Will a Disney cruise disappoint?

[GKLG]

My DH, 4 year old and I are going on our 3rd Walt Disney World trip in Sept 2014. We want to take one more Disney trip before she starts school. We are looking at a cruise in May 2015. We love love love WDW. Is a Disney cruise really as good or better than WDW? Other than the crowds can you tell me good reasons to choose the cruise over WDW again? I just can't imagine anything else being as much fun as WDW.

 

[Woodmnky]

It really depends on what you are looking for. I love cruises because I can relax, eat wonderful meals without worrying about the cost, everything is right there, I don't have to worry about making it to rope drop or what order to go on rides. That said, DH & DS really love the go, go, go that comes with a WDW vacation. I like WDW too, but not quite as much as a cruise. DH & DS like cruises, but not quite as much as WDW.

If you are thinking about it I would suggest looking at Navigator's from past cruises to see what is offered and whether you think that your family will enjoy it.

Also reading some reviews of cruises and looking up shore excursions may help you decide whether a cruise is right for your family.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My DH, 4 year old and I are going on our 3rd Walt Disney World trip in Sept 2014. We want to take one more Disney trip before she starts school. We are looking at a cruise in May 2015. We love love love WDW. Is a Disney cruise really as good or better than WDW? Other than the crowds can you tell me good reasons to choose the cruise over WDW again? I just can't imagine anything else being as much fun as WDW.

Unfortunately, that's a "compare apples to oranges" kind of question.

Cruises and WDW are two different experiences. WDW has rides, better swimming pools, more dining choices, for example. Cruises have somewhat better character interactions, you get pampered more, and you visit other parts of the world.

Personally, I like both. For different reasons.

 

[ericstac]

we are the same way lol.. WE were there in Jan, beginning of may, we are going end of July and planning November..

We've talked about the cruise over the last few years but it always seems like it would be a waste compared to what we can do WDW.. only perk we ever see is that is would be more doable for my mother since she can't walk a ton like required at WDW.. but she is going in Nov anyway so I'm really not seeing how it is possible the cruise could be anywhere close to WDW..

 

[phillmolly]

It really is hard to compare WDW to a Disney Cruise. Both have the great level of service, but they are very different.

A trip to WDW is just that, a trip. It's go go go, always on to the next ride, the next meal, ect.

A cruise is way more relaxed! Especially the days at sea. You can eat breakfast on the deck, lunch by the pool and have great dinner in one the restaurants. There is not as much of the go, go, go.

We went on our first cruise in April of 2013 and we spent this past Easter Break in WDW. We had a great time on both trips, but we already have our next cruise booked for April 2015.

I like switching back and forth. We will fingers crossed get to WDW again in 2016, or 2017 and then book another cruise for the following year.

Really the answer to your question, "will it disappoint" depends on what your expectations are. Myself I loved the laid back atmosphere! I had great time playing Disney Pictonary, Family Feud, ect. We went to a mixology class that was lots fun. Really for me the only negative was that my son, 4 at the time, didn't do to great in the kids club. He was fine for an hour or so, but any more than that was to much for him. I am hoping next year he will love it, he will be six then and almost done with kindergarten.

 

[kapoof]

We love love wdw, we took our first cruise last fall. Wdw is crazy and insane with crowds but we still love going. Dcl is different, it is slower paced and easier. With wdw you never know what park is going to be packed, the rush to get up early to open the parks and hit the big rides and then rush to,the next park etc. Dcl is way more relaxing, we loved cast away cay, there are characters and parties, or you can just spend time by the pools, the shows at night are worth going alone! Yes we still will go to wdw, but with the magic band and fast pas + confusion! we will be cruising again next trip. Give it a shot, our ds loved it and can't wait to go again!

 

[GKLG]

Thanks for the quick replies. I have spent way too much time reading and reading about the cruises and the activities available. I know my daughter will love more time with the characters and the Oceaneers club, but it makes me sad to think of her having a great time and me not getting to experience the look on her face. That is what makes WDW so much fun. I always thought this would be an easy decision.

 

[TheChanClan]

Adding to what other's have said, it does really depend on what your preferences are. If you like to relax, be pampered, and eat great food, then a Disney cruise will not disappoint you. At the same time, if you are a go go go type family, there are a lot of different activities (many age specific) that can keep you and your family occupied. The kids clubs are great and I'm sure your 4 year old would enjoy it allowing you and DH some time to yourself.

