advice on Disney trips - cruises, adventures, etc. 9, 7, 4 year old kids

[buzzwoody]

Hi,

I'm new. Does anyone have advice on Disney trips - cruises, adventures, etc. 9, 7, 4 year old kids.

We've gone to Disneyland and Disneyworld and want to branch out. Looking for something reasonable. I don't like normal amusement parks, but Disney knocked my socks off. It was truly magical I must say. What's a good first cruise or adventure outside the park you'd recommend?

Thanks!

 

[Master Yoda]

If you have never cruised before I would recommend one of the shorter 3-4 day itineraries.

They are long enough to enjoy and get into the swing of things, but no so long that it is a complete bust if it is not your thing.

Reasonable as far as price goes is going to be hard. Not only are you having to deal wit the fact that it is Disney and they can charge a premium, but you will be traveling during higher demand seasons unless you take the kids out of school.

That being said, I have done 3 Disney cruises with a 4th coming up next year and have never once regretted writing the check. I can't say the same for other cruise lines.

 

[buzzwoody]

Thanks! my wife and I have cruised once before, but that was before kids. we did western carribean on Royal and had a good experience. We're coming from the midwest so would probably want to go for longer. Any good destinations you recommend? Which ones did you go on.. my wife really wants to do a European cruise, but I tend to agree with you about doing a shorter (and closer) one first.

Thanks!

 

[Master Yoda]

I have yet to do one of the European cruises so I will not be of much help there.

Most of the shorter cruises do the standard stops at Nassau and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. They are starting to do 4-5 night cruises that make a single stop in Nassau and 2 stops at Castaway Cay as well as some three night cruises that just go to Castaway Cay.

Nassau is OK. I am not much on the straw market, but doing one of the guided tours of Atlantis is enjoyable and there are a number of excursions that are fun.

Castaway Cay has however been the highlight of every Disney cruise we have taken. Our next cruise is a 5 day one with two stops at Castaway Cay and we will most likely stay on the boat when we are in Nassau and soak up as much of Castaway Cay as possible.

 

[DisneyJill]

have you considered an adventures by disney excursion? there are so many to choose from, and plenty of european itineraries. there is one that goes to norway that looks absolutely amazing to me. what about aulani, the disney resort in hawaii?

 

[hanwill]

Do a Disney cruise. We went with our kids that were, 14, 12, and 3. The older two were a little hesitant to go to the clubs at first, but they went and then we hardly saw them the rest of the trip. They loved it and are asking us when we can go back again with them. They have said it was one of their favorite vacations. And they LOVED castaway Cay-and they did different activities there too. We did the western cruise, with stops in St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. Afterwards, we wished there were two days at Castaway Cay. We loved that vacation. It's a good trip for the kids, and Disney does an amazing job of playing with them in the kids areas, and keeping them safe.

 

[21stamps]

My opinion- Do a DCL cruise. Adventures by Disney is ridiculously priced (again, my opinion), there are other companies out there who do travel tours, and to me are more of an "authentic" trip than with Disney. Coming from the midwest with kids in the age range you mentioned, I would choose a Western Caribbean (mostly bc of the excursions) on the Fantasy.

Maybe ABD is completely wonderful and "worth" the price to some, admittedly I do not have personal experience with them. I have been to Europe several times though, and I don't see their tours as justifiable in price for us.