Doing WDW Before Cruise...

[ChrizJen]

We need some tips on the BEST way to to WDW for a couple of days before a cruise. I know LOTS of you have done it!
We're planning a 7-night cruise for 2015, and we've decided to try and surprise DD with a couple of days at the parks before we cruise.
Who's done it? What are your tips to make the most of it?
We've done a few cruises, but we've never been to WDW, so any advice is appreciated (best way to do transportation, which parks to do, best resort to stay in for the price, is it worth it to do a meal plan for just 2 days? etc).

Here's the low-down:
-We will be 2 adults and 1 child.
-Our DD will be 8 at the time we cruise.
-Our cruise will depart on a Saturday, so our initial thought is to fly into Orlando on Wednesday and check in and stay 3 nights.
-We're trying to decide whether to do Magic Kingdom for 2 days, or to try and do another park too.
-We'd like to pack in as much fun as we can before we leave for the cruise, and we'd like the transition to run as smoothly as possible.

TIA for sharing your experiences and for any advice you might have!

 

[Mommysj2010]

Hello,
Last year we did WDW before our cruise. We did not stay on WDW we found a cheaper hotel offsite but after it was all done, We wished that we would have stayed on site and purchased the dining plan. We went to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios. We have a 3 year old and did not think he would enjoy much at Epcot. Our 3 year old really enjoyed Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Hollywood Studios has a Disney Jr. Studio that features Mickey's Club house, Jake, Sofia and Doc. Of course we did not think that we would be eating in the parks. Wrong...We could have really benefited from the dining plan. We were able to do Magic Kingdom in one day. Our 3 year old would have enjoyed going back but we were short on time as well. We did Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios on the same day. Hope this helps!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

As far as transportation I would rent a car from Budget. YOu can drop the car off at the Budget off by the port and they have several shuttle vans standing by to take folks over to the ship.

When you are done with cruise the Budget shuttle van will be there to pick you up and take you back to the rental office.

That is what we did and it was easy and SO much cheaper than Disney transportation for 2 adults.

 

[wencherous]

Granted it's been many years since we stayed/visited the parks before our cruise, but I thought that if the land/sea reservations were linked you could take the free Disney transportation to the port, it picks you up from your hotel (we even had the option of visiting animal kingdom in the morning and being picked up from there). Perhaps this has changed?