cruise vs disney world

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World Vacation: The Ultimate Comparison Guide

Planning a Disney vacation can be both exciting and overwhelming, with so many options to choose from. Should your family experience the magic of Disney on a cruise or at the Orlando theme parks?

Both a Disney cruise and Walt Disney World offer immersive family fun and Disney magic. However, there are key differences when considering cost, attractions, activities, dining, ease of planning, etc.

This comprehensive guide compares a Disney cruise vs. Disney World vacation across 13 factors to help you determine the best Disney trip for your family. We will break down everything from thrill rides and character interactions to the dining experiences and trip duration options.

By the end, you will know whether a cruise on the high seas or a visit to Cinderella Castle better fits your family’s preferences and budget. Let’s dive in!

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1. Cost Comparison: Disney Cruise vs. Disney World

When deciding between a Disney cruise and Disney World, the cost of the vacation is a significant consideration. Many people wonder which option is less expensive. However, the cost of both vacations may end up being quite similar. Here’s why.

For a family of four, the average cost of a 7-night Disney World vacation in 2024 , including a stay at a Value resort, 6-day base tickets, Lightning Lane , and a Quick Service Dining Plan, was $6,559 .

Depending on the dates and cabin chosen, the base price of a 7-night Disney Fantasy cruise from Port Canaveral to the Caribbean in 2024 ranged from $3,500 for a basic cabin to $17,000 for a luxury Concierge stateroom .

The cost of a Disney cruise covers meals, entertainment, kids clubs, and more. However, gratuities , shore excursions, and other onboard extras would be additional.

Surprisingly, the base cost of a 7-night cruise is quite affordable when compared to the all-inclusive price of a 7-night Disney World vacation for a family of four. You can choose between a basic or extravagant experience with either Disney option.

In conclusion, there’s no clear winner between a Disney cruise and Disney World, as it ultimately depends on your family’s preferences and budget.

Winner: Tie

Related Articles : How’s Included in a Disney Cruise , Save Money on Disney Cruises . How Much Does Disney World Cost , Disney World Cost Calculator , How Much Does Food Cost at Disney World

2. Attractions Comparison: Disney Cruise Line vs Disney World Parks

Onboard attractions (disney cruise).

Water attractions such as the AquaDuck are part of your cruise fare | Image © Disney

Disney’s cruise ships offer a limited number of featured attractions and entertainment offerings onboard, including:

• Broadway-style production shows
• Character meet and greets
• Deck parties
• Family and adult pools
• Waterslides like AquaDunk
• Interactive kids clubs

While the onboard offerings are high quality, they are limited compared to the sheer volume of attractions at Disney World.

Ports of Call

Nassau, Bahamas | Image © Disney

However, Disney cruises expand the attraction options by incorporating various ports of call into the itineraries. During port days, cruise guests can experience:

• Local culture and cuisine
• Tropical beaches
• Historic sites and museums
• Adventure excursions like snorkeling, zip-lining, etc.

The stunning private island Castaway Cay and private port of Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point also provides family-friendly recreation and tropical relaxation.

Disney World Parks

In contrast, Walt Disney World’s four massive theme parks offer far more built-in attractions and entertainment options, including:

• Over 170 rides and attractions across multiple parks
• Groundbreaking rides like TRON, Avatar Flight of Passage, Guardians of the Galaxy
• Iconic attractions like Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Two additional water parks – Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach
• Diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment at Disney Springs

The Winner: Disney World

In terms of quantity and variety of attractions, Walt Disney World easily wins over Disney cruises. However, factoring in unique port experiences gives cruises an edge for attraction diversity.

Related Articles : Castaway Cay Tips , What to Do on a Disney Cruise , Best Rides at Magic Kingdom , Best Rides at Epcot , Best Rides at Animal Kingdom , Best Rides at Hollywood Studios , What’s New at Disney World

3. Age Appeal Comparison

Image © Disney

Our analysis found that the ideal age for Disney cruises is 3-12, while the perfect range for Disney World is 4-12. However, both options offer fun for all ages.

Disney Cruise Line has clubs, activities, and entertainment tailored to delight ages 3-12 who embrace the Disney magic. Nurseries, splash zones, and characters entertain babies and toddlers. Thrills and nightlife for teens are limited. Adults have serene lounges and dining.

Disney World has a broader, multigenerational appeal. Tweens, teens, and adults flock to intense Disney World rides like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Star Wars attractions. Adults enjoy the nightlife, spas, festivals, and golf courses near Disney World . With lands and attractions for every age, Disney World provides immersive fun from toddlers to grandparents.

While 3-12 is the ideal for Disney cruises, we found 4-12 to be the perfect age range for Disney World. However, there’s something for kids and adults of all ages.

Winner: Disney World

Related Articles : Best Disney Cruise Ship for Kids , Best Cruise Line for Kids , Best Age for Disney Cruises . Best Age for Disney World , Disney World for Toddlers , Best Disney Resorts for Kids , Taking Grandkids to Disney World

4. Duration Comparison: Disney World vs. Disney Cruise

Disney World offers complete flexibility when planning a trip of any length that fits your schedule and budget. Typical Disney World vacations range from 3 to 10 nights, with a week being the ideal length of stay — but in reality it’s completely up to you. With flexible airfare, you can extend your stay as long as you like.

Disney cruises offer less leeway in trip duration. Every sailing is for a set length with a specific start and end date, with most sailings falling into these timeframes:

• Short Disney Cruises : 3-4 nights
• Slightly Longer Disney Cruises: 5 nights
• Week-long Disney Cruises: 6, 7 or 8 nights
• Longest Disney Cruises : 9 nights or longer (10-15 nights)

Cruise itineraries are set in stone, so you cannot simply extend a 5-night cruise into a 10-night vacation. It is critical to choose the right cruise length for your family.

While you have complete control over the length of your Disney World vacation, the inflexible nature of Disney cruises makes timing a critical consideration.

Related Articles : How Long Should We Stay at Disney World , How Many Days at Each Disney Park , and 2024 and 2025 Disney Cruise Itineraries

Questions? Ready to Book? Contact The Vacationeer!

The friendly travel planners at The Vacationeer will help you find the best-discounted rates, get up to $1,000 in onboard credit for Disney cruises , and handle logistics like ground transportation and dining reservations.

Their complimentary vacation planning services and insider tips aim to maximize magic and minimize stress when booking Disney cruises and Walt Disney World packages .

Reach out to The Vacationeer today for a free, no-obligation quote on your dream Disney vacation!

5. Dining Experience Comparison: Disney Cruises vs Disney World

When it comes to dining, both Disney cruises and Disney World offer memorable, family-friendly options. Here is how dining differs on a Disney cruise versus at Disney World:

Disney Cruise Dining

Oaken, Elsa, and Olaf toast Anna and Kristoff’s engagement at Arendelle – A Frozen Dining Adventure

• Rotational dining in elegant, themed restaurants with the same wait staff each night
• Live entertainment in some restaurants
• Two seatings for dinner (early and late)
• Casual buffet restaurant options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Room service is included 24/7 at no extra charge
• Most sodas, juices, coffee, and tea included
• Upcharge for alcohol and specialty dining restaurants like Palo and Remy

Disney World Dining

• Advance dining reservations are needed for popular restaurants
• Mostly pay-as-you-go dining a la carte
• Quick-service and food carts are available without reservations
• Character dining experiences at select restaurants
• Disney Dining Plan available to pre-pay many meals in advance

Disney cruises have fixed dining times, rotational restaurants, and consistent wait staff, simplifying planning and providing families with peace of mind. Disney World has a wider variety of food options but requires reservations and individual meal planning, which can be less convenient for families.

My family prefers Disney Cruise Line’s more seamless and convenient dining experience. Ben also enjoyed bonding with our server each night, and Ava absolutely loved the dinner shows!

Winner: Disney Cruise

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6. Lodging Comparison: Disney Cruise Rooms vs Disney World Resorts

Both Disney cruises and Disney World offer tiered lodging options to fit different budgets. Here’s how staterooms and resorts compare:

Disney Cruise Staterooms

Verandah Stateroom onboard Disney Wish

• Inside : Most affordable cabin
• Oceanview : Mid-range with exterior porthole window
• Verandah : Premium with personal balcony
• Concierge : Top tier with suite-style rooms and lounge access

Disney World Resort Tiers

Room at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, a Disney Deluxe Resort

• Value Resorts : Most affordable rates and basic amenities
• Moderate Resorts : Mid-range pricing with added theming
• Deluxe Resorts : Premium locations and amenities like sit-down restaurants
• Deluxe Villa Resorts : Top-tier multi-bedroom villas with luxury details

Staterooms tend to cost more upfront than Disney World rooms. However, the fare includes food, entertainment, and activities that would be separate expenses during a resort stay at Disney World.

Both vacations have options to suit different budgets. Value resorts and Inside cabins on cruises are good choices for budget travelers. Concierge staterooms on Disney Cruises and Deluxe/Villa resorts offer the best accommodations for luxury Disney vacations .

Related Articles : Disney Value Resorts , Disney Moderate Resorts , Disney Deluxe Resorts , Disney World Hotel Comparison , Best Disney World Family Suites , Best Staterooms on Disney Cruises . Disney World Hotel Comparison

7. Thrills Comparison: Disney Cruise vs. Disney World

Disney Cruise Line offers plenty of family entertainment and fun but doesn’t have the same level of thrill rides as Disney World. On the cruise ships, you won’t find any heart-racing drops, inverted loops, or hyperspeed launches.

For adrenaline junkies who love roller coasters and simulator rides, Walt Disney World is the clear choice. You can enjoy thrilling attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy, TRON, Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Even the less intense rides, like Big Thunder Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, will provide you with exciting drops and turns.

Clearly, Disney World is the better choice for those seeking heart-pumping rides, both for kids and adults. On a Disney cruise, the only real thrills come from waterslides like the AquaDunk, which offers exhilarating vertical drops.

Related Articles : Best Roller Coasters at Disney World , Height Requirements at Disney World

8. Character Interactions Comparison

Both Disney cruises and Disney World offer opportunities to meet beloved Disney characters in memorable settings. However, lines tend to be longer at Disney World, while interactions feel more intimate and personalized on a cruise.

Disney cruises allow kids to dance with characters at deck parties, attend princess gatherings, and have surprise visits during meals. There is plenty of face time in relaxed environments free of crowds.

At Disney World, lines for character meet and greets can sometimes exceed an hour. Interactions are briefer, as cast members need to keep the line moving. Meals with characters at Disney World dining locations are also abbreviated.

While character dining exists on cruises, the overall experience feels more immersive. Kids have stories and quality time with characters versus quick drive-by greetings at Disney World.

For example, on our last Disney cruise, my daughter Ava had the time of her life reenacting scenes from Frozen with Elsa and Anna during an extended tea time. It is a memory she still talks about a year later.

Related Articles : Best Disney Character Dining , Where to Meet Disney Characters at Disney World , Character Dining on Disney Cruises , Themed Disney Cruises

Get Personalized Advice Based On Your Family’s Needs

9. Ease of Planning: Disney Cruise vs. Disney World

Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World requires months of research and coordination to ensure you have the best experience possible. You need to purchase daily tickets, make dining reservations, arrange transportation, and more.

On the other hand, planning a Disney cruise only requires a few important decisions, such as selecting meal times and optional shore excursions. The cruise line handles the rest of the planning to deliver a stress-free experience. You don’t need to map out each day, as savvy Disney cruise travelers can simply show up and enjoy activities on demand with minimal wait times. For a smooth and hassle-free experience, Disney cruises take the planning prize!

While my wife Jamie and I enjoy planning our trips, we still rely on The Vacationeer , a leading Disney travel agency , for additional assistance. They often find lower rates and take the hassle out of making reservations ourselves. Although we need less help for Disney cruises, we still reach out to The Vacationeer for a seamless experience and the fantastic onboard credit (cash back) they offer. Their services are completely free, so there’s no reason not to use them.

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10. Relaxation Comparison

While relaxation is subjective, most people would agree that Disney cruises offer a more relaxing environment than Disney World.

Disney cruises have laid-back vibes, with pools, ocean views, pampering spas, and adults-only sanctuaries. The fewer crowds and lines reduce stress, and entertainment and dining come to you seamlessly.

Disney World is more demanding in terms of walking between lands, waiting in lines, and making your own dining plans, but it does offer immersive hotel spas and peaceful nature spots like Bay Lake’s trails.

While both trips can be customized to each family’s preferences, the cruise ship setting lends itself better to relaxation and recharging.

My family finds Disney cruises blissfully relaxing, particularly compared to rushing around the Disney parks for days on end. Everything you need is just a few steps away.

Related Articles : Disney Crowd Calendar , Avoid Lines at Disney World , Senses Spa on Disney Cruises Review , Best Disney Cruise Ships

11. Pool Comparison

Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

Disney Cruise Line excels at providing quality pool time and water fun for families. Its ships have magnificently themed pools across multiple decks, surrounded by calming ocean views. The pools are divided into adult-only areas and family zones, making pool time more enjoyable.

Walt Disney World’s resort hotels also have excellent themed pools, often with slides or other water features. They’re much larger and intricately themed than the cruise line’s pools. However, only guests staying at that resort can use them. Disney World additionally has two water parks that require a separate admission fee.

The dedicated pools onboard spacious cruise ships make water activities unlimited and stress-free. At Disney World, you need to pay extra or travel to reach the water parks for a full day of water fun. Everything is conveniently located right on a Disney cruise.

Mickey’s Pool on a Disney Cruise Ship | Image © Disney

My wife and I relaxed in the adults-only pool on our cruise while the kids were at the Oceaneer Club, and we supervised our children at the family pool during the day as they watched Disney movies on the giant Funnel Vision screen. Finding such a relaxing break is more difficult at Disney World’s busier, shared resort pools.

The cruise pools’ size and division into age areas result in a more relaxed, inclusive environment.

Related Articles : Best Pools at Disney World , Lazy Rivers at Disney World

12. Entertainment Comparison

Both offer incredible entertainment, but Disney cruises focus on Broadway-style stage productions, while Disney World has a mix of offerings.

Disney Cruise Shows & Entertainment

Showtime at the Walt Disney Theatre

• Broadway-style musicals like Frozen and Aladdin
• Illusionists and variety acts
• Fireworks at sea (on most Caribbean and Bahamian sailings)
• First-run movies and deck parties

Disney World Shows & Entertainment

• Nighttime spectaculars like Fantasmic! and Happily Ever After Fireworks
• Streetmosphere performers
• Parades like the Festival of Fantasy
• Live shows like Beauty and the Beast and Festival of the Lion King

Our recent Disney Wish cruise was a wonderful experience for our family. The live shows were a big hit with my kids, and we adults enjoyed them, too. Jaimie and I have always enjoyed Disney World stage productions like The Lion King and Finding Nemo, and now our kids are old enough to enjoy them with us. We highly recommend them!

Related Articles : Best Live Shows at Disney World , Disney Wish Review , Disney Dream Review , Disney Fantasy Review , Disney Magic Review , Disney Wonder Review

13. Adult Activities Comparison: Disney Cruise vs. Disney World

An entertainment district with lively clubs and quiet lounges awaits on your Disney Cruise | Image © Disney

Disney Cruise Line offers more adult-oriented activities than Disney World. Adult dining, entertainment, nightlife, and wellness make cruises a great option for adults, even without children.

Adults-only amenities on Disney’s ships include:

• Adults-only pools, bars, and lounges
• Specialty dining
• Pampering spa treatments and salon services
• Couples’ massage suites
• Adults-only areas on Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay
• Exercise classes, mixology seminars, art events, and more

Disney World has fantastic bars, spas, golf courses, and specialty dining for adults. However, kids are integrated throughout much of Disney World’s dining and entertainment, even late into the evening. Finding adults-only oases is definitely possible, but it takes effort.

Disney cruises make indulgent grown-up activities easily accessible while kids are distracted with clubs. That level of adult-only immersion surpasses most Disney World experiences.

Related Articles : Disney World for Adults , Disney World for Couples , Alcohol on Disney Cruises .

Earn Free Credit Toward Cruise Activities When You Book With The Vacationeer

Additional comparison factors:

Ease of transportation.

Disney Cruise Line typically offers seamless ground transportation between the ship, airport, and hotels (for an extra fee). On the other hand, Disney World requires you to arrange your own transportation to and from Orlando’s airport and then use Disney’s free transportation to travel between resorts and theme parks.

Proximity to Airport

Disney World is a 25-minute drive from Orlando International Airport, whereas Port Canaveral is about 45 minutes away. Other Disney cruise ports are located throughout the coastal United States, Canada, and Europe. This makes Disney Cruise Line quite convenient, as it allows passengers to drive to the cruise terminal instead of flying.

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Disney Cruise Line’s most common destination, the Bahamas and Caribbean, feature tropical climates with sunny skies, whereas Disney cruises in Europe and Alaska have cooler weather. The weather at Disney World varies from mild in the winter to hot and humid in the summer. Afternoon showers are more common during the warmer months. Hurricane season can disrupt a Disney vacation in the late summer or fall. Disney Cruises are not immune from hurricanes, but can reroute the ship to avoid impacts.

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Which is Better: Disney World or Disney Cruise Line?

When deciding between a Disney cruise and a trip to Disney World, it can be difficult to determine which is the best choice. The truth is, there is no “one size fits all” option. However, by comparing the following factors, you can make an informed decision based on your family’s preferences for an unforgettable vacation:

• The ages of your family members
• Your budget
• The length of your trip
• Your priority activities, such as character meet-and-greets, thrill rides, dining, or relaxation

If thrill rides, variety, and flexibility are top priorities, Disney World often wins out. However, Disney cruises have the edge for all-inclusive pricing, built-in dining, and easier planning.

To summarize, both Disney cruises and Walt Disney World vacations offer excellent opportunities to reconnect with your inner child and create lifelong family memories. Whether you prefer pixie dust at Disney parks or Disney magic on the seas, you can’t go wrong with either option.

We hope that our Disney World versus Disney Cruise guide has been helpful. If you still need help deciding which is right for you, the Disney trip-planning experts at The Vacationeer are available to help you.

The Vacationeer – Your Disney Vacation Planning Experts

As a Diamond-Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency, The Vacationeer offers:

• A dedicated travel advisor who will get to know your family’s preferences through a free trip consultation
• Expertise to find the best Disney cruise itinerary or Disney World package for your family’s needs
• Planning and booking of your entire Disney cruise or Walt Disney World vacation
• Ability to apply the best discounts and promotions to save you money
• Exclusive perks like onboard credit for Disney cruises
• Customized Disney packing checklists with their insider tips
• Years of first-hand Disney cruise and theme park vacation experience

The Vacationeer will simplify planning so you can focus on the fun ahead. Reach out today to get started on tailoring your dream Disney family vacation!

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Disney cruise vs. Disney World: Which is the more magical vacation?

If you're in the mood for a Disney vacation, it's natural for your first thought to go to one of the Disney theme parks, such as Disney World or Disneyland . But as someone who loves the Disney parks, I'm here to tell you that's not always the best Disney vacation. In fact, it's entirely possible that for some families — and some trips — the better Disney vacation is the one you'll find at sea on a Disney cruise.

So, which do you choose: a Disney cruise or Disney World?

There are pros and cons to each choice. Disney parks have gotten more expensive with an a la carte pricing model that no longer includes airport transfers, FastPasses and other nice-to-have conveniences. A theme park vacation can also be complicated to plan, especially if you haven't been to Disney in several years and aren't familiar with the current rules and ways to minimize wait times.

At the same time, some fantastic new rides have opened in the last few years. You also have your choice of dozens of resort hotels at different price points, and it's hard to beat that feeling of walking down Main Street, U.S.A. toward the castle.

Meanwhile, on a Disney cruise , things have mainly stayed the same as they have been for the past 25 years, with activities, entertainment, lodging and most of your dining included in one cruise price. And yes, Mickey and his friends are found on board, so you can still get that photo and hug with your favorite pal.

But while you'll find Mickey both on a Disney cruise and at Disney World, the two vacation experiences are quite different. Here's a look at a Disney cruise versus a trip to Disney World to help you decide which family vacation is better for you.

Related: Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?

Both a Disney cruise and a trip to Disney World are large financial investments, so both are going to require some level of planning to be sure you are getting the most from your dollars and time.

That said, in both cases, you can leave many of the arrangements to the Disney vacation planning professionals , who can walk you through what you really need to know and book the main components of the trip.

For Disney World, decisions to make include where to stay and which park tickets are best for you (after factoring in how many days you wish to visit, whether or not you want to park hop, etc.). You'll want to book your sit-down meals 60 days in advance and familiarize yourself with the Disney Genie+ system if you don't want to spend hours each day in line. Although things could change in 2024, right now, you can't select any of your Genie+ attractions in advance, so you'll be doing that on your trip.

For a Disney Cruise Line sailing, you'll have to decide if you prefer a newer or more classic ship, where you want to go, which port to sail from and how many days you wish to sail.

For example, you could sail out of Port Canaveral in Florida on Disney Wish for a three- or four-night sailing to the Bahamas, spend a week cruising around Alaska on Disney Wonder or sail in Europe on Disney Dream . At certain times of the year, you'll also find Disney Cruise Line sailings out of Texas, Louisiana and California.

Once you pick a sailing, ship and cabin, you don't actually have to plan anything in advance unless you want to book excursions in port. It's common to prebook shore tours for Europe and Alaska cruises, but on Bahamas sailings, many families simply head to the beach in port or enjoy being on the ship. For trips like that, minimal planning is required once you lock in the basics.

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With a Disney cruise, dinner each night at a pre-assigned sit-down restaurant is included in your fare, and you only need to select an early or late seating in advance. The buffet, room service and on-deck grab-and-go food are available for no extra charge during the day. You only have to plan out meals if you want a reservation at one of the adults-only restaurants on board.

Winner : Both a Disney cruise and a Disney World vacation require some advance planning. How much planning the cruise requires depends on the destination you select, so it might be more planning intensive than Disney World. However, some Disney cruises likely require less planning than the average Disney World vacation.

Related: A magical guide for how to plan a trip to Disney World this year

Because both a Disney World vacation and a Disney cruise can vary widely when it comes to cost, it's hard to compare the two, but we'll do our best to give you an example.

