atlantan123

Thinking about next years family vacation and considering two options.Will be traveling w/a 3 year old and an 18 month old. Have flown already w/both and gone on a boat. Not a 7 night cruise like we are considering and plus don't know what it will be like w/both of them walking yet. So I am asking advice from people who have done it, it would be really great to hear from anyone who has done the Beaches all-inclusive and/or a 7 night Disney cruise with similar age kids. Also, the type of room you had and what you thought of the childcare. Thanks so much!

WannabeinaMontserrat

How about neither, what are kids that age going to do in either place ?

atlantan123

wannabe - pool,beach,have fun. do you have any experience with either? They have baby/kid activities. Keywords - Disney and Beaches. Oh, I guess maybe you think we should stay home until they are 5 or older - not gonna happen.

mcmckissic1

Hi there...we have not done Beaches but I heard that it is wonderful. We just returned from our first Disney cruise in April and my kids are 7 and 4. IMO, I would not do a Disney cruise with kids any younger than that, (7 & 4), this is my opinion. When our kids were that age, all they waanted to do was play in the water and the sand on the beach. I would do a beach trip for now, save the cruise for a few years down the road.

kelliebellie

I don't like to bash members, but come on Wannabe, why take the time to answer a question in an insulting manner? Maybe if the op was talking about taking them to France, you could offer your advice to stay home. Spending relaxing downtime with your babies is a wonderful experience for both parent and child.

Anyway, we've taken our babies to Grand Cayman twice and had a great time. They do love the beach and pool. They aren't crazy about the ocean.

Both times in Grand Cayman we rented a condo. It was so nice to have laundry and a kitchen. When we stayed at a Beaches in Turks and Caicos they had coin operated laundry.

I would assume your room would be bigger at Beaches.

Make sure both have a decent babysitting option so you and your husband can have a couple of nice dinners alone.

The other thing about Beaches is there is always food available. They have nice buffets by the pool so you don't even have to put on shoes to eat.

atlantan123

thanks for the responses, mcmc and kellie

WannabeinaMontserrat

My children (6 & 3) are well traveled. I am very anti-Disney particularly for children of that age & don't care for A/I's or resorts either. Too me, neither would ne an option. Please excuse my snipe. By the same token, don't presume about others either. PS - I don't pawn my kids off on stamgers/ babysitters when they travel w/us either. BTW - My oldest has been to France, twice.

atlantan123

I am not sure how entertaining your kids and letting them play with other kids in a fun environment is "pawning" them off. We would be with them most of the time, this would just be a part of the fun for the week. Anyway, we like cruises and all-inclusive resorts in general. mcmc - being that you just went on the cruise, why do you think we should wait - i really appreciate your good feedback! i am concerned about the cabins - like kellie said. thanks

spirobulldog

We took our now 14 year old 3 times to Disney before age 5. First time she was still in diapers. I can promise you it was fun for us and her as well. She has done the Disney Cruise twice. Once with us on a 3 day and once with her grandparents on a 4 day. I think the 7 day might get to be a little lengthy, but I am not really into cruising that much. You might consider a land/cruise package. We did that one time and really enjoyed it. Actually the boat with a smaller child makes pretty good sense. You can go to your room very easily at any time. Their is plenty to keep the 3 year old busy for a few days. Lots of show, etc. We never did leave her, though with anyone. She was probably about 6 and 9 when she did the cruises.

atlantan123

anyone have experience with the childcare - baby/toddler activities at Beaches or Disney cruise? please

hibyeperson

I went with my brother, his 3 and 1 year old, his wife, and my fiancee. We actually went to both of them.

I like the cruise better, even though I'm totally freaked out...but we went on a short little 3 day one!

Ryan

We've done the 4 night Disney Cruise twice with our kids.

If your kids are the type that will be comfortable in a kids club environment, the DCL can be nice for both you and them. Our kids are very comfortable away from us so they had a ball doing different activities at the club.

The rooms can be a bit cramped, but as you won't be in it much it shouldn't be a problem. You oldest will need to sleep on the top of the bunkbeds, so just keep that in mind.

We would combine the 4 night cruise with a few days at the parks.

If you choose that option, my suggestion is to price your trip with their package, including air, and on your own. I found that booking the cruise separate from my park stay and booking my own airfare was less expensive then their bundled price. But, with prices changing not sure that would be true at all times.

traveler2005

You might also try cruisecritic.com. They have extensive bulletin boards and some of the posters might have done both the Disney cruise and an all-inclusive.