Hi Denise!
I am so glad you stopped by while resEARching and planning for a magical Disney vacation! There are lots of considerations to take into account while doing so and therefore I am so glad you are here! Both of your itinerary suggestions are fantastic and would really offer a wonderful and memorable vacation for your family! Let’s talk through the two options and I will give some opinions.
Magic Kingdom + 3 Night Cruise – love a Land and Sea vacation anytime because you get to experience the fun and magic of both. Magic Kingdom is so fun and can usually be done sufficiently in one day and a cruise will give you a small taste of what it is like to cruise with Disney along with a stop at Castaway Cay! Postive is that so much is
included with your reservation! Con is that a three-night sailing will leave you wanting more!
Magic Kingdom + Epcot/Animal Kingdom – the flexibility of having more time to spend at the theme parks is very enticing; there is SO much to do and once you enter
Walt Disney World Resort you will feel like you never want to leave! You can utilize a park hopper pass and go to as many parks as you can in the time you are there, maybe even hitting all 4! Postitive is that by staying as a Guest at a Walt Disney World Resort you get Extra Magic Hours giving you even more time in the parks and you can add on a dining plan! Con is that you won't get to experience a cruise or Castaway Cay!
I honestly would do what you think YOUR family would like best (keeping in mind ages/heights of children) and going with that option! Your first Disney vacation is one you will always remember so take your first inclination and go with it!
Once you do decide, come back with planning questions!
Stephanie