WDW before or after cruise & Why?

[dbcruise]

Hello we are going on the 3day cruise this fall with our $99.00 rate we got from Jan cruise . Do most people go to parks before or after cruise ? any reasons why better before or after ?Just wondering . Thanks Doreen

 

[Parrotheader]

I've been to WDW many times, but this'll be our first cruise coming up in May. We got the land/sea package and opted for the land portion first. From what I've read from other people on here, that tends to be the most popular choice.

I assume the logic is the same as what I used . . . we know there's a TON to see and do at WDW so we'll probably keep pretty busy. And while we'll be having a blast we won't exactly be resting. I know there's things to do on the cruise ship too, but personally I'm just planning on doing some SERIOUS relaxing. I'm almost tempted not to book any shore excursions when we get to Nassau after reading a lot of the comments here. We might just go ashore to some shops to say we went and then come back onboard to soak in the amenities of the ship while it's less crowded.

 

[callahanjulie10]

I would go before the cruise. The reason is because you go, go at WDW. The cruise is total relaxation. Go, go, go and relax, relax, relax!

 

[CamColt]

I agree with the relaxing theory too. Plus, if you do WDW first, then you know you are already there, just an hours ride away from the ship. You dont have to worry about flight delays and missing the boat.
I have done a cruise(not Disney) before going to WDW, and I didnt have a problem doing it that way, but now that Ive become a planaholic, if I had a choice, I would do WDW first.

 

[ducklite]

We're on the Magic this summer. We're spending three days prior at WDW (That way if we have flight trouble we can get in the car and drive down) and three days at WDW after...no reason other than it's a long weekend, so why not?

Anne

 

[caskar]

I have not been on the cruise before, but what I have read and when I think about the cruise I'm sure getting off the cruise will be too hard for me to go back into reality. So, we are going to the Wilderness Lodge after the cruise and breaking back into reality slowly.

I do agree the best plan might be to go to the parks then relax at on the cruise.

 

[DisneyKids]

In my opinion, <b>either is great</b>. It really only depends on the timing for us.

Since everyone else took the "before" approach, I'll offer that several people we talked to did it the other way. One reason...after the very special cruise, WDW becomes a bit of an easing back into reality. You hear everyone say they want to cry when disembarking...if they know there is still more WDW fun to be had, it helps to cushion that let-down.

 

[disboo]

In January we did a four day cruise, then 3 days at WDW (AKL!!). I would have preferred it the other way around. I was so relaxed after the cruise that it took me a while to get into my "theme park commando" mode.

I hate to say it, but I wouldn't have minded going home after the four day cruise - it felt like a full vacation. We had booked the extra three days in WDW thinking four days seemed short, but it was a perfect four days! AKL was worth a trip in itself, though!

We are going back for our $99 three day in Nov - wish the cruise would be longer and sooner!!

 

[sandee]

I'm like Caskar. I prefer to go to the parks after a cruise. I go into a funk before the ship even gets back into port so a few days at DW helps bring me back to reality. As much as we love DW, nobody serves us catsup by the spoonful from a silver bowl. Nobody wrings their hands with worry for me if I get to our table 2 mins. after everyone else in my group. "Oh Madam MIller....I was soooo worried you might be ill." sigh! Going on 3rd cruise in May without our usual stop at DW. I wont be fit to live with for days.....unless I can talk my family into turning down my blankets in the evening and leaving a mint on my pillow.

 

[MomOf4WONDERgirls]

We are going on the 4 day cruise and have decided to go to WDW afterwards for the simple fact that we have to drive back home which is about 20 hrs
We don't want to get off the ship knowing we have a long haul home, plus knowing that our trip isn't all over once we get off the ship is a nice thought.
Whatever works out best for you should be your choice.

 

[danicaw]

We are going to try both.
On our Sept trip we are spliting our 2 week WDW trip with a 3 day cruise right in the middle.

 

[Timon]

Hey Doreen!

We were on the cruise with you and we did one day at WDW after the cruise and although I we LOVE LOVE LOVE the parks...we were just sooooo disappointed in things! No one to lay the napkin in your lap...even the food didn't seem as good as usual...AND....( this part was VERY hard to adjust to) you had to PAY for the food. (mind you, we payed upfront for the cruise) Hubby had a HUGE appetite by the time we got off the cruise, I am glad we only had to pay to feed him for 1 1/2 days

Definitely go to the parks first

 

[hydster]

we are doing 3 days at WDW Before our cruise, then taking the 4 day cruise and since it is Thurs to Thursday we are then spending Thurs, Fri, and Sat BACK at WDW and flying home on Sunday! That way we get to go to WDW and have a great time, go on the ship and relax a little bit, go back to WDW to ease into reality and then head home! It will be a LONG trip but we couldnt see any reason to hurry home on Thursday since no one would go to work or school until the following Monday anyway!
Just our thoughts and ideas!
Heidi

 

[Lyneigh P]

When we did our first WDW and cruise this last DEC01, we did WDW first and then the cruise. If I could do it over, I would have done the cruise first and then WDW. The reason is the time difference KILLED us. When we left L.A., we took a 7:00am flight so we had to get up at 4:30am to be there on time. By the time we reached Orlando, we were tired, hungry and cranky and it was only 4:00 pm Orlando time. We had already bought tickets for the Very Merry Mickey Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. So by the time we left the MK and made it back to our room at 12:30am, we were totally useless the next day. We never made it to the parks before 12:00pm. There is so much to do at WDW! Even though I tried to start our days early, we just couldn't get going. If we had done the cruise first, we would have had time to ease in to the time difference without being rushed.The cruise was wonderful! My family and I would do the cruise again in a heart beat. As for WDW, you need at least a week or more to do most thing without being rushed.

 

[TeamMMouse]

I would go before the cruise and be hectic and hang around sweaty people in wdw then go to the cruise and have total relaxation