Which Disney cruise would you pick?

[Garyjames220]

So we are going to the parks for 2 weeks with our 3 year old twins end Of nov/ early dec next year and we are stuck on what cruise to pick after. We have been on every ship apart from the wish, which would be fun, but the choice is

- 2 weeks at the parks and then 4 nights on the Disney wish, the way it works out is this option would be 4 days before thanksgiving, we would arrive at the parks ( would be cool to see the new ship, shows etc)

or

- 2 weeks at the parks and then 4 nights on the Disney fantasy that also stops at the new island, this option would mean arriving at the parks the day after thanksgiving

let me know what you would pick

we do want the full two weeks at the parks, just incase anyone suggests doing a longer cruise

Also if we do pick to go 4 days before thanks giving, how bad is the parks normally, is it that busy it’s just not fun

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Id think a relaxing cruise after the parks would be nice. Plus you’d get to see all the holiday offerings in the parks

 

[Garyjames220]

Id think a relaxing cruise after the parks would be nice. Plus you’d get to see all the holiday offerings in the parks

Which cruise would you pick between the two

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Is the first option arriving at the parks 4 days before thanksgiving or the cruise starts 4 days before thanksgiving? Id pick whichever one puts you in the parks after thanksgiving because all the holiday offerings are up then

 

[Geomom]

For Thanksgiving week, the parks are extremely busy from Wed-Sat. The Epcot Christmas stuff (candlelight processional and country story tellers) used to start up the Friday after Thanksgiving, while the other parks are already in full Christmas mode by mid November.

I would base my trip more on what you want to see at Disney. With either cruise you'll get something new .. either a new ship or a new island

 

[Garyjames220]

Is the first option arriving at the parks 4 days before thanksgiving or the cruise starts 4 days before thanksgiving? Id pick whichever one puts you in the parks after thanksgiving because all the holiday offerings are up then

First option is arriving 4 days before thanksgiving at the the parks

 

[Garyjames220]

For Thanksgiving week, the parks are extremely busy from Wed-Sat. The Epcot Christmas stuff (candlelight processional and country story tellers) used to start up the Friday after Thanksgiving, while the other parks are already in full Christmas mode by mid November.

I would base my trip more on what you want to see at Disney. With either cruise you'll get something new .. either a new ship or a new island

I think both of us are thinking the Disney wish more, but arriving at the parks 4 days before thanksgiving is putting us off a bit

 

[msmama]

I feel like with two weeks at the parks, it doesn't really matter the time of year. Yes, it's going to be busy, but you can come and go at less crowded times and not really have to worry about missing things because you have two whole weeks.

If you're the kind of person who knows how to get around the parks and maximize your time and effort (which it sounds like you are) then crowds matter a little less (and I don't think 4 days in either direction is going to change crowds that much - it's going to be a busy time of year no matter what).

Back when DCL had a day in the parks on a cruise, we did 3 parks in one day, barely waiting in lines, had low expectations and were able to exceed them, and were still back at the ship by dinner time because I knew what I was doing, lol.

Personally, I'd pick the new island over the new ship, but that's just my preference.

 

[lanejudy]

First option is arriving 4 days before thanksgiving at the the parks

Arriving at the parks 4 days prior to Thanksgiving and extending 2 weeks beyond that? I think with 2 weeks at the parks you'll have plenty of time with either option, though arriving shortly before Thanksgiving you may use more downtime in the first few days to avoid crowds.

But I would do the 7-nights on the Fantasy. Oops, sorry, I just re-read and realized both cruises are 4-nights. I'd still pick the Fantasy and the new island. At this point the shorter Wish cruise doesn't have that big a draw for me.

 

[HarlleeSarah]

So we are going to the parks for 2 weeks with our 3 year old twins end Of nov/ early dec next year and we are stuck on what cruise to pick after. We have been on every ship apart from the wish, which would be fun, but the choice is

- 2 weeks at the parks and then 4 nights on the Disney wish, the way it works out is this option would be 4 days before thanksgiving, we would arrive at the parks ( would be cool to see the new ship, shows etc)

or

- 2 weeks at the parks and then 4 nights on the Disney fantasy that also stops at the new island, this option would mean arriving at the parks the day after thanksgiving

let me know what you would pick

we do want the full two weeks at the parks, just incase anyone suggests doing a longer cruise

Also if we do pick to go 4 days before thanks giving, how bad is the parks normally, is it that busy it’s just not fun

I feel that everyone should experience the Wish just once if given the opportunity. Although I do love the 4 night Fantasy sailing option now.

