Would You Rather...

[RedSox68]

What kind of cabin costs almost $1000/night for 4 people for a 4-night cruise? I'd downgrade the cabin or just go to WDW.

I was wondering the same thing.

I love Christmas time at the parks. I would do 7 days at WDW.

My favorite way to celebrate my birthday! Nobody decorates like Disney

 

[cruiser21]

I would never spend 3,900 on a four day cruise.

 

[RedSox68]

I would never spend 3,900 on a four day cruise.

We have gotten to the point where even spending $500/night on a cruise is unacceptable since there are just so many cruise sales and offers out there on so many other lines.

 

[Dug720]

What kind of cabin costs almost $1000/night for 4 people for a 4-night cruise? I'd downgrade the cabin or just go to WDW.

Concierge?

 

[Geomom]

What kind of cabin costs almost $1000/night for 4 people for a 4-night cruise? I'd downgrade the cabin or just go to WDW.

I will admit that $1000/nt for our family of 4 is my price limit, we will be slightly over that for our Northern European cruise next year--WITH our OBB. Alaska in 2016 was $900/nt for our family. We booked deck 2 oceanview on the classics--so we're not spending the extra $3000/7 nt cruise for a verandah. Is the pricing crazy? Yes. Am I willing to book at this price? It depends on the itinerary... Would I spend $4000 to go to the Bahamas on a cruise...no.

Anyway...I just did a quick look at the DCL website.

Using my family of 4 (all over 12 yrs old): These are the 4 nt cruise rates in mid-late Dec. 2017. The pricing is similar for Dec. 2018.
Dream 4 nt Merrytime Bahamas:
December 18 : $4602 inside, $4674 oceanview, $4882 verandah.
December 22: only verandah available, $5906.

Magic 4 nt Merrytime Bahamas from Miami:
December 20: $4120 inside, $4320 oceanview, $5400 verandah

 

[disneyfan888]

Both have pros and cons. It may be a short cruise, but not badly priced considering you are a family of four and the cruise is in December. We also feel like you relax more on the ship.
WDW is wonderful and a beautiful site to see during the Holidays, but with that comes insane crowds. It is one of the busiest times of the year and many folks get easily overwhelmed. The idea of the longer vacation sounds appealing, but considering the time of year you intend to visit, it may be more stress inducing. For this reason, I vote for the cruise, especially with children.

Regardless of your decision, I hope you have a great time!

 

[NancyIL]

Heck just find a six flags closer to home and save even more money NOT!!

I'd just go with the cruise - for longer (7 nights). Wait until the 4yo is 6 or 7 or even better - 8... to have more endurance to do the parks!!

I think of non-Disney cruise lines as Universal vs. Disney: different, but not inferior.

If the OP wants to travel over the Christmas holiday, both WDW and DCL will be at peak pricing. I prefer WDW at holiday time, but I go there in early December.

 

[cruiser21]

I agree with this suggestion -- $3,900 is a lot to spend on a 4-night cruise. You could probably get a cheaper cruise and have money for WDW.

Our 7 day trip to WDW at the Beach club was 4,500 when you include tickets and food. That was for just two people. We did not eat at any of the nicer WDW restaurants. We had a great time because I always have a great time on vacation. This was not the WDW I remember from 5 years ago. The crowds were unbelievable for the first week in May. The CM's seemed cranky. The service at every restaurant was just ok. Maid service nothing spectacular she forgot to leave coffee half the time. Bathrooms in the parks weren't that clean. Heater not working in pool the first few nights. Like I said it was fun because it's WDW, but I didn't leave there thinking wow that was worth every penny. I used to leave WDW thinking that. Of course it was also less expensive 5 years ago.
I wouldn't spend the money on WDW during peak season. I can't even imagine how crowded it would be.
I would pick a cruise on another cruise line or go to Universal where you get express passes on every ride.
When I got home I got a survey from WDW asking about travel habits, income, our assets, how much we eat out at home, how much we spend on vacations etc. Didn't WDW surveys used to ask about the customer service we received at WDW?

 

[RedSox68]

Our 7 day trip to WDW at the Beach club was 4,500 when you include tickets and food. That was for just two people. We did not eat at any of the nicer WDW restaurants. We had a great time because I always have a great time on vacation. This was not the WDW I remember from 5 years ago. The crowds were unbelievable for the first week in May. The CM's seemed cranky. The service at every restaurant was just ok. Maid service nothing spectacular she forgot to leave coffee half the time. Bathrooms in the parks weren't that clean. Heater not working in pool the first few nights. Like I said it was fun because it's WDW, but I didn't leave there thinking wow that was worth every penny. I used to leave WDW thinking that. Of course it was also less expensive 5 years ago.
I wouldn't spend the money on WDW during peak season. I can't even imagine how crowded it would be.
I would pick a cruise on another cruise line or go to Universal where you get express passes on every ride.
When I got home I got a survey from WDW asking about travel habits, income, our assets, how much we eat out at home, how much we spend on vacations etc. Didn't WDW surveys used to ask about the customer service we received at WDW?

Yes, they did -- but asking us about our personal habits and assets and income is quite odd and I find it uncomfortably personal.

As for the parks -- the last time we went in December 2014 for my birthday, it was beyond anything I had ever seen in previous visits. I had security step on my foot (which was in a brace) TWICE trying to quill parade crowds and pushed us to move -- NOT magical in any way and we hated our time there. The CMs were unhelpful and rather nasty the few times we tried to get information, and the people in the parks were downright insane! The worst experience we've had and not sure I'll go back any time soon. The crowds are too overwhelming for me and I much preferred the more controlled Universal Parks where I never felt rushed or trampled or pushed. JMO

 

[dcassetta]

If you are starting on Dec 18, as the week goes on it will become very crowded. At that time of year, I would choose the cruise.

