Fall 2026 itineraries

[WonderKid]

So you use Disney as a savings account? That’s a first.

Considering the rate of price increases...it's not necessarily a bad strategy.

 

[WonderKid]

A year is reasonable and on track with DCL’s releases. Honestly other cruise lines that release years in advance sometimes end up changing itineraries, cancelling cruises or swapping ships.

Agreed that other curise lines release in advance and then make changes. I've been burned by that.

Also think that the 2-year expiry of placeholders plays a significant role in how far in advance DCL is willing to release dates. Anybody who even thinks about their next cruise on DCL buys a placeholder.

 

[DCLMP]

Considering the rate of price increases...it's not necessarily a bad strategy.

Putting the money in your own savings accounts to collect interest vs giving it to Disney to collect interest. I'd rather do the first option, but I don't have impulse control problems when it comes to money.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Putting the money in your own savings accounts to collect interest vs giving it to Disney to collect interest. I'd rather do the first option, but I don't have impulse control problems when it comes to money.

I remember when Disney had their own savings accounts for people to save up for Disney vacations.

We have several sub savings accounts for things like vacation, insurance, etc. It works great for us. Leaving it in the regular savings account opens the money up to other things.

 

[DCLMP]

I remember when Disney had their own savings accounts for people to save up for Disney vacations.

We have several sub savings accounts for things like vacation, insurance, etc. It works great for us. Leaving it in the regular savings account opens the money up to other things.

That's the best way to do things. I have an emergency fund at another bank that I never look at, and a savings account at my main bank just for vacations. Vacations are such a priority in my life I'm never tempted to use the money for anything else.

 

[Staceycs]

Personally I hope they send the Wonder back to Florida and the Magic to Australia just to offer some variety.

We would absolutely love to see the Magic out in Australia too. We have our 5th and 6th Wonder sailings booked for the upcoming season, and while we adore her, we’d love to change it up a little. As of right now, the NSW Port Authority schedule still shows the Wonder visiting in the 2026/2027 season, but I hope that it’s really what many have said, and it may be a decoy/placeholder and DCL will actually send the Magic.

Our family will always book multiple Disney cruises each season regardless of ship they send to Australia, as that’s just OUR preference, but I guess we are in the minority… I don’t think many others have as much patience for a lack of change in ship or itineraries. There’s also the question of how many years they’ll keep coming out here .

 

[Royal Consort]

Our family will always book multiple Disney cruises each season regardless of ship they send to Australia, as that’s just OUR preference, but I guess we are in the minority… I don’t think many others have as much patience for a lack of change in ship or itineraries. There’s also the question of how many years they’ll keep coming out here .

I'm pleased you enjoy the itineraries. For me, I find them mind numbingly boring in Australia. Though maybe I'm becoming disenfranchised with DCL in general with shorter cruises that dont go anywhere or sky high European itineraries that would be better served by sailing a competitor who focuses on interesting ports of call.

Disney's novelty hasn't taken long to wear off in Australia: I'd probably sail if they took me out to the south pacific islands. The Magic is one way for guests to experience new shows and restaurants if they're determined not to go anywhere. But I dont think Disney seem to have put much thought into the Australian market.

 

[Garyjames220]

So you use Disney as a savings account? That’s a first.

Sadly not as I never get the money back, always goes to a trip with them. Not sure why you would think it’s a savings account just a better way of budgeting for me

 

[lois00525]

Sadly not as I never get the money back, always goes to a trip with them. Not sure why you would think it’s a savings account just a better way of budgeting for me

I agree. Everyone should do what works best for themselves.

 

[DCLMP]

Sadly not as I never get the money back, always goes to a trip with them. Not sure why you would think it’s a savings account just a better way of budgeting for me

I said it's a first because I've never heard of anyone booking a cruise just to give Disney their money until they can change it to a cruise they actually want to take. It's unique.

 

[Garyjames220]

I said it's a first because I've never heard of anyone booking a cruise just to give Disney their money until they can change it to a cruise they actually want to take. It's unique.

You said it’s a savings account which I was confused by as you don’t ever get the money back when you plan to do a Disney trip obviously

It may be unique but suits me to spread my payments over more time, don’t miss the money as much that way too

I would also say it’s unique in how little time Disney give you to pay such expensive cruises. Nearly every other line has most of 2027 out if not 2028

I guess also people that go with other lines book years in advance as they let them. Disney doesn’t so this is my way of doing it

 

[DCLMP]

You said it’s a savings account which I was confused by as you don’t ever get the money back when you plan to do a Disney trip obviously

It may be unique but suits me to spread my payments over more time, don’t miss the money as much that way too

I would also say it’s unique in how little time Disney give you to pay such expensive cruises. Nearly every other line has most of 2027 out if not 2028

I guess also people that go with other lines book years in advance as they let them. Disney doesn’t so this is my way of doing it

You can always get the money back before the PIF date. I would assume if you are booking far in advance that is always an option. Disney gives you plenty of time to save up for a cruise...it's called a vacation savings account. There is nothing wrong with what your doing. I don't know how many people pay on cruises and roll them to the next year...maybe it's not that unique.

