Graduation Trip

[Dream 2015]

I am planning a big blowout final Disney trip to WDW and a 4 day Cruise on the Dream for my niece and nephew's 2015 graduation and need help determining which we should do first. We plan to drive down from St Louis and visit Universal for 3 days then Cruise and a week at the World. Does anyone have any suggestions on the order we should plan the trip. I know it is early but we only have a two week window for the trip and need to block dates before other family members take their turns celebrating. We plan to travel the middle of June.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Welcome to the DIS!

I would save the cruise portion of your trip for last, when you're tired from the parks. It's nice to unwind and be pampered on the ship.

Also, some schools are still in session in June, so WDW and Universal might be less crowded earlier in the month.

 

[lanejudy]

We did cruise first followed by WDW. Many people suggest the opposite. It's really just personal preference. Ours was based on the timing -- our available dates and we wanted the 4-night cruise rather than a 3-night, so at the time that meant cruise first then WDW. We had a terrific time, by doing WDW after it sort of extends that Disney magic rather than getting off the ship and returning to the "real" world immediately.

One note...I'm not sure if this is high school or college graduation, but if either will be close to turning 18 (or during your vacation) you might want to keep that in mind. As soon as that 18th birthday occurs, they can no longer attend programming at the teen club (Vibe), though they do get access to all adult areas including adult dining.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Dream 2015]

Thanks for the information. I've been leaning toward the cruise being at the end so that we have a few days to recoup before traveling home. They have been on almost 10 cruises with other family members but not a Disney and this will be my first cruise.

They will turn 18 on the day they graduate from high school but they don't plan to attend any of the teen clubs. They are very excited about the idea of exploring the Dream and having one more Disney adventure with their favorite Aunt.

 

[sbtrfly74]

I would suggest they look into the Vibe, some kids dont like clubs but it was my DD's favorite part of the trip both times and still did lots of family together stuff as well. She still keeps in touch with the friends she made there.

One poor kid turned 18 this time during the cruise then that was it for him. Maybe just keep it as an option, they plan lots of awesome activities and get the entire front of the ship with their own pool/hot tubs to themselves.

 

[ahain]

........... As soon as that 18th birthday occurs, they can no longer attend programming at the teen club (Vibe), though they do get access to all adult areas including adult dining.
QUOTE]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that even though they can go to the adult areas & clubs at 18, they cannot drink alcohol on Disney ships until they are 21.

 

[lanejudy]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that even though they can go to the adult areas & clubs at 18, they cannot drink alcohol on Disney ships until they are 21.

That's correct, they still must be 21 to be served alcohol onboard.

I would suggest they look into the Vibe, some kids dont like clubs but it was my DD's favorite part of the trip both times and still did lots of family together stuff as well. She still keeps in touch with the friends she made there.

One poor kid turned 18 this time during the cruise then that was it for him. Maybe just keep it as an option, they plan lots of awesome activities and get the entire front of the ship with their own pool/hot tubs to themselves.

OP indicated they turn 18 on graduation day, which presumably is prior to the trip; therefore they will not be eligible to even check out Vibe except during Open House. There may be a college-age group, it depends on how many of that age are on the cruise. They typically meet in a lounge in the evenings but worth checking out if it's listed on the Navigator.

 

[sbtrfly74]

OP indicated they turn 18 on graduation day, which presumably is prior to the trip; therefore they will not be eligible to even check out Vibe except during Open House. There may be a college-age group, it depends on how many of that age are on the cruise. They typically meet in a lounge in the evenings but worth checking out if it's listed on the Navigator.

Yeah I saw that but thought it would be worth looking into planning the trip a little earlier, my DD 17 had a much better time in the Vibe than my college age DD hanging out with the over 18 crowd.

 

[bceagle76]

I would suggest 3 days at Univresal, 4 at Disney and 7 on the cruise

 

[Narnia_girl]

What a fun trip! We also did a Disney cruise when our first son graduated--and we have the next one scheduled for our second son's graduation.

I actually like the idea of saving a few land days for after the cruise, because there seems to be some post-cruise let down. This gives you something else to look forward to. But it really is a matter of preference.

 

[Dream 2015]

Since they are very familiar with the world of cruising I honestly don't think they will do the club thing. They are just excited about taking their first Disney Cruise. We celebrated their hand full birthday (5th) and B'nai Mitzvah at WDW and we are excited to celebrate the next milestone in their life. They have already informed me that we need not get off the Dream at any of the stops except Castaway Cay because they have seen all the sights.

We plan to start working out details of what they want to do and see over the next two months so we can book the cruise as soon as Disney releases June 2015 dates.

 

[ariel68]

What a fun trip! We also did a Disney cruise when our first son graduated--and we have the next one scheduled for our second son's graduation.

I actually like the idea of saving a few land days for after the cruise, because there seems to be some post-cruise let down. This gives you something else to look forward to. But it really is a matter of preference.

I agree When we traveled to Orlando for 10 days to celebrate my DD's (and her BFF's) graduation, including a cruise on the Dream (in March 2011), we opted to spend all of our park time at the beginning of our vacation and end with the cruise. Hindsight being 20/20, I wish we would have booked our sailing in the middle of our trip vs the end. We had some rainy weather for a few days, and had planned a park for each day (stupid us)...but as a result of the weather they ended up missing out on (seeing most of) Busch Gardens. We had a torrential downpour that began as soon as we arrived to the park, resulting in the park having to close after an hour of our arrival. We had booked our days so full, without allowing any flexibility in our schedule whatsoever, so no option to revisit before we traveled home. We disembarked and immediately headed out on our long road trip home to Manitoba


We are doing the Dream again, (4 nt) in August 2014, this time with my DGD (5), and have planned to have four full days in Orlando prior to our sailing, and two days after. We are only visiting Magic Kingdom and Busch this time around, thus leaving enough flexibility in our schedule to revisit the parks after the cruise if we aren't able to prior, for whatever reason. My DD, DS and their significant others have opted to forego the cruise this time around to immerse themselves in the parks, incl those the rest of us aren't planning on visiting this trip (Universal, Sea World, etc).

 

[tajz90]

We did this exact thing. We did Disney first, cruise and then Universal. My family calls WDW Disney boot camp, so we tired ourselves out first, cruise and relaxed, then went to Universal for a little more excitement. We stayed onsite so we had express passes. Universal has more of a relaxed feel because of it.

Good luck. Have fun!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

We did this exact thing. We did Disney first, cruise and then Universal. My family calls WDW Disney boot camp, so we tired ourselves out first, cruise and relaxed, then went to Universal for a little more excitement. We stayed onsite so we had express passes. Universal has more of a relaxed feel because of it.

Good luck. Have fun!

This.

We have done the trip WDW then cruise, WDW cruise WDW, and then WDW, cruise, Universal. For us this way was the most relaxing and fun. Plus after a week at the World, then a cruise, we were ready to be un-Disney-fied and spend time with Harry Potter!

Enjoy, it sounds like a wonderful trip!