Please Help--Thinking of taking cruise & do you get bored with DVC?

[jennypenny]

OK, so we go to WDW twice each year--Feb and August. We are DVCers and generally stay at BCV although we've stayed everywhere. We're turning 40 this summer so we wanted to do something special. We booked a 4 day cruise in August and we were going to spend Thur-Fri (8 nights) after the cruise in disney.

We're reconsidering. We have plenty of points, so if we skipped the cruise (about $4000 for the 5 of us) we could stay 2 weeks in a DVC room, and get the dining plan, and still have money left over for a limo and plane tickets. Also, we have annual passes that are still good this summer. We even have premium Busch Gardens passes that would get us into Seaworld.

Financially, the 2 week DVC trip makes a lot more sense. But it's our 40th birthdays and we wanted to do something special. But of course, 2 weeks of the dining plan seems like lots of opportunities for *something special.*

I really need help here. Any opinions???

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I guess what I'm really asking is--do you get the *itch* to try other things? Do you let it pass, or do you rent out some points and do other things? This is the first time we're considering NOT doing DVC exclusively. Is it normal to think about trying new things? Do you just book your normal vacation because you know you'll be happy once you're there?

Jenny

 

[btrim]

Because my DH and I are older than you, I think my decision would be different. We did the Land and Sea package that Disney offers for our 50th birthdays and our 30th anniversary. We asked friends to go with us and then we extended our stay at Disney an extra Day. We loved it and I would do it again if I had the chance. Although right now, my DH and I want to take the 7 or 10 day Disney cruise to Eastern Caribbean. Then again we are looking forward to the day we can just stay at WDW for two weeks. I think that would be relaxing. Especially since you have annual passes and then you can come and go as much as you want at the parks and not feel like you have to do everything in day increments because you are using a day on a park hopper. I think I would consider the two week stay and then celebrate again next year with just the cruise. I guess I want the best of both worlds. Greedy aren't I? Good luck with your decision and whatever you decide be happy with that decision and don't second guess yourself. Just enjoy!

Wishing I was at WDW and not in Illinois!
Binnie

 

[bobbiwoz]

We love cruising and we love DVC. I would pick the scenerio you have planned, but you seem to be second guessing your choice, and you know best.

DH has and I will be celebrating my 60th with a cruise and short Disney stay.

Pixie dust as you make your decision.

Bobbi

 

[JerJan]

Well let me say this, I would "dump" the cruise and just stay at a DVC resort for the 2 weeks. We did the Disney cruise and I have to say "WE WEREN'T IMPRESSED" our kids didn't even like it!!! We love to cruise but I just didn't think that the Disney cruise line compared to some of the others that we have been on. The food was only "so-so" and I didn't think the shhip was very clean. The only thing that we did enjoy were the shows. Good luck in your decision!

 

[lenshanem]

My girls LOVED DCL. (They were 4 & 7.)
We liked doing something new that was still Disney.

When we got off my DD7 actually started crying. I told her - We have a WDW trip in just a few months and she said - BUT we've done that a million times already!

OK... so we booked another cruise for May 2007. I'm not telling her until a couple months before. I don't think she could handle the wait.

I think the DCL is way overpriced, but I want to do it again while she thinks the kid programs are so cool.

 

[Glorydaz]

well Jennypenny, first off, an early happy birthday wish to you both!

another way to go - if you love cruising - is looking into the Alaska cruise on Holland America that is in the Adventurer Collection..it's actually less points than the Disney cruise ...I've been to Alaska twice ( not with DVC) and it is a fantastic experience!! this is an option I'll explore in a couple of years...but maybe that would interest you..granted, two weeks in WDW gives you plenty of time to enjoy all the amenities ( and food)!...but only you know what will truly make you happy....

I'm sure whatever you decide, in the end you'll have a wonderful time..

 

[debloco]

I'd say go for the cruise We love our DVC, but I really love being on the Wonder or the Magic. There's just something special about cruising. I chose a 4 day (just me and DH) for my 40th birthday.

But I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you choose.

 

[MrShiny]

I would tend towards the cruise. We went on a 3 night in 2001 and are going on a 7 night this July.

I think the only complaints I've heard about DCL have been from frequent cruisers on other lines. Compared to other llines, DCL does have much smaller ships, and food not quite as gourmet. I think they tend to try to make food that appeals to the wider range of people they get.

They do have larger and I think better staffed kids programs (basically giving up casino space for kids - which is fine with me! I like to gamble, but the odds on cruise ships don't seem that great compared to say Vegas!).

They also have bigger rooms, which I think is a great bonus.

To make it more financially even, you could rent those points you would have used at DVC and apply them to the cruise.

 

[MiaSRN62]

The "plus" to the DVC stay is simply having a longer vacation. Otherwise, I'd go with the cruise. We've done 2 disney cruises and talking about a 3rd for 2007 (hey Shan....we're talking about May as well !). My kids love the disney cruises. In fact, they're a little disappointed we're not going this year. We're planning on going with some friends of ours and they couldn't swing it this year because of a 3 week trip to Italy (I feel so sorry for them ). So we're really looking forward to sailing in 2007
Good luck with your decision---it's a tough one---but if you haven't done the cruise yet, I say go for that.

 

[lenshanem]

Maria, we booked May 27th 4 night Wonder. We could always use some fun tablemates.

 

[jennypenny]

This is such a hard decision. We really want to do the cruise, but it's hard to justify $1000 per day. Especially when we have DVC points just waiting to be used

Thanks for your input. We have to decide this week but I don't think we're getting any closer to a decision. sigh

Jenny

 

[MiaSRN62]

Maria, we booked May 27th 4 night Wonder. We could always use some fun tablemates.

I'll def keep that in mind Shan
Good luck again to the OP and have great birthday celebrations whichever you choose