We'd like to take the Disney 7-day cruise/land package in early November. Going: My husband and I, our daughter and her two children ages 7 and 4. My question: Would kids that age enjoy the 4 day cruise/3 day land package or the 3 day cruise/4 day land package more? (This will be their first trip to Disney.) Also, we'll need to book the least expensive ship cabins. How bad will it be? Any advice, tips, reports of past experiences, etc. will be very helpful. Thanks so much!

Just my opinion, but there is so much to see at Disney World that I would opt for the 3 day cruise/ 4 day land package. Go to cruiseopinion.com for some reports of experiences real people have had on (Disney) cruises! You will probably find opinions from families who have done both and might have some good recommendations for you. Best, V

Victoria:
THANKS so much! I'll check cruiseopinion.com now. This is the kind of advice I was hoping for!
Mel

You will love the Disney Cruise. We have done it twice and we go to Disney world very frequently... My advice would be to do the three day cruise- 4 days at disney.. because there is so much to do in orlando. On the other hand, if you want more babysitting time, the cruise will offer that- Flounder's Reef for babies, the oceaneer's lab for ages 3- 8. They will keep your kids occupied all day and all night and even take them to meals. One bit of advice.. for the cruise excursions, people will be heading to guest services to book their excursions as soon as you board the ship. I would go there immediately to guarantee that you get the cruise package you want- the saint thomas excursions are much nicer.. I think you will find. Happy cruising. Email me if you need more info.

My boyfriend took me on the Disney cruise and we did 4 days on land and 4 at sea because I'm a freak about the parks and designate a whole day for each (which STILL isn't enough time!) Anyway, that was how we resolved the whole dilemna and got the best of both worlds! The Disney Cruise was FABULOUS!!!! My favorite cruise of all and I've been on many! I think I cried when we had to leave!!! Ha!

I can't comment on the 7-day cruise, but we did the 4-day cruise/3-day land package.

If you can, I'd recommend extending the land portion. Three days doesn't allow you to do much. Our first day on land was spent arriving and checking into the hotel, so we didn't visit a park. Then there are two days for parks, and you pack your bags for the ship, embark, do the lifeguard drill and have dinner. That kills a day. Then you'd only have a few days to enjoy the cruise.

But because we extended the land portion by two days, we were able to see as much of the parks as we liked.

Have fun!

I recommend that you extend the land portion of the stay for the same reasons that you have seen on the posts. November is usually not crowded so you will maximize the things you can do, although the hours will be shorter than the summer and holiday schedule. Use the Disney fast pass on the crowded rides to limit any lines. An added bonus on the land package, is the ability to leave on the day of the cruise from Disney's Animal Kingdom about 12:00-12:30. You can spend the morning there and leave to go to the cruise ship on Disney's transportation. Go on the safari during the morning as many of the animals were still very active, One Rhino almost ended up inside our passenger vehicle. Talk about realism! Ask for this when you check into your hotel on Disney property. I suggest this if you want to maximize your time in the parks. The kids programs on the ship were great. My daughter who is 5 loved the Oceaneers Club and my son like the Lab as he is ten. It was also great to be free to leave them and enjoy the cruise ourselves. We just returned from the cruise in March of 2001. As you are booking the least expensive cabins, you will also have less luxurious hotel accomodations, but you usually are only in your room to sleep shower and to use the pools. Make sure you visit Downtown Disney for eating and shopping or the Boardwalk. This was fun during the evenings when the parks closed. Note, some of the things in this area, Pleasure Island, are limited to adults later in the evening.

Again, you will likely only be in the cabin to sleep, shower, dress, etc.... The shows were fun and kept the children's attention. The food is varied and varies in quality, there is always enough to eat and there is some late night entertainment for adults in the lounges during the evenings. If you have never been to Disney, opt for the 3 day cruise, the kids will likely love the magic of Disney more than the cruise, but the cruise was fun and nonstop fun.

I'm SO grateful for everyone's help. We went to cruiseopinion.com and there were so many negatives posted that we had pretty much decided to do a week in WDW and skip the cruise. Then two friends gave us first-hand "raves" about the cruise and now this thread has given additional good reasons to take it. We will book the 3-day cruise/4 day resort package.
Victoria: Thanks for sending me to cruiseopinion.com--lots of info that helps with restaurants, cabins, etc.
Eric: Special thanks for the Animal Kingdom suggestion--that's the one thing the boys want to see most of all! I'll keep checking back in case others wish to add their suggestions for ANY PART of this trip!

I`d adsvise the park (WDW) first...almost missed our boat because of airline snafus...by the time we got our car and got to port they almost left without us..it`s a zoo at the airport and car rental...

do the park first - try and get dixie landing - I like it the best of the three because of the grounds, rooms and much more compact than the others.
Great swimming pool with a slide that goes through a tree. On the cruise package we booked Dixie but travel agent later called and offered a window cabin if we switched to Carribean. Carribean was okay but I liked Dixie (from previous visit) better. We loved the cruise but skip the Nassau portion - just stay on the ship. I had been to Nassau before and did not like and my feelings were really confirmed on this trip. We loved the disney private island though - the barbeque on the island was absolutely wonderful. Treat yourself to a massage.
Last suggestion - go to Epcot one night and eat in the bar with the kids at the Japanese restaraunt facing the park (there are two Japanese restaraunts right next to each other - this one has steep steps). If you go to the bar(doesnt really look like a bar) - you can eat appetizers (my kids love the chiken and tempura) and get drinks with umbrellas in them and watch the fireworks through the window.