Does time of the year matter much?

[Coll0610]

We would like to take a cruise. Since we already take DS out of school for a week to go to WDW in the fall, we won't be able to take him out of school. (I just can't give up the Disney trip!) We don't go to WDW at Christmas or spring break because of the crowds, and we don't want to go in the summer because of the heat. Does the time of year matter as much on the cruise? I realize that the cruises are more expensive at times when the kids are out of school. I suppose there are more kids at that time, but does it feel much more crowded? How about the weather? Is it a lot hotter in the summer?

 

[mketting]

A full ship doesn't feel like a full amusement park. There are so many different thigs going on that people are pretty dispersed throught out the ship. The Mickey pool seems to be the one area that gets pretty packed at times. I think the ships are more often filled than not throughout the year.

The biggest difference when going in the "off" times is the cost difference which is quite significant! Booking early for an off season sail compared to booking later during Summers of Holidays could save you $100's or even $1000's depending on the category you choose.

 

[DrCavin]

Time of year makes a really big difference. You have differences in price, weather, & hurricane season can really be interesting. Last year the hurricanes were really messing with peoples vacations for awhile. The number of people cruising is pretty much the same all year long, almost always full. It does not feel crowded at all, so don't worry about crowds.

You could combine your stay at WDW & take a 3/4 day cruise to see how it works for your family.

 

[mommasita]

YES YES YES

Check out dreamsunlimited.com (sponsor) and you will see the difference in pricing...allseastravel.com also shows a lot of prices....It will give you a general idea.....

We always pull them out, and go in Hurricane season, cause it really works in our budget..Have you thought of trying a short cruise to see if it works for your family? Like a 3 or 4 day, and then you would just extend your park stay a bit..

Lots of us were park people, and now have been bitten by the cruise bug, and only do that....

Just some info...Hope it helps you..

 

[pearlieq]

Well our cruise in September wound up squashed between hurricanes--I don't think I ever want to be up every three hours checking the new weather reports. Hurricane season is definitely for those with strong stomachs!

 

[kplatt]

Take a really close look at the school schedule, and you may not need to take him out for five days. Our schools are always closed the first Monday and Tuesday of November, so we took several vacations that week when the kids were in elementary school. They missed only three days of school for a total of 9 days away, and we always talked to the teachers first. All were supportive. Some gave homework to be done during the week.

We have another two-day holiday the last week of January. So if we had wanted, we could have taken two week-long vacations and the kids would have missed only 6 days total.

Take advantage of it while you can -- it gets harder when the children are older!

Karen
Wonder 11/01
Magic 3/02
Magic 11/02
Carnival Destiny (don't ask) 12/03
Booked on the Magic Repositioning 8/05