Does A Disney Cruise Actually Cost More Than Spending A Week At WDW?

[Wish Upon A Star]

A friend of mine who is a travel agent gave me a DCL brochure because I am very interested in taking a 3 day sea/4 day land cruise on the DCL.

As I was adding up the costs (I would do everything separate) airfare estimates, transporation to DCL, the actual cruise, and WDW food and souveniers, it seems like it would cost well over what I usually spend at WDW for a week . . .am I wrong?

Anyone want to share with me what a DCL vacation actually costs? Including airfare, transporation, cruise, WDW meals and souveniers and tips? I'd really like to know how much I'd have to save.

Thanks!

 

[RellingTwin]

I have found the prices for either very close. Even staying at a Moderate resort, and eating one meal a day (either breakfast or lunch) from food bought at a grocery store, and the other two in the resort food court and/or one of the parks. We wind up spending about 400/day.(Family of 4)
Room 130
tickets 160
food 80
extras 30

With our Fla resident passed we save the price of tickets on future visits. But it still seems I am always reaching into my pocket for something. The nice thing about the cruise is that all entertainment and food is included.

I have done WDW for much less since joining DVC. Since the room is already paid for and we had passed for the parks, we have spent as little as 100/day BUT when you figure in the cost of DVC and the cost of the annual passes we are STILL at 250-300 per day. Since I always have the cruise paid off in advance, and plan on a budget of 1000. for everything else (room the night before, gas -we drive there, tips, photos, extras) I always feel like we can control costs much better.
I also am able to finish the trip without putting anything on a credit card, and that makes me VERY happy!
Have a great time whatever you deside!

 

[mmouse37]

Don't go by the prices listed in the DCL brochure....you can usually find prices cheaper by calling different travel agencies. Then compare prices to WDW. The brochure prices are not discounted at all but you find some discounts if you research around.

MJ

 

[pal2pluto]

I agree with the above posters...and you will probably find that a 7 day cruise is cheaper per day than the 3 or 4 day cruise. With all the entertainment/shows/unlimited food/activities and the room is just a few steps away from it all when one or two in your party wants to take a break, and you're not ready.....for me, it's unbeatable!

 

[my3kids]

When you said you'd do everything seperately, I wasn't sure if you meant the airfare, etc. or the cruise and WDW totally seperately. You'll most likely save if you get your own hotel for 3 or 4 nights, Park Hoppers, then book the 3 or 4 night cruise as cruise only. The 7 night cruise does cost the same (in the brochure) as the Land & Sea, but on the cruise all meals are included and with the package, the land meals are not.

 

[inmyis]

My DW and I along with our 4 kids (ages 9-13) have done WDW nad the Disney Magic within the last few years. We stayed at Ft Wilderness in a Cabin and were in two Category 10 staterooms on the ship. Both trips were expensive but well worth it. We did find that the cruise ended up being more expensive.
Although all the meals are included, you end up paying for a lot of things on a cruise. Ehether it be drinks (kids loved the smoothies), pins, goggles, etc. There are also the excursions on the islands and don't forget about the tips.
So we ended up spending about $2,000 more on the cruise when everything was said and done and we were able to sit down and add up what the Total cost of the vacation was. Don't get me wrong it is definitely worth it and we are probably going to book the Disney Magic again within the year. Just make sure to budget properly and save for the expenses on the ship and you will have a great time!

 

[daltonsdodisney]

There is a large thread, "What did you pay for your cruise?" at cruisecritic.com, under the Disney cruise line heading. It might be helpful to see what others have paid.

 

[kmgl78]

We have made several trips to Disney World in the past and stayed about a week. This time we are staying a week again but including the cruise (4 land/3 sea). It looks like it is going to cost us between $1,000 to $2,000 more to include the cruise than it would to just stay at Disney World for the whole week.