Help me decide: WDW or DCL

[amberwc]

I have a business meeting in Florida starting November 1, yeah!
I figure we have 2 options that I can make work:
1) DCL 3 night Bahamas on the Magic. Pro: Easy, done, relax Con: Will get off on 10/30 have to kill a couple of days and if I take kids, what to do on Halloween?
2) WDW Figure about the same 3 days at the park. Pros: choice of dates Cons: this just sounds more tiring to plan and it will come out slightly more expensive. I don't even know what resort to try to stay at.
If you say 2, then what resort/hotel do you recommend?

 

[mevelandry]

It depends. Have you been to WDW or DCL before... ?

 

[amberwc]

It depends. Have you been to WDW or DCL before... ?

We've been on the Wonder, and we've taken the kids to DL, but never taken them to WDW. They will be 8 & 7

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Then Disney World! Look into POP. Buy tickets for the Halloween party.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Don't forget MNSSHP costs extra, you have to leave the parks early if you don't have tix. Not sure how many in your party, but for our family, it added up real quick. Conversely, you could not purchase regular park tickets for that day, and only purchase the MNSSHP tix and you're allowed admittance into the park at 4pm. Just something to think about. We love the Yacht Club bc of its locale, decor and pool. But what we really love are DCL cruises!!!!

ETA: I just read your above post that you've been on the Wonder but your kids haven't been to WDW. I think maybe in this case go to WDW

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Hate to say it but we also have a seven and an eight year old and both tell us all the time they prefer wdw to dcl.

 

[FigmentSpark]

And here, I was going to suggest 1 AND 2. The cruise, then the couple of days in WDW, doing Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween for the kids.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Actually, could you do the 3- day cruise and then to save money stay off site then just do one magic kingdom day? Or one MNSSHP day on Halloween ( but I'm guessing it will be unbearably crowded)?

 

[Laundress]

Doing the cruise then MNSSHP for halloween sounds like a perfect trip to my two kidos

 

[cruiser21]

I'm taking my youngest to WDW after almost 5 year break because he wants to go back. I figure I better do it before he gets to old. We're doing a 9 day split between Animal Kingdom lodge and Beach Club. I could do the 2 week TA or Panama cruise for less money..GRRR. I'm excited to go back to WDW, but the cost is blowing my mind. I would look at resort prices before you decide. If it's between a value or moderate resort and the cruise I would pick the cruise.

 

[Shanti]

Walt Disney World. No contest given that you've never been. The kids are the perfect age for it. Give yourselves several days there, if possible, enough to spend at least one day at each of the four parks, plus a day at one of Disney's water parks.

Since you're WDW newbies, I don't recommend trying to tack a few park days onto a cruise. Just immerse yourselves in the WDW experience- it has so much to offer. We love cruising with DCL (a great way to relax, get pampered and see new places), but WDW is closer to our hearts. It's the most fun, most awe-inspiring and most Disney-spirited, out of the two. The deluxe resorts show great imagination and charm, making staying onsite an immersive experience.

 

[squirk]

Does Disney Springs do the trick-or-treating like Downtown Disney used to do? If so, that might be an even cheaper way than MNSSHP to spend Halloween at WDW while keeping costs down.

 

[cruiser21]

Walt Disney World. No contest given that you've never been. The kids are the perfect age for it. Give yourselves several days there, if possible, enough to spend at least one day at each of the four parks, plus a day at one of Disney's water parks.

Since you're WDW newbies, I don't recommend trying to tack a few park days onto a cruise. Just immerse yourselves in the WDW experience- it has so much to offer. We love cruising with DCL (a great way to relax, get pampered and see new places), but WDW is closer to our hearts. It's the most fun, most awe-inspiring and most Disney-spirited, out of the two. The deluxe resorts show great imagination and charm, making staying onsite an immersive experience.

They've been to DL, and the Magic Kingdom in Florida can't hold a candle to Disneyland. If you've been to Disneyland the only reason to visit WDW is to see the other three parks.

