WDW after Cruise...To Do or Not To Do?

[jcemom]

Would a couple of days at WDW after our Eastern ruin what might otherwise be a very relaxing vacation?

Here's what I'm thinking...our Cruise is November 26, 2005--me, DS 12, DS 11, and DD 3. We will fly down on Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) and board the ship on Saturday. We don't plan to do much on the port days...I'm thinking just the beach for a few hours on St Maarten, and the Paradise Point sky tram at St Thomas, and again just the beach at Castaway Cay. Otherwise we'll just be hanging out on the ship, relaxing.

Now, we get back into Port Canaveral on Saturday morning, the 3rd of December. I'd really like to go to the MVMCP on Sunday the 4th before heading home on Monday. Would trying to cram the parks in be too much? I'd like to see the Osborne Lights, some of the Santas at Epcot (Holiday Storytellers) and MVMCP. I'm thinking we would probably stay at WL, but am undecided.

Now, if we don't do the parks, we will just fly home on Saturday afternoon.

DH is always accusing me of trying to "tack on" too many things to the beginnings and endings of our vacations, LOL. Maybe he's right?

 

[mrsltg]

I'd do it in a heartbeat, but I'm a sucker for WDW at Christmastime (even moreso than normal!!!). MVMCP is great!

Erin

 

[puffkin]

I think it would be wonderful! WDW at that time of the year is so beautiful and it would be relaxing. I would do the CP processional at Epcot as well. What a way to get into the holiday spirit! I say add a few days and soak up all the holiday offerings at WDW before heading home

 

[TammiMcMan]

I'm not positive about the logisitics, but aren't the 3 things that you're trying to see in 3 different parks? So you'd be trying to fit that all in between Saturday and Sunday. I think it might be alot. The other thing to consider is that you could be arriving at the resort as early as 9:30am and you might not have a room until after 3pm. This happened to us at the GF when we tacked on 2 days at WDW to the end of our cruise. Even though we thought the cruise was very relaxing and we'd be ready to attack the parks, it just didn't work that way. I had planned to store our luggage and go right into Epcot, so not having the room available was not a big deal. DD(8) lasted about 2 hours and then all she wanted to do was return to the GF, change and swim in the pool. It was kind of a pain having to track down our luggage and dig out her swimsuit. Even my DS(14) said that it wasn't our most magical trip and that maybe we tried to cram too much in.

It's just my opinion, but if we planned it again, I would pick one park and then select a resort near that park. WL would probably be wonderful for MVMCP, but if you decide to maybe see the Epcot Santa's and then walk through MGM's Osborne Lights instead, then a boardwalk resort would probably be better. Just one persons experience though.

Tammi

 

[mmouse37]

We spent 3 nights at the Beach Club after our 7 day cruise and loved it....we were a large group and had a blast. We have all been there numerous times before so we did not feel the need to cram everything...we took things leisurely and had a great time.

MJ

 

[jcemom]

Well, here's what I was thinking...we have late dinner seating on the cruise, therefore will have the "later" debarkation breakfast, so should arrive at the resort around...what? 10:30? I'd like to check in and head to Epcot, see some "Santas" around World Showcase, then go over to the Studios for Fantasmic and Osborne Lights. Sunday morning is open to whatever we want/feel like doing--probably MGM, then the MVMCP Sunday evening. We would probably have a 12:30 flight on Monday.

I'd love to see the CP at Epcot, but don't think I'd enjoy it so much with the three kids along, so I'll save it for a future trip.

We certainly don't need to see/do everything...actually our "to do" list is fairly short. We will be back twice in 2006.

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by TammiMcMan
I'm not positive about the logisitics, but aren't the 3 things that you're trying to see in 3 different parks? So you'd be trying to fit that all in between Saturday and Sunday. I think it might be alot.

You may be right. I might have to choose either Epcot OR MGM.

The other thing to consider is that you could be arriving at the resort as early as 9:30am and you might not have a room until after 3pm. This happened to us at the GF when we tacked on 2 days at WDW to the end of our cruise.