We'll compare the cost of a four-night trip in October for a family with two adults and two children (assuming a stay at the cheapest available Deluxe resort hotel, three sit-down meals and three park days at Disney World without park hopping but with Genie+ for two days) to a four-night October sailing out of Port Canaveral on the newest Disney ship sailing, Disney Wish, in a room with a verandah.

Disney World vacation cost:

• Moderate resort stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge for four nights from Oct. 7 to 11, 2024, plus three days of park tickets: $3,243.82
• Two days of Genie+ and Lightning Lanes: $350 (estimated)
• Disney Dining Plan: $992
• Total: $4,585

Disney Cruise vacation cost:

• Oct. 7 to 11, 2024, sailing on Disney Wish in a verandah room: $5,550.12 (not including gratuities or extras)

Related: 11 ways to save money on a Disney Cruise

The reality is that a Disney cruise can be cheaper or more expensive than a Disney World vacation, largely depending on when you sail — and, of course, which cabin you choose.

While prices vary seasonally at Disney World, they don't vary quite as dramatically as at sea. For this exercise, I picked an October week that is fall break for some schools for comparison, but a four-night Disney cruise on Disney Fantasy out of Port Canaveral in mid-January 2025 can be purchased starting at $3,479 for the same family of four.

Winner : A Disney World vacation costs less than a Disney cruise in this exercise. A cruise can be cheaper than a park trip, but keep in mind that demand and prices for Disney cruises are currently pretty high. The odds are decent that a cruise will cost you a little more than a similar Disney World trip right now, at least during traditional school breaks.

Accommodations

At Disney World, you can choose from Value resorts with rooms starting around $100 per night and three-bedroom grand villas (bookable with cash or rented Disney Vacation Club points ) with themes ranging from the South Pacific to the African savannah — or an option that falls somewhere in between.

On a Disney cruise, most cabins measure between 169 and 237 square feet (not including any verandahs), with just a few very expensive cabins coming in larger.

Winner : Disney World is the clear winner in this category. While the Disney cruise cabins are certainly functional, it's hard to beat Disney World's variety of lodging options with multiple layouts, price points and themes.

Related: The best Disney World hotels

You'd have to try hard to be bored on a Disney cruise. The ships have so much more than pools and waterslides.

Each ship offers a sunup to after-sundown schedule of mostly included activities ranging from trivia, game shows and karaoke to Broadway-caliber performances, pirate parties, character meet-and-greets and more. Onboard kids and teen clubs are free to use and offer activities for children ages 3 to 17 years old.

When the ship pulls into port, you can do everything from dog sledding in Alaska to gelato tasting in the Mediterranean to relaxing on a beach in the Caribbean.

Related: 10 things to know about sailing on a Disney Alaska cruise

Winner : Disney Cruise Line shines when it comes to available activities. While Disney World has no shortage of activities within its theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs entertainment area, a Disney cruise offers an even wider variety of activities, especially if you count all the things to do at each port.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Disney Cruise Line ship

Disney World offers a wide range of terrific restaurants . Options include dining "in space," eating barbecue with the toys from "Toy Story" and enjoying fine French cuisine. Vacationers can splurge on truly fine dining at Victoria & Albert's within Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and during a fantastic multicourse Japanese meal at Takumi-Tei within Epcot — it's not all chicken fingers and midmarket options.

And if you like to budget your meals in advance, the Disney Dining Plan has made its return in early 2024 after a four-year hiatus. The Dining Plan allows you to prepay for your Disney meals and snacks for prices that range from $57 to $94 per adult, per day and $23 to $26 per child, per day, depending on which plan you select. It's possible to spend less on Disney meals by going that route if you are strategic about when and where you eat.

On all Disney cruise ships, guests eat free in three dinner venues on a rotating basis, and their servers follow them from restaurant to restaurant. On Disney Wish, for example, your serving team will join you each night in the three restaurants: Worlds of Marvel , Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure and 1923. A table is waiting for you each night, and your serving team gets to know you and your dining preferences. A show is included with two of the three restaurants, and the whole experience is a focal point of the day.

The food is pretty good, too. It's not necessarily on the same level as the highest-end Disney World fine dining restaurants, but if you want that, go to the adults-only restaurants that do cost a bit extra, such as Palo or Enchante , to get that same type of experience (but for a lot less).

Winner : A Disney cruise trumps Disney World for dining thanks to its convenient options and innovative rotational dining system. Not to mention, you can enjoy multiple meals and snacks each day without paying a cent beyond your original cruise fare.

Thrill factor

Y'all know where this one is heading — and yes, if you are after thrills, the thrill rides at Disney World tip this category into the theme park's corner. It's hard to beat the almost 60 mph launch on Tron Lightcycle Run or the backward launch on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind .

Disney cruise ships feature some tame waterslides, though the AquaDunk waterslide on Disney Magic is not for the faint of heart. If you want a good adrenaline rush at sea, book that ship. You might also find that hanging out at the front of the ship while it's heading out to sea is pretty cool in its own right. You might be able to find some thrills in port (like a zip lining excursion in Alaska), but it depends on your cruise destination.

Winner : Disney World is the clear winner if you want thrill-seeking to be the focus of the trip. Just be sure to load up on Lightening Lanes for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Space Mountain and Tron Lightcycle Run. Save the cruise for a different type of vacation.

Multigeneration-friendly

Disney World is often a strenuous vacation for many families. That's because it's the size of San Francisco, meaning you'll generally cover 10 miles or more on foot per day just to get around, and you will often feel compelled to start early and/or stay late to feel like you're getting your money's worth.

That can be tough for anyone not used to that pace (and heat), but it can be an especially challenging vacation for those who are significantly older or younger than the rest of their group. Even if your family members can handle the distance using scooters and/or strollers, not all attractions are a great match for everyone due to height restrictions and the rough impact of certain thrill rides.

On the other hand, a Disney cruise excels at having something for every age group. Even if everyone fills their days differently — splitting up to enjoy the various kids and teen clubs and adults-only bars and restaurants — you can meet up again for the shows and meals in the evening.

Winner : Disney Cruise Line excels when it comes to multigenerational vacations. From the nursery and kids and teen clubs to the onboard talks, adults-only pool area, waterslides, drink tastings and evening programming, I can't think of a better trip for a mixed-generation group than a Disney cruise. You can find something to please just about everyone within a few decks.

As fun as the theme parks are — and they really are — I wouldn't call them truly relaxing trips. Sure, you could spend your days by the pool or even the spa, but most of the time, a trip to Disney World is a fun, busy adventure.

Disney cruises differ in that Disney Cruise Line ships are made for you to spend time relaxing and enjoying the ride — out on the deck, in the spa or even in your cabin gazing out the window. "Busy" on a cruise means a schedule packed with meals, pool time and the occasional participatory game show, not hauling miles and miles across a theme park to get in the next line.

Winner : Disney Cruise Line wins this category, as a Disney cruise feels far more relaxing than a Disney World vacation.

Service is a strength of the Disney company both on land and at sea; however, the staffing ratios and nature of the interaction at sea tip the scales in favor of Disney Cruise Line. The crew can provide far more personalized and higher-quality service aboard Disney's ships than is possible in a theme park. At Disney World, your interactions with staff usually last just a few seconds as you climb aboard the next attraction or pay for that Dole Whip ice cream treat.

Even on the shorter cruises, some of the onboard staff will get to know your family's names and your kids' preferences. It's not uncommon for your dinner servers and room hosts to start to feel like friends, especially if you are on one of the slightly longer voyages.

Winner : A Disney cruise features all kinds of service extras you won't get on land, such as towel animals waiting for you in your cabin each evening and your favorite drinks magically appearing as soon as you sit down to dinner. This level of service is what makes a Disney cruise feel magical in ways that are too difficult to recreate at the parks.

Bottom line

My family and I are avid fans of both Disney World and Disney cruises. We make multiple trips to the theme parks in Florida annually and have taken seven Disney cruises, with several more already booked. While there are similarities between the two trips — the characters, the approaches to immersive storytelling, the service provided and the overall quality — the two vacations are different in many ways.

For us, we head to Disney World for busy fun, often meeting up with friends for an action-packed day full of rides and shows. We'll be on the go nonstop, doing and seeing all the things and often not getting a ton of sleep. We love the parks and want to return whenever we are packing up to leave, but we usually need a long nap the second we get back home.

A Disney cruise, on the other hand, truly feels like a vacation.

Depending on the sailing, the ports might be the highlight of the trip, especially in destinations such as Alaska and Europe. On others, the sea days when we snack all day, go to trivia games, order Mickey bars from room service, pop into an onboard Disney movie and simply enjoy being together as a family are the best part.

Looking at a Disney cruise versus Disney World, it's hard to say which is the better family vacation. It all depends on what you want from the trip.

If you wish to truly relax, enjoy attentive service and pull off a multigeneration trip with something for everyone, look to Disney cruises first.

If you want to fill your days with thrills, fireworks and your favorite characters, can handle logging some serious miles and aren't scared off by navigating Genie+ and making dining reservations, then book that trip to Disney World. Save the cruise for when you want to relax a bit more.

As for me, I'm hoping you'll find us at Disney World and on a Disney cruise this year because they are both the perfect family vacation for us — as long as we set the correct expectations before we embark on our adventure.

And, of course, if your budget and time-off schedule permit, you don't have to choose between the two trips. Many Disney Cruise Line sailings depart from Port Canaveral, which is only a one-hour drive (or Disney bus ride) away from Disney World, so you can easily combine several busy, thrill-seeking days at the parks with a short three- or four-night Disney cruise to create one weeklong trip.

Now that is what we call a vacation win.

Related reading:

• The best credit cards for your Disney vacation
• 13 new rides, attractions and experiences coming to Disney World in 2024
• The 21 most underrated things at Disney World: What to see, do and eat that many guests miss
• 26 Disney cruise tips, tricks, secrets and extra magic to unlock when setting sail with Mickey
• Everything we know about Disney Treasure, coming to Disney Cruise Line in 2024

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The Family Vacation Guide

Disney Cruise vs Disney World: Which Should You Book?

posted by James Brockbank on January 13, 2022 // last updated on January 13, 2022

Planning a Disney dream vacation is oodles of fun, but there are so many options, making it more difficult. One of the biggest decisions is which Disney destination to visit. What’s better for your family: a Disney cruise or a trip to Walt Disney World in central Florida?

The truth is that both potential vacations have lots of pluses. Below, we’ve broken them down into five categories. The good news is that whichever you choose, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time!

Planning and Booking

Entertainment and things to do, prices and costs, crowds and pace, have the best of both worlds: a land and sea adventure, enjoy your time as a family.

The experience of booking and planning your vacations is very different between a Disney cruise and Walt Disney World, mainly because the cruise is all-inclusive and Disney World is not.

Walt Disney World

When you plan and book a Disney World vacation, you have a lot of decisions to make. What’s more, you have to be seriously on top of everything if you want the best experience possible.

Once you choose your dates, you have to decide on where to stay. Disney operates 25 different options for accommodations , and there are literally hundreds of “off-property” hotels in the vicinity from which to choose.

Then, you have to decide on park tickets . How many days do you want to visit the parks? Do you want to add the Park Hopper Option to visit more than one park per day? What about the waterparks or sports complex? 

Once you make those choices, you have to buy the tickets and make your park reservations as far in advance as possible, lest the parks you want to visit sell out for the day. We also recommend doing some advance planning around what rides and attractions you want to experience before visiting. That can provide some direction to your experience in the parks. 

Don’t forget about dining! As of January 2022, Disney has not reinstated its dining plans. Still, if you want to eat in any of the restaurants, we strongly recommend making reservations; many are very popular and will book up months in advance (dining reservations open 180 days in advance). 

What is more, you have to budget for each of these things separately, in addition to souvenir shopping, unique experiences, and other incidental costs. 

All of this being said, some people are natural planners and enjoy that part of the experience. If that’s you, then you’ll love all the work that goes into planning your Walt Disney World vacation. After all, it can be a lot of fun.

Disney Cruise

When it comes to booking your trip and planning everything you’ll do, a Disney cruise is easier. Your most significant decisions happen upfront when choosing which cruise itinerary you want to take and which ship you want to sail. That dictates your ports-of-call as well as the available activities.

You should also decide ahead of time whether you want to take excursions at your ports-of-call or what you want to do during your days there. You don’t have to plan tours, and sometimes it’s fun to wander around and explore. But if you’re looking for adventure–whether it’s seeing ancient ruins or scuba diving–you’ll need to do some planning.

Some other activities and experiences onboard Disney cruises also require reservations. There are restaurants where reservations are strongly recommended (including character dining), as well as childcare, spa treatments, and more.

However, the majority of your time at sea will be much more relaxed and go-with-the-flow. Your family will enjoy the luxury of waking up and deciding then and there what they want to do, which can be a welcome change of pace from your busy lifestyle at home.

There is a lot to do on both a Disney cruise and a Disney World vacation, although the activities are very different.

In Walt Disney World, the main thing to do is the theme parks . Disney World has four parks – Hollywood Studios , Epcot , Magic Kingdom , and Animal Kingdom – and each is packed with rides, attractions, entertainment, and more. They have activities for kids and grown-ups of all ages, from thrill rides to character meet-and-greets to shows and parades.

Disney World is also home to two waterparks , Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, with state-of-the-art slides and water attractions. They have a massive dining, entertainment, and shopping district called Disney Springs with hundreds of stores, eateries, bars, and more. 

As mentioned above, Disney World also has 25 hotels and other accommodation options. All of which have swimming pools and other family-friendly activities, such as outdoor movies at night, games, and much more. Finally, sports fans can enjoy the Disney ESPN Wide World of Sports and multiple miniature and regular golf courses.

Many of the activities you’ll find onboard a Disney cruise are similar to those on any cruise ship. Disney Cruise Line has five ships, Dream , Fantasy , Magic , Wish , and Wonder . Each has unique offerings, and we recommend exploring each of them in-depth.

Generally speaking, though, each of the ships has some similar features . They all have multiple swimming pools and water activities, including slides, splash pads, and even surfing or wakeboarding experiences. 

There is a spa on every ship with a range of treatments. Each ship has specific areas and activities for kids of various ages and adults. There are kids’ clubs where parents can drop their little ones to enjoy adult time at bars and lounges.

There is also live entertainment on each ship, and every boat does fireworks at sea and character experiences. You need to book some of these in advance. However, many do not require reservations, adding to the relaxed atmosphere on board.

The food and dining situations in Walt Disney World and aboard a Disney cruise are very different, as you might expect. Let’s take a closer look.

On land in Disney World, the dining options are virtually endless. There are restaurants for just about every cuisine and so many themes. These include Japanese, Moroccan, regional Italian, African, Mexican, and so much more. 

In addition, enjoy dining with princesses, Mickey Mouse and friends, a Hawaiian luau, an Old West show, and so on. No matter what you’re craving, you’ll probably find it somewhere in Disney World.

Not to mention, there are multiple dining styles. You can stay in a villa and cook for yourselves. There are quick serve, casual sit-down restaurants, formal dining, and endless snack options everywhere. Of course, all of these choices can be overwhelming, and it plays into how much planning you need to do. 

Because the cruise ship is a contained environment, there are fewer choices, but that doesn’t mean the quality or quantity is lesser. In fact, guests rave about the dining options and food quality onboard Disney cruises. 

In addition, there is a lot of variety. You can find all of the basics and some creative options at the buffets and restaurants, and each of the ships has multiple restaurants and dining options.

While the dining options might be fewer onboard a cruise ship, one of the significant benefits (which ties into our subsequent discussion) is that the food is all-inclusive (mostly) and all you can eat! 

No need to worry whether your kids will only eat a few bites of their appetizer or whether they’ll like the entree they want to try; you can have it all! That also means that not everyone in your family needs to agree on where to eat. Everyone can get exactly what they want.

In truth, it’s difficult to compare the costs of the two options because there are so many ways to tweak both vacations. Still, there are some significant points to cover.

There are many ways to save (or spend) money at Disney World. For example, staying in a value resort instead of a deluxe villa will save hundreds, as will sticking to quick-serve meals and limiting souvenir shopping.

The most important thing to know about costs at Disney World, especially in comparison to a Disney cruise, is that everything is a la carte. Especially since they’ve suspended sales of the dining plan, you can expect to pay separately for every part of your vacation. Constantly taking out your wallet and spending money can cause a lot of stress while you’re supposed to be relaxing and enjoying.

Once again, prices can vary widely; a two or three-day cruise is exponentially cheaper than a seven or ten-day, and staying in a standard stateroom is less expensive than a suite.

One of the things that can make a Disney cruise so appealing is that it’s (mostly) all-inclusive. That means that you don’t have to budget for every little thing, including meals, most entertainment, experiences, or even accommodations. The only extras are excursions, special activities, and sometimes alcohol for the adults.

In the end, you can make a Disney cruise or a Walt Disney World vacation work on most vacation budgets. The significant upside to a Disney cruise is that it’s all-inclusive, with very few surprise costs. But there’s more flexibility and ways to save at Walt Disney World.

The size of the crowds and the pace of your vacation are two of the significant differences between Walt Disney World and a Disney Cruise.

There’s enough to do both onboard the ship and in Walt Disney World to fill more than a week’s vacation. That said, the pace is much faster and more intense on land in Florida. With so many rides, shows, and things to see, there’s pressure to go, go, go all day and into the night.

Disney is also very good at creating buzzing energy throughout the parks, making you want to see and do it all. You’ll be on your feet all day doing miles of walking, too. Many people leave their Disney World vacation more tired than when they arrived!

Walt Disney World can also be very crowded, depending on the time of year that you visit. If you visit during peak season (much of the summer, school breaks, and around all major holidays), you can expect huge crowds, even with the new park reservation system. That can mean long lines for attractions.

The pace of a Disney cruise is typically more relaxed than a Walt Disney World vacation. Guests are encouraged to take things slow and relax. In addition, because it is a contained environment, there isn’t as much pressure to keep going constantly.

One of the other nice things about a Disney cruise is that there is greater crowd control since there are only so many staterooms that can only hold a certain number of guests. That way, you don’t feel the pressure to get in line early or compete with other visitors for activities and access. There’s more than enough to go around!

If you’ve read through all of these criteria and still can’t decide, then don’t! Instead, opt for a land and sea adventure , where you take a short cruise and spend a few days in Walt Disney World. Disney sells packages for these types of vacations.

The plus side is rather apparent because you get to enjoy both options, the cruise and the theme parks. The packages that Disney sells are usually for three or four-night cruises and three or four nights at Walt Disney World. Often, these packages include hotel accommodations and park tickets on land.

Everything else works largely the same way: you can plan excursions for your cruise and customize your time at the Florida resort however you want. Upgrades are usually available, but downgrades are not. You can also extend the land portion of your trip, but you may not be eligible for the special rates of the packages.

No matter which you choose – a Disney cruise or a vacation to Walt Disney World – the most important thing is that you enjoy your time together as a family. Use this information to make the right decision based on your ideal trip, and then have the most magical experience of a lifetime!

More about our TFVG Author

James Brockbank

A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.

Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.

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Table of Contents

Disney Cruise Line vs. Disney World: An overall cost comparison

What’s included in a disney cruise, what costs should you account for on a disney world trip, the bottom line, methodology.

A Disney Cruise certainly isn’t cheap, especially compared with other cruise operators. But what about compared with other types of Disney vacations?

For many travelers, a Disney cruise actually comes out cheaper than a trip to Walt Disney World.

To better understand Disney Cruise Line versus Disney World costs, NerdWallet analyzed prices for two people sharing one room across three price tiers: Value, Moderate or Deluxe.

Disney World trip costs included four categories:

Park tickets (and add-ons, such as Lightning Lane Multi Pass ).

On-property hotel room rates.

Food at park restaurants.

Add-on activities, such as spa treatments and tours.

Cruise prices are mostly all-inclusive, so the analysis only included:

Base rates (including taxes and fees).

Add-on activities.

Read more about NerdWallet’s methodology at the end of this article .

Here’s a closer look at the data on Disney Cruise Line versus Disney World costs.

While the data doesn’t definitively determine whether one is cheaper every time, there are some clear trends.

For longer trips (e.g., seven nights), cruises are always cheaper. Cruises are also a better deal for Deluxe-style trips with larger or fancier rooms, plus activities like spa services.

Here are the average prices across each trip type:

Disney's newest ship, the Disney Wish. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

While Disney Cruises have a relatively high base cost, you won’t pay much more once onboard. Cruises include:

A room for two, plus taxes and port fees: Stateroom prices assume double occupancy, so solo travelers owe the same as a couple. They also include taxes and port fees, which vary by location but typically amount to about 15% of stateroom costs. Cramming more than two people in each room incurs an additional cost.

On Disney’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, the lowest-cost, inside staterooms include a queen bed, convertible sofa bed, pull-down bed and bathroom, plus a mini refrigerator and TV.

Most meals, including most waiter-service restaurants, such as 1923, are included in the cost of your cruise. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

All meals (except some upgraded choices): Food is free, except for a few upscale restaurants, alcohol and upgraded options. You can eat as much as you want from the onboard restaurants or order complimentary room service (available 24 hours a day).

Soft drinks are included at meals and at certain outposts like the teens-only lounge — but cost extra at bars and lounges. Alcohol is always extra, though Disney lets you bring alcohol onboard in limited quantities.

Nightly entertainment is free onboard the Disney cruise ships, such as the musical “Disney Seas the Adventure" onboard the Disney Wish. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

Most entertainment and activities: Once onboard, you’re free to attend Broadway-quality shows, jump in the pools, hit the gym, visit the nightclubs and meet characters roaming about.

What’s not included in a Disney Cruise?

Spa services, such as those offered at the Sense Spa on the Disney Wish, cost extra. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

There are a few extra costs you’ll almost certainly encounter onboard. Extra costs include:

Gratuities: While not required, they’re recommended. Disney suggests $14.50 per person, per night (about $100 extra per person on a seven-night cruise). Disney automatically adds an 18% gratuity for some optional add-ons, such as spa services and alcohol.

Transportation to the ship: You’re on your own to arrive at the port, though Disney can help coordinate shuttles (for an extra fee, of course). Note that NerdWallet didn't include transportation expenses to Disney World in its analysis.

