Having second thoughts...

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

..about going on DCL. For a number of reasons, we are planning a 3 night next Feb. It is expensive, and we have saved for it, BUT we could spend more time in WDW for the $$ we are spending. We have been to WDW a number of times, and love it there. I am hoping we won't regret using this hard saved $ on the cruise. Is the cost of DCL worth it? Can we really enjoy ourselves on the 3 night? Am I being crazy?

~Sue

 

[inkkognito]

As a veteran of 36 Disney cruises (most of them three nights), I can assure you that they are most definitely worth it!
When comparing the price, look at the fact that all of your meals and entertainment are included on the ship vs. paying for everything separately at WDW.
Also, and this is just my own opinion, for the past few years I have seen the quality at the parks go down. This started before 9/11 and became even worse afterwards. Of course, I look at everything with a critical and experienced eye because we've been visiting WDW for years. But in my opinion, DCL offers a much more magical experience. In the time that we've been cruising, we've cut back our WDW trips and have never missed them. The cruise ships are awesome! And you'll still have lots of chances to meet up with the characters, even on the three day. The farewell on the last night of the cruise, with all the characters and pixie dust, is just as magical to me as anything I've experienced at the parks.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[iluvtink]

We loved the cruise we took 3 years ago, enough that we're going again in July. It is a lot of money, but we were sad that it was over after 4 nights. We, too, have been to WDW many times, and the cruise is so different... a nice change of scenery and weather, not having to wonder which crowded counter service restaurant or which PS to get for dinner... lots of family entertainment, and also time for adults while the kids are in the very popular kids' clubs... I don't know how old your boys are, but I bet they, and you, will love it!

 

[Hygiene99]

Well we have done 6 cruises and , 7 and 8 planned

We own DIsney Vacation club So we can stay At the World...

Both are nice But would much rather cruise...... than the parks..
Anyday ... i think once u try it u will probably like it also we never wanted to go onthis ship with 2500 people
though it would be alot of people to have an a ship but once
we tryed it we are now hooked on crusing the only problem we have now is going on another line....

Peter


IF cost is a real issue go with the lowest CAT ROOM u can for your family.... Since it is your first cruise u will not know what u r missing... IF IT is FEB.. school vacation that is a very expensive time to cruise maybe change the time of year to just after the kids get out of school .....????

 

[clh2]

Hi Sue,
I am going to expand a little bit on the previous poster's comments. And, I am going to assume that you are a family of 5. What type of category room did you get? Only the categories 1-4 can accomodate 5 people. Many DIS cruisers swear that you are much better off financially if you take 2 connecting category 10 cabins than a cat. 4.

We did a cruise and the world last fall. Given a choice - I would pick the cruise in a New York minute.

 

[Dreamer04]

You will not regret the cruise! I love WDW, but, IMHO, there is no comparison to the level of service you will experience on the Disney Wonder and Magic.

In fact, as many others can attest, you will most likely become a DCL addict!

 

[makaylee]

Originally posted by inkkognito

When comparing the price, look at the fact that all of your meals and entertainment are included on the ship vs. paying for everything separately at WDW.

This is exactly what I was going to say. When you compare EVERYTHING you'll have to spend at WDW is it really much cheaper than the cruise?

 

[SNicksed]

I booked our very FIRST cruise as a surprise for my family for February '04, which was a 3 day. It is now April '04 & we are already going again in September '04, on a 3 day!!!

I can't tell you how great it is... and we even missed Castaway Cay the first time!!!

We are ALL looking VERY forward to it.

 

[dclwdwlover]

Although we are avid cruising fans, I'd like to add a different opinion here.

I absolutely think any $ that you spend on a cruise is worth it & we always take awhile saving for our cruises, too. We love the parks, but the cruise experience is so relaxing & special. It is an entirely wonderful - & in my opinion completely different -experience.

However, if you are going into the cruise already apprehensive about the $ you are spending on it & not completely comfortable that ANY $ is worth the experience, I wonder if it won't get worse for you once you're on the ship. I know a couple that also went to WDW & DCL with conflicting feelings about spending the $ on the cruise portion & didn't feel the cruise was worth the $ they spent. I don't agree, but that's me. I felt that they had their minds made up before they sailed.

I've never done a 3-day - only 4 on DCL. I hope to do a 7-day in the near future because in my opinion, even 4 days isn't long enough!

 

[Dreamer04]

Originally posted by dclwdwlover

However, if you are going into the cruise already apprehensive about the $ you are spending on it & not completely comfortable that ANY $ is worth the experience, I wonder if it won't get worse for you once you're on the ship.

This is a good point!

It does depend on your mindset.

 

[***tink386]

You'll never know until you try. If you don't go you might always say to yourself "I wonder what it would have been like? Would it have been worth it?" Just reading these boards and how much everyone has loved their trips, I'm sure you'll have a grand time!!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Is it worth it? Absolutely!!!! And in all honesty, you will probably want to take a longer one after having such a great experience.

 

[tecdavidt]

Here is some food for thought. Do your 3 boys love the rides? There are no rides on the ship. Now, back in '99 we did the 3 day land/ 4 day sea with our 7 yr daughter and 3 teenage boys. We had a wonderful time. In Jan. '00 I found out through this board that DCL was having their first 7 day the week following our 2nd booked 3 day/ 4day. We asked the 4 children if they wanted to do parks and cruise or cruise only. In our family the choice was cruise only--of course that is a 7 day cruise but that decision was based on the wonderful time they had on the 4 day cruise. I do know that first trip my husband couldn't wait to get on the ship because of how much extra the parks cost! On the ship all food is included and with 3 teen boys that is a lot of $ at the parks. Kathy

 

[thebets57]

I say go for it!! I'm about to try my first DCL cruise (in 13 days!!), but have tried 7 other cruises (6 with kids), and I can honestly say, it's incredible!! My kids don't even want to consider another type of vacation because they are totally so happy each time we cruise!! It's funny, because this time we are at the parks for 4 days beforehand, and altho I KNOW we will have an awesome time, it's the cruise portion I'm (and the rest of the gang) most looking forward to. For a 3-day, you won't be sacrificing so much $$, so this will give you a taste of the cruise experience. From all that I've read, Disney does it the best (of course!!), so my guess, is after this experience, your delimma will be - 'should we stick with DCL, or try another cruise line??' If you're like the majority who try it, once you experience cruising, you'll be counting your pennies until you can go again. Good luck!!!!!!!!

