WDW before and after? scheduling help for first time cruiser

[dmreed32]

I have been reading the forums for a couple of weeks and was looking for some advice from the experts**on if my plans are doable or a bit much. My husband and I will be travelling with our 2 children who will be 8 years and 10 months when we go on our first Disney Cruise in April. We are sailing on the Magic for a 3 night Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral

 

We have off of work from April 21 - May 1st

 

We will be leaving Monday morning the 21st for the drive (yes drive) from Wisconsin. With the kids I know it won't be that structured of a trip time wise. They are good travelers, though and I am perfectly ok driving long hours and distances. I plan to stop once overnight and arrive at the Disney Resorts around 11am- 1pm on Tuesday, the 22nd.

 

I want to stay at the Disney All Star Sports 3 nights - 4/22 - 4/25. This gives us 3 days at the parks. We will check out on the 25th and head to the port. I have researched and plan to park in the structure at the port. Doing some reading on this site I am going to try to get on board as early as we possibly can to get the most out of it.*

 

We are going to get the park hopper tickets. There is a current special that you get the fifth day free, making it a very minimal difference in price from the 3 day to the 5 day. I am considering staying another night in Disney (not sure if same resort or try a different one for one night) the day we get off the ship - Monday the 28th and go to the parks the 28th and 29th before heading home. I'm thinking since the baby will more than likely cut into some plans, the extra days will give my 8 year old - who has never been to Disney enough time to see more. OR am I wrong and this is just too much?

 

I have read about and plan to do the pillowcase signing and have also read about the kid's dining in the second seating that allows them to eat quickly and head to the kids club. I have also reviewed the tip per person/ per day info. Is there anything else I need to know?

 

I have not seen much about childcare under 3 years old. I thought I read it is $6 an hour. Is that still accurate? If anyone can convince me to leave the baby which I doubt**

 

Thanks in advance for any help!*

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Hi OP!

 

We are planning a LAND & SEA cruise sandwich. Our cruise is Mon-Fri morn, and so we playing on the weekends (I'm sure they designed it that way. Who wants to go home on a Friday night!?)

 

For ourselves, we have a group of 11 in immediate group (and 18 in all on the cruise) so I got us a vacation home rental since we would have to get 5 rooms. (We got a 5 bed 5 bath!) We are going to do one Disney park day on Sat (anniversary reservations at Italy in EPCOT!) and then probably a SeaWorld on Sun. Than Mon morn, its time to cruise! Housekeeping is included, so we don't have to tidy up the place, off to port we go!

 

We cruise til Friday morning, get off the ship and we have our rental van still (I priced out two one way half trips and this is just cheaper, even with the stowing it at a park cruise parkinglot and we can keep our extra land stuff in it and take less on board), and off to the van and park we go! Probably another Disney day, and then Saturday looks like its going to be Busch Gardens. Btw, for this time, I booked the 11 of us 2 suites at royaleparcsuitesorlando.com since they offer park shuttles and a full breakfast, this is for the 2 nights after the cruise.

 

There are a lot of options for rooming and frankly Disney resorts just didn't offer enough for our big group, but it might be different if it was a smaller crew.

 

But anyway that's what we are doing. I definitely wouldn't do more than 2 park days before and 2-3 park days after, because it will wear out your feet. I Think you are better off splitting up the park days for sure if you can! I saw the 5th day free, but we had 5 day hoppers in 2008 and we said NEVER AGAIN. Even though we took a break in between, we were worn out and exhausted and just didn't need the extra time, so I can't see myself getting those many Disney days this time. But SeaWorld has a combo deal with BuschGardens for $99 (one day at each) and since we plan to go to a dinner show in Tampa, we will probably go for that. That's $50 per park! So 2 day Disney Tix and then the 2 days SeaW/BuschG. And split them up so we have some Disney before and some after.

 

That's the plan for now, but who knows. The question is whether we make those 2 days at DIsney hoppers or not...*sigh*

 

So much to plan. But what could be better than a cruise sandwich! You aren't sad to leave the ship...because its time to run around the parks some more!

Edited January 23, 2014 by TwinPrincessMermaids

[Host Mick]

Your plan sounds pretty good. I always say go in with a plan but be flexible.

It looks like you're on a tight budget so look at Undercovertourist.com for tickets, they're legit. Also consider subscribing to mousesavers.com newsletter and watch for the link in the newsletter to undercovertourist for a little more discount.

To save money, you might not want to get the park hoppers. You'll have only three days to see parks and unless you absolutely have to see all four, there's a day's worth of activity in each one (maybe less in Animal Kingdom that closes earlier) especially with a baby slowing you down.

