Child and grandfather enjoying ice cream
  • On Jan 17, 2023
    Kate from GA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We'd for a Disney celebration for my Dad's 80th birthday. We can decide parks or cruise. We are significantly bound by dates. We'd love some help making the decision

    Hi there, Kate, and welcome to planDisney!

    First things first, I wish your Dad so many special birthday wishes! I’m sure he will be thrilled to celebrate this milestone birthday with a Disney vacation.  And I’m sure that you and your family want to surround your Dad with magical moments during your vacation celebration, so let’s see what we can dream up! 

    Of course, asking me to choose between a Disney Cruise Line vacation and a Walt Disney World Resort vacation is a little like asking me to pick whom I love more, Mickey Mouse or Goofy! It’s a tough call, and there are benefits to both, so you may need to write back to me once you have taken a look at my initial suggestions and let me know more about what you desire in a Disney vacation, and we can keep dreaming!

    Kate, I am a big fan of Disney Cruise Line vacations for multi-generational families. There are plenty of options for everyone to do and enjoy in a relaxed atmosphere. There are fewer decisions to make regarding where and when to eat, yet you still have choices. A Disney cruise offers multiple entertainment venues with everything from Broadway-style shows to rousing games of trivia. One of the amazing ways for you all, depending on the ages of your travel party, to celebrate your Dad is a specialty Adult Dining option that is sure to make him feel like he is the king of the seas. And one of the benefits of a cruise is that a ship is fairly easy for older adults to navigate. 

    Now, because you are bound by dates and cruise options are bound by dates of their own, this may not be an option that will work for you. So, perhaps we will need to consider the other magical option, which is a Walt Disney World Resort celebration.

    I’ll admit to you, Kate, a Walt Disney World vacation is my first love! I imagine your Dad will enjoy feeling like a kid again! One of the best parts of a Walt Disney World vacation is that it offers what seems like unlimited options for your resort hotel stay at one of the Disney Resorts Collection hotels, delicious dining choices, and how you spend time in the theme parks so that everyone can experience special moments with your Dad. You could also book an Enchanting Extra such as a Capture Your Moment private photo session. And there are certainly many ways to manage a Walt Disney World vacation with older adults that will make the adventure an incredibly enjoyable experience for everyone. 

    Kate, you really can’t go wrong with either choice because both will create magical memories of a lifetime. As I said, I’m more than happy to keep thinking this through with you and offer you more specific ideas for your vacation, so please let me know what other questions you have or how else I can help. I’m grateful to be a part of your family’s special time together!

    Wishing you many magical memories,
    Shannon
thumbnail image for Shannon

Meet the Panelist: Shannon, Georgia

Hi! I'm a dreamer and doer who loves exploring the big blue world! My love for Disney began at Walt Disney World Resort and after my first Disney Cruise Line vacation I was hooked. I especially enjoy the ships' adult-exclusive spaces and activities while experiencing the magic only Disney can create. A Land and Sea vacation combining an action-packed Walt Disney World Resort visit and a relaxing Disney Cruise Line voyage is my favorite way to do Disney. I can't wait to help you create your magical memories! Learn More About Shannon

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