Please help me decide.

[NoodlesMom]

I’ve been going back and forth but we are booking today. We are cruising early October and I originally wanted to sail out of NYC but logistics aren’t working out. So now I have two choices…

7 night Eastern Fantasy vs.

5 night Magic (w/ 2 days SSR and MNSSHP).

My 4 year old loves Halloween and The Haunted Mansion. We’ve never been to MNSSHP but this option would involve a 3 hour drive from Miami to Orlando. WWYD?

 

[RedHead0186]

I will almost always go for more nights on a cruise. I would pick the first option, both because the Fantasy is my favorite ship and it's more nights. The Eastern Caribbean itineraries are great; I've done both of them. The 3-hour drive is also an added step with possible complications-I'd do it, but given a simpler option I would go that way.

 

[tvguy]

7 day Eastern for two reasons. 7 days and Eastern Caribbean.

 

[jesskeys91]

Gonna throw my vote in for the Halloween party itinerary if your child is a big Halloween fan. It’s a great event. Feels like the best of both worlds to me. 3 hour drive would be the only thing I would be worried about.

 

[auntlynne]

I would pick just the 5-night cruise. But if it’s only in combination with a stay at WDW, I would say 7-night.

It really depends on the 4 yo.

The ships will be decorated for Halloween.

While I love a less-crowded park at the special parties, it’s still hot at night for MNSSHP. And late at night.

As for the cruise, I would be considering what you will do on each. I love a 5-night with a Double Dip, as it’s basically a beach vacation. The Eastern itinerary is very few port days - so time for kids clubs, if the child is interested.

(My bias is that kids don’t need complicated vacations. All I remember from my early years is that I had a happy childhood. If we didn’t have photos, I would be at a loss to name more than a couple of events. Packed activities in, if it results in exhaustion, can leave that feeling as the memory of the trip. Seeing characters and being in the Disney element on the ship is such a lovely way to travel.)

 

[Marthasor]

I would do the 7 night cruise - it sounds like it's a shorter drive and you will have more time to enjoy the ship.

MNSSHP is fun, but I would not want to drive 3 hours, spend two nights and then have to drive to the port. I would save MNSSHP for another trip.

 

[auntlynne]

And you are flying from TX?

Is this a veteran child cruiser? That might take an unknown out of the equation. I see 3 cruises in your signature line after 2019.

 

[NoodlesMom]

And you are flying from TX?

Is this a veteran child cruiser? That might take an unknown out of the equation. I see 3 cruises in your signature line after 2019.

Yes, flying from Houston. Haha, she’s definitely a veteran, she’s gold already. I’m just being very indecisive. I’m leaning toward the Fantasy but we haven’t been on the Magic in years and we’ve never done MNSSHP.

 

[SeanSD]

I would vote 7 nights for Fantasy and Eastern Caribbean. Just more days and less driving (granted I’m not a fan of long drives).

 

[auntlynne]

Are you looking at Oct 2024 out of Ft Lauderdale on the Magic? (Since the Magic is in CA October 2023). An opportunity to visit Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point

Re: drive

You could consider taking the new Brightline from Ft Lauderdale to the MCO station. Rent a car there for your WDW visit and fly home from MCO. I am assuming you want a car during your stay.

And pre-cruise airport and hotels in Fort Lauderdale are so much closer than MCO is to Port Canaveral.

We’re cruising the Fantasy next month (the Eastern C) and again next year for a Double Dip + LP 6 nighter. But Magic is still my favorite and most sailed ship; especially with two stops at a Disney beach.

If you are a beach person, did you notice this cruise - If you could swing an extra date and dates are flexible…. Perhaps hang out at the Resort and do the party that night. MNSSHP might be more crowded/ expensive, thanks to being the weekend before Oct 31, though.

I think we’re supposed to be helping. But this looks good; Oops.

Have fun!

 

[NoodlesMom]

Are you looking at Oct 2024 out of Ft Lauderdale on the Magic? (Since the Magic is in CA October 2023). An opportunity to visit Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point

Both cruises depart September 30, so not technically October. I definitely have my eyes on one of those lighthouse point cruises next October!

 

[MrMagoo]

We did the MNSSHP last year.
You can get a LOT of candy! We filled the bags they give you and emptied them into a bag from the stores and then refilled them.
They don't just give one or two pieces, they give a hand full!

If your 4 year old loves Halloween, do it once. People will be dressed in Halloween costumes and it will be fun to see.
You will also see many costumes on the ship! Some you won't believe.

A 3 hour drive for someone from Texas shouldn't be that big of a deal!

Normally I would say do the 7 night. However, I think with your child loving Halloween and being so close to
Disney, do it once.