The World or DCL? Can't Decide!!

[laurainsem]

I am planning to surprise my "baby" sister (23yo) for her birthday in October with a Disney vacation. Originally I was planning 5 days at WDW camping at Fort Wilderness. Today I began looking at the cruises just for the fun of it. Well, i'm starting to fall in love with the idea. Then I found out it would be $200 less if I did a four day cruise then the camping trip.

Please, I would love some input on this. If you were on our shoes, what would you do????

 

[Myth-USA]

I am a Disney World veteran but have taken only one DCL cruise (June 2008 Double Dip). My DW and I fell in love with the cruise and are booked for another. I asked my DW what she wanted to do for our 10 year anniversary.......hands down another DCL cruise!!

I think you get more for your money on a cruise than a DW vacation!
You said it is $200 less for the cruise. Did you also consider that FOOD is included in the cruise, but not at the World?

You (and your sister) will LOVE Castaway Cay (pronounced Key).

Of course this is only my opinion.....but you did ask!!

Whichever vacation you pick, you will have a blast. After all, it is Disney!!

 

[disneycrazzzy]

I doubt it can beat the cost of camping, but I know a category 12 on select 7-day cruises is beating the price of a seven stay in a value resort if you include the dining plan. For around $2500 I can cruise for seven days for two adults and one child. I'd choose to cruise easily.

 

[laurainsem]

Actually, with quick service dining, 5 days, and tent camping, it was close to $1000. If I don't get travel insurance with the cruise (which I will), it was only in the $770 range. Now with TI, it is around $900, but quite comparable. It really surprised me and got me to seriously look at DCL!

I'm so glad to hear people love the cruises so much. We are very new to Disney and are only now taking our first trip to WDW. The cruise never really interested me until now. The more research i'm doing, the more excited i'm becoming. I think this may really be the direction we go!

 

[Donald_Quackers]

I just took my first cruise Dec 7-11 and I'm now hooked and am trying to get family to go on a cruise with me.

I also vote for the cruise.

 

[mmouse37]

Actually, with quick service dining, 5 days, and tent camping, it was close to $1000. If I don't get travel insurance with the cruise (which I will), it was only in the $770 range. Now with TI, it is around $900, but quite comparable. It really surprised me and got me to seriously look at DCL!

I'm so glad to hear people love the cruises so much. We are very new to Disney and are only now taking our first trip to WDW. The cruise never really interested me until now. The more research i'm doing, the more excited i'm becoming. I think this may really be the direction we go!

With over 40 trip to WDW and soon to be going on our 17th DCL cruise.....I lOVE THE CRUISE. I never thought anything could top WDW but I find even though I still love WDW and all it has to offer the cruise surpasses it for me in fun and relaxation. For me that would be a simple answer....5 days camping at WDW or 4 days being pampered and served on the cruise where all my activities and meals are included??? And, I can still get my Disney fix and then some. There are tons of interactions with the characters onboard and the Disney themeing is there but subtle.....elegantly casual!!! Cruise wins hands down!!!

 

[Myth-USA]

Actually, with quick service dining, 5 days, and tent camping, it was close to $1000. If I don't get travel insurance with the cruise (which I will), it was only in the $770 range. Now with TI, it is around $900, but quite comparable. It really surprised me and got me to seriously look at DCL!

Also keep in mind, if you book with a TA you will very likely also get some kind of OBC (on board credit)......

 

[Im_A_Princess]

Seeing as how "MY" idea of roughing it and camping is staying at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Villas (DVC) ... I would go on the DCL Cruise!

 

[mindelmouse]

My 7 years olds told me after we took our cruise in November that they would rather go back on a cruise than go to WDW - how's that for an endorsement.

 

[samily]

Actually, with quick service dining, 5 days, and tent camping, it was close to $1000. If I don't get travel insurance with the cruise (which I will), it was only in the $770 range. Now with TI, it is around $900, but quite comparable. It really surprised me and got me to seriously look at DCL!

