Want to hear from Disney World addicts

[megustamex]

I consider myself to be a Disney World addict having been there more times than I can remember. We keep trying to be first time cruisers, but I have booked 4 Disney cruises now and cancelled 3 of them over the past few years. We just keep ditching them for Disney World instead. We have 2 kids, 5 and 3, and we love that Disney World can keep us all entertained at the same time. We love the resorts, the food, the parks, the shows, the parades, and the Magic. So we keep thinking that we should really try a Disney cruise.

 

I think my main question is - will we like cruising with Disney if we love Disney World? We love to hit the parks hard when we're at Disney and close them down every night - are we going to be bored on the ship compared to the parks, even if it is Disney? We keep comparing Disney World to the ship, which I know you can't really do, but we can't help it. DW seems to win out every time in our heads. I would love to hear from others who love DW and have also cruised Disney!

[spurt]

We love DW too. That's why we booked a combination DW and Disney Cruise vacation. Start with 3 or 4 days at DW and continue on the Disney Wonder for 3 or 4 days. It's terrific. If you stay at a DW resort, you even use your same hotel key for your ship's cabin. The bottom line...if you love DW you can't help but love the cruise too. A floating DW? Almost.

[APB513]

First let me say I absolutely LOVE WDW!!! If I could move to FL I would and I would visit the parks everyday. I have been to WDW numerous times and I have been on one Disney cruise.

 

I agree with the PP, you should try a land/sea combination - its the best of both worlds!

 

When we did the 7 day Disney Magic cruise, we did one night pre cruise at Pop Century followed by three nights post cruise at AKL. It was an amazing trip. We all loved the Disney cruise.

 

Now, after years of asking to go back, I am taking my two sons on another Disney cruise - this time on the Disney Dream :D. Originally I was just going to do the cruise but there is no way I could go to FL and NOT go to WDW. So I decided to do another land/sea combo. We will do a 4 night pre cruise stay at Pop Century.

 

I understand your hesitance at being away from the parks. But I believe you and your family will have lots of fun on a Disney cruise - particularly your kids. Disney's Oceaneer Club will keep them busy from sun up to sun down. This will give you and your wife so alone time. There are lots of adults only areas of the ship. There is lots to see and do on the ship as well as excursion opportunities in port.

 

You spoke about the magic of the parks. Well let me tell you, a Disney cruise has magic all its own!! Have you ever seen fireworks while at sea? It is a sight to behold!

 

I say go for it! Book your Disney cruise!! You will not be disappointed!

[jackparts]

I agree with all of the above. Keep in mind that everything is subjective as everyone has different tastes. The cruise food is every bit as good as the standard park food. The high end restaurants in the park might be a wee bit better on the food taste, but given the chance to sample many different types and flavors is definately a plus for old and young cruisers. I remember how fussy my kids were when they were young and wish that we had given them a chance to try different foods. Not that I am suggesting wasting food, just the chance that as on all cruise lines, unlimited food is a highlite for all. The cruise can be just as enjoyable as you want. If you let the little things bother you, you can always find something to gripe about. The kids will be perfectly safe in their own area or in your area. Sit back and enjoy the cruise, you earned it. I could go on and on, but will let other posters add their thoughts.

[RoadTripFanatic]

You have to love WDW!! I've only been on one 3 night Disney Cruise. Why not do a combo? Do one of the land/sea trips! I personally love to cruise. It's my favorite vacation. Disney cruise line brings that Disney spirit to the ocean. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy on the ship but it's different. It's definately one of those you can be as busy as you want or take it easy kind of trips. You don't rush from place to place. You just take it easy! There are tons of activities in the kids center. They will love it! It's fun visiting new islands and seeing new places. Disney's beach is beautiful! I personally think they are at a great age to take a cruise!!

[jerseygal15]

WHY NOT DO A COMBO?

 

WE LOVE WDW AS WELL!

 

FIRST FAMILY CRUISE AUGUST, 2011 ON THE DREAM!

 

Can't wait! We want to "test the cruise waters", so we chose to do a short 4 nighter! Will stay at Beach Club 4 nights pre-cruise!

