Why do I get myself into these dilemmas??? WWYD??

[Dug720]

Tis the season for me to think about what I want to do over the summer. (Granted, I need to find out from my TKD dojang if the August test will be in the same general time it was this year OR if I'm out of town if I get a private test - which I know they have done before for people.)

So I look into a WDW vacation as I've not been there in a WHILE. Get a quote that gives me the price of the dining package (I usually don't do that, but cruises have spoiled me to having most things paid beforehand...and the 1TS, 1CS, 2 snacks does kind of fit the way I tend to eat in the parks) - so I play around on my own.

Also check out Disney cruises. Which we all know I love.

Turns out I *could* do a B2B on the Dream (less than a 7-night on the Fantasy...though I'm pondering that as well). OR for less money I could do 4-nights at the Poly - somewhere I've always wanted to stay - WITH the dining plan!!

And yes. Total first world problem/the struggle is real situation. LOL!!

 

[egesicki]

Rough decision! All are great options. I'd lean to Poly, for a new experience. But any will be fantastic.

 

[KashasMom]

Personally, I'd go with the Fantasy. Would love to give the Dream a go but the turnaround day on such a short cruise turns me off and I'd never go near the parks in August. That being said Fantasy pricing has gotten a bit crazy.

 

[Dug720]

Personally, I'd go with the Fantasy. Would love to give the Dream a go but the turnaround day on such a short cruise turns me off and I'd never go near the parks in August. That being said Fantasy pricing has gotten a bit crazy.

The only advantage of the parks in August is it would be late August. But still hot and humid. Good point. Sadly school breaks are the only times I can go since I'm a teacher...

 

[lovin'fl]

Buy DVC and do a week at WDW every year.

 

[KashasMom]

The only advantage of the parks in August is it would be late August. But still hot and humid. Good point. Sadly school breaks are the only times I can go since I'm a teacher...

Not a teacher but work around my daughter's school schedule so I feel your pain!

 

[Dug720]

Not a teacher but work around my daughter's school schedule so I feel your pain!

Leap years are my one saving grace because in leap years Easter and Passover don't match up, so our Spring Break (which covers Passover - in a split case we get Good Friday off too) tends to be later than everyone else's and prices drop accordingly.

 

[linetbo]

What about 4 night Dream cruise and 3 nights on a Moderate resort. You can have the fancy dinner at the cruise and then you can have the park experience less fancy. I have never done the dining plan, so I don't know if it's worthy.

 

[Dug720]

What about 4 night Dream cruise and 3 nights on a Moderate resort. You can have the fancy dinner at the cruise and then you can have the park experience less fancy. I have never done the dining plan, so I don't know if it's worthy.

That's a thought. The only advantage I can see is that the package would mean most of my meals are paid for up front save tips and any wine if applicable to the meal and location.

 

[Anna Chassereau]

That's a thought. The only advantage I can see is that the package would mean most of my meals are paid for up front save tips and any wine if applicable to the meal and location.

We just did exactly this this past August...we did three days in the parks/three nights at Port Orleans French Quarter and then did the 4 night on the Dream. We had the mid level dining plan. It was AMAZING!! The whole land and sea experience was absolutely incredible. If I were you I'd so do this!

 

[BruinEd03]

That's a thought. The only advantage I can see is that the package would mean most of my meals are paid for up front save tips and any wine if applicable to the meal and location.

On the flip side we had 3 nights at wdw and then 4 night cruise. My wife and I both agreed that it was too hectic and we didn't feel like it was a restful vacation. You unpack just to repack. Felt like we didn't get enough time at either place.

 

[tink1970]

Cruise, I would cruise. Because to me vacation is about relaxation and WDW isn't relaxing to me. Also I love the pre paid aspect without having to do disney food math (aka DDP) on vacation. Also it's Africa hot in August so I'd go on a boat with ocean views and breezes (I live in Florida for heavens sakes and I still avoid WDW in July and August!). I'd look at the itineraries and if the 7 day Fantasy hit ports I was interested in, I'd do that, if not B2B. But cruise, my vote is always for the cruise (unless you throw Europe in the mix...then it might be there ).

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Tis the season for me to think about what I want to do over the summer. (Granted, I need to find out from my TKD dojang if the August test will be in the same general time it was this year OR if I'm out of town if I get a private test - which I know they have done before for people.)

So I look into a WDW vacation as I've not been there in a WHILE. Get a quote that gives me the price of the dining package (I usually don't do that, but cruises have spoiled me to having most things paid beforehand...and the 1TS, 1CS, 2 snacks does kind of fit the way I tend to eat in the parks) - so I play around on my own.

Also check out Disney cruises. Which we all know I love.

Turns out I *could* do a B2B on the Dream (less than a 7-night on the Fantasy...though I'm pondering that as well). OR for less money I could do 4-nights at the Poly - somewhere I've always wanted to stay - WITH the dining plan!!

And yes. Total first world problem/the struggle is real situation. LOL!!

After spending the last 6 days at Disneyland and spending a little less than a 1 week cruise, I say do the B2B or the Fantasy. We all were wishing we had been on a ship for the week!

 

[Anna114]

If you have never done the Poly, I would do the Poly. It's a very special place. I would do something different the cruises are not going anywhere.

