WDW vs. DCL

[mevelandry]

I don't have kids but to my friends with young kids I always recommend DCL over WDW: less walking (it takes 5 min max to go from aft to forward), less standing in line, good food and snacks (included!), they have elevators, the shows are fantastic, fireworks, and the meet and greet with characters are well organized (you won't wait long)...

Cruises are so much more relaxing (but still entertaining!) than WDW.

 

[Shanti]

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!

For kids that age, I would definitely choose a cruise. The walking/transport is extensive at WDW, and they're too young to enjoy many of the rides.

(If you're still growing your family, however, be sure to avoid the Caribbean due to Zika.)

 

[timrousbeastie]

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.

That's exactly how I feel! We have always done WDW before and after the cruise, but the planning of the WDW parts has become so painful between booking hotels, fastpasses, restaurants, car rental, and Magical Express, several of which have to be booked many months in advance to get a decent selection. I feel like it has become an art to book everything so it doesn't feel stressed making it between all the different reservations. And if you don't do the planning, you end up waiting in long lines for rides or having to choose between quick service meals or spending a couple of hours going to Downtown Disney to find a restaurant: sigh. It's gotten to a point where I only want to stay club level at Disney Resorts since 1. they do all the work for you, 2. the lounge removes the stress of getting up in the morning to have breakfast, and 3. you can sit down with a cold beer in the evening, relax, and rest your tired legs.

In contrast, both the preparations for and the DCL cruise itself are just wonderfully easy and relaxing for everyone.