WDW or Disney Cruise?

[Lambert808]

This may seem like a really silly question Me(31yo), DH(been to WDW as a kid) and DD (7yo) are trying to plan a 'big' vacation. DD and I have never been to WDW None of us have done a cruise. Which would you recommend for us?

More information - we are considering December of this year. I am very conflicted on this due to no guarantees with the weather So we are a little open to other months.

We are considering 6 nights or so (I am! LOL!) DD LOVES animals but I really don't want to try to do SeaWorld also if we do go to WDW.

If you say WDW- which place would you recommend to stay at? Our biggest issue is DD has a REALLy hard time falling asleep in a room with us there. We have to turn out the lights and off the TV Kind of boring for us. Maybe a room with a bunkbed so we could put her in the bottom bunk and 'cover' it with a blanket? Any ideas? What places are most kid friendly? I doubt we will do a deluxe - most likely a moderate or value.

I have been reading and reading and reading. It is SO HARD to make these decisions when you have never been there

 

[HaleyB]

I would do the parks over a cruise. Hands down. Think about staying at AKL if your DD loves animals. The standard view rooms are not that much more than a Moderate. I know all the Savannah view rooms have a balcony, and I think even the standard rooms do. They have bunk bed rooms, and you could sit on the balcony and enjoy the view while she falls asleep.
If you really can't do AKL then the Mod and Value resorts are all magical! I wouldn't worry too much about what you will do while she sleeps- you will be amazed at how tired you are! We go to sleep at the same time as the kids most nights at WDW.

 

[Lambert808]

HaleyB - Thanks so much, this was my guess too (WDW over cruise).

I keep going back to AKL - I am just wondering if we could get the cost down a little on the room/day if we go in Oct or Dec?

 

[DisneyBill]

You know of course that which ever one you do now, you'll have to do the other next, - right? WDW would be my suggestion if DD hasn't been. Since you're going in December, let me suggest you consider a 1 Bdrm at one of the DVC resorts (VWL is close to MK) by renting points from a DVC member. The early part of December is a low-point period, and most of the time you can rent points for $10-11 per point. A 1bdrm would give you the option of having that separate bedroom for mom & dad while DD sleeps. Plus you'll have a kitchenette, washer & dryer, whirlpool tub & you'll be staying in luxury accommodations for something between a moderate a economy price. However, being a low-point time the 1st part of December is very popular with DVC members, so I'd suggest you make arrangements now if this sounds like something you wish to do. You can check-out the DVC rent/trade board on these boards for more info.

 

[BrinxFam]

We actually did the land/sea vacation last year, spending 4 days at WDW then 3 days on the Disney Wonder. It was wonderful and a great way to experience both. We stayed at the Poly during the land portion of our trip and will return for 5 days this May. We aren't doing the cruise this year but not because we didn't enjoy it. We will definately return to DCL, hopefully soon! DD who is 14 now wants a Disney cruise for her high school graduation in 4 years! We'll see!

Happy Planning!

 

[Lambert808]

Thank you so much!

I will have to look into the buying of points. I have seen a little about it but don't fully understand all of it, and the 'trust' factor that it will all work out ok.

We thought of the land/sea cruise. You make it sound like such a great option still! LOL! I am so glad to hear it was so great.

 

[Lynda Silk]

I would recommend the land/sea package as well! You can enjoy the parks for 3 or 4 days and then relax on a wonderful cruise for 4 or 3 days! We did that in 2002 and now we're planning to do 3 nights in WDW and the 7 night Disney Cruise in Oct 04. The land/sea package allows you to experience that Disney magic in two different venues!

And the Disney Cruise is absolutely out of this world! You feel so pampered and valued! I adore the parks but the Disney Cruise is something really special. But if you haven't done the parks yet, you should see them first.

Sorry, hope this isn't too confusing! Again, my recommendation is to do the land/sea package. Have a great time with whatever you choose!

 

[Lambert808]

Lynda- You are making my decision harder LOL! I am so glad to hear how nice the Disney cruise is. We may still try to do one while DD is young enough to really enjoy it. We have never been on a cruise before

 

[Lynda Silk]

Our first cruise was the Disney Cruise and now we're hooked!

You'll have a great time no matter what you pick! I love WDW too; we went for 7 days the first time, 10 days the second time and 3 days the third time (as part of the land/sea package) and I could still go back and spend a lot of time there! That's why we're spending 3 days there before our Oct Disney cruise (and 3 days aren't enough but that's all my DH tells me we can afford this trip!).

Once a Disney addict, always a Disney addict I guess!

Have a wonderful time! Let us know what your final decision is!

 

[undertheradar]

We have done both and even though the DCL is nice, your money will go further at WDW. If space is an issue(putting daughter to sleep), consider a cabin at Fort Wilderness. There is no tv in the bedroom, so bedtime should be a breeze.

 

[AspiringCindy]

We have done WDW on many occassions, and have done the land and sea package. We love to cruise...so it was a perfect package! We thought the cruise portion was so wonderful(we have been on many other cruise lines)! It would definitely be a suitable idea for a 7 year old. We stayed at BC for our land portion! Especially if you don't know if you will even like cruising; the Land and Sea package gives you the best of both worlds!

 

[carone0318]

Just wanted to post that if you are looking into renting DVC pts in the begin of Dec is a bad time. Although a low season for Disney, it is a high season for DVCer's especially VWL. Feel free to look, but keep this in mind if you are striking out. It's low points and many DVCer's love to go at this time, decorations, lower crowds and low points need to stay.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

We are definitely avid Disney fans (at least I am - I am trying to convince the rest of the family to be fans as well) and make at least one trip a year.

A couple years ago we did the Cruise (which was amazing and we are now Disney Cruise fans as well) and what we did was book a room for two nights before the cruise at one of the moderates and went to the parks one day (we had left over park hoppers), then went on the cruise (5 days/4 nights), then went back to the resort for two more days.

It was a great trip and we were able to stay at the hotels of our choice and were able to make our own itinerary while off the cruise.

Don't know if this is an option for your family but if worked really well for us.

Have fun!!