Where would our money be best spent next vacation...

[mrseace711]

7 Nights in WDW in Sept 2012, or 4 nights 5 days Disney Cruise April 2013, OR 7 day cruise on RCL Dreamworks cruise April 2013?

We loved our 1st trip to Disney and cant wait to go back!! We were ready to book our Sept trip when our agent asked if I still wanted to know about a cruise in 2013 which I had previously asked about. Well after reading info on the cruise board I also checked out RCL All 3 of the above are priced within a $200 difference either way. If we could do all 3 WOO HOO but our budget limits us to 1 of the above per year. My husband wants to do Disney period, and me I want the best bang for our buck Pros and Cons? We like the idea of a cruise and visiting places we have never been on top of hubby and I getting some relaxing alone time while the kids play at the kids clubs. But 7 days in Disney We only spent 4 nights in Disney on our 1st trip. All tips are welcomed

 

[Andrea from PA]

I do not like cruises, so I vote for 7 days in WDW.

I think it really depends on if you have kids, the ages, and the amount of time you want to spend together. If you have kids but need some time alone with hubby, then I agree the cruises often have kids only activities that would permit the adults to have time together without feeling you are excluding the kids.

I personally can't do WDW for only 4 nights. There is too much to do to satisfy all in my family. 10 days is my optimal (not that I get that much time).

No matter what you decide, it sounds like you will have a fantastic trip. All your choices are wonderful!

 

[mrseace711]

I do not like cruises, so I vote for 7 days in WDW.

I think it really depends on if you have kids, the ages, and the amount of time you want to spend together. If you have kids but need some time alone with hubby, then I agree the cruises often have kids only activities that would permit the adults to have time together without feeling you are excluding the kids.

I personally can't do WDW for only 4 nights. There is too much to do to satisfy all in my family. 10 days is my optimal (not that I get that much time).

No matter what you decide, it sounds like you will have a fantastic trip. All your choices are wonderful!

We have never cruised but have heard really great things. At the time of our trip in 2013 kids will be 11, 9, 7, 5, and 5 =) Yes 5 kids =) Its a hard pick we know the Disney experience is amazing.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

I'd probably opt Disney World for 7 days. We love to cruise (haven't taken our kids yet though since they're so little). I just can't wrap my head around spending that much money for a Disney cruise that takes me to the same place as other cruises I guess. Also cruises come with a lot of extra expenses sometimes (passports, excursions etc). I like that I can get the all inclusive feel with Disney now (dining plan, park tickets/water park option, hotel).

 

[powelweb]

We've done WDW with our DD(8) 3 times, did the Disney 3 night cruise for her 6th birthday and we've also done several RCL cruises with her, too.

My advice looking at your family would be to do WDW in Sept to get the disney magic for the younger ones while they still believe, and I think if you only spent 4 days there so far, there would be enough for the old ones to want to still do and explore, too.

IMO, the disney cruise was good (they had the best shows at sea), but I don't think I would book another disney sailing less than 7 nights again. We love RCL and I hear that many families find more things to do on the RCL ships once they've outgrown the disney magic (and disney pricetag).

Good luck!

 

[adventure_woman]

I would probably pick WDW. Only 4 days there this last trip? Oh my....to me a 7 day trip is short!! Anyway, you have only been there once and I know there is SO MUCH MORE for you to see.

If you had been to WDW a couple of times, I would say DCL. We took our first cruise in January and loved it (it was 7 day though, so having 3 days at sea was great!). My DD4 LOVED LOVED LOVED the kids club. For 6 months after every day she said 'I miss the kids club'. Your kids would all be at good ages for the kids club too. Also - do you and DH have a passport? That would be an added expense for the 2 of you. (at least when we sailed the kids did not need a passport...although recommended). Castaway Cay is heaven on earth.

(I have never done another cruise, so I don't know about RCL).