I'm thinking we should arrive around 10:30, so that should give us about 4 hours to "kill" before we could get into our room.

Even though we thought the cruise was very relaxing and we'd be ready to attack the parks, it just didn't work that way. I had planned to store our luggage and go right into Epcot, so not having the room available was not a big deal. DD(8) lasted about 2 hours and then all she wanted to do was return to the GF, change and swim in the pool. It was kind of a pain having to track down our luggage and dig out her swimsuit.

"Hopefully" it will be too cold for swimming and it won't be an issue, LOL. Though we would probably have a rental car and could keep our stuff in there if need be.

Even my DS(14) said that it wasn't our most magical trip and that maybe we tried to cram too much in.

Again, you may be right, maybe I'll pare it down a bit more. Or do you think we should just skip WDW altogether this time around?

It's just my opinion, but if we planned it again, I would pick one park and then select a resort near that park. WL would probably be wonderful for MVMCP, but if you decide to maybe see the Epcot Santa's and then walk through MGM's Osborne Lights instead, then a boardwalk resort would probably be better. Just one persons experience though.

Tammi

Well, MVMCP would be a must do, but that's not until Sunday evening and there's NO WAY I would go to MK on Saturday. So, no matter what I choose--Epcot and MVMCP, or MGM and MVMCP--they won't be in the same area. I chose WL because of the Christmas decorations and "homey" feel. Decisions, decisions...

 

[TammiMcMan]

jcemom, I'm totally understanding how you are feeling. I'm suffering from a severe case of RAD (resort anxiety disorder) just trying to choose a one night stay post-cruise for DH and myself. I am definitely one to try and jam every second of happiness I can into a vacation. The big unknown for you is travelling with kids. They can kill the best planned itineraries. I thought my DD would be watered out by the end of our cruise, but I hadn't factored in that the pools on the boat are very small and basically all she could do was get wet. There was no jumping, no splashing and you had to time the water slide around the crowds. As for the weather, we were swimming in the GF pool last January, so you can't count that out.

You should probably make the plan that you're most comfortable with, but leave some flexibility for those darn kids.

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by TammiMcMan
The big unknown for you is travelling with kids. They can kill the best planned itineraries.

That is SO true, LOL. Our first full day on our February trip--Magic Kingdom, NO crowds...at 11:00am while my mind was "planning" what we would do next, both boys look at me and say...yep, you guessed it..."Can we go back and SWIM now?" UGH. It was more than warm enough for swimming in February too...unfortunately, LOL.

 

[TammiMcMan]

That is exactly why DH and I don't feel guilty about our parents only trip to WDW.

 

[figment52]

If it were any other time of the year my answer would most probably be different, but Christmas time at WDW is my favorite.

That week will be pretty quiet in the parks. There will be some football teams arriving for the POP Warner Super Bowl at Wide World of Sports, but otherwise rather quiet.

There is so ,uch going on in the parks then (Candlelight Processional, Osborne Lights, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party)... I would say if you can afford it do it.

For more information about Christmas time at Disney check out www.allearsnet.com.

But be forewarned, it may become addictive.

 

[jcemom]

Well, now we are *once again* considering moving to the September 3, 2005 Cruise. I guess that would solve the MVMCP "problem" anyway, LOL. If somebody doesn't make up my mind soon I think I will go crazy! oops, too late

 

[goingbacksoon]

If you're a sucker for Christmas, then the time when you're getting back is absolutely perfect. The weeks after Thanksgiving and before Christmas week are historically the least attended weeks, despite the fact all the decorations are up in full force.

Last year, we didn't do a 7-day and then the parks, but a 4-day and then 5 days at the parks. We arrived at the parks on the 18th, and the crowds were really light. We nearly walked on to Mission: Space. Later in the week though, it seemed too crowded. It was a nice change of pace, even though we missed the pampering of the cruise. We liked being able to plan our meals and have more eclectic options. Then again, it is just two of us.

MVMCP is awesome, well worth the extra price! And the decorations are beautiful.

goingbacksoon