WDW or Disney Cruise? I'd love to hear why WDW is so special to you!

[luvmydogs]

Hello everyone! I'm a new poster to the CB, as I usually hang around on the Cruise Board. But I do read about you all everyday (I just adore those baby bird pictures!) here on the CB, and know you are the best bunch to ask for some honest opinions (I hope this is the right place for me to post). Here's the scoop: My DH, DS(5 at the time), and I took a Disney Cruise a year ago, and LOVED it! The most wonderful family vacation we ever had. Can't say enough about how much we loved the ship and crew, and just cruising in general. Well, we have another cruise booked for next summer--7 night Western Caribbean. My husband has suggested that we think about doing WDW instead, and the idea is starting to intrigue me... Neither of us have been there in over 20 years (if I'm correct, it was pretty much just the MK back then?), and my DS, who'll be nearly eight when we go, just loves theme parks (and swimming---those pools on cruise ships are tiny, and I can just imagine the look on his face when he sees the Poly volcano pool slide for the first time ). I have in my mind the pros and cons of the cruise, and between reading the DISboards, and several WDW books, I have a general idea of what I'd like and dislike about a WDW vacation. We thought about doing a land/sea package, but would really like to see a lot more of the surrounding Orlando area (Sea World, Universal, etc...), during the week we'd be there. So please tell me, what makes WDW so SPECIAL for you?! What are your likes and dislikes, annoyances, favorites...anything! And believe me, I do realize I'm probably thinking WAY TOO MUCH about this (but I bet NONE of you can relate to that ). And, after the tragic events of this past year I am so unbelievably grateful to have the means to even consider taking such a trip, and I thank God evey day for the true blessings I have. A vacation is just icing on the cake. I'd really love to know what you all think, and I thank you so much in advance!

 

[Serena]

I asked the very same question a while ago. I heard all the excitement in the posts and just decided to see for myself.

My dh and teenager went to humor me. They loved it.

I can't explain what it is about it that makes it magical, it just is.

 

[s&k'smom]

Wow how to you put what you love about WDW. I think for me it's because I always feel so happy when I go. The hotels, themeing, CM's there is just something so magical. Some of the happiest times of my crazy life have been spent there and now I'm going to be sharing it with my two kids in October. Maybe because WDW is so geared to making people happy. I totally agree with you that (especially after this year) a vacation is icing on the cake. I feel truly blessed to be able to go with my family. And also that I found these posts. I don't have many friends and when I feel lonely I jump on board and feel like I have tons of friends. Maybe that's the magic.

 

[TimeforMe]

What a nice post! We did the DCL cruise this past November, and like you, were blown away. What a wonderful experience and one I wouldn't hesitate to do again in a heartbeat. Having said that, however, and being that you have never been to WDW (we have been several times), I think you definitely need to bring your family there. Your DS sounds like he would love it and will be a great age to go to. What makes it so special? It's intangible, but let's just say it's such a magical place--the attention to details, the friendliness of the CMs, the attractions themselves--everything is very special. Go for it--you'll not be sorry!

 

[luvmydogs]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I think I understand what you all mean when you use words like "magical" and "intangible." It's kind of like that "butterflies in your tummy, happy, fuzzy feeling." There are certain things that make me feel that way, too. It probably sounds weird, but I'd probably be most excited about seeing all the different hotels. For all our land-based vacations, I've always had so much fun choosing where to stay! (I'm a big follower of the Resorts Board, too). And I can almost hear the Polynesian calling my name... I appreciate you all taking the time to answer my post. There've been so many times I've wanted to post here because everyone seems to always have such a good time. I never thought I could be as shy on a computer as I am in real life, but I am!!! Thanks again, TimeforMe, s&k'smom, and Serena! {{{Hugs}}} to you!

 

[LuvTigger]

luvmydogs,

Sounds like you and I have a lot in common! Dogs, looking forward to WDW resorts, etc.

I just wanted to add that for me, I not only love WDW, I just love the thought and detail that goes into everything Disney. WDW is even more special because it is a world in itself, unlike DL which has the atmosphere of the surrounding non-Disney things. In WDW, you really are in another world, which allows you to escape reality!

If you do go there and are torn between resorts, you can do what many of us do and split stay (I will be doing that myself in 32 days!!). My first trip to WDW, I was more involved in seeing all the parks, but now that I've been there several times, I am also interested in checking out all the resorts, which IMHO are attractions in themselves!

 

[luvmydogs]

Hi LuvTigger, and thanks for responding! Hmmm, let's see...dogs (and animals in general), resort hotels, and Hawaii (my DREAM vacation)! Sounds like we could be sisters! My husband thinks I'm the only one who obsesses about which hotel to stay at when we travel, along with every other minute detail of our trip. I knew I wasn't alone! I love planning--it's half the fun. I also feel the way that you do--resorts are attractions all by themselves! That's also how I feel about the cruise ships we've been on. Now...if I could only afford that plane trip to Hawaii... Thanks so much for your post!

 

[s&k'smom]

Heyluvmydogs, be careful, when you walk through the Poly at night and here the soft music in the background, torches lit, light bobbing on the water your totally hooked!

