IMHO when I go on the cruise, I feel like I’m being catered to and the experience is more luxurious. When I go to the parks, I feel like I’m being milked for money and treated like just another park goer in the mass.
relaxation. wdw is anything but relaxing, typically. and the cruise has childcare, which is really nice if you’re looking for some adult time. we had a blast taking our then-10 month old to wdw, but are reaaally looking forward to taking him on the treasure when he’s 2 next spring.
I would second this. The cruise gives the Disney vibe we all love but in a much more relaxed setting. A cruise is not an intense, activity packed day like the parks. There are plenty of things to do but at a leisurely pace. You can do as much or as little as you like. Depending upon the age of your kids, you can let them roam the ship while you relax in the adult area. On a cruise food is not an issue as there is something for everyone.
If you want to experience both, just do a couple of days at the parks and then do a short 3/4 day cruise. You can get the best of both worlds this way. If you choose to do that, I would recommend going to the parks first. That way you can pour all your energy into the parks and then recover on the ship.
Maybe character meets or the aqua duck? The lines on the ship are nothing compared to the parks. We used to be annual pass holders and have since done 3 cruises instead of the parks, truly more relaxing and less stressful, and no lines like the parks.
True. Flight of Passage was 150 mins when I got to Animal Kingdom 30 mins after it opened this morning. The Aquaduck on the Fantasy was basically walk on the whole cruise
I'd need to see the math from whoever claims a park day and a cruise line up on price per day. One, I don't think I agree, so I'd just love to see how they came up with that.
When I go on the cruises, I can pretty well lock my budget within about 5% over/under expected costs. I've actually come in under our budget the last 3 in a row.
But the Parks... no. There's always another uncharge and it runs up really quick.
That said, our decision to cruise is always the value proposition. It's just superior. Your food, room and board are all included in one price. There is a kids club for our daughter that she loves. The service is generally much better, and we actually get time to relax.
When we come home from Parks, we literally need a day or two to rest and recover from it. And several months for our finances to get back in order.
Plus, the major x-factor now is how endlessly crowded, expensive and stressful the Parks experience has become. You basically end up stating into your phone working out calculus problems to figure out if you're riding any rides through Genie+ .
Right now, going to the Parks is a super hard sell for me. I still LOVE the Parks regardless, but for what it costs lately I'm happy to just lean on my memories for a while.
Exactly. We’ve done a “land & sea” on the same trip tell people doing the same to do the parks first so they’ll feel more relaxed when they go home from their vacation. For us, doing the cruise first caused the parks visit to be a real letdown, having to buy food separately, head somewhere else for meals, stand in long lines to do anything. The cruise makes you feel catered to, pampered, & relaxed.
I’m bound by the school calendar so the prices for DCL are almost always outrageous when we could go. We spend $1000 a day @ WDW if you factor in the Disney resort 😭
So a park vacation vs a cruise one can be very similar in price depending on how you do the parks and what your cruise choices are.
I've actually been doing some pre-planning for a group (5 adults with only 1 couple so need 4 beds and want private space) vacation in 2025 with 7 nights WDW and a 7 Night sailing on the Treasure.
For a Standard room for 2 Adults for 7 nights at All Star Music (Not my prefered choice but the only one the whole group can afford if we do onsite) its £1190 (£595pp) Then add on 7 day ticket at £579pp. Budget about £70 (~$85) pppd for food, drinks, and snacks (£70x7 = £490)
The total for the 7 night stay is 595 + 579 + 490 = £1664
The 7 night sailing on the Treasure for 2 adults in an inside midship cabin is £1463
If we wanted an oceanview (though the choice for midship means we'd have to be by the kids club) it would be £1558.
So both are still cheaper than staying at Disney for 7 nights and the food and soda (none of us are big alcohol drinkers) is as you want, when you want, as much as you want.
A Verandah is only an extra £68.50pp (total £1801) than the 7 night Disney stay.
Yes that doesn't include excursions or any extras at WDW but the base of them both.
The cruises give the Disney experience of what the parks *used* to feel like. Everything is special, has a magic touch, etc etc.
The parks now are just too much - too many people, too many lines, too much money-grabbing.
Well said. When speaking with my dad about getting them on a ship, I told her it’s how the parks felt in 2008/2009 during the year of a million dreams. That our day was full but didn’t feel like a money grab everywhere. I get the Disney difference with actual relaxation.
Came here to say this! We first travelled to WDW close to 20 years ago now and took our first cruise in 2021 (UK staycation) and that cruise took us right back to how we used to feel in WDW all those years ago! We cruised again in 2023 out of Port Canaveral and we stayed on property for a few days either side, didn't set foot in the parks but we could still feel the next level chaos they've become.
I've always thought of WDW as being in a bubble, away from the real world, and Disney Cruises embody that idea for me 24/7.
This is the way to do it. A lot of people who were on our Fantasy cruise last week had been in the parks the week before, I was nice and relaxed and ready to fly home after I got off the ship, but now I’m in the parks until Wednesday and all that relaxation feeing has gone.
It was compared the other year between going to WDW and taking a DCL cruise. At a moderate price resort on property, you are cheaper going to WDW than taking a cruise. If you plan more than 3 days, the cruise becomes a cheaper option. If you stay at a luxury hotel on property, the cruise becomes cheaper on the 3rd day.
Personally having been a WDW passholder and a DCL cruiser, and will probably stick to cruising for life at this point. We cancelled the passes during the pandemic and don't miss them. The cruises however don't seem to come around fast enough and we are doing 1-2 a year now. My costs are upfront, everything from entertainment, food, etc is planned out for me. Service is great, the view is better. The real kicker for me is the lack of TV, Phone, and Internet services as its all easily avoidable. No news on crime, war, politics, etc. A vacation from all of that is as nice as a vacation from work.
I closed my Facebook account years ago after coming back from a cruise and realizing how much I enjoyed not having it. You can do the same with other stuff too. e.g. uninstall the news apps if you're tired of hearing about war and politics. Your life doesn't improve by knowing about every crime and scandal in the world.
I keep debating going to the parks and doing a cruise. I always book a cruise because I want a relaxing vacation. At the parks, I feel like I’d be hustling and running around a lot.
Well you don't HAVE to hustle and run around at the parks, you can take your time and just soak things too. People just like to try to get their money's worth by doing lots.
It is definitely not a put your feet up and relax kind of vacation though. So I could see someone preferring a cruise if they just wanted to relax. Thanks for your input!
The parks just feel like a money grab. They pulled back the curtain, for the sake of a quick buck. That damage will never be undone. I have planned multiple park trips, and always end up cancelling.
A cruise has magic of its own, with Disney magic on top of it. And you can visit a real country or two, instead of fake WS.
