Most of my friends and family consider me to be a Disney Freak. It seems like every year, somehow, my family ends up doing something Disney-related.
I grew up visiting Disney World with my own family, and then I worked for Disney in California. I can’t help it if I’m a little biased towards Disney!
After taking our kids on two separate Disney World vacations that were a week long, we went on our first Disney Cruise. And ever since that first cruise, there was no turning back. We were hooked on Disney Cruise Line!
The reality is that my family prefers Disney Cruise Line over Disney World any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Since we experienced both a Disney Cruise and Disneyland just this summer, I asked my kids again to see if their perspective changed. Nope! Disney Cruise Line all the way!
So if you are puzzled by our choice and wonder why we shifted from the parks to the cruise line, keep reading.
Character Interaction
Both DCL and the Disney parks have plenty of opportunities to meet the Disney characters. However, I find the character experiences on DCL to be a little more unique and varied.
On a Disney Cruise, the characters come out multiple times throughout the cruise wearing different outfits for unique photo opportunities. On any given cruise, Minnie could be wearing her cruise director outfit, a formal dress, a vacation outfit or even an Alaskan fur coat.
My daughter will never forget the moment on our last Disney Fantasy cruise when Cinderella invited her to a special Princess Procession. She got to make a grand entrance on the staircase before practicing a curtsy with Cinderella.
Would your kids enjoy dancing on stage with Mickey and Minnie?
Halloween dance party with the characters? Photos with the characters on the beach? Yes, please!
On our most recent cruise to Alaska on the Disney Wonder, we experienced so many magical moments with characters. Imagine dancing with Tiana in her restaurant and having a pj party with Pluto! How about looking at the seals floating by on icebergs with Goofy?
The Shows
Disney Cruise Line has some fantastic Broadway shows that are not available at the parks. The Golden Mickeys show features performances from several classic Disney movies. Disney Dreams—an Enchanted Classic gets me choked up every time. There is even a show about the bad guys, Villains Tonight.
My family also enjoys watching new release movies on the big screen while on board. On our last cruise, my son watched the premiere of Cars 3 the night before its nation-wide release.
Jugglers, ventriloquists and magicians also entertain us on Disney Cruise Line. I like how each performer has a family-version and an adult-version of their acts at different times and locations.
Dinner Experiences
Dinner on a Disney Cruise ship is a form of entertainment in itself. Each restaurant has a different theme, and your servers rotate to each restaurant with you throughout your cruise.
It’s hard to get bored during dinner when you can get up and limbo during a Mardi Gras parade at Tiana’s Place on the Disney Wonder.
Animator’s Palate restaurant has always been our favorite. On the classic ships, the walls transform from black and white to colors. On the newer ships, Crush interacts with guests throughout the meal.
We always look forward to seeing our drawings come to life during the animation magic show at Animator’s Palate.
Kids’ Clubs
Oh yes, this is a biggie. Kids ages 6 months to 17 years have a safe place to have fun.
Our youngest started in the nursery and has now moved onto the Oceaneer Club and Lab. Our oldest started in the kids’ clubs but has since moved on to the tween club, the Edge.
The kids programming on Disney Cruise Line is unparalleled in the industry. Kids can either play on their own or participate in group activities.
My husband and I can enjoy a quiet meal or go to an adult show without feeling guilty about leaving our kids. They are safe and having a blast!
Pampered Convenience
It really comes down to effort required and convenience. On a cruise, we don’t have to walk far. If our kids get tired, we take the elevator to our room. If we forgot something, our room is steps away, not miles away. When we get hot, we take a break on a lounge chair or go inside to the air conditioning.
Walking through the parks can be exhausting. No matter how much we prepare for it, our feet are still hurting by the end of the day. It’s a beating!
While we do love the rides, we sometimes return from a park trip feeling like we never went on vacation. Even though Fast Pass + has helped reduce wait times, I feel like we have to carefully plan our activities and meals in order to avoid long lines.
To us, a cruise is just easier and more relaxing. Aside from the adults-only restaurants, meal reservations are not required. We have a spot at dinner every night.
But, speaking of adults-only, I love that we can go to certain places on a Disney Cruise ship and not deal with our kids (or anyone else’s kids). Finally, Mom and Dad get a vacation, too!
Bottom Line
We still love the Disney parks. But, we just prefer to visit them in smaller doses. Two days is about our maximum tolerance.
Since we get more relaxation and enjoyment from a Disney Cruise, that is where we will prioritize our vacation time and money. Disney Cruise or bust!
How do you feel about Disney Cruise Line vs. the Disney parks? Are you curious to try a Disney cruise?