Haha - if you have the money for a deposit, I would put a deposit down on the cruise if you are seriously thinking of it. The main dining (if that is what you want) fills up fast and you get the cheapest price the sooner you book.

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

My vote is 7 days at WDW. With you going in Sept. you have the chance of getting the free dining promotion. Almost everything would be included.

With a cruise things add up fast. You would need to budget for the excursions on the island. Tips for the staff, about 12.00 per night per person including the kids. If the kids stay late in the kids club they charge for that. Sodas aren't included either on DCL they are included. On RC a soda card is 4.00 per day. Each kid/adult would have to have one unless you drink whats available for free.

If you really wanted to go on a cruise I'd go with RC.They have the Dreamwork charcters. Plus they have ice skating and rock climbing. A Disney cruise is expensive although I hear they are one of the best cruises. I just can't justify that money when I could go to Disney for longer or a longer cruise on another cruiseline.

HTH

 

[Chelley00]

I do not like cruises, so I vote for 7 days in WDW.!

I love to cruise, but I'd still pick 7 days at WDW, especially since your first trip was only 4 days. There's always more to see and do!!!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

I have never been on a DCL cruise...only Princess (back before I had kids) and while I had a grea time, I think b/c of the ages of your kids, 7 days at WDW would be what I would go with.

We are planning on taking our 4 kids on a Disney cruise in about 5 years. My oldest kids would be in the early teen age, and my younger two would be in gradeschool.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
I agree with those who said to go back to Disney for the 7 days! Your children are still young and "believe in the magic". I didn't think my boys would ever outgrow Disney and now if we asked what they wanted (we don't) they would choose to vacation other places at the ages of 14 and 10. My 6 year old is all about the magic of Disney so we are still vacationing in Florida but we include other places for the boys now.

I'll never outgrow Disney but my husband and kids are history buffs and are dying to see Europe, Pearl Harbour, battlefields etc... I guess what I'm saying is enjoy Disney while there are young, you can do a cruise in a few years.

 

[sk!mom]

We do not care for cruises so 7 days Disney it would be for us.

 

[MinnieGi]

I agree with others who say to go to WDW for 7 days!! Your previous 4 day trip just seems to short for me, we go for at least 7!! There is so much to see and do. And now that you have been there and know the lay of the land you also probably know what more you want to see and what favorites you want to do again.

 

[mrseace711]

We have our deposit ready because the Sept trip was a must! But then the travel agent mentioned the cruise that I really wanted to do... Side tracked me!! But I am agreeing with everyone here, we need more time in Disney while our kids are still young Maybe a cruise in Sept 2013... WDW it is!! THANK YOU ALL for helping me I see there are many WDW pro's on here

 

[ah1126]

Don't forget to check if you will need Passports if you cruise. If you don't have them already it will add about a $100 per person.

 

[dededisney]

It looks like I will be the first to say Disney cruise. We have loved each cruise we have done on DCL (we have been on 5). Your kids are the perfect age for a cruise as they will probably love the kids clubs and you would also be able to have some alone time. We have done DCL very inexpensively, esp the one we took in Feb and got kids sail free. If we do any excursions, we do them on our own, so a lot less money. Sodas are included in the price on DCL, so if you are a big soda drinker, you would like that. You can go on a cruise and just have to pay for your tips, if you choose. You can always go and hang out at a beach if you don't want to do any planned tour as well. Or, if we don't want to get on at a particular port, it is great to have an almost empty ship to do whatever you want. Another great thing about DCL is that you can bring your own alcohol on board...big money saver! Of course, I love WDW as well, so I know you would love 7 days there. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[mjkacmom]

Either WDW, or RCI. We've done DCL for a 3 night, and it was nice, but not nice enough for the pricetag. Our older kids preferred NCL's clubs (at 9 and 11, hated DCL's clubs). We've done 3 nights, 6 nights, and 7 nights, and would never do less than a 7 night cruise. We never pay for ship excursions - just book on our own for a lot less. Cruising is great when they get older, and have different interests.