It's hard to say how many people book years in advance. I know some on cruise critic will have multiple cruises booked over a couple year period. I like to go one at a time.

 

[Garyjames220]

You can always get the money back before the PIF date. I would assume if you are booking far in advance that is always an option. Disney gives you plenty of time to save up for a cruise...it's called a vacation savings account. There is nothing wrong with what your doing. I don't know how many people pay on cruises and roll them to the next year...maybe it's not that unique.

It's hard to say how many people book years in advance. I know some on cruise critic will have multiple cruises booked over a couple year period. I like to go one at a time.

Yeah I guess it’s just all about when’s best for the individual person

I no some people save Disney gift cards etc to as you sometimes get discounts with that

My next Disney trip in dollars is about 18k and I’m doing a Disney cruise in Dec 2026 to which I’ll move it to when it comes out. Iv actually nearly paid off the 2026 December cruise so it feels good when the itineraries come out it’s nearly paid in full

Some people rather put it in the bank I’m sure but it’s worked for me for many years and if I never done it this way I would probably have blown the money on rubbish

 

[DCLMP]

Yeah I guess it’s just all about when’s best for the individual person

I no some people save Disney gift cards etc to as you sometimes get discounts with that

My next Disney trip in dollars is about 18k and I’m doing a Disney cruise in Dec 2026 to which I’ll move it to when it comes out. Iv actually nearly paid off the 2026 December cruise so it feels good when the itineraries come out it’s nearly paid in full

Some people rather put it in the bank I’m sure but it’s worked for me for many years and if I never done it this way I would probably have blown the money on rubbish

If your cruise is almost paid off why are you waiting so long? Why not go now. Next question is why is it 18k? Concierge? 18k would be at least 3 or 4 cruises for me.

 

[katyringo]

I think DCL releases later than some other lines because of the demographics of their guests. A vast majority of DCL guests are families with kids so knowing school schedules is important and those are only released 12-18 months on advance. DCL wants to be able to leverage the initial excitement from the itinerary release to get bookings and that is lost if people can't/won't actually book for another 12 months when a school schedule gets released. If they release too early they inventory will just sit unsold waiting for people to get school calendars or will result in a barrage of cancellations once people realize their booked dates don't work.

We like to take advantage of early/late summer cruises (but need exact school start/end dates), cruises that fall over unusual breaks mid school year (e.g. kids have a random entire week off in October now that they didn't use to have), and other quirks of our district's school calendar to avoid the absolute most expensive dates.

Our school district has board approved calendars out for the next 3 years. They did that after feedback from families wanting them sooner to better plan vacations lol.

 

[katyringo]

That's the best way to do things. I have an emergency fund at another bank that I never look at, and a savings account at my main bank just for vacations. Vacations are such a priority in my life I'm never tempted to use the money for anything else.

We bank with SoFi and they let you create "vaults" in your savings account and name them. So we have a Disney "vault" emergency fund "vault" etc..

 

[Garyjames220]

If your cruise is almost paid off why are you waiting so long? Why not go now. Next question is why is it 18k? Concierge? 18k would be at least 3 or 4 cruises for me.

7000 cruise treasure
2200 flights
500 transfers airports/ports etc
7000 Disney world
2000 spending / excursions / drinks onboard
400 Epcot fireworks party

Goodness that’s in pounds and all so it’s well over 20k in dollars. Wish I never worked it out now

This years trip to Disney is already paid. I am working on end of next years now. When I say the cruise is nearly paid that’s the cruise only, next I’ll need to move on to all the other stuff like Disney world etc. we normally go away for about three weeks so that’s why it’s so high.

 

[croschek05]

7000 cruise treasure
2200 flights
500 transfers airports/ports etc
7000 Disney world
2000 spending / excursions / drinks onboard
400 Epcot fireworks party

Goodness that’s in pounds and all so it’s well over 20k in dollars. Wish I never worked it out now

This years trip to Disney is already paid. I am working on end of next years now. When I say the cruise is nearly paid that’s the cruise only, next I’ll need to move on to all the other stuff like Disney world etc. we normally go away for about three weeks so that’s why it’s so high.

We're doing 3 nights Poly Island Tower and 7 night treasure balcony in a few weeks. I feel like when you add it all up it's a $20k trip lol

 

[Garyjames220]

We're doing 3 nights Poly Island Tower and 7 night treasure balcony in a few weeks. I feel like when you add it all up it's a $20k trip lol

Does that mean I got a good deal with three weeks

 

[Garyjames220]

So when is everyone guessing we will here the itineracies will come out now