Table Of Content
This price depends on A LOT though and can go up and down accordingly. Do you want to relax by the pool while your kids play in the kids club? Depending on the season you visit you could see busy crowds or low crowds. In this article we will be breaking down the pros and cons to help you decide on a Disney World or Disney Cruise vacation.
Which Should You Choose?
Disney cruise food: The ultimate guide to restaurants and dining on board - The Points Guy
Disney cruise food: The ultimate guide to restaurants and dining on board.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:06:05 GMT [source]
Looking at a Disney cruise versus Disney World, it's hard to say which is the better family vacation. That can be tough for anyone not used to that pace (and heat), but it can be an especially challenging vacation for those who are significantly older or younger than the rest of their group. For a Disney Cruise Line sailing, you'll have to decide if you prefer a newer or more classic ship, where you want to go, which port to sail from and how many days you wish to sail.
Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Food
From the stunning landscapes of Iceland to the historic streets of Dublin, these ports offer a truly unforgettable experience. These excursions provide a wonderful opportunity to discover the unique local attractions and create unforgettable memories. But the Caribbean is not just about its natural beauty; it is also a melting pot of diverse cultures and traditions. One of the highlights of a Disney cruise in the Caribbean is the opportunity to savor the flavors of Caribbean cuisine.
Which is Best for Your Family?
Disney World can be particularly crowded, especially during peak seasons. A Disney cruise, while still busy, often feels less overwhelming due to the limited number of passengers and more expansive space. That’s why this section of Disney Cruise vs Disney World is a much clearer winner. The reality is that a Disney cruise can be cheaper or more expensive than a Disney World vacation, largely depending on when you sail — and, of course, which cabin you choose.
The location of Port Canaveral makes it easy to combine a Disney World vacation and Disney cruise. There are 3 and 4 night Bahamian cruises through Disney Cruise Line, and the ability to book port transfers to and from Disney World Resorts makes the logistics a breeze. We’ve visited Disney World before a cruise before, but we know a lot of people that enjoy going to Disney after a cruise.
Disney Cruise Line Building Second Cruise Ship Destination in Bahamas
But while there are fewer characters on a Disney Cruise but the interactions tend to be more accessible and low-key. Many of the activities you’ll find onboard a Disney cruise are similar to those on any cruise ship. Disney Cruise Line has five ships, Dream, Fantasy, Magic, Wish, and Wonder. Each has unique offerings, and we recommend exploring each of them in-depth.
Disney Cruise Line in the Winter: Very Merrytime Cruises, Pixar Day at Sea, Marvel Day at Sea, and more!
There are restaurants for just about every cuisine and so many themes. These include Japanese, Moroccan, regional Italian, African, Mexican, and so much more. Each ship has specific areas and activities for kids of various ages and adults. There are kids’ clubs where parents can drop their little ones to enjoy adult time at bars and lounges.
The Disney Cruise Lines cost is paid up front so you won’t have as many unexpected costs. I priced out a 3 day Bahama cruise out of Port Canaveral for my family and the total came to $4,300.00. There are pros and cons to comparing Disney World over Disney Cruise trip.
Should Your Next Family Trip Be a Disney Cruise or Disney World?
They get to know you and you get to know them, and they make your dining service amazing. (I mean, WHAT?!?) Plus you have stateroom hosts who clean and prepare your room twice a day to a level of detail I have never experienced. In all their parks and experiences, they have Cast Members who are ready to make your vacation the best it can be. Disney Cruise Line offers a smaller variety of characters, BUT you have more opportunities to interact with those characters and it feels more relaxed. On our recent cruise we saw all the classic Disney characters, several princesses, Captain Hook and Smee, Stitch, and we even ran into some Marvel characters one morning. Characters seem to be almost always out in the atrium with relatively short lines.
Popular Disney characters are all over the cruise ship, and the lines for meet and greets are WAY shorter than those at Disney World. Now, a Disney Cruise Line vacation also features additional items you will want to include in your budget. We won’t go into a ton of detail here on tipping since you can read all about the set amounts in our post on calculating Disney Cruise Line gratuities. But, a family of four on a 4-night cruise can expect to pay around $232 for gratuities. For the sake of this article, we will budget for park tickets for our family of four visiting one park each day (no Park Hopper). At the time of this writing, 4 tickets to each Disney park costs just over $2400.
Here’s a cost breakdown comparing the price of a Disney Cruise trip and a Walt Disney World trip. These prices were calculated thanks to our partners at Get Away Today. Finally, prices for a Disney Cruise tend to increase the closer you get to your selected sail date. This is not necessarily true for a Walt Disney World Resort hotel cost. Bringing pets onboard the newest MSC cruise ship is limited to certain areas and cabins.
Whether you are taking a road trip or flying to a Disney cruise, it’s always recommended to arrive the day before. (Unless you live close enough to drive right to port in the morning.) Similarly, most people prefer to fly or drive to Disney World the night before visiting the parks so they can get an early start. When the kids were young we loved the standard dining plan because we hit up a lot of character meals. However, more recently we have been choosing the quick service plan because the kids prefer eating quick and hitting up more rides. For more information on the Disney Dining Plan see this post from Disney Tourist Blog. If you’re a Disney fan, there’s no doubt that you’ll love heading on a cruise or heading to the theme park.
Staying at a Disney resort during a Disney World trip has its perks. It offers convenience with included transportation and extra magic hours. Comparing costs, a resort stay is generally more affordable than a Disney cruise.
From character dining experiences to quick-service meals, there are options for every taste and budget. Disney World offers a more traditional theme park adventure with a vast array of attractions and experiences. A Disney cruise provides a more relaxed vacation with the convenience of having most of your entertainment and dining included, along with unique Disney-themed onboard activities and shows. If you’re looking for a jam-packed Disney vacation, Disney World will be more your speed, but if you like leisure, buffets, and relaxation, a Disney Cruise is for you.
