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Mom And Son Running through park; RunDisney; incredibles shirt
  • On Dec 26, 2013
    Mia from TN Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hello, I am planning a trip for my family this spring but I cant decide which to do. The park or the cruise? I will be taking kids ages 8 and 18. I want to do something they both will enjoy. What would be your suggestion for our first Disney outing?

    Hi, Mia!  My kids range in age from eight to 22, and I think they all enjoy both the theme parks and the cruise line for various reasons.  There is something for everyone at the theme parks, which is why we actually fell in love with Walt Disney World.  I wanted to make sure there was as much for the littlest one to do as there was for the oldest, and we always found that at the theme parks.

    On the other hand, the cruise line, with the kids clubs and teen activities, also offer things that appeal to people of all ages - including offering adults only experiences.  It's a great way for parents to enjoy the vacation as much as the kids do, without having to worry every minute how to keep the kids entertained.

    The big difference is that if you have kids that don't like to socialize much, or maybe they don't warm up to new kids easily, they may not enjoy being on the ship as much as they would being with family at the theme parks.  My oldest, who still loves the cruise ships, never wanted to be in the kids clubs, nor did she participate in the teen activities.  She would much rather be with the adults, which meant we skipped a lot of the adult activities in order to make sure we were doing stuff with her.

    Base your decision on your kids' personalities and how busy you want to be on vacation.  I think there's more on the go time at the theme parks, more relaxation on the cruise.  You may even want to consider combining a three or four night cruise with a couple of nights in the theme park!  That gives you the best of both worlds!
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Meet the Panelist: Anna, New Jersey

My name is Anna and I am a retired teacher with a J.D., a proud Navy wife with 30+ years of experience, mom to three daughters and a son-in-law, and grandmom to three tiny Disney fans. I have planned vacations for all sorts of special occasions and celebrations, but I really enjoy DVC vacations, helping military families, and assisting those with special dietary needs.    Learn More About Anna

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