Where to go for a family vacation....

[swanprincess06]

What Disney vacation is best for a 3 year old and 6 year old?

DH is really busy at work so we don't get much time to talk about it. We are looking at some time between January and May, maybe June. We are flexible on dates. We have done Disney World with the girls and love it. But wondering if they are the perfect age for Disneyland. Or maybe they are ready for a Disney cruise? (DH and I went on one before kids and loved it). We have even toyed with Disneyland Paris (DH is not state side, so easier for him to get to) with a European vacation but I worry the kids are too young to really enjoy Europe....

Money is a factor but it's Disney so we know it won't be cheap.

So with girls ages 3 and 6 would you:

A) Disney World
B) Disney World w/cruise
C) Disneyland (and probably see CA)
D) Disneyland w/cruise
E) Disneyland Paris

Any thoughts and advice is welcome! Disney World I know how to plan or at least where to look here for the info! Feeling just a little overwhelmed with so many options!!!

Side note, just a cruise is an option but I feel like if we are at Disneyland/Disney World we would do at least a day or two at the parks.

 

[Pesky]

The only thing about a cruise is I think your 3YO is too young for the kids' club and may miss out on a lot. So I'd hold on that for a bit. Disneyland is a ton of fun for kids and is more compact, plus you can work in San Diego Zoo and LEGOLAND (and of course Napa Rose Chef's Counter for the adults -- relative bargain for Disney!). You do have to factor in the local AP population though. Throwing this out -- thought about Aulani? Not cheap but sure would be relaxing. I have been astonished by how much our kids loved our trip to Hawaii and beg to go back.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

My vote is disneyland. It is ideal for younger kids. No hassle of transportation to the parks, just book a hotel close by and walk. The close proximity is perfect for afternoon breaks at the hotel. The parks are smaller so they are easier to navigate. Even though they are smaller, they are loaded with attractions. I think I read that the 2 disneyland parks have the same amount of attractions as all 4 disneyworld parks.
You forgot option F: aulani
This would be another great place for your kiddos. Hawaii is incredible, and the resort is wonderful for kids.

 

[mel2014]

How tall is your 3 year old? If you think she will be less than 40 inches at the time of your trip, I might hold off on Disneyland/California Adventure. We went when my son was 3 and it sort of sucked that he couldn't go on much at California Adventure other than the "baby" rides. We spent a lot of time that trip on parent swaps. IMO Radiator Springs Racers really makes California Adventure. Although that, TOT, Jumpin' Jellyfish and Soarin' have only a 40" height requirement, at 42 inches you also pick up Grizzly River, Goofy's Sky School.

 

[Macprincess]

I would go with the Disney cruise. First, at three your youngest is able to go to the kids club as long as she is potty trained. I think a Disney cruise is great for a family vacation because it allows for both tons of family together time and Mommy and Daddy alone time. For once I felt little guilt leaving my children while my husband and I enjoyed some much needed dates because my kids were being entertained and beyond happy in the amazing kids clubs. Seriously, all three of my children loved the clubs so much that we had to limit time in the clubs for some quality family time. My youngest was pre-school age the first time she went to the clubs and the only issue I had was getting her to leave when it was time to go.

I also have to say that when my children were younger the Disney Cruises we went on were the only vacations where I actually felt like I was on vacation too. Everywhere else we went I was the planner, organizer, cleaner upper, often cooked or at the very least haggled with our children over table manners and proper restaurant etiquette. Basically, I felt like it was just taking my full time Mom gig on the road. On the DCL cruises I found the crew wonderful about pampering me. Little things like the wait staff cutting my children's meat, entertaining them for a minute while I lingered over coffee and dessert, or someone else noticing that one one of my little ones left a towel on the bathroom floor and replacing it before I had time to deal with it made my life heaven on Earth. It was also very nice to have a special night off with my husband and go to an adult only restaurant without the children.

We love the parks as well, but lets face it park days are busy days with little down time for parent's with young children. They also allow for little to no alone time for Mom and Dad.

The only down side to a Disney Cruise is they are pricey and you did say budget mattered. Since you implied that your dates are flexible I would avoid anytime the children are out of school, because it will be much more expensive. I would also look into sailing in the off season. Personally, I like the later April or early May cruise dates this year, because they're after the traditional spring break & before summer season starts and the weather is not yet super humid and unbearable.

 

[swanprincess06]

Funny a few of you should mention Aulani. We had it on the list, but it sounds like we will be stationed in Hawaii in a year so we are going to plan a family reunion/vacation there during that time.

I think I'm leaning towards a few days at Disneyland followed by a Disney cruise out of San Diego. My 3 year old is potty trained so should be good for the kids club. She's tall but I'm not sure how tall. Definitely going measure her as she will not be happy if she can't go on the rides with big sister! Even though she's not a dare devil she's not about to be left out!

 

[TLM2015]

A Disney Cruise will be fun especially if your kids will stay in the kids' club it's even better because you can get some well deserved alone time. We took my daughter when she was 3 and she only wanted to stay in the kids' club. At dinner the first night she wouldn't sit still and was absolutely agitated which was surprising because she was not like that at restaurants at home. I think that the dining room is just too large and noisy for her at that age. Well I took her to the kids' club in the middle of dinner and she never wanted to leave. The great part about it is that they feed the kids' lunch and dinner, unlike most other cruise lines, so she stayed there almost the whole cruise with the exception of shore days when we went off the ship. It is pricey though. And I second the suggestion above that going while everyone else is in school to whichever destination you choose is probably a very good idea.

I didn't even realize that Disney sailed out of San Diego as much as they did but it is in the middle of the school year so that's probably why I've never considered it. Good luck on whichever you choose it's Disney so it should be fun!