Anonymous wrote:The previous posters grumping about Disney Cruise lines are just typical of the "Look at how cool and sophisticated I am. I would never go to Disney World, or dine at Applebee's. Even though Disney Cruise lines is universally praised by families, I hated it!" types. Forget about them and just enjoy yourself, you will have a great time.

wrong.....been to the various parks with and without kids 15 or more times....have parents who now live 20 mi. from Magic Kingdom so we can go whenever we want, and I was making the point that I would gladly choose Applebees today rather than eat another meal on the Disney ship....fresh is always better than something sitting under a warming light for 2 hrs. I simple haven't eaten at Applebees in a long time and it is not my favorite type of restaurant....but still that kind of casual grill dining would be far better than what was offered on the ship (even though it was beautifully presented).

Anonymous wrote:The previous posters grumping about Disney Cruise lines are just typical of the "Look at how cool and sophisticated I am. I would never go to Disney World, or dine at Applebee's. Even though Disney Cruise lines is universally praised by families, I hated it!" types. Forget about them and just enjoy yourself, you will have a great time.

I love Disney World. I do not enjoy Disney Cruises. They suck. Too crowded, not enough to do, too expensive for a cruise.

Don't drink the Kool-Aid, PP!

Anonymous wrote:I am not a Disney person. I don't love the characters and I don't love rides. We tried the parks a few years ago and had meltdown after meltdown (Even following the - early morning, rest, late afternoon idea that is supposed to make the trip more relaxing) The walking, the lines, the heat. My husband and I made a pact not to do Disney again until the kids were old enough to understand the whole "we stand in line for a 4 min. ride thing.)

Fast forward a year or two - the Disney Cruise was magical for us. They had the characters for the kids, without the lines. Kids clubs they didn't want to leave, great service and food (In the adult only restaurants)

We don't feel like we are cheating our kids out of the disney magic (The princesses etc) And, unlike the parks, the random character interaction makes so many lasting memories!

If you do not like cruises - no cruise will make you happy. If you are expecting a club med/no kids/ quiet adult only river cruise - it won't happen.

But for us, having the chance to relax, enjoy both family and adult time, and give the kids the "Disnet Experience" without walking all over the parks and standing in lines - the cruise was 100% worth it.

Finally - to the person who said they can do Disney for a week for less $$. To stay at a Deluxe resort for 7 days is approx. 6,000 - not including meals. For us - the 7 night cruise ended up being less expensive.

Going to the parks during the off-season has the same effect without the PITA factor of a cruise.

Let's see. We've done 4 Disney cruises. Each one was a blast. Boats are amazing, service is wonderful, and there's lots to do.

PP is right -- get to the pools first thing. Then lunch, maybe a little nap, a movie and it's time to get ready for dinner. After dinner, drop the kids at the club and have some adult fun!

And ALL the shows are good for all ages -- unless they are labeled "adult" which only a few are.

The previous posters grumping about Disney Cruise lines are just typical of the "Look at how cool and sophisticated I am. I would never go to Disney World, or dine at Applebee's. Even though Disney Cruise lines is universally praised by families, I hated it!" types. Forget about them and just enjoy yourself, you will have a great time.

We went on a 4 day and it was awesome. I suppose it is a bit wholesome and family oriented (for ex, I don't remember any spots for gambling) but if you are happy with an adult only pool and beverage, it was fine. I wish we had gone for longer.

Anonymous wrote:This is somewhat worrisome, as we leave for a Disney cruise next month.

Don't worry -- we LOVED LOVED LOVED our Disney Cruise!

Re: the pools -- hit the family pools early.. around 8am-10:30. then do an activity. have lunch. In the afternoon send the kids to the club and enjoy the adult areas which will be less crowded!

I am not a Disney person. I don't love the characters and I don't love rides. We tried the parks a few years ago and had meltdown after meltdown (Even following the - early morning, rest, late afternoon idea that is supposed to make the trip more relaxing) The walking, the lines, the heat. My husband and I made a pact not to do Disney again until the kids were old enough to understand the whole "we stand in line for a 4 min. ride thing.)

Fast forward a year or two - the Disney Cruise was magical for us. They had the characters for the kids, without the lines. Kids clubs they didn't want to leave, great service and food (In the adult only restaurants)

We don't feel like we are cheating our kids out of the disney magic (The princesses etc) And, unlike the parks, the random character interaction makes so many lasting memories!

If you do not like cruises - no cruise will make you happy. If you are expecting a club med/no kids/ quiet adult only river cruise - it won't happen.

But for us, having the chance to relax, enjoy both family and adult time, and give the kids the "Disnet Experience" without walking all over the parks and standing in lines - the cruise was 100% worth it.

Finally - to the person who said they can do Disney for a week for less $$. To stay at a Deluxe resort for 7 days is approx. 6,000 - not including meals. For us - the 7 night cruise ended up being less expensive.

I'm 9:52. Yes, your 3 year old will love the shows! Our youngest was nearly 2.5 when we cruised, and he enjoyed the shows. So did our older kids. Everything is kid friendly. The shows are broadway style productions...colorful scenery, music, dancing, etc. Very fun!

Ignore the haters. You'll have a blast!

Thanks-- PP here going on cruise next month. Were any of the shows appropriate for a 3-year-old? Any of the activities you wouldn't miss for a kid that age? What about the kids club activities: which ones were the best? TIA!

We cruised with four kids and had a blast!

We only did the pool for an hour one day. Big kids did the slide, and little ones did the splash area. We didn't use the clubs. We participated in activities (shows, animation, car races). At dinner, our 11 year old ordered off the adult menu. Our 7 year old ordered appetizers off the adult menu, but stuck with the kids menu for entrees. We thought the food was good. Most room service is free, so we ordered cookies and milk each day for snacks before dinner. The evening shows are excellent...don't skip them.

Anonymous wrote:This is somewhat worrisome, as we leave for a Disney cruise next month.

Just be prepared for CROWDS! The pools are very small. The line for Aqua Duck is very long. Look carefully at the crowding in the kids club before you send your child in there. Hopefully, you won't have a hurricane. And don't limit your kids to what is on the dinner menu -- just ask the waiter to get your child whatever they want. We didn't do that and wish we had used their "service" to the full extent.

This is somewhat worrisome, as we leave for a Disney cruise next month.

To the OP, Disney cruises have adult only areas, so you can leave your kids in the kid area for several hours at a time. My dad and stepmother have done 10 Disney cruises, one of which was to Alaska and the other was the first one Disney did to Hawaii. They haven't complained once. Oh, they have grandchildren.