WDW Vacation or Disney Cruise

[KatieK82]

Hi everyone Happy New Year! This is my first time posting on the dis boards. Is a WDW vacation cheaper than a Disney Cruise? I'm would love to either spend a week at WDW or go on a Disney Cruise to Castaway cay. Im trying to figure in cost of meals as well. Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Too many variables. What dates? How many people?
WDW: On-site or off-site? If onsite value, mod or deluxe? How many DIY in room/ quick service/ table service meals?
-You can look at menus to see prices. Look at hotel websites for hotel cost. WDW website for ticket cost.
DCL: Purchase shore excursions? Fancy meal upgrades? Transportation cost to departure port?
-DCL website for cost, don't forget to add automatic daily tips to final cost.

 

[duffybear32830]

Generally the WDW vacation is cheaper, you have a lot more flexibility in price for sure than a cruise. Maybe not if you were going to stay at the Grand Floridian and eat at Victoria and Albert's but on average I'm going to say the cruise is more expensive.

 

[kenthanson]

Our WDW weeks have always been much cheaper than our Disney cruise.

 

[KatieK82]

Thanks for your opinions! Unfortunately we have to travel in the summer because thats when school is out. The trip would be myself, the bf and our 7 yr old daughter. We don't plan on doing anything extra (character meals, or shore excusions etc). We are trying to keep things simple so we can afford it. Thanks again!

 

[wendow]

I'm going to agree with the PP who said that the week at WDW would cost less than a cruise. There is a lot more flexibility in lodging and park days when going to WDW. Sadly, the Disney cruises are just really expensive.

 

[LovesTimone]

If this is your first trip, to WDW or DCL then you have come to the right place...

Both options have pro's and con's...for a first trip or any trip really... You will need to match apples to apples to see where you think the value lies for your family.

For cruising you will need passports for all of you so that is an added cost that should be worked to the DCL budget if you don't already have them.

Entertainment - At WDW you get all the entertainment, rides, fireworks, meet and greets and parades for on ticket price. On cruises there is entertainment, there are character meet and greets.... but when docked you will want to do excursions, while the ship is big its not that big, and if your going to cruise the point is to get to see little bit of other countries, and check them out, snorkeling, swimming with the dolphins, kayaking, beach days, shopping, horse back riding are all available. I could not imagine not getting off the ship.

Transportation - you can use DME ( Disney magical express buses) to and from either WDW here in Orlando or DCL is docked at Port Canaveral.

Resorts are where you can really customize your vacation. - Value- Moderate- Deluxe - The values have smaller rooms but if your going to be in the parks all day and night, and just use them for sleeping and showering, you should be okay, the pools are nice but no slides at the values... Moderates there a more roomy feeling and the main pools have slides, as well there are what they call quite pools if you need relax from all the excitement for a while. Deluxe resorts are the largest rooms with the largest price tag, the pools have slides as well. I will say that all the pool are done really well and really wonderful theming. There are pools on the ship but at times you might find them closed. So if swimming when ever is important take that into consideration.

Dinning - on the cruise ship almost dinning is included ( there are a few adult only options)... remember that soft drink packages are extra, and not included with the price of the cruise. As well as adult beverages cost... I will say, DH and I think that they are around the price per drink on either vacation. AT - WDW you again can sorta customize your dinning plan, the plans are per person per nights stay... and can be spent in any order you wants and are good from check on arrival day to midnight on departure day..... QS - is 2 qs meals and 2 snacks, DDP - is 1 QS meal and TS meal and 2 snacks, DDXDP is 3 meals for however you want to use your entitlements, with snack and I think a adult beverage included for 2018. Or pay OOP for your meals... But adding in Any dinning plan is in order to match apples to apples, for budget purpose's.

On the DCL - there is a whole floor for kids to enjoy but this does come with a added cost. WDW - they do offer babysitting for a grown ups date night.

My suggestion is... That for your trip - you stay at either a Value such as POP, or Moderate Caribbean Beach so you still get some of the island feel... Go with the DDP this way you get some options for character meals, and some mom and dad meals. Or go with QS and plan on at least one character meal out of pocket, especially if your daughter is into princess, and I would lean toward breakfast as its normally the less expensive option for this type of dinning. DME transportation to get you to and from the airport, is your not driving. As far as tickets you could do 1 park per day tickets, or you might want add in park hoppers for a weeks stay.... I would go this route.

 

[karen4546]

Having done both. The WDW vacations are less expensive. Staying at Caribbean Beach Resort will get you the beach feel and right now the lowest price moderate. I would get the Dining plan also. New this year is the option to get an alcoholic beverage with your meal (adults only)-this is at quick service and table service. Remember though that Magic Kingdom has only Be Our Guest Dinner that has alcohol. Also, I would not use a full meal credit at breakfast unless it was a buffet to maximize value. Use a snack credit or pay out of pocket -kids breakfast are less than $6 and they include a beverage. An adult can surely be satisfied eating a breakfast kids meal.