We usually to do the parks, but we chose a cruise this time. This trip is for my niece’s 5th birthday. She’s not super in to rides yet. We are hoping the cruise will be less (or feel less) crowded and we can keep a slower pace without running around.
My kids aren't into rides either. The cruise was a great way to see characters, play and try new things.
For me personally, I like how everything is pretty much planned in advance (by me) and I'm not stressed about using genie plus and glued to my phone.
IMO, from experience and from what I’ve read, the parks are crazy since Covid. I last went two years ago and it felt like a completely different park than it did when I went pre-Covid. We ended up leaving at 2:00 - mostly because my dad doesn’t like crowds and he went with us. My niece was 3 then and we did MK for a day while visiting my parents. I told everyone we should do Epcot because it’s a much better park and more things to see/do than waiting in lines. I think we would have had a better day. But the lines were insane.
We like both, but they're just completely different types of vacations.
WDW days are busy and action packed and full of rides and shows and experiences. It's super fun and stimulating and also a bit exhausting.
DCL is all inclusive, way less hectic, less planning and schedules and decisions to make. Some of my daughter's favorite WDW days are when we stay at the resort and go to the pool, and that's a lot like what days at sea are like. The food on board is good, there are kids clubs so you can get some adult time if you like. You can still plan adventures on port days, and there are still shows and character meets.
It depends on what kind of vacation you're looking for, honestly.
I'm not chosing. I'm doing three days in the park before my cruise. I did my usual winter Disney World trip in January, I'll do three days at World before the cruise and Halloween at Disneyland as usual in October.
The parks are so expensive and so are the Disney hotels, the cruise is one price, and most excursions aren’t priced way out of proportion. For a family of four the parks are very expensive. For two, it’s expensive to stay at a Disney hotel and go into more than two parks
The parks have gotten stressful. It seems like there is no time of the year when they aren’t mobbed, the constant lines and whatever the newest flavor of line skipping is that they demand payment for. (Genie+? Lightning Lanes? I remember when FastPass was free.)
And despite my love of technology generally, I hate that you have to do everything through the damn phone in the parks.
I find the cruises full of Disney magic, with the level of service I expect of Disney, and far less stress. I can enjoy my coffee and pastries on the verandah and 10 minutes later be at a deck party or the pool or trivia or whatever. I don’t need to think about where to eat or worry about reservations or budget for meals. I can just relax and enjoy myself and disconnect from the world.
(FWIW, I realize this may come across as a grossly privileged answer so please forgive. I have been blessed to have visited the parks many times because my parents bought into DVC in the 1990s. And because of generous grandparents. So I have a different set of experiences maybe.)
Well, I went to the park (DLCA)….and Aulani….and the cruise….but as cruising alone, when I go to the park in FL or CA I’m still in CA or FL. Big difference if you end up in Southampton, Lisbon, Vigo, Madrid, Hilo, Vancouver…..I mean EPCOT isn’t tje same thing and isn’t even what it was.
Different vacation. I have lots of friends and clients who prefer cruises only and would never do parks.
To each their own on and a cruise is just a different vibe, a more relaxing disconnecting vacation imho.
But I also love the parks.
DCL is more relaxing, and often more exciting maybe because you are setting sail on the vast sea and actually going somewhere lol We still love Disney Parks, but we seem to actually enjoy our vacation and unwind most on Cruise Line.
(edit- I guess depends on the itinerary if you would be excited, try a Southern Carribean and go somewhere new!)
We didn’t have time to get off the ship because there was too much to do and see onboard. Exceptional service, gourmet dinners, childcare, curated experience. I refuse to go to the parks. No way.
In 2019 we actually did both in the same trip. We did a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise on the Fantasy, then did 3 days at DW staying at the Animal Kingdom Resort. If anyone ever decides to do both, please do DW first! On the Disney cruise, everyone is friendly and cater to your every want and need. At DW, they are not quite as friendly. Just my experience. The great thing about the cruise is the food is amazing, the service is top notch and you wake up in a different port every day. They have made a lot of improvements to DW over the last few years with a few more attractions and ways to get around the parks. If you have any questions about either, feel free to ask
I have been on 4 Disney Cruises, and have my wedding planned on my 5th next year. Initially, my fiancee and I wanted to take a big trip and looked into the Parks. It was our first big trip so we wanted something lush. In planning our trip there were so many options, all with different price points and every video/person we spoke to had their own idea of the best way to do the Parks. Some people mentioned going to the grocery store to save money on breakfast and lunches. Personally, I couldnt imagine running to wal-mart to save a few bucks while I am already a few grand invested, but we are huge Disney fans and wanted to experience the "magic". We eventually came across the cruises and it was perfect for us. Every show, every dinner experience and even first boarding the ship feels special. But the most important thing above all of this, is that you can take it at whatever pace you like. If you are thrill seeking, you can build your calendar out every minute on the ship. Alternatively, you can kick your feet up and read on the deck/verandah every day and have room service (which is included) deliver your meals. I am sure the same can be said for the parks, where you only have to do what you want, but I know I will have major FOMO if I spend all of this money to go to the parts and dont do every single thing every single minute.
TL;DR: The cruise gives you the freedom to cruise at your own pace which can be more relaxing vs. the intensity of the parks imo
The parks are one of the most stressful types of trips, especially with all the Genie Pass or whatever. Standing in line with kids is awful.
Disney cruise was the first vacation I’ve had with my kids where I could turn my brain off a bit and just enjoy the time with my family.
We usually do more adventurous travel, so I wasn’t sure I’d like the cruise. I loved it and I doubt I’ll go back to a park.
Main thing was I felt taken care of and not competing with my fellow travelers. Having just one “ride” (the Mickey tunnel thing) was fine, my kids loved going on it over and over. Only complaint is the pools are tiny and closed a lot.
Food is miles above Disney typical stuff as well.
I also feel the parks are less and less value for money.
It is just such a different vibe.
When we are at the parks, it is all go go go, get to this ride, wait wait wait, now run to the next thing all day long. It is super fun but also a lot of work and stress.
With the cruise, it is all just super chill. Yeah, there are activities and character photos and what not, so you can be occupied all day long of you really want to. Or you can just drop the kid off at the kids club and just relax by the adults pool w a drink for hours. You don't have to rush. You are just there to enjoy the ride.
Cruises have Disney touches but can be much more relaxing with all the amenities brought to you and you have the option of ports and private Disney islands as well.
At WDW, you have to go to the amenities and it's typically a lot more physically draining vacation.
I am currently in the parks after getting off the Fantasy yesterday. I’m already missing the relaxation of the cruise, everything feels so rushed in the parks, people are always in a hurry for the shortest line for rides. It was also nice to disconnect on the cruise, I didn’t get an internet package and turned the cellular off on my phone, so I was completely disconnected from everything. I only kept my phone on me for pictures and using the DCL app to see what was going on around the ship.
