WDW vs. DCL

[cndmama05]

Hi everyone
I'm new here and I'm sure it's been discussed before but I need help figuring out if WDW or DCL is better for our family at this point in time.
Background: We are a family of 4 with 2 girls (4.5 years old and 9 month old). We are from Ontario and are planning to escape the brutal winter with a vacation either on a cruise or the world. We've taken our 4 year old a couple years ago to the world right before she turned 3. She loved it then and I have no doubt she would love it even more now. The problem is with the baby. She's a relatively easy baby but with all the walking, busing, etc, I'm afraid it just won't be enjoyable. Keep in mind we have not gone on a vacation in a couple of years and are desperate to get away. We don't have an option of leaving the baby home with grandparents, so there's that.

I have done a ton of research on both options. I had a whole plan of how we could conquer WDW, but by the end of the day, it just seemed like not a vacation, but an adventure. We are hoping to have a relaxing, and enjoyable, slow paced time.

If any of you have any tips or advice on this, please let me know!

 

[Yumi696]

Hi everyone
I'm new here and I'm sure it's been discussed before but I need help figuring out if WDW or DCL is better for our family at this point in time.
Background: We are a family of 4 with 2 girls (4.5 years old and 9 month old). We are from Ontario and are planning to escape the brutal winter with a vacation either on a cruise or the world. We've taken our 4 year old a couple years ago to the world right before she turned 3. She loved it then and I have no doubt she would love it even more now. The problem is with the baby. She's a relatively easy baby but with all the walking, busing, etc, I'm afraid it just won't be enjoyable. Keep in mind we have not gone on a vacation in a couple of years and are desperate to get away. We don't have an option of leaving the baby home with grandparents, so there's that.

I have done a ton of research on both options. I had a whole plan of how we could conquer WDW, but by the end of the day, it just seemed like not a vacation, but an adventure. We are hoping to have a relaxing, and enjoyable, slow paced time.

If any of you have any tips or advice on this, please let me know!

I enjoy all the planning that goes into a WDW vacation but I'm also a control freak. I personally would do DCL. We're going on our first one tomorrow so idk how it'll go but the planning for this cruise hasn't been nearly as intense as WDW. Also I wouldn't go to WDW right now unless it's at a significant discount because of all of the construction going on at the parks.

 

[The Sasquatch]

We are huge fans of WDW but I think at this point with the baby and the fact you are really looking to relax, I would go DCL. Honestly we feel so much more relaxed on the boat. Plenty to do or NOT do if you choose. You can really sit back and enjoy.

Just to give you another scenario, we have been doing strictly split trips. 3 or 4 nights on the Dream with 3 or 4 WDW days. Best of both worlds!

 

[ldo]

we like both. you'll get lots of advice. I would ask, what if your "conquer" WDW was more of a relaxing plan, like book 3 FP and go into the parks for about 4 hours to use those FP, and relax by the pool for the other 1/2 of the day? Vary it with AM park, afternoon pool, then AM pool, afternoon park.
A cruise is great, but will baby be OK to watch a movie (probably not), a show at night? 2 hour dinner? those are the reasons we sail DCL.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

We are also from Ontario and I would not go to Florida for my "escape from the winter weather" vacation. It's too cool in Florida from Nov-Mar. Yes it's warm and can even get hot on some days, but overall we find it to cool. If I'm going to go South during the winter, I go all the way South
We've been to Florida many times in December and January where the lows were 10 degrees Celsius or below and high on average 16-20 degrees.
Last January we decided to go on a cruise instead. It was only 14 degrees Celsius the day before cruise and 17 the day of the cruise and 20c (high) the day we got back. We didn't even want to get in the pool. Bahamas was not much warmer, but once we sailed further South it got hot.
I love WDW and for many reasons even more than DCL but I would not go there during the winter to escape the cold.
Last year was very warm in Florida when we went end of November, but it was also warm in Ontario

 

[The Sasquatch]

I have always found Orlando quite comfortable and warm during those months and welcome break from the cold. Then again I wouldnt step foot in Florida from June to September. You have to be a maniac

 

[saxmangeoff]

We are hoping to have a relaxing, and enjoyable, slow paced time.

That is more likely to happen on DCL than at WDW.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I have always found Orlando quite comfortable and warm during those months and welcome break from the cold. Then again I wouldnt step foot in Florida from June to September. You have to be a maniac

Yes I agree it's very comfortable and overall better for touring the parks. For us it's just not hot enough for pools etc. And that's what we want to do when going away in the winter.

 

[imahistorygeek]

We like cruising because there's only so many people on a ship. We love WDW, but sometimes the crowds are a bit much. I think the cruise is a more relaxing place. Plus, there are clubs for the kids and a nursery.

 

[cndmama05]

Thanks everyone!
Yes We are leaning towards a cruise. We've never been on a disney cruise before or cruised with kids before so this is going to be new!

 

[dclpluto]

Thanks everyone!
Yes We are leaning towards a cruise. We've never been on a disney cruise before or cruised with kids before so this is going to be new!

I figured you will pick a cruise since you asked on the cruise board. Enjoy

 

[Jess_S]

From my son's perspective, he loved both DCL (at 2) and WDW (at 3). From the perspective of me and my husband, we enjoyed DCL more because we were able to relax. At WDW there was so much stimulation that my son just wanted to go, go, go to the point where he was overtired by the time we got him to rest.

The relative compactness of being on a ship was also nice. It was easy for one of us to see a show or go to an activity while the other stayed in the cabin with a sleeping kid. That would have been possible at WDW too, of course, but hopping a shuttle just seemed like too much effort.

 

[GrannyDee]

We have vacationed regularly with our granddaughter since she was less than a year old.

