Welcome aboard, Dana! I'm glad that you're starting to plan a Land and Sea Disney vacation!
My family loves spending a few days in the parks before we cruise since we like to run around the parks and then have the relaxing cruise to help us unwind. My favorite place in the world is Castway Cay, so I hope you can visit. Most of DCL's Bahamian and many of the Caribbean cruises stop at Castaway Cay, but you can browse the current itineraries on
Disney Cruise Line's website.
If you'd like to book
Pre- or Post-Cruise add-ons that include resort stays, park tickets and ground transportation, you can do that very easily through Disney Cruise Line. Choose your cruise and which Walt Disney World resort you'd like to visit, then call Disney Cruise Line at 1-800-951-3532 and speak with one of the Cruise Reservation agents to book your vacation.
Unfortunately, they cannot add the Dining Plan to your resort reservation this way, so if you want to have that, you will need to book the cruise and the resort stay separately to include the Dining Plan. Once you have both booked, you can call Disney Cruise Line and they will be able to link your reservations. This helps when you want to make arrangements for Disney's transportation between your resort and the port.
While you're planning, take a look around Disney Cruise Line's website, watch some of the
Moms Panel Cruise videos here on our site (click Disney Cruise Line Mom), and order a free cruise planning DVD from DCL and a Walt Disney World planning video to let your family preview the magic you will experience onboard and in the parks!
Happy planning, Dana! Let me know how else I can help!