Hi Amanda,
Welcome to the Moms Panel - you've come to the right place for advice on planning a Disney Cruise vacation! As overwhelming as it may seem, I have found that a cruise is actually one of the easiest vacations you can take as a family. Imagine all the pixie dust, magic, service, style and FUN of a Walt Disney World vacation, condensed onto a magnificent ocean liner. All of the food and entertainment you can imagine, without having to calculate bus, boat and monorail schedules - and with the quiet solitude of your stateroom minutes away at all times (very helpful with a toddler).
If you've never cruised before, typically I would suggest a 4-5 night voyage. This allows you to test the waters without making the time and financial commitment that the longer voyages require. The
Disney Dream will servicing these shorter voyages out of Port Canaveral in Florida. Your party of seven will require at least two staterooms, I would make sure that you book connecting staterooms (you can pass between the two with an interior door), opposed to adjoining (rooms next to each other, but no internal access). The other thing I will suggest is to keep any eye out on the
Special Offers page, in the past there have been "Kids Sail Free" promotions on the longer voyages which may ultimately work out to be more cost effective than the shorter voyage. Keep in mind that the first two occupants of each stateroom pay full fare, regardless of age (so under this promotion two children would sail free, as well as your toddler until he/she reaches the age of 3).
Let me know if you have other questions!