 

[disneygal58]

Hello,
I absolutely (and sadly) echo Barb's sentiments about the quality of the Disney experience at the Parks. To begin, I LOVE all things Disney. When I lived in CO, we had annual passes and made the trip every 9 to 10 months. We belong to DVC, have the Disney Visa, belonged to the old Disney Club etc... I moved to Florida with the intention of one day working within their Spa. We live an hour from the Parks and frequent them often - every 3 to 4 weeks and I still love going, but...there is a different atmosphere and although I can find magic at every turn, the CMs are not the CMs of old. I won't go into detail over specific incidents or disappointments because nothing will deter my love for WDW. After our last visit last week, my daughter and I were commenting that if we now had to choose between a visit to the Parks and DCL, we would choose the cruise. It is there that you will still feel the Pixie Dust and the attention to detail that Disney is known for. It is a different experience and my first two voyages, I insisted on the 3 day because I wanted to give up minimal Park time. I have since sailed 2 more 4 nights, 2 - 7 nights with the third planned for January.
Go to the parks and enjoy all that you will and then keep yourself open for the magic of the Wonder. It is completely different and a nice complement to the hustle and bustle of the Parks.

Enjoy,
Dawn Hope

 

[MrsPete]

I think a Disney cruise and a Disney park visit are about equal in cost -- after you add in all the "extras" you'll buy at the parks: meals, souveniers, etc.

On the other hand, "extras" on the cruise can add up too: spa treatments, excursions, drinks. However, these -- except for tips -- are optional, while the things at the Disney parks (thinking meals and parking costs) are mandatory.

Since you've never been on the cruise, I'd recommend that you give it a try. We LOVED it, as does everyone on this board! A three-night, however, will probably be over in a flash. We did the four-night, and it seemed way too short. We'll definately do the seven-night next time.

 

[crisi]

My 4 and 5 year old got off their first cruise. Although they love Disney (and Camp Snoopy) when asked which vacation they'd rather take they said "both!" They loved the cruise.

You CAN do Disney cheaper than you can cruise. Cruising includes a lot of great meals, and few of us eat that well at WDW - especially if you budget. WDW has far more room to manuever in terms of what you spend. Spending little on food, packing peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. Taking a non-park day to swim in the pool and visit DTD.

On the other hand, it is SO nice to be on the cruise and not worry about how much dessert is going to cost.

DCL is not cheap, however. Maybe, for your first cruise, if money is an issue, you could sail another line for three days. That would give you an idea of if you are a cruising family, for significantly less money.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by inkkognito
As a veteran of 36 Disney cruises (most of them three nights), I can assure you that they are most definitely worth it!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

I agre with everything Barb has posted. My son was 5 when we first did the land/sea (4 nights at WDW and 3 nights at sea) when he said, "Mom, I never want to go back to Disney, I just want to be on the ship!" We have gone back at Christmas (2002) for a 3 night WDW and 4 nights at sea vacation, and he again told me, "I just want to be on the ship!"

Lots more for kids to see and do, more character interaction and just so much more relaxing not having to worry about meals, entertainment and weather!!!!

We've been on the Wonder twice, and the Magic five times (almost #6) - and have enjoyed all the cruises immensely!

Best wishes to you and I hope that you will just give it a try!

Rae

 

[ericamanda01]

Now I don't have nearly the collection of knowledge that the other poster's have, however I have to say that the combination of WDW and the cruise is really the way to go. I noticed that in my family that the parents enjoyed WDW and were running along side of the kids, however the kids still had energy at the end of the day. The cruise is in a way a chance to recover from the parks.
There is so much to do no matter your age, it makes it impossible to be board! And honestly the difference between to two really is hugh! It is still Disney so you get quality, you just get more! I say try and go for both. Land and sea is a good package, I however just love the planning and take care of them seperatly. If you can plan it yourself you can also save money rather than take the packages offered!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR REPLIES!!

I feel much better. It's not so much the cost of the trip, but more wondering if the kids would enjoy it as much as the "world." Today, I actually asked all 3 of the boys (7, 10 &12) what their preference would be, and it was a quick answer: "cruise!!".

My 12y/o was horrified that I was having doubts, and the other two were very convincing in their answers as well. They love the idea of having control over what they want to do--and the fact that they can do it with or without another family member.

My dh and I have cruised before, and LOVE it. Coupled with the fact that we love Disney, and our boys are pretty independent, the DCL cruise seems the logical choice.

SO WE ARE GOING!!

Someone asked how we were "rooming." We got two connecting rooms. Two bathrooms was important, as well as having more space. One room wouldn't work for us, and since the boys have never experienced a veranda, they won't miss it. Anyway, I don't think we will be in the room that much!!

Also, we do have to travel during school vacations, even though it is so costly. I am a teacher, and taking a week off during school cannot happen. If we do a 7 night, it will happen in late June '06 after the kids get out of school.

Thanks to all, I am excited again!!!

(In fact, my kids want to start saving for a seven night now, so hopefully we can book when we are on the ship!!)