I'm so glad to hear people love the cruises so much. We are very new to Disney and are only now taking our first trip to WDW. The cruise never really interested me until now. The more research i'm doing, the more excited i'm becoming. I think this may really be the direction we go!

Another vote for the cruise!

Also, the price you quote with insurance seems a little high - are you looking at getting DCL's insurance? If so, you may want to look at other insurance options - they are much less expensive than DCL and offer better coverage (for example, DCL does not cover pre-existing conditions at all, does not cover your flights or hotel unless you have booked through DCL, etc.). A couple of sites to compare travel insurance options are insuremytrip.com or squaremouth.com.

Enjoy whatever you decide - you have a lucky baby sister!

 

[kcashner]

Another vote for the cruise. Don't get me wrong, we do enjoy the parks and frequently do both on the trip. But, if I had to choose one or the other, it would be the cruise.

Check out insuremytrip.com. They have great rates for the same policies many TAs sell. We are usually able to get a "kids free with parent" deal. Obviously, rates are based on age, but many policies are quite reasonable.

There are currently a few 7 day cruises available for $599 per person in a cat 12 if you can do these dates. Don't be afraid of the cat 12. And...if you use a Disney Visa to pay for your trip, you'll get an onboard credit for that as well as what many TAs will give you!

 

[laurainsem]

Wow, thank you for all the responses!!! I'm glad to hear there are cheaper options for the insurance; I thought that was a bit high.

I'm really struggling now with the idea of it only being 4 days. I don't have the finances to cover a full 7 day trip right now. Part of me is considering waiting so we can do 7 days, plus bring along my older sister. This would mean camping this year and then the following year taking our luxurious cruise.

Hhhhmmm... I don't know, still chewing it over.

 

[Grandma4ever]

Don't forget the cost of passports if you cruise. I know that you can cruise without them but if you need for some reason to fly home you will be unable to do that.

However, here is another vote for the Cruise over WDW. We try to do both when we go.

 

[cyndik1111]

I think the choice is kind of like comparing apples to oranges. We LOVED WDW!!! But now we are doing a cruise (3 weeks away). If your sister likes rides and thrill shows and water parks and running around and disney shopping and counter service food, and all that, then go to the parks.. she has to like roughing it (camping) too. But if she would enjoy relaxation, fine dining, nice stage shows, more relaxing, beaches, being on a boat, and ports of calls, fun nightclubs, etc- then cruise. If you can swing BOTH (1 year apart) You are a wonderful sister. Are you looking for a new family member? My birthday is in Nov.

 

[tinkerbellmom1]

One more vote for the cruise! Can't say enough good things about them! The parks are fun, but not relaxing IMHO. The cruise gives you so many options of things to do, or not to do, you can't go wrong!

 

[jajomo0118]

One more vote for the cruise! Can't say enough good things about them! The parks are fun, but not relaxing IMHO. The cruise gives you so many options of things to do, or not to do, you can't go wrong!

This is the main reason DH loves the cruise...when you board its like you don't have to think anymore for yourself..... ....just relax relax relax...........

 

[Twinprincesses]

I think the cruise is much more relaxing but I have to get my WDW fix in to every once in awhile. I would say at age 23 there is alot to do on a cruise. Maybe you can do the cruise and stay over 1 day to do WDW.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Wow....this is a tough one for your circumstances. Needless to say the cruise is HEAVEN. And personally, I'd find it tough to camp AFTER the cruise (would be easier to live with the other way around, I think).

But since you (or she?) haven't done WDW either makes it a littler harder. If you do both, you will be getting a 'taste' of each, which can be a good thing, but you know...you'll have to come back and do each again (and possibly over and over for the rest of your life...oh wait, that's me)!

If you have any concerns about the actual 'act' of sailing, a four day is a good test, but if you have no worries in that regard, you could hold out for a 7 day next year.

Have you thought about not surprising your sister, and getting her input?

You will have a wonderful time whatever way you go!

 

[NancyIL]

Given the choice between 4 days at WDW or 4 days on a Disney Bahamas cruise, I would rather be at WDW. However, I would choose a cruise any day over camping - although it wouldn't necessarily be on DCL.