Parks Vs. Cruise with a 2 Year Old?

[pewing]

We are booked on a 7 day DCL cruise in October. My DH is wondering if we should do a WDW trip in lieu of it. As you see from my signature we have two boys...who will be 12 and 10 at that time and a baby girl that will be on the verge of turning 2.

We have never done the parks with one that young (our boys were 4 and 6 on our first trip) before!

What do you think?

Cruise or Parks?

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

We took our two DD's to WDW in 2000 when my DS was a baby(10 months). This was their first time to WDW. They were 7 1/2 and 4 1/2.

We then went the next year when DS was two months shy of turning 2. It was FANTASTIC!! He loved everything! He especially loved the non-face characters like Pooh and Tigger.

We ate at Crystal Palace and made sure we had one of the last seatings of the night. Well, our table got to see all of the characters at LEAST 4 times each! We have picture after picture of the BACK of my son.....why?? Because he was hugging their legs so hard and never let go......I don't think I have one picture of him smiling with the characters. He was too busy hugging them. It is so adorable.......and we have home movies of it too that we show him all the time.

Don't get me wrong, the reactions on my DDs' faces at their first trip were wonderful, but nothing beats how my DS reacted. I wish now we had brought my DD's sooner.

Only you know your sons, but I would think a cruise would be kind of boring for a 12 and 10 year old. But I'm just thinking of my nephews at that age.

I'm sure whichever you decide you will have an awesome time.

 

[lil mermaid]

I voted for a park trip. We did a 7 day DCL cruise last year with DD, who was about three weeks shy of 1 at the time. It was fabulous, and we all had a great time. We decided then that we would do another cruise but would wait until DD was 3 or 4.

I think 2 is sort of a funny age for DCL in a way. They are too young for the kids clubs (have to be 3) and too old for Flounder's. Well, age-wise they can go to Flounder's, but I know that right now at 21 months DD wouldn't like it. She would rather be around older kids than babies! Also, they are too young to go in the pools (have to be potty trained) but old enough to see the other kids in the pool and know they are missing something!

 

[pewing]

...but I would think a cruise would be kind of boring for a 12 and 10 year old...

First of all...Thanks for all the input (and keep it coming...I simply can NOT make Disney related decisions w/o these boards )

But...my boys LOVED the last cruise! The kids clubs were awesome. They actually complained b/c they really didn't get to spend a lot of time there (they wanted to see the shows every night after dinner and on a 3 day...there is no day at sea). They also loved the shows and the ship. It does depend on the kids, but they were definately not bored. DCL is SO geered for kids.

I did ask them today if they had a choice...which would they choose (they have no idea we are going next fall and that we are already booked on the cruise )

I am really torn about this one!

I posted this same poll on three forums and I have had a lot of great feedback, but I'm still undecided!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

I'm interested to know how this turns out. You'll have to add to this post when you return from your cruise. We are taking ds 18m to WDW this year, but were considering a 7 night cruise next year (he'll be 2 then). I'm wondering if he'll be bored for 7 whole days without his toys and not getting in the pool would be sad.

 

[tcolbert]

What about a Land and Sea package? Enjoy the best of both worlds.

 

[pewing]

What about a Land and Sea package? Enjoy the best of both worlds.

I must say that we did consider that option (and in the end...it might be the best option ), but when we went on our last cruise we vowed that if we sailed again...that we would do a 7 day. 3 days just was NOT enough. Of course...we could do the 4 day.

Perhaps I should have listed that option?!

 

[pewing]

What about a Land and Sea package? Enjoy the best of both worlds.

Never mind...I checked and there is not a land/sea package available the week of our fall break

Back to the original debate...