Avoidable extras on a Disney cruise

Disney might try to sell passengers upgrades and add-ons, but you can have a delightful cruise even if you skip them:

Port adventures: Upon docking, you’re free to explore on your own, which is theoretically free. Or, you can pay Disney to chauffeur you around through organized excursions. Some are affordable, like bike rentals (typically under $20). Others cost more, like tours of historical sites and guided scuba dives. Some run many thousands of dollars, like a seaplane ride through Misty Fjords National Monument offered on some Alaska cruises.

Wi-Fi: Internet access costs extra. Prices vary by itinerary, though it’s rare to find free Wi-Fi on any cruise .

Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge. (Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line)

Some onboard entertainment and activities: You might pay extra for a princess tea party, personal training or a golf simulator. For what it's worth, these things can make for one of the most memorable parts of the cruise. Disney cruise line bars rank among the best on the seas — especially those with over-the-top theming like Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge on the Disney Wish and the French Quarter Lounge on the Disney Wonder.

At Disney World, you generally pay for food and entertainment à la carte. While most experiences are included once inside the park, you’re still paying for a ticket to get inside and the food at restaurants while you’re there.

So with that, here are some costs you should expect to encounter at Disney World, broken down by service level:

Disney World ticket prices

Disney World ticket prices vary by park and date. An average Magic Kingdom ticket (typically the most expensive park) costs $160 for one-day tickets, though prices drop the longer you stay. NerdWallet found that the average five-day, one-park-per-day ticket price was $643, which breaks down to $129 per day.

Disney sells additional add-ons like Park Hopper tickets that let you visit multiple parks each day or access to Lightning Lane entrances , which are priority queues for certain attractions.

Disney World hotels

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

There are more than 30 Disney-owned hotels at Disney World. According to Disney price tracking site Touring Plans, rooms run as low as $128 per night at the affordable Disney All-Star properties.

Disney World food costs

Comparing Disney World versus Disney Cruise Line food is tricky, considering cruises are all-you-can-eat. Disney World has buffets and restaurants with à la carte meals and snacks.

Folks with lighter appetites (or who pack snacks) might find Disney World more worth it than a cruise. But cruises can offer significant savings for those who take advantage of the all-you-can-eat meals.

Other activities

Drawn to Life at Disney Springs will require you to buy a separate ticket. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

Across both cruises and Disney World, you could stay entertained without opening your wallet (yes, there is plenty of free stuff to do at Disney World outside the theme parks ). But it’s more realistic to assume someone spending a week at either would pay for extra activities, like spa services, snorkel rentals, mini golf or cruise Wi-Fi.

Depending on the length of the trip and price tier, NerdWallet’s sample budgets accounted for additional entertainment line items:

In general, cruisers should budget more for add-on activities than Disney World vacationers. However, even the most frugal travelers are likely to pay a bit more for add-ons during a weeklong Disney World trip.

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park (Photo courtesy of Disney)

Don’t write off a cruise simply because the upfront cost is far higher than a Disney hotel room. A cruise is more than a place to sleep — it’s food and entertainment, too. When budgeting for a Disney World trip, budget for theme park tickets, food and all the other incidental costs that go along with it.

Both trips are growing in popularity. In 2022, Disney saw a 51% increase in occupied hotel room nights across all its resorts and a 32% increase in passenger cruise days, according to its Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Financial Report — suggesting that interest in theme parks is rising faster than cruises.

But for vacationers seeking any sort of Disney fix — especially for a week or longer who prefer more luxurious accommodations — cruising might be cheaper than going to Disney World.

NerdWallet analyzed more than 75 cruise prices, 200 ticket prices and 550 hotel room rates at Disney-owned hotels, and prices for more than 100 additional activities and restaurant menu items.

NerdWallet broke trips into one-night, three-night and seven-night trips, and also categorized trips into three price tiers: Value, Moderate and Deluxe (the same classification that Disney World uses for its hotels).

NerdWallet’s trip costs start once you’re on resort property or onboard the cruise, and therefore don’t account for parking, airfare or driving costs. Here’s what’s included in each price tier:

From there, NerdWallet used average costs to build sample trip budgets.

Additional Disney World notes:

Trips assume three meals per day and overnight stays at a Disney-owned hotel.

Three-night hotel room rates are based on Friday night check-in, which is generally more expensive than weekday check-ins. All hotel room rates are based on check-in dates that correspond with cruise departure dates.

Because Walt Disney World ticket prices vary by park, two-day ticket prices (used to estimate prices for a three-day trip) were based on Magic Kingdom and Epcot. 

Additional Disney Cruise notes:

Because Disney Cruise Line doesn't offer discounted single-occupancy fares, all overall costs are based on two travelers (with hotel prices also assuming double occupancy).

NerdWallet’s cruise analysis considered departures from Port Canaveral, Florida, which is about an hour's drive from Walt Disney World.

NerdWallet analyzed cruises sailing through The Bahamas, though prices vary widely by destination.

NerdWallet analyzed journeys on the two ships: the Disney Fantasy and the Disney Wish.

These budgets should be used to estimate rather than determine your own Disney trip costs. For instance, you might spend less if you pack your own snacks, or you might spend more if you spring for miscellaneous costs (e.g. taxis, Mickey-shaped balloons or PhotoPass).

Sam Kemmis and Carissa Rawson contributed to this report.

(Top photo courtesy of Disney)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Which is a Better Vacation: Disney World vs Disney Cruise?

This article is your guide to choosing Disney World vs Disney Cruise for your next vacation! As Disney expands its incredible floating fleet, many more guests wonder if the cruise is worth the trip. Especially with the rising cost of park tickets, it makes sense to compare which is better. We’ve done both Disney vacations and have our opinions on what we would choose as Disney adults.

That’s why we’ve written this article, to help you figure out if a Disney Cruise or Disney World vacation is better for you. There is a lot to compare the two, like prices, entertainment and more! So if you’d like to see a full comparison of Disney World vs Disney Cruise 2o24 , keep reading.

We hope you find this post helpful! And if you are planning a Disney Cruise, check out our other FREE vacation planning tools. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time on your next vacation and find the cheapest Disney Cruise vacation!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Disney World check out our Disney Crowd calendar!

 Disney World Crowd Calendar

Disney World vs Disney Cruise Overview

When it comes to planning the perfect family vacation, few destinations rival the magic of Disney. But the age-old question persists: Disney World or Disney Cruise ? Each offers a unique blend of enchantment and adventure. Disney World, with its vast theme parks and endless attractions, promises a whirlwind of excitement. On the other hand, Disney Cruise Line combines the thrill of ocean voyages with the notion of Disney.

We’re Disney lovers and have been to both, multiple times and have pros and cons for each magical vacation. Shockingly, there are many factors to consider when choosing between Disney Cruise Line vs Disney World vacations! Let’s dive into what makes each option special and which might be the best choice for your family.

Do you go to Disney World on a Disney cruise?

A common question among Disney enthusiasts is whether their journey with Disney Cruise Line can incorporate the magic of Disney World. While the cruise itself doesn’t dock directly at Disney World, there’s a convenient way to combine these two extraordinary Disney experiences.

Many Disney cruises set sail from or make a stop at Port Canaveral, Florida, which is approximately an hour’s drive from Walt Disney World Resort . This proximity makes it feasible for guests on certain itineraries to plan a special excursion to the parks.

Disney Cruise Line often offers organized shore excursions, known as Port Adventures, which can include a day trip to Walt Disney World. These adventures are meticulously planned to ensure guests enjoy a seamless experience. Transportation is typically arranged from the port to the parks, allowing guests to spend a day exploring the magic of Disney World’s four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

For those looking to take advantage of this opportunity, it’s essential to consider the timing and duration of the port stop. Usually, these excursions are offered on cruises that have a longer duration at Port Canaveral, ensuring guests have ample time to enjoy the parks and return to the ship.

Related post:  When is the Cheapest Time to go on a Disney Cruise?

What is the Difference Between Disney World and Disney Cruise?

The key difference is the type of experience. Disney World offers a more traditional theme park adventure with a vast array of attractions and experiences. A Disney cruise provides a more relaxed vacation with the convenience of having most of your entertainment and dining included, along with unique Disney-themed onboard activities and shows. If you’re looking for a jam-packed Disney vacation , Disney World will be more your speed, but if you like leisure, buffets, and relaxation, a Disney Cruise is for you.

Disney World Vacation Vs Disney Cruise Main Differences

Disney world:.

• Variety of Attractions : From classic rides like “It’s a Small World” to thrilling coasters like “Space Mountain,” Disney World caters to all ages and interests. The parks are known for their immersive lands, such as Pandora – The World of Avatar and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge , offering an unparalleled level of detail and storytelling.
• Entertainment Options : Beyond the rides, Disney World provides a plethora of entertainment options including parades, fireworks, character meet-and-greets, and live shows.
• Dining Experiences : The resort boasts a wide range of dining options, from quick service to fine dining, themed restaurants to character meals , ensuring a diverse culinary journey.
• Accommodation and Flexibility : Guests can choose from a range of accommodations within the resort, offering various themes and amenities. The flexibility to customize your day, choose your parks, and plan your activities is a significant part of the Disney World experience.

Disney Cruise:

• All-Inclusive Experience : One of the most significant differences is the all-inclusive nature of a Disney Cruise. Your accommodations, dining, entertainment, and numerous onboard activities are included in the cruise fare.
• Unique Entertainment and Activities : Disney Cruises feature Broadway-caliber shows, themed deck parties (like the famous “Pirate Night”), and character experiences that are more intimate compared to the theme parks. Additionally, Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, provides an exclusive tropical retreat for cruise guests.
• Dining at Sea : The dining experience on a Disney Cruise is both diverse and convenient, featuring rotational dining that allows guests to experience different themed restaurants with the same serving team accompanying them each night.
• Relaxation and Scenery : Unlike the constant go-go-go atmosphere of Disney World, a Disney Cruise offers a more relaxed pace. Guests can enjoy the scenery, spend time in adult-exclusive areas, or partake in family activities at their leisure.

Related post:  Complete Guide to a Disney Cruise For Adults

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Cost

Budget is often a deciding factor in vacation planning. Generally, Disney Cruises can be more expensive upfront due to the inclusion of accommodations, food, and entertainment in the package. However, Disney World trips can add up with hotel stays, park tickets , meals, and extras. When considering Disney Cruise vs Disney World , it’s crucial to factor in all potential expenses to see which aligns with your budget.

For both, you’ll have to consider transportation, to either the parks or Port Canaveral from the airport. If you stay at a Disney resort , you will have free transportation around the resort, but you’ll still have to get yourself from the airport to your hotel.

Is Disney World or a Disney cruise cheaper?

Comparing costs isn’t straightforward, as it depends on the type of experience you’re seeking and the time of year. Here’s a general breakdown for a summer vacation in Disney World to give you an idea:

• Park Tickets for Disney World : Prices for tickets can vary, but a standard one-day ticket starts at around $109 per person. However, the per-day cost decreases as you add more days. For a week-long visit, you might be looking at approximately $500 to $600 per person for park tickets alone.
• Accommodation : Costs can vary widely based on whether you choose to stay at a Disney resort, a nearby hotel, or a vacation rental. Disney resort hotels range from value resorts (starting around $150 per night) to deluxe resorts (which can be $500 per night or more). A moderate budget for a week-long stay might be around $200 per night, totaling approximately $1,400.
• Food and Dining : Dining costs can also vary. If you dine primarily at quick-service locations, you might spend around $40-60 per person per day. For sit-down restaurants, the cost can be significantly higher. For a family of four, a moderate dining budget might be around $200 per day, totaling $1,400 for a week.
• Additional Expenses : This includes souvenirs, special tours, or other experiences. This can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on your choices.
• Travel and Miscellaneous Costs : Don’t forget to factor in the cost of flights or driving to Orlando, as well as other miscellaneous expenses like car rentals and insurance.

So, a rough estimate for a moderate week-long Disney World vacation for a family of four in summer could be around $6,000 to $8,000, considering accommodation, park tickets, dining, and additional expenses. A 7-night Caribbean cruise for a family of four in a standard stateroom might start around $5,000 and can go up significantly for higher category rooms or additional guests.

Related post:   How Much is a Disney Cruise Per Person?

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Planning Process

Planning a trip to Disney World requires coordinating park tickets , Disney Genie+, dining reservations, and hotel bookings. Conversely, a Disney cruise offers a more streamlined planning experience. Once you book your cruise, much of your itinerary is set, with options to add on excursions or special experiences.

That’s why as vacationing adults without kids, we tend to lean toward the Disney Cruise for ease of planning. Other than choosing your sailing date, destination, and travel to port, there’s not much more to stress about for a Disney Cruise. So, for ease of planning, we would have to say a cruise wins for Disney World vs Disney Cruise vacation .

How do I add Disney World to my Disney cruise?

Combining a Disney World trip with a Disney Cruise creates a comprehensive Disney experience, offering the excitement of the theme parks followed by the relaxation of a cruise. Disney’s land-and-sea vacation packages are specially designed for this purpose, providing a seamless transition from adventure-filled days at the parks to the enchanting voyage of a Disney Cruise. These packages not only offer convenience and a hassle-free experience but also include benefits like transportation from Disney World to Port Canaveral, where the cruise embarks. You can speak with one of our vacation experts to add a Disney World vacation to your cruise today!

On a Disney Cruise, a different kind of Disney magic awaits, with entertainment, dining, and activities for all ages. These cruises often feature stops at exotic destinations, including Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The flexibility of these land-and-sea packages allows you to tailor your vacation to your family’s preferences, choosing the duration of your stay at Disney World and the itinerary of your cruise. Planning is key to maximizing this experience, ensuring a vacation that perfectly blends the thrill of Disney World with the serenity of a Disney Cruise. So, whether you’re leaning towards Disney World or a Disney Cruise , you can have the best of both worlds with a Disney cruise and Disney World combined package.

Related post:  Your Complete Guide To A Disney Christmas Cruise

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Attractions and Entertainment

Disney World boasts four iconic theme parks filled with beloved attractions and shows. The variety is staggering, from thrilling rides to immersive lands. A Disney cruise, while more limited in physical space, still packs a punch with Broadway-style shows, deck parties, and themed days at sea. The choice here depends on whether you prefer the vast array of attractions at Disney World or the all-inclusive entertainment of a cruise.

Examples of Disney World entertainment:

• Magic Kingdom : Experience the classic enchantment of attractions like Cinderella’s Castle, Space Mountain, and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Don’t miss the nightly fireworks and the famous parade featuring Disney characters.
• Epcot : Dive into cultural experiences from around the world at the World Showcase and enjoy futuristic attractions like Test Track and Spaceship Earth. Epcot is also home to various seasonal festivals like the Flower and Garden Festival .
• Hollywood Studios : Immerse yourself in the world of movies with attractions like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Toy Story Land. The Fantasmic! nighttime show and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular are must-sees.
• Animal Kingdom : Explore Pandora – The World of Avatar, enjoy thrilling rides like Expedition Everest, and don’t miss the chance to see live animals on the Kilimanjaro Safaris. The park also offers unique shows like the Festival of the Lion King.

Examples of Disney Cruise entertainment:

• Broadway-Style Shows : Enjoy top-notch, Broadway-style performances such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin” which are exclusive to Disney Cruise Line.
• Deck Parties : Participate in themed deck parties like “Pirate Night,” complete with fireworks at sea, character appearances, and live entertainment.
• Themed Days at Sea : Experience special days like Marvel Day at Sea or Star Wars Day at Sea, featuring character encounters, special merchandise, and themed activities.
• Kids’ and Teens’ Clubs : Kids can enjoy age-appropriate clubs with Disney-themed activities and character interactions, while teens have their cool hangouts and activities.
• Adult-Exclusive Areas : Relax in adult-only areas such as nightclubs, lounges, and the Quiet Cove Pool. There are also adult-exclusive dining options like Palo or Remy.

Both Disney World and Disney Cruise Line offer a plethora of entertainment options, each tailored to their unique settings. Whether it’s the expansive and varied experiences of Disney World’s parks or the all-inclusive, luxury entertainment of a Disney cruise, there’s something special for every guest.

Related post:  What are the Disney World Genie+ Rides?

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Characters

Both Disney World and Disney Cruises offer ample opportunities to meet your favorite Disney characters. However, character interactions on a cruise can be more intimate and less rushed, providing unique experiences like dining with characters or seeing them in themed shows. We feel like meeting characters in Disney World can be chaotic and sometimes less organized.

Disney World Character Experiences:

At Disney World, character interactions are a cornerstone of the park experience. Here, you can meet a wide array of characters across the four theme parks. From impromptu encounters to scheduled meet-and-greets in specific locations, there are numerous opportunities to interact with your favorite characters. Character dining experiences, such as breakfast with princesses at Cinderella’s Royal Table or a festive meal at Chef Mickey’s, are also available. The parades and shows offer additional chances to see characters in action. The experience can vary, from a quick hug and photo to brief conversations. During peak times, however, these interactions might feel a bit rushed due to longer lines and time constraints.

Disney Cruise Character Experiences:

On a Disney Cruise, the character experiences tend to be more intimate. With fewer guests on board compared to the parks, the lines for meet-and-greets are typically shorter, allowing for more personal interactions. Characters often roam the ship, popping up in unexpected places, which can lead to delightful surprise encounters. Unique to the cruises are themed character experiences, such as pirate night or a royal gathering, where characters dress according to the theme, adding an extra layer of excitement. Character dining on the cruise is also a more relaxed affair, giving families more time to interact with characters. The smaller setting of the ship allows for repeated interactions with characters, often leading to memorable and personalized experiences.

In conclusion, while Disney World offers a broader range of characters and more traditional theme park meet-and-greets, Disney Cruises provides a more intimate setting for character interactions, with unique themed experiences and a relaxed atmosphere that allows for more personal and memorable moments with beloved Disney characters.

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Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Food

Dining at Disney World is an adventure in itself, with a vast array of restaurants ranging from quick service to fine dining. On a Disney Cruise, meals are included in your package, offering a mix of buffet, casual, and fine dining options. Each has its culinary highlights, so food lovers can’t go wrong with either choice.

Disney World Dining:

Disney World is a foodie’s paradise with a dizzying array of dining options. Spread across its four theme parks, resorts, and Disney Springs, the choices range from quick-service eateries to upscale, fine-dining restaurants. You can embark on a culinary journey around the world at Epcot’s World Showcase, enjoy character dining experiences like breakfast with beloved characters at The Crystal Palace, or indulge in signature dining at places like the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort.

Quick service options offer convenience and variety, perfect for on-the-go meals between attractions. Special dining experiences, like dinner shows and dining packages with reserved viewing for parades and fireworks, add an extra layer of magic to the dining experience. Each restaurant at Disney World offers a unique theme and menu, ensuring that every meal is an adventure.

Disney Cruise Dining:

Aboard a Disney Cruise, the dining experience is designed to be both convenient and luxurious. With your cruise package, most meals are included, encompassing a range of dining styles from casual buffet options to elegant, sit-down dinners. The rotational dining system is a highlight, allowing you to experience different themed restaurants each night while keeping the same waitstaff for personalized service throughout your voyage. Each ship boasts uniquely themed restaurants that bring Disney storytelling to life, such as the undersea environment of Animator’s Palate or the fairytale elegance of Royal Court. Specialty restaurants like Palo and Remy offer adult-exclusive dining experiences for an additional fee, providing a more upscale, intimate setting. Casual dining options are available throughout the day, and room service adds an extra level of convenience. Themed dinners, like the Pirates of the Caribbean feast, add a fun twist to your dining experience.

Which has better service: Disney Cruise vs Disney World?

We would have to say that Disney Cruise Line wins by an edge. When comparing services between Disney Cruise Line and Disney World , each offers exceptional but distinct experiences. Disney Cruise Line is renowned for its personalized service, with a higher staff-to-guest ratio allowing for more individual attention, consistent dining staff throughout your voyage, inclusive room service, and dedicated children’s programs. In contrast, Disney World, with its vast scale, impresses with the sheer breadth of its high-quality service across various settings, from theme parks to resorts. While the cruise provides a more intimate and tailored service experience, Disney World excels in managing and delivering excellent service across a larger, more varied operation.

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Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Crowds

Dealing with crowds is a part of any Disney experience. Disney World can be particularly crowded, especially during peak seasons. A Disney cruise, while still busy, often feels less overwhelming due to the limited number of passengers and more expansive space. That’s why this section of Disney Cruise vs Disney World is a much clearer winner.

Disney Cruise crowds are controlled with overhead capacity, structured scheduling, and multiple off-shore excursion experiences. Unfortunately, there is a little more variability when planning a Disney World vacation with crowds. But you can always check out our Disney World crowd calendar for planning.

Related post:  Complete Guide to When is Disney World Least Crowded

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Kid and Adult Experiences

Both destinations offer a fantastic mix of kid-friendly and adult-exclusive options. Disney World has entire parks and areas geared towards different age groups, while Disney Cruises features clubs for kids and teens, as well as adult-only dining and lounges. From personal experience, we’ve seen fewer kids on a Disney Cruise than we have in the park.

For us, that is a perk for childless adults, but that could mean a Disney World vacation might bode better for them. Either way, there is still plenty for kids and families to do on a Disney Cruise.

Kid and Adult Experiences at Disney World:

• Diverse Attractions for All Ages : Disney World’s four theme parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom – offer a variety of attractions suitable for all ages. From the fantasy and enchantment of Magic Kingdom’s classic rides to the educational experiences at Epcot and the thrilling adventures in Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, there’s something to captivate every member of the family.
• Interactive Experiences for Kids : The parks offer numerous interactive experiences for children, such as character meet-and-greets, interactive play areas, and themed playgrounds.
• Adult-Focused Entertainment : For adults, Epcot’s World Showcase offers cultural experiences and culinary delights from around the globe, while fine dining restaurants and upscale lounges across the resorts provide sophisticated relaxation and dining options. Adults can also enjoy world-class entertainment, shopping, and spas.