 

Can't wait! The Dream looks awesome!;);)

[funfamilyof6]

We are also BIG Disney fans. Our kids are now 15, 13, 11 and 7. We have taken the kids to Disney every year, sometimes 2 or 3 times in one year when they were little and not in school yet. We have done it all...Christmas parties and all.

 

We did our first Disney cruise when our first 3 children (4, 2 1/2, 1) were very little and the Disney cruise was "new". We didn't have a wonderful experience compared to our first Celebrity cruise and the actual Disney parks. At that time there really weren't a lot of characters onboard yet...not ones like Pluto. They mainly had ones like princesses. They have fixed that now. The restaurants and shows were great. They did have a couple of other nice things like the occasional pool party. That is where the "greatness" ended. Not a lot of family oriented activities going on. The kids had a good time...but they were very young and I wouldn't say they "loved it". We were bored a lot of the time but made the best of it. We didn't rush to go on another cruise after that!

 

We went on the second 4 day Disney cruise, because it was my mother in laws dream, years later. My father in law had just passed away and she didn't want to go by herself. We cancelled our planned Royal Caribbean cruise and went with her. This time the kids were older...13, 11,10, & 6. The 3 older kids thought it was "OK". The only one who really "loved" it was my little 5/6 year old that hadn't been born yet when we went on the first one. She had a memorable time. Disney had definitely made improvements but again we were bored a lot of the time. Castaway Cay was great and thank goodness we had 2 days there!

 

I don't want to give you the impression that the Disney ships aren't beautiful. We are an active family and we like to be entertained A LOT by activities. The Disney ships are just missing things that are common on other ships. We got the full impact of this when we finally got to go on our RCCL Freedom cruise a year later (last year). Things like ice shows, rock climbing walls, comedy shows etc just make the cruise all that much better to our liking. ALL of our kids loved the Freedom and can't wait to go back on it, even our 7 year old like RCCL better. We also all enjoyed the fact that it was longer than the Disney cruise 7 days vs 4 days.

 

When we need a Disney fix...we now will go to the parks, which we did this year. In our opinion, nothing compares to the magic in the land based Disney parks and nothing ever will. We never have a boring time there.

 

You are going to be surprised what I say next...something positive! Going by your childrens ages 3 & 5 they would most likely love a Disney cruise. I think the kids ages on a Disney cruise are a big factor. Our kids were too young (probably not my oldest, but she was shy) on the first one and too old on the second (except for 1). So if you want to see a Disney cruise at least once in your lifetime I would definitely go now while your children are young. The Dream seems like it may have some extras that the other 2 Disney ships don't have. If you decide to do a Disney cruise I would choose the Dream to be safe. :)

[mom x4,grandma x4]

We are HUGE Disney fans. Lived near WDW for 9 years. (moved 3 years ago) and we went there almost every weekend accept hot summer days. Had over 100 entrances on our annual passes one year alone.:)

Now I have to fly from Oregon to Florida so we only go once a year. But we try to combine it with a cruise.

Thats the best of both worlds. Do the parks first because its the most tiring part of the trip and then you can relax and enjoy the cruise.

 

Then we tried the cruise and it was AWESOME!!!! :D

 

You can be as busy or as relaxed as you want. You have to remember this si a different Disney experience, NO rides!!

But there are tons of fun things to replace the rides.

 

Plenty of activities for all the kids and family acivities to do together as well as adult only events. The shows are great too.

 

If your doubtful just do a 3 day cruise to get an idea of what alonger cruise would be like. Be sure and look for hidden Mickeys on the ship too!!

[megustamex]

Thanks everyone for all your responses. I really appreciate the insight. Just an FYI, we are booked for the Mexico cruise so we can't really do the 4/3 land/sea. We wanted to do Mexico because we're more interested in those ports than in the ones in the Caribbean. So it's going to be all or nothing if we end up on this cruise! Please keep responses coming!

[LBumb]

give the cruise a try. you won't know until you try.

[Tony1865]

We are unrepentant Disney fans. We have well over 100 visits to WDW under our belts. We became part of the Disney Vacation Club in 2001 and it was one of the best purchases we ever made.