You will get 2 snacks on the plans and a refillable mug. I like to think of the mug as a souvenir also (but now I have over 30 of the same souvenir-lol. Donating them this week).

Do rope drop everyday and then go back to your resort to rest and enjoy the resort pool. If you get hoppers go to a different park or head back to the same one for fireworks.

If you get the dining plan - I recommend

Fantastic dining package -mama melrose or Hollywood and vine
Akershus-lunch or dinner
Tusker house pre park opening breakfast
Be our guest dinner and/or be our guest pre park opening breakfast (lunch is a quick service credit and also good)
Cinderellas Royal table is imo not worth the 2 credits each
Coral reef is good
Cape may buffet is very good and 1 credit each
Breakfast or dinner at Ohana is great

Quick service I like
Everything in Epcot especially Tangeriene Cafe
Asian in animal kingdom and that new one in Pandora
Colombia harbor house - magic kingdom
Be our guest lunc/breakfast - magic kingdom
Nothing appeals to me in Hollywood studios so I usually just use a snack credit there

And one more thing.... MAKE YOUR FAST PASSES !!! And dining as soon as you can.

Happy Vacation

 

[kaytieeldr]

Be our guest dinner and/or be our guest pre park opening breakfast (lunch is a quick service credit and also good)

Will no longer be available by summer 2018. Breakfast, yes. Pre-op opening, not so much.

 

[karen4546]

Will no longer be available by summer 2018. Breakfast, yes. Pre-op opening, not so much.

Just BOG or even Tusker House ? Do you have a link to the post? I like to make at least one early breakfast reservation.

Any suggestions for OP?

 

[jen7233]

I'm going to say a WDW vacation is cheaper. But if you can financially swing it and haven't been on a DCL, that's a tough decision!

 

[kymom99]

If you decide on wdw, I agree with the suggestion to stay at CBR. It was my favorite resort. I don't recommend a pirate room. They are so far away from the pool and food court. I recommend paying for a preferred room. We stayed in Martinique. The quiet pool was right by our building. There are little sandy beaches with lounge chairs. (No swimming though) Really loved our stay at CBR.

 

[vetrik]

We're doing WDW this year, and looking into a cruise for next year. For our family WDW is $5500 in a moderate with dining plan & tickets vs $4500 cruise fare, but then excursions, airport transfers, one night hotel before the cruise, & tips have to be added, bringing it fairly close. However, that's for 8 days at Disney vs only a 5 day cruise. The 7 day cruise is much more expensive than our 8 days at WDW. There are a lot more options at WDW to lower the price too....there's a minimum price for a cruise that you can't do much to change.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

If this is your first trip, to WDW or DCL then you have come to the right place...

Both options have pro's and con's...for a first trip or any trip really... You will need to match apples to apples to see where you think the value lies for your family.

For cruising you will need passports for all of you so that is an added cost that should be worked to the DCL budget if you don't already have them.

Entertainment - At WDW you get all the entertainment, rides, fireworks, meet and greets and parades for on ticket price. On cruises there is entertainment, there are character meet and greets.... but when docked you will want to do excursions, while the ship is big its not that big, and if your going to cruise the point is to get to see little bit of other countries, and check them out, snorkeling, swimming with the dolphins, kayaking, beach days, shopping, horse back riding are all available. I could not imagine not getting off the ship.

Transportation - you can use DME ( Disney magical express buses) to and from either WDW here in Orlando or DCL is docked at Port Canaveral.

Resorts are where you can really customize your vacation. - Value- Moderate- Deluxe - The values have smaller rooms but if your going to be in the parks all day and night, and just use them for sleeping and showering, you should be okay, the pools are nice but no slides at the values... Moderates there a more roomy feeling and the main pools have slides, as well there are what they call quite pools if you need relax from all the excitement for a while. Deluxe resorts are the largest rooms with the largest price tag, the pools have slides as well. I will say that all the pool are done really well and really wonderful theming. There are pools on the ship but at times you might find them closed. So if swimming when ever is important take that into consideration.

Dinning - on the cruise ship almost dinning is included ( there are a few adult only options)... remember that soft drink packages are extra, and not included with the price of the cruise. As well as adult beverages cost... I will say, DH and I think that they are around the price per drink on either vacation. AT - WDW you again can sorta customize your dinning plan, the plans are per person per nights stay... and can be spent in any order you wants and are good from check on arrival day to midnight on departure day..... QS - is 2 qs meals and 2 snacks, DDP - is 1 QS meal and TS meal and 2 snacks, DDXDP is 3 meals for however you want to use your entitlements, with snack and I think a adult beverage included for 2018. Or pay OOP for your meals... But adding in Any dinning plan is in order to match apples to apples, for budget purpose's.

On the DCL - there is a whole floor for kids to enjoy but this does come with a added cost. WDW - they do offer babysitting for a grown ups date night.