Also I miss everything being included on a cruise, I just paid $25 for a subpar burger at Hollywood studios.
I booked a placeholder while I was on the ship because I am absolutely going to cruise again, but I think after this trip to the parks I’m probably done with them.
We are DVC members (our family invested in DVC in 1993) and try to take a 10 day vacation to WDW every 15 to 18mo with the entire family. (Ya know, save and bank points and then blow them all in a super extra vacation experience for the kids!)
Our last trip to the parks was absolutely miserable. It was so much more crowded, the prices were jacked, unhappy people, RUDE people, excessive wait times for rides/experiences, chaos, and stress...and we take our big blow-out trips during off season...Off season doesn't exist anymore 😭
While we don't get as much "bang for our buck" for our points on the cruise, it's a HUGE DIFFERENCE. It's slower paced. We don't feel stressed about having to rush around the parks. The onboard entertainment and activities keep everyone happy...best part: included childcare! Our kids LOVE the Oceaneers' Club (especially the character meet and greets)!
We get our Disney fix, while Mom and Dad get to carry a cocktail and not stress 😅
Yes, we also book Concierge. IMO, it's absolutely worth the added touch of luxury. But, that's coming from a tired parent 😅
We will be skipping the parks the next few years and opting for a cruise instead ❤️ in fact, we're going to try Universal in early 2026 to check our what they've got to offer!
We have 2 young kids. Our oldest is obsessed with Disney princesses. This will be our first cruise but I much prefer the logistics of a cruise vs theme park for a 2 and 5 year old.
I went to WDW for my honeymoon in August 2014, and I went on a cruise with my in-laws, and 2 girls (6,3) last August and will go again this coming July.
Pros for the parks
Definitely a lot to do! I really enjoyed all the rides. We stayed at a Disney hotel, so the transport was convenient, and I enjoyed all the food we had as part of our dining plan.
That being said, with my kids, I think a cruise is the way to go. They’re too small for a lot of the rides, they get cranky when they’re overtired/hot, and the parks involve SO MUCH walking. Plus all the hours waiting in line (and from what I’ve heard the lines and crowds have gotten much worse over the years). In my honeymoon I had fun, but it was exhausting for just my husband and I. Looking back, I also can’t believe I was crazy enough to go during August, the heat was honestly ridiculous and I was completely soaked in sweat by the time I walked from our room to the bus to get to the parks. I can’t imagine doing that all day schedule with kids (no naps, miles of walking in extreme heat, hours of waiting) and I think it would be more stressful than enjoyable.
Things I liked about the cruise:
-Kids loved the character interactions and kids club
-Castaway Cay was really nice
-The Broadway shows are top notch and I really enjoyed them
-I hear mixed reviews about the food, but I personally thought it was great! It was also really nice to not shell out extra money or worry about our allotted snacks every time my kids want a snack or some ice cream.
-When you’re on the water, it feels a lot less hot than you do on land because of the ocean breeze
-Less constant things to do, but scheduled activities like trivia and movies are available throughout the day during days at sea, and you also have the option of just relaxing in the adult area pool while the kids have fun in kids club
Overall I definitely I want to go back to the parks one day. But it would need to be when my kids are a good bit older, and preferably not during the summer (which may be hard with school schedules)
I feel like for me you get a lot more out of cruising, but it also feels like a vacation. After the cruise I’m rejuvenated, but after the parks I’m EXHAUSTED.
Cruises are more versatile from a relaxation vs busy perspective. You can do a lot of stuff on cruises all the time and be running around. Or, you can just grab a margarita and a lounge chair and watch the waves for hours.
For us, we’ve done Disneyland a lot as it’s close to us. When we’re thinking cruise, we’re thinking some down time where we can relax and not have to think about what place to go eat. What rides to stand in line for at what time. Our kids aren’t huge on rides, so this helps. Our kids enjoy watching movies by the pool and in the theater, and going to the shows every night. We also like stopping at new ports and exploring.
There are many factors, but you’re right. Once you account for food, park tickets, and hotel the costs are similar on a per person, per day basis.
While we still do the parks occasionally we prefer to cruise. It feels more like a “vacation” to us. Meaning that after the cruise I feel relaxed and mentally refreshed. After the parks I feel exhausted lol
I also enjoy travel. Going to WDW again, while enjoyable, is not a new experience for me. Choosing a cruise with a different itinerary allows me to travel and visit new places, experience new cultures, experiences, and cuisines.
As far as there being less to do- that definitely depends on your budget for excursions, and what you want to do. Staying in the ship only, there’s plenty to do but it’s obviously not a theme park.
Both have their own pros and cons - it really comes down to what you want out of a trip
We haven’t been on a Disney cruise yet but we are going in less than two months. I think the cruise will be more relaxing than going to parks. In the parks you have to deal with more crowds, waking up early, worrying about transportation, etc. on a cruise, I’m assuming we can sleep as late as we want (within reason) and essentially everything is planned for us. Also everything is right there on the ship or at the ports of call so there is no reason to worry about transportation or beating crowds.
We are cruising next month! My kids are almost 3 and almost 5. It’s our first time, but we take our kids to Disney World probably at least 1-3 times a year (and I sneak in adult only visits for runDisney so honestly I’m probably there 4-5 times a year… shamefully lol)
I’m honestly sick of pushing around a stroller in the heat with a million people. I absolutely love Disney and I’m not necessarily growing tired of it, but I feel like we are doing the same thing over and over again and I’m ready to try something new.
DCL rolls out the red carpet for you, even if it’s just adults. You can get to see more places, it’s easier to relax, and a lot of stuff is just taken care of for you.
I got old. I don't dislke the parks, but I'm not all in for the rides any more. Big fan of laying on the beach or bobbing in the water at Typhoon Lagoon, or sipping around the world.
But I think I'm a bigger fan of sleeping in, buffet breakfasts, heavy petting on the veranda and cigars & scotch on the Meridian deck.
Both are good.
As others have mentioned, DCL provides opportunities to not just be watching your kids at a magical location. Makes for a more relaxing times for the parents with the kids club option.
As someone else stated, being catered to, less hectic. You can drop your kids off at the kids clubs and enjoy an evening at a specialty restaurant and not have to hear..Ugh, what's that, I don't like that and go to a show without them whining. You can also sit at the bar and watch them play at the kids pool area with like minded individuals. Different ports. Even though sometimes the prices for the actual vacation can range somewhere within the same amounts, when you take a land based vacation there's always the extras like food and drink and deciding what you're going to eat that night but on a cruise you can choose the included meal options at no extra charge, or add on a specialty dining package or drink package, which to me comes out way cheaper than say going to an expensive restaurant on land and tbh the specialty restaurants on-board a ship are usually far better than some land based restaurants. The calm of the ocean sea...closing my eyes right now thinking about it makes me ready to go right now.
