Trying to decide on either a cruise or disneyworld...need help

[bluefan89]

We are trying to decide (last minute as always) if we should do the 7 day disney cruise for around 3,500.00 for 4, or should we take the 7 days and do disneyworld...(not sure of the cost of a nicer in park stay).

Never been on a disney cruise, has been 6-7 yrs since was at the park?

Has anyone else had to decide on this? I guess money might be a little of the factor but not a great impact.

Thanks

 

[smkiya]

Two weeks ago I started planning for our fall 2010 trip. I was considering doing a cruise or doing Disney. The lightbulb went off, and I thought, hey Disney has a cruiseline! duh! It was then that I decided to do both! Disney has 3 and 4 night cruises, so we chose the 3 night, since it fit with our schedule, and paid our deposit a week and a half ago. Total, less than $1500 for a family of 4. I am going to make room only ressies at CBR for 3 nights before the cruise at less than $700 (rack rate). If free dining comes out for our dates or some other discount, we will apply it. Same with the cruise, if discounts are offered, they can be applied. TIP: Keep cruise and hotel ressies separate.
All told, 6 nights and 7 days... 3 nights in a moderate Disney resort and 3 nights on a Disney cruise, family of 4 less than $2200.... but hoping for additional discounts!
So my point is, why choose... do both!

 

[laceemouse]

How old are your kids?
I am not a cruiser, they make me barf, but the parks have a lot I can do. A lot has changed in the parks in 6-7 years!

 

[crisi]

I don't like both. Four days isn't long enough in the parks unless you've gone recently - three isn't long enough to cruise.

They are different vacations. DisneyWorld will be a lot more planning - plan all your meals. You'll need to get up early. You'll likely always be busy. There will be thrill rides, a whole lot of land to cover. Expenses are a little more controllable, you can stay offsite or eat offsite or eat counter service.

The cruise can also be busy, but someone is going to tell you where to eat (you can still obsess over Palo if you want) - and most of your decisions (once you book) will be which excursions to do. You'll be able to leave your kids at the kids club or spend time with them. There should be plenty of time for a lawnchair. There will be a show every evening before or after dinner. At at entry level, it isn't cheap - an "offsite" Disney Cruise is another cruise line, and since your meals are included you pay for them even if you grab a burger. And it gets more expensive quickly - as its easy to drink, excursion and tip your way into another four figures over seven days of cruise.

 

[Perditamarie]

What a wonderful problem to have! I have to admit I am totally biased to the parks...seems like you have more elbow room and more choices of what to do with your time, and it is practically a whole new place since 6-7 year ago. However, here is a rule of thumb: If kids are older and independent, I would go with the cruise. If younger, go to the parks.

Whatever you decide, have fun planning!

 

[QVCshopper]

Not sure when you're going, but have you considered back-to-back 3 & 4-day cruises? I just booked two using the kid's free offer and the week is costing just under $2,000, which includes the Cat 12 GTY cruise, taxes/fees, and transfers (no insurance just yet). It was much cheaper to do 2 short cruises than 1 long 7 night. Just an idea...

 

[tigger51276]

Last year I decided to do both. I had a bit more time though. If you are able to stretch your vacation a couple more days you could do 6 or 7 nights at Disney and then do the 3 day cruise. My DD who was 4 and I did the cruise and almost 2 years later she hasn't stopped talking about the floating Disney hotel. She absolutely loved the kids club on board and swimming in the ocean at Castaway. I get really bad motion sickness and I was really worried about how I would handle the cruise but I actually didn't do terrible (and I was 16 weeks pregnant to boot). She keeps asking when we can do it again and I think that in 2 years when my DD1 is a little older we will do the cruise again. If you can only do one or the other, then you have quite a dilemma. I go to Disney every year, but I'm not sure if I could go to Florida and do the cruise and not spend a couple days at least at Disney. I think it really depends on do you want to rides and the typical Disney Parks stuff or do you want more of a relaxing, somewhat exotic trip?
Good luck with your decision, whichever you make you'll have an awesome time!

 

[tigger51276]

sorry double post..

 

[happymommy]

They are totally different vacations. We did the 7 day cruise once on the Magic, and although it was really cool, I won't do it again. This was in the spring, and we had 30 foot swells for two days. It was an experience that is for sure! And you will have extra costs, tips, some drinks, etc... We spent an extra $1000 onboard. Plus the packing is different. On the cruise you need clothes for dinner as well as casual stuff. Some folks get very dressed up also. My kids were 8 and 10, and my 8 year old was barely into the kids clubs, my 10 year old (at the time) really wasn't into it at all. The nice thing is they could come and go as they wanted around the ship, so they enjoyed the freedom. Younger kids would love the activities, though! My friends' younger daughter was in the clubs from 8am to midnight pretty much daily. She loved it.

It really is a different vacation than going to WDW. It is so busy! There is always something going on. At WDW you can relax more I think, and go at your own pace.

The reason I would do Disney this year over a cruise personally is the whole flu scare. My son got sick on the cruise - severe bronchitis due to his asthma, high fever, on steroids, antibiotics, and breathing treatments (now I carry a portable nebulizer anywhere we go). He's the type that will get sick easily. I would be more comfortable on land this year. Don't want to scare you or make it seem like I'm paranoid, but that is just me. I did like how as you entered the dining rooms, they handed antibac wipes to everyone. Also the kids had to clean their hands every time they went into the kids clubs. Disney cruise is really cautious about cleanliness.

Funny thing, though - my son (now 12) has been asking when we can go on another cruise! I may take the kids with a friend or my mom some time again - my DH didn't like the cruise thing much. He likes to relax by the pool at the resort more - the pool onboard is small and busy. We would do a different cruise line, though, as my kids are not into the characters, and others cost less.

 

[bluefan89]

Thanks for the replies...kids are 8 & 10...so thinking more about the park this fall and cruise next year.

Now just trying to find a good place to find cheap park tix. anyone know?

We are staying at in laws off site time share.

Thanks again

 

[Poohbug]

A cruise is more relaxing. WDW is not. You could make WDW relaxing but it is hard to do. You get in those parks and you just end up going, going, going.

You will have fun either way.

As far as tickets, you won't get much of a deal anywhere you go. Use someone who is recommended by the big Disney fan sites like DIS or Deb's. The discount usually ends up to be the amount of sales tax you would pay. I would not buy from someone who discounts more that that because it is probably a scam. If anyone has a birthday while you are there make sure to get your free ticket or other option.

Since the last time you visited WDW the restaurants are very different. If you want a sit down meal you MUST have an ADR or be very flexible(like eating at 9:30 pm).