I had some great adventures as a kid but nothing luxurious or far away. I didn’t leave the country, except for the occasional trip to Mexico, until I was in my 20’s. We certainly never took a crucero Disney, so when we decided to take a cruise to Disney World on the newly re-imagined Disney Wonder cruise ship, I was excited to share our first experience as a family.
Are Disney Cruises Worth It?
By far, the question I’ve gotten most often since we got back from our cruise is about value. How much for a Disney cruise are you willing to spend? Moms want to know are Disney cruises worth it. Yes, it’s true that Disney comes at a premium but my friends want to know why Disney cruises so expensive.
Are Disney cruises worth the money and the cost of the Disney premium? If you could get another cruise for a fraction of the cost, why do a Disney Cruise? Finding discounts and price a Disney cruise on sale is tough, but oh sisters, let me tell you why the cost of Disney cruise is worth it. When it comes to family travel, Disney vacations are worth the cost. Here are 5 reasons why the cost of Disney cruise are worth the investment for your vacation.
The True Cost of Disney Cruise
Things to Do on a Disney Cruise
It goes without saying that Disney knows how to do kids’ entertainment. My daughter is on the shy side, but all the Disney details on-board the Disney Wonder brought out every ounce of happiness. You embark the ship into what looks like the inside of a princess castle and cast members to announce your family’s arrival in this sweeping, grandeur voice that instantly sets the mood for an amazing vacation. My little girl felt so special right from the start! My Disney experience was meeting the high expectations right from the start.
There are so many things to do on a Disney Cruise, you may not even get to them all in one vacation! From character meetings, shows and parties to, well, just relaxing…. you will stay busy (or not) the entire time. What I love most about Disney vacations is that the entire family – all generations and every age – will find plenty of things to do on a Disney cruise.
My Disney Cruise Experience
Staterooms Designed With Family In Mind
When I read how small cruise staterooms are, I kind of freaked out. But Disney Cruise Line staterooms are so well designed for families, with the split baths that make it easier for someone to use the restroom while another is getting ready. Almost all the staterooms have tubs, which are ideal for families with small children. You should compare Disney cruise ships for more details, but the newly renovated Disney Wonder is a dream.
We sprang for the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah and it was worth every penny. The balcony overlooking the vast horizon was the perfect backdrop to our early mornings and, once the bunk bed was open and beds turned down, the family cuddled up for a Disney movie every night before bed. We even ordered room service of cookie and milk (free, of course!) as an evening treat. It was the perfect way to end our magical days together on the Disney Wonder.
Disney Cruises Include Food
All you can eat for a family is no small deal. If you’re wondering if Disney cruises include food, the answer is YES! Just like other cruises, Disney includes all meals and beverages, just not alcohol. Dinner is never just a dining experience on a Disney Cruise. Of course, the food is delicious with plenty of options for various dietary needs/restrictions, but it’s also packed with live entertainment that elevates your vacation into the most wonderful family memories. From dancing with Tiana to learning how to draw your favorite characters, do NOT miss your dinner rotation! Rotational dining splits your dinner meals into three different restaurants (instead of one stuffed dining hall) and your wait staff comes along with you to each different one so the kids get to know them and hear their storytelling.
Our favorite restaurants on the newly re-imagined Disney Wonder were Tiana’s Place and Animator’s Palate.
Characters Galore: Onboard Entertainment
When it comes to family entertainment, you’re really getting your money’s worth on a Disney cruise. Water features include slides, splash pads, wading pools and a deep pool for kids who love to swim. There is a movie theater (showing the latest Disney movie in 3D), beautifully crafted, Broadway-caliber musicals (they just announced the production of a Beauty and Beast show!) and plenty of daily activities to keep everyone in the family busy.
A favorite for our family were the deck parties! The Adventures Away party was the perfect way to start the vacation, with plenty of dancing with our favorite characters. Of course we LOVED Pirate Night, too! My son dressed up and danced the night away under the lights of fireworks off the deck. When my daughter and husband were all tuckered out, my little dude and I stayed up late watching a movie outside under the moon. Honestly, laying under the stars at 11pm watching a movie with my 4 year-old cuddled up on my lap is one of my most satisfying memories ever.
Disney Cruise Kids Club
Holy wow, I love the Disney Cruise Kids Club so much! Actually, the kids club is a HUGE reason why we booked a second cruise while still sailing on our first. When other cruise lines cater to adults with casinos and slot machines, Disney puts its bets on making sure the kids are happy…. which of course makes mom happy 🙂
I have to say, on a day to day basis, we don’t use babysitters. The kids are either at school or with me. Sometimes they’re with my mom so that D and I can have a date night. So having a kids’ club in which they really really love being in is like striking a gold mine! No begging to leave, no phone calls asking when we’d return… just pure JOY to be entertained by the programming and fun activities the Oceaneer Club has planned each day.
Just like in Hawaii at Disney’s Aulani, every day the kids spent a couple hours at the kids’ club. One night they went back after dinner so D and I could have a drink with some friends. IT WAS AMAZING. I cannot stress this enough, friends. A kids’ vacation + an adults’ vacation = a family vacation that is treasured enthusiastically by everyone.
Related: Disney Aulani Reviews From The Whole Family
Relaxed Family Time
I love to be on an adventure. I love to learn. But I also know how much work it is to explore national monuments, pitch tents, tour museums, communicate in a foreign language… and sometimes I just want to focus on making magical memories with my kids.
A Disney cruise allows you to do that.
Sure, the ports of call are all exciting places to visit; Disney’s own private island, Castaway Cay, was such a fun experience! But truly, when deciding whether a Disney cruise is worth the cost, don’t underestimate the value of your time onboard. All the food and soft drinks are free, making budgeting super easy too.
The kids are thrilled, ending each day exhausted from all the experiences. You’ll have time for yourself and with your spouse – to watch movies, go to the gym, play games or just have an after-dinner drink. And that’s what the goal is: create moments that your family will cherish.
Is Disney Cruise Worth the Money
So, if you ask me if a Disney cruise is worth the cost my answer will be yes. YES! My kids are young – 7 and 4 years old – and Disney vacations make it so easy to just show up and enjoy them. We all lead busy lives, so being given permission to soak up my babies is something I don’t take for granted.
Each cruise ship has its own web page to help you learn more before your travel. And of course you can plan and prep as much as any other Disney vacation (there are even Facebook groups for specific cruises!), but the beauty of a Disney cruise is that you really don’t have to. Come ready to enjoy and relax!
And since they Disney offered 10% off and plenty of onboard credit for booking a “placeholder” for another vacation within 2 years, we’re signed up for our next cruise! Who’s coming with us?!