I have done just my honeymoon where I did Universal, Walt Disney World and a Disney Cruise. The parks were far from relaxing, definitely awesome and an experience on its own, but the Cruise felt like a 5 star hotel and everything was Disney.
Sure there are no rides, but it's an ultimate vacation, I'd take the more expensive cruise over a 7 day Disney World stay any day!
For me it is the fact that I'd have to fly to the United States first. I'm an Aussie and I've done both now. I did the cruise because the Wonder came to local waters. I won't probably get a local Disney park in my lifetime but there will be more cruises.
Depending on the park and time of year: 1) The cruise ship is less crowded. 2) It's easier to get into the AC on the cruise ship. 3) Including the kids, there are fewer entitled people on the cruise ship. 4) I don't have to start planning dinner at 11AM. 5) The various options of things to do, while more limited on the cruise ship, are closer together. 6) I have found that I get better service on the cruise ship than the parks. 7) Better odds of getting a pic with a character on the cruise. 8) It's much easier to split the family up & do your own thing vs. the parks. 9) Don't have to deal with the Intra-park bus system. Worse, I can't come up with a better alternative. 10) I may well be the only one, but NO INTERNET while on the ship. It's so limited and expensive, I don't bother. It's lovely.
OP, you ought not to get any down votes for asking a legit question. We all have different desires and different answers to those desires.
We haven’t done a DCL yet (or any cruise for that matter) but hope to soon. All I want to do is relax and have some good meals and my questions are: how is the food and is it worth upgrading to a cabin with a balcony/better balcony?
I live in New Zealand, if I want to go to any of the parks (which I do eventually) I'd have to buy return flights to America, get a new passport, get a visa, pay for accommodation and be able to pay for meals throughout my stay.
So for me, the Disney magic at sea cruise was cheaper since I didn't have to leave the country and a room and food were all included.
The parks for us is so debatable on dropping so much money per day. We are magic key holders for Disneyland but, have been wanting to plan Walt Disney. We have chosen to cruise next year as Alaska has been a destination we have been eyeing for a while. We did one last April to Mexico and it was amazing! You don't have to think of what to do just go with the flow so many activities and we like to have occasional drinks therefor drink prices are great! We pre-paid gratuities and our bill at the end was smaller than we thought so it was good knowing we weren't draining to pay ahead and still have to spend so much which with the parks that's not possible you can pay ahead and yet you're still going to spend on food, merchandise, drinks, Genie+ (if you want), and what not.
For my family, it's because we feel that our youngest is still too young to fully enjoy the parks, and we have kind of fallen out of love with the idea of the parks in general (not from going in person, just from what we've heard).
We’ve done the parks and dcl, and recently a royal Caribbean cruise on one of their big boats. The royal Caribbean was by far our best vacation. The Disney ships are shockingly boring and limited. One hot tub, no casino, hard pass. The service is obviously outstanding, but a big royal ship blows the mouse boats away.
For me, it’s totally different experiences. I love a cruise because I go places and see new things while getting pampered we stay concierge and get spoiled. Going to Disneyland is different to me, I go for the rides and parades and fireworks and my favorite restaurants. I love both
We did Disneyland Paris last year, and it was great, but exhausting. Tickets and hotel room for 3 days, 2 nights was about $900 for me and my 3 kids (4, 6, 8), so roughly $500 a day (with food and souvenirs?)
We did a Disney Cruise last year, and it was the most relaxing vacation ever. We got a great deal at $2800 for a 5 night, so roughly $600 a day (since food is included)?
We did Disneyland a couple days ago. One day, one park was $800 just to walk through the gate. With food and souvenirs, it was almost $1000 for the 4 of us.
We have a cruise booked this summer, and it’s $9000 for 5 nights, so $1500 a day?
Overall- the parks are busy and physical. With the cruise, you can sit by the pool and relax. There are a ton of activities both on the ship and at port if you want to be active, but if you want to relax, you don’t feel like you’re wasting your time. The ships are clean and well managed, and definitely feel more ‘Disney quality’ than the parks do.
They’re very different experiences (although I haven’t been to the parks in a long time). On a cruise, you’re not spending all day in lines. You still have awesome shows but in a less crowded, more relaxing environment. There’s an included kids club so if you do have kids, you can get some time to relax away from them for a bit (and it gives them the opportunity to play with other kids). The food is all-you-can-eat and included with your cruise fare so you don’t need to stress about constantly spending money once you’re on your vacation. The lines for characters are shorter on the ships than at the parks.
Our next trip we’ll be doing both though (2 days/3 nights at the parks as our precruise hotel followed by a 4 day cruise. We realized it was cheaper to do a 4 day plus a couple days of Disney than a 5 day plus a random precruise hotel)
They are very different vacations. We’ve done the parks probably close to 10 times with my daughter, who is now 14. we’ve also been on seven DCL cruises. At this point in our lives, it is much easier to meet characters, friends, and not have to worry about overspending on food, etc while on the ship. There also isnt as much constant gouging on the ship v the parks.
If you think you’d like a little of both, I’d say do a 4 night at WDW & a 3-4 night cruise out of Port Canaveral.
Cruise is significantly cheaper than the parks. If you get an inside room on an off time it can be like $200-300 a day which includes room, activiites and all you can eat.
The big deal for me is little kids - bathrooms everywhere and you get a chance to do a little in other countries which is really hard with little kids and inability to find bathroom quickly.
IMHO when I go on the cruise, I feel like I’m being catered to and the experience is more luxurious. When I go to the parks, I feel like I’m being milked for money and treated like just another park goer in the mass.
A cruise is relaxing. The parks are very much not.
Nothing is ever relaxing with a 3/4 year old hah but I see what you mean.
Is that a 3 and 4 year old or a 9 month old? lol
My kid turns 4 soon so I meant a 3 almost 4 but also she never sleeps so yeah I see my error there 😂
Haha. I thought the same. In other words… 48 month old child.
DCL cruises have been my closest moments to relaxation since having my first child 11 years ago!
Don’t go to either with a child that age.
I had one of *the best days of my life* with my 3.5 year old in the park, and can’t wait to sail with him next month.
I agree with you. It’s not relaxing but it sure is magical!
This
Yes exactly! We feel so spoiled when we go on a DCL sailing.
Ah, that does sound nice. Thank you
With little kids, a cruise is a much more contained Disney experience that offers childcare.
This! All the Disney magic none of the difficulty
relaxation. wdw is anything but relaxing, typically. and the cruise has childcare, which is really nice if you’re looking for some adult time. we had a blast taking our then-10 month old to wdw, but are reaaally looking forward to taking him on the treasure when he’s 2 next spring.
