean?

What time of year are you considering? Disneyland gets very crowded, so we only go during the off-season. The Magic is more "intimate" than the Dream -- we prefer the smaller size, but you might prefer the bells and whistles of the Dream class.

We've been to WDW and DLR and prefer the drier climate in DLR -- California isn't nearly as humid as Florida.

If we went to Disneyland it would have to be some time in August before school starts on the 29th. We might could squeeze one in the 2nd week of June... The cruise I was looking at would be in January for 4 nights leaving out of Miami and stopping at Key West, Nassau, and Castaway Cay.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 

[MaleficentUK]

We did our first cruise as a 3 night out of Miami. It was excellent. Highly recommended. It was really warm that year...Apart from our Castaway Cay day!
I am also normally a WDW person, but I did Disneyland like once, in June. It was hot and crowded, but I was impressed with how the crowds still flowed.
I'd recommend doing the cruise and also setting a future date for Disneyland.

 

[anricat]

We've been on the Magic twice and it's our favorite ship. We are definitely fans of the Classics. The smaller size resonates with our family more for a variety of reasons. Disneyland is also fun. I think it would depend on the itinerary, time of year and what kind of vacation you're looking for.

 

[phil1914]

we're the west coast opposites. we're DL vets and have gone all times of the year. we've done a 7d cruise on the magic to mexico and loved it. we're about to book a trip to WDW and finish it with a 4d cruise on the dream this august.

+1 on depends on the time of year. that last week of august would have been a good time to go to DL. i'd prefer the week of aug 21 over 2nd week of june.

magic is nice intimate ship. been on bigger RC cruise ships and yes they're a bit much to get around.

 

[DahliaRW]

I love the magic. But, if it's only a 4-night cruise, I'd do DL.

 

[ludari]

I really enjoy sailing on the Magic and have done two transatlantic cruises on her but considering the cruise you selected compared to Disneyland I would definitely choose Disneyland.

 

[Trera]

Cruises to me a relaxing and dont feel overly crowded. The parks are always madness with lines for everything and many times I am always hot and sweaty.

1 vote cruise.

 

[mickeymom22]

Thank you all for your responses! I am still torn between the two!

 

[Disneymadhouse]

What ages are your children? We've been on Dream, and Magic 3 times. I prefer the pool area on Dream. That way I can stay on my pool chair and keep an eye on DD (8) while she invariably hops between both pools and the yellow Mickey slide. On Magic, she prefers the Goofy pool, but also loves playing in the nephews splash zone and on the yellow Mickey slide. So we normally sit by the Goofy pool and then DH and I take it in turns to go down to the other pool area with her. I know there are parents who let the children go by themselves, but we don't feel comfortable doing that.
Depending on the ages of your children, and your views, a cruise may not be the relaxing family time you had imagined!!

Claire

 

[cmph]

Your signature shows your kids are bitty... so I might change my answer depending on where you are coming from. If you're far east coasters, that's a looong flight for the little ones, followed by a crowded park. Not so much DCA, but DL will feel extra crowded to you with a double stroller. It just wasn't built for all our modern big strollers. It sounds like a minor difference, until you try to get into Adventureland, or around the carousel. So I guess to me, it sounds more like a "vacation" to do the cruise, and wait for DL a few years for the kids to be older. I would potentially change that answer if your kids had never been to WDW, but if they've experienced the characters/magic one place already, that's a non-issue. So that's my opinion, but you know what? you should do whatever you and DH really want to do, b/c the kids will not remember this trip either way!

 

[okamy]

We were just at Disneyland for Spring Break in March. My daughters (ages 12 and 10) love the rides, but the crowds really got to all of us after a while. I cannot tell you how many times one of us would say, "I wish we were on a cruise" or "this is fun, but I really miss ______ from the cruises." We all agreed at the end of the trip that it will be a while before we go back to Disneyland, but we can't wait for our next Disney Cruise (in December). We love having the Disney elements without having to battle crowds and stand in seemingly endless lines. The ship can only hold a fixed number of people, and although we've said numerous "full" cruises, for the most part, they didn't feel crowded.

 

[mickeymom22]

Your signature shows your kids are bitty... so I might change my answer depending on where you are coming from. If you're far east coasters, that's a looong flight for the little ones, followed by a crowded park. Not so much DCA, but DL will feel extra crowded to you with a double stroller. It just wasn't built for all our modern big strollers. It sounds like a minor difference, until you try to get into Adventureland, or around the carousel. So I guess to me, it sounds more like a "vacation" to do the cruise, and wait for DL a few years for the kids to be older. I would potentially change that answer if your kids had never been to WDW, but if they've experienced the characters/magic one place already, that's a non-issue. So that's my opinion, but you know what? you should do whatever you and DH really want to do, b/c the kids will not remember this trip either way!

Oh no my kids are older...DD1 is 17 and DD2 will be 11 in a few days. My son will be 20 in a few days, and will probably not join us. Our stroller days are over! We will be flying cross country. I appreciate your suggestions!

 

[mickeymom22]

What ages are your children? We've been on Dream, and Magic 3 times. I prefer the pool area on Dream. That way I can stay on my pool chair and keep an eye on DD (8) while she invariably hops between both pools and the yellow Mickey slide. On Magic, she prefers the Goofy pool, but also loves playing in the nephews splash zone and on the yellow Mickey slide. So we normally sit by the Goofy pool and then DH and I take it in turns to go down to the other pool area with her. I know there are parents who let the children go by themselves, but we don't feel comfortable doing that.
Depending on the ages of your children, and your views, a cruise may not be the relaxing family time you had imagined!!

Claire

Thank you my kids are older, but I still like to be around my youngest when she is in the pool!

 

[mickeymom22]

We were just at Disneyland for Spring Break in March. My daughters (ages 12 and 10) love the rides, but the crowds really got to all of us after a while. I cannot tell you how many times one of us would say, "I wish we were on a cruise" or "this is fun, but I really miss ______ from the cruises." We all agreed at the end of the trip that it will be a while before we go back to Disneyland, but we can't wait for our next Disney Cruise (in December). We love having the Disney elements without having to battle crowds and stand in seemingly endless lines. The ship can only hold a fixed number of people, and although we've said numerous "full" cruises, for the most part, they didn't feel crowded.

We have been to WDW at a really busy time so I understand what you are saying about being tired with the crowds! Thank you for your reply!

 

[cmph]

Oh no my kids are older...DD1 is 17 and DD2 will be 11 in a few days. My son will be 20 in a few days, and will probably not join us. Our stroller days are over! We will be flying cross country. I appreciate your suggestions!

Oh, ok!! I saw DD1 and DD2 and took that to be 1yo and 2yo! Then my answer is totally different! I say ask them. My kids would definitely have an opinion, and my 11yo daughter esp would certainly appreciate being asked for input. FWIW, my kids like both, but they'd both pick a cruise over DL if they were given the option. The crowds there really get to them, much more so than WDW. They actually asked to go to Pinocchio's Workshop last year (DL's former in-house babysitting facility, or at least almost former - can't remember when it closed/will close), b/c they just wanted out of the parks one day. And they are not kids' club loving kids. They don't like the DCL ones much, even. However, if your kids are cool with packed crowds and are big Disney fans - you can't beat the whole "Walt's park" history aspect of being in Disneyland! Plus you could add in other SoCal stuff. You can't go wrong either way, really.