It's hard to make a direct comparison between WDW and taking a Disney cruise. They offer completely different experiences. After going on several cruises (both with and without Disney) I can say that you can't go wrong with taking a Disney cruise. You just have to shift your expectations slightly from what you're used to with WDW.

 

[momof2n2]

If I never make it back to WDW, I'll be "easy come, easy go".

If I never make it back to a DCL cruise every other trip will seem like settling for less.

 

[Ravenne]

Unfortunately, that's a "compare apples to oranges" kind of question.

Cruises and WDW are two different experiences. WDW has rides, better swimming pools, more dining choices, for example. Cruises have somewhat better character interactions, you get pampered more, and you visit other parts of the world.

Personally, I like both. For different reasons.

This exactly. We're WDW vets and cruised for the first time a couple of weeks ago. WDW is very familiar to us so we're comfortable there and know the drill while cruising was a big unknown. Now that we're home from our land/sea trip, I'm firm that they are 2 very different vacations and experiences and it really depends on what you want. I'd love to cruise again. We loved every moment of our cruise and didn't want to leave even though we were disembarking to head to WDW right after the cruise. At the time, I would've happily traded our WDW vacation for another round on the cruise, and it was an unanimous feeling with my family. Now that we're back, we truly loved the land part of our trip too. They're just different. I do not think a DCL cruise will disappoint though. I do think I might miss stopping at WDW if we were to do a cruise only trip, but once I'm on the ship, I'm sure I'll get over it. But I also wouldn't mind doing a WDW only trip too. They're both awesome, just in different ways.

 

[GKLG]

Give it a shot, our ds loved it and can't wait to go again![/QUOTE]

I think this is the only way to know. After 3 years of Disney trips, the next obvious step is a cruise, right.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[GKLG]

Momof2n2, what a great way to put it!

 

[Made Up Name]

My DH, 4 year old and I are going on our 3rd Walt Disney World trip in Sept 2014. We want to take one more Disney trip before she starts school. We are looking at a cruise in May 2015. We love love love WDW. Is a Disney cruise really as good or better than WDW? Other than the crowds can you tell me good reasons to choose the cruise over WDW again? I just can't imagine anything else being as much fun as WDW.

I like them both.

 

[DahliaRW]

I prefer the cruise to WDW, but it's hard to choose between DLR and DCL!

The thing I hate about the parks is how stressful and busy it is. The cruise is sooooooooo relaxing. It also is way easier to meet the characters, without missing out on ride time. And the character greetings you take your child to, so you do get to see their face there. Plus animators palette is awesome with kids, especially on the 7-day cruises where you get the crush show and the animators show (your child will love seeing their drawing animated on screen). And you get to go to new places, which is fun too.

It's a totally different type of vacation, but still very fun. It's more of a spoiled/pampered fun than a run around crazy fun.

 

[Woodmnky]

Thanks for the quick replies. I have spent way too much time reading and reading about the cruises and the activities available. I know my daughter will love more time with the characters and the Oceaneers club, but it makes me sad to think of her having a great time and me not getting to experience the look on her face. That is what makes WDW so much fun. I always thought this would be an easy decision.

There is so much to do as a family that you don't need to feel like the only place she can have fun is in the club without you. Also there are open house times in the club when you can go in with her and enjoy the spaces as a family. DH always makes a point to take DS when the Lab is having open house because he loves the virtual ship driving game.

If it is feasible for your family, maybe consider a land and sea option. For many people this is the best of both worlds and you won't feel like you are having to give up what you know and love to try something new. If you love the cruise, go for a longer option the next time.

 

[momof2n2]

Thanks for the quick replies. I have spent way too much time reading and reading about the cruises and the activities available. I know my daughter will love more time with the characters and the Oceaneers club, but it makes me sad to think of her having a great time and me not getting to experience the look on her face. That is what makes WDW so much fun. I always thought this would be an easy decision.

I get this!
My kids spent time in the clubs but none if them cried about leaving, or begged to go to the club. We did a lot together. We also utilized a lot if the Open House times in the clubs to all be there together.

 

[ncurley]

I don't see why you could not book a 1/2 WDW 1/2 cruise trip? Not sure how long you have but why not do a 3-4 day cruise then spend a couple of nights at WDW? That way if you are disappointed with the cruise you could still have park time to look forward to.