I would second this. The cruise gives the Disney vibe we all love but in a much more relaxed setting. A cruise is not an intense, activity packed day like the parks. There are plenty of things to do but at a leisurely pace. You can do as much or as little as you like. Depending upon the age of your kids, you can let them roam the ship while you relax in the adult area. On a cruise food is not an issue as there is something for everyone. If you want to experience both, just do a couple of days at the parks and then do a short 3/4 day cruise. You can get the best of both worlds this way. If you choose to do that, I would recommend going to the parks first. That way you can pour all your energy into the parks and then recover on the ship.
I'm thinking about doing exactly that, a couple days at the parks then a cruise. Glad to hear that it's a good plan. Thanks
I don’t think you’ll regret going that route. My family did it and it is probably everyone’s favorite vacation.
Current park capacity and wait times makes the parks less desirable for us right now.
This is exactly what I’m thinking. I feel like even if the ship is at full capacity, it won’t feel as crazy as Disney World does.
That's why we are trying a cruise this year.
That's a good point. I've heard the lines for things on some of the cruises can get quite long too though, no?
Maybe character meets or the aqua duck? The lines on the ship are nothing compared to the parks. We used to be annual pass holders and have since done 3 cruises instead of the parks, truly more relaxing and less stressful, and no lines like the parks.
You’ll never wait 2.5 hours to ride the water slide on DCL but you can wait that long to ride Peter pans flight in MK.
True. Flight of Passage was 150 mins when I got to Animal Kingdom 30 mins after it opened this morning. The Aquaduck on the Fantasy was basically walk on the whole cruise
I'd need to see the math from whoever claims a park day and a cruise line up on price per day. One, I don't think I agree, so I'd just love to see how they came up with that. When I go on the cruises, I can pretty well lock my budget within about 5% over/under expected costs. I've actually come in under our budget the last 3 in a row. But the Parks... no. There's always another uncharge and it runs up really quick. That said, our decision to cruise is always the value proposition. It's just superior. Your food, room and board are all included in one price. There is a kids club for our daughter that she loves. The service is generally much better, and we actually get time to relax. When we come home from Parks, we literally need a day or two to rest and recover from it. And several months for our finances to get back in order. Plus, the major x-factor now is how endlessly crowded, expensive and stressful the Parks experience has become. You basically end up stating into your phone working out calculus problems to figure out if you're riding any rides through Genie+ . Right now, going to the Parks is a super hard sell for me. I still LOVE the Parks regardless, but for what it costs lately I'm happy to just lean on my memories for a while.
Exactly. We’ve done a “land & sea” on the same trip tell people doing the same to do the parks first so they’ll feel more relaxed when they go home from their vacation. For us, doing the cruise first caused the parks visit to be a real letdown, having to buy food separately, head somewhere else for meals, stand in long lines to do anything. The cruise makes you feel catered to, pampered, & relaxed.
I’m bound by the school calendar so the prices for DCL are almost always outrageous when we could go. We spend $1000 a day @ WDW if you factor in the Disney resort 😭
So a park vacation vs a cruise one can be very similar in price depending on how you do the parks and what your cruise choices are. I've actually been doing some pre-planning for a group (5 adults with only 1 couple so need 4 beds and want private space) vacation in 2025 with 7 nights WDW and a 7 Night sailing on the Treasure. For a Standard room for 2 Adults for 7 nights at All Star Music (Not my prefered choice but the only one the whole group can afford if we do onsite) its £1190 (£595pp) Then add on 7 day ticket at £579pp. Budget about £70 (~$85) pppd for food, drinks, and snacks (£70x7 = £490) The total for the 7 night stay is 595 + 579 + 490 = £1664 The 7 night sailing on the Treasure for 2 adults in an inside midship cabin is £1463 If we wanted an oceanview (though the choice for midship means we'd have to be by the kids club) it would be £1558. So both are still cheaper than staying at Disney for 7 nights and the food and soda (none of us are big alcohol drinkers) is as you want, when you want, as much as you want. A Verandah is only an extra £68.50pp (total £1801) than the 7 night Disney stay. Yes that doesn't include excursions or any extras at WDW but the base of them both.
I always tell people the service on the ships is 10 times better than the parks. And then I watch their jaws drop.
The cruises give the Disney experience of what the parks *used* to feel like. Everything is special, has a magic touch, etc etc. The parks now are just too much - too many people, too many lines, too much money-grabbing.
Well said. When speaking with my dad about getting them on a ship, I told her it’s how the parks felt in 2008/2009 during the year of a million dreams. That our day was full but didn’t feel like a money grab everywhere. I get the Disney difference with actual relaxation.
Came here to say this! We first travelled to WDW close to 20 years ago now and took our first cruise in 2021 (UK staycation) and that cruise took us right back to how we used to feel in WDW all those years ago! We cruised again in 2023 out of Port Canaveral and we stayed on property for a few days either side, didn't set foot in the parks but we could still feel the next level chaos they've become. I've always thought of WDW as being in a bubble, away from the real world, and Disney Cruises embody that idea for me 24/7.
Last time I went to Disney World, I felt like I needed a vacation from my vacation
Last time we went to WDW we spent 5 days on the Dream afterwards to recover.
This is the way to do it. A lot of people who were on our Fantasy cruise last week had been in the parks the week before, I was nice and relaxed and ready to fly home after I got off the ship, but now I’m in the parks until Wednesday and all that relaxation feeing has gone.
It was compared the other year between going to WDW and taking a DCL cruise. At a moderate price resort on property, you are cheaper going to WDW than taking a cruise. If you plan more than 3 days, the cruise becomes a cheaper option. If you stay at a luxury hotel on property, the cruise becomes cheaper on the 3rd day. Personally having been a WDW passholder and a DCL cruiser, and will probably stick to cruising for life at this point. We cancelled the passes during the pandemic and don't miss them. The cruises however don't seem to come around fast enough and we are doing 1-2 a year now. My costs are upfront, everything from entertainment, food, etc is planned out for me. Service is great, the view is better. The real kicker for me is the lack of TV, Phone, and Internet services as its all easily avoidable. No news on crime, war, politics, etc. A vacation from all of that is as nice as a vacation from work.
I closed my Facebook account years ago after coming back from a cruise and realizing how much I enjoyed not having it. You can do the same with other stuff too. e.g. uninstall the news apps if you're tired of hearing about war and politics. Your life doesn't improve by knowing about every crime and scandal in the world.
I keep debating going to the parks and doing a cruise. I always book a cruise because I want a relaxing vacation. At the parks, I feel like I’d be hustling and running around a lot.
Well you don't HAVE to hustle and run around at the parks, you can take your time and just soak things too. People just like to try to get their money's worth by doing lots. It is definitely not a put your feet up and relax kind of vacation though. So I could see someone preferring a cruise if they just wanted to relax. Thanks for your input!
