how to decide cruise vs wdw

[luvsTink]

Greetings all!
I am fresh back from a trip to WDW last month and already ready to start planning again! As we were picking up our pics near the entrance to MK, we picked up a AAA guide to the cruiseline. Now THAT got us thinking

But how does one decide??? Do we do a cruise (4 nights) in Jan 05 or another 5 nights at Pop Century?

Any advice on choosing?

Anne

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

Why choose Anne?
Do a land and sea and get the best of both.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

How many times have you done WDW? Is there anything that you haven't done yet that you feel you must do in the next year? We love WDW and were just there but won't be back until summer 2005. The only thing coming up that I know of is the Stitch ride opening in the old Alien Encounter in the fall, I think.
Have you cruised before? We did a 4 day last summer and it was wonderful. Of course we will not give up WDW (and after this cruise who knows if we can afford another one) but it might be something you'd like to try--and if you love Disney I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Robin M.

 

[kaykels]

Take it from a Disney Nut..... do a cruise if you haven't done it yet. We've been to dis more times than I can count and love it every time. However, our November 4 night cruise was the BEST vacation I have ever had in my entire life. Imagine a top notch cruise with Disney Magic sprinkled on top. You will feel like a pampered King & Queen, kids will have a ball and you still get that "magical" feel. Besides, if the budget doesn't allow for land and sea, fly in the night before the cruise, spend a night at Pop Century, do a park and drive to the port in the morning. It's a great way to kickstart the vacation!

 

[Pootsie]

My DH, DS8 and DD5 all love WDW. We went on the 3-day cruise in June of 2003...and loved every minute. We are now going on the 7-day Western in Oct. 2004. When people ask me about the cruise vs. the parks, I reply that the cruise is Disney "magic" without all the walking!! It was fabulous! We even talked my in-laws in to going with us in October!

 

[Jiffymom]

I had the same question. Which to do?

So for Christmas I gave our daughter, son-in-law and two darling Grandaughters a land/sea scheduled for 2005. Now we can experience it all.

 

[WisconsinDisneyGirl]

We could not decide either so we are doing both! First we are going on a 4 night cruise then we will take the Disney transportation to All Star Movies for 3 nights. We are not dong the land and sea package as we could book our own cheaper through AAA ($61 a night at All Star Movies and $1427 for the three of us in a Cat. 12 room with trans. from airport to ship then ship to Disney). I think it is the best of both worlds. If you have the means...JUST DO IT! If you don't have the means...JUST SAVE IT!

Have a great time planning!

 

[Pootsie]

Hi again. In June 2003 we spent 5 days in WDW and then took the 3-day cruise. The only bad part is that DD4 was still so exausted from WDW and needed to take naps on the cruise. (DD4 hasn't taken naps since she was 2 and 1/2!) It was hard for me to have to stay in the room while "Sleeping Beauty" rested when we were only on the ship for such a short time. This is one reason why we are chosing to just do the 7-day cruise this time. Hey no complaints though- I am glad we did the cruise after WDW so we all could get some R&R! Really, no matter what you chose you will have an awesome vacation!

 

[3princesses]

Our family cann't decide. We've done the 7 day Eastern 2 times and WDW numerous times. For our December vacation, we can only do one, not both. (4 nights for either is just not enough). DH and oldest DD(12) would rather do WDW. The other two DDs(9 and 5) and myself are looking forward to the 10day Christmas cruise. (I guess majority rules in our family!)

 

[goingbacksoon]

I agree with kaykels - you really do feel like a King and Queen when you walk aboard the ship. We did a WDW/DCL vacation just in December, and loved all of it. We have to say though, we had done a lot more planning for WDW but it ended up with the cruise being the highlight of our trip. So much so that we're on for 8/21 now.

So I guess what I mean to say is WDW is a "planning" trip. You make PS's for where you want to eat, and plan on going on certain rides. On DCL there's a certain freedom you enjoy. You know where you're eating, you know it will be good, and you don't have to worry about taking the bus back or driving back to the room. For the most part, the major expenses (food and lodging) are already included too so less pressure on you.

Just some things to keep in mind.

goingbacksoon

 

[UK-Simon]

Hi there Anne,
ok my advice is definately to go for the cruise!
I worked in Epcot for 14 1/2 months, and don't get me wrong I LOVE WDW, but I remember talking to Penny and SImon one day whilst they were in the parks, and they told me I had to try the cruise. Well, near the end of my stint I went on the four night cruise- within the next 2 months I went twice again- simply because it was so amazing! The ship is gorgeous, the entertainment is first class, and the crew members are out of this world. And thats not even mentioning the food.......oh the food!!!!
Trust me on this one- try the cruise!!!!

 

[luvsTink]

OK! I have decided that the next time will be the cruise! Thanks for all your advice and I know that someday we will do the land/sea, but not till the little ones are completely our of daycare ($$). We will be taking the Grandmas (good or bad? we shall see )

You can now expect to see question after question as we prepare.

Thanks again!

Anne

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I think you made the right choice... I recently asked my neices/nephews that have done both WDW and DCL which one they would rather do if they had the choice...it was unanimous....THE CRUISE! I have to say I agree... I love the world, but DCL is my dream vacation!

 

[denise5374]

I would sat do the land/sea vacation. When we decided to do the DCL we did the 3 days in park and 4 day cruise...It was great!!

We were never on a cruise before so wanted to get our feet wet with the shorter cruise. We loved it and are going back 8/04! I think it will be weird to go to Orlando and not be going to the parks but there is always next year!!

How old are you kids?? Mine were 6 and 10 and they loved the cruise. And it was relaxing for us, which is noce after a hectic 3 days in WDW. My kids spent alot of time at the Clubs so we had our night pretty free. We did one excursion in Nassau but didn;t get off the boat in Freeport and of course on Castaway Cay we laid on the beach.

We can't wait to do it again!!!

 

[jrabbit]

We love going to WDW. We don't get there enough because it takes about 14 hours to get there (not counting the drive to the airport and waiting for the first plane). A few years ago we did the cruise without WDW. It was very hard knowing we weren't going to the parks ... but the cruise was way worth it. When we returned to the port after the cruise, we rented a car and went to Downtown Disney and spent the day there "easing" our selves back into reality before catching our flight home later that afternoon.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by jrabbit
When we returned to the port after the cruise, we rented a car and went to Downtown Disney and spent the day there "easing" our selves back into reality before catching our flight home later that afternoon.

This is what we're planning on doing, too. I booked our flight home the day after we get in from the cruise so that we can get to our hotel near Downtown Disney, maybe swim a bit and then spend the afternoon/night at Downtown. Also, a great little freebie/fun thing, get to the Contemporary at night time before the MK fireworks start and take the monorail around a few times and watch the fireworks over the castle! We love doing this when we're not going to use a day on our passes!

There is NO way I'm going to Orlando and NOT getting my WDW fix!!