I would go with the folks recommending DCL. One parent can crash in the room with the baby - or leave her in the nursery - while the older child takes in the activites onboard.

We took our granddaughter on her first cruise (not Disney) when she was 4. She LOVED it. Her favourite time was on the balcony with her Papa watching the ship dock.

 

[Rabb it]

Just recently got back from a week long WDW trip and the thing we really didn't calculate was the amount of money we would spend on food. We spent well over a thousand dollars on food.

So even though the cruise might be a more expensive, the food is covered on the cruise!

 

[Sytrace]

Hi everyone
I'm new here and I'm sure it's been discussed before but I need help figuring out if WDW or DCL is better for our family at this point in time.
Background: We are a family of 4 with 2 girls (4.5 years old and 9 month old). We are from Ontario and are planning to escape the brutal winter with a vacation either on a cruise or the world. We've taken our 4 year old a couple years ago to the world right before she turned 3. She loved it then and I have no doubt she would love it even more now. The problem is with the baby. She's a relatively easy baby but with all the walking, busing, etc, I'm afraid it just won't be enjoyable. Keep in mind we have not gone on a vacation in a couple of years and are desperate to get away. We don't have an option of leaving the baby home with grandparents, so there's that.

I have done a ton of research on both options. I had a whole plan of how we could conquer WDW, but by the end of the day, it just seemed like not a vacation, but an adventure. We are hoping to have a relaxing, and enjoyable, slow paced time.

If any of you have any tips or advice on this, please let me know!

I am a yes for a cruise and here is why:
1. You book, plan a couple of meet and greets ahead of time, and an excursion or two and show up with passports, ID and cruise documents.
2. You get onboard and have lunch (already paid for) later dinner, snacks, soft serve ice cream and then do it all again for the length of your cruise. No need to budget for meals etc. They will tell you which restauraunt to go to and when you should be there. Whether you eat there or not is up to you, but you won't pay extra for it unless you want to dine kid free at Palo or Remy.
3. There are lots of kid and adult friendly activities: No fast passes, no long lines and no need to feel stressed out if you did not get to go on Dumbo and kid swap on Thunder Mountain. If you don't want to do the activities, there is always hanging out with the kids in Nemo's Reef (safe and kid friendly water playground) Or just relaxing.
4. Kids clubs/nursery for both kids if you choose to have some adults only time. And if you don't that is okay too.
5. Built in entertainment by way of family friendly live shows, first run movies in the theater and classics on Funnel Vision. As well as cool adults nightclubs and meet and greets
6. Fireworks at sea...crowded but manageable and not as crazy as it is at the theme parks by far.
7. 24 hour room service...with some things that will cost additional (they are noted on the menu) but for the most part included.
8. Room host or hostess to take care of your cabin. (this is a definite plus)
9. Dining room service team that goes where you go so that you are not having to repeat your dining wishes every single night to different CM's. Love this because you get to know them and they get to know you.
I know I forgot something,(probably many things) but with kids of the ages you are blessed with, this is as hassle free and fun a vacation with lots of options as you can hope for.
Just my opinion though. lol You will have a great time either way because you will be with your family in a warmer place than Ontario.

 

[Kuzcotopia1]

DCL has a nursery. Done.

 

[aggiedog]

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but another plus of DCL right now is your kids are not school aged, therefore you aren't locked into school break prices. i.e. you can cruise when it's a bit cheaper.

Unless you are ok with going to WDW and just hitting a few high points, DCL will be much more relaxing. WDW, while I love it, wears me out.

 

[cndmama05]

I am a yes for a cruise and here is why:
1. You book, plan a couple of meet and greets ahead of time, and an excursion or two and show up with passports, ID and cruise documents.
2. You get onboard and have lunch (already paid for) later dinner, snacks, soft serve ice cream and then do it all again for the length of your cruise. No need to budget for meals etc. They will tell you which restauraunt to go to and when you should be there. Whether you eat there or not is up to you, but you won't pay extra for it unless you want to dine kid free at Palo or Remy.
3. There are lots of kid and adult friendly activities: No fast passes, no long lines and no need to feel stressed out if you did not get to go on Dumbo and kid swap on Thunder Mountain. If you don't want to do the activities, there is always hanging out with the kids in Nemo's Reef (safe and kid friendly water playground) Or just relaxing.
4. Kids clubs/nursery for both kids if you choose to have some adults only time. And if you don't that is okay too.
5. Built in entertainment by way of family friendly live shows, first run movies in the theater and classics on Funnel Vision. As well as cool adults nightclubs and meet and greets
6. Fireworks at sea...crowded but manageable and not as crazy as it is at the theme parks by far.
7. 24 hour room service...with some things that will cost additional (they are noted on the menu) but for the most part included.
8. Room host or hostess to take care of your cabin. (this is a definite plus)
9. Dining room service team that goes where you go so that you are not having to repeat your dining wishes every single night to different CM's. Love this because you get to know them and they get to know you.
I know I forgot something,(probably many things) but with kids of the ages you are blessed with, this is as hassle free and fun a vacation with lots of options as you can hope for.
Just my opinion though. lol You will have a great time either way because you will be with your family in a warmer place than Ontario.

wow! Thank you so much for all that info!
Yes I'm pretty sure we can't go wrong with a cruise. Before kids, my husband and I have cruised a couple of times and enjoyed them both tremendously. We are hoping to share our love of cruising with the kids.

 

[cndmama05]

DCL has a nursery. Done.

Exactly!

 

[cndmama05]

Another thing while I love the idea of the free childcare for my 4 year old, the majority of the stuff I have read on Dis Board, doesn't seem to rate it too high. If you can, please shed some light on your experience...