What would you do?

[april riddle]

Personally with your kids that age and never been to the world I would do that first. Do you absolutely have to stay on site? If it were me (and I know it's not) I would stay off site and get more for your money. I have never stayed on site and always think this time it will be different - but just can't justify spending more money for less room with two boys 9 and 11 the more room I can get the better it is. Also you can save by doing breakfast in your room - not that you implyed that you couldn't afford it either way -once you get there you realize just how much food is in the parks. We ate lunch there one day of our last trip and the kids had a chicken strip lunch each and my DH and I had a baked potato each and we all had drinks - $35. If you are doing this three meals a day and snacks that adds up. We ate a good breakfast before going and took snacks with us in a book bag as well as bottled water. Then ate off site for dinner. Of course as you can see we are cruising in Novemeber - mostly because I can't convince DH that we need to do Orlando at least once a year. Once every two years is all I get. By the way - I got a decent hotel on priceline 5 mins from Disney for $30/night. we were there for 10 nights and had a riot. Good luck

 

[jjohnson]

Hmm...now its a $2,000 difference (I received more quotes today) The price for beach club isn't bad ($214 standard) I'm tempted to do the concierge at $350.00 if we're going to be there all week. I already decided were getting a rental car either way. It's almost the same price & we'll have transportation whenever, if every, we need it.

It's so funny this morning I was going toward the cruise now I'm getting pulled the other way.

Great opinions & helpful suggestions. Thanks.

 

[chrisn]

I agree with JC Butterfly and stick to the parks. 3 or 4 days is DEFINITLEY not enough. We always go for about 9 or 10 days just to WDW, Universal Parks & Sea World/Discovery Cove. Even if your just wanting to focus on the Disney parks, it's still not enough. Being a California Girl, I grew up with DL and before visiting WDW I'd always thought been there done that. Boy was I wrong! There's soooooo much more to see and do. Another thing I'd better warn you about is catching Disneyitis. Have your repellent at the ready especially if you've already been "bitten" by the bug. Also, watch out for all that Pixie Dust they put in the food. I always have to laugh when someone posts about their "Once in a Lifetime" trip. Our first trip was "Once in a Lifetime" too and as you can see, we're headed back to The World in February for the 5th time. The cruise is FABULOUS and you must try that next but for the first time, I'd say it's all about the parks. Disneyitis.......We've got it BAD!

 

[jjohnson]

chrisn

Thanks for the warning. I actually need someone to put that "bug" in a jar & bite my DH. He actually said I'm "obsessed" with Disney. Maybe...but I'm not alone!

 

[figment52]

The only thing I would add is if you are going to try and do both I would put the cruise eat the back end of the trip. You may have to book the two halves separately to do this but a good TA will help you with that.

Doing WDW in that short of a time will be a whirlwind and you will want the cruise after to relax. If you take the cruise first and mellow out and then do that whirlwind WDW, you'll be exhausted when it is time to go home and you won't feel like you have been on vacation.

Let us know if you have any more ??. That what we are here for.

 

[Carol36]

Hey jjohnson!

We took our first WDW trip in 1999. Boy, was that one magical vacation! We have 4 DC and they were 4, 6, 8, and 10 at the time. We spent 10 days there and still didn't see and do everything. We caught the "bug" and have been back every year since. In May, we went on our first Disney Cruise(Wonder) and loved it. My DC are 16, 13, 11, and 9 and we had a blast! I know that you have had more advice than you need. Since you have never been to WDW, I would say that you really would have a great vacation if you chose to stay there the whole week. There are really so many things to do and never enough time to do them! Have a wonderful trip! No matter which way you decide, I am sure you will have a ball!

Carol

 

[yvettpal]

Our first trip to WDW was in March 03 and we also did the 4 day land/3 night sea package.

I think it's fine for your first trip if you go and realize that you won't get to see and do everything both in the parks and on the ship.

We did find that four straight days in the parks was exhausting, so we got on the cruise, we were pretty tired, so we didn't go to any of the adult activities in the evening.

But, it was just enough that we knew we wanted to go back, so we are headed back to WDW in December and the 7 night Western in April 05.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[East Coaster]

We just booked 3 day land/4day sea! We will also stay an extra 7 outside the world after the cruise portion to visit other attractions in the area. If we are bitten we will go back to Disney after the cruise for a day or two.

We were in the same dilemma. Here is our reasoning:

1. Never been to Disney or Florida for that matter.

2. Not sure if my dh and I are really park people, although
everyone tells me that we will love it and want to stay
in the parks longer.

3. Always wanted to go on a cruise and this will be our one and
only chance.

4. ds and dd are now 15 and 12 and this would be our last
chance to really enjoy a trip like this. (Work Schedules
and other teen activities)

5. In the last 20 years we never had money to spend on
vacations so this will probably will be the one and only.

Finally we feel this will give us the best of both worlds, kids will be happy with Disney and we'll be happy with the cruise. Also because I wouldn't cruise without a balcony it also gives the chance to stay at the POLY... don't think I would spend $$$ otherwise. We are also arriving a day early and just staying at the Poly, will check out the pool, go to DT Disney for shopping, catch the fireworks from the resort and finally have a relaxing dinner as the next three days won't be too relaxing!