(See my article 10 Tips for First-timers on Disney Cruise Line)
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Do you think there’s a reasonable parity in expense between DCL and going to one of the parks if you were going for a full 4-5 days? (if you think about hotel, food, getting from here to there, interactions, etc.)?
@tscateh Definitely! The price between the two experiences are more similar if you stay in a deluxe hotel onsite and factor in the price of onsite food. Since my family usually rents DVC points or stays offsite, a trip to the parks is usually cheaper than a Disney Cruise. I wish it were the opposite, though!
I’ve always wanted to try Disney cruise line!!! Thanks for sharing this insight. great post!
@Elisepurdon I must warn you that once you try DCL it’s hard to stop repeating it. 🙂
As I’ve said in the past I use my UR mainly for Disney cruises. As far as the parks go, I used to be a big believer in staying at a Disney hotel for the best possible Disney world experience. But, since my retired in law became a cast member (and lives 20 minutes from Disney), we now drive the 20 minutes to get there. Free is hard to beat. It’s amazing how when the tickets cost 0, you no longer feel the pressure to do everything.
@joe Yep, you can’t beat free entrance to the parks! I sometimes miss my cast member days. It’s nice to not feel the pressure to get your money’s worth.
I love being able to do both! The cruises are more expensive for us so we don’t do them as much. We did 1 Disney cruise and have another one booked for next May, I can’t wait!
@Becky The cruises are definitely more expensive for my family since we don’t stay at deluxe resorts when we visit the parks. How exciting that you have another cruise to look forward to!
I love reading and looking at pictures of Disney Cruise vacations. My husband has a fear of boats, so I know we won’t ever get the chance no matter how appealing, but I’m so glad there are many blog posts about your trips. It is so magical!
@Kasi Sorry about your husband’s fear of boats. There is still so much magic at the Disney parks though! 🙂
We just did Disney for the first time, and we are considering a Disney cruise. Good info!!
@Amanda If you liked the parks, chances are you will love a Disney Cruise! I sound like I work for Disney Cruise Line, but I’m just a big fan. 🙂
I love DCL and it has been way too long since my last sailing!
@Mindy I’m already going through DCL withdrawals. 🙂
I’ve never been on a cruise but have always wanted to. That staircase photo is gorgeous! sounds so fun.
@Amanda My kids were just asking me today when we could go back on DCL. Not soon enough!
Omg we want to go so bad! We have been to Disney a few times but the cruise looks amazing!
I must warn you that Disney Cruises are addicting!
I would love to do a Disney cruise but it always seems so expensive for a family of five. Do you suggest any budget tips to make it less? Would you suggest cash back cards to make it more reasonable? We currently have a trip to Disney World planned for February but would love to try a cruise in the future.
@Michelle DCL is so expensive, especially for a family of 5. The cheapest rates are usually found on opening day (the first day the itineraries are available for sale) and during the off-season. That’s the only way we’ve been able to afford to cruise on DCL multiple times. Now that my oldest is getting older, it’s going to be harder to pull him out of school. And for a family of 5, I usually find a category 8 porthole room for five people (available only on the Dream/Fantasy) is the cheapest (as opposed to two connecting inside rooms).
As far as using credit card rewards, I recommend the Barclaycard Arrival Plus and the Capital One Venture card. Those rewards still probably won’t cover an entire cruise, but they can sure make a dent in the cost. Check out this article Leana wrote on using the Barclaycard for cruises: https://milesforfamily.com/2017/04/13/best-strategy-maximizing-barclaycard-arrival-plus-bonus-cruises/
My family loves Disney Cruises, but since they have more than doubled their pricing, we have to wait for Summer 2019 to go again. The parks are a completely different experience, and if you pick the wrong day to visit, it can be an absolute nightmare.
Nancy – did you hear about the Disney Mom Panel opening up for 2018 https://disneyparksmomspanel.disney.go.com/recruiting/search-begins-soon
@Stephanie I have thought about applying for the Disney Mom’s Panel one of these years. 🙂 And yes, the prices of DCL cruises have gone up astronomically. I should stop telling people how good they are.
Agree 100%! My family would also agree 100%! People that don’t get it have most likely never been on a Disney Cruise.
@Tracey Yes, it’s hard to explain to people who have never been. A Disney Cruise vacation is just so special (and relaxing!)
We just booked our first Disney Cruise for this December and I’m so excited!!! It’s going to be a Christmas surprise for my three daughters and I know we are going to have a ball.
@21flavorsofsplendor How exciting! You will have a blast! The ships are decorated so nicely in December. We have never been on a Christmas-themed cruise, but it’s on my wish list.