Disney Cruise Line OR Fly to Disney

My family and I are planning our first trip with the kids to Orlando. We are in the beginning of our research and I was wondering, which is better?

Should we do the Disney Cruise or just fly to Orlando and do the theme parks.

All the children coming for the first time will range in age from 2 to 6.

Any and all referrals and suggestions will be well appreciated.

Thank you!!
Latrice

Re: Disney Cruise Line OR Fly to Disney

I have never been on a Disney cruise. I hear they're amazing but I would say it's a TOTALLY different experience. Disney cruises are great, it's basically an amazing couped up Disney-themed, kid-friendly cruise. I think one plus is that you can leave your kids at the kid activities and go do adult things without them. You're also more contained, so it might be easier on smaller kids. At Disney if you want to leave your kids behind you basically need to hire a babysitter.

I would imagine the cruise is about the sun and relaxation and shows and activities.

The theme park is a whole different matter. You're going on rides, seeing shows, running around. You basically have to plan a lot more to get the most out of it. You're also going back and forth on buses (or monorail if you're at an expensive hotel) in the middle of the day to give the kids breaks by the pool betweek park touring. I think the parks are the TRUE Disney experience, but that having been said with how exhausting it is for kids, the cruise might be a lot easier to manage.

Another thing is that the cruise ships have a capacity which I'm assuming is somewhat below sardine level. If you're going to Disney World when school is out, it's going to be over 100 degrees, humid, buggy, and crowded. You can wait hours on line, wheras I'd imagine the cruise ship activities would not be as crowded.

HOWEVER since the kids are small, it might be a great opportunity to take them during the school year when it's cool, cheap, and not crowded. IMO Disney in July=hell, Disney in January=Heaven.

I don't have kids, so I'm making a lot of assumptions here. I'm sure moms can weigh in better

Re: Disney Cruise Line OR Fly to Disney

I have done both so here are my two cents…I agree with PP they are completely different vacations. If you are looking for a high energy vacation then I would say do the parks. It will be hot and very crowded. At the end of the day you will all be totally exhausted. But, there is nothing like the look on a child's face the first time they see Disney World. The Disney cruise is much much more relaxing. They have clubs for the kids with a lot of activities. Depending on the ship they have varying water activities as well. You will get to meet a million different characters. They have their own island where the ship from Pirates of the Caribbean is docked. My kids loved that. The shows are great and everything on board is geared towards kids and families. My kids enjoyed both the park and the cruise. We have also done the park and cruise on on vacation, they have a package for it. It gives you the best of both worlds. I'm not sure if you looked into that but it may be the perfect option for you. Have a great time!

Re: Disney Cruise Line OR Fly to Disney

Depends on what you are looking for - at that age the parks are great - you could do a few days in the parks then a 3 day cruise to relax. I would love to do one but am afraid that with the 3 or 4 day you would just get on and just start to relax then it is time to get off. Plus their cruises are a lot of money. It takes longer to see the parks when the kids are younger and tire easier than when they are bigger and you can spend most or all of the day in the parks - then you can see more in fewer days.

You could do say 4 days in WDW then a 3 or 4 day cruise.

Re: Disney Cruise Line OR Fly to Disney

Like the PP posters said, they will be completely different types of vacations. I think you will be able to have more "relax" time if you do the cruise.

Also, not sure when you are planning your trip for, but Disney Cruise Lines will be sailing out of New York starting in 2012!!

Re: Disney Cruise Line OR Fly to Disney

Leaving out of NY next year is a cruise to bermuda for 8 days and a stop at port canaveral where they bus you to disney world. It is expensive but it might be an option for you as it is the best of both.