 

We've cruised with Disney twice. I can tell you, even without wearing my Mouse ears, that both trips exceeded my expectations. We are 51 and 54, and found that there was plenty to do for us old folks ... and a couple of years, we took 22 year old DD, who still enjoys doing stuff with her parents.

 

I very much recommend it!

[Travelfanatic1]

Just returned from Disney World on Aug. 14th (our 7th trip).

 

I have only been on 1 cruise (Victory), we took my grandaughter who was about 8 at the time, she just loved "Camp Carnival" even on formal dinner nights she chose to stay with the other children participating in "Camp Carnival" instead of joining us for dinner, with so many activities and friends who could blame her.

 

She had the time of her life. This was a 7 Night cruise.

[hopelea]

LOVE LOVE LOVE WDW!!! But, I think I love the cruise a little more. My dd's were 6 & 8 on our 1st DC. It was wonderful. They had the most amazing time. They still talk about that trip and they are 16 & 14 now. They were so busy that with their activities we had to beg them to hang out with us. We have cruise 2 more times with Disney. They still love it. But, their likes are changing. They now enjoy hanging out in the stack, going to the shows with their "old" parents. It is a nice relaxing cruise for all.

We love WDW. But after you spend 5 or 6 days there, you feel like you need a vacation to rest up. It is so much fun and non stop action that you have no down time. At least we don't when we go. We are at the parks when they open until they close.

[dkjretired]

Heading to Disney tomorrow for two weeks and agree with the OPs sentiments except for the food. It is overpriced and generally not good....

[cuccicruisers]

we are also disney addicts. we like to try to hit the parks once a year and a cruise one a year. that is the goal anyway. this year 2x...yeah food and wine next month!!!!

 

you say you like to close the parks so you will have to adjust a bit. i am sure there are plenty of activities for the family but try the kids club and spent some quality time w. your significant other.

 

we cruise mostly carnival because we like the casinos and nightlife so i cannot comment on the specifics of the disney offerings because we have not sailed them. i wanted to when the kids were younger but now they want to get away from the character thing so we may never get on a dis ship.

 

have a great time...try not to compare too much and RELAX!

[Meredisney]

Going on a Disney Cruise is just as addicting as going to WDW...PERIOD!

[Eeyoregon]

From one WDW addict to another, you will LOVE Disney Cruise Line!!!

 

The best of both worlds is to book a stay at Disney World first and then a cruise on DCL to unwind, relax but still have all of the Disney magic and customer service that we love.

 

My sons are now 17.5 and 14.5 and they went on their 1st Disney Cruise in 2006 and they LOVED it and still talk about it to this day! I am surprising them in March when the Wonder is on my side of the country and taking them to the Mexican Riviera for spring break.

 

Try DCL...you will NOT be dissapointed.

 

Gina

[MMMCruiser]

I consider myself to be a Disney World addict having been there more times than I can remember. We keep trying to be first time cruisers, but I have booked 4 Disney cruises now and cancelled 3 of them over the past few years. We just keep ditching them for Disney World instead. We have 2 kids, 5 and 3, and we love that Disney World can keep us all entertained at the same time. We love the resorts, the food, the parks, the shows, the parades, and the Magic. So we keep thinking that we should really try a Disney cruise.

 

I think my main question is - will we like cruising with Disney if we love Disney World? We love to hit the parks hard when we're at Disney and close them down every night - are we going to be bored on the ship compared to the parks, even if it is Disney? We keep comparing Disney World to the ship, which I know you can't really do, but we can't help it. DW seems to win out every time in our heads. I would love to hear from others who love DW and have also cruised Disney!

 

 

We did the same thing. This year, we did 4 days at WDW, a 3-nt Wonder cruise, then 3-nts back at WDW. I have to say it was worth it!!! We wished the cruise had lasted longer. The best thing about the whole 10-day trip was Cataway Cay.

 

Maybe you can split a trip like we did, so you won't miss out on WDW but still get a chance to cruise with Disney.;)

[skyw]

 

I think my main question is - will we like cruising with Disney if we love Disney World? We love to hit the parks hard when we're at Disney and close them down every night - are we going to be bored on the ship compared to the parks, even if it is Disney? We keep comparing Disney World to the ship, which I know you can't really do, but we can't help it. DW seems to win out every time in our heads. I would love to hear from others who love DW and have also cruised Disney!

