My family went on a $6,000 Disney World vacation and a $5,900 Disney Cruise. The latter was a much better deal.

My family went on a Disney World vacation and a Disney cruise back to back.

Kari Becker

Last year, my family of four went on a Disney World vacation and took a Disney cruise.
On the Disney cruise, we got to see different places and explore new countries.
The vacations cost about the same amount of money, but the cruise was a better value.

As a travel planner at Marvelous Mouse Travels, clients often ask me if I prefer Disney cruises or Disney World vacations.

My family did a split trip where we spent four days at Disney World and four days on the Disney Wish, which gave me a great insight into the differences between the two options.

Here’s why I think the cruise was a much better value.

We started our trip at Disney World with fun in the theme parks.

This was our first time on the Disney Wish.

Kari Becker

Stepping aboard the Wish for the first time was breathtaking. It’s filled with exquisite designs and unmatched attention to detail. It also looked impeccably maintained and offered classic Disney service.

As we settled in and explored the ship, characters greeted us around every corner, which added to the magic.

Our four-night cruise in a deluxe family ocean-view stateroom with a veranda cost $5,900, including meals.

Throughout our cruise, we experienced so much of what the ship had to offer.

We got to enjoy a drink at the “Star Wars”-themed bar.

Kari Becker

The kids were supervised when they hung out in the club, so my husband was able to do a fun beer tasting, and we both loved doing a wine tasting.

My favorite adventure was enjoying a massage at the Senses Spa, followed by a great glass of wine at the Rose Lounge.

There’s also the adults-only Quiet Cove Infinity Pool, where you can have a drink or read a book, and adults-only brunch and dinner available at Palo or Enchanté.

At Disney World, it’s almost impossible for us to appreciate adults-only activities when we’re with our kids.

You can hire a babysitter or seek out the kids’ club at Camp Dolphin inside the Dolphin Hotel. But these services aren’t included in your stay, and I find them much more difficult to arrange.

Another great perk of the cruise was getting to explore different places.

My family really enjoyed our time on the Disney Wish.

Kari Becker

A Disney Cruise might look pricier on the surface, but after we factored in the cost of meals and drinks at Disney World, the value of the cruise was more apparent.

Plus, the number of activities offered — for both kids and adults — made for a relaxing and fun experience.

If you haven’t experienced a Disney Cruise, I highly recommend it.

This story was originally published on October 19, 2023, and most recently updated on September 26, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

source:https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-world-vs-disney-cruise-which-is-worth-it-families-2023-10