Kid and Adult Experiences on a Disney Cruise:

• Dedicated Kids’ Clubs and Activities : Disney Cruises features extensive kids’ clubs that are segmented by age group, offering activities and entertainment tailored to different stages of childhood. These clubs are equipped with Disney-themed activities, character interactions, and supervised play areas, allowing kids to engage in fun and safe environments.
• Teen Spaces : For teens, Disney Cruises offers cool hangouts and age-appropriate activities, providing them with their own space to socialize and enjoy tailored entertainment.
• Adult-Exclusive Areas : Disney Cruises shines with its adult-exclusive areas, including fine dining restaurants like Palo and Remy, adult-only pool areas, spas, and nightclubs. These spaces provide adults with a chance to relax and enjoy a more refined experience while kids are engaged in supervised activities.
• Family Activities : Beyond the age-specific options, Disney Cruises also offers plenty of family activities, including Broadway-style shows, deck parties, and movie screenings, ensuring shared fun for the entire family.

Related post:  Complete Guide to Disney World Payment Plans

Which Should You Choose: Disney World or Disney Cruise 2024?

The decision between Disney Cruise vs Disney World ultimately comes down to what kind of experience you’re seeking. For non-stop action and a wide variety of attractions, Disney World is unbeatable. If you’re looking for a more relaxed vacation where entertainment and dining are conveniently included, a Disney cruise might be your ideal choice.

Whichever option you choose, remember that the magic of Disney is present in both. And if you’re planning your next Disney Cruise Line adventure, don’t forget to check out our incredible discounted cruises . As we’re getting older, we tend to choose Disney Cruises more and more, so keep that in mind!

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our   Disney  World Crowd Calendar  is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down   the best time to visit Disney World   based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a   Disney World Travel Agent   for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a  Free Quote  for all  Disney World Vacation Packages .  The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your   Walt Disney World Tickets.   We  offer promotional discounts for special events such as   Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets   and  Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets .

Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at  Theme Park Today , as well!

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Nik Chapman

Nik Chapman is the executive editor and one of the main content creators for The Park Prodigy blog and social media pages. With a lifelong love for Disney and Universal, Nik immersed herself in the Orlando area for three years to fully indulge in the magic of the theme parks. In between going to the parks and creating content for The Park Prodigy, Nik also hosted a Disney themed podcast with her two best friends and helps run multiple Disney-themed social media accounts which help over one million people per year. Drawing from their experience as a local Florida resident, Nik brings a unique perspective to the world of theme parks.

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Disney Travel Planning: Disney World vs. Disney Cruise

Trying to decide between a trip to  Disney World  or a Disney Cruise is difficult if you haven't experienced either. While many people expect these two Disney vacations to deliver a similar experience, nothing could be farther from the truth. 

Walt Disney World consists of four unique theme parks and water parks. In addition, there are events and spectacles that take place at certain times of the day. You'll probably have a long list of rides, shows, and experiences your family is looking forward to. In order to do it all, you may end up exhausted.

A Disney Cruise, on the other hand, has plenty of Disney magic, shows, and characters but you'll be experiencing it all in one place. Your vacation may be laid back, but will the kids get to do all they want for their Disney experience? With more information, you can huddle with your family, find out what everyone wants to do, and decide on going to Disney World vs. Going on a Disney Cruise.

Combine Land and Sea Disney Experiences

Sprawling over a whopping 43 square miles of the Orlando area, Disney World includes four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot , Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios), two major water parks ( Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon), over two dozen  Disney resort hotels , ​and about a dozen non-Disney hotels, a campground, four golf courses, plus the Disney Springs shopping and dining neighborhood. 

By comparison, the world is your oyster with Disney Cruise Line. Disney's four ships depart from various ports in the United States and travel to the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and Europe. The Disney Cruise Line blog has a page that shows the current location of all four Disney ships . Does your family like to travel? If so, a cruise might satisfy the travel bug plus the desire to have some Disney fun. 

But if your kids have their hearts set on riding their favorite rides and seeing the end-of-day fireworks shows at Disney World, there is a compromise. The proximity of Orlando and Port Canaveral, Disney Cruise Line's busiest port, makes it easy to combine a theme park vacation with a cruise vacation on the same trip. Disney offers land-and-sea packages that typically combine three days at Disney World and four days on a Caribbean cruise or vice versa. 

Getting Some Disney Downtime

As you would expect given Disney World's mammoth size, there is a never-ending cavalcade of rides, attractions, restaurants, water parks, parades, fireworks, shows, shops, character meetings, and the like. You can, and should, carve out some downtime during your stay and relax by your hotel pool. Still, you'll want squeeze as much fun as you possibly can out of your days and so you'll inevitably be on the go most of the time. Wear comfortable shoes and expect to return home wiped out with kids who are enthusiastically telling their friends about all the rides they went on and showing pictures of their selfies with the Disney characters. 

If you imagine that a Disney Cruise is like a floating theme park, you're in for a surprise. The closest thing to a ride on a Disney ship is the AquaDunk water slide on the Disney Magic and the AquaDuck water coaster on the Disney Dream and Fantasy . Of course, there is a seemingly endless array of ways to have fun on the ship, between the pool deck, kids clubs, scheduled workshops and live shows, games, movies, and parties. But the kids have to be interested in non-ride experiences.

Even so, the pace on a Disney Cruise is far less go-go-go than at a theme park, and most people find it more relaxing. For this reason, if you book a land-and-sea package, do the cruise after the theme park. 

Pricing and Value

A vacation package at Disney World typically includes a hotel stay and theme park tickets, so it's possible to spend less by choosing a value property. With over two dozen Disney-run resorts, there are plenty of options for every family budget, from campsites to value-minded hotels to deluxe villas with separate sleeping and living areas and kitchens. A family of 4 can enjoy a 6-night, 7-day vacation package at a Disney’s All-Star Resort with tickets valid at all 4 theme parks for as little as $98 per person, per day.  

On the other hand, Disney Cruise Line is a premium line that delivers a high-end experience. The ships are downright gorgeous, with lavish Art Deco or Art Nouveau lobbies, amazing themed restaurants, and wonderful kids clubs, activities and pool decks but it's not Disney World.

Rates on Disney Cruise Line come much closer to all-inclusive pricing than on most mainstream cruise lines. The food in the three main restaurants is on par with the best signature restaurants at Disney World. In other words, passengers pay more than on some other cruise lines but also find an awful lot of value.

Best Time to Go

For the best time to visit Disney World , take into consideration a combination of weather, crowds, and prices. While theme park tickets are constant throughout the year, ​hotel rates fluctuate quite a bit during the year and, of course, tend to be lower when kids are in school and pricier during summer vacation and other school breaks.

Similarly, rates for a Disney Cruise tend to rise during school breaks and holidays and fall when kids are back in school. That means you can often book at the last minute—which, in cruise speak, means between two and six months in advance—for a cruise taken January through early February, May, late-August through October, and the non-holiday weeks in November and December.

If Disney's cruise ships have an advantage over Disney parks, it's that they have natural crowd control. Even during spring break or the Christmas holiday season, a ship can only hold a certain number of people, so it's no more crowded than at other times of the year.

Before-You-Go Planning

To get the most from a Disney World vacation, you can plan much of your trip before you leave home with a system called  MyMagic+ , which bundles nearly every aspect of your trip together. Instead of a ticket, you get a MagicBand, a rubber bracelet containing a computer chip that holds all the components of your Disney World vacation— theme park  ticket , room key, dining reservations, PhotoPass—and it also acts as a resort charge card.

FastPasses have been replaced by FastPass+, a digital version of the line-jumping system that can be managed from your smartphone with the My Disney Experience app . You can book the most popular dining experiences six months in advance and FastPasses 60 days in advance (or 30 days in advance if you're not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort).

With a Disney Cruise, there are fewer moving parts. Your meals and most activities are included in your fare. Once you choose your stateroom and book your cruise, other experiences you may want to book in advance include shore excursions , spa treatments , and optional adult-exclusive dining reservations . Even after you board the ship, you can frequently book these experiences at the guest services desk on the ship.

Meeting Characters

The verdict is split on this one. Disney World certainly offers a much wider array of characters in its shows, meet-and-greets, and character meals. But while there are fewer characters on a Disney Cruise but the interactions tend to be more accessible and low-key. Beyond the many scheduled character meet-and-greets on the ship, your family is likely to randomly run into a character or two on the pool deck, in the kids' clubs, or even on Castaway Cay , Disney's private Bahamian island.

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Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Which Should You Choose?

This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here .

Comparing a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World honestly feels a bit unfair. But if you are thinking about taking a Disney vacation and are unsure which is right for your family, hopefully this comparison can help you think through the pros & cons of each type of Disney vacation to make your decision!

A Disney Cruise vs. Disney World are entirely different experiences, but they are both full of magic, great food, fantastic service, amazing entertainment, and just so much dang fun. There are definitely some big differences though. I mean, obviously Disney World has rides and Disney Cruises have beaches. But there are other things to consider too, like cost, dining options, characters, and more.

So if you’re trying to decide on taking either a Disney Cruise or going to Disney World, hopefully this guide can help!

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Cost

Let’s talk about cost first, because Disney trips are definitely not known for being cheap. On average, a trip to either Disney World or a Disney Cruise can run you around $4,000 to $6,000. This price depends on A LOT though and can go up and down accordingly.

Of course, one of the biggest factors is going to be the length of your stay. A short trip to Disney World or a short cruise is going to obviously be less expensive than a longer trip. (For instance, there are 3-night Disney Cruises you can book for as low as $2500).

The time of year also plays a part here. Off-season travel is going to be cheaper than than trying to go when everyone else is going (i.e. summer break and school vacations).

One positive about a trip to Disney World over a Disney Cruise is that it is a bit easier to find ways to save money. You can stay at cheaper accommodations off-property. You can choose less expensive dining options or even bring your own food into the parks. And by doing things like booking with a travel agent or renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points, you can book travel to Disney World for much less than what is listed on the Disney World website.

A Disney Cruise, however, is a fixed price. Sometimes when you book through a travel agent you may get an onboard credit you can use for purchases on the ship, but generally there is not much wiggle room in the price of a Disney Cruise. While this price is “all-inclusive” (meaning your food is included), there are other costs that can add up on a Disney Cruise too: alcohol, souvenirs, shore excursions, and tips for your servers and stateroom hosts.

Planning a trip to Disney World? We love buying park tickets from Undercover Tourist ! They are an authorized ticket seller and offer Disney World tickets at discounted rates!

So while the prices for a Disney Cruise and Disney World are pretty comparable, Disney World gives you a bit more flexibility to find ways to save money. (Although the costs can add up while you are in the park! So if you are on a budget you will really need to keep an watchful eye on how many times you swipe that credit card or tap your Magic Band to pay for things!)

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Planning Process

Disney Cruises and Walt Disney World have entirely different planning processes!

For Disney World, you will have a lot of bookings to think about far in advance including accommodations, park tickets, park reservations, and dining reservations. Plus you’ll want to have a plan for each day at the parks. What rides and shows are priorities for you? Will you use Genie+ to book Lightning Lanes ? Where do you want to eat? What are the hours for each park each day? There are a lot of logistics to plan when it comes to Disney World.

This can of course be part of the fun (at least if you are a planner like me). But it can also add a lot to your list of pre-vacation tasks.

(Check out our guide to planning a Disney World trip to learn more about this planning process!)

A Disney Cruise involves a lot less pre-planning. You’ll need to pick your dates and rooms and reserve any additional activities like shore excursions or specialty (non-included) adults only dining. But other than that, most of the planning is either done for you or occurs once you get on the ship.

On a Disney Cruise you are a assigned a dining rotation, so there is no need to pick a restaurant each evening. And while there is always lots going on on the ship, you can easily check the list of activities that day and decide what you feel like doing.

So if you are a non-planner, a Disney Cruise is going to make things easy for you. But if you love digging into the nitty-gritty of logistics, you won’t have any issues with planning a Disney World trip.

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Attractions and Entertainment

This is one area where Disney Cruises and Disney World are ENTIRELY different.

Obviously at Disney World you have all the rides plus tons of stage entertainment and fireworks. If you want rides and thrills and constant entertainment on your vacation, then Disney World will definitely be the right fit for you. There is so much to do at Disney World and it is truly all so magical!

Disney Cruises are much more relaxed. But Disney Cruise Line isn’t without it’s attractions and entertainment either. There are pools and waterslides on the top decks. Some of the ships also offer mini golf. And the newest Disney Ship, the Wish, setting sail this summer has the first ever Disney “attraction at sea.” And we can’t forget about the destinations you’ll go to on a Disney Cruise!

Disney Cruise Lines also offers entertainment during the day and night. For daytime entertainment, there are trivia events, animation classes, and special events for kids (like boot camp with a Toy Story soldier). In the evenings, Disney Cruises offers everything from Broadway style musicals to family magic and comedy shows. Plus, there will usually be at least one night of your sailing that offers fireworks.

So while your Disney Cruise won’t be as packed with attractions as a trip to Walt Disney World will, there is still plenty of stuff to keep you entertained. But if you’re looking to go at a fast-pace and find constant fun, Disney World will be a better fit!

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Characters

Both Disney World and Disney Cruises offer lots of opportunities to meet favorite Disney characters. But the variety of characters and the types of interactions are both different.

Disney World offers a HUGE variety of character opportunities, from Mickey and Minnie to characters like Olaf, Star Wars characters, Disney Junior characters, and lots of princesses. Generally you will see these characters either through meet and greets with a line or from a distance, like during a parade.

Disney Cruise Line offers a smaller variety of characters, BUT you have more opportunities to interact with those characters and it feels more relaxed. On our recent cruise we saw all the classic Disney characters, several princesses, Captain Hook and Smee, Stitch, and we even ran into some Marvel characters one morning. Characters seem to be almost always out in the atrium with relatively short lines.

Plus, if you decide to go on a cruise that includes a special event, like Pixar Day at Sea , your character opportunities will include even more characters.

So if you are looking to meet as many different characters as possible, you might want to choose Disney World. But if you would just like to see some characters more often (and wait in shorter lines), then Disney Cruise won’t let you down.

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Food

Here’s the thing about Disney World and Disney Cruise food: they both have some not so great food and they both have some FANTASTIC food.

Food at Disney World can include everything from fast-food (and low-quality) Quick Service options to delicious Quick Service options to luxury Table Service meals. Doing your research about what food options are right for your family will be crucial before going. Because there are TONS of options, and they can vary widely. The burgers at Cosmic Ray’s? Not so much. The burger sliders at Nomad Lounge? OMG so good!

Disney Cruise Food is a bit more set in stone though. But it is still fantastic! Sure, you will find some not so great hamburgers and powdered eggs. But there is also so much great good.

On a Disney Cruise, you go through the dining rooms in a set rotation and each one has delicious food. Plus the service is so great that every meal feels like a luxury. And if you want even more luxury, you can book an adult only dining experience (at an extra cost) like Palo or Remy.

So while both Disney World and Disney Cruises have their good and bad when it comes to food, you’ll be able to find great food at either one!

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Service

Disney is known for their service. In all their parks and experiences, they have Cast Members who are ready to make your vacation the best it can be.

To me though, there is a clear winner when it comes to service. While service at Disney World is typically great, service on a Disney Cruise is unparalleled.

Let’s start with your dining service. Every table has two servers who follow them throughout the cruise based on their dining rotation. They get to know you and you get to know them, and they make your dining service amazing. Even to the level of cutting up your child’s food for you. (I mean, WHAT?!?) Plus you have stateroom hosts who clean and prepare your room twice a day to a level of detail I have never experienced.

And everyone is so so kind. One of our favorite things about our Disney Cruise was chatting with people who worked on the ship. Disney Cruise crew members are from all over the world, and we loved getting know some of them.

While any Disney experience will likely provide you with a stellar level of service, there is just something about the level of service on a Disney Cruise that can’t be beat.

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Crowds

Ok, let’s talk crowds. When you’re planning a trip to Disney World, this is often one of the first things people start to think about: when can I go with lower crowds?

Unfortunately in recent years, the crowds at Disney World have become more of a year-round thing, with less and less “low” seasons. So while there are definitely times you can go that will be less crowded (and strategies you can use for visiting when there are big crowds), the crowd level isn’t something you will have much control over.

Disney Cruises though have a set crowd level since you are just experiencing it with whoever else is on the ship. This built-in crowd control also helps at places like Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island) . More people won’t be arriving…it’s just the people that are on your ship.

And if you are worried about the ship feeling crowded, you really don’t have to. Yes, there were a few times that it felt a little crowded (like when we were in a gift shop and suddenly one of the evening shows let out and people streamed in). But most of the time you won’t feel like the ship is too crowded, and it’s easy to find empty spaces!

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Kid and Adult Experiences

Obviously at Disney World, both kids and adults are going to have a fantastic time. I know you might be tempted to think of Disney World as a “kids” place, but if you just let the magic soak in, adults will love it to. But let’s talk about the specific ways kids and adults will experience both Disney World and Disney Cruises.

For kids, obviously almost everything and Disney World is going to be magical. From rides to shows to characters, it’s really a childhood wonderland.

But that doesn’t leave out the adults either. Each park at Disney World has thrill rides that may be more appropriate for the adults in your travel party. Plus, Disney World has some fantastic gourmet and specialty dining options that adults will love.

Disney Cruise Line also makes sure it caters to both children and adults in different ways.

One thing that sets it apart from the parks, is that Disney Cruise Line offers kids clubs and a nursery. Kids ages 3 to 17 will find fun experiences in different clubs (Oceaneer’s Club for kids, Vibe for tweens, and Edge for teens). They also offer the It’s a Small World Nursery for younger children at an additional cost (currently unavailable).

This built-in babysitting means that as an adult you are free to experience the special adults-only experiences on the ship, like the quiet pool, specialty dining, or the spa.

Really what it all comes down to is that Disney knows how to cater to both children and adults and make the experience special for each. If you are looking for an experience that can be geared a bit more toward adults, a Disney Cruise might be right. But if you want to immerse yourself in childhood magic, Disney World might be a better fit.

Planning a Disney Cruise? Here are 101 Essential Disney Cruise Tips !

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Overall Experience

The overall experiences of both Disney World and Disney Cruises is truly something special, and we love both. Both have great service, fun entertainment, unique experiences, and perfectly designed spaces.

One thing I haven’t mentioned yet that I want to though is the “Disney” factor of each experience.

Disney Cruise Line, while definitely full of Disney magic, is a little less “Disney-fied” than actually going to Disney World. Yes, you get characters and shows and themed dining, but it is also super easy to relax on Castaway Cay or walk around the ship without necessarily feeling like you are in a Disney-themed space (aside from the perfection with which they do everything obviously).

Disney World, on the other hand, hits you on the head a little harder with Disney, as it should. At Disney World you will really find yourself constantly immersed in Disney theming. This is honestly something I love, and if you love it to, then you won’t want to miss Disney World! But if you want a Disney vacation that is a little lighter on the Disney theme, then you might want to look at Disney Cruises.

Which Should You Choose?

There are so many factors that differentiate Disney World and Disney Cruises, from service to entertainment to characters to cost. And while we can break this down all day, when it comes to making a decision that is right for your family, it really comes down to what kind of vacation you want.

Do you want a vacation full of adventure and Disney magic, with tons to do and lots of options? Then you might want to go to Disney World!

Do you want a slower-paced vacation, with plenty of opportunity for both relaxing and adventure and with luxury service? Then you might want a Disney Cruise!

Either way though, Disney knows how to pull off a travel adventure the right way, and you are sure to have a great time!

You Might Also Like

• Complete Guide to Disney Magic Restaurants + Dining
• Things to do on Castaway Cay: Complete Guide to Disney’s Private Island
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Disney Cruise vs Disney World: Which Should You Choose?

Published by Elizabeth Morgan

It’s tricky to choose between Disney Cruise vs. Disney World . Both can be unforgettable vacation experiences and they’re both so much fun, but for different reasons.

So, knowing the core differences between them will help you make up your mind.

In this post, we’ll offer you a complete comparison of the two places to help you decide between a Disney cruise vacation and a Disney World vacation. Stick around!

Disney Cruise vs Disney World: An Overview

Here is a quick look at the two Disney adventures:

Disney Cruise: Cruise with High Entertaining Spirit

The  Disney Cruise line  consists of five ships built and run to serve hundreds of Disney lovers on sea tours.

The ships are the Disney Wish, Disney Wonder, Disney Magic, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy. The next one will be the Disney Treasure which is set to sail in 2025.

These ships travel to various destinations in Europe, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Disney’s Castaway Cay private island.

There are cruises that leave from Port Canaveral near Orlando, Florida, Miami, Florida, New York, and more.

All these ships embody the entertainment atmosphere that Disney is well-known for. So, you’ll meet the famous Disney characters there.

Additionally, they offer high-end services, food, and various activities for all ages throughout the trips.

• Your kids will have tons of fun with a lot of services tailored to them.
• The staff is so professional.
• Ongoing shows and live activities.
• You’ll feel the Disney atmosphere all the time.
• The food is ok, but not great.
• The pool is crowded.

Related Content: 9 Super Fun Things To Do On Castaway Cay

Disney World: Spacious Entertainment Experience

Disney World resort  is a massive 39 square mile entertainment resort located in the state of Florida, near Orlando.

The resort contains four theme parks and two water parks, where you can enjoy endless activities.

In addition, the resort includes many accommodation options in which visitors can stay while on their Disney World trip.

Like any other Disney property, you’ll have a fabulous entertainment experience and meet tons of beloved Disney characters.

• Zillions of things to do.
• The place is pretty organized and professional.
• Daily live shows.
• Incredibly diverse activities and parks.
• Highly crowded.
• There are not a lot of thrill rides.
• You’ll be walking a lot.

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: A Toe-To-Toe Comparison

Here is an in-depth comparison of the two destinations:

1. Entertainment and Activities

Disney is an infinite world of entertainment. However, it differs a bit at each destination.

Entertainment in Disney World

There are four massive, fabulous theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. In these parks, Disney World offers parades, shows, rides, and more.

Additionally, there are two water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.

Further, all 32 hotels of Disney World include pools and open-air family activities, like outdoor games and movies.

Related Content: Everything You Should Include On Your Disney Cruise Packing List

Entertainment on Disney Cruise

Each ship of the five has its unique entertainment offering. However, there are many things you can expect from any one of them.