OP if really want to experience WDW in all it's glory wait until you can have the time to visit all the parks including the water parks and stay deluxe if you can. If you've been to the Disneyland the Magic kingdom will be a big let down. Disneyland blows the Magic Kingdom away, but when you combine all the WDW parks it's a much better vacation. You just need more then three days.

 

[Shanti]

If you've been to the Disneyland the Magic kingdom will be a big let down.

I can't agree with this. Disneyland has its charm and fun, but it's located right off a freeway and its castle is underwhelming compared to MK's. The Magic Kingdom, by contrast, seems to be a whole other world. Definitely a must-do experience.

However, let's not derail the thread by getting into a WDW vs. Disneyland debate, which is not what the OP is inquiring about.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

They've been to DL, and the Magic Kingdom in Florida can't hold a candle to Disneyland. If you've been to Disneyland the only reason to visit WDW is to see the other three parks.

OP if really want to experience WDW in all it's glory wait until you can have the time to visit all the parks including the water parks and stay deluxe if you can. If you've been to the Disneyland the Magic kingdom will be a big let down. Disneyland blows the Magic Kingdom away, but when you combine all the WDW parks it's a much better vacation. You just need more then three days.

Funny, because when we were kids my mom used to always say, you don't want to go to Disneyland! It's not half as nice as Disney World! When I finally got to Disneyland a few years ago, I could see what she meant. I loved Disneyland, but Disney World really is full disney immersion. If you are flying, the magical express from the airport is so fun for kids. And the deluxe resorts are awesome, but our kids also LOVE the all star resorts.

 

[squirk]

Funny, because when we were kids my mom used to always say, you don't want to go to Disneyland! It's not half as nice as Disney World! When I finally got to Disneyland a few years ago, I could see what she meant. I loved Disneyland, but Disney World really is full disney immersion. If you are flying, the magical express from the airport is so fun for kids. And the deluxe resorts are awesome, but our kids also LOVE the all star resorts.

I think @cruiser21 was comparing Disneyland specifically to Magic Kingdom, not Walt Disney World.

DL has the nostalgia factor (insert clichéd variant on "Walt walked through here!"), as well as that "lived-in" charm, but I don't agree that DL "blows away" MK.

To the OP's point, I think MK has enough differentiation and does enough things (but by no means everything) better than DL to make it worth visiting.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I think @cruiser21 was comparing Disneyland specifically to Magic Kingdom, not Walt Disney World.

DL has the nostalgia factor (insert clichéd variant on "Walt walked through here!"), as well as that "lived-in" charm, but I don't agree that DL "blows away" MK.

To the OP's point, I think MK has enough differentiation and does enough things (but by no means everything) better than DL to make it worth visiting.

Thanks, but I was aware of her opinion.

 

[mevelandry]

We've been on the Wonder, and we've taken the kids to DL, but never taken them to WDW. They will be 8 & 7

Try WDW, then.

 

[mevelandry]

For a first visit, unless you are very wealthy, I wouldn't recommend staying at a deluxe because you won't spend much time there.

I wouldn't go higher than moderate. I've tried them all, but my favorite is Port Orleans Riverside (French Quarter is nice too and you can use both main pools).

As for the value, I've stayed at Art of Animation and visited Pop Century. Loved both but the soundproofing and mattresses were slightly better at the moderate hotels.

I recommend using an "off the park day" to book the halloween party and use that day to try the mini-golf or visit Disney Springs. Just as fun and magical and the party is a great value.

 

[amberwc]

Wow you guys are awesome! For clarity, DH and I have been to WDW, just not the kids. I can't believe how expensive it is! I was thinking we could do what a PP suggested and tack on 2 days/nights, and just focus on one park - like Epcot or the Hollywood Studios since kids love Star Wars. We need to plan and save for a DL or another WDW big trip after StarWars Lands open. I am curious about the kids trick or treating in Disney Springs or staying out of the chaos of Halloween... If I start saving, I think we can do both.
I was looking at Art of Animation because the family suite is cheaper than the deluxe resorts. And I found a Navigators Verandah for the Magic. Still an expensive trip, but airfare for DH and I is covered by the business trip.