More time at WDW or Second Cruise

[darcoops]

Hi, travelling to Orlando in December - January from Australia (First time to WDW & cruise). Hopefully arriving around 29th of 30th of December. We have the Western Caribbean Cruise sailing on 01/21 booked. That will leave us around 23 days in Orlando for WDW & Universal. Will we need that much time? If not was thinking of booking 4 night Bahamian Cruise leaving on the 16th. We are family of five with a 14, 10 & 8 year old. I would like to think we will get back someday for another Cruise/WDW but in reality probably won't happen. Just after people's thought/opinions & advice.

 

[tinkerone]

I would do the cruise simply because the weather in Orlando in January can get nippy. I don't like nippy. Also, to my way of thinking, 23 days is a long time to spend in WDW and Universal. A bit to long for me.
Again, these are only my thoughts and what I would do. Does not mean others wouldn't see the opposite side of the coin.
Have a great vacation!

 

[Fuhnuh]

We usually take long trips to WDW with a Dream cruise. We have done as long 25 days total, but have found that about 20 nights (8-9 nights WDW, 4-5 nights ys USO, 4 nights DCL, would be our sweet spot if we didn't visit yearly. Since we visit as often as we do, we are trying our first under 20 day trip this year (15 nights). We are doing 7 nights WDW, 4 USO, and 4-day Dream. I would think with 23 days left, there would be more than enough time in your 18-19 days to not only do WDW & Universal, but also some area attractions. I haven't been over New Year's, but I have heard that it is very busy. I expect it will be vary busy at least between Dec 29-Jan 2. I think a lot of kids should be back in school after that? We personally would love that itinerary. Maybe do the 4 day cruise between WDW and USO stays? What would be ideal for us is be on a NYE 4 day and then go to the parks and finish on the 7 day.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I think you will barely have enough time for the Cruise & Disney & Universal. We are 12 day in Disney people (at minimum) and we STILL feel like we don't get to see it all!!!! With 2 parks at Universal that is another 2 days but in reality we do 4 because we want to see it all and that is WITH staying at Universal so that we can get the front of the line pass.

 

[darcoops]

Thx for the all the info. Was considering the NYE Cruise but cost is the factor. We are stretching/extending the budget to be there for NYE and cruise on 01/16 just fits in, if everything aligns!. But this will mostly likely be our only trip to WDW & possibility of Disney Cruise as a full family so why not spend a bit extra. (Hope not). We do intend on doing more than just WDW, Universal & shopping. Do people recommend Sea World / Busch Gardens any other recommended places to visit. All info positive & negative appreciated!!!!

 

[MPS516]

You don't mention which part of Australia you are from so not sure if water, sea life activities are something that would be unique to you. We discovered after doing WDW after a cruise once that it is much nicer to do WDW first and the cruise after, far more relaxing after the go-go-go of WDW. New Years is fantastic at WDW, yes there are crowds but park and fast pass planning really helps. We also don't do Magic Kingdom on New Years Eve, instead we go on the 30th and enjoy the New Year Eve show which runs that night as well. By Jan 2 you will have run of the parks, crowds have thinned dramatically. We also like to take a park break and visit some of the resorts on property like Animal Kingdom Lodge, Trails End dining, the Boardwalk area and Downtown (Springs). Because there is so much to do in each park, we don't get park hopper and instead spend our day in a single park. With a longer stay we have the chance to repeat our favorites.

Are you renting a house and visiting the parks from there ? On property we enjoy eating at different places within the different resorts, all have very nice holiday decorations. Our long stays are in Villas where we have a kitchen and end up doing some meals at "home" just because it is easy.

Now I have to say I love the idea of doing 16 days or so in Orlando and then doing a Bahama's Cruise followed by a Caribbean Cruise, this might just have become a goal of mine. Our daughter has been on 11 cruises and loves it as much as visiting the parks, of course she always wants both not one or the other, our next one is in 8 weeks. Hope you have a great time with whatever you decide and look around the boards to get some great tips about doing the parks as well as the cruise.

 

[TeaBee]

Hi, travelling to Orlando in December - January from Australia (First time to WDW & cruise). Hopefully arriving around 29th of 30th of December. We have the Western Caribbean Cruise sailing on 01/21 booked. That will leave us around 23 days in Orlando for WDW & Universal. Will we need that much time? If not was thinking of booking 4 night Bahamian Cruise leaving on the 16th. We are family of five with a 14, 10 & 8 year old. I would like to think we will get back someday for another Cruise/WDW but in reality probably won't happen. Just after people's thought/opinions & advice.

My kids would choose an extra cruise over extra park time (and so would I). That would leave you 16 days for parks and other Orlando experiences, right? For my family that would be more than enough.

 

[Adreyer]

We added park time on to our first disney cruise and the kids (6 & 8) wished that they could've been on the boat longer.

 

[jacknsally19]

There is actually a lot of things to do in Orlando that are pretty cool - Kennedy Space Station, airboats, outlet shopping, SeaWorld, Legoland.

 

[WeLoveStitch42]

I second the suggestion of legoland. My boys loved it when we went a few years ago.
With all the time you have, I'd probably do a second cruise too.