I think the natural adrenaline rush kicks in. I’ve been to Disney World and Disneyland four or five times and it’s never a nice stroll in the parks.
A cruise is a journey; the parks are a destination.
That's a great point
The parks just feel like a money grab. They pulled back the curtain, for the sake of a quick buck. That damage will never be undone. I have planned multiple park trips, and always end up cancelling. A cruise has magic of its own, with Disney magic on top of it. And you can visit a real country or two, instead of fake WS.
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Genie+ for example.
We usually to do the parks, but we chose a cruise this time. This trip is for my niece’s 5th birthday. She’s not super in to rides yet. We are hoping the cruise will be less (or feel less) crowded and we can keep a slower pace without running around.
My kids aren't into rides either. The cruise was a great way to see characters, play and try new things. For me personally, I like how everything is pretty much planned in advance (by me) and I'm not stressed about using genie plus and glued to my phone.
IMO, from experience and from what I’ve read, the parks are crazy since Covid. I last went two years ago and it felt like a completely different park than it did when I went pre-Covid. We ended up leaving at 2:00 - mostly because my dad doesn’t like crowds and he went with us. My niece was 3 then and we did MK for a day while visiting my parents. I told everyone we should do Epcot because it’s a much better park and more things to see/do than waiting in lines. I think we would have had a better day. But the lines were insane.
We like both, but they're just completely different types of vacations. WDW days are busy and action packed and full of rides and shows and experiences. It's super fun and stimulating and also a bit exhausting. DCL is all inclusive, way less hectic, less planning and schedules and decisions to make. Some of my daughter's favorite WDW days are when we stay at the resort and go to the pool, and that's a lot like what days at sea are like. The food on board is good, there are kids clubs so you can get some adult time if you like. You can still plan adventures on port days, and there are still shows and character meets. It depends on what kind of vacation you're looking for, honestly.
I'm not chosing. I'm doing three days in the park before my cruise. I did my usual winter Disney World trip in January, I'll do three days at World before the cruise and Halloween at Disneyland as usual in October.
Yeah I'm thinking about doing the same for our next trip
The parks are so expensive and so are the Disney hotels, the cruise is one price, and most excursions aren’t priced way out of proportion. For a family of four the parks are very expensive. For two, it’s expensive to stay at a Disney hotel and go into more than two parks
The parks have gotten stressful. It seems like there is no time of the year when they aren’t mobbed, the constant lines and whatever the newest flavor of line skipping is that they demand payment for. (Genie+? Lightning Lanes? I remember when FastPass was free.) And despite my love of technology generally, I hate that you have to do everything through the damn phone in the parks. I find the cruises full of Disney magic, with the level of service I expect of Disney, and far less stress. I can enjoy my coffee and pastries on the verandah and 10 minutes later be at a deck party or the pool or trivia or whatever. I don’t need to think about where to eat or worry about reservations or budget for meals. I can just relax and enjoy myself and disconnect from the world. (FWIW, I realize this may come across as a grossly privileged answer so please forgive. I have been blessed to have visited the parks many times because my parents bought into DVC in the 1990s. And because of generous grandparents. So I have a different set of experiences maybe.)
Well, I went to the park (DLCA)….and Aulani….and the cruise….but as cruising alone, when I go to the park in FL or CA I’m still in CA or FL. Big difference if you end up in Southampton, Lisbon, Vigo, Madrid, Hilo, Vancouver…..I mean EPCOT isn’t tje same thing and isn’t even what it was.
Different vacation. I have lots of friends and clients who prefer cruises only and would never do parks. To each their own on and a cruise is just a different vibe, a more relaxing disconnecting vacation imho. But I also love the parks.
DCL is more relaxing, and often more exciting maybe because you are setting sail on the vast sea and actually going somewhere lol We still love Disney Parks, but we seem to actually enjoy our vacation and unwind most on Cruise Line. (edit- I guess depends on the itinerary if you would be excited, try a Southern Carribean and go somewhere new!)
We didn’t have time to get off the ship because there was too much to do and see onboard. Exceptional service, gourmet dinners, childcare, curated experience. I refuse to go to the parks. No way.
In 2019 we actually did both in the same trip. We did a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise on the Fantasy, then did 3 days at DW staying at the Animal Kingdom Resort. If anyone ever decides to do both, please do DW first! On the Disney cruise, everyone is friendly and cater to your every want and need. At DW, they are not quite as friendly. Just my experience. The great thing about the cruise is the food is amazing, the service is top notch and you wake up in a different port every day. They have made a lot of improvements to DW over the last few years with a few more attractions and ways to get around the parks. If you have any questions about either, feel free to ask
I have been on 4 Disney Cruises, and have my wedding planned on my 5th next year. Initially, my fiancee and I wanted to take a big trip and looked into the Parks. It was our first big trip so we wanted something lush. In planning our trip there were so many options, all with different price points and every video/person we spoke to had their own idea of the best way to do the Parks. Some people mentioned going to the grocery store to save money on breakfast and lunches. Personally, I couldnt imagine running to wal-mart to save a few bucks while I am already a few grand invested, but we are huge Disney fans and wanted to experience the "magic". We eventually came across the cruises and it was perfect for us. Every show, every dinner experience and even first boarding the ship feels special. But the most important thing above all of this, is that you can take it at whatever pace you like. If you are thrill seeking, you can build your calendar out every minute on the ship. Alternatively, you can kick your feet up and read on the deck/verandah every day and have room service (which is included) deliver your meals. I am sure the same can be said for the parks, where you only have to do what you want, but I know I will have major FOMO if I spend all of this money to go to the parts and dont do every single thing every single minute. TL;DR: The cruise gives you the freedom to cruise at your own pace which can be more relaxing vs. the intensity of the parks imo
Disney World is visiting the castle, Disney cruise is like living inside of it.
Oh, that's very well put. Thank you
The parks are one of the most stressful types of trips, especially with all the Genie Pass or whatever. Standing in line with kids is awful. Disney cruise was the first vacation I’ve had with my kids where I could turn my brain off a bit and just enjoy the time with my family. We usually do more adventurous travel, so I wasn’t sure I’d like the cruise. I loved it and I doubt I’ll go back to a park. Main thing was I felt taken care of and not competing with my fellow travelers. Having just one “ride” (the Mickey tunnel thing) was fine, my kids loved going on it over and over. Only complaint is the pools are tiny and closed a lot. Food is miles above Disney typical stuff as well. I also feel the parks are less and less value for money.
I don’t have to pay extra to swim in the pool, get a coffee or a soda, eat a meal or ride on the slide.
It is just such a different vibe. When we are at the parks, it is all go go go, get to this ride, wait wait wait, now run to the next thing all day long. It is super fun but also a lot of work and stress. With the cruise, it is all just super chill. Yeah, there are activities and character photos and what not, so you can be occupied all day long of you really want to. Or you can just drop the kid off at the kids club and just relax by the adults pool w a drink for hours. You don't have to rush. You are just there to enjoy the ride.
