Disneyland for the 1st time or a Disney Crusie again

[MelDane]

please help, we just go back last month from our 3rd trip to Disney World in 3 years and we have done 2 Disney cruises in that same period (a 7 day and a 15 day) and now we are looking at planning a trip over Halloween and we have trouble deciding between a 6 night stay at Disneyland (staying at the Disneyland Hotel) or doing a back to back cruise on the Disney Dream for a total of 7 nights. My estimate budget outlook for the trip shows that the cruise would be about $500 more then Disneyland but with a longer trip. What would others decide as the best option?

 

[MrJT]

I would do Disneyland, for the sole reason that you never have. You've been to WDW, you've been on the cruise, it's time to go to where it all started.

 

[LizzyS]

I would do Disneyland, for the sole reason that you never have. You've been to WDW, you've been on the cruise, it's time to go to where it all started.

I agree with this sentiment.

 

[ADLFAN]

Yeah, if you like Disney atmosphere and history, it is very moving to visit the place where Walt himself created it. I imagine how he put his heart into fulfilling his dreams and how much he must have loved his park. I would suggest DLR, and the DLH is a very fun place to stay. Plus, Halloween might be a very fun time to visit, especially if you are interested in attending a Halloween party in DL.

Just out of curiosity, what are the destinations for the cruise itinerary?

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

I vote for Disneyland also! You will love it. And you could extend it easily if you would like a longer vacation. So much to do nearby. I just did my first DL vacation and stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and would recommend adding another night for just enjoying the hotel and its amenities/activities or the nearby Downtown Disney. A break in the middle would make it a more relaxing stay, in my personal opinion.

Enjoy either trip! They sound wonderful.

 

[MelDane]

If we did Disneyland we would do a Halloween Party to enjoy the festivals in the park. The cruise we are looking at is 2 stops at Nassau Bahamas and then 2 at Castaway Cay because it would be a Back to Back.

 

[DLgal]

Do Disneyland.

 

[MelDane]

Is 6 days in Disneyland too much?

 

[justgrace]

Disneyland, most definitely! And I'm not just saying that because I end up terribly sea sick so a cruise is a no-no for me!

6 days in Disneyland is not too much at all - actually I think that would be the perfect amount of days. So much to do and see! We've been there countless times and even 12 days seems like is never enough.

 

[kristabelle13]

Is 6 days in Disneyland too much?

Definitely not - but keep in mind the longest ticket they sell is 5 days. So you might want to get creative. Options could include:
1. 5 day tix plus a 1 day ticket. Maybe a 1-day non-park hopper in the middle.
2. Upgrade your WDW AP to premier pass (I'm just guessing you might have WDW APs)
3. Get a 5-day pass, use the Halloween party as the 6th day and get there when they allow you.
4. Two 3-day passes - one w/ park hoppers and one w/out. (Would get two Magic Mornings if you're not staying onsite). Not the cheapest, but might be worth it if you're early morning types and the MM is scheduled for 7am.
5. Or, one person get an AP and the rest get one of the combos. Might save enough in discounts to make it worth it (are there AP discounts for the Halloween parties?). Watch out for blackout days though (less of a problem in the fall).

 

[MelDane]

Thank you for the suggestions about how to get creative with tickets. I am in the military so I can get their special military discounted 3 day ticket.

 

[DnA2010]

We did 5 day hoppers plus a party last Oct- wasn't too much at all, in fact we really wished we would have had a few more days! Disney cruises are great, but DL is something special.

 

[kristabelle13]

Thank you for the suggestions about how to get creative with tickets. I am in the military so I can get their special military discounted 3 day ticket.

Perfect! You're set then have fun! 6 days will be awesome!

 

[cruisehopeful]

I see you are getting more Disneyland voted in this forum and more cruise votes in the other thread. I'm sticking with leaning towards Disneyland for you. The back to back cruise would be great, but you are going to repeat the same ports, the same meals, the same shows during both legs. At least with Disneyland, you have a much broader range of places to eat (between the parks, the hotels and downtown disney). If you want to hang out in a bar, Trader Sam's and the lobby bar in the Grand Californian are spectacular. We have gone to both without visiting the parks at all because we like them so much. You can rent a cabana for a half day by the pool if you want to.

 

[westcoastminnie]

I see you are getting more Disneyland voted in this forum and more cruise votes in the other thread. I'm sticking with leaning towards Disneyland for you. The back to back cruise would be great, but you are going to repeat the same ports, the same meals, the same shows during both legs. At least with Disneyland, you have a much broader range of places to eat (between the parks, the hotels and downtown disney). If you want to hang out in a bar, Trader Sam's and the lobby bar in the Grand Californian are spectacular. We have gone to both without visiting the parks at all because we like them so much. You can rent a cabana for a half day by the pool if you want to.

I noticed this too about the other thread and am in agreement with you... Disneyland, hands down! I don't think 6 days is too much, especially if you're staying on property and have the time to enjoy what the hotel has to offer Plus, Halloween at DLR is one of the best seasons!

 

[taniahappy]

Disneyland !!!