They all have water activities, like splash pads and slides. They also contain various pools and surfing or wakeboarding activities. 

Further, each ship has an activity area for each age range as well, like kids’ and teens’ clubs.

Besides all these, there’s live entertainment, character experiences, and fireworks which you can enjoy with your family.

Related Content: Disneyland vs Disney World

2. Characters Meet

Although you can meet your beloved characters in both destinations, the number of characters and the type of interactions differ.

Characters in Disney World

You’ll meet many characters like Mickey and Minnie, Disney princesses, Olaf, and many more.

However, in most cases, you’ll have little chance to interact directly with them when visiting Disney World. That’s because you’ll meet them mainly at a show.

So, you’ll either interact with them from a distance or wait in long lines to reach them.

Characters on Disney Cruise

On a Disney cruise ship you’ll meet a much smaller number of  characters  compared to Disney World. Still, you’ll have a higher chance of directly interacting with them.

You may simply see them in the atrium while walking. In addition, your odds of meeting the same character more than once are high.

There are lines to meet some of them and the lines are much shorter than at Walt Disney World.

3. Food Options

Disney cruise and Disney World have various dining options and menus, with hundreds of options to pick from.

The menus include dishes for all preferences, including kids, vegetarian, and allergen-free food.

Food in Disney World

You’ll find two dining options: luxury service and Quick-service restaurants. To get the first option, you’ll need to pre-reserve a table a long time ahead.

Alternatively, you can use quick-service restaurants to access  food anytime . However, stay away at peak times to avoid getting stuck in long lines waiting for your orders.

Food on Disney Cruise

The options are slightly limited. Each ship of the Cruise line has three main dining restaurants, and one premium restaurant on some ships.

Dining there follows a rotational system for dinner. This means you choose a particular dining time and go to the restaurant at that time to have your meal.

In addition, for breakfast and lunch, you can grab your favorite food from the quick service station anytime.

Food on cruises is so fun because you can eat anytime and there is a wide selection to choose from.

Related Content: 10 Disney Cruise Outfit Ideas You’ll Love To Wear

4. Crowd Size

There’s a significant difference in the crowd size in each of the two places.

Crowds In Disney World

If you’ve ever visited Disney World, then I’m sure you’ve seen that the parks are usually incredibly crowded, especially during the holiday and peak season. So, you should expect long lines and huge numbers of people at each attraction.

Crowds On A Disney Cruise

The crowd is limited since there’s only a particular number that each ship can hold.

That way, you won’t usually stick in long lines or be surrounded by huge numbers during activities.

5. Costs and Prices

As the cost varies according to the accommodation time and the time of the reservation, it can be a bit challenging to compare the prices of the two places.

However, on average, you can expect to pay at least a couple thousand at any of them.

There are also some differences to be aware of. The main one is that the Disney World cost for a Disney vacation is more flexible.

Cost of Disney World

In the resort, finding a way to save some money can be a bit easier. For example, you can stay off-property for your hotel.

In addition, you have a wider range of food selections. So you can pick relatively low-price foods.

You can also reserve through a professional travel agent that can get you considerably lower prices than the official one.

Cost of Disney Cruise

On board, things are less flexible. You pay for an all-inclusive reservation. That way, you don’t have the option to save much money on the trip. In addition, you’ll be expected to give tips to the workers.

The Bottom Line

To decide between Disney cruise vs. Disney World , here is what to expect at each.

Planning for Disney World is full of details, while a Disney cruise has fewer options. Entertainment in both places is incredibly great for all ages.

You’ll meet more characters in Disney World, but you’ll interact more closely with the characters on Disney Cruise.

Further, Disney Cruise is less crowded and slower in pace. Regarding costs, Disney World is more flexible in options, which gives you opportunities to save money.

Disney cruises and Disney World are both great options for family travel and a family vacation!

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

• My family of four recently 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.

While in Orlando, we stayed at our favorite resort , Yacht Club, which has easy access to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

Throughout the trip, we explored all four parks by purchasing park-hopper tickets, and my family had a blast riding our favorite rides, eating with characters, and shopping for souvenirs. 

It was a jam-packed four days, and they were long. We woke up early to get to the parks and returned to our hotel late after the nighttime shows.

After factoring in our hotel stay, park-hopper tickets, and all our meals, our total came to $6,000.

We loved the theme-park vacation as much as always, but we were excited to get to the next part of our trip.  

After visiting the parks, we boarded the Disney Wish for a four-night Bahamian cruise.

Stepping aboard the Wish for the first time was breathtaking.

As Disney's newest ship, 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.

Disney Cruise Line has an app named Disney Cruise Navigator that shares all the daily activities. Most are complimentary, and there's always something to do . 

My kids hung out in the kids' clubs, saw movies, and played at the pool and gym. As a family, we saw Broadway-caliber shows, participated in family trivia, and ate at fun restaurants (including a Marvel dining experience and "Frozen" dinner show). 

While our kids were supervised, my husband and I enjoyed the adults-only lounges and activities.

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.

Disney Cruise Line has itineraries all over the world including Alaska, Europe, Hawaii , and the Caribbean. On this trip, we visited Nassau in the Bahamas and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.

We also took a day trip to the Atlantis resort, and my kids had a blast at the water park .

Castaway Cay offers a relaxing and fun beach day. We snorkeled, built sand castles, ate a delicious barbecue lunch, and basked in the sun. 

The cruise ended up being more affordable, and I think it was a better value overall.

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 January 19, 2024.

• Main content

Disney World vs Disney Cruise – Costs, Experiences

Vacations to the Walt Disney World theme parks or a cruise on the Disney Cruise Line are both large financial expenses. However, both vacations can make amazing memories for your family that can last a lifetime. The Disney World theme parks and Disney cruises both offer unique experiences, and many families often wonder if one is better than the other. So this leads us to the comparison of Disney World vs Disney Cruise!

We have taken several Disney cruise vacations and visit the Disney World theme parks weekly. In this article we will compare a trip to the Disney World theme parks and a Disney cruise including costs, experiences, dining, accommodations, and entertainment for each. We will weigh the pros and cons to each type of Disney vacation and give our personal opinion on which one we think is best in each category.

Let's get into all the pros and cons of a Disney World vs Disney Cruise. 

In this article:

Walt Disney World vs. Disney Cruise – Costs

Although Disney Cruises are usually more expensive than most Disney World vacations, they include other perks that Disney World park tickets do not include. For example, Disney cruise packages usually include food and the cost of your room. Vacations to Disney World require several separate purchases including theme park tickets, hotels, and food which can add up very quickly. However, the positive side to customizing your Disney World vacation is that you can pick and choose how you want to spend your money. 

There are also ways to help make your Disney World or Disney cruise cheaper or more cost effective depending on the length and the time of year you take a cruise. In addition to our favorite reseller Get Away Today , Disney Cruise Line's website breaks down the cost of each cruise depending on length, destination, and choice of rooms. Disney World also has a Special Offers, Deals & Discounts website for various discounts which is periodically updated.

As a price comparison, we will look at a four night stay at a moderate Disney World hotel and a four night Disney cruise sailing to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida, which is about an hour away from Disney World. We will use a family of four as an example with two adults and two children under the age of 18. We will also use the same time frame to compare the cost of each trip during the same period to avoid any upcharges associated with popular times of the year.

Cost of a Four Night Disney Cruise

A Disney cruise sailing between June 3-7, 2024, from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Bahamas on the Disney Wish cruise ship would cost $6,942 for the cheapest stateroom. If you wanted an oceanview stateroom, the cost would increase to $7,150, which isn't a horrible upcharge for a better view. The next best room, the Verandah, which is a more spacious stateroom with a private verandah would cost  $7,622 .

Although the price tag seems high, keep in mind that the cost of the cruise would include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Entertainment and Activities  including Broadway-quality shows, fireworks, character experiences and meet and greets, movie screenings in a state-of-the-art theater or on the ship deck, water slides, and more.
• 24 Hour Dining  including table service meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as quick-service bites during lunch, dinner, and snacks. Cruises also provide 24-hour room service, unlimited ice cream, coffee, tea, and soda.
• Accommodations including spacious staterooms with a refrigerator, safe, hairdryer, and shower products.
• Kids Clubs  for varying age groups including 3 to 10 years old, 11 to 14 years old, and 14 to 17 years old.
• Adult-Exclusive Activities  including nightclubs and lounges with live music, an adults-only pool and whirlpool spa, and fitness center.
• Disney's Private Island at Castaway Cay  which includes a family and adults-only beach, waterslides and splash zones, beach gear to rent such as towels and chairs, live music, character appearances, and a barbecue lunch.

Although not absolutely necessary, there are several upgrades guests can purchase separately on a Disney cruise. These are not included in the total cost of a cruise but may be considered when booking a Disney cruise. These upgrades include, but are not limited to:

• Adult-Exclusive Fine Dining
• Bottled Water, Alcoholic Beverages, and Specialty Drinks
• Services at Senses Spa & Salon
• Snorkel gear, floats, rafts, bicycle rentals at Castaway Cay
• Port Adventures at Castaway Cay

Cost of a Four Night Disney World Vacation

Although there are several packages and ways to bundle your Disney World vacation, we will simply look at the cost of a hotel, park tickets, and the Disney Dining Plan for each member of the family.

For a four night stay at Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, as well as 4-day theme park tickets (one park per day), and the quick-service Disney Dining Plan, it would cost  $4,622.  This price would include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Theme park tickets  for each member of the family. For this package, the family of four would be able to visit one of the four Disney World theme parks per day. Note that this price does not include the park hopper add-on option, which would cost an additional total of $383.40 . If you wanted to add the Water Park and Sports option, that would be an additional $298.20  and would allow guests to visit Disney's two water parks as well as play miniature golf and other activities. For an additional  $468.60 , the family could add the park hopper plus option, which allows guests to park hop between any theme park or water park each day and enjoy any of Disney's miniature golf courses.

• Hotel room  at one of Disney World's moderate level resorts. Port Orleans – French Quarter is a very popular and guest favorite resort located near Disney Springs, which has some of the best dining options and shopping. This resort is a fairly less expensive option, but still offers many amenities including a pool, lounge, quick-service restaurant, and a unique New Orleans theme.

• Disney Dining Plans  for each member of the family. There are two different dining plans to choose from, and this price includes the less expensive option, known as the quick-service dining plan. The quick-service dining plan includes two quick-service meals, one snack or non-alcoholic drink, and one resort refillable drink mug per person per day. For  $470  more, you have the option to upgrade to the Disney Dining Plan. This plan includes one table service or character dining meal, one quick-service meal, one snack or non-alcoholic drink, and one resort refillable drink mug per person per day. Guests using either dining plan receive their meals and snacks each day until the day of checkout. Any unused meals or snacks will over over day to day and expire at midnight on the day of checkout.

There are several other Disney World vacation expenses that you will want to consider purchasing separately. There is the obvious merchandise expenses which will vary from family to family. Some do not purchase any souvenirs at the theme parks, but this is very unlikely as you will probably want to purchase at least a few things to remember your trip.

Other purchases for a Disney World vacation include:

• Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane , or “fast passes,” must be purchased separately and can add up quickly for a family of four. Genie+ ranges anywhere between  $16 and $39 per person per day . Individual Lightning Lanes range between  $10 and $20 per person per attraction . Although you may not need Genie+ for every park and every ride requiring Individual Lightning Lane, it may be convenient. Disney World advertises that Genie+ allows guests to skip the standby line of at least 2 or 3 attractions per day. In our experiences, if you use Genie+ effectively you can probably book up to 5 or 6 Genie+ reservations per day. Whether or not you plan on purchasing Genie+, check out our full guides for Disney World theme park early entry strategies for Animal Kingdom , Magic Kingdom , EPCOT , and Hollywood Studios for more tips on how to get the most of your park day. Additionally, check out our full guide on how to purchase and use Genie+ .
• Disney Photo Pass Digital Downloads , known as Memory Maker , allows your family to download digital copies of all photos taken on select attractions and locations throughout the theme parks. If purchased in advance, the Memory Maker package costs $185 and saves all photos taken on your vacation for a 30 day time period. If you do not purchase the Memory Maker before your vacation, it will cost $210 . Memory maker is a great way to remember your vacation for years to come and we recommend purchasing in advance to save on the $25 upcharge.

Overall, the cost of a Disney cruise package will likely be more expensive, but when considering all of the additional add-on purchase for Disney World vacations, it could come out to be a very similar price range. Keep in mind that these prices do not include any potential discounts that may make a big difference. Make sure to check out our full guide on finding discounted Disney World tickets here . Besides purchasing a package through our favorite Disney-verified re-seller Get Away Today, you may also be able to find cheaper tickets through Florida resident, military, AAA, Costco, or other discounts. This is all helpful information to know when considering Disney World vs Disney Cruise.

Discount Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Tickets

Whether you choose to visit Disney World or take a Disney Cruise, we highly recommend checking out our favorite Disney-verified ticket reseller, Get Away Today! Save money and have a magical vacation with the lowest Disney World ticket prices and you can find. You can also find discount tickets for other Orlando theme parks as well! Get Away Today can not only help you plan your Disney World vacation, but save you the most money possible.

Additionally, for a limited time only, if you book your next Disney Cruise through Get Away Today you'll be eligible for a $400 onboard credit.  This credit can be used for fine dining, merchandise, workout classes, and more during your Disney cruise. Get Away Today also offers up to 50% savings on cruises with Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival Cruises . It's never too early to book a cruise, and Disney cruises in particular are in high demand. Therefore, we highly recommend snagging these deals before they are gone.

Get Away Today has been working with Disney for over 33 years, so you can depend on their long history of knowledge and customer service to get the best deals.

Let Get Away Today provide you with a free vacation  quote  today! Based on your specific vacation needs, their excellent customer service team will provide the best possible pricing and experiences to help make your vacation stress free and memorable.

Walt Disney World vs. Disney Cruise – Experiences

The experiences on a Disney cruise compared to a vacation at Disney World are extremely different and honestly hard to compare. The experiences are both unique in their own right and is likely based on your personal preference. The positive side to experiences on Disney cruises is that they are all very easy to access, whereas at Disney World you usually have to drive or walk a fair distance to experience a lot of what Disney World property has to offer. However, since Disney World is so large, they have more experiences for guests to enjoy.

In this section, I will compare the various experiences between Disney World and Disney Cruises including character meet and greets, excursions and recreational activities, as well as the overall atmosphere of each.

Disney World vs. Disney Cruise – Character Meet and Greets

For those interested in meeting characters, you will definitely have your fill at both Disney World and on a Disney cruise. Although there will obviously be more opportunities and unique characters throughout Disney World, Disney cruises are very unique because you can have more personal and up close interactions with characters more often.

Disney Cruise Character Meet and Greets

The characters on Disney cruises mostly depends on what ship you are sailing on, however you can count on meeting the classic Disney characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald during any Disney cruise. Disney cruises also have special meet and greets with characters from various Pixar and Marvel movies.

These character meet and greets include, but are not limited to:

• Meet Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf from Frozen during the Arendelle dining experience on the Disney Wish
• Meet your favorite Marvel characters on the Disney Magic during Marvel Day at Sea on the Disney Magic  or the Worlds of Marvel dining experience on the  Disney Wish
• Join Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald on at Mickey's Sail-A-Wave Party on the  Disney Magic  and  Disney Wonder
• Meet your favorite Pixar characters from Toy Story, Up, Monster's Inc. and More at the Pixar Pals Party on the  Disney Wonder
• Meet your favorite Disney characters in pirate-themed costumes on Pirate Day on all cruise ships – Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish

Disney cruise guests will receive a schedule of when and where you can meet and interact with these favorite characters.

Disney World Character Meet and Greets

Although there are a lot more character meet and greets throughout Disney World theme parks, resorts, and restaurants, they are not as easy to get to compared to the Disney cruise ships. However, with proper research and planning everyone in your party is sure to meet one of their favorite characters. Below we will list all of the permanent character meet and greets throughout the Disney Work parks, however, there are other character dining experiences at resort restaurants as well. Check out our full guide on Disney World character dining here .

Guests can meet the following characters at  Magic Kingdom:

• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Meet Ariel at Her Grotto
• Meet Characters from Aladdin in Adventureland
• Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Meet Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Meet Daring Disney Pals at Circus Stars at Pete's Silly Slideshow
• Meet Dashing Disney Pals at Circus Stars at Pete's Silly Sideshow
• Meet Mickey at Town Square Theater
• Meet Mirabel at Fairytale Garden
• Meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger at The Thotful Spot

Guests can meet the following characters at Hollywood Studios:

• Meet Ariel at Walt Disney Presents
• Meet Disney Junior Pals in Animation Courtyard
• Meet Disney Stars (Mickey and Minnie) at Red Carpet Dreams
• Meet Edna Mode at the Edna Mode Experiences
• Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
• Meet Pixar Pals at Pixar Plaza
• Meet the Toys in Toy Story Land
• Meet BB-8, Darth Vader, and Chewbacca at Star Wars Launch Bay

Guests can meet the following characters at Animal Kingdom:

• Meet Favorite Disney Pal at Adventures Outpost (Mickey and Minnie dressed up in Safari costumes)
• Meet Moana at Character Landing
• Roaming characters- DiVine and Kevin from UP!
• Boat Cavalcades with various characters such as Russell and Dug from UP!, Pocahontas, Meeko, Launchpad McQuack, and Scrooge

Guests can meet the following characters at EPCOT:

• Meet a Friend from the Hundred Acre Wood (Winnie the Pooh) in the United Kingdom
• Meet Alice in the United Kingdom
• Meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus
• Meet Belle in France
• Meet Disney Friends near EPCOT Main Entrance
• Meet Donald in Mexico
• Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Disney and Pixar Film Festival
• Meet Joy and Figment inside ImageWorks
• Meet Mulan in China
• Meet Princess Aurora in France
• Meet Princess Jasmine in Morocco
• Meet Snow White in Germany

Disney World vs. Disney Cruise – Excursions and Recreational Activities

Disney cruises offer lots of fun activities both on and off the ship. Notably, there are many types of adventures families can enjoy called Port Adventures , which are on shore excursions that have been specially selected by Disney Cruise Line. No matter where your cruise ship takes you, you are sure to find an amazing excursion for the family. These excursions include private adventures, culinary adventures, and location-specific adventures such as horseback riding, ziplining, or wildlife expeditions. Although a lot of these adventures cost additional money, it is an awesome way to make your Disney cruise more enjoyable. 

Although most of Disney World is focused on the incredible theme parks, there are a ton of other recreational activities for guests, especially seen throughout some of the Disney World resorts. A lot of these activities are even free , and include some of our favorite activities to enjoy at Disney World.

Overall, the unique excursions on Disney cruises win this category due to the unique locations that each cruise takes their guests. From Castaway Cay at Disney's private island, to unique experiences in Alaska, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Europe. 

Disney World vs. Disney Cruise – Overall Atmosphere

As you can see so far, the biggest differences between Disney World and Disney cruises are the overall size and unique experiences. Disney World theme parks are unlike most theme parks in the entire world. There just isn't a way to match the world class rides and attractions, dining, and entertainment. It is rare to find someone who doesn't find at least one thing to enjoy during a day at Disney World.

Although the parks are a great way to spend a vacation, the biggest downside is the logistics. For many, Disney World is almost too big to enjoy. There are no hotels that are within walking distance to each park, making transportation inconvenient for most hotel guests. Guests must almost always take a bus, boat, Skyliner, monorail, car, or Uber in order to visit each park. Additionally, many guests walk at least 20,000 steps per day in order to experience each park as to offer. Many joke that you need another vacation after they return from their Disney World vacation. 

Therefore, if you are looking for a more relaxing and stress free vacation, a Disney cruise is probably better in terms of overall atmosphere. Although you don't get to experience the incredible attractions at Disney World theme parks, you will still get a true Disney feel both on ship and on their private island. 

Although we think the overall atmosphere is better at Disney World, many will likely disagree since a Disney cruise takes guests to beautiful locations in a stress-free and relaxing environment. 

Walt Disney World vs. Disney Cruise – Dining

Similar to experiences, the dining comparisons between Disney World and Disney cruises is difficult to look at side by side. Although Disney World offers over 200 restaurants and lounges, the Disney cruise dining is all inclusive, 24/7, and located steps away from each of their guests' staterooms.

Disney Cruise Dining

The upside to a Disney cruise is that guests have unlimited access to meals, snacks, desserts, and drinks without any added expenses. Disney cruise guests even have 24/7 room service which is rare at any hotel you can find inside or outside of Disney World.

In addition to having food included with your cruise package, Disney does an amazing job with the service of each meal. Especially for families with young children, it is very convenient that servers will take care of your children's meals before you are served your own. This way, by the time the adults' meals are served, the children are already digging into their meal and don't need additional help from their parents. This type of service proves why Disney service is top notch especially compared to other cruise lines.

Disney World Dining

The obvious upside to dining at Disney World is that there are hundreds of restaurants and different types of food to choose from each day. Not only are there amazing restaurants within the theme parks, but there are also top tier restaurants at the Disney World resorts as well as Disney Springs. 

Overall, although the Disney cruise packages conveniently include meals, snacks, and drinks within their inclusive package, the quality and variety of food at Disney World theme parks is a much better option.

Walt Disney World vs. Disney Cruise – Entertainment

Disney World always has entertainment available throughout each of their theme parks. From street performers, to the Dapper Dan singers, and Broadway-quality shows such as Festival of the Lion King. Some of our favorite shows and entertainment at Disney World include:

• The Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom
• Happily Ever Fireworks at Magic Kingdom
• Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom
• Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at Hollywood Studios

Despite not having any many shows available, Disney cruises also have amazing Broadway-quality shows for guests to enjoy as they cruise. These shows include:

• The Little Mermaid Live Show on the Disney Wish
• Live Jazz Music at the Soul Cat Lounge on the Disney Magic
• Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure on the Disney Wish
• Disney Seas the Adventure on the Disney Wish
• Beauty and the Beast Live Show on the Disney Dream

Although our favorite entertainment can be found throughout the Disney World theme parks, the Disney cruise shows are amazing considering the lack of space they have compared to Disney World. These shows give guests another taste of Disney magic and are a great perk to Disney cruises. 