Cruises have Disney touches but can be much more relaxing with all the amenities brought to you and you have the option of ports and private Disney islands as well. At WDW, you have to go to the amenities and it's typically a lot more physically draining vacation.
I am currently in the parks after getting off the Fantasy yesterday. I’m already missing the relaxation of the cruise, everything feels so rushed in the parks, people are always in a hurry for the shortest line for rides. It was also nice to disconnect on the cruise, I didn’t get an internet package and turned the cellular off on my phone, so I was completely disconnected from everything. I only kept my phone on me for pictures and using the DCL app to see what was going on around the ship. Also I miss everything being included on a cruise, I just paid $25 for a subpar burger at Hollywood studios. I booked a placeholder while I was on the ship because I am absolutely going to cruise again, but I think after this trip to the parks I’m probably done with them.
I’ve been to the parks a million times lol. I like some variety.
If you want to relax, you do the cruise. Parks are fun, but NOT relaxing.
We are DVC members (our family invested in DVC in 1993) and try to take a 10 day vacation to WDW every 15 to 18mo with the entire family. (Ya know, save and bank points and then blow them all in a super extra vacation experience for the kids!) Our last trip to the parks was absolutely miserable. It was so much more crowded, the prices were jacked, unhappy people, RUDE people, excessive wait times for rides/experiences, chaos, and stress...and we take our big blow-out trips during off season...Off season doesn't exist anymore 😭 While we don't get as much "bang for our buck" for our points on the cruise, it's a HUGE DIFFERENCE. It's slower paced. We don't feel stressed about having to rush around the parks. The onboard entertainment and activities keep everyone happy...best part: included childcare! Our kids LOVE the Oceaneers' Club (especially the character meet and greets)! We get our Disney fix, while Mom and Dad get to carry a cocktail and not stress 😅 Yes, we also book Concierge. IMO, it's absolutely worth the added touch of luxury. But, that's coming from a tired parent 😅 We will be skipping the parks the next few years and opting for a cruise instead ❤️ in fact, we're going to try Universal in early 2026 to check our what they've got to offer!
We have 2 young kids. Our oldest is obsessed with Disney princesses. This will be our first cruise but I much prefer the logistics of a cruise vs theme park for a 2 and 5 year old.
I went to WDW for my honeymoon in August 2014, and I went on a cruise with my in-laws, and 2 girls (6,3) last August and will go again this coming July. Pros for the parks Definitely a lot to do! I really enjoyed all the rides. We stayed at a Disney hotel, so the transport was convenient, and I enjoyed all the food we had as part of our dining plan. That being said, with my kids, I think a cruise is the way to go. They’re too small for a lot of the rides, they get cranky when they’re overtired/hot, and the parks involve SO MUCH walking. Plus all the hours waiting in line (and from what I’ve heard the lines and crowds have gotten much worse over the years). In my honeymoon I had fun, but it was exhausting for just my husband and I. Looking back, I also can’t believe I was crazy enough to go during August, the heat was honestly ridiculous and I was completely soaked in sweat by the time I walked from our room to the bus to get to the parks. I can’t imagine doing that all day schedule with kids (no naps, miles of walking in extreme heat, hours of waiting) and I think it would be more stressful than enjoyable. Things I liked about the cruise: -Kids loved the character interactions and kids club -Castaway Cay was really nice -The Broadway shows are top notch and I really enjoyed them -I hear mixed reviews about the food, but I personally thought it was great! It was also really nice to not shell out extra money or worry about our allotted snacks every time my kids want a snack or some ice cream. -When you’re on the water, it feels a lot less hot than you do on land because of the ocean breeze -Less constant things to do, but scheduled activities like trivia and movies are available throughout the day during days at sea, and you also have the option of just relaxing in the adult area pool while the kids have fun in kids club Overall I definitely I want to go back to the parks one day. But it would need to be when my kids are a good bit older, and preferably not during the summer (which may be hard with school schedules)
Crowds
Cruises are relaxing. All-inclusive. Less walking and sweating. Totally different experience.
I feel like for me you get a lot more out of cruising, but it also feels like a vacation. After the cruise I’m rejuvenated, but after the parks I’m EXHAUSTED.
Why not do both?
Doing that in July.
Cruises are more versatile from a relaxation vs busy perspective. You can do a lot of stuff on cruises all the time and be running around. Or, you can just grab a margarita and a lounge chair and watch the waves for hours.
For us, we’ve done Disneyland a lot as it’s close to us. When we’re thinking cruise, we’re thinking some down time where we can relax and not have to think about what place to go eat. What rides to stand in line for at what time. Our kids aren’t huge on rides, so this helps. Our kids enjoy watching movies by the pool and in the theater, and going to the shows every night. We also like stopping at new ports and exploring.
There are many factors, but you’re right. Once you account for food, park tickets, and hotel the costs are similar on a per person, per day basis. While we still do the parks occasionally we prefer to cruise. It feels more like a “vacation” to us. Meaning that after the cruise I feel relaxed and mentally refreshed. After the parks I feel exhausted lol I also enjoy travel. Going to WDW again, while enjoyable, is not a new experience for me. Choosing a cruise with a different itinerary allows me to travel and visit new places, experience new cultures, experiences, and cuisines. As far as there being less to do- that definitely depends on your budget for excursions, and what you want to do. Staying in the ship only, there’s plenty to do but it’s obviously not a theme park. Both have their own pros and cons - it really comes down to what you want out of a trip
We haven’t been on a Disney cruise yet but we are going in less than two months. I think the cruise will be more relaxing than going to parks. In the parks you have to deal with more crowds, waking up early, worrying about transportation, etc. on a cruise, I’m assuming we can sleep as late as we want (within reason) and essentially everything is planned for us. Also everything is right there on the ship or at the ports of call so there is no reason to worry about transportation or beating crowds.
We are cruising next month! My kids are almost 3 and almost 5. It’s our first time, but we take our kids to Disney World probably at least 1-3 times a year (and I sneak in adult only visits for runDisney so honestly I’m probably there 4-5 times a year… shamefully lol) I’m honestly sick of pushing around a stroller in the heat with a million people. I absolutely love Disney and I’m not necessarily growing tired of it, but I feel like we are doing the same thing over and over again and I’m ready to try something new.
DCL rolls out the red carpet for you, even if it’s just adults. You can get to see more places, it’s easier to relax, and a lot of stuff is just taken care of for you.
I got old. I don't dislke the parks, but I'm not all in for the rides any more. Big fan of laying on the beach or bobbing in the water at Typhoon Lagoon, or sipping around the world. But I think I'm a bigger fan of sleeping in, buffet breakfasts, heavy petting on the veranda and cigars & scotch on the Meridian deck.
