Which is better ~ cruise first, then parks, or vice~versa?

[mlj'smom]

We're thinking about taking a cruise with the kids for our 15th anniversary. But, of course, we'll spend some time at the parks. Which way is better for those who have done this? If you go to the parks first, are you so excited about the cruise that you "rush" the first days of vacation? Or if you cruise first, are you let down when you get to a regular hotel and the level of service isn't the same?

 

[travellady]

I can't answer which is better from experience but I can tell you for our 15th anniversary we are taking the cruise first, with our 10 yo DS, and then doing 5 days of Disney after the cruise. And for that, my 25 yo DS's will join us as well.

As I thought through it, it's the option we thought best - mainly because we are cruising the 3 day Dec 16 cruise and can spend the days leading up to Xmas in the parks.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I think everyone will have their own opinion on this.

And I also can't speak from experience since we haven't gone on our first cruise yet but we are doing parks first- cruise last. Our reasoning for this is the parks is kinda hectic and exhausting for us- even if we don't go "gungho"- pretty much everything is hectic and exhausting when you have 3 young children with you and all their stuff/stroller/etc. LOL And then we can go like this
PHEW *wipe our brows* and relax on the cruise... and go home relaxed... instead of relaxing then going to the parks.

Just personal preference -or atleast what I THINK we'll enjoy more. If it bugs me to not go to MK on the last day of our trip (a habit I have now)- then next time after this vacation I'll probably do parks, cruise, then day at MK! LOL

 

[clh2]

Everything else being equal, I would do the parks first and then the cruise. The cruise is a great way to relax after the crowds at the parks.

Of course, everything in planning a trip is not equal - I desparately wanted to do the 4-day cruise, as opposed to a 3-day cruise. In addition, we wanted to spend a couple of days at the parks. The cruise was wonderful! and then we spent a couple of hectic days in the parks. We planned our vacation to coincide with some days off from school, to minimize the absent days. So, cruising first was our only option to get the 4-day cruise.

I would do the cruise again in a minute - but I would be hard pressed to spend much time in the parks. I just don't like the crowds.

 

[lwilliam]

and would advise anyone to do the parks first, then the
relaxing cruise.
The one time we did the cruise first and then a few days at the parks, none of us had any interest in them, we were tired, noone had any patience to stand in line.
At least when you do the parks, you get the tiring part of
your vacation over with first, then you can totally relax. Also, it
is nice to be able to do laundry at the resorts and have
all clean clothing for the cruise.

 

[WaltDisneyWorld]

Definitely do the parks first when you have the energy at the beginning of your trip.... then climb aboard the cruise ship for an amazing, relaxing journey that is as magical as being at WDW!!!

 

[westjones]

Doing the parks first is best because it is much more tiring. Once you are on the ship you can relax!

For us the problem is that we can only take off 1 week for vacation and to save money we like to be able to drive. With the 3 day cruise, you get off on Sunday, and we need 2 days for driving (to Indiana from Florida).

The 4 day works better for our 1 week of vacation because we can leave on Friday afternoon and be there by the time the terminal opens on Sunday. We sail for 4 days and then head over to WDW for Thursday and Friday. We drive back on Saturday and Sunday.

So even though it is much more relaxing to have the cruise last, we will be doing the cruise first just because of how the days fit into our vacation.

DJ

 

[mom2rb]

We had planed to do the cruise first but the way the dates work we will be on the cruise on my birthday (9/11) so my husband wants to be in the parks on his birthday (9/9). I'm glad I read this thread and everyone's choice that parks first is better.

 

[Hygiene99]

we try to do both park before and park after.....

 

[iluvtink]

I'm a Parks First, Cruise Second voter ... but then, that's the only way we've done it. And that's how we're gonna do it again! For us, because we've done the parks a lot, the cruise is more of a novel experience, and it gives us something more relaxing to look forward to.

(Although I kinda like Hygiene99's idea of doing parks before and after... anything to make the trip last longer is great, as far as I'm concerned!)

Kim

 

[Jules1]

Parks first, cruise second! You'll relax on the cruise after the hectic pace of the parks.

 

[Hercules10]

Wife and I did the 7 days Land/Sea deal and it was perfect. After taking in the parks and walking a lot it was kinda nice to kick back and relax on the cruise. I'd do the parks then sea arrangement again if given the choice

 

[mketting]

Parks definately first. My DD fell asleep the last morning of the cruise at breakfast. I can't imagine trying to go to a park after, we were all pooped!

 

[paulinewdw]

We have booked five days at the parks and then the seven day cruise this August. Looks like this was a good idea. Our thoughts were that after all the running around at the parks, we could relax on the cruise! Our boys are looking forward to spending time at the 'clubs' on the ship also!

Thanks for the info.

 

[prymsu]

I see you are from Ohio. It would really depend a lot too on the time of year you go, and how you are getting there. For instance if you are flying in, especially the day your cruise departs and it is winter time, and there are flight delays, you could run into problems. My philosophy is to fly in a day ahead of time, no matter what time of year, and plan on the parks first. It is to me better to lose one day at the parks, rather than miss the ship and try to catch up with it. Does this make sense?

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

I am probably the only one that is going to say cruise 1st parks 2nd.

The reason - You have such a wonderful time in paradise(Castaway Cay) there is no way I could function leaving the ship and goiong home that same day. I truly enjoy getting off the ship and having Disney World to look forward to - my vacation isn't over yet!! We usually stay 3 days in Disney after the cruise. We don't try to get it all crammed in. We go at our own pace and relax at Disney too.

This is just my opinion - Enjoy whatever you choose!!

Lisa

 

[CAMICKEY]

We did the parks first last time and it seemed to work out for us. We were actually tired from the Parks and found we were able to get some rest and relaxation on the cruise. - Mike

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

RIDISNEYLOVERS:

I was so glad to read your post since that is exactly what we will be doing in December--staying four nights at WDW after the Magic.

 

[TMTIP]

We are always so tired after our cruises I could not bear to have to visit the parks after leaving the ship. The kids are like wet noodles after going at full force during the entire cruise.

 

[dclwdwlover]

We LOVE both, but parks are exhausting & cruise is relaxing. After all those miles & miles of walking we can't wait to get on the ship & just relax & enjoy!