Which do you think costs more?

[Liz]

Which do you think costs more . . . a 7 night cruise (not counting shore excursions) or 7 nights at WDW. That would be booking similar accomodations (cheapest stateroom vs. value resort or nicer stateroom vs. moderate resort, etc.) I know the cruise includes food and at WDW you'd have to buy your own and park passes. I'm just trying to get an idea and wondered if anyone else had already thought this out!

Thanks!

 

[TiggerKing]

Can't speak for the 7 night, but I do know I reviewed a 4 night package that would include meals (apples to apples thing), and it ended up costing quite a bit more than our 4 night cruise. Of course, that also included park admission.

 

[TooPure4u]

I would think the parks would be much more expensive 7 for 7. You also have to figure out what you are more wanting to do....i.e. relax and veg or run through chaotic parks all day....

I personally prefer the cruise.....so beautiful and there is nothing like being in the middle of the water on the top deck with a pina colada in hand. Have fun in whichever you choose!!

 

[castlegazer]

We have broken it down and feel that cruising is more affordable. However, it is a fine line due to the extras of cruising - drinks, shore excursions, photos, and whatnot.

For example - we will be cruising in 2006 for $436/per day for two people. I have not counted in my kids nor the extras - like that must have Pina Colado every day. That on land is equivalent to a weeks stay at discount off season in the Ft. W cabins plus $200 a day in food money - that's about right for us and what we end up spending. That also does not include the park passes nor the cost of my kids.

You really have to break it down like that, though. You have to take into consideration that a typical cruise costs about $1,000 more than what it is on paper if not more and you need to factor in the passes on land.

 

[DDuckfan6504]

I have done a land and sea package and 7 days at WDW and in general they both came out to be about the same in price.

 

[kaykels]

Not me! It's always cheaper for me to do Disney. I usually get an annual pass so my passes are paid for for the next trip (11 months later) a TWO FOR ONE! Or if you are lucky enough to live in Florida, you can take advantage of the Florida resident rates and get a seasonal pass. Anyway, they offer great discounts for annual pass/Fl.residents and I usually pay $105.00 p/n for the AKL or WL (my favorites). I stayed at the PO last month for $79.00 but much much prefer the lodges. Anyway, we are Macaroni Grill type people and eat off property a lot. We still eat GREAT food. There are coupons everywhere. Kobe Japanese steakhouse is our favorite. $12.95 for steak shrimp and lobster with the coupons. Yummmy!!!!!
Also, if you are on a budget, try skyauction.com and snag a timeshare rental. It's much nicer and roomier than the All Star. You can't beat a 2 BR condo with full kitchen, jacuzzi, etc. for about $300.00 for the week.
But all in all, it's a different trip than cruising. It's worth the extra cost for an awsome Carribean beach vacation with Disney "magic" sprinkled on top.

 

[travellady]

I've done some recent analysis of 7 day cruising vs. land resort vacation. I didn't calculate just on Disney cruise prices but based it on avg. cruise prices, oceanview. For a family of 3, cruising wins hands down. We are not big drinkers, only by a couple of pictures, and limit our bingo. The downer is we are only in port 1 day per location (typically) so can't explore in depth. I think we'll take a land vacation periodically but will stick to cruising more often.

 

[tecdavidt]

Land hands down. We do not have annual passes since we live so far away. The meal prices are huge for people who don't have transportation to go off property. On our first DCL cruise my husband couldn't wait to get on the ship because food was included. With three teen boys that was a huge expense on property.
Kathy