Walt Disney World vs. Disney Cruise – Accommodations

Disney World has dozens of incredible resorts for guests to choose from ranging in value, moderate, and deluxe level pricing. Each resort has it's own unique themes and transports guests into the world of Disney. Although there aren't any Disney World resorts we would not recommend, you can check out our favorite Disney World hotels for each visit type here . There are also so many perks associated with staying at Disney World resort, including:

• Early Morning Magic Hours  which allows resort guests to enter any Disney World theme park 30 minutes early
• Extended Evening Hours  which allows deluxe resort guests to enjoy extended evening park hours on select days
• Free transportation between your resort, Disney's theme and water parks, and Disney Springs

Disney World accommodations are definitely more impressive and enjoyable than the accommodations on Disney Cruise Line ships. However, the staterooms on Disney cruises are some of the best compared to any other cruise ship. Additionally, you have the extreme convenience of being closely located to all of the activities on board the ship. As mentioned previously, logistically it is difficult for guests to travel between their Disney World hotel and each of the four theme parks. Disney Cruise accommodations are much easier to travel between and are still worth the price. 

Walt Disney World vs. Disney Cruise – Which is Better?

Now for the biggest question – is a vacation at Walt Disney World or a Disney cruise better? Well, as you can probably tell by now it really is up to personal preference. It's extremely hard to compare both as they offer very different and unique Disney experiences. Both are awesome vacations for families who are lucky enough to take them.

However, we believe as a total vacation for a family, a Disney cruise is the better option for a vacation with the family. Not only are Disney cruises more relaxing, but the excursions and activities for every member of the family cannot be beat. Parents also have the abilities to enjoy many activities on their own without having to worry about their children with the accessibility of the Kids Club. Therefore, although guests won't have access to the best rides and attractions in the world, Disney cruises can be much less stressful and enjoyable for the whole family.

Plan Your Next Disney World or Disney Cruise Vacation

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• FREE Things to do at Walt Disney World
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• Walt Disney World Genie+ Guide
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• Disney World Packing List – Everything You Need to Bring

Frequently Asked Questions

Most people prefer to go on a Disney cruise instead of Disney World. Disney cruises offer more unique experiences that Disney World does not offer, such as both family and adults-only activities, entertainment, fine dining, and more. Most guests also prefer a Disney cruise because of Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, which offers even more activities, relaxation, and entertainment for guests of all ages. Although Disney World has so much to offer, it is not as relaxing as a cruise, and guests of a cruise can still experience a strong Disney theme on board their cruise ships.

On average, the price of a Disney cruise is more expensive than a trip to Disney World. However, it all depends on what type of accommodations and time of year the vacation is taking place. Disney cruises are currently very high in demand, and therefore there are not many discounts guests can use to purchase a cruise package. Disney World has a lot more options to make their trip cost effective, such as staying at a value level resort, or purchasing discount theme park tickets through resellers or using a Florida resident or military discount. However, guests staying at a deluxe level resort and consistently purchasing park hopper tickets, using Genie+, and eating at nicer restaurants may experience high costs than at a Disney cruise.

Yes, Disney cruises are all inclusive. The price of each cruise includes your stateroom, meals and drinks, snacks, and entertainment on the ship at at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. There are several upgrades for purchase such as Wifi, fine dining, and additional recreational activities, however most of what you will need is included in the total price of a Disney cruise.

The cheapest time of year to take a Disney cruise is in September, due to most kids returning to school. Disney World hotels can also be less expensive during this month for the same reason, as Disney often offers discounts on room prices.

No, Disney cruises do not include a visit to Disney World. However, one of the Disney cruise ports is based in Port Canaveral, Florida, which is about an hour away from Disney World. Therefore, many guests book a trip to Disney World separately in addition to their cruise. This is a convenient way to experience both Disney World and a Disney cruise in one trip, especially for guests who are traveling from other states or countries.

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Disney cruise vs. Disney World: Which is the more magical vacation?

I f you're in the mood for a Disney vacation, it's natural for your first thought to go to one of the Disney theme parks, such as Disney World or Disneyland . But as someone who loves the Disney parks, I'm here to tell you that's not always the best Disney vacation. In fact, it's entirely possible that for some families — and some trips — the better Disney vacation is the one you'll find at sea on a Disney cruise.

So, which do you choose: a Disney cruise or Disney World?

There are pros and cons to each choice. Disney parks have gotten more expensive with an a la carte pricing model that no longer includes airport transfers, FastPasses and other nice-to-have conveniences. A theme park vacation can also be complicated to plan, especially if you haven't been to Disney in several years and aren't familiar with the current rules and ways to minimize wait times.

At the same time, some fantastic new rides have opened in the last few years. You also have your choice of dozens of resort hotels at different price points, and it's hard to beat that feeling of walking down Main Street, U.S.A. toward the castle.

Meanwhile, on a Disney cruise , things have mainly stayed the same as they have been for the past 25 years, with activities, entertainment, lodging and most of your dining included in one cruise price. And yes, Mickey and his friends are found on board, so you can still get that photo and hug with your favorite pal.

But while you'll find Mickey both on a Disney cruise and at Disney World, the two vacation experiences are quite different. Here's a look at a Disney cruise versus a trip to Disney World to help you decide which family vacation is better for you.

Related: Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?

Both a Disney cruise and a trip to Disney World are large financial investments, so both are going to require some level of planning to be sure you are getting the most from your dollars and time.

That said, in both cases, you can leave many of the arrangements to the Disney vacation planning professionals , who can walk you through what you really need to know and book the main components of the trip.

For Disney World, decisions to make include where to stay and which park tickets are best for you (after factoring in how many days you wish to visit, whether or not you want to park hop, etc.). You'll want to book your sit-down meals 60 days in advance and familiarize yourself with the Disney Genie+ system if you don't want to spend hours each day in line. Although things could change in 2024, right now, you can't select any of your Genie+ attractions in advance, so you'll be doing that on your trip.

For a Disney Cruise Line sailing, you'll have to decide if you prefer a newer or more classic ship, where you want to go, which port to sail from and how many days you wish to sail.

For example, you could sail out of Port Canaveral in Florida on Disney Wish for a three- or four-night sailing to the Bahamas, spend a week cruising around Alaska on Disney Wonder or sail in Europe on Disney Dream . At certain times of the year, you'll also find Disney Cruise Line sailings out of Texas, Louisiana and California.

Once you pick a sailing, ship and cabin, you don't actually have to plan anything in advance unless you want to book excursions in port. It's common to prebook shore tours for Europe and Alaska cruises, but on Bahamas sailings, many families simply head to the beach in port or enjoy being on the ship. For trips like that, minimal planning is required once you lock in the basics.

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

With a Disney cruise, dinner each night at a pre-assigned sit-down restaurant is included in your fare, and you only need to select an early or late seating in advance. The buffet, room service and on-deck grab-and-go food are available for no extra charge during the day. You only have to plan out meals if you want a reservation at one of the adults-only restaurants on board.

Winner : Both a Disney cruise and a Disney World vacation require some advance planning. How much planning the cruise requires depends on the destination you select, so it might be more planning intensive than Disney World. However, some Disney cruises likely require less planning than the average Disney World vacation.

Related: A magical guide for how to plan a trip to Disney World this year

Because both a Disney World vacation and a Disney cruise can vary widely when it comes to cost, it's hard to compare the two, but we'll do our best to give you an example.

We'll compare the cost of a four-night trip in October for a family with two adults and two children (assuming a stay at the cheapest available Deluxe resort hotel, three sit-down meals and three park days at Disney World without park hopping but with Genie+ for two days) to a four-night October sailing out of Port Canaveral on the newest Disney ship sailing, Disney Wish, in a room with a verandah.

Disney World vacation cost:

• Moderate resort stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge for four nights from Oct. 7 to 11, 2024, plus three days of park tickets: $3,243.82
• Two days of Genie+ and Lightning Lanes: $350 (estimated)
• Disney Dining Plan: $992
• Total: $4,585

Disney Cruise vacation cost:

• Oct. 7 to 11, 2024, sailing on Disney Wish in a verandah room: $5,550.12 (not including gratuities or extras)

Related: 11 ways to save money on a Disney Cruise

The reality is that a Disney cruise can be cheaper or more expensive than a Disney World vacation, largely depending on when you sail — and, of course, which cabin you choose.

While prices vary seasonally at Disney World, they don't vary quite as dramatically as at sea. For this exercise, I picked an October week that is fall break for some schools for comparison, but a four-night Disney cruise on Disney Fantasy out of Port Canaveral in mid-January 2025 can be purchased starting at $3,479 for the same family of four.

Winner : A Disney World vacation costs less than a Disney cruise in this exercise. A cruise can be cheaper than a park trip, but keep in mind that demand and prices for Disney cruises are currently pretty high. The odds are decent that a cruise will cost you a little more than a similar Disney World trip right now, at least during traditional school breaks.

Accommodations

At Disney World, you can choose from Value resorts with rooms starting around $100 per night and three-bedroom grand villas (bookable with cash or rented Disney Vacation Club points ) with themes ranging from the South Pacific to the African savannah — or an option that falls somewhere in between.

On a Disney cruise, most cabins measure between 169 and 237 square feet (not including any verandahs), with just a few very expensive cabins coming in larger.

Winner : Disney World is the clear winner in this category. While the Disney cruise cabins are certainly functional, it's hard to beat Disney World's variety of lodging options with multiple layouts, price points and themes.

Related: The best Disney World hotels

You'd have to try hard to be bored on a Disney cruise. The ships have so much more than pools and waterslides.

Each ship offers a sunup to after-sundown schedule of mostly included activities ranging from trivia, game shows and karaoke to Broadway-caliber performances, pirate parties, character meet-and-greets and more. Onboard kids and teen clubs are free to use and offer activities for children ages 3 to 17 years old.

When the ship pulls into port, you can do everything from dog sledding in Alaska to gelato tasting in the Mediterranean to relaxing on a beach in the Caribbean.

Related: 10 things to know about sailing on a Disney Alaska cruise

Winner : Disney Cruise Line shines when it comes to available activities. While Disney World has no shortage of activities within its theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs entertainment area, a Disney cruise offers an even wider variety of activities, especially if you count all the things to do at each port.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Disney Cruise Line ship

Disney World offers a wide range of terrific restaurants . Options include dining "in space," eating barbecue with the toys from "Toy Story" and enjoying fine French cuisine. Vacationers can splurge on truly fine dining at Victoria & Albert's within Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and during a fantastic multicourse Japanese meal at Takumi-Tei within Epcot — it's not all chicken fingers and midmarket options.

And if you like to budget your meals in advance, the Disney Dining Plan has made its return in early 2024 after a four-year hiatus. The Dining Plan allows you to prepay for your Disney meals and snacks for prices that range from $57 to $94 per adult, per day and $23 to $26 per child, per day, depending on which plan you select. It's possible to spend less on Disney meals by going that route if you are strategic about when and where you eat.

On all Disney cruise ships, guests eat free in three dinner venues on a rotating basis, and their servers follow them from restaurant to restaurant. On Disney Wish, for example, your serving team will join you each night in the three restaurants: Worlds of Marvel , Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure and 1923. A table is waiting for you each night, and your serving team gets to know you and your dining preferences. A show is included with two of the three restaurants, and the whole experience is a focal point of the day.

The food is pretty good, too. It's not necessarily on the same level as the highest-end Disney World fine dining restaurants, but if you want that, go to the adults-only restaurants that do cost a bit extra, such as Palo or Enchante , to get that same type of experience (but for a lot less).

Winner : A Disney cruise trumps Disney World for dining thanks to its convenient options and innovative rotational dining system. Not to mention, you can enjoy multiple meals and snacks each day without paying a cent beyond your original cruise fare.

Thrill factor

Y'all know where this one is heading — and yes, if you are after thrills, the thrill rides at Disney World tip this category into the theme park's corner. It's hard to beat the almost 60 mph launch on Tron Lightcycle Run or the backward launch on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind .

Disney cruise ships feature some tame waterslides, though the AquaDunk waterslide on Disney Magic is not for the faint of heart. If you want a good adrenaline rush at sea, book that ship. You might also find that hanging out at the front of the ship while it's heading out to sea is pretty cool in its own right. You might be able to find some thrills in port (like a zip lining excursion in Alaska), but it depends on your cruise destination.

Winner : Disney World is the clear winner if you want thrill-seeking to be the focus of the trip. Just be sure to load up on Lightening Lanes for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Space Mountain and Tron Lightcycle Run. Save the cruise for a different type of vacation.

Multigeneration-friendly

Disney World is often a strenuous vacation for many families. That's because it's the size of San Francisco, meaning you'll generally cover 10 miles or more on foot per day just to get around, and you will often feel compelled to start early and/or stay late to feel like you're getting your money's worth.

That can be tough for anyone not used to that pace (and heat), but it can be an especially challenging vacation for those who are significantly older or younger than the rest of their group. Even if your family members can handle the distance using scooters and/or strollers, not all attractions are a great match for everyone due to height restrictions and the rough impact of certain thrill rides.

On the other hand, a Disney cruise excels at having something for every age group. Even if everyone fills their days differently — splitting up to enjoy the various kids and teen clubs and adults-only bars and restaurants — you can meet up again for the shows and meals in the evening.

Winner : Disney Cruise Line excels when it comes to multigenerational vacations. From the nursery and kids and teen clubs to the onboard talks, adults-only pool area, waterslides, drink tastings and evening programming, I can't think of a better trip for a mixed-generation group than a Disney cruise. You can find something to please just about everyone within a few decks.

As fun as the theme parks are — and they really are — I wouldn't call them truly relaxing trips. Sure, you could spend your days by the pool or even the spa, but most of the time, a trip to Disney World is a fun, busy adventure.

Disney cruises differ in that Disney Cruise Line ships are made for you to spend time relaxing and enjoying the ride — out on the deck, in the spa or even in your cabin gazing out the window. "Busy" on a cruise means a schedule packed with meals, pool time and the occasional participatory game show, not hauling miles and miles across a theme park to get in the next line.

Winner : Disney Cruise Line wins this category, as a Disney cruise feels far more relaxing than a Disney World vacation.

Service is a strength of the Disney company both on land and at sea; however, the staffing ratios and nature of the interaction at sea tip the scales in favor of Disney Cruise Line. The crew can provide far more personalized and higher-quality service aboard Disney's ships than is possible in a theme park. At Disney World, your interactions with staff usually last just a few seconds as you climb aboard the next attraction or pay for that Dole Whip ice cream treat.

Even on the shorter cruises, some of the onboard staff will get to know your family's names and your kids' preferences. It's not uncommon for your dinner servers and room hosts to start to feel like friends, especially if you are on one of the slightly longer voyages.

Winner : A Disney cruise features all kinds of service extras you won't get on land, such as towel animals waiting for you in your cabin each evening and your favorite drinks magically appearing as soon as you sit down to dinner. This level of service is what makes a Disney cruise feel magical in ways that are too difficult to recreate at the parks.

Bottom line

My family and I are avid fans of both Disney World and Disney cruises. We make multiple trips to the theme parks in Florida annually and have taken seven Disney cruises, with several more already booked. While there are similarities between the two trips — the characters, the approaches to immersive storytelling, the service provided and the overall quality — the two vacations are different in many ways.

For us, we head to Disney World for busy fun, often meeting up with friends for an action-packed day full of rides and shows. We'll be on the go nonstop, doing and seeing all the things and often not getting a ton of sleep. We love the parks and want to return whenever we are packing up to leave, but we usually need a long nap the second we get back home.

A Disney cruise, on the other hand, truly feels like a vacation.

Depending on the sailing, the ports might be the highlight of the trip, especially in destinations such as Alaska and Europe. On others, the sea days when we snack all day, go to trivia games, order Mickey bars from room service, pop into an onboard Disney movie and simply enjoy being together as a family are the best part.

Looking at a Disney cruise versus Disney World, it's hard to say which is the better family vacation. It all depends on what you want from the trip.

If you wish to truly relax, enjoy attentive service and pull off a multigeneration trip with something for everyone, look to Disney cruises first.

If you want to fill your days with thrills, fireworks and your favorite characters, can handle logging some serious miles and aren't scared off by navigating Genie+ and making dining reservations, then book that trip to Disney World. Save the cruise for when you want to relax a bit more.

As for me, I'm hoping you'll find us at Disney World and on a Disney cruise this year because they are both the perfect family vacation for us — as long as we set the correct expectations before we embark on our adventure.

And, of course, if your budget and time-off schedule permit, you don't have to choose between the two trips. Many Disney Cruise Line sailings depart from Port Canaveral, which is only a one-hour drive (or Disney bus ride) away from Disney World, so you can easily combine several busy, thrill-seeking days at the parks with a short three- or four-night Disney cruise to create one weeklong trip.

Now that is what we call a vacation win.

Related reading:

• The best credit cards for your Disney vacation
• 13 new rides, attractions and experiences coming to Disney World in 2024
• The 21 most underrated things at Disney World: What to see, do and eat that many guests miss
• 26 Disney cruise tips, tricks, secrets and extra magic to unlock when setting sail with Mickey
• Everything we know about Disney Treasure, coming to Disney Cruise Line in 2024

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Disney Cruise vs. Disney World

Feb 27, 2020

See recent posts by Cynthia J. Drake

Like many families, ours has cherished memories of visiting Disney World every few years since our two boys were small enough to get in for free. 

Nowadays when we visit, we love planning out our FastPasses and ride strategies, wearing our Mickey apparel , exploring the newest rides and attractions , staying at Disney resorts or nearby Orlando hotels and, of course, cooling off with a mid-day post-“Pirates” pineapple Dole Whip break.

We’ve also sailed on two Disney cruises in the past four years: first the Disney Magic and most recently the Disney Fantasy, in addition to several other cruises. (Full disclosure: I also write regularly for Family Vacation Critic’s sister website, Cruise Critic ). 

As Disney’s fleet expands to five ships with the introduction of the newest ship, Disney Wish, expected to debut in 2022, we’ve decided to explore the advantages of a Disney cruise vs. Disney World to help you decide if a cruise is right for your next vacation with Mickey Mouse and crew.

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Crowds

Disney World

Ask anyone who’s been to the Disney parks and they’ll most likely share that their biggest pain point comes from waiting in line: waiting for rides, waiting for character visits, and angling for a good photo opportunity or a spot to watch the parades. 

Though FastPasses somewhat help to mitigate these headaches, for some of the newest attractions, such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge , ride lines have spanned more than five hours, leading some long-time Disney fans to grumble that there’s no such thing as an “off-season” at Disney anymore.

Also, some of the most special dining experiences and character visits at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom book up quickly, so if you haven’t adequately planned ahead, you might miss out on some of your top choices.

Disney Cruise

Though cruise ships pack as many as 4,000 passengers on board, somehow sailing on a Disney cruise seems less crowded than Walt Disney World, especially during peak times. The cruise lines do a good job of crowd control throughout the cruise, and though you will occasionally wait in line for some things, it’s certainly not a multi-hour wait. A few examples: on our recent cruise on the Disney Fantasy, we booked several character greetings in advance and were able to wait in lines of less than 15 minutes for other characters we saw without appointments. I observed that these encounters seemed less rushed than at the Disney parks. Elsa and Darth Vader had extensive interactions with my son before we got photos and autographs.

At the evening shows (there are two show times every night for live productions of Aladdin and Frozen ), we never had a problem getting a good seat, arriving about 10 to 15 minutes prior to every show. That’s better than other major cruise lines that have started ticketing for popular shows because they run out of seats.

The largest crowds you’ll see will be at peak dining times in the buffet restaurant or for the evening fireworks shows and deck parties. Still, there’s always some place you can easily steal away to for some quiet if you grow weary of the crowds.

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Service

Disney built its brand upon excellent service, whether you’re visiting parks, resorts or a cruise. We’ve always loved that at its best Disney always does a great job of making vacations feel special and magical.

Throughout the parks, it’s the little touches that make the difference. For example, you might be celebrating a birthday or a honeymoon, and you’ll hear special greetings from cast members throughout the day. A friend’s daughter kept wanting to ride the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros ride at the Epcot Mexico pavilion on a relatively slow day. Cast members started cheering them on to break the record for most repeat rides, even making an announcement and giving them special buttons.

Characters often pop up and spend a little extra time bopping around while dancing with your kids. (The Evil Queen’s catty banter is legendary.) Whether you’re riding the monorail, checking into a resort, dining in a special restaurant, riding a ride or purchasing a special souvenir, chances are fairly good that Disney employees add a little extra touch of magic to an otherwise banal transaction. 

This level of service definitely holds up on Disney Cruise Line. Our most recent cruise on the Fantasy included some of the best dining room wait staff and room attendants we’ve experienced on a cruise. 

Parents might worry about their younger kids’ ability to sit still for a multi-course formal dinner, but our waiter and assistant waiter kept our kids’ attention by performing nightly magic tricks, bringing them special desserts and styling the ketchup for their French fries into Mickey faces.

Our cabin steward created blanket animals for us to come back to every night before bed, and always had a smile and a kind word for our kids when he saw us each day. Elsewhere on the ship, we witnessed the same level of service—we even started taking our kids to the formal dining room for lunch each day (something we normally wouldn’t take the time to do), because the service was so phenomenal.

I would argue that a Disney cruise offers even better service than at the parks, because on a weeklong trip you’ll have the opportunity to bond with cruise staff over the course of your trip. From the first night, the staff you interact with knows your name and even your meal preferences, and this makes for a really personalized vacation experience.

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Food

Food at Disney parks transcends the average restaurant dining experience. For example, one of our favorite WDW dining experiences is visiting the Be Our Guest restaurant, where an elevated multi-course meal is capped off with a serving of “the grey stuff” (“it’s delicious!”) and even little edible paint pots so the kids could paint their own Chip the teacup. Add to this the atmosphere of the restaurant that puts you right into the setting of Beauty and the Beast , including foreboding thunderstorms, a magical rose and portraits that transform.

Disney-philes of all ages consider dining throughout Epcot’s World Showcase—with themed food and drinks appropriate to the country in which you’re visiting—to be a quintessential part of your park experience. Elsewhere, in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, for example, you’ll also find imaginative food and beverage offerings that coincide with the area you’re visiting, allowing you to experience Avatar’s Pandora or Africa and Asia with all of your senses.

