Hello all. My husband and I are planning on taking our 2 boys, now ages 4 and 8 on a disney cruise in 2008. I was told by a couple of people that going to Walt Disney World would be better for the kids. For those who have been to both WDW and on Disney Cruise Line, which would you say is best and why?

I don't know why they would say that. The cruise would be so much more relaxing for you and your husband. The ship has so many activities planned for the children. They have their own food line, pool, and the Ocean Lab full of activities. They have special autograph sessions on the ship with the characters, and they can have a special breakfast with the characters. On Disney's private island they have a family beach, and now they have a pirates ship replica from the Pirate's of the Caribbean movie. They serve Mickey mouse waffles, and Mickey Mouse ice cream bars. They have three dining rooms which you rotate to a different one each night. Your table staff rotates with you. The staff will treat the kids royally. The one dining room is The Animator's Palate. The walls are black and white sketchings of Disney movies and as you go through your courses the walls color in. They show Disney movies in the theatre. The main show lounge will have shows based on some sort of Disney theme. The shows are great for children and adults. WDW is a lot of walking, waiting in line, and expensive food (although now for $35 a day per person you can get a food plan.) In 2008 your youngest will be 6. I am not sure at that age if he will get tired from all the walking and need a nap. But on the ship if he needs a nap, it's a quick walk back to the cabin, in WDW you would have to wait for the buses and then possibly a long ride back to the hotel. I just think the cruise would be more relaxing and I think if you waited until they were a little bit older for WDW,then they would appreciate all the creativity more at WDW. I love both the cruise and WDW though.

Cruise Fanatic,

Thanks a million. Your post was VERY helpful.

I personally haven't been on the cruise, but have a friend that took her daughter and they loved it. I have been to Disney World, Epcot, Safari Land, MGM Park, and River Country. While everyone should enjoy a visit to the Magic Kingdom, it is VERY expensive. We bought a Park Hopper pass, and I believe it was $120/day per person, or something near that. We had lunch at the Brown Derby, $12.50 for a salad, $5.00/glass for ice tea (no refill). Dinner was twice as expensive on the grounds. I was there for 3 days and spent over $1000 (park passes, meals, drinks, and alcholic beverages), my husband had to be there for an entire week (conference), so I have no clue how much he spent. I have to believe a cruise would cost a great deal less, and be more fun. It might be nice to do a 1 or 2 day visit to the Kingdom before or after your cruise, if you can afford it. Best wishes!

I am planning a 3 day land/4 night sail on May 31st. We are taking our 3 girls ages: 4,9, & 11. We've been to WDW 3 times in the last 3 years, so we know to to expect there, but this is our first cruise on Disney and first cruise as a family. ( My husband and I honey-mooned on the Carnival(Fantasy) 13 yrs ago. ) For those that have been on the Disney wonder, did you ever feel like your kids could get truely lost? Did you feel comfortable leaving little one's in the camp's? Are the pools okay to not worry about the kids drowning, getting hurt etc? I'm a picky eater, are hamburgers, pizza's, chicken , spaghetti, avaliable for adults? What can you tell me about the trip?

I agree with Cruise Fanatic's post. The cruise will provide a wonderful level of relaxation for adults that you won't get in WDW. And Tonya, I think you can order off the kids' menu if you like (it includes things like hot dogs, mac & cheese, etc.) I believe there is usually a broiled chicken entree available each night as well, for those who don't like the menu selections.

We have been on the Wonder twice, most recently in Oct with our 4 year old daughter and loved it. Disney world is a lot of stress with the waiting and hords of people. The cruise is very relaxing for you and very eventful for the kids.We left our daughter in the kids club for a couple of hours after dinner 2 nights and she loved it, there are many and wonderful people working in there. We kept waiting for our pager to go off, thinking she would want to leave, but it never did. Most of the characters are on there with short lines, including on castaway cay. She loved dancing with lilo and stitch on castaway, as they did a dance with just the kids. Many activities besides the beach on the island to keep busy also and plenty of food. The shows at night were great and the adult games and shows were also great. Service was outstanding especially toward the kids. We are already planning a 7 day on disney for next year. We live near disney and have annual passes, it's a great place but with some drawbacks as noted. If you can go in to the parks in Jan or Sept it is much nicer as the crowds are less.

Thanks Chuckc for posting about your most recent cruise. I'm am super excited to go. We will stay at the Disney's polynesian resort from May 17-20th and cruise the 20-24th. I'm glad that you mentioned having pagers when you leave kids in the clubs. I wondered how comfortable I'd be leaving them there without standing outside the door waiting for them to want to go.
Did you have any trouble booking shore excursions or Spa reservations? If so how far in advance did you book?
I've been to WDW every year for the last 3 years and want to explore more of Downtown Disney while my husband golf's this year. I can't wait for the fun!

How do I change my ticker? I can't even find where I stashed my code for the current one to delete it.

