WDW Parks: before or after cruise?

[Diz Kid]

Which would be better? We are planning on spending a week in Orlando in addition to a 4 day cruise on the Wonder in March 2003. We will only spending two days at the WDW parks and maybe one day at Busch Gardens. I was thinking that the cruise would be a good way to relax after a week in Orlando. But does one REALLY relax on a cruise? Any suggestions/ideas which is better? Before or After?


Paul
Duluth, MN

 

[DisneyKids]

There are 2 ways to look at it.

1) It is more relaxing on the cruise. But, that will depend on what you like to do. We didn't relax much on the cruise but the opportunity is there. Even though we kept very busy, it was a bit more relaxing than at WDW.
2) WDW is a nice way to "come down" from the cruise. Our kids loved going over there after. They felt it was an easier way to ease back into non-cruise life (so did I).

Either way works...if it's the relaxing arguement, WDW first. Otherwise, either. What a great choice to have to make!

 

[daltonsdodisney]

We had no choice but to schedule our WDW stay after our cruise. We are doing the Springtime Magic cruise, so in order to get the discount, and the kids be out of school, we took the last day available, which will have us driving straight to the port the day school is out. We wanted to also spend some time at WDW, so I've booked 2 nights at PO-R. Since we're driving, at least we'll be heading back toward the direction we came. Also, to agree with another poster, it will be a nice way to "come down" after the cruise. (more for me than the kids!) We only plan going to MK one day and mostly relaxing at the resort the day of check-in, so it shouldn't be too strenuous. If circumstances were different, I might do it just the opposite, but these are my reasons for this trip.

 

[prymsu]

we have found it to be very relaxing, especially after all the walking and trotting around the parks. Also, it is nice to go home all relaxed from getting off the cruise ship. just my thoughts...

 

[BethC1952]

We couldn't decide either--so we're doing both! Four days before, four-night cruise, two days after!

Beth

 

[prymsu]

If you are flying down, especially from Minnesota, you can never predict the weather in March. Last March i flew out of Minneapolis and had a weather delay. If you do the cruise first and run into travel problems you could be screwed...Just a thought to keep in mind when making your arrangements. I myself would rather miss a day at the parks, then not make it to the port on time for my cruise to depart.

 

[Californialady]

We just came back from the 4 day land/ 3 day sea, first trip for all of us. After all the walking around the parks and early mornings, my kids (10, 8, 6) just wanted to sleep on the boat. They were too tired to enjoy the evening entertainment, and couldn't be roused early in the morning. My husband and I wanted to explore and make the most of our short time on the ship. A longer cruise was definitely in order! In my perfect world I would do a couple of days at WDW before and two more days after. I think that's how we'll plan the next one.

 

[pgesler]

In 2001 we booked a 7 day cruise followed by 6 nights at Disney (CBR).

I strongly suggest that you do Disney first. We did Disney last and it was such a let down to stand in lines and pay money for marginal tasting food after being on a cruise. We've been to Disney several times and last summer was the worst. The only thing different was that we had just done a cruise.

You don't want to go from good to bad.

THE CRUISE WILL SPOIL YOU!!!

 

[KaterBell]

We did the 4 day Wonder / 6 days at WDW for our honeymoon last year, and we loved doing the Wonder first, b/c we flew to Florida the day after our wedding... so it was great to have 4 days to just unwind completely after the wedding and enjoy not having a million people around us. Then, WDW was very welcomed - we had gotten our energy back and were all about doing the parks and activities... But thats' just us.

In about a month, we're doing 4 days WDW, then the 3 day Wonder cruise, so I'll probably change my views!

 

[Diz Kid]

Thanks to all for their input. One factor helping us decide is we need a car. So breaking up the trip would be too costly, rental wise. Also, we may not stay on property, again needing a car.

My kids are 19 and 17 and this will be their 3rd trip in 4 years. While they are excited, the stress level will be low key. We may even park hop!

Since I do live in MinneSNOWta, the suggestion about doing the cruise last is a good one. We were at WDW in March of this year and on the way back, our flight was 2 1/2 hours delayed in Minneapolis due to weather.

We still have to decide where to stay, where to rent a car and decide if we want to stay with Disney's transfer or go for Yourride.com. My concern with Yourride is the amount of luggage we will have. We'll each have a large suitcase and a couple of small ones (souveneirs!). I'm not sure if the towncars can handle all that luggage. The price is $54 cheaper.

Thanks again to all. All other comments still welcomed!!

Paul
Duluth, MN

 

[RickW]

Breaking your trip up may not change the cost of your rental much, depending on how you do it. I haven't priced it out, but if I was going to do 2 days before and 2 days after, I would consider the following:

Rent a car from Avis at the airport.
Return the car to the Avis office 2 days later at the Port.
(There is no extra fee for returing a car at the port.)

After the cruise, rent another car at the Port,
Return the car to the airport 2 days later.

(I am not completely clear how many total days you are planning on spending in Orlando, so adjust accordingly)

This would also mean you wouldn't need to buy transfers to the port, so you can take that into account in your cost analysis.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Echoing some of the earlier comments... I recommend going to WDW <b><i>before</i></b> rather than <i>after</i> the cruise for a few reasons:

<nl><li>If you encounter delays in your trip to Florida, all you miss is some time at the park... you don't have to worry about missing the boat.

<li>If you get to Florida and discover that you forgot to pack something, it's not a problem to run out to Wal-Mart and buy a replacement.

<li>It's so easy to get used to the "all the food is included" lifestyle of a cruise, it would be a letdown to go from the cruise to the parks and have to pay amusement park prices for food.

<li>There's no location on the bed that's more than a five-minute walk from anyplace else. No worries about driving, traffic, or waiting for the WDW buses. If you decide you want to take a nap, you can take a nap. This is a wonderful luxury after you've been at the parks.</nl>

 

[CSX2]

Our first visit was the land/sea package with 3 days at WDW followed by the 4 day Wonder Cruise. The only real problem for us was the incredible let-down of getting off the boat and going straight to the airport for the flight home.

Our second time we booked the cruise separately and did the 4 day Wonder followed by 3 days in Orlando (2 WDW and 1 at Discovery Cove). We did get to Orlando the day before the cruise just to be safe and made a quick WDW visit with a 1 night stay at ASMo. This was the best of both worlds and worked out great for us.

If you want a suggestion for a great last day of vacation go to
Discovery Cove. Soooooo relaxing and fun and beautiful! They only take 1000 reservations a day so it is never crowded and you get terrific service not to mention swimming with the dolphins. It is a little pricey but we will definitely do this again as a last day of vacation treat!

Either way is fun! Have a great trip!

 

[Shuvo]

We booked the land and sea part separately, and we went to WDW both before and after the cruise. The one priceless benefit of this is that it somewhat (at least partially) numbs the pain and sorrow of having to leave the ship, since there are other things to look forward to. I did not realize how difficult it would be to leave the ship, until I had to. If the vacation is executed in this way, you would also not be so tired from the WDW part that all you'll be doing on the short cruise is unwind, and you will also have an idea about what to expect when you return from the cruise, and hence won't be disappointed as much. I hope my 2 pennies help.