 

[holula]

I’d pick the Fantasy if you haven’t cruises before, I’m currently weighing up similar options but am leaning towards the Wish as I’ve not sailed her.

 

[RedHead0186]

I'd pick the Fantasy, because she's my favorite ship. But if you want to try the Wish because that's the only ship you haven't done yet, then that makes sense. The Wish is quite different from the other ships, so it's worth seeing if you're interested in that.

 

[Geomom]

I think both of us are thinking the Disney wish more, but arriving at the parks 4 days before thanksgiving is putting us off a bit

If you really want to do the Wish and arrive before Thanksgiving, the Sunday/Monday won't be too bad in the parks. Tuesday will be busier, and Wed-Sat very busy, Sunday not as bad. I would plan for more resort/down time during those busier days, knowing it'll be much better by the Monday after Thanksgiving. Maybe that just means taking a midday break at the resort during the busier days. With 2 weeks in the parks, you'll have time to do everything.

 

[Garyjames220]

If you really want to do the Wish and arrive before Thanksgiving, the Sunday/Monday won't be too bad in the parks. Tuesday will be busier, and Wed-Sat very busy, Sunday not as bad. I would plan for more resort/down time during those busier days, knowing it'll be much better by the Monday after Thanksgiving. Maybe that just means taking a midday break at the resort during the busier days. With 2 weeks in the parks, you'll have time to do everything.

mybe I would be better going to a Disney water park on thanks giving itself and mybe sea world the day after thanksgiving as did plan sea world anyway

then hopefully it’s not that many days I would be in parks where it’s just super busy

 

[Mommb]

Arriving at the parks 4 days prior to Thanksgiving and extending 2 weeks beyond that? I think with 2 weeks at the parks you'll have plenty of time with either option, though arriving shortly before Thanksgiving you may use more downtime in the first few days to avoid crowds.

I agree with lanejudy: Since you're staying at the parks for 2 weeks, you can use the 4 busy days (Thanksgiving Day Thursday through Sunday) for less crowded activities, and still have plenty of time to hit the more crowded stuff the following week.

My guess is that check-in at a resort 4 days before Thanksgiving will be quicker/less crowded than check-in on the day after Thanksgiving.

As far as the Fantasy with Lighthouse Point versus the Wish, it depends what you want to prioritize. From what I've seen, the Wish will be more appealing to young kids than the Fantasy, but Lighthouse Point might appeal more to the adults than Castaway Cay, since it's new. If you anticipate doing another cruise in the near future that would go to Lighthouse Point, I'd pick the Wish for now, but you really wouldn't go wrong on the Fantasy either.

 

[Garyjames220]

Interesting that nearly everyone in the poll voted to do the new island

 

[loislane]

As others have said, 2 weeks in the parks gives you a lot of time to mitigate Thanksgiving crowds. That said, it really comes down to which you'd rather experience more - a new ship or a new island? If Castaway Cay doesn't really do it for you, you may want to pick the Lighthouse Point sailing. If you care more about wanting to see the new ship, then by all means go for the Wish. She's a beautiful ship and the experience is fun for sure.
Neither one is going to be a bad choice!

 

[Marthasor]

I will vote for arriving after Thanksgiving and doing the Fantasy to Lighthouse Point. The parks will be packed the week of Thanksgiving with crowds starting to dissipate the Sunday after - why waste an entire week at the parks fighting crowds when you can arrive the Friday after and have lower crowds for the majority of your parks time?

I've also been on both the Wish and the Fantasy and far prefer the Fantasy. As many people have reported, the layout of the Wish is very confusing - with pools on multiple decks and staircases leading to them, I honestly can't imagine having to navigate that with a young child. And the kids club is gigantic and feels like it's in a basement.

 

[auntlynne]

Are you driving? Otherwise, fly on Thanksgiving.

The 2 weeks after Thanksgiving, for years, have been a sweet spot for travel, especially if not flying on the days right after Thanksgiving. Cruising, parks, hotels… are easier and less expensive.

Lots of conflicting info out there about which days of Thanksgiving week are the least crowded - but they still are holiday crowds.

Since it sounds like it’s 2 weeks in Orlando? Not just 2 solid weeks at the WDW theme parks, pick whichever cruise makes the adults happy. The kids won’t know the difference.

As I usually ask, could you stick the cruise in the middle?

Decisions, decisions. (I read into your first post that a new ship, with new shows - and I add, new menus), might be more appealing).

Have fun!

 

[DCLMP]

The parks will be less crowded after Thanksgiving. That is usually a good time to go. Some schools have the whole week of Thanksgiving off. Either way, you'll have a few crowded park days.