 

I am also a WDW addict. My DS 6 has been there 4 times and went on one disney cruise. You can expect the level of service that you are used to at WDW. The shows are as good or better. We were not as busy as the parks. The pools are small and crowded. However, we loved it just the same but for different reasons. There is always something to do or not do. We stayed on the ship in Nassau to spend more time in the pools. Castaway is a great place to introduce the kids to the ocean.

[MMMCruiser]

Thanks everyone for all your responses. I really appreciate the insight. Just an FYI, we are booked for the Mexico cruise so we can't really do the 4/3 land/sea. We wanted to do Mexico because we're more interested in those ports than in the ones in the Caribbean. So it's going to be all or nothing if we end up on this cruise! Please keep responses coming!

 

 

Well, could you squeeze in a day or two at Disneyland??? :p That's what I would do if I could.

 

Even if you can't I still recommend DCL. We did the split out at WDW since we really felt the way you do. But now we know we like it. It felt very Disney, but calmer and more relaxing than the parks. More elegant, but still family-oriented. We're going on the DCL Alaska cruise, so we can't split with any park, but I'm glad we'll still have the Disney touches.

 

DCL has characters all over the place, a fun character sail-away party, a fun character pirate party, great shows in the theater (on the Wonder, we saw Golden Mickeys, Toy Story the Musical, and Disney Dreams) that are original and amazing. The 7-nt cruises also include a character breakfast (automatically). I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. WDW is isn't, but it is very Disney yet will take you to wonderful destinations.

 

Hope this helps!:)

[waterbound]

Disneyworld addict checking in here.. lol..

 

I am also a cruise addict.. We have cruised 14 times including Carnival, RCCL, Princess and as of last year we finally cruised Disney.. I have had several cruises booked with Disney and like you have cancelled them because I figured for the price we would enjoy DW more.. well last year we cruised Carnival and decided to do a cruise with Disney immediately afterwards..

 

All I can say is WOW!! Now its a good wow, but it is different from DW.. there are no rides, etc... but what you get is a much more relaxing vacation.. The shows are phenomenal.. There are many many opportunities with the characters, great ports, great adult entertainment in the club, wonderful area for just adults, also a great area for families.. the food is wonderful and Castaway Cay is beyond anything I have ever experienced before.. Of all the cruises we have done, the best has been the Disney cruise hands down!! I am itching to go again next year and will start looking at dates soon.. Hoping to go on Dream

 

I say give it a try once.. if you decide that DW is better than next time you will know, but I bet you will love it and be ready to book another one before you get off the ship..

[djpolly]

My DD loves Disney but as she as she is getting older, some of the waiting and crowds started getting to her. When we heard can we just go back and play at the pool we decided to give the cruise a try. We did a land-sea package and loved loved loved it. I think our next Disney experience will be a 7 day cruise. The biggest difference from DW and the ship is that the ship just never seemed crowded - and best of all, I never had to dodge texting teens (UGH!). In all honesty, I like the cruise better because you really do get an overdose of the "me first" mind set at Disney World and I never noticed it on the cruise.

[pgdisney]

I agree with the others that have said to just try it. Combine a 4 night stay at WDW with a 3 night cruise. You never know until you try. I'm a WDW lover at heart but given the chance to cruise DCL or visit WDW.... I'd take DCL!!

[Marla07860]

I'm 22 years old and have cruised DCL 10 times when I was 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and birthday cruise when I turned 22. I love Disney World, but I love cruising DCL so much more, I get bored in Disney World when I can never get bored on a cruise

[Disney6]

WOW!! What a great thread!! We are surprising our kids with our first cruise in April on DCL and our kids are 16, 15, 13, and 11. After reading that these ages will love it as well I feel much better!! My biggest fear is that the teens would look at me with the I'm bored...eye roll!! ;) Maybe you all haven't seen it! Anyways this makes me very excited! Thank you! And we are ending the cruise with 4 nights at Disneyland!!