 

[harrisb1964]

We did DW when my son was 5 and again at 6. We all loved it. We had a Disney Dining Plan, so we scheduled all character meals, including Chef Mickey's ( both years) and dinner with the princesses in the castle. So we had lots of awesome character interaction. We went in Feb. both years and the weather was awesome. The lines were short and virtually nonexistent at Animal Kingdom except for Expedition Everest. All the parks had fairly short lines and anything that had a bit of wait ( Toy Story Ride at Hollywood Studios) we got fast passes. I was convinced that DW was the most magical place in the world! We also did the Pirate's League and afterwards my son got to sword fight with Jack Sparrow! He also got to escort Minnie to her throne at Camp Mickey Minnie! The only downside is that it was a fast paced vacation and when I came home I was really exhausted! Also, with all the walking, by nightfall my feet hurt so badly I was limping to the bus . I would get ice at the hotel and dump it in the tub to try to ease the pain in my feet.
After 2 DW trips we decided we were ready for a DCL cruise. So we sailed on the Wonder last Feb. I was told I would love DCL better than DW but I couldn't 't even imagine that being possible! Our cruise was amazing . My son loved it and is ready for another one! I have to say with everything there was to do and visiting foreign ports and the kids club, the highlight of my son's trip, that we were totally amazed at how much we loved it! We were definitely were not ready to disembark at the end of the cruise. I still love DW, but I have to say our family favorite was the DCL. And the food is SO much better than DW! If you have already been to DW twice I would recommend trying the DCL ,you will not be disappointed!

 

[Ravenne]

Thanks for the quick replies. I have spent way too much time reading and reading about the cruises and the activities available. I know my daughter will love more time with the characters and the Oceaneers club, but it makes me sad to think of her having a great time and me not getting to experience the look on her face. That is what makes WDW so much fun. I always thought this would be an easy decision.

I get this!
My kids spent time in the clubs but none if them cried about leaving, or begged to go to the club. We did a lot together.

Same with my kids. They were excited about the clubs the first couple of times they went, but after that, they were pretty selective and only asked to go when there were activities there that they were interested in, and when we asked them to go for times when we were at Palo or if there was something in the adults only club that we wanted to do. They get to be kids, and DH and I get to be adults, all the while we still get plenty of opportunities to be a family. I didn't have a problem with it either way. If they wanted to go to the clubs, great. If they wanted to do stuff together as a family, great! We spent our port days together as a family on excursions and enjoying the ports. When we were back on the ship, we all had opportunities to pick, choose, contribute, and discuss what we wanted to do. That was the beauty of being on a cruise...the kids got more opportunities to pick and choose what they wanted to do and didn't have stick with what is pre-planned with FP+ and ADRs like in the parks. They got to make decisions on THEIR vacation too. My kiddos aren't old enough for me to send them off to do an attraction by themselves in the parks, but I felt just fine with them checking themselves into the club, asking a CM to text me on the Wave phone that they made it there, and text me when they're ready to leave. Another thing they loved was, they got a break from each other and not have to be in each other's faces the entire time when they were in the clubs. Both of mine are in the age group for Oceaneer, and not really much older than OP's DD, but the clubs were big enough that they could spend time apart and do things that interested them individually rather than always having to do what the other person wanted. It's so important and so nice to spend time together, yet have some time to be apart and do things that interested each one of us individually. There were times when I woke up before everyone else, and I sneaked down to shop, then sit on deck to watch the ocean go by. I'd write a note for the family to text me when they wake up and are ready for breakfast and I'd meet them for breakfast. I got some quiet time for me to recharge, and I got to hang out with my family. It's like having my cake and eating it too. You can't beat that. It's a much more customized vacation than the parks...at least for my family with kids who aren't old enough to venture off in the parks yet, but old enough to want individual time.

My kids have never been clubs type of people, so they didn't "live" in the clubs whenever we were on board, but they were never bored, and hardly watched any TV either. In fact, they didn't get enough time to rest because there was just so much stuff to do! None of us ever went to bed before midnight because we were always busy doing stuff. In that sense it's kinda like the parks.

I don't see why you could not book a 1/2 WDW 1/2 cruise trip? Not sure how long you have but why not do a 3-4 day cruise then spend a couple of nights at WDW? That way if you are disappointed with the cruise you could still have park time to look forward to.

That's what we did. WDW is a known thing for us. We know we'll have a good time, and we know our way around the parks. DCL was a huge unknown especially since we'd never cruised at all before. If you can swing a land/sea trip, it's a heck of a lot of fun and a great way to continue the magic when one portion is done. We had the time of our lives...utterly EXHAUSTED, but SO much fun. I still wouldn't give up WDW to cruise all together, but we had such a blast on the cruise and it's such a new adventure for us that we'd love to do it more. I still imagine myself yearning for WDW while sailing out of PC though since we're so close lol.