Welcome Aboard, TL!
You sound just like me the first time we planned a Disney Cruise Line vacation. I was a Walt Disney World Resort veteran, but knew nothing about cruising. Disney was our first cruise experience, and we loved it so much we kept coming back!
I've since discovered that my favorite type of vacation is the kind you're planning - a
Land and Sea adventure! While we love to cruise with Captain Mickey, our vacation just didn't seem complete without a visit to the parks. We've done the parks before and after our cruise, and really don't have a preference which end of the cruise our WDW portion falls - it just makes the trip all that more magical!
The WDW leg of your vacation can be reserved at any Disney-owned resort. Ground transportation between Walt Disney World Resort and the port can be pre-arranged as well, which makes the transition from land to sea seamless and easy. Your room category at WDW doesn't dictate your stateroom category on the ship. You can choose any combination of resort room and stateroom category - it's completely up to you!
I hope this helps with your planning. Simply contact an authorized Disney Vacation Planner, or call Disney Cruise Line directly at 1-800-951-3532 to start planning your magical Surf and Turf vacation!
Have a Disney Day! - Diane W.