Need some advise.

[sdoll]

I am probably posting this in a tainted board but I trust your opinion most.
We have booked 9 nights for next February. Just when I think we are going for sure my husband suggests that maybe we should go on a cruise because it is cheaper.

I love the idea of both. I am way to cheap to do the disney cruise unless i get a great deal.
We have cruised 7 times in the past but not with our kids ages 2 and 4. He is right it would be about $1000.00 cheaper. We don't really care about ports and all that good stuff. We mostly care that we are together and the kids are entertained and perhaps we get a few hours of alone time (we have used kids nite out in the past)

So what do you think? I am leaning toward the cruise esp. since we returned from Disney 1 month ago.

Has anyone cruised with young children before and can advise.

 

[la79al]

When we looked into cruises, we found that there would not be a whole lot for DD to do. Granted, she would have been only a little over 1 at the time, but non potty trained kiddos could not even get in the pool. Check into the cruise you are thinking about and see what kind of kids programs they have and the ages. I know when we went on a cruise last year (for our babymoon, so no DD) there were a few really bored looking younger kids because there just wasn't anything for them to do. The parents were going to the shows and things and the kids came along but looked bored or were fussing. Cut your Disney vacation shorter to save money and spend more quality family time driving there together

 

[KAA1972]

I say cut your WDW vacation down and look for cost savings things you can do there to save money. WDW is made for kids and your kids will only be small once. Cruises are great family vacations when you have teen-agers or young adults in your family but the magic of WDW for kids is most special when they are small. We've taken our daughter, 22 months four times over the last year (granted, we live very close to WDW) and we never get tired of WDW. Plus, WDW is made for families with little kids. In other words, everything is made to cater to you when on a cruise... not so much. Best of luck in your decision!!

 

[snoopy5386]

we just got back from a disney cruise and although we had a great time, we didn't get any "alone" time. DD 3.5 who was eligible for the kid's club wouldn't go there. She also wouldn't nap (she doesn't regularly at home either) and was ready for bed by 7:30/8 every night. Since Disney doesn't have inroom babysitting available (some lines offer this at an extra cost) DH and I had to take turns going to the shows and stuff at night while the other one stayed in the room with DD and read books.
How old will your 2 yo old be in Feb? 3 is the minimum age for kids clubs on all crusie lines I believe. Will he be potty trained? If he's not, he can't go in the pools at all.
As far as the kids being entertained, I'm sure in the kids program they would be. It was harder with DD - she loved swimming and we did that alot, but the "family" programs they offered on the boat were mostly for older kids/parents (we did them anyways).
Based on our experiences we won't cruise again until kid #2 is at least 5 or 6.