When contemplating a Disney trip, you may have many choices. There are theme parks, each in the US and overseas, in addition to Disney Cruises (providing itineraries around the globe), and Adventures by Disney (worldwide guided excursions). If you wish to base your journey in Florida, you possibly can think about both a Disney Cruise or a visit to Walt Disney World.
Attempting to match a Disney Cruise vs Walt Disney World? There are a number of elements to contemplate; here is how they evaluate.
Disclosure: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, and a purchase order made by way of certainly one of these hyperlinks might end in a fee paid to us. We have been on a number of complimentary/media journeys however have additionally paid our personal manner. All opinions are my very own.
Planning a Walt Disney World or Disney Cruise trip? We suggest reserving by way of our affiliate Get Away At present. You can even save $10 in your Southern California trip of two days or extra with the code FTM10.
Evaluating A Disney Cruise vs Disney World
For this submit, notice that we’re particularly evaluating Caribbean Disney Cruises moderately than different locations, like Europe or Alaska. These locations are so totally different from a theme park trip that the comparisons can be very totally different.
As well as, it is good to know that if you cannot determine, there’s at all times the choice to do a Disney Land and Sea trip. With a land and sea trip, you may mix the thrill of the theme parks with the relief of a cruise. It is best to decide on a cruise that sails out of the Port Canaveral cruise port, which is about an hour from Walt Disney World.


Evaluating Rides and Sights
Rides and points of interest at Walt Disney World are a substantial a part of the holiday, and a Disney Cruise can not evaluate. If the rides are a essential issue for you, you may completely need to go to Walt Disney World moderately than take a cruise.
There are, nevertheless, many enjoyable actions that your loved ones can take part on a cruise. These embody the next:
- The AquaMouse and AquaDuck (on choose ships)
- Waterslides
- Splash areas
- Sport exhibits
- Animation lessons
- Swimming pools
- Films (together with first-run motion pictures within the theaters)
- Interactive video games (together with the Mid-ship Detective Company)
- Pirate Night time with fireworks
- Grownup actions together with sport exhibits, the spa (together with the Rainforest Room), and beverage seminars
Nearly all of these actions are included in your cruise worth, and most don’t must be pre-booked. Verify the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for the schedule.


Youngsters’ Golf equipment
The children’ golf equipment on the Disney Cruise Line are unparalleled. The youth membership workforce is comprised of an lively crew of workers members who love working with youngsters. Whereas the golf equipment on the ships differ considerably, they provide themed experiences together with Star Wars, Disney Princesses, and Marvel. Verify the small print about your particular ship earlier than reserving.
Apart from the it is a small world Nursery, the youth golf equipment on the Disney Cruise Line are free and included in your cruise fare. As a result of the children’ golf equipment are so good, you may most likely end up with a whole lot of free time to discover the adult-only sections of the ship.
Guide Your Trip
Get the Greatest Charges
Whether or not you’re reserving a visit to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, we suggest reserving by way of our affiliate Get Away At present.


Pre-Planning
The planning course of for a Disney Cruise and a Walt Disney World trip varies considerably, with a cruise usually being simpler to plan.
While you e book a cruise, your ports of name, meal instances, and lodging can be set for you. You will not want to fret about including this stuff on, until you need to eat at Palo or one of many different adult-only eating places. You have to to analysis and plan excursions and add-ons, and analysis them when reserving home windows open.
For a Disney World trip, you may must analysis every little thing, together with your lodge, what number of days you need to go to, what forms of park tickets you may need, what restaurant reservations you’d prefer to make, and what add-ons (like Lightning Lane) you need to add.


Depth of the Trip
Going hand in hand with the pre-planning is the final depth degree of the holiday. A Disney trip could be a lot enjoyable. Nonetheless, it is usually an intense day, particularly if you’re attempting to do a number of rides, and are coordinating Lightning Lanes, eating reservations, and so on.
A cruise, nevertheless, could be as enjoyable as you need it to be. Even if you’re on an tour, you simply actually have to point out up and observe the tour information. For days at sea, you possibly can simply sit on the pool deck and spend your entire time there if you would like. You do not have to plan dinners, and in case your youngsters go to the youth golf equipment, you may have some free time.


Character Interactions
You will discover your favourite Disney characters each at Walt Disney World and in your Disney Cruise. Basically, I discover that the strains on the cruise ships are just a little shorter, and since you’re ready indoors, it may be extra pleasant than standing within the solar. You will not discover the character meal choices on a cruise ship, however your youngsters will nonetheless take pleasure in assembly their favourite Disney characters whereas on board.
Excursions and Experiences
One of the vital variations between a theme park and a cruise trip is the experiences you possibly can have. On a cruise, you possibly can e book excursions in overseas international locations, with choices to discover the native tradition. Whereas cruising, we have loved touring historic ruins, exploring small communities, and tasting native delicacies.
In case your cruise features a go to to Castaway Cay, you can take pleasure in turquoise water, white sand, and improbable actions. Whereas there are some excursions on Castaway Cay, it’s also possible to select to


Rooms
Usually, staterooms on a cruise ship are smaller than conventional lodge rooms. That is simply the character of being on a floating ship moderately than on land. On the Disney Cruise Line, staterooms have bunk beds which are arrange within the evenings, giving you extra space throughout the day.
Whereas the rooms are small, it is by no means been a difficulty for my household. We usually do not spend a lot time in our stateroom throughout the day.
Meals Comparisons
On the Disney Cruise Line, nearly the entire meals onboard is included. There are some specialty gadgets and adult-only eating, however in any other case, you will not pay further. The meals is nice too – there are many choices, particularly on the buffet.
While you go to a Walt Disney World park, the entire meals is further (until you’ve got bought a eating plan). The price of this could add up, and it is not fairly as handy to cease and eat. When it comes to high quality, I might say they’re about the identical, relying on the place you select to eat.
Value
Value is a major issue to contemplate when deciding on the kind of trip to take. NerdWallet has an amazing article that you may overview to match every little thing.
A cruise can be usually simpler to funds for. You understand how a lot you may pay to your crusing, together with meals and most onboard actions. So, the excursions are the massive factor you may want to contemplate (along with transportation to and from the ship).
Have you ever been on a Disney Cruise and a Walt Disney World trip? Which do you favor?

