Trying to decide...

[monkeybug]

between a cruise and a week at the Poly. I know. Life is hard right?
The cruise would be a 4 day cruise on the Dream in a deluxe ocean view family room for $3,600, and if I book through Costco I get a $250 Costco cash card.
The land vacation would be about $3,000 for 6 days including tickets and the regular dining plan. (using military discounts).
We have 3 kids ages 8, 5, and an infant (will be about 8 months when we go)
This will be the third year in a row we go to Disney, so a cruise might be fun and different, but it's not really discounted at all, and we are likely moving to the West Coast this summer (depending on orders) and if thats the case it will probably be about 4 years until we return to WDW.
I'm having a hard time deciding! We have never been on a cruise, so I have no idea if it would even be enjoyable with an infant, but then again it sounds so relaxing! It's also hard to decide to pass up that 40% room discount in favor of something thats pretty much full price.
Which would you choose?
Should I look into other cruise lines?

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Take a look at Royal Caribbean. We prefer it to Disney cruises and it will be less expensive. I like to do a 7 day cruise with a long weekend at the parks. I get the best of both!

A 4 day cruise will feel really really short! I think most experienced cruisers will say 4 days is NOT enough! But 3 or 4 days at the parks will give you enough time to hit the highlights.

 

[tink_lover]

I was going to say go to the Poly for a week, until I saw that you have three little kids. That changed my mind to the cruise. We did our first one this year and loved it! You have been to WDW for the past few years, it will be fun to try something different, your older kids will LOVE the kids area but the thing that changed my mind is that with your little one being able to be checked into the infant area - you and hubby can have some adult time without paying the extra for the kids clubs at the resorts.

The other thing is I would look at different room categories. You may find you won't use that verandah much and don't need the deluxe outside room. We booked two rooms (2 adults, 3 kids also) on our cruise, an outside verandah and an inside room. Found that with the kids, we just didn't use the verandah much - plus there are a lot of outside public places to sit/stand/watch. Next cruise we are booked in two adjoining inside rooms.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Our favorite room arrangement is an inside connected to a balcony. The kids can go to bed in the nice dark inside and we can sit outside on the balcony. I don't know if that is an option on Disney but it is on Royal.

 

[SaraJayne]

I would look at a different cruise line to help keep the costs down.

Good luck deciding!

 

[monkeybug]

Thank you for the replies!! I had no idea the other room arrangement was an option. The lady I was booking through (have a courtesy hold until the 5th) told me that the ship was almost sold out, and that room was the only one that could accommodate us. I will double check the pricing and availability on two adjoining inside rooms, or an inside room and one with a verandah.
I will also look into the Royal Caribbean cruises. I guess I figured Disney would be the most kid friendly, are the other cruises good for kids too? I didn't even think that infant care would be an option, that sounds wonderful!!
Our Disney tickets would be 4 day tickets, so maybe a short cruise and a few days at Disney would be the perfect thing. So long as the cruise portion isn't so expensive that is!

 

[LuvOrlando]

I have been trying to work a cruise into my world for years but every single time the truth is I just prefer the amusement parks with my family. The past few years we have gone with moderates because we have been taking at least one other big trip, LBI a few times & Aruba, but I won't do it again.... where I stay has everything to do with my happiness level.

I just love the swing on the beach where DH & I sit as the kids play, the torches and the quiet music piping through the resort it would be the Polynesian all the way for me. Especially considering the age of your youngest, nothing better than being able to pop on the monorail with an infant when the time is right for a break. Cruises will still be there when the baby is 5 and the oldest is 13.

We have to go to Miami for a wedding this year and DH has promised me a stay at the Polynesian... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT

 

[DisneyScraps]

I would think that the cruise would be more relaxing and it would give you a nice mix of family time and adult time since the baby can be cared for. You haven't done it so that would be a nice change too.

Have a great time!

Lisa