 

[cruiser21]

Yes, they did -- but asking us about our personal habits and assets and income is quite odd and I find it uncomfortably personal.

As for the parks -- the last time we went in December 2014 for my birthday, it was beyond anything I had ever seen in previous visits. I had security step on my foot (which was in a brace) TWICE trying to quill parade crowds and pushed us to move -- NOT magical in any way and we hated our time there. The CMs were unhelpful and rather nasty the few times we tried to get information, and the people in the parks were downright insane! The worst experience we've had and not sure I'll go back any time soon. The crowds are too overwhelming for me and I much preferred the more controlled Universal Parks where I never felt rushed or trampled or pushed. JMO

It seems like they are really interested in knowing how much money their customers make and what their spending habits are. Maybe their trying to figure out how much more they can push up prices. The surveys used to ask about food quality, service, maid service etc etc. Fast pass plus has really changed WDW. It makes the standby lines ridiculous. Your whole day revolves around your fast pass times. 3 hour wait for tower of terror in early May. I'd like to know what type person gets in a line that is 3 hours long???? On Splash Mountain we waited 20 minutes just to scan our bands to get in the fast pass line. In the old days we could show up at rope drop, ride every ride before noon, and ride our favorites multiple times. I think we were lucky to do 4-5 rides a day. Hopefully they never bring this system to Disneyland. It was fun to do a trip with just my son, but the price for one week is more then I feel it's worth anymore.

 

[Dug720]

Yes, they did -- but asking us about our personal habits and assets and income is quite odd and I find it uncomfortably personal.

As for the parks -- the last time we went in December 2014 for my birthday, it was beyond anything I had ever seen in previous visits. I had security step on my foot (which was in a brace) TWICE trying to quill parade crowds and pushed us to move -- NOT magical in any way and we hated our time there. The CMs were unhelpful and rather nasty the few times we tried to get information, and the people in the parks were downright insane! The worst experience we've had and not sure I'll go back any time soon. The crowds are too overwhelming for me and I much preferred the more controlled Universal Parks where I never felt rushed or trampled or pushed. JMO

Do they not give a "prefer not to answer" option for the financial questions? Every survey I've ever seen has that option as a choice for financial questions.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

I'd extend the WDW stay to 7 days, especially if your other option is a 3 day park/4 day cruise combo. I don't think the 3/4 day is enough for either the park or cruise. Going to WDW in December there are lots of holiday activities. Epcot has Candlelight processional, storytellers in each country, longer 'reflections of earth' fireworks. Magic Kingdom transforms Jungle Cruise to the 'Jingle Jungle Cruise'. We love seeing the parks at Christmastime...although I wouldn't want to be there ON Christmas or that week following it due to how crowded it is between Christmas and New Year's.

They are talking Dec. 18th. That would put them in one of the busiest weeks of the year at WDW. While I absolutely LOVE WDW and agree that Christmas time there is incredible, if they do go at that time, they really need to do have some realistic expectations of what they can see. They need to do and some serious planning for dining/FPs, etc. Heck, even during a low attendance time, it is impossible to see and do everything at WDW in 7 days.

 

[RedSox68]

Do they not give a "prefer not to answer" option for the financial questions? Every survey I've ever seen has that option as a choice for financial questions.

Don't know -- I'm sure they do. I just find it overkill for DCL to want to delve that deeply into my personal facts. Ask me about anything I experienced ON the trip/vacation and likes and dislikes, suggestions, etc. -- but that's all the information they need to know as far as I'm concerned. Our past surveys never asked those questions -- so they are getting nosey

 

[cruiser21]

Don't know -- I'm sure they do. I just find it overkill for DCL to want to delve that deeply into my personal facts. Ask me about anything I experienced ON the trip/vacation and likes and dislikes, suggestions, etc. -- but that's all the information they need to know as far as I'm concerned. Our past surveys never asked those questions -- so they are getting nosey

Yes they have that answer. I just found it odd that they don't ask you to rate cleanliness, food quality, maid service all the things they used to ask. What about what I think about fast pass plus? I got a similar survey on DCL. I felt like it was a survey to evaluate me not them.

 

[RedSox68]

Yes they have that answer. I just found it odd that they don't ask you to rate cleanliness, food quality, maid service all the things they used to ask. What about what I think about fast pass plus? I got a similar survey on DCL. I felt like it was a survey to evaluate me not them.

Good point -- and kind of creepy (I think). And maybe they don't ask the questions about quality anymore because it's been so negative the last couple of years

 

[BAIC03]

Hey everyone! I am the OP and I can answer a few questions:
Travel dates: We were looking first or second week of December... like Dec 3rd or 10th of 2018. We've been to WDW many times (pre-kids) and after the 20th it's terrible. Since the girls are still little I have no problem going before "the season", and it's actually much easier for me to get time off before or after the holiday.
Cruise: The cabin on the ship is a 04A on the Dream. It's a very cool layout that I've always wanted to try, highest cat next to concierge. But- yes- the Dream and Fantasy are always more expensive. Alas- the classic ships don't do the PC runs. We sail out of Galveston to visit our favorite (and cheaper) ships.

Order of things: We would do WDW then cruise, or spend a long vacation at WDW to build in some relaxation time.

Note: we are Disney people. We do an off trip to Great Wolf Lodge, but we've been on other cruise lines to disasterous results, and other theme parks and felt completely underwhelmed. We pay the premium because we've never had a negative experience!

 

[BAIC03]

I think of non-Disney cruise lines as Universal vs. Disney: different, but not inferior.

If the OP wants to travel over the Christmas holiday, both WDW and DCL will be at peak pricing. I prefer WDW at holiday time, but I go there in early December.

Agreed! We are out of there by the 21st!