Well I figured it out, I just can't figure out how to delete the post now! LOL

We didn't book any excursions. In Nassau we walked around looking at the stores and straw market for a while, as my wife likes to shop. We went back to the ship around lunch time and ate, then let my daughter go swimming in the kiddie pool for awhile as it wasn't that crowded as most people were off the ship. We have been to Nassau a few times and so no need to stay there all day. Being it was only a 3 day cruise it didn't leave much time to do everything we wanted, including the spa. We did try to get reservations at Palo's but they were booked ( we book about a month prior for the Fl. resident rates that open up, so it's hard to get Palo's). You have to book that as early as possible, once you fill out your paperwork online you can make reservations for everything including excursions. You can also register your kids for the clubs and then they will tell you where to p/u your pager after you check in at the terminal. You can feel comfortable leaving them there, you have to check in and out, peolple can't just walk in and out. You will give them a password that you have to use to check them out. On Castaway we didn't book any excursions as most were cancelled due to the poor weather (wind), but we still had a good time on the island. If you take the walk way all the way down there is a covered area with multiple games to play. Without excursions there is still plenty to do. Some people took there kids to Atlantis by taxi, if you book it as an excursion it is very costly and your stuck with there times. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the information! I appreciate it.

Tonya

Do not worry Disney will make sure everyone in your family has a great time. If you thought the Fantasy was good then you are in for a real treat. The Disney Wonder is going to WOW you and the whole family.

Thanks for the reply! It sure sounds like I'm going to have fun! I can't wait

Hello all, I have done WDW twice and Disney cruise once. The two times I have been to WDW(combined) can't compare to the Disney cruise. For me just the thought of not having to drive is a hugh plus. Kids get hungary often and to have to run to Mickey D's or whatever everytime is a bummer. On the ship they can eat 24hrs and I don't have to really more a limb. I have 8 cruises under my belt and Disney and Carnival are my favorites. Carnivals lower cost gives it a slight edge, but Disneys policy of issuing wet wipes at the entrance of the restaurants really won me over. But I have to opt for the lower cost.
Have a safe and fun cruise all.

I was reading about these Disney cruises here:
http://www.abc-articles.info/cruising-sailing/10346.php

and all sounds great, but is it really as good as they say it is.

Please share your oppinions! I have 2 kids 6 & 8 and I know they'd love it, but would we, the parents, enjoy it aswell.

Thanks,

John

Hello John-g, Don't let the word Disney make you think of kids only. The Disney cruise in my opinion offered as much adult activity if not more than any other ship I have sailed. You also get to interact with your children and dont feel quilty. On the Lido deck(I believed it was called) you have adults and children dancing together, my son(5) and I had a ball. To be honest the only thing that prevents my from (as much as I love Carnival)sailing Disney every time I cruise if the cost, only 2 ships, and the lack of a change of itinerary. Trust me the adults will have a blast.
Have a safe and fun cruise!!!

John, my husband and I sailed on the Disney Wonder - without kids - and we loved it! There are tons of kids onboard, of course, but they are happy - very few crying jags or tantrums! Lots of appearances by Disney characters and a fantastic kids' program keep them busy enjoying their time, and free up the parents for a little time to themselves as well. About the only adult pastime not available is a casino (none on the Disney ships), but if you're not into gambling, I think all of you will enjoy yourselves greatly. IMO, Disney ships really are as good as they say.

Just returned from a Disney Cruise on the Magic (7 nights) and I offer an alternate view to what everyone else is saying. First a brief: Married male, twin 5 1/2 year olds, live in Northeast, wonderful wife.

PLUS SIDE - Disney crew is a well oiled machine. Fantastic on EVERY level. The service is wonderful and the disney characters are nothing short of fantastic. How these people stay so patient and up beat is beyond me,... but they absolutely do. My hat is off to them. Fantastic job. 10 out of 10 stars.

The ship is in perfect condition and the crew works hard to keep it that way.

The other people (cruisers) on the boat are also a pleasant plus. EVERYONE is in a good mood. Very polite and happy overall.

DOWN SIDE - Imagine living in a walk-in closet with 2 kids for 8 days and you get the idea. We had an outside stateroom on deck 6, mid ship. Very nice room but not large. This also means a total lack of privacy. Simple things like getting changed become an adventure.

The child care is just o.k. It is available and the facilities are nice. However, in my opinion it lacks structure. Imagine puting fourty 3 to 5 year olds in a big room with no one person in control and you get the idea. There are people to attend to the kids but the ratio is about 20 to 1. Besides the fact that most of the time the supervisors were congregating around the front desk while the kids just ran.

Other minus is that about 30% of the computers (video games)were off line. Once again, imagine giving kids computers with little or no supervision and you get the idea. Doesn't take long for default messages to appear,....

Bottom line - Don't fall for the hype that it this is total relaxation. Remember, you are still on a ship with your children (and several hundred others)and sleeping in a closet. It is exactly what it should be. It is a FUN time for the WHOLE FAMILY.

On the last day of the cruise the women in the cabin next to ours put it well. She said - "I thought this was going to be totally different,... THIS WAS WORK!"

Would I do it again? In a heart beat. But 4-nights, not 7. But my hat is off to Disney. They define efficiency.

Like people previously said the cruise would be great fun for them. I have cousins who went on a cruise with Disney and they loved it.

I have just booked my first Disney Cruise for myself and my 6 year old daughter. I am a single mom and we have cruised many times in the past - Carnival. I just had never been able to justify the high cost for a 3 nighter when I could go on a 7 day Carnival for the same or less. I have figured I'd better book one before she got too old to appreciate the Disney Magic, although one could enjoy that at any age. My question is this: As I am a single mom, would there be anything for me to enjoy while my daughter is engrossed in the children's program on board? Are there afternoon shows, games etc. going on during the day? Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.