Welcome aboard, Lynne! You are planning my favorite type of Disney vacation: a surf and turf trip! We love to spend a few days at the Walt Disney World Resort before heading out to sea with Captain Mickey! It's the best of both worlds!
Disney occasionally offers
Land and Sea packages, but they are usually the same price as if you booked separately, but letting Disney take care of the details is a help in itself! If one of those special offers isn't available, just book your entire trip through Disney Cruise Line. The agents there are happy to help you book your sailing, resort stay, park tickets and ground transfers. However, if you want to take advantage of special Disney Parks offers or free dining, you'll need to book your resort stay separately, as Disney Cruise Line doesn't currently do that.
My family usually just books our cruise and adds a few days before or after (or both!) by separately booking resort stays through Walt Disney World. I hope that helps as you begin to plan, Lynne! Please stop back if you have any other cruise questions! I'm happy to help!