Don't worry about getting to the port as early as possible. Aim for about boarding time. You'll get a boarding time when you register (I believe). With the Magic and Wonder, there's no need to worry too much about boarding times, it goes quickly.

Edited January 23, 2014 by Host Mick

[dmreed32]

I haven't been to Disney since I was pregnant with my eight year old. For non park hopper tickets can we leave if someone needs a nap (maybe me you never know haha) and go back the same day?

Edited January 23, 2014 by dmreed32

[Host Mick]

I haven't been to Disney since I was pregnant with my eight year old. For non park hopper tickets can we leave if someone needs a nap (maybe me you never know haha) and go back the same day?

 

Sure you can, you get unlimited in-n-outs for the one park. The mid-day nap is an excellent survival strategy. I suggest a quick pool dip first to cool off.

[moki'smommy]

The problem with the "sandwich" approach is the amount of time you lose in the transitions. The day you get on the ship is largely a lost day...you do have time for a character breakfast before heading to the port (at one of the resorts). The cruise doesn't really feel started till after the safety drill.

 

When you get off the ship, again, you CAN be at a WDW resort by 9, but till you check in and get to a park, it is likely to be at least noon.

 

We prefer to do more days at WDW before the cruise...but hey, can any WDW days be wrong? Whatever works for you.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Sandwich is OK for us because we are own our own and not dependent on Disney resorts or transfers. But I can see how that would effect others. That's why we aren't using the Disney transport back from the port. My honey has to get to those parks early and can't stand the thought of sitting there and waiting to fill up or stopping at resorts etc.

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

[jayjay94]

Just move to Florida.. The rates are Great!! :D

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Just move to Florida.. The rates are Great!! :D

 

LOL Seriously dude, talk about rubbing it in! My honey needs a job offer, and we are there! He's a fiber IT geeky nerd certified specialist and problem solver. Anyone looking for a think outside the box, problem solving, IT network geek? Please contact! LOL

[cruisegirl99]

Sounds like a good plan to me. I personally don't like going to the parks after the cruise just because I've just spent 3 days relaxing but that is also a good reason to go to the parks. IT breakfast up the days so you are able to run and play, relax, and then run and play again. So it is a good plan!

[ducklite]

I would advise doing Disney World first for two reasons. First, if you run not a snag getting there, it's not as big of an issue. Car trouble, blocked roads, bad weather, any of these things could cause delay.

 

I do want to point out that arriving after noon on the 22 gives you only 2.5 park days. With children and a baby in tow, you aren't going to see/do a whole lot. I would probably plan in only seeing the Magic Kingdom and one other park.

 

Bopping around between all,of that is spending a lot of time packing and unpacking. Any chance you can just spend that last night pre cruise instead at the same hotel?

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

[KerriL]

If you are talking about child care on board the ship, Disney just released this:

 

Effective Jan. 31, 2014 on the Disney Magic, Feb 1, 2014 on the Disney Dream, and Feb. 2, 2014 on the Disney Wonder and Disney Fantasy, pricing for the shipboard nurseries will increase from $6 per hour to $9 per hour. The second child rate will increase from $5 per hour to $8 per hour.

 

If you have pre-booked nursery services online at the previous rate, you will receive the rate at which you booked.

[moki'smommy]

If you are talking about child care on board the ship, Disney just released this:

 

Effective Jan. 31, 2014 on the Disney Magic, Feb 1, 2014 on the Disney Dream, and Feb. 2, 2014 on the Disney Wonder and Disney Fantasy, pricing for the shipboard nurseries will increase from $6 per hour to $9 per hour. The second child rate will increase from $5 per hour to $8 per hour.

 

If you have pre-booked nursery services online at the previous rate, you will receive the rate at which you booked.

 

Ah well....know what is sad? The CMs doing care for several children at a time don't make the rate that DCL collects for each child.

[KerriL]

Ah well....know what is sad? The CMs doing care for several children at a time don't make the rate that DCL collects for each child.

 

Nope...nowhere near. My daughter is a crew member on HAL, as a Youth Activities Counselor, and it's about $60.00(before taxes) per day plus they get room and board. My guess is that DCL is in line with that.

[Host Mick]

Ah well....know what is sad? The CMs doing care for several children at a time don't make the rate that DCL collects for each child.

 

The two have nothing to do with each other.

They pay CMs as little as possible as long as they can get enough qualified CMs to fill the schedule.

DCL charges guests as much as they can as long as they can still fill the nursery. It seems that they are getting more reservations than they have room for. The good side is that it'll be easier to get reservations in that no doubt some guests will be priced out of this service.