 

[dianeschlicht]

For me, the magic of Disney is staying on site and being completely immersed in the magic! A well planned week long trip on-site at a WDW resort will barely be enough time to experience Disney, much less other area attractions! We go every year for 8 to 14 days, and we have yet to do anything off site!!! The magic truely is in the details! Every little nuance of how the buildings in each park are done with great attention to authenticity, to the perfectly groomed grounds and gardens.

The first time we visited WDW, the magic was when I arrived at EPCOT and saw all the beautiful purple flowers in the beds outside of Spaceship Earth. I left the park mid-day, and the flower beds had been emptied. When I returned in the evening, they were full of beautiful YELLOW flower! It is that kind of detail that I am in Aw of and that I think is MAGIC about Disney!

 

[wovenwonder]

I LOVE cruising DCL and would not give up a DCL vacation for WDW. With that said -- my children are older and have been to WDW many times. Having a young child I would surely go to WDW at least once! And the younger the better. I love when kids are still at the age when they think Mickey Mouse is 'real'. Even though us true DIS adults know he is 'real' too!

How about the best of both worlds? A Land and Sea vacation. I would go with 4 days at the parks and 3 days sea. This way you would get to different ports during the cruise but would also get to see WDW too. I would highly suggest doing the land portion first and using the cruise portion to relax a little after a busy WDW vacation. I would also suggest that you book the land and the sea portions seperately to get the best prices.

 

[tc]

Everyone here has tried to put the feeling WDW gives us in words, and have done a pretty good job. Last September, Stephen and I went on our first "adult only" trip to the World. I have such great memories. We spent an entire day there w/o going on one ride. Just immersing ourselves in Disney. We toured the resorts, walked around the parks sampling food, listening to the music, noticing the pavement (do that in MK, it's cool to see it change from land to land). I go in 30 days, and am giddy with excitement. I've never been on a Disney cruise, so I can't tell you which is better, but I can't imagine anything as great as a week at WDW. BTW: We're staying at the Beach Club Villas for the first time, and I am so excited. Stormalongbay, here I come!!!

 

[helenabear]

My first trip to WDW was just about 20 years ago exactly and I was 5 years old. As a 5 year old I was just full of excitement when I walked into the Magic Kingdom (and yes, 20 years ago there was only the MK) and looked up at Cinderella Castle. I had a feeling that is just so indesribable. Just sheer joy and happiness. 20 years later, I get that exact feeling I had way back then that moment I see the WDW signs.

It's that feeling that brings me back. I swear it is some sort of magical world for me where I feel like I am 5 years old again. The theming, the CMs, the minor details in everything are just wonderful and even though so much has changed in those 20 years, that same feeling and atmosphere hasn't changed.

You said you love planning... well planning a Disney trip is so much fun. There is so much you can plan and pick from and I agree that is half the fun of a trip! So there is my take... very hard to desribe or explain but just know I have this big grin on my face just thinking about it! I do hope you stop by here more often Kim!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I noticed some seem to feel WDW is only for kids. My post further up in this thread expressed exitement of ADULTS! We are empty nesters, so even when the "kids" go along, it is still an adults only trip! Epcot and MGM are our favorites with MK and AK a close second. We have so many MUST DO things in each park each trip! We always plan specific favorite restaurants and walks and visits to resorts, and shopping, and the boat to DTD from OKW, and, and, and......You get the drift!

 

[disykat]

We did WDW last year along with the 4 day DCL. My boys were 6 and 8 at the time. I asked them if they had to make a choice which they would choose. They loved both, but chose WDW. I notice as we get further from the trip they remember less about the cruise than WDW. We spent six days - 5 in WDW and one just going to Downtown Disney and looking at some resorts. Our favorite was going over to Fort Wilderness, pony rides for the boys and renting mouse boats. (DH considers the mouse boats the trip highlight!) We didn't have a car so you'll have more flexibility than we did, but we got around fine on Disney Transport. There is a lot more decision making to WDW than the cruise - which makes planning fun.

 

[luvmydogs]

Hello everyone! My goodness, so many more replies--thank you so much! My head's in a little bit of a fog, as my son went back to school today (yes, we start EARLY down here)! This year is the first year I've ever had a hard time letting him go. Three years of preschool, then kindergarten last year--it was always a breeze for both of us. But I just couldn't hold back the tears this morning, and I don't know why. "Geez, Mom, stop embarassing me" was his mantra at the bus stop. Anyway...I appreciate you all taking the time to tell me why WDW is such a special place for you. I get more and more excited with every post I read! And s&ks's mom--I will heed your warning about the romantic atmosphere at the Poly (although my only-child son is always saying how much he'd love a baby brother or sister! WOO HOO!) Dianeschlicht--you go away for a few hours and all the flowers have been replaced?! WOW! I remember my mom saying that it was the amazing things like that which made her like Disney. Hi Jody--I recognize you from the Cruise Board and Cruise Critic! It's funny you mentioned how children believing Mickey is real (I still believe! ) When my son was three, Smokey the Bear came to his preschool to talk about fire safety. All the kids are just in awe, when a little voice from the back of the room yells, "Hey! He's just a guy in a bear suit!" Yep, my child. Lots of angry moms looking my way, as I continued to deny he was mine. Tc--Stormalong Bay does look so cool! Have a great trip! Helenabear--thank you for your kind invitation to visit the CB more often--you all seem like such a fun bunch (although my posts tend to be so long, you may not want me back)! And disykat--I love the term "water mouse!" I'll be quiet now. Thanks so much everyone!