In true Disney fashion, dining aboard a Disney cruise ship goes beyond a typical meal. Unlike any other cruise line, Disney rotates diners among three different dining rooms each night. You dine at a set time (either early or late seating) and stay with the same wait staff each night as you experience a new restaurant.

On the Disney Fantasy, the biggest hit for our kids was Animator’s Palate. The first night, Crush the Turtle from Finding Nemo engaged in lively banter with seated guests from screens around the dining room, leading us all in chants of “Dude!” by the end of our meal. On the next night that we dined in this restaurant, we each drew our own animated figure, which was later brought to life to dance on the screen during our dessert course.

Speaking of dessert: even picky kids love eating on a Disney ship—what’s not to like about your very own Mickey-shaped ice cream bar appearing whenever you say the word? They’ll get their own menu, which changes each night and includes kid-friendly favs like mac and cheese and cheeseburgers. Want something that’s not listed? Just ask your waiter—we tested out a few special requests throughout our cruise, and we always received what we asked for. Waitstaff is also very attuned to food allergies, and will always ask about any dietary needs prior to taking your order.

We really enjoyed both the service and the quality of the food in the on board restaurants. A buffet with limited operating hours, and 24-hour room service is also available, and there’s soft-serve ice cream in four different flavors on board near the pool area for late-night cravings, too.

Also worth noting are the additional fee venues on board Disney Cruise Line: Palo and Remy, two upscale, adults-only venues that elevate the great food and service even higher. These are worthy of a date night splurge while your kids enjoy their own meals at the kids’ clubs. 

Disney World vs. Disney Cruise: Value

Disney vacation prices vary widely depending on the season and your budget, but Disney insiders price resort-and-park vacations anywhere from $400 to $1,000 per day for a family of four, when you factor in the cost of park passes, accommodations and food.

A typical seven-night Disney Caribbean cruise can cost about $600 to $1,000 (or more) per day for a family of four, depending on the type of cabin you choose, your itinerary and the time of year you travel. Shorter itineraries of as little as two nights are available (some families add this on to a traditional Disney resort vacation), or longer trips are also an option with itineraries that include visits to Europe , Alaska , the Panama Canal and Hawaii .

Disney cruises, though certainly not the cheapest in the industry, roll in the cost of all of the items you’d pay a la carte for at the parks: food and accommodations—and even nonalcoholic drinks—in addition to including childcare for kids older than 3.

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Entertainment

It’s true that you can’t recreate a Disney parks experience on a cruise ship—with so many rides and attractions, a cruise ship can’t compete on some levels with the fast-pace thrills of a day at an amusement park.

Instead of rides, your days at sea will most likely be consumed by the myriad pool and splash pad attractions (like the super fun AquaDuck tube slide that courses around the Dream and Fantasy), plus putt-putt golf and lots of scheduled on-board activities like crafts, trivia and theme days such as Star Wars at Sea and pirate day, when nearly everyone gets into the spirit by dressing up in costume .

One of the biggest perks is access to the kids’ clubs, for ages 3 to 12, included in the cost of your cruise. Babies can go to the Royal Tots nursery for a fee; and there are also clubs for tweens and teens. 

These facilities draw on Disney’s impressive oeuvre of movies and characters, from a Toy Story -themed “Andy’s Room” to the Marvel Superhero Academy to a Star Wars command center to an animator’s studio—all with regularly scheduled activities that capture kids’ imaginations, even into the late night hours so that parents can have some kid-free time if they want it.

You’ll also have access to all the characters you’d find at the parks, and the greetings are scheduled multiple times a day so you can catch them throughout your vacation. 

Also on board the ship, you’ll find the Midship Detective Agency, which allows kids to solve a multi-part mystery using augmented reality technology that enables the ship’s pieces of artwork to come alive with Disney characters and lead children on the hunt for clues.

Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is another great perk of a Disney cruise. Many of the Caribbean itineraries stop at this Bahamian island, which is exclusive to Disney cruise guests. Here you’ll find powdery beaches, a splash pad, a mini-waterpark in the middle of the ocean, stingray excursions, bike rentals, a 5K island run, and delicious (complimentary) food from the barbecue.

The Bottom Line

A Disney cruise and a Disney parks vacation are two fairly different vacation options, albeit with some overlap in terms of beloved characters and a high-level of service. 

We love the Disney cruise option as a more relaxed vacation particularly for smaller kids who might tire easily after several days of pounding the pavement at the theme parks. It’s also great for families with kids who would make use of the kids’ club so the adults can take time to reconnect and enjoy some adult time.

Cynthia J. Drake is a travel writer based in Austin, Texas, where she lives with her husband and two sons. Since becoming a mom, she’s been stranded at sea with her family, gotten lost in the Rocky Mountains, dealt with more than her fair share of public vomiting, and still can’t wait for the next trip. She writes regularly for AAA magazines, Austin American-Statesman, Texas Highways and Cruise Critic . Follow her on Facebook  and  Twitter .

What to Pack for Your Next Trip

Baby boy’s disney outfit, shop the look.

The Lion King 2-Pack Bodysuit

Disney Swaddle Blankets

Mickey Mouse Bibs

Baby 12-Pack Socks

Anti-Slip High Top Sneaker

Baby girl’s disney outfit.

Baby Sun Hat with UPF 50+

Minnie Romper

Mineral Sunscreen Lotion – SPF 50

Disney Stitch Plush

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Dad’s/men’s outfit to wear in disney.

Neon and Friends Tee

Performance Chino 7" Short

Lilo & Stitch Baseball Cap

Travel Laptop Backpack

Revolution 4 Sneaker

Mom’s/women’s outfit to wear in disney.

Mickey Mouse Vintage Tee

Cheeky Bootcut Jean

Bowknot Polka Dot Hair Holder

Hakuna Moscato Stemless Wine Glass

Walking Shoes

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Disney World Vs. Disney Cruise: Which Vacation Should Your Family Book?

Breaking down the debate over Disney by land or seas.

Growing up , my parents had two options to experience the magic of Disney outside of their local theaters: the Disney Parks. Disneyland Resort has been around since 1955, and Disney World since 1971, giving several generations the opportunity to experience either the Happiest (Disneyland) or Most Magical (Disney World) Place(s) on Earth.

Now, of course, things have changed, and the "magic of Disney" has spread to an almost overwhelming amount of options. There are parks worldwide, and in the 1990s, the Walt Disney Company spread its influence to the high seas with the debut of the Disney Cruise Line . With five ships in its fleet (and a sixth setting sail in December 2024), Disney cruises to enjoy an immersive Disney experience for a mostly all-inclusive price. The idea of sailing and getting to explore a new place at port as opposed to going to a theme park can be tempting for some, making a Disney Cruise vacation an alluring option.

We'll be taking a closer look at what Disney World offers versus the Disney Cruise Line, including the potential cost and what it covers.

Walt Disney World Resort Overview

Located in Orlando, Florida, Disney World is known worldwide as the Most Magical Place on Earth. The massive property spans over 25,000 acres and includes four theme parks, two water parks, a shopping and dining complex, numerous resorts, and various other recreational activities.

At Disney World, you can stay at one of dozens of on-site properties (or at an off-property hotel), purchase tickets to one or multiple theme parks, and experience the ultimate family vacation this iconic spot promises.

A typical Disney World vacation offers:

• Theme Parks: Each park offers unique attractions, shows, and character meet-and-greets. The four parks include Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios , and Disney's Animal Kingdom.
• Resorts: Disney World features a variety of on-site resorts ranging from value to deluxe accommodations. Staying on-site provides extra perks, such as Early Theme Park Entry and easy transportation to and from the parks.
• Dining: With over 200 dining options, Disney World caters to all tastes and budgets. Options range from quick-service eateries to fine dining experiences with character interactions. You can also purchase the Disney Dining Plan, a prepaid meal credit program that lets you budget out some of your meal expenses ahead of time.
• Entertainment: Parades, fireworks, live shows, and seasonal events like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are available throughout the year.
• Recreation: Beyond the parks, Disney World offers golf courses, spas, boat rentals, mini golf courses, and more!

Disney Cruise Line Overview

Disney Cruise Line operates five ships: Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish. In 2024, the Disney Treasure will become the sixth ship in the fleet. Each ship offers themed cruises to destinations such as the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and more.

Disney also owns two private islands in the Caribbean: Disney Castaway Cay, and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point (opening June 2024). Available on select sailings, these offer exciting entertainment and amenities for guests to enjoy on their off-boat time.

The main difference between a Disney World vacation and a Disney Cruise Line vacation is that much of your sailing price is all-inclusive. That means your initial cost will include accommodations, entertainment, youth clubs, most meals, recreation, etc. It will not include the cost of some spa activities, adult-exclusive dining, shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, and others.

A typical Disney Cruise Line vacation includes:

• Accommodations: Staterooms range from interior rooms to luxurious suites, all designed with families in mind, offering features like split bathrooms and ample storage.
• Dining: Disney Cruise Line offers rotational dining, allowing guests to experience different themed restaurants each night. Your fare includes most meals, with some exceptions for adult-exclusive dining.
• Entertainment: Broadway-style shows, deck parties, movie screenings, and character meet-and-greets are standard entertainment offerings on board.
• Recreation: Pools, water slides, kids' clubs, teen lounges, adult-only areas, and various sports activities provide entertainment for all ages.
• Destinations: Port excursions and visits to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, offer unique adventures beyond the ship.

Cost of Disney Cruise Line vs. Disney World

When considering taking a Disney World vs Disney Cruise Line vacation, the big question before anything else is this: What will it cost? For an example itinerary, we looked at the cost for a family of four (let's say two adults and two children in the 3 to 9 range) who are planning a 7-day vacation on the Disney Fantasy versus a 7-day vacation at Disney World.

Disney Cruise Line: 7-Day Cruise on Disney Fantasy

For our sample itinerary, we looked at a 7-night Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral through the Caribbean in mid-August. This cruise includes stops in Mexico, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Disney Castaway Cay.

• Stateroom: An oceanview stateroom (no verandah) starts at $8,163.
• Dining: The cruise fare includes most meals, but let's budget $500 for any alcohol or additional expenses.
• Entertainment: The cruise fare includes onboard entertainment.
• Recreation: The cruise fare includes recreation.
• Port Excursions: These vary widely, but budgeting around $500-$1,000 for a few excursions is reasonable.
• Airfare: Since travel costs to the destination may vary, we budgeted approximately $1,500 for airfare to and from the destination (both of which are in central Florida).
• Miscellaneous: Gratuities, souvenirs, and other expenses might add $500.

Total Cost: approximately $11,163-$11,663

Disney World: 7-Day Vacation

For a Disney World vacation, we looked at the same dates in mid-August. We chose park hopper tickets, a Disney Dining Plan, and a moderate resort hotel.

• Accommodation: Staying in a pool-view room at a moderate resort like Disney's Port Orleans Riverside costs around $2,753 (without any discounts).
• Park Tickets: 7-Day Park Hopper tickets for four people cost around $2,860.
• Dining: The Disney Dining Plan adds $1,735, which would include one table-service meal, one quick-service meal, and one snack per person per night of stay.
• Additional Dining: Budget another $500 for extra expenses.
• Airfare: Again, $1,500.
• Miscellaneous: Souvenirs, extra activities, and unforeseen expenses might add another $500-$1,000.

Total Cost: approximately $9,850 to $10,350

So, in total, the cost of the Disney Cruise Line ship does come out to be more expensive than Walt Disney World. Granted, there are some big factors to consider here. One is the time of year — August on the beach sounds nice. August in a theme park? A little swampy, TBH.

Other factors are the fluctuation of cost based on you and your party. Travel may be more or less expensive depending on where you are coming from (and choosing a port that's not in Florida could make a Disney Cruise Line vacation more doable).

Additionally, for your Disney World vacation, you could cut costs by not adding the park hopper option or Disney Dining Plan, or by staying off-site or in a value resort room. That cost could also go up with the purchase of add-ons such as Disney Genie+ or Memory Maker.

Choices, Choices

Choosing between a Disney Cruise Line vacation and a trip to Disney World will ultimately depend on your family's preferences and what kind of experience you're looking for. However, here are a few factors you want to consider.

Disney World might be better if:

• You want variety. With four theme parks, two water parks, and numerous other activities, Disney World offers a wide variety of experiences in one location.
• You enjoy theme parks . The theme parks provide endless entertainment if your family loves rides, parades, and character interactions.
• You prefer land-based vacations . If you don't like the idea of being at sea (or you get seasick!), Disney Cruise Line may not even be something you want to consider.
• You want flexibility . Once you're on a boat, you're on a boat . At Disney World, you can choose to explore Orlando, go to the theme parks, or stay at your hotel — there's plenty you can change at a moment's notice.

Disney Cruise Line might be better if:

• You want a relaxing vacation . Cruises offer a more laid-back experience with plenty of relaxation time by the pool or on a beach.
• You enjoy being at sea . If the idea of sailing to different destinations and enjoying ocean views appeals to you, a cruise is ideal.
• You appreciate all-inclusive packages . With meals, entertainment, and activities included in the fare, cruises can be more straightforward in terms of budgeting.

Disney World and Disney Cruise Line both offer magical experiences with unique benefits. They are Disney vacations, after all! There's no arguing that they're expensive experiences, though, so what is best for you is going to depend on what is best for your budget — as well as what will ultimately be better worth that cost for you.

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Disney Cruise vs. Disney World Vacation: 12 Ways A Disney Cruise is Better

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One of the questions that I get the most as a family travel blogger is, “ Which is better, a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World vacation?”

Friends and family alike are anxious to know my thoughts on comparing these two epic family vacations.

Being that they are both popular and somewhat spendy vacation options, it is truly worth analyzing if a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World vacation is a better choice for you and your family.

Though both are absolutely amazing, I will share my opinions on the 12 reasons why my family and I feel that a Disney Cruise is better than a Disney World vacation.

Having done both a 7-night Disney Cruise on the Disney Fantasy and a 6-night Disney World vacation in Orlando , we came up with the following reasons why we prefer cruising with Disney Cruise versus a Disney World vacation to the parks.

With that said, every family has their own ideas and opinions when it comes to their ‘favorites’. Everyone also has expectations of what they want to see and do, as well as what pace they prefer to travel at.

Table of Contents

Disney Cruise vs. Disney World Vacation: Which Should You Choose?

1. Less planning and strategy involved on a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World vacation.

First and foremost, a Disney Cruise Line vacation requires far less planning and strategy than preparing for a Disney theme park vacation. To give you an idea as to why this is, consider these things.

There are many steps required in planning a Disney World vacation.

First, you need to decide how much time you have, which parks you are going to visit, and where you are going to stay .

Next, one must consider Park Hopper options, FastPass+ considerations , and whether or not you are going to purchase a Disney dining plan.

Once there, you need to have a transportation plan, as well as a thought-out park touring plan for each of the 4 Disney World theme parks.

Preparing a Disney day bag and executing your daily itinerary are the last pieces to ensuring the magic.

Planning a Disney Cruise is much easier.

Once you have decided on how much time you have and where you would like to go, make your Disney Cruise reservation online. Also, pre-book shore excursions and arrange for transportation to and from the cruise terminal.

Upon consulting these reliable cruise packing lists , you’ll be able to plan and pack for your excursion at sea.

Then, simply board the ship and enjoy it!

Your stateroom, meals, and activities are all scheduled, included, and found right on-board the ship.

2. Relax more on a Disney Cruise.

Hands-down when comparing a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World, cruising much more relaxing.

As mentioned above, there is a significant amount of strategy involved in touring the Disney parks.

The reason for this is that you want to maximize your time in the parks with a plan that requires the least amount of walking and time spent standing in lines.

On a Disney Cruise, however, everything is planned for you.

There are set dining times, set activity times, and set showtimes. Upon deciding what it is that you want to do, the only thing required is to simply show up and have fun!

You can easily spend time in your stateroom between activities to nap and/or snack on free room service.

Likewise, spend time lounging on one of the many deck chairs while soaking up the sun.

Need a break from the kids?

The free kids club, adult-only pool decks and lounges, and adult-only restaurants will give you that desired break and relaxation.

On our 7-night Disney Fantasy cruise , we did all of this and more!

For these reasons and more, we feel that overall, cruises are perfect for families !

3. Free Kids Club on a Disney Cruise

As mentioned, one of the biggest benefits of a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World vacation is the availability of several free Kids Clubs onboard.

Staffed by trained Disney castmates, the themed youth clubs provide quality care, unmatched convenience, and loads of fun for kids!

Children may be dropped off to experience age-appropriate games and activities, while adults are left to venture, relax, or dine on their own.

On select days, children are welcome to enjoy lunch and dinner at Disney’s Oceaneer Club—especially convenient for parents looking for some alone time at Remy or Palo.

• “it’s a small world” nursery: Ages 3 months – 3 years-old (small fee applies)
• Disney’s Oceaneer Lab: 3 – 12 years-old
• Disney’s Oceaneer Club: 3 – 12 years-old
• Edge: 11 – 14 years-old
• Vibe: 14 – 17 years-old

4. Build Relationships on a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World Vacation.

Due to its laid back atmosphere, fewer crowds, and less hustle and bustle getting from place to place, spending larger amounts of quality family time together is more likely on a Disney C ruise vs. a Disney World vacation.

Likewise, if traveling with a group, it is also easier to stick and spend time together on a cruise ship, versus navigating throughout the massive Disney theme parks.

Next, Disney Cruise rotational dining allows you to have the same server each night at dinner which means that the waitstaff gets to know your kids, your drink orders, allergies, etc.

Also, you will get to know the names and faces of other Disney crew staff members as they work on the ship throughout the duration of your entire cruise.

Last, another fun tradition on Disney Cruise Line is mingling with fellow passengers in the “ Fish Extenders ” program.

A fish extender is something that you hang on the outside of your stateroom door to serve as a “mailbox”. Then, other passengers like you sign up to participate in a fun exchange and deliver gifts to each other’s fish extenders throughout the cruise.

As you can see, there is a big focus on relationship building when embarking on a Disney Cruise! In a sense, it is a more ‘homey’ feel, versus a ‘hugeness’ feel when it comes to Disney Cruise vs. Disney World.

5. Meals are Included and are All You Can Eat on a Disney Cruise.

With the exclusion of adult-only restaurants, all meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included in your Disney Cruise fare .

What this means is not having to ponder the menu for affordable meal choices or worry about carrying cash or a credit card around to pay for meals.

In addition, your children and teens will not need to keep bugging you for dollar bills!

There is nothing complicated about the Disney Cruise dining experience and the only reservation to adhere to is for dinner.

Enjoy all-you-can-eat buffets and specialty dining experiences where you are actually encouraged to try anything and everything on the menu.

Unlimited soda fountain stations and soft-serve ice cream machines are another huge bonus that is unique to a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World vacation. Our kids loved the unlimited access to these special treats.

6. Free Room Service on your Disney Cruise.

A major perk of Disney Cruise Line is having accessibility to free, and unlimited room service.

Want breakfast in bed? No problem!

Want a bedtime snack? It’s covered.

The perks and conveniences of being able to order from room service menu for no additional charge is such an added bonus when looking to truly ‘vacation’!

The kids get a kick out of ordering things like hot cocoa and Mickey ice cream bars, whereas I love having my morning coffee arrive as soon as I wake up.

7. Evening shows on a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World.

The evening shows on the Disney Cruise Line are 100% top notch! They are of high production quality and immense entertainment value.

Yes, Disney World has amazing evening shows as well.

Unfortunately, due to the massive crowds that attend these shows, guests must arrive early, plan ahead to secure seating, and even pay (high) additional costs to sit in premium viewing areas.

With designated showtimes, you never have to worry about finding a seat at a Disney Cruise evening show!

Plan to be entertained each and every night by getting your fill of classic Disney camaraderie.

The shows on Disney Cruise vs. Disney World are entirely different, yet still, pack in a whole lot of family fun!

8. Character Meet and Greets on a Disney Cruise.

When comparing a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World, the feas i bility of character meet and greets on a Disney Cruise takes the cake!

Though Disney World offers a much wider array of characters in its shows, meet-and-greets, and character meals, the interactions are much more personal and accessible on a Disney Cruise.

No need to walk for hours or stand in long lines in anticipation of a Disney character meet and greet on a Disney Cruise.

Beyond the many scheduled character meet-and-greets on the ship, your family is likely to randomly run into a character or two on the pool deck, in the kids’ clubs, or even on Castaway Cay , Disney’s private Bahamian island.

The Disney characters are literally everywhere, and hugs and handshakes with your favorite characters are commonplace.

9. Disney Cruise Shore Excursions.

With Disney Cruise Line’s four ships departing from various ports in the United States, they travel to places like the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and Europe.

In other words, within one family vacation, you can literally see several different destinations, islands, and countries.

Disney Cruises allow you to see and experience these destinations via their perfectly executed shore excursions.

Unlike a Disney World vacation where you are confined to the parks and other nearby non-Disney experiences , Disney Cruising allows you go get up-close-and-personal with multiple different destinations.

10. Less Walking on a Disney Cruise.

For those with limited mobility, small children who may resist strollers, or anyone wanting to simply walk around less, choos ing a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World vacation is the better choice.

Though the Disney Cruise ships are indeed massive, the walking required is limited and condensed to the confines of the ship itself. Also, your stateroom is always just a quick elevator ride away in case someone needs to head up early for a nap.

With Disney World being comprised of four theme parks, two water parks, and Disney Springs, the list of things to see and do is endless.

In order to check everything off your list, you can expect a fast-paced trip in which you attempt to cover a lot of ground.

Because of this, expect tired and sore feet at the end of the day as you will literally be walk ing for miles.

11. Disney Cruise ‘Daily N avigator ‘.

Unlike at Disney World where it can become difficult to keep track of everything that is going on, Disney Cruise Line publishes a Daily Navigator each and every day of your cruise.

Though both Disney experiences have apps outlining daily activities, there is something so sweet and traditional about this hand-held paper copy of events.

The Daily Navigator list of activities and events is easily portable, does not require wifi, and will never run low battery power.

It is delivered to your stateroom each evening during turndown service. Afterward, give the kids a copy and let them highlight the events that interest them.