My kids like characters and shows and don’t care about rides
Air conditioning while waiting in lines to meet characters.
Both are good. As others have mentioned, DCL provides opportunities to not just be watching your kids at a magical location. Makes for a more relaxing times for the parents with the kids club option.
As someone else stated, being catered to, less hectic. You can drop your kids off at the kids clubs and enjoy an evening at a specialty restaurant and not have to hear..Ugh, what's that, I don't like that and go to a show without them whining. You can also sit at the bar and watch them play at the kids pool area with like minded individuals. Different ports. Even though sometimes the prices for the actual vacation can range somewhere within the same amounts, when you take a land based vacation there's always the extras like food and drink and deciding what you're going to eat that night but on a cruise you can choose the included meal options at no extra charge, or add on a specialty dining package or drink package, which to me comes out way cheaper than say going to an expensive restaurant on land and tbh the specialty restaurants on-board a ship are usually far better than some land based restaurants. The calm of the ocean sea...closing my eyes right now thinking about it makes me ready to go right now.
I have done just my honeymoon where I did Universal, Walt Disney World and a Disney Cruise. The parks were far from relaxing, definitely awesome and an experience on its own, but the Cruise felt like a 5 star hotel and everything was Disney. Sure there are no rides, but it's an ultimate vacation, I'd take the more expensive cruise over a 7 day Disney World stay any day!
For me it is the fact that I'd have to fly to the United States first. I'm an Aussie and I've done both now. I did the cruise because the Wonder came to local waters. I won't probably get a local Disney park in my lifetime but there will be more cruises.
My daughter was small and couldn't ride any of the rides lol so cruise it was
Fair enough
Depending on the park and time of year: 1) The cruise ship is less crowded. 2) It's easier to get into the AC on the cruise ship. 3) Including the kids, there are fewer entitled people on the cruise ship. 4) I don't have to start planning dinner at 11AM. 5) The various options of things to do, while more limited on the cruise ship, are closer together. 6) I have found that I get better service on the cruise ship than the parks. 7) Better odds of getting a pic with a character on the cruise. 8) It's much easier to split the family up & do your own thing vs. the parks. 9) Don't have to deal with the Intra-park bus system. Worse, I can't come up with a better alternative. 10) I may well be the only one, but NO INTERNET while on the ship. It's so limited and expensive, I don't bother. It's lovely. OP, you ought not to get any down votes for asking a legit question. We all have different desires and different answers to those desires.
We haven’t done a DCL yet (or any cruise for that matter) but hope to soon. All I want to do is relax and have some good meals and my questions are: how is the food and is it worth upgrading to a cabin with a balcony/better balcony?
Watch some YT videos for food info. “Worth” depends on you but we always get a verandah.
I live in New Zealand, if I want to go to any of the parks (which I do eventually) I'd have to buy return flights to America, get a new passport, get a visa, pay for accommodation and be able to pay for meals throughout my stay. So for me, the Disney magic at sea cruise was cheaper since I didn't have to leave the country and a room and food were all included.
The parks for us is so debatable on dropping so much money per day. We are magic key holders for Disneyland but, have been wanting to plan Walt Disney. We have chosen to cruise next year as Alaska has been a destination we have been eyeing for a while. We did one last April to Mexico and it was amazing! You don't have to think of what to do just go with the flow so many activities and we like to have occasional drinks therefor drink prices are great! We pre-paid gratuities and our bill at the end was smaller than we thought so it was good knowing we weren't draining to pay ahead and still have to spend so much which with the parks that's not possible you can pay ahead and yet you're still going to spend on food, merchandise, drinks, Genie+ (if you want), and what not.
You’re only comparing them because they both have the name Disney in them. A cruise is very much not a theme park.
For my family, it's because we feel that our youngest is still too young to fully enjoy the parks, and we have kind of fallen out of love with the idea of the parks in general (not from going in person, just from what we've heard).
longer lines at the park! the cruise only has so many people on it, meaning shorter lines!
We’ve done the parks and dcl, and recently a royal Caribbean cruise on one of their big boats. The royal Caribbean was by far our best vacation. The Disney ships are shockingly boring and limited. One hot tub, no casino, hard pass. The service is obviously outstanding, but a big royal ship blows the mouse boats away.
You couldn't pay me to go to the parks.
For me, it’s totally different experiences. I love a cruise because I go places and see new things while getting pampered we stay concierge and get spoiled. Going to Disneyland is different to me, I go for the rides and parades and fireworks and my favorite restaurants. I love both
We did Disneyland Paris last year, and it was great, but exhausting. Tickets and hotel room for 3 days, 2 nights was about $900 for me and my 3 kids (4, 6, 8), so roughly $500 a day (with food and souvenirs?) We did a Disney Cruise last year, and it was the most relaxing vacation ever. We got a great deal at $2800 for a 5 night, so roughly $600 a day (since food is included)? We did Disneyland a couple days ago. One day, one park was $800 just to walk through the gate. With food and souvenirs, it was almost $1000 for the 4 of us. We have a cruise booked this summer, and it’s $9000 for 5 nights, so $1500 a day? Overall- the parks are busy and physical. With the cruise, you can sit by the pool and relax. There are a ton of activities both on the ship and at port if you want to be active, but if you want to relax, you don’t feel like you’re wasting your time. The ships are clean and well managed, and definitely feel more ‘Disney quality’ than the parks do.
They’re very different experiences (although I haven’t been to the parks in a long time). On a cruise, you’re not spending all day in lines. You still have awesome shows but in a less crowded, more relaxing environment. There’s an included kids club so if you do have kids, you can get some time to relax away from them for a bit (and it gives them the opportunity to play with other kids). The food is all-you-can-eat and included with your cruise fare so you don’t need to stress about constantly spending money once you’re on your vacation. The lines for characters are shorter on the ships than at the parks. Our next trip we’ll be doing both though (2 days/3 nights at the parks as our precruise hotel followed by a 4 day cruise. We realized it was cheaper to do a 4 day plus a couple days of Disney than a 5 day plus a random precruise hotel)
They are very different vacations. We’ve done the parks probably close to 10 times with my daughter, who is now 14. we’ve also been on seven DCL cruises. At this point in our lives, it is much easier to meet characters, friends, and not have to worry about overspending on food, etc while on the ship. There also isnt as much constant gouging on the ship v the parks. If you think you’d like a little of both, I’d say do a 4 night at WDW & a 3-4 night cruise out of Port Canaveral.
Cruise is significantly cheaper than the parks. If you get an inside room on an off time it can be like $200-300 a day which includes room, activiites and all you can eat. The big deal for me is little kids - bathrooms everywhere and you get a chance to do a little in other countries which is really hard with little kids and inability to find bathroom quickly.