My suggestion is... That for your trip - you stay at either a Value such as POP, or Moderate Caribbean Beach so you still get some of the island feel... Go with the DDP this way you get some options for character meals, and some mom and dad meals. Or go with QS and plan on at least one character meal out of pocket, especially if your daughter is into princess, and I would lean toward breakfast as its normally the less expensive option for this type of dinning. DME transportation to get you to and from the airport, is your not driving. As far as tickets you could do 1 park per day tickets, or you might want add in park hoppers for a weeks stay.... I would go this route.

Many a people choose to forego excursions. We don't pay for excursions on the short 3 or 4 night cruises.

DME is only for WDW and is free in that case. Disney's Cruise transportation from the airport is not free.

The kid's clubs on the ships are free for children 3 and up. There is no added cost but for children/babies UNDER 3 to use the nursery. There is always a cost no matter the age for babysitting while at WDW.

 

[stsomewhere]

What about a cruise on another line and a day or two at Disney?

 

[Ngwira]

We've done both and much prefer the parks. In fact, we cancelled our DCL cruise for this year and will just do WDW. The cruise is a "relaxing, pampering" vacation while the parks are more "active". It depends on your vacation style. The cruise is definitely more expensive once you add tips, specialty dining (PALO!!), shore excursions, transport to and from the cruise terminal whether renting a car and parking or via shuttle. Plus most stay overnight pre cruise so need to rent a hotel room.

To each his own. We did it once and we're done.

 

[Tinknalli]

If money is no consideration then DCL is great! If you have a budget to stick to then WDW can be done much less expensively. If you heart is set on a cruise on a budget I would suggest looking at Royal Caribbean. We can do 2 balcony cabins (one for the adults and one for the kids) on one of the large ships like Allure or Oasis for less than 1 inside on DCL. It's not DCL, but the value is much better. Royal has DreamWorks characters and activities for the kids, great kids clubs, lots of adult entertainment, restaurants, plus all the cool stuff like rock climbing, flow riders, zip lining, ice skating etc.

 

[Klayfish]

Disney parks or a cruise? For me, it's not even a consideration... The thought of being stuck on a boat for days, no thanks, no way, no how, not gonna happen. Never been on a cruise and never will. Just a personal thing, but I don't see the attraction whatsoever. A one day sailing trip, sure, why not. But being stuck on a boat for days? Doesn't sound like fun in any way.

 

[Starwind]

Transportation - you can use DME ( Disney magical express buses) to and from either WDW here in Orlando or DCL is docked at Port Canaveral.

Dinning - on the cruise ship almost dinning is included ( there are a few adult only options)... remember that soft drink packages are extra, and not included with the price of the cruise. As well as adult beverages cost... I will say, DH and I think that they are around the price per drink on either vacation. AT - WDW you again

On the DCL - there is a whole floor for kids to enjoy but this does come with a added cost. WDW - they do offer babysitting for a grown ups date night.

The above is not correct.

While DME goes to and from the airport and WDW resorts and is at no additional cost, transportation to Port Canaveral is NOT provided by DME.

Transportation from MCO or the WDW resorts to the port has a cost. DCL provides transfers for $35 per person per direction, but there are other options, such as renting a car and private vehicle transfers ("town car" service). Other people drive their own vehicle and pay to park at the Port.

On DCL ships there are no soft drink packages because soft drinks are already included as part of your cruise fare. The ships have a soft drink (and tea, coffee) refill station(s) on each pool deck that is open 24/7 and is free. Fountain soft drinks are free in the main dining rooms. You will pay for soft drinks in a can, such as from a bar, however. On some other cruise ships, you do have to pay for sodas, but not DCL. On DCL ships, alcohol IS something you have to pay for, and they don't have alcohol drink packages like many other cruise lines do.

DCL does not have an entire floor dedicated to kids. They have a large section of a floor, and part of another for older kids, but not the entire floor. And other than the nursery, the kids clubs on DCL are FREE (well, the cost is included in your fare).

SW

 

[smiths02]

We have been in June/July to Disneyworld and now have a cruise booked. Our 4-night Bahamian cruise in June for the cabin with 3 people-2 adults and 1 child (deluxe oceanview with verandah) booked as soon as we could (as soon as prices were released) is $5074 just for the cruise fare (not including tips, shore excursions, souvenirs, upgrades, etc.). Usually, for best cruise fare, you need to book when dates open. Cruises for this summer will already be MUCH more expensive. You would probably have to wait until Summer 2019 and be prepared to book next month.


For the exact same dates, 3 people could stay at a moderate resort with Dining Plan and tickets for $3156...and there is a likelihood that discounts will come out. You can even do WDW cheaper than that (no dining plan, value resort or offsite, etc.)...I was just giving a comparable vacation (with entertainment and food and a moderate resort since the cruise I quoted you wasn't the absolute cheapest cabin)

ETA: As others have stated, not only is the cruise more expensive for the base price, but if you stay at WDW hotel, you will get transportation to the airport or at least free parking if you drive. For the cruise, we will have to pay to park our car. Also for the cruise, most people arrive a day before because of the possibility of missing the cruise if you arrive the day of. This will cost a night at a hotel, another expense (whereas a Disney vacation you can just go right to your resort)