Please help us decide what to do...

[twinmum]

Hello! I am having a really hard time choosing our next vacation. I'd love input from others with more Disney experience, and you guys have been so helpful in the past, I thought I'd start here.

I'll give you the facts - but the biggie is that we'll consider disneyland or WDW or WDW and cruise! Please give me your thoughts.

The family - DH, me and twin sons turning 9 in October. One son has cerebral palsy and uses a walker (or wheelchair at the parks for e.g.). A really bright, verbal guy who really enjoyed the first trip, as did his "I'll try anything!" brother.

Disney trip experience: We went to WDW last Nov for 8 nights. Stayed at the Grand Floridian in the RPC (concierge). Unfortunately, the boys took turns getting sick, but not too bad. Mostly it cut back our nights. Thank goodness for the RPC CM's who kept me supplied with cheese and crackers...and wine!

Timing: We can go in December 2007 (OK, I know there's not much availability!), January 2008, April/May 2008, Oct-Dec 2008.

Budget: Feeling a little flexible on this...we had a little windfall and we're going to spend some of it on us! Probably can't stay more than 8 nights, though

Accommodations: I think we're spoiled by concierge now, but would consider otherwise certainly...

Disneyland?: We're open to trying DL as many of our favourite attractions are there. The compactness has its appeal due to mobility...our son might be able to do some in his walker which would be great!

WDW?: Well, we've been there, and had a great time. Not fearing the unknown is a big plus when you have a disabled child - you just worry less about the details. But, we did find the travelling time between parks a bit much.

Cruise: Never done a cruise, and my DH is a VERY active guy. Also need to ensure that DCL is OK with our son's needs in the club, but should be OK from what we know. And me? I'm just really concerned about seasickness all round.

Well, there you go...let me know what you think! And thanks for your input!

Twinmum

 

[Disney Anna]

Twinmum,

I think your family would really enjoy a trip to Disneyland. I think boys your age would like Disneyland/Magic Kingdom park the most out of all the parks. And, I think Disneyland itself is a nicer park than MK. Plus, you have already been to FL, it would be nice to see Disneyland resort.

Mobility wise, I also think that since DL is smaller, that would be a plus. You could stay at the beautiful Grand California and be within very chose walking distance of two Disney parks, plus Downtown Disney.

Weatherwise, I also think So Cal reigns supreme over Fl. Whenever you go, the weather will be nicer.

Hope you all have a wonderful time whatever you decide.

 

[CoolPool]

Now that I've spent 3 nights in the DLH, after returning from 11 nights at WDW just a few weeks ago (Poly), I'd let my decision rest on what's going to get everyone relaxed. Where are you flying from? I live one hour from DL and always went to WDW because it seemed like it was more "away" than DLR. Now that I've done the immersion thing at DLR, I realize what a pleasure it was to have two great parks without the 5 hour flight. Thus I found it more relaxing....and compact...so I didn't feel like I ran the Boston Marathon at the end of the day. Wishing you well...

 

[Beth76]

I think first you need to decide between a cruise vacation and a park vacation. They're completely different. Do you want to do the rides or do you want to see the beach? I personally think you can never go wrong with a cruise. You can be active or you can relax. It seems with the park vacation you kind of always have to be go go go.

Now, I've never been to either park, but neither of them scream "relaxation" to me. But rides are really fun and my family loves rides. So, if you decide on a park vacation, I (without having been to either) would say go for DL because it'll be new and different. That and it's more compact. I can tell you that the size of DL is what's attracting me. WDW is way too overwhelming for me. So we're going to start small. If we really like DL then maybe we'll consider trying WDW the next time.

 

[lopezgang]

We've done all three. By far WDW if my favorite.

I think I'm probably the only one that feels this way, but I HATED the cruise. There were too many
unsupervised kids. The parents figured that they were in a "safe" environment and just let them run wild. No one followed the rules for waiting in line for characters or coming to dinner on time. Or the dress code at dinner! Even on formal night many people showed up in t shirts and shorts. It just ruined the experience for me. We love cruising and the DISNEY part of it was wonderful, but there were more kids than adults and the majority were running in the halls, using the elevators for games, etc.

We live on the west coast, so we do Disneyland every year. I like it for our smaller children bc it seems more manageable, so it might be best for your son.

I love WDW bc there is SO much too do. And it was my first Disney experience. But it can be overwhelming. And it's always a rush to get everything in. If you do 8 days at DL you'll have PLENTY of time to see everything.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Late April into early May is a wonderful time to go to WDW! My hands down favorite time. Lower crowds, warm but not humid, Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot, just a nice time. You just have to make sure that most spring breaks are over. If you go late April or the first three weeks of May you will miss most of the Spring breakers and most of the summer vacationers. I have been to WDW twice in that timeframe, its my favorite. I can see how travelling between the parks is exhausting for you, thats why I would just recommend not hopping! I enjoy being able to do that, yet enjoy it when I don't! It takes a lot of time and energy. I always go to the park that had EMH the day before, the crowds will be lower and therefore I don't need the "extra" hours to get it done. There is something to be said for the familiarity of WDW.

