WWYD with ONE day pre-cruise?

[jenng1983]

Hey! So I am a LONG ways out, but we're planning a Disney cruise in October of 2018... I am wanting to surprise my family with either one day WDW tickets or a water park ticket for the day before the cruise.

Now... I have been to WDW, 24 years ago, DH and the kids have never been. I'm kind of thinking that 1 day at WDW (probably MK) would be just a tease, but I'm not sure I could afford more than that, with the cruise, flights, the CAD to USD exchange, etc. I'd love to sneak in a quick trip to MK since we'll already be so close, and it's so expensive for us to get there but one day might be a let down... or it could build up excitement and get my DH on board with trying out WDW the following year (2019). Maybe.

Anyways, any advice?

 

[jenng1983]

I just realized I posted this in the wrong forum... can someone move it?

 

[closetmickey]

Living near Disneyland. I see many people coming with time to just see that one park. Yes, it most likely will leave you wanting more but you will so enjoy seeing even just one park. Go for it- enjoy!

 

[jenng1983]

Living near Disneyland. I see many people coming with time to just see that one park. Yes, it most likely will leave you wanting more but you will so enjoy seeing even just one park. Go for it- enjoy!

That's Disneyland, though, not WDW.

 

[closetmickey]

That's Disneyland, though, not WDW.

Yes it is- and I've been to WDW multiple times. Doesn't change my answer

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would DEFINITELY do MK for one day! You can see a lot in MK in a day and, IMHO, how could you fly to Orlando all the way from Canada and NOT go to MK?! LOL! Personally, I would create a good touring plan based on your "must-do's", get there at rope drop and get FP+ for the rides that will have lines building as the day goes on (rides like 7DMT, Space Mountain, BTMRR or Peter Pan - depending on interest and height of your children). Book a TS for a relaxing lunch, try to see the parade and the fireworks and skip the character meet and greets as you will see a ton of characters on the cruise. Also, if going in October, you are going to want to avoid a Halloween party night if at all possible so you won't have to leave the park at 7 pm. If you will only be there during Halloween party nights, you might want to opt to do the party instead of a one-day ticket as it will actually be a little cheaper and you will see the Halloween parade and fireworks.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

I'd definitely do MK one day as well!

 

[closetmickey]

Good suggestion, Disneywishes14, to see hold off on characters until the cruise!

 

[gingerfeathers]

I agree--do one day at MK! You'll have a blast, get a full dose of Disney, and probably leave wanting more.

Would you fly in a day early to do it? If so, do you have your hotel plans ready? If you stay at a WDW resort, you can purchase a transfer from the resort to Port Canaveral.

 

[mkh531]

We recently did a one day AFTER the cruise. We got off the cruise, took a car to Contemporary, swam, went to lunch at Wilderness Lodge (Whispering Canyon), back to hotel room for a little nap then at 4 pm went to the Christmas party. NO lines for rides, we got right on Space Mountain! So you could do the same in October, and before the cruise, with the Halloween Party, which is actually a lot more fun IMO