Hope this info helps with your decision.

 

[wide awake]

I would pick the cruise...if your DH doesn't like the heat and lines he isn't going to enjoy WDW...understand that I've never been to WDW, only DL, but a good friend of mine just did 7 days at WDW and she said they would never do it again. Hot, long lines, lots of unnecessary walking, and very expensive food. Her family preferred DL over WDW. But my friend, like me, is not one for "manufactured" sights. I for one do not understand staying at the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom...for the prices they charge you could go to Yellowstone or on a safari...and the same for the Beach Type clubs...do the all inclusives in DR or Jamaica and experience the real thing. Unlike many of those on this board Castaway Cay was my least favorite port...yes it was beautiful, clean, and my idea of the perfect beach day, but it wasn't "real". The cruise is wonderful...loads of activities, wonderful food, great service, and a beautiful ship...and your three kids can eat to their heart's content. I am extremely picky, cheap, and I spend my life knowing I could organize things so much better if it was left to me...I never felt that way on the cruise. Everything is done perfectly, it is sooo relaxing, and I felt that I got my money's worth.

 

[DenverVal]

We stayed off-site our first visit to Orlando, and it was a very short two-day stay, with one day in MK and the other in Universal Studios. One day in MK wasn't enough for any of us, so we planned another trip the following year, weighing whether we wanted to stay on-site at the Wilderness Lodge for 10 days or go on a 7-day cruise. We decided on WDW (though since that particular cruise was cancelled due to the Norwalk Virus, the decision was moot).

We had the best vacation we had ever had! Staying on-site, though more expensive, was wonderful. We never left the magic even after leaving the parks. The rest of the world receded, and we were in our own little world. We used Disney transportation, so never had to fight the traffic on the interstate or traipse acoss a huge parking lot. No ticket lines to wait in, and we got to enter the parks an hour early because we stayed on-site. You can get a lot of rides in before the parks open to the public.

That said, we booked a 7-day western cruise this year and had a wonderful, wonderful time, so much so that we booked the Panama repositioning cruise for next year. I loved cruising with DCL.

Having done both, and if I had to choose only one, for the pure magical experience, I would choose the park vacation.

 

[jjohnson]

Just wanted to say thank you for everyone's input & suggestions. It really helped. We've decided to go with the majority and stay in the parks for the week.

Now I have to hop over to the other boards & get more info on YC/BC/BCV.

Hopefully, in the future, I'll have a countdown for a Disney cruise!

Thanks again.

 

[TaraBelle1069]

Originally posted by wide awake
I for one do not understand staying at the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom...for the prices they charge you could go to Yellowstone or on a safari...

I wouldn't say that. I can't speak for Yellowstone, but going on safari can be very expensive...especially a luxury safari which would be the equivalent of Animal Kingdom Lodge. Besides, it's very expensive to GET to a safari. I spent more on airfare to get to Africa (both times I went) than I did while there. It's a lot cheaper to get to Florida (though not the same experience).

I do agree with you in the sense that I stay in the cheapest on-site hotels. If I could afford the better hotels, I'd stay there, but for me, to afford, means not once in my lifetime. I'd rather go on a "regular" basis and stay in a Value resort than go once and stay in a Deluxe resort. I don't spend enough time in my room to justify the expensive. And that would be why I'm a GTY in Category 12!!

 

[jjohnson]

I guess I should add that Moderate & value resorts are not an option if you have a family of more than 4. It gets expensive with than extra one.

 

[jcemom]

I would go with Disney World only. We spent 10 days in February, our kids were 10, 9, and 1 1/2. It's nice to have time to relax in between parks and really enjoy your vacation, especially with that great pool you'll have! I think with only 3 or 4 park days you will feel pressure to try to cram everything in and won't have as good a time. JMO

Edited to add: That's what's so nice about being on site at a great resort...when the parks get too hot in the middle of the day it's very convenient to go back for a swim and a rest!

 

[Hygiene99]

Skip the Parks Do a 7 Day......

LOl

I Sent u a personal message

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Originally posted by wide awake
I for one do not understand staying at the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom...for the prices they charge you could go to Yellowstone or on a safari...[/B]

Wow . . . have you ever stayed at AKL? It's a gorgeous hotel, and the least expensive of the deluxe resorts. And it's a whole ot less than a $10,000 or more African safari!

 

[dclwdwlover]

Absolutely, positively the L/S combo - especially staying at the Beach Club! You picked the best itinerary!!!

 

[dclwdwlover]

... that I read through all of the pages. I meant you picked the best resort (in my opinion) & doing the L/S combo - then I read your update.

Hope you have a nice time whatever you decide.