Turns out, people have very strong reactions to Disney cruises

[Anonymous]

I think people that say these things have not been on a Disney cruise with small children. My kids are now young adults. I wouldn't do it now. But when they were 5 and 7, it was GLORIOUS.

Disney does kids like no one else. The memory that sticks out for me are that the waiters rotate with you to the different restaurants each night. By night 3, our waiters knew my kids. They had their soft drinks waiting for them at the table before we sat down. When my kids tried to order something without a vegetable, they gently encouraged them to at least try a vegetable since your mom is going to tell you to anyway---they had heard me over the last few nights telling the kids. And the one that still makes me smile--the kids were rambunctious one evening. They had ordered a meat dish. One server was engaging with me, talking to me about my day, and pouring my wine. The other server was cutting up my kids food so I didin't have to. By the time I was saying thank you for my wine pour, the kids were actually eating their food and I had nothing left to do.

I lost my 5 yr old on Castaway Caye. I panicked and looked for 5 min before I said something to a cast member. During this time, I'm having all sorts of thoughts of my kid being in the ocean and drowning. They had him in under 2 min and brought him back to me.

I was with my young kids so I can't talk to what the ship is like for teens or people cruising without kids. But I'm looking forward to going again once I have grandkids and they are old enough. Oh, and they do an incredible job with hand washing on the ship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, I live in a fairly expensive zip code and have heard nothing but wonderful things about Disney cruises from friends who have gone on them. And as someone without a lot of family help, I totally get the appeal of a vacation with built-in childcare. Funnily enough all my friends who have gone have 3+ kids so I’m sure getting in some kid free time was a motivating factor!

These cruises also aren’t cheap. They’re supposed to be really well done. Disney thinks of everything when it comes to families. Enjoy your trip and ignore the haters!

Same. You can also book in the VIP section of the ship, which has limited guests, and there you have private sun deck and lounge areas, a separate concierge, separate daily food aside from booking restaurants (though you can eat in the other areas too if you want to). A friend invited me to go with her, and we loved seeing movies and shows any time we wanted, having a private cabana on the island, and when we were in the bars and lounges, we had them practically to ourselves, as all the people with kids seemed to have gone to bed. The teen and young adult areas we passed were hopping though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would say nice even though I have not been to one. I assume it cost around $10k for a family of 4 on Disney cruise, so it must be really really nice with good food and many entertainment.

We’re a family of 5 and it’s $4000 for a 5 night cruise.

Really? Do you book through Disney cruise agent or yourself from their websites? We are a family of 4, and kids are 10 (boy that dont care about princess, but he has found toy story interesting ) & 7 (girl that love princess). What month are good to book to travel? We have never been on a cruise or disneyworld yet, and we are thinking to give Disney cruise a try.

[Anonymous]

I think people generally have love it or hate it reactions to both Disney and cruises so then it gets so extra re Disney cruises. Have fun op! (From a like Disney but not interested in cruise person who wouldn’t be nasty about your Disney cruise bc I’m a nice person unlike a lot of people lol).

[Anonymous]

OP, I think you must have weird friends. I don't think anyone's ever said anything like that to me regarding Disney. Who are these people? I mean, what would happen if you told them you were taking your kids on a Carnival Cruise? Would their heads explode?

[Anonymous]

Years ago when kids were small my parents, who love cruising, asked us and my brothers family to go on a Disney cruise with them. I rolled my eyes and told everyone who would listen that I was only going to make my parents happy and really didn't want to go. I had to eat my words. It was a fabulous trip -- the kids had a blast and loved the kids club so much the adults got to hang out. We enjoyed it so much that we went on one by ourselves the next year.

I wouldn't do it now with teens, but at that time in our lives, it was a great vacation. So for people crapping on your trip just nod your head and know you'll have a great time!

[Anonymous]

Why are you doing Disney cruise if your kids don’t even know Disney and have no interest in it?

I also think it’s weird to gift your kids a family vacation especially one that is a theme that they don’t even know or care about.