Disneyland is just wonderful! As others have stated the more compact nature of it can be very nice. However, don't think you won't have a ton to do and see. There is a lot packed into the two parks. If you liked the Grand Floridan, than I think the Grand Californian would be a good fit for you. I love the Disneyland Hotel the best, but for service and amenities, the GCH wins. Still, I do have to say the DLH has been great for all six of our stays, but I haven't stayed at one of the WDW monorail resorts and I know that as much as I love the DLH it can't really be compared to those. The GCH I think can hold its own with the WDW deluxe's. I really love Disneyland, and never feel like its less of any Disney magic when I go there vs. WDW. I do miss all the dining options at WDW and AK and Epcot, but Disneyland itself is better than the MK in my opinion. There is really something to be said for the original version and the fact this was Walt's park. His touch and memory are everywhere! I think every Disney fan owes it to themself to go to DL at least once. And if you don't mind shelling out the bucks for a stay at the GCH that will make it even better!

As far as your time frame, unless you go Christmas week, any of your dates will have some nice, lower crowds. Disneyland will have some ride closures in January as both IASW and Haunted Mansion go down to take off their holdiay overlays. If you go to DL in December, you can enjoy the holiday overlays for both, neither of those rides do the overlays at WDW. WDW does have the Osborne Lights at MGM and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. So in essence, both WDW and DL have a lot to offer at the holidays, as long as you go before the mulititudes do Christmas Week!

As for the cruise, I loved our seven day Eastern Caribbean cruise last year. Probably the best vacation we ever took. However, if I ever do it again, I would allow more time and do the parks too. I would still do the seven day but I would have at least four or five nights to do a WDW stint as well, however thats a very long trip! We didn't, we did stay at a WDW moderate for a few nights, went to Blizzard Beach and it was sort of sad to be there but not doing the parks at all. So I would never do that again! Even if I just had a day or two to see and do the MK only, I would do that in addition to a cruise. if your son can go into the kids clubs I think you and he would really enjoy it. If he can't, then I wouldn't do the cruise. Part of the fun of a cruise is that your kids do have all these activities. If he can't participate that would be sad and complicate things for his twin too. I would check on that for sure. If he can, then my vote would be a trip to WDW in late April, early May with a cruise. Also, cruises are expensive and get more so as it gets closer. Late April/early to mid May you could still find some good deals and availability (hopefully) on the DCL. For December or January, the pickings would be slim, although you said cost was not a big factor.

I would also think a trip to either DL or WDW during early December would be a great thing. There is a lot to see and do related to the holidays. The parks seem different, even if you have done them before, its almost like a whole new experience. October is great too with the Halloween parties both DL and WDW have and the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. Disney does the holidays right!

Good luck with your choice, you can't make a wrong one. Good for you for spending some money to treat the family to a special experience! Let us knwo what you decide.

 

[tinkermell]

Give DL a try and stay at the GC this December. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a room It it just beautful at Christmas time, and sooooooooooooo close to everything!! Walk out one of the exits, and you're in DCA!!! Walk out another exit, you're in DTD, with a short walk to DL. Santa Claus visits in the Lobby Lounge next the huge Christmas tree, and stories are told by the hearth.
Whatever you decide........have a great time!!!!!11

 

[Master Mason]

Here is a thought for you.

You could go to DL, and then there are a couple of short cruises that leave from LA, there is one you get on on friday, and get off on monday, and another that gets on on monday and off on friday. They are short, going to ensenada mexico for both, and catalina for the longer one. It would give you a good taste of what a cruise would be like. They are not disney cruises, but are very nice.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We've also done all three. For your needs right now, I think I would recommend Disneyland. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to go between the two parks and Downtown Disney. Basically, you can stand in the middle of the entrance plaza and see the gates for all three! After travelling between parks at WDW, it's very refreshing to spend some time at DL. I find DL to be a more relaxed vacation because it's much more compact. At WDW, we tend to feel like we have to be on the go all the time or we might miss something. Hope you have fun whatever you decide!

 

[mott]

It sounds like you can travel off season, so based on that, here is my 2 cents:

I'd suggest either DL or WDW for 4 nights and then a 4 night cruise. I'm probably leaning towards the cruise/land combo since you said you have a little more to spend this time. DL can be done cheaper than the other 2 (if you travel off season). The cruise is FABULOUS! My kids love it more than the parks. We just can't really afford the rising prices.

 

[Lostgirlz]

You can wdw/cruise split I believe the disney cruise lines offer a split thing. I have to say I recently got to do DL about a year and a half ago, and just this year went for my first time ever to WDW. I never have gotten the chance to do the cruise yet. I have to say I am glad I did DL first because the classic disney feel was great, and on a MUCH more managable scale. When we did WDW on our honeymoon it was HUGE, and we stayed at the AKL, so that meant catching the bus early to make things, and such. Was not a reallydoable thing to go to parks come back for a break go back out since you had to catch the bus to different parks it was a lot of trekking, but gosh it was magical would walk for days for that, but I am going back to DL next year, and I love DL, and WDW if you havent done DL I would say go for it. We stayed at DLH when we went for the first time, and it was great. The disney feel was all throughout the hotel, the pool is awesome for the kids, and the tinkerbell fairy dust along the top of the wall which glowed at night was pure magic. It never felt like you left DL there. The Grand Cali is very nice, much more along the lines of Wilderness Lodge, but more of a spa cali feel. If you want to do an all out disney I would go DLH they offer conceigere.