 

[Flossbolna]

A few thoughts: If you haven't been in a while, there will be quite a bit of new stuff for you to see at WDW. I think even Avatarland (or I think the official title is Pandora - World of Avatar) will be open by then. Besides that you will have Frozen ride at Epcot, new Soarin, new night time show at AK, new fireworks at DHS (however, you say you are not a fan of Star Wars, so they might not be something of interest for you), new Muppet mini show at MK, new Castle Forecourt show at MK. And depending what a while is for you, New Fantasyland and new Test Track might be new to you?

So, you might have a full program at the parks. In my opinion paying the (ridiculously) high rates for a Deluxe Resort are only worth it when you actually can take the time to relax and use the amenities the resort offers. On a 4-night visit after I have not been at the parks for quite some time, I would be going strong with park visits and I would not have time to enjoy my resort to the level that the Poly deserves.

Late August should be a good time to visit crowd wise, but the weather is going to be horrible (well, that is my opinion about Florida summer, others might differ there).

So, if you are set on a park vacation, I would suggest staying four nights at a lower level resort while you explore the parks and then add on two nights at the Poly for just enjoying the resort (and maybe venturing to Disney Springs, which is totally new as well).

Overall I think both options are very different style of vacations: One with a lot of activity and more options (WDW) and one which is more relaxed and kind of gives you everything perfectly pre-packaged.

 

[Flossbolna]

And just reading your other thread about the Cabana: B2B on the Dream will bring you even more up in status on DCL!!

 

[Dug720]

A few thoughts: If you haven't been in a while, there will be quite a bit of new stuff for you to see at WDW. I think even Avatarland (or I think the official title is Pandora - World of Avatar) will be open by then. Besides that you will have Frozen ride at Epcot, new Soarin, new night time show at AK, new fireworks at DHS (however, you say you are not a fan of Star Wars, so they might not be something of interest for you), new Muppet mini show at MK, new Castle Forecourt show at MK. And depending what a while is for you, New Fantasyland and new Test Track might be new to you?

So, you might have a full program at the parks. In my opinion paying the (ridiculously) high rates for a Deluxe Resort are only worth it when you actually can take the time to relax and use the amenities the resort offers. On a 4-night visit after I have not been at the parks for quite some time, I would be going strong with park visits and I would not have time to enjoy my resort to the level that the Poly deserves.

Late August should be a good time to visit crowd wise, but the weather is going to be horrible (well, that is my opinion about Florida summer, others might differ there).

So, if you are set on a park vacation, I would suggest staying four nights at a lower level resort while you explore the parks and then add on two nights at the Poly for just enjoying the resort (and maybe venturing to Disney Springs, which is totally new as well).

Overall I think both options are very different style of vacations: One with a lot of activity and more options (WDW) and one which is more relaxed and kind of gives you everything perfectly pre-packaged.

Thanks! Excellent thoughts! I spent the morning doing sheets for every option I'm pondering price-wise - including bumping it to a 5-night stay.

You make good points about the parks. DHS is pretty much a non-event for me so I tend to ignore that one. And I'm not necessarily commando-type. But I like the idea of maybe a split stay.

I also priced out cruises actually over my birthday and while pricey they are doable. I like my cabin options on the Fantasy better - and I haven't been to 2 of the 4 ports on the Eastern schedule (Tortolla and St. Thomas)...so that one may be taking the lead.

Lots to ponder! (we don't have a "think" emoji so I'm using Pooh because "Think. Think. Think."

 

[Starwind]

Another idea to consider:

We travel in winter, so need more days before our cruise to allow for snowstorms and such causing delays (we arrive ~3 days before, which would allow enough time to drive down worst case if flights were canceled). We have come to enjoy just spending time at the resort and not doing parks. And, staying a night or two before or after the cruise lets us "try" a resort or stay at a more expensive resort we want to stay at, but with just a night or two it is not as expensive a trip.

For our last trip we did:

2 nights at WL, 1 night at MCO Hyatt, DCL transfer to port from MCO (we wanted to get on the ship early), B2B Disney Dream, DCL transfer to resort, 1 night AoA Little Mermaid room (my sister wanted to try it); one of the nights we did MVMCP but otherwise enjoyed the resort and no parks.

Our next trip will be:

2 nights Poly (we both always wanted to stay there), 1 night MCO Hyatt, B2B Disney Fantasy, 1 night WL. If december weather cooperates we will do one (partial) day at a water park, but otherwise enjoy the resorts and no parks.

While we would not stay at AoA again, we are glad we did the one night and got to experience it.

We are looking forward to a couple nights at the Poly -- it makes it more affordable since it is only two ngihts not a lengthy stay. Previously, we have done a couple nights at Beach Club and enjoyed Stormalong Bay.

SW

 

[chamberlain]

All of the options sound fun so I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I will say that we did a 4 day cruise on the Dream then stayed 3 nights at the Poly and loved it. With one exception though, by the time the cruise was over we felt like we ate so much on the ship that we weren't that hungry for the dining plan. Maybe that's just us though. We loved the Poly and I'm sure you would enjoy it. Good luck in your decision!

 

[Dug720]

And just reading your other thread about the Cabana: B2B on the Dream will bring you even more up in status on DCL!!

Very true. It would be after the fact, but good info for the future... I'd turn gold after the first part of the B2B.