[Anonymous]

Cruises (and Disney in general) seem to be things people either love or hate. The bigger issue is that so many people feel comfortable making rude comments these days. Enjoy your cruise and I hope you have a wonderful time, OP. I have a few friends who are repeat Disney cruise goers and really love it.

[Anonymous]

Depends on your kids ages.

[Anonymous]

DC have been in 3 Disney Cruises - even though youngest now a senior in HS and all 3 would say the were the best family vacations. Have fun OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people that say these things have not been on a Disney cruise with small children. My kids are now young adults. I wouldn't do it now. But when they were 5 and 7, it was GLORIOUS.

Disney does kids like no one else. The memory that sticks out for me are that the waiters rotate with you to the different restaurants each night. By night 3, our waiters knew my kids. They had their soft drinks waiting for them at the table before we sat down. When my kids tried to order something without a vegetable, they gently encouraged them to at least try a vegetable since your mom is going to tell you to anyway---they had heard me over the last few nights telling the kids. And the one that still makes me smile--the kids were rambunctious one evening. They had ordered a meat dish. One server was engaging with me, talking to me about my day, and pouring my wine. The other server was cutting up my kids food so I didin't have to. By the time I was saying thank you for my wine pour, the kids were actually eating their food and I had nothing left to do.

I lost my 5 yr old on Castaway Caye. I panicked and looked for 5 min before I said something to a cast member. During this time, I'm having all sorts of thoughts of my kid being in the ocean and drowning. They had him in under 2 min and brought him back to me.

I was with my young kids so I can't talk to what the ship is like for teens or people cruising without kids. But I'm looking forward to going again once I have grandkids and they are old enough. Oh, and they do an incredible job with hand washing on the ship.

This brought tears to my eyes. I’ve been the primary caretaker for 10 years with a spouse who travels full time. The kindness of the waiters will make me cry!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would say nice even though I have not been to one. I assume it cost around $10k for a family of 4 on Disney cruise, so it must be really really nice with good food and many entertainment.

We’re a family of 5 and it’s $4000 for a 5 night cruise.

Really? Do you book through Disney cruise agent or yourself from their websites? We are a family of 4, and kids are 10 (boy that dont care about princess, but he has found toy story interesting ) & 7 (girl that love princess). What month are good to book to travel? We have never been on a cruise or disneyworld yet, and we are thinking to give Disney cruise a try.

I am using an agent and she helped find the best deal and answered all the same questions. I was undecided between a resort with childcare vs a cruise and she was so helpful. She helped me for years literally before I finally had the money to go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you doing Disney cruise if your kids don’t even know Disney and have no interest in it?

I also think it’s weird to gift your kids a family vacation especially one that is a theme that they don’t even know or care about.

Because of the level of care and theming. They like Star Wars (although they haven’t seen the movies) and Mickey, but not princesses. The next option would be Holland cruise but Disney is just better for kids overall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you doing Disney cruise if your kids don’t even know Disney and have no interest in it?

I also think it’s weird to gift your kids a family vacation especially one that is a theme that they don’t even know or care about.

My kids at that age would have been super excited to go on a boat so big it had restaurants and a swimming pool. They did happen to know Disney characters, but if it had been themed something they didn’t know they still would have been wildly excited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are going on our first REAL vacation as a family and after a lot of research, we landed with a Disney cruise. The bottom line is we need a proper vacation (not a “trip”) and we need childcare because we don’t have family to come with us or watch our kids while DH and I go away). Disney is the nicest, best food, etc. We aren’t a Disney family at all, honestly. I’m not even sure my boys will know the characters.

ANYWAY…people have strong reactions to us saying that’s what we’re doing. (it was the kids Christmas present or else honestly, we wouldn’t tell people. But the kids are excited so they tell everyone.)
“I would NEVER.”
“Sounds like hell on earth”.
“Why not spend the money and take the kids to Europe?”
And on and on.

Why are people like this?!

Because they feel smug and superior. Are you new to human nature?

FWIW, I would *never* and it does sound like Hell on Earth. Not sold on Europe, though — I find Europe to be overrated.