Stick it in your beach bag or day bag and refer to it often when seeking out your next adventure!

12. Perks for Returning Disney Cruisers.

Once you have completed your first cruise, you are automatically a loyalty member.

The Castaway Club has three levels based on the number of cruises sailed: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.  Members have access to book the newest itineraries before the general public. They also have early access to planning and booking activities online.

If you’re like us and have such an amazing time on your first Disney cruise that you decide to book again , these are welcomed and appreciated benefits.

Being rewarded as a return customer is definitely a bonus when cruising with Disney.

Conclusion on Disney Cruise vs. Disney World Vacation: Which is Best?

Honestly, both a Disney Cruise and Disney World theme park vacation are notably epic and bucket-list worthy.

You can’t go wrong with either.

Both provide incredibly different experiences. They really aren’t even in the same category of vacation types except for the fact that they are both Disney-related.

Both experiences provide the same amazing top-notch Disney service, cleanliness, and ambiance. The high degree of excellence in any Disney vacation is consistent among the brand.

Our #1 recommendation is to do both: A Disney Cruise AND a Walt Disney World Vacation. If we had to pick one, however, we would choose a Disney Cruise over the WDW theme parks.

If you prefer rides, action, and a plethora of activities and options, perhaps Disney World suits you better?

Let me know in the comments if you think a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World vacation is a better choice?

As a member of our Travel With A Plan family, click through the following articles for exclusive tips, checklists, and touring plans for your Disney World vacation or Disney Cruise!

Disney Cruise Planning:

• 18 Essential Disney Cruise Line Tips
• 50 Disney Fantasy Cruise Tips: Know Before you Go
• Disney Cruise Advice: What We Learned and What We’ll Do Differently Next Time

Disney World Touring Plans:

• 1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary: A Perfect Day At Disney
• 1-Day At Animal Kingdom Itinerary: The Perfect Family Touring Plan
• One Day Itinerary for Epcot: Family Touring Plan

Disney World Ride & FastPass+ Tips:

• ‘How-to’ Secrets and Tips for Booking Disney FastPasses+
• Top 5 Rides to FastPass+ at Magic Kingdom
• Disney World Magic Kingdom Wait Times (Longest and Shortest Lines)
• Top 5 Rides for Toddlers at Magic Kingdom

Disney World Planning Tips:

• The 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Our First Disney Vacation
• Disney Packing List: 9 Things You Can’t Forget
• 7 Things to do on a Disney World Non-Park Day
• Best Off-Site Hotel Near Disney World, Orlando
• Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue: Our Complete Guide

Disney World Cost:

• Disney World Cost Calculator: How Much Will it Cost?
• How to Save Money At Disney World: 15 Ways We Saved Big

*Before leaving, be sure to check our Travel Resources Page to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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12 Comments

I’ve heard good thing about Disney Cruises, but didn’t realize there are some many extra benefits e.g complimentary room service!

Yes! …A super fun perk! Thanks for reading!

I agree – esp if you are traveling to Port Canveral/Orlando from further way – do both! i love cruising, but have not been on DCL yet, but can see how its much easier to plan than a WDW trip. Of course if you like the beach, cruise is better, if you like the rides and all that – do the theme park!

Great thoughts!!!

I agree 100% that a Disney Cruise is better than a Disney World vacation! The characters are so accessible, the food is better, the entertainment is non-stop, and nothing beats the kids’ club!

I really enjoyed this post as it was not something I had really thought about before. But I have to admit that you had me at the beginning – with the fact that the cruise requires so much less planning. Our Disney trip seemed to require a degree in Disney studies – I can see why this appealed (and for all the other reasons too!)

Ah, thanks! That is great feedback! You’re totally right about needing a ‘degree in Disney’ for the parks 🙂

Well you’ve convinced me! A Disney World holiday can be really quite stressful, I love that the cruise option gives you the chance to relax.

Yes! It was so relaxing, yet fun filled at the same time. We desperately want to do another one!

My wife and I have been planning a DisneyWorld trip in the next coming years but after reading your article, we may want to do a cruise. With the new ship going to New Orleans, it maybe worth a look.

Both vacations are amazing! For us, it was the cruise hands-down 🙂

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Disney cruise vs disney world- which to choose and why, october 18, 2021.

A mom of six through birth and adoption, family travel specialist, self-proclaimed chocolate chip cookie connoisseur, Disney lover, and, I hope to be, your new best friend.

Disney Cruise vs Disney World, have you ever wondered which of the two Disney Vacations would be right for your family? As someone who has visited Disney World 20+ times and to WDW and just finished our 10th Disney Cruise with kids ranging from babies to teens. Let me open your eyes to the pros and cons of both of these awesome family vacations.

Disney World vs. Disney Cruise Pace of Vacation

This is probably the biggest difference when it comes to deciding whether to do Disney World vs. Disney Cruis

Walt Disney World Pace

Walt Disney World is comprised of four theme parks, two water parks + Disney Springs. That is A LOT! In order to see and do everything on your list, you can expect a fast-paced and often exhausting trip. Don’t get me wrong it’s also exhilarating, magical and super incredible to tour the parks. But, expect to be exhausted. Expect tired and sore feet at the end of the day and don’t expect to come home feeling rejuvenated. If I am being completely honest, I often come home from Disney World needing another vacation- ha!

One thing that has helped us get through Walt Disney World feeling a little more relaxed is scheduling in downtime. Our typical schedule is to hit the parks as soon as they open. Come back to the resort to nap and swim in the pool (they have some AMAZING pools at the Disney Resorts. Our fav is Beach Club’s below). Then we head back into the parks in the evening once again. This pace allows us to hit two parks in one day while avoiding the heaviest crowds. It also ensures better moods!

Disney Cruise Pace

When comparing Disney Cruise vs Disney World one thing you can take into consideration is the walkability factor. Unlike the parks, everything onboard the cruise ship is condensed onto the ship. The activities and shows are all neatly scheduled out in advance for you and your stateroom is always just a quick elevator ride away, in case someone needs to head up early for a nap.

I covered this topic on my Family Travel Chat LIVE on Facebook episodes.

Watch it here-.

Winner – (Tie)

This one really depends on what you are looking for. If you want slow pace, the cruise is where it’s at. Want a little more excitement, than Disney World is the spot.

Walt Disney World

There are plenty of childcare options available including Kids Activity Clubs and In-Room Childcare offered by Disney when you are visiting Disney World. There is a fee when it comes to getting child care and it is not so cheap. There are also 3rd party sitter services like Sitters In A Second Inc. ( read about our experience here ). The thing is 1) it is expensive and 2) your are SO busy and have SO many things to do that include the kids it is hard to squeeze in time away from them.

Disney CRUISE Child Care

INCLUDED CHILDCARE- woot!! woot!! Yes, childcare for potty-trained munchkins 3-12 years old is included in the cruise pricing and it’s AMAZING!!! There is also cool hang out areas on board, The Edge is for 11-14-year-olds, and Vibe is for 14-17 years old.

Infants up to age 3 (not potty trained) can be checked into the onboard nursery as well. But, there is a small fee (I believe we paid $9 per hour in 2014).

• This means grown-ups get ALONE TIME, now that’s a Disney Dream!!!! There are adult only areas onboard the ship as well as a few clubs. It was heavenly to steal my hubby away for a cup of fancy coffee, to lounge at the adult pool or hit the comedy clubs. For me, this is a HUGE benefit!!

Available Activities/ Entertainment –

Disney world entertainment .

Clearly Disney World takes the cake on this one. I mean there is SO much to do. In fact, it is impossible to hit every ride, show, and attraction. Trust me, we’ve tried! So, if you are a thrill-seeking family you can be guaranteed to get your rush in the parks. And, because of the sheer amount of things to do there is also a ton of variety and many things to do for each age group.

Check out this great review from We3Travel on our FAVORITE Ride- Avatar Flight of Passage .

• Our kids also love heading around the world at Epcot. They love trying all the different cultural foods and chatting with the cast members, all of whom are actually from the country they represent. A great FREE activity at Epcot is decorating your Duffy Bear as you go around the world. The kids love finding the Kidcot coloring station so that they can finish coloring their bear and collect their country stamp. If you ask the cast member there they will also write your child’s name on the back of their Duffy Bear in their native language.

• And, Disney just re-did the Down Town Disney District and turned it into Disney Springs which is a gorgeous outdoor mall with tons of amazing shops (many big brands) and a bunch of incredible restaurants. It’s one of my new favorite places in Disney World!

Looking for more Disney World Tips? Check out this guide here- Essential Guide to Disney World in Orlando

Disney Cruise Entertainment

• The cruise is also filled with super fun family activities just not nearly as many. However, the kids will LOVE the amazing waterslides, splash areas, nightly shows, character meet and greets and hanging out in the kids club.

Entertainment Winner: Disney World

While they pack a lot onto a Disney Cruise ship, Disney World is the size of San Francisco, so Disney World has much more entertainment.

Disney World Dining Options vs. Disney Cruise Dining Options

Walt disney world dining options.

Walt Disney World is full of every type of eatery and about every type of cuisine that there is. It’s truly a mecca of good foodie-ness. Whether you are in the mood for something casual, a meal with your favorite characters , or an intimate and unique dining experience you are sure to find it at Disney World. But, the prices do add up especially if you hit the later two. Luckily, WDW offers Dining Plans to suit your needs.

When the kids were young we loved the standard dining plan because we hit up a lot of character meals. However, more recently we have been choosing the quick service plan because the kids prefer eating quick and hitting up more rides. For more information on the Disney Dining Plan see this post from Disney Tourist Blog .

DISNEY CRUISE DINING OPTIONS

Onboard the Disney Cruise your food, snacks, juices, milk, tea, coffee AND SODA (typically you have to buy a separate soda package on cruises) have already been wrapped into the price of your cruise. And, there is food everywhere onboard! Plus, lunch is included on Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island) too!  (Read about the other cruise lines we’ve cruised with here) .

The ease of not having to decide on dinner every night is one of my favorite features. I don’t know how that conversation goes in your house, but in ours, someone is always unhappy about not getting their way- ugh!

Another thing that is unique to Disney is that you get to rotate restaurants each evening, but your waitstaff stays with you. The benefit is that the waitstaff gets to know your kids, your drink orders, allergies etc… Making each night a breeze.

And, because cruises are ALL YOU CAN EAT, you can order as much as you want! This comes in handy when you are feeding active boys who seem to never get enough to eat- ha! It also means you can treat the kids to ice cream cones every night without breaking the bank. It will earn you some awesome brownie points!

FREE Room Service is another super fun thing, at least in our family. The kids get a kick out of ordering things like hot cocoa and Mickey ice cream bars. I love having my morning coffee arrive as soon as I wake up as well as being able to get the baby milk when she needs it.

Dining Winner – Disney Cruise

Disney Cruise has some pretty amazing dining options that is hard to beat.

Planning/ Booking-

Walt disney world planning.

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World takes a lot of research as there are so many options. You need to choose whether you are staying on or off the property. Which park passes to purchase. Whether or not you want to add the dining plan to your package and more!

Then you literally have to set reminders on your phone and wake up insanely early to jump online and book your restaurant reservations (180 days in advance) and fast pass reservations (60 days in advance if staying at a Disney hotel or 30 with a park ticket). It can be a bit daunting especially your first go round.

Flying into WDW? Check out these 9 Tips to Help you Plan Smarter!

DISNEY CRUISE PLANNING

The cruise is a whole lot easier to book and plan. The best part of a cruise is almost everything is done for you. Here you need to choose what cruise ship you want to go on, which itinerary you want and what excursions you are going to book. ( Read about why we choose to book 3rd party excursions here )

Winner: Disney Cruise

Disney Cruise is by far more easy to plan for. We always recommend using a Disney Travel Agent for any Disney vacation booking. They are Disney specialists, don’t cost any money and typically save you money. We personally use Tink’s Magical Vacations and love their services.

Disney World vs. Disney Cruise Pricing

No matter whether you choose to book a Walt Disney World Vacation or a Disney Cruise, spring break, summer, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are all going to be the busiest and most expensive times to travel. So, if you can avoid those times. You also want to check the weather because July can be VERY wet!

This one really is based off what kind of Disney Vacation you want. Typically I find these vacations run about the same price. The main difference was the cruise was paid for upfront and WDW the costs snuck up a little more during our travels. So, where initially we thought the parks were cheaper it turned out they were not. However, because of different pricing structures that are seasonal and promotions being run it is really hard to nail down which is cheaper.

We have a full breakdown of Disney World Costs Here and Disney Cruise Costs as well.

Disney also has great vacation planning videos to help you here .

Curious which Disney World Resort hotel class is best for your family? Check out this guide to help you choose .

Tips to Help Save You $$$-

Below you will find some of my best tips for saving money on your Disney World Vacation.

• Use a Travel Agent – My husband was completely anti travel agent as he always insisted it was cheaper if he did it on his own. He was very wrong. We tried out   Tink’s Magical Vacations . and not only did they help us with planning,their services were FREE, and they save you both time and money.
• Watch for promos. There is one in particular that Disney has been running the past few years that I love. It is a package deal that usually comes out right after summer, where you purchase your hotel and park tickets through Disney and they throw in the dining plan FREE! It provides huge savings as the adult dining plan costs about $67 per day and the kids plan runs around $24.
• Another route is by renting Disney Vacation Club points from a member like me on sites like DVC Rental Store and DVC Request . Villas also offer conveniences like fridge, microwave etc… which allows you to save on meals too.
• Staying off property is often cheaper as well. Read why my friend at Luxe Recess loves staying at the luxury hotels off-property here.
• You can also save quite a bit by  avoiding park hopper passes and instead choosing the one park per day option.
• Packing snacks and eating in some meals like quick breakfasts can help curb costs as well.
• Planning off-days , where you stay at the hotel and explore Disney Springs versus head into a park, also limits how many days you will need passes for. It also slows the pace down which is nice!
• Skipping the soda and opting for the free iced tap water available all around Disney parks and resorts is a great choice for your pocketbook and your waistline too!
• Always check your memberships for discounted tickets. Military, AAA, AARP and D23 fans have all been known to receive discounted theme park passes. Costco also often has discounted Disney Gift Cards at discounted rates. Or sometimes they have gift cards to restaurants like Rainforest Cafe too.
• Save on photos by asking the Disney Photographer, kindly, to take a pic with your own camera or cell phone.
• Skip the rental car and use WDW FREE Transportation to and from the resorts/ parks/ and Disney Springs.
• Click the banner below for more WDW Tips & Tricks!

There are some basic things you can do to save money on your family friendly Disney Cruise. Here are the ones I recommend.

• Book early , about 12-18 months in advance for the best pricing. You also save be re-booking your next cruise while you are onboard too!
• Shore Excursions –  Look at booking through a reputable vendor outside of the cruise line. And if you are doing the Atlantis Day pass at the Bahamas it might be cheaper to just book a room there for one night.
• Check for Last Minute Offers , yup I know that is exactly the opposite. But, you should check for last minute deals bc they can be a steal!
• Use a travel agent, they can actually SAVE you money and provide you with other perks. Most travel agents offer onboard credit. Like I said earlier we highly recommend our friends over at  Tink’s Magical Vacations
• Look for repositioning cruises. The Disney Dream, Disney Magic, Disney Wonder all have repositioning cruises at a time and often those are the best-priced cruises as the start in one location and end in another. We took one from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico and it was so much more affordable.
• If you are flexible or are feeling lucky, a great option is to book a guaranteed space. It means you can pick the category but not the actual cabins and it can save you tons. We’ve always still received great rooms, even rooms that are connecting, although they can’t guarantee that. We saved about $2,500 doing that on our upcoming trip!
• Save on transfers! Disney charges something like $70 pp round trip from the airport to Port Canaveral. Local companies charge about $250 for up to 7 people. So, if you have a large family make sure to check into getting your own transport. Or what we have been doing the last few times is using Uber. We actually rented a car on our last Disney Fantasy Cruise and paid $6.00 a day to park near the port. It was still cheaper than the transfer.

You may also like this Disney Cruise Travel Guide from LuxeRecess.

Take Aways-

No matter which Disney Vacation you choose, you are sure to have a magical experience you won’t soon forget. I think the main difference is going to be in pace. If you are a thrill-seeking family who loves being super active I think a Disneyworld vacation is the way to go. If you are truly looking for a getaway where you can sit back & relax? If so, a Disney Cruise would be a perfect fit!

Have more questions, still not sure which to choose? Simply leave me a comment below with your question or DM me on Instagram

Which Disney Vacation would You Choose?

More Disney Travel below:

Still looking for more great information about Disney? Check out these posts from some of my favorite family travel writers-

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[…] Disney Cruise vs Disney World- Which to Choose and Why […]

You’ve sold me on the Disney Cruise!! I’ve always wanted to go and have been dreaming about it for years. Now that I’ve got 2 littles, I need to make it happen. Thanks for all the tips! I’m loving the daycare on the ship! 🙂 http://www.flashesofdelight.com

Yes! Daycare on the trip means us mamas actually get a vacation. It’s awesome!! Not sure when you can travel but there are some great deals around Thanksgiving usually 😉

Thanks for the post! I have been to Walt Disney World, and have thinking about going on their cruise. After reading this, it makes me want to go even more! Castaway Cay looks like a lot of fun!

The cruise is amazing!!! You would love it!! I hope you get the opportunity someday soon 🙂

I have to say that reading this has sold me on wanting to take a disney cruise!!! It’s pretty awesome that the wait staff moves with you from restaurant to restaurant.

I hope you get the chance to do it!! It really is an amazing vacation!!!

I honeymooned at WDW and we have been thinking about a cruise. It is SO HARD to pick, though. I really appreciate how you broke down the Pros and cons and I am sure we’ll be bringing this out for our planning. Thanks!

What a wonderful honeymoon. I know what you mean about tough choices. At least regardless of which you choose you know it’s going to be great! Glad my tips were helpful 🙂

September is the BEST time to go to WDW, weather is gorgeous and the crowds are at bare minimums. I miss that, too many kids starting school at that time now so we never get to go then. You’ll have to try the cruise one of these days. SOOOOO relaxing!!!

Absolutely love Disney Cruises. You get all the Disney without the walking, heat and crazy crowds.

You and I… we are like-minded. I’m SO with you on that one:)

While both are pretty awesome options, I think I’d be preferential to the cruise, since everything is in one easy-to-access spot.

The cruise definitely feels more like a vacation 🙂 But, I agree they are both amazing trips!

WHOA, this is a super informative post! Thanks! I have never been on a Disney Cruise, but I adore Walt Disney World. There are so many rides and events to choose from. However, expect to feel exhausted, haha. My feet were always killing me at the end of the day.

Great comparison, in the end we will have to do both, probably the Disney Cruise first then the park. My son likes all of the rides for older, taller people so we will wait a couple of more years before we make the trek to Walt Disney World. The money saving tips that you have given are great! Definitely will put those to use.

What an interesting breakdown. As a Disney skeptic (I’ll admit it, I’ve only been once to WDW as a teenager and have never felt the pull back) I’ve always wondered what the draw is to return. From your comments, it seems like the sheer variety of things to do, foods to try and activities/hotels/amenities are a huge draw and can keep you coming back. I’m so thrilled that you’ve found the perfect thing that works for your family. I’m sure the kids will have countless memories for their entire lives!

I think I would always choose Disney World over a cruise, although the cruise does sound tempting! I love the Disney parks and would rather do a regular cruise and go to a park if I had to choose! I agree that you can save a TON of money by not staying at the hotels right at Disney!

Looks like both WDW and the Disney Cruise are great options for families. What a great list of tips to help people decide!

Very informative. Being a Florida girl, I’ve been to the Disney parks many times, but I’ve never been on a Disney Cruise. I love cruises and sailing with Disney sounds like it would be an absolute blast for my family and I.

Thanks for all the cost saving tips!

You should hop on one of those last minute rates one of these days since you live near the ports. They have some incredible deals sometimes 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

As you say, they both sound magical – but I think my kids would have loved the cruise. It sounds so fantastic with so much to do.

It’s true, the cruise is pretty fabulous! Happy Travels!!

Wow, this is SUCH a tough choice! Our kids are too old for a Disney cruise now, though they enjoy cruising as teens quite a bit. 😉 We all loved DisneyWorld and DisneyLand when we visited. I agree that it’s a magical place. All of your tips are marvelous – thanks for such a helpful post!

You are very welcome friend! Hope we get the chance to hang out in person soon again 🙂

I don’t have any kids but the Disney Cruise sounds like it would satisfy both the kids and the parents without getting too overwhelmed and exhausted. I’m sure lots of parents will find your extensive guide very helpful!

You nailed it! Great for both parties for sure. And, man is that a welcomed difference when traveling with kids ? Thanks for stopping by!

That is an extremely comprehensive post. I have only done the parks. I am waiting to do the cruise when I have a kid as well. They are both great it really depends on what you are looking for.

So, true as with all travels. The most important thing I think is for people to figure out what they want out of the vacation and then plan accordingly 🙂

Really great comparison, thanks! We’ve done WDW as adults (don’t have kids yet!) and loved the fast paces nature. Though I think the cruise would be a fantastic way to sit back and relax so would love to book myself on one soon 🙂

Thank you Megan! We loved that fast pace prior to having kids and actually more recently with our older four kids (9-14 years old) the toddlers were definietly easier on the cruise. I hope you get the chance to hop on a cruise and relax soon 🙂

You have so many fun photos! Agree that these are two totally different vacations, with that “Disney magic” being the common thread. A cruise is definitely more relaxing.

I totally can relate! I personally love Disney too 🙂

This is our first trip to Disney! My little girl has a lot of sensory issues/ ASD – would the Disney Cruise be as magical without the overstimulation in your opinion?

Hi Dee, The Disney Cruise is definitely still magical without all the overstimulation. Of course, there are some parts of the cruise that could be overstimulating like the Pirate Night Deck Party with Fireworks. But overall, I would say Disney Cruise definitely is a great option.

Any issues with motion sickness for your family on the cruise? That’s my main concern.

If you are concerned about motion sickness I would recommend going in the spring or early summer as the water is calmer. We had a cruise in the winter and the ship did sway a bit. Also, grab some motion sickness medicine or bands, they do work really well.

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